Search Results (357)

The protection of leaves from photoinhibition and berries from dehydration and sunburn has become an increasingly important objective in response to the rising frequency and intensity of heat waves worldwide. This research investigated the effect of a white nonwoven geotextile sheet (TNT) installed in the fruiting zone in the white cultivar ‘Verdicchio’ (Vitis vinifera L.) during critical summer periods with the aim of protecting leaves and berries from extreme heat. The study was conducted over two seasons (2020–2021) in a rainfed vineyard in central Italy using a randomized block design. Physiological and yield parameters were recorded. Vines protected with TNT did not show any changes in net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency, compared to unshielded vines. However, TNT reduced leaf temperature and increased berry total acidity and malic acid concentration while reducing sugar content, leading to wines with higher freshness and reduced alcohol levels. The use of TNTs shows significant potential as a practical tool for viticulturists to mitigate the effects of excessive heat, allowing for better management of berry ripening and ultimately improving final wine characteristics. Additionally, TNT is economically feasible, especially if applied only to the afternoon-exposed side of the canopy, and its cost can be amortized, especially in vineyards affected by frequent heat waves and/or dedicated to the production of premium wines. Full article

The guava tree (Psidium guajava L.) is a tropical fruit tree of worldwide importance; however, the salinity of irrigation water severely limits its development in semi-arid regions. However, magnesium (Mg) can mitigate this stress by promoting plant photosynthetic activity. The objective was to evaluate the effect of foliar Mg in mitigating saline stress on photosynthesis and the growth of guava cultivar seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial scheme, with two guava cultivars (Kumagai and Paluma), two irrigation water salinity levels (a low-salinity control—0.5 dS m⁻¹, and salt stress—2.5 dS m⁻¹), and three doses of foliar Mg (0, 1, and 2 mL L⁻¹), and six replications. A salinity of 2.5 dS m⁻¹ reduced growth and gas exchange in both cultivars, with a reduction of approximately 30% in total dry mass, and 16% in CO₂ assimilation rate. Supplementation with 1 mL L⁻¹ of Mg attenuated the effects of stress, stimulating chlorophyll synthesis and gas exchange, reducing approximately leaf temperature in 3.5%, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) in 12%. The Paluma cultivar was more responsive to Mg under salinity, with improved CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal control, and water use efficiency. Kumagai showed greater growth in height and diameter with 1 mL L⁻¹ under stress. Foliar application of magnesium (1 mL L⁻¹) is a promising strategy to produce guava seedlings under saline stress. Full article

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) is a widely cultivated and economically important fruit crop that is severely affected by Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (race 1.2) (Fom). Conventional management practices have shown limited effectiveness and pose environmental and health risks; therefore, sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives are required to manage this disease. In the present study, 23 endophytic fungal isolates belonging to eight genera were isolated from Ecballium elaterium and screened to determine antifungal potential against Fom using an in vitro antagonistic assay. Two endophytic isolates (Fusarium sp. EeR4 and Fusarium clavum EeR24) exhibited an inhibitory effect against Fom on quarter-strength PDA plates. In growth chamber experiments, F. clavum EeR24-colonized melon seedlings and significantly protected plants from wilting compared to non-colonized pathogen-challenged seedlings. Under greenhouse conditions, F. clavum EeR24 significantly improved morphological and physiological traits, including plant height, weight, number of leaves, membrane stability, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration, in Cucumis melo. Endophytic colonization improved catalase (56%), guaiacol peroxide (47%), and superoxide dismutase activity (25%), and increased flavonoid and phenolic content by 11–59% compared to non-colonized Fom-challenged plants. Lipid peroxidation significantly decreased by 37% and proline accumulation increased by 70% in colonized plants compared to non-colonized plants. Histochemical analysis also indicated that endophytic colonization considerably reduced the levels of H₂O₂, O₂⁻, malondialdehyde, and cell mortality in Fom-challenged plants. In addition, the culture filtrate and organic residues of F. clavum EeR24 inhibited the mycelial growth of Fom by 52–58%, respectively. Furthermore, a study on spatial colonization of the endophyte and the pathogen using GFP and RFP tagging indicated that both the endophyte and the pathogen simultaneously colonized the root tissues of C. melo; however, the endophyte significantly reduced the pathogenicity of Fom. These results suggest that endophytic F. clavum EeR24 may be developed as an effective biocontrol agent for the management of Fusarium wilt in melon plants under field conditions. Full article

Bud sport mutations are valuable sources of citrus germplasm innovation and provide an ideal system to dissect genetic regulation of specific traits. The Ponkan mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Ponkan) bud sport mutant “Pumpkin mandarin” displays a Pumpkin-shaped, ribbed peel protrusion phenotype with elevated soluble sugars, but its molecular basis remains unclear. Here, wild-type Ponkan (PG) and Pumpkin mandarin (NG) were compared across six developmental stages (90–240 days after flowering, DAF) for fruit appearance and internal quality, peel firmness, and tissue morphology; RNA-seq was performed on mature peel at 240 DAF. Peel protrusion was detectable as early as flowering. NG showed significantly lower mature fruit weight and consistently higher soluble sugar content throughout development. Peel firmness exhibited a stage-dependent reversal: NG exceeded PG before 180 DAF, PG exceeded NG at 180–210 DAF, and NG again exceeded PG at 240 DAF. RNA-seq generated 41.38 Gb of high-quality data and identified 580 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 411 upregulated, 169 downregulated). DEGs were enriched in cell wall organization/modification, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, cutin/wax biosynthesis, and photosynthesis. Expansin (EXP) and GH18 genes were upregulated, while NAM genes encoding NAC transcription factors were downregulated, suggesting an imbalance between cell wall loosening and structural maintenance in protrusion formation. Peel DEGs also included upregulated sucrose synthase (SUS) and sugar transporter (SUT) genes, indicating carbohydrate-related reprogramming in mutant peel. We propose a preliminary network in which NAM may function upstream, cell wall remodeling represents a principal effector module, and the peel carbohydrate metabolism acts as an accompanying module. Full article

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient required for plant growth, photosynthesis and metabolic regulation. Its importance is related to the involvement in several metabolic processes that ensure proper cellular function and balanced plant development throughout the production cycle. In plants, Mn is absorbed predominantly as Mn²⁺, and its availability is strongly influenced by soil pH, aeration, and other mineral nutrients in the soil solution. After uptake by roots, Mn is translocated to the shoot, accumulating primarily in metabolically active organs such as stems, young leaves and flowers. Although Mn exhibits limited mobility in the phloem, adequate concentrations are necessary to sustain both vegetative development and reproductive growth. Adequate Mn concentration is directly reflected in fruit development, as well-nourished plants show improved flowering, greater assimilate translocation capacity, and better fruit filling, thereby positively influencing yield and quality. However, Mn deficiency is common in alkaline soils or soils with high organic matter, causing interveinal chlorosis in young leaves, reduced growth, and lower biomass production. Under prolonged conditions, deficiency leads to less vigorous plants with reduced metabolic efficiency. Conversely, Mn toxicity, typically associated with acidic and poorly drained soils, restricts root development and induces nutritional imbalances with other elements, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Therefore, proper Mn management is essential to ensure nutritional balance and optimal performance of agricultural crops. Overall, this review synthesizes advances in Mn transport, cellular compartmentalization, and metabolic regulation, emphasizing how Mn interacts with other mineral nutrients to influence plant physiology. Attention is given to the integration of Mn with redox networks, photosynthetic regulation, and reproductive development. By linking transport mechanisms with physiological outcomes, this review identifies key patterns governing Mn homeostasis and highlights implications for crop nutrition and sustainable nutrient management. Full article

Potassium (K⁺) is a vital macronutrient for plant growth and stress resilience, with KT/HAK/KUP transporters playing a central role in its homeostasis. Although these transporters are known to influence photosynthesis, the molecular mechanisms by which fertilization promotes assimilate accumulation in peach crops remain poorly understood. In this study, 17 PpHAK genes were identified based on the peach genome and classified into four distinct clades through phylogenetic analysis, a classification further supported by conserved gene structures and motifs. Interspecific collinearity analysis revealed that transporters are highly conserved among Rosaceae species. Physiological measurements demonstrated that foliar application significantly enhanced photosynthetic capacity, as evidenced by a 33% increase in net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and improved photoelectron yield (Y(II)). At the same time, the transcript levels of the transporters PpHAK1, PpHAK5, and PpHAK9 were significantly upregulated, as confirmed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Furthermore, the expression of genes involved in sugar metabolism and transport, particularly PpPLT5-1, was significantly induced. Collectively, these results indicate that foliar K⁺ application enhances photosynthesis and promotes assimilate accumulation by modulating the expression of both K⁺ and sugar transporters. These findings offer a theoretical basis for optimizing nutrient management to improve fruit quality in stone fruit production. Full article

Drought stress is a significant environmental factor affecting plant growth, fruit quality and distribution. Wild jujube is an important species of eco-economic forest tree. In this study, two wild jujube families, ‘NO. 1’ (tolerant) and ‘NO. 5’ (sensitive), which show significant differences in morphological and physiological indicators in drought treatment, are considered. Compared with the ‘NO. 5’, the ‘NO. 1’ exhibited lower water loss, leaf yellowing and abscission rates, as well as reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content, while showing higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and elevated levels of soluble sugars (SS), soluble proteins (SP), and proline (Pro). In contrast, the ‘NO. 5’ suffered more severe damage to leaf epidermal cells compared with the ‘NO. 1’, accompanied by a significant decline in net photosynthetic rate (A) and instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEi). Transcriptomic profiles between two wild jujube families with markedly different drought responses (withholding water for 15 days) are shown. The two wild jujube families included 3238 up-regulated and 2675 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Many DEGs enriched in the GO and KEGG pathways are related to antioxidant activity, transmembrane transport, carbohydrate biosynthesis and metabolism, plant hormones, and photosynthesis. The biosynthesis of amino acids, the MAPK signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, and flavonoid and alkaloid biosynthesis were the transcriptome modifications most significantly altered by drought stress. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the precision of the RNA-seq data. ZjJIP23-1, ZjbZIP53, ZjSPS8, ZjCAO, ZjADH1 and ZjERF39 may play important roles in the drought tolerance of the wild jujube. This study provides a solid foundation for further studies on the complex mechanisms and breeding of drought-resistant plants in wild jujube. Full article

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are being found, with growing frequency, in agroecosystems, where soils function as major sinks and direct interfaces with food crops. This review shows an integrated soil–plant–food analytical framework and synthesizes evidence on MNPs behavior in soils (dispersion, aging, aggregation), plant uptake pathways (root vs. foliar, including atmospheric deposition), tissue translocation, and plant physiological responses. Across crop species and exposure conditions, convergent patterns included oxidative stress, disruption of nutrient homeostasis, impaired photosynthesis, and growth penalties, with magnitude modulated by particle size, polymer type, and surface chemistry within specific soil–plant contexts. Occurrence of MNPs in edible tissues of leafy, root, and fruit vegetables is critically appraised, as well as its implications for food safety and potential dietary exposure. Key uncertainties persist, including heterogeneous analytical methods, scarce long-term field datasets, and limited alignment between laboratory doses and environmental concentrations. These constraints translate into priorities for exposure assessment and risk governance, including the need for standardized metrics, harmonized quality criteria, and field-scale monitoring aligned with agronomic practices. By re-centering the analysis on crops and food systems while acknowledging human exposure implications, the review provides a decision-oriented basis for research and mitigation. Full article

Water scarcity is increasingly challenging greenhouse tomato production, particularly in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions where irrigation water availability is becoming progressively limited. This study evaluated whether a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) can support water-saving irrigation in tomato grown in coconut fibre. Plants were cultivated in pots under four irrigation amounts (100, 75, 50, and 25% of crop water requirement—WC) combined with two SAP levels (0 and 2 g L⁻¹). Irrigation was managed by a lysimetric control system. Reducing irrigation decreased total fruit yield (averaged across SAP treatments) from 100% WC (1212 g plant⁻¹) to 50–25% WC (914 and 624 g plant⁻¹, respectively), while non-marketable fruit number was unchanged (15.4 fruit plant⁻¹, on average). SAP increased total yield, averaged across irrigation treatments (from 925 to 1022 g plant⁻¹), and marketable fruit number (from 26.3 to 32.3 fruit plant⁻¹), without affecting unitary fruit weight (20.4 g fruit⁻¹, on average). SAP also increased net photosynthesis (from 16.0 to 17.4 µmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹), while stomatal conductance (0.14–0.15 mol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹) and WUE (4.0 µmol CO₂ mmol⁻¹ H₂O) were not affected by SAP. Total soluble solids increased under severe deficit (7.8 °Brix at 25% WC) and were enhanced by SAP (from 6.9 to 7.6 °Brix), while colour parameters were mainly driven by irrigation. Overall, the irrigation amount was the primary driver of performance. Moderate deficit irrigation (75% WC) maintained a marketable fruit number and total fruit weight comparable to full irrigation (100% WC). SAP amendment acted as a complementary tool to improve marketable production and net photosynthesis across irrigation levels, providing an additive benefit to crop productivity. Full article

Fruit quality and yield of citrus orchards are co-regulated by complex interactions among soil properties, microbial communities, and plant physiological processes. However, systematic studies that integrate the soil–microbe–plant–fruit continuum remain limited. This study selected four representative ponkan orchards based on yield and fruit quality performance, and systematically determined and correlated key indicators in the soil–plant–fruit continuum. The results showed that the orchards with higher comprehensive performance exhibited more suitable soil pH, higher contents of soil organic matter and available nutrients, as well as higher activities of soil enzymes including urease and acid phosphatase. Compared with the orchards with lower comprehensive performance, soil bacterial and fungal Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson indices were higher in the orchards with higher comprehensive performance. Among the dominant phyla, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly higher, while that of Actinobacteria was significantly lower. Leaf photosynthetic indexes (chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, Rubisco activity) of the higher-performing orchards were also significantly higher. Correlation analysis showed that soil microbial diversity and Proteobacteria were significantly positively correlated with soil nutrients, enzyme activities, leaf photosynthesis, fruit quality and yield, while Actinobacteria showed the opposite trend. These results provide a theoretical basis for soil management and high-quality cultivation of ponkan orchards. Full article

With the rapid development of intensive animal husbandry, the widespread use of livestock and poultry manure as organic fertilizers has become a major anthropogenic source of antibiotic contamination in agricultural soils. Antibiotics, classified as “emerging contaminants” owing to their persistence, biological activity, and potential ecotoxicity, undergo environmental fate processes such as adsorption–desorption, migration, transformation, and degradation upon entering orchard soils, with their behaviors regulated by multiple factors, including soil physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and climatic conditions. Antibiotics not only alter the structure and diversity of soil microbial communities, inhibit soil enzyme activities, and interfere with the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus nutrients but also induce the generation and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and affect the growth and reproduction of soil animals, triggering cascading effects on ecological processes. Moreover, antibiotics can be absorbed by fruit tree roots and transported to aboveground organs via the xylem or phloem. By interfering with photosynthesis, disrupting antioxidant systems, and affecting hormone balance, they inhibit the growth and development of fruit trees, thereby altering the appearance, nutritional, and flavor qualities of fruits. Furthermore, antibiotic residues and ARGs in fruits pose potential risks to food safety. This paper thoroughly analyzes the pollution levels, environmental interactions, and disposition of antibiotics in orchard soils, focusing on the mechanisms that influence their impact on soil microecology and biochemical processes. It also explores the absorption, transport, and accumulation patterns of antibiotics in fruit trees, as well as their effects on tree physiology, growth, fruit quality, and safety. Finally, the current research gaps and prospects are identified, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for ecological risk assessment, scientific prevention and control of antibiotic contamination in orchard ecosystems, and safeguarding of agricultural product safety. Full article

Magnesium is an essential macronutrient for both plants and humans. However, its availability in agricultural systems and dietary intake has been declining, raising concerns about crop productivity and nutritional security. In plants, magnesium plays a critical role in photosynthesis, enzyme activation, carbohydrate transport, and overall metabolic regulation, while in humans it is required for numerous biochemical processes related to energy metabolism, cardiovascular function, and disease prevention. Long-term studies have reported a 20–30% decrease in magnesium concentrations in fruits and vegetables worldwide, potentially contributing to widespread magnesium deficiency. Soil factors such as acidification, nutrient imbalance, and intensive agricultural practices further limit magnesium availability along the soil–plant–human continuum. This review summarizes the biological importance of magnesium in plants and humans, evaluates the occurrence and causes of magnesium deficiency, and discusses current strategies for improving magnesium nutrition through agronomic and genetic biofortification. It considers even fertilizer management, nano-fertilizers, and alternative magnesium sources such as serpentinite. The review highlights biofortification as a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to enhance crop magnesium concentration and mitigate global magnesium deficiency while emphasizing the need for further research on bioavailability, environmental safety, and long-term agricultural sustainability. Full article

Traditional Yuluxiang pear cultivation employs wide row spacing to facilitate sunlight penetration and ventilation, but this reduces land use efficiency. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of intercropping dandelions in Yuluxiang pear orchards on soil environment, pear tree growth, and fruit quality. The experiment included three treatments: monoculture (M), dandelion intercropping (DI), and dandelion intercropping combined with microbial organic fertilizer application (DI + MF). Results indicated that the combined DI + MF treatment enhanced soil nutrients by increasing the content of Alkaline Hydrolyzable Nitrogen (AN), Total phosphorus (TP), and Available phosphorus (AP). The DI treatment altered the microbial community structure, enriching beneficial bacteria (such as the phyla Acidobacteriota and Actinomycetota) and fungi (such as the phyla Mucorales and Basidiomycota), thereby enhancing nutrient cycling. Treatment effects were most pronounced in the topsoil layer (0–20 cm) and diminished with increasing depth. Regarding tree physiology, DI treatment increased leaf Symbolic Consistency (Gs) and Intercellular CO₂ Concentration (Ci). The DI + MF treatment significantly boosted leaf chlorophyll content, with both intercropping treatments improving tree photosynthesis and nutritional status. In terms of fruit quality, the DI + MF treatment demonstrated the best overall performance. Its single fruit weight reached the highest values at all stages (143.86 g, 315.48 g, and 515.03 g), while the soluble solids content peaked at 130 days post-flowering, with increased levels of sugars, Vitamin C (VC), total phenols, and flavonoids in the fruit. This significantly enhanced both the external appearance and internal quality of the fruit. Research indicates that the DI + MF treatment can systematically enhance soil quality, tree vitality, and fruit quality in Yuluxiang pear orchards by improving soil physicochemical properties, regulating microbial communities, and boosting tree physiological functions. Full article

The optical properties of greenhouse cover materials play a critical role in controlling the internal light environment, directly affecting photosynthetic performance and crop productivity. This study evaluates the impact of a high photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance and high-light-diffusivity polyethylene film on the microclimate, photosynthetic activity, yield, and disease incidence of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) crops grown in a Mediterranean passive solar greenhouse. Trials were conducted over two consecutive autumn–winter seasons using a multi-span greenhouse divided into two sectors: one covered with an experimental high-transmittance film and the other with a standard commercial plastic. The experimental cover increased PAR transmission by 8.7% and 11.6% at canopy level in the first and second seasons, respectively, leading to improvements in leaf-level net photosynthesis of 9.3% and 17.9%. These effects contributed to yield increases of 5.0% and 17.3% in the respective seasons. The internal air temperature rose by up to 1.3 °C without exceeding critical thresholds, and no significant differences were observed in plant morphology or fruit quality between treatments. Additionally, the experimental film reduced the incidence of major fungal diseases, particularly under higher disease pressure conditions. The use of high-PAR-transmittance films enhances radiation use efficiency and crop performance in resource-limited environments without increasing energy inputs. This approach offers a sustainable, low-cost strategy to improve yield and disease resilience in protected cropping systems under passive climate control. Full article

Apple cultivation faces soil acidification and pollution due to excessive fertilization, compounded by a scarcity of potassium (K) fertilizers. Polyhalite, a natural multi-nutrient mineral, offers a potential sustainable alternative. Therefore, a three-year field experiment was conducted, comprising a no-potassium control (CK), two conventional potassium fertilizers (sulfate of potash-based and muriate of potash-based), and six polyhalite compound fertilizer treatments (with different basal and topdressing strategies), to evaluate their effects on apple growth and soil fertility. Results showed that the single topdressing application of potassium chloride-type polyhalite compound fertilizer (T6) achieved the highest yield in the final year, which was 10.11–28.03% higher than the other potassium-applied treatments. It also achieved the highest fruit vitamin C and soluble solids content (9.53 mg 100 g⁻¹ and 13.27%, respectively). The T6 treatment demonstrated the best performance in terms of agronomic efficiency and partial factor productivity of potassium fertilizer, reducing fertilizer waste and loss. Furthermore, the T6 treatment effectively increased soil pH, available potassium, and exchangeable calcium levels, thereby improving soil fertility. Thus, polyhalite proves effective in replacing conventional K fertilizers, with the single topdressing of MOP-type polyhalite compound fertilizer (T6) offering the most comprehensive agronomic and environmental benefits. Full article