Plant Biology Commons^™

Unravelling The Secret Of Seedbased Gels In Water: The Nanoscale 3d Network Formation, Malick Samateh, Neethu Pottackal, Setareh Manafirasi, Adiyala Vidyasagar, Charles Maldarelli, George John

Publications and Research

Chia (Salvia hispanica) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) seeds have the intrinsic ability to form a hydrogel concomitant with moisture-retention, slow releasing capability and proposed health benefits such as curbing diabetes and obesity by delaying digestion process. However, the underlying mode of gelation at nanoscopic level is not clearly explained or explored. The present study elucidates and corroborates the hypothesis that the gelling behavior of such seeds is due to their nanoscale 3D-network formation. The preliminary study revealed the influence of several conditions like polarity, pH and hydrophilicity/ hydrophobicity on fiber extrusion from the seeds which leads to gelation. Optical microscopic …

Investigation Of The Role Of Gene Clusters In Terpene Biosynthesis In Sorghum Bicolor, Rebecca Hay

Theses

The staple crop Sorghum bicolor shows potential as a source of secondary metabolite-based biofuels due to its diverse phenotype and chemical profile. S. bicolor produces a variety of high-energy metabolites, including terpenes which are a potential renewable source of fuel additives. Information on the biosynthetic and genetic pathways by which S. bicolor terpenes are produced is limited and these pathways must be better understood before they can be engineered for human applications. Recent work on plant biosynthetic pathways has shown that terpenes can be modified by the products of clustered genes. Identification of biosynthetic gene clusters may accelerate the elucidation …

Levels Of Heavy Metals In Drinking Water, Cosmetics And Fruit Juices From Selected Areas In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, John Am Mahugija

Tanzania Journal of Science

Heavy metals were determined in samples of drinking water, cosmetics (nail polish, lip glosses and hair dye) and fresh fruit juices in Dar es Salaam. The samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) after digestion with concentrated acids, filtration and dilution. Lead, zinc and iron were detected in the water samples and the concentration ranges were below detection limit (BDL) to 0.114, 0.01 to 1.47 and 0.027 to 0.39 mg/L, respectively, whereas cadmium was not detected. The concentrations of lead in 70.83% of the samples exceeded the WHO permissible limit, implying that the water in most of the areas …

The Influence Of Agricultural Activities On The Diversity Of Rodents In Kindoroko Forest Reserve And Surrounding Areas, North Pare Mountains, Tanzania, Remmy Lema, Flora J Magige

Tanzania Journal of Science

The patterns of richness, diversity and similarity in rodent communities in agricultural areas and in adjacent Kindoroko Forest Reserve in the North Pare Mountains, Tanzania were assessed. By using a capture-mark-recapture method, 289 individuals of nine rodent species in March and May 2011 were captured. Seven species were recorded in agricultural area and 5 species in the Forest Reserve. Multimammate Rat (Mastomys natalensis) was abundant in agricultural area while soft-furred mouse (Praomys delectorum) was dominant in the Forest Reserve. Species diversity was greater outside than inside the forest, supporting results of earlier studies. Species similarity between the two habitats was …

Effect Of Storage Time And Temperature On Germination Ability Of Escoecaria Bussei, F Genes, Agnes Ms Nyomora

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study was conducted in Botany Department Nursery to evaluate the effect of storage time and temperature on germinability of Excoecaria bussei.   The orthodox seeds, collected from Dodoma and Singida regions were germinated monthly from September 2013 through June 2014. Each time, seeds were soaked in water for 6 hours to soften then sown in sterile potting media. A Split-Split plot was used to compare temperature [(15°C) and (30°C)] as main plots, populations (Maktupa, Kisalu and Ilola) as Sub plots and storage time (September 2013 through June 2014) as Sub-Sub-plots on percentage seed germination.  ANOVA revealed average germination percentages of …

In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity Of Extracts Of Some Plant Species Used In The Management Of Hiv/Aids In Tanzania, Cyprian Beda Mpinda, Debra Meyer, Sylvester Leonard Lyantagaye

Tanzania Journal of Science

Six plants species (Harungana madagascariensis, Sapium ellipticum, Teclea nobilis, Pseudospondias microcarpa, Rauvolfia vomitoria and Psorospermum febrifugum) which are used in managing HIV/AIDS in Bukoba, Tanzania were screened for their antimicrobial effect on the selected representatives of infectious bacterial and fungal species. Gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus lactis, Gram-negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and a fungus Candida albicans were tested for their sensitivity to the treatment with selected plants extracts using disc diffusion and broth dilution techniques. Extracts of S. ellipticum, P. febrifegum and P. microcarpa demonstrated growth inhibition of S. lactis with the MIC ranging from 3.2 to 100 mg/ml. The extracts of …

The Combined Effects Of Soil Fertility And Soil Amendments On The Growth And Mycorrhizal Associations Of American Ginseng (Panax Quinquefolius), Emily Ann Murray

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are fungi that form symbiotic associations with 70-90% of plant families. They are known to allow for the extension of the root system as well as an increase in plant size by assisting with the uptake of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The role that AMF play in plant health and success has led to the development of commercial inoculum, which is used in agricultural settings. However, soil fertility, and soil amendments are known to affect AMF and plant associations. This study intends to look at how cultivated American Ginseng seedlings are affected by commercial …

The Role Of Ferric Reduction Oxidases In Plant Anti-Herbivore Defense., Virginia C. Nunamaker

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Iron is an essential element required for plants to carry out metabolic functions such as photosynthesis, heme biosynthesis, and chlorophyll biosynthesis. Within Arabidopsis thaliana, eight ferric reduction oxidase (FRO) genes function in iron uptake and homeostasis with tissue specific expression. However, little else is known regarding the biological role of FROs. Recent studies identify the FRO gene family as particularly responsive to the green leaf plant derived volatile (GLV) cis-3-hexenyl acetate (z3HAC). Since z3HAC acts as a wound signal and cues unaffected parts of the plant to prime defenses prior to herbivory, an increase in FRO activity in response …

Factors Affecting The Regrowth Of Ilex Glabra In A Routinely Burned Longleaf Forest, Jaybus Price

Master's Theses

This study examines the effects of historical management by use of prescribed fire on Ilex glabra stems/m² and factors affecting the regrowth of I. glabra after a prescribed burn to gain beneficial knowledge for management purposes. Environmental factors and morphological parameters of I. glabra were sampled before and after a prescribed burn of the Longleaf Trace Nature Preserve in September 2016. The study site is located in Lamar County, Mississippi, just west of Hattiesburg, MS. Stem densities of I. glabra were collected once before the prescribed burn and twice after the prescribed burn at 2 month and 9 month …

Interplay Of Dgat1, Pdat1 And Dgat2 Enzymes In Plant Triacylglycerol Assembly, Anushobha Regmi

Master's Theses

Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) catalyzes the transesterification of fatty acid from acyl-CoA to diacylglycerol (DAG) forming triacylglycerol (TAG, a.k.a oils and fats). Most plants have at least two unrelated DGAT genes, DGAT1 and DGAT2. Plants predominantly express only one during oil synthesis; the reason, however is not clear. A few studies have indicated that each enzyme prefers DAG and acyl-CoA substrates with different fatty acid compositions. Industrially desirable seed oil composition can be obtained through genetic engineering by replacing the endogenous enzyme with one that has different substrate selectivity. In Arabidopsis thaliana, DGAT1 and another unrelated enzyme PDAT1 are essential …

Binding Of Maize Necrotic Streak Virus (Mnesv) 3’ I-Shaped Structure (3’ Iss) To Eukaryotic Translation Factors (Eifs) And Implication In Eif4f Mediated Translation Initiation, Qiao Liu

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

5' m⁷GpppN cap and the 3' poly adenosine (A) tail of eukaryotic mRNAs are key elements for recruiting translation initiation machinery in canonical translation initiation. Unlike host mRNAs, many viruses lack these elements and yet they are translated efficiently. Plant viruses, in particular, have complex structures within their untranslated regions (UTR) that allow them to bypass some cellular translation control steps. In Maize necrotic streak virus (MNeSV) 3' UTR, an I-Shaped RNA Structure (ISS) has been reported to mediate the virus translation initiation progress. 3’ ISS binding with eIF4F has been shown to facilitate translation. 5’ -3’ kissing …

Alternative Feeding Strategies For Growing Cattle Grazing Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue During The Summer, Kerri A. Johnson

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Two experiments were conducted to determine animal performance of alternative feeding strategies to heifers grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue during summer months. In Experiment 1, 40 Limousin heifers (261± 40kg initial BW) were stratified by weight and assigned to either a spring harvested tall fescue silage diet or grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue pasture with grain supplement having either natural or artificial shade for 80 days. In Experiment 2, 40 Limousin heifers (277 ± 44kg initial BW) were stratified by weight and assigned to either a traditional grain supplement or feather-meal supplement (rumen bypass arginine supplement) with natural or artificial shade while …

Combining Translational And Functional Genomic Approaches To Augment Management Strategies Of Plant Parasitic Nematodes, Sandeep Sharma Khatiwada

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Plant-parasitic nematodes pose a major threat to crop yield worldwide. Discontinued use of harmful chemicals has prompted the search for alternative management strategies that are effective yet environmentally friendly. Harpin proteins, which are derived from bacteria, and nematophagous fungi, natural predators of nematodes, are ideal for biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes. However, research on the efficacy of harpin proteins on nematodes, and biology of nematophagous fungi is minimal. Previously, a taxonomically uncharacterized nematophagous fungus designated ARF18 effectively suppressed nematode populations in soil. The overarching goal of this dissertation is to utilize applied and functional genomic approaches to augment management of …

Non-Target-Site Based Tolerance To Herbicides In Amaranthus Palmeri, Reiofeli Algodon Salas-Perez

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Palmer amaranth, one of the most aggressive and damaging broadleaf weeds in the USA, has evolved resistance to multiple herbicide modes of action. The overall objective of this research was to elucidate the mechanisms by which Palmer amaranth adapt to herbicide selection stress. This research aimed (1) to evaluate the efficacy of fomesafen, glufosinate, glyphosate and trifloxysulfuron to Amaranthus populations; (2) identify candidate genes for endowing tolerance to glufosinate; (3) investigate the involvement of non-target-site resistance (NTSR) mechanism in an ALS-resistant population; and (4) to examine the molecular basis of resistance to PPO inhibitors in Palmer amaranth populations from Arkansas. …

Optimizing The Use Of A Liquid Handling Robot To Conduct A High Throughput Forward Chemical Genetics Screen Of Arabidopsis Thaliana, B. Kirtley Amos, Victoria G. Pook, Seth Debolt

Horticulture Faculty Publications

Chemical genetics is increasingly being employed to decode traits in plants that may be recalcitrant to traditional genetics due to gene redundancy or lethality. However, the probability of a synthetic small molecule being bioactive is low; therefore, thousands of molecules must be tested in order to find those of interest. Liquid handling robotics systems are designed to handle large numbers of samples, increasing the speed with which a chemical library can be screened in addition to minimizing/standardizing error. To achieve a high-throughput forward chemical genetics screen of a library of 50,000 small molecules on Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), protocols using a …

Comparative Study Of Photosynthesis Rates Between Native Red Maple And Invasive Norway Maple In The Eastern Deciduous Forest, Evan M. Bourtis, Lindsey R. Heckman

The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research

Invasive species, such as the Norway Maple, are often able to outcompete native species, such as the Red Maple by performing more efficiently in the environment compared to the native species. In this study, we examined if the Norway maple was able to outcompete the Red Maple in the Eastern Deciduous Forest because the Norway Maple had a higher rate of photosynthesis. The study found that the Norway Maple leaves had a slightly higher rate of carbon dioxide consumption than Red Maple leaves and that the Red Maple leaves had a higher rate of oxygen production compared to the Norway …

Roles Of Phospholipases And Ribosomal S6 Kinase In Lipid Remodeling And Growth In Arabidopsis Response To Phosphate Deprivation, Yuan Su

Dissertations

Phosphate (Pi) is one of three macronutrients for plants, which is vital for plant growth and development. Understanding the mechanism by which plants respond and adapt to Pi deficiency not only unveils functions of genes and pathways involved, but also provides potential tools to manipulate crops to better stand Pi stress in low Pi-containing lands. One of the significant metabolic changes in plants under Pi starvation is the membrane lipid remodeling that converts Pi-containing lipids such as phospholipids to Pi-free lipids, such as glycolipids. To elucidate the metabolism and regulation of lipid remodeling, this dissertation characterizes the role of two …

Plant Biodiversity In The Face Of Climate Change: What Will Become Of Coastal Endemic Species?, Nila Le

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

How will longitudinally constrained coastal flora fare in the face of rapid anthropogenic climate change and disturbance? Coastal communities pose a unique problem for climate change and its associated risks. Species that are concentrated along the coast are naturally vulnerable to the influence of harsh abiotic ecology, such as coastal erosion and high salt concentrations. In addition, analogous to montane species-habitat interactions, coastal communities may be “pushed” off the coast edge as a result of tracking preferred climate in the face of climate variability and sea level rise. This can be problematic for species that cannot disperse quickly enough to …

Clarireedia: A New Fungal Genus Comprising Four Pathogenic Species Responsible For Dollar Spot Disease Of Turfgrass, Catalina Salgado-Salazar, Lisa A. Beirn, Adnan Ismaiel, Michael J. Boehm, Ignazio Carbone, Alexander I. Putman, Lane P. Tredway, Bruce B. Clarke, Jo Anne Crouch

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Dollar spot is one of the most destructive and economically important fungal diseases of amenity turfgrasses. The causal agent was first described in 1937 as the ascomycete Sclerotinia homoeocarpa. However, the genus-level taxonomic placement of this fungus has been the subject of an ongoing debate for over 75 y. Existing morphological and rDNA sequence evidence indicates that this organism is more appropriately placed in the family Rutstroemiaceae rather than the Sclerotiniaceae. Here we use DNA sequence data from samples of the dollar spot fungus and other members of the Rutstroemiaceae (e.g. Rutstroemia, Lanzia, Lambertella) collected throughout the world to determine …

2018 2nd Place: Identifying The Effectiveness Of Plant Extracts For Treating Biofilms Of Escherichia Coli And Myxococcus Xanthus, Micah Burton, Akeisha Belgrave, Rachel Fogle

Harrisburg University Research Symposium (2018 & 2019)

Antibiotic resistance is a topic that is of growing concern in the field of medicine. Antibiotics act as growth blockers or act as toxins, killing the organism they affect. These biological weapons generate selective pressure leading to the current antibiotic crisis. This selective pressure causes resistant organisms to begin to emerge and over generations antibiotic resistance can develop and be spread among a bacterial population.

One of the key factors contributing to antibiotic resistance in bacteria is the ability for some bacteria to form and shield themselves within biofilms. Biofilms are masses of bacteria protected by a polysaccharide/ extracellular DNA …

Speciation Of Lead, Chromium, Cadmium, Copper And Zinc In Sediments And Plants Along Msimbazi River In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Faustin N Ngassapa, Othman C Othman, David Mihayo, Kessy F Kilulya

Tanzania Journal of Science

The speciation of lead, chromium, cadmium, copper and zinc in sediments and plants (pumpkin) along Msimbazi River in Dar es Salaam were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.  Results in sediments indicated that the heavy metal contents (mg/kg) in the form of total trace metals ranged from 50.34 to 161.63 for Pb, 68.38 to 501.85 for Zn, 18.43 to 66.61 for Cu, 20.93 to 76.46 for Cr and BDL to 0.23 for Cd. The contents (mg/kg) in the form of metals bound to organic matter ranged from 18.24 to 46.58 for Pb, 27.64 to 228.62 for Zn, 3.55 to 16.76 for …

The Plant Species Composition, Diversity And Natural Regeneration Of Indigenous Trees In The Disturbed Ruvu South Forest Reserve, Tanzania, Cosmas Mligo

Tanzania Journal of Science

Ruvu Forest Reserve is among coastal forests in Tanzania that has been impacted by the increased anthropogenic activities. It was determined the plant species composition, diversity and indigenous trees regeneration growth size structure in the degraded Ruvu South Forest. Transect method was used to collect data that were treated using t-test. A total of 110 plant species distributed among 38 families were recorded such that Holarrhena pubescens, Hymenocardia ulmoides, Millettia micans, Ochna mossambicensis, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia and Strychnos madagascariensis were the most common trees in moderately disturbed site, whereas Albizia versicolor, Pteleopsis myrtifolia, Pterocarpus angolensis, Antiaris toxicaria, Diplorhynchus condylocarpon and Terminalia …

Application Of Regression Model To Identify A Parameter That Best Defines Species Diversity In The Coastal Forests Of Tanzania, Cosmas Mligo

Tanzania Journal of Science

Coastal forests of Tanzania are diverse in plant species that make them included as part of the 34 world biodiversity hotspots. This study aimed atdetermining plant species diversity, richness, and evenness as well as to identify the parameter that best defines plant species diversity in the three coastal forests; namely Zaraninge, Kazimzumbwi and Pande. Transect method was used for vegetation data collection and subjected to Analysis of variance and regression techniques. The plant species composition among forests ranged between 75 and 146 with a significantly lower diversity index in Zaraninge (2.057 ± 0.112) than those in Pande (2.415 ± 0.022) …

Similarity Coefficients Influence The Delimitation Of Species In The Genus Aloe L. (Xanthorrhoeaceae), Halima Amir, Mkabwa Manoko

Tanzania Journal of Science

The present study was designed to establish the influence of coefficients indices in delimiting species using phenetic approach based on morphological data. Data were collected from thirty nine Aloe species described in Flora of Tropical East Africa. A total of forty two qualitative and quantitative characters were compiled from 83 specimens of aloes. Ten coefficient indices were tested. Data were analysed using UPMA approach of PAST software. The analyses confirmed that, truly coefficient of indices influenced the resulting classification. Of the 10 coefficients used only three produced 36-38 of the 39 species. Almost a third produced less than ten species-specific …

Evaluating Effects Of Gene Mutation And Light Intensity On Arabidopsis Thaliana Development, Carolanne Bekus

Student Scholar Showcase

The completion of sequencing Arabidopsis thaliana’s genome has led to the next crucial challenge of determining gene function in these plants. A. thaliana is a model organism often compared to commercial crops. The discovery of gene function within these plants will aid in giving insight on how gene function can affect commercial crop production. Presented here is an analysis comparing wild-type Columbia (Col-O), to single gene mutants when knocking-out transcriptional factors VPI/ABI3-like 1 (val1) and basic region/leucine zipper motif (bZIP). These single gene mutations may affect several traits that in turn can result in morphological changes and/or …

Water Capacity Of Paramo Soils, Rafael Robert

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The pȧramo ecosystems in the high Ecuadorian Andes are grasslands characterized by challenging abiotic factors such as low temperatures and high solar radiation. Another key feature of pȧramos is the humidity and water availability in the ecosystem. Pȧramos are very important to the hydrology of the inter-Andean valley because they are water reserves that distribute fresh water to lower elevations. These hydrologic properties are made possible by the porous volcanic ash soils formed by the volcanic arc along the mountain range. This study is focused in the region of Chimborazo approximately 20 km from Riobamba the capitol city of the …

Responses Of Marigold Cultivars To Saline Water Irrigation, Youping Sun, Genhua Niu, Christina Perez, H. Brent Pemberton, James Altland

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Marigolds (Tagetes sp.) are ornamental plants with fine-textured, dark green foliage, and yellow, orange, or bicolored flowers. The relative salt tolerance of eight marigolds [‘Discovery Orange’, ‘Discovery Yellow’, ‘Taishan Gold’, ‘Taishan Orange’, and ‘Taishan Yellow’ African marigold (Tagetes erecta); ‘Hot Pak Gold’, ‘Hot Pak Orange’, and ‘Hot Pak Yellow’ French marigold (Tagetes patula)] was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. Plants were irrigated weekly with nutrient solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m⁻¹ (control) or saline solutions at an EC of 3.0 or 6.0 dS·m⁻¹ (EC 3 or EC 6). Marigold plants …

The Manuscript Works Of S. Fred Prince (1857-1949), Sarah Burke Cahalan, Jason W. Dean

Marian Library Faculty Publications

S. Fred Prince, a botanical illustrator and amateur scientist, is a largely unknown artist whose work on the American landscape demonstrates his eligibility to be considered in the lineage of self-taught illustrator-naturalists such as Mark Catesby and Genevieve Jones. In this article, we present a survey of extant Prince materials identified at time of writing, describing their contents and physical characteristics. Beyond this survey and description, we also provide a biographical sketch and timeline of Prince's life.

Impacts Of Cover Crop And Residue Removal On Soil Hydraulic And Thermal Properties, Michael T. Sindelar

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Large-scale crop residue removal for livestock or biofuel production may negatively affect soil and water resources. A combination of management practices could be the key to manage such resources under increasingly variable climate. For instance, use of cover crops (CCs) could offset the negative impacts that corn (Zea mays L.) residue removal may have on soil water and energy balance. We studied: 1) the effect of corn residue removal (56%) with and without winter rye (Secale cereale L.) CC on soil hydraulic and thermal properties including water infiltration, water retention, pores-size distribution, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, and …

Kelch F-Box Protein Positively Influences Arabidopsis Seed Germination By Targeting Phytochrome-Interacting Factor1, Manoj Majee, Santosh Kumar, Praveen Kumar Kathare, Shuiqin Wu, Derek Gingerich, Nihar R. Nayak, Louai Salaita, Randy Dinkins, Kathleen Martin, Michael Goodin, Lynnette M A Dirk, Taylor D. Lloyd, Ling Zhu, Joseph Chappell, Arthur G. Hunt, Richard D. Vierstra, Enamul Huq, A Bruce Downie

Biology Faculty Research

Seeds employ sensory systems that assess various environmental cues over time to maximize the successful transition from embryo to seedling. Here we show that the Arabidopsis F-BOX protein COLD TEMPERATURE-GERMINATING (CTG)-10, identified by activation tagging, is a positive regulator of this process. When overexpressed (OE), CTG10 hastens aspects of seed germination. CTG10 is expressed predominantly in the hypocotyl, and the protein is localized to the nucleus. CTG10 interacts with PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 1 (PIF1) and helps regulate its abundance in planta. CTG10-OE accelerates the loss of PIF1 in light, increasing germination efficiency, while PIF1-OE lines fail to complete germination in …