Summary
Waxes are components of the cuticle covering the aerial organs of plants. Accumulation of waxes has previously been associated with protection against water loss, therefore contributing to ...drought tolerance. However, not much information is known about the function of individual wax components during water deficit. We studied the role of wax ester synthesis during drought. The wax ester load on Arabidopsis leaves and stems was increased during water deficiency. Expression of three genes, WSD1, WSD6 and WSD7 of the wax ester synthase/diacylglycerol acyltransferase (WS/DGAT or WSD) family was induced during drought, salt stress and abscisic acid treatment. WSD1 has previously been identified as the major wax ester synthase of stems. wsd1 mutants have shown reduced wax ester coverage on leaves and stems during normal or drought condition, while wax ester loads of wsd6, wsd7 and of the wsd6wsd7 double mutant were unchanged. The growth and relative water content of wsd1 plants were compromised during drought, while leaf water loss of wsd1 was increased. Enzyme assays with recombinant proteins expressed in insect cells revealed that WSD6 and WSD7 contain wax ester synthase activity, albeit with different substrate specificity compared with WSD1. WSD6 and WSD7 localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi. These results demonstrated that WSD1 is involved in the accumulation of wax esters during drought, while WSD6 and WSD7 might play other specific roles in wax ester metabolism during stress.
Significance Statement
We present analysis of the wsd1, wsd6 and wsd7 mutants from Arabidopsis deficient in wax ester synthase genes (WSD). We present the detailed wax ester composition of Arabidopsis leaves using highly sensitive direct infusion mass spectrometry. We demonstrate that wax esters accumulate under drought stress in leaves and stems, and that wsd1 mutant plants show decreased wax ester accumulation and reduced drought tolerance.
Phytohormones mediate plant development and responses to stresses caused by biotic agents or abiotic factors. The functions of phytohormones in responses to viral infection have been intensively ...studied, and the emerging picture of complex mechanisms provides insights into the roles that phytohormones play in defense regulation as a whole. These hormone signaling pathways are not simple linear or isolated cascades, but exhibit crosstalk with each other. Here, we summarized the current understanding of recent advances for the classical defense hormones salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET) and also the roles of abscisic acid (ABA), auxin, gibberellic acid (GA), cytokinins (CKs), and brassinosteroids (BRs) in modulating plant-virus interactions.
Besides the benefits of plant protection products (PPPs) for agricultural production, there is an increasing acknowledgement of the associated potential environmental risks. Here, we examine the ...feasibility of summarizing the extent of PPP usage at the country level, using Ireland as a case study, as well as at the European level. We used the area over which PPPs are applied (basic area) as an example variable that is relevant to initially assess the geographic extent of environmental risk. In Irish agricultural systems, which are primarily grass-based, herbicides fluroxypyr and glyphosate are the most widely applied active substances (ASs) in terms of basic area, followed by the fungicides chlorothalonil and prothioconazole that are closely associated with arable crops. Although all EU countries are subject to Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009, which sets the obligation of PPP usage data reporting at the national level, we only found usable data that met our criteria for Estonia, Germany, Finland, and Spain (4 of 30 countries reviewed). Overall, the most widely applied fungicide and herbicide in terms of basic area were prothioconazole (20%, 7% and 5% of national cultivated areas of Germany, Estonia and Ireland) and glyphosate (11%, 8% and 5% of national cultivated areas of Spain, Estonia and Ireland) respectively, although evaluations using application frequency may result in the observation of different trends. Several recommendations are proposed to tackle current data gaps and deficiencies in accessibility and usability of pesticide usage data across the EU in order to better inform environmental risk assessment and promote evidence-based policymaking.
One of the major problems in agricultural production is the control of various pests and diseases that can cause significant damage, and thus reduce or destroy the expected yield of agricultural ...crops. To successfully deal with these problems, farmers use different types of pesticides. Due to the growing concern for the protection of people and the environment, the number of active substances is reduced, and new active substances are formulated that are less harmful to the environment and users. Therefore, farmers are looking for additional opportunities and solutions in the fight against pests and diseases. Recently, new preparations marked as basic substances have appeared on the EU market, which can be used as additional solutions in the fight against pests and diseases. Legislation, through EC Regulation 1107/2009 at the EU level, sets a quality framework for the safe and efficient use of basic substances in agricultural production. An additional advantage of the application of most of these basic substances is their compliance for use in organic agricultural production. Although there are more than 20 different basic substances used, the most commonly used are liquid extracts of nettle (Urtica spp. L.) and horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.), as well as chitosan hydrochloride, soy lecithin and sodium hydrogen carbonate.
RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool that is being increasingly utilized for crop protection against viruses, fungal pathogens, and insect pests. The non-transgenic approach of spray-induced ...gene silencing (SIGS), which relies on spray application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to induce RNAi, has come to prominence due to its safety and environmental benefits in addition to its wide host range and high target specificity. However, along with promising results in recent studies, several factors limiting SIGS RNAi efficiency have been recognized in insects and plants. While sprayed dsRNA on the plant surface can produce a robust RNAi response in some chewing insects, plant uptake and systemic movement of dsRNA is required for delivery to many other target organisms. For example, pests such as sucking insects require the presence of dsRNA in vascular tissues, while many fungal pathogens are predominately located in internal plant tissues. Investigating the mechanisms by which sprayed dsRNA enters and moves through plant tissues and understanding the barriers that may hinder this process are essential for developing efficient ways to deliver dsRNA into plant systems. In this review, we assess current knowledge of the plant foliar and cellular uptake of dsRNA molecules. We will also identify major barriers to uptake, including leaf morphological features as well as environmental factors, and address methods to overcome these barriers.
As mandated by the EU and the national risk management duties, pesticide residues were determined by four specialized laboratories in 9924 samples taken from 119 crops of economic importance in ...Hungary and imported foodstuffs during 2017–2021. The screening method applied covered 622 pesticide residues as defined for enforcement purposes. The limit of detection ranged between 0.002 and 0.008 mg/kg. The 1.0% violation rate concerning all commodities was lower than in the European Union. No residue was detectable in 45.9% of the samples. For detailed analyses, six commodities (apple, cherry, grape, nectarine/peach, sweet peppers, and strawberry) were selected as they were analyzed in over 195 samples and most frequently contained residues. Besides testing their conformity with national MRLs, applying 0.3 MRL action limits for pre-export control, we found that 73% of the sampled lots would be compliant with ≥90% probability based on a second independent sampling. Multiple residues (2–23) in one sample were detected in 36–50% of the tested lots. Considering the provisions of integrated pest management, and the major pests and diseases of selected crops, normally three to four and exceptionally, seven to nine active ingredients with different modes of action should suffice for their effective and economic protection within four weeks before harvest.
Cellulose acetate (CA) has been a material of choice for spectrum of utilities across different domains ranging from high absorbing diapers to membrane filters. Electrospinning has conferred a whole ...new perspective to polymeric materials including CA in the context of multifarious applications across myriad of niches. In the present review, we try to bring out the recent trend (focused over last five years' progress) of research on electrospun CA fibers of nanoscale regime in the context of developmental strategies of their blends and nanocomposites for advanced applications. In the realm of biotechnology, electrospun CA fibers have found applications in biomolecule immobilization, tissue engineering, bio-sensing, nutraceutical delivery, bioseparation, crop protection, bioremediation and in the development of anti-counterfeiting and pH sensitive material, photocatalytic self-cleaning textile, temperature-adaptable fabric, and antimicrobial mats, amongst others. The present review discusses these diverse applications of electrospun CA nanofibers.
► Recent progress of electrospun cellulose acetate (eCA) nanofibers is focused. ► Novel synthesis protocols and development of eCA nanocomposites are highlighted. ► Avant-garde applications for biomedical and industrial domains are featured. ► eCA in drug delivery, tissue engineering, crop protection and bioremediation ► Development of eCA based biosensors, self-cleaning and antimicrobial textiles
Kemeny discusses The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the new standards that have been adopted into the multilateral treaty for the safe global trade of food and plants to combat the ...spread of pests and diseases across borders.
Carob moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a serious pest of pomegranate orchards in several parts of the world, including Turkey. Insecticides are often not a viable option ...to manage this pest as the larvae are protected inside the pomegranate fruit. This study evaluated the potential of fruit bagging (B), calyx removal (RC) and fruit bagging after calyx removal (BRC) for managing carob moth during 2016–2018 in two districts of Şanlıurfa Province, Turkey. Fifty trees were randomly selected from each location when pomegranate fruits reached the size of a walnut, i.e., approximately 3–5 cm diameter (end of May to start of June). Two fruits were marked for each method on each selected tree, whereas two fruits were reserved for control treatment. All fruits were examined during mid-August and late-September to determine carob moth infestation. The tested methods significantly (p < 0.01) differed for carob moth damage at both locations during each year. All the methods successfully controlled carob moth compared to control treatment. Infestation rate was 0%, 3.75% 23.75% and 57.25% for BRC, B, RC and control treatments, respectively. Covering pomegranate fruits with net bags has potential as an environment-friendly alternative management method for carob moth. Fruit bagging after calyx removal can give 100% control of the pest without any damage to the fruit. Nonetheless, future studies are needed to explore whether bagging can protect fruits from abiotic stresses and other pests.
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•Environment-friendly alternative management methods were investigated for the control of carob moth.•Fruit bagging after calyx removal can give 100% control of carob moth.•All the methods successfully controlled carob moth compared to control.•Fruit bagging after calyx removal is recommended for successful management of carob moth.
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