Search Results (39)

Over two years, a randomized complete block field trial tested deficit irrigation [I: 70% ETc; NI] and ammonium nitrate [N₀, N₆₀, N₁₂₀; 0, 60, 120 kg N ha⁻¹] application in two northern Greece winegrape vineyards of cv. ‘Xinomavro’ (XM) and cv. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ (CS). Leaf-blade δ¹⁵N was measured at berry set, bunch closure, veraison, and technological maturity; berry-juice (must) δ¹⁵N at technological maturity and dormant cane δ¹⁵N in winter were also determined. In the first year, δ¹⁵N was additionally measured in petioles, unripe berries, trunks, and roots, along with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) colonization of fine roots. Fertilization increased δ¹⁵N in leaf blades and canes, whereas berry-juice δ¹⁵N responded weakly and inconsistently. Irrigation marginally lowered cane δ¹⁵N; cane δ¹⁵N varied between years, and berry-juice δ¹⁵N showed the highest variability across treatments. At berry set, intravine discrimination was evident: young berries and leaf blades were enriched, while fine roots and woody tissues were depleted. Root δ¹⁵N responses differed between cultivars and depended on AMF colonization in XM. Leaf and cane δ¹⁵N were positively related to vine N status, yield, and pruning weight but negatively to agronomic N-use efficiency indices. These findings indicate that δ¹⁵N serves as an integrative proxy of N cycling processes and fertilizer-use efficiency in vineyards, with potential implications for the assessment and optimization of sustainable vineyard management practices in the context of climate change. Full article

Water availability represents a major limiting factor for crop production, particularly in Mediterranean agroecosystems. In parallel, water-stressed plants are often more susceptible to diseases, including Grapevine Trunk Diseases (GTDs), such as Botryosphaeria Dieback caused by Botryosphaeriaceae species. In Italy, the increasing prevalence of GTDs in young table grape plants and nursery material highlights the need to better understand the interaction between abiotic stress and pathogen dissemination in woody tissues. This study investigated the relationship between different water regimes (WRs) and infections by Neofusicoccum parvum. Grapevine cuttings (Vitis vinifera ‘Italia’ vines grafted onto the rootstock ‘140 Ruggeri’) were subjected to three WRs (20%, 50%, and 100% of crop evapotranspiration, ET_c) under controlled environmental conditions and, subsequently, inoculated with mycelial plugs of N. parvum at both the scion and rootstock levels. Plant responses were monitored non-destructively using low-cost proximal sensing tools, including leaf temperature (T_leaf) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Disease development was assessed by measuring internal necrotic lesion extension. Reduced irrigation was associated with increased disease severity, while proximal sensing detected differences in plant physiological responses among water regimes. Overall, the results highlight the interplay between water availability, plant physiological status, and disease severity under controlled conditions. Full article

Vegetation in residential areas plays a crucial role in biodiverse and sustainable cities as it enhances biological diversity, environmental quality, and the human well-being of city residents. However, the distribution of vegetation among these areas is often unequal, leading to disparities in access to its benefits. To promote a more biodiverse and environmentally just city, we investigated how woody plants (trees, shrubs and vines) vary with socioeconomic level in residential streetscapes of Santiago de Chile. Across the city, we sampled woody plants in 120 plots (11 m radius) located in residential streetscapes of three socioeconomic levels: low, medium, and high. A total of 557 woody plants were identified and measured. Of these, only 9.7% corresponded to native species, whereas 90.3% were introduced species. Wealthier residential areas had higher species richness and abundance of woody plants, as well as plants with greater structural size (revealed by height and crown area). In addition, we found that the composition of woody plants differed among socioeconomic levels: Liquidambar styraciflua, Platanus x hispanica, and Pittosporum tobira were more abundant in high socioeconomic areas; Prunus cerasifera, Citrus limon, and Ailanthus altissima were more abundant in medium socioeconomic areas; Robinia pseudoacacia, Acer negundo, and Schinus areira were more abundant in low socioeconomic areas. Our research highlights that woody plant diversity, abundance, structure, and composition vary with socioeconomic level in residential streetscapes. Key insights for reducing these inequalities and achieve a more environmentally just city include: (a) governance and equity-based investment; (b) prioritizing local native species; (c) promoting the use of non-tree woody plants; and (d) empowering communities through capacity building and stewardship. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess the energy potential of woody grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) shoots depending on the cultivation system, cultivar, and fruit colour. Field studies were conducted in 2024 at the Mendel University Vineyard in Lednice (Czech Republic) on Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, and Zweigelt cultivars, cultivated using the Guyot and Cordon systems. The cultivar analysis covered both the amount of biomass produced during pruning and its energy and emission properties. Laboratory tests of the energy potential of the biomass obtained were carried out at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. The results showed that the varietal factor significantly influenced the biomass parameters—Chardonnay was characterised by the highest total plant weight (773.57 g), while Zweigelt (8.60 pcs.) had the highest number of shoots with the lowest unit weight (74.82 g). The Cordon system generated significantly higher biomass yields and more favourable combustion properties compared to Guyot. Differences in fruit colour indicate that, among the studied cultivars, white-berried varieties produce heavier shoots, whereas red varieties produce a greater number of shoots. The analysis of gas emissions showed a significant influence of the cultivar and training system, with the highest CO, CO₂, and NOx emissions recorded for the Zweigelt cultivar. The results emphasise that an integrated approach, taking into account both genotypic factors, training systems and phenotypic characteristics of the vines, is crucial for optimising the use of wine biomass as an energy source in the context of a circular economy. Full article

Under the dual pressures of urbanization and climate change, vertical greening plays a crucial role in compensating for limited urban green space and in enhancing both landscape quality and ecological functions. To improve plant selection strategies for vertical greening, this study quantified the photosynthetic adaptability of ten green wall species across light gradients on all four building facades. Over three years of in situ monitoring, combined with analyses of photosynthetic parameter variation (P_max, LCP, and LSP) and biomass, we evaluated the physiological and ecological response mechanisms of plants with different growth forms at multiple scales (“trait–species–community”). The main findings are as follows: (1) Photosynthetically active radiation intensity had the order of south wall > east wall > west wall > north wall, with differences of 3–5 fold. (2) Cluster analysis of photosynthetic traits revealed a sensitivity hierarchy: monocotyledonous herbs > dicotyledonous herbs and vines > woody species. Woody plants such as Ligustrum sinense, Ligustrum japonicum, and Rhododendron spp. showed significantly lower variability in photosynthetic parameters (45.8–64.5%) than herbaceous species, thereby maintaining strong stability under light gradients. Muehlenbeckia complexa (Mc) adapted to intense south-facing light, while Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ (Ag) preferred the weaker light of north-facing walls. In contrast, Farfugium japonicum (Fj), Carex oshimensis (Co), Trachelospermum jasminoides (Tj), and Vinca major (Vm) displayed substantial physiological fluctuations. (3) Based on three years of monitoring data, we developed a quantitative model of light adaptation driven by the coefficient of variation (CV) of photosynthetic parameters. Together with PCA-based clustering, we proposed a “growth form–orientation” synergistic configuration framework. Woody plants with high photosynthetic stability are recommended as the structural backbone for cost-efficient green walls, supplemented by vine/herbaceous species selected according to wall orientation. This study not only provides a scientific basis for accurate plant selection and low-maintenance design of green walls but also provides technical strategies for integrating multifunctional green infrastructure with low-carbon urban development. Furthermore, the proposed approach can be standardized as a Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) pathway for widespread application to building facades in high-density cities worldwide. Full article

As a distinct plant functional group, climbers critically sustain ecosystem structure and function globally. However, little is known about those in China. Here, we examine the diversity and distribution of Chinese climbers at a regional scale. First, climbing species data were collected. Then, Pearson correlations were conducted to assess relationships between environmental variables and climber species richness. Also, variation partitioning was used to reveal the pure and shared effects of four explanatory variable groups on species richness. A total of 3485 climber species (551 genera, 105 families) were recorded in China. Woody lianas dominated the climbing flora (64.73% of species) relative to herbaceous vines; twining represented the predominant mechanism (1829 species, 52.48%) relative to the others. Chinese climbers largely presented a pattern of species richness that decreased from south to north in China. Moreover, endemic and threatened climbers exhibited strong distributional congruence with all climbers. Additionally, four predictor groups (temperature, precipitation, geography, human impact) were found to jointly account for over 70% of species density variance across different climber types through variation partitioning, with precipitation’s pure effect dominating. Thus, Chinese climbers exhibit high diversity and an uneven distribution, primarily driven by precipitation. This study also provides a valuable reference on climbers at the regional scale for future studies. Full article

Urbanization degrades natural habitats and creates new urban ecosystems like domestic gardens. The plant composition of these gardens varies with socio-economic factors and urban planning levels. However, the diversity and impact of introduced species are often poorly assessed, causing potential ecological imbalances (disruptions in the natural functioning and stability of ecosystems), particularly in Lubumbashi (DR Congo). The objective was to analyze the spatial structure, plant diversity, propagation strategies, and ecological functions of domestic gardens. Three distinct neighborhoods were selected: a planned, unplanned, and residential neighborhood. Twenty avenues (with five plots per avenue) were chosen to represent the diversity within each neighborhood, and stratified random sampling of plots was conducted to analyze gardening practices. Gardens were classified into types, and their vegetation was evaluated based on species origin and ecological impact. The analysis of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi reveals significant variations across different neighborhood types. Residential neighborhoods exhibit larger average garden sizes (315.1 m²), higher species richness (22 species), and larger plot sizes (1032 m²) compared to unplanned and planned neighborhoods, where garden areas and species richness are notably lower. Rectangular gardens dominate in unplanned areas, while planned neighborhoods feature more intentional landscaping elements, such as flowerbeds and hedges. The use of gardens for food production is prominent in planned areas (40.7%), whereas residential neighborhoods prioritize ornamentation (51.4%). The study identified 232 taxa across 68 families, with a predominance of exotic species (80%) in all neighborhoods, particularly in unplanned areas (82.25%). The data revealed that Mangifera indica and Persea americana are abundant in all neighborhoods, illustrating their adaptability to different urban contexts. Herbaceous species are most common, followed by woody plants, with vines being sparse. Species dispersal is primarily driven by human activities (anthropochory), accounting for over 85% in all neighborhoods. These findings highlight the strong human influence on the composition and structure of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi, emphasizing the dominance of exotic species and the importance of anthropogenic factors in shaping urban green spaces. Urban policies should incorporate strategies to minimize the negative impacts of exotic species on native flora. Full article

This paper explores the intricate relations between biomass polymeric composition, thermochemical conversion routes, char yields and features in order to advance the knowledge on biomass conversion processes and customize them to meet specific requirements. An exhaustive characterization has been performed for three types of biomasses: (i) spruce bark, a woody primary and secondary residue from forestry and wood processing; (ii) wheat straws—agricultural waste harvest from arable and permanent cropland; and (iii) vine shoots, a woody biomass resulting from vineyard waste. Chemical (proximate and ultimate analysis), biochemical, trace elements, and thermal analyses were performed. Also, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were conducted to establish the compositional and structural characteristics of feedstock. The main polymeric components influence the amount and quality of char. The high hemicellulose content recommends wheat straws as a good candidate especially for hydrothermal carbonization. Cellulose is a primary contributor to char formation during pyrolysis, suggesting that vine shoots may yield higher-quality char compared to that converted from wheat straws. It was shown that the char yield can be predicted and is strongly dependent on the polymeric composition. While in the case of spruce bark and wheat straws, lignin has a major contribution in the char formation, cellulose and secondary lignin are main contributors for vine shoots char. Full article

Piper attenuatum Buch-Ham, a perennial woody vine belonging to the Piperaceae family, is traditionally used in Southeast Asia for treating various ailments such as malaria, headache, and hepatitis. This study described the isolation and identification of three new compounds, piperamides I-III (1–3), which belong to the maleimide-type alkaloid skeletons, along with fifteen known compounds (4–18) from the methanol extract of the aerial parts of P. attnuatum. Their chemical structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, ESI-Q-TOF-MS, and 1D/2D NMR). All the isolates were evaluated for their ability to inhibit IL-6 activity in the human embryonic kidney-Blue™ IL-6 cell line and their cytotoxic activity against ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3/SKOV3-TR) and chemotherapy-resistant variants (cisplatin-resistant A2780/paclitaxel-resistant SKOV3). The compounds 3, 4, 11, 12, 17, and 18 exhibited IL-6 inhibition comparable to that of the positive control bazedoxifene. Notably, compound 12 displayed the most potent anticancer effect against all the tested cancer cell lines. These findings highlight the importance of researching the diverse activities of both known and newly discovered natural products to fully unlock their potential therapeutic benefits. Full article

We conducted analyses on 253 protein sequences (Pfam00257) derived from 25 woody plant species, including trees, shrubs, and vines. Our goal was to gain insights into their architectural types, biochemical characteristics, and potential involvement in mitigating abiotic stresses, such as drought, cold, or salinity. The investigated protein sequences (253) comprised 221 angiosperms (85 trees/shrubs and 36 vines) and 32 gymnosperms. Our sequence analyses revealed the presence of seven architectural types: K_n, K_nS, SK_n, Y_nK_n, Y_nSK_n, FSK_n, and F_nK_n. The FSK_n type predominated in tree and shrub dehydrins of both gymnosperms and angiosperms, while the YnSKn type was more prevalent in vine dehydrins. The Y_nSK_n and Y_nK_n types were absent in gymnosperms. Gymnosperm dehydrins exhibited a shift towards more negative GRAVY scores and Fold Indexes. Additionally, they demonstrated a higher Lys content and lower His content. By analyzing promoter sequences in the angiosperm species, including trees, shrubs, and vines, we found that these dehydrins are induced by the ABA-dependent and light-responsive pathways. The presence of stress- and hormone-related cis-elements suggests a protective effect against dehydration, cold, or salinity. These findings could serve as a foundation for future studies on woody dehydrins, especially in the context of biotechnological applications. Full article

Evaluating Global Warming Potential (GWP) in waste management scenarios is crucial, especially in light of the escalating global concern for climate change and the pivotal role that waste management plays in mitigating this crisis. This research examines the GWP of three distinct waste management scenarios, each with a unique approach: (1) open burning, a method involving direct combustion with a GWP of 1600.1 kg·CO₂eq, chiefly attributed to direct emissions without any mitigation tactics; (2) energy recovery, which capitalizes on converting waste into energy, yielding a GWP of 1255.4 kg·CO₂eq, the reduction resulting primarily from avoided heat production; and (3) pyrolysis, an advanced thermal decomposition process that remarkably registers a negative GWP of −1595.1 kg·CO₂eq, mainly credited to the carbon sequestration capacity of biochar production and optimal energy conversion efficiency. These outcomes emphasize the ecological merits of waste management approaches that produce lower, or even better, negative GWP values. In particular, pyrolysis emerges as a powerful way of transforming waste management into a potential carbon sink, proving crucial for climate change counteraction. Nevertheless, for effective real-world deployment, the study highlights the importance of addressing technical, economic, and societal challenges, underscoring the need for holistic, interdisciplinary research. Full article

Doliocarpus dentatus is thought to have a wide variety of therapeutic phytochemicals that allegedly improve libido and cure impotence. Although a few biomarkers have been identified with potential antinociceptive and cytotoxic properties, an untargeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach has never been undertaken to identify therapeutic biofingerprints for conditions, such as erectile dysfunction, in men. This study executes a preliminary phytochemical screening of the woody vine of two ecotypes of D. dentatus with renowned differences in therapeutic potential for erectile dysfunction. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based metabolomics was used to screen for flavonoids, terpenoids, and other chemical classes found to contrast between red and white ecotypes. Among the metabolite chemodiversity found in the ecotype screens, using a combination of GNPS, MS-DIAL, and SIRIUS, approximately 847 compounds were annotated at levels 2 to 4, with the majority of compounds falling under lipid and lipid-like molecules, benzenoids and phenylpropanoids, and polyketides, indicative of the contributions of the flavonoid, shikimic acid, and terpenoid biosynthesis pathways. Despite the extensive annotation, we report on 138 tentative compound identifications of potentially therapeutic compounds, with 55 selected compounds at a level-2 annotation, and 22 statistically significant therapeutic biomarkers, the majority of which were polyphenols. Epicatechin methyl gallate, catechin gallate, and proanthocyanidin A2 had the greatest significant differences and were also relatively abundant among the red and white ecotypes. These putatively identified compounds reportedly act as antioxidants, neutralizing damaging free radicals, and lowering cell oxidative stress, thus aiding in potentially preventing cellular damage and promoting overall well-being, especially for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Full article

To maintain or adjust posture under the challenges of gravity and increased self-weight, or the effects of light, snow, and slope, plants have the ability to develop a special type of tissue called reaction tissue. The formation of reaction tissue is a result of plant evolution and adaptation. The identification and study of plant reaction tissue are of great significance for understanding the systematics and evolution of plants, the processing and utilization of plant-based materials, and the exploration of new biomimetic materials and biological templates. Trees’ reaction tissues have been studied for many years, and recently, many new findings regarding these tissues have been reported. However, reaction tissue requires further detailed exploration, particularly due to their complex and diverse nature. Moreover, the reaction tissues in gymnosperms, vines, herbs, etc., which display unique biomechanical behavior, have also garnered the attention of research. After summarizing the existing literature, this paper provides an outline of the reaction tissues in woody plants and non-woody plants, and lays emphasis on alternations in the cell wall structure of the xylem in softwood and hardwood. The purpose of this paper is to provide a reference for the further exploration and study of reaction tissues with great diversity. Full article

Gymnema sylvestre (GS) is a perennial woody vine native to tropical Asia, China, the Arabian Peninsula, Africa and Australia. GS has been used as a medicinal plant with potential anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. This study was conceptualized to evaluate the cytotoxicity potential of Gymnema sylvestre saponin rich fraction (GSSRF) on breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468) by SRB assay. The anti-tumor activity of GSSRF was assessed in tumor-bearing Elrich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and Dalton’s lymphoma ascites (DLA) mouse models. The anti-oxidant potential of GSSRF was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging assay. The acute toxicity of GSSRF was carried out according to OECD guideline 425. The yield of GSSRF was around 1.4% and the presence of saponin content in GSSRF was confirmed by qualitative and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis. The in vitro cytotoxic effects of GSSRF on breast cancer cell lines were promising and found to be dose-dependent. An acute toxicity study of GSSRF was found to be safe at 2000 mg/kg body weight. GSSRF treatment has shown a significant increase in the body weight and the life span of EAC-bearing mice in a dose-dependent manner when compared with the control group. In the solid tumor model, the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight per day have shown about 46.70% and 60.80% reduction in tumor weight and controlled the tumor weight until the 30th day when compared with the control group. The activity of GSSRF in both models was similar to the cisplatin, a standard anticancer agent used in the study. Together, these results open the door for detailed investigations of anti-tumor potentials of GSSRF in specific tumor models, mechanistic studies and clinical trials leading to promising novel therapeutics for cancer therapy. Full article

Kudzu (Pueraria montana [Lour.] Merr. var. lobata [Willd.] Maesen & S.M. Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep) is an invasive woody vine widespread throughout much of the southeastern United States. New occurrences and recent studies using climatic parameters suggest that the Midwestern region of the United States is at the greatest risk of kudzu invasion. As there are already multiple reports of kudzu within the Great Lakes basin and no previous landscape models exist specifically for the basin, we developed probability models from existing spatial data (forest type, geology, land cover, precipitation, temperature, and known kudzu locations) by using maximum entropy methods at the national, regional, and basin scales. All three models had relatively high accuracy and strong positive correlation between predicted and observed values. Based on evaluation of the models using a testing data set, we determined a presence threshold and categorized areas within each model as suitable or unsuitable habitat. We pooled the models and calculated mean habitat suitability within the Great Lakes basin. Much of the southern half of the basin was suitable for kudzu. Continuing management and further monitoring of kudzu spread are likely necessary to limit further introduction and mitigate spread of kudzu within the Great Lakes region. Full article