Volume 14, Issue 6, November 2022

Shaded, understory leaves are often under-represented when considering forest productivity. Our study closely examines how two common understory woody species vary in photosynthesis and leaf traits through the growing season in a temperate forest, and how this relates to their age class and status as native and non-native, invasive species. We found varied responses that overall suggest competitive carbon gain and light use strategies of the invasive shrub, Rhamnus cathartica, which may help to explain its sustained dominance in the region.

Sagebrush seeds are dispersed naturally from plants that survive wildfires and can also be seeded by natural resource agencies to aid restoration. There is a need to better understand natural dispersal patterns to avoid spending limited resources for restoration on areas with adequate natural seed dispersal. Researchers conducted a seed trapping study around sagebrush patches post-fire and used a novel modelling approach to estimate dispersal distances. They found that most seed travels less than a few metres and hardly ever farther than 16 m and that seed density from natural dispersal may often be inadequate for restoration.

Eleven years after the initial screening, we re-assessed the microspatial distribution of co-occurring monocarpic diploids and polycarpic tetraploids of Centaurea stoebeand their affinities to varying vegetation-cover density in three mixed-ploidy populations in Central Europe. Contrary to the expected expansion of polycarpic tetraploids having higher colonization ability when compared to diploids, the tetraploids remained confined to their former microsites and showed no spatial expansion. Our results imply that in the absence of a disturbance regime connected with frequent human- or animal-mediated seed dispersal, spatial patterns may be very stable over time, thus contributing to the long-term coexistence of cytotypes.

Seaweed extracts derived from Sargassum vulgareand Acanthophora spicifera, when applied as foliar sprays on tomato and sweet pepper plants, were able to evoke several genetic defence and growth responses in a harmonious way through transcriptome modulations. This induced response contributed to the significant decrease in disease levels (both fungal and bacterial) observed in both crop plants as well as simultaneous increased growth inclusive of plant height, chlorophyll content and overall fruit yield.

Plant leaf morphological and photosynthetic physiological characteristics are key functional traits in the adaptability of plants to heterogeneous environments. Our results showed that in the far water area of a salt marsh, Phragmites australisplants tended to have small and thick leaves. In the near water area, the reed population had large and thin leaves to adapt to the change in habitat conditions. Moreover, we found that leaf morphological characteristics of P. australiswere closely related to photosynthesis. This study provides a scientific theoretical basis for understanding the ecological adaptation strategies of plants in inland salt marsh wetland.

Both ageing and insect damage by Holcocerus hippophaecolusled to the reduction of hydraulic efficiency, hydraulic safety and xylem embolism repair capacity of aged sea-buckthorn, which constrained the photosynthesis and root carbon storage. Insect damage further deteriorated water status and carbon shortage, and similarly limited root growth and weakened the trees. Also, the capacity of xylem embolism repair was closely related to the cell viability of branches. Results indicated that poor water status and reduced carbon supply in roots would affect the survival of aged and moth-damaged sea-buckthorn under adverse conditions.

How do maize plants adapt to external N deficiency conditions? The study was conducted in long-term N-fertilized field experiments and concluded that maize’s main strategy to cope with low N is to maintain leaf area, mainly by increasing specific leaf area (SLA) throughout the plant but only during the vegetative growth phase. The temporal and spatial distribution of SLA is also discussed in this study.

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzaeis the most devastating disease in rice. Identification of new sources of resistance and the introgression of major resistance genes into elite cultivars are required for sustainable rice production. Taking advantage of an upland rice genotype ‘UR0803’ that exhibits blast resistance, we detected a novel major QTL and four candidate genes for blast resistance in rice by combining genetic mapping and gene expression approaches. Several hybrids highly resistant to blast disease were generated in this study and would be useful genetic resources in rice blast resistance breeding.

Root traits play a primary role in plant adaption to stress. Multiseriate cortical sclerenchyma (MCS) is an anatomical trait characterized by small cells encrusted with lignin in the outer cortex. Progress has recently been achieved in understanding the development and physiological implications of MCS. This review proposes that MCS is a useful trait for water and nutrient acquisition, particularly in edaphic stress conditions. Multiseriate cortical sclerenchyma may be a useful breeding target for improved soil resource capture and biotic stress tolerance in several major crop species including wheat, maize, sorghum and barley.