Search Results (4,837)

Universal Stress Protein (USP) plays crucial roles in plant stress adaptation, yet their evolutionary dynamics, regulatory mechanisms, and functional diversification in rice (Oryza sativa) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to conduct a genome-wide identification and characterization of the OsUSP gene family to elucidate its role in abiotic stress responses using integrated bioinformatics approaches. Here, we identified 46 OsUSP genes that are unevenly distributed across 11 rice chromosomes and exhibit significant divergence in protein length, molecular weight, and subcellular localization. Phylogenetic analysis classified OsUSPs into three subfamilies, with conserved motif and domain architectures within groups but distinct structural variations across subfamilies. Evolutionary analysis revealed strong collinearity between rice and other monocots, which suggests functional conservation in grasses, whereas limited synteny with dicots indicates lineage-specific divergence. Cis-regulatory element analysis showed enrichment in ABA, MeJA, drought, and hypoxia response motifs, implicating OsUSPs in hormonal and stress signaling. Expression profiling indicated tissue-specific patterns, with subfamily III genes broadly expressed, while subfamily II members were anther-enriched. Stress response profiling revealed that 24 OsUSPs were significantly induced, while LOC_Os02g54590 and LOC_Os05g37970 emerged as particularly notable due to their broad-spectrum responsiveness, being upregulated under all tested stress conditions. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis indicated that OsUSP proteins potentially interact with Leo1/TPR-domain proteins and are involved in stress response and phosphorylation signaling pathways. This study yields key insights into OsUSP-mediated stress adaptation in rice and pinpoints promising candidate genes to facilitate the breeding of climate-resilient rice. Full article

As climate extremes increasingly threaten global food security, precision tools for early detection of crop stress have become vital, particularly for root crops such as potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.), which are especially susceptible to environmental stressors throughout their life cycles. In this study, plants were monitored from the initial onset of seasonal stressors, including spring drought, heat, and episodes of excessive rainfall, through to harvest, capturing the full range of physiological and biochemical responses under seasonal, simulated conditions in greenhouses. The spectral data were obtained from regions of interest (ROIs) of each cultivar’s leaves, with over 3000 data points extracted per cultivar; these data were subsequently used for model development. A comprehensive classification framework was established by employing machine learning models, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), to detect stress across various growth stages. Furthermore, severity levels were objectively defined using photoreflectance indices and principal component analysis (PCA) data visualizations, which enabled consistent and reliable classification of stress responses in both individual cultivars and combined datasets. All models achieved high classification accuracy (90–98%) on independent test sets. The application of the Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA) for variable selection significantly reduced the number of wavelengths required for robust stress classification, with SPA-PLS-DA models maintaining high accuracy (90–96%) using only a subset of informative bands. Furthermore, SPA-PLS-DA-based chemical imaging enabled spatial mapping of stress severity within plant tissues, providing early, non-invasive insights into physiological and biochemical status. These findings highlight the potential of integrating hyperspectral imaging and machine learning for precise, real-time crop monitoring, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural management and reduced yield losses. Full article

The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters—such as floods, storms, droughts, and earthquakes—have created a growing demand for temporary housing. These facilities must be rapidly deployed to provide safe, functional living environments for displaced individuals. This study proposes a design methodology for temporary housing exteriors using the text-to-image capabilities of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to address urgent post-disaster housing needs. The approach aims to improve both the efficiency and practicality of early-stage design processes. The study reviews global trends in temporary housing and the architectural applications of GenAI, identifying five key environmental factors that influence design: type of disaster, location and climate, duration of residence, materials and structure, and housing design. Based on these factors, hypothetical disaster scenarios were developed using ChatGPT, and corresponding exterior designs were generated using Stable Diffusion. The results show that diverse, scenario-specific design alternatives can be effectively produced using GenAI, demonstrating its potential as a valuable tool in architectural planning for disaster response. Expert evaluation of the generated designs confirmed their ability to adhere to text prompts but revealed a significant gap in terms of architectural plausibility and practical feasibility, highlighting the essential role of expert oversight. This study offers a foundation for expanding GenAI applications in emergency housing systems and supports the development of faster, more adaptable design solutions for communities affected by natural disasters. Full article

CCCH zinc finger proteins play critical roles in plant growth, development and stress responses. Here, 56 CCCH genes were identified in Morus alba. These genes displayed wide variation in coding sequence (456–6318 bp) and protein length (151–2105 aa), with most proteins predicted to localize in the nucleus and a few in chloroplasts, the endoplasmic reticulum or cytoplasm. Chromosomal mapping showed uneven distribution across 14 chromosomes, with tandem clusters on chromosomes 1, 6 and 13. Phylogenetic analysis classified 53 MaC3Hs into 13 subfamilies, while three genes remained ungrouped. Synteny analysis revealed four segmental duplication events, suggesting segmental duplication as the major expansion mechanism, under purifying selection. Comparative collinearity showed higher conservation with Arabidopsis thaliana than with rice or maize. Promoter analysis identified 22 cis-acting elements, mainly related to phytohormones, followed by abiotic stress and developmental regulation. Expression profiling under drought stress revealed differential expression across tissues, with MaC3H33 showing strong induction (>200-fold in stems on day 6). Subcellular localization confirmed MaC3H33 is nuclear, and yeast assays indicated no self-activation. These findings provide comprehensive insights into the MaC3H gene family and lay a foundation for functional studies related to drought tolerance in mulberry. Full article

Seedling establishment on reclaimed boreal sites is frequently constrained by drought and other abiotic stresses. Carbon nanomaterials have been shown to influence stress physiology in crops, but their effects on native boreal species are poorly understood. We tested whether carboxylic acid-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) alter drought responses in three shrubs widely used in reclamation: Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt, Cornus sericea L., and Viburnum edule. Seedlings received two irrigations with MWCNTs suspensions (0 (control), 10, or 30 mg L⁻¹) before exposure to well-watered or drought conditions in a greenhouse. Drought reduced photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration and increased Ci/Ca across species, consistent with declining leaf water potential. MWCNTs did not broadly modify these responses, but the highest concentration (30 mg L⁻¹) further suppressed stomatal conductance in C. sericea and V. edule during mid- to late drought. S. canadensis showed little responsiveness. These effects suggest that MWCNT-associated stomatal closure may limit water loss under stress but also constrain CO₂ uptake, offering no clear photosynthetic benefit. MWCNT impacts were subtle, species- and dose-dependent, and centered on stomatal regulation. Application in reclamation should therefore be approached cautiously, balancing potential water-saving benefits against possible reductions in carbon assimilation and growth. Full article

The MADS-box gene family is a large family of transcription factors, and its members are widely distributed in the plant kingdom. Members of this family are well known to be crucial regulators of many biological processes and environmental responses. In this study, bioinformatics methods were employed to analyze the MADS-box gene family members in the common oat, focusing on their phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, evolutionary relationships, promoter analysis and responses to photoperiod and abiotic stress. A total of 175 MADS-box genes were detected in Avena sativa, which were categorized into Type I and Type II. Type II members exhibited more complex gene structures, while each subfamily showed similar gene structures and motifs. Evolutionary analysis identified 138 segmental duplication events and revealed strong syntenic conservation with Triticum aestivum (337 collinear gene pairs). Four categories of cis-elements were detected in the promoter regions of the AsMADS-box genes. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of six Type II AsMADS-box genes varied in response to ABA, GA, drought and salt. Furthermore, 23 AsMADS-box members were potentially associated with heading date when the common oat plants were exposed to different photoperiod conditions. The overexpression of chr4D_AsMADS95 in Arabidopsis thaliana led to early flowering under long-day and short-day photoperiod conditions, likely associated with a significant increase in the expression levels of flowering-related genes in transgenic plants. These findings will provide useful information for future studies on stress responses and increase our understanding of the network that regulates flowering in the common oat. Full article

Climate change is intensifying droughts, heatwaves, dust storms, and rainfall variability across Eastern Europe, undermining yields and soil stability. In Ukraine, decades of underinvestment and wartime damage have led to widespread degradation of field shelterbelts, while the adoption of agroforestry remains constrained by tenure ambiguity, fragmented responsibilities, and limited access to finance. This study develops a policy-and-technology framework to restore agroforestry at scale under severe fiscal and institutional constraints. We apply a three-stage approach: (i) a national baseline (post-1991 legislation, statistics) to diagnose the biophysical and legal drivers of shelterbelt decline, including wartime damage; (ii) a comparative synthesis of international support models (governance, incentives, finance); and (iii) an assessment of transferability of digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) tools to Ukraine. We find that eliminating tenure ambiguities, introducing targeted cost sharing, and enabling access to payments for ecosystem services and voluntary carbon markets can unlock financing at scale. A digital MRV stack—Earth observation, UAV/LiDAR, IoT sensors, and AI—can verify tree establishment and survival, quantify biomass and carbon increments, and document eligibility for performance-based incentives while lowering transaction costs relative to field-only surveys. The resulting sequenced policy package provides an actionable pathway for policymakers and donors to finance, monitor, and scale shelterbelt restoration in Ukraine and in similar resource-constrained settings. Full article

Abiotic stressors such as drought, salinity, waterlogging, and high and low temperatures significantly reduce the growth and productivity of rice (Oryza sativa) and soybean (Glycine max), which are vital for global food and nutritional security. These stressors disrupt physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes, resulting in decreased yield and quality. Biostimulants represent promising sustainable solutions to alleviate stress-induced damage and improve crop performance under stressful conditions. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of biostimulants in enhancing rice and soybean resilience under abiotic stress. Both microbial and non-microbial biostimulants including phytohormones such as salicylic acid; melatonin; humic and fulvic substances; seaweed extracts; nanoparticles; and beneficial microbes have been discussed. Biostimulants enhance antioxidant defenses, improve photosynthesis and nutrient uptake, regulate hormones, and activate stress-responsive genes, thereby supporting growth and yield. Moreover, biostimulants regulate molecular pathways such as ABA- and ROS-mediated signaling and activate key transcription factors (e.g., WRKY, DREB, NAC), linking molecular responses with physiological and phenotypic resilience. The effectiveness of biostimulants depends on crop species, growth stage, stress severity and application method. This review summarizes recent findings on the role of biostimulants in enhancing the mechanisms underlying growth, yield, and stress tolerance of rice and soybean under abiotic stress. Additionally, the incorporation of biostimulants into sustainable farming practices to increase productivity in the context of climate-related challenges has been discussed. Furthermore, the necessity for additional research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, refine application methods, and verify their effectiveness in field conditions has been highlighted. Full article

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are increasingly applied in agriculture to enhance soil water retention, reduce nutrient loss, and mitigate drought stress—challenges expected to intensify under global climate change. While their benefits for crop growth are well documented, much less is known about their influence on free-living microorganisms. Here, we examined the effects of three SAP chemistries—potassium polyacrylate (DCM Aquaperla^®), starch-based polyacrylamide (Zeba Plus SP^®), and γ-polyglutamate (Stockosorb^® 660 Medium)—on the growth and pigment composition of Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck across three initial cell densities (22.8 × 10³, 228 × 10³, and 2.228 × 10⁶ cells/mL). Six spectral indices, derived from weekly absorbance measurements over seven weeks, were used to track biomass and pigment allocation. Nonparametric repeated-measures analysis and principal component analysis revealed strong effects of SAP type, algal density, and time. Zeba consistently maintained biomass comparable to the control while enhancing carotenoid- and xanthophyll-sensitive indices, suggesting pigment reallocation without growth suppression. Stockosorb produced intermediate responses, whereas Aquaperla frequently reduced biomass-related measures, particularly at high density. Pigment allocation was also density-dependent, with low-density cultures investing proportionally more in carotenoids. Overall, these results show that SAP–microbe interactions are strongly influenced by polymer chemistry and starting biomass, with implications for biotechnology, environmental risk assessment, and sustainable crop production systems that aim to support both algal and plant resilience under drought. Full article

Oat × maize addition lines (OMAs) are plants of oat (Avena sativa L.) obtained by wide crossing with maize (Zea mays L.) that retained one or more maize chromosomes in the oat genome, which can result in morphological and physiological changes. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between phenolics, pigments, sugars, and yield components in 14 OMAs and oat cv. Bingo under soil drought. The plants were sown in pots in a vegetation tunnel. The pots were watered to the level of 70% field water capacity (FWC) and then drought treated to 20% FWC for 2 weeks. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that genotype and treatment significantly influenced the measured parameters. Out of 14 OMAs, lines 9 and 78b showed the highest grain weight and number, with the least amount of biomass loss under drought. These OMAs were the only two to equal or surpass the oat cv. Bingo under drought and control conditions. On average, soil drought caused decrease in biomass and the number and mass of grains (30%, 44%, 46%, respectively). Soil drought increased the amount of sugars by 15% and phenolics by 9% but decreased pigment contents by 8%. According to Pearson’s correlation coefficients, fifteen pairs of traits were positively and statistically significantly correlated in control and drought conditions. Significant relationships were found between the yield components and biochemical parameters on the fourteenth day of drought. A positive correlation occurred between the number and weight of kernels and the content of soluble sugars, chlorophyll a, b, and the sum of a and b. A negative correlation was found between all analyzed yield components and the content of phenolics. The results suggest the possibility of using such biochemical parameters as a quick physiological indicator of plant tolerance to soil drought. Variation in studied OMA lines reveals substantial differences in drought response, offering promising opportunities for targeted selection and breeding strategies. Full article

Largescale vegetation reconstruction projects in the western and northern parts of China, along with climate change and increased humidity, have significantly boosted fractional vegetation cover (FVC) in the Mu Us Desert. However, this increase may impact the area’s vulnerability to drought stress. Here, we assessed the area’s susceptibility to hydrometeorological drought by analyzing the maximum correlation coefficients (MCC) derived from the spatiotemporal relationships between FVC and estimates of standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) for the area. The results of the study were as follows: (1) FVC exhibited an increasing trend throughout the growing seasons from 2003 to 2022. Although the region experienced an overall wetting trend, drought events still occurred in some years. MCC-values were predominantly positive across all timescales, suggesting that vegetation generally responded favorably to drought conditions. (2) The order of response of land covertype to drought, from greatest to lowest, was grassland, cultivated land, forestland, and sand land. Cultivated land and grassland exhibited heightened sensitivity to short-term drought; forestland and sand land showed greater sensitivity to long-term drought. (3) With a high FVC, the response of grassland and sand land to drought was significantly enhanced, whereas the response of cultivated land and forestland was less noticeable. (4) Low FVC grassland and sand land have not yet reached the VCCSW threshold and can support moderate vegetation restoration. In contrast, forestland and cultivated land exhibit drought sensitivity regardless of FVC levels, indicating that increasing vegetation should be approached with caution. This research offers a method to evaluate the impact of drought stress on ecosystem stability, with findings applicable to planning and managing vegetation cover in arid and semiarid regions globally. Full article

Drought stress is a major constraint to cassava productivity, especially in drought-prone regions. Although cassava is considered drought-tolerant, prolonged or severe water scarcity significantly reduces tuber yield, carbon assimilation capacity and overall plant growth. The development, selection and deployment of cassava genotypes with enhanced drought tolerance and water use efficiency (WUE) will help to achieve food security. The ability of cassava genotypes to maintain productivity under drought stress is enhanced by drought-responsive genes that regulate stress-related proteins and metabolites, contributing to stomatal closure, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense, and efficient carbon assimilation. Therefore, this comprehensive review aimed to document: (i) the effects of drought stress on cassava’s physiological, biochemical and agronomic traits, and (ii) the mitigation strategies and breeding technologies that can improve cassava yield production, drought tolerance and WUE. The key traits discussed include stomatal regulation, chlorophyll degradation, source–sink imbalance, root system architecture and carbon allocation dynamics. In addition, the review presents advances in genomic, proteomic and metabolomic tools, and emphasizes the role of early bulking genotypes, drought tolerance indices, and multi-trait selection in developing cassava cultivars with enhanced drought tolerance, drought escape and drought avoidance mechanism. Therefore, the integration of these strategies will accelerate the development, selection and deployment of improved cassava varieties, which contribute to sustainable productivity and global food security under climate change. Full article

Members of the WRKY transcription factors (TFs) family play crucial roles in biotic and abiotic stress responses in plants, but their roles in response to drought stress in maize (Zea mays L.) have not been fully elucidated. Maize ZmWRKY82, a group IIc WRKY gene, was isolated from maize using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Using the UniProt online database, we found that ZmWRKY82 encodes a 222-amino protein with conserved WRKYGKK and C-X₄-C-X₂₃-H-X₁-H motifs. ZmWRKY82 is strongly induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG), abscisic acid (ABA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA), and ethephon (ETH) treatments. The ZmWRKY82 protein was located in the cell nucleus. ZmWRKY82 had transcriptional activation capability and was able to bind to the W-box element. ZmWRKY82-overexpressing Arabidopsis and maize exhibited stronger drought resilience, which was associated with enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and altered transcription level of drought-related genes. These findings suggest that ZmWRKY82 plays a central role in conferring drought tolerance in maize and may contribute to crop improvement and sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

Drought stress, a major abiotic factor, significantly threatens global agricultural productivity and food security. This study evaluated the potential of olive pomace compost to alleviate water stress in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). A pot experiment compared well-watered (80% FC) and drought-stressed plants (40% FC), with compost applied at recommended (40 tons/ha) and double doses (80 tons/ha). Water stress reduced growth (fresh (−28.6%) and dry biomass, (−49.9%) shoot length (−20.45%)), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a (−16.9%), chlorophyll b, (−52.16%) and carotenoids (−24.67%)), and water content, while impairing water relations, as shown by lower relative water content and higher water saturation deficit and consumption. Drought-stressed plants also exhibited elevated oxidative stress, indicated by increased malondialdehyde levels (+68.42%), and a modulated antioxidant defense system, with higher DPPH inhibition (+12.30%), with total phenolic content increasing by 220.70% and FRAP and ORAC values increasing by 55.18% and 37.44%, respectively. The application of olive pomace compost effectively mitigated these adverse effects, resulting in improved growth (ranging from 30% to 66%), pigment content (especially with double dose), and water relations; a lowering of oxidative stress (−37.5%); and moderation of the antioxidant response, indicating a reduced overall stress burden. The study findings show that olive pomace compost provides a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for improving crop resilience in water-scarce regions. By using this abundant agricultural waste, farmers can enhance soil health and maintain food security in the face of climate change. Full article

Plant melatonin is widely recognized as a pleiotropic regulator. As a growth-regulating hormone, it extensively participates in various growth and developmental processes and has significant functions in stress responses and disease resistance. Plant melatonin is synthesized primarily through the catalytic actions of five enzymes: TDC (tryptophan decarboxylase), T5H (tryptamine-5-hydroxylase), SNAT (serotonin N-acetyltransferase), ASMT (N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase), and COMT (caffeic acid-O-methyltransferase). There are multiple genes for each of these five enzymes in citrus genomes, however, with the exception of COMT5—whose function has recently been elucidated—and SNAT, which has only been preliminarily identified, the remaining genes have not been unequivocally characterized or functionally annotated. Hence, we carried out a genome-wide analysis of melatonin biosynthesis enzyme-related gene families in trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata), one of the most common citrus rootstock varieties. Through bioinformatics approaches, we identified 96 gene family members encoding melatonin biosynthetic enzymes and characterized their protein sequence properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosomal distributions, and promoter cis-acting elements. Furthermore, by analyzing expression patterns in different tissues and under various stresses, we identified multiple stress-responsive melatonin synthase genes. These genes likely participate in melatonin synthesis under adverse conditions, thereby enhancing stress adaptation. Specifically, PtCOMT5, PtASMT11, and PtTDC9 were significantly induced by low temperature; PtSNAT1, PtSNAT14, PtSNAT18, and PtTDC10 were markedly responsive to drought; and PtASMT15, PtSNAT15, PtASMT16, and PtSNAT3 were strongly induced by ABA. Among them, PtASMT23 expression was induced up to 120-fold under low temperature, while PtSNAT18 showed over 100-fold upregulation under dehydration treatment. These findings strongly suggest that PtASMT23 and PtSNAT18 play critical roles in regulating melatonin biosynthesis in response to cold and drought stress, respectively. Collectively, these findings pinpoint novel genetic targets for enhancing stress resilience in citrus breeding programs and lay the foundation for the functional characterization of specific melatonin biosynthesis pathway gene family members in citrus and other horticultural crop species. Full article