Woodwasps (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) are saproxylic insects and a common forest pest. Siricid woodwasps are classified into two subfamilies: Siricinae and Tremecinae. All known symbiotic fungi of Siricinae are in the genusAmylostereumBoidin while some species of Tremecinae have been observed to have a relationship with the fungusCerrenaunicolor(Bull.) Murrill. Previous studies about the host searching behavior of woodwasps and their parasitoids have focused primarily on the subfamily Siricinae.We analyzed the role ofC.unicolorvolatiles on the host searching behavior ofTremexapicalisMatsumura (Hymenoptera: Siricidae: Tremecinae) and its parasitoid Ibalia (Tremibalia) japonica Matsumura (Hymenoptera: Ibaliidae). The results of an olfactory response experiment indicated that the females ofT.apicalisand its parasitoid find their respective hosts using volatiles fromC.unicolor. Using DNA barcode, we identified basidiocarps on the trees infested withT.apicalis.The basidiocarps were all white-rot fungi that cause sapwood decay, includingC.unicolor. Two additional species that we identified belonged to genera closely related toC.unicolor.Woodwasp species are known to carry symbiotic fungi in a pair of specialized sacs called mycangia. Notably we found that mycangia-like structures were absent in the abdomens ofT.apicalisfemales. To the best of our knowledge,Xerisspectrum(Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) is the only reported example of woodwasp species that do not contain symbiotic fungi in their bodies.Our results suggested that: (1)T.apicalisfemales search for host wood that is already infected with sapwood decaying fungus using volatile compounds; (2)T.apicalis’ female parasitoid also uses volatile compounds from fungus to locate wood that is infested with its potential host.
Existing methods to quantify fluorescent signals are primarily limited to non-moving objects or tracking a limited number of cells. These techniques, however, are unsuitable for measuring fluorescent signals in time-lapse experiments using plant specimens that move naturally during a course of imaging. We developed an automated method to measure fluorescent signal intensities in transgenic Arabidopsis plants using a stereomicroscope with standard microscopy software. The features of our technique include: 1) recognizing the shape of plant specimens using autofluorescent signals; 2) merging targeted fluorescent signals to specimen outlines; 3) extracting signals within the shape of specimens from their background signals. Our method facilitates the measurement of fluorescent signals on freely moving plant leaves that are physically unrestrained. The method we developed addresses the challenge of recognizing plant shapes without relying on: a) manual definition which is prone to subjectivity and human error; b) introducing stable fluorescent markers to define plant shapes; c) recognizing plant shapes from bright field images which include a wide range of colors and background noise; d) unnecessarily stressing plants by immobilizing them; e) the use of multiple software packages or software development expertise.
After the nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, in 2011, 137Caesium (Cs) contaminated nearby agricultural regions. Studies in these rice fields found that low K and high N fertilizer application enhanced Cs uptake in rice shoots. However, the influence of root and soil physics on these findings, as well as precise nutrient levels, remain to be clarified. We sought to analyse these relationships utilizing hydroponically grown rice plants. The rice plants were subjected to various concentrations of K and N nutrient solutions. We measured Cs allocation within the plants and performed transcript analyses using root tissues. Under low‐K conditions, low‐N plants accumulated less Cs in shoots and more in roots when compared to control‐N conditions, even though overall Cs uptake remained unchanged. Expression analyses of root mRNAs showed that low‐N plants accumulated reduced levels of OsAKT1 mRNA, encoding a K transporter. We also found a negative relationship between shoot Cs and K status in control‐N but not in low‐N conditions. Our results suggest that the application of N shifts Cs from roots into the shoots and that OsAKT1 in root vascular tissues influences Cs allocation. In practice, fine tuning N/K application and targeted breeding of K transporters might mitigate Cs contamination in rice plants.
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