Search Results (4,363)

The holobiont paradigm, conceptualizing host–microbiome assemblages as functionally integrated entities, has fundamentally altered interpretations of adaptive responses to environmental pressures spanning multiple organizational levels. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on microbiome-host coevolution, focusing on three key aspects. First, it examines the evolutionary origins of holobionts from primordial microbial consortia. Second, it considers the mechanistic basis of microbiome-mediated stress resilience in plants and animals. Finally, it explores the ecological implications of inter-holobiont interactions. We highlight how early microbial alliances (protomicrobiomes) laid the groundwork for eukaryotic complexity through metabolic cooperation, with modern holobionts retaining this plasticity to confront abiotic and biotic stressors. In plants, compartment-specific microbiomes (e.g., rhizosphere, phyllosphere) enhance drought tolerance or nutrient acquisition, while in animals, the gut microbiome modulates neuroendocrine and immune functions via multi-organ axes (gut–brain, gut–liver, etc.). Critically, we emphasize the role of microbial metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, VOCs) as universal signaling molecules that coordinate holobiont responses to environmental change. Emerging strategies, like microbiome engineering and probiotics, are discussed as tools to augment stress resilience in agriculture and medicine. By framing adaptation as a collective trait of the holobiont, this work bridges evolutionary biology, microbiology, and ecology to offer a unified perspective on stress biology. Full article

Small signaling peptides play crucial roles in the regulation of legume–rhizobia symbiosis, yet their potential as exogenous biostimulants remains largely unexplored. In this study, we evaluated the effects of foliar application of the synthetic peptides ENOD40 and CEP1 on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) under both greenhouse and field conditions. Using a factorial design, we examined gene expression patterns, nodulation parameters, and yield-related traits in response to peptide treatments alone or in combination with Rhizobium. Results showed that ENOD40 and CEP1 significantly enhanced the transcription of key symbiotic signaling genes (PvENOD40, PvSYMRK, PvCCaMK, PvCYCLOPS, PvVAPYRIN) and modulated defense-related genes (PvAOS, PvICS), with the strongest effects observed at concentrations of 10⁻⁷ M and 10⁻⁸ M. In greenhouse assays, peptide-treated plants exhibited increased root and shoot biomass, nodule number, and seed yield. Field trials confirmed these responses, with CEP1 10⁻⁷ M + Rhizobium treatment achieving the highest grain yield (3322 kg ha⁻¹). Our findings provide the first evidence that ENOD40 and CEP1 peptides can function as foliar-applied biostimulants to enhance nodulation efficiency and improve yield in legumes. This approach offers a promising and sustainable strategy to reduce chemical nitrogen inputs and support biological nitrogen fixation in agricultural systems. Full article

Understanding genetic variation in commercially valuable tree species is essential for improving breeding and conservation efforts. This study investigates genetic variation, heritability, and trait relationships in Pterocarpus macrocarpus, a vital hardwood species for Thailand’s reforestation initiatives. We evaluated growth (height and diameter), morphology (biomass dry weight and specific leaf weight), and physiological traits (net photosynthesis [A], transpiration rate [E], and water-use efficiency [WUE]) across 112 open-pollinated families from six natural populations under controlled nursery conditions over 30 weeks. Using a randomised complete block design, variance and covariance analyses were conducted to estimate genetic parameters. Seedling survival reached 95%, confirming favourable conditions for genetic expression. There were significant differences among populations and families within populations in growth and biomass. In contrast, physiological traits showed notable family-level variation (A, E, WUE) and only population effects for WUE. Residual variance was predominant across traits, indicating considerable within-family variation. Growth and biomass exhibited moderate to high heritability (individual: 0.39–1.00; family: 0.61–0.90), while specific leaf weight and shoot-to-root ratio had lower heritability at the individual level. Physiological traits showed low to moderate heritabilities (individual: 0.26–0.43; family: 0.47–0.62), with maternal effects via seed weight significantly influencing early growth. The heritability of height decreased over time, whereas the heritability of diameter remained stable. Strong genetic correlations among growth and biomass suggest the potential for combined selection gains. However, physiological traits show weak or no correlations with growth, highlighting their independent genetic control. Variation at the population level in growth and WUE may reflect adaptive responses to seed-source environments. Our findings support the use of nursery-based screening as a cost-effective method for the early identification of high-quality families. WUE is a promising focus for breeding programs targeting drought-prone regions. This study provides key insights for advancing the genetic improvement and conservation of P. macrocarpus, emphasizing the importance of incorporating physiological traits into breeding and conservation strategies. Full article

Cold stress severely limits legume productivity, threatening global food security, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions. This review synthesizes advances in understanding and enhancing cold tolerance in key legumes (chickpea, soybean, lentil, and cowpea), addressing three core questions: (1) molecular/physiological foundations of cold tolerance; (2) how emerging technologies accelerate stress dissection and breeding; and (3) integration strategies and deployment challenges. Legume cold tolerance involves conserved pathways (e.g., ICE-CBF-COR, Inducer of CBF Expression, C-repeat Binding Factor, Cold-Responsive genes) and species-specific mechanisms like soybean’s GmTCF1a-mediated pathway. Multi-omics have identified critical genes (e.g., CaDREB1E in chickpea, NFR5 in pea) underlying adaptive traits (membrane stabilization, osmolyte accumulation) that reduce yield losses by 30–50% in tolerant genotypes. Technologically, AI and high-throughput phenotyping achieve >95% accuracy in early cold detection (3–7 days pre-symptoms) via hyperspectral/thermal imaging; deep learning (e.g., CNN-LSTM hybrids) improves trait prediction by 23% over linear models. Genomic selection cuts breeding cycles by 30–50% (to 3–5 years) using GEBVs (Genomic estimated breeding values) from hundreds of thousands of SNPs (Single-nucleotide polymorphisms). Advanced sensors (LIG-based, LoRaWAN) enable real-time monitoring (±0.1 °C precision, <30 s response), supporting precision irrigation that saves 15–40% water while maintaining yields. Key barriers include multi-omics data standardization and cost constraints in resource-limited regions. Integrating molecular insights with AI-driven phenomics and multi-omics is revolutionizing cold-tolerance breeding, accelerating climate-resilient variety development, and offering a blueprint for sustainable agricultural adaptation. Full article

Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) is a globally green manure and forage crop, cultivated extensively worldwide. Its seeds serve as an important concentrated feed. Due to the late release of the reference genome, few studies were conducted to analyze the genetic mechanisms of grain yield, which hindered the progress of common vetch breeding. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is the best and most effective way to accelerate the genetic improvement of grain yield-related traits in common vetch. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using the high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data obtained through re-sequencing to better understand the genetic basis of grain yield-related traits. In total, six grain yield-related traits were evaluated in 172 accessions mainly sourced from China and Russia, across four environments, including branches per plant (NB), pod length (PL), number of pods per plant (NP), number of grains per pod (NG), hundred-grain weight (HGW), and grain yield (GY). Population structure analysis of the 172 accessions revealed four distinct subpopulations, exhibiting strong geographical correlation. In total, 38 loci have been identified as significantly associated with six grain yield-related traits, accounting for 13.3–31.7% of the phenotypic variances. Among them, qGY1.1 and qNG1.1, qNG2.2 and qPL2.1, qNG3.2 and qGY3.2, qNG4.1 and qPL4.1, qGY4.1 and qHGW4.1, qNG6.1 and qPL6.1, and qNB6.2 and qGY6.2 exhibit overlapping regions, suggesting that these regions are pleiotropic and should be prioritized for further research and breeding. In total, 12 candidate genes encoding auxin response factor, F-box repeat protein, gibberellin receptor, serine/threonine-protein kinase-like protein, and cellulose synthase-like protein were identified. Furthermore, we successfully developed and verified a kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) marker (Kasp-NB6.2) for the number of branches. These findings provide molecular insights into grain yield-related traits in common vetch and offer valuable loci and molecular tools for MAS breeding. Full article

Background: COVID-19 has limited pregnant and postpartum women’s access to mental health services, leading to the introduction of online interventions. Objectives: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of telepsychotherapy (i.e., psychotherapy provided through digital technology supporting real-time interactivity in the audio or audiovisual modality) with the one yielded by face-to-face interventions in treating perinatal depression and anxiety and to assess the therapist’s perceived alliance in both interventions. Methods: We collected anamnestic information and obstetrical risk factors for 61 women. We evaluated the effectiveness of face-to-face (N = 31) vs. telepsychotherapy (N = 30) interventions on depressive and anxiety symptoms at baseline (T0) and the end of treatment (T1) using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y 1 and 2). We assessed the degree of alliance perceived by therapists with the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI-T). Results: Both groups showed significant decreases in depressive (EPDS face-to-face: T0 12.65 ± 5.81, T1 5.77 ± 4.63, p < 0.001; EPDS remote: T0 11.93 ± 5.24, T1 5.70 ± 4.46, p < 0.001; effect size: 0.002) and state anxiety (STAI-Y 1 face-to-face: T0 51.19 ± 13.73, T1 40.23 ± 12.86, p < 0.001; STAI-Y 1 remote: T0 51.10 ± 11.29, T1 38.00 ± 10.90, p < 0.001; effect size: 0.007//STAI-Y 2 face-to-face: T0 43.13 ± 12.11, T1 41.03 ± 13.06, p = 0.302; STAI-Y 2 remote: T0 44.20 ± 8.70, T1 39.30 ± 9.58, p = 0.003; effect size: <0.001) symptoms by the end of treatment. Women treated remotely also experienced a significant reduction in trait anxiety at T1 (p = 0.003). We found no significant differences in either symptomatology (EPDS; STAI-Y) between the two interventions at baseline or in the therapist-perceived alliance. Conclusions: Synchronous telepsychotherapy for perinatal depression and anxiety showed comparable treatment response to face-to-face interventions, with both modalities associated with significant symptom reduction and the establishment of a working alliance. These findings support the potential of telepsychotherapy as a valuable alternative when in-person services are not accessible, especially during emergency contexts. Full article

Heavy metal toxicity, particularly cadmium (Cd), poses a growing threat to agriculture and human health due to its persistence and high solubility, which facilitates its entry into the food chain. Among the strategies proposed to reduce Cd toxicity in plants and the environment, the use of beneficial microorganisms, such as endophytic fungi, has gained attention due to its effectiveness and eco-friendliness. This study investigates the potential of the root-colonizing fungus Serendipita indica (formerly Piriformospora indica) to mitigate cadmium (Cd) stress in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. subsp. Pekinensis) grown hydroponically under varying Cd concentrations (0, 1, 3, and 4 mM). Several parameters were assessed, including morphological traits, physiological and biochemical responses, and changes in leaf composition. Exposure to Cd significantly reduced plant growth, increased membrane electrolyte leakage, and decreased relative water content and root colonization, while enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and the accumulation of phenolics, flavonoids, proline, glycine betaine, and carbohydrates. Notably, plants treated with S. indica showed improved tolerance to Cd stress, indicating the potential of the fungus. These findings suggest that S. indica can enhance plant resilience in Cd-contaminated environments and may offer a promising biological strategy for sustainable crop production under heavy metal stress. Full article

This study presents a novel and interpretable, deployment-ready framework for predicting cybersecurity incidents through item-level behavioral, cognitive, and dispositional indicators. Based on survey data from 453 professionals across countries and sectors, we developed 72 logistic regression models across twelve self-reported incident outcomes—from account lockouts to full device compromise—within six analytically stratified layers (Education, IT, Hungary, UK, USA, and full sample). Drawing on five theoretically grounded domains—cybersecurity behavior, digital literacy, personality traits, risk rationalization, and work–life boundary blurring—our models preserve the full granularity of individual responses rather than relying on aggregated scores, offering rare transparency and interpretability for real-world applications. This approach reveals how stratified models, despite smaller sample sizes, often outperform general ones by capturing behavioral and contextual specificity. Moderately prevalent outcomes (e.g., suspicious logins, multiple mild incidents) yielded the most robust predictions, while rare-event models, though occasionally high in “Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve” (AUC), suffered from overfitting under cross-validation. Beyond model construction, we introduce threshold calibration and fairness-aware integration of demographic variables, enabling ethically grounded deployment in diverse organizational contexts. By unifying theoretical depth, item-level precision, multilayer stratification, and operational guidance, this study establishes a scalable blueprint for human-centric cybersecurity. It bridges the gap between behavioral science and risk analytics, offering the tools and insights needed to detect, predict, and mitigate user-level threats in increasingly blurred digital environments. Full article

Trichome birefringence-like proteins function as polysaccharide O-acetyltransferases that catalyze the O-acetylation of cell wall polysaccharides and play widespread roles in regulating plant growth and stress responses. However, no TBL genes have been functionally characterized in maize, and their biological properties remain largely unexplored. Through bioinformatic analysis, we identified 74 maize TBL genes (designated ZmTBL1–ZmTBL74) among the maize genome. Comprehensive analyses of their phylogenetic relationships, basic physicochemical and sequence characteristics, putative upstream regulatory transcription factors and expression patterns were conducted. Expression profiling and qPCR analyses revealed that ZmTBLs respond widely to abiotic stresses, including heat and cold. Association analyses demonstrated that sequence variations in ZmTBL57 and ZmTBL69 correlate with maize agronomic traits. These findings elucidate the molecular characteristics and evolutionary history of maize TBL genes and underscore their roles in abiotic stress responses. In summary, the foundation established by this work will facilitate further functional characterization of TBL genes in maize. Full article

Double-petal ornamental pomegranate presents for its enhanced ornamental value. Thus, cultivation techniques that promote petaloidy while modulating related gene expression are desired. To screen out the efficient treatments of plant growth regulator and key genes that enhance petaloidy, this study treated the flower buds of double- and single-petal ornamental pomegranate varieties with different concentrations of plant growth regulators naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), abscisic acid (ABA), and ethephon (ETH) and quantified the number of petalized stamens (NOPSs) and the number of petals (NOPs) in both varieties. Furthermore, we investigated the expression levels of the genes flavin-containing monooxygenase (YUC), IAA-amino acid hydrolase (ILR1),indole-3-acetic acid-amido synthetase (GH3.17), auxin transporter (LAX2), auxin response factor (ARF), auxin-induced in root cultures protein (AIR12), jasmonic acid-amido synthetase (JAR1), and ABA stress ripening-induced protein (ASR) under the different treatments and analyzed their role in regulating relevant phenotypic traits. Plant growth regulator experiments demonstrated that NAA (10 mg/L) significantly increased the number of petalized stamens (NOPSs) and petals (NOPs), MeJA (100 mg/L) significantly increased the number of petalized stamens, while neither ABA nor ETH induced this morphological shift. qRT-PCR analysis confirmed that NAA upregulated ILR1, LAX2, ARF, and JAR1 in the stamens of single-petal flowers (StSi) and double-petal flowers (StDo) and petals of single-petal flowers (PeSi) and double-petal flowers (PeDo), with their expression levels strongly positively correlated with NOPS in both single- and double-petal flowers and NOP in double-petal flowers. MeJA upregulated ILR1, GH3.17, LAX2, ARF, and JAR1 in StDo and PeDo and was strongly positively correlated with NOPS and NOP in double-petal flowers. Consequently, NAA (10 mg/L) and MeJA (100 mg/L) were efficient treatments, and ILR1, GH3.17, LAX2, ARF, and JAR1 were identified as key genes in NAA- and MeJA-mediated petaloidy in ornamental pomegranates. Our results provide theoretical support for identifying the formation mechanism and improving industrial cultivation techniques for double-petal pomegranates. Full article

Cysteine-rich polycomb-like protein (CPP) transcription factors (TFs) play critical roles in the process of plant growth and development, as well as stress responses. To date, no reports about CPP TFs have been published for lettuce (Lactuca sativa). In this study, six CPP TFs (LsCPP1-LsCPP6) were identified in lettuce. Phylogenetic analysis showed that LsCPP TFs were classified into two clades (Clade I and Clade II). Six LsCPP genes were distributed across four chromosomes. Cis-elements, which are involved in environmental stress, hormone response, and development processes, were identified in the promoters of LsCPP genes. LsCPP genes were induced by different tissues and the stem enlargement processes of stem lettuce. Plant hormones (SA, ABA) and abiotic stress (salt, drought) induced the expression of LsCPP genes. LsCPP4 was significantly induced after drought stress for 12 h. Notably, the expression level of LsCPP4 increased more than 10 times (12 h) and 150 times (24 h) after salt stress. ABA and SA significantly induced the expression profile of LsCPP6. This study not only provides the basis for future functional research of LsCPP genes, particularly their roles in lettuce stress resistance, but also provides a foundation for molecular breeding to enhance the agricultural traits in lettuce. Full article

Carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are basic nutrients and energy sources for flower development. In this study, the morphological traits, C, N, P, and NSC concentrations, and C:N:P ratios in pistil, stamen, and petal of C. maxima flower at three phenophases (BBCH54, BBCH59, and BBCH61) were comparatively analyzed. Morphology diverged markedly among the three phenophases, whereas relative water contents were stable. C, N, P, and NSC showed larger variations at three phenophases and parts in C. maxima flower. Maximal C:N, C:P, and N:P occurred in pistils, pistils, and petals at BBCH61, respectively. C:N:P stoichiometry was the most responsive to ontogeny, indicating development-specific elemental storage and biomass partitioning of C. maxima flowers. NSC contents (glucose, fructose, sucrose, starch) differed significantly among organs and phenophases, and peak NSC appeared in the pistils at the three phenophases. High correlations between NSCs and C:N:P ratios suggested coordinated resource allocation. Correlation analysis showed that significant differences occurred at three phenophases for the accumulation and allocation of C, N, P, and NSCs. Principal component analysis (PCA) ordinated samples along PC-1 (44.2%) and PC-2 (24.4%), cumulatively explaining 68.6% of variance, corroborating development- and organ-dependent divergence. These data elucidated the intricate regulatory dynamics of nutrient contents among the three parts during the flower development of C. maxima, providing a robust quantitative framework for targeted nutrient management strategies. Full article

Cotton is one of the most important crops worldwide, having considerable economic importance in Greece. This study aimed to evaluate the fiber quality traits of partially interspecific cotton lines under contrasting irrigation and nitrogen environments within a strip-split block field design. Experiments conducted over two consecutive years include a control (commercial cultivar Celia) and four partially interspecific lines of the Pa7 generation (Gossypium hirsutum × G. barbadense). Three irrigation and two nitrogen fertilization levels were applied. Significant differences were observed among genotypes and environments for all fiber quality traits, with some year-to-year variation. Genotypic response for yellowness was influenced by fertilization. Across the two experimental years, a strong Fertilization × Environment interaction was observed, and in the second year, a Genotype × Fertilization × Environment interaction was detected for the uniformity index. Pa7 lines consistently outperformed Celia in fiber length (≈33 vs. 30 mm) and elongation (≈7.0 vs. 5.5%), while exhibiting higher yellowness values. Fiber strength, micronaire, uniformity, and reflectance varied between years but remained within acceptable ranges. Overall, Pa7 lines demonstrated superior fiber quality and stability under variable conditions, highlighting their potential for breeding programs. These findings support the importance of integrating interspecific germplasm with suitable irrigation–nitrogen management to improve cotton fiber performance and resilience under diverse cultivation environments. Full article

This study assessed the impact of untreated wastewater discharge in the Danube River on four native fish species: barbel (Barbus barbus), vimba bream (Vimba vimba), perch (Perca fluviatilis), and white bream (Blicca bjoerkna). Biomarkers of exposure and effect were evaluated, including metal and metalloid bioaccumulation in gills, liver, and gonads, DNA damage (comet assay), chromosomal abnormalities (micronucleus assay), liver enzyme activities (ALT, AST), and erythrocyte maturation. White bream showed the highest genotoxic damage (TI% = 22.57), particularly in liver tissue, indicating high sensitivity to pollution. Perch had elevated DNA damage in blood (TI% = 22.69) and strong biomarker responses, likely due to its predatory behavior. Barbel displayed notable DNA damage in gills (TI% = 30.67) and liver (TI% = 20.35), aligning with sediment exposure due to its benthic habits. Vimba bream had the lowest responses, possibly reflecting reduced exposure or resilience. Element accumulation varied across tissues and species, with perch showing the highest overall levels. Hepatic enzyme activities (highest values: ALT = 105.69 in barbel; AST = 91.25 in white bream) and changes in erythrocyte profiles supported evidence of physiological stress. Integrated Biomarker Response (IBR) analysis identified white bream as the most sensitive species, followed by perch and barbel. These results emphasize the value of multi-species biomonitoring and the importance of species-specific traits in freshwater ecotoxicology. Full article

Salinity is a major limiting factor for all food crops, mainly Chinese cabbage. This study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar (BC) on physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of Chinese cabbage grown under salinity stress in an open field. We supplied three concentrations of BC (5, 10, and 15 t/ha) to the 200 mM NaCl salinity-stress-induced field, which enhanced physical and chemical properties of the soil. Under salinity stress, BC increased photosynthetic pigments and reduced proline and H₂O₂ contents. Notably, 5 t/ha BC boosted plant growth, biomass, and yield by >40% and inhibited ROS accumulation under salinity stress. BC also promoted the concentrations of various key micronutrients, particularly Fe and Zn, in Chinese cabbage under salinity stress, which may contribute to improving the nutrient content. BC under salinity stress significantly induced the expression of NHX family genes (BoNHX1 and BoNHX2). Among these, the BoNHX1 gene was found to be highly expressed in shoot and root tissues of Chinese cabbage grown under salinity stress with BC. Identification of this key candidate gene will lay the groundwork for further functional characterization studies to elucidate its role under salinity stress with BC. This study comprehensively analyzes the physiological, biochemical, and molecular impacts of BC application in Chinese cabbage under salinity stress. This study found that the application of 5 t/ha significantly improved various physiological and biochemical traits of Chinese cabbage under salinity stress compared to the other treatments. The outcome of this study provides novel insights into the bioprotective role of BC, offering a valuable foundation of organic supplements for farmers while also highlighting potential research directions for enhancing crop resilience and productivity in economically important crops. Full article