Field and genetic evidence support the photosynthetic performance index (PIABS) as an indicator of rice grain yield

The rice breeding process for grain yield could be effectively enhanced by developing efficient tools that accelerate plant selection through the rapid determination of reliable predictors. In this study, we have described various associations between grain yield and photosynthetic parameters, which can be easily and quickly obtained using a non-invasive technique on the flag leaf during the anthesis stage. Among the analyzed photosynthetic parameters, the photosynthetic performance index (PIABS) stood out due to its strong association with grain yield. A genome-wide association analysis conducted on plants from a rice diversity panel at the tillering stage revealed the presence of a quantitative trait locus on chromosome 9. This locus was characterized by a group of candidate chloroplastic genes that exhibited contrasting haplotypes for PIABS. An analysis of these haplotypes revealed a clear division into two groups. One group consisted of haplotypes linked to high values of PIABS, which were predominantly associated with Japonica spp. subpopulations. The other group consisted of haplotypes linked to low values of PIABS, which were exclusively associated with Indica spp. subpopulations. Japonica spp. genotypes exhibited higher values in the yield component panicle weight compared with the Indica spp. genotypes. The findings of this study indicate that PIABS could serve as an early predictor of yield parameters during the tillering stage in rice breeding processes.

Close relationship between the state of the oxygen evolving complex and rice cold stress tolerance

The results of the present work suggested a relationship between the growth stability and functional/structural parameters associated to the primary photochemistry and oxygen evolving complex (OEC) in tolerant rice plants under suboptimal low temperatures (SLT) stress. This was concluded from the absence of changes in net photosynthetic rate and in fraction of reaction centers to reduce quinone A, and very small changes in P680 efficiency to trap and donate electrons to quinone A and in fraction of active OEC in tolerant plants under cold stress but not in sensitive plants. The SLT stress also induced OEC activity limitations in both genotypes, but in a greater extent in sensitive plants. However, an assay using an artificial electron donor to replace OEC indicated that the P680⁺ capacity to accept electrons was not altered in both genotypes under SLT stress from the beginning of the stress treatment, suggesting that the OEC structure stability is related to rice SLT tolerance to sustain the photosynthesis. This hypothesis was also supported by the fact that tolerant plants but not sensitive plants did not alter the gene expression and protein content of PsbP under SLT stress, an OEC subunit with a role in stabilizing of OEC structure.

The fungal endophyte Fusarium solani provokes differential effects on the fitness of two Lotus species

The interactions established between plants and endophytic fungi span a continuum from beneficial to pathogenic associations. The aim of this work was to isolate potentially beneficial fungal endophytes in the legume Lotus tenuis and explore the mechanisms underlying their effects. One of the nine fungal strains isolated was identified as Fusarium solani and shows the highest phosphate-solubilisation activity, and also grows endophytically in roots of L. japonicus and L. tenuis. Interestingly, fungal invasion enhances plant growth in L. japonicus but provokes a contrasting effect in L. tenuis. These differences were also evidenced when the rate of photosynthesis as well as sugars and K contents were assessed. Our results indicate that the differential responses observed are due to distinct mechanisms deployed during the establishment of the interactions that involve the regulation of photosynthesis, potassium homeostasis, and carbohydrate metabolism. These responses are employed by these plant species to maintain fitness during the endophytic interaction.

Modulation of plant and bacterial polyamine metabolism during the compatible interaction between tomato and Pseudomonas syringae

The polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine participate in a variety of cellular processes in all organisms. Many studies have shown that these polycations are important for plant immunity, as well as for the virulence of diverse fungal phytopathogens. However, the polyamines' roles in the pathogenesis of phytopathogenic bacteria have not been thoroughly elucidated to date. To obtain more information on this topic, we assessed the changes in polyamine homeostasis during the infection of tomato plants by Pseudomonas syringae. Our results showed that polyamine biosynthesis and catabolism are activated in both tomato and bacteria during the pathogenic interaction. This activation results in the accumulation of putrescine in whole leaf tissues, as well as in the apoplastic fluids, which is explained by the induction of its synthesis in plant cells and also on the basis of its excretion by bacteria. We showed that the excretion of this polyamine by P. syringae is stimulated under virulence-inducing conditions, suggesting that it plays a role in plant colonization. However, no activation of bacterial virulence traits or induction of plant invasion was observed after the exogenous addition of putrescine. In addition, no connection was found between this polyamine and plant defence responses. Although further research is warranted to unravel the biological functions of these molecules during plant-bacterial interactions, this study contributes to a better understanding of the changes associated with the homeostasis of polyamines during plant pathogenesis.

Rice tolerance to suboptimal low temperatures relies on the maintenance of the photosynthetic capacity

The purpose of this research was to identify differences between two contrasting rice cultivars in their response to suboptimal low temperatures stress. A transcriptomic analysis of the seedlings was performed and results were complemented with biochemical and physiological analyses. The microarray analysis showed downregulation of many genes related with PSII and particularly with the oxygen evolving complex in the sensitive cultivar IR50. Complementary studies indicated that the PSII performance, the degree of oxygen evolving complex coupling with the PSII core and net photosynthetic rate diminished in this cultivar in response to the stress. However, the tolerant cultivar Koshihikari was able to maintain its energy equilibrium by sustaining the photosynthetic capacity. The increase of oleic acid in Koshihikari could be related with membrane remodelling of the chloroplasts and hence contribute to tolerance. Overall, these results work as a ground for future analyses that look forward to characterize possible mechanisms to tolerate this stress.