Search Results (667)

Pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG), one of the major lignans isolated from E. ulmoides Oliver bark, has various pharmacological functions, including antihypertension and prevention of osteoporosis. However, the glycosyltransferase-encoding gene (GT) involved in regulating the glycosylation of pinoresinol to form PDG has not been reported in E. ulmoides. In this study, we screened and cloned the EuGT8 gene from E. ulmoides based on our transcriptome data. The expression pattern of the EuGT8 gene exhibited a strong positive correlation with dynamic changes in the PDG contents in three different organs of E. ulmoides. The expression level of the EuGT8 gene and PDG content were significantly decreased in asODN-EuGT8-treated shoot tips in comparison with the control group. Prokaryotic expression of the EuGT8 gene revealed that the purified EuGT8 protein could catalyze the conversion of pinoresinol into PDG. In addition, we performed transcriptional and metabolomic analyses to compare the differences between transgenic Arabidopsis and WT plants. A total of 1799 DEGs and 294 DEMs were identified in transgenic and WT plants. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and starch/sucrose metabolism pathways. The DEMs were mainly enriched in ABC transporters, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, biosynthesis of amino acids, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavone and flavonol biosynthesis pathways. Correlation analysis between DEGs and DEMs identified a total of 231 DEGs associated with 38 DEMs, which were mainly distributed in multiple metabolic pathways. This finding provides both theoretical insights and genetic resources for breeding high-PDG E. ulmoides varieties, facilitating marker-assisted selection (MAS) and promoting sustainable E. ulmoides production in Guizhou. Full article

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been collected and used to promote plant growth and enhance disease tolerance of various crops. In the current work, Pseudomonas aeruginosa CAKS2, an endophytic strain isolated from the rhizosphere of sweet orange, exhibited both growth promotion and antimicrobial activities. Under the in vitro condition, the CAKS2 showed multiple plant growth-promoting properties such as phosphate, potassium, and calcium solubilization, nitrogen fixation as well as production of siderophores, IAA, ammonia, exopolysaccharides, hydrogen cyanide, and biofilm formation. This P. aeruginosa strain inhibited the growth of different tested fungal and bacterial pathogens. Under the in vivo condition, the CAKS2 enhanced sweet orange plant growth, indicated by increases in the root and shoot lengths, the leaf number, and the total biomass. The biochemical components and the transcription levels of genes related to plant hormone biosynthesis were altered in the CAKS2-inoculated sweet orange. Under the in vivo infection of C. gloeosporioides, the CAKS2 reduced the diameter of lesions on orange leaves and harvested fruits and decreased disease severity and incidence at the whole plant level. The whole genome sequence of CAKS2 showed the presence of candidate genes involved in different molecular pathways contributing to plant-promoting and biocontrol properties. Importantly, certain changes in the expression of gene response for plant growth promotion and biocontrol were observed when the CAKS2 was exposed to sweet orange root exudates. This study highlights P. aeruginosa CAKS2 as a potential PGPR strain for enhancing plant growth and C. gloeosporioides tolerance in sweet orange and other citrus plants. Full article

The walnut cultivar ‘Yunxin No. 14’ is an early fruiting, high-yielding, and widely adaptable fruit tree with compact growth and superior nuts. Establishing a successful tissue culture system for this cultivar is crucial for its rapid clonal propagation and as a foundation for future genetic transformation. Using young fruits as explants, 3% NaClO sterilization for 20 min effectively controlled contamination and browning. Somatic embryos induced from zygotic embryos cultured on DKW medium with 30 g·L⁻¹ sucrose showed high proliferation and minimal browning. After a 4-day dehydration treatment using saturated NH₄NO₃, mature somatic embryos germinated rapidly on differentiation medium (DKW containing 1 mg·L⁻¹ 6-BA and 0.1 mg·L⁻¹ IBA), reaching 90.0% germination. Optimal shoot multiplication was achieved on DKW medium supplemented with 2 mg·L⁻¹ 6-BA and 0.3 mg·L⁻¹ IBA, yielding a proliferation rate of 91.1% and a proliferation index of 3.1. For rooting, shoots (~3 cm) treated with Clonex^® rooting gel were transferred to a low-cost, sugar-free vermiculite medium with gaseous CO₂ as the sole carbon source. Root initiation occurred within two weeks at a rate of 54.2%, significantly shortening the rooting phase. Rooted plantlets were acclimatized in a peat:perlite:vermiculite (2:2:1, v/v/v) mixture under high humidity for two weeks before outdoor transfer, achieving an 88.6% survival rate. This study provides a reliable protocol for the micropropagation of ‘Yunxin No. 14’ and a valuable reference for other difficult-to-root woody species. Full article

Temporary Immersion Systems (TISs) are an efficient alternative for in vitro plant regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different culture methods on the in vitro shoot proliferation and acclimatization of agave (Agave marmorata Roezl). The culture methods compared were a recipient for automated temporary immersion (RITA^®), a temporary immersion bioreactor (TIB), a SETIS™ bioreactor, and a semisolid medium control. After eight weeks of in vitro culture, the hyperhydricity of the explants, development variables, photosynthetic pigment content, stomatal density, and survival percentage during acclimatization were evaluated. The results showed that TISs significantly reduced explant hyperhydricity and increased the multiplication rate, number of shoots and leaves, number of roots per shoot, root length, carotenoid content, stomatal density, and percentage of closed stomata during in vitro shoot proliferation. Furthermore, TISs resulted in a higher number of leaves and roots and improved the survival percentage during acclimatization compared to the semisolid medium. Explants cultured in the SETIS™ bioreactor showed the highest photosynthetic pigment content. In conclusion, the evaluated TISs enhanced the physiological development of the explants, favoring the multiplication rate and survival percentage during the acclimatization of A. marmorata. Full article

Canker and dieback diseases caused by fungal pathogens represent an increasing threat to woody plants in both urban and forest environments, where sustainable management options are urgently needed. In this study, the biocontrol potential of Bacillus strain N1 was investigated against Neofusicoccum parvum and Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi, causal agents of canker diseases on Eucalyptus globulus and Castanea sativa, respectively. The whole-genome sequence confirmed the taxonomic identification of strain N1 as B. velezensis, showing high average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values with reference strains. AntiSMASH analysis revealed the presence of multiple biosynthetic gene clusters associated with the production of antimicrobial secondary metabolites, including polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides, and lipopeptides, reflecting strain N1’s genomic potential to produce compounds that may contribute to its antifungal activity. Moreover, B. velezensis strain N1 significantly inhibited the growth of N. parvum and G. smithogilvyi and showed a biocontrol efficacy on detached eucalyptus and chestnut shoots. In both preventive and curative treatments and pathosystems, the application of B. velezensis N1 resulted in a significant reduction in the length of necrotic lesions, compared to pathogen-only controls, while no phytotoxic effects were observed on treated shoots. Overall, this study supported B. velezensis N1 as a promising candidate for the sustainable control of canker-associated pathogens in woody plants. Full article

The rapid global wild boar (Sus scrofa) population growth, coupled with increasing agricultural crop damage and disease transmission, suggests that current management and control strategies remain inadequate. Therefore, an international systematic review using the Web of Science database (WoS; Clarivate Analytics, Philadepphia, PA, USA), including a quantitative synthesis (119 studies up to 11 November 2025, containing 181 experiments) of population reduction methods was conducted, with an emphasis on evaluating their effectiveness, selectivity, and animal welfare aspects relating to wild boar and feral pigs. The results demonstrate a significant increase in research interest for population control methods in recent years. The highest average effectiveness was observed for aerial shooting (56.2% of the population per month), followed by poison baiting (27.6%) and trapping (6.0%). Aerial shooting appeared highly selective in the reviewed contexts; however, together with poison baiting, it is generally not permitted under current European conditions. Trapping (6.0%) and individual hunting (3.9%) offer moderate effectiveness but are highly context-dependent. From a welfare perspective, the analysis indicated that no significant difference in effectiveness was detected between studies that included welfare or stress assessment and those that did not, indicating that consideration of animal welfare does not reduce control efficiency. The study concluded that the analysis did not identify a single universally applicable solution that combines animal welfare considerations with high effectiveness, highlighting a significant research gap. This underscores the urgent need for an effective and publicly acceptable method of reducing wild boar populations, or for the development of strategies that appropriately integrate multiple approaches. However, the interpretation of results is limited by heterogeneity in study design and variability in reported data. Full article

The application of dual cytokinins can significantly enhance shoot multiplication rates in specific apple cultivars compared to standard protocols using a single cytokinin. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of shoot multiplication parameters and the underlying transcriptomic response of two distinct apple scion cultivars, cvs. Húsvéti rozmaring and McIntosh, to the simultaneous application of two cytokinins (BA and KIN). Morphological parameters were recorded, followed by comparative RNA-seq analysis and RT-qPCR validation. Our results demonstrate that the BA+KIN treatment induces a unique transcriptomic signature in both cultivars, which cannot be explained by a simple dose–response effect. In cv. McIntosh, 76% of the DEGs were uniquely regulated by the combination, while in cv. Húsvéti rozmaring, although the overlap with single treatments was higher, 17% of the DEGs (representing 1218 genes) were still exclusively activated by the BA+KIN treatment. The fact that the combined treatment recruits specific gene sets and metabolic pathways that remain silent under single BA or KIN applications—regardless of the cultivar—strongly supports a synergistic or non-additive hormonal interaction rather than a response to increased total cytokinin concentration. The dual treatment revealed 3209 DEGs in the inter-cultivar comparison, reflecting distinct strategies: cv. Húsvéti rozmaring achieved high efficiency growth by down-regulating internal hormones, whereas cv. McIntosh exploited intense auxin signaling and hormonal plasticity to maximize bud release. These results prove that distinct molecular pathways can lead to peak performance depending on the apple cultivar. Full article

A detailed characterization of root system architecture (RSA) and growth dynamics is key to develop stress-resilient maize varieties. We evaluated sixty-five Mediterranean maize inbred lines using automated high-throughput phenotyping under controlled conditions. Shoot and root traits were extracted from imaging data during early vegetative development, revealing significant genotype-specific variation in root biomass-related traits (total root length, total root volume), root architecture (root angle, root system depth, root system width), and relative growth rates. Notably, lines previously classified as heat and drought stress-resilient or stress-sensitive based on above-ground development did not group according to particular root traits, indicating that multiple strategies may underlie tolerance to combined stress. We identified lines with contrasting RSA, including deeper roots, shallower roots, or overall larger root systems, that offer new opportunities for resilience breeding. Our results underscore root traits as critical yet underexploited targets for improving stress resilience and resource efficiency. Full article

Salinity and drought are major constraints to wheat productivity, affecting growth, photosynthesis, and cellular homeostasis. While many studies have examined responses to these stresses individually, comparative evaluation of genotypes under both stresses using an integrated physiological, biochemical, and multivariate framework remains limited. Here, six wheat genotypes were evaluated at the seedling stage under controlled salinity and drought treatments to identify key morphological and physio-biochemical markers associated with stress resilience. Both stresses reduced shoot and root growth, biomass, gas exchange, and photosynthetic pigments, with drought causing stronger inhibition. Among genotypes, Akbar-2019 exhibited the greatest tolerance, maintaining higher growth, pigment stability, photosynthetic performance, and membrane integrity, whereas Subhani-2021 was the most sensitive. Stress-induced osmotic adjustment was evident from increased proline, soluble sugars, and free amino acids, particularly in Akbar-2019. Antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT, APX) were elevated under both stresses; Akbar-2019 combined stronger antioxidant activity with lower malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels, indicating effective mitigation of oxidative damage. Multivariate analyses (PCA, heatmap clustering, and MGIDI) consistently ranked Akbar-2019 as the most resilient genotype. These findings provide a novel, integrative framework for screening wheat under multiple abiotic stresses, identify promising genotypes for breeding and cultivation in stress-prone environments, and highlight combined morpho-physiological stability, osmolyte accumulation, and antioxidant capacity as informative markers for stress tolerance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Floral bud morphogenesis is a critical developmental process determining yield potential in blueberry, yet the molecular regulatory mechanisms in leaves during this phase remain poorly understood. Methods: In this study, we employed a time-series transcriptomic approach to investigate leaf gene expression dynamics during floral bud morphogenesis in rabbiteye blueberry. Leaves were sampled at six time points spanning the critical developmental window from the cessation of summer shoot growth to bud swell and dormancy onset. Results: RNA-seq analysis generated 121.68 Gb of clean data, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified four stage-specific modules (brown, red, blue, turquoise) significantly associated with distinct morphogenetic phases. The brown module (0–6W) was enriched in photosynthesis and hormone signaling pathways, while the red (9W) and blue (12W) modules featured protein processing, stress and hormone signaling, and carbohydrate metabolism. The turquoise module (15W) was dominated by carbon metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis genes. Key flowering-related genes exhibited dynamic expression patterns: FT was specifically upregulated at the late stage (15W), AP2 genes peaked at mid-stage (9–12W), and COL9 showed early high expression (0–3W). Hormone-related gene analysis revealed extensive involvement of multiple pathways, with brassinosteroid (BR) signaling comprising the largest number of genes (101). Co-expression networks further identified hub genes, including FT, COL9, AP2, ERF1, SR160, LOX3-1, and transcription factor genes like MYB-related, as potential central regulators. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that blueberry leaves undergo a phased functional transition from a photosynthetic source to a hub for signal integration and metabolic support during floral bud morphogenesis, actively contributing to reproductive development through systemic signaling. This study provides novel insights into flowering regulation in woody perennials and establishes a foundation for marker-assisted breeding and cropping season management in blueberry. Full article

Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen is an herbaceous plant cultivated globally as an annual ornamental species. While conventional propagation methods exist, the lack of a standardized in vitro protocol limits research and industrial applications that require genetically and morphologically uniform plant material. In this study, in vitro cultures of A. oleracea were established via seed germination. Well-developed in vitro shoots were dissected into individual nodal segments to serve as explants. Multiple media were evaluated for regeneration and growth, including full-, half, and quarter-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) media, as well as full- and half-strength McCown Woody Plant media. Two carbohydrate sources, saccharose and glucose, were tested at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3% (w/v) in the multiplication medium. Subsequently, the effects of different cytokinins were assessed at concentrations of 4.4 µM and 13.2 µM. The findings demonstrated that 13.2 µM meta-Topolin with 3% saccharose, or 13.2 µM Benzyladenine with 2% glucose was most beneficial for shoot multiplication of A. oleracea. The multiplied shoots were rooted in vitro within 13 days, then potted and acclimatized within 8 days. This protocol facilitates future industrial applications of A. oleracea, particularly in the cosmetics sector, where the use of standardized biomass is essential. Full article

(1) Background: This study investigated developmental differences in gaze behaviors and performance during basketball free throws among youth athletes. (2) Methods: Forty-six male youth basketball players (U14, U16, U18) each performed 30 standardized free throws while wearing Tobii Pro Glasses 3 to record gaze data (Quiet Eye duration and Total Fixation duration). Shooting accuracy and cognitive workload (NASA-TLX) were also collected. One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to examine age-related differences and the relationships between gaze behavior and performance. (3) Results: Shooting accuracy was moderately correlated with chronological age (r = 0.386, p = 0.010) and training experience (r = 0.367, p = 0.010), and total fixation duration was positively associated with training experience (r = 0.338, p = 0.025). Regression analyses showed that training experience predicted total fixation duration, and both age and experience predicted shooting accuracy when considered separately (p < 0.05), but neither predicted cognitive workload (p > 0.05). Age and training experience were positively associated with shot success. (4) Conclusions: In the youth free-throw task, Quiet Eye duration and total fixation duration were highly correlated but did not independently predict shooting success, while shooting performance was more strongly associated with age and training experience, and perceived cognitive workload remained stable across age groups. Full article

Bamboo shoots are valued as traditional vegetables, but their palatability is often compromised by bitter and astringent compounds. The spatial and temporal distribution of these compounds across species, tissues, and developmental stages remains poorly characterized. This study systematically investigated key taste-active compounds (tannins, oxalic acid, flavonoids, cyanide compounds, and free amino acids) in three sympodial bamboo species (Bambusa chungii, Dendrocalamus farinosus, and Bambusa oldhamii). We integrated quantitative chemical analysis of shoots at different emergence stages and tissue parts with descriptive sensory evaluation. The results revealed pronounced, species-specific accumulation patterns. For instance, tannin content increased with shoot emergence in all species, whereas oxalic acid and cyanide showed divergent temporal trends among them. Tissue-specific gradients were also evident for most compounds. Correlation analysis with sensory data indicated distinct associations for each species. Bitterness in D. farinosus was most strongly correlated with oxalic acid, while in B. oldhamii, it was closely linked to tannins and cyanide. In B. chungii, specific amino acids (aspartic acid, histidine) and tannins showed significant correlations with bitterness perception. The perception of astringency involved multiple contributing factors. These findings elucidate the distinct biochemical bases of flavor variation in sympodial bamboos. They provide a scientific rationale for optimizing harvest timing and tissue selection, offering targeted strategies for post-harvest processing to improve edible quality and market value. Full article

Nitrogen (N) availability strongly regulates plant growth and metabolism, and its deficiency constrains plant development and yield. Silicon (Si) has been reported to enhance plant tolerance to multiple stresses; however, its influence on N metabolism in oats remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Si on cell wall composition and antioxidant responses in oat genotypes grown under N limitation. Two oat genotypes with contrasting N tolerance were hydroponically cultivated under N-deficient (0.5 mM) or N-sufficient (5 mM) conditions in combination with 0 or 2 mM Si. Growth parameters, N and Si uptake, cell wall structural components, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) activities, antioxidant responses, and oxidative damage were evaluated. In both genotypes grown under N deficiency, Si supply reduced shoot N content while enhancing Si accumulation. Moreover, Si application decreased lipid peroxidation in both genotypes under N-deficient conditions. In the N-sensitive genotype, Si increased cellulose deposition and antioxidant activity, whereas in the N-tolerant genotype, Si reduced lignin content and TAL activity. We conclude that Si supplementation improves the metabolic performance of oat genotypes under N-deficient conditions by modulating nutrient uptake, antioxidant responses, and cell wall composition. Full article

This study examined shoot proliferation and phenolic compounds accumulation in Clerodendrum colebrookianum and Clerodendrum trichotomum in vitro culture. The cultures were treated with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), meta-topolin (M-T), or N-benzyl-9-(2-tetrahydropyranyl)adenine (BPA) (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L), and their biomass accumulation, shoot proliferation, and phenolic profiles were quantitatively assessed. In C. colebrookianum, BPA and M-T at 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L yielded higher proliferation rates (11.0–12.0 shoots per explant) and biomass production than BAP. In C. trichotomum, maximal shoot multiplication was achieved with 2.0 mg/L M-T (24.47 shoots per explant), and peak biomass accumulation was achieved with 1.0 mg/L BPA. The two species demonstrated polyphenolic fingerprints, with C. colebrookianum extract containing seven polyphenols and C. trichotomum ten, predominantly represented by acteoside and related compounds. M-T treatments markedly enhanced phenolic biosynthesis, yielding a 3.3-fold increase in acteoside in C. colebrookianum (82.73 mg/g DW) at 2.0 mg/L and in C. trichotomum (41.3 mg/g DW) at 1.0 mg/L relative to controls. TOPSIS multi-criteria decision analysis, integrating growth parameters, acteoside, and total phenolic content, found the optimal supplementation to be 1.0 mg/L M-T in the presence of 0.1 mg/L IAA for both species (closeness coefficients: 0.821 and 0.792, respectively). The extracts derived from optimized cultures exhibited significant radical-scavenging and metal reduction capacity in DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays; a stronger effect was observed for C. colebrookianum, which may be associated with acteoside enrichment. Overall, M-T and BPA were found to be superior to BAP in promoting biomass accumulation and high-value bioactive phenolic production in Clerodendrum spp. Our findings underscore the potential of in vitro culture systems as a sustainable source of antioxidant phytochemicals with prospective nutraceutical and pharmaceutical relevance. Full article