Root aeration via aerenchymatous phellem: three-dimensional micro-imaging and radial O2 profiles in Melilotus siculus

Insights into the mechanism of diurnal variations in methane emission from the stem surfaces of Alnus japonica

Recent studies have suggested that in certain environments, tree stems emit methane (CH₄ ). This study explored the mechanism of CH₄ emission from the stem surfaces of Alnus japonica in a riparian wetland. Stem CH₄ emission rates and sap flux were monitored year-round, and fine-root anatomy was investigated. CH₄ emission rates were estimated using a closed-chamber method. Sap flux was measured using Granier-type thermal dissipation probes. Root anatomy was studied using both optical and cryo-scanning electron microscopy. CH₄ emissions during the leafy season exhibited a diurnally changing component superimposed upon an underlying continuum in which the diurnal variation was in phase with sap flux. We propose a model in which stem CH₄ emission involves at least two processes: a sap flux-dependent component responsible for the diurnal changes, and a sap flux-independent component responsible for the background continuum. The contribution ratios of the two processes are season-dependent. The background continuum possibly resulted from the diffusive transport of gaseous CH₄ from the roots to the upper trunk. Root anatomy analysis indicated that the intercellular space of the cortex and empty xylem cells in fine roots could serve as a passageway for transport of gaseous CH₄ .

Determination of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in soil using VNIR DRS and PLSR modeling

Visible near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (VNIR DRS) is being proposed as a rapid and cheaper alternative to conventional soil analysis. This approach to soil analysis will be especially useful when conducting an environmental risk management for petroleum contamination in soil. This study evaluated the potential of VNIR diffuse reflectance spectra for rapid non-destructive quantitative analysis of extractible total petroleum hydrocarbon (ETPH) in soils. It also assessed the effect soil organic carbon (SOC) has on the performance of partial least square regression (PLSR) models developed for characterizing ETPH in soils. Model performance was evaluated based on the coefficient of determination (R²), ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) and the root means square error (RMSE). Result show that VNIR DRS can be a potentially viable analytical tool for petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in soils. However, model quality was found to be affected by spatial variations within soil samples. Models developed from contaminated soils from highly variable geological origins had fair but promising model statistics (R² = 0.72, RPD = 1.4) as against excellent predictions obtained from contaminated soils with similar geology (R² = 0.97, RPD = 4.5) implying that the VNIR DR approach to characterizing petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in soils will be better suited to development of local prediction models. PLSR models developed for soil groups with SOC range (0.94–26.5% OC) gave quite robust prediction (R² = 0.90–0.97, RPD = 2.7–4.5), though a high SOC content slightly lowered PLSR model statistics. These results suggest that VNIR DRS can be quite useful for rapid characterization of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination especially when low budgets and reduced timelines are desirable for remediation purposes.

Climate-smart crops: key root anatomical traits that confer flooding tolerance

Plants require water, but a deficit or excess of water can negatively impact their growth and functioning. Soil flooding, in which root-zone is filled with excess water, restricts oxygen diffusion into the soil. Global climate change is increasing the risk of crop yield loss caused by flooding, and the development of flooding tolerant crops is urgently needed. Root anatomical traits are essential for plants to adapt to drought and flooding, as they determine the balance between the rates of water and oxygen transport. The stele contains xylem and the cortex contains aerenchyma (gas spaces), which respectively contribute to water uptake from the soil and oxygen supply to the roots; this implies that there is a trade-off between the ratio of cortex and stele sizes with respect to adaptation to drought or flooding. In this review, we analyze recent advances in the understanding of root anatomical traits that confer drought and/or flooding tolerance to plants and illustrate the trade-off between cortex and stele sizes. Moreover, we introduce the progress that has been made in modelling and fully automated analyses of root anatomical traits and discuss how key root anatomical traits can be used to improve crop tolerance to soil flooding.

3D Visualization and Volume-Based Quantification of Rice Chalkiness In Vivo by Using High Resolution Micro-CT

BACKGROUND

Rice quality research attracts attention worldwide. Rice chalkiness is one of the key indexes determining rice kernel quality. The traditional rice chalkiness measurement methods only use milled rice as materials and are mainly based on naked-eye observation or area-based two-dimensional (2D) image analysis and the results could not represent the three-dimensional (3D) characteristics of chalkiness in the rice kernel. These methods are neither in vivo thus are unable to analyze living rice seeds for high throughput screening of rice chalkiness phenotype.

RESULTS

Here, we introduced a novel method for 3D visualization and accurate volume-based quantification of rice chalkiness in vivo by using X-ray microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). This approach not only develops a novel volume-based method to measure the 3D rice chalkiness index, but also provides a high throughput solution for rice chalkiness phenotype analysis by using living rice seeds.

CONCLUSIONS

Our method could be a new powerful tool for rice chalkiness measurement, especially for high throughput chalkiness phenotype screening using living rice seeds. This method could be used in chalkiness phenotype identification and screening, and would greatly promote the basic research in rice chalkiness regulation as well as the quality evaluation in rice production practice.

From the Soft to the Hard: Changes in Microchemistry During Cell Wall Maturation of Walnut Shells

The walnut shell is a hard and protective layer that provides an essential barrier between the seed and its environment. The shell is based on only one unit cell type: the polylobate sclerenchyma cell. For a better understanding of the interlocked walnut shell tissue, we investigate the structural and compositional changes during the development of the shell from the soft to the hard state. Structural changes at the macro level are explored by X-ray tomography and on the cell and cell wall level various microscopic techniques are applied. Walnut shell development takes place beneath the outer green husk, which protects and delivers components during the development of the walnut. The cells toward this outer green husk have the thickest and most lignified cell walls. With maturation secondary cell wall thickening takes place and the amount of all cell wall components (cellulose, hemicelluloses and especially lignin) is increased as revealed by FTIR microscopy. Focusing on the cell wall level, Raman imaging showed that lignin is deposited first into the pectin network between the cells and cell corners, at the very beginning of secondary cell wall formation. Furthermore, Raman imaging of fluorescence visualized numerous pits as a network of channels, connecting all the interlocked polylobate walnut shells. In the final mature stage, fluorescence increased throughout the cell wall and a fluorescent layer was detected toward the lumen in the inner part. This accumulation of aromatic components is reminiscent of heartwood formation of trees and is suggested to improve protection properties of the mature walnut shell. Understanding the walnut shell and its development will inspire biomimetic material design and packaging concepts, but is also important for waste valorization, considering that walnuts are the most widespread tree nuts in the world.

Nitric oxide signaling, metabolism and toxicity in nitrogen-fixing symbiosis

Interactions between legumes and rhizobia lead to the establishment of a symbiotic relationship characterized by the formation of a new organ, the nodule, which facilitates the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) by nitrogenase through the creation of a hypoxic environment. Significant amounts of nitric oxide (NO) accumulate at different stages of nodule development, suggesting that NO performs specific signaling and/or metabolic functions during symbiosis. NO, which regulates nodule gene expression, accumulates to high levels in hypoxic nodules. NO accumulation is considered to assist energy metabolism within the hypoxic environment of the nodule via a phytoglobin-NO-mediated respiration process. NO is a potent inhibitor of the activity of nitrogenase and other plant and bacterial enzymes, acting as a developmental signal in the induction of nodule senescence. Hence, key questions concern the relative importance of the signaling and metabolic functions of NO versus its toxic action and how NO levels are regulated to be compatible with nitrogen fixation functions. This review analyses these paradoxical roles of NO at various stages of symbiosis, and highlights the role of plant phytoglobins and bacterial hemoproteins in the control of NO accumulation.

Tolerance of roots to low oxygen: 'Anoxic' cores, the phytoglobin-nitric oxide cycle, and energy or oxygen sensing

Acclimation by plants to hypoxia and anoxia is of importance in various ecological systems, and especially for roots in waterlogged soil. We present evidence for acclimation by roots via 'anoxic' cores rather than being triggered by O₂ sensors. The evidence for 'anoxic' cores comes from radial O₂ profiles across maize roots and associated metabolic changes such as increases in the 'anaerobic enzymes' ADH and PDC in the 'anoxic' core, and inhibition of Cl^- transport to the xylem. These cores are predicted to develop within 15-20 min after sudden transfer of a root to hypoxia, so that the cores are 'anoxically-shocked'. We suggest that 'anoxic' cores could emanate a signal(s), such as ACC the precursor of ethylene and/or propagation of a 'Ca²⁺ wave', to other tissue zones. There, the signalling would result in acclimation of the tissues to energy crisis metabolism. An O₂ diffusion model for tissues with an 'anoxic' core, indicates that the phytoglobin-nitric oxide (Pgb-NO) cycle would only be engaged in a thin 'shell' (annulus) of tissue surrounding the 'anoxic' core, and so would only contribute small amounts of ATP on a whole organ basis (e.g. whole roots). A key feature within this annulus of tissue, where O₂ is likely to be limiting, is that the ratio (ATP formed) / (O₂ consumed) is 5-6, both when the NAD(P)H of glycolysis is converted to NAD(P)⁺ by the Pgb-NO cycle or by the TCA cycle linked to the electron transport chain. The main function of the Pgb-NO cycle may be the modulating of NO levels and O₂ scavenging, thus preventing oxidative damage. We speculate that an 'anoxic' core in hypoxic plant organs may have a particularly high tolerance to anoxia because cells might receive a prolonged supply of carbohydrates and/or ATP from the regions still receiving sufficient O₂ for oxidative phosphorylation. Severely hypoxic or 'anoxic' cores are well documented, but much research on responses of roots to hypoxia is still based on bulk tissue analyses. More research is needed on the interaction between 'anoxic' cores and tissues still receiving sufficient O₂ for oxidative phosphorylation, both during a hypoxic exposure and during subsequent anoxia of the tissue/organ as a whole.

Characterization of the Copper Transporters from Lotus spp. and Their Involvement under Flooding Conditions

Forage legumes are an important livestock nutritional resource, which includes essential metals, such as copper. Particularly, the high prevalence of hypocuprosis causes important economic losses to Argentinian cattle agrosystems. Copper deficiency in cattle is partially due to its low content in forage produced by natural grassland, and is exacerbated by flooding conditions. Previous results indicated that incorporation of Lotus spp. into natural grassland increases forage nutritional quality, including higher copper levels. However, the biological processes and molecular mechanisms involved in copper uptake by Lotus spp. remain poorly understood. Here, we identify four genes that encode putative members of the Lotus copper transporter family, denoted COPT in higher plants. A heterologous functional complementation assay of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ctr1∆ctr3∆ strain, which lacks the corresponding yeast copper transporters, with the putative Lotus COPT proteins shows a partial rescue of the yeast phenotypes in restrictive media. Under partial submergence conditions, the copper content of L. japonicus plants decreases and the expression of two Lotus COPT genes is induced. These results strongly suggest that the Lotus COPT proteins identified in this work function in copper uptake. In addition, the fact that environmental conditions affect the expression of certain COPT genes supports their involvement in adaptive mechanisms and envisages putative biotechnological strategies to improve cattle copper nutrition.

Tolerance to partial and complete submergence in the forage legume Melilotus siculus: an evaluation of 15 accessions for petiole hyponastic response and gas-filled spaces, leaf hydrophobicity and gas films, and root phellem

Background and Aims

Submergence is a severe stress for most plants. Melilotus siculus is a waterlogging- (i.e. root zone hypoxia) tolerant annual forage legume, but data were lacking for the effects of partial and full submergence of the shoots. The aim was to compare the tolerance to partial and full submergence of 15 M. siculus accessions and to assess variation in traits possibly contributing to tolerance. Recovery ability post-submergence was also evaluated.

Methods

A factorial experiment imposed treatments of water level [aerated root zone with shoots in air as controls, stagnant root zone with shoots in air, stagnant root zone with partial (75 %) or full shoot submergence] on 15 accessions, for 7 d on 4-week-old plants in a 20/15 °C day/night phytotron. Measurements included: shoot and root growth, hyponastic petiole responses, petiole gas-filled spaces, leaflet sugars, leaflet surface hydrophobicity, leaflet gas film thickness and phellem area near the base of the main root. Recovery following full submergence was also assessed.

Key Results

Accessions differed in shoot and root growth during partial and full shoot submergence. Traits differing among accessions and associated with tolerance were leaflet gas film thickness upon submergence, gas-filled spaces in petioles and phellem tissue area near the base of the main root. All accessions were able to re-orientate petioles towards the vertical under both partial and full submergence. Petiole extension rates were maintained during partial submergence, but decreased during full submergence. Leaflet sugars accumulated during partial submergence, but were depleted during full submergence. Growth resumption after full submergence differed among accessions and was positively correlated with the number of green leaves retained at desubmergence.

Conclusions

Melilotus siculus is able to tolerate partial and full submergence of at least 7 d. Leaflet surface hydrophobicity and associated gas film retention, petiole gas-filled porosity and root phellem abundance are important traits contributing to tolerance. Post-submergence recovery growth differs among accessions. The ability to retain green leaves is essential to succeed during recovery.

Sensitivity of chickpea and faba bean to root-zone hypoxia, elevated ethylene, and carbon dioxide

During soil waterlogging, plants experience O₂ deficits, elevated ethylene, and high CO₂ in the root-zone. The effects on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) of ethylene (2 μL L^-1 ), CO₂ (2-20% v/v) or deoxygenated stagnant solution were evaluated. Ethylene and high CO₂ reduced root growth of both species, but O₂ deficiency had the most damaging effect and especially so for chickpea. Chickpea suffered root tip death when in deoxygenated stagnant solution. High CO₂ inhibited root respiration and reduced growth, whereas sugars accumulated in root tips, of both species. Gas-filled porosity of the basal portion of the primary root of faba bean (23%, v/v) was greater than for chickpea (10%), and internal O₂ movement was more prominent in faba bean when in an O₂ -free medium. Ethylene treatment increased the porosity of roots. The damaging effects of low O₂ , such as death of root tips, resulted in poor recovery of root growth upon reaeration. In conclusion, ethylene and high CO₂ partially inhibited root extension in both species, but low O₂ in deoxygenated stagnant solution had the most damaging effect, even causing death of root tips in chickpea, which was more sensitive to the low O₂ condition than faba bean.

Down-regulation of respiration in pear fruit depends on temperature

The respiration rate of plant tissues decreases when the amount of available O2 is reduced. There is, however, a debate on whether the respiration rate is controlled either by diffusion limitation of oxygen or through regulatory processes at the level of the transcriptome. We used experimental and modelling approaches to demonstrate that both diffusion limitation and metabolic regulation affect the response of respiration of bulky plant organs such as fruit to reduced O2 levels in the surrounding atmosphere. Diffusion limitation greatly affects fruit respiration at high temperature, but at low temperature respiration is reduced through a regulatory process, presumably a response to a signal generated by a plant oxygen sensor. The response of respiration to O2 is time dependent and is highly sensitive, particularly at low O2 levels in the surrounding atmosphere. Down-regulation of the respiration at low temperatures may save internal O2 and relieve hypoxic conditions in the fruit.

Waterlogging tolerance, tissue nitrogen and oxygen transport in the forage legume Melilotus siculus: a comparison of nodulated and nitrate-fed plants

Background and Aims

Soil waterlogging adversely impacts most plants. Melilotus siculus is a waterlogging-tolerant annual forage legume, but data were lacking for the effects of root-zone hypoxia on nodulated plants reliant on N2 fixation. The aim was to compare the waterlogging tolerance and physiology of M. siculus reliant on N2 fixation or with access to NO3-.

Methods

A factorial experiment imposed treatments of water level (drained or waterlogged), rhizobia (nil or inoculated) and mineral N supply (nil or 11 mm NO3-) for 21 d on plants in pots of vermiculite in a glasshouse. Nodulation, shoot and root growth and tissue N were determined. Porosity (gas volume per unit tissue volume) and respiration rates of root tissues and nodules, and O2 microelectrode profiling across nodules, were measured in a second experiment.

Key Results

Plants inoculated with the appropriate rhizobia, Ensifer (syn. Sinorhizobium) medicae, formed nodules. Nodulated plants grew as well as plants fed NO3-, both in drained and waterlogged conditions. The growth and total N content of nodulated plants (without any NO3- supplied) indicated N2 fixation. Respiration rates (mass basis) were highest in nodules and root tips and lowest in basal root tissues. Secondary aerenchyma (phellem) formed along basal root parts and a thin layer of this porous tissue also covered nodules, which together enhanced gas-phase diffusion of O2 to the nodules; O2 was below detection within the infected zone of the nodule interior.

Conclusions

Melilotus siculus reliant on N2 fixation grew well both in drained and waterlogged conditions, and had similar tissue N concentrations. In waterlogged conditions the relatively high respiration rates of nodules must rely on O2 movement via the aerenchymatous phellem in hypocotyl, roots and the outer tissue layers of nodules.

Sucrose supply from leaves is required for aerenchymatous phellem formation in hypocotyl of soybean under waterlogged conditions

Background and Aims

Soil waterlogging often causes oxygen deficiency in the root systems of plants and severely inhibits plant growth. Formation of aerenchyma - interconnected spaces that facilitate the movement of gases between and within the aerial and submerged parts of plants - is an adaptive trait for coping with waterlogged conditions. Soybean (Glycine max) forms porous secondary tissues known as aerenchymatous phellem (AP), which are derived from the outermost cell layer of phellogen. To understand what factors other than waterlogging are involved in phellogen and AP formation, we examined how their formation in soybean seedlings was affected by darkness, CO2 deficiency and blockage of phloem transport.

Methods

Aerenchymatous phellem and phellogen formation were expressed as area ratios in cross-sections of hypocotyl. CO2 was depleted by use of calcium oxide and sodium hydroxide. Phloem transport was blocked by heat-girdling of hypocotyls. Sucrose levels were measured by spectrophotometry.

Key Results

Under light conditions, waterlogging induced the accumulation of high concentrations of sucrose in hypocotyls, followed by phellogen and AP formation in hypocotyls. Phellogen formation and AP formation were inhibited by darkness, CO2 deficiency and blockage of phloem transport. Phellogen formation and AP formation were also inhibited by excision of shoots above the epicotyl, but they recovered following application of sucrose (but not glucose or fructose application) to the cut surface.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that sucrose derived from leaves is essential for AP and phellogen formation in soybean hypocotyls under waterlogged soil conditions. Maintenance of a high sucrose concentration is thus essential for the development of phellogen and AP and the differentiation of phellogen to AP.

Characteristics of dust particles abraded from pesticide treated seeds: 1. Size distribution using different measuring techniques

BACKGROUND

Particle size is one of the most important properties affecting the driftability and behaviour of dust particles abraded from pesticide dressed seeds during sowing. Three particle sizing techniques were used determine the particle size distribution of dust abraded from seeds from six different species.

RESULTS

Important differences in dust particle size distribution between species were observed with the finest dust for rapeseed and the coarsest dust for barley. Wet laser diffraction and sonic sieving particle size results correlated well while micro-CT is able to deliver three-dimensional information and additional physical particle properties (shape, porosity).

CONCLUSION

All particle sizing techniques have their (dis)advantages and none of them is able to perfectly describe the real size distribution of non-spherical particles. The particle size information gathered can be used in dust drift prediction models, risk assessment tools and will help to better understand the dust drift phenomenon. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Flooding tolerance of forage legumes

We review waterlogging and submergence tolerances of forage (pasture) legumes. Growth reductions from waterlogging in perennial species ranged from >50% for Medicago sativa and Trifolium pratense to <25% for Lotus corniculatus, L. tenuis, and T. fragiferum. For annual species, waterlogging reduced Medicago truncatula by ~50%, whereas Melilotus siculus and T. michelianum were not reduced. Tolerant species have higher root porosity (gas-filled volume in tissues) owing to aerenchyma formation. Plant dry mass (waterlogged relative to control) had a positive (hyperbolic) relationship to root porosity across eight species. Metabolism in hypoxic roots was influenced by internal aeration. Sugars accumulate in M. sativa due to growth inhibition from limited respiration and low energy in roots of low porosity (i.e. 4.5%). In contrast, L. corniculatus, with higher root porosity (i.e. 17.2%) and O2 supply allowing respiration, maintained growth better and sugars did not accumulate. Tolerant legumes form nodules, and internal O2 diffusion along roots can sustain metabolism, including N2 fixation, in submerged nodules. Shoot physiology depends on species tolerance. In M. sativa, photosynthesis soon declines and in the longer term (>10 d) leaves suffer chlorophyll degradation, damage, and N, P, and K deficiencies. In tolerant L. corniculatus and L. tenuis, photosynthesis is maintained longer, shoot N is less affected, and shoot P can even increase during waterlogging. Species also differ in tolerance of partial and complete shoot submergence. Gaps in knowledge include anoxia tolerance of roots, N2 fixation during field waterlogging, and identification of traits conferring the ability to recover after water subsides.

Impact of anatomical traits of maize (Zea mays L.) leaf as affected by nitrogen supply and leaf age on bundle sheath conductance

The mechanism of photosynthesis in C₄ crops depends on the archetypal Kranz-anatomy. To examine how the leaf anatomy, as altered by nitrogen supply and leaf age, affects the bundle sheath conductance (g_bs), maize (Zea mays L.) plants were grown under three contrasting nitrogen levels. Combined gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were done on fully grown leaves at two leaf ages. The measured data were analysed using a biochemical model of C₄ photosynthesis to estimate g_bs. The leaf microstructure and ultrastructure were quantified using images obtained from micro-computed tomography and microscopy. There was a strong positive correlation between g_bs and leaf nitrogen content (LNC) while old leaves had lower g_bs than young leaves. Leaf thickness, bundle sheath cell wall thickness and surface area of bundle sheath cells per unit leaf area (S_b) correlated well with g_bs although they were not significantly affected by LNC. As a result, the increase of g_bs with LNC was little explained by the alteration of leaf anatomy. In contrast, the combined effect of LNC and leaf age on S_b was responsible for differences in g_bs between young leaves and old leaves. Future investigations should consider changes at the level of plasmodesmata and membranes along the CO₂ leakage pathway to unravel LNC and age effects further.

Phytovolatilization of Organic Contaminants

Plants can interact with a variety of organic compounds, and thereby affect the fate and transport of many environmental contaminants. Volatile organic compounds may be volatilized from stems or leaves (direct phytovolatilization) or from soil due to plant root activities (indirect phytovolatilization). Fluxes of contaminants volatilizing from plants are important across scales ranging from local contaminant spills to global fluxes of methane emanating from ecosystems biochemically reducing organic carbon. In this article past studies are reviewed to clearly differentiate between direct- and indirect-phytovolatilization and we discuss the plant physiology driving phytovolatilization in different ecosystems. Current measurement techniques are also described, including common difficulties in experimental design. We also discuss reports of phytovolatilization in the literature, finding that compounds with low octanol-air partitioning coefficients are more likely to be phytovolatilized (log KOA < 5). Reports of direct phytovolatilization at field sites compare favorably to model predictions. Finally, future research needs are presented that could better quantify phytovolatilization fluxes at field scale.

A two-dimensional microscale model of gas exchange during photosynthesis in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves

CO2 exchange in leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) was examined using a microscale model of combined gas diffusion and C4 photosynthesis kinetics at the leaf tissue level. Based on a generalized scheme of photosynthesis in NADP-malic enzyme type C4 plants, the model accounted for CO2 diffusion in a leaf tissue, CO2 hydration and assimilation in mesophyll cells, CO2 release from decarboxylation of C4 acids, CO2 fixation in bundle sheath cells and CO2 retro-diffusion from bundle sheath cells. The transport equations were solved over a realistic 2-D geometry of the Kranz anatomy obtained from light microscopy images. The predicted responses of photosynthesis rate to changes in ambient CO2 and irradiance compared well with those obtained from gas exchange measurements. A sensitivity analysis showed that the CO2 permeability of the mesophyll-bundle sheath and airspace-mesophyll interfaces strongly affected the rate of photosynthesis and bundle sheath conductance. Carbonic anhydrase influenced the rate of photosynthesis, especially at low intercellular CO2 levels. In addition, the suberin layer at the exposed surface of the bundle sheath cells was found beneficial in reducing the retro-diffusion. The model may serve as a tool to investigate CO2 diffusion further in relation to the Kranz anatomy in C4 plants.

The key regulator of submergence tolerance, SUB1A, promotes photosynthetic and metabolic recovery from submergence damage in rice leaves

The submergence-tolerance regulator, SUBMERGENCE1A (SUB1A), of rice (Oryza sativa L.) modulates gene regulation, metabolism and elongation growth during submergence. Its benefits continue during desubmergence through protection from reactive oxygen species and dehydration, but there is limited understanding of SUB1A's role in physiological recovery from the stress. Here, we investigated the contribution of SUB1A to desubmergence recovery using the two near-isogenic lines, submergence-sensitive M202 and tolerant M202(Sub1). No visible damage was detected in the two genotypes after 3 d of submergence, but the sublethal stress differentially altered photosynthetic parameters and accumulation of energy reserves. Submergence inhibited photosystem II photochemistry and stimulated breakdown of protein and accumulation of several amino acids in both genotypes at similar levels. Upon desubmergence, however, more rapid return to homeostasis of these factors was observed in M202(Sub1). Submergence considerably restrained non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in M202, whereas the value was unaltered in M202(Sub1) during the stress. Upon reaeration, submerged plants encounter sudden exposure to higher light. A greater capability for NPQ-mediated photoprotection can benefit the rapid recovery of photosynthetic performance and energy reserve metabolism in M202(Sub1). Our findings illuminate the significant role of SUB1A in active physiological recovery upon desubmergence, a component of enhanced tolerance to submergence.

Automatic analysis of the 3-D microstructure of fruit parenchyma tissue using X-ray micro-CT explains differences in aeration

BACKGROUND

3D high-resolution X-ray imaging methods have emerged over the last years for visualising the anatomy of tissue samples without substantial sample preparation. Quantitative analysis of cells and intercellular spaces in these images has, however, been difficult and was largely based on manual image processing. We present here an automated procedure for processing high-resolution X-ray images of parenchyma tissues of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) and pear (Pyrus communis L.) as a rapid objective method for characterizing 3D plant tissue anatomy at the level of single cells and intercellular spaces.

RESULTS

We isolated neighboring cells in 3D images of apple and pear cortex tissues, and constructed a virtual sieve to discard incorrectly segmented cell particles or unseparated clumps of cells. Void networks were stripped down until their essential connectivity features remained. Statistical analysis of structural parameters showed significant differences between genotypes in the void and cell networks that relate to differences in aeration properties of the tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

A new model for effective oxygen diffusivity of parenchyma tissue is proposed that not only accounts for the tortuosity of interconnected voids, but also for significant diffusion across cells where the void network is not connected. This will significantly aid interpretation and analysis of future tissue aeration studies. The automated image analysis methodology will also support pheno- and genotyping studies where the 3D tissue anatomy plays a role.

Quantitative 3D shape description of dust particles from treated seeds by means of X-ray micro-CT

Crop seeds are often treated with pesticides before planting. Pesticide-laden dust particles can be abraded from the seed coating during planting and expelled into the environment, damaging nontarget organisms. Drift of these dust particles depends on their size, shape and density. In this work, we used X-ray micro-CT to examine the size, shape (sphericity) and porosity of dust particles from treated seeds of various crops. The dust properties quantified in this work were very variable in different crops. This variability may be a result of seed morphology, seed batch, treatment composition, treatment technology, seed cleaning or an interaction of these factors. The intraparticle porosity of seed treatment dust particles varied from 0.02 to 0.51 according to the crop and generally increased with particle size. Calculated settling velocities demonstrated that accounting for particle shape and porosity is important in drift studies. For example, the settling velocity of dust particles with an equivalent diameter of 200 μm may vary between 0.1 and 1.2 m s(-1), depending on their shape and density. Our analysis shows that in a wind velocity of 5 m s(-1), such particles ejected at 1 m height may travel between 4 and 50 m from the source before settling. Although micro-CT is a valuable tool to characterize dust particles, the current image processing methodology limits the number of particles that can be analyzed.

Synchrotron X-ray computed laminography of the three-dimensional anatomy of tomato leaves

Synchrotron radiation computed laminography (SR-CL) is presented as an imaging method for analyzing the three-dimensional (3D) anatomy of leaves. The SR-CL method was used to provide 3D images of 1-mm² samples of intact leaves at a pixel resolution of 750 nm. The method allowed visualization and quantitative analysis of palisade and spongy mesophyll cells, and showed local venation patterns, aspects of xylem vascular structure and stomata. The method failed to image subcellular organelles such as chloroplasts. We constructed 3D computer models of leaves that can provide a basis for calculating gas exchange, light penetration and water and solute transport. The leaf anatomy of two different tomato genotypes grown in saturating light conditions was compared by 3D analysis. Differences were found in calculated values of tissue porosity, cell number density, cell area to volume ratio and cell volume and cell shape distributions of palisade and spongy cell layers. In contrast, the exposed cell area to leaf area ratio in mesophyll, a descriptor that correlates to the maximum rate of photosynthesis in saturated light conditions, was no different between spongy and palisade cells or between genotypes. The use of 3D image processing avoids many of the limitations of anatomical analysis with two-dimensional sections.

Spatial development of transport structures in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) fruit

The void network and vascular system are important pathways for the transport of gases, water and solutes in apple fruit (Malus × domestica Borkh). Here we used X-ray micro-tomography at various spatial resolutions to investigate the growth of these transport structures in 3D during fruit development of "Jonagold" apple. The size of the void space and porosity in the cortex tissue increased considerably. In the core tissue, the porosity was consistently lower, and seemed to decrease toward the end of the maturation period. The voids in the core were more narrow and fragmented than the voids in the cortex. Both the void network in the core and in the cortex changed significantly in terms of void morphology. An automated segmentation protocol underestimated the total vasculature length by 9-12% in comparison to manually processed images. Vascular networks increased in length from a total of 5 m at 9 weeks after full bloom, to more than 20 m corresponding to 5 cm of vascular tissue per cubic centimeter of apple tissue. A high degree of branching in both the void network and vascular system and a complex three-dimensional pattern was observed across the whole fruit. The 3D visualizations of the transport structures may be useful for numerical modeling of organ growth and transport processes in fruit.

A multi-imaging approach to study the root-soil interface

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Dynamic processes occurring at the soil-root interface crucially influence soil physical, chemical and biological properties at a local scale around the roots, and are technically challenging to capture in situ. This study presents a novel multi-imaging approach combining fluorescence and neutron radiography that is able to simultaneously monitor root growth, water content distribution, root respiration and root exudation.

METHODS

Germinated seeds of white lupins (Lupinus albus) were planted in boron-free glass rhizotrons. After 11 d, the rhizotrons were wetted from the bottom and time series of fluorescence and neutron images were taken during the subsequent day and night cycles for 13 d. The following day (i.e. 25 d after planting) the rhizotrons were again wetted from the bottom and the measurements were repeated. Fluorescence sensor foils were attached to the inner sides of the glass and measurements of oxygen and pH were made on the basis of fluorescence intensity. The experimental set-up allowed for simultaneous fluorescence imaging and neutron radiography.

KEY RESULTS

The interrelated patterns of root growth and distribution in the soil, root respiration, exudation and water uptake could all be studied non-destructively and at high temporal and spatial resolution. The older parts of the root system with greater root-length density were associated with fast decreases of water content and rapid changes in oxygen concentration. pH values around the roots located in areas with low soil water content were significantly lower than the rest of the root system.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the combined imaging set-up developed here, incorporating fluorescence intensity measurements, is able to map important biogeochemical parameters in the soil around living plants with a spatial resolution that is sufficiently high enough to relate the patterns observed to the root system.

Leaf gas films delay salt entry and enhance underwater photosynthesis and internal aeration of Melilotus siculus submerged in saline water

A combination of flooding and salinity is detrimental to most plants. We studied tolerance of complete submergence in saline water for Melilotus siculus, an annual legume with superhydrophobic leaf surfaces that retain gas films when under water. M. siculus survived complete submergence of 1 week at low salinity (up to 50 mol m(-3) NaCl), but did not recover following de-submergence from 100 mol m(-3) NaCl. The leaf gas films protected against direct salt ingress into the leaves when submerged in saline water, enabling underwater photosynthesis even after 3 d of complete submergence. By contrast, leaves with the gas films experimentally removed suffered from substantial Na(+) and Cl(-) intrusion and lost the capacity for underwater photosynthesis. Similarly, plants in saline water and without gas films lost more K(+) than those with intact gas films. This study has demonstrated that leaf gas films reduce Na(+) and Cl(-) ingress into leaves when submerged by saline water - the thin gas layer physically separates the floodwater from the leaf surface. This feature aids survival of plants exposed to short-term saline submergence, as well as the previously recognized beneficial effects of gas exchange under water.

The mechanism of improved aeration due to gas films on leaves of submerged rice

Some terrestrial wetland plants, such as rice, have super-hydrophobic leaf surfaces which retain a gas film when submerged. O2 movement through the diffusive boundary layer (DBL) of floodwater, gas film and stomata into leaf mesophyll was explored by means of a reaction-diffusion model that was solved in a three-dimensional leaf anatomy model. The anatomy and dark respiration of leaves of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were measured and used to compute O2 fluxes and partial pressure of O2 (pO2 ) in the DBL, gas film and leaf when submerged. The effects of floodwater pO2 , DBL thickness, cuticle permeability, presence of gas film and stomatal opening were explored. Under O2 -limiting conditions of the bulk water (pO2  < 10 kPa), the gas film significantly increases the O2 flux into submerged leaves regardless of whether stomata are fully or partly open. With a gas film, tissue pO2 substantially increases, even for the slightest stomatal opening, but not when stomata are completely closed. The effect of gas films increases with decreasing cuticle permeability. O2 flux and tissue pO2 decrease with increasing DBL thickness. The present modelling analysis provides a mechanistic understanding of how leaf gas films facilitate O2 entry into submerged plants.

Visualisation by high resolution synchrotron X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography of gas films on submerged superhydrophobic leaves

Floods can completely submerge terrestrial plants but some wetland species can sustain O2 and CO2 exchange with the environment via gas films forming on superhydrophobic leaf surfaces. We used high resolution synchrotron X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography in a novel approach to visualise gas films on submerged leaves of common cordgrass (Spartina anglica). 3D tomograms enabled a hitherto unmatched level of detail regarding the micro-topography of leaf gas films. Gas films formed only on the superhydrophobic adaxial leaf side (water droplet contact angle, Φ=162°) but not on the abaxial side (Φ=135°). The adaxial side of the leaves of common cordgrass is plicate with a longitudinal system of parallel grooves and ridges and the vast majority of the gas film volume was found in large ∼180μm deep elongated triangular volumes in the grooves and these volumes were connected to each neighbouring groove via a fine network of gas tubules (∼1.7μm diameter) across the ridges. In addition to the gas film retained on the leaf exterior, the X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography also successfully distinguished gas spaces internally in the leaf tissues, and the tissue porosity (gas volume per unit tissue volume) ranged from 6.3% to 20.3% in tip and base leaf segments, respectively. We conclude that X-ray phase contrast micro-tomography is a powerful tool to obtain quantitative data of exterior gas features on biological samples because of the significant difference in electron density between air, biological tissues and water.

Quantitative neutron imaging of water distribution, venation network and sap flow in leaves

Quantitative neutron imaging is a promising technique to investigate leaf water flow and transpiration in real time and has perspectives towards studies of plant response to environmental conditions and plant water stress. The leaf hydraulic architecture is a key determinant of plant sap transport and plant-atmosphere exchange processes. Non-destructive imaging with neutrons shows large potential for unveiling the complex internal features of the venation network and the transport therein. However, it was only used for two-dimensional imaging without addressing flow dynamics and was still unsuccessful in accurate quantification of the amount of water. Quantitative neutron imaging was used to investigate, for the first time, the water distribution in veins and lamina, the three-dimensional venation architecture and sap flow dynamics in leaves. The latter was visualised using D2O as a contrast liquid. A high dynamic resolution was obtained by using cold neutrons and imaging relied on radiography (2D) as well as tomography (3D). The principle of the technique was shown for detached leaves, but can be applied to in vivo leaves as well. The venation network architecture and the water distribution in the veins and lamina unveiled clear differences between plant species. The leaf water content could be successfully quantified, though still included the contribution of the leaf dry matter. The flow measurements exposed the hierarchical structure of the water transport pathways, and an accurate quantification of the absolute amount of water uptake in the leaf was possible. Particular advantages of neutron imaging, as compared to X-ray imaging, were identified. Quantitative neutron imaging is a promising technique to investigate leaf water flow and transpiration in real time and has perspectives towards studies of plant response to environmental conditions and plant water stress.

A transcriptomics-based kinetic model for ethylene biosynthesis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit: development, validation and exploration of novel regulatory mechanisms

The gaseous plant hormone ethylene is involved in many physiological processes including climacteric fruit ripening, in which it is a key determinant of fruit quality. A detailed model that describes ethylene biochemistry dynamics is missing. Often, kinetic modeling is used to describe metabolic networks or signaling cascades, mostly ignoring the link with transcriptomic data. We have constructed an elegant kinetic model that describes the transfer of genetic information into abundance and metabolic activity of proteins for the entire ethylene biosynthesis pathway during fruit development and ripening of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Our model was calibrated against a vast amount of transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolic data and showed good descriptive qualities. Subsequently it was validated successfully against several ripening mutants previously described in the literature. The model was used as a predictive tool to evaluate novel and existing hypotheses regarding the regulation of ethylene biosynthesis. This bottom-up kinetic network model was used to indicate that a side-branch of the ethylene pathway, the formation of the dead-end product 1-(malonylamino)-1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (MACC), might have a strong effect on eventual ethylene production. Furthermore, our in silico analyses indicated potential (post-) translational regulation of the ethylene-forming enzyme ACC oxidase.

Void space inside the developing seed of Brassica napus and the modelling of its function

The developing seed essentially relies on external oxygen to fuel aerobic respiration, but it is currently unknown how oxygen diffuses into and within the seed, which structural pathways are used and what finally limits gas exchange. By applying synchrotron X-ray computed tomography to developing oilseed rape seeds we uncovered void spaces, and analysed their three-dimensional assembly. Both the testa and the hypocotyl are well endowed with void space, but in the cotyledons, spaces were small and poorly inter-connected. In silico modelling revealed a three orders of magnitude range in oxygen diffusivity from tissue to tissue, and identified major barriers to gas exchange. The oxygen pool stored in the voids is consumed about once per minute. The function of the void space was related to the tissue-specific distribution of storage oils, storage protein and starch, as well as oxygen, water, sugars, amino acids and the level of respiratory activity, analysed using a combination of magnetic resonance imaging, specific oxygen sensors, laser micro-dissection, biochemical and histological methods. We conclude that the size and inter-connectivity of void spaces are major determinants of gas exchange potential, and locally affect the respiratory activity of a developing seed.

A microscale model for combined CO(2) diffusion and photosynthesis in leaves

Transport of CO(2) in leaves was investigated by combining a 2-D, microscale CO(2) transport model with photosynthesis kinetics in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves. The biophysical microscale model for gas exchange featured an accurate geometric representation of the actual 2-D leaf tissue microstructure and accounted for diffusive mass exchange of CO(2.) The resulting gas transport equations were coupled to the biochemical Farquhar-von Caemmerer-Berry model for photosynthesis. The combined model was evaluated using gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements on wheat leaves. In general a good agreement between model predictions and measurements was obtained, but a discrepancy was observed for the mesophyll conductance at high CO(2) levels and low irradiance levels. This may indicate that some physiological processes related to photosynthesis are not incorporated in the model. The model provided detailed insight into the mechanisms of gas exchange and the effects of changes in ambient CO(2) concentration or photon flux density on stomatal and mesophyll conductance. It represents an important step forward to study CO(2) diffusion coupled to photosynthesis at the leaf tissue level, taking into account the leaf's actual microstructure.