Articles

Tobacco plants expressing the maize nitrate transporter ZmNrt2.1 exhibit altered responses of growth and gene expression to nitrate and calcium

Nitrate uptake is a highly regulated process. Understanding the intricate interactions between nitrate availability and genetically-controlled nitrate acquisition and metabolism is essential for improving nitr...

Authors: Abubakar Ibrahim, Xiao-Lu Jin, Yu-Bin Zhang, Jessica Cruz, Paveena Vichyavichien, Nwadiuto Esiobu and Xing-Hai Zhang

Soil respiration patterns and rates at three Taiwanese forest plantations: dependence on elevation, temperature, precipitation, and litterfall

Soil respiration contributes to a large quantity of carbon emissions in the forest ecosystem. In this study, the soil respiration rates at three Taiwanese forest plantations (two lowland and one mid-elevation)...

Authors: Yu-Hsuan Huang, Chih-Yu Hung, I-Rhy Lin, Tomonori Kume, Oleg V. Menyailo and Chih-Hsin Cheng

Screening transferable microsatellite markers across genus Phalaenopsis (Orchidaceae)

Molecular identification based on microsatellite loci is an important technology to improve the commercial breeding of the moth orchid. There are more than 30,000 cultivars have been enrolled at the Royal Hort...

Authors: Ya-Zhu Ko, Huei-Chuan Shih, Chi-Chu Tsai, Hsing-Hua Ho, Pei-Chun Liao and Yu-Chung Chiang

Re-emergence of Lilium callosum Sieb. et Zucc. in Taiwan after a fire allows propagation and renews the possibility of conservation

Lilium callosum is native to Taiwan, but little is known about it since it has been considered extinct since 1915. After the rediscovery of this rare species after a fire in 2011 in Tu...

Authors: Ying Chun Chen, Yang Jung Huang, Chiu Mei Wang, Chin An Chiu, Huey Ling Lin, Pei Fang Lee, Ya Ming Cheng and Chen Chang

Characterization of LhSorTGA2, a novel TGA2-like protein that interacts with LhSorNPR1 in oriental hybrid lily Sorbonne

Non-expressor of pathogenesis-related genes 1 (NPR1) regulates expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes by interacting with TGA family proteins during systemic acquired resistance (SAR). However, no TGA-like...

Authors: Le Wang, Zhihong Guo, Yubao Zhang, Yajun Wang, Li Wang, Guo Yang, Wenmei Li, Ruoyu Wang and Zhongkui Xie

Aboveground biomass estimation at different scales for subtropical forests in China

The accurate estimation of forest biomass at different scales is the critical step in the assessment of forest carbon stocks. We used three models at increasing scales: allometric model at ecoregional scale (m...

Authors: Shunlei Peng, Nianpeng He, Guirui Yu and Qiufeng Wang

Synergistic effects of plant defense elicitors and Trichoderma harzianum on enhanced induction of antioxidant defense system in tomato against Fusarium wilt disease

Plant defense against their pathogens can be induced by a complex network of different inducers. The present study investigates the synergistic effect of Trichoderma harzianum, exogenous salicylic acid (SA) and m...

Authors: Andleeb Zehra, Mukesh Meena, Manish Kumar Dubey, Mohd. Aamir and R. S. Upadhyay

Identification of seeds based on molecular markers and secondary metabolites in Senna obtusifolia and Senna occidentalis

Senna obtusifolia and Senna occidentalis (Leguminosae), whose seeds have similar appearance and chemical constituents, are easily confused in using their seeds. To elucidate the simila...

Authors: Renjun Mao, Pengguo Xia, Zhigui He, Yan Liu, Fenghua Liu, Hongguang Zhao, Ruilian Han and Zongsuo Liang

Identification of differentially expressed genes in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) leaves and roots under drought stress by RNA sequencing

Sunflower is recognized as one of the most important oil plants with strong tolerance to drought in the world. In order to study the response mechanisms of sunflower plants to drought stress, gene expression p...

Authors: Chunbo Liang, Wenjun Wang, Jing Wang, Jun Ma, Cen Li, Fei Zhou, Shuquan Zhang, Ying Yu, Liguo Zhang, Weizhong Li and Xutang Huang

Transcriptome analysis reveals the genetic basis underlying the biosynthesis of volatile oil, gingerols, and diarylheptanoids in ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a popular flavoring that widely used in Asian, and the volatile oil in ginger rhizomes adds a special fragrance and taste to foods. The bioactive compounds in ginger, such as...

Authors: Yusong Jiang, Qinhong Liao, Yong Zou, Yiqing Liu and Jianbin Lan

Studies of life history of Gagea graeca (Liliaceae) based on morphological and molecular methods

We studied the life history of Gagea graeca (L.) A. Terracc. (sect. Anthericoides) by field surveys on the Greek island of Crete, including quantitative analyses of 405 individuals, estimation of resource allocat...

Authors: Martin Schnittler, Akmaral Nursafina, Angela Peterson, Jens Peterson, Carl Barnick and Anja Klahr

A termite symbiotic mushroom maximizing sexual activity at growing tips of vegetative hyphae

Termitomyces mushrooms are mutualistically associated with fungus-growing termites, which are widely considered to cultivate a monogenotypic Termitomyces symbiont within a colony. Term...

Authors: Huei-Mei Hsieh, Mei-Chu Chung, Pao-Yang Chen, Fei-Man Hsu, Wen-Wei Liao, Ai-Ning Sung, Chun-Ru Lin, Chung-Ju Rachel Wang, Yu-Hsin Kao, Mei-Jane Fang, Chi-Yung Lai, Chieh-Chen Huang, Jyh-Ching Chou, Wen-Neng Chou, Bill Chia-Han Chang and Yu-Ming Ju

Whole plastid transcriptomes reveal abundant RNA editing sites and differential editing status in Phalaenopsis aphrodite subsp. formosana

RNA editing is a process of post-transcriptional level of gene regulation by nucleotide modification. Previously, the chloroplast DNA of Taiwan endemic moth orchid, P. aphrodite subsp. formosana was determined, a...

Authors: Ting-Chieh Chen, Yu-Chang Liu, Xuewen Wang, Chi-Hsuan Wu, Chih-Hao Huang and Ching-Chun Chang

Complete chloroplast genome sequences of two endangered Phoebe (Lauraceae) species

Phoebe (Lauraceae) comprises of evergreen trees or shrubs with approximately 100 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia and Neotropical America. A total of 34 species an...

Authors: Yingang Li, Wuqin Xu, Wentao Zou, Dongyue Jiang and Xinhong Liu

Characteristics of tropical human-modified forests after 20 years of natural regeneration

Abandoned human-modified forests are refuges for remnant biodiversity. However, there are very few studies on the biodiversity and regeneration of native species in human-modified forests which are rich in exo...

Authors: Lih-Chyun Loo, Guo-Zhang M. Song and Kuo-Jung Chao

Influence of bio-fertilizer containing beneficial fungi and rhizospheric bacteria on health promoting compounds and antioxidant activity of Spinacia oleracea L.

This study evaluates the influences of bio fertilizers containing mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus mosseae) individually or in combination with N-fixer (Azotobacter chroococcum), K solubilizer (Baci...

Authors: Muhammad Khalid, Danial Hassani, Muhammad Bilal, Fayaz Asad and Danfeng Huang

Collecting near mature and immature orchid seeds for ex situ conservation: ‘in vitro collecting’ as a case study

Lack of phenological information and efficient collecting methods are considered impediments for orchid seed collecting. This leads to opportunistic collecting as part of general seed collecting schedules that...

Authors: Jonathan P. Kendon, Landy Rajaovelona, Helen Sandford, Rui Fang, Jake Bell and Viswambharan Sarasan

A perspective on orchid seed and protocorm development

This perspective draws attention to the functional organization of orchid seed and protocorm during the course of development. The orchid embryos have a well-organized developmental plan generating a blue-prin...

Authors: Edward C. Yeung

Enzymatic and non-enzymatic comparison of two different industrial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) varieties against drought stress

The aim of this study is to compare the tolerance mechanisms of two industrial tomato varieties (X5671R and 5MX12956) under drought stress. 14 days-old tomato seedlings were subjected to 7 days-long drought st...

Authors: Özge Çelik, Alp Ayan and Çimen Atak

Transcriptomic analyses reveal clathrin-mediated endocytosis involved in symbiotic seed germination of Gastrodia elata

Gastrodia elata is a well-known medicinal orchid. In nature, the germination rate of G. elata is extremely poor, because there is no endosperm within the mature seed. It is crucial for...

Authors: Xu Zeng, Yuanyuan Li, Hong Ling, Sisi Liu, Mengmeng Liu, Juan Chen and Shunxing Guo

Starch accumulation in hulless barley during grain filling

Starch consists of two types of molecules: amylose and amylopectin. The objective of this study was increase understanding about mechanisms related to starch accumulation in hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) gr...

Authors: Xu-guang Zheng, Jun-cang Qi, Hong-shan Hui, Li-hao Lin and Feng Wang

Allelopathy and resource competition: the effects of Phragmites australis invasion in plant communities

Phragmites australis, a ubiquitous wetland plant, has been considered one of the most invasive species in the world. Allelopathy appears to be one of the invasion mechanisms, however, ...

Authors: Md Nazim Uddin and Randall William Robinson

Three new species of Begonia sect. Baryandra from Panay Island, Philippines

The flora of Panay Island is under-collected compared with the other islands of the Philippines. In a joint expedition to the island, botanists from Taiwan and the Philippines found three unknown Begonia species ...

Authors: Ching-I Peng, Rosario Rivera Rubite, Che-Wei Lin, Mark Hughes, Yoshiko Kono and Kuo-Fang Chung

Ecogeographic variability and genetic diversity associated with seed albumins, globulins and prolamins patterns in Vicia taxa from Algeria

Genetic variability was studied in 78 populations of locally collected Vicia L. taxa for seed albumins, globulins and prolamins patterns by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) alo...

Authors: Sakina Bechkri, Imane Medoukali and Douadi Khelifi

Genome-wide characterization of the Rab gene family in Gossypium by comparative analysis

Rab protein family is the largest subfamily of small G protein family. As one of the most important families in plant, Rab family plays an important role in the process of plant growth...

Authors: Peng Li and Wangzhen Guo

Identification among morphologically similar Argyreia (Convolvulaceae) based on leaf anatomy and phenetic analyses

The genus Argyreia Lour. is one of the species-rich Asian genera in the family Convolvulaceae. Several species complexes were recognized in which taxon delimitation was imprecise, especially when examining herbar...

Authors: Paweena Traiperm, Janene Chow, Possathorn Nopun, G. Staples and Sasivimon C. Swangpol

The effects of local variation in light availability on pollinator visitation, pollen and resource limitation of female reproduction in Hosta ventricosa

Light availability may have direct effects on reproduction through resource availability, and indirect effects on female reproduction by influencing plant-pollinator interactions. Floral display size, pollinat...

Authors: Guo-Xing Cao, Bi-Xian Wu, Xu-Jian Xu, Xie Wang and Chun-Ping Yang

¹³C NMR spectroscopy characterization of particle-size fractionated soil organic carbon in subalpine forest and grassland ecosystems

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and carbon (C) functional groups in different particle-size fractions are important indicators of microbial activity and soil decomposition stages under wildfire disturbances. This re...

Authors: Yo-Jin Shiau, Jenn-Shing Chen, Tay-Lung Chung, Guanglong Tian and Chih-Yu Chiu

Microarray meta-analysis to explore abiotic stress-specific gene expression patterns in Arabidopsis

Abiotic stresses are the major limiting factors that affect plant growth, development, yield and final quality. Deciphering the underlying mechanisms of plants’ adaptations to stresses using few datasets might...

Authors: Po-chih Shen, Ai-ling Hour and Li-yu Daisy Liu

Begonia myanmarica (Begoniaceae), a new species from Myanmar, and molecular phylogenetics of Begonia sect. Monopteron

A new species, Begonia myanmarica, was discovered from Myanmar and herein documented. Characterized by a single developed wing in the ovary/fruit, this species would be assigned to sect. Monopteron (sensu Doorenb...

Authors: Yu-Hsin Tseng, Young-Dong Kim, Ching-I Peng, Khin Myo Htwe, Seong-Hyun Cho, Yoshiko Kono and Kuo-Fang Chung

Erratum to: Endocarps of menispermaceous plants in Taiwan

Authors: Sheng‑Zehn Yang and Po-Hao Chen

Small agarics in Taiwan: Mycena albopilosa sp. nov. and Gloiocephala epiphylla

Small agarics are poorly documented in Taiwan, with previously reported species either rudimentarily described or lacking a description or diagnosis in most cases. A survey on small agarics in a lowland forest...

Authors: Yi-Yin Chang and Yu-Ming Ju

Ultramafic geoecology of South and Southeast Asia

Globally, ultramafic outcrops are renowned for hosting floras with high levels of endemism, including plants with specialised adaptations such as nickel or manganese hyperaccumulation. Soils derived from ultra...

Authors: M. L. Galey, A. van der Ent, M. C. M. Iqbal and N. Rajakaruna

Cambial variations of Piper (Piperaceae) in Taiwan

Cambial variations in lianas of Piperaceae in Taiwan have not been studied previously. The stem anatomy of seven Piper species from Taiwan was examined to document cambial variations and better distinguish the sp...

Authors: Sheng-Zehn Yang and Po-Hao Chen

Taxonomic placement of Paphiopedilum rungsuriyanum (Cypripedioideae; Orchidaceae) based on morphological, cytological and molecular analyses

Paphiopedilum rungsuriyanum from Northern Laos was discovered and described in 2014. It is characterized by having miniature tessellated leaves, a flower having a helmet shaped lip wit...

Authors: Yung-I Lee, Mei-Chu Chung, Kongmany Sydara, Onevilay Souliya and Sulivong Luang Aphay

Investigation of floristic similarities between Taiwan and terrestrial ecoregions in Asia using GBIF data

Floristic compositions of non-endemic plants of continental islands were related to the neighboring continents because non-endemic plant species had historically migrated to continental islands from source are...

Authors: Chi-Cheng Liao and Chih-Hui Chen

Assimilates mobilization, stable canopy temperature and expression of expansin stabilizes grain weight in wheat cultivar LOK-1 under different soil moisture conditions

Grain yield of wheat is primarily determined by both grain number and grain weight, which often influence each other in response to environmental stimuli. Some of the genotypes are capable of maintaining high ...

Authors: Mahesh Kumar, Susheel Kumar Raina, Venkadasamy Govindasamy, Ajay Kumar Singh, Ram Lal Choudhary, Jagadish Rane and Paramjit Singh Minhas

Anti-fungal activity, mechanism studies on α-Phellandrene and Nonanal against Penicillium cyclopium

Essential oils from plants have been reported to have wide spread antimicrobial activity against various bacterial and fungal pathogens, and these include α-Phellandrene, Nonanal and other volatile substances....

Authors: Ji-hong Zhang, He-long Sun, Shao-yang Chen, Li Zeng and Tao-tao Wang

Meso- or xeromorphic? Foliar characters of Asteraceae in a xeric scrub of Mexico

The anatomical traits associated with water deficit are also observed in plants growing in poor soils. The species may resist water deficit through three main strategies: escape, avoid or tolerate. The Pedrega...

Authors: Patricia Rivera, José Luis Villaseñor and Teresa Terrazas

Molecular recircumscription of Broussonetia (Moraceae) and the identity and taxonomic status of B. kaempferi var. australis

Despite being a relatively small genus, the taxonomy of the paper mulberry genus Broussonetia remains problematic. Much of the controversy is related to the identity and taxonomic status of Broussonetia kaempferi

Authors: Kuo-Fang Chung, Wen-Hsi Kuo, Yi-Hsuan Hsu, Yi-Hsuan Li, Rosario Rivera Rubite and Wei-Bin Xu

Characterization of LhSorP5CS, a gene catalyzing proline synthesis in Oriental hybrid lily Sorbonne: molecular modelling and expression analysis

Abiotic stresses negatively affect plant growth and flower production. In plants, P5CS proteins are key enzymes that catalyzed the rate-limiting steps of proline synthesis, and proline is a well-known osmoprot...

Authors: Le Wang, Zhihong Guo, Yubao Zhang, Yajun Wang, Guo Yang, Liu Yang, Ruoyu Wang and Zhongkui Xie

Phellinus noxius: molecular diversity among isolates from Taiwan and its phylogenetic relationship with other species of Phellinus based on sequences of the ITS region

Analysis of phylogenetic relationship of 91 isolates of Phellinus noxius obtained from 46 plant species in Taiwan did not show distinct grouping based on ITS sequences.

Authors: Jyh-Nong Tsai, Pao-Jen Ann, Ruey-Fen Liou, Wen-Hsui Hsieh and Wen-Hsiung Ko

Taxonomy of Cyrtochilum-alliance (Orchidaceae) in the light of molecular and morphological data

The generic separateness and specific composition of the orchid genus Cyrtochilum was discussed for almost two centuries. Over the years several smaller taxa were segregated from this taxon, but their separatenes...

Authors: Dariusz L. Szlachetko, Marta Kolanowska, Aleksandra Naczk, Marcin Górniak, Magdalena Dudek, Piotr Rutkowski and Guy Chiron

Chilling susceptibility in mungbean varieties is associated with their differentially expressed genes

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) is an economically important legume of high nutritional value, however, its cultivation is limited by susceptibility to chilling. Varieties NM94 and VC1973A, with differential ...

Authors: Li-Ru Chen, Chia-Yun Ko, William R. Folk and Tsai-Yun Lin

Multiple regulatory roles of AP2/ERF transcription factor in angiosperm

APETALA2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) transcription factor (TF) is a superfamily in plant kingdom, which has been reported to be involved in regulation of plant growth and development, fruit ripening, de...

Authors: Chao Gu, Zhi-Hua Guo, Ping-Ping Hao, Guo-Ming Wang, Zi-Ming Jin and Shao-Ling Zhang

Mitigation of salt stress in white clover (Trifolium repens) by Azospirillum brasilense and its inoculation effect

Salinity is one of the increasingly serious environmental problems worldwide for cultivating agricultural crops. The present study was aimed to ascertain the potential of beneficial soil bacterium Azospirillum b...

Authors: Muhammad Khalid, Muhammad Bilal, Danial Hassani, Hafiz M. N. Iqbal, Hang Wang and Danfeng Huang

Identification and trichothecene genotypes of Fusarium graminearum species complex from wheat in Taiwan

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat caused by Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) is a devastating disease worldwide. The pathogens not only reduce the yield of wheat, but also impact the quality of wheat...

Authors: Chih-Li Wang and Yi-Hong Cheng

Broomcorn and foxtail millet were cultivated in Taiwan about 5000 years ago

Archaeobotanical remains of millet were found at the Nan-kuan-li East site in Tainan Science Park, southern Taiwan. This site, dated around 5000–4300 BP, is characterized by remains of the Tapenkeng culture, t...

Authors: Chen-Hwa Tsang, Kuang-Ti Li, Tze-Fu Hsu, Yuan-Ching Tsai, Po-Hsuan Fang and Yue-Ie Caroline Hsing

Morphological, physiological, cytological and phytochemical studies in diploid and colchicine-induced tetraploid plants of Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn

Tartary buckwheat are very popular as an important functional food material and its cultivation is very widespread in our whole world, but there obviously lack works in the researches of genetic breeding for a...

Authors: Lin-Jiao Wang, Mao-Yin Sheng, Pei-Cai Wen and Jia-Ying Du

Footprint of the eastern euroasian past in Italian populations of Cryptotaenia thomasii (Ten.) DC

The knowledge of the genetic architecture of closely related species and/or populations of a single species can be very useful to shed light on the processes that led to their current distributions. The presen...

Authors: Anna Maria Palermo, Liliana Bernardo, Domenico Gargano and Giuseppe Pellegrino