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Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Forest Plants

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Cell Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 5251

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Prof. Dr. Ling Yang

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Guest Editor

1. College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100091, China
2. Department of Biology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen 518172, China
3. State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Interests: somatic embryogenesis; stem cell culture; cryopreservation; stress resistance physiology; nitric oxide signaling; seed dormancy; multi-varietal forestry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forest plants can regenerate through both asexual and sexual means. Asexual reproduction can maintain the original species composition, while sexual reproduction is the main source of diversity. Asexual reproduction can greatly increase the quantity of reproduction, and its use in plant genetic improvement can achieve asexual breeding to obtain more benefits. Sexual reproduction can alter the genetic traits of offspring, providing more possibilities for their later survival to cope with diverse and complex external natural environments. The difference between pollinators and seed carriers significantly affects the efficiency of plant gene transfer and gene flow patterns. Climate change and natural disturbances affect plant reproductive strategies and forest diversity. The reproductive methods of forest plants have been evolving to better interact with the environment. The study of the advantages and disadvantages, evolutionary significance, and environmental factors of sexual and asexual reproduction methods of forest plants will help people understand the driving mechanisms of forest plant reproduction strategies and the significance of the evolution of these two reproduction methods, providing a new perspective for forest management.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Gender differentiation;
Pollination and fertilization;
Dormancy and germination;
Gene flow;
Biodiversity;
Clone reproduction;
Genetic improvement;
Multi-varietal forestry, MVF;
Reproductive evolution;
Environmental adaptation.

Prof. Dr. Ling Yang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

gender differentiation
pollination and fertilization
dormancy and germination
clone reproduction
genetic improvement
reproductive evolution
environmental adaptation

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 13853 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification and Chemical Control of Stem Canker Pathogen of Idesia polycarpa

by Jian Feng, Qiupeng Yuan, Xuzhong Chen, Lisha Fang, Tao Zhang, Zhen Liu, Yanmei Wang, Xiaodong Geng, Qifei Cai and Zhi Li

Plants 2025, 14(9), 1393; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14091393 - 5 May 2025

Viewed by 268

Abstract

Idesia polycarpa is an important woody oilseed tree crucial for ensuring China’s grain and oil security. The expansion of I. polycarpa plantations has been accompanied by an increase in pests and diseases, with canker disease recently observed in two forests in Henan Province. Field surveys revealed a disease incidence of 70.12% among 328 surveyed trees, indicating a substantial threat to plantation health. The most virulent pathogen, strain SQ5, was identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea through molecular sequencing and morphological analyses. Strain SQ5 showed an optimum growth temperature of 25 °C and a mycelial lethal temperature of 60 °C. The pathogen thrives in acidic conditions and is promoted by light, with the ability to utilize various carbon and nitrogen sources. In vitro toxicity assessments identified four effective fungicides: 70% thiophanate-methyl (EC50 = 0.0169 µg/mL), 43% tebuconazole (EC50 = 0.0219 µg/mL), 20% octylamine acetate (EC50 = 0.0271 µg/mL), and 40% difenoconazole (EC50 = 0.0954 µg/mL). Field trials demonstrated that 43% tebuconazole (average efficacy = 35.29%) and 40% difenoconazole (average efficacy = 23.53%) exhibited superior control of I. polycarpa canker. This study represents the first systematic analysis of I. polycarpa canker and its control measures, laying a foundation for further research and field management strategies. Given the significance of I. polycarpa in Chinese forestry, this underscores the need for effective management strategies to sustain its productivity and mitigate risks associated with expanding plantations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Forest Plants)

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14 pages, 1307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sex-Specific Responses of Sexual Reproduction, Clonal Reproduction, and Vegetative Growth to Environmental (Biotic and Abiotic) Factors in the Clonal Dioecious Plant Acer barbinerve

by Dan Liao, Jingjing Lei, Yingni Wang, Yuxin Bao, Xinna Zhang and Juan Wang

Plants 2025, 14(4), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14040596 - 15 Feb 2025

Viewed by 599

Abstract

Sexual dimorphism in dioecious plants serves as a critical adaptive strategy in complex environments. This study systematically investigated the effects of topographic factors (elevation, slope, aspect, and convexity), soil nutrients (C, N, P), and interspecific competition intensity on the reproductive strategies and vegetative growth of the clonal dioecious plant, Acer barbinerve. Using Spearman’s correlation analysis, multiple regression models, and PLS-PM path models, key findings include the following: (1) female sexual reproduction biomass showed a significant positive correlation with the topography principal component (topo_PC1), with a notable gender–topography interaction, whereas male sexual reproduction was negatively regulated by elevation; (2) clonal reproduction in both sexes was significantly suppressed by interspecific competition, but females additionally exhibited positive topographic responses; and (3) male vegetative growth was significantly impacted by environmental stress, while females maintained relative stability. These results demonstrate that females optimize reproductive investment through topography-mediated resource acquisition, whereas males are more susceptible to resource competition constraints. This sex-specific adaptive strategy corroborates the dimorphic niche hypothesis, highlighting how environmental heterogeneity drives divergent life history allocations in dioecious species. The findings provide novel insights into the ecological mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism and inform gender ratio management in ecological restoration practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Forest Plants)

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10 pages, 1538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Establishment of a Highly Efficient In Vitro Regeneration System for Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’

by Xin Zhao, Hao Dong, Yanhua Li, Xinxin Zhang, Yajing Ning, Chengpeng Cui and Shujuan Li

Plants 2025, 14(3), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14030421 - 31 Jan 2025

Viewed by 733

Abstract

Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’ is one of the most popular colorful foliage species in landscaping. However, it is currently propagated mainly by seeding and cuttings, with a low reproduction coefficient, hindering the cultivation of this species. Therefore, establishing an in vitro regeneration system would be beneficial for the industrialized production of Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’. In this study, an ex vivo regeneration system was established using the direct organogenesis pathway. In early April, the new shoots of Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’ were selected, and the stem segments of 1~2 cm were cut as the disinfection materials for the explants. The optimal formulation for inducing axillary shoots was 1/2 MS + 1.5 mg L⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) + 0.3 mg L⁻¹ indole-3-butric acid (IBA). The optimal formulation for the differentiation and proliferation of axillary shoots was 1/2 MS + 1.5 mg L⁻¹ BA + 0.01 mg L⁻¹ IBA with a multiplicity of proliferation of 9.22. We determined that the rooting of axillary shoots required a combination of IBA, naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and activated carbon (AC). The optimal formulation for rooting was 1/2 MS + 0.2 mg L⁻¹ NAA + 0.3 mg L⁻¹ IBA + 0.2 mg L⁻¹ AC. After a two-day hardening period for tissue-cultured plantlets, a substrate consisting of peat soil, vermiculite, and perlite at a ratio of 2:2:1 was determined to be the optimal cultivation formulation. This system provides a framework for the industrialized production of Nandina domestica ‘Firepower’. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Forest Plants)

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12 pages, 4774 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Establishment of a Highly Efficient In Vitro Regeneration System for Viburnum opulus L. ‘Roseum’

by Yajing Ning, Hao Dong, Xinxin Zhang, Yanhua Li, Chengpeng Cui and Shujuan Li

Plants 2025, 14(3), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14030374 - 26 Jan 2025

Viewed by 631

Abstract

Viburnum opulus L. ‘Roseum’ is a highly valuable ornamental plant for landscaping, but it has a long propagation cycle and low propagation coefficient. In this study, stem segments with axillary buds from Viburnum opulus L. ‘Roseum’ were used as explants. We systematically analyzed the use of sodium hypochlorite for the sterilization of explants, as well as the effects of different plant growth regulator combinations and concentrations on shoot bud induction, shoot proliferation, the rooting of tissue-cultured shoots, and the transplanting of the tissue-cultured shoots. A complete rapid propagation technology system for Viburnum opulus L. ‘Roseum’ was established. The results showed that a disinfection method using 75% ethanol for 30 s and soaking in 5% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min was the most suitable for disinfecting the stem segments of Viburnum opulus L. ‘Roseum’, which showed low contamination and a 73.33% survival rate. The ideal medium for primary bud induction was WPM (Woody Plant Basal Medium) + 2.0 mg·L⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) + 0.15 mg·L⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid solution (IBA) + 25 g·L⁻¹ sucrose. The optimal medium for shoot proliferation was WPM + 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ 6-BA + 0.15 mg·L⁻¹ IBA + 25 g·L⁻¹ sucrose, achieving an induction rate of 7.17. For the rooting of tissue-cultured shoots, the most suitable formulation was 1/2 WPM + 0.3 mg·L⁻¹ naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) + 0.3 mg·L⁻¹ activated charcoal (AC) + 25 g·L⁻¹ sucrose, which induced robust and developed root systems. This study provides a technical basis for the establishment of a fast propagation system for the industrial production of Viburnum opulus L. ‘Roseum’. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Forest Plants)

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24 pages, 7713 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating Physiology, Transcriptome, and Metabolomics Reveals the Potential Mechanism of Nitric Oxide Concentration-Dependent Regulation of Embryo Germination in Sorbus pohuashanensis

by Caihong Zhao, Yue Zhang and Ling Yang

Plants 2025, 14(3), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14030344 - 23 Jan 2025

Viewed by 776

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) breaks a seed’s dormancy and stimulates germination by signaling. However, the key physiological metabolic pathways and molecular regulatory mechanisms are still unclear. Therefore, this study used physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomics methods to analyze the key genes and metabolites involved in the NO regulation of plant embryo germination and their potential regulatory mechanisms. The physiological analysis results indicate that the appropriate concentration of NO increased the content of NO and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in cells, stimulated the synthesis of ethylene and jasmonic acid (JA), induced a decrease in abscisic acid (ABA) content, antagonistic to the gibberellin (GA₃) effect, and promoted embryo germination and subsequent seedling growth. However, the high concentrations of NO caused excessive accumulation of H₂O₂, destroyed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) balance, and inhibited embryo germination and seedling growth. The combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics showed that the genes related to phenylpropanoid (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, trans-cinnamate 4-monooxygenase, ferulate-5-hydroxylase, coniferyl-alcohol glucosyltransferase), and flavonoid synthesis (10 genes such as CHS) were significantly up-regulated during embryo germination. The high concentration of exogenous NO inhibited embryo germination by up-regulating the expression of 4-coumaric acid coenzyme A ligase (4CL) and negatively regulating the expression of flavonoid synthesis genes. This suggests that NO concentration-dependently regulates phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis, thereby affecting ROS metabolism and hormone levels, and ultimately regulates the dormancy and germination of Sorbus pohuashanensis embryos. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Forest Plants)

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15 pages, 2808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cryopreservation Protocols and the Associated Ultrastructural Changes in Dormant Buds of Vitis amurensis

by Dan Sun, Peijin Ni, Jian Liu, Zhenxing Wang, Guangli Shi, Meng Li, Xuanhe Zhang and Jun Ai

Plants 2024, 13(24), 3590; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13243590 - 23 Dec 2024

Viewed by 538

Abstract

There is an urgent need for the cryopreservation of dormant buds to conserve the genetic resources of woody plants, particularly fruit trees, as this method is less time-consuming and relatively inexpensive. In the present study, three different cryopreservation protocols were tested on dormant buds from three varieties of Vitis amurensis Rupr. The explants were collected between November 2017 and March 2018. Twig segments harvested from field-grown plants, each containing one dormant bud, were desiccated in a low-temperature test chamber at −5 °C. The viability of the buds was highest (45%) after 28–30 days of desiccation, when the moisture content was approximately 25–30%. Cryopreservation using the CP3 protocol (which involves decreasing the temperature at a rate of 0.1 °C/min to −30 °C and holding this temperature for 24 h, followed by a 0.5 °C/min decline to −80 °C, a 1 °C/min decline to −180 °C, and finally reaching −196 °C in a CryoMed controlled rate freezer) significantly enhanced the viability (66.67%) when the samples were packed in aluminum-foil bags. Additionally, immersing the twigs in ice-cold (4 °C) water for 24 h in a refrigerator during thawing proved to be more conducive to viability. The dormant buds of all three V. amurensis varieties collected in January exhibited the highest viability after cryopreservation, followed by those collected in February and December. In contrast, the dormant buds collected in November and March showed the lowest viability after cryopreservation. The average viability of twigs of ‘Shuanghong’, ‘Zuoshanyi’, and ‘Shuangfeng’ collected between 2019 and 2021 all exceeded 60%. After the cryopreservation process, the outer multilayered cells in the buds were completely damaged; however, the inner cells exhibited moderate damage and were able to resume growth after thawing. Therefore, based on graft viability and histological observations, the dormant bud cryopreservation protocols tested in this study could be applicable to these three V. amurensis varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Forest Plants)

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14 pages, 4751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Colchicine-Induced Tetraploidy in Protocorms of Aerides rosea Lodd. ex Lindl. and Paxton. and Its Identification

by Li Wang, Pengrui Zheng, Hong Ge, Xin Zhao, Yaping Kou, Shuhua Yang, Xiaonan Yu and Ruidong Jia

Plants 2024, 13(24), 3535; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13243535 - 18 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 924

Abstract

Aerides rosea (Orchidaceae) boasts high ornamental value due to its pleasant aroma, foxtail spike, and elegant floral morphology. Inducing A. rosea to become tetraploid enhances horticultural traits and facilitates fertile intergeneric hybrids through crosses with other market-available tetraploid species. The experimental design involved the application of colchicine at varying concentrations—0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2%—to a solid medium. Exposure durations were 5, 10, and 15 days, with treatments conducted under sterile conditions on 6-week-old protocorms post-germination. Results indicated that the protocorms were sensitive to colchicine concentrations exceeding 0.05%, with high concentrations leading to a mortality rate exceeding 50%. Flow cytometry (FCM) with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining confirmed a doubling of chromosome numbers in tetraploid plants (2n = 4x = 76) compared to diploid controls (2n = 2x = 38). Induction efficiency was significantly influenced by colchicine concentration and treatment duration. A 10-day treatment with 0.2% colchicine yielded a 70.00% tetraploid induction rate; however, considering protocorm survival, a 5-day treatment with 0.05% colchicine was preferable, achieving a 63.55% survival rate and a 56.67% tetraploid induction rate. Tetraploid plants exhibited distinct morphological traits, such as a more compact growth habit, thicker leaves, and increased stem and root thickness. Leaf morphology changes included larger stomata with reduced density, denser spongy mesophyll, and more pronounced venation. Tetraploids also demonstrated a 1.94-fold increase in genome size compared to diploids. The tetraploid genotypes developed in this study hold significant potential for future Aerides breeding programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Forest Plants)

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