The Transcription Factor EIL1 Participates in the Regulation of Sulfur-Deficiency Response.

Sulfur, an indispensable constituent of many cellular components, is a growth-limiting macronutrient for plants. Thus, to successfully adapt to changing sulfur availability and environmental stress, a sulfur-deficiency response helps plants to cope with the limited supply. On the transcriptional level, this response is controlled by SULFUR LIMITATION1 (SLIM1), a member of the ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3-LIKE (EIL) transcription factor family.

Identification of novel genes involved in phosphate accumulation in Lotus japonicus through Genome Wide Association mapping of root system architecture and anion content.

Phosphate represents a major limiting factor for plant productivity. Plants have evolved different solutions to adapt to phosphate limitation ranging from a profound tuning of their root system architecture and metabolic profile to the evolution of widespread mutualistic interactions. Here we elucidated plant responses and their genetic basis to different phosphate levels in a plant species that is widely used as a model for AM symbiosis: Lotus japonicus.

Focal Species Candidates for Pesticide Risk Assessment in European Rice Fields: A Review.

An assessment of potential risks of pesticides on wildlife is required during the process of product registration within Europe because of the importance of agricultural landscapes as wildlife habitats. Despite their peculiarity and their specific role as artificial wetlands, rice paddies are to date pooled with cereals in guidance documents on how to conduct risk assessments for birds and mammals in Europe. Hence, the focal species currently considered in risk assessments for rice paddies are those known from cereal fields and can therefore be expected to differ significantly from the species actually occurring in the wet environments of rice paddies.

Focal bird species and risk assessment approach for nonagricultural grassland scenarios in Central Europe.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guideline on risk assessment identifies pesticide exposure scenarios for nontarget wildlife; however, this scheme is not applicable to nonagricultural grassland. For example, different habitats and human utilization on golf courses attract bird communities that differ from those found in agricultural fields with annual crop cycles. The present study determined focal bird species for amenity grasslands such as golf courses following the EFSA guideline.