Horticulturae

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18 pages, 10719 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Transcriptomic and Functional Analyses Reveal the Role of the Plant–Pathogen Interaction Pathway in Fusarium solani Infection of Zingiber officinale

by Lingling Zhang, Qie Jia, Lei Liu and Yiqing Liu

Horticulturae 2025, 11(7), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11070791 - 4 Jul 2025

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Abstract

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium solani, is a devastating disease that leads to significant losses in ginger (Zingiber officinale) crops worldwide. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying F. solani infection and disease progression, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis of [...] Read more.

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium solani, is a devastating disease that leads to significant losses in ginger (Zingiber officinale) crops worldwide. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying F. solani infection and disease progression, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis of ginger rhizomes during storage, comparing inoculated and non-inoculated samples. A total of 647 and 6398 DEGs were identified in the 1.5- and 2-day infection groups, respectively. KEGG analysis revealed that most DEGs were enriched in the plant–pathogen interaction pathway, with both PTI and ETI being activated. Six DEGs in this pathway were validated by qRT-PCR at two time points, showing a strong correlation with FPKM values from the transcriptome data. Furthermore, transient expression analysis in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves demonstrated that overexpressing ZoCEBiP1 helped scavenge excess ROS, thereby reducing disease severity. Transcriptional profiling of DEGs in the plant–pathogen interaction pathway revealed significant changes in genes involved in ROS and NO metabolism. In F. solani-infected ginger rhizomes, levels of H₂O₂ and O₂⁻ were elevated, along with increased activities of antioxidant enzymes (POD, CAT, SOD, and APX) and higher NO content and NOS activity. These findings elucidated the early defense response of ginger rhizomes to F. solani infection and provided insights for developing effective strategies to manage fungal diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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15 pages, 17950 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Key Pathways and Candidate Genes for Resistance to Plasmodiophora brassicae in Radish

by Yinbo Ma, Xinyuan Li, Feng Cui, Qian Yu, Baoyang Liu, Xinyi Guo and Liwang Liu

Horticulturae 2025, 11(7), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11070777 - 3 Jul 2025

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Abstract

Clubroot disease, caused by the soil-borne pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae, poses a severe threat to the global production of Brassicaceae crops, including radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Although resistance breeding is an important method for sustainable disease management, the molecular mechanism underlying clubroot [...] Read more.

Clubroot disease, caused by the soil-borne pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae, poses a severe threat to the global production of Brassicaceae crops, including radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Although resistance breeding is an important method for sustainable disease management, the molecular mechanism underlying clubroot resistance remains elusive in radish compared to other Brassicaceae species. In this study, 52 radish inbred lines were screened for disease responses following P. brassicae inoculation, with the resistant line T6 and the susceptible line T14 selected for transcriptome analysis. RNA-Seq was performed at 10, 20, and 30 days post inoculation (DPI) to elucidate transcriptional responses. The susceptible line T14 exhibited a higher number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and persistent upregulation across all time points, indicating ineffective defense responses and metabolic hijacking by the pathogen. In contrast, the resistant line T6 displayed temporally coordinated defense activation marked by rapid induction of core immune mechanisms: enhanced plant–pathogen interaction recognition, MAPK cascade signaling, and phytohormone transduction pathways, consistent with effector-triggered immunity priming and multilayered defense orchestration. These findings indicate that resistance in T6 could be mediated by the rapid activation of multilayered defense mechanisms, including R gene-mediated recognition, MAPK-Ca²⁺-ROS signaling, and jasmonic acid (JA) pathway modulation. The outcomes of this study would not only facilitate clarifying the molecular mechanism underlying clubroot resistance, but also provide valuable resources for genetic improvement of clubroot resistance in radish. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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22 pages, 4361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Expression Analysis of the ABF Gene Family in Actinidia chinensis Under Drought Stress and the Response Mechanism to Abscisic Acid

by Haoyu Wang, Yinqiang Zi, Xu Rong, Qian Zhang, Lili Nie, Jie Wang, Hailin Ren, Hanyao Zhang and Xiaozhen Liu

Horticulturae 2025, 11(7), 715; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11070715 - 20 Jun 2025

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Abstract

Drought can limit plant growth. The ABRE binding factor (ABF) gene family is extensively involved in multifarious bioregulatory processes in plants. However, kiwifruit has not yet been systematically analyzed. This study analyzed the response of kiwifruit AcABF genes to drought stress. Eleven AcABF [...] Read more.

Drought can limit plant growth. The ABRE binding factor (ABF) gene family is extensively involved in multifarious bioregulatory processes in plants. However, kiwifruit has not yet been systematically analyzed. This study analyzed the response of kiwifruit AcABF genes to drought stress. Eleven AcABF genes were distributed on nine chromosomes and clustered into three subfamilies with Arabidopsis AtABF genes, AcABF2, AcABF3, AcABF8, AcABF9, and AcABF10, which have drought resistance functions, and AtABF1, AtABF2, AtABF3, and AtABF4 were clustered in Group I. The structural domains of the nine ABF genes in Group I were highly conserved, and the protein structures were highly similar. In the analysis of the five AcABF genes in Group I, all of their cis-acting elements were related to ABA, the content of ABA-like hormones was significantly increased after drought stress, and most of the GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment results were related to hormonal processes. A total of six AcABF genes were upregulated under drought stress. qRT-PCR was performed to validate the AcABF genes of Group I. The correlation coefficients of the results with the transcriptome data were all above 0.70, and the expression level of ABA increased under drought treatment. These results indicated that the five AcABF genes were positively correlated with ABA under drought stress and that, by synthesizing ABA and facilitating the expression of ABF gene family members, the tolerance of kiwifruit increased. These results provide a solid foundation for further research on improving drought tolerance in kiwifruit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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15 pages, 3893 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase/Phosphatases Gene Family in Petunia and Their Expression Profiling Under Abiotic Stresses

by Renwei Huang, Daofeng Liu, Gonzalo H. Villarino and Neil S. Mattson

Horticulturae 2025, 11(6), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060695 - 16 Jun 2025

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Abstract

Trehalose is a nonreducing disaccharide critical for cellular integrity and stress adaptation in plants, and its synthesis relies on trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP). Despite their established roles in abiotic stress responses across model plants, these gene families remain underexplored in [...] Read more.

Trehalose is a nonreducing disaccharide critical for cellular integrity and stress adaptation in plants, and its synthesis relies on trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP). Despite their established roles in abiotic stress responses across model plants, these gene families remain underexplored in ornamental species like Petunia hybrida. Here, TPS and TPP genes in two wild petunia progenitors, P. axillaris and P. inflata, underwent a genome-wide analysis, with 10 TPS and 8–9 TPP genes being identified in each species. According to phylogenetic analysis, petunia TPS proteins cluster into two clades, while TPP proteins were classified into three clades, showing closer evolutionary ties to tomato homologs. Cis-acting elements profiling identified hormone- and stress-responsive regulatory elements (e.g., ABRE, TC-rich repeats). Expression analysis under drought, heat, and salt stress revealed dynamic temporal regulation. For instance, PaTPS4/PaTPS9 were early responders (peak at 6 h) under drought and salt stress, while PaTPS8 exhibited sustained upregulation during salt treatment. Heat stress uniquely suppressed PaTPS1,2 and PaTPP1, contrasting with broad upregulation of other members. Notably, PaTPP3 displayed delayed induction under heat. These findings underscore the functional diversity within TPS/TPP families, with specific members governing stress-specific responses. This study provides a foundational resource for leveraging these genes to enhance stress resilience and ornamental value in petunia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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17 pages, 2141 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phosphoric Acid and Magnesium Chloride Composite-Modified Biochar Improved Pakchoi Growth by Reducing Pb and Cd Accumulation and Altering Soil Properties and Microbial Communities

by Xuejie Dong, Haojie Xu, Yanfang Ren, Dongming Lin, Ke Li and Junyu He

Horticulturae 2025, 11(6), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060632 - 4 Jun 2025

Viewed by 387

Abstract

Soil heavy-metal pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues in the world. There is an urgent need to develop feasible strategies for the remediation of polluted soil. Biochar has great potential to reduce heavy metal phytotoxicity and promote plant growth, but [...] Read more.

Soil heavy-metal pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues in the world. There is an urgent need to develop feasible strategies for the remediation of polluted soil. Biochar has great potential to reduce heavy metal phytotoxicity and promote plant growth, but its mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, phosphoric acid and magnesium composite-modified tea branch biochar (PMB) was prepared and characterized. The effects of PMB at 5% addition on pakchoi growth, Cd/Pb accumulation and subcellular distribution in pakchoi, soil physicochemical characteristics and enzyme activities, Cd/Pb bioavailability, bacterial community structure, and diversity in Cd/Pb co-contaminated soils was investigated by a pot experiment. The results showed that PMB significantly alleviated the phytotoxicity of Cd and Pb. The application of PMB effectively increased the plant height and biomass and Cd and Pb proportion in the cell wall, while reducing Cd and Pb accumulation and their distribution in cytoplasm and organelles in pakchoi plants. PMB significantly improved the activities of urease, invertase, and catalase and reduced the available Cd and Pb contents in soil. Moreover, PMB changed the structure and diversity of the soil bacterial community. The relative abundance of several beneficial microbial phyla, including Acidobacteriota, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, and Gemmatimonadota, increased by 13.81%, 19.02%, 68.09%, and 34.79%, respectively. The Shannon and Chao1 index also increased significantly. This study provides an effective strategy for simultaneous Cd and Pb immobilization in soil, promoting plant growth and inhibiting heavy metal accumulation in vegetables, which highlights the application of PMB in sustainable agro-ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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17 pages, 4997 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Response of Shoot Growth to Ecological Factors Highlights a Synergistic Relationship Between Yield and Catechin Accumulation in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis L.)

by Ping Xiang, Qiufang Zhu, Marat Tukhvatshin, Bosi Cheng, Meng Tan, Jianghong Liu, Jiaxin Huang, Yunfei Hu, Yutao Shi, Liangyu Wu and Jinke Lin

Horticulturae 2025, 11(6), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11060624 - 2 Jun 2025

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Abstract

Ecological factors directly influence the growth and metabolism of tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.), and unfavorable environmental conditions cause abiotic stress to them. Abiotic stress causes damage to reliable, high-quality, and safe tea production, yet the optimal ecological conditions for enhancing both [...] Read more.

Ecological factors directly influence the growth and metabolism of tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.), and unfavorable environmental conditions cause abiotic stress to them. Abiotic stress causes damage to reliable, high-quality, and safe tea production, yet the optimal ecological conditions for enhancing both yield and quality remain unclear. To investigate the response patterns of shoot growth to ecological factors and its relationship with catechin accumulation, this study conducted the cultivation of tea plants with a precise modulation of both individual and combined ecological parameters. Under 30 °C and 90% air humidity, specific combinations of light intensity and substrate relative humidity (“250 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ + 65%” or “350 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ + 70%”) significantly enhanced growth and yield. A significant correlation between shoot growth and catechin accumulation was observed, and mathematical models further revealed a synergistic response between shoot growth capacity and total catechin content to ecological factors. Furthermore, co-expression analysis indicated that catechin biosynthesis-related genes exhibited coordinated expression with key growth-related genes, including CsTCP, CsErf, and CsXth. In conclusion, these findings identify optimal ecological conditions to mitigate abiotic stress and reveal a synergistic relationship between catechin biosynthesis and shoot growth, providing an ecological basis for balancing yield and quality in tea production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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19 pages, 2444 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tomato Lines Tolerant to Sodium Chloride at Early Growth Stages

by Alma Aurora Deanda-Tovar, Juan Enrique Rodríguez-Pérez, Jaime Sahagún-Castellanos, María Teresa Beryl Colinas-y-León, Paulino Pérez-Rodríguez and Ana Elizabeth Paredes-Cervantes

Horticulturae 2025, 11(5), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11050532 - 14 May 2025

Viewed by 535

Abstract

High concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) in soil and water are increasingly common conditions in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production that impair the development and yield of this crop, generating the need for tolerant varieties. This research aimed to identify tomato lines [...] Read more.

High concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) in soil and water are increasingly common conditions in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production that impair the development and yield of this crop, generating the need for tolerant varieties. This research aimed to identify tomato lines tolerant to salinity during germination and early seedling development. A standard germination test was carried out in which 93 lines were evaluated under conditions of 0 and 80 mM NaCl for 12 days in a germination chamber with a temperature of 28 ± 1 °C and relative humidity of 80 ± 5%. At the seedling stage, 88 lines were evaluated under conditions of 0 and 150 mM NaCl in a floating raft system. During germination, saline conditions decreased germination percentage (37%), plumule (43%) and radicle (47%) length, dry matter (44%) and germination rate index (70%). At the seedling stage, NaCl decreased (p ≤ 0.05) plant height (44%) and leaf area (50%), without modifying root, aerial and total dry matter or root length. Twenty-eight tolerant lines were identified at germination and twenty-three at the seedling stage, seven of which were tolerant at both stages. This implies that salinity tolerance mechanisms differ in the developmental stages studied and makes it possible to combine these mechanisms to prolong tolerance during plant development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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16 pages, 2705 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Increasing Boron on Growth, Yield, and Nutritional Value of Scallion (Allium cepa L.) Grown as a Bunch Harvest

by Halil Samet and Yakup Çikili

Horticulturae 2025, 11(5), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11050450 - 22 Apr 2025

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Abstract

Scallions are a highly valued leafy vegetable and are enjoyed worldwide due to their appealing taste and nutritional benefits. A combination of short cultivation cycles and high market demand not only enhances food security but also offers a profitable opportunity for growers. In [...] Read more.

Scallions are a highly valued leafy vegetable and are enjoyed worldwide due to their appealing taste and nutritional benefits. A combination of short cultivation cycles and high market demand not only enhances food security but also offers a profitable opportunity for growers. In our study, we aim to evaluate the effect of increasing boron (B) applications, specifically 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 mM B supplied as boric acid (H₃BO₃) in the nutrient solution, on several key physiological and agronomic parameters in scallions. Results showed that the effects of increasing B levels on biomass production were insignificant, but the root fresh weight (FW) significantly decreased with all B levels. Higher B levels (1.2 and 1.6 mM) caused decreases of 22.9% and 29.6%, respectively. The effects of all B levels on photosynthetic pigment contents [chlorophyll (Chl) a, b, a + b, and carotenoid (Car)], root and shoot membrane permeability (MP), and root, shoot, and leaf nutritional status [phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and sodium (Na) concentrations] were found insignificantly. However, all B levels caused a significant increase in the B concentrations of the root, shoot, and leaf of scallions and plants translocated the majority of applied B into their leaves. The translocation factor (TF) of B from the root to the leaf was found to be 138.2%, 133.3%, and 107.3% with 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 mM B levels, respectively. Moreover, plants exposed to high levels of B showed no significant response or toxicity symptoms. We concluded that B is a phloem mobile element in onion, a non-graminaceous monocotyledonous plant, and therefore accumulates in the upper organs but illustrates partial toxicity symptoms in leaves. Studies with higher B concentrations could be recommended to determine critical B levels for green onion production in B-contaminated areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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17 pages, 9144 KiB

Open AccessArticle

MIR396d-p3 Negatively Regulates Apple Resistance to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides via MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3

by Baodong Zhang, Jinqi Tang, Zhirui Ji, Yinan Du, Jialin Cong and Zongshan Zhou

Horticulturae 2025, 11(4), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11040351 - 25 Mar 2025

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Abstract

Apple (Malus domestica) is an economically important fruit crop, but its production is affected by Glomerella leaf spot, a devastating disease caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a kind of non-coding RNA that plays an important [...] Read more.

Apple (Malus domestica) is an economically important fruit crop, but its production is affected by Glomerella leaf spot, a devastating disease caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a kind of non-coding RNA that plays an important role in the process of plant–pathogen interactions. However, little is known about the miRNAs that influence apple resistance against C. gloeosporioides. A novel miRNA, MIR396d-p3, was identified through small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq). Functional analyses revealed that MIR396d-p3 negatively regulates apple resistance to C. gloeosporioides. In addition, MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3 were confirmed as targets of MIR396d-p3 using 5′ RACE and heterologous expression assays. We further found that overexpressing MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3 induce apple disease resistance to C. gloeosporioides, while silencing of MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3 reduces resistance to C. gloeosporioides. These results indicate that MIR396d-p3 plays a role in the response to the infection of C. gloeosporioides through regulating the expressions of MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3. This research provides a new perspective on the interaction between apples and C. gloeosporioides and offers possible targets for resistance breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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15 pages, 649 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Biochar and Hydroretentive Polymers on the Biochemical and Physiological Traits of Satureja rechingeri Jamzad Under Water Deficit Stress

by Mojgan Beiranvandi, Nasser Akbari, Abdolreza Ahmadi, Hasan Mumivand, Farhad Nazarian Firouzabadi and Sergio Argento

Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020169 - 5 Feb 2025

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Abstract

Satureja rechingeri is a valuable medicinal plant, but its growth can be significantly impacted by water deficit stress. To investigate the effects of biochar (BC) and hydroretentive polymers (HPs) on various eco-physiological traits of savory under a water deficit, an experiment was conducted [...] Read more.

Satureja rechingeri is a valuable medicinal plant, but its growth can be significantly impacted by water deficit stress. To investigate the effects of biochar (BC) and hydroretentive polymers (HPs) on various eco-physiological traits of savory under a water deficit, an experiment was conducted over two consecutive cropping seasons (2017–2019). A randomized complete block design with a split-plot factorial arrangement and three replications was used. The treatments consisted of three levels of irrigation (95 ± 5, 75 ± 5, and 55 ± 5% FC), which were applied to the main plots, and combinations of two levels of biochar and two levels of HPs, which were applied to subplots. The results show that a water deficit reduced the relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, and dry matter yield of the shoots. Furthermore, the activity of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and malondialdehyde (MDA) increased in two-year-old plants. The MDA content significantly decreased by 15.6% in the second year compared to in the first year under a water deficit. The application of HPs caused a decrease of 26.4%, 32.5%, and 27.5% in POD, CAT, and APX enzyme activities, respectively, compared to their control levels. In the biochar treatment, there was a significant reduction in the activity of POD, APX, and CAT in the leaves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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18 pages, 2210 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Salt Tolerance of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Seedlings Illuminated by LED Red Light

by Kexin Xu, Xiaoan Sun, Chitao Sun, Yuqing Wang, Haiyan Zhu, Wanli Xu and Di Feng

Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020150 - 1 Feb 2025

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Abstract

Light quality is an important variable affecting plant growth, so we aimed to explore the impact of light quality on plants under salt stress. The salt tolerance of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings illuminated by LED red light and 4:1 of red/blue [...] Read more.

Light quality is an important variable affecting plant growth, so we aimed to explore the impact of light quality on plants under salt stress. The salt tolerance of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings illuminated by LED red light and 4:1 of red/blue light in a hydroponic system was evaluated at three salinity levels (0, 50, and 100 mmol/L of NaCl) for their morphological and physiological parameters and their root growth characteristics in response to salt stress. Results demonstrated that, as salt stress intensified, the plant height, aboveground fresh/dry mass, root growth indices, and chlorophyll content of pea seedlings exhibited a decreasing trend, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in leaves increased. Also, more sodium (Na⁺) but less potassium (K⁺) ions were detected due to the change in electrolyte balance. Compared with pea seedlings under no salt stress, the growth rate, plant height, and K⁺ ion content significantly increased with the red light treatments, but both lights did not affect the aboveground fresh/dry mass, chlorophyll content, or root growth index. Under medium salt stress (50 mmol/L), red light helped generate more chlorophylls by 17.06%, accelerate leaf electrolyte exudation by 23.84%, accumulate more K⁺ ions by 46.32%, and increase the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio by 45.45%. When pea seedlings were stressed by 100 mmol/L salinity stress, red light was able to maintain the leaf chlorophyll level by 114.66%, POD enzyme activity by 157.78%, MDA amount by 14.16%, leaf and stem electrolyte leakage rate by 38.76% and 21.80%, respectively, K⁺ ion content by 45.47%, and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio by 69.70%. In conclusion, the use of red light has proven to enhance the salt tolerance of pea seedlings in a hydroponic system, which can and should be a promising approach to prime pea seedlings for more salt tolerance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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17 pages, 5102 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular, Metabolic, and Physiological Responses to Progressive Biotic Stress Caused by Cucumber Mosaic Virus and Turnip Mosaic Virus in Saffron

by Marzieh Shamshiri, Conchi Sánchez, Saleta Rico, Ali Mokhtassi-Bidgoli, Mahdi Ayyari, Hassan Rezadoost and Masoud Shams-Bakhsh

Horticulturae 2025, 11(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11010096 - 16 Jan 2025

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Abstract

The economic value of the saffron stigma is primarily due to three crucial apocarotenoids: crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal, which contribute to its color, flavor, and aroma. These compounds make saffron highly valuable in various industries. Plant viruses like the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) [...] Read more.

The economic value of the saffron stigma is primarily due to three crucial apocarotenoids: crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal, which contribute to its color, flavor, and aroma. These compounds make saffron highly valuable in various industries. Plant viruses like the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) are significant threats to agricultural crops worldwide, causing economic losses. To elucidate the influence of viral stress on the quality of saffron, morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular indexes were assessed. Under the stress of both viruses, typical viral symptoms appeared. The lowest contents of leaf pigments, flowering performance, petal anthocyanin, greenness, and photosynthesis properties were observed in plants infected with CMV and TuMV. According to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, CMV inoculation led to the highest reduction in crocin and safranal content, while inducing the highest increase in picrocrocin compared to the mock treatment. Gene expression analysis involved in the biosynthesis of crucial secondary metabolites showed a high correlation with the content of each metabolite. CMV inoculation resulted in the lowest expression of CsALDH31l and the highest expression of CsUGT709G1 compared with the mock treatment. Our findings demonstrate the association between virus stress and changes in the metabolism of the saffron medicinal plant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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14 pages, 2107 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Physiological Responses of Cucumber Seedlings to Combined High-Temperature and High-Humidity Stress at Different Leaf Stages

by Xi’ao Wang, Yupeng Pan, Hanqiang Liu, Huanwen Meng and Zhihui Cheng

Horticulturae 2024, 10(12), 1369; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10121369 - 20 Dec 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1342

Abstract

The growth and development of plants are closely tied to growth stages, such as germination, flower bud differentiation, photosynthesis, water and fertilizer use efficiency, stress resistance, etc. Previous studies on the stress resistance of plants with different leaf stages have primarily focused on [...] Read more.

The growth and development of plants are closely tied to growth stages, such as germination, flower bud differentiation, photosynthesis, water and fertilizer use efficiency, stress resistance, etc. Previous studies on the stress resistance of plants with different leaf stages have primarily focused on single-factor environmental conditions. However, there has been a lack of systematic research on the physiology of plant seedlings under combined high-temperature and high-humidity (HH) stress, and the relationship between cucumber growth stages and HH tolerance remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the phenotype, photosynthetic characteristics, reactive oxygen species content, and antioxidant enzyme activity of cucumber seedlings at 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-leaf stages under control (25 °C + 80%RH, CK) and HH (42 °C + 95%RH) stress, aiming to clarify the relationship between growth stage and cucumber HH tolerance. The results indicated that the HH tolerance of cucumber seedlings increases with leaf stage. Seedlings at 1-leaf and 2-leaf stages were most sensitive to HH, whereas 4-leaf seedlings showed the greatest tolerance. Under HH stress, the biomass, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and photosynthetic electron transfer rate were significantly reduced compared to CK. Simultaneously, there was an increase in reactive oxygen species content and antioxidant enzyme activity. The relative values for dry weight, total chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, Fv/Fm, qP, ETR, and Y (II) in 1-leaf and 2-leaf seedlings were significantly lower, while ROS accumulation and changes in antioxidant enzyme activity were significantly higher compared to 4-leaf seedlings. This lays a foundation for future studies on the growth and physiological response of cucumber plants at different growth stages under varying temperature and humidity combined stresses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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