| 1. |
- Ainsworth, Elizabeth A., et al.
(author)
-
Next generation of elevated [CO2] experiments with crops: a critical investment for feeding the future world
- 2008
-
In: Plant, Cell and Environment. - : Wiley. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 31:9, s. 1317-1324
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A rising global population and demand for protein-rich diets are increasing pressure to maximize agricultural productivity. Rising atmospheric [CO2] is altering global temperature and precipitation patterns, which challenges agricultural productivity. While rising [CO2] provides a unique opportunity to increase the productivity of C-3 crops, average yield stimulation observed to date is well below potential gains. Thus, there is room for improving productivity. However, only a fraction of available germplasm of crops has been tested for CO2 responsiveness. Yield is a complex phenotypic trait determined by the interactions of a genotype with the environment. Selection of promising genotypes and characterization of response mechanisms will only be effective if crop improvement and systems biology approaches are closely linked to production environments, that is, on the farm within major growing regions. Free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiments can provide the platform upon which to conduct genetic screening and elucidate the inheritance and mechanisms that underlie genotypic differences in productivity under elevated [CO2]. We propose a new generation of large-scale, low-cost per unit area FACE experiments to identify the most CO2-responsive genotypes and provide starting lines for future breeding programmes. This is necessary if we are to realize the potential for yield gains in the future.
|
|
| 2. |
- Lagergren, Fredrik, et al.
(author)
-
Net primary production and light use efficiency in a mixed coniferous forest in Sweden
- 2005
-
In: Plant, Cell and Environment. - : Wiley. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 28:3, s. 412-423
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Simple light use efficiency (epsilon) models of net primary production (NPP) have recently been given great attention (NPP = epsilon x absorbed photosynthetically active radiation). The underlying relationships have, however, not been much studied on a time step less than a month. In this study daily NPP was estimated as the sum of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and heterotrophic respiration (R-h) of a mixed pine and spruce forest in Sweden. NEE was measured by eddy correlation technique and R-h was estimated from measurements of forest floor respiration (R-f) and the root share of R-f. The total yearly NPP was on average 810 g C m(-2) year(-1) for 3 years and yearly epsilon was between 0.58 and 0.71 g C MJ(-1), which is high in comparison with other studies. There was a seasonal trend in epsilon with a relatively constant level of approximately 0.90 g C MJ(-1) from April to September Daily NPP did not increase for daily intercepted radiation above 6 MJ m(-2) d(-1), indicating that between-years variation in NPP is not directly dependent on total Q(i). The light was most efficiently used at an average daytime temperature of around 15 degreesC. At daytime vapour pressure deficit above 1400 Pa epsilon was reduced by approximately 50%.
|
|
| 3. |
- Kalbina, Irina, et al.
(author)
-
Supplementary ultraviolet-B irradiation reveals differences in stress responses between Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes
- 2006
-
In: Plant, Cell and Environment. - : Wiley. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 29:5, s. 754-763
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Irradiation of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes C24, Wassilewskija (Ws) and Columbia-0 (Col-0) with supplementary ultraviolet-A+B (UV-A+B) radiation revealed ecotype-specific differences in expression of the gene for the pathogenesis-related protein PR-5. C24 showed an increased expression level of PR-5 (5- and 20-fold higher compared with Col-0 and Ws, respectively). Expression of other molecular markers such as CHS (encoding chalcone synthase), MEB5.2 [encoding a gene strongly up-regulated by ultraviolet-B (UV-B)] and PYROA [encoding a pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) biosynthesis enzyme] only showed slight differences between ecotypes. Oxidative stress during UVA+B exposure was monitored by staining for H2O2. This analysis also revealed important ecotype-specific differences. 'H2O2 hot spots' were found in C24, whereas an even distribution of H2O2 was found in Ws and Col-0. Necrotic lesions also appeared on C24 leaves after prolonged UV-B exposure. There was a reverse correlation between the H2O2 steady-state concentration and the PR-5 gene expression; Ws showed the highest level of H2O2 accumulation but the lowest expression level of the PR-5 gene. Furthermore, application of paraquat on the rosettes led to similar PR-5 expression and H2O2 accumulation patterns as were found after UV-A+B irradiation. The observed ecotypic differences were also reflected in a statistically significant UV-B-dependent decrease in biomass, rosette size and leaf area for Ws, but not for C24 and Col-0. Our results show that a significant ecotype-specific genetic variability in general UV-B responses in Arabidopsis exists. Moreover, the signal transduction or gene regulation pathway for PR-5 differs from the other molecular markers used in this study.
|
|
| 4. |
- Keech, Olivier, et al.
(author)
-
The different fate of mitochondria and chloroplasts during dark-induced senescence in Arabidopsis leaves
- 2007
-
In: Plant, Cell and Environment. - Oxford : Blackwell Scientific Publications Ltd. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 30:12, s. 1523-1534
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Senescence is an active process allowing the reallocation of valuable nutrients from the senescing organ towards storage and/or growing tissues. Using Arabidopsis thaliana leaves from both whole darkened plants (DPs) and individually darkened leaves (IDLs), we investigated the fate of mitochondria and chloroplasts during dark-induced leaf senescence. Combining in vivo visualization of fates of the two organelles by three-dimensional reconstructions of abaxial parts of leaves with functional measurements of photosynthesis and respiration, we showed that the two experimental systems displayed major differences during 6 d of dark treatment. In whole DPs, organelles were largely retained in both epidermal and mesophyll cells. However, while the photosynthetic capacity was maintained, the capacity of mitochondrial respiration decreased. In contrast, IDLs showed a rapid decline in photosynthetic capacity while maintaining a high capacity for mitochondrial respiration throughout the treatment. In addition, we noticed an unequal degradation of organelles in the different cell types of the senescing leaf. From these data, we suggest that metabolism in leaves of the whole DPs enters a ‘stand-by mode’ to preserve the photosynthetic machinery for as long as possible. However, in IDLs, mitochondria actively provide energy and carbon skeletons for the degradation of cell constituents, facilitating the retrieval of nutrients. Finally, the heterogeneity of the degradation processes involved during senescence is discussed with regard to the fate of mitochondria and chloroplasts in the different cell types.
|
|
| 5. |
- Lundmark, Maria, et al.
(author)
-
Carbon partitioning and export in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana with altered capacity for sucrose synthesisgrown at low temperture : a role for metabolite transporters
- 2006
-
In: Plant, Cell and Environment. - Oxford : Blackwell Scientific Publications Ltd. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 29:9, s. 1703-1714
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We investigated the role of metabolite transporters in cold acclimation by comparing the responses of wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis thaliana(Heynh.) with that of transgenic plants over-expressing sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPSox) or with that of antisense repression of cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPas). Plants were grown at 23 °C and then shifted to 5 °C. We compared the leaves shifted to 5 °C for 3 and 10 d with new leaves that developed at 5 °C with control leaves on plants at 23 °C. At 23 °C, ectopic expression of SPS resulted in 30% more carbon being fixed per day and an increase in sucrose export from source leaves. This increase in fixation and export was supported by increased expression of the plastidic triose-phosphate transporter AtTPT and, to a lesser extent, the high-affinity Suc transporter AtSUC1. The improved photosynthetic performance of the SPSox plants was maintained after they were shifted to 5 °C and this was associated with further increases in AtSUC1 expression but with a strong repression of AtTPT mRNA abundance. Similar responses were shown by WT plants during acclimation to low temperature and this response was attenuated in the low sucrose producing FBPas plants. These data suggest that a key element in recovering flux through carbohydrate metabolism in the cold is to control the partitioning of metabolites between the chloroplast and the cytosol, and Arabidopsis modulates the expression of AtTPT to maintain balanced carbon flow. Arabidopsis also up-regulates the expression of AtSUC1, and to lesser extent AtSUC2, as down-stream components facilitate sucrose transport in leaves that develop at low temperatures.
|
|
| 6. |
- Zaragoza-Castells, Joana, et al.
(author)
-
Does growth irradiance affect temperature dependence and thermal acclimation of leaf respiration? Insights from a Mediterranean tree with long-lived leaves.
- 2007
-
In: Plant Cell & Environment. - : Wiley. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 30:7, s. 820-33
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Understanding the response of leaf respiration (R) to changes in irradiance and temperature is a prerequisite for predicting the impacts of climate change on plant function and future atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Little is known, however, about the interactive effects of irradiance and temperature on leaf R. We investigated whether growth irradiance affects the temperature response of leaf R in darkness (Rdark) and in light (Rlight) in seedlings of a broad-leaved evergreen species, Quercus ilex. Two hypotheses concerning Rdark were tested: (1) the Q10 (i.e. the proportional increase in R per 10 °C rise in temperature) of leaf Rdark is lower in shaded plants than in high-light-grown plants, and (2) shade-grown plants exhibit a lower degree of thermal acclimation of Rdark than plants exposed to higher growth irradiance. We also assessed whether light inhibition of Rlight differs between leaves exposed to contrasting temperatures and growth irradiances, and whether the degree of thermal acclimation of Rlight is dependent on growth irradiance. We showed that while growth irradiance did impact on photosynthesis, it had no effect on the Q10 of leaf Rdark. Growth irradiance had little impact on thermal acclimation when fully expanded, pre-existing leaves were exposed to contrasting temperatures for several weeks. When Rlight was measured at a common irradiance, Rlight/Rdark ratios were higher in shaded plants due to homeostasis of Rlight between growth irradiance treatments and to the lower Rdark in shaded leaves. We also showed that Rlight does not acclimate to the same degree as Rdark, and that Rlight/Rdark decreases with increasing measuring and growth temperatures, irrespective of the growth irradiance. Collectively, we raised the possibility that predictive carbon cycle models can assume that growth irradiance and photosynthesis do not affect the temperature sensitivity of leaf Rdark of long-lived evergreen leaves, thus simplifying incorporation of leaf R into such models.
|
|
| 7. |
- Zarter, C Ryan, et al.
(author)
-
Winter acclimation of PsbS and related proteins in the evergreen Arctostaphylos uva-ursi as influenced by altitude and light environment.
- 2006
-
In: Plant, Cell & Environment. - : Wiley. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 29:5, s. 869-78
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The evergreen groundcover bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi[L.] Sprengel) was characterized over two successive years (2002–2004) from both sun-exposed and shaded sites at a montane ponderosa pine and subalpine forest community of 1900- and 2800-m-high altitudes, respectively. During summer, photosynthetic capacities and pre-dawn photosystem II (PSII) efficiency were similarly high in all four populations, and in winter, only the sun-exposed and shaded populations at 2800 m exhibited complete down-regulation of photosynthetic oxygen evolution capacity and consistent sustained down-regulation of PSII efficiency. This photosynthetic down-regulation at high altitude involved a substantial decrease in PSII components [pheophytin, D1 protein, oxygen evolving complex ([OEC)], a strong up-regulation of several anti-early-light-inducible protein (Elip)- and anti-high-light-inducible protein (Hlip)-reactive bands and a warm-sustained retention of zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin (Z + A). PsbS, the protein modulating the rapid engagement and disengagement of Z + A in energy dissipation, exhibited its most pronounced winter increases in the shade at 1900 m, and thus apparently assumes a greater role in providing rapidly reversible zeaxanthin-dependent photoprotection during winter when light becomes excessive in the shaded population, which remains photosynthetically active. It is attractive to hypothesize that PsbS relatives (Elips/Hlips) may be involved in sustained zeaxanthin-dependent photoprotection under the more extreme winter conditions at 2800 m.
|
|
| 8. |
- Benedict, Catherine, et al.
(author)
-
The CBF1-dependent low temperature signalling pathway, regulon and increase in freeze tolerance are conserved in Populus spp
- 2006
-
In: Plant, Cell and Environment. - Oxford : Blackwell Scientific Publications Ltd. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 29:7, s. 1259-1272
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The meristematic tissues of temperate woody perennials must acclimate to freezing temperatures to survive the winter and resume growth the following year. To determine whether the C-repeat binding factor (CBF) family of transcription factors contributing to this process in annual herbaceous species also functions in woody perennials, we investigated the changes in phenotype and transcript profile of transgenic Populus constitutively expressing CBF1 from Arabidopsis (AtCBF1). Ectopic expression of AtCBF1 was sufficient to significantly increase the freezing tolerance of non-acclimated leaves and stems relative to wild-type plants. cDNA microarray experiments identified genes up-regulated by ectopic AtCBF1 expression in Populus, demonstrated a strong conservation of the CBF regulon between Populus and Arabidopsis and identified differences between leaf and stem regulons. We studied the induction kinetics and tissue specificity of four CBF paralogues identified from the Populus balsamifera subsp. trichocarpa genome sequence (PtCBFs). All four PtCBFs are cold-inducible in leaves, but only PtCBF1 and PtCBF3 show significant induction in stems. Our results suggest that the central role played by the CBF family of transcriptional activators in cold acclimation of Arabidopsis has been maintained in Populus. However, the differential expression of the PtCBFs and differing clusters of CBF-responsive genes in annual (leaf) and perennial (stem) tissues suggest that the perennial-driven evolution of winter dormancy may have given rise to specific roles for these 'master-switches' in the different annual and perennial tissues of woody species.
|
|
| 9. |
- Henriksson, Eva, et al.
(author)
-
Salt stress signalling and the role of calcium in the regulation of the Arabidopsis ATHB7 gene
- 2005
-
In: Plant, Cell and Environment. - : Wiley. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 28:2, s. 202-210
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In plants changes in cytosolic calcium ion concentrations ([Ca2+]cyt) have been detected after various stress treatments, including salt treatment. The involvement of a Ca2+ signal as an essential component of signalling pathways leading to downstream responses, such as gene expression, is supported only by a few studies. In this study the possible involvement of the salt stress-induced increase in [Ca2+]cyt in the signalling pathway leading to the induction of ATHB7, a homeobox gene encoding a homeodomain leucine zipper (HDZip) transcription factor was analysed. The salt-induced expression of ATHB7 was found to be independent of the Ca2+ signal evoked by salt. Instead, it was found that ATHB7 expression in shoots was not dependent on a direct contact with salt or osmoticum, whereas in roots, ATHB7 seemed to be induced by the direct contact, indicating that signals from roots cause systemic induction of ATHB7. Abscisic acid (ABA) or ABA-dependent components were found to, at least partly, to function as the systemic signal.
|
|
| 10. |
- Kalbina, Irina, et al.
(author)
-
The role of NADPH oxidase and MAP kinase phosphatase in UV-B-dependent gene expression in Arabidopsis
- 2006
-
In: Plant, Cell and Environment. - : Wiley. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 29:9, s. 1783-1793
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Plant responses to supplementary UV-B irradiation have been reported to include formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide, in particular, and regulation by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades which in turn are fine-tuned by MAPK phosphatases (MKPs). Here we present direct genetic evidence for the involvement of plasma membrane NADPH oxidase, a source of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in the apoplasts, in UV-B signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana, by analysis of gene expression of the UV-B molecular markers in NADPH oxidase (atrbohD, F and DF) and MAP kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP1) knockout mutants (mkp1). Whereas the NADPH oxidase mutants were affected in UV-B-dependent CHS, PYROA and MEB5.2 gene expression, the mkp1 mutant was affected in the general expression pattern of the pathogenesis-related (PR) and PDF1.2 genes. The results indicate involvement of MKP1 in repressive action on gene expression of more general stress response pathways, similar to those activated by pathogen attack, while NADPH oxidase is involved in quantitative (rather than absolute) regulation of more UV-B-specific genes. The expressions of the molecular markers in the knockout mutant mkp1 and in its complemented lines (lines 6 and 10) were similar, as opposed to the responses of the corresponding wild-type Wassilewskija-4 (Ws-4). Lines 6 and 10 showed much higher MKP1 mRNA than Ws-4 but did not complement the mutant. This suggests a complex dependency of the MAPK phosporylation level of the PR and PDF1.2 genes. Both NADPH oxidase mutants and the mkp1 mutant phenotypically responded to UV-B by growth retardation.
|
|
| 11. |
- Medhurst, J., et al.
(author)
-
A whole-tree chamber system for examining tree-level physiological responses of field-grown trees to environmental variation and climate change
- 2006
-
In: Plant Cell and Environment. - : Wiley. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 29:9, s. 1853-1869
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A whole-tree chamber (WTC) system was installed at Flakaliden in northern Sweden to examine the long-term physiological responses of field-grown 40-year-old Norway spruce trees [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] to climate change. The WTCs were designed as large cuvettes to allow the net tree-level CO2 and water fluxes to be measured on a continuous basis. A total of 12 WTCs were used to impose combinations of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, [CO2], and air temperature treatments. The air inside the ambient and elevated [CO2] WTCs was maintained at 365 and 700 mu mol mol(-1), respectively. The air temperature inside the ambient temperature WTCs tracked air temperature outside the WTCs. Elevated temperatures were altered on a monthly time-step and ranged between +2.8 and +5.6 degrees C above ambient temperature. The system allowed continuous, long-term measurement of whole-tree photosynthesis, night-time respiration and transpiration. The performance of the WTCs was assessed using winter and spring data sets. The ability of the WTC system to measure tree-level physiological responses is demonstrated. All WTCs displayed a high level of control over tracking of air temperatures. The set target of 365 mu mol mol(-1) in the ambient [CO2] chambers was too low to be maintained during winter because of tree dormancy and the high natural increase in [CO2] over winter at high latitudes such as the Flakaliden site. Accurate control over [CO2] in the ambient [CO2] chambers was restored during the spring and the system maintained the elevated [CO2] target of 700 mu mol mol(-1) for both measurement periods. Air water vapour deficit (VPD) was accurately tracked in ambient temperature WTCs. However, as water vapour pressure in all 12 WTCs was maintained at the level of non-chambered (reference) air, VPD of elevated temperature WTCs was increased.
|
|
| 12. |
- Overmyer, Kirk, et al.
(author)
-
Complex phenotypic profiles leading to ozone sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants
- 2008
-
In: Plant, Cell and Environment. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040. ; 31:9, s. 1237-1249
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genetically tractable model plants offer the possibility of defining the plant O3 response at the molecular level. To this end, we have isolated a collection of ozone (O3)‐sensitive mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana. Mutant phenotypes and genetics were characterized. Additionally, parameters associated with O3 sensitivity were analysed, including stomatal conductance, sensitivity to and accumulation of reactive oxygen species, antioxidants, stress gene‐expression and the accumulation of stress hormones. Each mutant has a unique phenotypic profile, with O3 sensitivity caused by a unique set of alterations in these systems. O3 sensitivity in these mutants is not caused by gross deficiencies in the antioxidant pathways tested here. The rcd3 mutant exhibits misregulated stomata. All mutants exhibited changes in stress hormones consistent with the known hormonal roles in defence and cell death regulation. One mutant, dubbed re‐8, is an allele of the classic leaf development mutant reticulata and exhibits phenotypes dependent on light conditions. This study shows that O3 sensitivity can be determined by deficiencies in multiple interacting plant systems and provides genetic evidence linking these systems.
|
|
| 13. |
- Vandermeiren, K., et al.
(author)
-
Impact of rising tropospheric ozone on potato: effects on photosynthesis, growth, productivity and yield quality
- 2005
-
In: Plant Cell and Environment. - 0140-7791. ; 28:8, s. 982-996
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In view of its importance for human nutrition, the European Commission funded a collaborative research programme (1998-99) to evaluate the impact of future increases in atmospheric ozone (O-3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations on yield and tuber quality in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). This was the first large-scale open-top chamber project to provide field-based data spanning a wide range of European climatic conditions and ozone concentrations for a widely used cultivar, cv. Bintje. Intensive measurements of physiological and developmental effects were made throughout crop growth to improve the mechanistic understanding of the processes involved. Analysis of the experimental results and modelling work based on the extensive database revealed that the increasing tropospheric O-3 concentrations predicted under future climatic scenarios in Europe are likely to reduce tuber yield in potato. However, season-long exposure to elevated O-3 had both beneficial and detrimental effects on tuber quality. Most of the significant physiological and growth effects occurred during the later stages of crop development, when elevated O-3 reduced photosynthesis and promoted senescence. The observed changes in the quality and nutritional attributes of tubers, such as decreased content of reducing sugars and increased nitrogen concentrations, may be attributable to reduced carbohydrate allocation.
|
|
| 14. |
- Fagerås Böttcher, Malin, 1969-, et al.
(author)
-
Cytokine responses to allergens during the first 2 years of life in Estonian and Swedish children
- 2006
-
In: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 36:5, s. 619-628
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The prevalence of atopic disease among children in the formerly socialist countries in Europe, with a life style similar to that prevailing in Western Europe 30–40 years ago, is low, whereas there has been a pronounced increase in industrialized countries over the last decades. The environment during infancy influences the risk of developing allergy for many years, perhaps even for life.Objective To investigate the development of allergen-specific cytokine responses during the first 2 years of life in two geographically adjacent countries with marked differences in living conditions and incidence of atopic diseases, i.e. Estonia and Sweden.Methods The development of immune responses to food (β-lactoglobulin (BLG) and ovalbumin (OVA)) and inhalant (cat and birch) allergens was studied from birth up to the age of 2 years in 30 Estonian and 76 Swedish infants. Clinical investigation and skin prick tests were performed and blood samples were obtained at birth and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.Results The levels of IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13 secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with BLG, OVA and cat allergen in Estonian and Swedish infants declined during the first 3 months of life. All cytokines then progressively increased in the Swedish infants, indicating the replacement of non-specifically responding immature cord blood T cells with specific T memory cells, which are primed postnatally. The resurgence of allergen-specific responses in the Estonian infants was less marked. These differences were particularly notable for birch-specific T cell responses, which correlated with development of atopic disease in the Swedish children.Conclusions The development of specific T cell memory to food and inhalant allergens during the first 2 years of life differs between infants living in Sweden and Estonia, and mirrors the disparate patterns of expression of allergic disease which subsequently develops in the respective populations.
|
|
