<i>Endopolygalacturonase</i>Gene Polymorphisms: Asset of the Locus in Different Peach Accessions

Endopolygalacturonase (endoPG) plays a pivotal role in determining peach [Prunus persica L. (Batsch)] fruit characteristics. Different Pp-endoPG genes or allelic variants have been described, characterized by different polymorphisms: insertions-deletions (InDels) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Eighty-five peach accessions (comprising commercial cultivars, F1 progenies of selected crosses, and three haploid seedlings) with different flesh softening patterns (Non Melting: NM;Melting: M;Slow Softening: SS;Stony Hard: SH) were screened by exploiting specific polymorphisms, with the aim to characterize their asset at the endoPG locus and evaluate a potential relationship with fruit flesh texture phenotype. The results of InDel analysis allowed to distinguish, by a simple genotyping procedure, NM flesh phenotypes from the others. Further information arose from this analysis, showing that two Pp-endoPG genes, i.e., Pp-endoPGm (Ppa006839m), involved in the determination of the Melting/Non Melting trait, and Pp-endoPG_M (Ppa006857m), involved in the determination of the Clingstone/Freestone trait, always co-segregate, and that SS Big Top possesses a “null” Pp-endoPG allele. Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS) analysis allowed to preliminarily discriminate the Pp-endoPG variants of the SS and SH accessions considered. The integrated use of the considered polymorphisms in a high number of peach accessions proved useful, by individuating the different gene variants and their combinations, to describe the structure of the endoPG locus in different genotypes.

Estimation of carbon storage of forest biomass for voluntary carbon markets:preliminary results

Estimating the carbon storage of forests is essential to support climate change mitigation and promote the transition into a low-carbon emission economy.To achieve this goal,voluntary carbon markets(VCMs)are essential.VCMs are promoted by a spontaneous demand,not imposed by binding targets,as the regulated ones.In Italy,only in Veneto and Piedmont Regions(Northern Italy),VCMs through forestry activities were carried out.Valle Camonica District(Northern Italy,Lombardy Region)is ready for a local VCM,but carbon storage of its forests was never estimated.The aim of this work was to estimate the total carbon storage(TCS;t C ha^−1)of forest biomass of Valle Camonica District,at the stand level,taking into account:(1)aboveground biomass,(2)belowground biomass,(3)deadwood,and(4)litter.We developed a user-friendly model,based on site-specifi c primary(measured)data,and we applied it to a dataset of 2019 stands extracted from 45 Forest Management Plans.Preliminary results showed that,in 2016,the TCS achieved 76.02 t C ha^−1.The aboveground biomass was the most relevant carbon pool(48.86 t C ha^−1;64.27%of TCS).From 2017 to 2029,through multifunctional forest management,the TCS could increase of 2.48 t C ha^−1(+3.26%).In the same period,assuming to convert coppices stands to high forests,an additional TCS of 0.78 t C ha^−1(equal to 2.85 t CO 2 ha^−1)in the aboveground biomass could be achieved without increasing forest areas.The additional carbon could be certifi ed and exchanged on a VCM,contributing to climate change mitigation at a local level.

Winter Oilseed Crops after Soybeans as Tools for Weed Management in Brazilian Savannah Cropping Systems

We aimed with this study to evaluate the potential of oilseed crops planted following soybean, in terms of their ability to inhibit the occurrence of weed species under Brazilian Savannah cropping systems. The long-term experiment was installed in 2010 at Dourados, MS, Brazil, and in completely randomized blocks design with five replications with 12 × 24 m plot size. For three consecutive years (2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13), soybeans were planted in all the area by October/November being harvested in February/March, when previously marked plots were planted in April with: (1) radish (Raphanus sativus);(2) rapeseed (Brassica napus);(3) crambe (Crambe abyssinica);(4) winter fallow-no plantation after soybeans. In all years the same crop was repeated at the same plots, with no crop rotation. Phytosociological characterization of weed species was carried out in winter (after oilseeds harvest), pre-planting and post-emergence of soybean for the three years. Relative abundance, frequency and dominance, as well as the importance value for each species, was obtained. Areas were also intra-characterized by the coefficients of Simpson, Shannon-Weiner and Shannon-Weiner’s Evenness Proportion, and areas were compared for species dissimilarity with Jaccard’s presence-only coefficient, by multivariate cluster analysis. Oilseed crops definitely contribute for sustainable weed management as a cultural tool. The most important oilseed crop weeds in the Savannah-like region of Brazil were Amaranthus hybridus, Richardia brasiliensis, Lepidium virginicum, Leonotis nepetifolia and Hybanthus parviflorus. After three years of repetitive crop succession, some weeds were selected, and rotation in Winter is advised at least every two or three years.

LC-ESI-IT-MS/MS and MALDI-TOF Approach:Identification of Natural Polymers from Rhizophora mangle Barks and Determination of Their Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Properties

We recognize the chemical composition of the acetonic extract of Rhizophora mangle barks(AERM)using mass spectrometry analysis[liquid chromatography(LC)–ESI–IT-MS/MS and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-MS(MALDI-TOF)].Analgesic activity was evaluated by formalin and tail-flick experimental assays.Anti-inflammatory activity was performed by paw edema test induced by carrageenan and 48/80 compounds.The first series of experiments involved[LC]–FIA–IT-MS/MS with 11 separated catechins derivatives until degree of polymerization 3(DP3).The spectra obtained by MALDI-TOF analysis of the AERM presented two homologous series:one based on polymers of m/z 288 Da increments(up to DP12)and another series based on polymers of m/z[288?162]Da increments(up to DP11).In addition to these series of flavan-3-ol,each DP had a subset of masses with a variation of-16 Da(homologous series of afzelechins-m/z 873–3465 Da)and +16 Da(homologous series of gallocatechins-m/z 905–3497 Da).A similar pattern with homologous series of gallocatechins and afzelechins could also be observed for a fifth and a sixth monohexoside series:glucogallocatechins(m/z 779–3371)and glucoafzelechins(m/z 747–3339).The intraperitoneal administration of different doses of AERM(50,150 and 300 lg mL^(-1))have a morphine-like effect and intense anti-inflammatory activity.

Multi-omics Analysis of Young Portulaca oleracea L.Plants’Responses to High NaCl Doses Reveals Insights into Pathways and Genes Responsive to Salinity Stress in this Halophyte Species

Soil salinity is among the abiotic stressors that threaten agriculture the most,and purslane(Portulaca oleracea L.)is a dicot species adapted to inland salt desert and saline habitats that hyper accumulates salt and has high phytoremediation potential.Many researchers consider purslane a suitable model species to study the mechanisms of plant tolerance to drought and salt stresses.Here,a robust salinity stress protocol was developed and used to characterize the morphophysiological responses of young purslane plants to salinity stress;then,leaf tissue underwent characterization by distinct omics platforms to gain further insights into its response to very high salinity stress.The salinity stress protocol did generate different levels of stress by gradients of electrical conductivity at field capacity and water potential in the saturation extract of the substrate,and the morphological parameters indicated three distinct stress levels.As expected from a halophyte species,these plants remained alive under very high levels of salinity stress,showing salt crystal-like structures constituted mainly by Na^(+),Cl^(−),and K^(+)on and around closed stomata.A comprehensive and large-scale metabolome and transcriptome single and integrated analyses were then employed using leaf samples.The multi-omics integration(MOI)system analysis led to a data-set of 51 metabolic pathways with at least one enzyme and one metabolite differentially expressed due to salinity stress.These data sets(of genes and metabolites)are valuable for future studies aimed to deepen our knowledge on the mechanisms behind the high tolerance of this species to salinity stress.In conclusion,besides showing that this species applies salt exclusion already in young plants to support very high levels of salinity stress,the initial analysis of metabolites and transcripts data sets already give some insights into other salt tolerance mechanisms used by this species to support high levels of salinity stress.

Brazilian biosafety law and the new breeding technologies

Globally,the area of land cultivated with genetically modified(GM)crops has increased a thousand-fold over the last two decades.Although this technology has become important for food production,the regulatory frameworks that underpin these outcomes are based on a list of requirements for a risk assessment that differ from country to country.In recent years,policymakers have had the opportunity to learn from the controversies over transgenics to create effective regulatory milestones for emerging technologies,allowing them to reach their potential for a more sustainable agriculture,ensuring food security.In Brazil,Law No.11.105 of 24 March 2005 established a framework with four main organizations responsible for risk assessment and management.However,most of new breeding technologies did not exist at that time and were not considered in this law.In2016,Normative Resolution No.16 of the National Biosafety Technical Commission(CTNBio)was established to address this gap based on the evaluation of the products obtained through these techniques(termed Innovative Precision Improvement Techniques in the resolution),in a case-by-case consultation system.Briefly,if the product is designated to be a GM,the developer will have to go through the biosafety requirements and will be approved only after CTNBio risk assessment.If the product is designated not to be GM(for the purposes of the legislation),then it can be registered using the existing procedures.Currently,152 GM products are commercially approved in Brazil.In 2018,CTNBio assessed the first consultation on commercial release of plants generated using the new breeding technologies and has subsequently approved six products.It is expected that many institutions would be able to participate in Brazilian and world markets,developing and introducing new biotechnological solutions and products through a more sustainable approach and without facing public disapproval,a common issue for GM crops.