Effects of Exogenous Application of Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid on the Physiological and Molecular Response of 'Dusa' Avocado to .

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) are important in mediating plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. MeJA and SA can act as elicitors by triggering plant defense responses similar to those induced by pathogens and may even provide long-term protection against them. Thus, exogenous application of MeJA and SA could protect susceptible avocado plants against white root rot (WRR) disease caused by the necrotrophic fungus , one of the main diseases affecting avocado orchards.

Relation between Strawberry Fruit Redness and Bioactivity: Deciphering the Role of Anthocyanins as Health Promoting Compounds.

The red colour of most berries is often associated to fruit healthiness, since it has been linked to enrichment in anthocyanins (polyphenol with antioxidative properties). However, recent studies suggest that anthocyanins could not be the major contributors to bioactivity leading to uncertainty about their role as important molecules in the generation of health-promoting properties. To shed light on this issue, spectrophotometric and HPLC techniques were used for characterizing the content of phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, in fruits of red (, cv.

Hydraulic tradeoffs underlie enhanced performance of polyploid trees under soil water deficit.

The relationships between aerial organ morpho-anatomy of woody polyploid plants with their functional hydraulics under water stress remain largely understudied. We evaluated growth-associated traits, aerial organ xylem anatomy, and physiological parameters of diploid, triploid, and tetraploid genotypes of atemoyas (Annona cherimola × Annona squamosa), which belong to the woody perennial genus Annona (Annonaceae), testing their performance under long-term soil water reduction. The contrasting phenotypes of vigorous triploids and dwarf tetraploids consistently showed stomatal size-density tradeoff.

Seed-Encapsulation of Desiccation-Tolerant Microorganisms for the Protection of Maize from Drought: Phenotyping Effects of a New Dry Bioformulation.

Droughts and high temperatures deeply affect crop production. The use of desiccation-tolerant (or xerotolerant) microorganisms able to protect plants from droughts represents a promising alternative. These xerotolerant microorganisms have previously been used to modulate plant responses and improve their tolerance to drought.

Physiological and Molecular Responses of 'Dusa' Avocado Rootstock to Water Stress: Insights for Drought Adaptation.

Avocado consumption is increasing year by year, and its cultivation has spread to many countries with low water availability, which threatens the sustainability and profitability of avocado orchards. However, to date, there is not much information on the behavior of commercial avocado rootstocks against drought. The aim of this research was to evaluate the physiological and molecular responses of 'Dusa' avocado rootstock to different levels of water stress.

Rosellinia necatrix infection induces differential gene expression between tolerant and susceptible avocado rootstocks.

Rosellinia necatrix is the causal agent of avocado white root rot (WRR). Control of this soil-borne disease is difficult, and the use of tolerant rootstocks may present an effective method to lessen its impact. To date, no studies on the molecular mechanisms regulating the avocado plant response towards this pathogen have been undertaken.

Strawberry and Achenes Hydroalcoholic Extracts and Their Digested Fractions Efficiently Counteract the AAPH-Induced Oxidative Damage in HepG2 Cells.

Strawberry fruits are highly appreciated by consumers worldwide due to their bright red color, typical aroma, and juicy texture. While the biological activity of the complete fruit has been widely studied, the potential beneficial effects of the achenes (commonly named seeds) remain unknown. In addition, when raw fruit and achenes are consumed, the digestion process could alter the release and absorption of their phytochemical compounds, compromising their bioactivity.

Bioaccessibility and potential bioavailability of phenolic compounds from achenes as a new target for strawberry breeding programs.

Strawberry is a major natural source of bioactive compounds. Botanically, strawberry is an aggregate fruit consisting of a fleshy floral receptacle that bears a cluster of real dry fruits (achenes). Existing knowledge on the phenolic composition of achenes and its contribution to that of the whole fruit is limited.

Strawberry Achenes Are an Important Source of Bioactive Compounds for Human Health.

Strawberries are highly appreciated for their taste, nutritional value and antioxidant compounds, mainly phenolics. Fruit antioxidants derive from achenes and flesh, but achene contribution to the total fruit antioxidant capacity and to the bioaccessibility after intake is still unknown. In this work, the content of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity (TEAC, FRAP and DPPH) of achenes and flesh were compared in non-digested as well as in gastric and intestinal extracts after in vitro digestion.

Developmental stages of cultivated strawberry flowers in relation to chilling sensitivity.

Environmental factors affecting flower development may limit the yields of fruiting crops worldwide. In temperate regions, chilling temperatures during flower development can compromise fruit production, but their negative effects vary depending on the differing susceptibilities of each developmental stage. The cultivated strawberry (Fragaria× ananassa Duch.

Increased antioxidant capacity in tomato by ectopic expression of the strawberry D-galacturonate reductase gene.

Increasing L-ascorbic acid (AsA, vitamin C) content in fruits is a common goal in current breeding programs due to its beneficial effect on human health. Attempts to increase AsA content by genetic engineering have resulted in variable success likely due to AsA's complex regulation. Here, we report the effect of ectopically expressing in tomato the D-galacturonate reductase (FaGalUR) gene from strawberry, involved in AsA biosynthesis, either under the control of the constitutive 35S or the tomato fruit-specific polygalucturonase (PG) promoters.

Plasticity, instability and canalization: is the phenotypic variation in seedlings of sclerophyll oaks consistent with the environmental unpredictability of Mediterranean ecosystems?

•   Evergreen oaks from the Mediterranean basin exhibit a conservative resource-use strategy based on a reduced expression of phenotypic variation (i.e. canalization).

Low leaf-level response to light and nutrients in Mediterranean evergreen oaks: a conservative resource-use strategy?

We have explored leaf-level plastic response to light and nutrients of Quercus ilex and Q. coccifera, two closely related Mediterranean evergreen sclerophylls, in a factorial experiment with seedlings. Leaf phenotypic plasticity, assessed by a relative index (PI = (maximum value - minimum)/maximum) in combination with the significance of the difference among means, was studied in 37 morphological and physiological variables.