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Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants: 2nd Edition

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A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Biotic and Abiotic Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026 | Viewed by 10024

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Dr. Changxia Li

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Guest Editor

College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, 100 East University Road, Xixiangtang District, Nanning 530004, China
Interests: molecular biology of vegetable quality regulation and stress response
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yue Wu

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Guest Editor

College of Horticulture, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Interests: stress physiology of vegetables and regulation of fruit quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the tremendous success of the first edition of the Special Issue “Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/horticulturae/special_issues/B0K917NYDS), we are eager to further advance research in this area.

Plants are continuously affected by a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses. Biotic and abiotic stress, such as increased periods of water shortage, the presence of heavy metals, higher temperatures, salinity, nutrient availability, increased CO2 concentrations, and diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and herbivores, can affect the growth and development of most horticultural plants. Currently, many investigations have highlighted the positive aspects of gas signal molecules as well as plant hormones, such as hydrogen gas, hydrogen sulfide, auxins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, cytokinins, ethylene, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid, under biotic and abiotic stresses. The advent of genomic studies and gene discovery has also presented an excellent opportunity to improve the stress tolerance of horticultural plants. This Special Issue will consider the biotic and abiotic stress responses of horticultural plants. Under stress, horticultural plants generate some appropriate regulatory mechanisms, including gas signal molecules, plant hormones, genomics, metabolomics, etc., which are welcome submission topics.

Dr. Changxia Li
Dr. Yue Wu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

plant hormones
gas signal molecules
plant growth and development

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2686 KB

Open AccessArticle

In Vitro Response of Seedlings of Two Avocado Botanical Varieties to Salt Stress

by Luis María Suárez-Rodríguez, Fernando Sánchez-Albarrán, Essoh Aimé Césaire Elékou, Mariela Gómez-Romero, Andrés Belver and Rodolfo López-Gómez

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050562 - 5 May 2026

Viewed by 982

Abstract

Soil salinity is a major environmental constraint affecting avocado (Persea americana Mill.) productivity. In this study, we evaluate the physio-morphological and molecular responses of two avocado varieties, drymifolia (sensitive) and americana (tolerant), subjected to increasing NaCl concentrations for 60 days. Our results reveal distinct adaptive strategies. While salinity reduced total biomass in both genotypes, var. americana exhibited superior resilience, characterized by preferential biomass allocation to the root system. Ion analysis demonstrated that tolerance was not mediated by K⁺ homeostasis, but rather by the differential management of toxic ions. var. americana effectively sequestered chloride Cl⁻ in the roots, whereas var. drymifolia exhibited a breakdown of the exclusion mechanism at 60 mM NaCl, with shoot Cl⁻ concentrations exceeding those of the root, leading to severe toxicity. At the molecular level, qPCR analysis of the Na⁺ transporters PaHKT1 and PaSOS1 showed no expression pattern correlated with salt stress. Bioinformatic assessment revealed significant structural divergences and a lack of conserved functional domains in these proteins. These findings challenge the applicability of the classical sodium-exclusion model (typical of Liliopsida and Magnoliopsida) to avocado. We conclude that salt tolerance in this Lauraceae species is primarily driven by root-mediated Cl⁻ exclusion rather than canonical Na⁺ transport pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants: 2nd Edition)

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20 pages, 14209 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Waste Drilling Fluid on Physiological Characteristics of Two Leguminous Plants and Soil Properties Under Abiotic Stress

by Die Hu, Lu Yang, Yi Zhu, Xiaohu Chen and Yongjun Fei

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 521; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050521 - 24 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1190

Abstract

Oil and gas drilling waste drilling fluid is a complex alkaline mixture that poses risks to plants and soil ecosystems during transportation and disposal due to potential leakage. This study investigates the effects of waste drilling fluid on the growth of Trifolium pratense (L.) and Astragalus sinicus (L.) and on the soil ecosystem, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for ecological restoration of oil and gas field sites. Four gradients of waste drilling fluid stress were established by mixing 0, 50, 100, and 150 mL of waste drilling fluid into the substrate, with 0 mL serving as the control. Seed germination, morphological development, physiological, and biochemical indices of the two leguminous plants, as well as soil nutrients and enzyme activities, were analyzed, followed by a comprehensive evaluation. Waste drilling fluid stress inhibited the growth of both leguminous plants. Their physiological and biochemical parameters, such as antioxidant enzyme activities and osmotic regulatory substances, exhibited a gradually increasing trend with increasing waste drilling fluid concentration. Concurrently, waste drilling fluid stress reduced soil nutrient availability and decreased soil enzyme activities. Notably, soil nutrient content increased after planting compared to the original soil without plants. Planting these two leguminous plants can effectively alleviate the negative impacts of waste drilling fluid stress, thereby indirectly contributing to soil remediation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants: 2nd Edition)

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26 pages, 6532 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Transcriptomic and Physiological Analyses Reveal Key Genes and Regulatory Network for Early-Stage Defense Against Bacterial Fruit Blotch in Melon

by Dan Zhou, Jianli Shang, Lanying Lu, Jianfei Song, Nannan Li, Shuangwu Ma and Na Li

Horticulturae 2026, 12(3), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12030362 - 16 Mar 2026

Viewed by 585

Abstract

Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), caused by Acidovorax citrulli (Aac), is a devastating bacterial disease to the melon industry. The scarcity of resistant germplasms has hindered in-depth research into its resistance mechanisms. In this study, we combined comparative transcriptomics, physiological assays, and hormonal profiling to explore the defense mechanisms of resistant (ZT145) and susceptible (ZT146) melon germplasms. The results indicated that resistant plants rapidly initiated a coordinated defense mechanism within 12 h after inoculation. This was characterized by an induced increase in salicylic acid (SA), activation of core immune pathways (plant–pathogen interaction, MAPK signaling pathway, etc.), and upregulation of phenylpropanoids and other biosynthetic processes. In contrast, susceptible plants exhibited a delayed and less coordinated response, characterized by SA inhibition, a surge in jasmonic acid (JA), and the broad but non-coordinated activation of multiple pathways, ultimately leading to physiological dysregulation. Through comparative analysis, we identified nine key genes that were early responders to pathogen challenge, as well as 21 genes that might be responsible for maintaining resistance. Our findings suggest that the resistance of melon to BFB is determined not by the abundance of defense-related genes but rather by the plant’s ability to rapidly activate a coordinated, SA-dominated defense network during early infection. This study provides an integrative theoretical framework for deciphering the molecular and physiological mechanisms against bacterial diseases in melon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants: 2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 4193 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Characterization and Expression Analysis of CBP60 Gene Family in Citrullus lanatus in Response to Fusarium oxysporum Infection and Aphid Infestation

by Yinbo Ma, Jing Tang, Xiaoyuan Wang, Lili Zhang, Haipeng Fu and Xiaodong Yang

Horticulturae 2026, 12(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12010051 - 31 Dec 2025

Viewed by 1869

Abstract

The calmodulin-binding protein 60 (CBP60) family comprises essential Ca²⁺-responsive transcription factors that orchestrate salicylic acid (SA)-mediated immunity and broader stress responses. Despite being extensively characterized in model species, the CBP60 family remains poorly understood in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), a globally significant cucurbit crop highly susceptible to aphid infestation and fusarium wilt. In this study, we performed a comprehensive genome-wide identification and characterization of the CBP60 gene family in watermelon, identifying 16 putative ClaCBP60 members, all of which harbor the conserved calmodulin-binding domain. These genes are non-randomly distributed across chromosomes, featuring a prominent cluster of 10 members on chromosome 3. Phylogenetic analysis across seven cucurbit species categorized the CBP60 proteins into four distinct subfamilies, revealing both evolutionary conservation and lineage-specific diversification. Gene structure and conserved motif analyses revealed shared core domains with subfamily-specific variations, indicative of functional divergence. Furthermore, synteny analysis showed strong collinearity with cucumber and melon, reflecting the evolutionary stability of key CBP60 loci. Transcriptional profiling under F. oxysporum infection and aphid infestation revealed dynamic expression patterns, with ClaCBP60_01 and ClaCBP60_16 exhibiting rapid and robust induction during the early stages of both stresses. These findings indicated that ClaCBP60 genes operate in a coordinated yet diversified manner to modulate defense signaling against F. oxysporum and aphid attack. This study provides a systematic insight into CBP60 family members in watermelon, establishing a foundation for validation and molecular breeding aimed at enhancing biotic tolerance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants: 2nd Edition)

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12 pages, 1968 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of a VIGS System Suitable for the Functional Study of Resistance Genes of Chinese Cabbage Against Clubroot Disease

by Bo Zhang, Ping Zhang, Xin-Ming Li, Su-Meng Zhang, Xue-Mei Ma, Ran Yu, Nan Wang and Rui-Qin Ji

Horticulturae 2026, 12(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12010031 - 26 Dec 2025

Viewed by 803

Abstract

Clubroot disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae has greatly affected the quality and yield of Chinese cabbage. Excavating the key resistance genes and verifying their function is important for clarifying disease resistance mechanisms. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology has been widely used in gene function research. However, the VIGS system specifically designed for the functional analysis of clubroot resistance genes is currently unavailable. In this study, it was found that the vacuum infiltration VIGS method is more effective for gene silencing than the seed soaking method. When seedlings were VIGS-treated using vacuum infiltration for 10 min, genes were effectively silenced on the 6th-35th days (d) after treatment, ensuring high seedling survival rate and plant transformation rate. To investigate the optimal inoculation time with P. brassicae, plants were inoculated 3, 6, 9, and 15 d after VIGS treatment. Results showed that the difference of clubroot resistance between gene-silenced and control plants was most significant when plants were inoculated 6 d after VIGS treatment. This result suggests that, when the target gene began to silence (6 d after VIGS), immediate inoculation with P. brassicae should be suitable for the functional study of clubroot-resistance genes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants: 2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 3696 KB

Open AccessArticle

Leucine-Rich Repeat Protein 13 Activates Immunity Against Ralstonia solanacearum and Thermotolerance in Pepper

by Jinfeng Huang, Yibin Lu, Yu Huang, Sheng Yang and Shuilin He

Horticulturae 2025, 11(12), 1485; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11121485 - 8 Dec 2025

Viewed by 847

Abstract

Pepper (Capsicum annuum), a widely cultivated vegetable of significant economic importance globally, is frequently subjected to attacks from pathogens such as Ralstonia solanacearum, as well as high-temperature stress. However, the mechanisms by which pepper combats these stresses remain poorly understood. Herein, we reported that the expression of the leucine-rich repeat protein CaLRR13, which lacks a nucleotide-binding site (NBS), kinase domains, and a transmembrane region, was transcriptionally activated by both R. solanacearum inoculation and high-temperature stress. Through transient overexpression in the epidermal cells of Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, we found that CaLRR13 localized in both the cytoplasm and the nuclei. Reducing the expression of CaLRR13 via virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) increased the sensitivity of pepper to R. solanacearum infection and high-temperature exposure, accompanied by reduced expression of immunity- and thermotolerance-related genes, including CaWRKY40, CaPR1, CaNPR1, CaDEF1, and CaHSP24. In contrast, transient overexpression of CaLRR13 in pepper leaves induced a like-hypersensitive response (HR) and enhanced the expression of the aforementioned immunity- and thermotolerance-related genes. Thus, we conclude that CaLRR13 plays a positive role in pepper immunity against R. solanacearum and thermotolerance, providing a new perspective on the crosstalk and management of plant responses to these two stresses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants: 2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 5161 KB

Open AccessArticle

CsMYB6 Mediates the Involvement of CsABCG6 in the Transport and Biosynthesis of Anthocyanins in Chaenomeles speciosa Flowers Under Drought Conditions

by Shuangyu Zhang, Xiling Chen, Xingyue Xue, Yaping Xu, Xiaoxiao Liu and Aimei Tian

Horticulturae 2025, 11(11), 1378; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11111378 - 15 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 758

Abstract

Chaenomeles speciosa, a plant species with high ornamental value, exhibited significant darkening of its petal coloration under drought conditions. This chromatic alteration primarily stems from anthocyanin biosynthesis and transport. Through integrated proteomic and transcriptomic analyses, we identified CsABCG6, a transporter of the ABCG subfamily, as a key regulator. The molecular docking analysis preliminarily demonstrated that CsABCG6 bound to anthocyanin monomers. Functional characterization revealed a dual role of CsABCG6 in regard to anthocyanin metabolism; it displayed anthocyanin transport activity in yeast systems, whereas transient transformation assays confirmed its capacity to enhance anthocyanin biosynthesis. Stable transformation experiments in tobacco further validated the anthocyanin-promoting function of the previously identified transcription factor CsMYB6. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and dual-luciferase assays (LUC) established that CsMYB6 transcriptionally activates the CsABCG6 promoter, thus collectively defining the CsMYB6-CsABCG6 signaling module as a critical mechanism for the precise dynamic regulation of anthocyanin metabolism under drought stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants: 2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 6047 KB

Open AccessArticle

Methyl Jasmonate Mediates ALA-Induced Salt Tolerance in Tomato Seedlings

by Junfang Feng, Yongmei He, Peng Bai, Junwen Wang, Jiaqi Chen, Xingpan Shang, Yue Wu, Jihua Yu, Zhongqi Tang, Zeci Liu and Jianming Xie

Horticulturae 2025, 11(11), 1363; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11111363 - 13 Nov 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 883

Abstract

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a natural and environmentally friendly plant growth regulator that plays an important role in enhancing plant tolerance to a wide range of environmental stresses. Exogenous application of ALA enables rapid and efficient physiological regulation. Additionally, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) enhances salt tolerance in tomato seedlings by regulating ALA to promote jasmonic acid (JA) accumulation and strengthening the antioxidant defense system. To investigate how exogenous ALA alleviates salt stress physiologically, this study used ‘Condine Red’ tomato as the experimental material and examined the effects of MeJA-mediated ALA on the growth characteristics and stress tolerance mechanisms of tomato seedlings under salt stress. The results indicated that salt stress significantly inhibited tomato seedling growth, leading to marked reductions in biomass, chlorophyll content, and the enzymatic activities of POD, CAT, and APX. In contrast, SOD activity, MDA content, NPQ, soluble protein content, proline content, endogenous JA levels, and the expression of related genes were significantly increased. Under salt stress, exogenous application of ALA and MeJA alleviated the inhibitory effects on tomato seedlings. However, SHAM (salicylhydroxamic acid) aggravated salt stress damage to plants. The addition of ALA significantly mitigated these salt stress-induced injuries. These findings suggest that ALA may enhance salt tolerance in tomato seedlings by promoting JA accumulation and bolstering the antioxidant defense system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants: 2nd Edition)

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16 pages, 7364 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of H3K27me3 in Eggplant’s Early Defense Against Frankliniella occidentalis

by Yueqin Zheng, Lanyan Huang, Houjun Tian, Qianxia Liu and Hui Wei

Horticulturae 2025, 11(10), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11101269 - 21 Oct 2025

Viewed by 909

Abstract

Epigenetic modifications are emerging as key regulators of plant stress responses. However, their role in eggplant (Solanum melongena)–western flower thrips (WFTs; Frankliniella occidentalis) interactions remains elusive. WFTs cause substantial economic losses in eggplant cultivation worldwide. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying eggplants’ defense is critical for developing resistant varieties. We investigated the function of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) in modulating the early transcriptional reprogramming of eggplants during WFT infestation. We performed ChIP-seq and RNA-seq on eggplant leaves at an early stage of WFT infestation to elucidate the epigenetic landscape and associated gene expression alterations. ChIP-seq analysis showed that genome-wide enrichment of H3K27me3 was mainly at the transcription start sites, with a notable decrease in WFT-infested plants. Concurrently, RNA-seq analysis identified 2822 genes that were upregulated following WFT infestation. Many of these genes associated with abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid pathways were upregulated, underscoring their central role in early plant defense. Integrated analysis revealed six genes with decreased H3K27me3 levels and concurrent upregulation, potentially involved in ABA and JA signaling. Thus, removal of the repressive H3K27me3 mark may facilitate the transcriptional activation of early defense genes in eggplants that are crucial in their response to insect herbivory. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants: 2nd Edition)

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Review

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29 pages, 2147 KB

Open AccessReview

Selective Proteolysis by F-Box Proteins Shapes Plant Development, Stress Responses, and Immunity

by Li Zhong, Yali Duan, Xinye Li, Yang Li, Bingjian Yuan and Peifeng Yu

Horticulturae 2026, 12(6), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12060665 - 26 May 2026

Viewed by 482

Abstract

The ubiquitin-26S proteasome system provides a key mechanism for regulating protein turnover in plants and contributes to the control of diverse developmental and stress-related processes. Within this system, Skp1-Cullin1-F-box (SCF) E3 ligases rely on F-box proteins to confer substrate specificity, enabling selective and dynamic regulation of target protein stability. The large size and structural diversity of the F-box protein family in plants suggest extensive functional specialization, although many members remain poorly characterized. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of F-box protein function, with a focus on their roles in plant development, stress adaptation, and immunity. Specifically, this review integrates findings across development, abiotic stresses, and immunity to highlight shared and diverging regulatory nodes and critically assesses the strength of substrate evidence to distinguish bona fide from putative F-box targets. We highlight how F-box proteins modulate key regulatory pathways, including phytohormone signaling, reproductive development, root architecture, and secondary metabolism, as well as responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. Emerging evidence indicates that F-box-mediated proteolysis acts as an important layer of control linking environmental signals to downstream transcriptional and physiological outputs. A better understanding of F-box protein substrates and regulatory networks is important for dissecting plant adaptive mechanisms and may provide molecular targets for future crop improvement strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants: 2nd Edition)

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