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Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris) is an important crop of temperate climates which provides nearly 30% of the world's annual sugar production and is a source for bioethanol and animal feed. The species belongs to the order of Caryophylalles, is diploid with 2n = 18 chromosomes, has an estimated genome size of 714-758 megabases and shares an ancient genome triplication with other eudicot plants. Leafy beets have been cultivated since Roman times, but sugar beet is one of the most recently domesticated crops. It arose in the late eighteenth century when lines accumulating sugar in the storage root were selected from crosses made with chard and fodder beet. Here we present a reference genome sequence for sugar beet as the first non-rosid, non-asterid eudicot genome, advancing comparative genomics and phylogenetic reconstructions. The genome sequence comprises 567 megabases, of which 85% could be assigned to chromosomes. The assembly covers a large proportion of the repetitive sequence content that was estimated to be 63%. We predicted 27,421 protein-coding genes supported by transcript data and annotated them on the basis of sequence homology. Phylogenetic analyses provided evidence for the separation of Caryophyllales before the split of asterids and rosids, and revealed lineage-specific gene family expansions and losses. We sequenced spinach (Spinacia oleracea), another Caryophyllales species, and validated features that separate this clade from rosids and asterids. Intraspecific genomic variation was analysed based on the genome sequences of sea beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima; progenitor of all beet crops) and four additional sugar beet accessions. We identified seven million variant positions in the reference genome, and also large regions of low variability, indicating artificial selection. The sugar beet genome sequence enables the identification of genes affecting agronomically relevant traits, supports molecular breeding and maximizes the plant's potential in energy biotechnology.

Boron (B) toxicity symptoms are visible in the form of necrotic spots and may worsen the oxidative stress caused by salinity. Hence, the interactive effects of combined salinity and B toxicity stress on antioxidative activities (TAC, LUPO, SOSA, CAT, and GR) were investigated by novel luminescence assays and standard photometric procedures. Wheat plants grown under hydroponic conditions were treated with 2.5 μM H₃BO₃ (control), 75 mM NaCl, 200 μM H₃BO₃, or 75 mM NaCl + 200 μM H₃BO₃, and analysed 6 weeks after germination. Shoot fresh weight (FW), shoot dry weight (DW), and relative water content (RWC) were significantly reduced, whereas the antioxidative activity of all enzymes was increased under salinity compared with the control. High B application led to necrotic leaf spots but did not influence growth parameters. Following NaCl + B treatment, shoot DW, RWC, SOSA, GR, and CAT activities remained the same compared with NaCl alone, whereas the TAC and LUPO activities were increased under the combined stress compared with NaCl alone. However, shoot FW was significantly reduced under NaCl + B compared with NaCl alone, as an additive effect of combined stress. Thus, we found an adjustment of antioxidative enzyme activity to the interactive effects of NaCl and high B. The stress factor "salt" mainly produced more oxidative stress than that of the factor "high B". Furthermore, addition of higher B in the presence of NaCl increases TAC and LUPO demonstrating that increased LUPO activity is an important physiological response in wheat plants against multiple stresses.

Plants under salt stress require additional energy supply to fuel salt tolerance mechanisms and growth. Bandehagh and Taylor (2020) establish that plants must strike a balance between energy supply and demand to maintain growth and development during salt stress. This review (1) summaries how salt stress affects different physiological and biochemical process altering the abundance of different metabolites that are feeding into regular and alternative respiratory pathways and shunts; (monomeric complex I, dimeric complex III and I + III2 supercomplex) found to be higher in halophyte mitochondria in comparison with glycophyte, implying efficient electron transfer from complex I to complex III in halophyte mitochondria. Further, the stability of ATP synthase (complex V) also found to be higher in halophyte suggesting halophyte mitochondria better equipped to supply additional ATP required to support salt stress response.Synthesis of organic compatible solutes is an important component for plant salt stress tolerance. In this regard, proline plays an important role in protecting plants from under salinity conditions and showed that salt tolerance is associated with changes in lipid metabolic processes. They also discovered the important role of phosphatidylserine (PS) in mediating enzyme activity, and exogenous application of PS alleviated the effects of NaCl tissue toxicity. The results showed that the superior K + retention ability in both mature and elongation zone of rice root is the key trait conferring its differential salinity stress tolerance. They suggested that besides the superior ability to activate root H + -ATPase pump operation, this key trait is also related to the reduced sensitivity of K + efflux channels to reactive oxygen species and the lower upregulation in OsGORK and higher upregulation of OsAKT1.A key trait long recognized to improve salinity tolerance in many plants is the maintenance of a low Na + /K + ratio. Transient expression experiment showed that JcHDZ07 is a nuclear-localized protein.In improving Na + exclusion ability to maintain root ion homeostasis to ensure a relatively 9 low shoot Na + concentration under saline conditions; 2) maintaining a high shoot sugar content under saline conditions which is enabled by protecting photosystems structures, enhancing photosynthetic performance and sucrose synthetase activity, and inhibiting sucrose degradation. Further, authors suggested that targeting the key genes related to the regulatory mechanisms could provide opportunities to breed more salt tolerant sweet sorghum.Overall, we hope this special issue of benefit to plant breeders and land managers by delivering novel information and insights on the salinity stress response, signalling and adaptive mechanisms operating in plants.

Heat stress (HS) dramatically impairs the growth performance of broiler chickens, mainly as a consequence of reduced feed intake due to the loss of appetite. This study was aimed at evaluating the alterations induced by chronic HS conditions on the morphological and morphometric features of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and on the expression of some enteroendocrine cells (EECs) involved in the regulation of feed intake in chickens. Three hundred male chickens (Ross 308) were divided into two experimental groups and raised either in thermoneutral environment for the whole fattening period (0-41 days) (TNT group) or subjected to chronic HS conditions (30 °C for 24 h/day) from 35 to 41 days (HS group). Samples of proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum and cecum were collected from 24 broilers (12/group). Haematoxylin-eosin was used for the morphometric evaluations, while immunohistochemistry was applied for the evaluation of EECs expressing ghrelin (GHR), cholecystokinin (CCK), neuropeptide Y (NPY), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and serotonin (5-HT). In the proventriculus, HS reduced total wall thickness and mucous layer height (P ≤ 0.01) as well as mean diameter, circumference, and area of the compound tubular glands (P ≤ 0.001) with respect to TNT. The small intestine of HS birds was characterised by decreased villous height and total thickness (duodenum, P ≤ 0.01; jejunum, P ≤ 0.001), whereas crypt depth and width were reduced only in the jejunum (P ≤ 0.01). HS had negligible effects on the morphological aspects of the cecum. In the proventriculus, an increase in GHR and NPY EECs was observed in response to HS (P ≤ 0.001). Similarly, the small intestine villi of the HS group showed greater GLP-1 (P ≤ 0.05), 5-HT (P ≤ 0.001) and CCK (P ≤ 0.01) EECs. Moreover, the expression of 5-HT EECs was higher in the duodenal (P ≤ 0.01) and jejunal (P ≤ 0.01) crypts of HS birds, whereas GLP-1 and CCK EECs increased only in jejunal crypts (P ≤ 0.05). Finally, 5-HT EEC expression was increased in the cecum of HS group (P ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, these outcomes demonstrate that chronic HS induces morphometric alterations not only in the small intestine but also in a key organ such as the proventriculus. Furthermore, HS conditions affect the presence and distribution of EECs, suggesting that some GI peptides and biogenic amine may be implicated in the regulation of appetite and voluntary feed intake in heat-stressed broiler chickens.

AbstractSoil legacies play an important role for the creation of priority effects. However, we still poorly understand to what extent the metabolome found in the soil solution of a plant community is conditioned by its species composition and whether soil chemical legacies affect subsequent species during assembly. To test these hypotheses, we collected soil solutions from forb or grass communities and evaluated how the metabolome of these soil solutions affected the growth, biomass allocation and functional traits of a forb (Dianthus deltoides) and a grass species (Festuca rubra). Results showed that the metabolomes found in the soil solutions of forb and grass communities differed in composition and chemical diversity. While soil chemical legacies did not have any effect onF.rubra, root foraging byD.deltoidesdecreased when plants received the soil solution from a grass or a forb community. Structural equation modelling showed that reduced soil exploration byD.deltoidesarose via either a root growth‐dependent pathway (forb metabolome) or a root trait‐dependent pathway (grass metabolome). Reduced root foraging was not connected to a decrease in total N uptake. Our findings reveal that soil chemical legacies can create belowground priority effects by affecting root foraging in later arriving plants.

L'agriculture subsaharienne a été identifiée comme vulnérable au changement climatique en cours. L'adaptation de l'agriculture a été suggérée comme un moyen de maintenir la productivité. Une meilleure connaissance de la diversité intra-spécifique des variétés est une condition préalable à la bonne gestion de cette adaptation. Parmi les cultures, les racines et les tubercules jouent un rôle important dans la sécurité alimentaire et la croissance économique des populations les plus vulnérables d'Afrique. Ici, nous nous concentrons sur la patate douce. La patate douce (Ipomoea batatas) a été domestiquée en Amérique centrale et en Amérique du Sud et a ensuite été introduite en Afrique et est maintenant cultivée dans toute l'Afrique tropicale. Nous avons évalué sa diversité en Afrique de l'Ouest en échantillonnant une région s'étendant de la zone côtière du Togo à la région septentrionale sahélienne du Sénégal qui représente une gamme de conditions climatiques. À l'aide de 12 marqueurs microsatellites, nous avons évalué 132 variétés le long de ce gradient. Des données phénotypiques issues d'essais sur le terrain menés en trois saisons ont également été obtenues. La diversité génétique en Afrique de l'Ouest s'est avérée inférieure de 18 % à celle des États-Unis. La diversité génétique en Afrique de l'Ouest est structurée en cinq groupes, certains groupes se trouvant dans des zones climatiques très spécifiques, par exemple sous un climat tropical humide ou sous un climat sahélien. Nous avons également observé des groupes génétiques qui se produisent dans un plus large éventail de climats. Les groupes génétiques ont également été associés à la différenciation morphologique, principalement la forme des feuilles et la couleur de la tige ou de la racine. Cette structure particulière de la diversité le long d'un gradient climatique avec association à la variabilité phénotypique peut être utilisée pour des stratégies de conservation. S'il s'avère qu'une telle structure est associée à une adaptation climatique spécifique, elle permettra également de développer des stratégies pour adapter l'agriculture aux variations climatiques en cours en Afrique de l'Ouest. La agricultura subsahariana ha sido identificada como vulnerable al cambio climático en curso. Se ha sugerido la adaptación de la agricultura como una forma de mantener la productividad. Un mejor conocimiento de la diversidad intraespecífica de variedades es un requisito previo para el manejo exitoso de dicha adaptación. Entre los cultivos, la raíz y los tubérculos desempeñan un papel importante en la seguridad alimentaria y el crecimiento económico de las poblaciones más vulnerables de África. Aquí, nos centramos en la batata. La batata (Ipomoea batatas) se domesticó en América Central y del Sur y más tarde se introdujo en África y ahora se cultiva en toda el África tropical. Evaluamos su diversidad en África Occidental mediante el muestreo de una región que se extiende desde la zona costera de Togo hasta la región septentrional del Sahel en Senegal y que representa una variedad de condiciones climáticas. Utilizando 12 marcadores de microsatélites, evaluamos 132 variedades a lo largo de este gradiente. También se obtuvieron datos fenotípicos de ensayos de campo realizados en tres temporadas. Se encontró que la diversidad genética en África Occidental era un 18% menor que en América. La diversidad genética en África Occidental se estructura en cinco grupos, y algunos grupos se encuentran en áreas climáticas muy específicas, por ejemplo, en un clima tropical húmedo o en un clima saheliano. También observamos grupos genéticos que se producen en una gama más amplia de climas. Los grupos genéticos también se asociaron con la diferenciación morfológica, principalmente la forma de las hojas y el color del tallo o raíz. Esta estructura particular de diversidad a lo largo de un gradiente climático con asociación a la variabilidad fenotípica se puede utilizar para estrategias de conservación. Si se demuestra que dicha estructura está asociada con una adaptación climática específica, también permitirá desarrollar estrategias para adaptar la agricultura a la variación climática en curso en África Occidental. Sub-Saharan agriculture has been identified as vulnerable to ongoing climate change. Adaptation of agriculture has been suggested as a way to maintain productivity. Better knowledge of intra-specific diversity of varieties is prerequisites for the successful management of such adaptation. Among crops, root and tubers play important roles in food security and economic growth for the most vulnerable populations in Africa. Here, we focus on the sweet potato. The Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) was domesticated in Central and South America and was later introduced into Africa and is now cultivated throughout tropical Africa. We evaluated its diversity in West Africa by sampling a region extending from the coastal area of Togo to the northern Sahelian region of Senegal that represents a range of climatic conditions. Using 12 microsatellite markers, we evaluated 132 varieties along this gradient. Phenotypic data from field trials conducted in three seasons was also obtained. Genetic diversity in West Africa was found to be 18% lower than in America. Genetic diversity in West Africa is structured into five groups, with some groups found in very specific climatic areas, e.g. under a tropical humid climate, or under a Sahelian climate. We also observed genetic groups that occur in a wider range of climates. The genetic groups were also associated with morphological differentiation, mainly the shape of the leaves and the color of the stem or root. This particular structure of diversity along a climatic gradient with association to phenotypic variability can be used for conservation strategies. If such structure is proved to be associated with specific climatic adaptation, it will also allow developing strategies to adapt agriculture to ongoing climate variation in West Africa. تم تحديد الزراعة في جنوب الصحراء على أنها عرضة لتغير المناخ المستمر. تم اقتراح تكييف الزراعة كوسيلة للحفاظ على الإنتاجية. إن المعرفة الأفضل بتنوع الأصناف داخل الأنواع هو شرط أساسي للإدارة الناجحة لهذا التكيف. من بين المحاصيل، تلعب الجذور والدرنات أدوارًا مهمة في الأمن الغذائي والنمو الاقتصادي للفئات السكانية الأكثر ضعفًا في أفريقيا. هنا، نركز على البطاطا الحلوة. تم تدجين البطاطا الحلوة (إيبومويا باتاتاس) في أمريكا الوسطى والجنوبية وتم إدخالها لاحقًا إلى إفريقيا ويتم زراعتها الآن في جميع أنحاء إفريقيا الاستوائية. قمنا بتقييم تنوعها في غرب إفريقيا من خلال أخذ عينات من منطقة تمتد من المنطقة الساحلية لتوغو إلى منطقة الساحل الشمالي للسنغال التي تمثل مجموعة من الظروف المناخية. باستخدام 12 علامة للأقمار الصناعية الصغيرة، قمنا بتقييم 132 نوعًا على طول هذا التدرج. كما تم الحصول على بيانات النمط الظاهري من التجارب الميدانية التي أجريت في ثلاثة مواسم. وجد أن التنوع الوراثي في غرب إفريقيا أقل بنسبة 18 ٪ منه في أمريكا. ينقسم التنوع الوراثي في غرب أفريقيا إلى خمس مجموعات، حيث توجد بعض المجموعات في مناطق مناخية محددة للغاية، على سبيل المثال في ظل مناخ استوائي رطب، أو في ظل مناخ الساحل. لاحظنا أيضًا المجموعات الوراثية التي تحدث في مجموعة واسعة من المناخات. ارتبطت المجموعات الوراثية أيضًا بالتمايز المورفولوجي، بشكل أساسي شكل الأوراق ولون الجذع أو الجذر. يمكن استخدام هذا الهيكل الخاص للتنوع على طول التدرج المناخي مع الارتباط بالتغير الظاهري لاستراتيجيات الحفظ. إذا ثبت أن هذا الهيكل مرتبط بتكيف مناخي محدد، فسيسمح أيضًا بتطوير استراتيجيات لتكييف الزراعة مع التقلبات المناخية المستمرة في غرب إفريقيا.