1
|
Sharma A, Dheer P, Rautela I, Thapliyal P, Thapliyal P, Bajpai AB, Sharma MD. A review on strategies for crop improvement against drought stress through molecular insights. 3 Biotech 2024; 14:173. [PMID: 38846012 PMCID: PMC11150236 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-024-04020-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The demand for food goods is rising along with the world population growth, which is directly related to the yield of agricultural crops around the world. However, a number of environmental factors, including floods, salinity, moisture, and drought, have a detrimental effect on agricultural production around the world. Among all of these stresses, drought stress (DS) poses a constant threat to agricultural crops and is a significant impediment to global agricultural productivity. Its potency and severity are expected to increase in the future years. A variety of techniques have been used to generate drought-resistant plants in order to get around this restriction. Different crop plants exhibit specific traits that contribute to drought resistance (DR), such as early flowering, drought escape (DE), and leaf traits. We are highlighting numerous methods that can be used to overcome the effects of DS in this review. Agronomic methods, transgenic methods, the use of sufficient fertilizers, and molecular methods such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs)-associated nuclease 9 (Cas9), virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, microRNA (miRNA) technology, and OMICS-based approaches make up the majority of these techniques. CRISPR technology has rapidly become an increasingly popular choice among researchers exploring natural tolerance to abiotic stresses although, only a few plants have been produced so far using this technique. In order to address the difficulties imposed by DS, new plants utilizing the CRISPR technology must be developed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Pallavi Dheer
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Patel Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Indra Rautela
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied and Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Preeti Thapliyal
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied and Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Priya Thapliyal
- Department of Biochemistry, H.N.B. Garhwal (A Central) University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand 246174 India
| | - Atal Bihari Bajpai
- Department of Botany, D.B.S. (PG) College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| | - Manish Dev Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Patel Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
D'Incà R, Mattioli R, Tomasella M, Tavazza R, Macone A, Incocciati A, Martignago D, Polticelli F, Fraudentali I, Cona A, Angelini R, Tavazza M, Nardini A, Tavladoraki P. A Solanum lycopersicum polyamine oxidase contributes to the control of plant growth, xylem differentiation, and drought stress tolerance. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38761363 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Polyamines are involved in several plant physiological processes. In Arabidopsis thaliana, five FAD-dependent polyamine oxidases (AtPAO1 to AtPAO5) contribute to polyamine homeostasis. AtPAO5 catalyzes the back-conversion of thermospermine (T-Spm) to spermidine and plays a role in plant development, xylem differentiation, and abiotic stress tolerance. In the present study, to verify whether T-Spm metabolism can be exploited as a new route to improve stress tolerance in crops and to investigate the underlying mechanisms, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) AtPAO5 homologs were identified (SlPAO2, SlPAO3, and SlPAO4) and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated loss-of-function slpao3 mutants were obtained. Morphological, molecular, and physiological analyses showed that slpao3 mutants display increased T-Spm levels and exhibit changes in growth parameters, number and size of xylem elements, and expression levels of auxin- and gibberellin-related genes compared to wild-type plants. The slpao3 mutants are also characterized by improved tolerance to drought stress, which can be attributed to a diminished xylem hydraulic conductivity that limits water loss, as well as to a reduced vulnerability to embolism. Altogether, this study evidences conservation, though with some significant variations, of the T-Spm-mediated regulatory mechanisms controlling plant growth and differentiation across different plant species and highlights the T-Spm role in improving stress tolerance while not constraining growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo D'Incà
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Martina Tomasella
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Raffaela Tavazza
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), BIOAG-BIOTEC C.R. Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Macone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Incocciati
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Polticelli
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146, Rome, Italy
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Roma Tre Section, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Cona
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Angelini
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Tavazza
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), BIOAG-BIOTEC C.R. Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Nardini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paraskevi Tavladoraki
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi (INBB), Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Endo S, Fukuda H. A cell-wall-modifying gene-dependent CLE26 peptide signaling confers drought resistance in Arabidopsis. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae049. [PMID: 38352176 PMCID: PMC10863546 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Plants respond to various environmental stimuli in sophisticated ways. Takahashi et al. (2018) revealed that CLAVATA3/EMBRYO SURROUNDING REIGON-related 25 (CLE25) peptide is produced in roots under drought stress and transported to shoots, where it induces abscisic acid biosynthesis, resulting in drought resistance in Arabidopsis. However, the drought-related function of the CLE26 peptide, which has the same amino acid sequence as CLE25 (except for one amino acid substitution), is still unknown. In this study, a phenotypic analysis of Arabidopsis plants under repetitive drought stress treatment indicates that CLE26 is associated with drought stress memory and promotes survival rate at the second dehydration event. Additionally, we find that a loss-of-function mutant of a cell-wall-modifying gene, XYLANASE1 (XYN1), exhibits improved resistance to drought, which is suppressed by the mutation of CLE26. XYN1 is down-regulated in response to drought in wild-type plants. A further analysis shows that the synthetic CLE26 peptide is well transported in both xyn1 and drought-pretreated wild-type plants but not in untreated wild-type plants. These results suggest a novel cell wall function in drought stress memory; short-term dehydration down-regulates XYN1 in xylem cells, leading to probable cell wall modification, which alters CLE26 peptide transport, resulting in drought resistance under subsequent long-term dehydration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Endo
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kyoto University of Advanced Science, Kyoto 621-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroo Fukuda
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kyoto University of Advanced Science, Kyoto 621-8555, Japan
- Akita Prefectural University, Akita 010-0195, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Weerarathne LVY, Jahufer Z, Schäufele R, Lopez I, Matthew C. A comparative analysis of agronomic water-use efficiency and its proxy measures as derived from key morpho-physiological and supportive quantitative genetics attributes of perennial ryegrass under imposed drought. PLANT-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2023; 4:291-307. [PMID: 37829998 PMCID: PMC10565840 DOI: 10.1002/pei3.10123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Water-use efficiency (WUE) is an under-researched but very important drought tolerance trait in forage breeding. This research estimated quantitative genetic parameters of morpho-physiological traits linked to agronomic water-use efficiency (WUEA) and its proxy measures based on δ13C (WUEi) or gas exchange (evapotranspiration, WUEAET, or stomatal conductance WUEASC) of genotypes from half-sib families of Lolium perenne L. (PRG) in a simulated summer drought cycle. Principal component analysis (PCA) of trait data distinguished a group of PRG genotypes where high WUEA and dry matter yield was associated with deep rooting, leaf hydration at more negative leaf osmotic and water potential, and reduced soil moisture depletion. Plants with this trait association sustained net assimilation and postdefoliation regrowth in drought. However, WUEi, WUEASC, and WUEAET were poorly correlated with most traits of interest at p < .05. Another PCA revealed a weak association between WUEA and its proxy measures under conditions tested. Quantitative genetic parameters including high estimates of narrow-sense heritability (h n 2 > 0.7 ; p < .05 ) of WUEA and related traits emphasized the genetic potential of the key trait combination for selecting PRG for improved drought tolerance. Research findings highlight the relative importance of WUEA and its proxy measures in the broad definition of PRG drought tolerance for breeding purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L. V. Y. Weerarathne
- Department of Crop Science, Faculty of AgricultureUniversity of PeradeniyaPeradeniyaSri Lanka
- School of Agriculture and Environment, College of SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - Z. Jahufer
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Faculty of ScienceThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - R. Schäufele
- Crop Physiology, School of Life SciencesTechnical University of MunichFreisingGermany
| | - I. Lopez
- School of Agriculture and Environment, College of SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
| | - C. Matthew
- School of Agriculture and Environment, College of SciencesMassey UniversityPalmerston NorthNew Zealand
- College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and TechnologyLanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xu D, Tang Q, Xu P, Schäffner AR, Leister D, Kleine T. Response of the organellar and nuclear (post)transcriptomes of Arabidopsis to drought. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1220928. [PMID: 37528975 PMCID: PMC10387551 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1220928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to cope with drought, which involve massive changes in nuclear gene expression. However, little is known about the roles of post-transcriptional processing of nuclear or organellar transcripts and how meaningful these changes are. To address these issues, we used RNA-sequencing after ribosomal RNA depletion to monitor (post)transcriptional changes during different times of drought exposure in Arabidopsis Col-0. Concerning the changes detected in the organellar transcriptomes, chloroplast transcript levels were globally reduced, editing efficiency dropped, but splicing was not affected. Mitochondrial transcripts were slightly elevated, while editing and splicing were unchanged. Conversely, alternative splicing (AS) affected nearly 1,500 genes (9% of expressed nuclear genes). Of these, 42% were regulated solely at the level of AS, representing transcripts that would have gone unnoticed in a microarray-based approach. Moreover, we identified 927 isoform switching events. We provide a table of the most interesting candidates, and as proof of principle, increased drought tolerance of the carbonic anhydrase ca1 and ca2 mutants is shown. In addition, altering the relative contributions of the spliced isoforms could increase drought resistance. For example, our data suggest that the accumulation of a nonfunctional FLM (FLOWERING LOCUS M) isoform and not the ratio of FLM-ß and -δ isoforms may be responsible for the phenotype of early flowering under long-day drought conditions. In sum, our data show that AS enhances proteome diversity to counteract drought stress and represent a valuable resource that will facilitate the development of new strategies to improve plant performance under drought.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duorong Xu
- Plant Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Qian Tang
- Plant Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, München, Germany
| | - Anton R. Schäffner
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, München, Germany
| | - Dario Leister
- Plant Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Tatjana Kleine
- Plant Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dvojković K, Plavšin I, Novoselović D, Šimić G, Lalić A, Čupić T, Horvat D, Viljevac Vuletić M. Early Antioxidative Response to Desiccant-Stimulated Drought Stress in Field-Grown Traditional Wheat Varieties. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:249. [PMID: 36678962 PMCID: PMC9867156 DOI: 10.3390/plants12020249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Extended drought affects the production and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), one of the world's most important food crops. Breeding for increased drought resistance is becoming increasingly important due to the rising demand for food production. Four old traditional Croatian wheat cultivars were used in the present study to examine the early antioxidant response of flag leaves to desiccant-stimulated drought stress and to identify drought-tolerant cultivars accordingly. The results indicate that the enzymatic antioxidant system plays the most significant role in the early response of adult wheat plants to drought stress and the removal of excessive H2O2, particularly GPOD and APX. Nada and Dubrava cultivars revealed the strongest activation of the enzymatic defense mechanism, which prevented H2O2 accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Additionally, the Nada cultivar also showed increased synthesis of proline and specific phenolic compounds, which both contribute to the increased stress tolerance. Among the cultivars investigated, cultivar Nada has the broadest genetic base, which may explain why it possesses the ability to activate both enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense mechanisms in an early response to drought stress. This suggests that old traditional wheat cultivars with broad genetic bases can be a valuable source of drought tolerance, which is especially important given the current climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krešimir Dvojković
- Agricultural Institute Osijek, Južno Predgrađe 17, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ivana Plavšin
- Agricultural Institute Osijek, Južno Predgrađe 17, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dario Novoselović
- Agricultural Institute Osijek, Južno Predgrađe 17, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Šimić
- Agricultural Institute Osijek, Južno Predgrađe 17, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Alojzije Lalić
- Agricultural Institute Osijek, Južno Predgrađe 17, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Tihomir Čupić
- Agricultural Institute Osijek, Južno Predgrađe 17, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Daniela Horvat
- Agricultural Institute Osijek, Južno Predgrađe 17, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Saleem A, Roldán-Ruiz I, Aper J, Muylle H. Genetic control of tolerance to drought stress in soybean. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 22:615. [PMID: 36575367 PMCID: PMC9795773 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-022-03996-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drought stress limits the production of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], which is the most grown high-value legume crop worldwide. Breeding for drought tolerance is a difficult endeavor and understanding the genetic basis of drought tolerance in soybean is therefore crucial for harnessing the genomic regions involved in the tolerance mechanisms. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis was applied in a soybean germplasm collection (the EUCLEG collection) of 359 accessions relevant for breeding in Europe, to identify genomic regions and candidate genes involved in the response to short duration and long duration drought stress (SDS and LDS respectively) in soybean. RESULTS The phenotypic response to drought was stronger in the long duration drought (LDS) than in the short duration drought (SDS) experiment. Over the four traits considered (canopy wilting, leaf senescence, maximum absolute growth rate and maximum plant height) the variation was in the range of 8.4-25.2% in the SDS, and 14.7-29.7% in the LDS experiments. The GWAS analysis identified a total of 17 and 22 significant marker-trait associations for four traits in the SDS and LDS experiments, respectively. In the genomic regions delimited by these markers we identified a total of 12 and 16 genes with putative functions that are of particular relevance for drought stress responses including stomatal movement, root formation, photosynthesis, ABA signaling, cellular protection and cellular repair mechanisms. Some of these genomic regions co-localized with previously known QTLs for drought tolerance traits including water use efficiency, chlorophyll content and photosynthesis. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that the mechanism of slow wilting in the SDS might be associated with the characteristics of the root system, whereas in the LDS, slow wilting could be due to low stomatal conductance and transpiration rates enabling a high WUE. Drought-induced leaf senescence was found to be associated to ABA and ROS responses. The QTLs related to WUE contributed to growth rate and canopy height maintenance under drought stress. Co-localization of several previously known QTLs for multiple agronomic traits with the SNPs identified in this study, highlights the importance of the identified genomic regions for the improvement of agronomic performance in addition to drought tolerance in the EUCLEG collection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aamir Saleem
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Plant Sciences Unit, Caritasstraat 39, 9090, Melle, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Isabel Roldán-Ruiz
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Plant Sciences Unit, Caritasstraat 39, 9090, Melle, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jonas Aper
- Protealis, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hilde Muylle
- Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Plant Sciences Unit, Caritasstraat 39, 9090, Melle, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Peršić V, Ament A, Antunović Dunić J, Drezner G, Cesar V. PEG-induced physiological drought for screening winter wheat genotypes sensitivity - integrated biochemical and chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:987702. [PMID: 36311092 PMCID: PMC9597320 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.987702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to screen different winter wheat genotypes at the onset of metabolic changes induced by water deficit to comprehend possible adaptive features of photosynthetic apparatus function and structure to physiological drought. The drought treatment was the most influential variable affecting plant growth and relative water content, and genotype variability determined with what intensity varieties of winter wheat seedlings responded to water deficit. PEG-induced drought, as expected, changed phenomenological energy fluxes and the efficiency with which an electron is transferred to final PSI acceptors. Based on the effect size, fluorescence parameters were grouped to represent photochemical parameters, that is, the donor and acceptor side of PSII (PC1); the thermal phase of the photosynthetic process, or the electron flow around PSI, and the chain of electrons between PSII and PSI (PC2); and phenomenological energy fluxes per cross-section (PC3). Furthermore, four distinct clusters of genotypes were discerned based on their response to imposed physiological drought, and integrated analysis enabled an explanation of their reactions' specificity. The most reliable JIP-test parameters for detecting and comparing the drought impact among tested genotypes were the variable fluorescence at K, L, I step, and PITOT. To conclude, developing and improving screening methods for identifying and evaluating functional relationships of relevant characteristics that are useful for acclimation, acclimatization, and adaptation to different types of drought stress can contribute to the progress in breeding research of winter wheat drought-tolerant lines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vesna Peršić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Anita Ament
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | | | - Georg Drezner
- Department of Small Cereal Crops, Agricultural Institute Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vera Cesar
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Suresh BV, Choudhary P, Aggarwal PR, Rana S, Singh RK, Ravikesavan R, Prasad M, Muthamilarasan M. De novo transcriptome analysis identifies key genes involved in dehydration stress response in kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.). Genomics 2022; 114:110347. [PMID: 35337948 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) is a small millet species known for its excellent nutritional and climate-resilient traits. To understand the genes and pathways underlying dehydration stress tolerance of kodo millet, the transcriptome of cultivar 'CO3' subjected to dehydration stress (0 h, 3 h, and 6 h) was sequenced. The study generated 239.1 million clean reads that identified 9201, 9814, and 2346 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in 0 h vs. 3 h, 0 h vs. 6 h, and 3 h vs. 6 h libraries, respectively. The DEGs were found to be associated with vital molecular pathways, including hormone metabolism and signaling, antioxidant scavenging, photosynthesis, and cellular metabolism, and were validated using qRT-PCR. Also, a higher abundance of uncharacterized genes expressed during stress warrants further studies to characterize this class of genes to understand their role in dehydration stress response. Altogether, the study provides insights into the transcriptomic response of kodo millet during dehydration stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bonthala Venkata Suresh
- Quantitative Genetics and Genomics of Plants, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany.
| | - Pooja Choudhary
- Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, Telangana, India
| | - Pooja Rani Aggarwal
- Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, Telangana, India
| | - Sumi Rana
- Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, Telangana, India.
| | | | - Rajasekaran Ravikesavan
- Department of Millets, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Manoj Prasad
- Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, Telangana, India; National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi 110067, India.
| | - Mehanathan Muthamilarasan
- Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, Telangana, India.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mantova M, Herbette S, Cochard H, Torres-Ruiz JM. Hydraulic failure and tree mortality: from correlation to causation. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:335-345. [PMID: 34772610 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Xylem hydraulic failure has been recognized as a pervasive factor in the triggering of drought-induced tree mortality. However, foundational evidence of the mechanistic link connecting hydraulic failure with living cell damage and tree death has not been identified yet, compromising our ability to predict mortality events. Meristematic cells are involved in the recovery of trees from drought, and focusing on their vitality and functionality after a drought event could provide novel information on the mechanistic link between hydraulic failure and drought-induced tree mortality. In this Opinion, we focus on the cell's critical hydration status for tree recovery from drought and how it links with the membrane integrity of the meristems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marylou Mantova
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, PIAF, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Stéphane Herbette
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, PIAF, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Hervé Cochard
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, PIAF, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - José M Torres-Ruiz
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, PIAF, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bandurska H. Drought Stress Responses: Coping Strategy and Resistance. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11070922. [PMID: 35406902 PMCID: PMC9002871 DOI: 10.3390/plants11070922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Plants' resistance to stress factors is a complex trait that is a result of changes at the molecular, metabolic, and physiological levels. The plant resistance strategy means the ability to survive, recover, and reproduce under adverse conditions. Harmful environmental factors affect the state of stress in plant tissues, which creates a signal triggering metabolic events responsible for resistance, including avoidance and/or tolerance mechanisms. Unfortunately, the term 'stress resistance' is often used in the literature interchangeably with 'stress tolerance'. This paper highlights the differences between the terms 'stress tolerance' and 'stress resistance', based on the results of experiments focused on plants' responses to drought. The ability to avoid or tolerate dehydration is crucial in the resistance to drought at cellular and tissue levels (biological resistance). However, it is not necessarily crucial in crop resistance to drought if we take into account agronomic criteria (agricultural resistance). For the plant user (farmer, grower), resistance to stress means not only the ability to cope with a stress factor, but also the achievement of a stable yield and good quality. Therefore, it is important to recognize both particular plant coping strategies (stress avoidance, stress tolerance) and their influence on the resistance, assessed using well-defined criteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Bandurska
- Department of Plant Physiology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wołyńska 35, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chng CP, Wang K, Ma W, Hsia KJ, Huang C. Chloroplast membrane lipid remodeling protects against dehydration by limiting membrane fusion and distortion. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:526-539. [PMID: 34730798 PMCID: PMC8774810 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Dehydration damages the structural integrity of the chloroplast membrane and, consequently, the normal photosynthetic function of this organelle. Remodeling of galactolipids by converting monogalactosyl-diacylglycerol (MGDG) to digalactosyl-diacylglycerol (DGDG) and oligo-galactolipids is an effective adaptation strategy for protecting against dehydration damage to the chloroplast membrane. However, detailed molecular mechanisms are missing. In this study, by performing molecular-level simulations of bi-lamellar membranes under various dehydration conditions, we find that MGDG-to-DGDG remodeling protects the chloroplast membrane in a unique manner by simultaneously dictating both the extent and the pattern of fusion stalks formed with the apposed membrane. Specifically, MGDG-rich membranes form elongated stalks at a moderate dehydration level, whereas DGDG-rich membranes form smaller, rounded stalks. Simulations of wild-type and mutant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) outer chloroplast membranes further confirm that the mutant membrane without galactolipid remodeling is more susceptible to membrane fusion due to its higher MGDG content. Our work reveals the underlying physical mechanisms that govern the pattern and extent of membrane fusion structures, paving the way for rational genetic engineering of crops with improved dehydration tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Choon-Peng Chng
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Republic of Singapore
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston MA 02115, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02115, USA
| | - Wei Ma
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Republic of Singapore
| | - K Jimmy Hsia
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Republic of Singapore
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459, Republic of Singapore
| | - Changjin Huang
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Republic of Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bashir N, Athar HUR, Kalaji HM, Wróbel J, Mahmood S, Zafar ZU, Ashraf M. Is Photoprotection of PSII One of the Key Mechanisms for Drought Tolerance in Maize? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413490. [PMID: 34948287 PMCID: PMC8708075 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Drought is one of the most important abiotic stress factors limiting maize production worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate whether photoprotection of PSII was associated with the degree of drought tolerance and yield in three maize hybrids (30Y87, 31R88, P3939). To do this, three maize hybrids were subjected to three cycles of drought, and we measured the activities of photosystem II (PSII) and photosystem I (PSI). In a second field experiment, three maize hybrids were subjected to drought by withholding irrigation, and plant water status, yield and yield attributes were measured. Drought stress decreased leaf water potential (ΨL) in three maize hybrids, and this reduction was more pronounced in hybrid P3939 (−40%) compared to that of 30Y87 (−30%). Yield and yield attributes of three maize hybrids were adversely affected by drought. The number of kernels and 100-kernel weight was the highest in maize hybrid 30Y87 (−56%, −6%), whereas these were lowest in hybrid P3939 (−88%, −23%). Drought stress reduced the quantum yield of PSII [Y(II)], photochemical quenching (qP), electron transport rate through PSII [ETR(II)] and NPQ, except in P3939. Among the components of NPQ, drought increased the Y(NPQ) with concomitant decrease in Y(NO) only in P3939, whereas Y(NO) increased in drought-stressed plants of hybrid 30Y87 and 31R88. However, an increase in cyclic electron flow (CEF) around PSI and Y(NPQ) in P3939 might have protected the photosynthetic machinery but it did not translate in yield. However, drought-stressed plants of 30Y87 might have sufficiently downregulated PSII to match the energy consumption in downstream biochemical processes. Thus, changes in PSII and PSI activity and development of NPQ through CEF are physiological mechanisms to protect the photosynthetic apparatus, but an appropriate balance between these physiological processes is required, without which plant productivity may decline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nahidah Bashir
- Department of Botany, The Women University, Multan 66000, Pakistan
- Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan; (H.-u.-R.A.); (S.M.); (Z.U.Z.)
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (H.M.K.); Tel.: +48-664943484 (H.M.K.)
| | - Habib-ur-Rehman Athar
- Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan; (H.-u.-R.A.); (S.M.); (Z.U.Z.)
| | - Hazem M. Kalaji
- Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Biology, University of Life Sciences SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Technology and Life Sciences, National Research Institute, Falenty, Al. Hrabska 3, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (H.M.K.); Tel.: +48-664943484 (H.M.K.)
| | - Jacek Wróbel
- Department of Bioengineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Słowackiego 17, 71-434 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Seema Mahmood
- Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan; (H.-u.-R.A.); (S.M.); (Z.U.Z.)
| | - Zafar Ullah Zafar
- Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan; (H.-u.-R.A.); (S.M.); (Z.U.Z.)
| | - Muhammad Ashraf
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore 54590, Pakistan;
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ali MK, Sun ZH, Yang XM, Pu XY, Duan CL, Li X, Wang LX, Yang JZ, Zeng YW. NILs of Cold Tolerant Japonica Cultivar Exhibited New QTLs for Mineral Elements in Rice. Front Genet 2021; 12:789645. [PMID: 34868277 PMCID: PMC8637755 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.789645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chilling stress at booting stage can cause floret deterioration and sterility by limiting the supply of food chain and the accumulation of essential mineral elements resulting in reduction of yield and grain quality attributes in rice. Genomic selection of chilling tolerant rice with reference to the accumulation of mineral elements will have great potential to cope with malnutrition and food security in times of climate change. Therefore, a study was conducted to explore the genomic determinants of cold tolerance and mineral elements content in near-isogenic lines (NILs) of japonica rice subjected to chilling stress at flowering stage. Detailed morphological analysis followed by quantitative analysis of 17 mineral elements revealed that the content of phosphorus (P, 3,253 mg/kg) and potassium (K, 2,485 mg/kg) were highest while strontium (Sr, 0.26 mg/kg) and boron (B, 0.34 mg/kg) were lowest among the mineral elements. The correlation analysis revealed extremely positive correlation of phosphorus (P) and copper (Cu) with most of the cold tolerance traits. Among all the effective ear and the second leaf length correlation was significant with half of the mineral elements. As a result of comparative analysis, some QTLs (qBRCC-1, qBRCIC-2, qBRZC-6, qBRCHC-6, qBRMC-6, qBRCIC-6a, qBRCIC-6b, qBRCHC-6, and qBRMC-6) identified for calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr) and magnesium (Mg) on chromosome number 1, 2, and 6 while, a novel QTL (qBCPC-1) was identified on chromosome number 1 for P element only. These findings provided bases for the identification of candidate genes involved in mineral accumulation and cold tolerance in rice at booting stage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Kazim Ali
- Biotechnology and Germplasm Resource Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, China.,Karachi Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zheng-Hai Sun
- School of Horticulture and Gardening, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China.,College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiao-Meng Yang
- Biotechnology and Germplasm Resource Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Pu
- Biotechnology and Germplasm Resource Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Cheng-Li Duan
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xia Li
- Biotechnology and Germplasm Resource Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Lu-Xiang Wang
- Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Jia-Zhen Yang
- Biotechnology and Germplasm Resource Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Ya-Wen Zeng
- Biotechnology and Germplasm Resource Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Barzilai O, Avraham M, Sorek Y, Zemach H, Dag A, Hochberg U. Productivity versus drought adaptation in olive leaves: Comparison of water relations in a modern versus a traditional cultivar. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 173:2298-2306. [PMID: 34625968 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The physiological traits that set the tradeoff between productivity and drought adaptation in plants are still under debate. To reveal these traits, we compared the water relations of two olive (Olea europaea) cultivars: "Barnea"-a highly productive modern cultivar; and "Souri"-a drought-adapted traditional cultivar. We hypothesized that Souri has lower hydraulic conductivity and lower hydraulic vulnerability. The hypothesis was tested at the leaf level. The soil volumetric water content (θ), stem water potential (ΨS ), and gas exchange were measured in both cultivars while they dried until a significant reduction in their maximal photochemical potential (Fv /Fm < 0.6) was obtained. Additionally, pressure-volume relations, leaf hydraulic vulnerability, and the petiole xylem architecture were evaluated. To our surprise, Souri's leaf hydraulic conductivity was more vulnerable to low ΨS , approaching zero at -8 MPa compared with <-10 MPa in "Barnea." At the same time, Souri's higher osmotic content and cell rigidity enabled it to sustain 1.4 MPa lower ΨS , while maintaining near optimal (Fv /Fm ). However, both cultivars significantly reduced their Fv /Fm (<0.6) at the same θ, suggesting that the capability to sustain a low θ is not the issue. Instead, Souri's lower transpiration enabled it to withstand a longer drought while avoiding low θ. Barnea's larger xylem vessels and hydraulic conductivity supported higher stomatal conductance (gs ) and assimilation rate, which nurtured its higher productivity but resulted in quick depletion of θ. These results suggest that hydraulic resistance or the ability to sustain low θ do not set the tradeoff between productivity and drought adaptation in olive leaves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oded Barzilai
- Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, ARO, Rishon Lezion, Israel
- R. H. Smith Institute of Plant Science and Genetics in Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - May Avraham
- Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, ARO, Rishon Lezion, Israel
| | - Yonatan Sorek
- Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, ARO, Rishon Lezion, Israel
- R. H. Smith Institute of Plant Science and Genetics in Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hanita Zemach
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Volcani Center, ARO, Rishon Lezion, Israel
| | - Arnon Dag
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Gilat Research Center, ARO, Gilat, Israel
| | - Uri Hochberg
- Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Volcani Center, ARO, Rishon Lezion, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bano H, Athar HUR, Zafar ZU, Ogbaga CC, Ashraf M. Peroxidase activity and operation of photo-protective component of NPQ play key roles in drought tolerance of mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilcziek]. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 172:603-614. [PMID: 33491210 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Developing drought-tolerant cultivars is mainly restricted due to poor knowledge of the mechanism behind drought tolerance. In the present work, available germplasm of Vigna radiata (mung bean) was screened for drought tolerance using multiple agronomic and physiological parameters and used to selected one drought-tolerant (NM-13-1) and one drought-sensitive (NM-54) cultivar for further studies. Plant water status and PSII activity were found to be potential physiological discriminating traits. Changes in PSII and PSI activity, accumulation of proline, oxidative damage, and antioxidants were further assessed in selected drought-sensitive and drought-tolerant cultivars. Drought stress reduced PSII efficiency and electron transport in both mung bean cultivars. Drought increased NPQ and Y(NPQ), a greater increase in NPQ and Y(NPQ) was found in the drought-tolerant cv NM-13-1, indicating that the drought-tolerant cultivar managed over-excitation of PSII by safe heat dissipation via photo-protective component of NPQ. A decrease in PSI efficiency with an increase in donor end limitation of PSI in both mung bean cultivars further confirmed that the electron transport through PSII became down-regulated. However, the drought-sensitive cv. NM-54 had poor ability to manage over-excitation of PSII through buildup of Y(NPQ) thereby causing greater oxidative stress. Mung bean cultivars counteracted oxidative stress by accumulation of proline and increasing POD activities. Drought-tolerant cv. NM-13-1 had higher proline accumulation and antioxidant potential than in the drought-sensitive cultivar. Overall, drought tolerance in the mung bean cultivars can be related to plant water status, PSII activity, Y(NPQ), and POD activity, which can be effectively used for selecting mung bean cultivars for drought tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hussan Bano
- Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
- Department of Botany, The Women University Multan, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Habib-Ur-Rehman Athar
- Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Zafar Ullah Zafar
- Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Chukwuma C Ogbaga
- Department of Biological Sciences, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Muhammad Ashraf
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chen Z, Zhou T, Hu J, Duan H. Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring of Dynamic Viscoelastic Changes of Tobacco BY-2 Cells under Different Osmotic Conditions. BIOSENSORS 2021; 11:136. [PMID: 33925584 PMCID: PMC8145959 DOI: 10.3390/bios11050136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The plant cell mechanics, including turgor pressure and wall mechanical properties, not only determine the growth of plant cells, but also reflect the functional and structural changes of plant cells under biotic and abiotic stresses. However, there are currently no appropriate techniques allowing to monitor the complex mechanical properties of living plant cells non-invasively and continuously. In this work, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) monitoring technique with overtones (3-9) was used for the dynamic monitoring of adhesions of living tobacco BY-2 cells onto positively charged N,N-dimethyl-N-propenyl-2-propen-1-aminiumchloride homopolymer (PDADMAC)/SiO2 QCM crystals under different concentrations of mannitol (CM) and the subsequent effects of osmotic stresses. The cell viscoelastic index (CVIn) (CVIn = ΔD⋅n/ΔF) was used to characterize the viscoelastic properties of BY-2 cells under different osmotic conditions. Our results indicated that lower overtones of QCM could detect both the cell wall and cytoskeleton structures allowing the detection of plasmolysis phenomena; whereas higher overtones could only detect the cell wall's mechanical properties. The QCM results were further discussed with the morphological changes of the BY-2 cells by an optical microscopy. The dynamic changes of cell's generated forces or cellular structures of plant cells caused by external stimuli (or stresses) can be traced by non-destructive and dynamic monitoring of cells' viscoelasticity, which provides a new way for the characterization and study of plant cells. QCM-D could map viscoelastic properties of different cellular structures in living cells and could be used as a new tool to test the mechanical properties of plant cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zongxing Chen
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (Z.C.); (J.H.); (H.D.)
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Cell Mechanics and Function Analysis, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Tiean Zhou
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (Z.C.); (J.H.); (H.D.)
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Cell Mechanics and Function Analysis, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Jiajin Hu
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (Z.C.); (J.H.); (H.D.)
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Cell Mechanics and Function Analysis, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Haifeng Duan
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (Z.C.); (J.H.); (H.D.)
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Cell Mechanics and Function Analysis, Changsha 410128, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wilson Rankin EE, Barney SK, Lozano GE. Reduced Water Negatively Impacts Social Bee Survival and Productivity Via Shifts in Floral Nutrition. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2020. [PMID: 33021636 DOI: 10.6086/d14x10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Pollinators provide a key ecosystem service vital for the survival and stability of the biosphere. Identifying factors influencing the plant-pollinator mutualism and pollinator management is necessary for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Since healthy beehives require substantial amounts of carbohydrates (nectar) and protein (pollen) from forage plants such as clover, we must assess how resources offered by plants change under limited water conditions in order to fully understand how drought modifies the pollination mutualism. Here we document how reduced water availability leads to decreased nectar quality and quantity and decreased protein quality of pollen. Furthermore, we provide conclusive evidence that these lower quality resources lead to decreased survival and productivity in both developing honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). The results emphasize the importance of the nutritional effects of reduced water on bees when predicting shifts of pollination mutualisms under climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah K Barney
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA
| | - Giselle E Lozano
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wilson Rankin EE, Barney SK, Lozano GE. Reduced Water Negatively Impacts Social Bee Survival and Productivity Via Shifts in Floral Nutrition. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2020; 20:5918281. [PMID: 33021636 PMCID: PMC7583269 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Pollinators provide a key ecosystem service vital for the survival and stability of the biosphere. Identifying factors influencing the plant-pollinator mutualism and pollinator management is necessary for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Since healthy beehives require substantial amounts of carbohydrates (nectar) and protein (pollen) from forage plants such as clover, we must assess how resources offered by plants change under limited water conditions in order to fully understand how drought modifies the pollination mutualism. Here we document how reduced water availability leads to decreased nectar quality and quantity and decreased protein quality of pollen. Furthermore, we provide conclusive evidence that these lower quality resources lead to decreased survival and productivity in both developing honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). The results emphasize the importance of the nutritional effects of reduced water on bees when predicting shifts of pollination mutualisms under climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah K Barney
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA
| | - Giselle E Lozano
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lamarque LJ, Delzon S, Toups H, Gravel AI, Corso D, Badel E, Burlett R, Charrier G, Cochard H, Jansen S, King A, Torres-Ruiz JM, Pouzoulet J, Cramer GR, Thompson AJ, Gambetta GA. Over-accumulation of abscisic acid in transgenic tomato plants increases the risk of hydraulic failure. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2020; 43:548-562. [PMID: 31850535 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Climate change threatens food security, and plant science researchers have investigated methods of sustaining crop yield under drought. One approach has been to overproduce abscisic acid (ABA) to enhance water use efficiency. However, the concomitant effects of ABA overproduction on plant vascular system functioning are critical as it influences vulnerability to xylem hydraulic failure. We investigated these effects by comparing physiological and hydraulic responses to water deficit between a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) wild type control (WT) and a transgenic line overproducing ABA (sp12). Under well-watered conditions, the sp12 line displayed similar growth rate and greater water use efficiency by operating at lower maximum stomatal conductance. X-ray microtomography revealed that sp12 was significantly more vulnerable to xylem embolism, resulting in a reduced hydraulic safety margin. We also observed a significant ontogenic effect on vulnerability to xylem embolism for both WT and sp12. This study demonstrates that the greater water use efficiency in the tomato ABA overproducing line is associated with higher vulnerability of the vascular system to embolism and a higher risk of hydraulic failure. Integrating hydraulic traits into breeding programmes represents a critical step for effectively managing a crop's ability to maintain hydraulic conductivity and productivity under water deficit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurent J Lamarque
- BIOGECO, INRA, Univ. Bordeaux, Pessac, France
- EGFV, Bordeaux-Sciences Agro, INRA, Univ. Bordeaux, ISVV, Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | | | - Haley Toups
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada
| | | | | | - Eric Badel
- INRA, PIAF, Université Clermont-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | | | - Hervé Cochard
- INRA, PIAF, Université Clermont-Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Steven Jansen
- Institute of Systematic Botany and Ecology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Andrew King
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | | | - Jérôme Pouzoulet
- EGFV, Bordeaux-Sciences Agro, INRA, Univ. Bordeaux, ISVV, Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Grant R Cramer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada
| | - Andrew J Thompson
- Cranfield Soil an Agrifood Institute, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - Gregory A Gambetta
- EGFV, Bordeaux-Sciences Agro, INRA, Univ. Bordeaux, ISVV, Villenave d'Ornon, France
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Flexas J, Carriquí M. Photosynthesis and photosynthetic efficiencies along the terrestrial plant's phylogeny: lessons for improving crop photosynthesis. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 101:964-978. [PMID: 31833133 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthesis is the basis of all life on Earth. Surprisingly, until very recently, data on photosynthesis, photosynthetic efficiencies, and photosynthesis limitations in terrestrial land plants other than spermatophytes were very scarce. Here we provide an updated data compilation showing that maximum photosynthesis rates (expressed either on an area or dry mass basis) progressively scale along the land plant's phylogeny, from lowest values in bryophytes to largest in angiosperms. Unexpectedly, both photosynthetic water (WUE) and nitrogen (PNUE) use efficiencies also scale positively through the phylogeny, for which it has been commonly reported that these two efficiencies tend to trade-off between them when comparing different genotypes or a single species subject to different environmental conditions. After providing experimental evidence that these observed trends are mostly due to an increased mesophyll conductance to CO2 - associated with specific anatomical changes - along the phylogeny, we discuss how these findings on a large phylogenetic scale can provide useful information to address potential photosynthetic improvements in crops in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaume Flexas
- Research Group on Plant Biology Under Mediterranean Conditions, Universitat de les Illes Balears - Instituto de Investigaciones Agroambientales y de Economía del Agua (UIB-INAGEA), Carretera de Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain
| | - Marc Carriquí
- Research Group on Plant Biology Under Mediterranean Conditions, Universitat de les Illes Balears - Instituto de Investigaciones Agroambientales y de Economía del Agua (UIB-INAGEA), Carretera de Valldemossa Km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 51, 7001, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Martignago D, Rico-Medina A, Blasco-Escámez D, Fontanet-Manzaneque JB, Caño-Delgado AI. Drought Resistance by Engineering Plant Tissue-Specific Responses. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 10:1676. [PMID: 32038670 PMCID: PMC6987726 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Drought is the primary cause of agricultural loss globally, and represents a major threat to food security. Currently, plant biotechnology stands as one of the most promising fields when it comes to developing crops that are able to produce high yields in water-limited conditions. From studies of Arabidopsis thaliana whole plants, the main response mechanisms to drought stress have been uncovered, and multiple drought resistance genes have already been engineered into crops. So far, most plants with enhanced drought resistance have displayed reduced crop yield, meaning that there is still a need to search for novel approaches that can uncouple drought resistance from plant growth. Our laboratory has recently shown that the receptors of brassinosteroid (BR) hormones use tissue-specific pathways to mediate different developmental responses during root growth. In Arabidopsis, we found that increasing BR receptors in the vascular plant tissues confers resistance to drought without penalizing growth, opening up an exceptional opportunity to investigate the mechanisms that confer drought resistance with cellular specificity in plants. In this review, we provide an overview of the most promising phenotypical drought traits that could be improved biotechnologically to obtain drought-tolerant cereals. In addition, we discuss how current genome editing technologies could help to identify and manipulate novel genes that might grant resistance to drought stress. In the upcoming years, we expect that sustainable solutions for enhancing crop production in water-limited environments will be identified through joint efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ana I. Caño-Delgado
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
López-Pozo M, Flexas J, Gulías J, Carriquí M, Nadal M, Perera-Castro AV, Clemente-Moreno MJ, Gago J, Núñez-Olivera E, Martínez-Abaigar J, Hernández A, Artetxe U, Bentley J, Farrant JM, Verhoeven A, García-Plazaola JI, Fernández-Marín B. A field portable method for the semi-quantitative estimation of dehydration tolerance of photosynthetic tissues across distantly related land plants. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2019; 167:540-555. [PMID: 30515832 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Desiccation tolerant (DT) plants withstand complete cellular dehydration, reaching relative water contents (RWC) below 30% in their photosynthetic tissues. Desiccation sensitive (DS) plants exhibit different degrees of dehydration tolerance (DHT), never surviving water loss >70%. To date, no procedure for the quantitative evaluation of DHT extent exists that is able to discriminate DS species with differing degrees of DHT from truly DT plants. We developed a simple, feasible and portable protocol to differentiate between DT and different degrees of DHT in the photosynthetic tissues of seed plants and between fast desiccation (< 24 h) tolerant (FDT) and sensitive (FDS) bryophytes. The protocol is based on (1) controlled desiccation inside Falcon tubes equilibrated at three different relative humidities that, consequently, induce three different speeds and extents of dehydration and (2) an evaluation of the average percentage of maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv /fm) recovery after rehydration. Applying the method to 10 bryophytes and 28 tracheophytes from various locations, we found that (1) imbibition of absorbent material with concentrated salt-solutions inside the tubes provides stable relative humidity and avoids direct contact with samples; (2) for 50 ml capacity tubes, the optimal plant amount is 50-200 mg fresh weight; (3) the method is useful in remote locations due to minimal instrumental requirements; and (4) a threshold of 30% recovery of the initial Fv /fm upon reaching RWC ≤ 30% correctly categorises DT species, with three exceptions: two poikilochlorophyllous species and one gymnosperm. The protocol provides a semi-quantitative expression of DHT that facilitates comparisons of species with different morpho-physiological traits and/or ecological attributes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina López-Pozo
- Department Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Jaume Flexas
- Research Group on Plant Biology under Mediterranean conditions, Departament de Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears/Institute of Agro-Environmental and Water Economy Research -INAGEA, Palma, Spain
| | - Javier Gulías
- Research Group on Plant Biology under Mediterranean conditions, Departament de Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears/Institute of Agro-Environmental and Water Economy Research -INAGEA, Palma, Spain
| | - Marc Carriquí
- Research Group on Plant Biology under Mediterranean conditions, Departament de Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears/Institute of Agro-Environmental and Water Economy Research -INAGEA, Palma, Spain
| | - Miquel Nadal
- Research Group on Plant Biology under Mediterranean conditions, Departament de Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears/Institute of Agro-Environmental and Water Economy Research -INAGEA, Palma, Spain
| | - Alicia V Perera-Castro
- Research Group on Plant Biology under Mediterranean conditions, Departament de Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears/Institute of Agro-Environmental and Water Economy Research -INAGEA, Palma, Spain
| | - María José Clemente-Moreno
- Research Group on Plant Biology under Mediterranean conditions, Departament de Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears/Institute of Agro-Environmental and Water Economy Research -INAGEA, Palma, Spain
| | - Jorge Gago
- Research Group on Plant Biology under Mediterranean conditions, Departament de Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears/Institute of Agro-Environmental and Water Economy Research -INAGEA, Palma, Spain
| | | | | | - Antonio Hernández
- Department Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Unai Artetxe
- Department Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Joanne Bentley
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Jill M Farrant
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Amy Verhoeven
- Biology Department (OWS352), University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | | | - Beatriz Fernández-Marín
- Department Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
de Ollas C, Segarra-Medina C, González-Guzmán M, Puertolas J, Gómez-Cadenas A. A customizable method to characterize Arabidopsis thaliana transpiration under drought conditions. PLANT METHODS 2019; 15:89. [PMID: 31388346 PMCID: PMC6676626 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-019-0474-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Characterization of the dynamic response of plant transpiration to decreasing soil water content in a reproducible way is required for the correct phenotyping of traits related to water saving strategies. Nowadays, an increasing number of automated high throughput platforms are available, but their development requires a great economic investment and it is not always desirable/feasible to outsource these analyses. We propose a medium-throughput protocol to characterize transpiration responses to decreasing soil moisture in a quantitative and highly reproducible way with a minimum investment of resources. RESULTS The quantitative characterization of plant responses to a decreasing soil water content using our phenotyping platform has showed high reproducibility between different experiments. The proposed irrigation strategy allowed us to harvest plants ranging from a well-watered condition to the loss-of-turgor point in a predictable and controlled way. Coupling this protocol with hormone profiling allows investigation of hormonal responses (metabolite accumulation as well as plant sensitivity) to water stress. As a proof-of-concept, we have characterized the dynamic responses of leaf transpiration to decreasing soil water contents in an abscisic acid (ABA) deficient genotype (aba1-1) as well as in genotypes with altered sensitivity to ABA (abi1-1 and hab1-1abi1-1), which are insensitive and hypersensitive to ABA, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This protocol allows for assessment of quantitative differences in rosette transpiration responses to water depletion in both ABA biosynthesis mutants and genotypes with altered sensitivity to the hormone. Data indicate a correlation between ABA levels and/or hormone perception and growth rate and/or water content. The protocol guarantees the correct application of water stress to adult plants, which is essential to understand responses of mutants and/or natural accessions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos de Ollas
- Departamento de Ciencias Agrarias y del Medio Natural, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Clara Segarra-Medina
- Departamento de Ciencias Agrarias y del Medio Natural, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Miguel González-Guzmán
- Departamento de Ciencias Agrarias y del Medio Natural, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Jaime Puertolas
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Aurelio Gómez-Cadenas
- Departamento de Ciencias Agrarias y del Medio Natural, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Metabolic response of organic strawberries and kiwifruit subjected to PEF assisted-osmotic dehydration. INNOV FOOD SCI EMERG 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2019.102190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
26
|
Du P, Arndt SK, Farrell C. Is plant survival on green roofs related to their drought response, water use or climate of origin? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 667:25-32. [PMID: 30825818 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Green roofs are novel urban ecosystems with shallow substrate depths and low water availability. Hence, it is critical to select green roof plants that can survive water-deficits, particularly in climates with hot and dry summers. Shrubs are perennial plants which can be drought resistant and may be suitable for green roofs. However, studies about survival and health of shrubs are limited. The aim of this study was to determine whether plant climate of origin aridity, drought response and water use strategies could be used to select shrubs which can survive on green roofs that experience water-deficit. We selected 15 shrub species from a range of climates (dry, mesic and wet) and planted them together in 20 replicate green roof modules with 130 mm deep substrate. We monitored substrate water contents, plant minimum water potentials (ψmin), health (visual score), percentage survival and related survival with their turgor loss point (ψtlp) and water use strategies (evapotranspiration rates in a related glasshouse experiment). We also determined whether plants could recover after dry periods by rewatering after the summer. Mean gravimetric soil water content decreased to approximately 5% after summer drought, which resulted in mortality. Overall, survival ranged between 10% and 100% for the 15 species. However, survival was not related to their ψtlp or water use strategies. While shrubs from more arid climates had lower ψmin in response to dry substrates, this did not result in greater survival and health. Following rewatering, only four shrub species resprouted. Hence, as plant drought response, water use strategy and climate of origin were not strongly related to survival, we suggest survival on green roofs is likely to be determined by a combination of physiological traits. Emergency irrigation for shrubs growing on green roofs in hot and dry climates is recommended during summer to keep them alive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengzhen Du
- Department of Ecosystem and Forestry Science, University of Melbourne, 500 Yarra Boulevard, Richmond, Victoria 3121, Australia
| | - Stefan K Arndt
- Department of Ecosystem and Forestry Science, University of Melbourne, 500 Yarra Boulevard, Richmond, Victoria 3121, Australia
| | - Claire Farrell
- Department of Ecosystem and Forestry Science, University of Melbourne, 500 Yarra Boulevard, Richmond, Victoria 3121, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Varshney RK, Tuberosa R, Tardieu F. Progress in understanding drought tolerance: from alleles to cropping systems. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2018; 69:3175-3179. [PMID: 29878257 PMCID: PMC5991209 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ery187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev K Varshney
- Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology (CEGSB), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India
| | - Roberto Tuberosa
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bechtold U. Plant Life in Extreme Environments: How Do You Improve Drought Tolerance? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:543. [PMID: 29868044 PMCID: PMC5962824 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Systems studies of drought stress in resurrection plants and other xerophytes are rapidly identifying a large number of genes, proteins and metabolites that respond to severe drought stress or desiccation. This has provided insight into drought resistance mechanisms, which allow xerophytes to persist under such extreme environmental conditions. Some of the mechanisms that ensure cellular protection during severe dehydration appear to be unique to desert species, while many other stress signaling pathways are in common with well-studied model and crop species. However, despite the identification of many desiccation inducible genes, there are few "gene-to-field" examples that have led to improved drought tolerance and yield stability derived from resurrection plants, and only few examples have emerged from model species. This has led to many critical reviews on the merit of the experimental approaches and the type of plants used to study drought resistance mechanisms. This article discusses the long-standing arguments between the ecophysiology and molecular biology communities, on how to "drought-proof" future crop varieties. It concludes that a more positive and inclusive dialogue between the different disciplines is needed, to allow us to move forward in a much more constructive way.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Bechtold
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|