Mapping the world's salted soils: a leap forward in combatting land degradation
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NOTES: THE SUBFIGURE SHOWS AN EXAMPLE OF ACIDIC SOIL AREAS DEFINED BY THE WORLD REFERENCE BASE FOR SOIL RESOURCES; THE SCATTERPLOT SHOWS THE SALT CONTENT OF SOIL SAMPLES IN FIVE CLIMATE REGIONS.
view moreCREDIT: JOURNAL OF REMOTE SENSING
A team of researchers has developed an innovative approach that maps the soil salt contentaround the world with an exceptional detail of 10 meters. This breakthrough tackles the pressing need for accurate assessments of soil salinity, a formidable challenge that jeopardizes agricultural productivity and soil vitality on a global scale.
Soil salinity, a form of land degradation, affects over 1 billion hectares globally, compromising agricultural productivity and environmental health. Previous attempts at mapping soil salinity were hindered by the coarse spatial resolution of existing datasets and limitations in capturing the continuity of soil salinity content. Recognizing these challenges, the research team embarked on developing a model that integrates Sentinel-1/2 images, climate data, terrain information, and advanced machine learning algorithms to estimate soil salt content across five climate regions. These findings were detailed in a study (DOI: 10.34133/remotesensing.0130) published on March 28, 2024, in Journal of Remote Sensing. This research introduces a device that skillfully integrates slanted spiral channels with periodic contraction-expansion arrays.
At the heart of this groundbreaking endeavor is the fusion of data from an array of remote sensing technologies, notably the advanced Sentinel-1/2 satellites, and the strategic application of machine learning algorithms. This innovative approach has birthed a sophisticated model capable of delineating soil salinity with unprecedented precision—a 10-meter resolution across varying climates. This methodological breakthrough propels us far beyond the limitations of past attempts, which were shackled by their coarser resolution and a narrower scope in salinity analysis. The dedicated research team has assembled an extensive dataset, capturing global climate patterns, precise ground-level soil salinity readings, and a comprehensive set of geospatial variables. Employing the Random Forest algorithm, the model not only excels in predicting soil salinity with remarkable accuracy but also sheds light on the pivotal roles that climate, groundwater levels, and salinity indices play in the formation of soil salinity landscapes. This innovation marks a monumental stride in our ability to monitor and manage soil health on a global scale.
Professor Zhou Shi, the lead researcher, stated, "This study marks a significant leap in our ability to assess and manage soil salinity at a global scale. By combining satellite imagery with machine learning, we can now identify saline soils with unprecedented accuracy and detail, offering valuable insights for sustainable land and agricultural practices."
The high-resolution global soil salinity map generated from this research provides an essential tool for scientists, policymakers, and farmers to address soil salinity issues effectively. It enables targeted interventions for soil health restoration, supports sustainable agricultural practices, and aids in resource management planning. The methodology also sets a new standard for environmental monitoring, potentially applicable to other land degradation assessments.
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References
DOI
Original Source URL
https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/remotesensing.0130
Funding information
This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program (grant numbers 2018YFE0107000 and 2023YFD1900102), the National Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 42261016 and 41061031), the Bingtuan Science and Technology Program (grant number 2020CB032), the Tarim University President’s Fund (grant number TDZKCX202205), the China Scholarship Council (CSC), the Academic Rising Star Program for Doctoral Students of Zhejiang University, and the Outstanding Ph.D. Dissertation Funding of Zhejiang University.
About Journal of Remote Sensing
The Journal of Remote Sensing, an online-only Open Access journal published in association with AIR-CAS, promotes the theory, science, and technology of remote sensing, as well as interdisciplinary research within earth and information science.
JOURNAL
Journal of Remote Sensing
SUBJECT OF RESEARCH
Not applicable
ARTICLE TITLE
Global Soil Salinity Estimation at 10 m Using Multi-Source Remote Sensing
Unlocking alkalinity stress tolerance in citrus: insights from Ziyang xiangcheng rootstock
MAXIMUM ACADEMIC PRESS
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THE PLANTING MODE AND DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE OF (A) TREES AND (B) FRUITS OF CJ + LL AND PT + LL, AND (C) THE FRUIT QUALITY DATA OF PEEL COLOR PARAMETERS, SINGLE FRUIT WEIGHT, TOTAL SOLUBLE SOLID AND TITRATABLE ACID OF CJ + LL AND PT + LL AT FIVE DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENT STAGES.
view moreCREDIT: FRUIT RESEARCH
Alkalinity stress significantly hinders plant growth, particularly affecting citrus, a vital crop worldwide. Ziyang xiangcheng (Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka) (Cj), an alkalinity-tolerant citrus rootstock, prompts interest in understanding its resilience mechanisms. Research reveals that lateral root (LR) formation and hormonal interactions, especially involving jasmonate (JA), are key to stress adaptation. However, the specific roles of JA in root development and stress response, along with the function of plasma membrane H+-ATPase in root adaptation to alkalinity, are less understood. Despite progress in identifying stress response pathways, a comprehensive understanding of how these mechanisms enable citrus rootstocks like Cj to withstand alkalinity stress, influencing grafting outcomes and scion characteristics, remains a significant research gap.
Fruit Research published online a paper entitled “Comprehensive analysis provides insights into Ziyang xiangcheng (Citrus junos Sieb.) tolerance of alkalinity stress” on 02 January 2024.
In this study, two citrus rootstocks, Ziyang xiangcheng (Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka) (Cj) and Poncirus trifoliata (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.) (Pt), and one navel orange scion, 'Lane Late' navel orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.) (LL) were used. These grafted materials Cj + LL and Pt + LL (rootstock + scion) were alternately planted in an orchard with calcareous soil, characterized by high calcium level (7,075.27 mg/kg) and pH value (7.88) but lower mineral elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mg and Mn) compared to a control orchard. Observations revealed that Cj + LL exhibited superior growth, yield, and fruit quality than Pt + LL, demonstrating significantly larger tree height, canopy volume, fruit size and heavier single fruit weight. Additionally, the study delved into the mineral element content in different tissues and found that Cj + LL generally had higher levels of mineral elements and microelements, particularly Cu and Fe, in contrast to Pt + LL.
To understand the molecular regulatory mechanism behind these phenotypic differences, RNA-seq was utilized to generate transcriptome profiles for the root, stem, and leaf tissues of Cj + LL and Pt + LL. 3,431 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between Cj + LL_root and Pt + LL_root, indicating a major differential resource between Cj + LL and Pt + LL. Enrichment analyses identified key biological processes and pathways, including flavonoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and glutathione metabolism, underscoring the complex interplay of genes involved in stress response, nutrient uptake, and development. Many DEGs related to lignin biosynthesis were also identified, several key genes for lignin biosynthesis were all downregulated in Cj + LL_root, and the content of lignin in Cj + LL was significantly lower than that in Pt + LL in both the root and leaf tissues. Therefore, lignin biosynthesis may play an important role in the response to alkalinity stress.
Particularly, the study highlighted the crucial role of jasmonate (JA) in alkalinity stress tolerance, with key genes in the JA signal transduction pathways upregulated in Cj + LL. The JA content was notably higher in Cj + LL, correlating with increased tolerance to alkalinity stress, as evidenced by exogenous JA treatment experiments that enhanced the stress resilience of Cj seedlings. Additionally, the analysis of plant hormones revealed differences in ABA and IAA contents between the rootstocks, further implicating plant hormone dynamics in the observed stress responses.
The study concludes that JA, along with its associated metabolic and signal transduction pathways, plays a pivotal role in mediating tolerance to alkalinity stress in citrus, influencing lateral root formation, lignin biosynthesis, and reactive oxygen species scavenging. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying rootstock tolerance to environmental stresses, offering potential strategies for improving citrus cultivation in challenging soil conditions.
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References
DOI
Original Source URL
https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/frures-0023-0037
Authors
Chenyu Xu1#, Junying Cao1#, Mei Su1, Xianshuo Yan1, Hualin Yi1, Haijian Yang2*, & Juxun Wu1*
# These authors contributed equally: Chenyu Xu, Junying Cao
Affiliations
1.National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation & Utilization of Horticultural Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
2.Fruit Tree Research Institute of Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing 401329, PR China
About Juxun Wu
Associate Professor, Huazhong Agricultural University. His main research interests include citrus genetic breeding, citrus fruit development and ripening regulation.
JOURNAL
Fruit Research
METHOD OF RESEARCH
Experimental study
SUBJECT OF RESEARCH
Not applicable
ARTICLE TITLE
Comprehensive analysis provides insights into Ziyang xiangcheng (Citrus junos Sieb.) tolerance of alkalinity stress
The role of PagMYB73A in salinity tolerance in poplars
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FUNCTION MODEL OF PAGMYB73A ENHANCING SALT TOLERANCE OF 84K POPLAR.
view moreCREDIT: FORESTRY RESEARCH
Poplar trees, characterized by their rapid growth and broad adaptability, are a fast-growing timber species. However, in the northern regions of China, their growth has been consistently impeded by salt stress. MYB family transcription factors (TFs) play a critical role in stress response and development. Nevertheless, the function of specific MYB genes remains unclear, especially regarding their role in salt tolerance. Previous studies have identified that PagMYB73 (a homolog gene of PagMYB73A in poplar) can be induced by salt stress, with its homologous gene MYB73 in Arabidopsis participating in lateral root growth and stress resistance by regulating auxin biosynthesis. However, the mechanism by which PagMYB73A contributes to salt tolerance in poplar remains unclear.
Forestry Research published online a paper entitled “PagMYB73A enhances poplar salt tolerance by facilitating adventitious roots elongation and stomata density” on 24 January 2024.
Initially, this study identified ten homologous proteins of PagMYB73A through a blastp search on the NCBI website, among which the XP_002301201.1 protein from Populus trichocarpa demonstrated significant homology. These homologous proteins are characterized by the conserved R2R3-MYB domain. Interestingly, subcellular localization of PagMYB73A revealed that, unlike typical transcription factors, PagMYB73A is not only localized in the nucleus but also distributed throughout the cell. Further experiments demonstrated that overexpressing PagMYB73A in poplars under salt stress conditions led to a significant increase in adventitious root length and root dry weight, with a concomitant decrease in plant height. This was supported by the finding that PagMYB73A overexpression resulted in enhanced expression of genes associated with adventitious root development under salt stress.
Additionally, PagMYB73A overexpression improved overall root growth metrics but reduced fine root development under these conditions, indicating a nuanced influence on root architecture.Moreover, PagMYB73A was shown to maintain stomatal density under salt stress, which is crucial for plant stress adaptation, and to reduce cellular membrane damage, as indicated by lower MDA content in overexpressing lines compared to wild type. Under both normal and salt stress conditions, no significant differences were observed in the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT between OE (overexpressing) and WT (wild-type) plants. These findings further corroborate that PagMYB73A enhances salt tolerance in poplar through the regulation of the MDA pathway.
In concluosion, these findings underscore PagMYB73A's multifaceted role in enhancing poplar salt tolerance through various mechanisms, including promoting adventitious root growth, regulating root architecture, maintaining stomatal density, and protecting cellular membranes from oxidative damage. This research not only highlights the intricate response strategies plants employ to cope with abiotic stress but also provides valuable insights for breeding more resilient poplar varieties.
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References
DOI
Original Source URL
https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/forres-0023-0032
Authors
Xia Jin1, Kai Zhao1, Jia Hu1, Oliver Gailing2, , Lieding Zhou1, Shuhui Du1, Youzhi Han1,* , & Shengji Wang1, *
Affiliations
1.College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
2.Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Göttingen 37077, Germany
About Shengji Wang
Shengji Wang currently works at the State Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University. He does research in Agricultural Plant Science.
JOURNAL
Forestry Research
METHOD OF RESEARCH
Experimental study
SUBJECT OF RESEARCH
Not applicable
ARTICLE TITLE
PagMYB73A enhances poplar salt tolerance by facilitating adventitious roots elongation and stomata density
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