Restoration of coastal dunes following tropical storm events often requires renourishment of sand substrate dredged from offshore sources, although dredging has well-described negative ecological impacts and high economic costs. As a potential solution, recycled glass sand (cullet) made from crushed glass bottles has been proposed as a potential replacement for dredging. However, glass sand substrates may have limited ability to provide support to coastal plant communities due to the absence of native soil microbial communities. To explore the potential use of glass sand as a substrate for dune plants in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, we compared the growth of Sea oats (Uniola paniculata), Beach morning-glory (Ipomoea imperati), and Railroad vine (I. pes-caprae) in glass sand to growth in live beach sand. To determine if inoculation of glass sand with native soil microbial communities improved survival, growth, and biomass production, we also tested plant growth in glass sand with native microbial amendments. Overall, we found no difference in the survival of the three dune species across three soil treatments and weak differences in plant growth and biomass production across our soil substrates. Our results suggest that glass sand substrates may be a viable option for coastal dune restoration, with limited differences between live beach sand, glass sand, and glass sand inoculated with native soil microbes. Restoration and replenishment of coastal dunes using glass sand as a substrate following tropical storms or sea-level rise may allow coastal managers to reduce the economic and ecological damage associated with offshore sediment dredging.

The HKT protein family plays a vital role in plant responses to salt stress by mediating sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) transport and maintaining Na+-K+ balance. Ipomoea pes-caprae (IPC), a pantropical creeping plant distributed along coastal regions in tropical and subtropical zones, exhibits exceptional salt tolerance. Understanding its salt tolerance mechanisms provides valuable insights for developing salt-tolerant crops and identifying candidate genes for genetic engineering. In this study, we identified two HKT genes, IpcHKT1;1 and IpcHKT1;2, in IPC. Phylogenetic analysis with HKT genes from other Ipomoea species revealed that all analyzed species contain two HKT genes located adjacently on the same chromosome. Comparative analysis of conserved motifs and intron-exon structures indicated that, despite their close evolutionary relationship, the HKT genes in IPC may exhibit functional divergence. Promoter analysis showed that their regulatory regions are enriched with cis-elements associated with responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, hormonal signaling, and growth, highlighting functional diversity within the HKT family. Subcellular localization experiments demonstrated that IpcHKT1;1 and IpcHKT1;2 are ion transporters localized to the plasma membrane. Heterologous expression in yeast confirmed their role in Na+/K+ symporter. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis revealed distinct expression patterns under salt stress: IpcHKT1;2 was significantly upregulated in roots, while IpcHKT1;1 expression was transitionally downregulated at 400 mM NaCl treatment. Prolonged high expression of IpcHKT1;2 in roots suggests its critical role in sustained salt stress tolerance. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance in IPC. The identification of IpcHKT1;1 and IpcHKT1;2 as key players in salt stress responses offers promising genetic resources for enhancing crop resilience to soil salinity, addressing challenges associated with global salinization.

Meloidogyne enterolobii is an emerging global threat and is damaging to sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) production in the southeast United States. Nematicide application is one of the few management strategies currently available against this nematode, and field testing is urgently needed. The objective of this study was to assess common nematicides for management of M. enterolobii and nontarget effects on free-living nematodes in sweetpotato field production. Treatments were (i) untreated control, (ii) fumigation using 1,3-dichloropropene, or at-transplant drench of fluorinated nematicides (iii) fluazaindolizine, (iv) fluopyram, or (v, vi) fluensulfone at 2 or 4 kg a.i./ha. In 2022, a field trial was conducted under severe M. enterolobii pressure and was repeated in 2023 in the same location without treatment rerandomization. Fumigation using 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) was the only consistently effective nematicide at improving marketable yield relative to control and also consistently reduced most storage root galling measurements and midseason Meloidogyne soil abundances. Fluensulfone at 4 kg a.i./ha consistently improved total yield but not marketable yield, whereas fluensulfone at 2 kg a.i./ha, fluazaindolizine, and fluopyram did not improve yield. Each fluorinated nematicide treatment reduced at least one nematode symptom or nematode soil abundances relative to control, but none provided consistent benefits across years. Even with 1,3-D fumigation, yield was poor, and none of the nematicide treatments provided a significant return on investment relative to forgoing nematicide application. There were minimal effects on free-living nematodes. In summary, 1,3-D is an effective nematicide for M. enterolobii management, but additional management will be needed under severe M. enterolobii pressure.

Agroathelia rolfsii (anamorph: Sclerotium rolfsii) is a soilborne fungal pathogen that can cause disease on over 500 documented host species, including economically important field and vegetable crops. The pathogen commonly infects the stem or crown of most hosts, but it is also capable of damaging fruit and root structures that are near the soil line, resulting in wilting, stunting, and plant death. Two diseases caused by this pathogen are sclerotial blight and circular spot, both of which are detrimental for sweetpotato production. A. rolfsii is a necrotrophic pathogen and can be cultured from susceptible hosts and on artificial media. The purpose of this diagnostic guide is to provide characteristic traits for identifying A. rolfsii in sweetpotato as well as outline methods for pathogen isolation, morphological and molecular characterization, culture maintenance and long-term storage, and pathogenicity testing.