Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026
10:16
Transient Expression in Red Beet of a Biopharmaceutical Candidate Vaccine for Type-1 Diabetes
Published on: March 19, 2019
8.4K
Innovative Approaches to Evaluate Sugar Beet Responses to Changes in Sulfate Availability
Piergiorgio Stevanato1, Chiara Broccanello1, Vita M C Moliterni2
1Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|February 16, 2018
Summary
Omics profiling revealed sugar beet root morphology and nutrient uptake improve with sulfate. Key genes and metabolic pathways related to auxin synthesis and oxidative stress were identified in response to sulfate availability.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Nutritional Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Sulfate availability is crucial for plant growth and development.
- Understanding sugar beet's response to sulfate deficiency is vital for crop optimization.
- Omics technologies offer a comprehensive approach to study plant nutritional status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of sulfate availability on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) at morphological, ionomic, metabolic, and molecular levels.
- To establish an omics-based system for evaluating sugar beet nutritional status.
- To identify key genes and metabolic pathways involved in sugar beet sulfate nutrition.
Main Methods:
- Sugar beet seedlings were subjected to sulfate-deprived conditions followed by sulfate re-supply.
- Root morphology was analyzed using the WinRHIZO system.
- Ionomic, metabolic, and molecular profiling were performed using ICP-OES, Q-TOF mass spectrometry, and nanofluidic real-time PCR, respectively.
- Gene expression analysis focused on 53 sugar beet genes related to sulfate nutrition.
Main Results:
- Sulfate-supplied sugar beet seedlings exhibited enhanced root traits, including increased total root length, fine root length, and root tip number.
- Significant changes in ionomic, metabolic, and transcriptomic profiles were observed in response to sulfate availability.
- Upregulation of auxin synthesis precursors (5-phosphoribosyl-anthranilate) and auxin efflux carriers (PIN) in roots, and elevated levels of oxidative stress protection and cysteine synthesis enzymes in leaves were noted.
Conclusions:
- The integrated omics approach provides a powerful system for assessing sugar beet nutritional status under varying sulfate conditions.
- Sulfate availability significantly impacts sugar beet root development and physiological responses.
- Specific molecular and metabolic pathways are activated to facilitate adaptation to sulfate availability.
Related Concept Videos
01:08The Availability Heuristic
7.1K
A heuristic is a general problem-solving framework (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974). You can think of these as mental shortcuts that are used to solve problems. Different types of heuristics are used in different types of situations, and the impulse to use a heuristic occurs when one of five conditions is met (Pratkanis, 1989):
7.1K
02:02Phloem and Sugar Transport
40.2K
Like many living organisms, plants have tissues that specialize in specific plant functions. For example, shoots are well adapted to rapid growth, while roots are structured to acquire resources efficiently. However, sugar production is primarily restricted to the photosynthetic cells that reside in the leaves of angiosperm plants. Sugar and other resources are transported from photosynthetic tissues to other specialized tissues by a process called translocation.
40.2K
01:29Sulfate Attack on Concrete
797
Sulfate attack on concrete is a deterioration process characterized by a whitish discoloration beginning at the edges and corners, accompanied by cracking and spalling. This phenomenon occurs when sulfates react with the components of hardened concrete, forming compounds like calcium sulfate and calcium sulfoaluminate which occupy more space than the substances they replace, causing the concrete to expand and disrupt.
Sulfates from sources like soil, groundwater, or industrial effluents...
Sulfates from sources like soil, groundwater, or industrial effluents...
797
01:10Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules
10.0K
Sugar (a simple carbohydrate) metabolism (chemical reactions) is a classic example of the many cellular processes that use and produce energy. Living things consume sugar as a major energy source because sugar molecules have considerable energy stored within their bonds. Consumed carbohydrates have their origins in photosynthesizing organisms like plants. During photosynthesis, plants use the energy of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide gas into sugar molecules, like glucose. Because this...
10.0K
02:45Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
14.9K
Every organism has an optimum temperature range within which healthy growth and physiological functioning can occur. At the ends of this range, there will be a minimum and maximum temperature that interrupt biological processes.
14.9K
01:20Frustration and Conflict: Approach-Approach, Approach-Avoidance
553
Frustration occurs when people are obstructed or prevented from achieving a desired goal or fulfilling a perceived need. For example, when someone's input is ignored in a discussion, it can lead to feelings of frustration. Conflict, however, arises from opposing interests, goals, or actions. Conflicts can take various forms based on the nature of these opposing desires or goals.
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable...
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable...
553