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Different Responses to Salinity of Pythium spp. Causing Root Rot on Atriplex hortensis var. rubra Grown in Hydroponics

by Emiliano Delli Compagni, Bruno Bighignoli, Piera Quattrocelli, Irene Nicolini, Marco Battellino, Alberto Pardossi and Susanna Pecchia

Agriculture 2025, 15(15), 1701; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151701 - 6 Aug 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5538

Abstract

Atriplex hortensis var. rubra (red orache, RO) is a halotolerant species rich in nutraceutical compounds, which makes it a valuable crop for human nutrition. This plant could also be exploited for phytoremediation of contaminated soil and wastewater, and for saline aquaponics. A root rot disease was observed on hydroponically grown RO plants, caused by Pythium deliense and Pythium Cluster B2a sp. Identification was based on morphology, molecular analysis (ITS and COI), and phylogenetic analysis. We assessed disease severity in plants grown in a growth chamber with nutrient solutions containing different NaCl concentrations (0, 7, and 14 g L⁻¹ NaCl). In vitro growth at different salinity levels and temperatures was also evaluated. Both Pythium species were pathogenic but showed different responses. Pythium deliense was significantly more virulent than Pythium Cluster B2a sp., causing a steady reduction in root dry weight (RDW) of 70% across all salinity levels. Pythium Cluster B2a sp. reduced RDW by 50% at 0 and 7 g L⁻¹ NaCl while no symptoms were observed at 14 g L⁻¹ NaCl. Pythium deliense grew best at 7 and 14 g L⁻¹ NaCl, while Pythium Cluster B2a sp. growth was reduced at 14 g L⁻¹ NaCl. Both pathogens had an optimum temperature of 30 °C. This is the first report of Pythium spp. causing root rot on RO grown hydroponically. The effective use of halophytic crops must consider pathogen occurrence and fitness in saline conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies to Improve the Security and Nutritional Quality of Crop Species—2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 3491 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hortensins, Type 1 Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins from Seeds of Red Mountain Spinach: Isolation, Characterization, and Their Effect on Glioblastoma Cells

by Sara Ragucci, Veronica Russo, Angela Clemente, Maria Giuseppina Campanile, Maria Antonietta Oliva, Nicola Landi, Paolo Vincenzo Pedone, Antonietta Arcella and Antimo Di Maro

Toxins 2024, 16(3), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16030135 - 4 Mar 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3342

Abstract

Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) are specific N-β-glycosylases that are well-characterized in plants. Their enzymatic action is to damage ribosomes, thereby blocking protein translation. Recently, several research groups have been working on the screening for these toxins in edible plants to facilitate the use of RIPs as biotechnological tools and biopesticides and to overcome public prejudice. Here, four novel monomeric (type 1) RIPs have been isolated from the seeds of Atriplex hortensis L. var. rubra, which is commonly known as edible red mountain spinach. These enzymes, named hortensins 1, 2, 4, and 5, are able to release the β-fragment and, like many other RIPs, adenines from salmon sperm DNA, thus, acting as polynucleotide:adenosine glycosidases. Structurally, hortensins have a different molecular weight and are purified with different yields (hortensin 1, ~29.5 kDa, 0.28 mg per 100 g; hortensin 2, ~29 kDa, 0.29 mg per 100 g; hortensin 4, ~28.5 kDa, 0.71 mg per 100 g; and hortensin 5, ~30 kDa, 0.65 mg per 100 g); only hortensins 2 and 4 are glycosylated. Furthermore, the major isoforms (hortensins 4 and 5) are cytotoxic toward human continuous glioblastoma U87MG cell line. In addition, the morphological change in U87MG cells in the presence of these toxins is indicative of cell death triggered by the apoptotic pathway, as revealed by nuclear DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activities of Ribosome Inactivating Proteins II)

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18 pages, 392 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Criteria DEXi Analysis for the Selection of Crop Species for Saltwater Aquaponics

by Martina Puccinelli, Juan Francisco Fierro-Sañudo, Carlo Bibbiani, Baldassare Fronte, Chingoileima Maibam, Theo Dubois, Alberto Pardossi, Luca Incrocci and Lorenzo Rossi

Horticulturae 2022, 8(8), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080703 - 3 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3088

Abstract

Saltwater aquaponics is a sustainable alternative system for food production. The success of this system largely depends on the selection of both fish and plant species, for which several features and criteria must be considered. This paper aims to identify the most suitable plant species for saltwater aquaponics by using a multi-criteria decision-making method also based on current literature. One simple model that contained one root criterion, four aggregated criteria, and four sub-criteria was created using DEXi software. The same model was evaluated considering two different salinity levels in the recirculating water: 10 (brackish water) and 35 (sea water) g L⁻¹. The relevance of the model structure was evaluated by the sensitivity analysis, through the ‘plus/minus-1′ analysis. Our results suggest that Salicornia europaea L. and Portulaca oleracea L. were suitable species for saltwater aquaponics at 35 g L⁻¹. Moreover, at 10 g L⁻¹, the suitable candidates were: Salicornia bigelovii Torr, S. europaea L., Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima (L.) Arcang, Atriplex hortensis L., and P. oleracea L. The DEXi analysis resulted in being an easy and effective tool to select proper species in similar contexts. DEXi can help to identify the hotspots of production processes, according to our results. Since the selected species are wild edible species or minor crops, the availability of their seeds is one of the main constraints of their cultivation in saltwater aquaponics. Full article

17 pages, 6150 KB

Open AccessArticle

Heterologous Expression of the DREB Transcription Factor AhDREB in Populus tomentosa Carrière Confers Tolerance to Salt without Growth Reduction under Greenhouse Conditions

by Qi Guo, Nan Lu, Yuhan Sun, Wei Lv, Zijing Luo, Huaxin Zhang, Qingju Ji, Qingshan Yang, Shouyi Chen, Wanke Zhang and Yun Li

Forests 2019, 10(3), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/f10030214 - 27 Feb 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3737

Abstract

The DREB transcription factors regulate multiple stress response genes, and are therefore useful for molecular plant breeding. AhDREB, a stress-inducible gene, was isolated from Atriplex hortensis L. and introduced into Populus tomentosa Carrière under the control of the CaMV35S promoter. Under salt stress, the chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate were higher in transgenic lines than in the wild type (WT). Moreover, the rate of electrolyte penetration (REC) was lower in the transgenic lines. Additional analyses revealed that the AhDREB transgenic plants generally displayed lower malondialdehyde (MDA) activity but higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities and proline content than the WT under salt stress. RNA sequencing indicated that AhDREB could enhance tolerance to salt by activating various downstream genes in the transgenic plants. Furthermore, no growth inhibition was detected in transgenic plants expressing AhDREB driven by the constitutive CaMV35S promoter. The transcriptome showed 165 and 52 differentially expressed genes in transgenic plants under stress and non-stress conditions, respectively, among which no significant metabolic pathway was enriched and no unintended effects have yet been identified. Together, these results suggest that AhDREB may be a good candidate gene for increasing salt tolerance in transgenic poplar breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecophysiology and Biology)

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17 pages, 910 KB

Open AccessArticle

Intercropping Halophytes to Mitigate Salinity Stress in Watermelon

by Catherine R. Simpson, Jose G. Franco, Stephen R. King and Astrid Volder

Sustainability 2018, 10(3), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030681 - 2 Mar 2018

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 8585

Abstract

Saline irrigation water can lead to salt buildup and reduced crop yields. Halophytic plants are known to accumulate excess salts in tissues, removing them from the immediate environment. This two-phase experiment explored the feasibility of intercropping watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai var. lanatus) with halophytic species to mitigate the negative effects of saline irrigation water while providing a value-added crop. In the first experiment, six greenhouse-grown species were irrigated with water that was either deionized (0 dS m⁻¹) or contained 3 or 6 dS m⁻¹ of salts for 41 days and screened for growth and salt removal. Two halophytes were selected to be additively intercropped with watermelon under field conditions and irrigated with the same saline irrigation levels as the first experiment. Results indicated that garden orache (Atriplex hortensis L.) exhibited the highest growth rates and purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) accumulated high amounts of sodium in plant tissues under saline irrigation. The field experiment showed that watermelon yields, stem water potential, and fruit quality were not affected by saline irrigation; however, the watermelon/orache intercropping treatment had significantly higher yields. These results suggest intercropping with halophytes has the potential to contribute a value-added crop without reducing watermelon yields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecology: Principles and Application for Efficient and Sustainable Agricultural Production)

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