State of the World's Plants Symposium - Kew Gardens

State of the World’s Plants Symposium Climate change | Protected areas | Extinction risk | Useful plants | Plant health | Invasive plants

11 – 12 May 2016 science.kew.org/sotwps

New Phytologist publishes high-quality, original research in plant science. Falling within four sections – Physiology & Development, Environment, Interaction and Evolution – articles cover topics from intracellular processes to global environmental change. Average time to decision in 2015 80% global coverage by 2015 we were able to describe and quantify, for the first time, the biogeographic, taxonomic and phylogenetic patterns of naturalized alien plants worldwide. We revealed that ~12,000 plant species, corresponding to ~4% of the extant vascular flora, have become naturalized somewhere on the globe. While Europe and North America have accumulated the largest numbers of naturalized species, we showed that the Northern Hemisphere is a major donor of naturalized plants to other parts of the world. Thus, at the global scale, naturalization processes are not random phenomena, but exhibit clear phylogenetic and biogeographic patterns. The GloNAF database has served as a unique data source for testing various aspects of invasion ecology, including models describing the flow of invasive plants as a function of trade, testing Baker’s law at a global scale, the role of apomixis in invasions, and whether alien plants can be used as an indicator for hotspots of other alien species. We outline further ways in which GloNAF can be a key tool to better understand changes in plant diversity around the world as a result of human-mediated introductions. Reference: van Kleunen M. et al. (2015). Global exchange and accumulation of non-native plants. Nature 525: 100–103.

Identifying potentially invasive garden plants: utilising gardeners’ knowledge

P20

Dehnen-Schmutz, K. Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK

Most non-native plants including the plants with the highest negative impacts have been introduced as ornamental plants. Long delays from the introduction in a garden to the recognition of a problematic invasive plant in the wild make effective control strategies very difficult and often impossible. Gardeners will notice first if ornamental plants show characteristics, e.g. vigorous growth, spread and difficulty to control, that may contribute to their potential to become a problematic invader. This project explores if the reporting of early warning signs from gardens could help to design more effective prevention strategies at the first stages of the invasion process. An online reporting form was developed and botanists and professional gardeners in Britain were asked to report ornamental plants that are spreading and difficult to control in their gardens. Results show that the most frequent plants reported are also frequently recorded outside cultivation. However, the list of reported plants also includes species with a recently increasing distribution and species not reported outside cultivation. The results provide evidence that gardeners’ knowledge could help to identify potentially problematic invasive plants early in the invasion process. The main obstacle for the expansion of the approach to the wider gardening public is the potential difficulty with plant identification. At the same time, however, raising awareness for the problem by actively involving gardeners could be of equal importance for the prevention of ornamental plant invasions.

Invasive synergy in an ant-plant mutualism

P21

Devenish, A.J.M.1, Sumner, S.1 and Newton, R.2 1School

of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK Science, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Millennium Seed Bank, Wakehurst, Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17

2Conservation

6TN, UK

South Africa is home to one of the world's six floral kingdoms, with over 6200 endemic plant species; yet this unique region is threatened by a number of invasive plant and animal species, including the notorious Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). This ant species threatens not only the native ants’ community structure, but also the seed dispersal services they provide. This study explores the seed dispersal ability of invasive and native ant communities in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. Through the use of cafeteria experiments, ant dispersal preferences were determined for both native fynbos and invasive Acacia plant species. Three ant communities were identified in this study. The community invaded by Linepithema humile were able to disperse a range of smaller seeded plant species, with the highest rate of removal recorded for three invasive Acacia plant species. In contrast, the native community dominated by Anoplolepis custodiens showed a preference for larger native seeded species, with the lowest removal rates recorded for Acacia plant species. Whereas the native community dominated by Pheidole capensis showed no clear preference for either native or invasive plant species. In conclusion the invasion of Linepithema humile is likely to facilitate the invasion of Acacia plants, whilst at the same time limiting the dispersal of native fynbos species, in particular larger seeded species, such as Leucospermum. This invasive synergy highlights the need for plant conservationists to consider a wider number of influential factors when estimating at-risk species.

Research, response, result – a scientific approach to local action on INNS

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Morris, N.J. Cornwall College Newquay, Wildflower Lane, Newquay TR7 2LZ

The Student Invasive Non-Native Group (SINNG) is a Local Action Group based at Cornwall College Newquay. Since 2010 SINNG has been raising awareness of, and taking action on, invasive species. From the outset there have been several strands of the project and students have an impact through outreach, education, control and monitoring. Student research informs awareness and action. Research on the oxygenating properties of Lagarosiphon major (an invasive aquatic plant currently sold as an oxygenator) is showing that a native counterpart is not only a better oxygenator, but also supports more biodiversity than the invasive. Such research can change awareness of the species and contribute to policy making. SINNG’s actions often involve removal of invasive waterweed, raising the issue of safe disposal. Current research on Myriophyllum aquaticum indicates that existing removal and disposal methods should be reviewed due to the regeneration potential of fragments. The results of this study will help guide management principles and control programmes. Ichthyosaura alpestris (Alpine newt) have been introduced to the wild in the UK through intentional and accidental release of pets. The control of this species poses particular problems. The potential for adverse publicity regarding control of vertebrates needs to be approached in a careful manner. Maintaining good public relations is essential and can be achieved by providing evidence of impacts. Research is showing direct competition with native amphibians backing up their role as disease vectors informing public awareness campaigns. Genetic analysis combined with geographic profiling enables exploration of invasion sources and the potential for spread.

The impact of Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan Balsam) on the pollination of native plant species in the UK

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White, L.M., Pérez-Barrales, R. and Horn, G. University of Portsmouth, School of Biological Sciences, King Henry Building, King Henry 1 Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY

Biological plant invasions have devastating effects on the biodiversity. Management of invasive species can be costly, with 900 ‘alien’ plant taxa in the UK since 2000. In-depth understanding of invasive species and what native ecological processes they disturb can help manage an invader’s spread. The invader species Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan Balsam) was introduced to Britain in 1839 and is now well established in natural environments. In the present study, we aimed at studying the impact of I. glandulifera on the pollination ecology of native species, with focus on Stachys sylvatica. Specifically, we observed bee visitation and pollen load on the stigmas in pristine and invaded localities. Secondly, in pristine sites, I. glandulifera was introduced to study the initial biological invasion on pollination services. Visitation rate to I.glandulifera was not direct competition for native species, and even facilitated visits. In contrast, the pollen load from native species carried by bumblebees decreased in the presence of the invader. The probability of invasive pollen transferred varied depending on where pollen was placed on insects and specialisation of bumblebees’ fit with native and invasive flower morphology. The probability of finding conspecific pollen on S. sylvatica stigmas decreased up to 80% after the invader’s introduction. These results suggest that the invader had a negative impact on pollen transfer to S. sylvatica stigmas, resulting in decreased female fitness. This study highlights

how biological invasions can modify the function of natural environments by changing insect behaviour and disrupting the pollination flow of native flowering species.

Genome sequencing of Fraxinus species to identify loci relevant to ash dieback and emerald ash borer

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Sollars, E.S.A.1,2, Kelly, L.J.1, Swarbreck, D.3, Clavijo, B.3, Kaithakottil, G.3, Zohren, J.1, Boshier, D.4, Clark, J.5, Lee, S.6, Koch, J.7, Carlson, J.E.8, Kjaer, E.D.9, Nielsen, L.R.9, Crowther, W.1,10, Rossiter, S.J.1, Joecker, A.2, Ayling, S.3, Caccamo, M.3,11 and Buggs, R.J.A.1 1School

of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK Aarhus, Silkeborgvej 2, Prismet, 8000 Aarhus C., Denmark 3The Genome Analysis Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK 4Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK 5The Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4QZ, UK 6Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9SY, UK. 7U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Delaware, OH 43015, USA 8Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA 9Department of Geosciences and Management of Natural Resources, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 21, Frederiksberg, Denmark 10Current address: School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, The University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK 11Current address: NIAB, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LE, UK 2Qiagen

Fraxinus (ash) species are highly threatened by emerald ash borer (EAB) in North America and ash dieback (ADB) in Europe. Their future may depend on genomically assisted breeding for low susceptibility to these threats. We have produced a de novo reference genome from a lowheterozygosity British F. excelsior (European ash) tree (N50 = 99Kbp, total length = 875Mbp; see www.ashgenome.org), and sequenced 38 further trees from this species across Europe, including a Danish tree with low susceptibility to ADB, which we are comparing. We are now sequencing the genomes of 35 other Fraxinus species from around the world. Genome size in Fraxinus varies from c. 750Mbp to c. 4Gbp (1C-values), encompassing diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid taxa. Preliminary evidence suggests that Asiatic Fraxinus species have low susceptibility to EAB and ADB, which we are testing with genus-wide experimental EAB inoculation experiments in Ohio, and genus-wide field exposure to ADB in Britain. We aim to find loci relevant to low susceptibility to ADB and EAB by detecting genes in the genus Fraxinus that yield phylogenetic trees incongruent with the “species-tree” for the genus, but congruent with patterns of low susceptibility among species. If successful, this method will be applicable to other tree pest/pathogen interactions.

A strategy to save the Caicos pine forests

P25

Sanchez, M.D.1, Corcoran, M.R.1, Manco, B.N.2, Blaise, J.2, Green, P.W.C1, Martinez-Suz, L.1, Barlow, S.1 and Hamilton, M.A.1 1 2

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, UK Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA), Turks and Caicos Islands

Pine forests in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) have been under extreme threat of disappearing since the non-native, invasive and pine-specific pine tortoise scale insect (Toumeyella parvicornis) was accidentally introduced to the islands over a decade ago. This invasive species has killed the vast majority of the Vulnerable and endemic Caicos pine, Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis, in TCI, altering the pine’s population structure. However, action by the TCI Government in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (Kew) have ensured a genetically diverse ex situ collection with locally grown Caicos pines and built local capacity to manage the TCI pine forests. A recent Darwin Plus project (2014–2016) led by Kew with local partner DEMA applied Kew’s expertise in genetics, mycology, chemical interactions, restoration ecology, seed physiology, horticulture and biogeography to enhance the knowledge on the Caicos

pine, its habitat and threats. It was observed that chemical composition changed and water stress levels increased in pines with scale infection. Essential mycorrhizal fungi for the pine’s establishment have been identified, the ex situ collection expanded and the local pine seed orchard genotyped. Core conservation areas for the pine forests in TCI were identified and a restoration strategy developed to guide future management and restoration needed, while enhancing the species resilience to invasive species and climate change.

More than 50% of the world’s natural history collections do not have the correct name

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Goodwin, Z.A.1, 2, Harris, D.J.2, Filer, D.1, Wood, J.R.I.1 and Scotland R.W.1 1Department 2Royal

of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR, UK

Specimens of plants and animals preserved in museums are the primary source of verifiable data on the geographical and temporal distribution of organisms. Museum datasets are increasingly being uploaded to aggregated regional and global databases (e.g. the Global Biodiversity Information Facility; GBIF) for use in a wide range of analyses. Here a detailed examination of recently revised genera of African gingers (Aframomum) and morning glories (Ipomoea) demonstrates that more than 50% of natural history collections may not have the correct name.

Using big data to measure tropical Africa's botanic hotspots

P27

Marshall, C.A.M. and Hawthorne, W.D. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RB

A plant biodiversity hotspot analysis is a useful tool for land-use planning, particularly in areas with high conservation value. Existing botanic hotspot analyses for tropical Africa have either limited geographic resolution or taxonomic coverage, or focus on species richness or local rarity. Such gaps hinder their application in many practical scenarios. Here, we present a 'big data' botanic hotspot map for tropical Africa, with full taxonomic coverage for vascular plants and a flexible geographic resolution interface, derived from > 3 million taxonomically and geographically cleaned and geolocated records of >30,000 taxa and their global distributions. We measure biodiversity 'heat' using the categorised global ranges of all the lowest named taxonomic units recorded from a sample area, so that an area where a high proportion of the species have small global ranges achieves a high hotspot score. These results can already serve as a practical and globally-sensitive framework for local and regional land-use planning in tropical Africa. Moreover, we provide the tools and methods to allow the framework to be extended to the rest of the world, and to provide more detail to resolve the tropical African picture further.

Environmental niche differentiation between CAM and C3 species in the montane genus Puya (Bromeliaceae)

P28

Beltrán, J.D., Harris, S.A. and Smith, J.A.C. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RB, United Kingdom

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is a photosynthetic pathway characteristic of succulent plants regarded as a very effective water-saving mechanism, as CO2 uptake from the atmosphere is largely restricted to the night, when evaporative demand is much reduced. A number of valuable crops are CAM plants, such as Agave, Aloe, Ananas, Opuntia and Vanilla, that are well suited to cultivation in semi-arid regions. Identification of further potential CAM crops would be facilitated if the environmental niche of CAM species could be more precisely defined. To differentiate the niches of CAM and C3 species, we have studied the monophyletic genus Puya (Bromeliaceae, approx. 230 spp.), which has a predominantly Andean distribution, extending from Chile and Argentina in the south to Costa Rica and the Guiana Shield in the north. Approximately 20% of Puya species are CAM plants, of which at least 10 taxa are found at elevations above 3,000 m. Using information on photosynthetic pathway from 13C/12C isotope analysis, combined with the georeferenced locations of 147 Puya species, we analysed 30 climatic variables by means of principal component analysis and random forest ordination. The variables that most strongly differentiated the environmental niches of CAM and C3 species of Puya were related to water availability, namely precipitation seasonality, soil water content, ratio of actual to potential evapotranspiration, and aridity index. Surprisingly, elevation and annual mean temperature were not significant distinguishing variables, indicating that CAM species are not necessarily restricted to low-elevation habitats and may be suitable for cultivation in arid upland sites.

eHALOPH. Halophytes: plants for the future

P29

Santos, J.1, Aronson, J.2,3, Al-Azzawi, M.4 and Flowers, T.4 1Centre

for Functional Ecology, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade de Coimbra, 3000 456 Coimbra, Portugal 2Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (UMR 5175 – CNRS Campus) 1919, Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France 3Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, MO. 63166-0299, USA 4School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN7 9QG, UK

The salt-laden water that covers about 71% of the surface of the earth has, over the millennia, led to the presence of large areas of salt-affected land. In the future, expansion of ocean waters following global warming will have consequences for the hinterland of significant areas behind 356,000 km of coastline. Saline flood-waters together with the salinization that can follow forest clearance and poorly managed irrigation will have consequences for world agriculture, as nearly all our crops are salt-sensitive. Less than 400 plant species can grow in seawater and less than 3,000 plant species tolerate the equivalent of 80 mM NaCl. eHALOPH (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/affiliates/halophytes/) is a database of these salt-tolerant plants. Records in eHALOPH of these halophytes contain information on plant type, life form, ecotypes, maximum salinity tolerated, the presence or absence of salt glands, photosynthetic pathway, antioxidants, secondary metabolites, compatible solutes, habitat, economic use and whether there are publications on germination, microbial interactions and mycorrhizal status, bioremediration and of molecular data. eHALOPH can be used to analyse traits associated with salt-tolerance and for choosing species that might be valuable for saline agriculture, bioremediation or other ecological services.

Conservation of Brassicaceae seeds: water content effect on seed longevity

P30

Mira, S.1, Estrelles, E.2, Martínez-Laborde, J.B.1 and González-Benito, M.E.1 Departamento de Biotecnologia-Biologia Vegetal, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain 2 ICBIBE-Jardí Botànic, Universitat de València, Quart 80, 46008 València, Spain 1

Numerous useful species belong to the Brassicaceae: vegetables, oleaginous, condiments … There is increasing interest in this family due to an antitumor activity of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates from these plants. The family comprises over 3,500 species and many remain unexplored, but could have a direct potential use or may serve as a source of genes for cultivated plants. In order to conserve this remarkable germplasm, long-term seed storage is crucial to develop plant ex situ conservation strategies. Water content and temperature are critical factors contributing to seed longevity during storage. The effect of water content on seed ageing was studied for a storage period up to eight years in seven (wild and cultivated) species. Seeds were stored at different environments comprising a factorial combination of temperatures and eight water contents. Storage temperatures ranged from 45ºC to ca. -170ºC. Seed longevity showed high variability among species. Extreme desiccation at 45ºC showed damaging effects to seed longevity for some species, while for others no effect was detected. Lipid content could be related to longevity, but only in some storage conditions. The relative longevity of a species at high water contents did not correlate with that observed at low water contents. The relative position of some of the species as long- or short-lived varied depending on the humidity at which the storage behaviour was evaluated. Therefore, predictions of survival under desiccated conditions based on results obtained at high humidity might be problematic for some species. Acknowledgement: This work was supported by the project RF2012-00014-C02-02

Supporting reforestation through seed conservation of useful native trees

P31

Ulian, T.1, Téllez-Valdés, O.2, Jiménez Rodríguez, F.3, Way, M. 1, Pritchard, H.W.1 and Mattana, E.1 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, UK Nacional Autónoma de México, F.E.S. Iztacala, Mexico City, Mexico 3 Jardín Botánico Nacional “Dr. Rafael Ma. Moscoso”, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 1

2 Universidad

Forest ecosystems play an important role in biogeochemical processes of the earth, and are crucial to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Trees also provide many benefits to humans, such as the production of timber, firewood, ritual aspects, etc., as well as vital ecosystem services such as clean water provision and prevention of soil erosion. The Global Tree Seed Bank Project is one of Kew's major projects, funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation, aiming to secure in safe long-term storage seeds of at least 2,000 tree species from across the world, among them the world rarest, most threatened and useful plants important for the livelihoods of rural communities. In Latin America the project started in 2015 and it focuses in Mexico and Dominican Republic. In Mexico, the expected outputs are: (1) a list of tree species of Mexico with information on distribution, conservation status and uses and a map of tree species biodiversity hotspots; (2) seed conservation of 200 tree species; (3) seed germination and plant propagation protocols for at least 25 priority useful tree species; and (4) a predictive model on seed desiccation tolerance. In the Dominican Republic, the project aims to protect the forestry diversity in Hispaniola by (1) activating seed conservation of at least 200 tree species; (2) screening seed desiccation

tolerance for at least 100 tree species; and (3) propagating 25 priority tree species to support reforestation activities.

Collection, handling and quality seed processing of crop wild relatives (CWR) for ex situ conservation in Malaysia

P32

Mat Ali, M.S.1, Awang, K.1, Abdul Rahman, S.N.2, Tahir, M.1, Ghazalli, M.N.1, Bustam. S.1, Mohd Nordin, A.R.1 and Mohamad, S.S.1 1Genebank 2Genebank

and Seed Centre, MARDI Headquarters, 43400 Serdang, Malaysia and Seed Centre, MARDI Seberang Perai, 13200 Penang, Malaysia

As one of the twelve mega-biodiversity countries, Malaysia has rich diversity of flora and fauna that needs to be conserved and sustainably utilised for food and agriculture. However, not much studies are being conducted on conservation and utilisation of crop wild relatives (CWR) in Malaysia. In this study, few expeditions to collect several species of CWR including wild rice (Oryza sp.) and wild banana (Musa sp.) were conducted in Peninsular Malaysia. The targeted areas were selected based on the secondary data mainly reports and publications. The collecting strategies were carried out by interviewing local people at the targeted areas and through field observation. For O. officinalis, the seeds and life samples were collected and brought to MARDI Rice Genebank in Seberang Perai, Penang for seed processing, (herbarium specimens-di HQ) and for conservation at the nursery. The seeds were dried to below 10% moisture content and kept in medium term cool storage (3–5ᵒC). For Musa spp., few samples from different species i.e. Musa acuminata ssp. truncata, M. violascens, M. acuminata ssp. acuminata, M. acuminata ssp. microcarpa, M. balbisana ssp. balbisana, M. acuminata ssp. flava, M. acuminata ssp. malaccensis and M. gracilis were collected. Only few samples collected with matured seeds. The seeds were tested for initial moisture content, seed cut and embryo rescue test. Passport data and characterisation data were taken in situ. Other data consists of GPS coordinates, site descriptions, sample descriptions as well as photos of each sample and collection sites were taken. Plant samples including vegetative and reproductive parts and herbarium specimens were taken for further evaluation and processing. This paper describes the whole processes from collection to ex situ conservation at the genebank. Several issues and challenges are discussed such as species extinction, environmental changes and threats during the project implementation.

Cultivated Plants: threats and conservation

P33

Nadarajan, J., Pitman, L. and Leguil, S. Plant Heritage, 2 Home Farm, Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1HS

Cultivated plants have been selected, sometimes over millennia of domestication efforts, to fulfil the needs of mankind for food, medicine, or aesthetic pleasure. They encapsulate unique combinations of genetic traits which are essential to be preserved in order to ensure future sustainability and to face global challenges such as climate change or emerging diseases. However, just as their wild relatives, cultivated plants have been facing a range of threats, for example habitat loss with development of agricultural land. Plant Heritage, previously known as the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens, is a UK and Ireland based charity formed in 1978 to address the ongoing loss of cultivated plant diversity and promote the conservation of species and cultivars through cultivation. Its highly successful network of 630 National Plant Collections©, “living libraries” safeguarding over 100,000 taxa has set an example for many other organisations worldwide.

In 2009, Plant Heritage set up the Threatened Plants Project (TPP) with the aim of identifying all known cultivars in British and Irish horticulture, then to establish those which have become rare or threatened (in tandem with the IUCN Red List criteria for species). The project aims to provide a more robust estimate of cultivated plant scarcity, amassing data indicating their heritage value, a measure of conservation worthiness and promoting practical conservation through a network of individual and institutional partners. The TPP is also used to prioritise conservation efforts, for example by allowing for a targeted recruitment of National Collections.

Indigenous vegetables: a case study from Papua New Guinea

P34

Seta-Waken, P. 1, Solberg, S.O.2 and Paul, T.3 1 National

Agricultural Research Institute, Papua New Guinea – The World Vegetable Center, Taiwan 3 Charles Darwin University, Australia 2 AVRDC

Many food plants are classified as minor or underutilized, as they are used only by a minority of people or occur in a limited geographical area. We surveyed five plants consumed as vegetables in Papua New Guinea: Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), black nightshade, (Solanum nigrum L.), vegetable fern (Diplazium esculentum (Retz) Sw.), and tree leaves from Ficus copiosa Steud. and Gnetum gnemon L. Amaranth and nightshade are fast growing annual crops; they are suitable for small plot cultivation and have high nutritional value. Vegetable fern and tree leaves are widely enjoyed but commonly harvested from the wild, usually by women and young children. Occasionally people are lost in the forest in the search for these ferns and leaves; cultivation would help avoid such incidents. A first step would be access to germplasm. We used the Global Gateway to Genetic Resources (GENESYS) to survey germplasm conserved around the globe and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to check georeferenced occurrences. No accessions of fern or the two tree species were found in GENESYS. Occurrences were concentrated in Oceania. Our search revealed 180 accessions of black nightshade and 6380 amaranth accessions worldwide; 0 and 7 from Papua New Guinea, respectively. The results highlight that except for amaranth, indigenous vegetables identified as relevant for Papua New Guinea are not part of the global food plant conservation system. To move forward, an interdisciplinary collaboration including botany, agronomy and conservation should be initiated and local germplasm collection and cultivation trials should be conducted.

Developing switchgrass as a better biomass fuel source

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Twigg, P.1, Donze-Reiner, T.2, Kodin, K.1, and Bartunek, K.1 1 Biology Department, The University of Nebraska-Kearney, Kearney, NE 68849, USA 2 Department of Biology, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA 19383, USA

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial warm season clump-forming grass native to North America from Canada to Mexico. Lowland varieties are more highly productive and native to the southern portion of the range, whereas the more hardy upland varieties are native to the northern portions. Switchgrass is useful in animal forage, providing wildlife habitat, and for erosion control in many critical areas. Many groups have begun to study switchgrass as a possible biofuel resource especially in the production of cellulosic ethanol. These efforts in the U.S. have been hampered by the lack of hardiness in the more productive lowland varieties. Our research group has sought to produce new varieties that combine the hardiness of the upland varieties with the higher productivity of the lowland varieties. Towards this end, we have developed elite high yielding crosses of these varieties and have used RNA-seq to analyze the transcriptome to better understand what makes a variety more hardy, establish more quickly, highly productive, or insect resistant. We would like to highlight the pathways involved in lignin production and a large-scale up-regulation of transcription factors belonging to the NAC, WRKY,

and MYB classes as being especially important. Our ongoing work continues to analyze these aspects with emphasis in illuminating the targets of the primary transcription factors indicated by the RNA-seq. It is our goal to make switchgrass a more useful and less environmentally damaging biofuel source. This work is funded by USDA-NIFA grant numbers 2011-67009-30096, 2011-67009-30026 and a grant from the NU Foundation.

Useful plants conservation across Africa and Mexico through the MGU – Useful Plants Project

P36

Ulian, T. Hudson, A., Gomez Barreiro, P. and Mattana, E. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, UK

Many inhabitants in developing countries depend on natural vegetation for everyday needs such as food, medicine, fuel and building materials. At the same time, these plants face a range of threats that include climate change, over-exploitation, droughts, habitat loss and invasion of exotic species. Since 2007 the MGU – the Useful Plants Project (UPP) has been working with partners in Botswana, Kenya, Mali, Mexico and South Africa to conserve and sustainably use indigenous plants which are important to local communities. This has been achieved through their conservation in seedbanks, propagation in community nurseries and planting in community gardens, woodlots and forests, supported by research. In 2010 a new phase was started, the project was scaled up by doubling the number of communities involved and by the inclusion of additional useful plants. Seed collections of useful plants have been made, seed lots stored in the partner country, duplicated and tested in the Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank (MSB). The capacity of communities to conserve and sustainably use a wide range of plant species has been enhanced through training workshops and the improvement of local facilities. Research has been carried out on plant species including ethnobotanical, phytochemical, plant physiological, plant population studies, DNA profiling and in vitro propagation. The UPP could be a significant model for succeeding biodiversity conservation at the local level, integrated with activities to improve livelihoods.

Delegate List Marcus Agius

RBG Kew and Foundation Trustees

Alessandro Allegra

Royal Society of Biology

Arit Anderson

Garden Designer

Felicity Anderson

Centre for Middle Eastern Plants, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Alexander Asen

The Great Green Wall Initiative

Khadijah Awang

MARDI

Steve Bachman

RBG Kew

David Baines

RBG Kew

Bill Baker

RBG Kew

Sharon Balding

RBG Kew

Hannha Banks

RBG Kew

Abigail Barker

RBG Kew

Richard Barley

RBG Kew

Sara Barrios

RBG Kew

Joanne Barton

University of Western Australia

Juan D. Beltran

University of Oxford

David Benz


Antony Berry

Kew Foundation

Moira Black

RBG Kew

Sandra Botterell

RBG Kew

Joan Bovarnick

RBG Kew

Kathryn Bray

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Samuel Brockington


Sarah Brotherton

University of Brighton

Yvonne Buckley

Trinity College Dublin

Andrew Budden

RBG Kew

Niki Bunch

JNCC Defra

John Burke

Queen's University

Ryan Burke


Stuart Cable

RBG Kew

Catia Canteiro

RBG Kew

Sandra Cappelletti

University of Toronto

Julia Carretero

RBG Kew

Nora P. Castañeda Álvarez

CIAT

Helen Chadburn

RBG Kew

Neil Chalmers


Martin Cheek

RBG Kew

Richard Choksey


Colin Clubbe

RBG Kew

Laura Cole

Geographical Magazine

Endymion Cooper

Queen Mary University of London

David Cope

RBG Kew

Quentin Cronk

University of British Columbia

Francesco DAdamo

RBG Kew

Franziska Dahlmeier

University of Leicester

Iain Darbyshire

RBG Kew

Sarah Darrah

UNEP-WCMC

Alexandra Davey

RBG Kew

Marc Davies

New England Biolabs

Patricia Davila

UNAM

Aaron Davis

RBG Kew

Paul Davis

Hansatech Instruments Ltd

Wayne Dawson

Durham University

Manuel De La Estrella

RBG Kew

Katharina DehnenSchmutz

Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University

Sebsebe Demissew

Addis Ababa University

Christopher Dennis

Fera Science Ltd

Adam Devenish

University of Bristol

Richard Deverell

RBG Kew

Aisling Devine

Swansea University

Alessio di Capua

Kew Foundation

Sandra Diaz

Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

John Dickie

RBG Kew

Michele Dominy

Bard College

Jonathan Drori

WWF

Wolf L. Eiserhardt

RBG Kew

Joanna Ellams

Kew Foundation

Julia Fahrenkamp

Science magazine

Aisyah Faruk

RBG Kew

Claude Fauquet

Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st Century (GCP21)

Suzanne Featherstone

Plant Heritage

Eduardo Fernandez

RBG Kew

Richard Field

University of Nottingham

Maria Fitzpatrick

RBG Kew

Tim Flowers

University of Sussex

Felix Forest

RBG Kew

Alison Foster

RBG Kew

Gary Foster

University of Bristol

Ib Friis

Natural Hustory Museum of Denmark

Lauren M. Gardiner

RBG Kew

Lord Gardiner of Kimble

House of Lords

Roberta Gargiulo

RBG Kew

Shahina Ghazanfar

RBG Kew

David Gill

Fauna & Flora International

Peter Giovannini

RBG Kew

Elizabeth Gladin

University of Kent

M. Elena González-Benito

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Zoe Goodwin

Department of Plant Sciences, Oxford

Olwen Grace

RBG Kew

Pat Griggs

RBG Kew

Zigmantas Gudžinskas

Nature Research Centre, Lithuania

Sarah Gurr

University of Exeter

Martin Hamilton

RBG Kew

Serene Hargreaves

RBG Kew

Simon Harold

Nature Ecology and Evolution

Bryan Harty

Botanic Garden

Yvette Harvey-brown

RBG Kew

Kay Havens

Chicago Botanic Garden

Sarah Havery

RSPB

William Hawthorne


Charlie Heatubun

RBG Kew

Charlotte Heffernan

Oxford University Parks Department

Tom Heller

RBG Kew

Oriane Hidalgo

RBG Kew

Pete Hollingsworth

RBGE

Elizabeth Howard

RBG Kew

Alex Hudson

RBG Kew

Philip Hulme

Lincoln University

Kigge Hvid

INDEX: Design to ImproveLife

Ed Ikin

RBG Kew

Lance Ingram

Ipsn

Ivis Chan

Plantlife

Vololoniaina Jeannoda

University of Antananarivo

Paul Jepson


Ben Jones

Oxford University Harcourt Arboretum

Diego Juffe-Bignoli

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Conservation Monitoring Centre

Noor Juna

RBG Kew

Rachel Kaleta

Eden Project Learning

Ian Karet

RBG Kew

Laura Kelly

Queen Mary University of London

Tony Kirkham

RBG Kew

Adam Kleczkowski

University of Stirling

Tiffany Knight

Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

Jill Kowal

RBG Kew

SK MD Kudrot-E-Khuda

Plant Health

Nicola Kuhn

RBG Kew

Phil Lambdon

RBG Kew

William F. Laurance

James Cook University

Sophie Leguil

Plant Heritage

Ilia Leitch

RBG Kew

Marta Lejkowski

Kew Foundation

Peter Long


Jon Lovett

University of Leeds

Pete Lowry

Missouri Botanical Garden

Yadvinder Malhi


Jennifer Mark

Bournemouth University

Cicely Marshall

University of Oxford, Dept. Plant Sciences

Ian Martin

Eden Project, Tropical Agriculture Association and Society for Economic Botany

Kristin Martin

Kew Foundation

Mohd Shukri Mat Ali

MARDI

Siti Munirah Mat Yunoh

RBG Kew

Efisio Mattana

RBG Kew

Ben Mccarthy

Plantlife International

Kevin McGinn

RBG Kew

Jill McLaughlin

RBG Kew

Justin Moat

RBG Kew

Nicola Morris

Cornwall College

Keith Morris Ross Mounce

University of Cambridge

Jonas Mueller

RBG Kew

Pablo Muñoz-rodríguez

Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford

Lynda Murray

RBG Kew

Jayanthi Nadarajan

Plant Heritage

Ruth Neiland

Heriot-Watt University

Rosemary Newton

RBG Kew

Luiseach Nic Eoin

Nature Plants

Eimear Nic Lughadha

RBG Kew

Camilla Nordheim-Larsen

The Great Green Wall Initiative

Ian Owens

Natural History Museum

Paul Pearce-Kelly

Zoological Society of London

Jaume Pellicer

RBG Kew

Raquel Perez Rubio

RBG Kew

Sarah Perillo

RBG Kew

Gillian Petrokofsky


Lukas Petrulaitis

Nature Research Centre, Lithuania

Rosalía Piñeiro

RBG Kew

Elaine Porter

RBG Kew

Gerhard Prenner

RBG Kew

Hugh Pritchard

RBG Kew

Alison Purvis

Kew Foundation

Elizabeth Radford

RSPB

Tom Reader

University of Nottingham

James Richards

Kew Global Ambassador, Kew Foundation

David Richardson

Stellenbosch University

Vanessa Richardson

University of East Anglia

Alex Roberts

RBG Kew

Carla Romeu-Dalmau


Laura Rozario

RBG Kew

Paula Rudall

RBG Kew

Michele Sanchez

RBG Kew

Lassina Sanou

CNCNSF Research Institute

Kazi Mohammad Abu Sayeed

Plant Health

Alistair Seddon

University of Bergen

Marion Seier

CABI

Sadaf Shadan

Nature

Tushar Shah

Promega

Autumn Sharp

University of Kent

Oliver Shiell

RBG Kew

Benno Simmons

University of Cambridge

Julian Smith

Fera Science Ltd

Lisa Smith

Defra

Matthew Smith

RBG Kew

Noeleen Smyth

RBG Kew

Stewart Snape

Forestry Commission

Svein Oivind Solberg

AVRDC -The World Vegetable Center

Nicola Spence

Defra

Alex Stephenson

Kew Foundation

Andy Stott

Defra

Tim Stowe

Plantlife

Richard Strange

University College London

Wolfgang Stuppy

RBG Kew

Andrew Sugden

Science magazine

Tony Sweeney

RBG Kew

Mimi Tanimoto

RBG Kew

Adam Taylor

Skye Instruments Ltd

Anastasiya Timoshyna

TRAFFIC

Carolina Tovar

RBG Kew

Liz Trenchard

Coventry University

Clare Trivedi

RBG Kew

Janet Turner

Kew Guide

Ann Tutwiler

Bioversity International

Paul Twigg

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Tiziana Ulian

RBG Kew

Rebecca Upson

RBG Kew

Gerda A. van Uffelen

Hortus botanicus Leiden

Sonal Varia

CABI

Sarah Veniard

RBG Kew

Montserrat Vilà

Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC)

Lize von Staden

South African National Biodiversity Institute

Adrian Washbourne

BBC

Michael Way

RBG Kew

James Wearn

RBG Kew

Eleanor Webster

RHS Climate Scientist

Laura White

University of Portsmouth

Paul Wilkin

RBG Kew

China Williams

RBG Kew

Emma Williams

RBG Kew

Kathy Willis

RBG Kew

Suzy Wood

CABI

Sasha Zavjalova

Kew Foundation

Notes

Notes

Notes

Cover photo: J Eden

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Current Protocols in Plant Biology – Coming in 2016! CURRENT PROTOCOLS in Plant Biology

Plants provide, either directly or indirectly, all of our food, as well as the clothes on our backs, the material for our homes and the energy that fuels our society. The progress in plant science research has been spectacular over the past 50 years, with many fundamental discoveries occurring only in the last few years. The advancements cannot come too soon because the planet faces significant challenges with respect to increasing population, climate change, and limitations of natural resources. In most areas of science, advancement in knowledge is driven largely by the development and application of new methods, either invented de novo or adapted from other disciplines. Plants clearly provide their own challenges, as well as unique characteristics that require, at a minimum, modification of current methods to optimize their utility. Indeed, it is often necessary to develop unique methods that are applicable to one or a select group of plant species. The aims and scope of Current Protocols in Plant Biology are to provide a curated compilation of current methods that cover all aspects of plant biology with the goal of advancing the progress of plant science research. As with all of the Current Protocols titles, experts from around the globe, many of whom have invented the methods described, will provide their step-by-step protocols and expert advice to ensure that even novice plant biologist can confidently apply these methods to their own research. Edited by: Gary Stacey, Editor-in-Chief; James Birchler, Joseph Ecker, Cathie Martin, Mark Stitt, Jian-Min Zhou

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Areas Covered in Initial Launch Include: •

Extraction of DNA, RNA, Proteins

•

Metabolite Analysis

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Chromosome Analysis

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Plant Enzymology

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Transcriptional Analysis

•

Epigenetics

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Protein Expression Analysis

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Plant Genetic Transformation

Species Covered in Initial Launch Include: •

Arabidopsis

•

Maize

•

Poplar

•

Rice

•

Soybean

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