Toxicity potential of a pyraclostrobin-based fungicide in plant and green microalgae models.

Pyraclostrobin-based fungicides play an effective role in controlling fungal diseases and are extensively used in agriculture. However, there is concern regarding the potential adverse effects attributed to exposure to these fungicides on non-target organisms and consequent influence exerted on ecosystem functioning. Thus, it is essential to conduct studies with model organisms to determine the impacts of these fungicides on different groups of living organisms. The aim of this study was to examine the ecotoxicity associated with exposure to commercial fungicides containing pyraclostrobin. The focus of the analysis involved germination and initial development of seedlings of 4 plant models (Lactuca sativa, Raphanus sativus, Pennisetum glaucum and Triticum aestivum), in addition to determining the population growth rate and total carbohydrate content in microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata. The fungicide pyraclostrobin adversely influenced growth and development of the tested plants, indicating a toxic effect. The fungicide exerted a significant impact on the initial development of seedlings of all model species examined with T. aestivum plants displaying the greatest susceptibility to pyraclostrobin. Plants of this species exhibited inhibitory effects on both aerial parts and roots when treated with a concentration of 4.75 mg/L pyraclostrobin. In addition, the green microalga R. subcapitata was also significantly affected by the fungicide, especially at relatively high concentrations as evidenced by a reduction in total carbohydrate content. This commercial fungicide demonstrated potential phytotoxicity for the tested plant models and was also considered toxic to the selected microalgae, indicating an ecotoxic effect that might affect other organisms in aquatic environments.

Data on vermicompost effect on the uptake of cadmium from soil by the roots of radish (Raphanus sativus).

Cadmium is a common environmental heavy metal that is very toxic and carcinogenic for human and other flora and fauna. Therefore, this study is aimed to evaluate the fisibility of vermicompost fertilizer for cadmium uptake from soil by the root of radish (Raphanus sativus). For the purpose of the study, four different ratios of one case control, 1 per 1, 1 per 4, 2 per 4, 3 per 4 vermicompost fertilizer per soil with 0, 50000 and 100000 µg/L cadmium concentrations was evaluated. Cadmium in the samples was measured using an Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The results showed that the minimum uptake of cadmium by the plant was observed for 3 per 4 ratio of fertilizer per soil. In addition, results revealed that highest growth rate of Raphanus sativus roots occurred in maximum ratio of fertilizer per soil usage (3 per 4). This study showed that vermicompost as a organic fertilizer has a good ability to adsorb cadmium metal from soil. Therfore, vermicompost application can be considered as an inexpensive natural adsorbent in arable land contaminated with cadmium.•Heavy metals are very toxic and carcinogenic to human and animals.•Adding organic fertilizer to the soil increases the absorption of heavy metal (cadmium) in the soil and prevents it from entering the food chain.•The relationship between the concentration of cadmium absorbed by the tuber of radish plant and the percentage of vermicompost added to the soil is presented.

Exogenous gibberellin suppressed taproot secondary thickening by inhibiting the formation and maintenance of vascular cambium in radish (Raphanus sativus L.).

Introduction: The thickening of radish taproots is primarily determined by secondary growth driven by the vascular cambium and is a highly intricate process regulated by plant hormones, transcription factors, and many metabolic pathways. Gibberellin (GA), a plant hormone associated with cell elongation, is essential in secondary growth. However, the mechanism through which exogenous GA3 regulates secondary taproot growth in radishes remains unclear. Methods: Integrated morphological, anatomical, hormonal, and transcriptomic analyses of taproots in radishes treated with GA3 and its biosynthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol (PBZ) were performed to explore their effects on taproot secondary growth and key regulatory pathways. Results: GA3 significantly hindered taproot thickening by inhibiting the formation and maintenance of the vascular cambium, and PBZ promoted root development by increasing root length rather than root diameter. Transcriptome analysis revealed 2,014, 948, and 1,831 differentially expressed genes identified from the control vs. GA3, control vs. PBZ, and GA3 vs. PBZ comparisons, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome pathway enrichment analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes were primarily involved in the biosyntheses of secondary metabolites and metabolic pathways. GA3 significantly increased the levels of endogenous indole-acetic acid and the expression of auxin synthesis and signal transduction genes. Discussion: Exogenous GA3 significantly inhibited the expression of genes involved in the maintenance and differentiation of vascular cambium, including WOX14, ER/ERL1, and XCP2. Exogenous GA3 affects root thickening in radishes primarily by regulating hormone signal transduction pathways, vascular cambium activity, and substance and energy metabolisms. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying taproot thickening in radishes and provide a valuable gene database for future studies.

Susceptibility of Oilseed Radish (Raphanus sativus subsp. oleiferus) Cultivars and Various Brassica Crops to Plasmodiophora brassicae.

Oilseed radish (OR; Raphanus sativus var. oleiferus) is grown as a cover crop and develops a unique taproot, absorbing nitrogen left by the previous crop. The aim of this project was to investigate the resistance of OR cultivars (cvs.) to Plasmodiophora brassicae, the causal agent of clubroot disease. Twelve market cvs. were compared with cvs. of clubroot-resistant (CR) winter oilseed rape (OSR; Brassica napus) and other selected species of the Brassicaceae family. The study was performed as a replicated bioassay in a growth chamber using a specially composed mixture of field soils holding the natural inoculum of P. brassicae. The results show that the OR cultivars were infected, which implies that OR multiplies the pathogen. The susceptibility of the OR cultivars was not significantly different from that of the CR OSR cultivars Alister and Archimedes, but it was significantly different from that of the OSR cv. Mendel. The disease severity index (DSI) for OR cultivars ranged from 2.3 to 9.3, and disease incidence was 3-17%. The best performance was shown by black radish (Raphanus sativus var. niger) with a DSI of 0.3. For sustainable brassica crop production, we suggest avoiding OR as a cover crop in crop rotations, including OSR or other brassica crops, since there is a risk of increasing inoculum in the soil.

Hydrogen peroxide and salt stress in radish: effects on growth, physiology, and root quality.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays a central role in responses to salt stress, a major abiotic stress that impacts crop yield worldwide. Despite the evidence that H2O2 mitigates salt stress and improves post-harvest quality on several species, its effects on radish were not investigated so far. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the exogenous application of H2O2 on salt stress mitigation of radish growth, physiology, and post-harvest quality. For this, radish plants were grown in pots for 30 days, being watered with non-saline (0.31 dS m-1) or saline water (120 mM NaCl, 12.25 dS m-1). Plants were leaf-sprayed weekly with water (control - 0 µM H2O2) or H2O2 (150 or 1500 µM) solutions. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme (H2O2 treatments × salt stress conditions). The growth, physiology (gas exchanges, photochemical efficiency, relative water content, electrolyte leakage, and the contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids), and post-harvest attributes of globular roots (color, anthocyanins, vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and soluble solids) were determined. Salt stress decreased gas exchanges and increased electrolyte leakage, which resulted in stunted radish growth, and increased the contents of antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, soluble solids, and vitamin C, improving globular root quality. Conversely, H2O2 did not mitigate salt stress effects on radish growth, photosynthetic capacity, and oxidative damages. Although H2O2 increased vitamin C under non-stressed condition, it was decreased under salt stress. Thus, we conclude that H2O2 did not mitigate salt stress on radish growth and quality. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-024-01476-z.

Genome-Wide Identification, Expression, and Protein Analysis of CKX and IPT Gene Families in Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Reveal Their Involvement in Clubroot Resistance.

Cytokinins (CKs) are a group of phytohormones that are involved in plant growth, development, and disease resistance. The isopentenyl transferase (IPT) and cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX) families comprise key enzymes controlling CK biosynthesis and degradation. However, an integrated analysis of these two gene families in radish has not yet been explored. In this study, 13 RsIPT and 12 RsCKX genes were identified and characterized, most of which had four copies in Brassica napus and two copies in radish and other diploid Brassica species. Promoter analysis indicated that the genes contained at least one phytohormone or defense and stress responsiveness cis-acting element. RsIPTs and RsCKXs were expanded through segmental duplication. Moreover, strong purifying selection drove the evolution of the two gene families. The expression of the RsIPT and RsCKX genes distinctly showed diversity in different tissues and developmental stages of the root. Expression profiling showed that RsCKX1-1/1-2/1-3 was significantly upregulated in club-resistant materials during primary infection, suggesting their vital function in clubroot resistance. The interaction network of CKX proteins with similar 3D structures also reflected the important role of RsCKX genes in disease resistance. This study provides a foundation for further functional study on the IPT and CKX genes for clubroot resistance improvement in Raphanus.

Raphanus sativus Linne Protects Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells against H2O2-Induced Damage by Inhibiting TREM2.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) progresses owing to damage and depletion of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Cytoprotection mitigates oxidative stress, nutrient deprivation, and mechanical stress, which lead to cell damage and necrosis. We aimed to examine the protective effect of Raphanus sativus Linne (RSL), common radish, against oxidative stress by H2O2 in human NP cells and whether the RSL extracts can inhibit triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), an inducer of apoptosis and degeneration in NP cells. We administered hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to cultured human NP cells treated with RSL extracts. We used immunoblotting and quantitative PCR to investigate expression of the apoptosis-associated proteins in cultured cells. RSL significantly enhanced cell survival by suppressing the activation of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax. In contrast, RSL extract increased Bcl2 concentration to downregulate apoptosis. Additionally, RSL treatment notably enhanced the mRNA levels of ACAN and Col2a1 while significantly reducing those of ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5, MMP3, and MMP13, key genes involved in NP degeneration. While H2O2 elevated TREM2 expression, causing disc degeneration, RSL downregulated TREM2 expression. Thus, our findings imply that RSL supports human NP cells under oxidative stress and regulates the pathways underlying disc degeneration, particularly TREM2, and that RSL extracts may potentially prevent IDD.

Comparison of Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Properties of Raphanus sativus L. Leaf and Root Kombucha-Fermented Extracts.

In the cosmetics industry, the extract from Raphanus sativus L. is fermented using specific starter cultures. These cosmetic ingredients act as preservatives and skin conditioners. Kombucha is traditionally made by fermenting sweetened tea using symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeast and is used in cosmetic products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cosmetic properties of radish leaf and root extract fermented with the SCOBY. Both unfermented water extracts and extracts after 7, 14, and 21 days of fermentation were evaluated. The analysis of secondary plant metabolites by UPLC-MS showed higher values for ferments than for extracts. A similar relationship was noted when examining the antioxidant properties using DPPH and ABTS radicals and the protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in fibroblasts and keratinocytes using the fluorogenic dye H2DCFDA. The results also showed no cytotoxicity to skin cells using Alamar Blue and Neutral Red tests. The ability of the samples to inhibit IL-1ß and COX-2 activity in LPS-treated fibroblasts was also demonstrated using ELISA assays. The influence of extracts and ferments on bacterial strains involved in inflammatory processes of skin diseases was also assessed. Additionally, application tests were carried out, which showed a positive effect of extracts and ferments on TEWL and skin hydration using a TEWAmeter and corneometer probe. The results obtained depended on the concentration used and the fermentation time.

Whole-Genome Sequencing and Analysis of Tumour-Forming Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Line.

Spontaneous tumour formation in higher plants can occur in the absence of pathogen invasion, depending on the plant genotype. Spontaneous tumour formation on the taproots is consistently observed in certain inbred lines of radish (Raphanus sativus var. radicula Pers.). In this paper, using Oxford Nanopore and Illumina technologies, we have sequenced the genomes of two closely related radish inbred lines that differ in their ability to spontaneously form tumours. We identified a large number of single nucleotide variants (amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions, SNVs) that are likely to be associated with the spontaneous tumour formation. Among the genes involved in the trait, we have identified those that regulate the cell cycle, meristem activity, gene expression, and metabolism and signalling of phytohormones. After identifying the SNVs, we performed Sanger sequencing of amplicons corresponding to SNV-containing regions to validate our results. We then checked for the presence of SNVs in other tumour lines of the radish genetic collection and found the ERF118 gene, which had the SNVs in the majority of tumour lines. Furthermore, we performed the identification of the CLAVATA3/ESR (CLE) and WUSCHEL (WOX) genes and, as a result, identified two unique radish CLE genes which probably encode proteins with multiple CLE domains. The results obtained provide a basis for investigating the mechanisms of plant tumour formation and also for future genetic and genomic studies of radish.

Genome-wide analysis of radish AHL gene family and functional verification of RsAHL14 in tomato.

The AT-hook motif nuclear localized (AHL) gene family is a highly conserved transcription factors involved in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, AHLs have not been systematically analyzed in radish (Raphanus sativus). Therefore, we performed genome-wide identification and expression pattern, gene structure, and function verifications of radish AHLs. We identified 52 radish AHLs (RsAHL1-RsAHL52), which were unevenly distributed across nine chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the RsAHLs were divided into two clades (A and B) and subdivided into three types (I, II, and III). Collinearity analysis revealed that the 52 RsAHLs produced 49 repeat events. Tissue expression profiles revealed differential expression of RsAHLs across different tissues, with higher expression observed in flower organs, particularly petals and anthers. qRT-PCR results indicated that RsAHLs responded to abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, and abiotic stress (low and high temperatures and drought). Additionally, RsAHL14 induced a dwarf phenotype in tomato plants, and RsAHL14-overexpression tomato plants presented significantly decreased expression levels of the gibberellin (GA) synthetic genes ent-Copalyl diphosphatase, GA3ox-3/-4/-5, and GA20ox-1/-2/-3, but significantly increased expression of the degradation gene GA2ox-1/-3. Thus, RsAHL14 might affect plant growth by regulating GA content. Collectively, our study comprehensively identified RsAHLs in radish and provided a reference for further research on these genes.