Search Results (1,320)

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an important vegetable with high nutritional and medicinal value. Its reliance on asexual reproduction causes variety degradation and low propagation efficiency, severely limiting the garlic industry. This study established an efficient shoot organogenesis system for the garlic cultivar Gailiangsuan through optimizing tissue culture protocols. Various explants, media, and hormone combinations were tested to determine the optimal conditions for improving in vitro propagation efficiency. The results demonstrated that for garlic inflorescence explants, immature inflorescences protruding 0–5 cm from the leaf sheath or not protruding were the optimal explants, exhibiting the highest shoot number. The Gamborg B5 (B₅) medium supplemented with a hormone combination of zeatin (ZT) 2 mg/L + indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) 0.05–0.2 mg/L at the first stage and ZT 0.2 mg/L + IAA 0.05 mg/L at the second stage was the most effective for improving in vitro propagation efficiency. For in vitro stem disc culture, the B₅ medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (6–BA) 2 mg/L + 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) 0.2 mg/L was optimal. Moreover, a sucrose concentration of 7% was identified as optimal for microbulb development, resulting in significantly larger microbulbs than those grown in a medium with 3% sucrose. These results provide a technical basis for large-scale production of high-quality garlic seedlings. Full article

At present, commonly used vegetable pot seedling planters can be divided into two categories: one has a complex structure and high manufacturing cost, and the other has a simple structure but poor planting quality. In order to solve this problem, an open-hinge four-bar-mechanism planting manipulator is designed, which has many advantages, such as a simple structure, strong force transfer performance, and the ability to achieve complex trajectory curves. The physical characteristics of pot seedlings are measured; this provides a basis for the structural and dimensional design of the planter and the shape design of the duckbill. According to the analysis of the planting process, the design requirements of the planting mechanism are formulated. The motion path of the mechanism and the motion of each pair are planned and designed; a planetary gear train is used to restrain the rotating pair consisting of connecting rod 1 and connecting rod 2; a cam high pair mechanism is used to restrain the rotating pair consisting of connecting rod 2 and connecting rod 3; and a cam linkage mechanism is used to control the opening and closing action of the duckbill. Finally, a single-degree-of-freedom fully mechanical planting mechanism is designed. The experimental results show that the trajectory of the initial soil entry point of the planting mechanism is consistent with the design requirements and theoretical simulation results. In the transplanting experiment, the rate of qualified planting erectness was 94.79%, among which the rate of excellent planting erectness was 92.45%, and the mechanism has high reliability. The design of this mechanism offers a fully automatic pot seedling planting method, which can provide a reference for research on the full automation of transplanting equipment. Full article

Cotinus coggygria (Scop) is a medicinally valuable species naturally distributed in the Artvin region of Turkiye. However, information on its seed traits, germination behavior, and seedling morphology in relation to seed size and provenance remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of seed size and provenance on the seed characteristics, germination, and seedling morphological traits of C. coggygria. Seeds were collected from four provenances (Seyitler, Tepekoy, Eskikale, and Tortum) and classified into large and small size groups using a 2 mm sieve. The seed traits of length, diameter, thickness, sphericity, volume, and thousand-seed weight were considered. To break seed dormancy, the seeds were subjected to sulfuric acid scarification and cold stratification treatments. Germination trials were conducted under nursery conditions using 45-cell trays in a randomized block design with four replicates. The mean germination time was significantly affected by provenance, whereas seed size and pretreatment combinations had no significant effects. Seed size did not significantly influence seedling morphology, whereas provenance caused significant differences. Seedlings originating from Eskikale exhibited greater height and root collar diameter, with root mass fractions ranging from 80.25% to 82.78%. These results indicate that provenance is a key factor influencing germination and seedling morphology rather than seed size. Full article

Perennial groundcover (PGC) systems integrate perennial grasses with annual crops such as corn (Zea mays L.) to provide continuous soil cover and enhance soil health. However, the proximity to groundcover vegetation can alter light quality perceived by developing seedlings, inducing shade avoidance response (SAR), a phytochrome-mediated developmental response that modifies plant architecture and may compromise yield. Identifying the distance at which SAR is initiated and the extent to which management practices modulate this response is critical for optimizing PGC systems. This growth chamber study aimed to (1) identify the distance at which SAR occurs in corn seedlings, (2) determine whether the thiamethoxam seed treatment mitigates SAR expression, and (3) compare hybrid physiological responses to PGC-induced SAR. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications across three periods and included two corn hybrids (P1185, P1197), two seed treatments (untreated and thiamethoxam at 0.25 mg seed⁻¹), and four perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) distances [0, 6, 25 cm, and a control (no-grass)]. Reduced red to far-red light ratios associated with closer proximity to ryegrass induced SAR responses. Corn plants at 6 cm from PGC exhibited significant stem and height elongation beginning at 8 days after planting (DAP), followed by reduced growth by 14 DAP, confirming an early SAR response. Plants grown at 0 cm exhibited reduced height and growth compared to other distances at all growth stages. Hybrid responses differed, and Hybrid P1197 showed enhanced stem elongation, a characteristic SAR response. The thiamethoxam seed treatment did not mitigate SAR. These results indicate that SAR causes stem elongation without altering root or shoot biomass. Full article

To explore the application potential of insect-derived functional microorganisms in short-cycle leafy vegetable production, we evaluated the effects of Serratia marcescens BRC-CXG2, isolated from larvae of Monochamus alternatus, on romaine lettuce in a pot experiment. Plant growth traits, biomass accumulation, nutritional quality, endogenous hormones, and rhizosphere microbial communities were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrated that inoculation significantly promoted seedling development. Plant height and root length increased by 48.7% and 29.1%, respectively, while shoot and root dry weights were 1.78- and 1.85-fold higher than those of the control. Vitamin C and total sugar contents increased by 76.4% and 98%, respectively. The levels of gibberellins (GA₃)-, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-, and abscisic acid (ABA)-immunoreactive equivalents increased by 1.5-, 1.29-, and 1.75-fold. High-throughput 16S rDNA gene and ITS amplicon sequencing further revealed that inoculation reshaped the composition of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that insect-derived S. marcescens exhibits significant growth-promoting potential in short-cycle leafy vegetable systems, with effects associated with hormone regulation, enhanced total sugar accumulation, and shifts in rhizosphere microbial community structure. Full article

The collection of high-quality seeds to produce forest seedlings is closely linked with the time of harvesting. Climate warming is already having visible effects in all life stages of forest tree species, including the timing of seed maturation. The purpose of this study was to update the knowledge on seed collection timing and to identify the indicators of physiological maturity for three key Eastern European tree species—silver fir (Abies alba), European larch (Larix decidua), and small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata). Seeds and cones were collected from Romanian clonal seed orchards and evaluated at several stages of seed maturation using germination tests for European larch and tetrazolium viability tests for silver fir and small-leaved lime. The results revealed species-specific differences in seed maturation timing: in silver fir seed viability increased slightly from late August to early September, in European larch germination remained low (≈20%) regardless of harvest time, while small-leaved lime viability declined significantly after late August. These findings suggest that the harvest period observed during the study years occurred earlier than the traditionally recommended intervals and could be linked to recent warming trends. This study highlights the relevance of re-evaluating seed collection schedules under changing climatic conditions, while further multi-year studies are required to confirm these patterns and refine practical recommendations. Full article

This study evaluated cherry tomato seedling production using pirapitinga RAS wastewater as the sole nutrient source in four substrate formulations: T1 (sand, gravel and coconut fiber), T2 (sand and gravel), T3 (gravel and coconut fiber), and T4 (sand and coconut fiber). No differences were observed for germination quality, germination percentage, seedling vigor index, germination vigor index, moisture content, total wet biomass, total dry biomass, or mortality. For small plants, leaf number (LN) was higher in T2 and lower in T4, while root length was greater in T3. The number of medium plants was higher in T3 and lower in T4; LN was higher in T1 and T2 and lowest in T3. For large plants, LN was higher in T1 and T2 and lower in T3; total length was higher in T1 and lower in T3 and T4. Visual differences in substrate water retention were observed: T4 exhibited rapid surface drying, T1 and T2 showed moderate moisture persistence, and T3 maintained surface water. Leaf yellowing was observed after 25 days, suggesting possible nutrient limitation or reduced nutrient availability at the measured pH. These findings indicate that substrate physical characteristics influence early seedling growth performance, whereas pirapitinga RAS wastewater can serve as a viable nutrient source. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a globally important legume crop valued as a major source of plant-based protein and edible oil. Understanding the transcriptional programs underlying tissue-specific development is essential for improving seed quality and agronomic performance. Here, we present an integrative transcriptomic analysis of soybean based on 12 samples representing key seed developmental stages—including globular, heart, cotyledon, embryo, dry seed, mid-mature, and late-mature—and vegetative and reproductive tissues, including leaf, root, stem, flower bud, and seedling at 6 days after imbibition (6 DAI). Following data preprocessing and filtering, 54,880 genes were retained for downstream analysis. Principal component analysis revealed clear separation between seed and non-seed tissues, indicating that tissue identity is the dominant driver of transcriptomic variation. Analysis of the top 100 most variable genes further highlighted distinct expression modules associated with seed maturation and vegetative growth. Differential expression analysis identified 9785 genes exhibiting significant expression differences between seed and non-seed tissues, including 1139 upregulated and 8646 downregulated genes under relaxed statistical thresholds. Functional characterization of seed-upregulated genes revealed enrichment of biological processes related to storage metabolism, embryo development, and stress protection mechanisms associated with desiccation tolerance. In addition, co-expression network and correlation analyses demonstrated strong transcriptional coherence among seed tissues and distinct clustering of vegetative organs. Together, these results provide a comprehensive systems-level overview of transcriptional organization across soybean tissues and identify candidate gene sets relevant to seed biology, functional genomics, and crop improvement. Full article

The objective of this study was to use plant models, Allium cepa and Lepidium sativum, to assess the genotoxic effects of the urban particulate matter (PM) collected in a Northern Italian town. Aqueous extracts of different particle sizes (PM_10–3, PM_3–0.5, PM_0.5) were tested alongside the organic extracts through the standard Ames test. The organic particulate matter extracts were subjected to mutagenicity testing in the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 (without and with metabolic activation), whereas the aqueous extracts were evaluated for genotoxicity in the emerging seedlings of L. sativum and in the root tips of A. cepa bulbs using the comet test to detect the primary DNA damage. Furthermore, the micronuclei frequency was assessed in the bulbs of A. cepa. As expected, the organic extracts of PM_3–0.5 and PM_0.5 induced point mutations in bacteria. The aqueous extracts of the finest fractions caused a significant increase in genotoxic damage in both plant models. These findings indicate that the two plant models (L. sativum seeds and A. cepa bulbs) are able to detect the genotoxicity of aqueous extracts of air pollutants, with many potential advantages as screening-level tools to complement Ames testing for an easier assessment of urban air quality in terms of DNA toxicity. Full article

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) cultivars in Korea, particularly the widely adaptable ‘Hongsan’, are challenging to identify in processed forms or seedlings due to the plasticity of phenotypic traits such as clove tip greening. This uncertainty increases the risk of mislabeling and the infringement of breeders’ rights under the UPOV framework. This study aimed to develop a stable SCAR marker for ‘Hongsan’-specific identification using a RAPD-based DNA pooling method. Sixty Operon primers (>60% GC) were screened against ‘Hongsan’ gDNA versus a multi-cultivar DNA pool (‘Daeseo’, ‘Uiseong’, ‘Danyang’, and ‘Namdo’); OPE-01 consistently amplified a unique 1.3 kb band, which was cloned and sequenced, revealing a 1272 bp sequence with a translocation junction (878 + 394 bp), a 18 bp insertion, and an EcoRI site on chromosome 2 (NCBI reference sequence: GCA_030737875.1). SCAR primers SaH191R/SaH513F produced a specific 545 bp amplicon in Hongsan, clearly distinguishing it from other cultivars and parental lines, indicating that the marker locus is related to the paternal line ‘9209’. This RAPD-to-SCAR marker overcomes reproducibility limitations and enables reliable authentication of Hongsan in processing powders and black garlic irrespective of environmental factors. This cost-effective and rapid assay ensures industry transparency, quality control, and IP protection for Korean garlic production. Full article

Nitrogen (N) availability is a critical determinant of grain yield and protein quality in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying nitrogen response associated with nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), a comparative transcriptomic analysis of high grain protein content (HP) and low grain protein content (LP) wheat lines during N resupply at the seedling stage is conducted in this study, with sampling conducted at T1 (one day after treatment) and T3 (three days after treatment). Our results reveal that the HP line exhibits an early-responsive and well-coordinated metabolic pattern, whereas the LP line shows a distinct temporal response characterized by delayed adjustments. Integrated GSEA and KEGG analyses demonstrated that the HP line prioritized protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and diterpenoid biosynthesis, potentially associated with enhanced protein quality control and early signaling efficacy. This allows the HP line to synchronize its N assimilation machinery with the transient peak of N availability at T1 and establishes a robust foundation for protein accumulation. Conversely, the LP line redirected its metabolic resources toward glutathione metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis to mitigate N-induced oxidative instability. This metabolic shift increases the energetic usage required for antioxidant defense and subsequently deviates resources away from productive N assimilation. These divergent metabolic landscapes were orchestrated by a hierarchical network of transcription factors (TFs). In leaves, the MYB and NAC families showed a more disciplined and immediate increase in the HP line, whereas the LP line demonstrated a delayed peak at T3. In root tissues, while Dof and NAC families were rapidly induced and concluded in the HP line, the LP line exhibited a sluggish sensing-to-response mechanism with prolonged or specific late-stage activation at T3. These results indicate that the capacity for rapid metabolic synchronization and disciplined transcriptomic mobilization is a key physiological indicator of high-protein potential in wheat. This insight provides essential molecular targets for breeding programs aimed at improving NUE and grain quality. Full article

Access to quality seed is a critical driver of smallholder productivity and household food security in South Africa, yet rural communities in the Eastern Cape continue to rely heavily on informal seed systems. Limited seed literacy among farmers and vendors is widely recognized as a constraint to the effective selection and use of high-quality seed. The purpose of this study is to assess seed literacy levels among smallholder farmers in KwaMkhiva village and evaluate how knowledge gaps shape farmers’ seed sourcing patterns and access to quality seed. The study hypothesizes that low seed literacy significantly increases reliance on informal seed systems and reduces adoption of certified or improved varieties. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 50 smallholder farmers and 12 informal seedling vendors, complemented by semi-structured interviews with three extension officers. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, correlation analysis, and a composite Seed Literacy Index (SLI) were employed to assess literacy dimensions and their association with seed choices. Findings show that 49% of farmers rely on local markets and 40% use farm-saved seed, with 75% assessing quality visually rather than through germination or varietal indicators. Only 10% had received any seed-related training, and awareness of seed adaptability and crop rotation was below 20%. Higher SLI scores were positively associated with adoption of certified seed (r = 0.42, p < 0.01) and crop diversification. The study concludes that seed literacy is a critical yet underserved capability that shapes smallholder seed access within dual seed economies. Strengthening farmer-centred seed literacy programmes, revitalising extension services, and supporting community seed banks could enhance access to quality seed and improve smallholder resilience. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an economically important horticultural crop. The application of mechanical grafting technology enables the efficient, large-scale production of grafted tomato seedlings, which is of great significance for overcoming continuous cropping obstacles and boosting tomato yield. In this study, tomato cultivar ‘Juxiang 1809’ as the scion and ‘T17-2’ as the rootstock were used to systematically investigate the effects of red-blue light quality pretreatments on tomato grafted seedlings. The rootstock and scion seedlings were cultivated under white (W), pure red (R), pure blue (B), and five mixed red-blue lights (R7B1, R3B1, R1B1, R1B3, R1B7). Our results demonstrated that R3B1 (Red: Blue = 3:1) yielded the highest scion comprehensive score (2.06), promoting balanced growth with robust stem diameter (2.75 mm) and high aboveground dry weight (0.36 g). For rootstocks, R3B1 also excelled, driving optimal root development with maximum root area (26.32 cm²) and dry weight (0.046 g). Post-grafting, R3B1-pre-treated seedlings maintained vigorous growth with enhanced photosynthetic capacity (37.10) and biomass accumulation. These findings demonstrate that R3B1 light quality is highly effective. It optimizes both scion vigor and rootstock root architecture. This offers a practical light-regulation strategy. It is applicable to the production of high-quality, machine-compatible tomato grafted seedlings in controlled environments. Full article

Achieving high morphological uniformity and mechanical strength is critical for the automation of watermelon grafting; yet, specific light protocols targeting these traits are lacking. This study employed LED lighting to regulate the morphological development of watermelon scion seedlings in a controlled plant factory environment. Using the watermelon cultivar ‘Heimeiling’ as the experimental material, three sequential experiments were conducted: (1) Under conditions of 95 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ light intensity and a 12 h photoperiod, seven red/blue light ratios and a white light control were tested to identify the appropriate light quality. (2) Under the R3B1 light quality, gradients of the daily light integral (DLI) ranging from 2.88 to 17.28 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ were established by adjusting the light intensity and photoperiod to determine the optimal DLI. (3) Based on the above results, an orthogonal experiment was designed, with factors including the light quality (R7B1, R3B1, R1B1; where R7B1 represents 87.5% red light and 12.5% blue light), light intensity (120, 160, 200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹), and photoperiod (16 h, 20 h, 24 h) to identify the optimal light environment combination for mechanical grafting. Results indicated that while monochromatic red light induced excessive elongation and suppressed metabolism, the R3B1 spectrum significantly enhanced the stem diameter, mechanical strength, and carbon–nitrogen accumulation while maintaining hormonal balance. Regarding the daily light integral (DLI), seedlings exhibited an optimal performance at 11.52 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹. Lower DLI levels led to etiolation, whereas higher levels caused photoinhibition and PSII damage. Furthermore, orthogonal analysis revealed that light intensity was the dominant factor driving stem thickening and biomass accumulation, while light quality primarily regulated plant height. Consequently, a combination of R3B1 light quality, 200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ intensity, and a 20 h photoperiod was identified as the optimal strategy to satisfy the stringent morphological requirements for mechanical grafting. Full article

It has been well established that exogenous melatonin (MT) improves storage quality of many agricultural products. However, contrasting results have been reported in the regulation of MT with respect to several postharvest parameters, e.g., germination/sprouting and lignification, indicating that roles of MT may vary with plant species or storage environment. Previous studies mainly focus on above-ground organs including fruits, leaves, seedlings and flowers without addressing underground organs such as the storage root (SR) of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). This study showed that spraying 0.5 mM MT solution improved postharvest quality of sweetpotato SRs during 40 d of storage at 15 °C. First, MT treatment inhibited SR sprouting by differentially regulating the content of germination-related hormones, i.e., increasing the content of ABA and JA but decreasing GA content. Second, MT reduced weight loss and lignification by inhibiting respiration as reflected by decreased respiration rate and hexose kinase activity. Third, MT treatment increased soluble sugar content by elevating the activity and expression of sucrose synthase (Sus) since the activities and expressions of invertases (CWIN, CIN and VIN) were inhibited by MT. Simultaneously, inhibited respiration by MT also contributed to increased content of soluble sugar by reducing their expenditure via glycolysis. Additionally, MT increased starch content by inhibiting β-amylase activity and possibly also by increasing Sus activity, which provides a substrate for starch biosynthesis. Finally, MT upregulated the activities of SOD, POD and CAT, which may improve storage quality of SRs by inhibiting senescence and lignification. This study provides an alternative option to maintain the storage quality of sweetpotato. Full article