Plant physiological indicators for optimizing conservation outcomes

Potential reuse of greywater for irrigation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants and its effect on plants growth and soil

The goal of this study is to examine the reactions of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants to both untreated greywater and treated greywater filtered through a zeolite. In a randomized block arrangement, tomato plants were irrigated with greywater, treated greywater, or tap water. Number and total fecal coliforms were found in soil, tomato leaves, and fruits. Compared to tap water, greywater has higher levels of Ec, TDS, and COD. The average fruit weight and number for plants irrigated with tap water was 64.42 g and 4.2, while those irrigated with treated greywater were 55.4 g and 3.6, exceeding those irrigated with untreated greywater 39.6 g and 3.2. Treated greywater irrigation increased total chlorophyll content (SPAD) from 57.6 to 62.4 and relative water content from 49.6% to 63%. The leaves contained lower levels of proline (55.9 μmol/g) and total soluble sugar (32.24 mg/g). Researchers found total fecal coliforms in the soil, tomato leaves, and fruits. According to the research, treated greywater may prevent contamination of soil and save water.

Guiding plant conservation using physiological tools: how mechanistic research can bridge disciplinary divides

This editorial introduces a special issue of Conservation Physiology reporting on ‘Traits and Measurements in Plant Conservation’. This article covers previous preferences by different fields of conservation biology in reporting plant or animal research and the manner in which physiological analyses can bridge these divides. Focusing on plant physiology, it summarizes the research of a dozen papers published in the special issue and some burning questions identified by the broader authorship group who contributed to the special issue.

Spatiotemporal variation in ecophysiological traits align with high resolution niche modelling in the short-range banded ironstone endemic Aluta quadrata

Defining plant ecophysiological responses across natural distributions enables a greater understanding of the niche that plants occupy. Much of the foundational knowledge of species' ecology and responses to environmental change across their distribution is often lacking, particularly for rare and threatened species, exacerbating management and conservation challenges. Combining high-resolution species distribution models (SDMs) with ecophysiological monitoring characterized the spatiotemporal variation in both plant traits and their interactions with their surrounding environment for the range-restricted Aluta quadrata Rye & Trudgen, and a common, co-occurring generalist, Eremophila latrobei subsp. glabra (L.S.Sm.) Chinnock., from the semi-arid Pilbara and Gascoyne region in northwest Western Australia. The plants reflected differences in gas exchange, plant health and plant water relations at sites with contrasting suitability from the SDM, with higher performance measured in the SDM-predicted high-suitability site. Seasonal differences demonstrated the highest variation across ecophysiological traits in both species, with higher performance in the austral wet season across all levels of habitat suitability. The results of this study allow us to effectively describe how plant performance in A. quadrata is distributed across the landscape in contrast to a common, widespread co-occurring species and demonstrate a level of confidence in the habitat suitability modelling derived from the SDM in predicting plant function determined through intensive ecophysiology monitoring programmes. In addition, the findings also provide a baseline approach for future conservation actions, as well as to explore the mechanisms underpinning the short-range endemism arid zone systems.

Transcriptomic profiling of Poa pratensis L. under treatment of various phytohormones

Poa pratensis L. (Poaceae) is a valuable grass across the north hemisphere, inhabiting diverse environments with wide altitudinal span, where ubiquitous various kinds of stresses. Phytohormones would be helpful to improve tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, but the responses of transcriptome regulation of P. pratensis to exogenous phytohormones application remain unclear. In this study, we explored the alteration of plant physiological responses by the application of phytohormones. Aiming to achieve this knowledge, we got full-length transcriptome data 42.76 Gb, of which 74.9% of transcripts were completed. Then used 27 samples representing four treatments conducted at two time points (1 h and 6 h after application) to generate RNA-seq data. 371 and 907 common DEGs were identified in response to four phytohormones application, respectively, these DEGs were involved in "plant hormone signal transduction", "carbon metabolism" and "plant-pathogen interaction". Finally, P. pratensis basic research can gain valuable information regarding the responses to exogenous application of phytohormones in physiological indicators and transcriptional regulations in order to facilitate the development of new cultivars.