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Plants are often adversely affected by abiotic stresses such as drought, low temperature, and salinity during growth, and plant NAC-like transcription factors are involved in regulating growth and developmental processes in response to stresses such as drought and salinity. In this study, to investigate the function of AfNAC1 , a co-expression network of AfNAC1 genes was constructed using gene expression data from the Chinese legume deciduous shrub, Amorpha fruticosa Linn. A 576 bp NAC transcription factor ( AfNAC1 gene, MN180266) encoding 191 amino acids was isolated from Amorpha fruticosa seedlings by RT-PCR. qRT-PCR showed that the AfNAC1 gene was expressed in the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of Amorpha fruticosa. However, drought stress significantly increased root expression, and the AfNAC1 protein was localized in the nucleus by green fluorescence detection. This study analyzed the drought resistance of overexpressing tobacco in depth. Under natural drought stress, the chlorophyll and antioxidant enzyme activities of overexpressing plants were significantly higher than those of wild-type (WT) plants, but the MDA content was lower than that of WT; after rehydration the Fv/Fm values of AfNAC1 -overexpressing tobacco recovered faster than those of wild-type tobacco and rapidly reached the control levels; AfNAC1 may be involved in the regulation of the photosystem and indirectly in the regulation of the plant in response to drought stress.

Lipoxygenase (LOX, EC1.13.11.12) catalyzes the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and further generates oxylipins via enzymatic or non-enzymatic pathways, thus participating in the regulation of growth and development, stress response, and other processes. The objective of this research was to characterize the function and evaluate the mechanism of lipoxygenase gene AfLOX4 ’s role in enhancing drought tolerance. Transcriptomic data were generated and analyzed for the LOX gene, under different concentrations of drought (polyethylene glycol-6000) (PEG6000) and abscisic acid (ABA) stress treatment, to determine their effects on the expression of the AfLOX4 gene and its role in plant physiology. The localization of the AfLOX4 protein was detected through protoplast transformation. The expression of AfLOX4 in Amorpha fruticosa tissues was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Six LOX genes of A. fruticosa that showed an upregulated pattern under different concentrations of drought (PEG6000) stress were found via transcriptomic analysis and were named AfLOX1  ~ 6. The AfLOX4 protein was localized in the cytoplasm. AfLOX4 was expressed in the stems, roots, flowers, and leaves of Amorpha fruticosa L., and its expression level was the highest in leaves. The expression of AfLOX4 increased with the prolongation of stress time under different stresses. After ABA treatment, the germination rate of tobacco lines overexpressing AfLOX4 was significantly increased, while under NaHCO 3 stress, the tolerance of tobacco plants overexpressing AfLOX4 was higher than that of wild-type tobacco. The tobacco with overexpression of the AfLOX4 gene detected by the natural drought method had a higher survival rate in the drought stress recovery experiment, and improved the drought tolerance of tobacco. This study reveals the function of the AfLOX4 gene in resisting drought stress and lays a solid theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of Amorpha fruticosa L. plant varieties, as well as improvement of resource utilization.

The studied introduction population of the alien North American species Amorpha fruticosa L. was formed in the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow) 80 years ago from seeds of different geographical origin. Currently, this population consists of individuals of the second and third generations, which arose as a result of the spontaneous pollination of parental plants. It is the northernmost site of A. fruticosa growth in the secondary distribution range; in southern regions, it usually behaves like an aggressive invasive species and invades natural plant communities. A. fruticosa is known to contain a number of bioactive compounds with valuable pharmacological properties, and the aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical composition of leaves and fruits at the northern limit of the species’ growth, since stress conditions promote active accumulation of secondary metabolites. The data on the composition of secondary metabolites, on the mineral composition, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids in the leaves and fruits of A. fruticosa, and on the amount and composition of essential oil in the extract from fruits are presented. High levels of adonitol, which is used as a sweetener in products for diabetic patients, have been reported in the fruits of A. fruticosa. α-Copaene, α-pinene, δ-cadinene, α-muurolene, and β- and α-caryophyllene predominate in the essential oil of the fruit, providing its antimicrobial activity. The phytochemical analysis of A. fruticosa from the secondary distribution range confirms the potential of this species as a valuable resource for the pharmacopoeia industry.

L. is a deciduous shrub that is native to North America and has been introduced to China as an ornamental plant. In order to clarify the drought resistance characteristics of L. and excavate the related genes involved in drought resistance regulation pathway, the mechanism of drought resistance stress of L. was revealed by the changes of transcriptome of L. under drought stress.Through the changes of the transcriptome of L. under drought stress, the mechanism of anti-stress of L. could be revealed. Different concentrations of polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000) was used to simulate drought stress, and transcriptomic analysis was used to reveal the changes of gene expression patterns in L. seedlings. Results showed that L. seedlings were seriously affected by PEG-6000. As for the differently expressed genes (DEGs), most of them were up-regulated. The additional Go and KEGG analysis results showed that DEGs were functionally enriched in cell wall, signal transduction and hormonal regulation related pathways. DEGs like AfSOD, AfHSP, AfTGA, AfbZIP and AfGRX play roles in response to drought stress. In conclusion, L. seedlings were sensitive to drought, which was different from L. tree, and the genes functions in drought stress responses via ABA-independent pathways. The up-regulation of Salicylic acid signal related DEGs (AfTGA and AfPR-1) indicated that Salicylic acid play a key role in response to drought stress in L.

In this paper, the ultrasonic-assisted extraction process of flavonoid compounds from leaves of Amorpha fruticosa is optimized. In single factor experiments, solid/liquid ratios, ultrasonic power, ethanol concentrations and extraction cycles were experimental factors. Box–Behnken central composite design and RSM analyzed the effects of the four factors on the yield of total flavonoids. The optimal extraction parameters were solid/liquid ratio 1:50 g/mL, ultrasonic power 316 W, ethanol concentration 50%, 4 extraction cycles. In the optimized condition, the estimated value of the regression model was 66.6456 mg/g while the measured value was 66.4329 mg/g.

Amorpha fruticosa L. (false indigo bush) is an invasive shrub species from Fabaceae family originating from North America. Nowadays this species creates great problems because it is invading floodplains along the rivers from Europe, even the Danube River floodplain reaching to the Danube Delta. The floodplain area of the river Mureş is highly affected by this invasion, this species occupying great surfaces of grassland and arable land. The researches were developed on the lowland area alongside the river Mureş (Arad County, western Romania) in the perimeter of the locality Pecica, respectively belonging to Mures Floodplain Natural Park. The purpose of the work was to characterize different relationships between the features of the grassland vegetation with soil features in three different situations, respectively permanent grassland, grassland totally invaded with A. fruticosa, and transitional grassland partially invaded with A. fruticosa. The soil samples were collected from 0 - 25 cm depth. The researches were investigated the influence of the false indigo bush invaded grassland on the soil features as pH, nitrogen index, total nitrogen, humus content, phosphorus, potassium and carbonates. The considered grassland vegetation features related with the soil features were: floristic composition (main functional groups of plants, some biodiversity indexes and pastoral value. The obtained results showed the existence of complex relationships among the analysed vegetation and soil features.

Amorpha fruticosa L. is a Chinese folk medicine and rich in polyphenols. Fifteen known compounds were isolated and identified from the leaves of A. fruticosa L. They are tephrosin (1), 6a,12a-dehydrodeguelin (2), vitexin (3), afrormosin-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), 2″-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl isovitexin (5), rutin (6), chrysoeriol (7), 7-O-methylluteolin (8), trans-p-coumaric acid (9), 2-benzyl-4,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid-4-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (10), formononetin (11), quercetin (12), apigenin (13), β-sitosterol (14), and β-daucosterol (15). Compounds 3, 4, 5, and 7–9 were isolated from A. fruticosa L. for the first time. Cytotoxicity of individual compounds 3–10 and 90% ethanol extract against human cancer cell lines HCT116 and HepG2 were reported. The results suggested that compounds 7 and 8, and the crude extract exhibited inhibitory effects on human cancer cell line HCT116, at concentrations of 100 μg/mL, 5 μg/mL, and 25 μg/mL at <60% of cell viability rate, respectively. In addition, a valid high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector method was established to quantitatively analyze compounds 1–12 in the leaves of A. fruticosa L., which was harvested at three different stages of maturity from May 20 to August 10, 2014. The results demonstrated that contents were greatly influenced by the maturity. Total amounts of the analytical constituents gradually increased from May 20 to August 10, with the values ranging from 10.86 mg/g to 18.84 mg/g, whereas bioactive compounds 7 and 8 presented the opposite variation trend. The results of this study may provide data for further study and comprehensive utilization of A. fruticosa L. resource. [Display omitted] •Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified.•Six compounds were isolated from A. fruticosa L. for the first time.•Cytotoxicity of eight compounds and 90% ethanol extract against human cancer cell lines HCT116 and HepG2 was reported.•A valid HPLC-DAD method was established to quantitatively analyze 12 compounds in the leaves of A. fruticosa L.

The supercritical CO 2 fluid extraction process was used to obtain seed oils. The compositional analyses of the seed oils of Amorpha fruticosa L., Caragana microphylla Lam and Elaeagnus angustifolia L. were performed by GC–MS, from which 18–22 fatty acid compositions were identified, and their main components were linoleic acid (49.10–66.39 %) and oleic acid (11.95–41.10 %). The seed oils were rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which accounted for 79.75–91.19 %. The in vitro anti-oxidant activities of the seed oils were measured by the DPPH, ABTS and phosphomolybdenum complex assays. The IC 50 s of the seed oils were 6.5110–12.6599 mg/mL tested by DPPH assay, and the IC 50 s were in the range of 0.6872–1.9310 mg/mL tested by ABTS assay. The anti-oxidant activities of seed oils decreased in the order of A. fruticosa  >  C. microphylla  >  E. angustifolia (A) >  E. angustifolia (D). In vitro antimicrobial activities of seed oils against five bacteria were tested by microdilution method. The MIC values of the oils against Bacillus subtilis , E. coli , S. aureus , P. solanacearum and B. thuringiensis were in the range of 26–36, 30–38, 58, 56–58 and 56–58 mg/mL, respectively, while the MBC values were in the range of 30–40, 34–42, 58, 56–58 and 58 mg/mL, respectively. In vitro antifungal properties of the seed oils against four plant pathogenic fungi were tested by the mycelial growth rate method. The EC 50 s of seed oils against V. mali , C. gloeosporioides , F. graminearum and B. cinerea were in the range of 17.51–19.25, 15.58–19.12, 8.00–17.12 and 18.76–19.14 mg/mL, respectively. The seed oils showed moderate anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Despite increasing evidence indicating that invasive species are harming biodiversity, ecological systems and processes, impacts of multiple species invasion and their links with changes in plant and soil communities are inadequately documented and remain poorly understood. Addressing multiple invaders would help to ward against community-wide, synergistic effects, aiding in designing more effective control strategies. In this work, correlative relationships are examined for potential impacts of three co-occurring invasive plant species, Amorpha fruticosa , Fraxinus pennsylvanica , and Acer negundo , on soil conditions and native plant diversity. The research was conducted in riparian ecosystems and included the following treatments: (1) co-occurrence of the three invasive plant species, (2) occurrence of a single invasive species, and (3) control, i.e., absence of invasive species. Co-occurrence of three invasive plant species caused higher direct impact on soil properties, soil functioning, and native plant diversity. Soil in mixed plots (those populated with all three invaders) contained higher levels of nitrifying bacteria, organic matter, nitrogen, and carbon as well as lower carbon to nitrogen ratio as compared to single species invaded plots and control plots. Furthermore, native plant diversity decreased with invasive plants co-occurrence. Differences in soil conditions and lower native plant diversity revealed the interactive potential of multiple invasive species in depleting biodiversity and eroding soil functionality, ultimately affecting ecological and biogeochemical processes both below and above ground. Our results highlight the need to prevent the impact of multispecies invasion, suggesting that riparian ecosystems affected by co-occurring invaders should be prioritized for invasion monitoring and ecological restoration.

To study the soil consolidation effect of shrub plant roots on tailings soil and to explore the frictional characteristics of plant roots on tailings soil, three experimental conditions of the root–soil interface were established by using a modified indoor direct shear instrument with binders such as liquid sodium silicate and cyanoacrylate to conduct direct shear frictional tests at the root–soil interface using the roots of the typical slope protection plant Amorpha fruticosa . The Gompertz improved curve model was established by using the relationship between shear stress and shear displacement and the trend of the root–soil interface parameter index. The results were compared between the improved Gompertz curve model and the Clough–Duncan hyperbolic model, and a two-factor coupled improved Gompertz interfacial intrinsic structure model with normal stress and cohesive strength factor was established. The results showed that the interface shear stress and shear displacement showed strain hardening characteristics at different normal pressures for cohesive strength ratios of 1.5 and 1.7 at the root–tailing soil interface. At a cohesive strength ratio of 1.6, strain-softening was observed from 100 to 300 kPa and strain hardening was observed at 400 kPa. The improved Gompertz curve model predicts the shear stress and shear displacement curves at the root–soil interface with different cohesive strengths more reasonably than the Clough–Duncan hyperbolic model, and the maximum accuracy can be improved by nearly 40%. The two-factor coupled improved Gompertz curve model can fit the shear stress versus shear displacement relationship at the A. fruticosa root–tailing soil interface.