Diverse Functions of Plant Zinc-Induced Facilitator-like Transporter for Their Emerging Roles in Crop Trait Enhancement

Transcriptome analysis reveals activation of detoxification and defense mechanisms in smoke-exposed Merlot grape (Vitis vinifera) berries

A significant consequence of climate change is the rising incidence of wildfires. When wildfires occur close to wine grape (Vitis vinifera) production areas, smoke-derived volatile phenolic compounds can be taken up by the grape berries, negatively affecting the flavor and aroma profile of the resulting wine and compromising the production value of entire vineyards. Evidence for the permeation of smoke-associated compounds into grape berries has been provided through metabolomics; however, the basis for grapevines' response to smoke at the gene expression level has not been investigated in detail. To address this knowledge gap, we employed time-course RNA sequencing to observe gene expression-level changes in grape berries in response to smoke exposure. Significant increases in gene expression (and enrichment of gene ontologies) associated with detoxification of reactive compounds, maintenance of redox homeostasis, and cell wall fortification were observed in response to smoke. These findings suggest that the accumulation of volatile phenols from smoke exposure activates mechanisms that render smoke-derived compounds less reactive while simultaneously fortifying intracellular defense mechanisms. The results of this work lend a better understanding of the molecular basis for grapevines' response to smoke and provide insight into the origins of smoke-taint-associated flavor and aroma attributes in wine produced from smoke-exposed grapes.

Genome-wide association mapping for yield-related traits in soybean (Glycine max) under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions

Soybean (Glycine max) productivity is significantly reduced by drought stress. Breeders are aiming to improve soybean grain yields both under well-watered (WW) and drought-stressed (DS) conditions, however, little is known about the genetic architecture of yield-related traits. Here, a panel of 188 soybean germplasm was used in a genome wide association study (GWAS) to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers linked to yield-related traits including pod number per plant (PN), biomass per plant (BM) and seed weight per plant (SW). The SLAF-seq genotyping was conducted on the population and three phenotype traits were examined in WW and DS conditions in four environments. Based on best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) data and individual environmental analyses, 39 SNPs were significantly associated with three soybean traits under two conditions, which were tagged to 26 genomic regions by linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis. Of these, six QTLs qPN-WW19.1, qPN-DS8.8, qBM-WW1, qBM-DS17.4, qSW-WW4 and qSW-DS8 were identified controlling PN, BM and SW of soybean. There were larger proportions of favorable haplotypes for locus qPN-WW19.1 and qSW-WW4 rather than qBM-WW1, qBM-DS17.4, qPN-DS8.8 and qSW-DS8 in both landraces and improved cultivars. In addition, several putative candidate genes such as Glyma.19G211300, Glyma.17G057100 and Glyma.04G124800, encoding E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase BAH1, WRKY transcription factor 11 and protein zinc induced facilitator-like 1, respectively, were predicted. We propose that the further exploration of these locus will facilitate accelerating breeding for high-yield soybean cultivars.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) a threat to agriculture in Mexico: biology, current control strategies, and perspectives

Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are sedentary parasites of the roots of plants and are considered some of the most damaging pests in agriculture. Since RKN target the root vascular system, they provoke host nutrient deprivation and defective water transport, causing above-ground symptoms of growth stunting, wilting, chlorosis, and reduced crop yields. In Mexico RKN infestations are primarily dealt with by treating with synthetic chemically based nematicides that are preferred by farmers over available bioproducts. However, due to environmental and human health concerns chemical control is increasingly restricted. Biological control of RKNs can help reduce the use of chemical nematicides as it is achieved with antagonistic organisms, mainly bacteria, fungi, other nematodes, or consortia of diverse microorganisms, which control nematodes directly by predation and parasitism at different stages: eggs, juveniles, or adults; or indirectly by the action of toxic diffusible inhibitory metabolites. The need to increase agricultural production and reduce negative environmental impact creates an opportunity for optimizing biological control agents to suppress nematode populations, but this endeavour remains challenging as researchers around the world try to understand diverse control mechanisms, nematode and microbe life cycles, ecology, metabolite production, predatory behaviours, molecular and biochemical interactions, in order to generate attractive products with the approval of local regulatory bodies. Here, we provide a brief review of the biology of the genus Meloidogyne, biological control strategies, and a comparison between chemical and bioproducts in the Mexican market, and guidelines emitted by national agencies to ensure safety and effectiveness of new developments.