• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.310-315
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• 2015

Certain bacterial species associate with plant roots in soil. The plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) stimulate plant growth and yield in greenhouse and field. Here, we examined whether application of known bacilli PGPR strains stimulated growth and asexual reproduction in the succulent plant Kalanchoe daigremontiana. Four PGPR strains B. amyloliquefaciens IN937a, B. cereus BS107, B. pumilus INR7, and B. subtilis GB03 were applied to young plantlets by soil-drenching, and plant growth and development was monitored for three months. Aerial growth was significantly stimulated in PGPR-inoculated plants, which was observed as increases in plant height, shoot weight, and stem width. The stimulated growth influenced plant development by increasing the total number of leaves per plant. Treatment with bacilli also increased the total root biomass compared with that of control plants, and led to a 2-fold increase in asexual reproduction and plantlet formation on the leaf. Collectively, our results firstly demonstrate that Bacillus spp. promote vegetative development of K. daigremontiana, and the enhanced growth stimulates asexual reproduction and plantlet formation.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.89-106
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• 2016

Many plant species have two modes of reproduction: sexual and asexual. Both modes of reproduction have often been viewed as adaptations to temporally or spatially variable environments. The plant should adjust partitioning to match changes in the estimated success of the two reproductive modes. Perennial plants showed that favorable habitats in soil nutrients or water content tend to promote clonal growth over sexual reproduction. In contrast, under high light-quantity conditions, clonal plants tend to allocate more biomass to sexual reproduction and less to clonal propagation. On the other hand, plants with chasmogamous and cleistogamous flowers provides with a greater tendency of the opportunity to ensure some seed set in any stressful environmental conditions such as low light, low soil nutrients, or low soil moisture. It is considered that vegetative reproduction has high competitive ability and is the major means to expand established population of perennial plants, whereas cleistogamous reproduction is insurance to persist in stressful sites due to being strong. Chasmogamous reproduction mainly enhances established and new population. Therefore, the functions of sexual and asexual propagules of perennial or annual plants differ from each other. These traits of propagule thus determine its success at a particular region of any environmental gradients. Eventually, if environmental resources or stress levels change in either space or time, species composition will probably also change. The reason based on which the plants differ with respect to favored reproduction modes in each environmental condition, may be involved in their specific realized niche.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.10
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• pp.281-289
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• 2017

Background: In this study, the growth and reproductive response of seedlings, grown in plastic pots with sand, to moisture and nutrients were analyzed in order to study the environmental conditions required to create an alternative habitat for Epilobium hirsutum L., an endangered plant. Results: Vegetative and reproductive growths of Epilobium hirsutum L. are accelerated with increase in moisture and organic matter content in the soil. Among vegetative organs, the number of runners related to asexual reproduction was the highest when the moisture content was over 25% and nutrient content between 7 and 14% in the soil. But the number of flowers related to flowering responses, among reproductive organs, was the highest when the moisture content was maintained at 75% and when nutrient content was 21% in the soil. The number of seeds, related to sexual reproduction, was the highest when the moisture content was over 25% and nutrient content between 14 and 21%. Conclusions: The study results show that a place with high moisture and nutrient content in the soil is advantageous to asexual and sexual reproduction of Epilobium hirsutum L. Therefore, we must serve periodically nutrient and seeds to sustain population in in situ conservation. Furthermore, it is advisable to create in riverside where abundant nutrient content have, making alternative habitat of Epilobium hirsutum L. Also, we must find species that have high contribution degree index through vegetation survey.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.236-244
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• 2014

The plant pathogen Fusarium graminearum causes Fusarium head blight in cereal crops and produces mycotoxins that are harmful to animals and humans. For the initiation and spread of disease, asexual and sexual reproduction is required. Therefore, studies on fungal reproduction contribute to the development of new methods to control and maintain the fungal population. Screening a previously generated transcription factor mutant collection, we identified one putative $C_2H_2$ zincfinger transcription factor, pcs1, which is required for both sexual and asexual reproduction. Deleting pcs1 in F. graminearum resulted in a dramatic reduction in conidial production and a complete loss of sexual reproduction. The pathways and gene ontology of pcs1-dependent genes from microarray experiments showed that several G-protein related pathways, oxidase activity, ribosome biogenesis, and RNA binding and processing were highly enriched, suggesting that pcs1 is involved in several different biological processes. Further, overexpression of pcs1 increased conidial production and resulted in earlier maturation of ascospores compared to the wild-type strain. Additionally, the vegetative growth of the overexpression mutants was decreased in nutrient-rich conditions but was not different from the wild-type strain in nutrient-poor conditions. Overall, we discovered that the pcs1 transcription factor positively regulates both conidiation and sexual reproduction and confers nutrient condition-dependent vegetative growth.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.314-322
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• 2020

Interplay between histone acetylation and deacetylation is one of the key components in epigenetic regulation of transcription. Here we report the requirement of MoHDA1-mediated histone deacetylation during asexual development and pathogenesis for the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. Structural similarity and phylogenetic analysis suggested that MoHDA1 is an ortholog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hda1, which is a representative member of class II histone deacetylases. Targeted deletion of MoHDA1 caused a little decrease in radial growth and large reduction in asexual sporulation. Comparison of acetylation levels for H3K9 and H3K14 showed that lack of MoHDA1 gene led to significant increase in H3K9 and H3K14 acetylation level, compared to the wild-type and complementation strain, confirming that it is a bona fide histone deacetylase. Expression analysis on some of the key genes involved in asexual reproduction under sporulation-promoting condition showed almost no differences among strains, except for MoCON6 gene, which was up-regulated more than 6-fold in the mutant than wild-type. Although the deletion mutant displayed little defects in germination and subsequent appressorium formation, the mutant was compromised in its ability to cause disease. Wound-inoculation showed that the mutant is impaired in invasive growth as well. We found that the mutant was defective in appressorium-mediated penetration of host, but did not lose the ability to grow on the media containing H₂O₂. Taken together, our data suggest that MoHDA1-dependent histone deacetylation is important for efficient asexual development and infection of host plants in M. oryzae.

• ALGAE
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2024

Acadian marine plant extract powder (AMPEP) and Kelpak are commercial biostimulants derived from brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum. This study was to determine if AMPEP and Kelpak can induce thermal resistance in Pyropia yezoensis. P. yezoensis blades were exposed to different concentrations (control: 0, low: 0.001, high: 1 ppm) of AMPEP and Kelpak at 10℃ for 6 and 7 days, respectively. Those blades were then cultivated in von Stosch enriched seawater medium at different temperatures (10, 15, 20, and 25℃) with 12 : 12 L : D photoperiod and 100 µmol m^-2 s^-1 of photosynthetically active radiation for additional 15 days. Results showed that P. yezoensisreproduced archeospores at 20 and 25℃ at all biostimulant conditions within 15 days. At lower temperatures (10 and 15℃), only AMPEP-treated P. yezoensis reproduced archeospores. P. yezoensis exposed to 1 ppm Kelpak exhibited higher phycoerythrin and phycocyanin contents than control and 0.001 ppm conditions at 15℃. AMPEP-treated conditions showed higher phycoerythrin and phycocyanin contents than control at 10℃. These results suggest that AMPEP and Kelpak may not enhance the thermal resistance of P. yezoensis. However, AMPEP stimulated archeospores release at lower temperatures. The treatment of AMPEP and Kelpak also increased the pigment contents in P. yezoensis. These results suggest that the use of seaweed-derived biostimulants can provide some economic benefits in P. yezoensis aquaculture. The enhancement of archeospores formation by AMPEP at lower temperature may also increase the productivity since Pyropia farming relies on the accumulation of secondary seedings via asexual reproduction.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.320-324
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• 2017

Development of modern agricultural machinery and accompanying agricultural development cause soil compaction and reduce growth by stressing roots. Kalanchoe pinnata was used to investigate the impact of stress on rooting and changes in plant growth and reproduction. K. pinnata forms somatic embryos capable of asexual reproduction at the edge of leaves. Impact of root pressurization of K. pinnata on somatic embryogenesis and organ differentiation according to external stress factors was investigated by using a high concentration of agar and this phenomenon was studied histologically. Agar concentration in culture media ranged from 0.5%-1.5% to induce a compression effect on roots. The stem and leaf of K. pinnata were subjected to a microtechnique process to study changes in tissue. In vivo, K. pinnata produced 2nd and 3rd plantlets at edges of leaves from lack of water and excessive lighting conditions. In in vitro culture studies, the lower the concentration of agar, the higher the population and the higher the biomass, but plantlet did not occur in leaf bends. Conversely, as concentration of agar increased, increase in the number of individuals was low. Plantlet development occurred only in agar 1.5% medium. The difference in agar concentration was a stressor in the root of K. pinnata, and thus the pattern of asexual reproduction changed from the division method in root to a plantlet generation in leaf. This suggests root pressurization may act as stress and change in the plant reproduction pattern.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.389-395
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• 2012

Cloned animals are a result of asexual reproduction of animals using somatic cell nuclear transfer. Ever since the first report of a cloned sheep 'Dolly' produced by SCNT, increasing numbers of livestock, such as bovine and swine clones, have been generated worldwide. Foods derived from cloned animals have not been produced yet. However, the food safety of cloned animals has provoked controversy. The EU Food Safety Authority and U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that milk and meat from cloned and non-cloned animals have no difference regarding food safety. However, food derived from cloned animals is considered unsuitable for eating vaguely. Moreover, there were scant information about cloned animals in Korea. Therefore, we surveyed the number of cloned animals worldwide including Korea and summarized the reports for cloned animals and discussed predictable problems.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 1970

This experiment surveys ecological and morphological phase on Prasiola sp. in the mountain torrent of Chodang-ri, Keunduck-myon, Samchuck-gun, Kangwon-do, Korea from November 1968 through January 1970 and the results obtained were summarized as follows. 1. The temperature of the surface water was 12.4$\pm$2.3$^{\circ}C$, and pH was 7.25$\pm$0.2. 2. The external forms of thallus are very variable, but its basic form likely lanceolated and ovated. 3. The length of thallus is 0.6cm-8.8cm (3.6$\pm$1.72cm), and the width, 0.2cm-5.5cm(1.7$\pm$0.92cm). (The inside of the parentheses the average for 500 individuals). 4. It is observed that thallus at the time of formation of a monospore is a monostratum cell whose thickness is 21$\pm$3.2$\mu$. 5. Thickness of thallus at the transveres section at the time of heteroplanogametes formation is 29.9$\pm$2.2$\mu$, and that of the female gametes cell is 6.3$\pm$1.7$\times$6.3$\pm$0.8$\mu$, and that of the male gametes cell is 2.8$\pm$0.6$\times$28.1$\pm$1.1$\mu$. 6. As for growth, it begins with apical growth, followed by marginal growth. It seems to grow, through cell division when microsopical papillae are produced in growth line cell of marginal rigion thus by fusioning microscopical papillae. 7. The two kinds of thallus, one produced from a monospore and other from a planozygotes, are both haplonts and observed as n-3. 8. It seems that a thallus sprouts in April and increases its number through a asexual reproduction by a monospore and begins a sexual reproduction in November by forming gametes. 9. Female gametes are produced 16 from one thallus cell, whose structure shows 8 cells in the surface view and 4 layers in transverse section. Male gametes are produced 128 from one thallus cell, 16 cells surface, 8 layers in transverse section.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2023

Naturalized populations of two alien plants were newly found, and we describe their morphological characteristics and habitats with photographs. One is a member of Juncaceae, Juncus torreyi Coville, and was newly found at a pool of a beach in Gangwon-do. This rush is native to North America and belongs to the sect. Ozophyllum (subgen. Juncus) according to certain morphological characteristics, such as its racemose inflorescence, the absence of floral bracteole, and unitubular leaves with perfect septa. J. torreyi is easily distinguishable from Korean rushes by its long rhizomes with swollen nodes and globular head with 25-100 flowers. Its introduction into Japan and Europe was reported, but the ecological risk associated with its over-dispersal is not known. The other alien plant is a submerged plant, Egeria densa Planch. (Hydrocharitaceae), which was found in streams in Gyeongsangbuk-do and ditches in the Busan-si area, both of which being in the watershed of the Nakdong River. Egeria densa is similar to Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle, which is native to Korea. However, it is distinguished from H. verticillata by its larger flowers and lack of overwintering organs. This alien plant is native to South America and was introduced for aquarium gardening and naturalized around the world. Egeria densa is treated as a malignant weed due to its asexual reproduction and rapid growth. Size changes and the number of populations of E. densa must be investigated.