Some quantitative relationships between leaf area index and canopy nitrogen content and distribution

In a previous study (Yin et al. 2000. Annals of Botany 85: 579-585), a generic logarithmic equation for leaf area index (L) in relation to canopy nitrogen content (N) was developed: L=(1/ktn)1n(1+ktnN/nb). The equation has two parameters: the minimum leaf nitrogen required to support photosynthesis (nb), and the leaf nitrogen extinction coefficient (ktn). Relative to nb, there is less information in the literature regarding the variation of ktn. We therefore derived an equation to theoretically estimate the value of ktn. The predicted profile of leaf nitrogen in a canopy using this theoretically estimated value of ktn is slightly more uniform than the profile predicted by the optimum nitrogen distribution that maximizes canopy photosynthesis. Relative to the optimum profile, the predicted profile is somewhat closer to the observed one. Based on the L-N logarithmic equation and the theoretical ktn value, we further quantified early leaf area development of a canopy in relation to nitrogen using simulation analysis. In general, there are two types of relations between L and N, which hold for canopies at different developmental phases. For a fully developed canopy where the lowest leaves are senescing due to nitrogen shortage, the relationship between L and N is described well by the logarithmic model above. For a young, unclosed canopy (i.e. L < 1.0), the relation between L and N is nearly linear. This linearity is virtually the special case of the logarithmic model when applied to a young canopy where its total nitrogen content approaches zero and the amount of nitrogen in its lowest leaves is well above nb. The expected patterns of the L-N relationship are discussed for the phase of transition from young to fully developed canopies.     

No evidence for substantial aerobic methane emission by terrestrial plants: a 13C-labelling approach

* The results of a single publication stating that terrestrial plants emit methane has sparked a discussion in several scientific journals, but an independent test has not yet been performed. * Here it is shown, with the use of the stable isotope (13)C and a laser-based measuring technique, that there is no evidence for substantial aerobic methane emission by terrestrial plants, maximally 0.3% (0.4 ng g(-1) h(-1)) of the previously published values. * Data presented here indicate that the contribution of terrestrial plants to global methane emission is very small at best. * Therefore, a revision of carbon sequestration accounting practices based on the earlier reported contribution of methane from terrestrial vegetation is redundant.     

Increased cytokinin levels in transgenic PSAG12–IPT tobacco plants have large direct and indirect effects on leaf senescence, photosynthesis and N partitioning

We studied the impact of delayed leaf senescence on the functioning of plants growing under conditions of nitrogen remobilization. Interactions between cytokinin metabolism, Rubisco and protein levels, photosynthesis and plant nitrogen partitioning were studied in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants showing delayed leaf senescence through a novel type of enhanced cytokinin syn‐thesis, i.e. targeted to senescing leaves and negatively auto‐regulated (P_SAG12–IPT), thus preventing developmental abnormalities. Plants were grown with growth‐limiting nitrogen supply. Compared to the wild‐type, endogenous levels of free zeatin (Z)‐ and Z riboside (ZR)‐type cytokinins were increased up to 15‐fold (total ZR up to 100‐fold) in senescing leaves, and twofold in younger leaves of P_SAG12–IPT. In these plants, the senescence‐associated declines in N, protein and Rubisco levels and photosynthesis rates were delayed. Senescing leaves accumulated more (¹⁵N‐labelled) N than younger leaves, associated with reduced shoot N accumulation (–60%) and a partially inverted canopy N profile in P_SAG12–IPT plants. While root N accumulation was not affected, N translocation to non‐senescing leaves was progressively reduced. We discuss potential consequences of these modified sink–source relations, associated with delayed leaf senescence, for plant productivity and the efficiency of utilization of light and minerals.     

Response of selected antioxidants and pigments in tissues of Rosa hybrida and Fuchsia hybrida to supplemental UV-A exposure

The effect of supplemental UV-A (320–400 nm) radiation on tissue absorption at 355 nm, levels of various antioxidants (ascorbate, glutathione, carotenoids and flavonoids) and of antioxidant scavenging capacity were investigated with leaves and petals of Rosa hybrida , cv. Honesty and with leaves, petals and sepals of Fuchsia hybrida , cv. Dollarprinzessin. Supplemental UV-A did not result in visible changes in plant morphology of either species. In leaves it induced small increases in levels of chlorophylls a and b , the carotenoids antheraxanthin, lutein and β-carotene, and high increases in the flavonols quercetin and kaempferol. Petals hardly responded, while the coloured sepals of fuchsia showed an increase in quercetin derivatives. HPLC of unhydrolysed flavonoids showed that individual quercetin derivatives in leaves of both species and kaempferol derivatives in rose leaves increased 2-fold. Some kaempferol derivatives in fuchsia leaves were more than 2-fold enhanced or were newly induced by supplemental UV-A. Increases in l-ascorbic acid levels in fuchsia leaves, and decreases in rose leaves as result of supplemental UV-A were observed, but differences appeared statistically not significant, while l-ascorbate levels remained unchanged in the other tissues investigated. Anthocyanins and reduced glutathione levels were unaffected in all tissues. The combined UV-A induced increases in concentrations of these antioxidant species, did not lead to significant increases in antioxidant capacity of tissues, measured as Trolox equivalents in 50%-ethanol extracts. Light absorption at 355 nm of leaf extracts was significantly increased upon UV-A exposure. Our results indicate that the major protection towards UV-A exposure, in particular in the leaves, will originate from absorption of irradiation, and not from scavenging reactive oxygen species.     

Novel B19-Like Parvovirus in the Brain of a Harbor Seal

Using random PCR in combination with next-generation sequencing, a novel parvovirus was detected in the brain of a young harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) with chronic non-suppurative meningo-encephalitis that was rehabilitated at the Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre (SRRC) in the Netherlands. In addition, two novel viruses belonging to the family Anelloviridae were detected in the lungs of this animal. Phylogenetic analysis of the coding sequence of the novel parvovirus, tentatively called Seal parvovirus, indicated that this virus belonged to the genus Erythrovirus, to which human parvovirus B19 also belongs. Although no other seals with similar signs were rehabilitated in SRRC in recent years, a prevalence study of tissues of seals from the same area collected in the period 2008-2012 indicated that the Seal parvovirus has circulated in the harbor seal population at least since 2008. The presence of the Seal parvovirus in the brain was confirmed by real-time PCR and in vitro replication. Using in situ hybridization, we showed for the first time that a parvovirus of the genus Erythrovirus was present in the Virchow-Robin space and in cerebral parenchyma adjacent to the meninges. These findings showed that a parvovirus of the genus Erythrovirus can be involved in central nervous system infection and inflammation, as has also been suspected but not proven for human parvovirus B19 infection.     

Metagenomic Analysis of the Ferret Fecal Viral Flora

Ferrets are widely used as a small animal model for a number of viral infections, including influenza A virus and SARS coronavirus. To further analyze the microbiological status of ferrets, their fecal viral flora was studied using a metagenomics approach. Novel viruses from the families Picorna-, Papilloma-, and Anelloviridae as well as known viruses from the families Astro-, Corona-, Parvo-, and Hepeviridae were identified in different ferret cohorts. Ferret kobu- and hepatitis E virus were mainly present in human household ferrets, whereas coronaviruses were found both in household as well as farm ferrets. Our studies illuminate the viral diversity found in ferrets and provide tools to prescreen for newly identified viruses that potentially could influence disease outcome of experimental virus infections in ferrets.     

Metagenomic Survey for Viruses in Western Arctic Caribou,Alaska, through Iterative Assembly of Taxonomic Units

Pathogen surveillance in animals does not provide a sufficient level of vigilance because it is generally confined to surveillance of pathogens with known economic impact in domestic animals and practically nonexistent in wildlife species. As most (re-)emerging viral infections originate from animal sources, it is important to obtain insight into viral pathogens present in the wildlife reservoir from a public health perspective. When monitoring living, free-ranging wildlife for viruses, sample collection can be challenging and availability of nucleic acids isolated from samples is often limited. The development of viral metagenomics platforms allows a more comprehensive inventory of viruses present in wildlife. We report a metagenomic viral survey of the Western Arctic herd of barren ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) in Alaska, USA. The presence of mammalian viruses in eye and nose swabs of 39 free-ranging caribou was investigated by random amplification combined with a metagenomic analysis approach that applied exhaustive iterative assembly of sequencing results to define taxonomic units of each metagenome. Through homology search methods we identified the presence of several mammalian viruses, including different papillomaviruses, a novel parvovirus, polyomavirus, and a virus that potentially represents a member of a novel genus in the family Coronaviridae.     

Do open-top chambers overestimate the effects of rising CO2 on plants? An analysis using spring wheat

The microclimate in facilities for studying effects of elevated CO₂ on crops differs from ambient conditions. Open-top chambers (OTCs) increase temperature by 1–3 °C. If temperature and CO₂ interact in their effect on crops, this would limit the value of OTC experiments. Furthermore, interaction of CO₂ and temperature deserves study because increases in atmospheric CO₂ concentration are expected to cause global warming. This paper describes two experiments in which a recently developed cooling system for OTCs was used to analyse the effects of temperature on photosynthesis, growth and yield of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Minaret). Two levels of CO₂ were used (350 and 700 ppm), and two levels of temperature, with cooled OTCs being 1.6–2.4 °C colder than noncooled OTCs. Photosynthetic rates were increased by elevated CO₂, but no effect of temperature was found. Cross-switching CO₂ concentrations as well as determination of A–C_i curves showed that plant photosynthetic capacity after anthesis acclimated to elevated CO₂. The acclimation may be related to the effects of CO₂ on tissue composition: elevated CO₂ decreased leaf nitrogen concentrations and increased sugar content. Calculations of the seasonal mean crop light-use efficiency (LUE) were consistent with the photosynthesis data in that CO₂ increased LUE by 20% on average whereas temperature had no effect. Both elevating CO₂ and cooling increased grain yield, by an average of 11% and 23%, respectively. CO₂ and temperature stimulated yield via different mechanisms: CO₂ increased photosynthetic rate, but decreased crop light interception capacity (LAI), whereas cooling increased grain yield by increasing LAI and extending the growing season with 10 days. The effects of CO₂ and temperature were not additive: the CO₂ effect was about doubled in the noncooled open-top chambers. In most cases, effects on yield were mediated through increased grain density rather than increased individual grain weights. The higher growth response to elevated CO₂ in noncooled vs. cooled OTCs shows that a cooling system may remove a bias towards overestimating crop growth response to CO₂ in open-top chambers.