Browsing by Author "Carelse, Mogamat Fahiem"
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Item Comparative analysis of 3, 3'- diindolylmethane and indole-3-carbinol respective treatments in Brassica napus L.(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Carelse, Mogamat Fahiem; Keyster, MarshallLately, there has been serious contamination of soils and ground water caused by mineral mining and environmental pollution leading to heavy metal accumulation within soils and over time rendering the soil infertile. The contaminated soil affects crop; yield, germination percentage and leads to seed dormancy. Additionally, as plants are sessile organisms, exposure to environmental stress involves different defense cycles and signalling molecules. Oxidative stress, increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at greater rates than that of the metabolism. Moreover, oxidative damage leads to the loss in cellular function and eventually death. Nonetheless, plants have adapted ROS-scavenging systems driven by reduction-oxidation reactions as defense mechanisms. In this way, cellular homeostasis is an essential defending process and finding means to optimize these reactions would benefit in the development of plants. Hence, environmentally friendly solutions are being reported such as using glucosinolates, a secondary plant metabolite found in relatively high concentrations within crucifers such as Brassica napus L.Item The Relationship between Cadmium Toxicity and the Modulation of Epigenetic Traits in Plants(International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021-06) Niekerk, Lee- Ann; Bakare, Olalekan Olanrewaju; Carelse, Mogamat Fahiem; Keyser, Marshall; Mavumengwana, Vuyo; Gokul, ArunElevated concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) have a negative impact on staple crop production due to their ability to elicit cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on plants. In order to understand the relationship between Cd stress and plants in an effort to improve Cd tolerance, studies have identified genetic mechanisms which could be important for conferring stress tolerance. In recent years epigenetic studies have garnered much attention and hold great potential in both improving the understanding of Cd stress in plants as well as revealing candidate mechanisms for future work. This review describes some of the main epigenetic mechanisms involved in Cd stress responses. We summarize recent literature and data pertaining to chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, histone acetylation and miRNAs in order to understand the role these epigenetic traits play in cadmium tolerance. The review aims to provide the framework for future studies where these epigenetic traits may be used in plant breeding and molecular studies in order to improve Cd tolerance.