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13 pages, 6449 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization and Functional Analysis of RhHsfA7, a Heat Stress Transcription Factor in Roses (Rosa hybrid ‘Samantha’)

by Yaqi Sun, Sudan Li, Xiang Wu, Jiao Zhu, Fei Dong, Zhaoshun Pei, Zhenguo Li, Shanxing Zhao and Chengpeng Wang

Plants 2025, 14(8), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14081155 - 8 Apr 2025

Viewed by 408

Abstract

Heat stress transcription factors (Hsfs) are crucial transcription factors (TFs) in plants, playing pivotal roles in responding to abiotic stresses. However, their specific functions in regulating heat stress responses in roses are not yet fully elucidated. Here, we cloned an Hsf gene, RhHsfA7 [...] Read more.

Heat stress transcription factors (Hsfs) are crucial transcription factors (TFs) in plants, playing pivotal roles in responding to abiotic stresses. However, their specific functions in regulating heat stress responses in roses are not yet fully elucidated. Here, we cloned an Hsf gene, RhHsfA7, from the rose variety Rosa hybrid ‘Samantha’. This gene contains a coding sequence (CDS) of 1086 bp, encoding 361 amino acids. The RhHsfA7 protein has a molecular weight of 41.21 kDa, an isoelectric point of 5.41, and no signal peptide or transmembrane structure. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that RhHsfA7 is most closely related to AtHsfA7a, AtHsfA7b, and AtHsfA6b in Arabidopsis thaliana, and is phylogenetically closer to Rosaceae species compared to other species. The RhHsfA7 protein possesses conserved domains, including an oligomerization domain (OD), a nuclear localization signal (NLS), a DNA-binding domain (DBD), and a nuclear export signal (NES), as well as the HsfA subfamily-specific transcriptional activation domain (AHA). RhHsfA7 was localized in the nucleus and exhibited transcriptional activation activity. Expression analysis revealed that RhHsfA7 was highly expressed in roots and leaves, and its expression was heat-specific. In rose leaves, through silencing and transient overexpression experiments, we discovered that silencing RhHsfA7 resulted in heat sensitivity, whereas transient overexpression of RhHsfA7 increased heat tolerance. Collectively, our findings suggest that RhHsfA7 positively regulates tolerance to heat stress in roses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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18 pages, 10672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological, Cytological and Transcriptome Analysis of a Yellow–Green Leaf Mutant in Magnolia sinostellata

by Xiawen Zhou, Shaozong Yang, Fangwei Zhou, Liang Xu, Congguang Shi and Qiuling He

Plants 2025, 14(7), 1037; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071037 - 27 Mar 2025

Viewed by 324

Abstract

Leaf color mutants serve as excellent models for investigating the metabolic pathways involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis, chloroplast development, and photosynthesis in plants. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying color formation in the yellow–green leaf mutant (YL) of Magnolia sinostellata by employing [...] Read more.

Leaf color mutants serve as excellent models for investigating the metabolic pathways involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis, chloroplast development, and photosynthesis in plants. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying color formation in the yellow–green leaf mutant (YL) of Magnolia sinostellata by employing physiological, cytological and transcriptomic analyses to compare the mutant with control plants (wild type Magnolia sinostellata, WT). Physiological assessments revealed a reduction in chlorophyll content, particularly chlorophyll b, alongside an increase in the flavonoid level in YL relative to WT. Cytological examinations indicated the presence of defective chloroplasts within the mesophyll cells of the mutants. Transcriptomic analysis identified 8205 differentially expressed genes, with 4159 upregulated and 4046 downregulated. Genes associated with chlorophyll metabolism, flavonoid metabolism, photosynthesis, and signaling pathways were found to play crucial roles in leaf yellowing. In conclusion, this study delineated the phenotypic, physiological, cytological, and transcriptomic differences between YL and WT leaves, offering novel insights into the mechanisms driving leaf yellowing in Magnolia sinostellata. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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27 pages, 6805 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Acclimatization Conditions for Vriesea splendens ‘Fire’: A Comparative Analysis of Substrate Effects on Growth and Survival

by Eman Abdelhakim Eisa, Daniela Salome Pasquel Davila and Máté Ördögh

Plants 2025, 14(2), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14020172 - 9 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 826

Abstract

This study investigates the acclimatization success of Vriesea splendens ’Fire’, a popular ornamental bromeliad, through in vitro propagation on various substrates. Due to the increasing demand for V. splendens, micropropagation offers a promising solution to overcome the limitations of traditional propagation methods. [...] Read more.

This study investigates the acclimatization success of Vriesea splendens ’Fire’, a popular ornamental bromeliad, through in vitro propagation on various substrates. Due to the increasing demand for V. splendens, micropropagation offers a promising solution to overcome the limitations of traditional propagation methods. In this research, acclimatization was conducted in two trial types: in the one-step greenhouse conditions, and in two-step acclimatization, which introduced a controlled laboratory step before transferring plants to the greenhouse. The substrates examined included pure and mixed forms of turf, perlite, coco coir, pine bark (hereafter referred to as bark), moss, and vermiculite. Morphological traits such as plant height, leaf length, number and length of roots, and fresh weight were evaluated, together with physiological parameters, such as chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations and survival percentage, to test the effectiveness of acclimatization. Coco coir-based substrates significantly enhanced plant height, root development, and survival percentages in both experiments compared with other substrates, thus proving its suitability for the propagation of V. splendens. Vermiculite had the highest survival rate during one-step acclimatization, whereas turf showed a very good performance in two-step acclimatization. On the opposite side, substrates containing bark and moss showed a reduced effect on plant growth and survival, which indicated the vital role of substrates for best development. Statistical analyses confirmed the superiority of some combinations of substrates related to physiological health, showing that optimal acclimatization results could be improved by a chosen substrate. These results strengthen the present in vitro propagation protocols of the Vriesea species by confirming the relevance of substrate choice in producing hardy plants with good commercial prospects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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20 pages, 4124 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Exogenous Melatonin on the Photosynthetic Characteristics of Rhododendron simsii Under Cadmium Stress

by Haochen Di, Ying Liang, Yuting Gong, Songheng Jin and Yanxia Xu

Plants 2025, 14(1), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14010125 - 3 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 962

Abstract

Rhododendron simsii (R. simsii), a significant ornamental plant species, is adversely affected by the severe soil heavy metal pollution resulting from rapid industrialization, particularly in terms of its growth environment. Cadmium (Cd), a representative heavy metal pollutant, poses a significant threat [...] Read more.

Rhododendron simsii (R. simsii), a significant ornamental plant species, is adversely affected by the severe soil heavy metal pollution resulting from rapid industrialization, particularly in terms of its growth environment. Cadmium (Cd), a representative heavy metal pollutant, poses a significant threat to plant growth and photosynthetic physiology. Despite the importance of understanding Cd stress resistance in rhododendrons, research in this area is limited. This study focused on the role of exogenous melatonin (MT) in mitigating Cd-induced stress, emphasizing its impact on photosynthetic physiology. Gas exchange parameters, prompt and delayed fluorescence (DF), 820 nm modulated reflectance (Mr₈₂₀), and antioxidant enzyme activity, were measured. The findings revealed that under Cd stress, MT-free treatment imposed a more severe limitation on both stomatal and non-stomatal processes in R. simsii leaves, significantly reducing the net photosynthetic rate. In contrast, exogenous MT improved photosynthetic efficiency by increasing the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, the quantum yield of electron transport, and the photosynthetic performance index. DF and Mr₈₂₀ analysis demonstrated that MT provided robust protection to both the donor and receptor sides of photosystems I and II. Furthermore, MT significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, a marker of oxidative stress, and enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD). In conclusion, exogenous MT plays a critical role in alleviating Cd-induced stress by enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms and safeguarding the photosynthetic apparatus, thereby improving the Cd tolerance of R. simsii. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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16 pages, 2619 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Shoot Phenological Study of Certain Phyllostachys Bamboo Taxa Under Central European Climatic Conditions

by Khin Nyein Chan, Anikó Veres, Zhiwei Liang, Szilvia Kisvarga and András Neményi

Plants 2024, 13(24), 3592; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13243592 - 23 Dec 2024

Viewed by 591

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the phenological changes in the shoots of temperate bamboo Phyllostachys spp. grown in Hungary, with a focus on how these changes were influenced by local climatic conditions. Data collected over two years on shoot phenology were analyzed with [...] Read more.

This study aimed to understand the phenological changes in the shoots of temperate bamboo Phyllostachys spp. grown in Hungary, with a focus on how these changes were influenced by local climatic conditions. Data collected over two years on shoot phenology were analyzed with weather variables, especially air temperature and soil temperature. Shoot emergence date, shoot numbers, and shooting period were recorded within and between Phyllostachys spp. The date of shooting was observed between May and July, and species started shooting in May the most, followed by June. Only one species, P. sulphurea, started shoot emergence in July. Shoot emergence started earlier in 2022 than in 2023 and ranged from 3 days to 27 days. Bamboo shoot phenology was strongly influenced by the air temperature and soil temperature each year. According to our regression analysis, the dates of shoot emergence were influenced by air temperature (r² = 0.819) in 2022 and 2023 (r² = 0.781), and soil temperature also influenced shoot emergence (r² = 0.956) in 2022 and 2023 (r² = 0.769). Sharp air temperature changes between the shooting season and the period before shooting were considered as the reasons for early shooting. The soil temperature in April before the start of shoot emergence was 8.15 °C, increasing to 14.1 °C during shooting time in May. Abrupt fluctuations of air temperature between the shoot emergence season and the month prior to shooting commencement determined early shooting or late shooting. The soil temperature had to reach 9 °C or above prior to shooting time, as this was found to be a critical temperature for shoot emergence in Phyllostachys bamboo taxa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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15 pages, 278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perception of the Vegetation Elements of Urban Green Spaces with a Focus on Flower Beds

by Miroslav Poje, Anton Vukelić, Vesna Židovec, Tatjana Prebeg and Mihael Kušen

Plants 2024, 13(17), 2485; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172485 - 5 Sep 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1150

Abstract

Urban vegetation plays a crucial role in meeting the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and climate change. The presence of plants and green spaces in urban areas provides a variety of environmental, social, and economic benefits. Understanding how users perceive ornamental plants in [...] Read more.

Urban vegetation plays a crucial role in meeting the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and climate change. The presence of plants and green spaces in urban areas provides a variety of environmental, social, and economic benefits. Understanding how users perceive ornamental plants in public green spaces and what their preferences are for certain vegetation elements is extremely important for planning and designing functional and aesthetically interesting urban landscapes. Although landscape experts sometimes use their creativity to create new trends, it is important not to ignore the attitudes and preferences of the public, who sometimes have a different opinion from that of the experts. The aim of the study was to determine the perceptions and preferences of the public and landscape experts for different vegetation elements and the differences in attitudes between these two groups. The study was conducted in Croatia in April 2012 using an online survey (n = 348). The results showed that trees were the most preferred vegetation element and that the public preferred flower beds and lawns to a greater extent than the professionals. All respondents perceived vegetation elements as volumes (trees, shrubs, and hedges) and plains (flower beds and lawns). In addition, respondents perceived two basic types of flower beds according to the features that characterize them: conventional and sustainable. The results show that users perceive the functional and spatial characteristics of the different vegetation elements, which is very important for the design of functional and sustainable urban green spaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

19 pages, 1785 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inheritance of Some Traits in Crosses between Hybrid Tea Roses and Old Garden Roses

by Tuğba Kılıç, Soner Kazaz, Ezgi Doğan Meral and Emine Kırbay

Plants 2024, 13(13), 1797; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13131797 - 28 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1874

Abstract

The limited knowledge about the inheritance of traits in roses makes the efficient development of rose varieties challenging. In order to achieve breeding goals, the inheritance of traits needs to be explored. Additionally, for the inheritance of a trait like scent, which remains [...] Read more.

The limited knowledge about the inheritance of traits in roses makes the efficient development of rose varieties challenging. In order to achieve breeding goals, the inheritance of traits needs to be explored. Additionally, for the inheritance of a trait like scent, which remains a mystery, it is crucial to know the success of parental traits in transmitting them to the next generation. Understanding this allows for accurate parental selection, ensuring sustainability in meeting market demand and providing convenience to breeders. The aim of this study was to assess the success of cross-combinations between scented old garden roses and hybrid tea roses used in cut roses in transferring their existing traits, with the objective of achieving scented cut roses. The evaluated traits included recurrent blooming, flower stem length, flower diameter, petal number, scent, and bud length of both parents and progenies. The inheritance of these traits was evaluated through theoretical evaluations, including calculating heterosis and heterobeltiosis and determining narrow-sense heritability. The combinations and examined traits were assessed using a hierarchical clustering heat map. The results of this study indicated that flower stem length, flower diameter, petal number, and bud length traits had a moderate degree of narrow-sense heritability, suggesting the influence of non-additive genes on these traits. This study observed a low success rate in obtaining progenies with scent in cross combinations between cut roses and old garden roses, indicating the challenges in obtaining scented genotypes. The discrepancy between the observed phenotypic rates and the expected phenotypic and genotypic rates, according to Punnett squares, suggests that the examined traits could be controlled by polygenic genes. The progenies were observed to exhibit a greater resemblance to old garden roses than hybrid tea roses and did not meet the commercial quality standards for cut flowers. The significant negative heterosis observed in 65.12% (petal number) and 99.61% (flower diameter) of the progenies provides strong evidence of resemblance to old garden roses. Considering these findings, it is recommended to consider old garden roses as parents, taking into account their suitability for other breeding objectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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16 pages, 5156 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Micropropagation of Adenophora liliifolia: Insights from PGRs, Natural Extracts, and pH Optimization

by Zsófia Kovács, Liz Kelly Portocarrero, Péter Honfi, Ildikó Kohut, Eman Abdelhakim Eisa and Andrea Tilly-Mándy

Plants 2024, 13(13), 1735; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13131735 - 23 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1121

Abstract

The endangered plant species Adenophora liliifolia faces threats to its survival in the wild, necessitating the development of effective micropropagation techniques for potential reintroduction efforts. This study demonstrates that Adenophora liliifolia effectively reproduces on MS synthetic medium with diverse plant growth regulators (PGR) [...] Read more.

The endangered plant species Adenophora liliifolia faces threats to its survival in the wild, necessitating the development of effective micropropagation techniques for potential reintroduction efforts. This study demonstrates that Adenophora liliifolia effectively reproduces on MS synthetic medium with diverse plant growth regulators (PGR) and natural extracts, facilitating swift micropropagation for potential future reintroduction endeavors. It highlights the substantial impact of PGR composition and natural extracts on the growth and development of A. liliifolia. The ideal growth medium for A. liliifolia was determined to be ½ MS with specific treatments. Additionally, incorporating silver nitrate (AgNO₃) at 5 mg L⁻¹ into the medium led to enhanced root formation and shoot length, albeit excessive concentrations adversely affected root development. Varying concentrations of NAA significantly affected different plant growth parameters, with the 0.1 mg L⁻¹ treatment yielding comparable plant height to the control. Moreover, 50 mL L⁻¹ of coconut water bolstered root formation, while 200 mL L⁻¹ increased shoot formation during in vitro propagation. However, elevated doses of coconut water (CW) impeded root development but stimulated shoot growth. Experiments measuring chlorophyll a + b and carotenoid content indicated higher concentrations in the control group than differing levels of applied coconut water. Optimizing pH levels from 6.8–7 to 7.8–8.0 notably enhanced plant height and root formation, with significant carotenoid accumulation observed at pH 6.8–7. Soil samples from A. liliifolia’s natural habitat exhibited a pH of 6.65. Ultimately, the refined in vitro propagation protocol effectively propagated A. liliifolia, representing a pioneering effort and setting the stage for future restoration initiatives and conservation endeavors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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17 pages, 6110 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of a Perspective Urban Tree Species, Ginkgo biloba L., by Scientific Analysis of Historical Old Specimens

by Szilvia Kisvarga, Dóra Hamar-Farkas, Katalin Horotán, Csaba Gyuricza, Katarína Ražná, Matúš Kučka, Ľubomír Harenčár, András Neményi, Csaba Lantos, János Pauk, Ádám Solti, Edina Simon, Dina Bibi, Semonti Mukherjee, Katalin Török, Andrea Tilly-Mándy, László Papp and László Orlóci

Plants 2024, 13(11), 1470; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13111470 - 26 May 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2137

Abstract

In this study, we examined over 200-year-old Ginkgo biloba L. specimens under different environmental conditions. The overall aim was to explore which factors influence their vitality and general fitness in urban environments and thus their ability to tolerate stressful habitats. In order to [...] Read more.

In this study, we examined over 200-year-old Ginkgo biloba L. specimens under different environmental conditions. The overall aim was to explore which factors influence their vitality and general fitness in urban environments and thus their ability to tolerate stressful habitats. In order to determine this, we used a number of different methods, including histological examinations (stomatal density and size) and physiological measurements (peroxidase enzyme activity), as well as assessing the air pollution tolerance index (APTI). The investigation of the genetic relationships between individuals was performed using flow cytometry and miRNA marker methods. The genetic tests revealed that all individuals are diploid, whereas the lus-miR168 and lus-miR408 markers indicated a kinship relation between them. These results show that the effect of different habitat characteristics can be detected through morphological and physiological responses, thus indicating relatively higher stress values for all studied individuals. A significant correlation can be found between the level of adaptability and the relatedness of the examined individuals. These results suggest that Ginkgo biloba L. is well adapted to an environment with increased stress factors and therefore suitable for use in urban areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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41 pages, 5151 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing a Colorimetrically Balanced, Measurement-Based Petal Colour System for Cultivated Rose (Rosa L. Cultivars) and the Resulting Colour Categories

by Gábor Boronkay, Dóra Hamar-Farkas, Szilvia Kisvarga, Zsuzsanna Békefi, András Neményi and László Orlóci

Plants 2024, 13(10), 1368; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101368 - 15 May 2024

Viewed by 1331

Abstract

There is no practical and at the same time objective colour system available for describing cultivated roses (Rosa L. cultivars). For this reason, a new colour classification system was developed which is colorimetrically balanced and appropriate for algorithmic colour identification; however, it [...] Read more.

There is no practical and at the same time objective colour system available for describing cultivated roses (Rosa L. cultivars). For this reason, a new colour classification system was developed which is colorimetrically balanced and appropriate for algorithmic colour identification; however, it is also suitable for field-work. The system is based on the following colorimetric criteria: (A) Each colour category is characterised by a measured petal colour in the CIE L*a*b* standard as the centroid of the category. (B) The CIEDE2000 colour differences between the adjacent centroid colours are limited (5 < ΔE₀₀ < 7). (C) The maximal colour difference between the measured colours in a category is also limited (to 12.12 ΔE₀₀). (D) A measured petal colour can only be classified into an existing category if the colour difference from the centroid colour of the given category is less than 5.81 ΔE₀₀, otherwise a new category is required. (E) A category is only considered non-redundant if it has at least one measured petal colour that cannot be classified elsewhere. (F) The classification of the petal colours is based on the least colour difference from the centroid colours. As a result, 133 colour categories were required for describing all the 8139 petal colours of the rose cultivars of the Budatétény Rose Garden (Hungary). Each colour category has the following parameters: standardised colour name, the colorimetric parameters of the centroid, grouping, RHS colour chart coding, and reference cultivars, which are described in the article. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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20 pages, 5881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Ecological Design of Marine Urban Green Space Plant Landscaping Based on the Concept of Sustainability

by Jingwen Yuan and Chul Soo Kim

Plants 2024, 13(7), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070923 - 22 Mar 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2680

Abstract

With global climate change and accelerating urbanization, marine cities face unique environmental challenges. Ecological landscape creation is a form of design planning guided by the disciplines of landscape ecology and ecological aesthetics in the process of urban planning and construction. It seeks a [...] Read more.

With global climate change and accelerating urbanization, marine cities face unique environmental challenges. Ecological landscape creation is a form of design planning guided by the disciplines of landscape ecology and ecological aesthetics in the process of urban planning and construction. It seeks a design that can maintain the virtuous cycle of the ecosystem and at the same time maintain the spatial equilibrium of the dynamic development of urban landscapes, so as to make them have good ecological functions and corridor functions. The aim of this study is to explore the ecological design methods of plant landscaping in marine urban green spaces under the concept of sustainability. We first reviewed the concept of sustainable development and its application to urban green space design, especially the special requirements in the marine urban environment. This research focuses on how to select plant species that are adapted to the marine climate and how to promote biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and improve the quality of life of urban residents through eco-design approaches. Through the analysis of a number of domestic and international cases of green spaces in marine cities, we found that effective eco-design is not only about choosing the right plant species but also includes the rational management of water resources, soil protection, and ecosystem restoration, among other aspects. This study also points out that public participation and interdisciplinary cooperation play a crucial role in the ecological design process. Finally, this paper carries out a specific analysis of the landscape model landscape evaluation system for the ecological design of plant landscaping in marine urban green spaces and experimentally verifies that, compared with other styles, the experience of the European-style landscape is good overall. However, the view openness rating of the European style landscape is only about 0.42, and the best plant landscaping is the mixed mode of alkali poncho and salt poncho. This study aims to provide a practical reference and guidance for urban planners, landscape architects, and environmentalists. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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21 pages, 6388 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Light Quality Effect on Internal N Retranslocation in Podocarpus macrophyllus Precultured with Exponential Nutrient Loading

by Yige Wang, Xiangyang Sun and Suyan Li

Plants 2024, 13(5), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13050705 - 1 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1111

Abstract

Streetlamp light is inevitable in the night landscape of a city and may affect the phenology of newly planted ornamental plants, but it has rarely been fully examined. Newly transplanted ornamental plants probably suffer periodic shocks, which mainly result from the inefficient reuse [...] Read more.

Streetlamp light is inevitable in the night landscape of a city and may affect the phenology of newly planted ornamental plants, but it has rarely been fully examined. Newly transplanted ornamental plants probably suffer periodic shocks, which mainly result from the inefficient reuse of internal nutrients for new growth. Exponential nutrient loading (ENL) is well known for its ability to overcome transplant shocks by promoting retranslocation for the reuse of strengthened nutrients from internal reserves in precultured seedlings. Transplantation to urbanized lands is distinct from that of montane areas; this is mainly due to a high frequency of exposure to the artificial illumination of night lighting. It is suspected that this lighting modifies vegetative phenology and generates potential risks by increasing reliance on internal nutrient retranslocation. In this study, Podocarpus macrophyllus seedlings were cultured with ENL at low and high rates of nitrogen (N) deliveries (40 and 120 mg N seedling⁻¹, respectively), and the high-rate treatment was identified as being able to trap seedlings within toxic states. A labeled ¹⁵N isotope was pulsed to transplanted seedlings exposed to simulated light qualities in red, green, and blue light spectra. The seedlings harvested at one month showed rare responses to the interactive spectra and preculture treatments, but most of them responded to the low-rate N preculture treatment with stronger abilities in terms of the reuse of internal N and the synthesizing of photosynthetic pigments. In conclusion, it was verified that night light enforces the effect on newly transplanted plants; the red light invoked internal N for reuse, and the blue light promoted the uptake of the current N. The internal N reserve established through preculture ENL rarely made a contribution to the night light effect, except for the enhancement of height growth in the red light. The red light spectrum was recommended for the exposure of newly transplanted seedlings due to its effect on the enhancement of the retranslocation of internal N and the induction of a steady state of uptake from the current N input. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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13 pages, 2010 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Evaluation of Appreciation of Rhododendron Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process

by Jincheng Liang, Yaoli Chen, Xuexiao Tang, Yin Lu, Jinghui Yu, Zongbo Wang, Zetian Zhang, Hao Ji, Yu Li, Purui Wu, Yue Liu, Ling Wang, Chuanhuang Huang, Bizhu He, Wei Lin and Lijin Guo

Plants 2024, 13(4), 558; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13040558 - 19 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1490

Abstract

Qinting Lake Park has effectively imported Rhododendron varieties from Zhejiang Province. The analytic hierarchy process was employed to devise an evaluation framework to evaluate the ornamental and adaptive features of these species. Subsequently, we conducted a standardized evaluation of 24 species for their [...] Read more.

Qinting Lake Park has effectively imported Rhododendron varieties from Zhejiang Province. The analytic hierarchy process was employed to devise an evaluation framework to evaluate the ornamental and adaptive features of these species. Subsequently, we conducted a standardized evaluation of 24 species for their ornamental and adaptive traits under controlled cultivation conditions. The findings indicated that the percentage of ornamental flowers in the first-level index was significantly greater than the other two factors, indicating that the ornamental value of flowers was the most important in the evaluation of Rhododendron ornamental value. Among the secondary indicators, the proportion of flower color and flower weight was significantly higher than that of other factors, which had the greatest impact on the evaluation results. The 24 Rhododendron species were classified into two grades based on their ornamental value, as determined by index weights and scoring standards. Rhododendron ‘Xueqing’, Rhododendron ‘Big Qinglian’, and Rhododendron ‘Jinyang No. 9’ exhibited superior ornamental value and demonstrated more favorable suitability for garden applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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15 pages, 4226 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Possible Perspective of Recultivation with Arbuscular Mycorrhiza-Inoculated Drought-Tolerant Herbaceous Plants

by László Papp, Akale Assamere Habtemariam, Sára Brandt, Péter Cseh, Ádám Heller, Balázs Péter, Ágnes Pappné Szakály, Péter Kiszel, Borbála Codogno, Zoltán Bratek and Zoltán Tóth

Plants 2023, 12(24), 4088; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12244088 - 6 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1487

Abstract

Using native species for urban green space is rather important nowadays. Plant cover on soil is necessary for agronomical and architectural investments as well as conservational programs, which all need minimal maintenance and have to be cost efficient. Commercially available seed mixtures for [...] Read more.

Using native species for urban green space is rather important nowadays. Plant cover on soil is necessary for agronomical and architectural investments as well as conservational programs, which all need minimal maintenance and have to be cost efficient. Commercially available seed mixtures for grasslands and lawns include species that partly originated from other mesoclimatic zones, and thus they may not be able to survive in the long-term, nor will they be adventive to the local ecosystem. With a focus on climate change, the most arid part of the Pannon geographical region was selected (near Törökszentmiklós in Nagykunság, Hungarian Great Plain). The local flora has adapted effectively to the environment; therefore, many species growing there were candidates for this study. Annuals and herbaceous perennials were investigated with respect to harvestability, reproducibility, decorativity, seed production, seed morphological characters (size, mass) and germination features. The selected 20 taxa were inoculated with INOQ Agri mycorrhiza (Rhizophagus irregularis) to increase the drought tolerance and biomass of the plants. Mycorrhizal frequency was significantly different among the taxa, reflecting various responses to the symbiotic interaction and possibly various mycorrhizal dependence of the plant species examined. We did not observe significantly higher colonization rate in most cases of the samples with artificial inoculation treatment. We conclude that the degraded mowed lawn soil that we used could contain propagules of AM fungi in a sufficient amount, so in the artificial grassland restorations, the additional AM inoculation treatment is not necessary to achieve a higher AM colonization rate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)

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