Physical Activity Perceptions and Participation of People With Type II Diabetes Mellitus in the Dominican Republic.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) improves health outcomes for people with type II diabetes mellitus (diabetes), but little is known about PA among Dominicans. The purpose was to evaluate PA participation and perceptions among people with diabetes in the Dominican Republic (DR). METHODS: Participants (N=29) were recruited from an urban diabetes clinic in DR. PA was assessed via accelerometry and Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). RESULTS: Eighteen women and 11 men enrolled (age: 55 ± 13 years; BMI: 28.6 ± 4.5 kg·m-2). Twenty-seven participants reached acceptable wear time. Using a one-minute bout minimum, moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) was 152.2 ± 59.7 min·day-1; no vigorous PA was recorded. GLTEQ scores (103 ± 98) classified 25 participants as active. Around 93% reported that PA was "very important" for their health. There was no association between GLTEQ and MVPA (p>0.2). Participants who reported being "very active" (n=17) did more MVPA than those who were "rarely active" or "somewhat active" (n=10; p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Dominicans with diabetes are highly physically active but do very little vigorous PA. The GLTEQ was not an accurate measure of PA. Future research should develop validated questionnaires and evaluate structured exercise and dietary interventions.

A study on nickel application methods for optimizing soybean growth.

Fertilization with nickel (Ni) can positively affect plant development due to the role of this micronutrient in nitrogen (N) metabolism, namely, through urease and NiFe-hydrogenase. Although the application of Ni is an emerging practice in modern agriculture, its effectiveness strongly depends on the chosen application method, making further research in this area essential. The individual and combined effects of different Ni application methods-seed treatment, leaf spraying and/or soil fertilization-were investigated in soybean plants under different edaphoclimatic conditions (field and greenhouse). Beneficial effects of the Soil, Soil + Leaf and Seed + Leaf treatments were observed, with gains of 7 to 20% in biological nitrogen fixation, 1.5-fold in ureides, 14% in shoot dry weight and yield increases of up to 1161 kg ha-1. All the Ni application methods resulted in a 1.1-fold increase in the SPAD index, a 1.2-fold increase in photosynthesis, a 1.4-fold increase in nitrogenase, and a 3.9-fold increase in urease activity. Edaphoclimatic conditions exerted a significant influence on the treatments. The integrated approaches, namely, leaf application in conjunction with soil or seed fertilization, were more effective for enhancing yield in soybean cultivation systems. The determination of the ideal method is crucial for ensuring optimal absorption and utilization of this micronutrient and thus a feasible and sustainable management technology. Further research is warranted to establish official guidelines for the application of Ni in agricultural practices.

Optimizing foliar N-fertilization in sugarcane depends on plant genotype and nitrogen concentration.

Foliar N-fertilization (FNf) has emerged as a promising approach to synchronize plant nitrogen (N) demands and application timing, reducing the N losses to the environment associated with traditional soil-based fertilization methods. However, limited information exists regarding the effectiveness of FNf in sugarcane. This study aimed to optimize FNf in sugarcane by evaluating N-fertilizer recovery by the plant (NRP) and assessing potential toxicity effects. Four sugarcane genotypes were subjected to FNf using 15 N-urea at five nitrogen concentrations. NRP was assessed at five time points for roots, stalk, old leaves, 15 N-urea-fertilized leaves (15 NL), and unexpanded leaves (UEL). Leaf scorching, indicating FNf toxicity, was analyzed using morpho-anatomical and histochemical techniques. The results showed that FNf promoted high NRP, with an average recovery of 62.3%. Surprisingly, the redistribution of 15 N-urea did not follow the nitrogen uptake rate by sugarcane leaves, with an average of 41.3% of the total-NRP. The stalk emerged as the primary sink for 15 N-urea, followed by the UEL. Genotypes differed in the leaf scorching intensity, which increased with higher concentration of 15 N-urea. Genotypes also differed in the 15 N-urea uptake rate, down-regulated by the N content in the 15 NL. These findings emphasize that by carefully choosing the appropriate genotype and nitrogen concentration, FNf can significantly enhance N-fertilizer uptake, resulting in potential environmental and economic benefits.

Phenology, floral and reproductive biology of Dichorisandra rhizantha Aona (Commelinaceae), an endemic endangered species in an Atlantic Forest fragment.

Commelinaceae is an important component of the Atlantic Forest and its analysis can provide information on the conservation of that species. This study had the objective of analyzing the phenology and floral and reproductive biology of Dichorisandra rhizantha, growing in an Atlantic Forest fragment, to obtain data related to the form of reproduction and pollination mechanism of this species. We monitored the phenophases and reproductive biology of the D. rhizantha in the area studied using different methodologies and microscopy techniques (LM, SEM and FM). The flowering period occurs during the dry season. The species is andromonoecious and has daytime anthesis (4:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). It has purple zygomorphic flowers and rimose but functionally poricidal anthers. The pollen viability was 97.6% and the two floral morphs investigated contained a large quantity of pollen grains. The time of greatest stigma receptivity (anthesis) coincided with the pollen viability. Cross-pollination was the only efficient reproductive system of the species, with observation of gametophytic self-incompatibility and pollen tubes growth only as far as the middle or lower third of the pistil. We observed bee species of the genera Xylocopa and Euglossa visiting the flowers and acting as effective pollinators. The immature fruits were formed after about 3.25 ± 1 days, and the presence was noted of ants of the genus Cephalotes acting as dispersers of the seeds, with aril serving as the reward. Although the natural reproductive system is efficient, D. rhizantha is endangered, mainly due to fragmentation of habitat caused by deforestation and urban encroachment.

Seed morphoanatomy of the genus Passiflora L. (Passifloraceae) by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy.

Morphoanatomical analysis of seeds contributes to knowledge of the development of seedlings and identification of species, as well as supporting conservation studies. The conservation of the species belonging to the Passiflora genus is crucial due to of the threats to the genetic resources of these species. Thus, the objective of this study was to morphoanatomically characterize Passiflora seeds, verify possible injuries to the tissues after cryopreservation and thus contribute to the conservation strategies of the species of this genus. Initially, seeds of Passiflora coccinea, P. edulis, P. gibertii, P. maliformis, P. morifolia, P. setacea, P. suberosa, and P. tenuifila collected from the Passion Fruit Active Germplasm Bank of the Embrapa Cassava and Fruits research unit (Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura) were analyzed. Then, their length, width and thickness, shape of the base and tip, and ornamentations present on the body and edge of the seeds were evaluated. The seeds of the species were placed in cryotubes and immersed in liquid nitrogen to assess possible cryoinjuries. The tegument and tissues of the seeds were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The seeds had varied biometric data, with average values of 4.63 mm for length, 3.28 mm for width, and 1.51 mm for thickness. Six ornamentation types were observed: reticulate for the species P. coccinea; finely reticulate for P. edulis; foveolate reticulate for P. gibertii and P. setacea; alveolate reticulate for P. maliformis and P. tenuifila; coarsely reticulate for P. morifolia; and falsifoveolate reticulate for P. suberosa. Some seeds suffered tegument cracks due to the freezing in liquid nitrogen, but without physiological damages to the embryo and endosperm. The cryopreservation of the seeds in the presence of the tegument significantly reduced the cryoinjuries caused to the embryo. Cryopreservation can be promising for long-term conservation of passion fruit seeds.

Anther development in Brachiaria brizantha (syn. Urochloa brizantha) and perspective for microspore in vitro culture.

Brachiaria, a genus from the Poaceae family, is largely cultivated as forage in Brazil. Among the most cultivated varieties of Brachiaria spp., B. brizantha cv. Marandu (syn. Urochloa brizantha) is of great agronomical importance due to the large areas cultivated with this species. This cultivar is apomictic and tetraploid. Sexual diploid genotype is available for this species. The difference in levels of ploidy among sexual and apomictic plants contributes to hindering Brachiaria breeding programs. The induction of haploids and double haploids is of great interest for the generation of new genotypes with potential use in intraspecific crosses. A key factor for the success of this technique is identifying adequate microspore developmental stages for efficient embryogenesis induction. Knowledge of the morphological changes during microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis and sporophytic tissues composing the anther is critical for identifying the stages in which microspores present a higher potential for embryogenic callus and somatic embryo through in vitro culture. In this work, morphological markers were associated with anther and pollen grain developmental stages, through histological analysis. Anther development was divided into 11 stages using morphological and cytological characteristics, from anther with archesporial cells to anther dehiscence. The morphological characteristics of each stage are presented. In addition, the response of stage 8 anthers to in vitro culture indicates microspores initiating somatic embryogenic pathway.

Water retention and metabolic changes improve desiccation tolerance in Barbacenia graminifolia (Velloziaceae).

Barbacenia graminifolia is a Velloziaceae species endemic to the campos rupestres in Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais state (Brazil). This biome is characterised by high irradiance and limited water conditions. Unlike other resurrection plants, B. graminifolia can maintain a high hydric status (>80%) after 28 days of water suppression before desiccation. We investigated the physiological and metabolic mechanisms associated with structural changes that allow B. graminifolia to maintain hydration under a prolonged water deficit and to recover after desiccation. After 30 days of water deficit, desiccated plants exhibited chlorophyll degradation, a 178.4% and 193.7% increase in total carotenoids and MDA, respectively, and twice the CAT and APX activity compared to hydrated plants. The metabolite profile showed increased amino acids, carbohydrates, saturated fatty acids and benzoic acids during dehydration, while trichloroacetic acid cycle acids were higher in hydrated and rehydrated plants. Anatomical and ultrastructural data corroborated the physiological and metabolic changes and revealed the presence of mucilaginous cells with high water retention capacity. Our data indicated that combined strategies of assimilatory metabolism shutdown, accumulation of compatible solutes and antioxidant compounds, increase in hydrophilic molecules, changes in the composition of membrane lipids and remodelling of cell organelles conditioned the efficiency of B. graminifolia in delaying water loss, tolerating further desiccation and quickly recovering after rehydration. These attributes evidence that this species is well adapted to cope with adverse environmental conditions, mainly directing the metabolism to an efficient antioxidant response and improving its capacity to retain water during the dry season.

Morphological and anatomical traits during development: Highlighting extrafloral nectaries in Passiflora organensis.

Passiflora organensis is a small herbaceous vine with characteristic morphological variations throughout its development. The plant bears button-shaped extrafloral nectaries exclusively in adult leaves. Extrafloral nectaries are structures that secrete nectar and play an important role in plant-animal interactions as a strategy for protecting plants against herbivory. In this work, we performed anatomical and ultrastructural studies to characterize P. organensis extrafloral nectaries during their secretory phase. We showed extrafloral nectaries in Passiflora organensis are composed of three distinct regions: nectary epidermis, nectariferous parenchyma, and subnectariferous parenchyma. Our data suggests that all nectary regions constitute a functional unit involved in nectar production and release. The high metabolic activity in the nectary cells is characterized by the juxtaposition of organelles such as mitochondria and plastids together plasmalemma. In addition, calcium oxalate crystals are frequently associated to the nectaries. An increasing concentration of calcium during leaf development and nectary differentiation was observed, corresponding to the calcium deposition as calcium oxalate crystals. This is the first description of extrafloral nectaries in Passiflora organensis that is a promising tropical model species for several studies. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The anatomical and ultrastructural characteristics and the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in the nectary tissue suggest novel strategies against herbivory in the genus Passiflora.

Infection by Moniliophthora perniciosa reprograms tomato Micro-Tom physiology, establishes a sink, and increases secondary cell wall synthesis.

Witches' broom disease of cacao is caused by the pathogenic fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa. By using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivar Micro-Tom (MT) as a model system, we investigated the physiological and metabolic consequences of M. perniciosa infection to determine whether symptoms result from sink establishment during infection. Infection of MT by M. perniciosa caused reductions in root biomass and fruit yield, a decrease in leaf gas exchange, and down-regulation of photosynthesis-related genes. The total leaf area and water potential decreased, while ABA levels, water conductance/conductivity, and ABA-related gene expression increased. Genes related to sugar metabolism and those involved in secondary cell wall deposition were up-regulated upon infection, and the concentrations of sugars, fumarate, and amino acids increased. 14C-glucose was mobilized towards infected MT stems, but not in inoculated stems of the MT line overexpressing CYTOKININ OXIDASE-2 (35S::AtCKX2), suggesting a role for cytokinin in establishing a sugar sink. The up-regulation of genes involved in cell wall deposition and phenylpropanoid metabolism in infected MT, but not in 35S::AtCKX2 plants, suggests establishment of a cytokinin-mediated sink that promotes tissue overgrowth with an increase in lignin. Possibly, M. perniciosa could benefit from the accumulation of secondary cell walls during its saprotrophic phase of infection.

Leaf structure of Tillandsia species (Tillandsioideae: Bromeliaceae) by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Tillandsia L. is the largest genus of the family Bromeliaceae, containing 755 species and seven subgenera. Morphoanatomical studies of leaves provide useful characteristics to phylogenetic, taxonomic, and ecological analyses. This study aims to characterize and compare the leaves of 24 species of the four subgenera of Tillandsia that occur in Bahia and also perform adaptative inferences to environmental responses. The results of the species' morphoanatomical studies were compared through dissimilarity analysis. The species have rosulate leaves with varying lengths and widths. The peltate trichomes present variation in the indument density and the length of their wing and central disk. The stomata are longitudinally distributed in one or both sides of the limb. The mesophyll is dorsiventral and presents aquiferous and chlorophyllic parenchymas. The vascular bundles are collateral and partially covered by fibers, except for Tillandsia linearis. Based on the dissimilarity analysis, it was possible to identify the formation of five groups. Group G1 was composed of T. linearis, which diverged from the other species of the subgenus. Group G2 was formed by the remaining species of the subgenus Phytarrhiza. G3 and G4 presented the species of the subgenus Diaphoranthema and Tillandsia, respectively. Group G5 gathered 11 species of the subgenus Anoplophytum and presented higher variability than the other subgenera. Based on the results, the morphoanatomical characteristics can be used to characterize and group Tillandsia species, besides confirming the morphological variability of these species to the epiphyte habit in different environments, especially xeric ones.

Leaf 13C and 15N composition shedding light on easing drought stress through partial K substitution by Na in eucalyptus species.

This work aimed to investigate the partial K-replacement by Na supply to alleviate drought-induced stress in Eucalyptus species. Plant growth, leaf gas exchange parameters, water relations, oxidative stress (H2O2 and MDA content), chlorophyll concentration, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopic leaf composition (δ13C and δ15N) were analyzed. Drought tolerant E. urophylla and E. camaldulensis showed positive responses to the partial K substitution by Na, with similar dry mass yields, stomatal density and total stomatal pore area relative to the well K-supplied plants under both water conditions, suggesting that 50% of the K requirements is pressing for physiological functions that is poorly substituted by Na. Furthermore, E. urophylla and E. camaldulensis up-regulated leaf gas exchanges, leading to enhanced long-term water use efficiency (WUEL). Moreover, the partial K substitution by Na had no effects on plants H2O2, MDA, δ13C and δ15N, confirming that Na, to a certain extent, can effectively replace K in plants metabolism. Otherwise, the drought-sensitive E. saligna species was negatively affected by partial K replacement by Na, decreasing plants dry mass, even with up-regulated leaf gas exchange parameters. The exclusive Na-supplied plants showed K-deficient symptoms and lower growth, WUEL, and δ13C, besides higher Na accumulation, δ15N, H2O2 and MDA content.

Post-seminal development and cryopreservation of endemic or endangered bromeliads.

Vriesea bahiana, Hohenbergia castellanosii and Encholirium spectabile are endemic Brazilian species that are considered endemic or endangered. Development of strategies to conserve these species is important to prevent irreversible genetic erosion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the post-seminal development and seed cryopreservation of three endemic or in danger of extinction bromeliad species in Brazil, to obtain a protocol that can safeguard the genetic variability of these species. In the seed cryopreservation assay, we evaluated five desiccation periods. The seeds in the cryotubes were taken from the desiccator and immediately plunged into liquid nitrogen. For the analysis of post-seminal development, seeds in different germination stages were collected and evaluated by light and scanning electron microscopy. Vriesea bahiana seeds frozen in liquid nitrogen presented almost 100% germination, indicating dormancy break of this species. Vriesea bahiana can be cryopreserved with 5.9% water content after being dried for 24 hours. Hohenbergia castellanosii and E. spectabile seeds did not need to be desiccated before being cryopreserved. The most relevant morphological traits for differentiation of genera and subfamilies of Bromeliaceae are the shape and type of seed appendages. In this study, all three species presented well-differentiated size and shape of their structures.

Moniliophthora perniciosa, the causal agent of witches' broom disease of cacao, interferes with cytokinin metabolism during infection of Micro-Tom tomato and promotes symptom development.

Moniliophthora perniciosa causes witches' broom disease of cacao and inflicts symptoms suggestive of hormonal imbalance. We investigated whether infection of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) model system Micro-Tom (MT) by the Solanaceae (S)-biotype of Moniliophthora perniciosa, which causes stem swelling and hypertrophic growth of axillary shoots, results from changes in host cytokinin metabolism. Inoculation of an MT-transgenic line that overexpresses the Arabidopsis CYTOKININ OXIDASE-2 gene (35S::AtCKX2) resulted in a reduction in disease incidence and stem diameter. RNA-sequencing analysis of infected MT and 35S::AtCKX2 revealed the activation of cytokinin-responsive marker genes when symptoms were conspicuous. The expression of an Moniliophthora perniciosa tRNA-ISOPENTENYL-TRANSFERASE suggests the production of isopentenyladenine (iP), detected in mycelia grown in vitro. Inoculated MT stems showed higher levels of dihydrozeatin and trans-zeatin but not iP. The application of benzyladenine induced symptoms similar to infection, whereas applying the cytokinin receptor inhibitors LGR-991 and PI55 decreased symptoms. Moniliophthora perniciosa produces iP that might contribute to cytokinin synthesis by the host, which results in vascular and cortex enlargement, axillary shoot outgrowth, reduction in root biomass and an increase in fruit locule number. This strategy may be associated with the manipulation of sink establishment to favour infection by the fungus.

Stigma structure and receptivity in papaya (Carica papaya L.).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the stigma morphoanatomy and receptivity in ten promising papaya accessions, to expand knowledge useful for genetic improvement of the culture. The morphoanatomy was analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy, and the stigma receptivity was investigated by application of hydrogen peroxide and α-naphthyl-acetate with fast blue B salt, in pre-anthesis, anthesis and post-anthesis. The papaya accessions presented dry stigma surface, presence of one to six erect stigmatic lobes, with structures joined to the upper base of the style and covered with numerous elongated unicellular tubular papillae, distributed on both faces of the epidermis. The morphoanatomy had a similar pattern in all the accessions, differing only in the timing of floral development. The stigma receptivity in some accessions occurred even before floral opening, continuing with greater intensity in anthesis and post-anthesis. Pre-anthesis is the stage least propitious for controlled hybridizations due to the weak or absent stigmatic receptivity. The results obtained provide information on the floral stage that is most propitious for fertilization, as well as supporting future investigations of the botanical morphology of the species.

Morphoanatomical aspects of the starting material for the improvement of pineapple cryopreservation by the droplet-vitrification technique.

Cryopreservation of pineapple shoot tips has been established from various protocols, including droplet vitrification. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the morphoanatomical conditions of the starting material over different times (30, 45 and 60 days) of culture before freezing and its correlation with the survival percentage of the cryopreserved shoot tips. Four accessions, Ananas comosus var. comosus (BGA-009); var. bracteatus (BGA-119); var. parguazensis (BGA-376), var. erectifolius (BGA-750) from the Pineapple Active Germplasm Bank (BGA Pineapple) and two hybrids from the Embrapa Genetic Breeding Program, FIB-ROX1 (var. bracteatus X var. erectifolius) and FIB-ROX2 ( var. erectifolius X var. bracteatus), recently introduced in the field from in vitro storage, were used. Histological sections before freezing and the percentages of survival after freezing were obtained taking into account the different times of cultivation of the donor plants. The results showed a significative interaction between genotypes (accessions and hybrids) and the culture period. The accessions BGA-009 and BGA-119 showed the highest survival rates, with 95% and 90% respectively for the 30-day culture time. Different results were obtained for each genotype, showing the need for improvements in the standardization of starting material, which would allow better repeatability of the protocol.

Pollen morphology and viability of Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) species by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Tillandsia is the bromeliad genus containing the largest number of species, with wide geographic dispersion and an important ecological role in the ecosystems. Investigations of pollen morphology are important to support taxonomic and conservation studies as well as to choose promising species for cross-pollination to obtain hybrids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphology, production, and viability of pollen grains of 24 Tillandsia species that naturally occur in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Pollen grains were acetolized and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The pollen were germinated in vitro in two culture media (BM and BKM) and collected at three floral development stages (pre-anthesis, anthesis and post-anthesis). Pollen viability also was analyzed by staining with Alexander's solution and acetocarmine in three floral development stages. Variations in the ornamentation and size of the pollen were observed among the species studied, with the majority having medium size, while T. polystachia and T. juncea had large grains and the subgenera Diaphoranthema and Phytarrhiza had small grains. The pollen of the majority of species had bilateral symmetry, with a single irregularly shaped colpus, semitectate exine and reticulated-heterobrochate surface. The pollen presented high germination percentage, tube length and viability according to the histochemistry, except for T. recurvata, T. usneoides and T. loliacea. The BKM medium and collection of pollen during anthesis produced the best results for the Tillandsia species. The results can support studies of the taxonomy and conservation of these species, which have great environmental importance and high value for ornamental purposes.

Unraveling the mechanisms controlling Cd accumulation and Cd-tolerance in Brachiaria decumbens and Panicum maximum under summer and winter weather conditions.

We evaluated the mechanisms that control Cd accumulation and distribution, and the mechanisms that protect the photosynthetic apparatus of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. cv. Basilisk and Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Massai from Cd-induced oxidative stress, as well as the effects of simulated summer or winter conditions on these mechanisms. Both grasses were grown in unpolluted and Cd-polluted Oxisol (0.63 and 3.6 mg Cd kg-1 soil, respectively) at summer and winter conditions. Grasses grown in the Cd-polluted Oxisol presented higher Cd concentration in their tissues in the winter conditions, but the shoot biomass production of both grasses was not affected by the experimental conditions. Cadmium was more accumulated in the root apoplast than the root symplast, contributing to increase the diameter and cell layers of the cambial region of both grasses. Roots of B. decumbens were more susceptible to disturbed nutrients uptake and nitrogen metabolism than roots of P. maximum. Both grasses translocated high amounts of Cd to their shoots resulting in oxidative stress. Oxidative stress in the leaves of both grasses was higher in summer than winter, but only in P. maximum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were increased. However, CO2 assimilation was not affected due to the protection provided by reduced glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) that were more synthesized in shoots than roots. In summary, the root apoplast was not sufficiently effective to prevent Cd translocation from roots to shoot, but GSH and PCs provided good protection for the photosynthetic apparatus of both grasses.

Characterization of floral morphoanatomy and identification of marker genes preferentially expressed during specific stages of cotton flower development.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Characterization of anther and ovule developmental programs and expression analyses of stage-specific floral marker genes in Gossypium hirsutum allowed to build a comprehensive portrait of cotton flower development before fiber initiation. Gossypium hirsutum is the most important cotton species that is cultivated worldwide. Although cotton reproductive development is important for fiber production, since fiber is formed on the epidermis of mature ovules, cotton floral development remains poorly understood. Therefore, this work aims to characterize the cotton floral morphoanatomy by performing a detailed description of anther and ovule developmental programs and identifying stage-specific floral marker genes in G. hirsutum. Using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, we analyzed anther and ovule development during 11 stages of flower development. To better characterize the ovule development in cotton, we performed histochemical analyses to evaluate the accumulation of phenolic compounds, pectin, and sugar in ovule tissues. After identification of major hallmarks of floral development, three key stages were established in G. hirsutum floral development: in stage 1 (early-EF), sepal, petal, and stamen primordia were observed; in stage 2 (intermediate-IF), primordial ovules and anthers are present, and the differentiating archesporial cells were observed, marking the beginning of microsporogenesis; and in stage 6 (late-LF), flower buds presented initial anther tapetum degeneration and microspore were released from the tetrad, and nucellus and both inner and outer integuments are developing. We used transcriptome data of cotton EF, IF and LF stages to identify floral marker genes and evaluated their expression by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Twelve marker genes were preferentially expressed in a stage-specific manner, including the putative homologs for AtLEAFY, AtAPETALA 3, AtAGAMOUS-LIKE 19 and AtMALE STERILITY 1, which are crucial for several aspects of reproductive development, such as flower organogenesis and anther and petal development. We also evaluated the expression profile of B-class MADS-box genes in G. hirsutum floral transcriptome (EF, IF, and LF). In addition, we performed a comparative analysis of developmental programs between Arabidopsis thaliana and G. hirsutum that considered major morphoanatomical and molecular processes of flower, anther, and ovule development. Our findings provide the first detailed analysis of cotton flower development.

Selenium improves photosynthesis and induces ultrastructural changes but does not alleviate cadmium-stress damages in tomato plants.

The application of Se to plants growing under Cd contamination may become an alternative strategy to minimize Cd damage. However, there is no specific information available regarding whether Se can affect the anatomical structure and photosynthetic rates of plants under Cd stress. To address questions related to Se-protective responses under Cd stress, we evaluated the structural and ultrastructural aspects, photosynthetic rates and growth of tomato cv. Micro-Tom plants. Plants were exposed to 0.5 mM CdCl2 and further supplemented with 1.0 µM of selenite or selenate. The overall results revealed different trends according to the Se source and Cd application. Both Se sources improved growth, photosynthesis, leaf characteristics and middle lamella thickness between mesophyll cells. In contrast, Cd caused decreases in photosynthesis and growth and damage to the ultrastructure of the chloroplast. The number of mitochondria, peroxisomes, starch grains and plastogloboli and the disorganization of the thylakoids and the middle lamella in plants increased in the presence of Cd or Cd + Se. Se plays an important role in plant cultivation under normal conditions. This finding was corroborated by the identification of specific structural changes in Se-treated plants, which could benefit plant development. However, a reversal of Cd stress effects was not observed in the presence of Se.