Annals of botany最新文献

Background and aims: Resource availability often limits female reproductive success in plants, especially when multiple flowers within inflorescences compete simultaneously for limited resources. Here, I explore whether relaxation of inter-ovary competition (through experimental thinning of inflorescences and/or inflorescence buds) influences resource allocation and enhances reproductive output in Lupinus polyphyllus, a legume species with vertical inflorescences that typically show a decline in fruit and seed production from basal to distal flowers.

Methods: I implemented a gradient of reproductive thinning: (1) no removal (control); (2) removal of half of the currently open inflorescences; and (3) removal of both half of the open inflorescences and all inflorescence buds (i.e. future racemes). For three randomly selected remaining inflorescences per plant, I recorded the total number of fruits within three sections along the inflorescence (basal, middle and distal). For each fruit in each of these three inflorescences, I also counted the number of viable seeds, aborted seeds and unfertilized ovules.

Key results: The results strongly supported the inter-ovary competition hypothesis. Inflorescence removal increased fruit and viable seed production and reduced seed abortion, especially when both inflorescences and buds were removed. These effects occurred consistently across all positions within inflorescences, suggesting enhanced resource allocation even to distal flowers, which are often resource limited. Ovule production per flower was unaffected, indicating no over-compensation prior to fertilization. The number of fertilized ovules declined from basal to distal flowers, consistent with non-uniform pollen receipt, probably influenced by bumblebee foraging behaviour. However, fertilization ratios remained high (80-90 %) across positions and treatments.

Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that inflorescence thinning can effectively relax resource-based constraints within and among inflorescences, enhancing female success without altering pollination dynamics. This contributes to our understanding of how architectural plasticity and developmental constraints shape reproductive trade-offs in flowering plants.

Background and aims: Automatized species identification tools have massively facilitated plant identification. In mosses, spore ultrastructure appears to be a promising taxonomic character, but has been largely under-exploited. Here, we test artificial intelligence-based approaches to identify species from their spore morphology. In particular, we determine whether the number of spores, their polarity, and variation among populations and capsules affect model accuracy.

Methods: Scanning electron microscopy spore images were generated for five capsules of five populations in ten species. Convolutional neural networks with a highly modularized architecture (ResNeXt) were trained to identify the species, population and capsule of origin of a spore. The training set was progressively sub-sampled to test the impact of sample size on model accuracy. To assess whether variation in spore morphology among populations affected model accuracy, one population was successively removed to test a model trained on the four remaining populations.

Key results: Species were correctly identified at average rates of 92 %, regardless of polarity. Model accuracy decreased progressively with decreasing sample size, dropping to about 80 % with 15 % of the initial dataset. The population and capsule of origin of a spore was retrieved at rates >75 %, indicating the presence of diagnostic population and capsule markers on the sporoderm. Strong population structure in some species caused a substantial drop of model accuracy when model training and testing was performed on different populations.

Conclusions: Spore morphology appears to be an extremely promising tool for moss species identification and may usefully complement the suite of morphological characters used so far in moss taxonomy. The presence of spore diagnostic features at the population and capsule level raises substantial questions on the origin of this structure, which are discussed. Substantial infraspecific variation makes it necessary, however, to train an automatized identification tool from a range of populations and capsules.

Background and aims: Root exudation and rhizodeposition are critical pathways for plant C allocation to soil, influencing soil organic carbon stability and ecosystem functioning under changing climates. However, the effects of drought stress on these belowground processes remain poorly understood. We provide an updated and comprehensive assessment of the current state of knowledge on how drought stress affects root-derived C fluxes (root exudates, rhizodeposition) across diverse functional types and experimental setups to direct future research.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis to quantify how drought stress affects total C and other compound classes in root exudation and rhizodeposition.

Key results: Our analysis included 40 data points spanning diverse functional types, ecosystems, sampling methods and experimental conditions. We observed that root-released total C significantly increased in response to drought stress. Among compound classes, carbohydrates and organic acids also increased in response to drought stress, suggesting these compound classes may underlie total C responses in root exudation and rhizodeposition. The variables that explained the most variance in total C response ratio were: ecosystem, flowering type, cotyledon type, functional type, and drought intensity.

Conclusions: To direct future research, our analysis identified knowledge gaps, particularly the need for studies to examine trees and shrubs, field-based research, broader drought intensity ranges, and measurements of total C, compound classes, and specific compounds when possible. Improving our understanding of root-derived C responses to stress is crucial for predicting terrestrial C cycling dynamics and ecosystem function under increased drought frequency and intensity.

Background: Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) are changing the mechanism of crop protection which ensures global sustainability in agricultural system. This review covers design principles of top-down and bottom-up strategies, demonstrating how strain selection, high-throughput culturing and multi-omics, metabolic modeling, and adaptive evolution can be combined to produce ecological balanced and functional microbial networks. It also describes practical delivery methods like seed coating, foliar sprays, and encapsulated soil amendments that might transfer the precision of the laboratory into real-world agriculture.

Scope: The applicability of this mechanism in crops such as garlic, pakchoi, and cotton illustrate the potential of SynComs to improve uptake of nutrition, trigger plant defense, and improve soil biota to suppress disease. In addition we highlighted on leveraging on high-throughput genome editing such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), artificial intelligence simulation, and molecular screening that are making community engineering and predictive control possible. At the same time, while they offer significant advantages, challenges exist. Achievement will depend on addressing problems of stability, biosafety, and replicability in variable field conditions. Progress toward international coordination, particularly through institutions like the food and agriculture organization and consultative group on international agriculture research, will provide a basis for standards of safety and efficacy for microbial bioformulations.

Conclusion: Conclusively, Synthetic microbial communities are a step in the right direction toward a potentially more resilient form of agriculture; one that synthesizes microbiology and ecology in a unified attempt to restore balance, productivity, and sustainability to farm systems.

Background and aims: Senescence is a final stage of plant development occurring from cells and organs to whole organisms. In clonal herbs, the senescence of a clonal growth organ (e.g. rhizome) causes physical separation of offspring rooting units (ramets) from one genetic individual (genet). Although well-documented in aboveground organs and fine roots, senescence in rhizomes has not been studied, despite its potential implications in clonal multiplication, plant carbon economy, and soil carbon cycles. This study investigates structural and functional changes related to senescence in belowground organs.

Methodology: Twenty clonal fragments of the alpine species Rumex alpinus (7 to 14 years old) were collected at the Krkonoše Mountains, Vrchlabí - Czech Republic. Rhizomes and adventitious roots were subjected to morphological, anatomical, histochemical, and potential hydraulic conductivity analyses.

Key results: As rhizomes age, we observed colour shift from yellowish to dark brown or black, turgor loss and shrinkage in the blackened parts. Anatomical analysis showed progressive deterioration of inner integrity, with increased damage and hollows bordered by wound tissue in older segments. Calcium oxalate crystals in parenchyma cells and vessel elements sealed with phenolic, lipid compounds, and tylosis were more frequent in the middle and old segments compared to the young. The potential hydraulic conductivity of rhizome and roots was assured as it increased towards the oldest parts due to large and more lignified vessels. Abscission zone, like those found in other plant organs, was identified separating the oldest living portion from the decaying part.

Conclusions: Our study is the first to investigate anatomical changes and abscission zone formation during rhizome ageing. Rhizomes thus undergo programmed death, like leaves and fruits. The drivers of programmed death in rhizomes require further studies that may contribute to our understanding of how rhizome longevity influences clonal plant performance and contributes to the plant and soil carbon cycle under varying environmental conditions.

Background and aims: Calotropis procera, a resilient shrub of arid ecosystems, holds considerable potential for domestication, yet its genomic adaptation and climate resilience remain underexplored. This study aims to uncover the genetic variation and environmental adaptability of C. procera across heterogeneous habitats in the Indian Thar Desert, particularly in the context of ongoing climate change.

Methods: To investigate local adaptation, 134 core genotypes from 570 accessions were integrated with environmental data for genotype-environment association analyses. The study employed habitat suitability modeling, genotype-environment association analyses and projected genomic vulnerability under two climate change scenarios (SSP126 and SSP585). Candidate loci from both models were used to compute the adaptive index, Genomic Offset, and RONA across landscape.

Key results: Three genetically distinct clusters were identified, shaped by geographic and climatic factors. A total of 478 significant SNP-environment associations, predominantly linked to temperature and precipitation, revealed multiple genomic signatures contribute to environmental adaptation. Spatial patterns of adaptive potential and vulnerability were mapped. Species distribution modeling projected a decline in suitable habitats by 2081 under SSP585. A significant linear correlation between genomic offset and population suitability was observed under SSP126 (2021, 2081) and SSP585 (2021); however, this relationship was absent under SSP585 (2081), underscoring the potential genetic erosion under more severe climate scenarios.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates spatial variation in the adaptive capacity of C. procera populations, emphasizing the relevance of landscape genomics in assessing climate resilience. This approach is crucial for predicting genetic vulnerability, guiding conservation priorities, and supporting domestication strategies in arid environments under future climate scenarios.

Extrafloral nectaries are defense structures that protect plants against herbivores. In Passiflora, extrafloral nectaries are prominent features, and the YABBY family transcription factor CRABS CLAW (CRC) has been proposed to regulate their development. Here, we investigated the morphoanatomy of petiolar nectaries and characterized the CRC gene at distinct stages of nectary development in Passiflora alata and Passiflora cincinnata. We carried out bioinformatics and phylogenetic analyses, followed by scanning electron microscopy, anatomy, in situ hybridization, and RT-qPCR assessment of nectaries sampled at three leaf developmental stages. The CRC gene was found to contain a highly conserved C2C2 zinc finger motif (composed of three β-sheets and a potential fourth β-sheet or α-helix) and a YABBY domain (two α-helices); along with variable regions. Passiflora-CRC protein sequences clustered closely to Rosids and Asterids. P. cincinnata presented short-patelliform nectaries, whereas those of P. alata were broader and cupuliform. Both species exhibited a similar multiseriate secretory epidermis in the crater region, an underlying nectariferous parenchyma with highly vacuolated, compact cells, and a subnectariferous parenchyma with vascular bundles that terminated before reaching the nectariferous zone. Meristematic activity was pronounced in the early stages and in fully developed nectaries, indicating progressive tissue differentiation. Pa-CRC and Pc-CRC expression peaked during the expanding leaf stage and was limited to the inner regions of the nectary. CRC presented stage-specific expression and conserved structural domains that resembles other species where CRC acts as a key regulator. This suggests a possible correlation between CRC and nectary development.

Background and aims: Natural or anthropogenic disturbances influence aerial biomass and drive distinct resilience strategies in plants. Resprouting ability is considered one of the primary response traits in post-disturbance recovery. The afforestation of many Cerrado ecosystems (the world's most species-rich tropical savanna) generates a change in the environment of native plants. In this study, we investigated the responses of acaulescent palm species to different disturbances in the Brazilian Cerrado and globally. We hypothesised that acaulescent palms share functional traits that support persistence across disturbance regimes, regardless of geographic origin.

Methods: We first investigated the effects of disturbance (biomass removal) on two acaulescent palms from the Cerrado, Allagoptera campestris and Syagrus loefgrenii, subjected to different historical contexts (unaffected, under a pine afforestation, and under a Cerrado regeneration). We assessed and compared above- and belowground traits of plants from areas with different histories. We then assessed the resprouting ability after the removal of the aboveground biomass and compared the number of leaves, plant height and number of ramets to the pre-removal state over one year. To place our findings in a broader context, we compiled a global database of acaulescent palms (APALM) and conducted a meta-analysis of disturbance responses.

Key results: The two target species altered their morphological traits in response to environmental changes caused by long-term pine cultivation. Yet, the target species were able to resprout after the removal of aboveground biomass. Almost 10% of all palm species are acaulescent (geophytes). The meta-analysis showed that disturbances had either positive or non-significant effects on belowground traits across species.

Conclusions: Acaulescent palms are resilient to disturbances. Even when exposed to repeated disturbances, they manage to resprout and recover due to their multiple morphological adaptations. The diversity observed in belowground system architecture, ranging from differences in ramification to shifts in growth habit under varying conditions, illustrates adaptive capacity in disturbance-prone ecosystems.

Background and aims: Zosterophyllum, a diverse genus in the global flora spanning the Silurian to Devonian periods, has been extensively documented through qualitative morphological descriptions. Here, we describe a new Zosterophyllum species and introduce quantitative approaches to elucidate evolutionary patterns of diversity and morphological disparity in this genus.

Methods: Compression specimens from the upper Silurian (Pridoli) in West Junggar, Xinjiang, China are studied through dégagement and macro/microphotography. Morphological and occurrence data of all 26 known Zosterophyllum species are collected and analysed for diversity and disparity using ImageJ, R, PAST and PyRate softwares.

Key results: A new species, Zosterophyllum mangkeluense sp. nov. is recognised, characterised by H-shaped creeping and smooth erect axes, terminal uniformly elongated and relatively compacted spikes with helically arranged fan-shaped or elliptical sporangia with short stalks and unequal valves. The diversity of Zosterophyllum species peaks during the Pragian interval of the Early Devonian, coinciding with the maximum occupation of their morphospace, the principal expansion of which reflects increases in diversity of both whole-plant and sporangium morphology, and predates the increase in diversity.

Conclusions: Asynchronous and decoupled patterns of change in diversity and morphological disparity among Zosterophyllum species are supported. Increased disparity in reproductive morphology is considered to be closely associated with changes in Zosterophyllum species diversity.

Background and aims: Understanding the synergistic interactions between soil moisture and climate variability in leaf demography is critical to better understand how environmental conditions influence leaf production, senescence, and turnover, and consequently plant productivity. We aimed to quantify leaf demography (longevity, survivorship, and age structure) of nine savanna tree species with different leaf habits (three evergreen species, three semi-deciduous species, and three deciduous species) and investigate the effects of environmental predictors (soil water availability, precipitation, temperature, and vapor pressure deficit) on leaf dynamics.

Methods: We conducted monthly surveys of leaf production, abscission, longevity, and age over a 33-month period from Cerrado Biome. We used generalized linear models (GLM) to evaluate the importance of soil moisture and climatic conditions on leaf dynamics.

Key results: Evergreen species had the longest leaf longevity (20-26 months), followed by semi-deciduous (16-22 months), and deciduous species (12-13 months). The leaf age for 50% survival probability was 12 months for deciduous species and 18 months for evergreen and semi-deciduous species. Although leaf abscission in the evergreen species occurred throughout the year, it was more concentrated at the end of the dry season. Leaf production peaked at the beginning of the rainy season across all three groups, despite a large variability among species within each group. Leaf longevity was strongly influenced by soil moisture at different depths.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that woody plants in the Cerrado have species-specific adaptations to climate seasonality and soil water availability, with leaf dynamics varying according to the degree of deciduousness. Environmental factors exert a stronger influence on deciduous and semi-deciduous species than on evergreen species. We highlight that recent and projected increases in temperature and declines in precipitation may compromise carbon assimilation by woody plants in the Cerrado, with potential consequences for ecosystem productivity.