The common ancestor of seed plants and mosses contained homo-oligomeric cellulose synthesis complexes (CSCs) composed of identical subunits encoded by a single CELLULOSE SYNTHASE (CESA) gene. Seed ...plants use different CESA isoforms for primary and secondary cell wall deposition. Both primary and secondary CESAs form hetero-oligomeric CSCs that assemble and function in planta only when all the required isoforms are present. The moss Physcomitrium (Physcomitrella) patens has seven CESA genes that can be grouped into two functionally and phylogenetically distinct classes. Previously, we showed that PpCESA3 and/or PpCESA8 (class A) together with PpCESA6 and/or PpCESA7 (class B) form obligate hetero-oligomeric complexes required for normal secondary cell wall deposition. Here, we show that gametophore morphogenesis requires a member of class A, PpCESA5, and is sustained in the absence of other PpCESA isoforms. PpCESA5 also differs from the other class A PpCESAs as it is able to self-interact and does not co-immunoprecipitate with other PpCESA isoforms. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that homo-oligomeric CSCs containing only PpCESA5 subunits synthesize cellulose required for gametophore morphogenesis. Analysis of mutant phenotypes also revealed that, like secondary cell wall deposition, normal protonemal tip growth requires class B isoforms (PpCESA4 or PpCESA10), along with a class A partner (PpCESA3, PpCESA5, or PpCESA8). Thus, P. patens contains both homo-oligomeric and hetero-oligomeric CSCs.
Inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, and mucositis are characterized by intestinal inflammation, but vary according to their pathological mechanisms, severity, location, and ...etiology. Significant intestinal inflammation that occurs in these diseases induces weight loss, nutritional depletion, and gastrointestinal tract dysfunction. Nutritional support is important in alleviating symptoms and improving patients’ quality of life. In this review, we summarize some nutritional components used to manage intestinal disorders. These include fatty acids, probiotics, parabiotics, postbiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and low FODMAP (LFD) diets. These components and LFD diets have been studied and clinical trials have been designed to develop new strategies to alleviate intestinal inflammation and improve the quality of life. Clinical trials on their use in intestinal inflammation do not allow firm conclusions to be drawn mainly because of the heterogeneity of the dose used and the study design or their inconclusive results. However, in the majority of cases, the use of omega-3, probiotics, parabiotics, postbiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and LFD improve the health.
•Omega 3 fatty acids act as an anti-inflammatory mediator for Crohn's diseases.•The use of prebiotic FOS or inulin for 4 weeks ameliorates IBD and mucositis symptoms.•The probiotics from genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can contribute to the treatment of IBD and IBS patients.•A diet with a low concentration of FODMAP reduces abdominal discomfort in IBD and IBS patients.
Miscanthus, a C4 perennial rhizomatous grass, is a low‐input energy crop suitable for marginal land, which cultivation can improve soil quality and promote soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. In ...this study, four promising Miscanthus hybrids were chosen to evaluate their short‐term potential, in six European marginal sites, to sequester SOC and improve physical, chemical, and biological soil quality in topsoil. Overall, no differences among Miscanthus hybrids were detected in terms of impacts on soil quality and SOC sequestration. SOC sequestration rate after 4 years was of +0.4 Mg C ha−1 year−1, but land‐use transition from former cropland or grassland showed contrasting SOC sequestration trajectories. In unfertilized marginal lands, cultivation of high‐yielding Miscanthus genotypes caused a depletion of K (−216 kg ha−1 year−1), followed by Ca (−56 kg ha−1 year−1), Mg (−102 kg ha−1 year−1) and to a lesser extent of N. On the contrary, the biological turnover of organic matter increased the available P content (+164 kg P2O5 ha−1 year−1). SOC content was identified as the main driver of changes in biological soil quality. High input of labile plant C stimulated an increment of microbial biomass and enzymatic activity. Here, a novel approach was applied to estimate C input to soil from different Miscanthus organs. Despite the high estimated plant C input to soil (0.98 Mg C ha−1 year−1), with significant differences among sites and Miscanthus hybrids, it was not identified as a driver of SOC sequestration. On the contrary, initial SOC and nutrients (N, P) content, as well as their elemental stoichiometric ratios with C, were the key factors controlling SOC dynamics. Introducing Miscanthus on marginal lands impacts positively soil biological quality over the short term, but targeted fertilization plans are needed to secure crop yield over the long term as well as the C sink capacity of this perennial cropping system.
Advances in Miscanthus domestication are needed to breed novel genotypes to secure feedstock for the bio‐based economy and offering environmental benefits. Here, novel high‐yielding Miscanthus hybrids were chosen to evaluate their potential to sequester soil organic carbon and improve soil quality on marginal lands. To do this, plant carbon input to soil was estimated, while multiple soil quality indicators were assessed. Results suggested that introducing Miscanthus impacts positively soil biological quality, but targeted fertilization plans are needed to secure crop yield over the long term as well as the C sink capacity of this perennial cropping system.
Starch phosphate esters are crucial in starch metabolism and render valuable functionality to starches for various industrial applications. A potato glucan, water dikinase (GWD1) was introduced in ...tubers of two different potato genetic backgrounds: an amylose-containing line Kardal and the amylose-free mutant amf. In both backgrounds, this resulted in two contrasting effects, a number of plants showed higher phosphate content compared to the respective control, while others lines exhibited lower phosphate content, thereby generating two series of starches with broad-scale variation in phosphate content. The results of systematic analyses on these two series of starches revealed that starch phosphate content strongly influenced starch granule morphology, amylose content, starch fine structure, gelatinization characteristics and freeze-thaw stability of starch gels. Further analyses on the expression level of genes involved in starch metabolism suggested that starch phosphorylation regulates starch synthesis by controlling the carbon flux into starch while simultaneously modulating starch-synthesizing genes.
Drought tolerance in Miscanthus sinensis is a desirable trait because of its potential use to develop new varieties, namely intra‐specific hybrids, adapted to drought‐prone marginal lands. In this ...study, drought tolerance was evaluated on 8 M. sinensis intra‐specific hybrids (GRC1–GRC8). Plants were grown in the growth chamber (14/10 h, 25/20°C, 70% relative air humidity and 300 μmol m−2 s−1 irradiance). Drought was induced by withholding irrigation for 21 days (stress phase) and after re‐watering (recovery phase) for 7 days. Nondestructive multispectral 3D images for plant morphology, color, and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging were used to quantify drought‐induced changes on a weekly basis for the entire duration of the experiment. Total leaf area (TLA) and digital biomass (DB) responded most rapidly to water deficits (7–14 days), followed by leaf senescence (14–21 days), and finally, a drop in the maximum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm; 21 days). Traits measured on the last day of the drought treatment were used to calculate the phenotypic plasticity. Significant differences in drought susceptibility and phenotypic plasticity were found among the studied hybrids. Drought treatment (21 days) reduced DB and TLA on average by 50%, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) by 20% and Fv/Fm from 0.79 (in control) to 0.69 in the less drought‐susceptible hybrids (GRC4 and GRC5), whereas in drought‐sensitive hybrids (GRC2 and GRC3), 21 days of drought reduced DB and TLA on average by 80%, NDVI by 45% and Fv/Fm dropped from 0.79 (in control) to 0.35. The more drought‐resilient hybrids showed lower phenotypic plasticity than their more sensitive counterparts, a stay‐green strategy enabled through lower biomass accumulation and by extension, reduced water usage. Multispectral imaging and image analysis enabled fast and nondestructive quantification of plant morphological and physiological responses under drought conditions and could be used as an effective screening tool for drought susceptibility.
Miscanthus (M. sacchariflorus × M. sinensis) is relatively sensitive to drought, while it may be possible to increase drought tolerance through breeding with drought‐tolerant parental genotypes. Due to the wide range of plant traits affected by drought, a more integrative approach that will use multiple sensors and gain information about multiple phenotypic traits is needed. Multispectral imaging and image analysis enabled fast and nondestructive quantification of plant morphological and physiological responses under drought conditions and could be used as an effective screening tool for drought susceptibility.
The impact that environmental factors have on the intracellular components of microalgae has been the focus of research for a number of decades. Despite that, their effects on the cell wall have ...received very little attention. In this study, we investigated how different growing conditions affect the cell walls of N. oleoabundans. The results revealed that the cell wall composition varied in that the modifications were different in the four cultivation media: freshwater nitrogen-replete (optimum culture) and -depleted conditions, and seawater nitrogen-replete and -depleted conditions. Nitrogen deficiency in freshwater cultivation was the only condition that significantly (p < .05) increased the total content of carbohydrates in the cell wall. The three most abundant components of freshwater-cultivated cell wall polysaccharides were rhamnose, galactose and glucuronic acid whereas in seawater media the main components of cell wall polysaccharides were rhamnose, glucose and galactose. The combined results of the biochemical analyses and monoclonal antibodies epitope-binding revealed that N. oleoabundans cell walls are likely composed of sulphated polysaccharides enriched in mannose, β-(1 → 4)-d-mannans, and glucose as they grow in seawater. Salinity and nitrogen deficiency also had an impact on the nitrogenous components of the cell wall. Under these conditions we observed a decrease in glucosamine in the cell wall. The analysis of specific binding of monoclonal antibodies, revealed that the cell wall of N. oleoabundans is possibly enriched in arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs). Under salinity and nitrogen deficiency N. oleoabundans increased the proportion of the non-polar to polar amino acids in the cell walls. An increase of leucine in the cell walls may suggest that N. oleoabundans contains leucine-rich repeat proteins which are known to play a vital role in stress responses. This report provides new insights into microalgae cell wall biology and how cell walls are remodelled when growing under different conditions.
•N. oleoabundans cell wall remodelled when growing under different growing conditions.•Under saline conditions, cell wall possibly accumulates sulphated polysaccharides enriched in mannose and glucose.•Salinity and nitrogen deficiency have an impact on the nitrogenous components of the cell wall.•Under salinity and/or nitrogen deficiency, cell wall increased the proportion of the non-polar to polar amino acids.•The cell wall of N. oleoabundans is probably enriched in arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs).
The production of bioenergy from grasses has been developing quickly during the last decade, with Miscanthus being among the most important choices for production of bioethanol. However, one of the ...key barriers to producing bioethanol is the lack of information about cell wall structure. Cell walls are thought to display compositional differences that lead to emergence of a very high level of complexity, resulting in great diversity in cell wall architectures. In this work, a set of different techniques was used to access the complexity of cell walls of different genotypes of Miscanthus sinensis in order to understand how they interfere with saccharification efficiency. Three genotypes of M. sinensis displaying different patterns of correlation between lignin content and saccharification efficiency were subjected to cell wall analysis by quantitative/qualitative analytical techniques such as monosaccharide composition, oligosaccharide profiling, and glycome profiling. When saccharification efficiency was correlated negatively with lignin, the structural features of arabinoxylan and xyloglucan were found to contribute positively to hydrolysis. In the absence of such correlation, different types of pectins, and some mannans contributed to saccharification efficiency. Different genotypes of M. sinensis were shown to display distinct interactions among their cell wall components, which seem to influence cell wall hydrolysis.
Demand for sustainably produced biomass is expected to increase with the need to provide renewable commodities, improve resource security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with COP26 ...commitments. Studies have demonstrated additional environmental benefits of using perennial biomass crops (PBCs), when produced appropriately, as a feedstock for the growing bioeconomy, including utilisation for bioenergy (with or without carbon capture and storage). PBCs can potentially contribute to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) (2023–27) objectives provided they are carefully integrated into farming systems and landscapes. Despite significant research and development (R&D) investment over decades in herbaceous and coppiced woody PBCs, deployment has largely stagnated due to social, economic and policy uncertainties. This paper identifies the challenges in creating policies that are acceptable to all actors. Development will need to be informed by measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of greenhouse gas emissions reductions and other environmental, economic and social metrics. It discusses interlinked issues that must be considered in the expansion of PBC production: (i) available land; (ii) yield potential; (iii) integration into farming systems; (iv) R&D requirements; (v) utilisation options; and (vi) market systems and the socio‐economic environment. It makes policy recommendations that would enable greater PBC deployment: (1) incentivise farmers and land managers through specific policy measures, including carbon pricing, to allocate their less productive and less profitable land for uses which deliver demonstrable greenhouse gas reductions; (2) enable greenhouse gas mitigation markets to develop and offer secure contracts for commercial developers of verifiable low‐carbon bioenergy and bioproducts; (3) support innovation in biomass utilisation value chains; and (4) continue long‐term, strategic R&D and education for positive environmental, economic and social sustainability impacts.
Perennial biomass crops (PBCs) can potentially contribute to Common Agricultural Policy (2023–27) objectives provided they are carefully integrated into farming systems and landscapes. Despite significant research and development (R&D) investment over decades in herbaceous and coppiced woody PBCs, deployment has largely stagnated due to social, economic and policy uncertainties. This paper identifies the challenges in creating policies that are acceptable to all actors and discusses the interlinked issues: (i) available land; (ii) yield potential; (iii) integration into farming systems; (iv) R&D requirements; (v) utilisation options; and (vi) market systems and the socio‐economic environment.
Hemp (
L.) is a bast-fiber crop with a great potential in the emerging bio-based economy. Yet, hemp breeding for fiber quality is restricted and that is mainly due to the limited knowledge of the ...genetic architecture of its fiber quality. A panel of 123 hemp accessions, with large phenotypic variability, was used to study the genetic basis of seven cell wall and bast fiber traits relevant to fiber quality. These traits showed large genetic variance components and high values of broad sense heritability in this hemp panel, as concluded from the phenotypic evaluation across three test locations with contrasting environments. The hemp panel was genotyped using restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq). Subsequently, a large set (> 600,000) of selected genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers was used for a genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach to get insights into quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling fiber quality traits. In absence of a complete hemp genome sequence, identification of QTLs was based on the following characteristics: (i) association level to traits, (ii) fraction of explained trait variance, (iii) collinearity between QTLs, and (iv) detection across different environments. Using this approach, 16 QTLs were identified across locations for different fiber quality traits, including contents of glucose, glucuronic acid, mannose, xylose, lignin, and bast fiber content. Among them, six were found across the three environments. The genetic markers composing the QTLs that are common across locations are valuable tools to develop novel genotypes of hemp with improved fiber quality. Underneath the QTLs, 12 candidate genes were identified which are likely to be involved in the biosynthesis and modification of monosaccharides, polysaccharides, and lignin. These candidate genes were suggested to play an important role in determining fiber quality in hemp. This study provides new insights into the genetic architecture of fiber traits, identifies QTLs and candidate genes that form the basis for molecular breeding for high fiber quality hemp cultivars.
Miscanthus, a C4 perennial rhizomatous grass from Asia is a leading candidate for the supply of sustainable biomass needed to grow the bioeconomy. European Miscanthus breeding programmes have ...recently produced a new range of seeded hybrids with the objective of increasing scalability to large acreages limited by current clonal propagation. For the EU‐GRACE project, new replicated field trials were established in seven locations across Europe in 2018 with eight intraspecific M. sinensis hybrids (sin × sin) and six M. sacchariflorus × M. sinensis (sac × sin) from Dutch and UK breeding programmes, respectively, with clonal Miscanthus × giganteus. The planting density of the sin × sin was double that of sac × sin (30,000 & 15,000 plants ha−1), creating commercially relevant upscaling comparisons between systems. Over the first 3 years, the establishment depended on location and hybrid. The mature sin × sin hybrids formed tight tufts of shoots up to 2.5 m tall which flower and senesce earlier than the taller sac × sin hybrids. Following the third growing season, the highest yields were recorded in Northern Italy at a low altitude (average 13.7 (max 21) Mg DM ha−1) and the lowest yielding was on the industrially damaged marginal land site in Northern France (average 7.0 (max 10) Mg DM ha−1). Moisture contents at spring harvest were lowest in Croatia (21.7%) and highest in Wales, UK (41.6%). Overall, lower moisture contents at harvest, which are highly desirable for transport, storage and for most end‐use applications, were found in sin × sin hybrids than sac × sin (30% and 40%, respectively). Yield depended on climate interactions with the hybrid and their associated planting systems. The sin × sin hybrids appeared better adapted to northern Europe and sac × sin hybrids to southern Europe. Longer‐term yield observations over crop lifespans will be needed to explore the biological (yield persistence) and economic costs and benefits of the different hybrid systems.
Miscanthus is a leading candidate for the supply of sustainable biomass. Breeding programmes have recently produced the first range of seeded hybrids to increase scalability. We established eight intraspecific M. sinensis hybrids and six M. sacchariflorus × M. sinensis hybrids including commercial clonal Miscanthus × giganteus at seven sites across Europe with marginal land. The highest yields were recorded in Northern Italy and the lowest on industrially damaged land in Northern France. Yield depended on climate interactions with the hybrid, with the sinensis hybrids better adapted to northern Europe.
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