Funding for this project was provided by the Special Research Initiative Grant sponsored by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hatch project under accession number 230060.

1. Stand Construction
NOTE: Measurements for the wood are listed as thickness (cm) x width (cm) x length (m).
<ol>
	<li>Cut wood into appropriate sizes and amounts as follows: five 10.16 cm x 5.08 cm x 0.91 m wooden pieces, three 10.16 cm x 5.08 cm x 0.76 m wooden pieces, three 10.16 cm x 5.08 cm x 0.61 m wooden pieces, five 10.16 cm x 5.08 cm x 0.46 m wooden pieces, three 10.16 cm x 5.08 cm x 0.3 m wooden pieces, and three 10.16 cm x 5.08 cm x 0.15 m wooden pieces.</li>
	<li>For the tallest level, stand one 2.44 m board across two 0.91 m pieces on each end at the edge and drill two screws vertically into each of the 0.91 pieces. Screw one more 0.91 m piece 1.22 m from each end for support, and place a 2.44 m board across the back of the 0.91 m stands and screw into place for support. 
	NOTE: The eight 3.175 cm x 15.24 cm x 2.44 m are kept as is and uncut to serve as the benchtop for each bench level.</li>
	<li>Repeat step 1.2 for the next bench level with the 0.76 m pieces.</li>
	<li>Repeat step 1.2 for the next bench with the 0.61 m pieces down to the sixth bench at 0.15 m. 
	NOTE: No supporting 2.44 m board is needed for benches 3&#8211;6. The final stand has six benches with three vertical supports each, one on each end and one in the middle.</li>
	<li>Line benches in descending height order with the overhanging lip facing the backside touching the bench above it, allowing for a gap between levels.</li>
	<li>Line a 0.91 cm board on each of the bottom edges of the benches along the ground and screw the benches in place.</li>
	<li>Screw a 0.46 m board horizontally for support on the tallest three benches on each side of the structure 0.61 m from the ground.</li>
	<li>Screw three corner braces onto the front-facing ends and center of the tallest bench.</li>
	<li>Screw one 2.54 cm x 5.08 cm x 20.32 cm wooden piece across the braces 2.54 cm from the base of the bench. 
	NOTE: Make one 0.91 m by 0.91 m by 2.44 m structure. Refer to Figure 1 for the final base product. Dimensions are subject to change with the experimental needs. The structure described was designed to fit 15.24 cm pots. The heights between benches were designed to fit the pots and plant material used in this experiment in order to maintain a steady flow of allelochemicals and solution from one pot to another down the benches by gravity.</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60764/60764fig1a.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Front view of the wooden base stand. A wooden base serves as the stand for the plant samples. Materials for the system are to be assembled and added depending on the number of samples needed for the experiment. In this study, two stands served as a base for 31 samples. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60764/60764fig1alarge.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
2. System Assembly
<ol>
	<li>Remove the cap from a 1 L soda bottle and spray paint with black paint. 
	NOTE: The soda bottles will serve as a reservoir at the top of the system for one column. The paint provides a block for the light, decreasing or preventing algae growth.</li>
	<li>At the bottom of each soda bottle, drill a small hole, just large enough to embed a 0.35 cm inner diameter (ID), 0.64 cm outer diameter (OD), 5.08 cm long plastic PVC tube.</li>
	<li>Smear a layer of silicone waterproof sealant around the edge of the hole after insertion to prevent any leaks. Let it dry completely.</li>
	<li>Repeat steps 2.2 and 2.3 on each of the plastic dishes used to hold the pots. 
	NOTE: Four dishes will be needed for one column.</li>
	<li>Remove the lid and spray paint the outside of 2.27 L plastic canisters with black paint. These canisters will serve as the collection tanks at the base of each column.</li>
	<li>Drill a small hole in the upper backside of the canister. 
	NOTE: The supplies listed in steps 2.1&#8211;2.6 make one column. The number of columns is subject to the number of samples needed for the experiment desired. Two columns are needed for one sample. All dimensions are subject to change depending on the experimental needs.</li>
	<li>After the supplies have been prepared and dried, place the soda bottle on the highest bench so that the PVC tube is hanging over the rim facing the stairs.</li>
	<li>Just below the soda bottle on the next bench, place one plastic dish with its tube hanging over the rim of the bench.</li>
	<li>Repeat step 2.8 for the next two benches.</li>
	<li>Place the canister on the bottom bench with the hole facing the back.</li>
	<li>Connect the canister with the dish above it by stringing the tube from the dish through the hole in the back of the canister.</li>
	<li>Smear waterproof sealant around the edge of the canister where the tube runs through to prevent leaks.</li>
	<li>Place a 21 W 1,000 L/hr submersible electric pump inside the bottom canister.</li>
	<li>Connect a 1.07 m long, 1.27 cm ID, 1.59 cm OD PVC tube to the nozzle of the electric pump.</li>
	<li>String the tube through the gap between the benches and over the back of the soda bottle at the top of the system.</li>
	<li>Plug the pump into a digital timer and set the timer setting as needed. 
	NOTE: The timer was set to run for 1 min every 3 h throughout the entire experiment. The selected timing allowed for the maximum amount of liquid in the collection tank to be cycled and allowed for approximately 10 min of flow each time the pump was turned on while avoiding flooding and spillovers.</li>
</ol>
3. Planting
<ol>
	<li>Sterilize all the rice seeds needed by rinsing in 70% ethanol for 30 s, soaking in 5% bleach for 20 min, and rinsing 6x with distilled water.</li>
	<li>Pregerminate the sterilized rice seeds in Petri dishes lined with filter paper filled with 5 mL of distilled water in a growth chamber set at 25 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>After the seeds germinate, line the bottom of each pot with two large coffee filters by placing them inside the pots in their natural cupped form.</li>
	<li>Fill each pot to the top of the filter (approximately 75% of the pot) with autoclaved, washed, and screened specially graded quartz sand. Dampen the sand with distilled water by pouring water over the top of the sand or by placing pots in planting trays filled just slightly with distilled water to allow the pots to soak up the water and remain damp. Transplant six pregerminated donor plant seedlings into sand, evenly spaced.</li>
	<li>Cover the seedlings with sand.</li>
	<li>Let the seedlings establish for 3 weeks. 
	NOTE: The sand dries very quickly. Therefore, placing pots in trays is an efficient watering technique. Changing water out constantly will help prevent mold.</li>
	<li>Pregerminate the receiver plant seedlings (E. crus-galli) in Petri dishes 3 weeks after planting donor plants by lining the bottom of the dish with filter paper and along with 5 mL of distilled water. Place the dishes in a growth chamber at 25 &#176;C for 3&#8211;5 days.</li>
	<li>Prepare the pots as described in steps 3.1&#8211;3.2.</li>
	<li>After the seedlings germinate, transplant three seedlings into the prepared pots and cover with sand. 
	NOTE: The experiment begins one day after treatment (DAT), or the day that the receiver plant seedlings emerge and are transplanted and placed in the system.</li>
</ol>
4. Sample Placement
<ol>
	<li>Place four pots of one accession of donor plants in the four dishes of column 1, a single pot per row. Column 1 consists of donor plants only.</li>
	<li>Place two pots of the same accession of donor plants in the dishes of column 2 on the first and third row of the column.</li>
	<li>Place two pots of receiver plants in the dishes of column 2 on the second and fourth row in the column.</li>
	<li>For each replication, ensure that only one row of receiver plants is added. Two columns, the first consisting of donor plants only and the second alternating donors and receivers, make one treatment (Figure 2).</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60764/60764fig2a.jpg" /> 
Figure 2: Placement map. Diagram depicting placements of donor (WR/R) and receiver plants (BYG) in respective positions in the stair-step system. Two columns of the stair-step system with plants in place comprise one treatment. A single column of receiver plants served as a control for one replication (far right), a single column of donor plants as a control for each accession (center), and the treatment column consisted of alternating donor and receiver plants (far left). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60764/60764fig2alarge.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<ol start="5">
	<li>Repeat steps 4.1&#8211;4.4 for each treatment or donor plant accession (Figure 3). 
	NOTE: Each replication requires one column of receiver plant samples to serve as a control for one replication. Treatments were replicated 3x in a randomized complete block design.</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60764/60764fig3a.jpg" /> 
Figure 3: Final stair-step structure. The stair-step system assembled with the plants in place. The system contained four rows of plant samples and a collection tank at the bottom for the solution to cycle to the top bottle and downward by gravity through each respective pot. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60764/60764fig3alarge.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
5. Operation
<ol>
	<li>On DAT 1, fill the collection tank at the bottom of each column with half-strength Hoagland solution17 in distilled water, approximately 1,500 mL.</li>
	<li>Set the timers to run as desired in the auto off setting.</li>
	<li>Cover the collection tanks with black plastic to limit light exposure and evaporation.</li>
	<li>Fill the tanks every 2 days with 500 mL of Hoagland&#39;s solution to keep the system flowing constantly.</li>
	<li>Maintain the greenhouse temperatures at 28 &#176;C during the day and 24 &#176;C at night respectively with a 16/8 h split and humidity at 53%.</li>
</ol>
6. Data Collection
<ol>
	<li>Measure and record the heights of each plant in the stair-step system on DAT 1 and once every week up to DAT 21 by placing a ruler at the base of each plant and observing the tallest leaf stand.</li>
	<li>Measure and record the chlorophyll levels of each plant on DAT 7 and 14 using the chlorophyll content meter.</li>
	<li>On the last day of the experiment (i.e., DAT 21) label one paper bag for each pot.</li>
	<li>Cut plant samples at the base and place in separate bags.</li>
	<li>Place all samples in an oven dryer set at 60 &#176;C for 48 h16.</li>
	<li>Remove dried samples and empty contents individually onto a scale and record the weight in grams.</li>
</ol>
7. Data Analysis
<ol>
	<li>Calculate the allelopathic potential of the donor plants based on the percent inhibition of the receiver plant using this equation: 
	height reduction (%) = [height of control (cm) &#8211; height of treated (cm)] &#215; 100</li>
	<li>Calculate the donor plant height reduction as a check for any reverse effect the receiver plant may have on the target plants.</li>
	<li>Analyze accessions as the fixed effect while replications and runs are the random effects18.</li>
	<li>Analyze the data using a general linear model with mean values separated using Fisher&#39;s protected least significant difference at or below a 0.05 probability level in a statistical software (e.g., JMP 14).</li>
	<li>Visualize the correlation among the original variables using principle component analysis of by uploading data.
	<ol>
		<li>Select the Analyze tab in the toolbar, select Fit Y by X. Under columns, Highlight the response (i.e., percent height reduction) then click Y, response to specifythe factor being observed for Y, (i.e., percent height reduction). For the X factor, Hightlight accession and click X, factor, then select OK.</li>
		<li>Select the red down arrow on the Oneway Analysis bar, select Means/ANOVA. Again select the down arrow on the Oneway Analysis bar and highlight compare means then select each pair, student&#39;s T.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Weston, L. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=History+and+Current+Trends+in+the+Use+of+Allelopathy+for+Weed+Management.">History and Current Trends in the Use of Allelopathy for Weed Management.</a> HortTechnology. 15 (3), 529-534 (2005).</li><li>Pratley, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Allelopathy+in+annual+grasses.">Allelopathy in annual grasses.</a> Plant Protection Quarterly. 11, 213-214 (1996).</li><li>Bertin, C., Yang, X., Weston, L. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+role+of+root+exudates+and+allelochemicals+in+the+rhizosphere.">The role of root exudates and allelochemicals in the rhizosphere.</a> Plant and Soil. 256 (1), 67-83 (2003).</li><li>Stevenson, G. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pesticide+Use+and+World+Food+Production:+Risks+and+Benefits.+Environmental+Fate+and+Effects+of+Pesticides.">Pesticide Use and World Food Production: Risks and Benefits. Environmental Fate and Effects of Pesticides.</a> American Chemical Society. , 261-270 (2003).</li><li>Chopra, N., Tewari, G., Tewari, L. M., Upreti, B., Pandey, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Allelopathic+Effect+of+Echinochloa+colona+L.+and+Cyperus+iria+L.+Weed+Extracts+on+the+Seed+Germination+and+Seedling+Growth+of+Rice+and+Soybean.">Allelopathic Effect of Echinochloa colona L. and Cyperus iria L. Weed Extracts on the Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Rice and Soybean.</a> Advances in Agriculture. 2017, 1-5 (2017).</li><li>Jabran, K., Mahajan, G., Sardana, V., Chauhan, B. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Allelopathy+for+weed+control+in+agricultural+systems.">Allelopathy for weed control in agricultural systems.</a> Crop Protection. 72, 57-65 (2015).</li><li>Worthington, M., Reberg-Horton, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Breeding+Cereal+Crops+for+Enhanced+Weed+Suppression:+Optimizing+Allelopathy+and+Competitive+Ability.">Breeding Cereal Crops for Enhanced Weed Suppression: Optimizing Allelopathy and Competitive Ability.</a> Journal of Chemical Ecology. 39, 213-231 (2013).</li><li>Sudianto, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Corrigendum+to+"Clearfield+(R)+rice:+Its+development,+success,+and+key+challenges+on+a+global+perspective.".">Corrigendum to "Clearfield (R) rice: Its development, success, and key challenges on a global perspective.".</a> Crop Protection. 55, 142-144 (2014).</li><li>Gressel, J., Valverde, B. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+strategy+to+provide+long-term+control+of+weedy+rice+while+mitigating+herbicide+resistance+transgene+flow,+and+its+potential+use+for+other+crops+with+related+weeds.">A strategy to provide long-term control of weedy rice while mitigating herbicide resistance transgene flow, and its potential use for other crops with related weeds.</a> Pest Management Science. 65, 723-731 (2009).</li><li>Muthayya, S., Sugimoto, J. D., Montgomery, S., Maberly, G. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+overview+of+global+rice+production,+supply,+trade,+and+consumption.">An overview of global rice production, supply, trade, and consumption.</a> Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1324, 7-14 (2014).</li><li>Chung, I. M., Kim, K. H., Ahn, J. K., Lee, S. B., Kim, S. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Allelopathy+Comparison+of+Allelopathic+Potential+of+Rice+Leaves,+Straw,+and+Hull+Extracts+on+Barnyardgrass.">Allelopathy Comparison of Allelopathic Potential of Rice Leaves, Straw, and Hull Extracts on Barnyardgrass.</a> Agronomy Journal. 95 (4), 1063-1070 (2003).</li><li>Olofsdotter, M., Jensen, L. B., Courtois, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improving+crop+competitive+ability+using+allelopathy+&#208;+an+example+from+rice.">Improving crop competitive ability using allelopathy &#208; an example from rice.</a> Journal of Plant Breeding. 121, 1-9 (2002).</li><li>Olofsdotter, M., Navarez, D., Rebulanan, M., Streibig, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Weed-suppressing+rice+cultivars-does+allelopathy+play+a+role.">Weed-suppressing rice cultivars-does allelopathy play a role.</a> Weed Research. 39 (6), 441-454 (1999).</li><li>Jensen, L. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Locating+Genes+Controlling+Allelopathic+Effects+against+Barnyardgrass+in+Upland+Rice.">Locating Genes Controlling Allelopathic Effects against Barnyardgrass in Upland Rice.</a> Agronomy Journal. 93 (1), 21-26 (2001).</li><li>Kuijken, R. C., Eeuwijk, F. A. V., Marcelis, L. F., Bouwmeester, H. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Root+phenotyping:+from+component+trait+in+the+lab+to+breeding.">Root phenotyping: from component trait in the lab to breeding.</a> Journal of Experimental Botany. 66 (18), 5389 (2015).</li><li>Lickfeldt, D. W., Voigt, T. B., Branham, B. E., Fermanian, T. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+allelopathy+in+cool+season+turfgrass+species.">Evaluation of allelopathy in cool season turfgrass species.</a> International Turfgrass Society. 9, 1013-1018 (2001).</li><li>Liu, D. L., Lovett, J. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biologically+active+secondary+metabolites+of+barley:+Developing+techniques+and+assessing+allelopathy+in+barley.">Biologically active secondary metabolites of barley: Developing techniques and assessing allelopathy in barley.</a> Journal of Chemical Ecology. 19, 2217-2230 (1993).</li><li>Shrestha, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Evaluation of Herbicide Tolerance and Interference Potential among Weedy rice germplasm. , (2018).</li><li>Kim, K. U., Shin, D. H., Olofsdotter, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rice+allelopathy+research+in+Korea.+Allelopathy+in+Rice.">Rice allelopathy research in Korea. Allelopathy in Rice.</a> IRRI. , (1998).</li><li>Quasem, J. R., Hill, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=On+difficulties+with+allelopathy.">On difficulties with allelopathy.</a> Weed Research. 29, 345-347 (1989).</li><li>Singh, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+mulching,+intercropping+with+Sesbania+and+herbicide+use+for+weed+management+in+dry-seeded+rice+(Oryza+sativa+L.).">Evaluation of mulching, intercropping with Sesbania and herbicide use for weed management in dry-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.).</a> Crop Protection. 26, 518-524 (2007).</li><li>Kong, C. H., Li, H. B., Hu, F., Xu, X. H., Wang, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Allelochemicals+released+by+rice+roots+and+residues+in+soil.">Allelochemicals released by rice roots and residues in soil.</a> Plant and Soil. 288 (1-2), 47-56 (2006).</li><li>Ervin, G. N., Wetzel, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Allelochemical+autotoxicity+in+the+emergent+wetland+macrophyte+Juncus+effusus+(Juncaceae).">Allelochemical autotoxicity in the emergent wetland macrophyte Juncus effusus (Juncaceae).</a> American Journal of Botany. 87 (6), 853-860 (2000).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Exploiting allelopathy may potentially serve as a biological control for weeds that are difficult to manage1,7,13. Allelopathy has shown great potential as a possible solution to the weed crisis in rice and serves as an alternative or supplement to chemicals and manual weed control practices5,13,19. Identifying allelopathic varieties or...

Allelopathy is a natural and complex phenomenon that has been the focus of many plant scientists in the past few decades. The mechanisms relating to allelopathy for use in crops have been the subject of much research since the 1930s, when Molisch observed that a plant has a direct or indirect effect on a neighboring plant through the production and secretion of chemical compounds into the environment1. Allelopathy is the production of secondary metabolites that have inhibitory effects on the growth and germination of some plant species. Released allopathic chemical compounds help provide the donor plants with a competitive advantage by adding phytotoxins to the environment around them2. Many factors contribute to the allelopathic activity. It is selective in its effectiveness and varies between varieties, environmental conditions, growth stage, stress, environment, and nutrient availability3.
In recent years, allelopathy has been highlighted in research as a possible supplement to the constant and growing weed control crisis. With the growing global population, the demand for sustainable food and fiber production has increased4. Weed control is one of the biggest threats to production faced by agronomists5,6. Traditional weed control methods focus on mechanical, chemical, and cultural practices. The continuous usage of herbicides, while effective, useful, and efficient, has promoted the evolution of resistant weed populations at an alarmingly fast pace7. Genetic engineering and breeding practices have been used effectively to give crops competitive advantages over weeds by designing them to withstand chemical applications that their neighbors cannot survive7,8. Although effective, these technologies are not always sustainable and sometimes pose outcrossing concerns9. Supplemental weed management practices need to be introduced if the goal of increasing food production is to be met10. Allelopathy shows excellent promise as a new defense tool for crops to improve their quality and outlive their competitors1,7.
Allelochemicals are often secondary products, and because their production is highly influenced by environmental factors, the specific compounds associated with plant suppression can be difficult to identify3. Production factors include genetics and the joint action of secondary metabolites that may act synergistically11,12. It is challenging to separate allelopathic activity from the competition that naturally exists within crop-weed interactions, and due to this, when screening for allelopathy there must be a standard set of outcomes that qualify the assay as valid and repeatable. Below is a set of criteria that qualifies findings of allelopathy as outlined by Olofsdotter et al.12 1) One plant must demonstrate suppression of another plant in a pattern; 2) The chemicals that are released into the environment in bioactive amounts must be produced by the donor plant; 3) The chemicals produced must be transportable to the receiver plant; 4) Some mechanism of uptake must be present in the receiver plant; 6) The pattern of inhibition observed must have no other exclusive explanation (e.g, competition for resources)12.
In an effort to overcome the barrier between the lack of knowledge of the mechanisms supporting allelopathy and variety development, phenotypic traits associated with allelopathic varieties can be identified and selected for further research and use. Some plants known to have allelopathic qualities are rye, sorghum, rice, sunflower, rapeseed, and wheat13. During the early observations of allelopathy in crops, due to distinguished borders of weed growth in field experiments, it was proposed that chemicals were involved rather than competition for resources14. However, most studies were field experiments that made it impossible to eliminate competition as a factor14. Competition elimination efforts gave way to lab and greenhouse experiments in attempts to prove and quantify allelopathic activity in rice and other crops. Field and greenhouse methods to screen plants for allelopathy demonstrate that allelopathic tendencies are present in both growing conditions11,15. Some critics believe that laboratory screenings may only hold limited value due to the lack of natural conditions, which may affect the results15.
The proposed method for screening allelopathic potential in plants provides adequate resources and space and eliminates resource competition with the use of a stair-step structure11,17. The method was adapted and modified from previous experiments exploring allelopathy in turfgrass and barley17,18. These studies found that a similar system was able to produce accurate results on the allelopathic potential of a target plant while removing any doubts that the observations could be attributed to natural competition. The stair-step method creates a circulatory system where a nutrient solution from a reservoir can cycle through each plant to an incubation tray through a few steps. An electric pump then recycles the solution along with any allelochemicals produced18. A method such as this is efficient in both time, space, and resources. It also provides similar field conditions for the plants and eliminates any resource competition. The methods and tools used for screening are easily manipulated to fit the desired study goals, conditions, and specific species. The objective of this study is to confirm weedy rice allelopathy through height suppression measurements on barnyardgrass with the use of the stair-step method.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>1.25 in by 6 in by 8 ft standard severe weather wood board</td>
			<td>Lowe&#39;s, Mooresville, NC</td>
			<td>489248</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2 in by 4 in by 8 ft white wood stud</td>
			<td>Lowe&#39;s, Mooresville, NC</td>
			<td>6005</td>
			<td>Cut into appropriate sizes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>63 mm (2.5 in) corner braces</td>
			<td>Lowe&#39;s, Mooresville, NC</td>
			<td>809449</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Asporto 16 oz Round Black Plastic To Go Box - with Clear Lid, Microwavable &#8211; 6.25 in by 6.25 in by 1.75 in - 100 count box</td>
			<td>Restaurantware.com, Chicago, IL</td>
			<td>RWP0191B</td>
			<td>black</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ATP vinyl-flex PVC food grade plastic tubing, clear, .125 in id by .25 in od, 100 ft</td>
			<td>Amazon, Seattle WA</td>
			<td>B00E6BCV0G</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ccm-300 chlorophyll content meter</td>
			<td>Opti-Sciences, Inc. Hudson, NH</td>
			<td>ccm/300</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Common 1 in by 2 in by 8 ft pine board</td>
			<td>Lowe&#39;s, Mooresville, NC</td>
			<td>1408</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Contractors choice contractor 24-pack 42-gallon black outdoor plastic construction trash bag</td>
			<td>Lowe&#39;s, Mooresville, NC</td>
			<td>224272</td>
			<td>Cut to cover collection tanks</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EURO POTS</td>
			<td>Greenhouse Megastore, Danville, IL</td>
			<td>CN-EU</td>
			<td>15 cm short black 6 in diameter 4.25 in height 1.37qt volume</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fisher brand petri dish with clear lid</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA</td>
			<td>FB0857513</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Aexit Ac 220 V-240 V electrical equipment US plug 21 W 1000 L/hr multipurpose submersible pump</td>
			<td>Amazon, Seattle WA</td>
			<td>B07MBMYQNT</td>
			<td>Nozzle size should fit tubes and can be repaced</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Woods 50015 WD outdoor 7 day heavy-duty digital outlet timer</td>
			<td>Walmart, Bentonville, AR</td>
			<td>565179767</td>
			<td>20 settings</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GE silicone 2+ 10.1 oz almond silicone caulk</td>
			<td>Lowe&#39;s, Mooresville, NC</td>
			<td>48394</td>
			<td>Sealant for edges of any attached tubing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Great Value Distilled Water</td>
			<td>Walmart, Bentonville, AR</td>
			<td>565209428</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Great Value White Basket coffee filters 200 count</td>
			<td>Walmart, Bentonville, AR</td>
			<td>562723371</td>
			<td>Size may vary</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Grip-rite primgaurd plus #9-3 in pollimerdex screws</td>
			<td>Lowe&#39;s, Mooresville, NC</td>
			<td>323974</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hoagland's No. 2 basal salt mixture</td>
			<td>Caisson Laboratories, INC. Smithfield, UT</td>
			<td>HOP01/50LT</td>
			<td>&#189; strength rate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>JMP (14)</td>
			<td>SAS Institute Inc. North Carolina State University, NC</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>N/A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Project source flat black spray paint</td>
			<td>Lowe&#39;s, Mooresville, NC</td>
			<td>282254</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Project source utility 1.88 in by 165 ft gray duct tape</td>
			<td>Lowe&#39;s, Mooresville, NC</td>
			<td>488070</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rubbermaid 2 qt square food storage canister clear</td>
			<td>Walmart, Bentonville, AR</td>
			<td>555115144</td>
			<td>Collection tank discard lid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sealproof unreinforced PVC clear vinyl tubing, food-grade .5 in id by .625 in od, 100 ft</td>
			<td>Amazon, Seattle WA</td>
			<td>B07D9CLGV3</td>
			<td>Connects to pump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Short Mountain Silica 50 lb Play sand</td>
			<td>Lowe&#39;s, Mooresville, NC</td>
			<td>10392</td>
			<td>Sand should be purified</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Steve Spangler&#39;s 1 Liter Soda Bottles - 6 Pack - For Science Experiment Use</td>
			<td>Amazon, Seattle WA</td>
			<td>UPC 192407667341</td>
			<td>Top step tank discard lid</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

repeatable stair-step assay to access the allelopathic potential of weedy rice (oryza sativa ssp.)

Weed competition contributes significantly to yield losses in cropping systems worldwide. The evolution of resistance in many weed species to continuously applied herbicides has presented the need for additional management methods. Allelopathy is a physiological process that some plant species possess that provide the plant with an advantage over its neighbors. Allelopathic crop varieties would be equipped with the ability to suppress the growth of surrounding competitors, thus reducing potential yield loss due to weed interference. This paper focuses on the construction and operation of a stair-step assay used for the screening of the allelopathic potential of a donor species (Oryza sativa) against a receiver weed species (Echinochloa crus-galli) in a greenhouse setting. The structure described in this paper serves as a stand for the plant samples and incorporates a timed watering system for the accumulation and distribution of allelochemicals. Allelochemicals produced by the plant roots are allowed to flow downward through a series of four pots separately into a collection tank and recycled back to the top plant through electric pumps. This method of screening provides an avenue for the allelochemicals from the donor plant to reach receiver plants without any resource competition, thus allowing quantitative measurement of the allelopathic potential of the selected donor plant. The allelopathic potential is measurable through the height reduction of the receiver plants. Preliminary screening data for the effectiveness of this method demonstrated height reduction in the receiver species, barnyardgrass (E. crus-galli), and thus the presence of allelopathic residues from the donor plant, weedy rice (Oryza sativa).

Two preliminary screenings using this method were performed on nine weedy rice accessions (B2, S33, B83, S97, S94, B81, B8, B34, B14) and five cultivated rice lines (PI338046, Rex, Rondo, PI312777, CL163). Weedy rice accessions and rice lines were selected based on their performance in previous allelopathic screenings conducted by Shrestha (2018)18. The weedy rice seeds were collected from across the state of Arkansas. The rice lines selected are commonly grown lines in the US, some known to expre...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Repeatable Stair-step Assay to Access the Allelopathic Potential of Weedy Rice Oryza sativa ssp. at JoVE.com

Repeatable Stair-step Assay to Access the Allelopathic Potential of Weedy Rice Oryza sativa ssp.

Allelopathy has shown promise as a useful supplemental weed control strategy in cropping systems. To determine the allelopathic potential of a desired plant specimen, a stair-step screening method is provided.

Repeatable Stair-step Assay to Access the Allelopathic Potential of Weedy Rice (Oryza sativa ssp.)

Weed competition contributes significantly to yield losses in cropping systems worldwide. The evolution of resistance in many weed species to continuously ...

repeatable-stair-step-assay-to-access-allelopathic-potential-weedy

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

7.1K Views.  Mississippi State University. Allelopathy has shown promise as a useful supplemental weed control strategy in cropping systems. To determine the allelopathic potential of a desired plant specimen, a stair-step screening method is provided.

Video: Repeatable Stair-step Assay to Access the Allelopathic Potential of Weedy Rice Oryza sativa ssp.

Application of a C. elegans Dopamine Neuron Degeneration Assay for the Validation of Potential Parkinson's Disease Genes

Improvements to the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) are dependent upon knowledge about susceptibility factors that render populations at risk. In the process of attempting to identify novel genetic factors associated with PD, scientists have generated many lists of candidate genes, polymorphisms, and proteins that represent important advances, but these leads remain mechanistically undefined. Our work is aimed toward significantly narrowing such lists by exploiting the advantages of a simple animal model system. While humans have billions of neurons, the microscopic roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans has precisely 302, of which only eight produce dopamine (DA) in hemaphrodites. Expression of a human gene encoding the PD-associated protein, alpha-synuclein, in C. elegans DA neurons results in dosage and age-dependent neurodegeneration.
Worms expressing human alpha-synuclein in DA neurons are isogenic and express both GFP and human alpha-synuclein under the DA transporter promoter (Pdat-1). The presence of GFP serves as a readily visualized marker for following DA neurodegeneration in these animals. We initially demonstrated that alpha-synuclein-induced DA neurodegeneration could be rescued in these animals by torsinA, a protein with molecular chaperone activity 1. Further, candidate PD-related genes identified in our lab via large-scale RNAi screening efforts using an alpha-synuclein misfolding assay were then over-expressed in C. elegans DA neurons. We determined that five of seven genes tested represented significant candidate modulators of PD as they rescued alpha-synuclein-induced DA neurodegeneration 2. Additionally, the Lindquist Lab (this issue of JoVE) has performed yeast screens whereby alpha-synuclein-dependent toxicity is used as a readout for genes that can enhance or suppress cytotoxicity. We subsequently examined the yeast candidate genes in our C. elegans alpha-synuclein-induced neurodegeneration assay and successfully validated many of these targets 3, 4.
Our methodology involves generation of a C. elegans DA neuron-specific expression vector using recombinational cloning of candidate gene cDNAs under control of the Pdat-1 promoter. These plasmids are then microinjected in wild-type (N2) worms, along with a selectable marker for successful transformation. Multiple stable transgenic lines producing the candidate protein in DA neurons are obtained and then independently crossed into the alpha-synuclein degenerative strain and assessed for neurodegeneration, at both the animal and individual neuron level, over the course of aging.

This video demonstrates how to use C. elegans to assess dopaminergic neuron neurodegeneration as a model for Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, genetic screens are used to identify factors that either enhance degeneration or are neuroprotective.

Improvements to the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) are dependent upon knowledge about susceptibility factors that render populations ...

Gramicidin-based Fluorescence Assay; for Determining Small Molecules Potential for Modifying Lipid Bilayer Properties

Many drugs and other small molecules used to modulate biological function are amphiphiles that adsorb at the bilayer/solution interface and thereby alter lipid bilayer properties. This is important because membrane proteins are energetically coupled to their host bilayer by hydrophobic interactions. Changes in bilayer properties thus alter membrane protein function, which provides an indirect way for amphiphiles to modulate protein function and a possible mechanism for "off-target" drug effects. We have previously developed an electrophysiological assay for detecting changes in lipid bilayer properties using linear gramicidin channels as probes 3,12. Gramicidin channels are mini-proteins formed by the transbilayer dimerization of two non-conducting subunits. They are sensitive to changes in their membrane environment, which makes them powerful probes for monitoring changes in lipid bilayer properties as sensed by bilayer spanning proteins. We now demonstrate a fluorescence assay for detecting changes in bilayer properties using the same channels as probes. The assay is based on measuring the time-course of fluorescence quenching from fluorophore-loaded large unilamellar vesicles due to the entry of a quencher through the gramicidin channels. We use the fluorescence indicator/quencher pair 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (ANTS)/Tl+ that has been successfully used in other fluorescence quenching assays 5,13. Tl+ permeates the lipid bilayer slowly 8 but passes readily through conducting gramicidin channels 1,14. The method is scalable and suitable for both mechanistic studies and high-throughput screening of small molecules for bilayer-perturbing, and potential "off-target", effects. We find that results using this method are in good agreement with previous electrophysiological results 12.

We introduce a fast fluorescence-based assay that monitors the rate of fluorescence quenching as a measure of gramicidin channel activity. The gramicidin channels are used as molecular force transducers to monitor changes in lipid bilayer properties as sensed by bilayer spanning proteins.

Many drugs and other small molecules used to modulate biological function are amphiphiles that adsorb at the bilayer/solution interface and thereby alter ...

Clonogenic Assay: Adherent Cells

The clonogenic (or colony forming) assay has been established for more than 50 years; the original paper describing the technique was published in 19561. Apart from documenting the method, the initial landmark study generated the first radiation-dose response curve for X-ray irradiated mammalian (HeLa) cells in culture1. Basically, the clonogenic assay enables an assessment of the differences in reproductive viability (capacity of cells to produce progeny; i.e. a single cell to form a colony of 50 or more cells) between control untreated cells and cells that have undergone various treatments such as exposure to ionising radiation, various chemical compounds (e.g. cytotoxic agents) or in other cases genetic manipulation. The assay has become the most widely accepted technique in radiation biology and has been widely used for evaluating the radiation sensitivity of different cell lines. Further, the clonogenic assay is commonly used for monitoring the efficacy of radiation modifying compounds and for determining the effects of cytotoxic agents and other anti-cancer therapeutics on colony forming ability, in different cell lines. A typical clonogenic survival experiment using adherent cells lines involves three distinct components, 1) treatment of the cell monolayer in tissue culture flasks, 2) preparation of single cell suspensions and plating an appropriate number of cells in petri dishes and 3) fixing and staining colonies following a relevant incubation period, which could range from 1-3 weeks, depending on the cell line. Here we demonstrate the general procedure for performing the clonogenic assay with adherent cell lines with the use of an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line (FEP-1811)2. Also, our aims are to describe common features of clonogenic assays including calculation of the plating efficiency and survival fractions after exposure of cells to radiation, and to exemplify modification of radiation-response with the use of a natural antioxidant formulation.

The applicability of the clonogenic assay for evaluating reproductive viability has been established for more than 50 years. Here we demonstrate the general procedure for performing the clonogenic assay with adherent cells.

The clonogenic (or colony forming) assay has been established for more than 50 years; the original paper describing the technique was published in 19561. ...

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes

Centrosomes are small but important organelles that serve as the poles of mitotic spindle to maintain genomic integrity or assemble primary cilia to facilitate sensory functions in cells. The level of a protein may be regulated differently at centrosomes than at other .cellular locations, and the variation in the centrosomal level of several proteins at different points of the cell cycle appears to be crucial for the proper regulation of centriole assembly. We developed a quantitative fluorescence microscopy assay that measures relative changes in the level of a protein at centrosomes in fixed cells from different samples, such as at different phases of the cell cycle or after treatment with various reagents. The principle of this assay lies in measuring the background corrected fluorescent intensity corresponding to a protein at a small region, and normalize that measurement against the same for another protein that does not vary under the chosen experimental condition. Utilizing this assay in combination with BrdU pulse and chase strategy to study unperturbed cell cycles, we have quantitatively validated our recent observation that the centrosomal pool of VDAC3 is regulated at centrosomes during the cell cycle, likely by proteasome-mediated degradation specifically at centrosomes.

Here, a novel quantitative fluorescence assay is developed to measure changes in the level of a protein specifically at centrosomes by normalizing that protein&#8217;s fluorescence intensity to that of an appropriate internal standard.

Centrosomes are small but important organelles that serve as the poles of mitotic spindle to maintain genomic integrity or assemble primary cilia to ...

Investigating the Spreading and Toxicity of Prion-like Proteins Using the Metazoan Model Organism C. elegans

Prions are unconventional self-propagating proteinaceous particles, devoid of any coding nucleic acid. These proteinaceous seeds serve as templates for the conversion and replication of their benign cellular isoform. Accumulating evidence suggests that many protein aggregates can act as self-propagating templates and corrupt the folding of cognate proteins. Although aggregates can be functional under certain circumstances, this process often leads to the disruption of the cellular protein homeostasis (proteostasis), eventually leading to devastating diseases such as Alzheimer&#8217;s disease (AD), Parkinson&#8217;s disease (PD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). The exact mechanisms of prion propagation and cell-to-cell spreading of protein aggregates are still subjects of intense investigation. To further this knowledge, recently a new metazoan model in Caenorhabditis elegans, for expression of the prion domain of the cytosolic yeast prion protein Sup35 has been established. This prion model offers several advantages, as it allows direct monitoring of the fluorescently tagged prion domain in living animals and ease of genetic approaches. Described here are methods to study prion-like behavior of protein aggregates and to identify modifiers of prion-induced toxicity using C. elegans.

Investigating the Spreading and Toxicity of Prion-like Proteins Using the Metazoan Model Organism C. elegans

Prion-like propagation of protein aggregates has recently emerged as being implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases. The goal of this protocol is to describe, how to use the nematode C. elegans as a model system to monitor protein spreading and to investigate prion-like phenomena.

Prions are unconventional self-propagating proteinaceous particles, devoid of any coding nucleic acid. These proteinaceous seeds serve as templates for ...

Development of a Quantitative Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay with an Internal Positive Control

It was recently demonstrated that recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), an isothermal amplification platform for pathogen detection, may be used to quantify DNA sample concentration using a standard curve. In this manuscript, a detailed protocol for developing and implementing a real-time quantitative recombinase polymerase amplification assay (qRPA assay) is provided. Using HIV-1 DNA quantification as an example, the assembly of real-time RPA reactions, the design of an internal positive control (IPC) sequence, and co-amplification of the IPC and target of interest are all described. Instructions and data processing scripts for the construction of a standard curve using data from multiple experiments are provided, which may be used to predict the concentration of unknown samples or assess the performance of the assay. Finally, an alternative method for collecting real-time fluorescence data with a microscope and a stage heater as a step towards developing a point-of-care qRPA assay is described. The protocol and scripts provided may be used for the development of a qRPA assay for any DNA target of interest.

Provided is a protocol for developing a real-time recombinase polymerase amplification assay to quantify initial concentration of DNA samples using either a thermal cycler or a microscope and stage heater. Also described is the development of an internal positive control. Scripts are provided for processing raw real-time fluorescence data.

It was recently demonstrated that recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), an isothermal amplification platform for pathogen detection, may be used to ...

Targeted RNA Sequencing Assay to Characterize Gene Expression and Genomic Alterations

RNA sequencing (RNAseq) is a versatile method that can be utilized to detect and characterize gene expression, mutations, gene fusions, and noncoding RNAs. Standard RNAseq requires 30 - 100 million sequencing reads and can include multiple RNA products such as mRNA and noncoding RNAs. We demonstrate how targeted RNAseq (capture) permits a focused study on selected RNA products using a desktop sequencer. RNAseq capture can characterize unannotated, low, or transiently expressed transcripts that may otherwise be missed using traditional RNAseq methods. Here we describe the extraction of RNA from cell lines, ribosomal RNA depletion, cDNA synthesis, preparation of barcoded libraries, hybridization and capture of targeted transcripts and multiplex sequencing on a desktop sequencer. We also outline the computational analysis pipeline, which includes quality control assessment, alignment, fusion detection, gene expression quantification and identification of single nucleotide variants. This assay allows for targeted transcript sequencing to characterize gene expression, gene fusions, and mutations.

We describe a targeted RNA sequencing-based method that includes preparation of indexed cDNA libraries, hybridization and capture with custom probes and data analysis to interrogate selected transcripts for gene expression, mutations, and gene fusions. Targeted RNAseq permits cost-effective, rapid evaluation of selected transcripts on a desktop sequencer.

RNA sequencing (RNAseq) is a versatile method that can be utilized to detect and characterize gene expression, mutations, gene fusions, and noncoding ...

Visualization and Quantification of Mesenchymal Cell Adipogenic Differentiation Potential with a Lineage Specific Marker

Several dyes are currently available for use in detecting differentiation of mesenchymal cells into adipocytes. Dyes, such as Oil Red O, are cheap, easy to use and widely utilized by laboratories analyzing the adipogenic potential of mesenchymal cells. However, they are not specific to changes in gene transcription. We have developed a gene-specific differentiation assay to analyze when a mesenchymal cell has switched its fate to an adipogenic lineage. Immuno-labelling against fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4), a lineage-specific marker of adipogenic differentiation, enabled visualization and quantification of differentiated cells. The ability to quantify adipogenic differentiation potential of mesenchymal cells in a 96 well microplate format has promising implications for a number of applications. Hundreds of clinical trials involve the use of adult mesenchymal stromal cells and it is currently difficult to correlate therapeutic outcomes within and especially between such clinical trials. This simple high-throughput FABP4 assay provides a quantitative assay for assessing the differentiation potential of patient-derived cells and is a robust tool for comparing different isolation and expansion methods. This is particularly important given the increasing recognition of the heterogeneity of the cells being administered to patients in mesenchymal cell products. The assay also has potential utility in high throughput drug screening, particularly in obesity and pre-diabetes research.

Traditional methods of assessing adipogenic differentiation are cheap and easy to use, but are not specific to changes in gene expression. We have developed an assay to quantify mesenchymal cell differentiation into mature adipocytes using a lineage specific marker. This assay has diverse applications across basic research and clinical medicine.

Several dyes are currently available for use in detecting differentiation of mesenchymal cells into adipocytes. Dyes, such as Oil Red O, are cheap, easy ...

A Labor-saving and Repeatable Touch-force Signaling Mutant Screen Protocol for the Study of Thigmomorphogenesis of a Model Plant Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants responding to both intracellular and extracellular mechanical stimulations (or force signals) and develop special morphological changes, a called thigmomorphogenesis. In past decades, several signaling components have been identified and reported for being involved in the mechanotransduction (e.g., calcium ion binding proteins and jasmonic acid biosynthesis enzymes). However, the relatively slow pace of research in the study of force signaling or thigmomorphogenesis is largely attributed to two reasons: the requirement for laborious human hand-manipulated touch induction of thigmomorphogenesis and the force strength errors associated with people&#8217;s hand-touch. To enhance the efficiency of external force loading on a plant organism, an automatic touch-force loading machine was built. This robotic arm-driven hair brush touches provide a labor-saving and easily repeatable touch-force simulation, unlimited rounds of touch repetition and adjustable touch strength. This hair touch-force loading machine can be used for both large scale screening of touch-force signaling mutants and the phenomics study of plant thigmomorphogenesis. In addition, touch materials such as human hair, can be replaced with other natural materials like animal hair, silk threads and cotton fibers. The automated moving arms on the machine may be equipped with water sprinkling nozzles and air blowers to mimic the natural forces of rain drops and wind, respectively. By using this automatic hair touch-force loading machine in combination with the hand-performed cotton swab touching, we have investigated the touch response of two force signaling mutants, MAP KINASE KINASE 1 (MKK1) and MKK2 plants. The phenomes of the touch-force loaded wild type plants and two mutants were evaluated statistically. They have exhibited significant differences in touch response.

A Labor-saving and Repeatable Touch-force Signaling Mutant Screen Protocol for the Study of Thigmomorphogenesis of a Model Plant Arabidopsis thaliana

A gentle touch-force loading machine is built from human hair brushes, robotic arms and a controller. The hair brushes are driven by robotic arms installed on the machine and move periodically to apply touch-force on plants. The strength of machine-driven hair touches is comparable to that of manually applied touches.

Plants responding to both intracellular and extracellular mechanical stimulations (or force signals) and develop special morphological changes, a called ...

Agrobacterium-Mediated Genetic Transformation, Transgenic Production, and Its Application for the Study of Male Reproductive Development in Rice

Male sterility is an important agronomic trait for hybrid seed production that is usually characterized by functional defects in male reproductive organs/gametes. Recent advances in CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology allow for high editing efficacy and timesaving knockout mutations of endogenous candidate genes at specific sites. Additionally, Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of rice is also a key method for gene modification, which has been widely adopted by many public and private laboratories. In this study, we applied CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing tools and successfully generated three male sterile mutant lines by targeted genome editing of OsABCG15 in a japonica cultivar. We used a modified Agrobacterium-mediated rice transformation method that could provide excellent means of genetic emasculation for hybrid seed production in rice. Transgenic plants can be obtained within 2&#8211;3 months and homozygous transformants were screened by genotyping using PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing. Basic phenotypic characterization of the male sterile homozygous line was performed by microscopic observation of the rice male reproductive organs, pollen viability analysis by iodine potassium iodide (I2-KI) staining semi-thin cross-sectioning of developing anthers.

Agrobacterium-Mediated Genetic Transformation, Transgenic Production, and Its Application for the Study of Male Reproductive Development in Rice

This work describes the use of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology to knockout endogenous gene OsABCG15 followed by a modified Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol to produce a stable male-sterile line in rice.