Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca
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Pan-genome wide identification and expression analysis of the OFP family genes in response to abiotic and biotic stresses in cucumber
Full text linkOvate family proteins (OFPs), comprising a recently characterized family of transcriptional repressors, contribute to various plant growth and developmental processes. However, systematic research on the OFP gene family in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is still lacking. In this work, we conducted a pan-genome-wide identification of the OFP gene family in cucumber, and the chromosomal locations, gene structure and protein properties, cis-elements, collinearity and phylogenetic relationship of the CsOFP family members were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis classified the cucumber OFP proteins into nine distinct subgroups, with members of the same clade sharing similar motif arrangements. Notably, all CsOFP genes lack introns except for CsOFP15 and CsOFP20. Expression analysis identified distinct transcriptional patterns for CsOFP genes, including tissue-specific accumulation (notably in roots, ovaries, and flowers) and differential expression under diverse abiotic (cold, heat, salt) and biotic (powdery mildew, root-knot nematode, downy mildew) stresses. These findings presented here will help to understand the functions of CsOFP genes in cucumber development, growth, and stress response
Transcriptome-based identification of MYB transcription factors associated with flavonoid biosynthesis under LED light in Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge
Full text linkAstragalus membranaceus, valued for its health benefits due to flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides, has been studied mainly for its roots. However, the regulatory role of MYB transcription factors (TFs) in flavonoid biosynthesis under different light conditions remains largely unexplored. In this study, sterile plants were cultured for six weeks under white, red, and blue light. Transcriptome analysis identified MYB genes, which were further characterized by sequence alignment, conserved domain searches, and phylogenetic analysis with AtMYB and GmMYB176. Gene structures, conserved motifs, and cis-regulatory elements were examined using bioinformatics tools. Expression levels of selected genes were validated by real-time PCR using the 2−ΔΔCt method. Two candidate genes, one R2R3-MYB and one R1-MYB, were found to be involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. Both showed high expression under white light, with AmMYB12 exhibiting nearly 20-fold higher expression compared with other conditions. Motif and promoter analyses indicated the presence of multiple MYB-binding sites, suggesting strong regulatory potential. Together, these results indicate that AmMYB12 may play a critical role in light-regulated flavonoid biosynthesis. This study provides essential data for functional analysis of MYB TFs and enhances understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying flavonoid accumulation in A. membranaceus in response to artificial light
Ethnomedicinal, ecological, phytochemical, nutritional and pharmacological aspects of Sanguisorba officinalis L. (Rosaceae): A comprehensive review
Full text linkThe medicinal properties of Sanguisorba species have been known since the 16th century and have been used in traditional folk medicine ever since. The genus Sanguisorba includes approximately 148 species and subspecies and belonging to Rosaceae family distributed mainly in East Asia and southern Europe. The most widespread species in the genus Sanguisorba is Sanguisorba officinalis L. Currently available S. officinalis L. reports in the literature were mostly found on Google Scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science, Lens.org and Scopus. This review provides a detailed and focused analysis of S. officinalis L., deliberately centering on its unique properties and existing literature, without drawing comparative analysis with other species within the Sanguisorba genus. This article focuses on the taxonomy, habitat, distribution, ethno-medicinal uses, botanical characterization, nutritional composition, chemical composition, pharmacological effects, insect interactions, and conservation status of S. officinalis. Moreover, the present work attempts to compile various phytochemical and bioactivity investigations conducted on S. officinalis; the resulting data consistently highlight its therapeutic prospects, as evidenced by the wide range of secondary metabolites and biological activities reported. Despite its promising potential, limited clinical data and standardization issues present challenges for its integration into modern medicine. The mechanisms of action, safety profile, and therapeutic efficacy of S. officinalis warrant further investigation
Variation in survival and stem quality of Douglas-fir provenances: Insights from 47-year-old common garden experiments in Romania
Full text linkUnderstanding the genetic variation of wood quality traits is essential for developing breeding strategies to improve the quality of Douglas-fir plantations. This study assessed the performance of 61 Douglas-fir provenances established in 1977 established in three Romanian common garden experiments (Aleșd, Făget and Padeș). A mixed linear model was applied to estimate the variance components, and Pearson correlations were used to explore trait relationships. The results revealed significant provenance effects for branch angle, branch diameter, number of branches, and survival at Aleșd, and for branch angle and diameter at Făget. Survival and branch traits, particularly branch angle and diameter, were the most stable traits across the field trials and hence suitable for early selection and breeding across similar site conditions. Over 50% of trait variance was accounted by stem form, forking index, and number of branches due to strong environmental effects. Provenance-by-environment interaction was significant only for branch diameter, suggesting that this trait is more sensitive to site-specific conditions. The other traits had stable provenance rankings across environments due to non-significant interaction effects. These findings highlight the potential to use selected provenances as a genetic base for renewing the Douglas-fir breeding program in Romania. Selecting provenances with high survival and favourable branch traits improves timber quality and plantation resilience. The study also demonstrates the relevance of long-term provenance trials in identifying climate-resilient genetic resources, which is critical for maintaining forest productivity and stability under future climate change scenarios
Structural characteristics of old-growth forest of silver fir and beech at Biogradska Gora
Full text linkThis paper presents the results of a study on the structural characteristics of mixed old-growth silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests in Biogradska Gora, Montenegro, one of the last remaining primeval forests in Europe. In terms of diameter structure studied forests are characterized by a slightly lower tree density per unit area compared to created normal modes, showed a significant shortage of silver fir trees in the lowest diameter classes. However, the presence of large-diameter trees resulted in the dominance of fir in terms of height structure, as well as a higher total growing stock compared to the theoretical norms. The average growing stock of 931.5 m³ ha-1 has been determined, with an annual volume increment of 10.14 m³ ha-1. Understanding the fundamental characteristics of untouched forests provides an invaluable contribution to expanding knowledge about the complex nature of forests and offers a basis for close-to-nature forest management, which represents the main adaptive approach to forest management under climate change conditions. Research on such forests contributes to a better understanding of environmental changes and the conservation of biodiversity
Abiotic stress in quinoa: A comprehensive review on the impact of salinity and mitigation strategies
Full text linkQuinoa (Chenopodium quinoa wild) is a gluten-free pseudocereal with an exceptionally nutritious, balanced profile of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and beneficial secondary metabolites. These nutritional qualities, combined with Its capacity to grow successfully under drought, cold, salinity, and heavy metal stress, have earned special attention worldwide and positioned quinoa as a promising future crop for addressing global food security challenges amid climate change. This review highlights the physiological, morphological, and metabolic characteristics of quinoa that enable quinoa to tolerate a variety of abiotic stresses, with a particular emphasis on salinity. Quinoa exhibits various mechanisms under salt stress, including efficient Na⁺ sequestration in leaf vacuoles, controlled xylem Na⁺ loading, accumulation of organic and inorganic osmolytes, enhanced ROS resistance, improved K⁺ retention, and precise stomatal regulation. Quinoa’s tolerance to salinity can be significantly enhanced through seed priming, foliar applications of plant growth regulators, organic amendments, and microbial inoculants
Scientific Journeys of the BIOVEG network, September 27-29, 2010, UASVM Cluj-Napoca
No full textConference Information: 12th International BIOVEG Symposium Plant Biodiversity and Food DiversificationPlace: University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, September 27-29, 2010Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaThe aim of the BIOVEG Symposium is to present the latest scientific results on all aspects of research in plant biotechnology. Various tools are now available to describe the biological diversity of plant species useful for food diversification. They allow fine analysis of basic components, but also their interactions, using different and complementary disciplines such as genetics, microbiology, biochemistry and physiology.
The involvement of Plant biodiversity and Food diversification in one symposium is not a common process. However, the FAO data (2008) relevant to the state of the food worldwide are clear on at least two main points:
I) there is a well-defined relationship between the quality of diet and dietary diversification;
II) the most affected countries are India, countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific area of Asia and China as they have a high potential of biodiversity.
If food is a vital necessity, the overall diet is different between rich and poor countries. In poor countries, cereals, roots and tubers cover 66% of eaten plants. In rich countries, fruits and vegetables play a much larger role (19% vs. 11%). In rich countries, attention is increasingly paid to the nutritional quality and food intakes for a better life. In poor countries, it is foremost eat to survive.Nearly 900 million peoples suffering from hunger in the world but 90% of them live in developing countries. India (231 MH) is at the head, followed by sub-Saharan Africa (212 MH), Asia- Pacific (189 MH) and China (123 MH). The rest of the world has barely 100 MH malnourished peoples. However, the Pacific area of Asia provided the world with many domesticated plant species (Citrus, numerous fruits and vegetables).
Tools to describe biodiversity of plant species for food diversification have made many advances in recent years. New technologies allow deep and detailed analysis of the biodiversity and quality of the food supply. Several different and complementary disciplines such as genetics, microbiology, biochemistry and physiology are involved. Beyond the simple description step, it is to improve products or value-added varieties and also to maintain traditional pools of genetic diversity for tomorrow. We must also appeal to disciplines such as plant breeding or the wide range of plant biotechnologies to generate new diversity aspects and to preserve existing genetic resources. This requires of course a broad collaboration of local people, the best able to defend their specificities.
In this context, the 2010 Conference of Scientific Journeys of the BIOVEG network was organized around five main sessions:1. Genetic resources, local domestication, plant breeding, cytogenetics.2. Plants - micro-organisms interaction which includes phytopathology, symbiotic relationship, toxins impacts.3. Final biochemical composition, antioxidants analysis, lipid contents and composition, metabolic pathways regulations.4. Non-conventional diversity creation methods such as induced mutations.5. Ex situ and in situ genetic resources conservation
Improving institutional framework and organizational solutions for climate change governance in forestry and related sectors at regional and local levels in Serbia
Full text linkThe implementation of climate change governance strategies at regional and local levels encounters significant challenges, including a complex institutional framework, insufficient competence and limited commitment from various stakeholders to adopt appropriate governance measures. In Serbia, the institutional framework for climate change governance in forestry and related sectors (nature conservation, environment, energy) fails to provide sufficient conditions for stakeholders’ involvement in decision-making processes at regional and local levels. This research aims to examine possibilities for improving the institutional framework and organizational solutions for climate change governance at regional and local level in forestry and related sectors in Serbia. Data were collected through interviews with decision-makers and experts from the public and civil sectors in forestry and related sectors, as well as with representatives of examples of good practices of stakeholder collaboration in climate change governance. Respondents emphasized the need to prioritize climate change as a main objective within the mandates of organizations at lower governance levels in forestry and related sectors. All respondents support the proposal to establish a regional bridging organization to facilitate stakeholders’ coordination. Such an organization would serve as a platform for continuous education, training and knowledge exchange through seminars and workshops and would assist stakeholders in defining and implementing climate change governance measures at regional and local levels
Comparative analysis of bioactive compounds identified in the fruits of three chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) cultivars in different cultivation systems
Full text linkAronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot, commonly known as chokeberry, has become visible due to its rich polyphenol content and its exceptional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to investigate how different cultivation systems can influence the bioactive compounds in three chokeberry cultivars, ‘Nero’, ‘Viking’ and ‘Melrom’, grown in the Northern Transylvania, Romania. The results showed that each variety exhibits distinct characteristics: ‘Nero’ excelled in ascorbic acids and amount of flavonols, particularly quercetin derivatives; ‘Melrom’ had the highest overall sorbitol content and flavonols level, and also a significantly content of hydroxybenzoic acid, while the ‘Viking’ cultivar presented an unusual profile with high levels of cyanidin and quercetin but a significant deficiency in quercetin-rutinoside. Compared with conventional and control, the ecological treatments significantly enhanced total phenolic content in ‘Viking’ and ‘Melrom’ cultivars. The variations in chokeberry composition can also be attributed to genetic factors, fertilizers, pedoclimatic conditions and harvest time. Understanding these factors is essential for optimizing cultivation practices and enhancing the nutritional value of chokeberry fruits