Plant Methods moves to fund open-access publishing

As an Open Access journal dedicated to promoting technological innovation in plant biology, Plant Methods occupies a unique niche amongst plant journals. To fund its open access policy, and to enable it to continue to serve the plant sciences community, Plant Methods will be introducing an article processing charge (APC) from March 1^st 2006. This charge will cover the costs of making the article freely and universally accessible online and the costs involved in its inclusion in PubMed and its archiving in public repositories. In some circumstances, waivers of the APC may be granted and authors whose institutions are BioMed Central members will incur no, or reduced, charges.     

《园艺学报》英文版——《Horticultural Plant Journal》创刊的机遇与挑战

 阐述了创办《园艺学报》英文版的意义，分析了创办园艺学科国际化科技期刊面对的机遇与挑战，提出创办高质量国际化期刊需要在组建国际化编委会、获取优质稿源、提高编辑质量和数字化平台建设等方面付出努力。     

Horticultural science-a century of discovery and application

The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology (JHSB) celebrates, in 2019, a century of continuously publishing peer-review, research-based articles and reviews. Since 1919 scientific discoveries and their application through subsequently-evolved industrial technologies have formed the basis for enormous advances and changes in the production of fruit, vegetables and ornamentals. New industries have been founded and expanded. Science has brought greater precision, predictability and reliability into horticultural crop production, raising the quality and range of products Market forces themselves have imposed vast change in the manner by which horticultural products are produced. Horticultural industries have coped with and thrived on these changes because of their swift and effective adoption of discoveries in horticultural science, which in turn has driven the need for more research in a cyclic process. This review follows, through a selection of articles published in JHSB, the evolution of aspects of horticultural science and identifies how change has influenced crops and their production. The history of change in horticultural science and the industries which it serves is contained within the articles selected. They demonstrate the successful manner in which JHSB has fulfilled the aspirations of its founders for a science-based journal which offers new ideas for industry.     

Protocol: Precision engineering of plant gene loci by homologous recombination cloning in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

Plant genome sequence data now provide opportunities to conduct molecular genetic studies at the level of the whole gene locus and above. Such studies will be greatly facilitated by adopting and developing further the new generation of genetic engineering tools, based on homologous recombination cloning in Escherichia coli, which are free from the constraints imposed by the availability of suitably positioned restriction sites. Here we describe the basis for homologous recombination cloning in E. coli, the available tools and resources, together with a protocol for long range cloning and manipulation of an Arabidopsis thaliana gene locus, to create constructs co-ordinately driven by locus-specific regulatory elements.     

High-throughput <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated barley transformation

Background  

Plant transformation is an invaluable tool for basic plant research, as well as a useful technique for the direct improvement of commercial crops. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is the fourth most abundant cereal crop in the world. It also provides a useful model for the study of wheat, which has a larger and more complex genome. Most existing barley transformation methodologies are either complex or have low (<10%) transformation efficiencies.     

Advancing landscape ecology as a science: the need for consistent reporting guidelines

Context

In the face of global change, evidence-based information for policy development and political action is needed. Research syntheses have the potential to produce more reliable and generalizable results than are possible from small and regional extent primary studies. Data-sharing and detailed reporting are indispensable prerequisites for syntheses, however syntheses often are seriously hindered by insufficient reporting of primary data.

Objectives

Since many ecological processes are strongly influenced by spatial pattern, we suggest reporting guidelines for landscape-ecological studies. Better data reporting will not only benefit the quality of primary research studies, and allow replication, but also facilitate research syntheses.

Methods

We evaluated how landscape context information was reported in primary research articles including recently published articles in the journal Landscape Ecology. We further looked at the author guidelines for several journals to check what authors are expected to report.

Results

Specifically, we found that the existing reporting of landscape context information was insufficient to evaluate the effects of tropical forest edges on bird nest predation risk. More generally, exact study locations were not provided in any evaluated article. No journal gave detailed instructions to authors on how to report study characteristics.

Conclusions

We argue that consideration of the following reporting guidelines could substantially facilitate research syntheses: (1.1) detailed map of study area, (1.2) spatial location of sampling points; (2.1) land-use types; (2.2) vegetation, key resources, soil, geology, and disturbance history; (2.3) additional site parameters; (3) results for each sampling point.

     

Development of expression vectors based on pepino mosaic virus

Background  

Plant viruses are useful expression vectors because they can mount systemic infections allowing large amounts of recombinant protein to be produced rapidly in differentiated plant tissues. Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) (genus Potexvirus, family Flexiviridae), a widespread plant virus, is a promising candidate expression vector for plants because of its high level of accumulation in its hosts and the absence of severe infection symptoms. We report here the construction of a stable and efficient expression vector for plants based on PepMV.     

Yield formation in Brussels sprouts

Summary

The effects of three planting dates and three plant densities, covering most of the planting dates and densities used in the Netherlands, on yield determining factors of Brussels sprouts (Brassica olerácea var. gemmifera), were studied in field experiments during three seasons. Planting dates were between the end of April and early July. Plant density ranged between 2.7 and 4.4 plants per m². Planting late in the season initially resulted in more leaves being formed, a higher Leaf Area Index and a longer stem. During crop growth this trend was reversed to a lower number of leaves formed, and in two of the three years a lower LAI and stem length when planting was delayed. The effect of plant density on these characteristics was generally either less pronounced than that of planting date or was absent. There was no, or only limited, interaction between the effects of planting date and plant density on these characteristics. The initial rate of dry-matter accumulation after planting was higher after planting late in the season, but the final amount of standing dry matter was reduced by the late planting. Plant density did not influence the final amount of standing dry matter. There was no interaction between the effects of planting date and plant density on dry-matter accumulation. Planting date and plant density hardly influenced the radiation use efficiency. Overall radiation use efficiency was 2.2 g MJ^–1. The time of bud initiation expressed as numbers of days after planting was advanced by delayed planting, but was not influenced by plant density. Planting late in the season decreased the number of buds per plant and in one of the three years also reduced the weight per bud. A decrease in the number of buds per plant due to increased plant density was more than compensated for by the increase in number of plants per hectare. The final number of buds as a percentage of the final number of leaves, was either not, or not consistently, influenced by treatment. Bud dry-matter concentration at final harvest decreased when planting was delayed, but was not influenced by plant density. There was no interaction between the effects of planting date and plant density on bud dry-matter concentration. The dry-matter harvest index of 30–45% was not greatly affected by treatments. To aim for high yields, planting should be as early as field conditions allow.     

The effect of combined Azospirillum inoculation and nitrogen fertilizer on plant growth promotion and yield response of the blanket flower Gaillardia pulchella

The investigation was carried out to examine the performance of Azospirillum isolates on growth and N uptake of Gaillardia pulchella with two nitrogen levels. Azospirillum strain OAD-2 inoculation significantly increased plant height, number of leaves per plant, branches per plant and total dry mass accumulation in G. pulchella than other inoculations and/or uninoculated control. The application of 150 kg N ha⁻¹ further enhanced the above plant growth parameters significantly over application of 112 kg N ha⁻¹. The N uptake of G. pulchella was enhanced due to Azospirillum strain OAD-2 inoculation, which was further augmented in the presence of nitrogen. The combination of Azospirillum strain OAD-2 and 150 kg N ha⁻¹ showed the highest N uptake at 120 DAT. Plant growth and yield parameters also increased when inoculated with the non-diazotrophic, but efficient IAA producing, Azospirillum strain OAD-57. From this investigation, it can be concluded that Azospirillum strains OAD-2 and OAD-11 can play an important role in the N nutrition of G. pulchella.     

Recent trends in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) research: an overview

Muskmelon is a warm season old-world cucurbit species which belongs to family Cucurbitaceae. It has served as a wonder crop since ancient times, as the leaves and seeds of it are used to treat hematoma, and the stems to reduce hypertension. For decades, it has played key roles in the field of plant molecular biology and plant physiology, serving as an excellent model plant for investigating the phenomenon of sex determination and ripening processes. Elite varieties of melons carrying the wide potential to serve as more demanding to end user and against tolerance to drought condition and inferior lands, or diseases have been developed. Plant-breeding methods (conventional or molecular breeding) and transgenic technology are the only tools left, with which we can deploy to regenerate the elite varieties in melon fruits to meet the global demand for next decades. The development of plant biotechnological tools for melons offers the prospect to develop new varieties, more rapidly, avoiding natural genetic barriers. The use of these methods has extended to increase the genetic diversity by somatic hybridisation or gene transfer and to optimise conventional breeding programmes. In this review, we have focused on the status of crop improvement in muskmelon since a period of time for different traits like quality improvement, sex expression as well as resistances against biotic and abiotic stresses.     

The FAST technique: a simplified Agrobacterium-based transformation method for transient gene expression analysis in seedlings of Arabidopsis and other plant species

Background  

Plant genome sequencing has resulted in the identification of a large number of uncharacterized genes. To investigate these unknown gene functions, several transient transformation systems have been developed as quick and convenient alternatives to the lengthy transgenic assay. These transient assays include biolistic bombardment, protoplast transfection and Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation, each having advantages and disadvantages depending on the research purposes.     

Improved seed development and germination of stenospermic grapes by plant growth regulators

Plant growth regulators were applied to the foliage and immature fruit clusters of the stenospermic grape selection ‘C35-33’ at various periods before bloom to stimulate viable seed development. In the 1987 season five different plant growth regulators were used, but in 1988 the growth retardants Cycocel and XE-1019 were used exclusively. Chemical treatments applied 35 days after bud break increased significantly germination percentage. Experimental results indicate that the use of certain plant growth regulators may aid in increasing the efficiency of seedless grape breeding by providing an alternative to in-ovulo embryo culture.     

Investigations of barley stripe mosaic virus as a gene silencing vector in barley roots and in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachypodium distachyon</Emphasis> and oat

Background  

Gene silencing vectors based on Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) are used extensively in cereals to study gene function, but nearly all studies have been limited to genes expressed in leaves of barley and wheat. However since many important aspects of plant biology are based on root-expressed genes we wanted to explore the potential of BSMV for silencing genes in root tissues. Furthermore, the newly completed genome sequence of the emerging cereal model species Brachypodium distachyon as well as the increasing amount of EST sequence information available for oat (Avena species) have created a need for tools to study gene function in these species.     

An online database for plant image analysis software tools

Background

Recent years have seen an increase in methods for plant phenotyping using image analyses. These methods require new software solutions for data extraction and treatment. These solutions are instrumental in supporting various research pipelines, ranging from the localisation of cellular compounds to the quantification of tree canopies. However, due to the variety of existing tools and the lack of central repository, it is challenging for researchers to identify the software that is best suited for their research.

Results

We present an online, manually curated, database referencing more than 90 plant image analysis software solutions. The website, plant-image-analysis.org, presents each software in a uniform and concise manner enabling users to identify the available solutions for their experimental needs. The website also enables user feedback, evaluations and new software submissions.

Conclusions

The plant-image-analysis.org database provides an overview of existing plant image analysis software. The aim of such a toolbox is to help users to find solutions, and to provide developers a way to exchange and communicate about their work.

     

The impact of artificial light at night on human and ecosystem health: a systematic literature review

Context

Artificial light at night (ALAN) provides an array of important benefits but might also adversely affect humans and other living organisms. Yet, the existing reviews of accumulated knowledge about the multifaceted effects associated with exposure to ALAN focus on distinct ecosystem components. As a result, our understanding of potential system-wide impacts of ALAN exposure is insufficient.

Objectives

This paper attempts to bridge this knowledge gap by reviewing a wide range of studies, with a particular focus on identifying the impacts of ALAN exposure that are common to different species.

Methods

The survey is conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and covers peer-reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2019.

Results

Seventy-four eligible articles, out of 1223 initially identified, were selected and synthesized. 20% of them focus on humans, while the rest explore other living organisms, such as vertebrates, avian species, arthropods, aquatic organisms, and vegetation. The review demonstrates that similar adverse effects of ALAN exposure, ranging from sleep disturbance, depression, weight gain, eating and movement disorders, to elevated risk of cancer, are manifested across different components of the ecosystem, and therefore entail wider and more complex risks to its stability and integrity.

Conclusion

To reduce ecosystem risks, associated with constantly increasing ALAN levels, illumination policies should be based on directional and reduced nighttime lighting, which can help to avoid unnecessary exposures. The study highlights knowledge gaps that warrant further research attention.

     

Use of Plant Growth Regulators in Blueberry Production in the Southeastern U.S.

Abstract

Blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) production has expanded rapidly in the Southeastern U.S. over the past two decades, and various production problems have been encountered. These problems include poor pollination, low fruit set, freeze damage, variable yields, and small fruit size among others. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) have been utilized to overcome some production problems with some degree of success. This paper reviews findings of research that has been conducted over the past few years with PGRs and blueberries in the Southeast.     

The visible touch: in planta visualization of protein-protein interactions by fluorophore-based methods

Non-invasive fluorophore-based protein interaction assays like fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC, also referred to as "split YFP") have been proven invaluable tools to study protein-protein interactions in living cells. Both methods are now frequently used in the plant sciences and are likely to develop into standard techniques for the identification, verification and in-depth analysis of polypeptide interactions. In this review, we address the individual strengths and weaknesses of both approaches and provide an outlook about new directions and possible future developments for both techniques.