Browsing by Author "Pace, Loretta"

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Ascorbic Acid Enhances Growth and Dualex Parameters in Arachis Hypogaea L. Under Salt Stress
(Springernature, 2024) Tunctuerk, Ruveyde; Oral, Erol; Tunctuerk, Murat; Nohutcu, Luetfi; Najafi, Solmaz; Danesh, Younes Rezaee; Pace, Loretta
Salt stress limits crop productivity in arid and semi-arid regions, posing a significant challenge to agricultural sustainability. This study investigates the potential of ascorbic acid (AA) to alleviate the harmful effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) in Arachis hypogaea L. by applying AA concentrations of 0, 100, 200, and 300 ppm and NaCl levels of 100 and 200 mM under controlled conditions. Results showed that the application of 300 ppm AA under 200 mM NaCl notably mitigated salt-induced reductions, enhancing stem and root lengths by 33% and 14% and increasing stem fresh and dry weights by 67% and 39%, respectively. Comparative analysis showed a 3% decrease in plant temperature, a 56% increase in leaf area, and a 59% reduction in malondialdehyde, underscoring AA's protective effects. Although not all measured parameters responded significantly to AA under salt stress, these findings highlight the compound's potential to counteract growth reductions in A. hypogaea, demonstrating its value for sustainable agricultural practices under saline conditions.
Chromosomal Architecture, Karyotype Profiling and Evolutionary Dynamics in Aleppo Oak (Quercus Infectoria Oliv.)
(MDPI, 2026) Najafi, Solmaz; Seyedi, Nasrin; Ozdemir, Burak; Zeinalzadeh-Tabrizi, Hossein; Farda, Beatrice; Pace, Loretta
Aleppo oak (Quercus infectoria) is among the most industrially and ecologically significant oak species, valued for its medicinal properties and considerable genetic importance. Cytogenetic analysis provides critical insight into evolutionary history, interspecific relationships, and karyotypic differentiation. This study investigated the chromosomal architecture and karyotypic diversity of five natural populations of this species in western Iran (Sardasht, Oramanat, Baneh, Paveh, and Marivan) using actively dividing root meristems and a high-resolution image-based cytogenetic system. All examined cells displayed a basic chromosome number of x = 12 and a diploid condition, and chromosome lengths ranged from 0.90 to 2.12 mu m. ANOVA and mean comparisons of five chromosomal parameters (Long Arm, Short Arm and Total Length, Arm Ratio, and Centromeric Index) revealed significant interpopulation differences in chromosome length and arm dimensions. All populations shared the karyotype formula 12 m and were classified into Stebbins' Category B, indicating a moderately symmetrical, relatively primitive cytogenetic structure. Principal component analysis reduced the dataset to two major axes explaining 99.93% of the total variance, predominantly influenced by SA and TL on PC1 and by LA, AR, and CI on PC2. Hierarchical clustering grouped the populations into three distinct lineages, with Sardasht-Oramanat-Baneh showing the greatest divergence. Biplot vector patterns further clarified trait correlations, highlighting genomic structuring and potential breeding utility.
Multidimensional Scaling Analysis of Morphological Spike Traits in Local Wheat Genotypes from the Van Lake Basin
(MDPI, 2025) Altuner, Fevzi; Jamal-Salih, Sana; Ozdemir, Burak; Oral, Erol; Mendes, Mehmet; Ulker, Mehmet; Pace, Loretta
Wheat landraces are considered a valuable resource of potential phenotypic variation that could be used in germplasm improvement. Here, we examined 588 local wheat genotypes collected from farmers' fields at 127 locations around Van Lake Basin and evaluated the morphological diversity and trait associations using Multidimensional Scaling Analysis. Spike and yield traits were measured and scored according to the UPOV and ICARDA phenotypic characterization criteria. Multidimensional Scaling Analysis divided the wheat samples into four main groups based on the number of spikelets (NOS), number of fertile spikelets (NFS), thousand-grain weight (TGW), and number of seeds per spike (NSS) and indicated a strong correlation between NOS and NFS. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the glume and awn color of most of the genotypes was black, and they were within the locally known Karak & imath;l & ccedil;& imath;k group. Only two genotypes were excluded from the Karak & imath;l & ccedil;& imath;k group; No. 231 was within the Geverik local wheat group, and genotype No. 579 was found to be Tir. The Hevidik and Kirik groups had the same spike color, but the Hevidik group had spikes similar to compactum wheat, whereas the Kirik group had larger spikes. Finally, genotype No. 57 varied from all other genotypes when all the measured traits were taken into consideration. Overall, the Van Lake Basin landraces combine broad similarity with meaningful phenotypic heterogeneity shaped by local environments and traditional on-farm selection. These findings provide practical cues for conservation efforts and for the use of landraces as valuable resources in future wheat breeding programs.
Using Chromosomal Abnormalities and Germination Traits for the Assessment of Tritipyrum Amphiploid Lines Under Seed-Aging and Germination Priming Treatments
(Mdpi, 2023) Taghvaei, Mansour; Maleki, Hamideh; Najafi, Solmaz; Hassani, Hossein Shahsavand; Danesh, Younes Rezaee; Farda, Beatrice; Pace, Loretta
Primary Trans Chromosomal Tritipyrum (PTCT) amphiploid is a new cereal grown in saline soil and brackish water for grain and forage production. We evaluated the tolerance to seed deterioration in 13 promising PTCT lines, assessing accelerated aging (AA) tests by using AA boxes with 100% relative humidity at 40 & DEG;C for 72 h. The (Ma/b)(Cr/b)F4 and (St/b)(Cr/b)F4) PTCT lines, more sensitive to seed aging, were primed with NaCl, Salicylic Acid (SA), and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) to increase the seed vigor of artificially aged seeds. Germination and emergence traits, biochemical parameters, and chromosomal abnormalities induced by artificial aging were measured in deteriorated and not-deteriorated seeds. The highest reduction percentages related to seed vigor were observed in (Ka/b)(Cr/b)F2 (34.52) and La(4B,4D)/b (28.15) lines, while the lowest was found in (Ma/b)(Cr/b)F4 (7.65) and (St/b)(Cr/b)F4 (7.46) lines. Seed aging also increases electrolytes, potassium, and protein leakages. Chromosomal abnormalities are caused by seed aging that interferes with chromosome behaviors during cell division. Seed priming on aged seeds revealed an increase in the germination percentage (GP) with PEG treatment, while the priming by SA showed an increase in seedling traits, such as the seedling length (SL2). In conclusion, we highlighted the potential use of different PTCT lines and the effective use of seed priming on deteriorated seed to enhance seed viability and seedling vigor as a useful tool for sustainable agriculture.