GERMIN3 regulates tuber initiation and axillary bud activation by facilitating plasmodesmatal gating.

GERMIN3 has previously been identified as a target of the tuberigen activation complex, suggesting a function in potato tuberisation, but its role is presently unknown. In the present study, we analysed morphological, agronomic and molecular phenotypes of GERMIN3 transgenic lines in Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena and in the tuberosum cultivar Desiree.

Altered expression of a raspberry homologue of VRN1 is associated with disruption of dormancy induction and misregulation of subsets of dormancy-associated genes.

Winter dormancy is a key process in the phenology of temperate perennials. Climate change is severely impacting its course leading to economic losses in agriculture. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, as well as the genetic basis of the different responses, is necessary for the development of climate-resilient cultivars.

Chilling or chemical induction of dormancy release in blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) buds is associated with characteristic shifts in metabolite profiles.

This study reveals striking differences in the content and composition of hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds in blackcurrant buds (Ribes nigrum L., cv. Ben Klibreck) resulting from winter chill or chemical dormancy release following treatment with ERGER, a biostimulant used to promote uniform bud break.

Ascorbic acid metabolism and functions.

This Special Issue was assembled to mark the 25th anniversary of the proposal of the d -mannose/ l -galactose (Smirnoff-Wheeler) ascorbate biosynthesis pathway in plants ( Wheeler et al., 1998 ). The issue aims to assess the current state of knowledge and to identify outstanding questions about ascorbate metabolism and functions in plants.

Restraining Quiescence Release-Related Ageing in Plant Cells: A Case Study in Carrot.

The blackening of cut carrots causes substantial economic losses to the food industry. Blackening was not observed in carrots that had been stored underground for less than a year, but the susceptibility to blackening increased with the age of the carrots that were stored underground for longer periods. Samples of black, border, and orange tissues from processed carrot batons and slices, prepared under industry standard conditions, were analyzed to identify the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underpinning processing-induced blackening.

Allelic variants of a potato gene confer improved tuber yield under a wide range of environmental conditions.

Previously, we developed and applied a glasshouse screen for potato tuber yield under heat stress and identified a candidate gene () for heat tolerance by genetic analysis of a diploid potato population. Specific allelic variants were expressed at high levels on exposure to moderately elevated temperature due to variations in gene promoter sequence. In this study, we aimed to confirm the results from the glasshouse screen in field trials conducted over several seasons and locations including those in Kenya, Malawi and the UK.

Biofortification of common bean ( L.) with iron and zinc: Achievements and challenges.

Micronutrient deficiencies (hidden hunger), particularly in iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), remain one of the most serious public health challenges, affecting more than three billion people globally. A number of strategies are used to ameliorate the problem of micronutrient deficiencies and to improve the nutritional profile of food products. These include (i) dietary diversification, (ii) industrial food fortification and supplements, (iii) agronomic approaches including soil mineral fertilisation, bioinoculants and crop rotations, and (iv) biofortification through the implementation of biotechnology including gene editing and plant breeding.

Two Ligands of Interest in Recovering Uranium from the Oceans: The Correct Formation Constants of the Uranyl(VI) Cation with 2,2'-Bipyridyl-6,6'-dicarboxylic Acid and 1,10-Phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic Acid.

The ligands BDA (2,2'-bipyridyl-6,6'-dicarboxylic acid) and PDA (1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid) are of interest as functional group types for ion-exchange materials for extracting uranium from the oceans, reported in a previous paper for PDA Lashley, M. A. ( 2016 55 10818 10829).

Iron and zinc bioavailability in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is dependent on chemical composition and cooking method.

The influence of genotype and domestic processing on iron and zinc bioavailability in common bean germplasm was investigated using an in vitro digestion model. Raw beans exhibited diversity in iron content (50 to >90 mg kg) although zinc content was similar (30-40 mg kg). Following preparation by different household cooking methods < 5% of the iron in raw beans was recovered in the bioavailable fraction following in vitro digestion.

Evidence for Participation of 4f and 5d Orbitals in Lanthanide Metal-Ligand Bonding and That Y(III) Has Less of This Complex-Stabilizing Ability. A Thermodynamic, Spectroscopic, and DFT Study of Their Complexation by the Nitrogen Donor Ligand TPEN.

The formation constants (log ) of lanthanide(III) (Ln) ions [except for Pm(III)] and the Y(III) cation have been measured with the ligand TPEN (,,','-tetra-2-picolylethylenediamine). These log values show a typical variation with ionic radius, with a local maximum at Sm(III) and a local minimum at Gd(III), with an overall increase in log from La(III) to Lu(III) as the ionic radius decreases. The log for the Y(III)/TPEN complex is much lower than expected from its ionic radius, while the literature log for Am(III) is much higher.

WHIRLY1 functions in the nucleus to regulate barley leaf development and associated metabolite profiles.

The WHIRLY (WHY) DNA/RNA binding proteins fulfil multiple but poorly characterised functions in leaf development. Here, we show that WHY1 transcript levels were highest in the bases of 7-day old barley leaves. Immunogold labelling revealed that the WHY1 protein was more abundant in the nuclei than the proplastids of the leaf bases.

Reflective mulch increases fruit yield of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. cv. Darrow) grown in a northern maritime environment while maintaining key fruit quality traits.

Background: In maritime growing environments, blueberry yield often exhibits excessive season-to-season variation, associated with poorly adapted photosynthetic responses to low light conditions. It is therefore necessary to develop methods that stabilise yield while maintaining or improving fruit quality. Here, we placed reflective mulch alongside plants at the early green fruit stage, to test the hypothesis that increasing the available seasonal light integral could enhance blueberry yield.

Temporal physiological response of pine to Fusarium circinatum infection is dependent on host susceptibility level: the role of ABA catabolism.

Pine pitch canker (PPC), caused by Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg and O'Donnell, represents an important threat to conifer forests worldwide, being associated with significant economic losses. Although essential to develop disease mitigation strategies, little research focused on host susceptibility/resistance mechanisms has been conducted. We aimed to explore the response of a highly susceptible (Pinus radiata D.

Effect of phosphorus supply on root traits of two Brassica oleracea L. genotypes.

Background: Phosphorus (P) deficiency limits crop production worldwide. Crops differ in their ability to acquire and utilise the P available. The aim of this study was to determine root traits (root exudates, root system architecture (RSA), tissue-specific allocation of P, and gene expression in roots) that (a) play a role in P-use efficiency and (b) contribute to large shoot zinc (Zn) concentration in Brassica oleracea.

Physiological, Biochemical, and Transcriptional Responses to Single and Combined Abiotic Stress in Stress-Tolerant and Stress-Sensitive Potato Genotypes.

Potato production is often constrained by abiotic stresses such as drought and high temperatures which are often present in combination. In the present work, we aimed to identify key mechanisms and processes underlying single and combined abiotic stress tolerance by comparative analysis of tolerant and susceptible cultivars. Physiological data indicated that the cultivars Desiree and Unica were stress tolerant while Agria and Russett Burbank were stress susceptible.

Quantitative trait loci mapping of polyphenol metabolites in blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.).

Introduction: Commercially, blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum L.) are grown mainly for processing, especially for juice production. They are valued for their high levels of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, which contribute to their characteristic deep colour, but also as a good source of vitamin C.

Vitamin C in Plants: Novel Concepts, New Perspectives, and Outstanding Issues.

The concept that vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) is at the heart of the peroxide processing and redox signaling hub in plants is well established, but our knowledge of the precise mechanisms involved remains patchy at best. Ascorbate participates in the multifaceted signaling pathways initiated by both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species. Crucially, the apoplastic ascorbate/dehydroascorbate (DHA) ratio that is regulated by ascorbate oxidase (AO) sculpts the apoplastic ROS (apoROS) signal that controls polarized cell growth, biotic and abiotic defences, and cell to cell signaling, as well as exerting control over the light-dependent regulation of photosynthesis.

An aldo-keto reductase with 2-keto-l-gulonate reductase activity functions in l-tartaric acid biosynthesis from vitamin C in .

Tartaric acid has high economic value as an antioxidant and flavorant in food and wine industries. l-Tartaric acid biosynthesis in wine grape () uses ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as precursor, representing an unusual metabolic fate for ascorbic acid degradation. Reduction of the ascorbate breakdown product 2-keto-l-gulonic acid to l-idonic acid constitutes a critical step in this l-tartaric acid biosynthetic pathway.

Susceptibility to Pitch Canker Triggers Specific Physiological Responses in Symptomatic Plants: An Integrated Approach.

, the causal agent of pine pitch canker (PPC), is an emergent and still understudied risk that threatens forests worldwide, with potential production and sustainability losses. In order to explore the response of pine species with distinct levels of susceptibility to PPC, we investigated changes in physiology, hormones, specific gene transcripts, and primary metabolism occurring in symptomatic , , and upon inoculation with . and exhibiting high and intermediate susceptibility to PPC, respectively, suffered changes in plant water status and photosynthetic impairment.

Gene expression analysis in Eucalyptus globulus exposed to drought stress in a controlled and a field environment indicates different strategies for short- and longer-term acclimation.

Previous knowledge suggested the involvement of specific pathways/proteins that could be identified as potential molecular indicators linked to enhanced drought tolerance in Eucalyptus globulus. Here, we looked for specific variations in key transcripts of two Eucalyptus globulus clones (AL-18 and AL-13) exposed to water deficit and rehydration with two main goals: (i) to check if and how transcripts potentially associated with stress response and protection are modulated in a controlled experiment; and (ii) to verify if the transcript response is robust in a field case study. Our results showed that the controlled experiment induced a severe acute stress that resulted in a strong realignment of gene expression resulting from an overwhelming of physiological adjustments to water limitation.

A Transcript and Metabolite Atlas of Blackcurrant Fruit Development Highlights Hormonal Regulation and Reveals the Role of Key Transcription Factors.

Blackcurrant fruit collected at six stages of development were assessed for changes in gene expression using custom whole transcriptome microarrays and for variation in metabolite content using a combination of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Principal components analysis demonstrated that fruit development could be clearly defined according to their transcript or metabolite profiles. During early developmental stages, metabolite profiles were dominated by amino acids and tannins, whilst transcript profiles were enriched in functions associated with cell division, anatomical structure morphogenesis and cell wall metabolism.