Open Access
Optimizing oilseed rape growth: exploring the effect of foliar biostimulants on the interplay among metabolism, phenology, and yield
(Wiley, 2024-10-03) Ancín Rípodas, María; Soba Hidalgo, David; Picazo Rodríguez, Pedro Javier; Gámez Guzmán, Angie Lorena; Le Page, Jean-François; Houdusse, Diane; Aranjuelo Michelena, Iker; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
The current agricultural system is in search of new strategies to achieve a more sustainable production while keeping or even increasing crop yield and quality. In this scenario, the application of biostimulants constitutes a potent solution. In the current study, the impact of a blue-green microalgal extract (MB) and a pig tissue hydrolysate (PTH) on rapeseed plants' development was characterized. Obtained results revealed a positive effect on yield parameters of plants treated with MB and, especially, PTH; this was associated to an improvement on the photosynthetic performance. Moreover, this study remarked the effects of biostimulants on plant phenology through their pivotal role in modulating developmental processes. More specifically, proteomic, metabolomic, and hormone content analyses revealed distinct alterations associated with the acceleration of phenology induced by biostimulant application. Additionally, some antioxidant enzymes and stress-related compounds were up-regulated upon MB and PTH treatments, indicating enhanced plant defense mechanisms in response to accelerated phenological transitions. Such findings highlight the intricate interplay between biostimulants and plant physiology, wherein biostimulants orchestrate rapid developmental changes, ultimately influencing growth dynamics. Altogether, the current study reveals that the application of both MB and PTH biostimulants promoted rapeseed plant phenology and productivity associated with an improvement in the photosynthetic machinery while boosting other physiological and molecular mechanisms.
Open Access
New in vivo approach to broaden the thioredoxin family interactome in chloroplasts
(MDPI, 2022) Ancín Rípodas, María; Fernández Irigoyen, Joaquín; Santamaría Martínez, Enrique; Larraya Reta, Luis María; Fernández San Millán, Alicia; Veramendi Charola, Jon; Farrán Blanch, Inmaculada; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology - IMAB
Post-translational redox modifications provide an important mechanism for the control of major cellular processes. Thioredoxins (Trxs), which are key actors in this regulatory mechanism, are ubiquitous proteins that catalyse thiol-disulfide exchange reactions. In chloroplasts, Trx f, Trx m and NADPH-dependent Trx reductase C (NTRC) have been identified as transmitters of the redox signal by transferring electrons to downstream target enzymes. The number of characterised Trx targets has greatly increased in the last few years, but most of them were determined using in vitro procedures lacking isoform specificity. With this background, we have developed a new in vivo approach based on the overexpression of His-tagged single-cysteine mutants of Trx f, Trx m or NTRC into Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The over-expressed mutated Trxs, capable of forming a stable mixed disulfide bond with target proteins in plants, were immobilised on affinity columns packed with Ni-NTA agarose, and the covalently linked targets were eluted with dithiothreitol and identified by mass spectrometry-based proteomics. The in vivo approach allowed identification of 6, 9 and 42 new potential targets for Trx f, Trx m and NTRC, respectively, and an apparent specificity between NTRC and Trxs was achieved. Functional analysis showed that these targets are involved in several cellular processes.
Open Access
Successful biocontrol of Pichia spp. strains against Botrytis cinerea infection in apple fruit: unraveling protection mechanisms from proteomic insights
(Elseiver, 2024-05-25) Fernández San Millán, Alicia; Fernández Irigoyen, Joaquín; Santamaría Martínez, Enrique; Larraya Reta, Luis María; Ancín Rípodas, María; Farrán Blanch, Inmaculada; Veramendi Charola, Jon; Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Applied Biology - IMAB; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Botrytis cinerea causes major crop losses, especially under postharvest conditions. We have found that Pichia fermentans Pf-31 and Pichia terricola Pt-36 are two promising yeast strains that are able to efficiently control B. cinerea infection in apples. This effect is most pronounced when the yeasts are applied as live cells, although dead cells or culture filtrates also show some degree of control. Both strains arrest spore germination, inhibit mycelial growth, strongly attach to hyphae and promote their own proliferation in the fruit when B. cinerea is present, probably due to preferential colonization of apple wounds. Indeed, this metabolism enhancement was corroborated by a proteomic analysis, which revealed the differentially accumulated yeast proteins that contribute towards this antagonistic behavior. Besides the boost in proteins involved in energetic metabolism, other changes in proteins related to cell envelope composition are implicated in the biocontrol abilities of both strains, and this might be to facilitate hyphal adhesion or biofilm formation. The results of this study are of great value because they promote a deep understanding of the proteins that undergo changes during yeast antagonistic interactions, but also because they provide new insights into the proteomes of non-Saccharomyces yeasts, which have not been previously described.
Open Access
Does the response of Rubisco and photosynthesis to elevated [CO2] change with unfavourable environmental conditions?
(Oxford University Press, 2024-09-12) Ancín Rípodas, María; Gámez Guzmán, Angie Lorena; Jáuregui Mosquera, Iván; Galmes, J.; Sharwood, R. E.; Erice, G.; Ainsworth, E. A.; Tissue, D. T.; Sanz-Sáez, A.; Aranjuelo Michelena, Iker; Ciencias; Zientziak; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Climate change due to anthropogenic CO2 emissions affects plant performance globally. To improve crop resilience, we need to understand the effects of elevated CO2 concentration (e[CO2]) on CO2 assimilation and Rubisco biochemistry. However, the interactive effects of e[CO2] and abiotic stress are especially unclear. This study examined the CO2 effect on photosynthetic capacity under different water availability and temperature conditions in 42 different crop species, varying in functional group, photosynthetic pathway, and phenological stage. We analysed close to 3000 data points extracted from 120 published papers. For C-3 species, e[CO2] increased net photosynthesis and intercellular [CO2], while reducing stomatal conductance and transpiration. Maximum carboxylation rate and Rubisco in vitro extractable maximal activity and content also decreased with e[CO2] in C-3 species, while C-4 crops are less responsive to e[CO2]. The interaction with drought and/or heat stress did not significantly alter these photosynthetic responses, indicating that the photosynthetic capacity of stressed plants responded to e[CO2]. Moreover, e[CO2] had a strong effect on the photosynthetic capacity of grasses mainly in the final stages of development. This study provides insight into the intricate interactions within the plant photosynthetic apparatus under the influence of climate change, enhancing the understanding of mechanisms governing plant responses to environmental parameters.
Open Access
New trends in the global digital transformation process of the agri-food sector: an exploratory study based on Twitter
(Elsevier, 2022) Ancín Rípodas, María; Pindado Tapia, Emilio; Sánchez García, Mercedes; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Gestión de Empresas
CONTEXT: The agri-food system is undergoing pervasive changes in business models, facilitated by the use of digital technologies. Although today it is almost inevitable for any business to adopt some level of digital transformation to strengthen their competitiveness, this transition in the agri-food sector could be more complex, given its characteristics. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to analyse worldwide the perceptions of new digital technologies in the agri-food sector expressed within social media platforms, identifying the differences that may exist between them regarding its objectives and social acceptance. METHODS: This paper examines the information regarding digital transformation process in the agri-food sector disseminated worldwide on Twitter. For that purpose, Twitter API is used to gather tweets and descriptive and content analyses, including a sentiment analysis, are performed using R and MAXQDA software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We found that the digitalization of the agri-food sector is broadly discussed within Twitter. Different actors participate in these information flows, being companies and digital solution providers the most active users and academics and governmental institutions the most visible. Artificial Intelligence was the most mentioned technology, that together with the Internet of Things, Big Data, Machine Learning, and Cloud Computing, was related to improving production efficiencies, crop yield, or cost reduction. In the case of Blockchain Technology, it was closer to food supply chain actors, such as distribution companies and marketers. However, all these technologies are connected to the concept of sustainability. The sentiment analysis showed a generally positive tone, indicating social acceptance regarding the starting phase of the adoption of these technologies. The study also identified differences among countries, pointing to a stronger level of engagement with these technologies in developed regions. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic was seen as a chance to boost the digital transformation in the sector all over the world. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results demonstrate that data harvested from Twitter provide useful insight into perceptions of digital transformation and different digital technologies in the agri-food value chain across different countries. Information that could be useful for researchers, but also for agricultural firms and policymakers.
Open Access
How do both firm-level resources and country-level competitiveness shape the relationship between alliance portfolio diversity and radical innovation? A comparison between the food and other manufacturing industries
(Wiley, 2024) Ancín Rípodas, María; Zouaghi, Ferdaous; Sánchez García, Mercedes; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
This study examines how European food companies can operationally leverage the value created by strategic alliances into commercially viable products. More importantly, it emphasizes that the effects of alliance portfolio diversity (APD) on radical innovation performance can be achieved not only directly, but also via moderating roles, that is, the firm's social capital and the level of competitiveness of the country. Using three waves of the European Community Innovation Survey, our results show that the optimal level of APD varied depending on the industry in which the company operates (food manufacturing industry vs. the rest of manufacturing industries). Furthermore, social capital seems to be a crucial factor to mitigate the difficulties of leveraging very diverse knowledge from partners, especially in the food manufacturing industry. Moreover, the external environmental context where the firm is operating, measured as the growth competitive index that reflects the competitive level of the country, was shown to have an influence on the firms' innovative efforts.[EconLit Citations: M10, 013, 036].