The Leaf Economics Spectrum (LES) is a widely described pattern in plant ecology, representing plant resource-use strategies described by variability in resource conservative to resource acquisitive leaf functional traits. Root traits are also hypothesized to vary along a Root Economics Spectrum (RES) defining belowground resource acquisition strategies. While observed in wild plants, it is unclear if the RES defines belowground strategies in crops, and if a potential RES covaries with a LES in crops. Using 12 cultivars of grapevine scions, spread acorss three unique rootstocks, we measured five RES traits— specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD), root diameter (D), root nitrogen and carbon concentrations—and three LES traits—leaf mass per area, leaf N concentrations, light-saturated photosynthetic capacity on a per leaf mass basis. We tested for 1) the existence of an intraspecific RES in grapevine, and 2) covariation between an LES and RES. Root traits varied along a conservative-acquisitive RES, defined by positive covariation between RTD and D, which both traded off against SRL. Scion identity explained ~49.2% of belowground trait variation. We also found evidence for orthogonality between the RES and LES, suggesting that above- and belowground strategies vary independently of one another in grapevine.
Non-canonical or non-protein amino acids (npAA) are important but difficult to study natural metabolites. β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is an npAA that was first discovered in cycads and has since been quantified in plants, plant-cyanobacteria symbioses, cyanobacterial blooms, isolated cyanobacteria, animal, and humans. We hypothesized that BMAA and its isomers are produced by plants and conserved across plant evolution. We used fully validated methods to quantify BMAA and untargeted metabolomics for discovery of BMAA isomers in extracts of 75 plants representing 11 clades grown under aquatic, in vitro, greenhouse, and field conditions. We detected BMAA in Acrogymnospermae, Asterids, Liliopsida, Magnoliidae, and Rosids and quantified BMAA in Azolla filiculoides Lam., Eleocharis acicularis (L.) Roem. & Schult., Myriophyllum aquaticum Verdc., Sedum acre L., Hedera helix L., Mitragyna speciosa Korth., Vesicularia montagnei (Bel.) Fleisch., and Wollemia nobilis W.G.Jones, K.D.Hill & J.M.Allen. BMAA was more frequently detected in tissue cultured plants than field, agricultural, or horticultural samples. These data provide important insights into the complexity of non-protein amino acid metabolism across ecosystems and the need for further studies to fully understand npAA metabolism in higher plants.
Laticifers are secretory structures recognized for the economic and biological importance of latex. They may be composed of a single cell or a series of interconnected cells and occur in approximately 10% of angiosperms, including members of Urticaceae. This family represents a valuable model for laticifer studies because its secretory system is inconspicuous: the latex is colorless and of low viscosity, lacking the typical milky appearance, and the laticifers are difficult to detect. Here, we expand knowledge of laticifers in Urticaceae by examining their distribution, morphology, developmental origin, and in situ chemical composition. Leaves, stems, buds, and inflorescences were sampled from eight species representing eight genera and four tribes. Laticifers were found to be more widely distributed than reported, occurring not only in bark and sepals but also in leaf, stems, inflorescence axes, filaments, ovaries, and pedicels. All species possess articulated laticifers derived from two to five precursor cells that undergo dissolution of terminal walls during differentiation. The latex contains phenolics, proteins, alkaloids, lipids, polysaccharides, and rubber particles, with interspecific variation. These findings refine the understanding of laticifer structure and distribution in Urticaceae, clarify misconceptions, and document their occurrence for the first time in Boehmeria Jacq., Myriocarpa Benth., Phenax Wedd., and Pilea Lindl.
Inuit across Inuit Nunaat (the circumpolar Inuit homeland) are living through profound climate-driven changes. These climate impacts are experienced most acutely in place, shaping livelihoods, culture, health, and safety. This study applies a place-based approach to investigate how Inuit in Nunatsiavut, Labrador, experience, understand, and respond to climate change in relation to Cultural Keystone Places (CKPs). We use semi-directed interviews and participatory mapping to document important places, associated stories and relationships, experiences of climate impacts, and identification of related adaptation actions. Climate change was described as contributing to environmental change at CKPs, including shifting seasons, changing snow and ice conditions, and shrubification, affecting culturally important species and disrupting land access. However, we show that for many Nunatsiavummiut, experiences of climate change are inseparable from social, economic, and colonial change, which compound to disrupt relationships with the land. Through this place-based and holistic framing, cultural resurgence and land-based learning emerged as direct responses to climate change. These results highlight the need for a holistic understanding of climate change that incorporates social and environmental dimensions to support locally important and culturally relevant research and self-determined adaptation strategies.
Rhamnus cathartica L. was introduced to North America, where it has become naturalized and typically co-occurs with other buckthorns that are native within the Rhamnaceae family, and its highly invasive traits impact native flora/fauna. Species in this family have been reported to contain anthraquinones, a class of secondary compounds. However, relatively little is known about the fruit nutrition and fruit anthraquinone composition for some buckthorns native to the United States, or how they compare to Rhamnus cathartica in different regions of its own native and naturalized ranges. We report on these fruit components in Rhamnus cathartica along with lesser-studied native buckthorns. Fruits were generally low in energy density and fat content, regardless of sampling location or native status—with variation in other nutritional components and measures of antioxidant potential. All sampled fruits contained the anthraquinone emodin; however, there was generally a broader array of anthraquinones in native buckthorn fruits. We also report novel data on native Rhamnus smithii Greene, along with complementary values on the native Frangula caroliniana (Walter) A. Gray. The data contribute to expanding the limited nutritional and phytochemical knowledge of these buckthorn species, which could shed light on their functional roles in the communities/ecosystem.
An unrecognized mushroom resembling Gomphus was found in several localities in southern Ontario and has been identified and described through morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Marker genes used include the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (nITS), nuclear large ribosomal subunit (nLSU), mitochondrial small ribosomal subunit (mtSSU), and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate 6 gene (mtATP6). A multigene maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree using nLSU, mtSSU, and mtATP6 placed the novel mushroom in the previously monotypic genus Luteodorsum (Gomphales) with Luteodorsum huanglongense, from which it differs by its paler basidiomes and hymenium and narrower basidiospores. The mushroom is characterized by its velvety, creamy buff, fan-shaped or vase-like fruiting body and wrinkled hymenium. The ochraceous spores are ornamented with warts and the clamped hyphae of the basal mycelium are smooth but covered in abundant calcium oxalate crystals. These results support recognition of the Ontario collections as a new species of Luteodorsum, expanding the known geographic range of the genus and contributing to the knowledge of gomphoid diversity in North America.
This study, conducted within the Atikamekw Nehirowisiw community of Wemotaci (Québec, Canada), explored the central role of the blueberry (Vaccinium spp.; minic in Nehirowimowin) in the culture and identity of this Indigenous people, focusing on the transmission of botanical knowledge, particularly among women. Using a collaborative qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews revealed that minic is an identity marker and a vector of values such as respect, reciprocity, and sharing, contributing to the well-being of the community, the people, and the land. It is a source of healthy food, eaten raw or processed as osekwan minic (blueberry paste), and it contributes to local economic development. The results confirm the status of minic as a cultural keystone species. Reduced access to blueberry patches has been experienced around Wemotaci, due to overharvesting with hand rakes (by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous pickers) and large-scale forest logging. Atikamekw Nehirowiskwewok (women) play a key role in passing on values, knowledge, and practices aiming to preserve the land and their culture. Their contribution to the self-determination of their people must be recognized.
Vegetative propagules are key to moss persistence, yet their responses to metal stress remain poorly understood. This study provides the first experimental evidence of copper (Cu) effects on moss rhizoidal tubers. We experimentally assessed the response of rhizoidal tubers of Bryum billarderii Schw & auml;gr. (Bryaceae) to Cu by exposing tubers to 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mmol/L Cu for 60 days. Establishment was evaluated through filament production and bud formation, and both traits declined sharply with increasing Cu. In controls, tubers initiated filaments by day 6 and all formed both filaments and buds by day 60. At 0.5 mmol/L Cu, filament formation was infrequent and buds appeared only late in the experiment, occasionally accompanied by abnormal tuber production at bud apices. At 1-2 mmol/L Cu, development was almost completely inhibited, with only a single tuber producing filaments at 2 mmol/L and no bud formation at any higher concentration. These results show that copper markedly reduces, but does not completely inhibit, early morphogenesis in moss tubers, thereby impairing clonal establishment through reduced filament and bud production, even at low concentrations.
Agronomic grasses may play a role in oak recruitment failure via the production of allelopathic chemicals. We investigated how oak seedlings of both North American and Eurasian origin are affected by m-tyrosine, an allelochemical produced by roots of the grass Festuca rubra L. We hypothesized the growth of the North American oak seedlings (Quercus alba L., Quercus macrocarpa Michx., and Quercus rubra L.) would be more sensitive to m-tyrosine than the Eurasian oaks seedings (Quercus acutissima Carruth., Quercus cerris L., and Quercus robur L.), given that the latter share a co-evolutionary history with Festuca rubra. We exposed the potted oaks to 0, 20, or 100 & micro;mol m-tyrosine and recorded seedling height, stem diameter and the mass of leaves, stem and roots at harvest. There were significant differences among species in the responses of seedling height, stem diameter, biomass and root:shoot. However, except for the reduction in stem diameter in response to 20 & micro;mol/L m-tyrosine, the effects on the North American species were not more severe on average than the effects on the species of Eurasian origin. Therefore, our results did not support the hypothesis that allopathy alone is a strong driver of the high recruitment failure of North American oaks relative to Eurasian oaks in eastern North America.
Indigenous cultural landscapes are shaped by traditional practices rooted in a deep knowledge of plants, their habitats and uses, among others. However, traditional mechanisms of knowledge transmission are under increasing pressure from colonialism, capitalism and globalization, leading to gradual loss of Indigenous botanical knowledge. In this collaborative project, we used community murals as a way to facilitate knowledge transmission about edible plants and mushrooms in two Totonac communities (Veracruz, Mexico). Both murals were painted on the exterior walls of primary schools, in areas highly frequented by people of all ages. The murals were designed to show (1) elements of the Totonac culture; (2) the knowledge transmission process; (3) the Totonac worldview; and (4) plant and mushroom species consumed by community members. The murals—created with community members—facilitated knowledge transmission vertically (e.g., between parents and children), obliquely (e.g., between school teachers and students), and horizontally (e.g., between children during school recess or between adult passersby). The community murals created with the communities of Heleodoro Dávila and La Cruz have proven effective to engage men and women, youth, adults and elders in the revival and protection of Indigenous botanical knowledge and cultural landscapes.
In this study, we report the presence of the southeast Asian species Artemisia princeps Pamp., a member of the Artemisia vulgaris complex, along the banks of the Fraser River in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Its identity was initially determined in 2011, based on morphological features and later confirmed through molecular analyses. The species has since proven to have established extensive populations in the region. Subsequent herbarium revisions indicated that A. princeps was previously collected in the area in 1956 and 1989, though it was misidentified as A. vulgaris L., a widespread Eurasian species. It is likely that A. princeps was intentionally introduced for medicinal purposes by Japanese immigrants over a century ago, after which it spread widely. Despite the known invasiveness of several species in the A. vulgaris complex, their ecological impacts remain understudied. In Greater Vancouver, A. vulgaris is the rarer of the two species, a pattern that may extend across North America. Consequently, American populations identified as A. vulgaris should be re-examined, also considering the potential presence of another closely related species, Artemisia verlotiorum Lamotte. This paper discusses the morphological distinctions between A. princeps, A. vulgaris, and A. verlotiorum, while also tracing the naturalisation history of A. princeps in southwestern Canada. These findings represent the first confirmed records of the species in the New World.
Redox-dependent post-translational modifications, such as S-glutathionylation, play a key role in regulating plant metabolic enzymes under stress conditions. Here, we studied Arabidopsis thaliana cytosolic 1,6-fructose-bisphosphate aldolase 6 (FBA6) modification by S-glutathionylation. Treatment with the thiol-oxidizing agent diamide inhibited aldolase activity, whereas combined treatment with reduced glutathione and diamide resulted in a stronger inhibition. This enhanced effect was associated with S-glutathionylation as shown by immunoblot analysis using an anti-glutathione antibody. The inhibitory effects were reversible under reducing conditions. Further characterization of FBA6 S-glutathionylation by nanoLC-MS/MS identified five S-glutathionylated Cys residues, including three (Cys130, Cys208, and Cys326) reported here for the first time. Additionally, using protein modeling and nanoLC-MS/MS, we provide evidence for the occurrence of disulfide bridges in the FBA6 structure, including unambiguous confirmation for the existence of a Cys130–Cys173 bond. These findings confirm the redox reactivity of previously uncharacterized FBA6 Cys residues and provide further insights into the redox sensitivity of the enzyme activity. This redox sensitivity may be implicated in the modulation of metabolic and non-canonical functions of this protein under oxidative conditions.
Food source diversification is crucial in the face of food insecurity stemming from crop failures or reduced productivity resulting from pests, diseases, and climate change. Among underutilized crops, adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) stands out as a promising alternative to staple foods. This heirloom crop adapts well to abiotic stresses and is increasingly recognized as a functional food, with grains rich in vitamins and minerals, and possessing medicinal properties. It is also considered a cash crop for farmers. As consumer demands rise, adlay cultivation and expansion are anticipated, necessitating stable production and quality. A comprehensive review of its diseases, associated pathogens, and mycotoxin contaminants is currently lacking. To bridge this gap, this paper reviews the pathogens and mycotoxigenic microbes of adlay. Fungal diseases, such as leaf blight and smut, are the crop’s major diseases. Fusarium mycotoxins predominate in seed contamination. This paper also discusses management options for adlay diseases. Preference for cultural and phytosanitary strategies over synthetic chemical applications for disease and mycotoxin management is also highlighted. Nevertheless, adlay may benefit from a sustainable and innovative integrated pest management approach, including biological control.
After being employed for approximately 40 years as a device for the protection and display of megaspores on Isoetes herbarium specimens, the utility and benefits of sporewells are reviewed. A streamlined process for their rapid and inexpensive manufacture is described and their contribution to specimen conservation is assessed. Over that time, sporewells have proven to be a practical and efficient device for the storage, conservation, and examination of minute, fragile elements in Isoetes herbarium specimens and with vouchers of a wide variety of other vascular plant taxa.
Taxonomic uncertainty is an important challenge to biodiversity conservation, given that accurate status assessment and management decisions depends on sound species-level taxonomy and accurate distribution range maps. Glyceria laxa (Scribn.) Scribn. provides an excellent example. This wetland grass is rare in eastern Canada, but debates on its taxonomic status and a lack of clarity in discriminating characters led to its neglect in ecological surveys. Historically, it was treated either as a full species, as a variety or synonym of Glyceria canadensis, or as a hybrid, and was confused with the sterile hybrid Glyceria & times; ottawensis. Our objectives were to clarify the taxonomic status of these entities and reassess their distribution range in Canada. We conducted a comprehensive review of herbarium specimens from eastern Canada, combined with a morphometric analysis of eight Glyceria taxa in sects. Hydropoa and Striatae. Multivariate analyses separated all taxa with excellent classification accuracy. No Ontario or Qu & eacute;bec specimens previously identified as Glyceria laxa were correctly determined; they represented either Glyceria & times; ottawensis or Glyceria canadensis s.str. Our results support the recognition of Glyceria laxa as a distinct species restricted to the Maritime provinces in Canada. We provide an updated identification key and discuss implications for regional floristics and conservation.
Aquatic plant cultures are a critical component of agriculture and research. Despite this, innovation in the maintenance of sterile aquatic plant cultures, more specifically submerged aquatic cultures, is lacking, and propagators must use exacting prophylactic measures to alleviate contamination problems. The goal of this project was to identify contaminants in a lace plant (Aponogeton madagascariensis) culture and use this information to develop an efficient cleansing protocol. Bacterial genera Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus, as well as the fungal genus Meyerozyma, were consistently identified in contaminated lace plants. Three cleansing protocols were tested for effectiveness in reducing contamination without compromising plant growth and development. The most effective method consisted of two steps: surface sterilization of corm with 1% sodium hypochlorite, and media supplemented with 0.1% broad-spectrum biocide Plant Preservative Mixture™. This two-step method offered a cost-effective and straightforward broad-spectrum sterilization procedure for lace plant cultures that minimized contamination while supporting normal plant growth and development. This protocol may be effective for minimizing contamination in other aquatic plant cultures containing multiple types of microbes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to report an efficient protocol to minimize contaminants in submerged aquatic plant cultures.
Changes in wild berry species are increasingly being reported across North America, tied to climate change and associated environmental changes. This is likely to affect the people and animals who use wild berries. In this context, we examined the status of wild berries in a subarctic area of northern Canada (the Gwich'in Settlement Area, Northwest Territories, Canada), between 1989 and 2024, through new and archive interviews with Gwich'in berry pickers. Results from these interviews showed high interannual variability in productivity and lower berry yields in years of hot and dry weather conditions. Knowledge holders identified climate change, overharvesting and improper harvesting, and local development as threats. Declines in the health of the land and the loss of traditional harvesting practices were also described. Changes in animal habits in relation to berries were not reported, but people’s relationships with berries do appear to be changing, reflecting settlement in communities, loss of traditional practices, cost of transportation, and shifts in berry productivity. In spite of these changes, knowledge holders felt that berry picking is an important activity for community members to engage in, permitting ongoing connection with the land, increased food security, and improved health.
Understanding how genomic adaptation shapes species' responses to climate change is essential for developing climateresilient forests, as shifting conditions increasingly drive range shifts and maladaptation. This study investigates adaptive genomic variation in Betula alleghaniensis Britt. (yellow birch), a widely distributed hardwood of eastern North America. Genomewide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variation from 27 populations was analyzed using 3D-genotype-by-sequencing and two genotype-environment association methods: redundancy analysis and gradient forests. A total of 124 putatively adaptive loci were identified, linked to extreme minimum temperature, degree-days below 0 degrees C, winter precipitation, and snowfall. Functional annotation revealed roles in stress response and transcriptional regulation. Patterns of adaptive variation showed a latitudinal gradient tied to winter severity and spatially heterogeneous responses to snowfall. Two distinct clusters of adaptive loci were identified along climate gradients, suggesting winter climate plays a dominant role in shaping local adaptation. Future climate projections (SSP5-8.5, 2041-2070) predict substantial shifts in adaptive alleles in the Northeastern Appalachians, Maritimes, and St. Lawrence River regions. Nevertheless, genetic offset across the range was relatively low, suggesting genomic resilience potentially supported by yellow birch's autohexaploid genome and extensive gene flow, including adaptive introgression from hybridization with other Betula species. These findings support integrating genomic data into forest management.
