Search Results (83)

Background: The typification of the name Aegilops tauschii Coss. (Poaceae: Triticeae) is revisited. Several authors cited a gathering from Iberia as the locality and Buxbaum as the collector of as the type, but no actual specimens from this collection have been located, nor is there evidence that such a gathering existed. In 1994, van Slageren designated as lectotype an illustration from Buxbaum’s Plantarum minus cognitarum centuria I (1728), which, although original material, is not the only element cited in the protologue. The protologue mentions several gatherings, some of which are represented by identifiable herbarium specimens qualifying as syntypes. Methods: This work is based on the analysis of the protologue of Aegilops tauschii and the study of specimens conserved in several herbaria. According to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN, Shenzhen Code 2018), an illustration does not hold the same nomenclatural weight as preserved specimens cited in the protologue. Therefore, van Slageren’s lectotypification does not comply with Art. 9.12 of the ICN and must be superseded. Results: The original material includes multiple elements, and a new lectotype is designated from a specimen at PRC from Azerbaijan. Full article

Plant secondary metabolites regulate plant growth and serve as valuable pharmaceutical resources. Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.), a Poaceae species, shows potential as a functional food. In this study, we employed high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with a data-independent acquisition (DIA) strategy for the untargeted detection of anthocyanins, a group of secondary metabolites, in napier grass. Clear MS² fragmentation patterns were observed for anthocyanins, characterized by diagnostic aglycone signals and sequential losses of hexosyl (C₆H₁₀O₅), deoxyhexosyl (C₆H₁₀O₄), pentosyl (C₅H₈O₄), and p-coumaroyl groups (C₉H₈O₃). Based on matching with authentic standards and an in-house database, ten anthocyanins were identified, seven of which were newly reported in napier grass. In a single-laboratory validation analysis, both absolute and semi-quantitative results reliably reflected the specific distribution of metabolites across different cultivars and plant organs. The purple cultivar (TS5) exhibited the highest anthocyanin content, with the cyanidin 3-O-glucoside content reaching 5.0 ± 0.5 mg/g, whereas the green cultivar (TS2), despite its less pigmented appearance, contained substantial amounts of malvidin 3-O-arabinoside (0.7 ± <0.1 mg/g). Flavonoid profiling revealed that monoglycosylated anthocyanins were the dominant forms in floral tissues. These findings shed light on napier grass metabolism and support future Poaceae breeding and functional food development. Full article

The high-Andean grass Jarava ichu (Poaceae) plays a vital role in water regulation and aquifer recharge. However, its limited use is often linked to forest fires, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives. Therefore, this study aims to explore the valorization of ichu as a substrate for the cultivation of Pleurotus spp. (P. citrinopileatus, P. djamor, and P. ostreatus) and to evaluate the potential of the residual substrate as a biofertilizer, offering an ecological alternative to grassland burning in the Peruvian Andes. Samples of ichu from the district of Tomás (Lima, Peru) were used as culture substrate, analyzing productivity indicators such as crop cycle (CC), biological efficiency (BE), and production rate (PR), together with the nutritional profile of the fungi and the chemical properties of the residual substrate. The results showed an average biological efficiency of 19.8%, with no significant differences (p > 0.05) in CC, BE, or PR among the species, confirming the viability of ichu as a substrate. The fungi presented a high protein content (24.1–30.41% on a dry basis), highlighting its nutritional value. In addition, the residual substrate exhibited elevated levels of phosphorus (795.9–1296.9 ppm) and potassium (253.1–291.3 ppm) compared to raw ichu (0.11–7.77 ppm for both nutrients). Germination tests on radish seeds showed rates between 80% and 100%, without inhibition, supporting its potential as a biofertilizer. This study demonstrates the double potential of ichu as a substrate for the sustainable production of edible mushrooms of high nutritional value and as a source of biofertilizers. Full article

Background: Bromus inermis is a high-quality perennial forage grass in the Poaceae family, with significant ecological and economic value. While its chloroplast genome has been sequenced, the mitochondrial genome of this species remains poorly understood due to the inherent complexity and frequent recombination of plant mitochondrial genomes. Methods: We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of B. inermis using both Illumina Novaseq6000 and Oxford Nanopore PromethION platforms. Subsequently, comprehensive bioinformatics analyses were performed, including genome assembly and annotation, repetitive sequence identification, codon usage analysis, RNA editing site prediction, the detection of chloroplast-derived sequences, and phylogenetic reconstruction. Results: The mitochondrial genome of B. inermis was determined to be 515,056 bp in length, with a GC content of 44.34%, similar to other Poaceae species. This genome encodes 35 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 10 rRNA genes. Repetitive sequences account for 16.2% of the genome, totaling 83,528 bp, including 124 simple sequence repeats, 293 dispersed repeats, and 31 tandem repeats. A total of 460 RNA editing sites were identified, among which 430 were nonsynonymous. Additionally, 110 putative chloroplast-derived sequences were detected. A phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial genome data clarified the species’ evolutionary position within Poaceae. Conclusions: This study provides genetic resources for evolutionary research on and the communication of organelle genomes. Meanwhile, it also lays a solid foundation for the better development and utilization of the germplasm resources of B. inermis. Full article

From 2013 to 2021, 112 binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. (BNR) isolates were obtained from the strawberry, tomato, pepper, bean, apple, cherry, meadow grass, and soil previously cropped with strawberries from 16 locations in Serbia. Morphological and molecular analyses (ITS, LSU rDNA, RPB2, tef-1α, and atp6) confirmed infections caused by four BNR AGs: AG-G on the cherry (globally new host), bean, and tomato; AG-U on meadow grass (globally new host) and apple, AG-A on the strawberry (the most frequently isolated), and AG-F on pepper. ITS sequence analysis revealed 24 haplotypes within the worldwide population of BNR AG-A, with Serbian isolates belonging to nine. The aggressiveness of AG-A (ten isolates), AG-G (three isolates), AG-F (one isolate), and AG-U (two isolates) was tested on seedlings of 14 hosts from Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Apiaceae, and Chenopodiaceae, and on detached leaf petioles of the strawberry, tomato, sunflower, and bean, as well as on two pea cultivars. Sunflower and sugar beet were the most susceptible, with AG-G being the most aggressive and AG-A the least aggressive. AG-A could not infect cabbage, while at least one isolate of each remaining AG infected all tested hosts. The consistency between seedling and petiole tests highlights the latter as a rapid method for evaluating the pathogenicity and aggressiveness of BNR isolates. Full article

Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the key staple crops, providing food for nearly half of the world’s population. The past twenty years have seen significant advances in understanding Oryza species through genome sequencing efforts. However, the stability of Oryza genomes during their divergence has not been well characterized. Here, by performing gene collinearity and comparative genomics analysis, we selected ten Oryza species and three other Poaceae species to check their genome stability, with Leersia perrieri as the reference. Intra- and intergenomic analysis showed a ~30% difference in homologous block numbers and a 35.7% difference in collinear gene numbers per block, indicating that Oryza genomes have undergone extensive DNA permutations. Notably, we found that Oryza chromosomes with smaller ordinal numbers have often preserved larger percentages of genes, while those with bigger numbers have undergone more gene losses. This unique observation may be explained by elevated gene losses incurred by illegitimate or homoeologous recombination between homoeologous chromosomes produced by the grass-common tetraploidization (GCT) ~100 million years ago (Mya), e.g., Chro. 11 and 12. However, the lowered gene loss rates in Chro. 1–3 could be explained by earlier restriction of illegitimate recombination after the GCT due to there often being (larger) neo-chromosomes produced by the fusion of ancestral chromosomes. The enriched NBS-LRR (nucleotide-binding site and leucine-rich repeat) genes in chromosomes 11 and 12 are another explanation for the above observation. Further evidence was obtained from other Poaceae plants. Moreover, we revealed around twice as many differences in tandem genes and their densities among Oryza plants, further showing their divergent levels of genome stability. The present efforts may contribute to the understanding of the stability of the Oryza genome and its formation, evolution, and functional innovation. Full article

This study investigates the diversity and distribution of root endophyte fungi and bacteria across Festuca and Lolium grasses, including open-grassland and forest species. The species examined include perennials such as Festuca arundinacea, F. gigantea, F. pratensis, Lolium perenne, and L. perenne × F. gigantea hybrids and the annuals L. temulentum and L. multiflorum. A total of 21 fungal species (60 isolates) and 26 bacterial taxa (59 isolates) were recovered in the culture (PDA medium for fungi and LB for bacteria) from the root cuttings of these grasses. Microdochium bolleyi fungi and Bacillus sp. bacteria were the most prevalent endophytes, with each being identified in five of the seven plant species examined. The annuals L. multiflorum and L. temulentum exhibited a higher abundance of endophytes than that in their perennial relatives, suggesting the benefits of microbial associations in supporting their short life cycles. The woodland F. gigantea demonstrated the highest fungal endophyte diversity, with six species identified. In contrast, the open-grassland perennials F. arundinacea, F. pratensis, and L. perenne hosted only one to two species. Two Basidiomycota, Coprinellus disseminatus and Sistotrema brinkmannii, were exclusively obtained from the roots of the forest grass F. gigantea. Notably, the open-grassland perennial F. arundinacea exhibited the highest bacterial diversity, with nine species present. However, it showed the lowest fungal diversity, with only one species detected. Overall, our study reveals distinct patterns of fungal and bacterial endophyte diversity in the roots of Festuca and Lolium grasses, with variations linked to host species, growth type traits, and ecological adaptations. Among the root-derived endophytes isolated, several fungi and bacteria are potential candidates for plant growth promotion and biocontrol. Therefore, the findings of this study provide potential implications for improved grassland management and crop breeding strategies aimed at specific climate and/or soil conditions. Full article

The cytokinin (CK) type B response regulator (RRB) gene is involved in the CK signaling pathway and performs a key function for mediating reactions to amounts of abiotic stresses. Nevertheless, the RRB gene family remains to be characterized in Poaceae (also known as Gramineae or grasses). Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis encompassing phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary pressures, and expression patterns of the RRB gene family in six Poaceae species, including rice, Panicum, Sorghum, Setaria, maize, and wheat. Phylogenetic tree and syntenic analyses revealed that the RRB genes were divided into seven orthologous gene clusters (OGCs), indicating that the common ancestor of these Poaceae species possessed at least seven RRB genes. Further analysis revealed that the evolution of the Poaceae RRB gene family was primarily driven by purifying selection. The expression pattern of rice OsRRB toward phytohormonal and abiotic stresses was also investigated. The findings revealed that several phytohormones, including cytokinin (CK), abscisic acid (ABA), and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), as well as abiotic factors such as drought and cold, significantly increased the expression levels of these genes. Importantly, haplotype analysis identified four crucial variation sites within the OsRRB5 genomic regions that may contribute to drought resistance in rice. Our findings lay the groundwork for further elucidating the biological function of OsRRB genes and provide a promising new target for developing stress-resistant rice varieties. Full article

The timely and accurate identification of invasive species is a critical first step in recognizing the threats that they present in their new habitats. The accurate identification of an invasive species, however, can prove difficult if that species displays taxonomic complexity in its native range, i.e., it consists of morphologically similar subspecies. Across its native range, the grass Taeniatherum caput-medusae (medusahead) exhibits taxonomic complexity: three subspecies have been recognized. As part of our ongoing research to better understand the invasion of T. caput-medusae in the western United States, the accurate identification of these three subspecies is a requisite first step. Plants from each native population were grown in a greenhouse common garden, harvested at maturity, and measured using five previously described morphological characteristics. Three characteristics, glume length, glume angle, and palea length, were found to be statistically significant, and are diagnostic in differentiating the three subspecies. The results for the two other characteristics were not significantly different, although conical cell prominence was only slightly non-significant (p = 0.0532). Genetic differentiation among native populations of T. caput-medusae was assessed using allozymes as molecular markers. Results of an UPGMA cluster diagram based on allozyme data indicate that subspecies crinitum is genetically differentiated from the other two, some populations of subspecies caput-medusae and asperum co-occur within a cluster, and subspecies asperum is the most variable. Results of the analysis of multilocus genotypes are generally consistent with the UPGMA diagram (e.g., subspecies caput-medusae and asperum share six multilocus genotypes). Our findings confirm the need for a better understanding of the taxonomic complexity that can be found within the native ranges of invasive species. Full article

Seed shattering (SS) functions are a survival mechanism in plants, enabling them to withstand adverse environmental conditions and ensure reproduction. However, this trait limits seed yield. Psathyrostachys juncea, a perennial forage grass with many favorable traits, is constrained by SS, limiting its broader application. To investigate the mechanisms underlying SS, second-generation Illumina sequencing and third-generation PacBio sequencing were conducted on abscission zone tissues of P. juncea at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after heading. GO enrichment analysis identified several significant biological processes, including the “cell wall macromolecule catabolic process”, “cell wall polysaccharide catabolic process”, “hemicellulose catabolic process”, and “xylan catabolic process”, all involved in cell wall degradation. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were predominantly enriched in pathways related to “starch and sucrose metabolism”, “fructose and mannose metabolism”, “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis”, “pentose and glucuronate interconversions”, and “galactose metabolism”, each linked to both the synthesis and degradation of the cell wall. Further analysis of the “starch and sucrose metabolism” pathway revealed genes encoding fructokinase, hexokinase, β-glucosidase, sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase, and endoglucanase, all of which affected cellulose content. Reduced cellulose content can alter cell wall structure, leading to SS. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of SS in P. juncea and offer valuable references for other species within the Poaceae family. Full article

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a major polyphagous pest that mainly feeds on maize and other cash crops. Understanding S. frugiperda’s behavior on different host plants facilitates the development of effective integrated pest management (IPM) plans. Therefore, this study investigated the oviposition preferences of S. frugiperda females among different host plants using no-choice, two-choice, and multiple-choice bioassays. In no-choice bioassays, para grass, Urochloa mutica (Forssk.) (Poales: Poaceae); maize, Zea mays (L.) (Poales: Poaceae); and napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach) (Poales: Poaceae) were identified as highly attractive, while sweet sorghum, Sorghum dochna (Forssk.) (Poales: Poaceae); sunhemp, Crotalaria juncea (L.) (Fabales:Fabacea); Egyptian clover, Trifolium alexandrinum (L.) (Fabales:Fabacea); desmodium, Desmodium uncinatum (Jacq.) (Fabales:Fabacea); natal grass, melinis repens (Zizka) (Poales: Poaceae); molasses grass, Melinis minutiflora (P.Beauv.) (Poales: Poaceae); and mung bean, Vigna radiata (R. wilczek) (Fabales: Fabaceae) exhibited reduced oviposition effects. Two-choice bioassays revealed different levels of attractiveness and repellency among different plant combinations. In multiple-choice bioassays, mimicking an intercropping scenario, differences in the number of eggs and egg mass were observed for M:S:D:W (maize, sunhemp, desmodium, and cage wall), S:D:M:W (sunhemp, desmodium, maize, and cage wall), and D:M:S:W (desmodium, maize, sunhemp, and cage wall). This study provides insights into the egg-laying preferences of S. frugiperda females among different host plants, valuable for the management of S. frugiperda. This encourages further research and further identification of novel repellent and attractant host plants, which will ultimately contribute to the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly crop production practices and techniques. Full article

There is an increasing demand for low-maintenance public garden models, and environmental stress on plants due to climate change is growing. As a result, the demand for developing new plant varieties based on native species for use in gardens in response to climate change has increased significantly. Many plants in the Poaceae family are applied for various purposes, including food crops, fodder grasses, ornamental plants, and medicinal plants. Additionally, native plants provide economic and ecological benefits, making them advantageous for use in gardens. However, there are some difficulties in Poaceae breeding studies and the utilization of wild native plants for breeding. Model plants can be utilized in breeding studies of Poaceae plant species. In this study, to identify Korean native Poaceae species with the potential for use not only as garden materials but also as model plants for breeding research in response to climate change, candidate species were selected from the Korean Plant Names Index (KPNI). A total of three Korean native plants in the Poaceae family, including Brachypodium sylvaticum, Setaria viridis, and Zoysia japonica, were selected, and their properties and genome information were compared with the existing representative model plants, Arabidopsis thaliana and Brachypodium distachyon. The current research status of B. sylvaticum, S. viridis, and Z. japonica has been summarized, and the genome size and other characteristics of these model plants have been compared and discussed. As a result, both A. thaliana (2n = 2x = 10) and B. distachyon (2n = 2x = 10) are annual C₃ plants, but B. sylvaticum (2n = 2x = 18) is a perennial C₃ plant, and S. viridis (2n = 2x = 18) is an annual C₄ plant. Thus, B. sylvaticum and S. viridis can be utilized as model plants for perennial C₃ plants and annual C₄ plants, respectively. Z. japonica (2n = 4x = 40) is a perennial C₄ plant, but it can be unsuitable as a model plant because it is an allotetraploid. The application of these newly selected candidate plants in breeding research can build a foundation for breeding native Poaceae plants in Korea in the new climate regime. Full article

Iron tailings from the mining process occupy vast land areas and pose a significant ecological risk. In order to reuse iron tailings resources and carry out in situ ecological restoration of a mine, in this study, a medium of mixed iron tailings and mining topsoil (m:m = 3:1) was used to plant landscape grasses, including Lolium perenne L. (L. perenne), Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng. (P. alopecuroides), Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. (M. officinalis), and Medicago sativa L. (M. sativa). Biochar and chicken manure were used as biochar organic fertilizers and indigenous microorganisms were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of tested grasses. They were applied to enhance landscape grass growth by regulating rhizosphere microbial communities and nutrient conditions. The results showed that the biochar organic fertilizers significantly promoted the growth of the four landscape grasses, notably P. alopecuroides, increasing plant height, root length, root weight, and leaf fresh weight by 169%, 60%, 211%, and 388%, respectively. Additionally, L. perenne exhibited the greatest height increase (10%) following the application of bacterial solutions. Moreover, indigenous bacterial solutions enhanced chlorophyll content and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, with P. alopecuroides showing the highest chlorophyll increase of 58% and M. sativa exhibiting a 30.58% rise in PAL activity. The biochar organic fertilizer also significantly elevated soluble protein content in P. alopecuroides and M. sativa by 195% and 152%, respectively. It also effectively enhanced peroxidase (POD) activity in Poaceae grasses by 120% to 160%. After adding indigenous microorganisms, the rhizosphere soil of the landscape grass showed the highest Shannon–Wiener diversity index, reaching 3.561. The rhizosphere soil of M. officinalis had the highest microbial richness, with a value of 39. Additionally, the addition of indigenous microorganisms increased the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content of the four plants by 8–19%, 6–14%, and 8–18%, respectively. This study offers a new approach for managing mining waste and ecological restoration in mining areas. Full article

The Poaceae family, one of the most diverse and widespread angiosperms, is prevalent in various natural and urban environments and is a major cause of allergies, affecting over 20% of the population in Europe, specifically in Ireland. With extensive grasslands, Ireland supports numerous grass species, though pollen release varies due to the family’s complexity. The Hirst spore-trap is commonly used to sample airborne pollen, but the area of influence is debated and may differ by pollen type. This study compares grass pollen seasons between rural Carlow and urban Dublin, aiming to create forecast models for airborne pollen and identify key grass areas influencing the main pollen season (MPS). Two Hirst samplers were analyzed, using data up to 2020, and two threshold models (based on Swedish and Danish studies) were tested to find the best fit for Ireland. Airmass footprints were calculated using Hysplit and combined with grassland data to pinpoint major pollen sources. The results showed that Carlow had higher pollen concentrations but shorter seasons than Dublin. The Swedish threshold method was the most accurate for Ireland, with the Wicklow Mountains identified as a significant pollen source. These findings improve the understanding of pollen dynamics and support better public health and allergy management. Full article

Plant stomata play a crucial role in photosynthesis by regulating transpiration and gas exchange. Meanwhile, environmental cues can also affect the formation of stomata. Stomatal formation, therefore, is optimized for the survival and growth of the plant despite variable environmental conditions. To adapt to environmental conditions, plants open and close stomatal pores and even regulate the number of stomata that develop on the epidermis. There are great differences in the leaf structure and developmental origin of the cell in the leaf between Arabidopsis and grass plants. These differences affect the fine regulation of stomatal formation due to different plant species. In this paper, a comprehensive overview of stomatal formation and the molecular networks and genetic mechanisms regulating the polar division and cell fate of stomatal progenitor cells in dicotyledonous plants such as Arabidopsis and Poaceae plants such as Oryza sativa and Zea mays is provided. The processes of stomatal formation mediated by plant hormones and environmental factors are summarized, and a model of stomatal formation in plants based on the regulation of multiple signaling pathways is outlined. These results contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of stomatal formation and epidermal morphogenesis in plants and provide a valuable theoretical basis and gene resources for improving crop resilience and yield traits. Full article