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The vulnerability of commercial crops under a changing climate has led scientists to consider wild crop species as alternative food sources. The aim of this study was to identify plastic physiological and morphological traits that could be used to in vitro screen Amaranthus dubius and Galinsoga parviflora seeds for drought, salinity, and heat tolerance. To establish the lethal dose/temperature, 50% (LD/T50), for each stress, seeds for both were subjected to various mannitol and NaCl stresses and a range of temperatures. Percentage seedling emergence was selected as the initial indicator of tolerance and used to establish the LD/T50 for in vitro screening for both species. Seeds of both were then screened at the LD/T50 concentrations/temperatures established, and seedlings that emerged after 21 days were measured for leaf area, root (RL), shoot length (SL), chlorophyll content (Chl), fresh, dry mass, and leaf number. Data for these were used to quantify plasticity in terms of Valladares’s phenotypic plasticity index. For A. dubius, three (viz. RL, SL, and Chl) showed some plasticity (≥0.53) and tolerance across all three stressors. For G. parviflora all traits except SL showed some plasticity (≥0.58) and tolerance across all three stressors. Both species had high phenotypic plasticity across all three stressors, which suggests that wild leafy vegetables may possess the ability to tolerate climate change-associated stressors and should be considered for future breeding programs.

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most consumed horticultural products worldwide. However, pepper seeds have slow and asynchronous germination. Organic agriculture encourages using natural substances for the pre-germinative treatment of seeds. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of priming sweet pepper seeds with bromelain crude extract (obtained from pineapple stem residues) on subsequent seedling emergence and growth. The effects of the proteolytic activity of the extract (0, 3.16, 6.25, 12.25, and 25.0 totalU), imbibition time (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 h), and imbibition temperature (15, 25, 35 and 45 ℃) on seedling emergence and growth were assessed. The significantly best emergence, based on a range of indicators (emergence percentage: E, time to 50% emergence: TE50, emergence index: EI, mean emergence rate: MER, mean emergence time: MET, and synchronization index: SI), was obtained when the seeds were treated for three h at 35°C with a 6.25 totalU bromelain crude extract. Seeds subjected to this treatment combination also yielded the most vigorous seedlings (number of true leaves, length and thickness of the stems, fresh mass, dry mass, leaf area) . In conclusion, pre-germinative treatment with bromelain crude extract of 6.25 totalU proteolytic activity for three h at 35°C improved seedling emergence and growth in sweet pepper seedlings relative to untreated seed. This result offers an organic priming alternative for seeds of sweet pepper.

Recalcitrant seeds are characterized by desiccation and freezing sensitivity, and short storage longevity. These physiological attributes obviate their ex situ conservation in conventional seed banks, where seeds are stored dry at sub-zero temperatures (typically, 15% relative humidity and –20°C) for extended periods of time. Propagation of plants for field collections (e.g., botanical gardens, nurseries, and arboretums) is a valuable ex situ conservation option. However, these collections are relatively costly, require high maintenance, preserve limited genetic diversity and/or are directly exposed to biotic (e.g., pests) and abiotic (e.g., climatic) threats. Therefore, recalcitrant-seeded (RS) species are dependent on cryopreservation for their safe and long-term ex situ conservation. Different explant sources such as whole seeds, zygotic embryos, dormant buds, shoot tips, and pollen, can be used for plant propagation of RS species in field collections as well as for their cryopreservation. The success of the propagation or the cryopreservation of these explants often depends on their developmental status, vigor, and/or tolerance to desiccation and chilling/freezing. These attributes are modulated by the environment where the donor plant grows and we hypothesize that climate change, by affecting these biological attributes, would impact the success of explant propagation and cryopreservation. To support this hypothesis, we have reviewed how temperature changes and drought, the two main climate change scenarios, affect the main biological attributes that are directly involved in the success of ex situ conservation of tropical and temperate RS species. In general, increases in temperature and drought will negatively affect plant development in field collections and the quality of the explants used in cryopreservation. Consequently, field collections of RS species may need to be moved to more suitable places (e.g., higher latitudes/altitudes). Additionally, we may find a reduction in the success of cryopreservation of RS species germplasm directly harvested from field collections. However, we cannot always generalize these effects for all species since they often depend on the origin of the species (e.g., tropical and temperate species tend to respond to climate change differently), the genotype, the adaptive genetic potential of each population, and the severity of the environmental change. On the other hand, the increase in temperatures and water stress in donor plants at high-latitude areas and also some tropical environments may favor the production of seeds and seedlings better adapted to drying, and hence, increase the success of plant propagation and zygotic embryo cryopreservation.

Financial support is a critical enabling factor for healthy agri-food innovation systems, particularly within resource-limited settings, though additional forms of support are also necessary. This motivated a critical comparative review of evidence in peer-reviewed and gray literature on the range of instruments that support innovation in agri-food systems in the Global South, toward achieving sustainable agriculture intensification. The main aim is to provide recommendations to innovation managers on the choice of different instruments for supporting innovation. The key guiding questions for the comparative analysis were whether the instrument fosters uptake of innovation and whether it promotes inclusive development. A review of the literature was supplemented with a scan of websites for sources of peer-reviewed and gray literature documenting the application of the 12 selected instruments. The study revealed three categories of instruments: (Type A) those that support entrepreneurship; (Type B) those that primarily finance innovation; and (Type C) those that support innovation in real-life contexts. Our analysis indicates that innovation managers and funders need to select instruments that are likely to fit the specific context as well as to address the mandates of their organizations, and in so doing, they must consider how to ensure the sustainability of their investments and meet the needs of their beneficiaries. This review represents one of a handful that have compared the use of multiple instruments across multiple continents in the Global South, and can serve as an important decision-making tool for investors and funders looking to invest in agri-food innovation systems.

Entanglement and ingestion of plastics are the main ecological impacts of marine plastic debris on marine biota, but indirect effects such as the transport of alien species and benthic smothering are also important to note. Entanglement of invertebrates, sharks, turtles, birds and marine mammals is mainly caused by macroplastics (>5 mm), and leads to reduced mobility, ineffective foraging and subsequent mortality. The main plastic types associated with entanglement are improperly discarded fishing nets, lines, ropes and straps. In South Africa and surrounding waters, plastic ingestion has been reported in a number of marine species: sharks (n=10), fish (n=7), turtles (n=1) and birds (n=36). Lethal (macroplastic) and sub-lethal effects (microplastic ≤5 mm) of marine debris on biota have been noted, but at the time of this review there were no published reports on impacts at the population level. Consumed shellfish are possible vectors for the introduction of microplastics into humans. The specific impacts of microplastic ingestion on human health are largely unknown, but additives associated with plastics represent a threat. The research infrastructure in South Africa is insufficient to monitor and characterise marine plastic debris and, in many cases, not in line with global standards. More research effort is needed to understand the impacts of marine plastic debris on humans and marine biota in South Africa, particularly at the population level. Significance: Macroplastics affect marine biota mainly via entanglement and microplastics largely through ingestion. Macro- and microplastic interactions with biota can result in sub-lethal effects and mortality but no population effects have been reported for South Africa. Consumed shellfish are a potential source of microplastics for humans but their potential effects in humans remain unknown. Better infrastructure is needed for improved monitoring and research on the effects of marine debris in South Africa.

Aim of the study: Alien and indigenous species emergence patterns within canopy gaps in urban subtropical forests are poorly understood. This study compared canopy gap floristics in relation to abiotic and physical characteristics across three subtropical urban forests differing in disturbance history. Area of study: Three Northern Coastal Forests of varying disturbance histories located in coastal subtropical urban KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa (SA). Materials and methods: Closed canopy (n = 15 quadrats per forest ) and four gaps (n = 12 quadrats per forest) from three size classes (‘small’ < 25 m2, ‘medium’ 25 - 45 m2; ‘large’ > 45 m2) were surveyed for the primary least disturbed (PLD), primary highly disturbed (PHD) and transitional highly disturbed (THD) forests using classical vegetation sampling techniques. Soil moisture content and air temperature were measured within each gap. Main results: Cumulatively all forest gaps hosted 198 species. Equivalent number of species (Hill numbers from H = 0 to H = 2) were constantly higher in the PHD forest followed by the PLD forest and lowest in the THD forest. Alien and indigenous plant density were negatively correlated. Species richness was positively correlated with gap size and soil moisture content, and negatively correlated with air temperature. Research highlights: Gap floristic patterns are influenced by size, abiotic factors, disturbance and forest successional status. Floristic, abiotic and physical characteristics of gaps should be monitored within urban forests as these can influence gap infilling in terms of rate, species composition, and alien-indigenous plant interactions across the forest. This can inform management interventions such as species reintroduction and alien clearing. Keywords: conservation; disturbance; gaps; management; Northern Coastal Forest; subtropical; species richness. Abbreviations: SA: South Africa; KZN: KwaZulu-Natal; PLD: Primary Least Disturbed forest; PHD: Primary Highly Disturbed forest; THD: Transitional Highly Disturbed forest; IOCB: Indian Ocean Coastal Belt; New POSA: New Plants of southern Africa website; NEMBA: National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act.

Knowing the mechanisms that operate under water stress in commercial crops, particularly those that can affect productivity, such as phenolic or cell wall metabolism, is becoming increasingly important in a scenario of global climate change. However, our understanding of how to analyse statistically the relationships between these commonly used biochemical markers of water stress and growth in crops like pineapple, needs to be improved. In the present work, we have addressed the question of whether polynomial regression analysis can be used to describe the influence of selected plant metabolites (chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolics and aldehydes) on shoot biomass, in response to a mannitol-induced water stress in temporary immersion bioreactors (TIBs). Polynomial regression analysis has been applied to investigate plant stress responses in many species but is very seldom used in in vitro screening studies. Here, the relationship between biochemical indicators (x; independent variable) and shoot growth (y; dependent variable) has been characterised, with y modelled as an nth degree polynomial in x. This statistical approach accommodated for the non-linear (curvilinear) relationships between variables, and the results showed that shoot biomass was negatively, and significantly correlated with soluble phenolics, cell wall-linked phenolics and other aldehydes (characterised by “High” R2 values).

The maintenance of seed quality during the long-term conservation of plant genetic resources is crucial for averting the projected food crises that are linked to the changing climate and rising world population. However, ageing-induced loss of seed vigour and viability during storage remains an inevitable process that compromises productivity in several orthodox-seeded crop species. Seed ageing under prolonged storage, which can occur even under optimal conditions, induces several modifications capable of causing loss of intrinsic physiological quality traits, including germination capacity and vigour, and stand establishment. The problems posed by seed ageing have motivated the development of various techniques for mitigating their detrimental effects. These invigoration techniques generally fall within one of two categories: (1) priming or pre-hydrating seeds in a solution for improved post-harvest performance, or (2) post-storage reinvigoration which often involves soaking seeds recovered from storage in a solution. Seed priming methods are generally divided into classical (hydropriming, osmopriming, redox priming, biostimulant priming, etc.) and advanced (nanopriming, magnetopriming and priming using other physical agents) techniques. With the increasing popularity of seed invigoration techniques to achieve the much-desired enhanced productivity and resilience in the face of a changing climate, there is an urgent need to explore these techniques effectively (in addition to other important practices such as plant breeding, fertilizer application, and the control of pests and diseases). This review aims to provide an overview of ageing in orthodox seeds and invigoration techniques that can enhance desirable agronomic and physiological characters.

Climate change poses risks to both wild and crop plant biodiversity, which can be mitigated by cryopreservation (usually at -196 °C in liquid nitrogen [LN]) of crop germplasm. Cryopreservation is widely regarded as a reliable method for the ex situ conservation of plant genetic resources but its effects on subsequent field performance of popular crop species such as sorghum are largely unknown. This hampers the large-scale implementation (i.e. germplasm banks) of cryostorage for such species. This short communication describes the early stages of germination and field performance of plants derived from cryopreserved sorghum seed. Compared with the control, cryopreservation significantly increased seed electrolyte leakage and from 24 to 120 hours, percentage of germination of the control was ~2.6 folds higher than cryopreserved seeds. At 0 days, chlorophyll a/b rate was ~1.7 folds higher in the control and at 7 and 14 days, chlorophyll a level (~1.5 folds) and chlorophyll a/b rate (~1.8-1.9 folds) were higher in the control. Contrastingly, at 7 days, seedlings derived from cryopreserved seeds (treatment seedlings) showed ~1.5 folds more superoxide dismutase activity and ~1.9 folds more peroxidase activity. In contrast, treatment and control adult plants were statistically comparable in terms of chlorophylls, proteins, superoxide and peroxidase activities, plant architecture, and yield components. The fact that differences in biochemical indicators observed between control and treatment seedlings did not persist in adult plants validates the use of seed cryopreservation for the conservation of sorghum genetic resources.

Aged seeds exhibit compromised vigour in terms of germination, seedling emergence and growth, but this can to some extent be alleviated by invigoration treatments before sowing. This study aimed to investigate ageing rates and patterns in cabbage (Brassica oleraceae) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seeds and whether the beneficial effects of invigorating aged seeds with exogenous antioxidants translate to enhanced seedling performance. Seeds were artificially aged to 25% viability before soaking in 0.4 mM glycerol, 0.6 mM GSH and 0.2 mM trolox for cabbage, and 0.6 mM glycerol, GSH and trolox for lettuce; deionised water served as a control. After 14 days of sowing, seedling emergence percentage, mean emergence time, mean daily emergence, and time taken to 25% emergence were computed. Seedling vigour index, root and shoot dry weight, root:shoot ratio, leaf area, leaf area ratio, and leaf chlorophyll content were assessed 6 weeks after sowing. Furthermore, the photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (E), and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured 6 weeks after sowing. Notably, ageing resulted in the loss of seed vigour and viability at higher rates in lettuce than cabbage. Seed pretreatment with glycerol promoted seedling growth in both species and shoot dry weight in lettuce, while glycerol and GSH enhanced Pn, Gs and E in lettuce. Trolox also enhanced Pn and E in lettuce. The beneficial effects of the antioxidant treatments are thought to be associated with the protection of photosystems from oxidative stress and/or stimulation of enzymes involved in photosynthesis, possibly through an enhanced antioxidant defence system during the early development stages when seedlings are particularly vulnerable to stress.

Background: Current pressures for globalisation force organisations to explore, create and implement new ideas in order to remain competitive. This necessitates the need to utilise innovation to diversify products and services, introduce new technology, establish new managerial and administrative practices, and initiate transformation in other areas of the organisation. Objectives: This article explored the relationship between the latent variables, namely, rewards, resources, leadership vision and innovation, as postulated by De Jong and Den Hartog’s leadership model for stimulating innovation. Method: The research approach chosen to investigate the research questions was an ex post facto, cross-sectional field survey. Secondary data from a reputable financial institution with extensive business in three African countries (Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia) were used as the data were collected by the institution and made available to the researcher for further analysis. A complete sample size of N = 584 was obtained across the three countries. Confirmatory factor analysis was initially used to provide a confirmatory test of the measurement theory followed by structural equation modelling which allowed to test for regression amongst the latent variables (rewards, resources, leadership vision and innovation). Results: Structural equation modelling revealed that only leadership vision and resources were found to be statistically significant; rewards showed a negative relationship (r = −0.02) with innovation. Resources made the greater contribution (r = 0.75) to innovation, compared to leadership vision (r = 0.28). Conclusion: The study empirically validate and support the assertion of De Jong and Den Hartog (2007) that the latent variables resources and leadership vision positively correlate with innovation in the context of the financial services industry.

Sodium azide (NaN3) is widely used to induce mutagenesis within in vitro plant systems. However, since this mutagenesis is undirected, its unintended effects demand characterization. This study investigated the mutagenic effects of sodium azide (0-0.45 mM) on selected growth (shoot multiplication rate and shoot cluster fresh weight) and biochemical (aldehydes, chlorophylls, carotenoids and phenolics) parameters in pineapple micropropagants within temporary immersion bioreactors (TIBs). The content of soluble phenolics in the culture medium was also evaluated. Irrespective of the concentration NaN3 decreased shoot multiplication rate (by 87% relative to the control at 0.45 mM) and fresh weight (by 66% relative to the control at 0.45 mM). Levels of chlorophyll a and b, and soluble phenolics in the culture medium were also negatively correlated with NaN3 concentration. Interestingly, NaN3 application increased shoot carotenoid and soluble phenolic levels but had no significant effect on a range of established plant stress biomarkers: cell wall-linked phenolic levels, malondialdehyde and other aldehydes. Given that 0.19 mM NaN3 decreased shoot multiplication rate by 50% and resulted in propagants that displayed no morphologically abnormalities, increased levels of photoprotective pigments (relative to the control) and no significant increase in lipid peroxidation products, the mutagen can be used at this concentration to induce pineapple mutagenesis in TIB based studies aimed at producing agriculturally-useful mutants.

This study assessed the potential of pre-hydration treatment with aqueous solutions (electrolysed [cathodic water; CW] and non-electrolysed) prepared from four different inorganic ion combinations: 1 mM CaCl2, 1 µm CaCl2 and 1 mM MgCl2 (CaMg, hereafter), 1 mM MgCl2 and 1 mM NaCl to invigorate controlled deteriorated (CDd) Brassicaoleracea (cabbage) and Lactucasativa (lettuce) seeds by assessing germination, vigour and biochemical markers (electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation products, protein carbonylation, and defence and germination associated enzymes) of oxidative stress. Additionally, the possible effects of pH of electrolysed CaMg and NaCl solutions were assessed. The inorganic salt solutions were applied to fresh seeds and seeds deteriorated to 75% viability (P75), 50% viability (P50) and 25% viability (P25); deionised water served as control. The pre-hydration treatment did not enhance normal seedling production in cabbage. However, Ca-containing and CW hydration treatments (CaCl2 CW, CaMg and CaMg CW [6.5], MgCl2 CW, NaCl CW and NaCl CW [6.5]) promoted normal seedling production of CDd lettuce seeds, while seedling vigour was enhanced by CaMg, CaMg CW (6.5), NaCl CW and NaCl CW (6.5) in CDd cabbage seeds, and CaCl2, CaCl2 CW, CaMg, CaMg CW (6.5), MgCl2 CW, NaCl CW and NaCl CW (6.5) in CDd lettuce seeds. The supplementation of Ca, a component of the ionised solutes, and/or the reducing potential of CW contributed to increased normal seedling production in lettuce seeds irrespective of the pH of treatment solutions or degree of deterioration. Overall, the pre-hydration treatments enhanced endogenous antioxidants leading to reduced levels of electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and enhanced germination enzyme activities in lettuce seeds. The study concluded that pre-hydration with selected inorganic salt solutions can invigorate debilitated lettuce seeds.

Background: The impacts of disturbance history on the floristics of Northern Coastal Forest (NCF; South Africa) are unknown. Objectives: This study compared the floristics of three remnant patches of NCF (in KwaZulu-Natal) with contrasting disturbance histories: a primary forest with low levels of disturbance (Hawaan), a primary forest with high levels of disturbance (Umdoni) and a secondary forest (Twinstreams) that was rehabilitated with presently low disturbance levels. Method: Transects and quadrats were used to assess species composition and diversity at each site. Results: Collectively, 688 species, 400 genera and 113 families were found, but only 21.95% of the species were shared by the three forests. The most speciose families were Fabaceae > Asteraceae > Rubiaceae. The species richness was highest at the disturbed primary forest and notably lower at the primary forest. Diversity indices exhibited a similar trend. Cluster analyses and ordinations indicated that the secondary forest was intermediate between the two primary forests, with the disturbed primary forest and secondary forest being more similar. Conclusion: The disturbed and secondary forests maintained a NCF floristic affinity. The dissimilarity between Hawaan and other forests is most likely the product of differing disturbance histories and rehabilitation efforts. The findings suggested that NCF patches are likely to be different in richness, but not in structure and affinity. Anthropogenic related pressures and disturbance appear to be major causes of floristic differences amongst patches. This leads to higher levels of richness by accommodating opportunistic, atypical and alien species, and possibly the creation of novel NCF types.

Background: KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (KZNSS) is an endangered subtropical grassland type, of which a large proportion occurs within the eThekwini Municipal Area (EMA). Objectives: Examining the flora of KZNSS will allow a more fundamental understanding of the potential variability across remnant patches of this vegetation type, increasing the ability to accurately delimit KZNSS from adjacent similar vegetation types. Method: Floristic data were collected using quadrats and transects for three recognised KZNSS sites (Giba Gorge Environmental Precinct (GGEP), Inanda Mountain (IM) and Springside Nature Reserve (SSNR)), all within the EMA. Alpha diversity (Shannon’s exponential and Simpson’s inverse indices) and beta diversity measures were calculated and compared across all sites. An unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) analysis using the Jaccard index and a non-parametric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination were used to assess similarity amongst quadrats across the three sites. Results: One hundred and thirty-one plant species were found to occur in GGEP, 95 in IM and 121 in SSNR. However, of the total 193 species found to occur collectively (i.e. quadrat and transect data combined) across the three sites, only 50 species were common to all these sites. The results of the alpha and beta diversity analyses revealed significant floristic variability both within and across the KZNSS sites sampled, with Shannon’s exponential index being highest in SSNR, followed by GGEP and lowest in IM. The lack of controlled access and unregulated burning regimes appear to have clearly affected the flora at the IM site in terms of species richness and increased evenness, as well as the relatively greater presence of introduced alien species and lower abundances of taxa of conservation concern. The pristine GGEP site had the highest number of species in total, with species being less evenly spread across the site, as well as the highest number of taxa conservation and low abundances of alien species. The main separations in the ordination results can be attributed to quadrat sampling performed pre- and post-burn. Conclusion: The floristic distinction of IM from GGEP and SSNR is attributed here to the intermediate disturbance effect of fire in grasslands which can lead to species loss if burning is too frequent. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of the delimitation, classification and management of KZNSS

Background: Tropical and subtropical Africa is predicted to experience a rise in temperature. The effects of rising temperatures on temperate grasslands have been studied using open-top chambers (OTCs) but reports for tropical/subtropical grasslands are scarce. This study used OTCs to investigate the effects of elevated temperatures on a threatened subtropical grassland type, namely KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (KZNSS). Objectives: To assess the effects of OTCs on selected abiotic parameters and plant productivity within KZNSS. Methods: Five OTC and control plots were randomly distributed at the same altitude within a patch of KZNSS. Air and soil temperature, relative humidity (RH), soil moisture content and light intensity were monitored in all plots in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Biomass production and plant density were measured in each season, for each life form (graminoid, forb and shrub), separately and combined. Results: The OTCs resulted in a rise in average, maximum and minimum day and night, air and soil temperatures. This increase, the degree of which differed across seasons, was accompanied by a decline in RH and soil moisture content. Elevated temperatures led to a significant increase in combined, graminoid and shrub above-ground productivity (AGP) and a decrease in forb density, but in certain seasons only. Below-ground biomass production was unaffected by elevated temperatures. Conclusions: OTCs can simulate realistic increases of air temperature in subtropical grasslands. Graminoids and shrubs appear to benefit from elevated temperatures whilst forbs decrease in abundance, possibly through competition and/or direct physiological effects.

The gap between scientific knowledge and implementation in the fields of biodiversity conservation, environmental management, and climate change adaptation has resulted in many calls from practitioners and academics to provide practical solutions responding effectively to the risks and opportunities of global environmental change, e.g., Future Earth. We present a framework to guide the implementation of science-action partnerships based on a real-world case study of a partnership between a local municipality and an academic institution to bridge the science-action gap in the eThekwini Municipal Area, South Africa. This partnership aims to inform the implementation of sustainable land-use planning, biodiversity conservation, environmental management, and climate change adaptation practice and contributes to the development of human capacity in these areas of expertise. Using a transdisciplinary approach, implementation-driven research is being conducted to develop several decision-making products to better inform land-use planning and management. Lessons learned through this partnership are synthesized and presented as a framework of enabling actions operating at different levels, from the individual to the interorganizational. Enabling actions include putting in place enabling organizational preconditions, assembling a functional well-structured team, and actively building interpersonal and individual collaborative capacity. Lessons learned in the case study emphasize the importance of building collaborative capacity and social capital, and paying attention to the process of transdisciplinary research to achieve more tangible science, management, and policy objectives in science-action partnerships. By documenting and reflecting on the process, this case study provides conceptual and practical guidance on bridging the science-action gap through partnerships.

The vulnerability of commercial crops under a changing climate has led scientists to consider wild crop species as alternative food sources. The aim of this study was to identify plastic physiological and morphological traits that could be used to in vitro screen Amaranthus dubius and Galinsoga parviflora seeds for drought, salinity, and heat tolerance. To establish the lethal dose/temperature, 50% (LD/T50), for each stress, seeds for both were subjected to various mannitol and NaCl stresses and a range of temperatures. Percentage seedling emergence was selected as the initial indicator of tolerance and used to establish the LD/T50 for in vitro screening for both species. Seeds of both were then screened at the LD/T50 concentrations/temperatures established, and seedlings that emerged after 21 days were measured for leaf area, root (RL), shoot length (SL), chlorophyll content (Chl), fresh, dry mass, and leaf number. Data for these were used to quantify plasticity in terms of Valladares's phenotypic plasticity index. For A. dubius, three (viz. RL, SL, and Chl) showed some plasticity (≥0.53) and tolerance across all three stressors. For G. parviflora all traits except SL showed some plasticity (≥0.58) and tolerance across all three stressors. Both species had high phenotypic plasticity across all three stressors, which suggests that wild leafy vegetables may possess the ability to tolerate climate change-associated stressors and should be considered for future breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed heteromorphism can influence germination and ultimately seedling establishment, particularly in disturbed habitats. This study compared seed and seedling traits across three distinctly colored seed morphs (viz. light-brown, brown, and dark-brown) of the forage legume, Teramnus labialis (L.f.) Spreng. The best quality seeds (i.e., un-parasitized, filled and un-cracked) were brown: 389.3 quality seeds per 1000 units compared with Key words: animal feed, crops, legumes, nitrogen fixation, seed color, seed dormancy. L'hétéromorphisme des graines peut influencer la germination et ultimement l'établissement des semis, particulièrement dans des habitats perturbés. Cette étude a comparé les caractéristiques des graines et des semis de trois types morphologiques (morphes) de graines se distinguant les uns des autres par leur couleur (soit brun clair, brun et brun foncé) de la légumineuse fourragère Teramnus labialis (L.f.) Spreng. Les graines brunes étaient de meilleure qualité (c.-à-d. non parasitées, pleines et non fissurées) : 389,3 graines de qualité par 1000 unités comparativement à Mots-clés : alimentation animale, cultures, légumineuses, fixation d'azote, couleur des graines, dormance des graines., Introduction Over the last few decades, seed heteromorphism, which involves the production of seeds of different morphologies and (or) germination behavior on different parts of the same plant, has been [...]