Search Results (1,672)

In the context of contemporary climate change, drought is widely recognized as a major stressor affecting plant growth. While numerous studies have demonstrated that Serendipita indica enhances stress resistance in host plants and is widely used in agriculture, research on its symbiotic interactions with woody plants for improving drought tolerance remains limited. This study investigated the effects of S. indica inoculation on the growth of Phoebe sheareri seedlings under varying drought conditions—well-watered (WW), moderate drought (MD), and severe drought (SD)—and explored the physiological mechanisms underlying improved drought resistance. The results showed that under WW conditions, S. indica inoculation promoted seedling growth and development. Under MD and SD conditions, although drought stress inhibited growth, inoculation significantly increased plant biomass, root parameters, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency. Additionally, it alleviated drought-induced damage by reducing REC, MDA, H₂O₂, and O₂⁻ levels, while enhancing SOD, POD, and CAT activities, and increasing root ABA, GA, IAA, and CTK content. Under MD stress, adaptive changes in root architecture and hormone levels were observed, including increases in total root length, surface area, volume, average diameter, and elevated IAA and CTK levels—all of which were further enhanced by S. indica inoculation. In conclusion, symbiosis with S. indica improved drought tolerance in P. sheareri seedlings likely through enhanced photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activity, and hormone regulation. Full article

Rice aroma is influenced by many factors, including selenium (Se) fertilizer. In this study, we investigated the effects of different Se species on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in three indica rice varieties over 2022 and 2023 by forliar spray. The VOCs were analyzed using HS-SPME-GC-MS. The results showed that both Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) and sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) significantly increased the contents of most VOCs in all three varieties, with SeNPs exhibiting a more pronounced effect. PCA and OPLS-DA revealed distinct clustering of the VOCs based on Se treatments and rice varieties. By variable importance in projection (VIP) analysis with FDR correction, Na₂SeO₃ yielded 7 markers, whereas SeNP treatment identified 18. Every marker detected under Na₂SeO₃ was fully encompassed within the SeNPs set. Three-factor ANOVA indicated that there are significant interaction effects among Se species, rice variety, and planting year. Additionally, the effect sizes were evaluated in the key VOCs to quantify the effect of Se species, rice variety, and planting year. The findings highlight Se fertilizers to enhance rice aroma and suggest selecting appropriate Se species and rice varieties for aroma improvement. Full article

Paddy rice grain variety classification is essential for quality control, as different rice varieties exhibit significant variations in quality attributes, affecting both food security and market value. The integration of hyperspectral imaging with machine learning presents a promising approach for precise classification, though challenges remain in managing the high dimensionality and variability of spectral data, along with the need for model interpretability. To address these challenges, this study employs a CNN-Transformer model that incorporates Standard Normal Variate (SNV) preprocessing, Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS) for feature wavelength selection, and interpretability analysis to optimize the classification of hybrid indica paddy rice grain varieties. The results show that the CNN-Transformer model outperforms baseline models, achieving an accuracy of 95.33% and an F1-score of 95.40%. Interpretability analysis reveals that the model’s ability to learn from key wavelength features is significantly stronger than that of the comparison models. The key spectral bands identified for hybrid indica paddy rice grain variety classification lie within the 400–440 nm, 580–700 nm, and 880–960 nm ranges. This study demonstrates the potential of hyperspectral imaging combined with machine learning to advance rice variety classification, providing a powerful and interpretable tool for automated rice quality control in agricultural practices. Full article

The prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) is an emblematic crop for Mexico’s economy, gastronomy, and culture. Microbial communities play an important role in the health, development, and productivity of crops. This study used 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analyses to evaluate the rhizosphere microbiome of prickly pear cactus across an altitudinal gradient in Milpa Alta (Mexico). A microbial core consisting of Bacillus, Acidibacter, and Sphingomonas was detected, reflecting strong co-adaptation between plants and soil microorganisms under different agroecosystems. However, in the lower-altitude zones, Conexibacter, Agromyces, Domibacillus, Pedomicrobium, and Rokubacteriales predominated, which are associated with humid environments and high organic matter content. In contrast, in the middle-altitude zones, Acidothermus, Gemmatimonas, Mesorhizobium, and Pseudoxanthomonas were enriched, which are involved in carbon and nitrogen cycles. Higher-altitude zones exhibited greater bacterial specialization, with genera adapted to more extreme conditions such as Halocella, Solirubrobacter, Rhodomicrobium, Phenylobacterium, Roseomonas, Pseudarthrobacter, Crossiella, Aquicella, and others. Overall, our data show that altitude acts as an ecological filter structuring soil microbial communities associated with prickly pear cactus, influencing the diversity and functional potential. This study on microbial diversity not only provides insights into the health of the agroecosystem but also represents a valuable source of microorganisms with functional potential for sustainable agriculture. Full article

Background: As a key rice breeding resource, aromatic rice is widely cultivated in agriculture due to its unique aroma. Badh2 mutations cause function loss, enabling rice’s characteristic aroma. Methods: In this study, we analyzed several badh2 mutation types across 8 japonica and 16 indica aromatic rice lines. Based on the 7 bp deletion in badh2-E2 identified in japonica aromatic lines, we developed a multiplex-ready PCR assay for badh2 genotyping. Additionally, leveraging the deletion mutation in badh2-E7 from the indica aromatic line Yexiang, we designed a KASP marker. Results: All 8 japonica aromatic lines carried a 7 bp deletion in badh2-E2, while 12 indica aromatic lines harbored an 8 bp deletion in badh2-E7, and 4 additional indica aromatic lines exhibited an 8 bp deletion in badh2-E2. The multiplex-ready PCR assay was used to screen 200 individual plants from the aromatic rice line Jia 58: 199 plants showed the expected results, while the remaining 1 exhibited two fluorescent signal peaks—suggesting that it may be a heterozygous individual. Using the KASP marker, we performed genotyping analysis on F₇ progeny individuals derived from the cross between Yexiang (aromatic line) and Yuenongsimiao (non-aromatic line). Combined with phenotypic observations, we successfully screened out an elite aromatic line named Zhexiangzhenhe, which not only possesses aroma but also maintains superior agronomic traits. Conclusions: The multiplex-ready PCR assay and KASP markers facilitate high-throughput genotyping in large-scale breeding populations, providing breeders with a rapid and efficient selection tool to accelerate aromatic trait improvement in rice. Full article

Mucilage, naturally occurring polysaccharides in various plant parts, possesses unique structural and multi-functional properties. These biopolymers consist primarily of com-plex polysaccharides associated with flavonoids, phenolics, and oxidized sugars. A systematic review of databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science evaluated 22 re-search papers on mucilage with antioxidant potential. The key finding highlights that Cydonia ob-longa, Abelmoschus esculentus, Zizyphus mauritiana, Coccinia indica, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Malva parviflora, Corchorus olitorius, and Dioscorea opposita contain antioxidants. Various analytical techniques include DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide radical assays for the evaluation of the antioxidant properties of mucilage. The findings aim to foster innovation in health benefits and applications in food and cosmetic products, leveraging the multi-functional potential of these biopolymers to enhance efficacy and safety. Full article

The bark of Dillenia indica L. is a rich source of phenolic and triterpenoid compounds, including betulinic acid (BA), known for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. This study investigated the antioxidant potential of a BA-enriched extract through a multidisciplinary approach combining computational, experimental, and cell-based evaluations. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that BA binds stably to Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), suggesting activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. Extraction conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) modeling, yielding the maximum total phenolic content (TPC; 85.33 ± 2.26 mg gallic acid equivalents/g) and total flavonoid content (TFC; 75.60 ± 1.66 mg catechin equivalents/g), with ANN demonstrating superior predictive performance compared to RSM. Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) confirmed the presence of BA in the optimized extract. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion revealed reductions in TPC, TFC, and radical scavenging activity during the gastric phase. In ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells, the optimized extract significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulated the KEAP1-Nrf2-heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway, confirming its antioxidant mechanism. These findings highlight the extract’s stability, bioactivity, and mechanistic efficacy, supporting its application as a nutraceutical ingredient for combating oxidative stress and skin aging. Full article

This work reports a one-step, green synthesis of silver-micro cellulose nanocomposite (Ag@Ce NCs) using Azadirachta indica A. Juss leaf extract to load micro-cellulose isolated from peanut shells with silver nanoparticles, followed by comprehensive physicochemical characterization (FTIR, TEM, EDX-SEM, zeta potential, and XRD). The composite has pH_PZC ≈ 5.0 and was tested for simultaneous removal of methylene blue (MB) and safranin O (SO) under batch conditions across various pH levels, doses, contact times, initial concentrations, ionic strengths, and temperatures. The high removal efficiencies observed at pH 10 for MB and 6.0 for SO. The adsorption reached the maximum at 45 min before partially declining, indicating reversible binding on saturated surfaces. Isotherm study favored the Langmuir model, with similar affinities (K_L ≈ 0.106, and 0.110 L/mg) and monolayer capacities of 17.99 mg/g for MB and 14.90 mg/g for SO, suggesting non-selective competition on uniform sites. Kinetic data fitted the pseudo-second-order model, while thermodynamic analysis indicated mainly exothermic and physisorption interactions. Higher ionic strength reduced removal efficiency (at 1.0 M NaCl, %RE ≈ 33–48%), highlighting salt sensitivity typical of electrostatic attraction. The adsorbent maintained about 90% of its initial performance after five adsorption–desorption cycles in 0.1 M H₂SO₄, indicating excellent reusability. Overall, Ag@Ce NCs provide an inexpensive, eco-friendly, and reuseable platform for treating binary mixtures of cationic dyes. Full article

Background: Mango is a tropical fruit that is deeply loved by consumers due to its unique flavor and taste. Different mango varieties have unique aromas, and the volatile components of mango are an important part of determining mango flavor. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are important in transporting plant volatile components. Although ABC transporters have been extensively studied in other species, little is known about the evolutionary characteristics and biological functions of the ABC family in mango. Results: In this study, a total of 119 MiABC genes were identified from the Mangifera indica genome and classified into eight subfamilies based on phylogenetic relationships. By analyzing the gene structure, subcellular localization prediction, chromosome localization, gene duplication events, and Ka/Ks ratios of MiABC genes, the MiABC gene functions were preliminarily determined. The expression profiles of MiABC genes at different stages of mango fruit harvesting indicate that MiABC genes are involved in the transport of volatile substances in mango fruit. The prediction of the transmembrane structure indicates that the MiABC genes have multiple transmembrane domains, and subcellular localization results show that the MiABC genes are mainly located on the cell membrane. Conclusions: In summary, this study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the ABC gene family in mango, laying an important theoretical foundation for the analysis of the transport process of volatile compounds in mango. Full article

This study elucidates the key molecular features underlying the embryogenic initiation divergence between japonica rice Chongxiangjing (CXJ) and indica rice 9311 during isolated microspore culture. Comparative transcriptome analysis across critical timepoints (0, 5, and 10 days post-culture initiation) revealed that while both varieties initially exhibit comparable microspore viability, CXJ maintains transcriptional stability and activates developmental programs (e.g., hormone signaling, DNA replication, cell morphogenesis), enabling sustained callus formation. In contrast, 9311 undergoes drastic transcriptome reorganization by 5 days, characterized by maladaptive activation of stress-response pathways (glutathione metabolism, MAPK signaling, ER stress) and futile metabolic reactivation (photosynthesis, starch degradation), culminating in near-total cell death and failed callus induction. Transcription factor dynamics further explain this divergence: CXJ specifically upregulates regulators coordinating development and stress resilience (NAC, ERF, HSF, GRAS, bZIP), while 9311 exhibits detrimental upregulation of FAR1 and B3, leading to catastrophic energy misallocation. These findings identify master transcriptional networks and stress-response pathways as pivotal indicators of embryogenic initiation efficiency, providing strategic targets for enhancing indica rice microspore culture technology. Full article

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) provides a practical framework for enhancing urban resilience. This study had three objectives: (i) to quantify the structural attributes and ecosystem services (ESs) of campus street trees, (ii) to integrate LiDAR-derived metrics with the i-Tree Eco model to improve assessment accuracy, and (iii) to evaluate how quantified ESs contribute to climate resilience and inform localized EbA strategies. Field surveys were complemented with LiDAR data to enhance estimation of leaf area index (LAI), canopy dimensions, and tree height. Results show that 2643 street trees representing 29 species provide substantial ESs, including carbon storage of 508,230 kg, annual carbon sequestration of 48,580.5 kg, removal of major air pollutants totaling 2132 kg/year, and stormwater runoff reduction of 2351.8 m³/year, with a combined annual economic value of USD 202,822.10. A small number of species dominated ES delivery, with C. camphora and M. indica contributing disproportionately to canopy structure and ecological benefits. These findings highlight the critical role of urban vegetation in carbon mitigation, air-quality regulation, and flood adaptation at the parcel scale. The study provides a replicable framework for integrating LiDAR-enhanced i-Tree assessments into urban greening policies. It also emphasizes the need for species diversification and the inclusion of omitted services (e.g., biodiversity support, microclimate regulation) in future work to deliver more comprehensive EbA planning. Full article

Drought stress is a major environmental factor that adversely affects plant growth and development. Spermidine (SPD), a polyamine, plays a critical role in plant defense mechanisms against drought stress. PEG was used to simulate osmotic stress, which mimics drought conditions under controlled environments. This study investigated the effects of exogenous spermidine (SPD) on the physiological and biochemical responses of mango plants under drought stress and explored its potential mitigation mechanisms. Two-year-old ‘Renong 1’ mango seedlings were subjected to drought stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) at concentrations of 5%, 15%, and 25%, simulating mild, moderate, and severe drought conditions, respectively. Plants were subsequently treated with 1 mmol/L spermidine. After PEG 6000 treatment and spermidine application for 3 days, the leaf morphology, relative chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase [SOD], peroxidase [POD], catalase [CAT]), and osmotic regulators (proline, soluble sugars, and soluble proteins) were analyzed. The results demonstrated that drought stress caused leaf chlorosis, desiccation, reduced relative chlorophyll content, elevated MDA levels (indicating lipid peroxidation), enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, increased proline and soluble sugar accumulation for osmotic regulation, and decreased soluble protein content. Exogenous spermidine treatment significantly alleviated drought-induced damage by reducing leaf chlorosis, delaying relative chlorophyll degradation (by 20.0–25.7% under moderate drought and 14.1–19.1% under severe drought), and decreasing MDA levels (by 4.8–9.5% under moderate drought and 0.8–23.7% under severe drought). Furthermore, spermidine enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (e.g., SOD activity increased by 24.9–37.4% and POD by 74.0–104.0% under moderate drought), regulated osmotic substance accumulation (e.g., proline decreased by 21%, 26%, and 24% under mild, moderate, and severe drought, respectively), and mitigated the reduction in soluble protein content (by 6.6% under moderate drought and 10.3% under severe drought). In conclusion, exogenous spermidine mitigates drought-induced damage in mango by preserving photosynthetic capacity, enhancing the antioxidant defense system, and modulating osmotic balance. These results showed that SPD could significantly improve plant vigor or survival rate under stress. It provides a theoretical basis for water-saving cultivation of mango, improving the stress resistance of mango varieties and the application of spermidine in tropical fruit production. Full article

The nutritional, mineral, and bioactive profiles of four Opuntia fruit varieties—Opuntia robusta red variety (OR-RV) and three Opuntia ficus-indica varieties (red, yellow, and green: OFI-RV, OFI-YV, and OFI-GV, respectively)—were characterized to assess their compositional diversity and potential discriminant markers. Standard analytical procedures were applied to determine proximate composition, individual sugars, fibre content, mineral concentration, and bioactive compounds, followed by antioxidant activity assays. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) were used to explore multivariate patterns and identify variables with the greatest discriminatory power. Results revealed significant inter-varietal differences across all measured parameters (p < 0.05). OR-RV displayed the highest non-fibre carbohydrate, protein, copper, and ascorbic acid contents, as well as superior antioxidant activity. OFI-GV stood out for its high soluble and insoluble fibre, magnesium, and strontium levels, while OFI-YV was characterized by elevated sodium and calcium, and OFI-RV by increased protein and glucose contents. LDA identified ascorbic acid, protein, and five mineral elements (Sr, Zn, Cu, Mn, B) as key discriminant variables, achieving 100% classification accuracy. These findings highlight compositional diversity among Opuntia varieties and support their differentiated use in food and health applications. Full article

This study analyzed the planting characteristics and spatial patterns of public-type private gardens in urban areas. Five gardens in Daejeon and Ulsan were surveyed using quadrats to record tree locations and sizes and were digitized for layout mapping. Planting and analysis units were defined, and spatial patterns were examined using degree centrality. The gardens were classified into one site under mixed artificial–natural management and four sites under artificial management with commercial linkage. The mixed site featured both canopy and shrub layers, with spontaneous vegetation surrounding Pinus thunbergii, Pinus densiflora, and Prunus yedoensis. The commercial sites included either canopy-only or canopy-shrub structures. Lagerstroemia indica, P. densiflora, and Euonymus japonicus. were predominant in the temperate central region, while P. densiflora and Diospyros kaki. dominated in the southern region. This study identified the potential of public-type private gardens as planting models and their capacity to contribute to urban environmental improvement. Full article

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on the chemical composition of the fruits and cladodes of two Opuntia ficus-indica cultivars, characterized by their red and yellow fruit color, were investigated under field conditions. AMF treatment was found to significantly influence the concentration of phytonutrients in the fruits. The concentrations of betacyanin and betaxanthin increased by 1.2- and 1.9-fold in red and yellow fruits, respectively. The polyphenol content increased by 50%, with piscidic acid being the most abundant polyphenol in the red fruits. A similar increase in ascorbic acid was observed in the yellow fruits. Regarding the cladodes, AMF treatment was found to significantly affect macronutrient levels, with glucose and fructose contents being 90% and 34% higher, respectively. Additionally, cladodes from plants grown with AMF inoculation showed a 20% increase in ascorbic acid and phosphorus. These results demonstrate cultivar- and part-of-plant-dependent effects of AMF inoculation and confirm the nutritional and sustainable potential of Opuntia ficus-indica, particularly when coupled with mycorrhizal biofertilization practices. Full article