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A Y, Shi S, Sun S, Jing Y, Li Z, Zhang X, Li X, Wu F. Telomerase activity, relative telomere length, and longevity in alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.). PeerJ 2022. [DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Medicago sativa L. ‘Qingshui’ is a valuable rhizomatous forage germplasm resource. We previously crossed Qingshui with the high-yielding Medicago sativa L. ‘WL168’ and obtained novel rhizomatous hybrid strains (RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03). Telomere dynamics are more accurate predictors of survival and mortality than chronological age. Based on telomere analyses, we aimed to identify alfalfa varieties with increased stamina and longevity for the establishment of artificial grazing grasslands.
Methods
In this study, we performed longitudinal analysis of telomerase activity and relative telomere length in five alfalfa varieties (Qingshui, WL168, RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03) at the age of 1 year and 5 years to examine the relationship among telomerase activity, rate of change in relative telomere length, and longevity. We further aimed to evaluate the longevity of the examined varieties. Telomerase activity and relative telomere length were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively.
Results
We observed significant differences in telomerase activity between plants aged 1 year and those aged 5 years in all varieties except WL168, and the rate of change in telomerase activity does not differ reliably with age. As telomerase activity and relative telomere length are complex phenomena, further studies examining the molecular mechanisms of telomere-related proteins are needed. Relative telomere lengths of Qingshui, WL168, RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03 in plants aged 5 years were higher than those aged 1 year by 11.41, 11.24, 9.21, 10.23, and 11.41, respectively. Relative telomere length of alfalfa tended to increase with age. Accordingly, alfalfa varieties can be classified according to rate of change in relative telomere length as long-lived (Qingshui, WL168, and RSA-03), medium-lived (RSA-02) and short-lived (RSA-01). The differences in relative telomere length distances of Qingshui, WL168, RSA-01, RSA-02, and RSA-03 between plants aged 1 and 5 years were 10.40, 13.02, 12.22, 11.22, and 13.25, respectively. The largest difference in relative telomere length was found between Qingshui and RSA-02 at 2.20. Our findings demonstrated that relative telomere length in alfalfa is influenced by genetic variation and age, with age exerting a greater effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun A
- Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shangli Shi
- Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | | | | | - Zili Li
- Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | | | - Xiaolong Li
- Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Fang Wu
- Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
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Shang J, Zhang Y, Peng Y, Huang Y, Zhu L, Wu Z, Wang J, Cui Y. Climate change drives NDVI variations at multiple spatiotemporal levels rather than human disturbance in Northwest China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:13782-13796. [PMID: 34599448 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16774-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Changes in land management and climate alter vegetation dynamics; however, the factors driving vegetation changes remain elusive at multiple spatiotemporal levels. Here, we assess the drivers of changes in greenness from 2000 to 2015 in Northwest China (NW China). We used multiple stepwise linear regression (MSLR), redundancy analysis (RDA), and 12 other models to quantify the impacts of precipitation and temperature metrics, gross domestic product (GDP), population, and grazing intensity on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) at three administrative levels (county, town, and village), four temporal levels (yearly, May, July, and September), two vegetation types (woodland and grassland), and at annual precipitation gradients of <200, 200-400, and >400 mm. The results suggest that NW China underwent vegetation greening from 2000 to 2015. Precipitation and temperature were the most influential factors contributing to the NDVI change. Population was the main determinant of NDVI under the precipitation gradient of <200 mm, and the effect of GDP on NDVI was moderate. On the temporal scale, annual precipitation, precipitation before the previous year, and precipitation in the current year determined the NDVI in May, July, and September, respectively, for both woodland and grassland. At multiple scales, climate change was the primary driver of vegetation change in NW China, rather than human disturbance. These findings expand our understanding on drivers of NDVI at multiple levels over a long period. Measures to manage decreasing vegetation coverage may be more effective and could be implemented sooner based on predicted climate change in drylands worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Shang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yu Peng
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China.
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Yihang Huang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Lu Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhuoyi Wu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yixin Cui
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China
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Moinardeau C, Mesléard F, Ramone H, Dutoit T. Grazing in temporary paddocks with hardy breed horses (Konik polski) improved species-rich grasslands restoration in artificial embankments of the Rhône river (Southern France). Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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