Genome-wide analysis of genetic diversity in a germplasm collection including wild relatives and interspecific clones of garden asparagus.

The genus includes approximately 240 species, the most important of which is garden asparagus ( L.), as this is a vegetable crop cultivated worldwide for its edible spear. Along with garden asparagus, other species are also cultivated (e.

Heterosis for capsacinoids accumulation in chili pepper hybrids is dependent on parent-of-origin effect.

Heterosis for agronomic traits is a widespread phenomenon that underpins hybrid crop breeding. However, heterosis at the level of cellular metabolites has not yet been fully explored. Some metabolites are highly sought after, like capsaicinoids found in peppers of the Capsicum genus, which confer the characteristic pungent ('hot') flavour of the fruits.

Targeted mutagenesis of stabilizes the production of anthocyanins in potato cell culture.

To increase the production of decorated anthocyanins in potato cell cultures, we knocked out a novel potato gene, named (), using CRISPR-Cas9 editing. Our results provided evidence that mutant cell lines doubled the accumulation level of anthocyanins biosynthesized. Moreover, the production of these important pigments was stabilized over time.

Preparation and Curation of Omics Data for Genome-Wide Association Studies.

With the development of large-scale molecular phenotyping platforms, genome-wide association studies have greatly developed, being no longer limited to the analysis of classical agronomic traits, such as yield or flowering time, but also embracing the dissection of the genetic basis of molecular traits. Data generated by omics platforms, however, pose some technical and statistical challenges to the classical methodology and assumptions of an association study. Although genotyping data are subject to strict filtering procedures, and several advanced statistical approaches are now available to adjust for population structure, less attention has been instead devoted to the preparation of omics data prior to GWAS.

Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry variants for metabolomics research.

Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) variants currently represent the best tools to tackle the challenges of complexity and lack of comprehensive coverage of the metabolome. UHPLC offers flexible and efficient separation coupled with high-sensitivity detection via HRMS, allowing for the detection and identification of a broad range of metabolites. Here we discuss current common strategies for UHPLC-HRMS-based metabolomics, with a focus on expanding metabolome coverage.

Ancestral sequence reconstruction - An underused approach to understand the evolution of gene function in plants?

Whilst substantial research effort has been placed on understanding the interactions of plant proteins with their molecular partners, relatively few studies in plants - by contrast to work in other organisms - address how these interactions evolve. It is thought that ancestral proteins were more promiscuous than modern proteins and that specificity often evolved following gene duplication and subsequent functional refining. However, ancestral protein resurrection studies have found that some modern proteins have evolved from ancestors lacking those functions.

When a Crop Goes Back to the Wild: Feralization.

Feral plants have been known since the inception of modern agriculture, but the genetic changes during what seemed to be a simple reversion of a domesticated form are poorly understood. Recent studies, revealing the changes occurring in weedy rice, show an unexpected degree of differentiation in these feral escapes.

Domestication of Crop Metabolomes: Desired and Unintended Consequences.

The majority of the crops and vegetables of today were domesticated from their wild progenitors within the past 12 000 years. Considerable research effort has been expended on characterizing the genes undergoing positive and negative selection during the processes of crop domestication and improvement. Many studies have also documented how the contents of a handful of metabolites have been altered during human selection, but we are only beginning to unravel the true extent of the metabolic consequences of breeding.

Intraspecific Variability Largely Affects the Leaf Metabolomics Response to Isosmotic Macrocation Variations in Two Divergent Lettuce ( L.) Varieties.

Mineral elements are essential for plant growth and development and strongly affect crop yield and quality. To cope with an everchanging environment, plants have developed specific responses to combined nutrient variations. In this work, we investigated the effects of multifactorial treatments with three macrocations (K, Ca, and Mg) on lettuce ( L.

Integrating multi-omics data for crop improvement.

Our agricultural systems are now in urgent need to secure food for a growing world population. To meet this challenge, we need a better characterization of plant genetic and phenotypic diversity. The combination of genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics enables a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the complex architecture of many phenotypic traits of agricultural relevance.

Double Gamers-Can Modified Natural Regulators of Higher Plants Act as Antagonists against Phytopathogens? The Case of Jasmonic Acid Derivatives.

As key players in biotic stress response of plants, jasmonic acid (JA) and its derivatives cover a specific and prominent role in pathogens-mediated signaling and hence are promising candidates for a sustainable management of phytopathogenic fungi. Recently, JA directed antimicrobial effects on plant pathogens has been suggested, supporting the theory of oxylipins as double gamers in plant-pathogen interaction. Based on these premises, six derivatives (dihydrojasmone and cis-jasmone, two thiosemicarbazonic derivatives and their corresponding complexes with copper) have been evaluated against 13 fungal species affecting various economically important herbaceous and woody crops, such as cereals, grapes and horticultural crops: , , , , , , , f.

Nitrate and ammonium differ in their impact on δC of plant metabolites and respired CO from tobacco leaves.

The carbon isotopic composition (δC) of foliage is often used as proxy for plant performance. However, the effect of vs. supply on δC of leaf metabolites and respired CO is largely unknown.

Mobile Transposable Elements Shape Plant Genome Diversity.

The presence of various types of structural variants, including transposons, make up the major part of the genomic differences among plant species. Two recent papers, Domínguez et al. and Alonge et al.

The outer influences the inner: Postharvest UV-B irradiation modulates peach flesh metabolome although shielded by the skin.

UV-B-driven modulation of secondary metabolism in peach fruit by enhancing the biosynthesis of specific phenolic subclasses, is attracting interest among consumers. However, current literature explored the UV-B-induced metabolic changes only in peach skin subjected to direct UV-B irradiation. Accordingly, this study aimed to understand whether UV-B radiation penetrates the fruit skin and is able to induce metabolic changes also within the inner flesh.

Combining Molecular Weight Fractionation and Metabolomics to Elucidate the Bioactivity of Vegetal Protein Hydrolysates in Tomato Plants.

The comprehension of the bioactive fractions involved in the biostimulant activity of plant derived protein hydrolysates (PH) is a complex task, but it can also lead to significant improvements in the production of more effective plant biostimulants. The aim of this work is to shed light onto the bioactivity of different PH dialysis fractions (PH1 < 0.5-1 kDa; PH2 > 0.

Metabolic Insights into the Anion-Anion Antagonism in Sweet Basil: Effects of Different Nitrate/Chloride Ratios in the Nutrient Solution.

Sweet basil ( L.) is a highly versatile and globally popular culinary herb, and a rich source of aromatic and bioactive compounds. Particularly for leafy vegetables, nutrient management allows a more efficient and sustainable improvement of crop yield and quality.

The evolution of metabolism: How to test evolutionary hypotheses at the genomic level.

The origin of primordial metabolism and its expansion to form the metabolic networks extant today represent excellent systems to study the impact of natural selection and the potential adaptive role of novel compounds. Here we present the current hypotheses made on the origin of life and ancestral metabolism and present the theories and mechanisms by which the large chemical diversity of plants might have emerged along evolution. In particular, we provide a survey of statistical methods that can be used to detect signatures of selection at the gene and population level, and discuss potential and limits of these methods for investigating patterns of molecular adaptation in plant metabolism.

Proteomics Revealed Distinct Responses to Salinity between the Halophytes (L.) Dumort and (Roxb).

Plant resistance to salinity stress is one of the main challenges of agriculture. The comprehension of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in plant tolerance to salinity can help to contrast crop losses due to high salt conditions in soil. In this study, and , two plants with capacity to adapt to high salinity levels, were investigated at proteome level to highlight the key processes involved in their tolerance to NaCl.

Salinity and ABA Seed Responses in Pepper: Expression and Interaction of ABA Core Signaling Components.

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important role in various aspects of plant growth and development, including adaptation to stresses, fruit development and ripening. In seeds, ABA participates through its core signaling components in dormancy instauration, longevity determination, and inhibition of germination in unfavorable environmental conditions such as high soil salinity. Here, we show that seed germination in pepper was delayed but only marginally reduced by ABA or NaCl with respect to control treatments.

Metabolomic responses triggered by arbuscular mycorrhiza enhance tolerance to water stress in wheat cultivars.

Under global climate change forecasts, the pressure of environmental stressors (and in particular drought) on crop productivity is expected to rise and challenge further global food security. The application of beneficial microorganisms may represent an environment friendly tool to secure improved crop performance and yield stability. Accordingly, this current study aimed at elucidating the metabolomic responses triggered by mycorrhizal (Funneliformis mosseae) inoculation of durum (Triticum durum Desf.

Quantification of in Grapevine Bunch Trash by Real-Time PCR.

Quantification of colonization of grape bunch trash by is crucial for Botrytis bunch rot (BBR) control. A previously developed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method was adapted to quantify DNA in grape bunch trash, and a colonization coefficient (CC) was calculated as the ratio between the DNA concentrations of and of CC values increased linearly with the number of conidia of or the quantity of mycelium of added to the bunch trash increased. CC values also increased linearly in bunch trash samples containing increasing percentages of -colonized bunch trash; in the latter samples, CC values were correlated with subsequent assessments of colonization of trash (as determined by plating on agar) and sporulation on the trash (as determined by spore counts after incubation in humid chambers).

Effect of temperature on growth, wheat head infection, and nivalenol production by Fusarium poae.

Fusarium poae is one of the Fusarium species commonly detected in wheat kernels affected by Fusarium Head Blight. Fusarium poae produces a wide range of mycotoxins including nivalenol (NIV). The effect of temperature on colony growth and NIV production was investigated in vitro at 5-40 °C with 5 °C intervals.

A Polyphenol Rich Extract from L. DR2 Peel Exhibits Antioxidant Properties and Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Activity In Vitro.

DR2B and DR2C extracts, obtained by ethanolic maceration of peel from commercially and physiologically ripe aubergine berries, were studied for the antioxidative cytoprotective properties and anti-HSV-1 activity, in line with the evidence that several antioxidants can impair viral replication by maintaining reducing conditions in host cells. The antioxidative cytoprotective effects against tBOOH-induced damage were assessed in Caco2 cells, while antiviral activity was studied in Vero cells; polyphenolic fingerprints were characterized by integrated phytochemical methods. Results highlighted different compositions of the extracts, with chlorogenic acid and delphinidin-3-rutinoside as the major constituents; other peculiar phytochemicals were also identified.