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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Varroa mites, scientifically identified as , pose a significant threat to beekeeping and cause one of the most destructive diseases affecting honey bee populations....
Varroa mites, scientifically identified as , pose a significant threat to beekeeping and cause one of the most destructive diseases affecting honey bee populations. These parasites attach to bees, feeding on their fat tissue, weakening their immune systems, reducing their lifespans, and even causing colony collapse. They also feed during the pre-imaginal stages of the honey bee in brood cells. Given the critical role of honey bees in pollination and the global food supply, controlling Varroa mites is imperative. One of the most common methods used to evaluate the level of Varroa mite infestation in a bee colony is to count all the mites that fall onto sticky boards placed at the bottom of a colony. However, this is usually a manual process that takes a considerable amount of time. This work proposes a deep learning approach for locating and counting Varroa mites using images of the sticky boards taken by smartphone cameras. To this end, a new realistic dataset has been built: it includes images containing numerous artifacts and blurred parts, which makes the task challenging. After testing various architectures (mainly based on two-stage detectors with feature pyramid networks), combination of hyperparameters and some image enhancement techniques, we have obtained a system that achieves a mean average precision (mAP) metric of 0.9073 on the validation set.
Topics: Animals; Varroidae; Bees; Deep Learning; Software; Mite Infestations; Beekeeping; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
PubMed: 38931612
DOI: 10.3390/s24123828 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024As a growing part of the world population is suffering from pollen-induced allergies, increasing the number of pollen monitoring stations and developing new dedicated...
As a growing part of the world population is suffering from pollen-induced allergies, increasing the number of pollen monitoring stations and developing new dedicated measurement networks has become a necessity. To this purpose, Beenose, a new automatic and relatively low-cost sensor, was developed to characterize and quantify the pollinic content of the air using multiangle light scattering. A field campaign was conducted at four locations around Brussels, Belgium, during summer 2022 and winter-spring 2023. First, the consistency was assessed between the automatic sensor and a collocated reference Hirst-type trap deployed at Ixelles, south-east of Brussels. Daily average total pollen concentrations provided by the two instruments showed a mean error of about 15%. Daily average pollen concentrations were also checked for a selection of pollen species and revealed Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients ranging from 0.71 to 0.93. Subsequently, a study on the spatial variability of the pollen content around Brussels was conducted with Beenose sensors. The temporal evolution of daily average total pollen concentrations recorded at four sites were compared and showed strong variations from one location to another, up to a factor 10 over no more than a few kilometers apart. This variation is a consequence of multiple factors such as the local vegetation, the wind directions, the altitude of the measurement station, and the topology of the city. It is therefore highly necessary to multiply the number of measurement stations per city for a better evaluation of human exposure to pollen allergens and for more enhanced pollen allergy management.
Topics: Pollen; Belgium; Environmental Monitoring; Allergens; Seasons; Humans; Air Pollutants; Cities
PubMed: 38931513
DOI: 10.3390/s24123731 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Lamiaceae is a botanical family rich in aromatic species that are in high demand such as basil, lavender, mint, oregano, sage, and thyme. It has great economical,... (Review)
Review
Lamiaceae is a botanical family rich in aromatic species that are in high demand such as basil, lavender, mint, oregano, sage, and thyme. It has great economical, ecological, ethnobotanical, and floristic importance. The aim of this work is to provide an updated view on the aerobiology of species from the family Lamiaceae, with an emphasis on novelties and emerging applications. From the aerobiology point of view, the greatest interest in this botanical family is related to the volatile organic compounds emitted by the plants and, to a much lesser extent, their pollen. Research has shown that the major volatile organic compounds emitted by the plants from this botanical family are monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The most important monoterpenes reported across studies include α-pinene, β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, menthol, limonene, and γ-terpinene. Most reports tend to cover species from the subfamily Nepetoideae. Volatile oils are produced by glandular trichomes found on aerial organs. Based on general morphology, two main types are found in the family Lamiaceae, namely peltate and capitate trichomes. As a result of pollinator-mediated transfer of pollen, Lamiaceae species present a reduced number of stamens and quantity of pollen. This might explain the low probability of pollen presence in the air from these species. A preliminary synopsis of the experimental evidence presented in this work suggests that the interplay of the organic particles and molecules released by these plants and their environment could be leveraged for beneficial outcomes in agriculture and landscaping. Emerging reports propose their use for intercropping to ensure the success of fructification, increased yield of entomophilous crops, as well as in sensory gardens due to the therapeutic effect of volatiles.
PubMed: 38931119
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121687 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024(Laxm.) is a leguminous plant with significant ecological benefits, but its embryonic development mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the flower bud...
(Laxm.) is a leguminous plant with significant ecological benefits, but its embryonic development mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the flower bud differentiation, megaspore and microspore formation, gametophyte development, and embryo and endosperm development in . Our aim was to elucidate the relationship between the external morphology and internal development processes of male and female floral organs during growth, as well as the reproductive factors influencing fruiting. The results indicated that although the pistil develops later than the stamen during flower bud differentiation, both organs mature synchronously before flowering. pollen exhibits three germination grooves, a reticulate outer wall, and papillary structures on the anther surface. In vivo pollination experiments revealed abnormal spiral growth of pollen tubes within the style and the occurrence of callus plugs, which may reduce the seed setting rate. The anther wall development follows the dicotyledonous type, with tetrads formed through microspore meiosis exhibiting both left-right symmetry and tetrahedral arrangements. has a single ovule, and the embryo sac develops in the monosporic polygonum type. After dormancy, the zygote undergoes multiple divisions, progressing through spherical, heart-shaped, and torpedo-shaped embryo stages, culminating in a mature embryo. A mature seed comprises cotyledons, hypocotyl, embryo, radicle, and seed coat. Phylogenetic tree analysis reveals a close genetic relationship between and other leguminous plants from the genera and . This study provides valuable insights into the regulation of flowering and hybrid breeding in leguminous plants and offers a new perspective on the development of floral organs and seed setting rates.
PubMed: 38931095
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121661 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Unraveling the intricate physiological and biochemical intricacies associated with female dominance in grape berries across diverse developmental stages is imperative...
Unraveling the intricate physiological and biochemical intricacies associated with female dominance in grape berries across diverse developmental stages is imperative for optimizing grape production and ensuring the attainment of high-quality yields. This study conducted a thorough analysis of grape berries across phenological stages (BBCH-79, BBCH-81, BBCH-89) and cultivars. At BBCH-89, Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki demonstrated the highest berry weight and total soluble solids (TSS) levels, emphasizing its enological potential. Acidity peaked at BBCH-79 (28.16) and declined at BBCH-89 (6.11), signaling a shift towards lower acidity in later stages. Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki consistently showed the highest maturity index (MI). Mineral content variations were observed across nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), boron (B), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), with Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki often having the highest concentrations, particularly in potassium, calcium, and boron. Hormonal analysis revealed a significant surge in concentrations at BBCH-89, with Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki standing out. Notably, Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentrations increased by 106%, and abscisic acid (ABA) levels peaked at BBCH-79 with a 38% increase in Bozcaada Çavuşu*Kuntra. Sugar content analysis showed variations in fructose, glucose, sucrose, rhamnose, xylose, galactose, and arabinose levels across sampling times and cultivars. Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki consistently exhibited higher sugar levels, especially at BBCH-81 and BBCH-89. Vitamin concentrations varied temporally and among cultivars, with BBCH-89 displaying the highest vitamin A concentration (6.24 mg/100 g FW), and Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki often exhibiting maximum values for vitamin B1, B2, B6, and C. Further research and targeted cultivation practices focusing on the unique attributes of Bozcaada Çavuşu*Vasilâki could enhance grape production efficiency, emphasizing its potential contribution to achieving consistently high-quality yields across various phenological stages.
PubMed: 38931044
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121612 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Flowers are plant structures characteristic of the phylum Angiosperms composed of organs thought to have emerged from homologous structures to leaves in order to... (Review)
Review
Flowers are plant structures characteristic of the phylum Angiosperms composed of organs thought to have emerged from homologous structures to leaves in order to specialize in a distinctive function: reproduction. Symmetric shapes, colours, and scents all play important functional roles in flower biology. The evolution of flower symmetry and the morphology of individual flower parts (sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels) has significantly contributed to the diversity of reproductive strategies across flowering plant species. This diversity facilitates attractiveness for pollination, protection of gametes, efficient fertilization, and seed production. Symmetry, the establishment of body axes, and fate determination are tightly linked. The complex genetic networks underlying the establishment of organ, tissue, and cellular identity, as well as the growth regulators acting across the body axes, are steadily being elucidated in the field. In this review, we summarise the wealth of research already at our fingertips to begin weaving together how separate processes involved in specifying organ identity within the flower may interact, providing a functional perspective on how identity determination and axial regulation may be coordinated to inform symmetrical floral organ structures.
PubMed: 38931027
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121595 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Yield in many crops is affected by abscission during the early stages of fruitlet development. The reasons for fruitlet abscission are often unclear but they may include...
Yield in many crops is affected by abscission during the early stages of fruitlet development. The reasons for fruitlet abscission are often unclear but they may include genetic factors because, in some crops, self-pollinated fruitlets are more likely to abscise than cross-pollinated fruitlets. Pollen parentage can also affect final fruit size and fruit quality. Here, we aimed to understand the effects of pollen parentage on fruitlet retention and nut quality in orchards of macadamia ( Maiden & Betche). We identified the pollen parent of macadamia 'cultivar '816' embryos by analysing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in their DNA using customised MassARRAY and Single Allele Base Extension Reaction (SABER) methods. This allowed us to determine the proportions of self-fertilised and cross-fertilised progeny during premature fruit drop at 6 weeks and 10 weeks after peak anthesis, as well as at nut maturity. We determined how pollen parentage affected nut-in-shell (NIS) mass, kernel mass, kernel recovery, and oil concentration. Macadamia trees retained cross-fertilised fruitlets rather than self-fertilised fruitlets. The percentage of progeny that were cross-fertilised increased from 6% at 6 weeks after peak anthesis to 97% at nut maturity, with each tree producing on average 22 self-fertilised nuts and 881 cross-fertilised nuts. Three of the four cross-pollen parents provided fruit with significantly higher NIS mass, kernel mass, or kernel recovery than the few remaining self-fertilised fruit. Fruit that were cross-fertilised by '842', 'A4', or 'A203' had 16-29% higher NIS mass and 24-44% higher kernel mass than self-fertilised fruit. Nuts that were cross-fertilised by 'A4' or 'A203' also had 5% or 6% higher kernel recovery, worth approximately $US460-540 more per ton for growers than self-fertilised nuts. The highly selective abscission of self-fertilised fruitlets and the lower nut quality of self-fertilised fruit highlight the critical importance of cross-pollination for macadamia productivity.
Topics: Macadamia; Fruit; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Seeds; Self-Fertilization; Pollen; DNA, Plant; Nuts; Pollination
PubMed: 38928124
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126419 -
Genes Jun 2024Honeybees are an indispensable pollinator in nature with pivotal ecological, economic, and scientific value. However, a full-length transcriptome for , assembled with...
Honeybees are an indispensable pollinator in nature with pivotal ecological, economic, and scientific value. However, a full-length transcriptome for , assembled with the advanced third-generation nanopore sequencing technology, has yet to be reported. Here, nanopore sequencing of the midgut tissues of uninoculated and -inoculated workers was conducted, and the full-length transcriptome was then constructed and annotated based on high-quality long reads. Next followed improvement of sequences and annotations of the current reference genome of A total of 5,942,745 and 6,664,923 raw reads were produced from midguts of workers at 7 days post-inoculation (dpi) with and 10 dpi, while 7,100,161 and 6,506,665 raw reads were generated from the midguts of corresponding uninoculated workers. After strict quality control, 6,928,170, 6,353,066, 5,745,048, and 6,416,987 clean reads were obtained, with a length distribution ranging from 1 kb to 10 kb. Additionally, 16,824, 17,708, 15,744, and 18,246 full-length transcripts were respectively detected, including 28,019 nonredundant ones. Among these, 43,666, 30,945, 41,771, 26,442, and 24,532 full-length transcripts could be annotated to the Nr, KOG, eggNOG, GO, and KEGG databases, respectively. Additionally, 501 novel genes (20,326 novel transcripts) were identified for the first time, among which 401 (20,255), 193 (13,365), 414 (19,186), 228 (12,093), and 202 (11,703) were respectively annotated to each of the aforementioned five databases. The expression and sequences of three randomly selected novel transcripts were confirmed by RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. The 5' UTR of 2082 genes, the 3' UTR of 2029 genes, and both the 5' and 3' UTRs of 730 genes were extended. Moreover, 17,345 SSRs, 14,789 complete ORFs, 1224 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and 650 transcription factors (TFs) from 37 families were detected. Findings from this work not only refine the annotation of the reference genome, but also provide a valuable resource and basis for relevant molecular and -omics studies.
Topics: Bees; Animals; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Transcriptome; Genome, Insect; Nosema; Nanopore Sequencing; Gene Expression Profiling
PubMed: 38927663
DOI: 10.3390/genes15060728 -
Biology Jun 2024Pollinators are needed for the reproduction of , and only sphingid moths have mouthparts long enough to reach the nectar at the bottom of the species' long, twisted...
Pollinators are needed for the reproduction of , and only sphingid moths have mouthparts long enough to reach the nectar at the bottom of the species' long, twisted floral tube. Though plants produce many flowers over a period of several months, one observes very few fruits in nature. We asked: (1) Are plants self-compatible, or do they need pollen from another individual to set fruit and seed? (2) Are cross-pollinations between unrelated individuals more successful than crosses with relatives? (3) How does the relatedness of pollen and ovule parent plants affect fruit set, seed number, and seed quality? We investigated the breeding system of by collecting fruits from seven sites, growing plants and performing hand pollinations over a period of several years, collecting and measuring fruits and counting seeds. is self-incompatible, though some individuals produce fruit by self-pollination. Cross-pollinations between unrelated individuals set the most fruit (59%), and those that were self-pollinated set the least (9%). Fruit set from cross-pollinations between related individuals was intermediate (32%). Although the number of seeds per fruit did not differ significantly among pollination treatments, fruits from self-pollinations had substantially fewer viable seeds than outcrossed fruits, with fruits from sibling crosses being intermediate. There were higher levels of self-compatibility in the fragment populations compared with plants from intact habitats. Self-incompatibility may explain why fruit set is low in this plant species; future investigation into the breakdown of self-incompatibility in smaller populations is warranted.
PubMed: 38927303
DOI: 10.3390/biology13060423 -
Biology Jun 2024The Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous) in China is famous worldwide for its fossils of early angiosperms, but there has been only one record of flower buds () hitherto,...
The Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous) in China is famous worldwide for its fossils of early angiosperms, but there has been only one record of flower buds () hitherto, in which only the surface of the flower bud was documented while no internal details were known. Such a partial knowledge of flower buds hinders our understanding of the evolution of flowers, and this knowledge lacuna needs to be filled. Our new specimen was collected from an outcrop of the Yixian Formation (Barremian-Aptian, Lower Cretaceous) near Dawangzhangzi, Lingyuan, Liaoning, China. Our observations reveal a new fossil flower bud, sp. nov., from the Lower Cretaceous of China. This new record of in the Yixian Formation not only confirms the truthful existence of the expected gynoecium (plus possible androecium) in a flower bud but also underscores the occurrence of typical flowers in the Early Cretaceous. This new information adds first-hand data to flower sexuality, pollination, and evolution.
PubMed: 38927293
DOI: 10.3390/biology13060413