Journal of Plant Research最新文献

Many wetland plants rely on insects for pollination. However, studies examining pollinator communities in wetlands remain limited. Some studies conducted in large wetlands (> 10 ha) have suggested that wetland-dependent flies, which spend their larval stage in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats, dominate as pollinators. However, smaller wetlands surrounded by secondary forests are more prevalent in Japan, in which pollinators from the surrounding environment might be important. Additionally, information regarding floral traits that attract specific pollinator groups in wetland communities is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the characteristics of insect pollinators in a small natural wetland (2.5 ha) in Japan. We examined the major pollinator groups visiting 34 plant species and explored the relationship between the flower visitation frequency of each pollinator group and floral traits. Overall, flies were the most dominant pollinators (42%), followed by bees and wasps (33%). Cluster analysis indicated that fly-dominated plants were the most abundant among 14 of the 34 target plant species. However, 85% of the hoverflies, the most abundant flies, and 82% of the bees were non-wetland-dependent species, suggesting that these terrestrial species likely originated from the surrounding environment. Therefore, pollinators from the surrounding environment would be important in small natural wetlands. Flies tend to visit open and white/yellow flowers, whereas bees tended to visit tube-shaped flowers, as in forest and grassland ecosystems. The dominance of flies in small wetlands would be due to the dominance of flowers preferred by flies (e.g., yellow/white flowers) rather than because of their larval habitats.

Rotala rotundifolia is an amphibious aquatic plant that can live in submerged and emergent forms. It is superior in nitrogen and phosphorus removal. To elucidate its adaptation strategies from emergent to submerged conditions, phenotypic and physiological responses of R. rotundifolia were investigated during three months of submergence, at water levels of 0 cm (CK), 50 cm (W50), and 90 cm (W90). Results showed that submergence stress reduced the relative growth rate of plant height, fresh weight, and biomass accumulation, leading to root degradation and a significant decline in the root-shoot ratio. The amounts of soluble protein (SP), soluble sugar (SS), and starch in the aerial leaves of W50 and W90 decreased during the early stages of submergence compared to CK, whereas the total chlorophyll and proline contents, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) increased. The contents of endogenous hormones, including abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin (GA), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), decreased during the change in leaf shape; the decline in ABA was more obvious. The leaf primordium generated transition leaves and submerged leaves to resolve the "carbon starvation" of plants. The maximum values of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in the leaves of W50 and W90 occurred at day 30, reaching 14.0 mg g^- 1and 10.5 mg g^- 1, respectively. The contents of SP and starch, activities of SOD and CAT of the roots in submerged treatments increased, while SS and proline content decreased at day 7. These results demonstrated that developing heterophyllous leaves, increasing chlorophyll content, and regulating plant carbon allocation and consumption were important mechanisms of R. rotundifolia to adapt to underwater habitats.

'Red Meat Honey Crisp (RMHC)' has been widely cultivated by growers in recent years due to its early maturity, and red meat type characteristics. As a bud variant of 'Super Red (SR)' peach, red flesh is the most distinctive characteristic of 'Red Meat Honey Crisp (RMHC)'. However, the mechanism of red flesh formation in 'RMHC' remains unclear. In this study, 79 differentially produced metabolites were identified by metabolomics analysis. The anthocyanin content in 'RMHC' was significantly higher than that in 'SR' during the same period, such as cyanidin O-syringic acid and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside. Other flavonoids also increased during the formation of red flesh, including flavonols (6-hydroxykaempferol-7-O-glucoside, hyperin), flavanols (protocatechuic acid, (+)-gallocatechin), and flavonoids (chrysoeriol 5-O-hexoside, tricetin). In addition, transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR showed that the expression levels of the flavonoid synthesis pathway transcription factor MYB75 and some structural genes, such as PpDFR, PpCHS, PpC4H, and PpLDOX increased significantly in 'RMHC'. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that MYB75 was localized to the nucleus. Yeast single hybridization assays showed that MYB75 bound to the cis-acting element CCGTTG of the PpDFR promoter region. The MYB75-PpDFR regulatory network was identified to be a key pathway in the reddening of 'RMHC' flesh. Moreover, this is the first study to describe the cause for red meat reddening in 'RMHC' compared to 'SR' peaches using transcriptomics, metabolomics and molecular methods. Our study identified a key transcription factor involved in the regulation of the flavonoid synthetic pathway and contributes to peach breeding-related efforts as well as the identification of genes involved in color formation in other species.

A newly found leaf arrangement to reduce self-shading was observed in a Japanese warm-temperate forest. For monoaxial trees that deploy leaves directly on a single stem, leaf arrangements involving progressive elongation of the petiole and progressive increase in deflection angle (the angle between stem and petiole) from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves act to reduce self-shading. However, the progressive reduction in petiole length and deflection angle from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves should also result in the reduction of self-shading. Nevertheless, the latter leaf arrangement has not been reported previously for any tree species. Four Araliaceae species, namely, Gamblea innovans, Chengiopanax sciadophylloides, Dendropanax trifidus and Fatsia japonica, which are typical monoaxial tree species in Japan, were studied. We examined the crown structure of saplings growing in the light-limited understorey in a Japanese warm-temperate forest. Two evergreen species, Dendropanax trifidus and F. japonica showed progressive petiole elongation and progressive increase in the deflection angle from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves. In contrast, saplings of deciduous species, G. innovans and C. sciadophylloides had a leaf arrangement involving progressive reduction in petiole length and deflection angle from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves. The leaf arrangement has diversified among members of the same family, but all four studied species develop a crown with little self-shading that is adapted for growth in the light-limited understorey. Although trees are likely to be under the same selective pressure to reduce self-shading, this study revealed that there is flexibility in its morphological realisation, which has been poorly appreciated previously.

Heterochrony acts as a fundamental process affecting the early development of organisms in creating a subtle shift in the timing of initiation or the duration of a developmental process. In flowers this process is linked with mechanical forces that cause changes in the interaction of neighbouring floral organs by altering the timing and rate of initiation of organs. Heterochrony leads to a delay or acceleration of the development of neighbouring primordia, inducing a change in the morphospace of the flowers. As changes in the timing of development may affect organs differently at different stages of development, these shifts eventually lead to major morphological changes such as altered organ positions, fusions, or organ reductions with profound consequences for floral evolution and the diversification of flowers. By concentrating on early developmental stages in flowers it is possible to understand how heterochrony is responsible for shifts in organ position and the establishment of a novel floral Bauplan. However, it remains difficult to separate heterochrony as a process from pattern, as both are intimately linked. Therefore it is essential to connect different patterns in flowers through the process of developmental change.

Examples illustrating the importance of heterochronic shifts affecting different organs of the flower are presented and discussed. These cover the transition from inflorescence to flower through the interaction of bracts and bracteoles, the pressure exercised by the perianth on the androecium and gynoecium, the inversed influence of stamens on petals, and the centrifugal influence of carpels on the androecium. Different processes are explored, including the occurrence of obdiplostemony, the onset of common primordia, variable carpel positions, and organ reduction and loss.

Abstract

Thioredoxin (Trx) is a small redox mediator protein involved in the regulation of various chloroplast functions by modulating the redox state of Trx target proteins in ever-changing light environments. Using reducing equivalents produced by the photosynthetic electron transport chain, Trx reduces the disulfide bonds on target proteins and generally turns on their activities. While the details of the protein-reduction mechanism by Trx have been well investigated, the oxidation mechanism that counteracts it has long been unclear. We have recently demonstrated that Trx-like proteins such as Trx-like2 and atypical Cys His-rich Trx (ACHT) can function as protein oxidation factors in chloroplasts. Our latest study on transgenic Arabidopsis plants indicated that the ACHT isoform ACHT2 is involved in regulating the thermal dissipation of light energy. To understand the role of ACHT2 in vivo, we characterized phenotypic changes specifically caused by ACHT2 overexpression in Arabidopsis. ACHT2-overexpressing plants showed growth defects, especially under high light conditions. This growth phenotype was accompanied with the impaired reductive activation of Calvin–Benson cycle enzymes, enhanced thermal dissipation of light energy, and decreased photosystem II activity. Overall, ACHT2 overexpression promoted protein oxidation that led to the inadequate activation of Calvin–Benson cycle enzymes in light and consequently induced negative feedback control of the photosynthetic electron transport chain. This study highlights the importance of the balance between protein reduction and oxidation in chloroplasts for optimal photosynthetic performance and plant growth.

This study examined the seasonal and diurnal variations in soil respiration rates (R_S) during a growing season at the treeline ecotone (2,800 m) and the lower distribution limit (1,600 m) of subalpine forests on a volcanic mountain in Japan. The aboveground biomass, the total R_S during the growing season, and the R_S per day during the growing season were lower at 2,800 m than those at 1,600 m. Seasonal R_S variations positively correlated with those of soil and air temperatures at both elevations, and this tendency was more apparent at 1,600 m than 2,800 m. The mean volumetric soil water content (W_S) during the growing season was much lower at 2,800 m than 1,600 m because of the scoria substrate at 2,800 m. The monthly mean diel cycle of R_S was positively correlated with the soil temperature at each elevation every month, whereas that at 1,600 m was negatively correlated with that of the W_S. The R_S at 2,800 m decreased during the daytime especially in August, despite no changes in the W_S. The decrease in R_S after precipitation at 1,600 m was higher than that at 2,800 m. Seasonal and diurnal R_S variations could be reproduced from soil and air temperatures, and W_S. Estimating soil respiration rate from these variables will help understand the future carbon budget of forests due to global warming.

An updated phylogeny of the genus Vincetoxicum s.l. based on DNA sequences of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and three plastid markers is presented. In total, 21 accessions newly sequenced from Thailand were added to the dataset of the homologous sequences of 75 other Vincetoxicum taxa downloaded from GenBank. In our analysis, the relationships between the well-supported clades largely correspond to those revealed in previous studies. With some exceptions, the phylogenetic positions of the Thai taxa in relation to other conspecifics and congeners generally reflect the geographic distributions of taxa. Moreover, recent extensive sampling throughout Thailand and in-depth investigation have revealed V. kerrii, a slender twiner widespread from South China to Indo-China, to be a species complex. A combination of molecular, morphological, anatomical, ultrastructural and ecological evidence allowed us to reveal a new cryptic species hidden within V. kerrii, described here under the name V. simplex. A comprehensive description, illustrations, photographs, and comparison with the morphologically similar species are provided. Although V. simplex and V. kerrii s.s. resemble one another in various aspects of vegetative and reproductive structures, the latter is phylogenetically closely related to V. irrawadense, which is much less similar morphologically to both V. simplex and V. kerrii s.s. than the latter two are to each other. In addition to the new cryptic species recognized in the present study, a new record for Thailand, V. microstachys, is also reported.

In the Malvaceae family, dynamic solar tracking by leaves is actuated by the deformation of the pulvinus, a thickened region at the leaf blade-petiole junction. While the internal structure is believed to play a crucial role in this process, experimental verification has been challenging due to technical limitations. To address this gap, we developed a semi-automated workflow, which integrates data analysis and image processing to simultaneously analyze the shape and internal structure of a Malvaceae pulvinus using X-ray microtomography. Firstly, we found that kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), a Malvaceae species with curved pulvini, exhibited solar-tracking leaf movement and selected it as a model system. We employed diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography to visualize the internal structure of the kenaf pulvinus. Analysis of the pulvini's shape revealed variations in pulvinus morphology, yet plausible prediction of the centerline was accomplished using polar polynomial regression. Upon slicing the pulvini perpendicular to the centerline, we observed distinct gray value gradients along the proximo-distal and adaxial-abaxial axes, challenging threshold-based tissue segmentation. This workflow successfully generated three modified 3D images and derived quantitative parameters. Using these quantitative parameters, we conducted network analysis and found the linkage between the size-normalized cortex cross-sectional area and curvature. Polynomial least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression revealed the relationship between the size-normalized cortex cross-sectional area and curvature commonly in all three tested samples. This workflow enables simultaneous analysis of the shape and internal structure, significantly improving the reproducibility of Malvaceae leaf pulvinus characterization.

Species in dry environments may adjust their anatomical and physiological behaviors by adopting safer or more efficient strategies. Thus, species distributed across a water availability gradient may possess different phenotypes depending on the specific environmental conditions to which they are subjected. Leaf and vascular tissues are plastic and may vary strongly in response to environmental changes affecting an individual's survival and species distribution. To identify whether and how legumes leaves vary across a water availability gradient in a seasonally dry tropical forest, we quantified leaf construction costs and performed an anatomical study on the leaves of seven legume species. We evaluated seven species, which were divided into three categories of rainfall preference: wet species, which are more abundant in wetter areas; indifferent species, which are more abundant and occur indistinctly under both rainfall conditions; and dry species, which are more abundant in dryer areas. We observed two different patterns based on rainfall preference categories. Contrary to our expectations, wet and indifferent species changed traits in the sense of security when occupying lower rainfall areas, whereas dry species changed some traits when more water was available, such as increasing cuticle and spongy parenchyma thickness, or producing smaller and more numerous stomata. Trischidium molle, the most plastic and wet species, exhibited a similar strategy to the dry species. Our results corroborate the risks to vegetation under future climate change scenarios as stressed species and populations may not endure even more severe conditions.