Search Results (34)

Optimizing the growing conditions of Anemone coronaria and Ranunculus asiaticus for cut-flower production under northern greenhouse conditions requires a better understanding of the environmental and cultivation practices influencing emergence, flowering, and flower quality. This study evaluated the effect of storage organ reuse, along with vernalization conditions, growth temperature, growing season, and planting method (in-ground vs. containers) on plant phenology and flower yield and quality. Flower quantity and quality were unaffected by storage organ age, confirming that these organs can be stored and reused the following season. Vernalization at temperatures of 7 °C or 10 °C advanced flowering compared to warmer vernalization in all cultivars, and increased flower yield compared to non-vernalization. Growth under cool conditions (15/10 °C day/night) extended the production period and improved floral quality by promoting longer stems and delaying senescence. Short to moderate photoperiods (11–13 h in the winter vs. 15 h in the spring) and low light intensity, typical of winter, promoted stem elongation and marketable flower yield, whereas increasing photoperiod and temperature in late spring shorten the flowering period. Ground beds provided cooler and more buffered soil conditions, improving flowering duration and yield compared to container-grown plants during springtime. These findings highlight the importance of integrating temperature management, vernalization, and tailored cultivation practices to enhance flower quality, prolong the production, and improve sustainability of cut-flower production under northern climates in both species. Full article

This research proposed a feasibility study for a qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of sheep serum using Raman Spectroscopy analysis as an alternative to standard methodologies. Raman Spectroscopy was used to obtain information about molecular vibrations that can provide information about the behavior of specific variations in the protein network. This study was conducted during the traditional vernal shearing procedure in Sicilian sheep breeding. Twenty female sheep were randomly chosen from a one-hundred Comisana-bred flock habituated to the handling required for shearing and venipuncture. Animals had a mean body weight of 52.35 ± 4.55 kg, were aged between 2 and 3 years old, and were clinically healthy with no evidence of disease and free from internal and external parasites. All animals were shorn on the same day by hand using traditional shearing scissors in a 15 m × 10 m pen. The animals were released into an adjacent pen at the end of the shearing procedure. For each animal, blood samples were collected through jugular venipuncture into a vacutainer tube with a clot activator (Terumo Corporation, Japan) immediately before and 5 and 60 min after the end of the shearing procedure. On the obtained sera, ELISA and Raman spectroscopy analyses were performed to evaluate cortisol concentrations. The band area corresponding to the cortisol vibration mode was identified in the 1300–1366 cm⁻¹ band. The Raman spectra obtained during the various protocol data points showed the same trend, with differences in the intensity of the band area 1300–1366 cm⁻¹. A positive correlation was found between ELISA and Raman assessment in all experimental conditions. The obtained results demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy analysis could be a suitable tool for biomolecule identification. This study demonstrated that this technique provides useful information for understanding sheep responses to stress induced by management conditions. Full article

Vernalization genes (Vrn) play a key role in plant adaptation to various geographic locations and their allelic diversity can have fundamental importance for breeding programs. In the current study, 340 barley genotypes were studied, including germplasm accessions and advanced breeding lines. For phenotype evaluation in South-Eastern Kazakhstan, the transition of barley plants from vegetative to reproductive stages was estimated in field trials with spring- and winter-sown seeds. For molecular analysis, 10 previously described molecular markers were studied in three barley vernalization loci: Vrn-H1, Vrn-H2 and Vrn-H3. The comparison between molecular results and phenotypes for plant development confirmed 211 spring genotypes, 56 winter and 28 facultative. Vrn-H1 haplotypes 1A and recessive allele vrn-H3 were in the majority. Best spring and winter high-yielding advanced breeding lines were identified. Based on Vrn allele combination, a breeding line 76/13-4 with facultative type development showed superior results in both winter and spring sowings, presenting a new prospective barley cultivar that can be grown equally either in spring or winter sowing conditions. The presented results can be used for barley marker-assisted selection predicting crosses with favourable combinations of Vrn alleles for prospective breeding line development. Full article

The allelic diversity within genes controlling the vernalization requirement (VRN1) and photoperiod response (PPD1) determines the ability of wheat to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions and influences grain yield. In this study, allelic variations at the VRN-A1, VRN-B1, VRN-D1 and PPD-D1 genes were studied for 89 accessions of Triticum compactum from different eco-geographical regions of the world. The collection was evaluated for heading date in both field and greenhouse experiments under a long photoperiod and without vernalization. Based on heading date characteristics, 52 (58.4%) of the genotypes had a spring growth habit, and all of them carried at least one dominant VRN1 allele, while 37 (41.6%) accessions had a winter growth habit and carried the triple recessive allele combination. The photoperiod-sensitive Ppd-D1b allele was detected in 85 (95.5%) accessions and the insensitive Ppd-D1a allele in four (4.5%) accessions. A total of 10 phenology gene profiles (haplotypes) were observed at four major genes in the T. compactum germplasm collection. The LSD test revealed significant differences in the mean heading date among the different spring phenology gene profiles, both in greenhouse and field conditions. In addition, 21 microsatellite markers (simple sequence repeats, SSRs) were used to assess the genetic diversity in the collection. The 21 SSR markers amplified a total of 183 alleles across all the genotypes, with a mean of 3.2 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.49 to 0.94, with a mean of 0.84. The results of this study may be useful for both T. compactum and common wheat breeding programs as a source of agronomic traits. Full article

This study explores the relationship between allelic variation of the vernalization genes (VRN) and the freezing tolerance at the seedling and jointing stages of winter wheat growth. It provides a basis for molecular marker development for freezing tolerance breeding of winter wheat. A total of 435 wheat accessions were used to identify and evaluate the freezing tolerance at the seedling stage using field tests, while 192 wheat accessions were used to evaluate the freezing tolerance at the jointing stage in climate chamber tests. The VRN genes of the wheat accessions were detected using allele-specific markers of the VRN-A1, VRN-B1, VRN-D1 and VRN-B3 loci, and the relationship between VRN genotype and freezing tolerance at the two developmental stages was tested. There were significant differences in freezing tolerance between the wheat accessions. Assessing the freezing tolerance of 52 wheat accessions at both the seedling and jointing stages revealed no significant correlation between tolerance at these two stages. The genotypic analysis found that Vrn-D1 was the most frequent dominant allele in winter wheat, while no accession contained the dominant alleles Vrn-A1 and Vrn-B3. Notably, freezing tolerance showed stage-specific genetic regulation; seedling-stage freezing tolerance strongly correlated with vernalization gene allelic combinations (p < 0.05), whereas jointing-stage freezing tolerance exhibited no such association. The presence of all recessive alleles vrn-A1, vrn-B1, vrn-D1 and vrn-B3 was required for strong seedling-stage freezing tolerance. The VRN-D1 marker was effective for screening freezing tolerance materials under the premise that vrn-A1 and vrn-B1 alleles are recessive at winter wheat seedling stage. Full article

The flowering and fruiting of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) depend on precise synchronization with seasonal events. During harsh autumn and winter conditions, floral buds enter dormancy to protect and prepare for the productive season. Dormancy release occurs after exposure to genotype-specific chilling temperatures, an event in which epigenetic reprogramming triggers further metabolic and gene expression activation. Similarly, several Arabidopsis ecotypes require chilling (vernalization) to transition from vegetative to floral states. At vernalization’s end, the decrease in the repressor complex formed by SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) and FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) allows FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) to induce flowering. However, this alone does not fully explain the process. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in gene regulation during plant development and environmental interactions, and miR396’s role during flower development and vernalization has been described in some plant species, although not for sweet cherry dormancy. We used ‘Regina’, a high-chill sweet cherry variety, to identify candidate small RNA molecules throughout dormancy, resulting in the detection of miR396. The transcript expression levels of the putative miRNA target genes were evaluated through quantitative PCR analyses of dormant buds. Additionally, an artificial sweet cherry miR396 was used to transform Arabidopsis Edi-0, a vernalization-requiring ecotype. Ectopic expression of this artificial molecule partially mirrored the effect on target genes observed in dormant buds and, more importantly, led to vernalization-independent flowering. Artificial miR396 expression also resulted in decreased FLC and increased SVP and FT transcript levels. These results could pave the way for future studies on the involvement of miR396 in the regulation of dormancy and flowering, with potential applications in improving crop resilience and productivity. Full article

This study investigated the flowering physiology of Minuartia laricina (L.) Mattf. to provide fundamental information for the development of flowering control techniques. A phenology test was conducted in an open field, where M. laricina overwintered from December to February. Flower buds began to form in late March as temperatures and photoperiods increased. Flowering started in late April and continued until mid-June, with seeds maturing in capsule-shaped fruits by mid-August. In a greenhouse experiment, M. laricina was subjected to cold treatments at 5 °C for 0, 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks, followed by photoperiod treatments of 9/15, 11/13, 13/11, 16/8, 24/0 h day/night photoperiod, or night interruption (9 h + 4 h). Plant growth and flowering were measured during the photoperiod treatments. The results showed 100% flowering with 8 weeks of cold treatment and under 16 h or longer photoperiod conditions. However, without cold treatments flowering was not observed across all photoperiods. These findings align with outdoor conditions, where M. laricina flowers experience a cold winter and under long photoperiods. Thus, M. laricina is classified as an obligate vernalization and long-day plant, requiring at least eight weeks of cold and a 16/8 h photoperiod to flower. Full article

Agricultural productions are deeply affected by the phenological changes, especially in Shanxi Province, where Southern Shanxi is the main production area of winter wheat. Studying the phenological changes of this region and clarifying the effects of varieties and sowing dates on the phenological characteristics of southern Shanxi can be used for efficient introduction and scientific sowing. We have analyzed the meteorological datasets, phenological period data, and crop management data of seven observation points in the main winter wheat producing areas of Shanxi Province from 1992 to 2021. Trend analysis was used to analyze the time variation trend of various meteorological factors from 1992 to 2021. These results showed that the growth period was mainly advanced, especially in Changzhi and Yuncheng. The sensitivity analysis showed that the growth period of most sites were positively correlated with the sensitivity of various climate factors. Except for jointing to heading stage, the sensitivity of the duration of other growth stages to average temperature was positive, indicating that high temperature had an effect on effective vernalization and early reproductive growth of winter wheat. The modeling results showed that the growth period of winter wheat in Shanxi showed a trend of delay from sowing to ripening, and the sensitivity to temperature showed an increasing trend from sowing to ripening, while the sensitivity to precipitation was the opposite. Meanwhile, an earlier sowing date will make winter wheat develop earlier in warm climate conditions, requiring attention to cold prevention after winter. It is recommended to plant YH-20410 or YH-805 as suitable varieties in the Yuncheng area. In the future, this area can also moderately introduce new varieties with high heat requirements, which can, to some extent, offset the negative impacts of climate change. Full article

Plants exhibit diverse pathways to regulate the timing of flowering. Some plant species require a vegetative phase before being able to perceive cold stimuli for the acceleration of flowering through vernalization. This research confirms the correlation between the vernalization process and seedling age in Welsh onions. Findings from two vernalization experiments conducted at different time intervals demonstrate that seedlings must reach a vegetative phase of at least 8 weeks to consistently respond to vernalization. Notably, 8–week–old seedlings subjected to 6 weeks of vernalization displayed the shortest time to bolting, with an average duration of 138.1 days. Transcriptome analysis led to the identification of genes homologous to those in Arabidopsis thaliana that regulate flowering. Specifically, AfisC7G05578 (CO), AfisC2G05881 (AP1), AfisC1G07745 (FT), AfisC1G06473 (RAP2.7), and AfisC2G01843 (VIM1) were identified and suggested to have potential significance in age–dependent vernalization in Welsh onions. This study not only presents a rapid vernalization method for Welsh onions but also provides a molecular foundation for understanding the interplay between seedling age and vernalization. Full article

Earliness is a critical agronomic trait that enables plants to avoid adverse weather conditions during the late growing season or at harvest. In wheat, earliness is controlled by at least three distinct mechanisms: vernalization requirement, photoperiod sensitivity, and a mechanism independent of the first two, so called, earliness per se. In this work we report a locus on chromosome 3B within NLP3-B1 (TraesCS3B02G190300) gene, coding a nitrate-sensitive transcription factor protein, which is associated with earliness in F_5:6 of PI-518620 x CI-17241 spring wheat cross. The variant ‘A’ of the single nucleotide polymorphism NLP3-B1: c.1824+137G>A, which is proper to evolutionary earlier haplotypes, provides heading and anthesis that is 2 days earlier. The effect of this novel marker on earliness was additive to the effect of PPD-D1 locus in the same population; however, the effect of the former was weaker. Similarly, allele Ppd-D1a and the variant ‘A’ of the NLP3-B1: c.1824+137G>A polymorphism statistically significantly reduced the plant height (for 2.2 and 1.3 cm, correspondingly) and changed some other agronomical traits; however, these light pleiotropic effects are not of practical value. The possible direct impact of NLP3-B1 on the timing of flowering via altered nitrate sensitivity has been discussed, and other candidate genes on chromosome 3B have also been suggested. Full article

Barley has been and continues to be a crucial field crop in Spain, with approximately 2.4 million hectares planted annually and a production ranging 7–10 million tons. It is a crop well adapted to shallow soils and the harsh winters of the high central plains of the country. Traditionally, animal feed has been the main use for this crop, while an important brewing industry developed throughout the 20th century. This article reviews the most important milestones of this crop in Spain, including its uses, historical yield, barley price, and barley–wheat price relationship. With respect to the collection of Spanish landraces currently preserved in the CRF (Plant Genetic Resources Center) seed bank, two main genetic groups distributed in northern and southern Spain were distinguished. The landraces of both groups are mostly six-row and winter types, but they differ in vernalization requirements, which are lower in southern landraces. The trends in barley production, the most planted cultivars in Spain over the last 70 years, and the past and present-day breeding programs in the country are also reviewed. Full article

Rapid climate changes, with higher warming rates during winter and spring seasons, dramatically affect the vernalization requirements, one of the most critical processes for the induction of wheat reproductive growth, with severe consequences on flowering time, grain filling, and grain yield. Specifically, the Vrn genes play a major role in the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth in wheat. Recent advances in wheat genomics have significantly improved the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Vrn genes (Vrn-1, Vrn-2, Vrn-3, and Vrn-4), unveiling a diverse array of natural allelic variations. In this review, we have examined the current knowledge of Vrn genes from a functional and structural point of view, considering the studies conducted on Vrn alleles at different ploidy levels (diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid). The molecular characterization of Vrn-1 alleles has been a focal point, revealing a diverse array of allelic forms with implications for flowering time. We have highlighted the structural complexity of the different allelic forms and the problems linked to the different nomenclature of some Vrn alleles. Addressing these issues will be crucial for harmonizing research efforts and enhancing our understanding of Vrn gene function and evolution. The increasing availability of genome and transcriptome sequences, along with the improvements in bioinformatics and computational biology, offers a versatile range of possibilities for enriching genomic regions surrounding the target sites of Vrn genes, paving the way for innovative approaches to manipulate flowering time and improve wheat productivity. Full article

Garlic, originating in the mountains of Central Asia, has undergone domestication and subsequent widespread introduction to diverse regions. Human selection for adaptation to various climates has resulted in the development of numerous garlic varieties, each characterized by specific morphological and physiological traits. However, this process has led to a loss of fertility and seed production in garlic crops. In this study, we conducted morpho-physiological and transcriptome analyses, along with whole-genome resequencing of 41 garlic accessions from different regions, in order to assess the variations in reproductive traits among garlic populations. Our findings indicate that the evolution of garlic crops was associated with mutations in genes related to vernalization and the circadian clock. The decline in sexual reproduction is not solely attributed to a few mutations in specific genes, but is correlated with extensive alterations in the genetic regulation of the annual cycle, stress adaptations, and environmental requirements. The regulation of flowering ability, stress response, and metabolism occurs at both the genetic and transcriptional levels. We conclude that the migration and evolution of garlic crops involve substantial and diverse changes across the entire genome landscape. The construction of a garlic pan-genome, encompassing genetic diversity from various garlic populations, will provide further insights for research into and the improvement of garlic crops. Full article

Amphibian populations have been globally declining since at least 1990. In the temperate forests of eastern North America, vernal pools offer important breeding habitats to many amphibians but are usually not considered for forest management because of their small size and temporary status. The effective monitoring and management of amphibians rely on accurate knowledge of their spatiotemporal distributions, which is often expensive to collect due to the amount of fieldwork required. In this study, we tested whether eDNA metabarcoding could identify the same amphibian communities as the traditional inventory protocols. We collected eDNA samples in twelve vernal pools in the spring of 2019 and identified their communities via metabarcoding. At each pool, three traditional amphibian inventory methods were used: call surveys, trapping, and active search surveys. In total, 13 amphibian species were detected, with most of them being detected using both eDNA and the traditional methods. When comparing the results of eDNA with the traditional methods, we found that species ecology and behavior are key factors of its detectability via a specific method. With its higher taxonomical precision and repeatability, eDNA metabarcoding allows for the inventorying of amphibian species living and reproducing in vernal pools and their vicinity with accuracy. As eDNA metabarcoding is inexpensive compared to the traditional methods, we conclude that eDNA sampling should be considered for integration as a standard monitoring tool, after an initial assessment of amphibian diversity. Full article

Vernalization is the requirement for exposure to low temperatures to trigger flowering. The best knowledge about the mechanisms of vernalization response has been accumulated for Arabidopsis and cereals. In Arabidopsis thaliana, vernalization involves an epigenetic silencing of the MADS-box gene FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), which is a flowering repressor. FLC silencing releases the expression of the main flowering inductor FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), resulting in a floral transition. Remarkably, no FLC homologues have been identified in the vernalization-responsive legumes, and the mechanisms of cold-mediated transition to flowering in these species remain elusive. Nevertheless, legume FT genes have been shown to retain the function of the main vernalization signal integrators. Unlike Arabidopsis, legumes have three subclades of FT genes, which demonstrate distinct patterns of regulation with respect to environmental cues and tissue specificity. This implies complex mechanisms of vernalization signal propagation in the flowering network, that remain largely elusive. Here, for the first time, we summarize the available information on the genetic basis of cold-induced flowering in legumes with a special focus on the role of FT genes. Full article