Gokhan Hacisalihoglu

Zinc efficiency is correlated with enhanced expression and activity of zinc-requiring enzymes in wheat.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for plants. The ability of plants to maintain significant yields under low Zn is termed Zn efficiency (ZE) and its genetic and mechanistic basis is still not well understood. Previously, we showed that root Zn uptake did not play a role in ZE. In the current study, Zn-efficient and -inefficient wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes were grown for 13 d in chelate buffer nutrient solutions at low (0.1 pm), sufficient (150 pm), and high (1 μm) Zn2+ activities and analyzed for root-to-shoot translocation of Zn, subcellular leaf Zn distribution, and activity and expression of the Zn-requiring enzymes in leaves. No correlation between ZE and Zn translocation to the shoot was found. Furthermore, total and water-soluble concentrations of leaf Zn were not associated with ZE, and no differences in subcellular Zn compartmentation were found between Zn-efficient and -inefficient genotypes. However, the expression and activity of the Zn-requiring enzymes copper (Cu)/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and carbonic anhydrase did correlate with differences in ZE. Northern analysis suggested that Cu/ZnSOD gene expression was up-regulated in the Zn-efficient genotype, Kirgiz, but not in inefficient BDME. Under Zn deficiency stress, the very Zn-efficient genotype Kirgiz and moderately Zn-efficient Dagdas exhibited an increased activity of Cu/ZnSOD and carbonic anhydrase when compared with Zn-inefficient BDME. These results suggest that Zn-efficient genotypes may be able to maintain the functioning of Zn-requiring enzymes under low Zn conditions; thus, biochemical Zn utilization may be an important component of ZE in wheat.

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy predicts protein, starch, and seed weight in intact seeds of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

The objective of this study was to explore the potential of near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy to determine individual seed composition in common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.). NIR spectra and analytical measurements of seed weight, protein, and starch were collected from 267 individual bean seeds representing 91 diverse genotypes. Partial least-squares (PLS) regression models were developed with 61 bean accessions randomly assigned to a calibration data set and 30 accessions assigned to an external validation set. Protein gave the most accurate PLS regression, with the external validation set having a standard error of prediction (SEP) = 1.6%. PLS regressions for seed weight and starch had sufficient accuracy for seed sorting applications, with SEP = 41.2 mg and 4.9%, respectively. Seed color had a clear effect on the NIR spectra, with black beans having a distinct spectral type. Seed coat color did not impact the accuracy of PLS predictions. This research demonstrates that NIR is a promising technique for simultaneous sorting of multiple seed traits in single bean seeds with no sample preparation.

Responses of three switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) cultivars to seed priming and differential aging conditions

Abstract In switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) cultivation, rapid and uniform germination is essential because it is one of the most promising candidates for biofuel production. Priming, a seed enhancement technique with solid carriers, can be a useful tool for improving germination characteristics of switchgrass seeds. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of priming on three non-aged and aged switchgrass cultivars of ‘Cave in rock’ ‘Dacotah’, and ‘Kanlow’. Seeds were primed with a synthetic calcium silicate (MicroCel E) and water at 30°C for five days. Seed, carrier and water proportions were 1 g, 0.5 g, and 1.5 mL, respectively. There was a 5% point (pp, Cave in rock), 8 pp (Dacotah), and 19 pp (Kanlow) increase in primed seeds compared with non-treated control seeds. Furthermore, priming decreased mean germination time by 26–36% in all seeds compared with the non-treated control. Accelerated aging was induced by storing seeds for 0, 10, and 21 days at 42°C and 95% relative humidity (RH). Germination percentage decreased and mean germination time increased with the aging. These results suggest that priming is an effective technique to improve the performance of switchgrass cultivars.

Enhanced Single Seed Trait Predictions in Soybean (Glycine max) and Robust Calibration Model Transfer with Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Single seed near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy predicts soybean (Glycine max) seed quality traits of moisture, oil, and protein. We tested the accuracy of transferring calibrations between different single seed NIR analyzers of the same design by collecting NIR spectra and analytical trait data for globally diverse soybean germplasm. X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT) was used to collect seed density and shape traits to enhance the number of soybean traits that can be predicted from single seed NIR. Partial least-squares (PLS) regression gave accurate predictive models for oil, weight, volume, protein, and maximal cross-sectional area of the seed. PLS models for width, length, and density were not predictive. Although principal component analysis (PCA) of the NIR spectra showed that black seed coat color had significant signal, excluding black seeds from the calibrations did not impact model accuracies. Calibrations for oil and protein developed in this study as well as earlier calibrations for a separate NIR analyzer of the same design were used to test the ability to transfer PLS regressions between platforms. PLS models built from data collected on one NIR analyzer had minimal differences in accuracy when applied to spectra collected from a sister device. Model transfer was more robust when spectra were trimmed from 910 to 1679 nm to 955-1635 nm due to divergence of edge wavelengths between the two devices. The ability to transfer calibrations between similar single seed NIR spectrometers facilitates broader adoption of this high-throughput, nondestructive, seed phenotyping technology.

NATURAL VARIATION IN SEED COMPOSITION OF 91 COMMON BEAN GENOTYPES AND THEIR POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION WITH SEED COAT COLOR

In this report, seeds from 91 common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes were analyzed for their concentrations of protein, starch, and other chemical elements. The first objective of this study was to survey the genetic variability of seed composition in common beans. A second objective was to determine the possible association between seed coat color and seed composition. Significant positive correlation was found between seed starch, cadmium (Cd), and molybdenum (Mo) concentration (R2 = 0.81). Overall, genotypes with black seed coat color displayed the highest levels of minerals tested. We concluded that there is substantial variation for seed composition. Varieties with green coat color had a distinct mineral composition, while extreme accumulation of individual minerals was found to be more prevalent in black seeded varieties. We identified a set of common beans with superior seed mineral composition that could be used to potentially improve nutritional quality of common bean seeds.

Physiological responses of calcium-efficient and calcium-inefficient tomato genotypes to differential bacterial wilt conditions.

Bacterial wilt (BW) disease, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, can severely limit tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production in southern United States. Tomato genotypes display variable responses to BW disease. The physiological mechanism underlying BW resistance is not well understood. In this study, experiments were conducted to compare two tomato genotypes, PI117566 [calcium (CA)–efficient] and PI109315 (Ca-inefficient), for wilting, shoot growth, final fresh weight, and shoot Ca concentrations when inoculated with R. solanacearum. The inoculation concentration of R. solanacearum varied from 0 to 108 colony forming units/ml. Genotype PI109315 appear to be more BW-resistant compared with genotype PI117566 under sufficient Ca conditions. Furthermore, we found that genotype PI109315 had greater shoot growth and final fresh weight than genotype PI117566. These findings implied that Ca-efficient tomato genotypes may not play a key role in BW resistance of tomato under sufficient Ca conditions because Ca efficiency showed no effect on the suppression of BW.

Quantification of seed ionome variation in 90 diverse soybean (Glycine max) lines

ABSTRACT Climate change and rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are expected to reduce the mineral nutrient content of soybean seeds. The main objective of this study was to survey diverse soybean germplasm for variation in seed elemental concentrations and their relationships between elements, protein content, and individual seed weight. Seeds from 90 soybean genotypes were weighed and subjected to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) ionomics analysis and Carbon/Nitrogen (C/N) analysis to determine protein. The results demonstrated substantial variation with the possibility of significantly improving most mineral nutrients, especially selenium (Se), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn). This diverse survey identifies genotypes that can complement existing soybean breeding programs for improving seed nutritional quality. Correlation analysis identified two clusters of co-variant elements: zinc (Zn), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) as well as Zn, Cu, Se, and rubidium (Rb) were positively correlated with each other. Tolerable upper limits of Rb intake are not defined for humans illustrating the need to monitor trace elements along with desirable nutrients.

Determination of vigor differences in pepper seeds by using radicle area test

Abstract Seed vigor is the plant-producing ability of a seed in the field. This study was conducted to determine if radicle area could be used as a quantitative test for screening the vigor of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds. ‘SPP7117’ pepper seeds were primed with a synthetic calcium silicate (MicroCel E) and water at 30° C for five days. Seeds were aged for 0, 7, 14, and 21 d at 42° C and 95% relative humidity. Primed and nonprimed vigor was evaluated by radicle area as well as germination and emergence characteristics. Excised radicles were incubated at 25° C and visible area was recorded in the range of 6–96 h. The results showed that seed priming significantly increased final radicle area, while aging decreased it compared with nontreated control. A 48-h incubation period of excised radicles at 25° C was found to be sufficient to differentiate seed vigor in primed or aged pepper seeds. Furthermore, radicle area showed a strong positive correlation with final germination of control (R 2=0.89) and primed (R 2=0.98) seeds. These results suggest that radicle area is an effective technique and can be used for judging the quality of pepper seeds.

Effect of Ralstonia solanacearum on Mineral Nutrients and Infrared Temperatures in Two Tomato Cultivars

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine how the responses of two tomato cultivars to Ralstonia solanacearum relate to their leaf infrared temperature and acquiring of nutrients from soil. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivars of disease susceptible-‘FL 47’ and resistant-‘H 7998’ were grown in soil inoculated with R. solanacearum. Bacterial wilt incidence, leaf infrared temperatures, and uptake of nutrients were measured for 28 d. In bacterial wilt-resistant cultivar ‘H 7998’, concentration of sulfur (S; +77%), calcium (Ca; +66%), boron (B; +60%) were found higher and nitrogen (N; −26%) were found lower, compared with susceptible ‘FL 47’. Infrared temperatures were correlated with wilt percentage at 14 d, but not at 7 d. These results provide evidence that there is a correlation between bacterial wilt resistance and translocation of some nutrients in the shoots. Additionally, data indicates that the infrared thermometer could only detect wilting after obvious symptoms were visibly incited by R. solanacearum in tomato.

The use of an active learning approach in a SCALE-UP learning space improves academic performance in undergraduate General Biology

Active learning is a pedagogical approach that involves students engaging in collaborative learning, which enables them to take more responsibility for their learning and improve their critical thinking skills. While prior research examined student performance at majority universities, this study focuses on specifically Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for the first time. Here we present work that focuses on the impact of active learning interventions at Florida A&M University, where we measured the impact of active learning strategies coupled with a SCALE-UP (Student Centered Active Learning Environment with Upside-down Pedagogies) learning environment on student success in General Biology. In biology sections where active learning techniques were employed, students watched online videos and completed specific activities before class covering information previously presented in a traditional lecture format. In-class activities were then carefully planned to reinforce critical concepts and enhance critical thinking skills through active learning techniques such as the one-minute paper, think-pair-share, and the utilization of clickers. Students in the active learning and control groups covered the same topics, took the same summative examinations and completed identical homework sets. In addition, the same instructor taught all of the sections included in this study. Testing demonstrated that these interventions increased learning gains by as much as 16%, and students reported an increase in their positive perceptions of active learning and biology. Overall, our results suggest that active learning approaches coupled with the SCALE-UP environment may provide an added opportunity for student success when compared with the standard modes of instruction in General Biology.