Duckweeds

Mateo-Elizalde, Cristian; Lynn, Jason; Ernst, Evan; Martienssen, Rob

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2022.12.036

Cited by 2 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Nuclear DNA content of duckweed accessions was measured by flow cytometry in triplicate, using Spirodela polyrhiza 7498 32 and Physalis grisea 195 as controls. For each sample, two duckweed colonies from the target accession, two S. polyrhiza 7498 colonies and approximately 1 cm 2 of P. grisea leaf were chopped with a razor blade in a 60×15mm petri dish containing 1 ml of cold Galbraith buffer (45mM MgCl 2 , 30mM sodium citrate, 20mM MOPS, 0.1% (v/v) triton X-100, pH 7.0) 196 for two minutes. Samples were then passed through a 30 µm CellTrics disposable filter and stained with 50 µg of Propidium iodide.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The genomes and epigenomes of aquatic plants (Lemnaceae) promote triploid hybridization and clonal reproduction

Ernst

Abramson

Acosta

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The Lemnaceae (duckweeds) are the world's smallest but fastest growing flowering plants, with a drastically reduced morphology and predominant clonal reproductive habit capable of continuous exponential growth. Here, we present assemblies of 10Lemnachromosome sets by single molecule nanopore sequencing and chromosome conformation capture. Dynamics of genome evolution in the family are revealed by syntenic comparisons withWolffiaandSpirodela, and diversification of these genera was found to coincide with the "Azolla event", in which blooms of aquatic macrophytes reduced atmospheric CO2from greenhouse levels found in the Eocene to those of the current ice age. Orthologous gene comparisons with other aquatic and terrestrial plants uncovered candidate genes for the unique metabolic and developmental features of the family, such as frequent hybrid polyploidy, lack of stomatal closure in high CO2, and accumulation of calcium oxalate, a promising candidate for carbon sequestration. Loss of a spermine-triggered gene network may account for drastic reduction in stature and preferentially adaxial stomata, a feature of floating aquatic plants. Strikingly, Lemnaceae genomes have selectively lost some of the genes required for RNA interference, including Argonaute genes required for post- zygotic reproductive isolation (the triploid block) and reduced gamete formation. Triploid hybrids arise commonly amongLemna, presumably by hybridization with unreduced gametes, and we have found mutations in highly-conserved ZMM crossover pathway genes that could support polyploid meiosis. Rapid but stable clonal propagation makesLemnaan ideal platform for continuous protein and starch micro-cropping, and for efficient sequestration of dissolved nutrients and atmospheric CO2. Facile regeneration of transgenic fronds from tissue culture, aided by reduced epigenetic silencing, makesLemnaa powerful biotechnological platform, as exemplified by recent engineering of high-oilLemnathat out-perform oil seed crops.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Lemnaceae 1 are a family of freshwater aquatic macrophytes commonly known as duckweeds 2 and are sometimes referred to as water lentils and watermeal. The Lemnaceae reproduce by reiterative vegetative budding from a “pocket” of meristematic stem cells, doubling once per day under optimal conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The genomes and epigenomes of aquatic plants (Lemnaceae) promote triploid hybridization and clonal reproduction

Ernst

Abramson

Acosta

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…In Lemnaceae, a new daughter plant is formed vegetatively from a mother frond in just a day or two [ 28 , 29 ]. In contrast, even the fastest-growing terrestrial plants require up to a week to grow a new leaf upon sudden transfer to a new environment, as described for the example of cotton in Section 5 below.…”

Section: Unusual Features That Afford Flexibility In Lemnaceaementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In terrestrial species, new leaves require 5 to 7 days to mature in fast-growing annuals and longer in woody and evergreen species. In contrast, Lemnaceae can form whole new plants (daughter clones from mother clones) in 1 to 2 days (for morphological information, see [ 29 ]). This difference would be expected to reduce the time required for acclimation to a new environment.…”

Section: Acclimation To Other Environmental Factors In Land Plants An...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vascular tissue is absent in the genera Wolffia and Wolffiella and exhibits a lack of complexity in Spirodela, Landoltia, and Lemna [28,59], with plasmodesmatal connections between adjacent cells [60] fulfilling the role of transporting water and carbohydrate. Overall, the morphology and anatomy of duckweeds is thus thought to be well adapted for these small plants' habit of floating on water surfaces and showing a potential for rapid growth during relatively short growing seasons [28,29]. Kim (2007) [60] specifically highlights the contributions of a plant body packed with chloroplasts throughout and with abundant plasmodesmata, air channels, as well as mechanisms that support expedient separation of daughter fronds from mother fronds during rapid vegetative propagation.…”

Section: Vascular Infrastructure For Sugar and Water Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Terrestrial and Floating Aquatic Plants Differ in Acclimation to Light Environment

López‐Pozo

Adams

Polutchko

et al. 2023

Plants

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The ability of plants to respond to environmental fluctuations is supported by acclimatory adjustments in plant form and function that may require several days and development of a new leaf. We review adjustments in photosynthetic, photoprotective, and foliar vascular capacity in response to variation in light and temperature in terrestrial plants. The requirement for extensive acclimation to these environmental conditions in terrestrial plants is contrasted with an apparent lesser need for acclimation to different light environments, including rapid light fluctuations, in floating aquatic plants for the duckweed Lemna minor. Relevant features of L. minor include unusually high growth rates and photosynthetic capacities coupled with the ability to produce high levels of photoprotective xanthophylls across a wide range of growth light environments without compromising photosynthetic efficiency. These features also allow L. minor to maximize productivity and avoid problems during an abrupt experimental transfer of low-light-grown plants to high light. The contrasting responses of land plants and floating aquatic plants to the light environment further emphasize the need of land plants to, e.g., experience light fluctuations in their growth environment before they induce acclimatory adjustments that allow them to take full advantage of natural settings with such fluctuations.

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Duckweeds

Cited by 2 publications

References 9 publications

The genomes and epigenomes of aquatic plants (Lemnaceae) promote triploid hybridization and clonal reproduction

The genomes and epigenomes of aquatic plants (Lemnaceae) promote triploid hybridization and clonal reproduction

Terrestrial and Floating Aquatic Plants Differ in Acclimation to Light Environment

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