Search Results (1,702)

Long-term subculture of embryogenic callus leads to a decline in somatic embryogenesis and germination capacity, which may be associated with increased methylation levels. 5-Azacytidine (5-AzaC), a methylation inhibitor, modulates DNA methylation and is widely involved in regulating plant growth, development, and metabolism. In order to investigate the effect of 5-AzaC on somatic embryogenesis and germination in Larix olgensis, we supplemented the proliferation medium with different concentrations of 5-AzaC. The results showed that the addition of 5-AzaC inhibited the proliferation of embryogenic callus, with the proliferation of embryogenic line N2 completely inhibited at 100 μM, while that of embryogenic line N4 ceased at 20 μM. In contrast, treatment with 10 μM and 20 μM of 5-AzaC significantly increased the somatic embryo yield in both embryogenic lines, with the peak yield observed at 20 μM for embryogenic line N2 and at 10 μM for embryogenic line N4. Furthermore, the addition of 10 μM 5-AzaC effectively reduced the deformity rate during somatic embryo germination in embryogenic line N2 and N4, by 15.91% and 13.53%, respectively. These findings demonstrate that 5-AzaC can partially restore the somatic embryogenesis potential of embryogenic callus in L. olgensis under long-term subculture. Additionally, these results suggest that its effects may be both concentration-dependent and genotype-specific. The results provide a potential approach to mitigating the decline in embryogenic competence, while also demonstrating significant potential for large-scale propagation. Full article

The seed-germination percentage is an important indicator of the seed viability and growth potential and has important implications for plant breeding and agricultural production. Thus, to increase the speed and accuracy in measuring the completion of germination in experimental seed batches for precise germination percentage calculation, we evaluated a You-Only-Look-Once (YOLO)–Seed Germination Detection (SGD) algorithm that integrates deep-learning technology and texture feature-extraction mechanisms specific to germinating seeds. The algorithm was built upon YOLOv7-l, and its applicability was optimised based on the results of our germination experiments. In the backbone network, an internal convolution structure was substituted to enhance the spatial specificity of the initial features. Following the output of the main feature-extraction network, an Explicit Visual Centre (EVC) module was introduced to mitigate the interference caused by intertwined primary roots from germinated seeds, which can affect recognition accuracy. Furthermore, a Spatial Context Pyramid (SCP) module was embedded after enhancing the feature-extraction network to improve the model’s accuracy in identifying seeds of different scales, particularly in recognising small target seeds. Our results with cabbage seeds showed that the YOLO–SGD model, with a model size of 45.22 M, achieved an average detection accuracy of 99.6% for large-scale seeds and 96.4% for small-scale seeds. The model also achieved a mean average precision and F1 score of 98.0% and 93.3%, respectively. Compared with manual germination-rate detection, the model maintained an average absolute error of prediction within 1.0%, demonstrating sufficient precision to replace manual methods in laboratory environments and efficiently detect germinated seeds for precise germination percentage assessment. Full article

Probiotics are microorganisms with recognized beneficial properties that are used to improve host health. In particular, probiotics administered as spores, such as those belonging to the genera Bacillus and Alkalihalobacillus, are attracting great interest due to their high tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions. This in vitro study aimed to assess the probiotic attributes potentially contributing to the in vivo beneficial effects of a commercial spore-based probiotic formulation composed of four Alkalihalobacillus clausii strains. The tolerance and survival of the spores from the formulation in simulated gastrointestinal fluids, as well as their germination rate and adhesion to mucins, were analyzed. Furthermore, metabolic properties of spore-derived vegetative cells were assessed, including lactose degradation and biosynthesis of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase), group B vitamins (B₂, B₈, B₉, and B₁₂), short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate), and D-lactate. A. clausii spores were shown to survive in artificial gastric juice, adhere to mucins and germinate in vitro, and replicate in simulated intestinal fluid, suggesting their potential resilience in the gastrointestinal tract, where they can exert beneficial effects after germination. A. clausii was also able to produce beneficial enzymes and metabolites, including β-galactosidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, group B vitamins, and short-chain fatty acids, but it was unable to produce D-lactic acid. Our findings highlight the probiotic properties and potential of such A. clausii strains in both their spore and vegetative forms, reinforcing the clinical relevance of this multi-strain spore-based formulation for enhancing intestinal health. Full article

Sugi-pollinosis poses a significant socioeconomic and public health concern in Japanese society. Consequently, the use of male-sterile plants (pollen-free plants or PFPs) is anticipated in reforestation efforts. In this context, we developed an improved, simplified method for efficiently propagating sugi PFPs. In the present study, we compared the efficiency of different embryogenic cell lines (ECLs) in producing somatic embryos and examined how effectively these embryos germinate and convert into plantlets. We also evaluated the germination potential of somatic embryos stored for various durations at temperatures above freezing and room temperature. The production efficiency of somatic embryos ranged from 129.6 to 504.1 per plate, with an average of 349.8 across the ECLs tested. The overall average germination and conversion rates of somatic embryos were found to be 93.9% and 92.4%, respectively. Furthermore, although differences were observed among the evaluated genotypes, our five-year study demonstrated that sugi somatic embryos could be stored at 25 °C, 15 °C, or 5 °C for 6, 12, or 24 months, respectively, without a notable decline in germination capacity. The developed method enhances flexibility in plant production scheduling and facilitates the optimal timing for transferring somatic seedlings to the field. Full article

Purslane is highly suitable for intensive microgreen cultivation due to its rapid growth, high germination rate, and exceptional nutritional profile, including omega-3 fatty acids, essential vitamins, and minerals. While previous studies have mostly emphasized its basic composition, our research investigated additional functional traits, such as pigment accumulation and antioxidant activity. We also explored the cultivation potential of a wild purslane genotype (G2), naturally growing in the Botanical Garden of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, as a sustainable alternative to commercially available seeds (G1). This study examined how genotype and substrate interactions influence growth performance, pigment concentration, and antioxidant capacity in Portulaca oleracea microgreens. Both genotypes were grown on two different substrates: agar mixed with perlite and mineral wool. Although conserved DNA-derived polymorphism marker analysis revealed a high degree of genetic similarity between G1 and G2, significant phenotypic differences were observed. G1 exhibited greater fresh biomass and shoot length, making it more visually appealing for commercial microgreen production. In contrast, G2 showed higher dry matter content and enhanced accumulation of chlorophylls and carotenoids. Antioxidant activity, measured by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) assays, peaked in G1 cultivated on agar–perlite mix. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting the right genotype–substrate combination to optimize both quality and productivity in microgreen systems. Full article

The survival status of Lumnitzera littorea is near threatened globally and critically endangered in China. Clarifying its global distribution pattern and its changing trends under different future climate models is of great significance for the protection and restoration of its endangered status. To build a model for this purpose, this study selected 73 actual distribution points of Lumnitzera littorea worldwide, combined with 12 environmental factors, and simulated its potential suitable habitats in six periods: the Last Interglacial (130,000–115,000 years ago), the Last Glacial Maximum (27,000–19,000 years ago), the Mid-Holocene (6000 years ago), the present (1970–2000), and the future 2050s (2041–2060) and 2070s (2061–2080). The results show that the optimal model parameter combination is the regularization multiplier RM = 4.0 and the feature combination FC (Feature class) = L (Linear) + Q (Quadratic) + P (Product). The MaxEnt model has a low omission rate and a more concise model structure. The AUC values in each period are between 0.981 and 0.985, indicating relatively high prediction accuracy. Min temperature of the coldest month, mean diurnal range, clay content, precipitation of the warmest quarter, and elevation are the dominant environmental factors affecting its distribution. The environmental conditions for min temperature of the coldest month at ≥19.6 °C, mean diurnal range at <7.66 °C, clay content at 34.14%, precipitation of the warmest quarter at ≥570.04 mm, and elevation at >1.39 m are conducive to Lumnitzera littorea’s survival and distribution. The global potential distribution areas are located along coasts. Starting from the paleoclimate, the plant’s distribution has gradually expanded, and its adaptability has gradually improved. In China, the range of potential highly suitable habitats is relatively narrow. Hainan Island is the core potential habitat, but there are fragmented areas in regions such as Guangdong, Guangxi, and Taiwan. The modern centroid of Lumnitzera littorea is located at (109.81° E, 2.56° N), and it will shift to (108.44° E, 3.22° N) in the later stage of the high-emission scenario (2070s (SSP585)). Under global warming trends, it has a tendency to migrate to higher latitudes. The development of the aquaculture industry and human deforestation has damaged the habitats of Lumnitzera littorea, and its population size has been sharply and continuously decreasing. The breeding and renewal system has collapsed, seed abortion and seedling establishment failure are common, and genetic variation is too scarce. This may indicate why Lumnitzera littorea is near threatened globally and critically endangered in China. Therefore, the protection and restoration strategies we propose are as follows: strengthen the legislative guarantee and law enforcement supervision of the native distribution areas of Lumnitzera littorea, expanding its population size outside the native environment, and explore measures to improve its seed germination rate, systematically collecting and introducing foreign germplasm resources to increase its genetic diversity. Full article

Soil contamination with heavy metals often resulting from industrial activities and wastewater discharge is a major ecological problem. Bone meal, a by-product of the agri-food industry, is a promising material for remediating soils affected by heavy metal pollution. Bone meal, rich in phosphorus, calcium, and other essential minerals, provides advantages both in immobilizing inorganic pollutants and in improving soil fertility. This study explores the potential of bone meal as an ecological and sustainable solution for the retention of zinc from soils polluted with wastewater. This study analyzes the physicochemical properties of bone meal, the mechanisms of its interaction with metal ions through adsorption processes as revealed by equilibrium and kinetic studies, and its effects on plant germination. The results indicate a maximum adsorption capacity of 2375.33 mg/kg at pH = 6, according to the Langmuir model, while the pseudo-second-order kinetic model showed a coefficient of R² > 0.99, confirming the chemical nature of the adsorption. At pH 12, the retention capacity increased to 2937.53 mg/kg; however, parameter instability suggests interference from precipitation phenomena. At pH 12, zinc retention is dominated by precipitation (Zn(OH)₂ and Zn–phosphates), which invalidates the Langmuir assumptions; accordingly, the Freundlich isotherm provides a more adequate description. Germination tests revealed species-specific responses to Zn contamination and bone meal amendment. In untreated contaminated soil, germination rates were 84% for cress, 42% for wheat, and 50% for mustard. Relative to the soil + bone meal treatment (100% performance), the extent of inhibition reached 19–21% in cress, 24–29% in wheat, and 12% in mustard. Bone meal mitigated Zn-induced inhibition most effectively in wheat (+31% vs. soil; +40% vs. control), followed by cress (+23–27%) and mustard (+14%), highlighting its species-dependent ameliorative potential. Thus, the experimental results confirm bone meal’s capacity to reduce the mobility of zinc ions and improve the quality of the agricultural substrate. By transforming an animal waste product into a material with agronomic value, this study supports the integration of bone meal into modern soil remediation strategies, aligned with the principles of bioeconomy and sustainable development. Full article

To investigate the effects of micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) on spinach seed germination and sprout growth, this study employed polyvinyl chloride micro-nanoplastics (PVC-MNPs) as the treatment factor. Six concentration gradients were established under two cultivation conditions—hydroponic and soil. Two spinach cultivars grown in different seasons—the winter cultivar cv. xinbofeit and the autumn cultivar cv. connaught—were evaluated for germination characteristics, sprout morphology, and antioxidant capacity. Results indicated that low to moderate PVC-MNP concentration (1–100 mg/L in hydroponics or 0.1–1.0% in soil) moderately promoted seed germination and seedling growth, with cv. Xinbofeit exhibiting stronger stress tolerance. Conversely, high concentrations (200 mg/L in hydroponic or 2.0% in soil) inhibited germination and root development in both cultivars and induced oxidative stress responses. Principal component analysis identified germination rate, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) activities as key response indicators. Significant inter-cultivar differences and cultivation method dependencies were observed: cv. xinbofeit showed higher sensitivity to elevated PVC-MNPs level, whereas cv. connaught demonstrated greater overall stress resistance. This study demonstrates that micro-nanoplastics exert a dual effect on spinach seed germination and sprout growth, with low to moderate concentrations promoting growth, while high concentrations inhibit development and induce oxidative stress. Moreover, significant differences in response were observed among different cultivars, highlighting the complex risks of micro-nanoplastics in agricultural ecosystems and their cultivar-dependent impacts. Full article

Seed germination is a key determinant of wheat seed quality, strongly affected by genetic potential, weather conditions during production, and storage duration. Although numerous studies have investigated seed viability, little is known about how the interaction between annual climatic variability and storage length affects long-term germination performance of winter wheat. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the influence of weather conditions and storage period on germination energy and germination of 50 Croatian winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars released between 1947 and 2010. The experiment was conducted over five consecutive production years (2013/2014–2017/2018). Seeds of each cultivar were reproduced under standardized field conditions, harvested annually, and stored under identical controlled conditions (5 °C, 30–35% RH). Germination energy (first count, day 4) and total germination (final count, day 8) were evaluated according to ISTA protocols. The results revealed significant effects of both production year and cultivar on germination performance. Seeds produced in 2016/2017 exhibited the highest germination (96.21%), which was ~15% higher than the lowest rate observed in 2013/2014 (80.48%). Germination energy of 2013/2014 seeds was 23% lower compared to 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. Unexpectedly, seeds stored for only one year (2017/2018 production) showed lower germination (90.92%) than those stored for two (96.21%) or three years (95.01%), likely due to excessive rainfall (>100% above average) during seed maturation in 2018 that impaired seed quality. Several cultivars, including Una, Tonka, Žitarka, and Kuna, consistently maintained high germination rates (>94%) even after five years of storage, demonstrating strong physiological stability and long-term viability. These findings underline the combined importance of weather conditions during seed production and storage duration for seed longevity. In practical terms, cultivars with proven stability may be recommended for long-term storage and reliable field performance. Future research should extend germination assessment to additional vigor indices (e.g., germination synchrony, vigor index, abnormal seedlings) and explore genetic mechanisms underlying superior seed longevity in modern wheat breeding. Full article

Tea tree seeds are highly sensitive to dehydration and cannot be stored for extended periods, making surface defect detection crucial for preserving their germination rate and overall quality. To address this challenge, we propose Cgc-YOLO, an enhanced YOLO-based model specifically designed to detect small-scale and complex surface defects in tea seeds. A high-resolution imaging system was employed to construct a dataset encompassing five common types of tea tree seeds, capturing diverse defect patterns. Cgc-YOLO incorporates two key improvements: (1) GhostBlock, derived from GhostNetV2, embedded in the Backbone to enhance computational efficiency and long-range feature extraction; and (2) the CPCA attention mechanism, integrated into the Neck, to improve sensitivity to local textures and boundary details, thereby boosting segmentation and localization accuracy. Experimental results demonstrate that Cgc-YOLO achieves 97.6% mAP50 and 94.9% mAP50–95, surpassing YOLO11 by 2.3% and 3.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the model retains a compact size of only 8.5 MB, delivering an excellent balance between accuracy and efficiency. This study presents a robust and lightweight solution for nondestructive detection of tea seed defects, contributing to intelligent seed screening and storage quality assurance. Full article

Soil salinization critically threatens global agricultural productivity by impairing plant growth and soil fertility. This study investigated the potential of a consortium, comprising Acinetobacter calcoaceticus DP25, Staphylococcus epidermidis DP28, and Enterobacter hormaechei DP29, to enhance the saline–alkali tolerance of alfalfa and improve soil properties. The experiments comprised five germination treatments (saline control, each strain alone, consortium) and three pot treatments (non-saline control, saline control, consortium). Under saline–alkali stress, co-inoculation with the consortium significantly (p < 0.05) increased alfalfa seed germination rates, emergence rates, and biomass (shoot and root dry weight), while promoting root development. Physiological analyses revealed that the bacterial consortium mitigated stress-induced damage by enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)), while decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Moreover, the inoculant improved osmoprotectant accumulation (soluble sugars, soluble proteins, and proline) and modulated soil properties by reducing pH and electrical conductivity (EC), while elevating nutrient availability and soil enzyme activities. Correlation and principal component analyses (PCA) confirmed strong associations among improved plant growth, physiological traits, and soil health. These findings demonstrate that the bacterial consortium effectively alleviates saline–alkali stress in alfalfa by improving soil health, offering a sustainable strategy for ecological restoration and improving agricultural productivity in saline–alkali regions. Full article

Direct seeding is considered a versatile and cost-effective approach to forest regeneration; however, its broader application is limited by low seedling survival rates and species-specific regeneration requirements, which often necessitate site preparation. We investigated the emergence, survival, and growth of Korean ash (Fraxinus chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla (Hance) A.E.Murray) seedlings regenerated by direct seeding over six years following two site preparation treatments—scarification and mixing—to determine appropriate site preparation methods for direct seeding and to assess the effects of site preparation treatments on soil, understory vegetation, and seedling growth. Additionally, the seed germination, shoot and root lengths, and biomass of the seedlings were investigated over 50 days in a growth chamber using soils from each site preparation treatment to examine early-stage growth responses. Both scarification and mixing treatments enhanced seed germination and seedling establishment. Seedling emergence rates were similar between the treatments; however, the seedling mortality and the height and coverage of competing understory vegetation were significantly greater at the scarification treatment than at the mixing treatment during the first year (p < 0.05). Both treatments reduced minimum winter soil temperatures during the first two years, with frost heaving identified as a primary cause of early seedling mortality. From the second year onward, seedling growth was significantly greater in the mixing treatment (p < 0.05), which also more effectively suppressed competing vegetation. A shallow depth mixing treatment (<5 cm) is recommended for direct seeding of Korean ash, as it reduces frost heaving damage and facilitates seedling survival and growth by minimizing understory competition. Full article

Plants grow, develop, and reproduce within a rhythmic environment. Environmental cues—such as light, temperature, nutrition, water—initiate, sustain, or terminate basic physiological processes within the plant, such as photosynthesis, respiration, nutrient uptake, water management, transpiration, growth, and hormone regulation. Simultaneously, inside the plant, internal “living clocks” are ticking and helping plants to synchronize internal processes with environmental cues and defend themselves against stressful conditions. These clock-regulated processes underlie a variety of plant traits, such as germination capability, growth and development rate, time of flowering, fruiting and yielding, development of plant shape, and size and biomass production. Most of these physiological traits are important attributes of crop plants. In recent years, the growing understanding of environmental rhythms as environmental cues and the mechanisms underlying plant internal clocks has begun to play an increasingly important role in agricultural practices. This is an emerging area of research that integrates insights from chronobiology with practices in plant agriculture. In this review, this new research area is studied and mapped using Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA protocol), and VOSviewer1.6.20 software. The analyses were carried out on 18 July–27 August 2025. For the VOSviewer author keywords co-occurrence analysis, all 1022 documents covering the time range of the last 7.5–2.5 years (2018–July 2025) were included and three maps were generated. Additionally, 59 review documents covering the last 27 years (1988–July 2025) were extracted by relevance using Google Scholar. In this review, recent advances and topics in plant chronobiology were examined. The issue of how these advances respond to key challenges in plant agriculture was explored. The bidirectional influence between chronobiology and practices in plant agriculture were also considered. Full article

Modern agriculture requires effective and sustainable tools to enhance crop performance while minimizing the environmental impact. In this context, the application of fungal-derived bioactive compounds directly onto seeds represents a promising alternative. In this study, tomato seeds (Solanum lycopersicum) were subjected to mycopriming treatment using two fungal extracts obtained from the mycelium and culture filtrate of Talaromyces ruber. Two independent greenhouse trials were conducted to assess germination dynamics, morphometric traits, and physiological parameters (chlorophyll content, flavonol index, and anthocyanin index). Although germination rates were not significantly affected, root development was consistently enhanced by the treatments compared with the control group in both experiments. In contrast, no clear improvement was observed in shoot growth or leaf physiological parameters. Overall, the application of T. ruber extracts via seed priming proved to be a feasible strategy to stimulate early-stage root development in tomatoes, potentially contributing to improved seedling vigor and agronomic performance. These findings support the potential use of fungal extracts as practical tools for improving seedling quality in commercial nursery production. Full article

The aim of this study was to elucidate the reproductive strategy of Camellia luteoflora, an endangered evergreen endemic to karst ecosystems. We observed and recorded its flowering phenology and flower-visiting insects, observed pollen morphology, determined pollen viability, and assessed stigma receptivity. The results showed that the flowering period of C. luteoflora started from early September to late December, with the average flowering period of individual flowers being 10–12 days. The pollen morphology of C. luteoflora was subprolate and prolate, with three germinal apertures and the fossulate exine ornamentation. Pollen viability was the highest at the initial opening stage (80.30%). In the process of pollen in vitro, the order of influence on the germination rate and pollen tube length was temperature > sucrose > calcium chloride (CaCl₂) > boric acid (H₃BO₃). The best combination for the germination rate was 24 °C, 75 g/L sucrose, 0.2 g/L CaCl₂, 0.15 g/L H₃BO₃, while that for the pollen tube length was 24 °C, 100 g/L sucrose, 0.2 g/L CaCl₂, 0.25 g/L H₃BO₃. Stigma receptivity was the strongest at the full blooming stage. The pollen/ovule ratio (P/O) was 2240, suggesting a facultative outcrossing breeding system. The outcrossing index (OCI) was 4, suggesting that the exogamous breeding system is the cross-pollination type, partially self-compatible and insect pollinator-dependent. The flower-visiting insects included bees, weevils, and ants. In summary, C. luteoflora exhibits an extended flowering period, with a prolonged overlap of stable pollen viability and stigma receptivity, suggesting a potential strategy to cope with pollination uncertainty. However, field observations recorded only a few species of potential pollinators, while the occurrence frequency of non-pollinating insects was relatively high. It is thus hypothesized that this apparent lack of effective pollinators may act as a potential barrier to successful fertilization and natural regeneration, which might also be one of the factors contributing to its endangered status. Future studies, particularly pollinator exclusion and hand-pollination experiments, are critically needed to verify whether pollinator limitation is indeed a key factor. Full article