Disclosing the molecular basis of salinity priming in olive trees using proteogenomic model discovery.

Plant responses to salinity are becoming increasingly understood, however, salt priming mechanisms remain unclear, especially in perennial fruit trees. Herein, we showed that low-salt pre-exposure primes olive (Olea europaea) plants against high salinity stress. We then performed a proteogenomic study to characterize priming responses in olive roots and leaves. Integration of transcriptomic and proteomic data along with metabolic data revealed robust salinity changes that exhibit distinct or overlapping patterns in olive tissues, among which we focused on sugar regulation. Using the multi-crossed -omics data set, we showed that major differences between primed and nonprimed tissues are mainly associated with hormone signaling and defense-related interactions. We identified multiple genes and proteins, including known and putative regulators, that reported significant proteomic and transcriptomic changes between primed and nonprimed plants. Evidence also supported the notion that protein post-translational modifications, notably phosphorylations, carbonylations and S-nitrosylations, promote salt priming. The proteome and transcriptome abundance atlas uncovered alterations between mRNA and protein quantities within tissues and salinity conditions. Proteogenomic-driven causal model discovery also unveiled key interaction networks involved in salt priming. Data generated in this study are important resources for understanding salt priming in olive tree and facilitating proteogenomic research in plant physiology.

Impact of protein supply on the productive performance of growing lambs drinking natural saline water and fed low-quality forage under semi-arid conditions.

Consuming saline water causes animals salinity stress, which leads to many adapting metabolic changes that could negatively affect its performance and the quality of the derived products. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of increasing diet protein level on the productive performance of growing lambs drinking natural saline water in Egyptian semi-arid region. Twenty-four growing Barki lambs (4-5 months old) with an initial body weight of 20.7 ± 0.25 kg were randomly distributed into four similar groups for 150 days. Two diets were formulated: low protein and high protein levels (concentrate feed mixture containing 14% and 20% crude protein (CP) on dry matter basis, respectively). Within each level of CP, natural saline water was represented by low saline (LS) and high saline (HS) water, containing 658 and 2100 mg/L of total dissolved solids, respectively. Results showed that the HS water increased (p = 0.02) water intake by about 18% and had adverse effect (p < 0.001) on dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, and growth performance. The ruminal pH values, total volatile fatty acids, and ammonia-N concentrations were not affected by drinking the HS water. However, the protein supplementation enhanced the HS lambs' nutrients digestion and showed greater growth performance. The HS water decreased (p < 0.001) the serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and increased (p = 0.03) the urea-N by about 9%. The protein supplementation amended the serum ALT and AST concentrations of HS lambs. It is concluded that the dietary protein supply was affective sustainable management strategy against the deleterious effect of drinking high saline water on growing lambs.

Short-term exposure to 12‰ brackish water has significant effects on the endocrine physiology of juvenile American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis).

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) mainly inhabit freshwater habitats but can be exposed to a wide range of salinities during storm surges, droughts or from alterations in freshwater flows. Although some salinization events last weeks, others only last a few days. This study assessed changes in the endocrine function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and steroid hormone production (steroidogenesis) in juvenile alligators exposed to brackish water (12‰) for 7 days. We quantified plasma levels of angiotensin II and the corticosteroids (aldosterone, corticosterone and 11-deoxycortisol). Various progestogens, androgens, and estrogens were further assessed. The protein expression for the RAAS enzymes, renin and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), was quantified immunohistochemically in kidney and lung tissue, respectively, and histology was performed on kidney, lung and gonad tissues. Finally, blood biochemistry parameters such as electrolyte levels and diagnostic indicators for dehydration, renal, and hepatic function were measured. Corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, Na+, Cl-, total protein, albumin, uric acid, and cholesterol levels were all significantly elevated in alligators exposed to brackish water compared with alligators in freshwater. The levels of 17ß-estradiol and estrone were significantly lowered while histology showed alterations in gonad tissue in the brackish water exposed group. In contrast, while there were no effects of exposure on aldosterone levels, angiotensin II was significantly reduced in brackish water exposed alligators. These results correlated with significantly decreased expressions for both renin and ACE in kidney and lung tissue. Overall, this study showed that short-term exposure of alligators to 12‰ brackish water has significant endocrine effects on juvenile alligators.

Smoltification and seawater transfer of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) is associated with systemic repression of the immune transcriptome.

Smoltification and seawater adaptation of Atlantic salmon are associated with profound alterations in the endocrine status, osmoregulation and behaviour. Little is known about immunological changes during smoltification, although increased incidences of infectious diseases after seawater transfer (SWT) may indicate weakened protection. We report microarray gene expression analyses in farmed Atlantic salmon during smoltification stimulated with constant light and early seawater adaptation (one and three weeks after SWT). Gene expression changes were large, their magnitude in the head kidney and proximal intestine was greater than in the gill. Among 360 differentially expressed immune genes, 300 genes were down-regulated, and multiple functional groups were affected such as innate antiviral immunity, chemokines, cytokines and receptors, signal transducers, effectors of humoral and cellular innate immunity, antigen presentation and lymphocytes, especially T cells. No recovery was observed after three weeks in seawater. A notable exception was a transient up-regulation of immunoglobulin transcripts in the gill after SWT. Genes involved in stress responses and xenobiotic metabolism were up-regulated in respectively intestine and gill. The duration of this observed immune suppression and the possible consequences for susceptibility to infections and diseases need further exploration.

Effects of subzero saline chilling on broiler chilling efficiency, meat quality, and microbial safety.

The poultry industry has attempted to improve carcass chilling efficiency, meat quality, and product safety. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of subzero saline chilling on carcass chilling, breast fillet tenderness, and microbial safety. After evisceration, broiler carcasses were chilled using ice slurry control (0% NaCl/0.5°C) or subzero saline solutions (3% NaCl/-1.8°C and 4% NaCl/-2.41°C). Broiler carcasses in the subzero saline solutions were chilled efficiently and reduced the chilling time by 11% in 3% NaCl/-1.8°C and 37% in 4% NaCl/-2.41°C over the ice slurry chilling. The breast fillets of broiler carcasses in 4% NaCl/-2.41°C were significantly tenderized than those in water control (P < 0.05), with an intermediate value observed in 3% NaCl/-1.8°C. Before chilling, broiler carcasses possessed mesophilic aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, and total coliforms for 3.81, 0.78, and 1.86 log cfu/g, respectively, which were significantly reduced after chilling in 3% NaCl/-1.8°C or 4% NaCl/-2.41°C solution over the water control (P < 0.05), except the mesophilic aerobic bacteria. Based on these results, chilling of boiler carcass in 4% NaCl/-1.8°C solution appears to improve carcass chilling efficiency, meat tenderness, and bacterial reduction for E. coli and total coliforms.

Transcriptional changes during tomato ripening and influence of brackish water irrigation on fruit transcriptome and sugar content.

Efficient management and utilization of brackish water irrigation help to minimize yield losses and promote fruit quality and sugar content in tomato fruit. However, the functional genes involved in sugar metabolic pathways and potential molecular pathways responsive to brackish water irrigation remain unknown. To this end, physiological responses and comparative transcriptional profiling was used to analyze the tomato fruit during the white-ripe period (CK1) and mature period (CK2) in plants grown under four water management strategies (rotating irrigation with brackish and fresh water during fruit development, T1; fresh water irrigation, T2; mixed brackish and fresh water irrigation, T3; mixed water and fresh water irrigation in sequence, T4). Comparative analysis revealed that during fruit development (CK2 cv CK1) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in photosynthetic pathways and sucrose-starch metabolism were downregulated. However, two DEGs encoding putative beta-fructofuranosidases were significantly upregulated at the mature stage, which promoted the accumulation of glucose and fructose in CK2. Comparing four types of management strategies, rotating irrigation with brackish water and fresh water (T1) led to reprograming of global gene expression. Moreover, the upregulated DEGs in T1 were significantly enriched for signaling, hormone metabolism, and stress tolerance, suggesting the coordination of both stresses signaling as well as the plant hormone. These results provide a valuable reference for rational use of brackish water in the production of high-quality tomato in arid and semi-arid regions.

Impact of Grafting, Salinity and Irrigation Water Composition on Eggplant Fruit Yield and Ion Relations.

Scarcity of fresh water in arid and semi-arid regions means that we must use more saline waters for irrigation and develop tools to improve crop salt tolerance. The objectives of our study were to (1) Evaluate fruit production, salt tolerance and ion composition of eggplant cv Angela, both nongrafted and when grafted on tomato cv Maxifort rootstock and (2) Evaluate eggplant specific toxicity effect of Cl- and Na+ ions under saline conditions. We salinized the irrigation water with either a Na+-Ca2+- Cl- composition typical of coastal Mediterranean ground waters as well as a mixed Na+-Ca2+-SO42- Cl- type water, a composition more typical of interior continental basin ground. For each water type we evaluated 5 different salinity (osmotic) levels of -0.003 (control), -0.15, -0.30, -0.45 and -0.60 MPa. There were no statistically significant differences in the fruit yield relative to the water type, indicating that Cl- ion toxicity is not a major factor in eggplant yield associated with salinity. This conclusion was confirmed by the determination that leaf Cl content was not correlated with relative yield. The electrical conductivity of the saturation extract (ECe) at which yield is predicted to be reduced by 50% was 4.6 dS m-1 for the grafted plants vs. 1.33 dS m-1 for the nongrafted plants. The relative yield was very well correlated to leaf Na concentrations regardless of grafting status, indicating that Na is the toxic ion responsible for eggplant yield loss under saline conditions. The increased salt tolerance of cv Angela eggplant when grafted onto tomato Maxifort rootstock is attributed to a reduced Na uptake and increased Ca and K uptake with Maxifort rootstock.

Benefits of soil biochar amendments to tomato growth under saline water irrigation.

Biochar amendments have been used in agriculture to improve soil fertility and enhance crop productivity. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that biochar amendment could also enhance the productivity of salt-affected soils. The trial was conducted over two consecutive growing seasons to investigate the effect of biochar amendment (four application rates as: B1 = 0%, B2 = 2%, B3 = 4%, and B4 = 8% by mass of soil) on yield and quality of tomatoes grown in a silt loam soil using non-saline water (I0 = 0.7 dS m-1) and saline water (I1 = 1 dS m-1; I2 = 3 dS m-1) irrigation. Furthermore, the study investigated the mechanism by which biochar addresses the salt stress on plant. The results showed that soil productivity as indicated by the vegetative growth and tomato yield components was adversely and significantly affected by saline water irrigation (P < 0.05). Tomato yield decreased from 689 ± 35.6 to 533 ± 79.0 g per plant as salinity of irrigation water increased from I0 to I2. Then, biochar amendment increased vegetative growth, yield, and quality parameters under saline irrigation water regimes, and ameliorated the salt stresses on crop growth. The highest (8.73 ± 0.15 and 4.10 ± 0.82 g kg-1) and the lowest (8.33 ± 0.08 and 2.42 ± 0.76 g kg-1) values of soil pH and soil organic matter were measured at B4I0 and B1I2 treatments, respectively. Also, the highest rate of biochar amendment combining with non-saline water irrigation (B4I0) produced tomato with the highest plant photosynthetic (17.08 ± 0.19 µmol m-2 s-1) and transpiration rate (8.16 ± 0.18 mmol H2O m-2 s-1). Mechanically, biochar amendment reduced transient sodium ions by adsorption and released mineral nutrients such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium into the soil solution. Therefore, biochar amendments have the potential in ameliorating salt stress and enhancing tomato production.

Effects of level of brackish water on feed intake, digestion, heat energy, and blood constituents of growing Boer and Spanish goat wethers.

Twenty Boer (6.1 mo old and 21.3 kg) and 20 Spanish (6.6 mo old and 19.7 kg) goat wethers were used to determine effects of brackish water on feed intake, digestion, heat energy, and blood constituents. Brackish water had 6,900 mg/L total dissolved salts, 1,885 mg/L Na, 75 mg/L Mg, 1,854 mg/L chloride, 2,478 mg/L sulfate, and 9 mg/L boron. Water treatments were 100% tap water (control), 100% of a brackish water source (100-BR), 33% control and 67% brackish water (67-BR), and 67% control and 33% brackish water (33-BR). Water and a moderate-quality grass hay (8.5% CP and 68% NDF) were offered free choice. The experiment consisted of 14 d of adaptation, 5 d for metabolizability measures, and 2 d for determining gas exchange and heat energy. There were no interactions ( > 0.05) between breed and water treatment. Water intake (931, 942, 949, and 886 g/d [SE 59.1] for the control, 33-BR, 67-BR, and 100-BR, respectively) and DM intake (525, 556, 571, and 527 g/d [SE 31.0] for the control, 33-BR, 67-BR, and 100-BR, respectively) were similar among treatments ( = 0.876 and = 0.667, respectively). Urinary water was greater for brackish water treatments than for the control ( = 0.003; 211, 317, 319, and 285 g/d [SE 25.6] for the control, 33-BR, 67-BR, and 100-BR, respectively) and fecal water content was similar among treatments ( = 0.530; 247, 251, 276, and 257 g/d [SE 19.0] for the control, 33-BR, 67-BR, and 100-BR, respectively), implying less water loss by other means such as evaporation when brackish water was consumed. Total tract OM digestibility was lower ( = 0.049) for treatments with brackish water than for treatments without brackish water (64.2, 61.5, 58.6, and 59.3% [SE 1.86] for the control, 33-BR, 67-BR, and 100-BR, respectively), although ME intake was similar among treatments ( = 0.940; 4.61, 4.57, 4.60, and 4.31 MJ/d [SE 0.394] for the control, 33-BR, 67-BR, and 100-BR, respectively). Daily heat energy in kilojoules per kilogram BW was less with brackish water than without brackish water ( = 0.001; 474, 436, 446, and 445 kJ/kg BW [SE 7.7] for the control, 33-BR, 67-BR, and 100-BR, respectively), although values in megajoules were similar among treatments ( = 0.588; 4.36, 4.12, 4.22, and 4.18 MJ [SE 0.124] for the control, 33-BR, 67-BR, and 100-BR, respectively). Body weight of wethers consuming brackish water decreased less than that of wethers consuming the control water ( = 0.006; -37, -14, -7, and -16 g [SE 7.2] for the control, 33-BR, 67-BR, and 100-BR, respectively), but recovered energy was similar among treatments ( = 0.923; 0.25, 0.45, 0.38, and 0.13 MJ/d [SE 0.356] for the control, 33-BR, 67-BR, and 100-BR, respectively). In conclusion, brackish water inclusion in drinking water had a number of effects, but it does not appear that consumption of this source would adversely impact performance of growing meat goats.

Purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia rosea) Dieback and partial community disassembly following experimental storm surge in a coastal pitcher plant bog.

Sea-level rise and frequent intense hurricanes associated with climate change will result in recurrent flooding of inland systems such as Gulf Coastal pitcher plant bogs by storm surges. These surges can transport salt water and sediment to freshwater bogs, greatly affecting their biological integrity. Purple pitcher plants (Sarracenia rosea) are Gulf Coast pitcher plant bog inhabitants that could be at a disadvantage under this scenario because their pitcher morphology may leave them prone to collection of saline water and sediment after a surge. We investigated the effects of storm surge water salinity and sediment type on S. rosea vitality, plant community structure, and bog soil-water conductivity. Plots (containing ≥1 ramet of S. rosea) were experimentally flooded with fresh or saline water crossed with one of three sediment types (local, foreign, or no sediment). There were no treatment effects on soil-water conductivity; nevertheless, direct exposure to saline water resulted in significantly lower S. rosea cover until the following season when a prescribed fire and regional drought contributed to the decline of all the S. rosea to near zero percent cover. There were also significant differences in plant community structure between treatments over time, reflecting how numerous species increased in abundance and a few species decreased in abundance. However, in contrast to S. rosea, most of the other species in the community appeared resilient to the effects of storm surge. Thus, although the community may be somewhat affected by storm surge, those few species that are particularly sensitive to the storm surge disturbance will likely drop out of the community and be replaced by more resilient species. Depending on the longevity of these biological legacies, Gulf Coastal pitcher plant bogs may be incapable of fully recovering if they become exposed to storm surge more frequently due to climate change.

Água salina e biofertilizante bovino na produção de frutos e alocação de biomassa em noni (Morinda citrifolia L. ) / Saline water and bovine biofertilizer on yield and biomass allocation in noni plants (Morinda citrifolia L. )

RESUMO: Têm sido evidenciado que os compostos orgânicos exercem ação mitigadora dos efeitos tóxicos dos sais às plantas, promovendo maior crescimento e desenvolvimento em solos com excesso de sais. Nessa direção, um experimento foi desenvolvido para avaliar os efeitos do biofertilizante bovino na produção de frutos e alocação de biomassa pelos diversos órgãos de plantas de noni, irrigadas com águas salinas. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e duas plantas por parcela, adotando o arranjo fatorial 5 x 2, correspondente a salinidade das águas de irrigação de 0,5; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5; 6,0 dS m-1, em substratos sem e com biofertilizante bovino, aplicado uma única vez, em volume correspondente a 10% do volume do substrato, um dia antes da instalação do experimento. As variáveis avaliadas foram: salinidade do solo, expressa pela condutividade elétrica do extrato de saturação do solo; número de frutos; massa média de fruto; produção de frutos por planta; e alocação de biomassa pelas raízes, caules, folhas e frutos. O aumento da salinidade da água de irrigação elevou o caráter salino do solo desde "não salino" para "fortemente salino" e, inibiu a produção de frutos e a acumulação de biomassa seca das plantas de noni em geral, mas, com maior intensidade nos tratamentos sem o insumo orgânico. O biofertilizante estimula o crescimento e a produção de plantas de noni cultivadas sob irrigação com águas de alta salinidade.

ABSTRACT: Organic compounds have shown to exercise a mitigating action on salts in plants and they promote growth and development in salt stress environments. In this sense, an experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of saline water irrigation and bovine biofertilizer on yield and biomass allocation by the various organs of noni plants. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with four replications and two plants per plot using the 5 x 2 factorial design, which correspond to the salinity levels of irrigation water of 0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1 in substrates with and without bovine biofertilizer, applied to the soil once, in the volume corresponding to 10% of the volume of the substrate one day before the implementation of the experiment. The variables evaluated were soil salinity, expressed as electrical conductivity of the soil saturation extract, fruit number, fruit weight and fruit yield per plant, and biomass allocation by roots, stems, leaves and fruit. The increasing salinity of the water for irrigation increased the saline character of the soil from non-saline to saline soil and inhibited the production and accumulation of dry biomass in noni plants in general but with more intensity in the plants of the treatments without bovine biofertilizer applied to the soil in liquid form. The biofertilizer stimulates the growth and production of noni plants grown under irrigation with high salinity water.