This study addresses the unique functional features of duckweed via comparison of Lemna gibba grown under controlled conditions of 50 versus 1000 µmol photons m–2 s–1 and of a L. minor population in a local pond with a nearby population of the biennial weed Malva neglecta. Principal component analysis of foliar pigment composition revealed that Malva was similar to fast-growing annuals, while Lemna was similar to slow-growing evergreens. Overall, Lemna exhibited traits reminiscent of those of its close relatives in the family Araceae, with a remarkable ability to acclimate to both deep shade and full sunlight. Specific features contributing to duckweed’s shade tolerance included a foliar pigment composition indicative of large peripheral light-harvesting complexes. Conversely, features contributing to duckweed’s tolerance of high light included the ability to convert a large fraction of the xanthophyll cycle pool to zeaxanthin and dissipate a large fraction of absorbed light non-photochemically. Overall, duckweed exhibited a combination of traits of fast-growing annuals and slow-growing evergreens with foliar pigment features that represented an exaggerated version of that of terrestrial perennials combined with an unusually high growth rate. Duckweed’s ability to thrive under a wide range of light intensities can support success in a dynamic light environment with periodic cycles of rapid expansion.

Development of a nutritious, sustainable food source is essential to address worldwide deficiencies in human micronutrients. Aquatic floating plants (e.g., species in the family Lemnaceae, duckweeds) are uniquely suited for area-efficient productivity with exceptionally high rates of growth and nutritional quality. Here, we provide an overview of the role of dietary micronutrients (with a focus on carotenoids) in human health and the promise of Lemnaceae as sustainable crops. We examine the effect of growth light environment on plant biomass production and levels of the carotenoids zeaxanthin, lutein, and pro-vitamin A (β-carotene), as well as the antioxidant vitamin E (α-tocopherol), and protein. Data on each of these nutrients are reported on a plant dry biomass basis (as relevant for nutrition) as well as relative to the required input of light energy (as relevant to resource-use efficiency).

The objective of this study was to establish radiation dose-response calibration curves using automated dicentric scoring to support rapid and accurate cytogenetic triage dose-assessment. Blood was drawn from healthy human volunteers and exposed to 60Co gamma rays at several dose rates (i.e., 1.0, 0.6, and 0.1 Gy min−1). After radiation, the blood was placed for 2 h in a 37 °C incubator for repair. Blood was then cultured in complete media to which a mitogen (i.e., phytoghemagglutinin, concentration 4%) was added for 48 h. Colcemid was added to the culture at a final concentration of 0.2 μg mL−1 after 24 h for the purpose of arresting first-division metaphase mitotics. Cells were harvested at the end of 48 h. Samples were processed using an automated metaphase harvester and automated microscope metaphase finder equipped with a suite of software including a specialized automated dicentric scoring application. The data obtained were used to create dose-response tables of dicentric yields. The null hypothesis that the data is Poisson-distributed could not be rejected at the significance level of α = 0.05 using results from a Shiny R Studio application (goodness-of-fit Poisson). Calibration curves based on linear-quadratic fits for 60Co gamma rays at the three different dose rates were generated using these data. The calibration curves were used to detect blind test cases. In conclusion, using the automated harvester and automated microscope metaphase finder with associated automated dicentric scoring software demonstrates high-throughput with suitable accuracy for triage radiation dose assessment.

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