Roles of Calcium Signaling in Gene Expression and Photosynthetic Acclimatization of Solanum lycopersicum Micro-Tom (MT) after Mechanical Damage.

A momentary increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ generates an oscillation responsible for the activation of proteins, such as calmodulin and kinases, which interact with reactive oxygen species (ROS) for the transmission of a stress signal. This study investigated the influence of variations in calcium concentrations on plant defense signaling and photosynthetic acclimatization after mechanical damage. Solanum lycopersicum Micro-Tom was grown with 0, 2 and 4 mM Ca2+, with and without mechanical damage. The expression of stress genes was evaluated, along with levels of antioxidant enzymes, hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, histochemistry, photosynthesis and dry mass of organs. The ROS production generated by mechanical damage was further enhanced by calcium-free conditions due to the inactivation of the oxygen evolution complex, contributing to an increase in reactive species. The results indicated that ROS affected mechanical damage signaling because calcium-free plants exhibited high levels of H2O2 and enhanced expression of kinase and RBOH1 genes, necessary conditions for an efficient response to stress. We conclude that the plants without calcium supply recognized mechanical damage but did not survive. The highest expression of the RBOH1 gene and the accumulation of H2O2 in these plants signaled cell death. Plants grown in the presence of calcium showed higher expression of SlCaM2 and control of H2O2 concentration, thus overcoming the stress caused by mechanical damage, with photosynthetic acclimatization and without damage to dry mass production.

Can low doses of glyphosate stimulate common bean growth?

Plant growth can be stimulated by low doses of glyphosate. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of low doses of glyphosate and sowing season on the growth of the early cycle common bean. Two experiments were conducted in the field, the first in the winter and the second in the wet season, with the early cycle common bean cultivar IAC Imperador. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design, consisting of low doses of glyphosate applied on phenological stage V4, with four replications. Environmental conditions, such as air temperature, interfered in the early cycle common bean response to low doses of glyphosate. In the winter season, a dose of 36 g a.e. ha-1 promoted growth in the common bean, and a dose of 7.2 g a.e. ha-1 improved the harvest index. In the wet season, there was no growth stimulus, and the harvest index increased with a dose of 36 g a.e. ha-1. The harvest index was the only characteristic improved in both seasons, but with different doses. Our study indicates that growth characteristics of early cycle common bean are stimulated by low doses of glyphosate, but this response is dependent on the growing environment.

Copper oxychloride fungicide and its effect on growth and oxidative stress of potato plants.

Excess copper in plants causes physiological alterations that lead to crop productivity losses. However, cupric fungicides have been utilized in the control of Alternaria solani and Phytophthora infestans fungi, which cause early blight and late blight in potato, respectively. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of different copper oxychloride levels on potato plants through some biochemical and physiological parameters. The fungicide was applied at the recommended level (2.50gL(-1)), at a reduced level (1.25gL(-1)), and at 5.00gL(-1), to simulate spraying in the field twice during the same period with the recommended level. The results revealed that superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) protected plants against oxidative stress at the beginning of the cycle since lipoperoxide levels were low in that period. In addition, increased SOD activity positively correlated with increased usable leaf area for photosynthesis (leaf area ratio, LAR), photosynthetic effectiveness (net assimilation rate, NAR), and growth relative to pre-existing dry matter (relative growth rate, RGR). Concomitantly, there was a negative correlation between lipoperoxide levels and LAR and RGR. Plants randomly sprayed twice in the same period with the level recommended for potato crop protection in the field do not present damage regarding their development. However, additional studies are needed in order to reduce the use of copper fungicides in the control of early and late blight in potato crop production, then decreasing the release of copper in the environment.

Hydrogen peroxide signal photosynthetic acclimation of Solanum lycopersicum L. cv Micro-Tom under water deficit.

The current climate change setting necessitates the development of methods to mitigate the effects of water scarcity to ensure the sustainability of agricultural activities.f Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a plant signaling molecule that can trigger metabolic defense mechanisms in response to adverse environmental circumstances like as drought. The purpose of this study was to investigate if foliar application of H2O2 stimulates modifications in photosynthetic metabolism for adaptation of tomato plants to a period of water deficit and recovery. The study, which was carried out in a factorial scheme, tested plants subjected to two water conditions (well-watered plants and plants subjected to water deficit), as well as foliar application of 1 mM H2O2 (zero, one, or two applications, 24 h after the first), and was evaluated in two moments, during the deficit period and after recovery. Foliar application of 1 mM H2O2 resulted in a 69% increase in the maximum rate of RuBisCO carboxylation in well-watered plants, contributing to tomato photosynthetic adjustment. H2O2 treatment resulted in a 37% increase in dry mass in these plants. In plants subjected to water deficiency, 2× H2O2 increased stress tolerance by reducing the maximal rate of RuBisCO carboxylation by only 18%, but in plants that did not receive H2O2 treatment, the reduction was 86% in comparison to the wet plants. Plants exposed to a water shortage and given 2× H2O2 stored sucrose in the leaves and had a 17% higher relative water content than plants not given H2O2. Thus, H2O2 foliar treatment can be used in tomato management to induce drought tolerance or to boost photosynthetic activity and dry mass formation in well-watered plants.

Antifungal activity of liriodenine on clinical strains of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes.

Background: Cryptoccocal meningitis continues to present high incidence among AIDS patients. The treatment of choice is the synergistic combination of flucytosine (5-FC) with amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmBd) or its lipid formulations. However, 5-FC is unavailable in many countries and AmB demands hospitalization. The combination of AmB with the fungistatic fluconazole (FLC) or the use of high FLC daily doses alone became the choice. Nonetheless, sterilization of cerebrospinal fluid is delayed with FLC monotherapy, mainly with high fungal burden. These findings suggest the search for new antifungal compounds, such as liriodenine. Methods: Liriodenine antifungal activity was evaluated by three procedures: determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) on 30 strains of the Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) complex and 30 of the Cryptococcus gattii (C. gattii) complex, using EUCAST methodology and amphotericin B deoxycholate as control; performing the time-kill methodology in two strains of the C. neoformans complex and one of the C. gattii complex; and injury to cryptococcal cells, evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Liriodenine absorption and safety at 0.75 and 1.50 mg.kg-1 doses were evaluated in BALB/c mice. Results: Liriodenine MICs ranged from 3.9 to 62.5 µg.mL-1 for both species complexes, with no differences between them. Time-kill methodology confirmed its concentration-dependent fungicidal effect, killing all the strains below the limit of detection (33 CFU.mL-1) at the highest liriodenine concentration (32-fold MIC), with predominant activity during the first 48 hours. Liriodenine induced severe Cryptococcus alterations - cytoplasm with intense rarefaction and/or degradation, injury of organelles, and presence of vacuoles. Liriodenine was better absorbed at lower doses, with no histopathological alterations on the digestive tract. Conclusion: The fungicidal activity confirmed by time-kill methodology, the intense Cryptococcus injury observed by TEM, the absorption after gavage administration, and the safety at the tested doses indicate that the liriodenine molecule is a promising drug lead for development of anticryptococcal agents.

Silicon and mechanical damage increase polyphenols and vitexin in Passiflora incarnata L.

Passiflora incarnata L. is a species of global pharmacological importance, has not been fully studied in the context of cultivation and management. It is known that silicon acts on abiotic stress and promotes phenols synthesis. The practice of mechanical damage is widely used in P. incarnata crops, and its interaction with silicon can have a significant influence on plant metabolism. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the effects of silicon and mechanical damage on photosynthesis, polyphenols and vitexin of P. incarnata. The experiment was conducted in a factorial design with SiO2 concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3 mM) and presence or absence of mechanical damage. It was found that mechanical damage improved photosynthetic performance at lower concentrations or absence of silicon. Moreover, this condition promoted an increasing in vitexin concentration when SiO2 was not provided. The application of 3 mM Si is recommended to increase polyphenols and vitexin, without harming dry mass of aerial part. The interaction between silicon and mechanical damage could be a tool to increase agronomic yield and commercial value of the P. incarnata crop.

Nitrogen in the defense system of Annona emarginata (Schltdl.) H. Rainer.

The concentration of nitrogen can generate different strategies in plants in response to stress. In this study, we investigated how nitrogen concentration interferes with the defense system of Annona emarginata. Low concentrations of nitrogen increased the allocation of photosynthetic resources to carbon metabolism, resulting in an increase in the synthesis of volatile substances involved in signaling and defense that contributed to antioxidant enzymes in overcoming stress. The availability of nitrogen at 5.62 mM concentration might have helped to induce increased resistance in the plants because at this concentration, signaling substances and defense substances (monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes) were observed. Plants cultivated with the highest nitrate concentration displaced energy for the reduction of this ion, likely forming nitric oxide, a signaling molecule. This condition, together with the decrease in carbon skeletons, may have contributed to the lower synthesis of volatile substances of the specialized metabolism that are also involved with signaling. Varying the nitrogen in Annona emarginata cultivation revealed that depending on the concentration, volatile substances show higher or lower synthesis and participation in the system of signaling and defense in the plant. These results may suggest that volatile substances participate in resistance to pests and diseases, which is a necessary condition for Annona emarginata to be preferentially used as rootstock for Annona x atemoya.

PEG-induced osmotic stress in Mentha x piperita L.: Structural features and metabolic responses.

The present study investigated whether osmotic stress induced by the exposure of peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.) to moderate and severe stress for short periods of time changes the plant's physiological parameters, leaf anatomy and ultrastructure and essential oil. Plants were exposed to two levels of polyethyleneglycol (50 g L(-1) and 100 g L(-1) of PEG) in a hydroponic experiment. The plants exposed to 50 g L(-1) maintained metabolic functions similar to those of the control group (0 g L(-1)) without changes in gas exchange or structural characteristics. The increase in antioxidant enzyme activity reduced the presence of free radicals and protected membranes, including chloroplasts and mitochondria. In contrast, the osmotic stress caused by 100 g L(-1) of PEG inhibited leaf gas exchange, reduced the essential oil content and changed the oil composition, including a decrease in menthone and an increase in menthofuran. These plants also showed an increase in peroxidase activity, but this increase was not sufficient to decrease the lipid peroxidation level responsible for damaging the membranes of organelles. Morphological changes were correlated with the evaluated physiological features: plants exposed to 100 g L(-1) of PEG showed areas with collapsed cells, increases in mesophyll thickness and the area of the intercellular space, cuticle shrinkage, morphological changes in plastids, and lysis of mitochondria. In summary, our results revealed that PEG-induced osmotic stress in M. x piperita depends on the intensity level of the osmotic stress applied; severe osmotic stress changed the structural characteristics, caused damage at the cellular level, and reduced the essential oil content and quality.

Development of mint (Mentha piperita L. ) grown on biosolids: evaluation of productivity and essential oil content

Development of Mentha piperita L . on biosolids amended soil with levels equivalent to 0, 28, 56 and 112 t ha-1 was evaluated. In order to measure the productivity and its relation with mint essential oil yield, different indices were determined: leaf area, total and several organ dry matter, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, net assimilation rate and relative growth rate at 30, 44, 58, 72 and 86 days after planting (DAP), and essential oil yield at 90, 110 and 120 DAP. Physiological indices revealed that biosolids prolonged the vegetative phase of the plants, which adapted themselves to the presence of biosolids with time. Plants showed inverse behaviors in relation to productivity, resulting from the primary metabolism, represented by the shoot dry matter yield, and oil yield, resulting from the secondary metabolism. Adaptation of the mint plants to the growth on biosolids could be due to a phytoremediation function of this species. The intrinsic mechanisms of these processes could be better understood in a further evaluation of residual effects in mint plant shoots.

Níveis de biossólido equivalentes a 0, 28, 56 e 112 t ha-1 foram avaliados no desenvolvimento de Mentha piperita L. Determinaram-se área foliar e matéria seca total e dos diferentes órgãos, os índices fisiológicos razão de área foliar, área foliar específica, taxa assimilatória líquida e taxa de crescimento relativo, aos 30, 44, 58, 72 e 86 dias após plantio (DAP) e o rendimento de óleo essencial aos 90, 110 e 120 DAP. Os índices fisiológicos revelaram que o biossólido prolongou a fase vegetativa das plantas, que se adaptaram com o tempo e apresentaram comportamentos inversos em relação à produtividade, resultado de seu metabolismo primário e representada pela produção de matéria seca da parte aérea e produção de óleo, resultado do metabolismo secundário. A referida adaptação das plantas de menta à presença do biossólido pode ser devido à função fitorremediadora dessa espécie, cujos mecanismos intrínsecos poderão ser melhor compreendidos na avaliação dos efeitos residuais em sua parte aérea.

Growth and development of Mentha piperita L. in nutrient solution as affected by rates of potassium

The influence of potassium on the development of Mentha piperita L. was evaluated in the plants grown in nutritive solution modified by variations in potassium, at 6.0, 3.0, and 1.5 mmol L-1, establishing differences between treatments and corresponding, respectively, to the concentration proposed in Hoagland and Arnon's no. 2 solution and reductions by 50 percent and 75 percent. Until 21 days after transplanting, the concentration used was diluted to 50 percent in the three treatments. Evaluations consisted of leaf area, development of the above-ground part, and dry matter of different plant organs. Plants grown with 1.5/3.0 mmol L-1 K showed greater development of the above-ground part. Other variables were not different among plants in the different treatments.

A influência do potássio no desenvolvimento de Mentha piperita L. foi avaliada em plantas cultivadas em solução nutritiva modificada pela variação de potássio, com 6.0, 3.0 e 1.5 mmol L-1, que estabeleceram as diferenças entre tratamentos e corresponderam, respectivamente, a sua concentração proposta na solução n° 2 de Hoagland e Arnon e diminuição em 50 por cento e 75 por cento. Até os 21 dias após o transplante a concentração utilizada foi diluída em 50 por cento nos três tratamentos. Avaliou-se área foliar, desenvolvimento da parte aérea e matéria secas dos diferentes órgãos. Plantas cultivadas com 1.5/3.0 mmol L-1 K apresentaram maior desenvolvimento da parte aérea. Demais variáveis não diferiram entre as plantas dos diferentes tratamentos.