Karolina Marta Pajerowska-Mukhtar

Duckweeds (Lemnaceae) are fast-growing aquatic monocots with potential for biomass production and phytoremediation, but baseline molecular and physiological differences among species remain poorly characterized. We assembled de novo transcriptomes of five duckweed species, Lemna minor, Lemna japonica, Lemna gibba, Landoltia punctata, and Lemna aequinoctialis, grown on basal Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (three biological replicates per species), and evaluated for completeness with Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) against Viridiplantae, Embryophyta, and Liliopsida reference sets. Orthogroup-level expression divergence was characterized by species signature scoring and Pearson correlation analysis; Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotations were examined using descriptive composition analyses and formal overrepresentation tests. In an independent experiment, biomass, protein content, glucose accumulation, peroxidase activity, and chlorophyll a/b concentrations were measured after 7 days under four nutrient regimes (Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, Hoagland solution, Gamborg’s B5 medium, and nitrogen-free MS (MS–N) medium). All assemblies were highly complete (≥89% complete BUSCOs). Replicates clustered by species (median within-species r = 0.99 versus between-species r = 0.40; label-permutation p = 1 × 10⁻⁴), and species signatures selected on training replicates correctly assigned every held-out sample. GO and KEGG annotation composition differed among species, but no term reached a false discovery rate (FDR) ≤ 0.10 in species-specific enrichment tests. Medium effects were species-dependent: relative to basal MS, MS–N lowered protein and chlorophyll a and raised glucose and chlorophyll b in all species, and increased peroxidase activity in four of five species. Because the media differ in several components, these effects cannot be attributed to nitrogen alone. The five species have distinct, reproducible baseline transcriptomes and differ in their physiological responses to nutrient media, providing a hypothesis-generating resource for comparative duckweed research.

Aquatic ecosystems are under severe stress from a diverse combination of contaminants, including heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics, driven by rapid industrialization, intensive agriculture, and urbanization. Globally, 80% of wastewater remains untreated, and conventional systems often fail to address emerging contaminants. Consequently, toxic heavy metals like lead and mercury can persist in water sources for decades. In response, phytoremediation has emerged as a scalable, eco-friendly, nature-based alternative. Among phytoremediation agents, duckweeds are increasingly recognized for their rapid growth, simple morphology, and continuous water-column contact. This review outlines the landscape of duckweed-based remediation, detailing molecular detoxification pathways and the synergistic role of associated microbiomes in enhancing environmental cleanup. Evidence indicates that contaminant removal is often supported by plant-microbe interactions. Despite extensive laboratory validation, field-scale implementation remains constrained by environmental complexity, pollutant mixtures, and variable climatic conditions. Furthermore, while duckweed systems hold promise within circular bioeconomy frameworks, converting wastewater into nutrient-rich biomass, contaminant accumulation in plant tissues raises concerns about biomass utilization and contaminant carryover. Addressing these challenges requires an integrative approach that links molecular detoxification, ecological interactions, and engineered system design to realize the full potential of duckweeds for sustainable aquatic pollution management.

The application of plasma technology in agriculture has emerged as a promising approach to enhance plant health and manage microbial interactions, offering potential solutions for sustainable crop production and disease control. This study contributes to this field by exploring the effects of plasma treatments on plant physiology and microbial dynamics, with a focus on their potential to improve agricultural outcomes. This investigation aims to systematically determine optimal plasma seed treatment parameters for enhancing plant vigor and promoting beneficial microbial associations while minimizing pathogenic interactions in Arabidopsis thaliana. This study focuses on understanding the effects of various plasma treatments on chlorophyll content, root length, microbial growth, and microbial quantification in plants and microbes. The treatments involve the use of an atmospheric jet plasma handheld device, a globe plasma, and a glow discharge plasma chamber with air and argon. These treatments were applied for varying time durations from 10 s to 5 min. The results demonstrated that the globe plasma treatment for 1 min significantly enhanced chlorophyll a extraction and root length, outperforming the other treatments. Additionally, the study examined the impact of plasma on plant–microbe interactions to assess whether plasma treatments affect beneficial microbes. Plasma treatments showed minimal impact on most beneficial microbe activity, though species-specific sensitivities were observed, with Pseudomonas cedrina showing moderate growth inhibition, revealing no significant disruption to their activity. The microbial quantification assays indicated that the globe plasma treatment effectively reduced microbial counts, while combined treatment with plant and microbe plasma together did not yield significant changes. Additionally, the chlorophyll estimation of plasma-treated samples indicated that the globe plasma and atmospheric jet plasma treatments were effective in enhancing chlorophyll content, whereas the combined treatment with both plant and microbe plasma did not yield significant changes. These findings suggest that plasma treatments, especially the globe plasma, are effective in improving plant health and controlling microbial activity. Future research should focus on optimizing plasma conditions, exploring the influence of plasma parameters and the underlying mechanisms, and expanding the scope to include a wider range of plant species and microbial strains to maximize the benefits of plasma technology in agriculture.

Rhizosphere microbiome exerts a significant role in plant health, influencing nutrient availability, disease resistance, and overall plant growth. Establishing a robust and efficient nodulation process is essential for optimal nitrogen fixation in legumes like soybeans. Different soybean genotypes exhibit variations in their rhizosphere microbiome, potentially impacting nitrogen fixation through nodulation. However, a detailed understanding of how specific soybean genotypes influence rhizosphere microbial communities and nodulation patterns remains limited. Our study aims to investigate the relationship between rhizosphere microbial abundance and plant growth in four soybean genotypes. We evaluated plant growth parameters, including biomass, leaf area, and stomatal conductance, and identified significant genotypic differences in nodulation. Specifically, genotypes PI 458505 and PI 603490 exhibited high levels of nodulation, while PI 605839A and PI 548400 displayed low nodulation. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed diverse bacterial communities in the rhizosphere, with Proteobacteria as the dominant phylum. High-nodulation genotypes harbored more diverse microbial communities enriched with Actinobacteria and Acidobacteriota, while low-nodulation genotypes showed higher abundances of Firmicutes and Planctomycetota. Alpha and beta diversity analyses confirmed distinct microbial community structures between high- and low-nodulation groups. Our findings suggest that the rhizosphere microbiome significantly influences soybean growth and nodulation, highlighting the potential for genotype-driven strategies to enhance plant-microbe interactions and improve soybean productivity.

Plasma treatment has emerged as a promising tool for manipulating plant microbiomes and metabolites. This review explores the diverse applications and effects of plasma on these biological systems. It is hypothesized that plasma treatment will not induce substantial changes in the composition of plant microbiomes or the concentration of plant metabolites. We delve into the mechanisms by which plasma can regulate microbial communities, enhance antimicrobial activity, and recruit beneficial microbes to mitigate stress. Furthermore, we discuss the optimization of plasma parameters for effective microbiome interaction and the role of plasmids in plant–microbe interactions. By characterizing plasmidome responses to plasma exposure and investigating transcriptional and metabolomic shifts, we provide insights into the potential of plasma as a tool for engineering beneficial plant–microbe interactions. The review presented herein demonstrates that plasma treatment induces substantial changes in both microbial community composition and metabolite levels, thereby refuting our initial hypothesis. Finally, we integrate plasmidome, transcriptome, and metabolome data to develop a comprehensive understanding of plasma’s effects on plant biology and explore future perspectives for agricultural applications.

Submerged plants can thrive entirely underwater, playing a crucial role in maintaining water quality, supporting aquatic organisms, and enhancing sediment stability. However, they face multiple challenges, including reduced light availability, fluctuating water conditions, and limited nutrient access. Despite these stresses, submerged plants demonstrate remarkable resilience through physiological and biochemical adaptations. Additionally, their interactions with microbial communities are increasingly recognized as pivotal in mitigating these environmental stresses. Understanding the diversity of these microbial communities is crucial for comprehending the complex interactions between submerged plants and their environments. This research aims to identify and screen microbes from submerged plant samples capable of producing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase and to explore microbial diversity through metagenomic analysis. Microbes were isolated and screened for ACC deaminase production, and metagenomic techniques, including co-occurrence network analysis, were used to examine microbial diversity and interactions within the communities. ACC deaminase-producing microbes can significantly enhance plant metabolism under stress conditions. The identification of the culturable bacteria revealed that most of these microbes belong to the genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Acinetobacter. A total of 177 microbial strains were cultured, with molecular identification revealing 79 reductant, 86 non-reductant, and 12 uncultured strains. Among 162 samples screened for ACC deaminase activity, 50 tested positive. To further understand microbial dynamics, samples were collected from both natural sources and artificial pond reservoirs to assess the impact of the location on flood-associated microbiomes in submerged plants. Metagenomic analysis was conducted on both the epiphytic and endophytic samples. By exploring the overall composition and dynamics of microbial communities associated with submerged plants, this research seeks to deepen our understanding of plant–microbe interactions in aquatic environments. The microbial screening helped to identify the diverse microbes associated with ACC deaminase activity in submerged plants and amplicon sequencing analysis paved the way towards identifying the impact of the location in shaping the microbiome and the diversity associated with endophytic and epiphytic microbes. Co-occurrence network analysis further highlighted the intricate interactions within these microbial communities. Notably, ACC deaminase activity was observed in plant-associated microbes across different locations, with distinct variations between epiphytic and endophytic populations as identified through co-occurrence network analysis.

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) advocate for K-12 educators to go beyond teaching content knowledge by prioritizing the integration of academic disciplines into real-life experiences and careers. Schools are now focused on preparing students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in college and careers, and gain exposure to future employment opportunities. Recognizing the significance of collaboration between K-12 teachers and higher education faculty, the National Research Council emphasizes the need for enhanced professional development opportunities. Numerous higher education institutions have rigorous and robust experimental research programs. Additionally, a number of them have established STEM centers, outreach initiatives, and partnerships with local school districts to foster such collaborations. Here, we describe a “PlantGIFT” initiative (Plant Genomics Internships for Teachers), a model that effectively translates university-based research into a week-long professional development opportunity that promotes teachers' ability to understand and teach science concepts in their classrooms. We outline the planning and development stages of the PlantGIFT workshop for secondary science teachers, centered around plant research, including our lessons learned, initial results, and implications for future research and practice.

Salt marshes are highly dynamic and biologically diverse ecosystems that serve as natural habitats for numerous salt-tolerant plants (halophytes). We investigated the bacterial communities associated with the roots and leaves of plants growing in the coastal salt marshes of the Bayfront Beach, located in Mobile, Alabama, United States. We compared external (epiphytic) and internal (endophytic) communities of both leaf and root plant organs. Using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing methods, we identified 10 bacterial phyla and 59 different amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) at the genus level. Bacterial strains belonging to the phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were highly abundant in both leaf and root samples. At the genus level, sequences of the genus Pseudomonas were common across all four sample types, with the highest abundance found in the leaf endophytic community. Additionally, Pantoea was found to be dominant in leaf tissue compared to roots. Our study revealed that plant habitat (internal vs. external for leaves and roots) was a determinant of the bacterial community structure. Co-occurrence network analyses enabled us to discern the intricate characteristics of bacterial taxa. Our network analysis revealed varied levels of ASV complexity in the epiphytic networks of roots and leaves compared to the endophytic networks. Overall, this study advances our understanding of the intricate composition of the bacterial microbiota in habitats (epiphytic and endophytic) and organs (leaf and root) of coastal salt marsh plants and suggests that plants might recruit habitat- and organ-specific bacteria to enhance their tolerance to salt stress.

Salt marshes are highly dynamic and biologically diverse ecosystems that serve as natural habitats for numerous salt-tolerant plants (halophytes). We investigated the bacterial communities associated with the roots and leaves of plants growing in the coastal salt marshes of the Daphne Bay area in Alabama, United States. We compared external (epiphytic) and internal (endophytic) communities of both leaf and root plant organs. Using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing methods, we identified 10 bacterial phyla and 59 different amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) at the genus level. Bacterial strains belonging to the phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were highly abundant in both leaf and root samples. At the genus level, sequences of the genus Pseudomonas were common across all four sample types, with the highest abundance found in the leaf endophytic community. Additionally, Pantoea was found to be dominant in leaf tissue compared to roots. Our study revealed that plant habitat (internal vs. external for leaves and roots) was a determinant of the bacterial community structure. Co-occurrence network analyses enabled us to discern the intricate characteristics of bacterial taxa. Our network analysis revealed varied levels of ASV complexity in the epiphytic networks of roots and leaves compared to the endophytic networks. Overall, this study advances our understanding of the intricate composition of the bacterial microbiota in habitats (epiphytic and endophytic) and organs (leaf and root) of coastal salt marsh plants and suggests that plants might recruit habitat- and organ-specific bacteria to enhance their tolerance to salt stress.

Summary: IRE1, BI‐1, and bZIP60 monitor compatible plant–potexvirus interactions though recognition of the viral TGB3 protein. This study was undertaken to elucidate the roles of three IRE1 isoforms, the bZIP60U and bZIP60S, and BI‐1 roles in genetic reprogramming of cells during potexvirus infection. Experiments were performed using Arabidopsis thaliana knockout lines and Plantago asiatica mosaic virus infectious clone tagged with the green fluorescent protein gene (PlAMV‐GFP). There were more PlAMV‐GFP infection foci in ire1a/b, ire1c, bzip60, and bi‐1 knockout than wild‐type (WT) plants. Cell‐to‐cell movement and systemic RNA levels were greater bzip60 and bi‐1 than in WT plants. Overall, these data indicate an increased susceptibility to virus infection. Transgenic overexpression of AtIRE1b or StbZIP60 in ire1a/b or bzip60 mutant background reduced virus infection foci, while StbZIP60 expression influences virus movement. Transgenic overexpression of StbZIP60 also confers endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress resistance following tunicamycin treatment. We also show bZIP60U and TGB3 interact at the ER. This is the first demonstration of a potato bZIP transcription factor complementing genetic defects in Arabidopsis. Evidence indicates that the three IRE1 isoforms regulate the initial stages of virus replication and gene expression, while bZIP60 and BI‐1 contribute separately to virus cell‐to‐cell and systemic movement.