Biology subjects

Ben-Zeev, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Ben-Zeev, S..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Neighbor sensing through rhizodeposits in sorghum affects plant physiology and productivity

Plant-plant interactions play a crucial role in shaping the growth environment for crops, impacting their productivity and stress response. The interaction between plants aboveground has been studied and incorporated into breeding programs that select for plants that reduce aboveground competition between plants. However, few studies have focused on belowground interactions, and these looked at combined interactions and root partitioning in the soil. This study focuses on the developmental and physiological responses of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) genotypes to neighboring sorghum plants. In this study, we used two growing methods: i) a focal plant surrounded by neighboring plants in the same pot but without shading, and ii) a focal plant grown either alone or surrounded by neighbors, irrigated with nutrient solution passed through pots (leachates) with or without plants. Our results showed that the presence of neighbors in the same pot led to reduced size-dry weight height, and leaf area of the focal plant. In addition, the presence of neighbors reduced stomatal conductance and PSII quantum yield. While the response direction was similar across tested genotypes, the magnitude varied. The results were repeated when neighboring plants were not grown in the same pot, but the nutrient solution passed through the root system of plants of the neighboring genotype. Furthermore, we saw a reduction in assimilation rate and stomatal conductance when plants were exposed to either the physical presence of neighbors or leachate. We did not find differences in root architecture in either treatment. These results show plants change their growth in response to neighbors and that the signal is carried through the liquid phase of the soil. Our findings provide insights into sorghum plants responses to below-ground signaling from neighboring plants and lay the foundation for future studies enabling increased crop performance under high-density planting conditions.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Genomic Loci Associated with Grain Protein and Mineral Nutrients concentrations in Eragrostis tef under Contrasting Water Regimes

Climate change is becoming a global concern, threating agricultures capacity to meet the food and nutritional requirements of the growing population. Underutilized crops present an opportunity to address resilience to climate change and nutritional deficiencies. Tef is a stress-resilient cereal crop, producing gluten-free grain of high nutritional quality. However, knowledge is lacking on tefs diversity of grain nutritional properties, their interaction with environmental conditions (e.g., water availability) and the underlying genomic loci. We assessed the effect of water availability on tef grain nutrient concentrations and identify the associated genomic loci. A collection of 223 tef genotypes, a subset of tef diversity panel 300, were grown in the field under well-watered and water-limited conditions in 2021, and phenotyped for grain protein and mineral concentrations and seed color. A genome-wide association study was conducted using 28,837 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and phenotypic data to identify marker-trait associations (MTAs). Tef grain nutrient concentrations exhibited wide genetic diversity with a significant influence of environment. Protein and most micronutrients were more concentrated under water-limited conditions, whereas most macronutrients were higher in the well-watered environment. A total of 59 SNPs were associated with one or more of the studied traits, resulting in 65 MTAs detected under both water treatments, and providing insights into the genetic basis of grain nutrients. Five SNPs reflected multiple associations, with four detecting the same trait under both treatments (multiple-environment effect), and one associated with both Zn and K (pleiotropic effect). In addition, two pairs of closely linked SNPs reflected multiple-environment effects. While multiple-environment associations provide greater support for the integrity of these MTAs, the pleiotropic locus hints at a common mechanism controlling two mineral ions. The identified MTAs shed new light on the genomic architecture of tefs nutritional properties and provide the basis to enhance tef grain nutritional quality alongside drought resilience.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2023

RAMAN DEVELOPMENTAL MARKERS IN ROOT CELL WALLS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH LODGING TENDENCY IN TEF

Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is an important staple crop in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Its grains are gluten-free and protein rich, so it is considered as a "super-food". Adapting tef to modern farming practices could allow its intensive growth in other regions and enable larger communities to gain from its nutritional values. However, high lodging susceptibility prevents the application of mechanical harvest and causes significant yield losses. Lodging describes the displacement of roots (root lodging) or fracture of culms (stem lodging), forcing plants to bend or fall from their vertical position. Lodging is facilitated by various abiotic and biotic factors, and the lodging severity is increased in overpopulated fields. In this study, we aimed to understand the microstructural properties of crown roots, underlining tef tolerance/susceptibility to lodging. We analyzed plants at 5 and 10 weeks after emergence and compared trellised to lodged plants. Root cross sections from different tef genotypes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, micro computed tomography and Raman micro spectroscopy. Lodging susceptible genotypes exhibited early tissue maturation, including developed aerenchyma, intensive lignification, and lignin with high levels of crosslinks. A comparison between trellised and lodged plants suggested that lodging itself does not affect the histology of root tissue. Furthermore, cell wall composition along plant maturation was typical to each of the tested genotypes independently of trellising. Our results suggest that it is possible to select lines that exhibit slow maturation of crown roots. Such lines are predicted to show reduction in lodging and facilitate mechanical harvest.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Novel diversity panel facilitates genomic dissection of lodging in tef (Eragrostis tef)

RationalUnderutilized species that are not widely cultivated (known as orphan crops) present opportunities to increase crop diversity and food security. Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is known for its high-quality grain and forage. Root-borne lodging is a major devastating problem in tef cultivation, leading to large economic losses and limiting its widespread adoption. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify genomic regions that are associated with tef lodging. MethodsA tef diversity panel (TDP-300) comprised of 297 lines was assembled, genotyped, and phenotyped across 4 field environments. This unique panel, the first of its kind in tef, has the potential to facilitate tef research and breeding. ResultsGenome-wide association study identified 29 sites associated with lodging; in all cases with a minor allele conferring reduced lodging. The eleven sites of prime interest were located in or near genes, 5 of them with a putative role, of which 3 were found to be involved root development. ConclusionsThe identification of lodging-related sites in the current study may advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying tef lodging and crop improvement. The identification of genes related to root development support the importance of root traits in tef lodging, which should be targeted in future breeding.

plant biology↗