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A vast variety of inflorescence architectures have evolved in angiosperms. Here, we analyze the diversity and development of the woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) inflorescence. Contrary to historical classifications, we show that it is a closed thyrse: a compound inflorescence with determinate primary monopodial axis and lateral sympodial branches, thus combining features of racemes and cymes. We demonstrate that this architecture is generated by 2 types of inflorescence meristems differing in their geometry. We further show that woodland strawberry homologs of TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (FvTFL1) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FvFT1) regulate the development of both the racemose and cymose components of the thyrse. Loss of functional FvTFL1 reduces the number of lateral branches of the main axis and iterations in the lateral branches but does not affect their cymose pattern. These changes can be enhanced or compensated by altering FvFT1 expression. We complement our experimental findings with a computational model that captures inflorescence development using a small set of rules. The model highlights the distinct regulation of the fate of the primary and higher-order meristems, and explains the phenotypic diversity among inflorescences in terms of heterochrony resulting from the opposite action of FvTFL1 and FvFT1 within the thyrse framework. Our results represent a detailed analysis of thyrse architecture development at the meristematic and molecular levels.FLOWERING LOCUS T1 and TERMINAL FLOWER 1 control the number of lateral branches and their branching iterations in the thyrse inflorescence of woodland strawberry.

Funding Information: This work was supported by the University of Helsinki (starting package funds to Porcar-Castell) and the Horizon 2020 project number 820852 (“E-SHAPE” (EuroGEOSS Showcases: Applications Powered by Europe)). Open access funding provided by University of Helsinki. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Vegetation indices (VIs) related to plant greenness have been studied extensively for the remote detection of foliar nitrogen content. Yet, the potential of chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) and photoprotection-based indices such as the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) or the chlorophyll/carotenoid index (CCI) for the detection of a wide range of nutrients remains elusive. We measured the dynamics of foliar macro- and micronutrient contents in potato plants as affected by fertilization and water stress, along with leaf and canopy level observations of spectral reflectance and ChlF (or solar-induced fluorescence). ChlF and photoprotection-related indices were more strongly related to a wide range of foliar nutrient contents compared to greenness-based indices. At the leaf level, relationships were largely mediated by foliar chlorophyll contents (Cab) and leaf morphology, which resulted in two contrasting groupings: a group dominated by macronutrients N, P, K, and Mg that decreased during canopy development and was positively correlated with Cab, and a group including Cu, Mn, Zn, and S that increased and was negatively related to Cab. At the canopy-level, spectral indices were additionally influenced by canopy structure, and so their capacity to detect foliar nutrient contents depends on the spatiotemporal covariation between foliar Cab, morphology, and canopy structure within the observations.

Fungi of genus Botrytis are important pathogens of legumes, causing gray mold and chocolate spot diseases. The use of molecular methods to identify pathogens has resulted in the discovery of several new Botrytis species and new associations of pathogens with diseases. Thus, chocolate spot of faba bean is now associated with at least four species: B. fabae, B. cinerea, B. pseudocinerea and B. fabiopsis. Species of Botrytis differ in host plant, pathogenicity, fungicide resistance and other relevant properties that affect disease control. The aim of this study was to identify the species of Botrytis isolated from different legume crops and to evaluate their in vitro pathogenicity. Between 2014 and 2019, 278 isolates of Botrytis were obtained from infected legumes in Latvia. A phylogenetic analysis was carried out by sequencing three nuclear genes, RPB2, HSP60, and G3PDH, considered to be diagnostic for species in this genus. A set of 21 representative isolates was selected for pathogenicity tests on detached leaves of faba bean, field pea, lupin and soybean using 5-mm mycelium-agar plugs. The diameter of the formed lesions under the inoculated plug was measured crosswise each day. The datasets were subjected to analysis of variance with the split-plot design of the experiment and repeated-measures model. Six species were identified: B. cinerea, B. fabae, B. pseudocinerea, B. fabiopsis, B. euroamericana and B. medusae. In addition to the expected combinations of host and pathogen, naturally occurring infections of B. fabiopsis were found on chickpea, B. euroamericana on faba bean and B. medusae in lupin seeds. Species and isolate had significant effects on pathogenicity on all crops tested. Several isolates were pathogenic on two or more host species: two of B. pseudocinerea, two of B. cinerea, two of B. fabiopsis and the one of B. medusae. One isolate of B. pseudocinerea and two of B. fabiopsis caused primary lesions on all five host species. The results show that these Botrytis species have a broad host range that should be borne in mind when planning crop sequences and rotations.

Soil moisture has a profound influence on life on Earth, and this vital water resource varies across space and time. Here, we explored soil moisture variations in boreal forest and tundra environments, where comprehensive soil moisture datasets are scarce. We installed soil moisture sensors up to 14 cm depth at 503 measurement sites within seven study areas across northern Europe. We recorded 6,138,528 measurements to capture soil moisture variations of the snowless season from April to September 2020. We described the spatio-temporal patterns of soil moisture, and test how these patterns are linked to topography and how these links vary in space and time. We found large spatial variation and often less pronounced temporal variation in soil moisture across the measurement sites within all study areas. We found that throughout the measurement periods both univariate and multivariate models with topographic predictors showed great temporal variation in their performance and in the relative influence of the predictors within and across the areas. We found that the soil moisture-topography relationships are site-specific, as the topography-based models often performed poorly when transferred from one area to another. There was no general solution that would work well in all the study areas when modeling soil moisture variation with topography. This should be carefully considered before applying topographic proxies for soil moisture. Overall, these data and results highlight the strong spatio-temporal heterogeneity of soil moisture conditions in boreal forest and tundra environments.

The purpose of this study was to develop new methods to describe outdoor recreation potential based on landscape indicators and systemic multicriteria evolution in the Tamarix forest reserves of Varamin city, a part of Iranian–Turanian forests of the Tehran province in Iran. First, in conducting a multicriteria evaluation, ecological factors that included slope, aspect, elevation, vegetation density, precipitation, temperature, and soil texture were mapped, classified, and coded according to the degree of desirability for outdoor recreation. All these maps were then intersected and the final map of recreational potential for three regions of the forest reserves was prepared. Results showed that the Shokrabad region had more recreation potential than the other two regions (Fakhrabad and Dolatabad) in terms of the sum of ecological factors potentially affecting tourism potential. Second, in conducting a landscape-based method, six of the most important indicators of the landscape that are effective in outdoor recreational potential were developed for each region. The combination of these landscape features determined the value of a place for recreational activities from a landscape perspective. The results showed that a large part of the Shokrabad region and a smaller number of places in the Fakhrabad and Dolatabad regions have high outdoor recreational potential. The area suitable for recreation in the output of the multicriteria evaluation method turned out to be greater than the area suggested by the landscape method, as more factors were examined in the multicriteria evaluation method. Of the set investigated, the topography and soil factors played an important role in the evaluation.

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), whose annual production is 26 million tons worldwide, is one of the main sources of protein and is known as one of the most important food sources. In this study, the karyotype variations and the genome size of four common bean genotypes in Turkey were investigated to determine whether the geographic variables in these regions affected the genome size and the karyotype parameters. In addition, it is known that as that the cytological and chromosomal parameters change under the influence of the climatic conditions of each region, appropriate and stable cytological methods for each plant facilitate and enable the determination of the chromosomal structure and the identification of specific chromosomes in the genotypes of the relevant region. Correct and valuable information such as this enables breeders and researchers to determine the correct shape and actual size of chromosomes. The genome size of the genotypes was measured with a flow cytometer, and chromosome analyses were performed with the squash method. For each genotype, the karyotype parameters, such as the number of somatic chromosomes, the Mean Total Chromosome Length (MTCL), the Mean Centromere Index (MCI), and the Mean Arm Ratio (MAR), were measured. The results showed that the highest and the lowest amounts of DNA per nucleus (3.28 pg and 1.49 pg) were observed in the Bitlis and Elaziğ genotypes. In addition, all genotype chromosome numbers were counted to be 2n = 2x = 22. The Mean Total Chromosome Length varied from 15.65 µm in Elaziğ to 34.24 µm in the Bitlis genotype. The Mean Chromosome Length ranged between 1.42 µm and 3.11 µm in the Elaziğ and Bitlis genotypes. The Hakkari and Van genotypes consist of eleven metacentric chromosomes, while the Bitlis and Elaziğ genotypes consist of ten metacentric chromosomes and one sub-metacentric chromosome. However, the Mean Centromere Index and Arm Ratio differed considerably among the genotypes. The highest (46.88) and the lowest (43.18) values of the Mean Centromere Index were observed in the Hakkari and Elaziğ genotypes, respectively. On the other hand, the lowest (1.15) and the highest (1.36) values of the Mean Arm Ratio were obtained in the Bitlis and Elaziğ genotypes, respectively. Eventually, intraspecies variations in genome size and chromosomal parameters were observed, and it was determined that the changes in nuclear DNA content and different chromosomal parameters among the four Phaseolus genotypes from four different regions of Turkey indicate the effect of climate change in the regions on these parameters. Such information in these areas can be used as useful information for the improvement of this plant and breeding programs.

Plants live in a world of changing environments, where they are continuously challenged by alternating biotic and abiotic stresses. To transfer information from the environment to appropriate protective responses, plants use many different signaling molecules and pathways. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical signaling molecules in the regulation of plant stress responses, both inside and between cells. In natural environments, plants can experience multiple stresses simultaneously. Laboratory studies on stress interaction and crosstalk at regulation of gene expression, imply that plant responses to multiple stresses are distinctly different from single treatments. We analyzed the expression of selected marker genes and reassessed publicly available datasets to find signaling pathways regulated by ozone, which produces apoplastic ROS, and high light treatment, which produces chloroplastic ROS. Genes related to cell death regulation were differentially regulated by ozone versus high light. In a combined ozone + high light treatment, the light treatment enhanced ozone-induced cell death in leaves. The distinct responses from ozone versus high light treatments show that plants can activate stress signaling pathways in a highly precise manner.

Plant polyketides are well-known for their crucial functions in plants and their importance in the context of human health. They are synthesized by type III polyketide synthases (PKSs) and their final functional diversity is determined by post-PKS tailoring enzymes. Gerbera hybrida is rich in two defense-related polyketides: gerberin and parasorboside. Their synthesis is known to be initiated by GERBERA 2-PYRONE SYNTHASE 1 (G2PS1), but the polyketide reductases (PKRs) that determine their final structure have not yet been identified. We identified two PKR candidates in the pathway, GERBERA REDUCTASE 1 (GRED1) and GRED2. Gene expression and metabolite analysis of different gerbera tissues, cultivars, and transgenic gerbera plants, and in vitro enzyme assays, were performed for functional characterization of the enzymes. GRED1 and GRED2 catalyze the second reduction step in parasorboside biosynthesis. They reduce the proximal keto domain of the linear CoA bound intermediate before lactonization. We identified a crucial tailoring step in an important gerbera PKS pathway and show that plant polyketide biosynthesis shares processing strategies with fungi and bacteria. The two tailoring enzymes are recruited from the ancient sporopollenin biosynthetic pathway to a defense-related PKS pathway in gerbera. Our data provide an example of how plants recruit conserved genes to new functions in secondary metabolism that are important for environmental adaptation.

Physics letters / B 834, 137393 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2022.137393, Correlations between mean transverse momentum p$_T$ and anisotropic flow coefficients v$_2$ or v$_3$ are measured as a function of centrality in Pb–Pb and Xe–Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV and 5.44 TeV, respectively, with ALICE. In addition, the recently proposed higher-order correlation between p$_T$, v$_2$, and v$_3$ is measured for the first time, which shows an anticorrelation for the presented centrality ranges. These measurements are compared with hydrodynamic calculations using IP-Glasma and TRENTo initial-state shapes, the former based on the Color Glass Condensate effective theory with gluon saturation, and the latter a parameterized model with nucleons as the relevant degrees of freedom. The data are better described by the IP-Glasma rather than the TRENTo based calculations. In particular, Trajectum and JETSCAPE predictions, both based on the TRENTo initial state model but with different parameter settings, fail to describe the measurements. As the correlations between p$_T$ and v$_n$ are mainly driven by the correlations of the size and the shape of the system in the initial state, these new studies pave a novel way to characterize the initial state and help pin down the uncertainty of the extracted properties of the quark–gluon plasma recreated in relativistic heavy-ion collisions., Published by North-Holland Publ., Amsterdam

Solar-induced Fluorescence (SIF) has an advantage over greenness-based Vegetation Indices in detecting drought. This advantage is the mechanistic coupling between SIF and Gross Primary Productivity (GPP). Under water stress, SIF tends to decrease with photosynthesis, due to an increase in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), resulting in rapid and/or sustained reductions in the fluorescence quantum efficiency (phi F). Water stress also affects vegetation structure via highly dynamic changes in leaf angular distributions (LAD) or slower changes in leaf area index (LAI). Critically, these responses are entangled in space and time and their relative contribution to SIF, or to the coupling between SIF and GPP, is unclear. In this study, we quantify the relative effect of structural and photosynthetic dynamics on the diurnal and spatial variation of canopy SIF in a potato crop in response to a replicated paired-plot water stress experiment. We measured SIF using two platforms: a hydraulic lift and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to capture temporal and spatial variation, respectively. LAD parameters were estimated from point clouds and photographic data and used to assess structural dynamics. Leaf phi F estimated from PAM fluorescence measurements were used to represent variations in photosynthetic regulation. We also measured foliar pigments, operating quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII), photosynthetic gas exchange, stomatal conductance and LAI. We used a radiative transfer model (SCOPE) to provide a means of decoupling structural and photosynthetic factors across the diurnal and spatial domains. The results demonstrate that diurnal variation in SIF is driven by photosynthetic and structural dynamics. The influence of phi F was prominent in the diurnal SIF response to water stress, with reduced fluorescence efficiencies in stressed plants. Structural factors dominated the spatial response of SIF to water stress over and above phi F. The results showed that the relationship between SIF and GPP is maintained in response to water stress where adjustments in NPQ and leaf angle co-operate to enhance the correlation between SIF and GPP. This study points to the complexity of interpreting and modelling the spatiotemporal connection between SIF and GPP which requires simultaneous knowledge of vegetation structural and photosynthetic dynamics.

Daytime napping is a common, heritable behavior, but its genetic basis and causal relationship with cardiometabolic health remain unclear. Here, we perform a genome-wide association study of self-reported daytime napping in the UK Biobank (n = 452,633) and identify 123 loci of which 61 replicate in the 23andMe research cohort (n = 541,333). Findings include missense variants in established drug targets for sleep disorders (HCRTR1, HCRTR2), genes with roles in arousal (TRPC6, PNOC), and genes suggesting an obesity-hypersomnolence pathway (PNOC, PATJ). Association signals are concordant with accelerometer-measured daytime inactivity duration and 33 loci colocalize with loci for other sleep phenotypes. Cluster analysis identifies three distinct clusters of nap-promoting mechanisms with heterogeneous associations with cardiometabolic outcomes. Mendelian randomization shows potential causal links between more frequent daytime napping and higher blood pressure and waist circumference., The genetic basis of daytime napping and the directional effect of daytime napping on cardiometabolic health are unknown. Here, the authors perform a genome-wide association study on self-reported daytime napping in the UK Biobank and Mendelian randomization to explore causal associations.

Targeted nucleases are powerful genomic tools to precisely change the target genome of living cells, controlling functional genes with high exactness. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) genome editing system has been identified as one of the most useful biological tools in genetic engineering that is taken from adaptive immune strategies for bacteria. In recent years, this system has made significant progress and it has been widely used in genome editing to create gene knock-ins, knock-outs, and point mutations. This paper summarizes the application of this system in various biological sciences, including medicine, plant science, and animal breeding.

International audience; Plants optimize their growth and survival through highly integrated regulatory networks that coordinate defensive measures and developmental transitions in response to environmental cues. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a key signaling component that controls stress reactions and growth at different stages of plant development, and the PP2A regulatory subunit PP2A-B'gamma is required for negative regulation of pathogenesis responses and for maintenance of cell homeostasis in short-day conditions. Here, we report molecular mechanisms by which PP2A-B'gamma regulates Botrytis cinerea resistance and leaf senescence in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We extend the molecular functionality of PP2A-B'gamma to a protein kinase-phosphatase interaction with the defense-associated calcium-dependent protein kinase CPK1 and present indications this interaction may function to control CPK1 activity. In presenescent leaf tissues, PP2A-B'gamma is also required to negatively control the expression of salicylic acid-related defense genes, which have recently proven vital in plant resistance to necrotrophic fungal pathogens. In addition, we find the premature leaf yellowing of pp2a-b'gamma depends on salicylic acid biosynthesis via SALICYLIC ACID INDUCTION DEFICIENT2 and bears the hallmarks of developmental leaf senescence. We propose PP2A-B'gamma age-dependently controls salicylic acid-related signaling in plant immunity and developmental leaf senescence.

Forest canopies create dynamic light environments in their understorey, where spectral composition changes among patterns of shade and sunflecks, and through the seasons with canopy phenology and sun angle. Plants use spectral composition as a cue to adjust their growth strategy for optimal resource use. Quantifying the ever‐changing nature of the understorey light environment is technically challenging with respect to data collection. Thus, to capture the simultaneous variation occurring in multiple regions of the solar spectrum, we recorded spectral irradiance from forest understoreys over the wavelength range 300–800 nm using an array spectroradiometer. It is also methodologically challenging to analyze solar spectra because of their multi‐scale nature and multivariate lay‐out. To compare spectra, we therefore used a novel method termed thick pen transform (TPT), which is simple and visually interpretable. This enabled us to show that sunlight position in the forest understorey (i.e., shade, semi‐shade, or sunfleck) was the most important factor in determining shape similarity of spectral irradiance. Likewise, the contributions of stand identity and time of year could be distinguished. Spectra from sunflecks were consistently the most similar, irrespective of differences in global irradiance. On average, the degree of cross‐dependence increased with increasing scale, sometimes shifting from negative (dissimilar) to positive (similar) values. We conclude that the interplay of sunlight position, stand identity, and date cannot be ignored when quantifying and comparing spectral composition in forest understoreys. Technological advances mean that array spectroradiometers, which can record spectra contiguously over very short time intervals, are being widely adopted, not only to measure irradiance under pollution, clouds, atmospheric changes, and in biological systems, but also spectral changes at small scales in the photonics industry. We consider that TPT is an applicable method for spectral analysis in any field and can be a useful tool to analyze large datasets in general.

Description of a new species of lichen, Lecanora lecideopsis Cl. Roux et C. Coste sp. nov., known in a single station of France (department of Hérault, municipality of Mons) on non-calcareous rock (gneiss), which differs differs from Lecanora lecideoides (Nyl.) Harm. by its epithecium green to greenish brown, N + (purple), containing cinereorufa green, its thallus with different chemistry (norstictic acid besides atranorine) and its much narrower, oblong or long ellipsoid spores (10)12–14,4-16(18) x (3)3,5-4,0-4,5(5) µm. Comparison with affine species or analogues. Lectotypification of Lecanora lecideoides, species form which L. rubrofusca should be excluded. Key of determination of Lecanora gr. subfusca of Western Europe, saxicolous, with epithecium without crystals and thallus K + (yellow).

Year-round greenhouse production in northern latitudes depends on the use of artificial lighting. Light emitting diodes provide a promising means to save energy during cultivation as well as to modify the light spectrum to regulate the growth and quality of the crop. We compared the effects of light emitting diode lighting with different spectral compositions on the growth, development and nutritional quality of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L. ‘Frillice’). We show that warm-white and warm-white supplemented with blue spectra provide equal growth and product quality compared to conventional high-pressure sodium lighting in the absence and presence of daylight. Our data indicate that for biomass accumulation, the far-red component in the light spectrum is more critical than green light or the red/blue ratio. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a red + blue spectrum increases the concentration of several vitamins in lettuce. However, biomass accumulation using this spectrum was insufficient when daylight was excluded.

The results of this study suggest that the dynamics of potyviral protein accumulation are regulated differentially from the 3′ end of viral RNA than from the rest of the genome, the significance of which would be to satisfy the needs of replication early and particle assembly late in infection., One large open reading frame (ORF) encodes 10 potyviral proteins. We compared the accumulation of cylindrical inclusion (CI) protein from the middle, coat protein (CP) from the 3′end, and Renilla luciferase (RLUC) from two distinct locations in potato virus A (PVA) RNA. 5′ RLUC was expressed from an rluc gene inserted between the P1 and helper component proteinase (HCPro) cistrons, and 3′ RLUC was expressed from the gene inserted between the RNA polymerase and CP cistrons. Viral protein and RNA accumulation were quantitated (i) when expressed from PVA RNA in the presence of ectopically expressed genome-linked viral protein (VPg) and auxiliary proteins and (ii) at different time points during natural infection. The rate and timing of 3′ RLUC and CP accumulation were found to be different from those of 5′ RLUC and CI. Ectopic expression of VPg boosted PVA RNA, 3′ RLUC, and, together with HCPro, CP accumulation, whereas 5′ RLUC and CI accumulation remained unaffected regardless of the increased viral RNA amount. In natural infection, the rate of the noteworthy minute early accumulation of 3′ RLUC accelerated toward the end of infection. 5′ RLUC accumulation, which was already pronounced at 2 days postinfection, increased moderately and stabilized to a constant level by day 5, whereas PVA RNA and CP levels continued to increase throughout the infection. We propose that these observations connect with the mechanisms by which potyvirus infection limits CP accumulation during early infection and specifically supports its accumulation late in infection, but follow-up studies are required to understand the mechanism of how this occurs. IMPORTANCE The results of this study suggest that the dynamics of potyviral protein accumulation are regulated differentially from the 3′ end of viral RNA than from the rest of the genome, the significance of which would be to satisfy the needs of replication early and particle assembly late in infection.

Sunlight can accelerate the decomposition process through an ensemble of direct and indirect processes known as photodegradation. Although photodegradation is widely studied in arid environments, there have been few studies in temperate regions. This experiment investigated how exposure to solar radiation, and specifically UV-B, UV-A, and blue light, affects leaf litter decomposition under a temperate forest canopy in France. For this purpose, we employed custom-made litterbags built using filters that attenuated different regions of the solar spectrum. Litter mass loss and carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of three species: European ash (Fraxinus excelsior), European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), differing in their leaf traits and decomposition rate, were analysed over a period of 7–10 months. Over the entire period, the effect of treatments attenuating blue light and solar UV radiation on leaf litter decomposition was similar to that of our dark treatment, where litter lost 20–30% less mass and had a lower C:N ratio than under the full-spectrum treatment. Moreover, decomposition was affected more by the filter treatment than mesh size, which controlled access by mesofauna. The effect of filter treatment differed among the three species and appeared to depend on litter quality (and especially C:N), producing the greatest effect in recalcitrant litter (F. sylvatica). Even under the reduced irradiance found in the understorey of a temperate forest, UV radiation and blue light remain important in accelerating surface litter decomposition. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00442-019-04478-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Based on previous literature and our own collections, we list 285 bryophyte species (142 liverworts, 143 mosses) from the Taita Hills region (including Mt. Kasigau and Maktau Hill) in SE Kenya. New records for Kenya include the liverworts Archilejeunea elobulata Steph., Bazzania nitida (F. Weber) Grolle, Cololejeunea grossepapillosa (Horik.) N. Kitag., Diplasiolejeunea kraussiana (Lindenb.) Steph., D. villaumei Steph., Lejeunea amaniensis E.W. Jones, L. cyathearum E.W. Jones, Lopholejeunea laciniata E.W. Jones, Metzgeria crassipilis (Lindb.) A. Evans, M. nudifrons Steph., Plagiochila boryana (F. Weber) Nees, and P. moenkemeyeri Steph., and the mosses Leucophanes hildebrandtii Müll. Hal. and Neckeromnion lepineanum (Mont.) S. Olsson, Enroth, Huttunen & D. Quandt. A further 22 liverworts and 13 mosses previously known from other parts of Kenya are reported for the first time from the Taita Hills region.

Transcriptomics plays a central role in understanding the genetic underpinning of post-transcriptional regulation. In recent years, transcriptomics has not only acted as a model for unraveling post-transcriptional regulatory events but has also provided a basis for species-level comparative transcriptomics. In the absence of genomic data, transcriptomics not only allows for de-novo phylo-transcriptomics but also enables the detection of specific genes, which are specific to certain lineages or clades. We present the first reference gametophytic transcriptome of Blasia pusilla sequenced using Illumina Next-Seq with the aim of unravelling the gametophytic transcriptomics of an early embryophyte. We also highlight the role of transcriptomics in identifying early genes and possible phylogenetic pressures on ancestral gene evolution across embryophytes (land plants).

It is now common knowledge- but also a misbelief- that in 1905 William Bateson coined the term ` genetics' for the first time in his letter to Adam Sedgwick. This important term was already formulated 81 years ago in a paper written by a sheep- breeding noble called Imre ( Emmerich) Festetics, who still remains somewhat mysterious even today. The articles written by Festetics summarized the results of a series of lasting and elegant breeding experiments he had conducted on his own property. Selecting the best rams, Festetics had painstakingly crossed and backcrossed his sheep to reach betterwool quality. These experiments later turned out to reveal a better understanding of inheritance outlining genetics as a new branch of natural sciences.

The incidence, distribution, and variation of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in viruses is instrumental in understanding the functional and evolutionary aspects of repeat sequences. Full-length genome sequences retrieved from NCBI were used for extraction and analysis of repeat sequences using IMEx software. We have also developed two MATLAB-based tools for extraction of gene locations from GenBank in tabular format and simulation of this data with SSR incidence data. Present study encompassing 147 Mycobacteriophage genomes revealed 25,284 SSRs and 1,127 compound SSRs (cSSRs) through IMEx. Mono-to hexa-nucleotide motifs were present. The SSR count per genome ranged from 78 (M100) to 342 (M58) while cSSRs incidence ranged from 1 (M138) to 17 (M28, M73). Though cSSRs were present in all the genomes, their frequency and SSR to cSSR conversion percentage varied from 1.08 (M138 with 93 SSRs) to 8.33 (M116 with 96 SSRs). In terms of localization, the SSRs were predominantly localized to coding regions (similar to 78%). Interestingly, genomes of around 50 kb contained a similar number of SSRs/cSSRs to that in a 110 kb genome, suggesting functional relevance for SSRs which was substantiated by variation in motif constitution between species with different host range. The three species with broad host range (M97, M100, M116) have around 90% of their mono-nucleotide repeat motifs composed of G or C and only M16 has both A and T mononucleotide motifs. Around 20% of the di-nucleotide repeat motifs in the genomes exhibiting a broad host range were CT/TC, which were either absent or represented to a much lesser extent in the other genomes.

Premise of the study Access to improved crop cultivars is the foundation for successful agriculture. New cultivars must have improved yields that are determined by quantitative and qualitative traits. Genotype-by-environment interactions (GEI) occur for quantitative traits such as reproductive fitness, longevity, height, weight, yield, and disease resistance. The stability of genotypes across a range of environments can be analyzed using GEI analysis. GEI analysis includes univariate and multivariate analyses with both parametric and non-parametric models. Methods and results The program STABILITYSOFT is online software based on JavaScript and R to calculate several univariate parametric and non-parametric statistics for various crop traits. These statistics include Plaisted and Peterson's mean variance component (θ i ), Plaisted's GE variance component (θ (i) ), Wricke's ecovalence stability index (W i 2 ), regression coefficient (b i ), deviation from regression (S di 2 ), Shukla's stability variance (σ i 2 ), environmental coefficient of variance (CV i ), Nassar and Huhn's statistics (S (1) , S (2) ), Huhn's equation (S (3) and S (6) ), Thennarasu's non-parametric statistics (NP (i) ), and Kang's rank-sum. These statistics are important in the identification of stable genotypes; hence, this program can compare and select genotypes across multiple environment trials for a given data set. This program supports both the repeated data across environments and matrix data types. The accuracy of the results obtained from this software was tested on several crop plants. Conclusions This new software provides a user-friendly interface to estimate stability statistics accurately for plant scientists, agronomists, and breeders who deal with large volumes of quantitative data. This software can also show ranking patterns of genotypes and describe associations among different statistics with yield performance through a heat map plot. The software is available at https://mohsenyousefian.com/stabilitysoft/.

Green roofs play an important role for cities in mediating some problems caused by urbanization. Mosses are ecologically important plants and capable of tolerating harsh conditions, and thus their use for greening building surfaces has become more common. There is only a little information concerning moss-associated microbes, especially those found in green roof environments. Moss-associated microbes might have significant role on the welfare of green roofs as they might induce both beneficial as well as adverse effects on mosses. In this study, the occurrence of fungal populations was studied on green roofs in Finland. A total of 94 samples were collected from nine different green roofs, and 64 fungal isolates and one oomycete were obtained from the brown, necrotic parts of the collected green roof mosses. The most general isolated fungal genus was Trichoderma, comprising 25 different fungal isolates. The second most common genus was Fusarium, with 15 fungal isolates. The third most common genus was Mucor, with nine fungal isolates. Most of the Trichoderma isolates were described as T. harzianum, whereas most of the Fusarium isolates were described as F. acuminatium. In addition, the genera Phoma and Mortierella were frequently present. Fifty-two of 65 isolates caused symptoms in the model plant Physcomitrella patens. The most harmful Trichoderma isolates were described as T. atroviride, T. viride, T. koningiopsis and T. hamatum, all of which caused severe damage to the protonema, stem and leaves. The most harmful Fusarium isolates were F. acuminatium, F. avenaceum and F. tricinctum. The genera Mucor and Mortierella were isolated but they did not cause detectable symptoms in P. patens. These results indicate that many fungal isolates belonging to different genera are able to colonize mosses on green roofs and some of them cause severe damage to the mosses.

The interaction between the viral protein genome-linked (VPg) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) or eIF(iso)4E of the host plays a crucial role in potyvirus infection. The VPg of potato virus A (PVA) contains the Tyr-X-X-X-X-Leu-phi (YXXXL&Phi, ) binding motif for eIF(iso)4E. In order to investigate its role in PVA infection, we substituted the conserved tyrosine and leucine residues of the motif with alanine residues in the infectious cDNA of PVA (PVAVPgmut). PVAVPgmut RNA replicated in infiltrated leaves, but RNA accumulation remained low. Systemic infection occurred only if a reversion to wild type PVA occurred. VPg was able to stabilize PVA RNA and enhance the expression of Renilla luciferase (3&rsquo, RLUC) from the 3&rsquo, end of the PVA genome. VPgmut could not support either PVA RNA stabilization or enhanced 3&rsquo, RLUC expression. The RNA silencing suppressor helper-component proteinase (HCPro) is responsible for the formation of PVA-induced RNA granules (PGs) during infection. While VPgmut increased the number of PG-like foci, the percentage of PVA RNA co-localization with PGs was reduced from 86% to 20%. A testable hypothesis for future studies based on these results is that the binding of eIF(iso)4E to PVA VPg via the YXXXL&Phi, motif is required for PVA RNA stabilization, as well as the transfer to the RNA silencing suppression pathway and, further, to polysomes for viral protein synthesis.

After the budgetary cuts made by the Finnish government in 2015 the University of Helsinki carried out in 2016 simultaneously several disputable reforms comprising the restructuring and too deep downsizing of the administration, and the implementation of education reform called Big Wheel. The implications in the Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS) were even more disastrous due to the inadequate leadership on all levels, because some heads of the units did not know or did not want to save what still could be saved in order to help the situation of the dismissed persons and to assure their possibilities to carry out their own further research. Two outstanding female bryologists and four other people were dismissed in March 2016 from the Botany unit of LUOMUS, and their access to the bryological collections was hindered for a long time under various pretexts. The details of these and some other flaws during the period 2009–2017 are reported now in Finnish, with an English condensation (pp. 14–21) in order to provide a contemporary description and testimony and a possibility for later generations in the history of Finnish botany to judge these events and the leadership shown during this dark period.

Yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is a devastating fungal disease threatening much of global wheat production. Race-specific resistance (R)-genes are used to control rust diseases, but the rapid emergence of virulent Pst races has prompted the search for a more durable resistance. Here, we report the cloning of Yr15, a broad-spectrum R-gene derived from wild emmer wheat, which encodes a putative kinase-pseudokinase protein, designated as wheat tandem kinase 1, comprising a unique R-gene structure in wheat. The existence of a similar gene architecture in 92 putative proteins across the plant kingdom, including the barley RPG1 and a candidate for Ug8, suggests that they are members of a distinct family of plant proteins, termed here tandem kinase-pseudokinases (TKPs). The presence of kinase-pseudokinase structure in both plant TKPs and the animal Janus kinases sheds light on the molecular evolution of immune responses across these two kingdoms., Yellow rust fungus severely limits global wheat production and breeding of durable resistance is challenging. Here Klymiuk et al. isolate the broad-spectrum Yr15 resistance gene from wild emmer wheat and show that it is a member of a distinct tandem kinase-pseudokinase family of plant proteins.

The oomycete pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa) causes downy mildew disease on Arabidopsis. To colonize its host, Hpa translocates effector proteins that suppress plant immunity into infected host cells. Here, we investigate the relevance of the interaction between one of these effectors, HaRxL106, and Arabidopsis RADICAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH1 (RCD1). We use pathogen infection assays as well as molecular and biochemical analyses to test the hypothesis that HaRxL106 manipulates RCD1 to attenuate transcriptional activation of defense genes. We report that HaRxL106 suppresses transcriptional activation of salicylic acid (SA)-induced defense genes and alters plant growth responses to light. HaRxL106-mediated suppression of immunity is abolished in RCD1 loss-of-function mutants. We report that RCD1-type proteins are phosphorylated, and we identified Mut9-like kinases (MLKs), which function as phosphoregulatory nodes at the level of photoreceptors, as RCD1-interacting proteins. An mlk1,3,4 triple mutant exhibits stronger SA-induced defense marker gene expression compared with wild-type plants, suggesting that MLKs also affect transcriptional regulation of SA signaling. Based on the combined evidence, we hypothesize that nuclear RCD1/MLK complexes act as signaling nodes that integrate information from environmental cues and pathogen sensors, and that the Arabidopsis downy mildew pathogen targets RCD1 to prevent activation of plant immunity. Fil: Wirthmueller, Lennart. Freie Universität Berlin; Alemania Fil: Asai, Shuta. The Sainsbury Laboratory Norwich; Reino Unido Fil: Rallapalli, Ghanasyam. The Sainsbury Laboratory Norwich; Reino Unido Fil: Sklenar, Jan. The Sainsbury Laboratory Norwich; Reino Unido Fil: Fabro, Georgina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba; Argentina Fil: Kim, Dae Sung. The Sainsbury Laboratory Norwich; Reino Unido Fil: Lintermann, Ruth. Freie Universität Berlin; Alemania Fil: Jaspers, Pinja. University of Helsinki; Finlandia Fil: Wrzaczek, Michael. University of Helsinki; Finlandia Fil: Kangasjärvi, Jaakko. University of Helsinki; Finlandia Fil: MacLean, Daniel. The Sainsbury Laboratory Norwich; Reino Unido Fil: Menke, Frank L. H.. The Sainsbury Laboratory Norwich; Reino Unido Fil: Banfield, Mark J.. John Innes Institute; Reino Unido Fil: Jones, Jonathan D. G.. The Sainsbury Laboratory Norwich; Reino Unido

Heterobasidion parviporum Niemel&auml, &amp, Korhonen is an economically important basidiomycete, causing root and stem rot disease of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) in Northern Europe. The H. parviporum genome encodes numerous small secreted proteins, which might be of importance for interacting with mycorrhiza symbionts, endophytes, and other saprotrophs. We hypothesized that small secreted proteins from H. parviporum (HpSSPs) are involved in interspecific fungal interaction. To identify HpSSP-coding genes potentially involved, we screened the H. parviporum effectome and compared their transcriptomic profiles during fungal development and in planta tree infection. We further conducted phylogenetic analysis, and identified a subset of hypothetical proteins with nonpredicted domain or unknown function as HpSSPs candidates for further characterization. The HpSSPs candidates were selected based on high-quality sequence, cysteine residue frequency, protein size, and in planta expression. We subsequently explored their roles during in vitro interaction in paired cultures of H. parviporum with ectomycorrhizal Cortinarius gentilis, endophytic Phialocephala sphaeroides, saprotrophs (Mycena sp., Phlebiopsis gigantea, and Phanerochaete chrysosporium), respectively. The transcriptomic profile revealed that a large proportion of effector candidates was either barely expressed or highly expressed under all growth conditions. In vitro dual-culture test showed that P. sphaeroides and C. gentilis were overgrown by H. parviporum. The barrage zone formation or no physical contact observed in paired cultures with the saprotrophs suggest they had either combative interaction or antibiosis effect with H. parviporum. Several HpSSPs individuals were up- or downregulated during the nonself interactions. The results of HpSSPs gene expression patterns provide additional insights into the diverse roles of SSPs in tree infection and interspecific fungal interactions.

Inflorescences in the Asteraceae plant family, flower heads, or capitula, mimic single flowers but are highly compressed structures composed of multiple flowers. This transference of a flower-like appearance into an inflorescence level is considered as the key innovation for the rapid tribal radiation of Asteraceae. Recent molecular data indicate that Asteraceae flower heads resemble single flowers not only morphologically but also at molecular level. We summarize this data giving examples of how rewiring of conserved floral regulators have led to evolution of morphological innovations in Asteraceae. Functional diversification of the highly conserved flower meristem identity regulator LEAFY has shown a major role in the evolution of the capitulum architecture. Furthermore, gene duplication and subsequent sub-and neofunctionalization of SEPALLATA and CYCLOIDEA-like genes in Asteraceae have been shown to contribute to meristem determinacy, as well as flower type differentiation-key traits that specify this large family. Future challenge is to integrate genomic, as well as evolutionary developmental studies in a wider selection of Asteraceae species to understand the detailed gene regulatory networks behind the elaborate inflorescence architecture, and to promote our understanding of how changes in regulatory mechanisms shape development.

Work life relevance is emphasized these days in higher education. In addition to domain-specific knowledge and skills, students should learn general work life competencies, such as team work, networking, project work and digital skills. At the University of Helsinki, agricultural science students’ work life skills are promoted in a project course. The 5 ETCS course has been held for B.Sc. and M.Sc. students in 2016 and 2017. The course in 2016 had eight students and three supervisors in two project teams; the course in 2017 had 15 students in four teams, and six supervisors (university teachers). Each team had its own external client from businesses and national government departments. The course implementation was examined from a design-based research approach. The aim of the study was to evaluate the summative evaluations made by all groups participating in the course, receive research-based knowledge about improving the course design further, and to try out instruments and methods that can be used in educational practice to assess participant satisfaction and competence development during courses about work life. An online questionnaire was used to examine the evaluations of the supervisors and students about the success of the course and the competencies gained by the students (Collaborative Knowledge Practices Questionnaire, CKP). Interviews were used to examine the views of the clients concerning the realization and development of the course. The data were analysed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The project process was mostly graded the same by the evaluators (students, supervisors and clients), but most student groups gave the report a higher grade than the other evaluators did. Students’ evaluations were that they had acquired knowledge work competencies well, particularly the development of shared objects, the integration of individual and collaborative working and persistent development of knowledge objects. The students particularly appreciated team work for achieving common goals, development of project work and work life skills, interesting project topics and interaction with the customers. Challenges were the open assignments and related uncertainty of working methods, coordination of group work and students’ inadequate skills in relation to project work requirements. The tight schedule of 11 weeks in 2016 led to the course being extended to 16 weeks in 2017. All clients evaluated their participation in the course as being positive. They appreciated being able to help students to practice work life skills and the university to develop teaching. Collaboration was seen as a good way to create contacts with students from the viewpoint of future workplaces. Project work outcomes provided new information for the development of the client organizations or supplemented and strengthened earlier views. As targets for improvement, the clients mentioned better definition of appropriate assignments for student teams and the development of interaction practices, e.g. by organizing virtual meetings. For the supervisors, the motivated working of the students and finishing of the projects in time were positive aspects. It was challenging to define appropriate topics for the client assignments, requirements of the course in relation to the skills of the students and timing of the course as well as their own time management. All parties experienced work life-oriented project courses as necessary and rewarding for all parties. Research-based evaluation provided useful information for developing the course design further. Non

Climate screens are typically used inside glass greenhouses to improve control of humidity and temperature, and thus reduce energy expenditure. Shade nets are more appropriate to use, either with or without polyethylene cladding, at locations less-reliant on climate control, but where protection against hail, wind and excessive solar radiation might be needed. In addition, insect screens and nets can be employed to hinder insect pests and other invertebrates entering either type of production environment, and to keep invertebrates used in pest management contained inside. Screens and nets both transmit sunlight in a wavelength-specific manner, giving them the potential to affect plant morphology and physiology. Screens and nets of various colours and nominal shading factors have been described and studied; however, detailed measurements of their spectral characteristics are scarce. We measured solar spectral photon-irradiance and its attenuation by climate screens, shade nets, insect nets, greenhouse glass, and polyethylene covers. Our aim was to elucidate the effects of different patterns, colours, and shading factors, on light quality in production environments. Our measurements reveal that there are large differences both in the fraction of global irradiance attenuated and spectral ratios received under materials that are otherwise superficially similar in terms of their appearance and texture. We suggest that the type of spectral characterization that we performed is required to fully interpret the results of research examining plant responses to different types of screen and net. These data on spectral irradiance would benefit material manufacturers, researchers, growers, and horticultural consultants, enabling material selection to better match the solutions sought by growers and their desired outcomes regarding plant performance.

Both theory and experimental evolution studies predict migration to influence the outcome of antagonistic coevolution between hosts and their parasites, with higher migration rates leading to increased diversity and evolutionary potential. Migration rates are expected to vary in spatially structured natural pathosystems, yet how spatial structure generates variation in coevolutionary trajectories across populations occupying the same landscape has not been tested. Here, we studied the effect of spatial connectivity on host evolutionary potential in a natural pathosystem characterized by a stable Plantago lanceolata host network and a highly dynamic Podosphaera plantaginis parasite metapopulation. We designed a large inoculation experiment to test resistance of five isolated and five well-connected host populations against sympatric and allopatric pathogen strains, over 4 years. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find consistently higher resistance against sympatric pathogen strains in the well-connectedpopulations. Instead, host local adaptation varied considerably among populations and through time with greater fluctuations observed in the well-connected populations. Jointly, our results suggest that in populations where pathogens have successfully established, they have the upper hand in the coevolutionary arms race, but hosts may be better able to respond to pathogen-imposed selection in the well-connected than in the isolated populations. Hence, the ongoing and extensive fragmentation of natural habitats may increase vulnerability to diseases.

Background and aims Differences among plant genotypes can influence ecosystem functioning such as the rate of litter decomposition. Little is known, however, of the strength of genotypic links between litter quality, microbial abundance and litter decomposition within plant populations, or the likelihood that these processes are driven by natural selection. Methods We used 19 Betula pendula genotypes randomly selected from a local population in south-eastern Finland to establish a long-term, 35-month litter decomposition trial on forest ground. We analysed the effect of litter quality (N, phenolics and triterpenoids) of senescent leaves and decomposed litter on microbial abundance and litter mass loss. Results We found that while litter quality and mass loss both had significant genotypic variation, the genotypic variation among silver birch trees in the quantity of bacterial and fungal DNA was marginal. In addition, although the quantity of bacterial DNA at individual tree level was negatively associated with most secondary metabolites of litter and positively with litter N, litter chemistry was not genotypically linked to litter mass loss. Conclusions Contrary to our expectations, these results suggest that natural selection may have limited influence on overall microbial DNA and litter decomposition rate in B. pendula populations by reworking the genetically controlled foliage chemistry of these populations.

The atmospheric pollutant ozone (O-3) is a strong oxidant that causes extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, has significant ecological relevance, and is used here as a non-invasive ROS inducer to study plant signalling. Previous genetic screens identified several mutants exhibiting enhanced O-3 sensitivity, but few with enhanced tolerance. We found that loss-of-function mutants in Arabidopsis MLO2, a gene implicated in susceptibility to powdery mildew disease, exhibit enhanced dose-dependent tolerance to O-3 and extracellular ROS, but a normal response to intracellular ROS. This phenotype is increased in a mlo2 mlo6 mlo12 triple mutant, reminiscent of the genetic redundancy of MLO genes in powdery mildew resistance. Stomatal assays revealed that enhanced O-3 tolerance in mlo2 mutants is not caused by altered stomatal conductance. We explored modulation of the mlo2-associated O-3 tolerance, powdery mildew resistance, and early senescence phenotypes by genetic epistasis analysis, involving mutants with known effects on ROS sensitivity or antifungal defence. Mining of publicly accessible microarray data suggests that these MLO proteins regulate accumulation of abiotic stress response transcripts, and transcript accumulation of MLO2 itself is O-3 responsive. In summary, our data reveal MLO2 as a novel negative regulator in plant ROS responses, which links biotic and abiotic stress response pathways.

The relative importance of bottom‐up versus top‐down control of population dynamics has been the focus of much debate. In infectious disease biology, research is typically focused on the bottom‐up process of host resistance, wherein the direction of control flows from the lower to the higher trophic level to impact on pathogen population size and epidemiology. However, the importance of top‐down control by a pathogen's natural enemies has been mostly overlooked.Here, we explore the effects of, and interaction between, host genotype (i.e., genetic susceptibility to pathogen infection) and infection by a hyperparasitic fungus, Ampelomyces spp., on the establishment and early epidemic growth and transmission of a powdery mildew plant pathogen (Podosphaera plantaginis). We used a semi‐natural field experiment to contrast the impacts of hyperparasite infection, host‐plant resistance and spatial structure to reveal the key factors that determine pathogen spread. We then used a laboratory‐based inoculation approach to test whether the field experiment results hold across multiple pathogen–host genetic combinations and to explore hyperparasite effects on the pathogen's later life‐history stages.We found that hyperparasite infection had a negligible effect on within‐host infection development and between‐host spread of the pathogen during the onset of epidemics. In contrast, host‐plant resistance was the major determinant of whether plants became infected, and host genotype and proximity to an infection source determined infection severity.Our laboratory study showed that, while the interaction between host and pathogen genotypes was the key determinant of infection outcome, hyperparasitism did, on average, reduce the severity of infection. Moreover, hyperparasite infection negatively influenced the production of the pathogen's overwintering structures. Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that bottom‐up host resistance affects pathogen spread, but top‐down control of powdery mildew pathogens is likely more effective against later life‐history stages. Further, while hyperparasitism in this system can reduce early pathogen growth under stable laboratory conditions, this effect is not detectable in a semi‐natural environment. Considering the effects of hyperparasites at multiple points in pathogen's life history will be important when considering hyperparasite‐derived biocontrol measures in other natural and agricultural systems., Our results suggest that bottom‐up host resistance affects pathogen spread, but top‐down control of powdery mildew pathogens is likely more effective against later life‐history stages. Further, while hyperparasitism in this system can reduce early pathogen growth under stable laboratory conditions, this effect is not detectable in a semi‐natural environment. Considering the effects of hyperparasites at multiple points in pathogen's life history will be important when considering hyperparasite‐derived biocontrol measures in other natural and agricultural systems.

The Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP) is one of three Panels of experts that inform the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. The EEAP focuses on the effects of UV radiation on human health, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, air quality, and materials, as well as on the interactive effects of UV radiation and global climate change. When considering the effects of climate change, it has become clear that processes resulting in changes in stratospheric ozone are more complex than previously held. Because of the Montreal Protocol, there are now indications of the beginnings of a recovery of stratospheric ozone, although the time required to reach levels like those before the 1960s is still uncertain, particularly as the effects of stratospheric ozone on climate change and vice versa, are not yet fully understood. Some regions will likely receive enhanced levels of UV radiation, while other areas will likely experience a reduction in UV radiation as ozone- and climate-driven changes affect the amounts of UV radiation reaching the Earth´s surface. Like the other Panels, the EEAP produces detailed Quadrennial Reports every four years; the most recent was published as a series of seven papers in 2015 (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2015, 14, 1-184). In the years in between, the EEAP produces less detailed and shorter Update Reports of recent and relevant scientific findings. The most recent of these was for 2016 (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2017, 16, 107-145). The present 2017 Update Report assesses some of the highlights and new insights about the interactive nature of the direct and indirect effects of UV radiation, atmospheric processes, and climate change. A full 2018 Quadrennial Assessment, will be made available in 2018/2019. Fil: Bais, A. F.. Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki; Grecia Fil: Lucas, R. M.. Australian National University; Australia Fil: Bornman, J. F.. Curtin University; Australia Fil: Williamson, C. E.. Miami University; Estados Unidos Fil: Sulzberger, B.. Swiss Federal Institute Of Aquatic Science And Technology; Suiza Fil: Austin, Amy Theresa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina Fil: Wilson, S. R.. University Of Wollongong; Australia Fil: Andrady, A. L.. North Carolina State University; Estados Unidos Fil: Bernhard, G.. Biospherical Instruments, Inc.; Estados Unidos Fil: McKenzie, R. L.. National Institute Of Water And Atmospheric Research; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Aucamp, P. J.. Ptersa Environmental Consultants; Sudáfrica Fil: Madronich, S.. National Center for Atmospheric Research; Estados Unidos Fil: Neale, R. E.. Royal Brisbane Hospital; Australia Fil: Yazar, S.. University of Western Australia; Australia Fil: Young, A. R.. King's College London; Reino Unido Fil: De Gruijl, F. R.. Leiden University Medical Center; Países Bajos Fil: Norval, M.. Edinburgh Medical School; Reino Unido Fil: Takizawa, Y.. Akita University School Of Medicine; Japón Fil: Barnes, P. W.. Loyola University; Estados Unidos Fil: Robson, T. M.. University of Helsinski; Finlandia Fil: Robinson, S. A.. University Of Wollongong; Australia Fil: Ballare, Carlos Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina Fil: Flint, S. D.. University of Idaho; Estados Unidos Fil: Neale, P. J.. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center; Estados Unidos Fil: Hylande, S.. Linnaeus University; Suecia Fil: Rose, K. C.. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Estados Unidos Fil: Wängberg, S.-Å.. University of Gothenburg; Suecia Fil: Häder, D.-P.. Universitat Erlangen-Nuremberg; Alemania Fil: Worrest, R. C.. Columbia University; Estados Unidos Fil: Zepp, R. G.. United States Environmental Protection Agency; Estados Unidos Fil: Paul, N. D.. Lancaster University; Estados Unidos Fil: Cory, R. M.. University of Michigan; Estados Unidos Fil: Solomon, K. R.. University of Guelph; Canadá Fil: Longstreth, J.. The Institute for Global Risk Research; Estados Unidos Fil: Pandey, K. K.. Institute of Wood Science and Technology; India Fil: Redhwi, H. H.. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals; Arabia Saudita Fil: Torikai, A.. Materials Life Society of Japan; Japón Fil: Heikkilä, A. M.. Finnish Meteorological Institute R&D/Climate Research; Finlandia

While transposable elements (TEs) comprise the bulk of plant genomic DNA, how they contribute to genome structure and organization is still poorly understood. Especially, in large genomes where TEs make the majority of genomic DNA, it is still unclear whether TEs target specific chromosomal regions or whether they simply accumulate where they are best tolerated. The barley genome with its vast repetitive fraction is an ideal system to study chromosomal organization and evolution of TEs. Genes make only about 2% of the genome, while over 80% is derived from TEs. The TE fraction is composed of at least 350 different families. However, 50% of the genome is comprised of only 15 high-copy TE families, while all other TE families are present in moderate or low-copy numbers. The barley genome is highly compartmentalized with different types of TEs occupying different chromosomal “niches”, such as distal, interstitial or proximal regions of chromosome arms. Furthermore, gene space represents its own distinct genomic compartment that is enriched in small non-autonomous DNA transposons, suggesting that these TEs specifically target promoters and downstream regions. Some TE families also show a strong preference to insert in specific sequence motifs which may, in part, explain their distribution. The family-specific distribution patterns result in distinct TE compositions of different chromosomal compartments.

The ability of a parasite strain to establish and grow on its host may be drastically altered by simultaneous infection by other parasite strains. However, we still lack an understanding of how life-history allocations may change under coinfection, although life-history correlations are a critical mechanism restricting the evolutionary potential and epidemiological dynamics of pathogens. Here, we study how life-history stages and their correlations change in the obligate fungal pathogen Podosphaera plantaginis under single infection and coinfection scenarios. We find increased pathogen loads under coinfection, but this is not explained by an enhanced performance at any of the life-history stages that constitute infections. Instead, we show that under coinfection the correlation between timing of sporulation and final pathogen load becomes positive. The changes in pathogen life-history allocations leading to more severe infections under coinfection can have far-reaching epidemiological consequences, as well as implication for our understanding of the evolution of virulence.

Strawberries (Fragaria sp.) are small perennial plants capable of both sexual reproduction through seeds and clonal reproduction via runners. Because vegetative and generative developmental programs are tightly connected, the control of flowering is presented here in the context of the yearly growth cycle. The rosette crown of strawberry consists of a stem with short internodes produced from the apical meristem. Each node harbors one trifoliate leaf and an axillary bud. The fate of axillary buds is dictated by environmental conditions; high temperatures and long days (LDs) promote axillary bud development into runners, whereas cool temperature and short days (SDs) favor the formation of branch crowns. SDs and cool temperature also promote flowering; under these conditions, the main shoot apical meristem is converted into a terminal inflorescence, and vegetative growth is continued from the uppermost axillary branch crown. The environmental factors that regulate vegetative and generative development in strawberries have been reasonably well characterized and are reviewed in the first two chapters. The genetic basis of the physiological responses in strawberries is much less clear. To provide a point of reference for the flowering pathways described in strawberries so far, a short review on the molecular mechanisms controlling flowering in the model plant Arabidopsis is given. The last two chapters will then describe the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms controlling the physiological responses in strawberries.

Background: Medemia argun is a rare wild palm tree species. Its global existence is assumed to include the main population of about 1000 trees in the Nubian Desert of Sudan and some scattered individuals in southern Egypt. The species had previously been assumed to be extinct, but then reported to be extant about 20 years ago. Aims: To assess genetic variation and explore population genetic structure of M. argun, through development and analysis of microsatellite markers. Methods: The genome sequence mining approach was applied in order to identify microsatellites in the chloroplast genome of Bismarckia nobilis, a species closely related of M. argun. A set of 49 markers were designed, and their characteristics are now provided. Seven chloroplast DNA markers were developed for use in the genetic characterisation of this threatened species. Results: Five markers were found polymorphic in M. argun, which enabled the assessment of the genetic diversity of the species. Significant genetic differentiation was observed among generations and collection sites, accompanied by low genetic variation. The seven markers developed were polymorphic among the wild relatives Hyphaene thebaica and Borassus aethiopum. Conclusions: This is the first study to report molecular markers for M. argun. Our results suggest that the genetic consequences of population fragmentation in M. argun are beginning to be evident.

Light is an important environmental factor that modulates acclimation strategies and defense responses in plants. We explored the functional role of the regulatory subunit B′γ (B′γ) of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in light-dependent stress responses of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The predominant form of PP2A consists of catalytic subunit C, scaffold subunit A, and highly variable regulatory subunit B, which determines the substrate specificity of PP2A holoenzymes. Mutant leaves of knockdown pp2a-b′γ plants show disintegration of chloroplasts and premature yellowing conditionally under moderate light intensity. The cell-death phenotype is accompanied by the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide through a pathway that requires CONSTITUTIVE EXPRESSION OF PR GENES5 (CPR5). Moreover, the pp2a-b′γ cpr5 double mutant additionally displays growth suppression and malformed trichomes. Similar to cpr5, the pp2a-b′γ mutant shows constitutive activation of both salicylic acid- and jasmonic acid-dependent defense pathways. In contrast to cpr5, however, pp2a-b′γ leaves do not contain increased levels of salicylic acid or jasmonic acid. Rather, the constitutive defense response associates with hypomethylation of DNA and increased levels of methionine-salvage pathway components in pp2a-b′γ leaves. We suggest that the specific B′γ subunit of PP2A is functionally connected to CPR5 and operates in the basal repression of defense responses under low irradiance.

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for the endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae, which is symbiotic with Festuca rubra, to study the population genetics of the species and to compare population structures between E. festucae and its host F. rubra. • Methods and Results: We developed 14 polymorphic markers using the unplaced genomic scaffold sequences of E. festucae from GenBank. The number of alleles per locus (A) varied from four to 16, and unbiased haploid diversity (h) was 0.717 in eight populations located in the Faroe Islands, Finland, and Spain. The Spanish populations possessed a higher number of alleles and haploid diversity (on average A = 5.1 and h = 0.591, respectively) compared to northern populations (on average A = 1.5 and h = 0.199, respectively). • Conclusions: These polymorphic markers will be used by grass breeders for uses including the improvement of commercial turfgrass cultivars, and by population geneticists to study different species of the Epichloë genus.

Employment of PhDs from the biological fields appears to be facing challenges outside academia. This interview study was conducted to analyze the experiences of PhD graduates from the fields of molecular biosciences on how the research education prepared them to the working life outside academia, and how well the studies did match with the expectations and demands in the working life. In this interview study the working life skills were categorized as 1) research skills, 2) generic skills and 3) application of biological world view. In general, the research training gave good background to work as a well respected experts in different fields. However, the lack of direct match between the fields of research training and the job description had demanded additional training from each PhD who had moved outside the academia. Non