Search Results (130)

This study presents the scientific and methodological foundation of Spain’s first national framework for the ethical management of community cat populations: the Action Plan for the Management of Community Cat Colonies (PACF), launched in 2025 under the mandate of Law 7/2023. This pioneering legislation introduces a standardized, nationwide obligation for trap–neuter–return (TNR)-based management of free-roaming cats, defined as animals living freely, territorially attached, and with limited socialization toward humans. The PACF aims to support municipalities in implementing this mandate through evidence-based strategies that integrate animal welfare, biodiversity protection, and public health objectives. Using standardized data submitted by 1128 municipalities (13.9% of Spain’s total), we estimated a baseline population of 1.81 million community cats distributed across 125,000 colonies. These data were stratified by municipal population size and applied to national census figures to generate a model-ready demographic structure. We then implemented a stochastic simulation using Vortex software to project long-term population dynamics over a 25-year horizon. The model integrated eight demographic–environmental scenarios defined by a combination of urban–rural classification and ecological reproductive potential based on photoperiod and winter temperature. Parameters included reproductive output, mortality, sterilization coverage, abandonment and adoption rates, stochastic catastrophic events, and territorial carrying capacity. Under current sterilization rates (~20%), our projections indicate that Spain’s community cat population could surpass 5 million individuals by 2050, saturating ecological and social thresholds within a decade. In contrast, a differentiated sterilization strategy aligned with territorial reproductive intensity (50% in most areas, 60–70% in high-pressure zones) achieves population stabilization by 2030 at approximately 1.5 million cats, followed by a gradual long-term decline. This scenario prioritizes feasibility while substantially reducing reproductive output, particularly in rural and high-intensity contexts. The PACF combines stratified demographic modeling with spatial sensitivity, offering a flexible framework adaptable to local conditions. It incorporates One Health principles and introduces tools for adaptive management, including digital monitoring platforms and standardized welfare protocols. While ecological impacts were not directly assessed, the proposed demographic stabilization is designed to mitigate population-driven risks to biodiversity and public health without relying on lethal control. By integrating legal mandates, stratified modeling, and realistic intervention goals, this study outlines a replicable and scalable framework for coordinated action across administrative levels. It exemplifies how national policy can be operationalized through data-driven, territorially sensitive planning tools. The findings support the strategic deployment of TNR-based programs across diverse municipal contexts, providing a model for other countries seeking to align animal welfare policy with ecological planning under a multi-level governance perspective. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. is a versatile plant with significant medicinal, industrial, and recreational applications. Its therapeutic potential is attributed to cannabinoids like THC and CBD, whose production is influenced by environmental factors, such as radiation, temperature, and humidity. Radiation, for instance, is essential for photosynthetic processes, acting as both a primary energy source and a regulator of plant growth and development. This review covers key factors affecting C. sativa cultivation, including photoperiod, light spectrum, cultivation methods, environmental controls, and plant growth regulators. It highlights how these elements influence flowering, biomass, and cannabinoid production across different growing systems, offering insights for optimizing both medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation. Studies indicate that photoperiod sensitivity varies among cultivars, with some achieving optimal flowering and cannabinoid production under extended light periods rather than the traditional 12/12 h cycle. Light spectrum adjustments, especially red, far-red, and blue wavelengths, significantly impact photosynthesis, plant morphology, and secondary metabolite accumulation. Advances in LED technology allow precise spectral control, enhancing energy efficiency and cannabinoid profiles compared to conventional lighting. The photoperiod plays a vital role in the cultivation of C. sativa spp., directly impacting the plant’s developmental cycle, biomass production, and the concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes. The response to photoperiod varies among different cannabis cultivars, as demonstrated in studies comparing cultivars of diverse genetic origins. On the other hand, indoor or in vitro cultivation may serve as an excellent alternative for plant breeding programs in C. sativa, given the substantial inter-cultivar variability that hinders the fixation of desirable traits. Full article

Photoperiod sensitivity significantly affects the reproductive process of plants. The CONSTANS, CONSTANS-LIKE, and TOC1 (CCT) genes play pivotal roles in photoperiod sensitivity and regulating flowering time. However, the function of the CCT gene in regulating flowering varies among different species. Further research is needed to determine whether it promotes or delays flowering under long-day (LD) or short-day (SD) conditions. CCT MOTIF FAMILY (CMF) belongs to one of the three subfamilies of the CCT gene and has been proven to be involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms and flowering time in cereal crops. In this study, 60 CCT genes in Chinese cabbage were genome-wide identified, and chromosomal localization, gene duplication events, gene structure, conserved domains, co-expression networks, and phylogenetic tree were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. The specific expression patterns of the BrCMF gene in different tissues, as well as the transcriptome and RT-qPCR results under different photoperiodic conditions, were further analyzed. The results showed that BrCMF11 was significantly upregulated in ebm5 under LD conditions, suggesting that BrCMF11 promoted flowering under LD conditions in Chinese cabbage. These findings revealed the function of the BrCCT gene family in photoperiod flowering regulation and provided a prominent theoretical foundation for molecular breeding in Chinese cabbage. Full article

The Fabaceae family, the third-largest among flowering plants, is nutritionally vital, providing rich sources of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Leguminous plants, such as soybeans, peas, and chickpeas, typically contain two to three times more protein than cereals like wheat and rice, with low fat content (primarily unsaturated fats) and no cholesterol, making them essential for cardiovascular health and blood sugar management. Since the release of the soybean genome in 2010, genomic research in Fabaceae has advanced dramatically. High-quality reference genomes have been assembled for key species, including soybeans (Glycine max), common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), and model legumes like Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus, leveraging long-read sequencing, single-cell technologies, and improved assembly algorithms. These advancements have enabled telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assemblies, pan-genome constructions, and the identification of structural variants (SVs) and presence/absence variations (PAVs), enriching our understanding of genetic diversity and domestication history. Functional genomic tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, mutagenesis, and high-throughput omics (transcriptomics, metabolomics), have elucidated regulatory networks controlling critical traits like photoperiod sensitivity (e.g., E1 and Tof16 genes in soybeans), seed development (GmSWEET39 for oil/protein transport), nitrogen fixation efficiency, and stress resilience (e.g., Rpp3 for rust resistance). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and comparative genomics have further linked genetic variants to agronomic traits, such as pod size in peanuts (PSW1) and flowering time in common beans (COL2). This review synthesizes recent breakthroughs in legume genomics, highlighting the integration of multi-omic approaches to accelerate gene cloning and functional confirmation of the genes cloned. Full article

Indoor farming presents a sustainable response to urbanization and climate change, yet optimizing light use efficiency (LUE) remains vital for maximizing crop yield and minimizing energy use. This study introduces an IoT-based framework for adaptive light management in controlled environments, using lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) as a model crop due to its rapid growth and sensitivity to light spectra. The system integrates advanced LED lighting, real-time sensors, and cloud-based analytics to enhance light distribution and automate adjustments based on growth stages. The key findings indicate a 20% increase in energy efficiency and a 15% improvement in lettuce growth compared to traditional static models. Novel metrics—Light Use Efficiency at Growth stage Canopy Level (LUEP) and Lamp Level (LUEL)—were developed to assess system performance comprehensively. Simulations identified optimal growth conditions, including a light intensity of 350–400 µmol/m²/s and photoperiods of 16–17 h/day. Spectral optimization showed that a balanced blue-red light mix benefits vegetative growth, while higher red content supports flowering. The framework’s feedback control ensures rapid (<2 s) and accurate (>97%) adjustments to environmental deviations, maintaining ideal conditions throughout growth stages. Comparative analysis confirms the adaptive system’s superiority over static models in responding to dynamic environmental conditions and improving performance metrics like LUEP and LUEL. Practical recommendations include stage-specific guidelines for light spectrum, intensity, and duration to enhance both energy efficiency and crop productivity. While tailored to lettuce, the modular system design allows for adaptation to a variety of leafy greens and other crops with species-specific calibration. This research demonstrates the potential of IoT-driven adaptive lighting systems to advance precision agriculture in indoor environments, offering scalable, energy-efficient solutions for sustainable food production. Full article

The allelic diversity within genes controlling the vernalization requirement (VRN1) and photoperiod response (PPD1) determines the ability of wheat to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions and influences grain yield. In this study, allelic variations at the VRN-A1, VRN-B1, VRN-D1 and PPD-D1 genes were studied for 89 accessions of Triticum compactum from different eco-geographical regions of the world. The collection was evaluated for heading date in both field and greenhouse experiments under a long photoperiod and without vernalization. Based on heading date characteristics, 52 (58.4%) of the genotypes had a spring growth habit, and all of them carried at least one dominant VRN1 allele, while 37 (41.6%) accessions had a winter growth habit and carried the triple recessive allele combination. The photoperiod-sensitive Ppd-D1b allele was detected in 85 (95.5%) accessions and the insensitive Ppd-D1a allele in four (4.5%) accessions. A total of 10 phenology gene profiles (haplotypes) were observed at four major genes in the T. compactum germplasm collection. The LSD test revealed significant differences in the mean heading date among the different spring phenology gene profiles, both in greenhouse and field conditions. In addition, 21 microsatellite markers (simple sequence repeats, SSRs) were used to assess the genetic diversity in the collection. The 21 SSR markers amplified a total of 183 alleles across all the genotypes, with a mean of 3.2 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.49 to 0.94, with a mean of 0.84. The results of this study may be useful for both T. compactum and common wheat breeding programs as a source of agronomic traits. Full article

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a tropical vegetable with high nutritional and economic value. Rich in fiber, vitamins (C, K, and B9), and minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium, and iron), it contributes to food security in many tropical regions. Global production is estimated at 11.5 million tons in 2023, 62% of which will come from India. Nigeria, Mali, Sudan, Pakistan, and Côte d’Ivoire are also among the major producers. Given its economic importance, optimizing its growth through controlled methods such as greenhouse cultivation and light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is a strategic challenge. Energy-efficient LED horticultural lighting offers promising prospects, but each plant variety reacts differently depending on the light spectrum, intensity, and duration of exposure (photoperiod). This study evaluated the effects of different LED spectra on okra’s flowering after 30 days of growth using B (blue, 445 nm) and R (red, 660 nm) LED lights and red-blue alternating in a three-day cycle (R3B3) by alternating the photoperiod from 14 to 10 h. Outdoor and greenhouse conditions served as controls. The results show that the R3B3 treatment improves germination in terms of both speed and percentage. However, plant growth (height, stem diameter, and leaf area) remains higher in the control group. R3B3 and red light stimulate leaf and node development. Flowering occurs earlier in the control group (51 days) and later under LED, particularly blue (73 days). Fruit diameter after petal fall was also larger in the control group. These results confirm the sensitivity of okra to photoperiod and light quality, and highlight the potential of spectral and photoperiod manipulation to regulate flowering in controlled-environment agriculture. Full article

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), a commercially vital tropical crop, faces flowering instability due to photoperiod-sensitive flowering patterns, particularly under the cloudy, rainy climates of subtropical regions. To mitigate floral suppression during unfavorable light conditions, this study implemented a dual-modality strategy combining 16 h daily supplementary lighting (460 nm blue + 630 nm red spectrum) and foliar application of a high-phosphorus-containing nutrient, the Plant-Prod (nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium = 10:52:10) grown in field ‘Qinmi No. 9’. The treatment significantly stimulated lateral branch formation, internode elongation, flower retention, stage IV flower bud development, and enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. Physiological analyses revealed that the treatment increased the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), reduced the intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci), and enhanced stomatal conductance (Gs), indicating the improvement of carbon assimilation. Controlled seedling trials further confirmed these effects, with treated groups exhibiting accelerated lateral branching and stress resilience. This integrated approach, combining optimized supplemental lighting and precision phosphorus fertilization, offers a practical and scalable strategy to stabilize passion fruit yields in climate-variable regions, with immediate potential for commercial orchards and greenhouse production. Full article

This study explores the molecular mechanisms underlying diapause in the parasitoid wasp Telenomus remus (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae), a critical egg parasitoid for the biological control of the invasive pest Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). While effective in pest management, T. remus faces limitations in large-scale applications due to its short lifespan and low viability under storage conditions. Diapause, a state of developmental arrest, was successfully induced in T. remus using photoperiod manipulation (0L:24D), allowing for extended survival and improved storage potential. Transcriptome sequencing identified 2642 differentially expressed genes, with 617 involved in 284 enriched pathways, including calcium signaling and phototransduction. The study found that the expression levels of CBP1 and CBP2, genes encoding calcium-binding proteins, were significantly downregulated during diapause. As key regulators in calcium ion-mediated signal transduction pathways, the downregulation of CBP1 and CBP2 may lead to the suppression of intracellular calcium signaling, thereby affecting light signal transduction and energy metabolism regulation. This suggests that during diapause, insects may reduce calcium signaling activity to suppress physiological functions, maintain a low metabolic state, and decrease sensitivity to environmental stimuli. Additionally, ARR genes still exhibited differential expression, further supporting their potential role in phototransduction and diapause regulation. Full article

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facilitates the management of plant growth and development through innovative horticultural technologies. Specific features of obligatory halophytes require diverse cultivation conditions compared to leafy vegetables grown in CEA. An ice plant was grown in walk-in chambers, and the impact of the following aspects was evaluated: (I) photosynthetically active photon flux density (PPFD) of 150, 200, 250, 300 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹; (II) spectral composition of red (R), blue (B), RB, and RBFR (far-red); (III) 12 h, 16 h, and 24 h photoperiod; (IV) hydroponic solution pH at 5.0–5.5, 5.5–6.0, and 6.0–6.5; and (V) hydroponic solution salinity concentrations at 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM L⁻¹ NaCl. Other cultivation parameters were maintained constant. The results demonstrate that the ice plant was not sensitive to lighting duration at a constant daily light quantity. However, to enhance the phytochemical and mineral content per biomass, it is suggested that 250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ be used. While growth remains unaffected, pH levels 6.0–6.5 lead to an increased accumulation of fructose, citric, malic, and fumaric acids. In contrast, pH levels of 5.0–5.5 enhance the accumulation of mineral elements. Nutrient solution salinity of 50 mM NaCl is potentially optimum for ice plant growth. Further research is needed to evaluate the complex effect of environmental conditions for halophytes cultivation in CEA. Full article

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), one of the earliest domesticated crops, has diverse applications in textiles, construction, nutrition, and medicine. Breeding advancements, including speed breeding, accelerate genetic improvements in crops by optimizing environmental conditions for reduced generation times. This study employed greenhouse and field experiments to develop a proprietary yellow-stemmed hemp germplasm with a unique stem trait. Initial crossbreeding between the late Eletta Campana (medium green stems) and the early Chamaeleon (yellow stems) demonstrated the recessive monogenic inheritance of the yellow-stem trait and fast and safe stabilization even in the case of parent varieties with different flowering times. Controlled flowering in the case of photoperiod-sensitive genotypes, manual pollination, and successive backcrossing stabilized the yellow-stem trait over six cycles, with 100% trait consistency achieved by the fifth cycle within just 12 months in total. Open-field trials validated greenhouse results, showing strong correlations between visual stem color assessments and visible atmospherically resistant index (VARI) obtained through remote sensing imagery. Cannabinoid analyses indicated significant reductions in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content while maintaining optimal cannabidiol (CBD) levels. Accumulated growing degree days (GDDs) optimized flowering and maturity, ensuring consistency in phenological traits. This research highlights the utility of speed breeding and chemical analysis to accelerate trait stabilization and improve industrial hemp’s agronomic potential for fiber and CBD production while adhering to regulatory THC limits. Full article

Background/Objectives: Maize (Zea mays L.), a crop of worldwide importance, owes its adaptability to diverse environments to its genetic variation. However, tropical maize exhibits intrinsic photoperiod sensitivity, limiting its adaptability to temperate regions. Photoperiod sensitivity significantly affects the flowering time and other agronomic traits, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, the aim is to elucidate the transcriptional regulatory networks mediating photoperiod responses in tropical maize inbred line Su65, providing insights into improving photoperiod adaptability. Methods: RNA-seq analysis was carried out to investigate photoperiod-responsive genes and pathways in tropical line Su65 exposed to varying photoperiod conditions. Differential expression analysis, functional enrichment, and the construction of protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were carried out to investigate transcriptional dynamics. Additionally, qRT-PCR was employed to confirm the expression patterns of key candidate genes and generate detailed temporal expression profiles. Results: A total of 1728 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, with significant enrichment in pathways such as stress responses, redox homeostasis, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. A set of new key hub genes (such as Zm00001d048531, Zm00001d018821, Zm00001d034892, etc.) were identified through PPI network analysis. Temporal expression profiling of ZmPHYB1, ZmPHYC1, ZmFKF2, ZmGI2, and ZmPRR37a, the key genes involved in circadian rhythms, revealed distinct regulatory patterns of photoperiod-sensitive genes at different time points, highlighting their roles in flowering time regulation and developmental transitions. Conclusions: In this study, critical molecular networks underlying photoperiod sensitivity in tropical maize are uncovered and a foundation is provided for improving photoperiod adaptability through genetic improvement. By integrating RNA-seq and qRT-PCR, the research offers valuable insights into transcriptional dynamics and their role in maize development under photoperiodic regulation. Full article

Changes in vegetation activities driven by climate change serve as both a sensitive indicator and a key driver of climate impacts, underscoring the need for accurate phenological predictions. Delays in leaf senescence due to rising air temperatures increase the risk of damage from early frost, potentially affecting growth and survival in subsequent years. This study aimed to quantify long-term changes in leaf senescence timing for palmate maple and ginkgo trees, explore their associations with environmental factors, and compare the performance of multiple modeling approaches to identify their strengths and limitations for phenological predictions. Using data from 48 sites across South Korea (1989–2020), this study analyzed trends in the timing of leaf senescence for maple and ginkgo trees and compared the performance of process-based models (CDD_T, CDD_P, TP_T, TP_P), a linear regression model, and machine-learning models (random forest, RF; gradient-boosting decision tree, GBTD). Leaf senescence timing for both species has progressively been delayed, with ginkgo trees showing a faster rate of change (0.20 vs. 0.17 days per year, p < 0.05). Delayed senescence was observed in most regions (81% for maple and 75% for ginkgo), with statistically significant delays (p < 0.05) at half of the sites. Machine-learning models demonstrated the highest training accuracy (RMSE < 4.0 days, r > 0.90). Evaluation with independent datasets revealed that the RF and process-based TP_P (including minimum temperature and photoperiod) using a site-specific approach performed best (RMSE < 5.5 days, r > 0.75). Key environmental factors identified by RF included autumn minimum or mean temperatures and a summer photoperiod. By conducting this comparative assessment, the study provides insights into the applicability of different modeling approaches for phenology research and highlights their implications for vegetation management and climate change adaptation. Full article

Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat. is a globally renowned ornamental flower. It includes numerous varieties, most of which are typical short-day (SD) plants, and the flowering characteristics of different chrysanthemum varieties in response to the photoperiod vary greatly. In this study, seven representative chrysanthemum varieties were selected for a comparative analysis of flowering traits under long-day conditions (16 h/8 h day/night) and short-day conditions (12 h/12 h day/night). It was found that three varieties (‘A44’, ‘C60’, and ‘183’) belonged to obligatory short-day varieties and four varieties (‘A20’, ‘C1’, ‘C27’, and ‘C31’) belonged to facultative short-day varieties. The short-day conditions not only induced earlier flowering but also improved flowering quality in the facultative SD varieties. Different chrysanthemum varieties required different light conditions to complete the vegetative stage and reach the floral competent state. Seven chrysanthemum varieties, ‘A44’, ‘C60’, ‘183’, ‘A20’, ‘C1’, ‘C27’, and ‘C31’, reached a floral competent state in the L20, L20, L22, L22, L18, L20, and L24 periods, respectively, and were most sensitive to SD induction at this time. The expression patterns of key floral genes in the photoperiod pathway were analyzed and it was found that CmCRY1, CmCRY2, CmGI1, CmGI2, and CmCO were mainly expressed in leaves. Then, comparing the expression levels of these genes under LD and SD conditions, the expression of CmGI1, CmGI2, CmCO, and CmFTL were not significantly induced in the obligatory SD varieties, while the expression of them in the facultative SD varieties were induced by SD conditions. This may be the reason why the facultative varieties could respond to SD conditions more quickly to complete the floral transition. In addition, SD induction under different photoperiodic conditions and growth states resulted in differences in the phenotype of flowering. This result provides guidance for the artificial regulation of chrysanthemum flowering and improvement of ornamental quality, as well as clues for analyzing the flowering mechanism of chrysanthemums under different photoperiod conditions. Full article

Flowering is initiated in response to environmental cues, with the photoperiod and ambient temperature being the main ones. The regulatory pathways underlying floral transition are well studied in Arabidopsis thaliana but remain largely unknown in legumes. Here, we first applied an in silico approach to infer the regulatory inputs of four FT-like genes of the narrow-leafed lupin Lupinus angustifolius. We studied the roles of FTc1, FTc2, FTa1, and FTa2 in the activation of meristem identity gene AGL8 in response to 8 h and 16 h photoperiods, vernalization, and the circadian rhythm. We developed a set of regression models of AGL8 regulation by the FT-like genes and fitted these models to the recently published gene expression data. The importance of the input from each FT-like gene or their combinations was estimated by comparing the performance of models with one or few FT-like genes turned off, thereby simulating loss-of-function mutations that were yet unavailable in L. angustifolius. Our results suggested that in the early flowering Ku line and intermediate Pal line, the FTc1 gene played a major role in floral transition; however, it acted through different mechanisms under short and long days. Turning off the regulatory input of FTc1 resulted in substantial changes in AGL8 expression associated with vernalization sensitivity and the circadian rhythm. In the wild ku line, we found that both FTc1 and FTa1 genes had an essential role under long days, which was associated with the vernalization response. These results could be applied both for setting up new experiments and for data analysis using the proposed modeling approach. Full article