Plant Biology Commons^™

Leaf Micromorphology Aids Taxonomic Delineation Within The Hypervariable Genus Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) On O'Ahu, Gary L. Sur, Richard Keating, Elizabeth Stacy

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Variation in leaf micromorphology can aid delimitation of taxonomically difficult groups. The woody genus Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) dominates Hawai'i's native forests and comprises striking, predominantly infraspecific, macromorphological variation, including many forms unrecognized in current taxonomic treatments. On taxonomically rich O'ahu, 10 taxa (varieties or unnamed morphotypes of M. polymorpha and other species) occur in a predictable sequence with overlapping ranges from low to high elevation along the numerous leeward ridges of the Ko'olau Range. We used scanning electron and light microscopy to examine mature, nonsenescing sun leaves from each of these 10 taxa. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to compare …

The Effect Of Kalanchoe Pinnata On The Cell Migration Of Astrocytomas, Jorge Rosa

The International Student Science Fair 2018

Astrocytomas, from cell line 1321N1,are cancerous astrocytes. These are a type of glial cell in the brain which is responsible for maintaining synaptic contact and the signaling capacities among neurons. They also represent a fundamental element in controlling blood flow and defining brain micro structure. Due to the fact that this variant is cancerous, a condition commonly described as an abnormal cell cycle and uncontrolled reproduction of cells, they have the ability to metastasize.

In the metastatic process of cancer cells the initial phase is know as tumor invasion. This stage consists mainly of the cells migrating away from the …

Lipid Transport Required To Make Lipids Of Photosynthetic Membranes, Evan Labrant, Allison C. Barnes, Rebecca Roston

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Photosynthetic membranes provide much of the usable energy for life on earth. To produce photosynthetic membrane lipids, multiple transport steps are required, including fatty acid export from the chloroplast stroma to the endoplasmic reticulum, and lipid transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the chloroplast envelope membranes. Transport of hydrophobic molecules through aqueous space is energetically unfavorable and must be catalyzed by dedicated enzymes, frequently on specialized membrane structures. Here, we review photosynthetic membrane lipid transport to the chloroplast in the context of photosynthetic membrane lipid synthesis. We independently consider the identity of transported lipids, the proteinaceous transport components, and membrane …

The Effect Of Kalanchoe Pinnata In Astrocitome Metastasis, Jorge Rosa

The International Student Science Fair 2018

Astrocytomas, from cell line 1321N1,are cancerous astrocytes. These are a type of glial cell in the brain which is responsible for maintaining synaptic contact and the signaling capacities among neurons. They also represent a fundamental element in controlling blood flow and defining brain micro structure. Due to the fact that this variant is cancerous, a condition commonly described as an abnormal cell cycle and uncontrolled reproduction of cells, they have the ability to metastasize.

In the metastatic process of cancer cells the initial phase is know as tumor invasion. This stage consists mainly of the cells migrating away from the …

Field Pea Response To Seeding Rate, Depth, And Inoculant In West-Central Nebraska, Strahinja V. Stepanovic, Charles Burr, Julie A. Peterson, Daran Rudnick, Cody F. Creech, Rodrigo Werle

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Increased market demand and larger adoption of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) in semiarid west-central Nebraska has provided opportunities to replace summer fallow and diversify crop rotations. As a relatively new crop, its response to different seeding practices has not been evaluated in this eco-region. Field pea grain yield response to seeding depth (25, 50, and 75 mm), inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae (yes and no rhizobia inoculant), and seeding rates (35, 50, 65, 75, 90, 105, and 120 plants m^–2) was investigated in 2015 and 2016 at five sites in Perkins County, NE. There were …

Apiaceae Of Northcentral New Mexico, Asha Hamaker

Northcentral New Mexico Plants Specimen Collection, 2018

No abstract provided.

A Shared Cis-Regulatory Module Activates Transcription In The Suspensor Of Plant Embryos, Kelli F. Henry, Anhthu Q. Bui, Tomokazu Kawashima, Robert B. Goldberg

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

The mechanisms controlling the transcription of gene sets in specific regions of a plant embryo shortly after fertilization remain unknown. Previously, we showed that G564 mRNA, encoding a protein of unknown function, accumulates to high levels in the giant suspensor of both Scarlet Runner Bean (SRB) and Common Bean embryos, and a cis-regulatory module containing three unique DNA sequences, designated as the 10-bp, Region 2, and Fifth motifs, is required for G564 suspensor-specific transcription [Henry KF, et al. (2015) Plant Mol Biol 88:207–217; Kawashima T, et al. (2009) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106:3627–3632]. We tested the hypothesis that …

Nonpolar Residues In The Presumptive Pore‐Lining Helix Of Mechanosensitive Channel Msl10 Influence Channel Behavior And Establish A Nonconducting Function, Grigory Maksaev, Jennette K. Shoots, Simran Ohri, Elizabeth S. Haswell

Biology Faculty Research

Mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels provide a universal mechanism for sensing and responding to increased membrane tension. MscS‐like (MSL) 10 is a relatively well‐studied MS ion channel from Arabidopsis thaliana that is implicated in cell death signaling. The relationship between the amino acid sequence of MSL10 and its conductance, gating tension, and opening and closing kinetics remains unstudied. Here, we identify several nonpolar residues in the presumptive pore‐lining transmembrane helix of MSL10 (TM6) that contribute to these basic channel properties. F553 and I554 are essential for wild type channel conductance and the stability of the open state. G556, a glycine residue …

Isolating And Identifying Fungal Endophytes From Roots Of Rare Orchid Cypripedium Arietinum In Grand Sable Dunes, Michigan, Kari Farkas-Lasich

All NMU Master's Theses

Recently the population of Cypripedium arietinum in Grand Sable Dunes, Michigan was estimated at more than 3.5 million plants, greater than 90% of the world’s known population. There is little research on this species’ root associated fungal endophytes. This new population estimate allows the ethical, destructive sampling required to shed light on root associated symbionts and further successful preservation and restoration of the species. Samples were collected of current year’s roots from 75 C. arietinum orchids at 75 locations within 4 jack pine forests in the Grand Sable Dunes, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Fungal endophyte cultures were obtained from …

Generation Of Nonlinear-Differential-Equations System From A Model Of Boolean Relationships In Arabidopsis Salt Stress Network, Renee Dale

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Pipecolic Acid Confers Systemic Immunity By Regulating Free Radicals, Caixia Wang, Ruiying Liu, Gah-Hyun Lim, Laura De Lorenzo, Keshun Yu, Kai Zhang, Arthur G. Hunt, Aardra Kachroo, Pradeep Kachroo

Plant Pathology Faculty Publications

Pipecolic acid (Pip), a non-proteinaceous product of lysine catabolism, is an important regulator of immunity in plants and humans alike. In plants, Pip accumulates upon pathogen infection and has been associated with systemic acquired resistance (SAR). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Pip-mediated signaling and its relationship to other known SAR inducers remain unknown. We show that in plants, Pip confers SAR by increasing levels of the free radicals, nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which act upstream of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P). Plants defective in NO, ROS, G3P, or salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis accumulate reduced Pip in their distal uninfected …

Herbaceous 2018, Julia I. Chapman, Margaret E. Maloney, Ryan W. Mcewan

Data Files: Drew Woods Permanent Plots

Herbaceous vegetation data collected in 2018 at Drew Woods State Nature Preserve in Darke County, OH. Data key is provided in a supplemental file.

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 …

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 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 …

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 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 …

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 …