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Characterization and Conservation Status of Evergreen Rainforest Understory: Case of Campo Ma'an National Park (Cameroon)
Kabelong Banoho Louis-Paul-Roger,
Zapfack Louis,
Weladji Robert Bertrand,
Nasang Julliete Mancho,
Chimi Djomo Cedric,
Nyako Melanie Chichi,
Madountsap Tagnang Nadège,
Essono Damien Marie,
Sahnone Pambouro Jean Marc,
Remi Jiagho,
Kwomegne Tchoupo Leonce Morel,
Tabue Mbobda Roger Bruno,
Palla Florence Jeanne Sarah
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, August 2018
Pages:
107-116
Received:
22 July 2018
Accepted:
7 August 2018
Published:
30 August 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.jps.20180604.11
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Abstract: The Campo Ma'an National Park is located in the evergreen rainforest area rich in biological diversity. This biological diversity remains poorly known, especially those of the understory. The objective of the present study is to characterize undersotory tree and to determine their IUCN conservation status. To know the floristic diversity of understory (5 cm ≤ dbh <10 cm) of this forest, a tree inventory using the plots method of 25 m x 25 m, in which 36 plots were placed out on 6 transects of 4 km each. The IUCN Red List was used to determine the status of inventoried species. The result showed a total richness of 256 species belonging to 148 genera and 50 families for the entire site has been identified. The Shannon diversity index is 4.90 and 4.02 for Old secondary forest (OSF) and Secondary forest (SFO), respectively. The floristic background belongs to the field of Guinean-Congolese endemism, with 6 endemic species in Cameroon. The conservation status analysis shows that 22 species are listed as endangered in the red list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. This study provides a base for reflection on the integration of understory trees species in inventories and in the development of conservation strategies.
Abstract: The Campo Ma'an National Park is located in the evergreen rainforest area rich in biological diversity. This biological diversity remains poorly known, especially those of the understory. The objective of the present study is to characterize undersotory tree and to determine their IUCN conservation status. To know the floristic diversity of underst...
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Regulation of Phytohormone Biosynthesis Genes by Polycomb-Mediated Histone H3 Lysine 27 Trimethylation in Arabidopsis
Yongfeng Hu,
Yan Lai,
Shufang Fan,
Bin Liu
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, August 2018
Pages:
117-133
Received:
6 August 2018
Accepted:
21 August 2018
Published:
21 September 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.jps.20180604.12
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Abstract: Histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) catalyzed by polycomb proteins plays a negative role in the regulation of gene expression. Several key developmental genes have been reported to be enriched with H3K27me3 and repressed by polycomb proteins. The objective of this study was to analyze the role of polycomb-mediated H3K27me3 in regulating expression of hormone biosynthesis genes in Arabidopsis. First of all, enrichment of H3K27me3 on hormone biosynthesis genes was investigated systematically. The results showed that genes encoding crucial enzyme tended to be enriched with H3K27me3 while the others were not. And then expression of cytokinin biosynthesis genes in curly leaf (clf) and like heterochromatin protein1 (lhp1) was detected by qPCR. Most of cytokinin biosynthesis genes expression with basal promoter activity was increased in clf and lhp1. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis indicates that H3K27me3 levels on these genes were decreased in clf, suggesting repressive role of CLF and LHP1 in the regulation of these genes. To reveal the role of CLF1 and LHP1 in the dynamics of gene expression, we tested expression of various genes at different time point after IAA treatment. We found that expression of CYP735A2 was increased in clf1 and lhp1 but could be repressed to the levels as in wild type plants, which indicates that CLF1 and LHP1 are not required for IAA-stimulated repression of CYP735A2. The induction of gibberellin 20-oxidase1 (AtGA20Ox1) and gibberellin 20-oxidase2 (AtGA20Ox2) by IAA application was also affected in clf and lhp1. Expression of AtGA20Ox1 and AtGA20Ox2 was firstly induced by IAA treatment and decreased later in wild type plants. However, decrease of AtGA20Ox1 and AtGA20Ox2 expression was earlier in clf and lhp1 which might be caused by overproduction of gibberellins in the mutants. Thus, we propose that the role of the polycomb group proteins is to reduce expression levels of crucial enzymes to minimum, which might stop hormone production.
Abstract: Histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) catalyzed by polycomb proteins plays a negative role in the regulation of gene expression. Several key developmental genes have been reported to be enriched with H3K27me3 and repressed by polycomb proteins. The objective of this study was to analyze the role of polycomb-mediated H3K27me3 in regulating ...
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Comparative Chloroplast Genome Analysis of Single-Cell C4 Bienertia Sinuspersici with Other Amaranthaceae Genomes
Lorrenne Caburatan,
Jin Gyu Kim,
Joonho Park
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, August 2018
Pages:
134-143
Received:
15 August 2018
Accepted:
31 August 2018
Published:
26 September 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.jps.20180604.13
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Abstract: Bienertia sinuspersici is a single-cell C4 (SCC4) plant species whose photosynthetic mechanisms occur in two cytoplasmic compartments containing central and peripheral chloroplasts. The efficiency of the C4 photosynthetic pathway to suppress photorespiration and enhance carbon gain has led to a growing interest in its research. A comparative analysis of B. sinuspersici chloroplast genome with other genomes of Amaranthaceae was conducted. Results from a 70% cut off sequence identity showed that B. sinuspersici is closely related to Beta vulgaris with slight variations in the arrangement of few genes such ycf1 and ycf15; and, the absence of psbB in Beta vulgaris. B. sinuspersici has the largest 153, 472 bp while Spinacea oleracea has the largest protein-coding sequence 6,754 bp larger than B. sinuspersici. The GC contents of each of the species ranges from 36.3 to 36.9% with B. sinuspersici having the same GC percentage as Haloxylon persicum and H. ammodendron (36.6%). The IR size also varies yet in all six species, the Ira/LSC border is generally located upstream of the trnH-GUG gene. A total of 107 tandem repeats were found in each of the species, most of which are situated in the intergenic space. These results provide basic information that may be valuable for future related studies.
Abstract: Bienertia sinuspersici is a single-cell C4 (SCC4) plant species whose photosynthetic mechanisms occur in two cytoplasmic compartments containing central and peripheral chloroplasts. The efficiency of the C4 photosynthetic pathway to suppress photorespiration and enhance carbon gain has led to a growing interest in its research. A comparative analys...
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Endogenous Perception of the Diversity of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Cultivars Produced in Benin
Richard Mahouton Akplogan,
Gilles Habib Todjro Cacaï,
Corneille Ahanhanzo,
Serge Sètondji Houédjissin,
Ernest Renan Traoré
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, August 2018
Pages:
144-148
Received:
22 September 2018
Accepted:
11 October 2018
Published:
1 November 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.jps.20180604.14
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Abstract: Taro is a staple in many southern countries and an ancient starchy crop consumed by more than 400 million people. Taro is a tuber crop which the endogenous knowledge is still poorly investigated in scientific research of Benin despite its importance in food security. This work aims to evaluate farmers' knowledge of diversity, production constraints, cultural practices for tubers conservation and the management of taro seed system through 15 villages in three townships in southern Benin. The methodology consisted of participatory research through individual and group interviews. Information such as production constraints, variety recognition criteria were taken into account by group. At the individual level, data relating to socio-demographic aspects (age, sex, socio-cultural group), the seed system, tuber conservation techniques were collected. The results revealed two (02) taro cultivars; pink-fleshed taro and white-fleshed taro. The recognition of criteria varied from one socio-cultural group to another according to the group age (P = 000). These criteria were leaf color, petiole color, tuber skin color and bud color. The selection criteria, seed availability and organoleptic quality of the cultivars varied with age (P = 0.000) and socio-cultural group (P = 0.002). These results can be directly used by a breeding program for the improvement of taro productivity in Benin.
Abstract: Taro is a staple in many southern countries and an ancient starchy crop consumed by more than 400 million people. Taro is a tuber crop which the endogenous knowledge is still poorly investigated in scientific research of Benin despite its importance in food security. This work aims to evaluate farmers' knowledge of diversity, production constraints...
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The Effect of Sugar Beet Seed Priming on Sugar Beet Yield and Weed Suppressive Ability
Kostyantyn Bezhin,
Hans-Joachim Santel,
Roland Gerhards
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 4, August 2018
Pages:
149-156
Received:
1 October 2018
Accepted:
15 October 2018
Published:
1 November 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.jps.20180604.15
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Abstract: For optimal development in the field, sugar beets require fast emergence and rapid establishment of a homogenous stand. Environmental influences such as low soil temperatures or crusting of the soil surface usually slow down crop emergence and early development. Priming of the sugar beet seeds has proven to be a cost-effective method facilitating the rapid formation of a dense crop stand. Market penetration of the seed priming technology is variable. It ranges from very high in Western Europe and the USA to minimal in Eastern Europe. In this study, one commercial activated sugar beet variety was analysed under controlled climatic conditions in the growth chamber, in the greenhouse and in a field environment. Under controlled conditions in petri-dishes and in the greenhouse, seed priming significantly accelerated seed germination and reduced the time until the maximum number of sugar beet plants had emerged from 12 days to 6 days after seeding. In the field however, no significant effect of seed priming on sugar beet emergence was observed. Weed density, weed biomass and relative weed cover were similar in the activated and non-activated seed treatments indication that seed priming did not increase competitive ability of sugar beets. Yields of both treatment were equal. Seed priming seems to be only beneficial under controlled and optimal growing conditions.
Abstract: For optimal development in the field, sugar beets require fast emergence and rapid establishment of a homogenous stand. Environmental influences such as low soil temperatures or crusting of the soil surface usually slow down crop emergence and early development. Priming of the sugar beet seeds has proven to be a cost-effective method facilitating t...
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