Horticulturae

The genus Chaenomeles, part of the subfamily Maloideae within the Rosaceae family, comprises five recognized species and has long been valued for its ornamental qualities. However, the use of Chaenomeles japonica as a fruit crop is relatively recent, with its introduction into targeted breeding activities only occurring in the 1950s. Due to this, genetic information on the genus remains limited, and the application of molecular markers in crop breeding and further development have been narrow, relying primarily on non-specific marker applications in germplasm analysis. One potential solution is the transfer of molecular markers between genera, specifically from the related Maloideae genera. This study aimed to test the transferability of SSR markers developed for Malus to Chaenomeles, and to analyze the structure of available Chaenomeles germplasm. By including 74 Chaenomeles genotypes, 95 SSR markers originally developed for Malus were tested, with 25 proving effective for characterizing Chaenomeles germplasm. These adapted SSR markers successfully differentiated among Chaenomeles species, including Chaenomeles japonica, Chaenomeles speciosa, Chaenomeles cathayensis, and hybrids like Chaenomeles × superba and Chaenomeles × californica. The markers demonstrated high stability and repeatability, indicating their suitability for large-scale genetic research, species composition assessment, and breeding material evaluation. Given the limited studies on SSR markers in Chaenomeles, this research lays the foundation for further exploration, potentially expanding into the genetic diversity assessment and trait screening for breeding. As genetic research on Chaenomeles is still in its early stages, the development of additional markers will be crucial for advancing this crop. Full article

The renaissance in urban agriculture is driven by its contributions to fostering more sustainable, healthy, and renaturalized cities. While urban gardens are usually designed to improve food security or serve social purposes, they also offer additional benefits. The aim of this research is to study the urban allotment gardens in Valladolid, Spain, highlighting their capacity to support low-income populations and their potential contribution to urban cooling. As a result of research in twelve plots across four gardens, we found that crop selection in Valladolid aligns with broader urban gardening trends in the Global North, with production adapted to limited plot space and varying significantly by season. In addition, we observed that urban allotment gardens provide more stable and cooler temperatures compared to urban gray spaces, although not as significantly as urban parks. The cooling effect was most pronounced during the summer, a season with the highest number of crops and the warmest temperatures. The study identified that greater crop cover above soil had a more significant cooling effect at the plot level. Surprisingly, crop abundance and crop diversity showed a weak correlation with cooling benefits. As a complement, survey questionnaires conducted with gardeners revealed their awareness of climate change and its perceived direct threat to their crops, health, and city. The future concerns of gardeners regarding the availability of water for both crop growth and the development of urban allotment gardens are emphasized. The findings provide results on self-produced food, urban cooling, and the opinion of gardeners, underscoring the multifunctional contributions of urban gardens to cities. Full article

Ocimum basilicum L. is a multipurpose plant species used in the horticultural sector as a medicinal, herbaceous and ornamental plant. In our experiment, the Hungarian cultivar O. basilicum Rokokó was treated with algae (Ecklonia maxima (Osbeck) Papenf.), horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) extracts and humic extracts. The effect of the biostimulants on the groups was assessed by morphological (leaf number, leaf area, fresh green mass, fresh root mass), histological (number of volatile oil glands) and physiological (chlorophyll content, peroxidase enzyme activity, proline levels) measurements. Obtained results were evaluated and it was concluded that the plants treated with algae and E. arvense extracts showed remarkable results for all the parameters measured. It was concluded that these extracts can be used as biostimulants in the cultivation of basil seedlings as ornamental plants, as they have a beneficial effect on the development of the plant. The humic extracts were less effective during the time period studied, probably due to their high molecular weight, which would have resulted in a longer absorption time. For the humic extracts, foliar application was less effective than irrigation, probably due to rapid damping-off, which reduced the penetration of humic extracts into the leaves. Though morphological characteristics are especially important for basil used as an ornamental plant, the plant’s essential oil content can also be important in attracting attention in urban plantings. It was found that humic extracts applied (22.8 pcs/sampling area) with irrigation had a strong effect on essential oil glands, in contrast when used as a spray (13.1 pcs/sampling area). The lowest stress levels were obtained in the group treated with irrigated humus extracts (274.96 µg/mg), which may be related to the continuous supply of nutrients, and in the group treated with E. arvense extract, silicon (219.05 µg/mg) may be the result of hermetic effects. In conclusion, E. arvense and algae extracts can be effective biostimulants in the horticultural sector for the seedling production of ornamental basil, and after a longer growing period, humic extracts can be used effectively by irrigation after planting. The use of natural extracts can also give a green light to this segment for sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation, which can also better resist the effects of climate change and urbanisation. Full article

Predicting the post-storage quality of cherry fruits is crucial for determining their suitability for long-distance shipping or domestic distribution. This study aimed to forecast key quality attributes of Staccato sweet cherries after storage, simulating shipping conditions, by analyzing spring soil, leaf, fruitlet, and at-harvest data from thirty orchards in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada, over two years. A support vector machine (SVM) was used to predict post-storage variables, with pre-harvest and at-harvest data selected by a genetic algorithm. The SVM accurately predicted soluble solids (R² = 0.88), firmness (R² = 0.83), and acidity (R² = 0.79) after four weeks of storage, as well as visual disorders like slip skin and stem browning. Spring soil properties (Ca, Mg), leaf (N, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, B), and fruitlet data (N, Ca, Mg, B) were key predictors. Leaf Ca was vital for firmness and total soluble solids (TSS) prediction, while N in leaves and fruitlets influenced firmness, acidity, and disorders. Leaf Zn helped predict weight and acidity/TSS ratio, and Mg impacted fruit color. Pre-harvest leaf nutrition measured 3–4 weeks before harvest, proved most effective in predicting post-storage quality. Full article

Lagerstroemia indica is a widely used ornamental woody plant known for its summer flowering and significant ornamental and economic value. While L. indica boasts a variety of rich flower colors, the molecular mechanisms underlying this color formation remain unclear. In this study, we selected three different flower colors of L. indica—white (W), red (R), and purple (P)—for transcriptome and metabolome analysis. The metabolome analysis identified 538 flavonoids, with 22 anthocyanins highly accumulated in the red and purple flowers. RNA-seq analysis annotated a total of 35,505 genes. Furthermore, we identified 42 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, with their expression levels aligning with anthocyanin content. Correlation analysis revealed that 19 MYB and 11 bHLH transcription factors are likely involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Additionally, we identified 59 auxin biosynthesis and signaling-related genes that are positively correlated with anthocyanin-related genes and metabolites, suggesting that auxin may play a role in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in L. indica. This study provides valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying anthocyanin accumulation and color formation in L. indica petals and identifies several potential genes, laying the groundwork for further research on regulatory mechanisms and genetic improvement of L. indica. Full article

Small RNAs (sRNAs) control a wide range of development and physiological pathways in plants. To address the response of sRNA biogenesis to drought stress, we identified sRNA biogenesis genes, including 11 encoding argonautes (AGO), 8 encoding Dicer-like proteins (DCL), and 9 encoding RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDR) in the peach genome. Notably, the largest numbers of sRNA biogenesis genes are located to chromosome 1. The PAZ, PIWI, and MID domains were identified in PpAGOs, while the ribonuclease IIIa and IIIb domains were characterized in PpDCLs. The RDRP domain was recognized in PpRDRs. Orthologous similarity and collinearity analyses between Arabidopsis and peach revealed 5, 1, and 2 collinear blocks in AGOs, DCLs, and RDRs, respectively. Moreover, 41, 40, and 42 cis-acting elements were located in the promoters of PpAGOs, PpDCLs, and PpRDRs, respectively, with the majority related to drought stress response. Analysis of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data revealed that sRNA biogenesis genes were involved in drought stress response in different tissues. Furthermore, the expression of candidate genes was verified in two peach cultivars, Beijing 2-7 (BJ2-7) and Sinai (SN), which are tested as drought-tolerant and sensitive cultivars, respectively, based on the physiological and biochemical analyses, which revealed that the Chinese peach cultivar ‘BJ2-7’ exhibits greater drought resistance compared to the Egyptian peach cultivar ‘SN’. Interestingly, the expression of PpAGO2b, PpDCL2b, PpDCL4, and PpRDR4 genes was induced in ‘BJ2-7’ but inhibited in ‘SN’ under drought stress. Overall, this study provides insight into the roles of sRNA biogenesis genes in response to drought stress in peach. Full article

The objective of a strawberry nursery is to produce numerous runners and improve the quality of the runner plants, ensuring their uniformity and health. About 80% of the strawberry nurseries in Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea, are cultivated by the growers themselves, which results in variations in the cultivation techniques. Different methods are employed to reduce the nitrogen levels to promote floral bud initiation in the later nursery stage, and these methods vary between farms. This study was conducted on the ‘Sulhyang’ cultivar (Fragaria × ananassa Dutch. cv. Sulhyang) to measure the nutrient content in runner plants obtained from eight growers using various cultivation methods, supply EC levels, nutrient solution termination times, etc., and to correlate the nutrient levels with floral bud initiation during the nursery period. Four investigations were conducted at 15-day intervals from Julian day 214 (2 August) to Julian day 259 (16 September) in 2022, focusing on nutrient management during the nursery period, runner plant growth, petiole nitrate nitrogen content (NO₃-N), and soluble solid content (SSC). The NO₃-N content decreased, and the SSC/NO₃-N ratio increased near the transplanting period, as assessed using a rapid inorganic nutrient diagnostic device. The proportion of runner plants that had advanced to stage 3 or above in floral bud initiation was investigated using a stereomicroscope. As a result, differences in the percentage of floral bud initiation were confirmed based on the varying nutrient management among the farms. In this study, on Julian day 243 (31 August 2022), there was a strong negative correlation (r = −0.86, r² = 0.73) between the NO₃-N content in the runner plants and the percentage of floral bud initiation. These results emphasize the importance of nutrient management during the nursery period, especially for strawberry self-propagating growers, and demonstrate a strong correlation between nutrient content and floral bud initiation in strawberries. Full article

This paper experimented with a methodology of machine learning modelling using virtual samples generated by fast CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations in order to predict the greenhouse natural ventilation. However, the output natural ventilation rates using fast two-dimensional (2D) CFD models are not always consistent with the three-dimensional (3D) one for all the scenarios. The first contribution of this paper is a proposed comparative modelling methodology between two-dimensional and three-dimensional CFD studies, regarding its validity, especially when buildings are in rows. The results show that the error of the ventilation rate prediction could exceed 50%, if 2D models are not properly used. Subsequently, in those scenarios where the 2D and the 3D models had equal accuracy, nearly one thousand samples were generated using fast 2D CFD simulations to train a natural ventilation rate regression tree model. This model is efficient to deal with the combined effect of wind pressure and thermal gradients under various vent configurations, with only four necessary inputs. In addition, by analyzing the wind speed distribution contour of the outdoor wind field around the greenhouse rows, the optimal wind speed-measuring locations were determined to eliminate interference for predicting the natural ventilation rate. Full article

Native garden plants significantly contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions in urban environments. This study aimed to identify the physiochemical differences among native herbaceous plants subjected to drought or salinity stress and to assess their potential as garden plants adaptable to outdoor conditions and global climate change. Physiological parameters, such as chlorophyll (SD; −86.7% and −61.5%, SS: −85% and −76.5%) and carotenoid (SD; −84.5% and −58.3%, SS; −80.5% and −76%), decreased in Melica grandiflora and Carex forficula in severe drought or salinity treatment. In contrast, Carex boottiana maintained high water-use efficiency (SD: +97.5%, SS: +262.9%) under severe drought or salinity conditions, with no significant changes observed in chlorophyll (SD: +9.5%, SS: −3.7%) or carotenoid levels (SD: +35.2%, SS: +0.3%) compared to the WW or UT conditions. Biochemical analyses indicated that C. boottiana exhibited lower or slightly higher levels of malondialdehyde in SS (−22.5%) and reactive oxygen species such as O₂⁻ (SD: +9.9%; SS: −9.4%) than those observed in the other species under severe stress conditions. Principal component analysis revealed clear differences in tolerance levels among the native species. C. boottiana demonstrated high adaptability to both drought and salinity stress, indicating its potential as a sustainable and resilient garden material for urban landscapes facing severe climatic challenges. Full article

Rising temperatures and water scarcity due to climate change are significant challenges for Mediterranean viticulture, particularly in the Douro Valley, a prominent winemaking region. Silicon (Si) has gained attention as a potential solution for mitigating these environmental stresses, especially in areas with limited water resources. This study explores the foliar application of Si as a promising strategy to reduce water requirements in vineyards, specifically for the Touriga Franca variety, thereby supporting more sustainable water use. Four treatments were tested: non-irrigated control (C−), an irrigated control under a deficit irrigation regime (25% ETc; C+), and two Si concentrations (7% Si-Si1 and 20% Si-Si2) applied to non-irrigated plants. Results demonstrate that Si-treated plants improved physiological resilience, as evidenced by enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, greater water-use efficiency, and higher biochemical quality in both leaves and berries. Additionally, Si application increased leaf flavonoids and simultaneously improved must composition due to its overall influence on vine physiology, indicating its potential as a sustainable alternative to irrigation for reducing summer stress. This research suggests that foliar Si application could be a valuable, eco-friendly strategy to support sustainable viticulture under increasingly arid conditions, reducing the irrigation needs. Full article

Traditional winter pruning in dormancy (BBCH-00) as control (C) and three late pruning treatments, LP1 (wool stage—BBCH-05), LP2 (two leaves folded—BBCH-12), and LP3 (four leaves folded—BBCH-14), were applied on Kékfrankos grapevines. The evolution of the phenological growth stages, grape juice, wine analytical parameters, and phenolic composition were evaluated. The quantitative aspects of the grape berry, bunch, yield, and cane were also assessed. Our goal was to reach a decrease in sugar content and an increase in acidity. Delaying or postponing the phenological phases to bring technological and phenolic ripening closer together was also one of our objectives. These were accomplished, but the negative aspects of late pruning, which resulted in a reduction in the diameter and weight of the canes, should also be taken into account. We also found that, the later the late pruning, the more the yield was reduced. By postponing pruning, the phenological phases were also extended. Full article

The introduction of alternative crops, including wild edible and medicinal plants, in organic cultivation systems presents an attractive approach to producing healthy and high-quality products due to their content in beneficial compounds and increased nutritional value. The current study evaluated the impact of organic and conventional fertilization on the growth, quality, nutrient status and stress response of the two wild edible species, e.g., purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), under field conditions. The fertilization treatments included the following: a control (NoFert) treatment with no fertilizers added, base dressing with conventional fertilization (CoFert), base dressing with organic fertilization (OrFert), base dressing and side dressing with conventional fertilization (OrFert + S_CoFert) and base dressing and side dressing with organic fertilization (CoFert + S_CoFert). Organic fertilization was carried out using a commercial vinasse-based organic fertilizer. In both purslane and common sowthistle, the application of organic fertilizers provided comparable or even enhanced plant growth traits, macronutrient content (i.e., P and K for purslane, and N for sowthistle) and quality (i.e., total soluble solids) compared to the application of conventional fertilizers. On the other hand, conventional fertilization with supplementary fertilization positively influenced the plant growth of purslane (i.e., plant height and stems biomass), as well as its physiological parameters (i.e., chlorophylls content), total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity (i.e., DPPH and FRAP). Similarly, conventional fertilization led to increased total phenolics and antioxidants in common sowthistle, while variable effects were observed regarding plant physiology, stress response and antioxidant capacity indices. In conclusion, the use of organic fertilization in both purslane and common sowthistle exhibited a performance similar to that of conventional fertilization, although further optimization of fertilization regimes is needed to improve the quality of the edible products. Full article

Salinity poses a significant environmental challenge, limiting plant growth and development. To cultivate salt-tolerant plants, it is crucial to understand the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses and adaptations to salt stress, as well as to explore natural genetic resources linked to salt tolerance. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the mechanisms behind morphological and physiological responses triggered by salt stress, including salt damage to plants, the disturbance of cell osmotic potentials and ion homeostasis, lipid peroxidation, and the suppression of photosynthesis and growth. We also describe the physiological mechanisms that confer salt tolerance in plants, such as osmotic adjustments, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, photosynthetic responses, phytohormone regulation, and ion regulation. Additionally, we summarize the salt-stress sensing and signaling pathways, gene regulatory networks, as well as salt-tolerance mechanisms in plants. The key pathways involved in salt-stress signal perception and transduction, including Ca²⁺-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) cascades, the salt overly sensitive (SOS) pathway, and the abscisic acid (ABA) pathway, are discussed, along with relevant salt-stress-responsive genes and transcription factors. In the end, the important issues and challenges related to salt tolerance for future research are addressed. Overall, this review aims to provide essential insights for the future cultivation and breeding of crops and fruits. Full article

The short cultivation cycle and high essential oil content of basil plants render them a valuable raw material source for diverse industries. However, large-scale production is hindered by the lack of specific protocols to assess seed vigor; thus, a consistent supply of high-quality seeds that meet consumer demands cannot be ensured. This study investigated the effectiveness of an automated system for seedling analysis as a tool for evaluating basil seed vigor and compared it to traditional tests. For this purpose, seeds from eight commercial lots were evaluated in two separate trials spaced six months apart using the following tests: germination, first germination count, saturated salt accelerated aging, primary root emergence, mean germination time, seedling emergence, seedling emergence speed index, and computerized seedling image analysis. The parameters provided by the system allowed us to clearly and objectively classify the basil seed lots based on vigor, and the results were strongly and significantly correlated with the findings of traditional vigor tests, particularly between the vigor index and seedling length. Digital analysis of four-day-old seedlings proved to be a fast and efficient technique for evaluating basil seed vigor and has the potential for use in automating the data collection and analysis process. Full article

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale R.Br.) is a cruciferous aquatic vegetable that possesses significant nutritional value. The NAC family is a transcription factor family specific to plants that play an important role in regulating plant responses to abiotic stress. In order to investigate the response of NAC genes to flooding stress in watercress, we conducted a study on the NoNAC family. In this study, a total of 119 NoNAC genes were obtained through genome-wide identification. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the NoNAC family members can be categorized into ten subgroups. The results of gene structure analysis revealed that each branch within the subgroups exhibited similar motif composition and gene structure. The heatmap analysis showed that several NoNAC genes demonstrated tissue-specific expression patterns, suggesting their potential as regulators of associated tissue development. As an aquatic plant, watercress serves as a valuable material for investigating plant resistance to flooding stress. This study found that flooding can significantly increase the watercress plant height, which is a typical escape strategy under flooding. The analysis of the expression of NoNAC genes in the stem transcriptome after flooding indicated that only NoNAC36a consistently exhibited significant differential changes and down-regulated expression at the three time points of flooding treatment. This suggests that NoNAC36a may be involved in regulating watercress plant height increases under flooding stress. The utilization of a virus-induced gene silencing assay to investigate the biological function of NoNAC36a revealed that NoNAC36a silencing caused cell elongation and expansion, thus increasing watercress plant height. The yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase assays demonstrated that NoNAC36a binds the promoter of NoXTH33 and inhibits its expression. Subsequently, the results of yeast two-hybrid, luciferase complementary, and pull-down assays revealed the interaction between NoMOB1A and NoNAC36a in vivo and in vitro. Sequence alignment indicated that NoMOB1A and AtMOB1A share an identical amino acid sequence. RT-qPCR analysis indicated that flooding prompted the expression of NoMOB1A in stems. Thus, it is speculated that NoMOB1A may exhibit functions similar to AtMOB1A and that the up-regulation of NoMOB1A expression in stems may facilitate an increase in plant height under flooding. In summary, the NoNAC family was analyzed, and revealed a regulatory network centered on NoNAC36a that facilitates watercress resistance to flooding stress. This study enhanced the understanding of the NoNAC genes and established a theoretical foundation for investigating plant flooding tolerance. Full article

The genus Vitis, known for its economically important fruit—grape—is divided into three geographical groups, American, East Asian, and Eurasian, along with a hybrid group. However, previous studies on grape phylogeny using chloroplast genomes have been hindered by limited sample sizes and inconsistent methodologies, resulting in inaccuracies. In this study, we employed the GetOrganelle software with consistent parameters to assemble the chloroplast genomes of 21 grape cultivars, ensuring comprehensive representation across four distinct groups. A comparative analysis of the 21 grape cultivars revealed structural variation, showing chloroplast genome sizes ranging from 160,813 bp to 161,275 bp. In 21 Vitis cultivars, genome annotation revealed 134 to 136 genes, comprising 89 to 91 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 37 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs. Our observations have pinpointed specific occurrences of contraction and expansion phenomena at the interfaces between inverted repeat (IR) regions and single-copy (SC) regions, particularly in the vicinity of the rpl2, ycf1, ndhF, and trnN genes. Meanwhile, a total of 193 to 198 SSRs were identified in chloroplast genomes. The diversification pattern of chloroplast genomes exhibited strong concordance with the phylogenetic relationships of the Euvitis subgenera. Phylogenetic analysis based on conserved chloroplast genome strongly clustered the grape varieties according to their geographical origins. In conclusion, these findings enhance our understanding of chloroplast genome variation in Vitis populations and have important implications for cultivar selection, breeding, and conservation efforts. Full article

This experiment was conducted at the Fruit Research Institute, MAREM, Eğirdir-Isparta, Turkey, to detect the effects of different glycine betaine doses in drought stress conditions on young pear trees in 2019. The pear trees used in the study were one-year-old Deveci (Pyrus Comminus L.) variety grafted onto OHxF 333 rootstock. There were three different irrigation treatments in the experiment. Treatments were I₁₀₀ treatment—available soil water reached field capacity for each irrigation, 100% (control); I₅₀ treatment—irrigated with 50% of the water used in the I₁₀₀ treatment (50% water deficit, moderate stress); I₂₅ treatment—irrigated with 25% of the water used in the I₁₀₀ treatment (75% water deficit, severe stress). Four different GB doses were used: GB₀: 0, control; GB₁: 1 mg L⁻¹; GB₅: 5 mg L⁻¹; and GB₁₀: 10 mg L⁻¹. GB was not applied to pear trees in the I₁₀₀ treatment. That is, there were nine different treatments in this study. GB applications provided a 19% increase in Pn of both the I₂₅ and I₅₀ treatments. According to the results of g_sw, g_sw increased between 18.0% and 27.8% for GB₅₀ and GB₂₅ treatments, respectively. In total, 10.9% and 14.8% increasing rates in shoot length were detected in GB₁₀ applications in both the 50% and 75% water deficit treatments. The highest trunk diameter and fresh root weight results were determined in 10 mg L⁻¹ GB dose applications under 50% water deficit conditions (I₅₀GB₁₀). Full article

Lily is one of the world’s important ornamental flowers. Potted Asiatic lily is a further selected dwarf cultivar suitable for indoor or garden planting. However, there is a lack of relevant research on the cultivation adaptability of potted Asiatic lilies cultivars in the Chongqing region which in the southwest of China. This study selected five potted Asiatic lily cultivars, and the phenological period, stem and leaf characteristics, and flowering traits were assessed through statistical observation. The Asiatic lily ‘Tiny Ghost’ and ‘Tiny Double You’ are well-suited for both spring and autumn planting in Chongqing, while ‘Sugar Love’ and ‘Curitiba’ are best planted in the spring. The ‘Tiny Diamond’ is more appropriate for autumn planting due to its low tolerance to high temperature. The application of exogenous substances, including calcium chloride (CaCl₂), potassium fulvic acid (PFA) and melatonin (MT), can mitigate the detrimental effects of high-temperature stress on ‘Tiny Diamond’ by regulating photosynthesis, antioxidant systems, and osmotic substance content. A comprehensive evaluation using the membership function showed that the effect of exogenous CaCl₂ treatment is the best, followed by exogenous PFA treatment. CaCl₂ acts as a positive regulator of heat stress tolerance in Asian lilies, with potential applications in Asian lily cultivation. This study provides reference for cultivation and application of Asian lily varieties in Chongqing region, and also laid the foundation for further research on the mechanism of exogenous substances alleviating heat stress in lilies. Full article

During a survey conducted in autumn 2022 and spring 2023, extensive leaf spots were observed on Aristolochia grandiflora plants in the Botanical Garden “Angelo Rambelli” (Viterbo). To preserve the botanical garden collection and avoid disease spread, morphological and molecular identification of the causal agent were carried out. The results revealed three distinct Colletotrichum species belonging to the Colletotrichum boninense and Colletotrichum orchidearum species complexes, which have never been reported together within the same host and, for two of them, never in Italy. These findings may contribute to further extend the state of the art on leaf anthracnose, as well as provide new insights and molecular data for further phylogenetic studies. Full article