Plant Small Rna In Food Crops

Plant Small RNA for Food Crops provides foundational insights into the role of small RNA in food crops in varying environmental conditions and how it can help in developing molecular frameworks to support agricultural sustainability to feed the world’s population. Small RNA populations have been widely identified in various plants and have been reported to be involved in regulating the molecular functioning of plants and their responses for biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Until now, however, a detailed compilation of role of small RNAs in food crops growth, yield and environmental responses had been unavailable. This book provides a detailed description of role of various small RNAs whose utilization in a range of food crops may serve to improve sustainability, productivity, and maintenance during environmental stress conditions. It brings together the reported small RNAs along with their applications specific to food crops, but also covers recent studies, innovations and future perspectives. Provides identification and characterization of small RNA in a variety of food crops Emphasizes molecular mechanisms affected by small RNA and their application in supporting growth, survival and productivity Presents a comprehensive view of small RNA mediated genomics, metabolomics, proteomics and physiology of food crops

Plant Small RNA: Biogenesis, Regulation and Application describes the biosynthesis of small RNA in plant systems. With an emphasis on the various molecular mechanisms affected by small RNA and their applications in supporting plant growth and survival, this books presents the basics and most recent advancements in small RNA mediated plant genomics, metabolomics, proteomics and physiology. In addition, it emphasizes the various molecular mechanisms affected by small RNA and their applications in supporting plant growth and survival. Final sections cover the most recent advancements in small RNA mediated plant genomics, metabolomics, proteomics and physiology. Presents foundational information about small RNA biology and regulation in plants Includes small RNA pathway advances Describes the application and scope of small RNA technology for agricultural stability

Plants are vulnerable to pathogens including fungi, bacteria, and viruses, which cause critical problems and deficits. Crop protection by plant breeding delivers a promising solution with no obvious effect on human health or the local ecosystem. Crop improvement has been the most powerful approach for producing unique crop cultivars since domestication occurred, making possible the main innovations in feeding the globe and community development. Genome editing is one of the genetic devices that can be implemented, and disease resistance is frequently cited as the most encouraging application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in agriculture. Nanobiotechnology has harnessed the power of genome editing to develop agricultural crops. Nanosized DNA or RNA nanotechnology approaches could contribute to raising the stability and performance of CRISPR guide RNAs. This book brings together the latest research in these areas. CRISPR and RNAi Systems: Nanobiotechnology Approaches to Plant Breeding and Protection presents a complete understanding of the RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 techniques for controlling mycotoxins, fighting plant nematodes, and detecting plant pathogens. CRISPR/Cas genome editing enables efficient targeted modification in most crops, thus promising to accelerate crop improvement. CRISPR/Cas9 can be used for management of plant insects, and various plant pathogens. The book is an important reference source for both plant scientists and environmental scientists who want to understand how nano biotechnologically based approaches are being used to create more efficient plant protection and plant breeding systems. Shows how nanotechnology is being used as the basis for new solutions for more efficient plant breeding and plant protection Outlines the major techniques and applications of both CRISPR and RNAi technologies Assesses the major challenges of escalating these technologies on a mass scale

Endogenous small RNAs (20 - 24 nt) engage in complex regulation of gene expression and thus shape and direct plant development, defense, stress response and the epigenome. Based on their biogenesis and functions, endogenous small RNAs can be divided into many categories and subcategories. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent the most well-annotated type of small RNAs that regulate gene expression via transcript cleavage or translational repression. However, MIRNAs only contribute to a minor fraction of all the expressed small RNAs in plants. Small RNA genes other than MIRNAs remain poorly annotated, which limits complete elucidation of their regulatory roles. Furthermore, inconsistent MIRNA discovery methodologies in published studies have resulted in widespread discrepancies among existing annotations. To address these issues, and to improve current understanding of small RNA gene functions, we developed robust methodologies for de novo annotation of plant small RNA genes. Our comprehensive small RNA loci discovery based on deep sequencing data and small RNA biogenesis patterns provided refinement of existing MIRNA annotations and their functions in the basal land plant Physcomitrella patens. We also identified numerous P. patens siRNA loci producing almost equal mixture of 23-24 nt small RNAs, confirming that the heterochromatic siRNA pathway is present in the bryophyte lineage. Our de novo annotation of small RNA genes in Amborella trichopoda, the basal-most lineage of flowering plants, revealed a striking predominance of lineage-specific, intronic 23-24 nt MIRNAs and hairpin RNAs that has not been reported in any plants so far. Most of these non-canonical MIRNAs lacked easily identifiable targets in the transcriptome, suggesting these may have functions other than sequence-dependent targeting. In the monocot rice, 24 nt long intronic miRNAs function in RNA dependent DNA methylation. It is possible that A. trichopoda 23-24 nt MIRNAs function in a similar way, and such non-canonical miRNA pathways may have been retained in specific lineages of flowering plants. At least 19 A. trichopoda miRNA families were broadly conserved across land plants, and most of these also had conserved targets. These findings confirmed the presence of all major small RNA gene classes in the basal lineage of flowering plants, as well as the existence of species-specific diversities in small RNA populations expressed in non-model plants. Finally, we explored the potential exchange of endogenous small RNAs between parasitic plants and their hosts. Parasitic plants intimately connect to their hosts through a specialized feeding organ called haustoria. Bidirectional exchange of thousands of mRNAs between the stem parasite C. campestris and its hosts have been previously reported. Host-induced gene silencing has also been shown in several parasitic species including Cuscuta and Triphysaria versicolor (root parasite). De novo annotation of small RNA genes from C. campestris - A. thaliana associations revealed an unprecedented abundance of 22 nt parasite miRNAs in the haustorial interface. Several of these interface-induced C. campestris miRNAs directed slicing of six host mRNAs and triggered secondary siRNA production specifically in interface. Among these targets, Botrytis Induced Kinase 1 (BIK1) encodes a receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase and functions in in plant immunity. Another target, Sieve-Element-Occlusion-Related 1 (SEOR1) encodes a protein thought to be involved in sealing phloem sieve elements after wounding. Additionally, mRNAs encoding three auxin receptors, TIR1, AFB2, and AFB3 were targeted by a C. campestris miRNA and showed a unique pattern of secondary siRNA production in parasite-host interface. Such secondary siRNA production depended on host machinery for RNA interference. Growth of C. campestris on seor1 mutant significantly increased parasite biomass accumulation compared to wild type. Furthermore, interface-induced parasite miRNA-directed cleavage of host TIR1/AFB was also detected in C. campestris -N. benthamiana. Our findings thus confirm conserved trans-species targeting by C. campestris miRNAs across the haustorial interface, and the potential roles of these miRNAs as virulence factors in plant parasitism.

This detailed volume provides a collection of protocols for the study of miRNA functions in plants. Beginning with coverage of miRNA function, biogenesis, activity, and evolution in plants, the book continues by guiding readers through methods on the identification and detection of plant miRNAs, bioinformatic analyses, and strategies for functional analyses of miRNAs. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Plant MicroRNAs: Method and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital area of plant science.

In the most recent years, each of the RNA silencing pathways of plants have appeared to generate ncRNAs with dedicated functions, specialized biological activities and specific functional scopes. RNA silencing plays a crucial role in coordinating the expression, stability, protection and inheritance of eukaryotic genomes. It compromises several mechanisms, that invariably depend on core small non coding RNAs and that achieve dedicated sequence-specific functions. RNA silencing has been recognized to carry critical developmental, stress-response and bodyguard functions be coordinating the expression, protection, stability and inheritance of virtually all eukaryotic genomes. Thus, the ncRNAs encompass a wide set of mechanisms that achieve specialized functions.

Genetically engineered (GE) crops were first introduced commercially in the 1990s. After two decades of production, some groups and individuals remain critical of the technology based on their concerns about possible adverse effects on human health, the environment, and ethical considerations. At the same time, others are concerned that the technology is not reaching its potential to improve human health and the environment because of stringent regulations and reduced public funding to develop products offering more benefits to society. While the debate about these and other questions related to the genetic engineering techniques of the first 20 years goes on, emerging genetic-engineering technologies are adding new complexities to the conversation. Genetically Engineered Crops builds on previous related Academies reports published between 1987 and 2010 by undertaking a retrospective examination of the purported positive and adverse effects of GE crops and to anticipate what emerging genetic-engineering technologies hold for the future. This report indicates where there are uncertainties about the economic, agronomic, health, safety, or other impacts of GE crops and food, and makes recommendations to fill gaps in safety assessments, increase regulatory clarity, and improve innovations in and access to GE technology.

This book summarizes the latest findings on the functions of microRNAs in the regulation of plant development and responses to the surrounding environment. MicroRNAs are an important class of molecules that can be found in diverse groups of organisms, including plants and animals, and the investigation of their roles is a highly dynamic and “hot” research topic. The respective chapters address four main aspects, namely: microRNA investigation and annotation, the regulatory roles of microRNAs in various developmental processes, in response to abiotic factors, and in the context of biotic stress response regulation. Systematically reviewing the most important findings in this field, the book offers an essential guide for undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, and plant science researchers. Due to the potential applications of microRNAs in crop breeding and plant protection, it also represents a valuable resource for scientists in academia and the private sector alike.

An in-depth treatment of cutting-edge work being done internationally to develop new techniques in crop nutritional quality improvement Phytonutritional Improvement of Crops explores recent advances in biotechnological methods for the nutritional enrichment of food crops. Featuring contributions from an international group of experts in the field, it provides cutting-edge information on techniques of immense importance to academic, professional and commercial operations. World population is now estimated to be 7.5 billion people, with an annual growth rate of nearly 1.5%. Clearly, the need to enhance not only the quantity of food produced but its quality has never been greater, especially among less developed nations. Genetic manipulation offers the best prospect for achieving that goal. As many fruit crops provide proven health benefits, research efforts need to be focused on improving the nutritional qualities of fruits and vegetables through increased synthesis of lycopene and beta carotene, anthocyanins and some phenolics known to be strong antioxidants. Despite tremendous growth in the area occurring over the past several decades, the work has only just begun. This book represents an effort to address the urgent need to promote those efforts and to mobilise the tools of biotechnical and genetic engineering of the major food crops. Topics covered include: New applications of RNA-interference and virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) for nutritional genomics in crop plants Biotechnological techniques for enhancing carotenoid in crops and their implications for both human health and sustainable development Progress being made in the enrichment and metabolic profiling of diverse carotenoids in a range of fruit crops, including tomatoes, sweet potatoes and tropical fruits Biotechnologies for boosting the phytonutritional values of key crops, including grapes and sweet potatoes Recent progress in the development of transgenic rice engineered to massively accumulate flavonoids in-seed Phytonutritional Improvement of Crops is an important text/reference that belongs in all universities and research establishments where agriculture, horticulture, biological sciences, and food science and technology are studied, taught and applied.

Precise regulation of gene expression in both time and space is vital to plant growth, development and adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress conditions. This is achieved by multiple mechanisms, with perhaps the most important control being exerted at the level of transcription. However, with the recent discovery of microRNAs another ubiquitous mode of gene regulation that occurs at the post-transcriptional level has been identified. MicroRNAs can silence gene expression by targeting complementary or partially complementary mRNAs for degradation or translational inhibition. Recent studies have revealed that microRNAs play fundamental roles in plant growth and development, as well as in adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses. This book highlights the roles of individual miRNAs that control and regulate diverse aspects of plant processes.