have been developed to characterize the function and action mechanisms of these
small molecules in various plant materials (Liu et al. 2017). Research on the regulation of miRNAs in Taxus callus cells has been conducted, concluding that
miRNAs are capable of direct regulation of secondary metabolism by modulating
transcriptional factors (Chen et al. 2020). The expresión level of miRNAs is mostly
governed by temperature and radiation (Tripathi et al. 2019). Studies have
demonstrated that miRNAs may act as master regulators of flavonoid biosynthesis,
e.g., miR156-SPL9 network directly influences anthocyanin production, miR163
targets S-adenosyl-Met-dependent methyltransferases that methylates secondary
metabolites and signaling molecules, and miR397 regulates lignin biosynthesis in
Arabidopsis and Populus spp (Sharma et al. 2016).
Studies carried out on different plant species indicate that the cellular levels of
miRNA have a high regulation control for optimal spatiotemporal regulation of
target genes, adding an additional layer of complexity to the signaling processes
(Gupta et al. 2017; Sharma et al. 2016). These results suggest that a strategy to
induce the production of secondary metabolites may be the use of miRNAs that
promote the expression of genes involved in plant biosynthetic pathways.
5.4 Future Perspectives
The use of AE stimuli as a new elicitor in plants has huge sustainable potential.
However, this “environmentally friendly” agricultural technology is still under
discussion and more studies should be encouraged. Currently, the optimal sound
therapy is not known since the effect could differ depending on several factors such
as plant model, amplitude, frequency or time and duration of treatment, and
application distance among others that are not explained in most studies (Alvarado
et al. 2019).
PEF and MF in food, horticulture, and biotechnology asthe postharvest processes have increased substantially during the last few years (Xi-ran and Ting 2017;
Gilani et al. 2017; Rusakova et al. 2017). Generally, it can be noted that the
application of PEF and MF as pretreatment is a novel method to improve plant
development due to a higher production of ROS and an associated activation of
antioxidant defense systems, such as POD, SOD, and CAT. However, the effect of
electromagnetic sources is plant and treatment specific. It is difficult to have a
strong conclusion in the analyzed experiments in this chapter since the experimental
details often were incomplete, including an insufficient description of equipment
and treatment conditions. It is recommended to consider the description of
parameters, such as electric field strength (V/m), frequency (Hz), magnetic flux
density (T), electric current (A), PPFD, distance of light source to plant, light decay
among the experimental source, photoperiod, light wavelength, the duration of
application, and plant or food complete physical description (Dannehl 2018;
Alvarado et al. 2019).
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H. Aguirre-Becerra et al.
small molecules in various plant materials (Liu et al. 2017). Research on the regulation of miRNAs in Taxus callus cells has been conducted, concluding that
miRNAs are capable of direct regulation of secondary metabolism by modulating
transcriptional factors (Chen et al. 2020). The expresión level of miRNAs is mostly
governed by temperature and radiation (Tripathi et al. 2019). Studies have
demonstrated that miRNAs may act as master regulators of flavonoid biosynthesis,
e.g., miR156-SPL9 network directly influences anthocyanin production, miR163
targets S-adenosyl-Met-dependent methyltransferases that methylates secondary
metabolites and signaling molecules, and miR397 regulates lignin biosynthesis in
Arabidopsis and Populus spp (Sharma et al. 2016).
Studies carried out on different plant species indicate that the cellular levels of
miRNA have a high regulation control for optimal spatiotemporal regulation of
target genes, adding an additional layer of complexity to the signaling processes
(Gupta et al. 2017; Sharma et al. 2016). These results suggest that a strategy to
induce the production of secondary metabolites may be the use of miRNAs that
promote the expression of genes involved in plant biosynthetic pathways.
5.4 Future Perspectives
The use of AE stimuli as a new elicitor in plants has huge sustainable potential.
However, this “environmentally friendly” agricultural technology is still under
discussion and more studies should be encouraged. Currently, the optimal sound
therapy is not known since the effect could differ depending on several factors such
as plant model, amplitude, frequency or time and duration of treatment, and
application distance among others that are not explained in most studies (Alvarado
et al. 2019).
PEF and MF in food, horticulture, and biotechnology asthe postharvest processes have increased substantially during the last few years (Xi-ran and Ting 2017;
Gilani et al. 2017; Rusakova et al. 2017). Generally, it can be noted that the
application of PEF and MF as pretreatment is a novel method to improve plant
development due to a higher production of ROS and an associated activation of
antioxidant defense systems, such as POD, SOD, and CAT. However, the effect of
electromagnetic sources is plant and treatment specific. It is difficult to have a
strong conclusion in the analyzed experiments in this chapter since the experimental
details often were incomplete, including an insufficient description of equipment
and treatment conditions. It is recommended to consider the description of
parameters, such as electric field strength (V/m), frequency (Hz), magnetic flux
density (T), electric current (A), PPFD, distance of light source to plant, light decay
among the experimental source, photoperiod, light wavelength, the duration of
application, and plant or food complete physical description (Dannehl 2018;
Alvarado et al. 2019).
182
H. Aguirre-Becerra et al.