Correction to: Impact of leaf infestation by herbivorous insects on the elemental uptake of citrus trees

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - In the original publication, the article title was incorrectly published as ‘Impact of leave infestation by herbivorous insects on the elemental...     

Effects of date palm leaf fiber on the thermal and tensile properties of recycled ternary polyolefin blend composites

This work investigated the effects of date palm leaf fiber (DPLF) content on the thermal and tensile properties; and morphology of compatibilized polyolefin ternary blend. Recycled polyolefin ternary blend consisting of low density polyethylene (RLDPE), high density polyethylene (RHDPE) and polypropylene (RPP) were fabricated at different parts per hundred resin (phr) of DPLF. Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) was used as compatibilizer to enhance the adhesion between filler and polymer matrix. The composites were prepared using melt extrusion and tests samples were produced via injection molding process. Thermal conductivity results showed that as much as 11 % reduction in thermal conductivity was achieved with the incorporation of 30 phr DPLF. Highest tensile strength was observed with the incorporation of 10 phr DPLF. The elongation at break was reduced with the addition of DPLF due to impediment of chain mobility by the fillers. Initial degradation temperature increased with the addition of DPLF. Hence, it is concluded that DPLF can be used to develop green and thermally insulating composites. It is hoped that the present results will stimulate further studies on the thermally insulative materials based on natural fibers reinforced polymer composites for applications in the building industries.     

Identification of a Pro-Angiogenic Potential and Cellular Uptake Mechanism of a LMW Highly Sulfated Fraction of Fucoidan from Ascophyllum nodosum

Herein we investigate the structure/function relationships of fucoidans from Ascophyllum nodosum to analyze their pro-angiogenic effect and cellular uptake in native and glycosaminoglycan-free (GAG-free) human endothelial cells (HUVECs). Fucoidans are marine sulfated polysaccharides, which act as glycosaminoglycans mimetics. We hypothesized that the size and sulfation rate of fucoidans influence their ability to induce pro-angiogenic processes independently of GAGs. We collected two fractions of fucoidans, Low and Medium Molecular Weight Fucoidan (LMWF and MMWF, respectively) by size exclusion chromatography and characterized their composition (sulfate, fucose and uronic acid) by colorimetric measurement and Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. The high affinities of fractionated fucoidans to heparin binding proteins were confirmed by Surface Plasmon Resonance. We evidenced that LMWF has a higher pro-angiogenic (2D-angiogenesis on Matrigel) and pro-migratory (Boyden chamber) potential on HUVECs, compared to MMWF. Interestingly, in a GAG-free HUVECs model, LMWF kept a pro-angiogenic potential. Finally, to evaluate the association of LMWF-induced biological effects and its cellular uptake, we analyzed by confocal microscopy the GAGs involvement in the internalization of a fluorescent LMWF. The fluorescent LMWF was mainly internalized through HUVEC clathrin-dependent endocytosis in which GAGs were partially involved. In conclusion, a better characterization of the relationships between the fucoidan structure and its pro-angiogenic potential in GAG-free endothelial cells was required to identify an adapted fucoidan to enhance vascular repair in ischemia.     

Biochemical and histological alterations of cellular metabolism from jerboa (Jaculus orientalis) by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid: Effects on d-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D) is one of the widely used herbicide of the phenoxy family with possible startling number of adverse effects on species other than the weeds which is designed to kill. The effects of 2,4D were investigated in jerboa (Jaculus orientalis), a wild animal of subdesert highlands. The jerboas have been daily treated intraperitonally with 2,4D 3 mg/kg body weight for 4 weeks. Plasmatic markers, and antioxidants defences systems were assessed and histological alterations were evaluated. The in vivo and in vitro effects of 2,4D on the mitochondrial d-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BDH) were also determined. Our results showed a strong decrease of triglycerides level and HDL cholesterol and an increase in GOT level and LDL cholesterol. The microscopic evaluation showed that 2,4D induced necrosis of seminiferous tubules cells in testis, hyperplasia of hepatocytes in liver and presence of multinucleated giant cells in brain. The results show also an inhibitory effect on BDH in terms of activity and kinetic parameters. All of these results show that 2,4D induces toxicity which affects energy metabolism, morphological perturbation and oxidative stress.     

Impact of a Variable Tungsten Pollution on the Elemental Uptake of Two Plant Species

A radish and a grass species were grown in identical substrates either unpolluted or polluted by tungsten (W) at 1, 5, and 10 μg/g levels of watering solutions during 1 month under controlled laboratory conditions. Initially, at 4.1 μg/g, the W content in grass leaves reached 16 μg/g at the highest rate of W supply to the substrate. For radish, the content of W reached 22 and 29 μg/g in the leaves and roots, respectively. The overall W pollution increased significantly the mobility of major elements from substrate to grass leaves, especially at the 5 μg/g pollution level, whereas the W impact on radish leaves resulted in an increase of most contents, only Mn remaining unaffected. The roots from polluted radishes were enriched in Si by 21% and Al by 42% at low pollution, and in Si by 15% at high supply, whereas the uptake of the other elements remained unchanged. It looks like the W pollution at the levels chosen does not impact the transfer of the major and trace elements from roots to leaves of Raphanus sativus. Alternatively, metallic trace elements (Ba, Ni, Cr, Zn, W, Co) of the Raphanus sativus and Chloris gayana leaves outline similar content changes depending on the amount of W pollution. The total rare-earth element contents of the leaves of Raphanus sativus grown in the polluted substrates are lower than those of the leaves from unpolluted substrate. Their normalization in the leaves and roots of Raphanus sativus from the polluted substrates to those of the radish from non-polluted substrate provides flat patterns for both with a positive Eu anomaly for leaves, as for those of the grass and a negative Gd anomaly for roots. Also, addition of soluble W to the substrates induced an increase in the bacterial activity of the soil.     

Impact of leaf infestation by herbivorous insects on the elemental uptake of citrus trees

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The elemental compositions of healthy and infested leaves of three species of lemon trees (Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus aurantium and Citrus medica) were...     

INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS PHYSICAL PARAMETERS ON ANTHER CULTURE OF BARLEY

This study describes the effect of some parameters on anther culture of barley to optimize the plant regeneration condition of this species. The embryo formation and plant regeneration from anthers of three barley cultivars (‘Igri’, ‘Saida’ and ‘Libya’) were investigated. The effects of length of flag leaves, stage of microspore development, and pre-treatments (mannitol or cold pre-treatment) of anthers were investigated. Results showed significant responses. Anthers at the mid uninucleate to mid-late uninucleate stage gave the best anther culture response showing 80, 60, and 30% anther development in ‘Igri’, ‘Saida’ and ‘Libya’ barley cultivars, respectively. The use of mannitol (0.3 M) or 20 days cold pre-treatments showed the best results for embryo and green-plant production.     

Biocontrol potential of essential oil from Moroccan Ridolfia segetum (L.) Moris

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The present study characterized and evaluated the antifungal, nematicidal, acaricidal and repellent activities of Ridolfia segetum essential oil (EO),...     

Morphological and molecular characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities inhabiting the roots and the soil of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) under different agricultural management practices

Crocus sativus L. cultivation is expanding to areas with low soil fertility, where mycorrhizal fungi are supposed to be essential for plants growth and ecosystems functioning. Agricultural practices applied under these conditions should lead to good saffron productivity and quality. Our objective was to study the density and diversity of mycorrhizal fungi populations associated with saffron grown in Taliouine (Morocco) under different agricultural management practices (fertilization type, age and plantation method). Morpho-anatomical studies identified rhizospheric mycorrhizal spores and assessed root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Molecular identification of AMF was realized by sequencing the Large Subunit (LSU) rDNA gene region. Among the eleven species of AMF spores identified, Funneliformis and Rhizoglomus species were the most abundant (> 35%). Modern saffron plantation showed higher roots colonization rates (mycorrhization intensity (100%) and frequency (51.6%)), while in traditional plantations lower mycorrhization frequency values were found (17.4%). LSU sequencing identified five AMF genera and three unknown genomic groups, whereas Shannon diversity index indicated that AMF community composition changed significantly according to plantation age and fertilization type. Our results contribute to a better knowledge of saffron AMF communities and open new perspectives for a rational utilization of the agricultural practices for organic saffron production.     

Optimization of light/dark cycle in an extended photoperiod-based speed breeding protocol for grain legumes

The use of high-performing varieties could contribute to increase food legume production and meet the population demand. However, the long process of conventional breeding is a serious limitation that needs further acceleration of genetic improvement. Speed breeding based on extended photoperiod is one of the techniques that allows rapid generation turnover by accelerating the plant life cycle. The present study focused on optimizing the duration of extended photoperiod for lentil, chickpea and faba bean in a growth chamber with light-emitting diode (LED) light sources. Significant differences in growth rate, biomass production, phenology, physiology, plant injury and yield components were observed depending on light phase durations (22, 18 and 14 h). Twenty-two hours of light resulted in earlier flowering and maturity, but higher stress symptoms than the other two light treatments. However, vegetative development was almost normal with limited stress under 14 h of light, but late flowering and maturity. Interestingly, good plant establishment with limited stress and shorter vegetative cycle was observed under 18 h of light. Therefore, a photoperiod of 18 h of light/6 h of darkness could be advised for a rapid breeding protocol.