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• The phenology of S. tegetaria was driven by environmental conditions. • The reproduction of S. tegetaria was driven by local conditions. • S. tegetaria presented an earlier reproductive phenology in Langebaan. • Drier conditions may reduce the ability of the species to adapt to change. The drivers of plant phenology are vital to the ecological functioning of habitats. Salicornia tegetaria is an ecologically important species found in South African estuaries. The aim of this study was to determine and quantify the phenological patterns and output of this species in the Langebaan Lagoon. We investigated plant growth, reproductive phenology and seed production in relation to local environmental conditions over one year of development. Salt marsh vegetation was dense, increased significantly during the winter rainfall period and peaked in spring. Flowering phase was from November to June, and peaked in summer in December with a monthly mean (± SE) of 77.24 ± 28.16 inflorescences per m2. Seed production was from December to June, and peaked in summer in February with a monthly mean of 2 952.51 ± 599.84 seeds per m2. During a drought period, S. tegetaria presented an earlier reproductive phenology and longer vegetative season than previously reported, driven by temperature, rainfall and porewater characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the genetic structure and gene flow of the salt marsh species Salicornia tegetaria between estuaries and tests three hypotheses: (1) that the relocation of estuaries on a shallow continental shelf during the last glacial maximum created a historical biogeographic barrier, the exact location of which we attempt to pin-point, (2) that there is connectivity and thus gene flow at present between estuaries, and (3) that some estuaries have higher genetic diversity and are therefore of higher conservation priority. DNA samples were collected from 17 estuaries and used to create haplotype networks. Analyses of molecular variance, isolation by distance, selective neutrality and genetic distance between estuaries were also conducted. Eleven ITS ribotypes, one found exclusively between Olifants and Breede Estuaries, and eight rpS16 haplotypes were recovered with a dominant haplotype occurring in most estuaries. The remaining ribotypes and haplotypes from ITS and rpS16 sequences were unique, predominantly on the South and East Coast. A high amount of gene flow and an increase in genetic differentiation from west to east was found. The topography of the continental shelf and diverging ocean currents did provide a historical geographic barrier during the last glacial maximum approximately 18,000 years ago. A high degree of connectivity between estuaries allows for the exchange of genetic material in the direction of the ocean current, but long distance dispersal is also suggested. Repeated habitat fragmentation, most likely due to fluctuating sea levels, contributed to a higher amount of rare haplotypes on the South and East Coast. This study provides baseline information on a salt marsh species for which there is a paucity of data that is widely distributed in an ecosystem that is likely to be heavily impacted by climate change. • One ITS ribotype was found exclusively between Olifants and Breede Estuaries. • A dominant rpS16 haplotype occurred in all estuaries. • The remaining haplotypes were unique, predominantly on the south and east coast. • There was a high amount of gene flow between estuaries. • An increase in genetic differentiation from west to east. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halophytes are potential future crops with a valuable nutritional profile. Produced in indoor farming, they are considered to contribute to sustainable and resilient food systems. Indoor farms operate using artificial light. In this context narrowband and low dose UVB radiation can be used to increase plant secondary metabolites, such as carotenoids, and provide an improved nutritional profile for a human diet. UVB radiation can cause eustress or distress in the plant depending on the lighting situation. The aim of this study was to identify the doses of UVB that lead to either eustress or distress and to analyze these responses in Salicornia europaea. Therefore, S. europaea plants were exposed to different UVB radiation levels, low, medium and high, and analyzed for reactive oxygen species (ROS), plant hormones, amino acids, and photosynthetic pigments. High UVB treatment was found to affect phenotype and growth, and the metabolite profile was affected in a UVB dose-dependent manner. Specifically, medium UVB radiation resulted in an increase in carotenoids, whereas high UVB resulted in a decrease. We also observed an altered oxidative stress status and increased SA and decreased ABA contents in response to UVB treatment. This was supported by the results of menadione treatment that induces oxidative stress in plants, which also indicated an altered oxidative stress status in combination with altered carotenoid content. Thus, we show that a moderate dose of UVB can increase the carotenoid content of S. europaea. Furthermore, the UVB stress-dependent response led to a better understanding of carotenoid accumulation upon UVB exposure, which can be used to improve lighting systems and in turn the nutritional profile of future crops in indoor farming. [Display omitted] • UVB light influences the growth, phenotype and metabolite profile of S. europaea. • UVB increases or decreases carotenoid levels depending on the dose. • Medium UVB levels lead to carotenoid accumulation. • Increasing H 2 O 2 content correlates with increasing carotenoid content. • SA is involved in UVB-mediated stress responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saltmarsh plants have several defense mechanisms against threatening abiotic conditions, such as salinity, inundation, or exposure to intense radiation, less is known regarding response to insect pests attack. Salicornia europaea L. plant stands are produced as cash crops in Portuguese coastal areas. In 2017, these crops suffered significant attacks from a gall midge fly (Baldratia salicorniae Kieffer), reducing its economic value. To understand how this attack influenced S. europaea chemical composition, infested and non-infested branches were collected, and their extracts were analysed by GS-MS and UHPLC-MS. Results revealed that different degrees of infestations displayed different chemical composition. Several compounds were for the first time identified in S. europaea , such as, arachidic acid, alpha-tocopherol, henicos-1-ene, and squalene. Most evident results were the reduced amount of alkanes in the infested conditions, which seems to be a direct consequence of insect infestation. Several compounds identified in the infested branches are known to have negative effects on insect larvae by reducing larval growth (linoleic acid) or increasing insect mortality (oleic acid). Halophyte plants production is increasing and it is accompanied by the urge to develop early control strategies against potential pests. These strategies may include ecological friendly solutions such as endogenous production of specialized metabolites to retrieve plant self-defences. Further, our results showed that B. salicorniae herbivory also induced the production of higher number of specialized metabolites with important known biological activities. In years in which high infestations reduce organoleptic qualities for fresh consumption plants can be used in biorefinery industries for metabolite extraction. [Display omitted] • Gall midges induces Salicornia europaea L. to produce a higher number of specialized metabolites. • Several produced compounds have known biological activities including insecticidal activity. • Infestation reduces the amount of alkanes in the infested conditions. • Different degrees of infestations displayed different chemical composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was aimed at evaluation of the effect of glasswort levels (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5%) on the textural properties of frankfurters formulated with 0.75% NaCl. The addition of glasswort improved protein solubility (P <0.05) and apparent viscosity of frankfurters formulated with 0.75% NaCl, resulting in increased cooking yield and emulsion stability. This phenomenon might be mainly related to salts and dietary fiber within glasswort. In addition, the textural properties of frankfurter prepared with 0.75% NaCl and 1.5% glasswort showed similar properties (P >0.05) compared to those of control (1.5% NaCl). Our result suggests that the use of glasswort can be an effective approach to manufacture reduced-salt meat products. Moreover, the addition of 1.5% glasswort in frankfurters formulated with 0.75% NaCl is the optimum level without adverse effect on the texture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]