Utilizing spectral vegetation indices for yield assessment of tomato genotypes grown in arid conditions

Tomato is among important vegetable crops cultivated in different climates; however, heat stress can greatly affect fruit quality and overall yield. Crop reflectance measurements based on ground reflectance sensor data are reliable indicators of crop tolerance to abiotic stresses. Here, we report on using non-destructive spectral vegetation indices to monitor yield traits of 10 tomato genotypes transplanted on three different dates (Aug. 2, Sept. 3 and Oct. 1) during 2019 growing season in the Riyadh region. The ten genotypes comprised six commercial cultivars–(Pearson Improved, Strain B, Valentine, Marmande VF, Super Strain B, and Pearson early) ––and four local Saudi cultivars (Al-Ahsa, Al-Qatif, Hail and Najran). Spectral reflectance data were utilized using a FieldSpec 3 spectroradiometer in the range of 350–2500 nm to calculate nine vegetation indices (VIs): Normalized Water Band Index (NWBI), Difference Water Index (NDWI), Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI), Red Edge Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Red Edge Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (RENDVI), Renormalized Difference Vegetation Index (RDVI), and Normalized Difference Nitrogen Index (NDNI). VIs and yield parameters (total fruit yield, harvest index) revealed that second transplanting date was optimal for all the genotypes. Valentine showed the best growth performance followed by Najran, Hail, Super Strain B and finally Pearson early. For all the three transplanting dates, Valentine recorded the highest total fruit yield. Additionally, some genotypes had no significant differences in the VIs values or the total fruit yield between the second and third transplanting dates. This study indicated that yield parameters could be linked to rapid, non-destructive hyperspectral reflectance data to predict tomato production under heat stress.     

In vitro evaluation of some high yield potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars under imposition of salinity at the cellular and organ levels

Salinity and drought stress, which combines a lack of water and sodium toxicity, are more of the problems faced by plants and agricultural crops in newly reclaimed lands. Therefore, the direction of our research is to produce salinity-tolerant plants to increase the productivity of crops under conditions of salt stress. Potato callus was studied using different concentrations of NaCl (0.0, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 and 200 mM). Shoot induction was obtained from callus treated with MS medium containing 4.0 and 5.0 mg l^?1 TDZ + 0.5 mg l^?1 GA3 with NaCl up to 125 mM and 150 mM for Rosetta and Victoria, respectively. When plantlets were cultured on MS medium containing 3.0 mg l^?1 kinetin and 1.0 mg l^-1paclobutrazol (PBZ) with 80 or 90 g l^?1 sucrose after two months gave a good microtuber per explant of Rosetta and Victoria cultivar which gave number of microtuber/plantlet (1.85) and (2.40) when plantlets treated with 125 mM and 150 mM NaCl of Rosetta and Victoria cultivar, respectively. In general, the results were shown in each treatment of NaCl and that amounts of proline at 125 and 150 mMNaCl were significantly more than 0.0, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl. This result is related to the role of proline in the osmotic adjustment of a higher concentration of salinity. The results showed that the amounts of sodium increased with increasing the salt concentration, but the amount of potassium decreased and also increased the Na+/K+ ratio with increasing the salt concentration. This research is important for in vitro potato plant regeneration, which requires optimization before genetic transformation can be achieved.     

Combating biotic stresses in plants by synthetic microbial communities: Principles,applications and challenges

Presently, agriculture worldwide is facing the major challenge of feeding the increasing population sustainably. The conventional practices have not only failed to meet the projected needs, but also led to tremendous environmental consequences. Hence, to ensure a food-secure and environmentally sound future, the major thrust is on sustainable alternatives. Due to challenges associated with conventional means of application of biocontrol agents in the management of biotic stresses in agroecosystems, significant transformations in this context are needed. The crucial role played by soil microbiome in efficiently and sustainably managing the agricultural production has unfolded a newer approach of rhizosphere engineering that shows immense promise in mitigating biotic stresses in an eco-friendly manner. The strategy of generating synthetic microbial communities (SynComs), by integrating omics approaches with traditional techniques of enumeration and in-depth analysis of plant–microbe interactions, is encouraging. The review discusses the significance of the rhizospheric microbiome in plant's fitness, and its manipulation for enhancing plant attributes. The focus of the review is to critically analyse the potential tools for the design and utilization of SynComs as a sustainable approach for rhizosphere engineering to ameliorate biotic stresses in plants. Furthermore, based on the synthesis of reports in the area, we have put forth possible solutions to some of the critical issues that impair the large-scale application of SynComs in agriculture.     

丛枝菌根网络介导的植物间信号交流研究进展及展望

丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhizal, AM)真菌是一类能够与绝大多数陆地植物形成共生关系的土壤真菌, 其根外菌丝可以侵染不同植物根系且可以进行菌丝融合, 从而形成丛枝菌根网络(arbuscular mycorrhizal networks, AMNs)。AMNs可以在植物之间转运水分及营养元素如碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)等, 最近研究表明AMNs还可以在植物遭受环境胁迫时向邻近植物传递防御信号, 对周围植物起到“预警”作用。目前, 关于环境胁迫条件下AMNs介导的信号物质传递研究仍处于起步阶段, 许多问题亟待回答。该文首先回顾了目前有关AMNs介导的信号物质传递研究进展, 继而梳理了这一研究领域值得进一步探究的科学问题, 包括AMNs在植物间传递防御信号的可能途径及相关机制, AMNs介导的信号传递对菌根共生体系的可能影响, 以及AMNs研究中常用的技术及其发展, 最后讨论了AMNs介导的信号物质传递在作物保护等方面的可能应用。     

萱草响应非生物胁迫的研究进展

萱草是萱草属(Hemerocallis)多年生宿根花卉,被誉为中华母亲花,具有重要的观赏和药用价值。非生物胁迫导致光合效率降低,渗透调节物质浓度改变,活性氧(ROS)含量上升,膜系统持续受损,诱导AP2/ERF (APETALA2/ethylene-responsive element binding factors)、WRKY等家族基因的表达。该文综述了干旱、涝渍、盐碱、极端温度和重金属胁迫非生物胁迫因子对萱草形态学、生理生化及分子水平的影响,统计了各胁迫下的萱草抗性品种资源,认为地域与胁迫对萱草药用成分代谢变化的影响、抗逆相关基因调控网络与多种胁迫复合分子育种为未来的重点研究方向,为萱草资源开发利用与抗逆品种育种提供理论参考。     

一株维氏气单胞菌发酵培养基优化及其制备疫苗免疫效力比较

采用单因素试验、响应面试验法对维氏气单胞菌（Aeromonas veronii）发酵培养基的氮源、碳源、无机盐和磷酸盐成分及用量进行优化组合,确定优化培养基组成：胰蛋白胨10.8 g/L,葡萄糖5.0 g/L,牛肉膏3.0 g/L,磷酸二氢钾2.0 g/L,硫酸镁0.4 g/L,NaCl 5.0 g/L。并与基础培养基的发酵活菌数、制备的灭活疫苗免疫效力进行比较,经过验证试验绘制维氏气单胞菌在优化培养基条件下的7 L发酵罐生长曲线。在优化发酵培养基条件下,维氏气单胞菌活菌数为5.94×10⁹ cfu/mL,比基础培养基增幅43.13%;制备的灭活疫苗相对保护率为77.78%,比基础培养基提高了14.81%。7 L发酵罐发酵培养10 h,活菌数达到最大8.85×10⁹ cfu/mL。通过对发酵培养基的优化,可以获得低成本、优质高效的维氏气单胞菌发酵菌液,为今后维氏气单胞菌灭活疫苗规模化发酵培养提供参考。