Search Results (227)

The effects of climate change pose challenges to 21st-century society. Abiotic stresses such as salinity and drought represent a risk to biodiversity and the sustainability of urban and managed grasslands. In this study, we evaluated the interactive effects of mechanical defoliation (clipping), water deficit, and salinity under greenhouse conditions on several cultivars of two cool-season turfgrass species, Lolium perenne L. (‘Columbine’, ‘Allstarter’, ‘Esquire’) and Poa pratensis L. (‘Sombrero’, ‘Dakisha’, ‘Conni’). Water stress reduced relative leaf fresh and dry weight from approximately 66% to 28% and from 76% to 30%, respectively. Salinity induced moderate responses, mainly affecting root-related traits. Clipping reduced biomass, with relative leaf fresh and dry weight decreasing from 64% to 27% and from 86% to 28%, but it also stimulated compensatory responses, including increases in length increment from 0.17 to 0.29 cm day⁻¹, and in leaf and root water content from 63% to 67%. Lolium perenne showed greater root development than P. pratensis with higher root length (95% vs. 75%) and root surface area and volume (66% vs. 51%). Cultivar differences were evident, with ‘Columbine’ and ‘Allstarter’ showing greater stability, whereas ‘Dakisha’ was more sensitive. These findings highlight the importance of cultivar selection and clipping management under stress conditions. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) co-contamination in construction and demolition waste landfill soils presents a significant challenge to ecosystem health, necessitating effective remediation strategies. This study investigated a synergistic approach combining a composite amendment (compost, superphosphate, desulfurized gypsum) with seven plant species to elucidate the interactions driving metal immobilization and phytoextraction. The amendment significantly altered soil properties: it reduced total Cd while increasing its bioavailability, and enhanced soil fertility (e.g., elevated organic matter and total nitrogen). Plant responses varied: Solanum americanum Mill. and Tagetes patula L. exhibited high Cd phytoextraction capacity, whereas Lolium perenne L. sequestered Cd/Pb primarily in roots. The bacterial community shifted from an oligotrophic, stress-tolerant state (e.g., Sphingomonas-dominated) in contaminated soil to a copiotrophic, functionally active state (e.g., Streptomyces-enriched) in amended soil. Community structure was strongly correlated with available Cd, pH, and nutrient levels. Key microbial biomarkers were specifically enriched in different plant rhizospheres. In contrast, the fungal community exhibited minimal responsiveness. These findings demonstrate that remediation efficiency is governed by an integrated “amendment–plant–microbe” framework: amendments regulate metal bioavailability, plants execute extraction or stabilization, and the restructured microbiome supports nutrient cycling and plant health. This integrated remediation strategy directly supports the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, especially on environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes and land degradation neutrality. This mechanistic understanding underscores the necessity of combined biological and chemical strategies for sustainable remediation of co-contaminated soils, ultimately enabling ecological reclamation and safe recycling of such urban marginal lands into productive uses. Full article

Cover crop in orchards is recognized as a sustainable practice that enhances multiple ecosystem services, yet systematic evaluations of different cover crop management models in citrus orchards remain limited. This study investigated the effects of cover crop management models (natural cover crop: T1, Lolium perenne L.: T2, Trifolium repens L.: T3, Vicia villosa Roth: T4, and mixed cover crops: T5) on soil properties, soil CO₂ flux, leaf physiological traits, fruit quality, and yield in a citrus orchard, using clean tillage as a control. Results showed that cover crop management models significantly influenced soil water content, available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK). The V. villosa model (T4) reduced AN and AP but enhanced leaf chlorophyll (Cl) and nitrogen (N) content. Soil CO₂ flux was significantly higher under T4, and it showed the lowest soil moisture. The results of mantel tests revealed that AP and soil moisture were key drivers of leaf traits, though no significant treatment effects on fruit quality or yield were detected within the two-year experimental period. These findings indicate that cover crop management models rapidly alter soil properties and CO₂ emissions, but longer-term observations are needed to evaluate cascading effects on fruit. This study offers evidence-based soil management solutions and a framework for enhancing multiple ecosystem services in orchards worldwide. Full article

Perennial groundcover (PGC) systems integrate perennial grasses with annual crops such as corn (Zea mays L.) to provide continuous soil cover and enhance soil health. However, the proximity to groundcover vegetation can alter light quality perceived by developing seedlings, inducing shade avoidance response (SAR), a phytochrome-mediated developmental response that modifies plant architecture and may compromise yield. Identifying the distance at which SAR is initiated and the extent to which management practices modulate this response is critical for optimizing PGC systems. This growth chamber study aimed to (1) identify the distance at which SAR occurs in corn seedlings, (2) determine whether the thiamethoxam seed treatment mitigates SAR expression, and (3) compare hybrid physiological responses to PGC-induced SAR. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications across three periods and included two corn hybrids (P1185, P1197), two seed treatments (untreated and thiamethoxam at 0.25 mg seed⁻¹), and four perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) distances [0, 6, 25 cm, and a control (no-grass)]. Reduced red to far-red light ratios associated with closer proximity to ryegrass induced SAR responses. Corn plants at 6 cm from PGC exhibited significant stem and height elongation beginning at 8 days after planting (DAP), followed by reduced growth by 14 DAP, confirming an early SAR response. Plants grown at 0 cm exhibited reduced height and growth compared to other distances at all growth stages. Hybrid responses differed, and Hybrid P1197 showed enhanced stem elongation, a characteristic SAR response. The thiamethoxam seed treatment did not mitigate SAR. These results indicate that SAR causes stem elongation without altering root or shoot biomass. Full article

Roadside green spaces function as critical ecological barriers in urban environments, and their plant communities play a key role in improving regional air quality. This study investigates typical roadside plant communities in southern Xinjiang, a region characterized by extreme aridity and frequent dust storms. By quantifying indicators such as dust retention capacity at both individual and community levels, together with leaf surface microstructural characteristics, we evaluate the comprehensive dust retention performance of different community configuration patterns. The results show that: (1) Among the studied species, Juniperus chinensis ‘Kaizuca’ exhibited the highest dust retention capacity per unit leaf area, followed by Juniperus chinensis L. and Rosa rugosa Thunb. Among trees, Platanus acerifolia (Aiton) Willd showed the greatest dust retention capacity per individual plant; among shrubs, Rosa rugosa Thunb. performed strongly, and among herbaceous species, Lolium perenne L. exhibited relatively high dust retention capacity. (2) Leaf dust retention is governed by the synergistic effects of multiple traits, including leaf aspect ratio, stomatal aspect ratio, stomatal protrusion, stomatal density, wax layer characteristics, and surface roughness. Leaf aspect ratio exerts a significant positive direct effect on dust retention, whereas stomatal aspect ratio shows a significant negative direct effect. (3) At the community level, the multi-layered tree–shrub–herbaceous configuration dominated by Platanus acerifolia (Aiton) Willd exhibited the strongest dust retention capacity, making it the most effective configuration for roadside green spaces. Overall, this study provides a robust theoretical framework and empirical evidence for the scientific selection and optimized configuration of roadside vegetation in arid regions, thereby supporting the sustainable improvement of urban roadside air quality in southern Xinjiang. Full article

Cool-season (C3) forage grasses are a cornerstone of temperate grassland systems, where improving productivity, nutritive value, and stress resilience is essential for sustainable forage production. In this context, plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) have gained increasing attention as potential alternatives or complements to mineral and organic fertilization in grassland management. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the role of bacterial and fungal PGPM in enhancing the growth, nutrient use efficiency, and stress tolerance of C3 forage grasses, with particular emphasis on species of the genus Lolium. Available evidence indicates that PGPMs can substantially improve biomass production and plant performance under both optimal and stress conditions through a range of direct and indirect mechanisms. These include phytohormone production, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, as well as the activation of antioxidant defense systems and stabilization of plant water relations under stress. While Lolium perenne L. and Lolium multiflorum Lam. remain the most extensively studied model species, comparable growth-promoting responses have also been reported for Dactylis glomerata L., Festuca species, and Festulolium hybrids. Increasing attention is being directed toward bacterial and fungal endophytes, which may provide more persistent physiological benefits due to their close association with plant tissues. However, PGPM effects are often strongly species-, genotype-, and environment-dependent, particularly in complex grassland systems. Overall, PGPMs represent a promising tool for sustainable grassland management, although their effective application will require long-term field studies conducted under realistic meadow and pasture conditions. Full article

Silage additives formulated with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly applied to enhance fermentation efficiency and aerobic stability. However, comparative evaluations across different forage species are still scarce. This in vitro experiment assessed the influence of eleven commercial silage inoculants containing various combinations of homo- and heterofermentative LAB on fermentation dynamics, nutrient conservation, and aerobic stability of medium-wilted alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and red clover/perennial ryegrass silages. Experimental silages were prepared in 3 L laboratory silos and stored for 90 days. All inoculated treatments exhibited significantly lower pH values at both 3 and 90 days of ensiling compared with the untreated control (p < 0.05). LAB application increased the concentration of total fermentation acids and lactic acid in all forage types, although responses varied depending on inoculant composition. Inoculants containing Lentilactobacilllus buchneri produced the greatest acetic acid concentrations and resulted in a marked enhancement of aerobic stability. Compared with the control, silage inoculation significantly decreased dry matter losses by 35–64% and ammonia-N proportion by 20–37%, leading to an additional dry matter recovery of 1.29–2.87%. Control silages showed the lowest aerobic stability (97.2 h), while inoculated silages ranged from 126.0 to 200.4 h, with the extent of improvement differing among forage species and LAB formulations. In conclusion, commercial silage inoculants incorporating diverse LAB strains effectively improve fermentation quality, limit nutrient degradation, and enhance aerobic stability of legume and grass silages under controlled experimental conditions. Full article

Drought and salinity are major abiotic stresses limiting plant performance in managed and natural ecosystems, including turfgrass systems. This study investigated the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and ionic responses of three Lolium perenne cultivars grown in natural and sterile soils under controlled water deficit and salinity treatments. Both stresses significantly reduced plant growth, but their underlying drivers differed markedly. Drought primarily imposed osmotic limitation, affecting biomass accumulation and plant water status, whereas salinity introduced an additional ionic constraint characterized by substantial Na⁺ and Cl⁻ accumulation and reduced K⁺/Na⁺ ratios. This ionic imbalance was associated with enhanced oxidative stress and greater destabilization of photosynthetic pigments relative to drought. Multivariate hierarchical clustering revealed distinct trait coordination patterns under the two stress types, highlighting tighter integration among ionic regulation, redox balance, and growth limitation under salinity. Across treatments, plants grown in natural soil generally maintained improved physiological performance compared with those in sterile soil, although soil effects modulated response magnitude rather than direction. Cultivar-dependent differences reflected variation in regulatory efficiency across traits. Overall, the findings demonstrate that drought and salinity induce fundamentally different stress hierarchies in L. perenne, emphasizing the central role of ionic homeostasis in salinity tolerance and the value of integrated trait analysis for turfgrass stress management. Full article

Autumn overseeding with cool-season turfgrass species is a widely adopted practice under Mediterranean climatic conditions to mitigate winter dormancy and loss of green color in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon). This study evaluated, over two consecutive winter seasons (2022–2023 and 2023–2024), the performance of five cool-season turfgrass cultivars used for autumn overseeding on bermudagrass (‘Arden 15’) in Valencia, eastern Spain. The cultivars included Lolium multiflorum ‘Upstart’, Lolium perenne ‘CT7’ and ‘Sirtaky’, Poa pratensis ‘Liberator’, and Poa trivialis ‘Dasas’. Turf performance was assessed weekly from December to April using visual green color ratings, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) measured with two hand-held sensors (GreenSeeker and CropCircle), and normalized difference red edge index (NDRE). The area under the progress curve (AUPC) was calculated as an integrative indicator of turf performance over time. Winter temperature differences significantly influenced bermudagrass dormancy duration and overseeding response. Among the evaluated cultivars, ‘CT7’ consistently showed the highest winter greenness and vigor but exhibited a darker green color than bermudagrass, potentially reducing visual uniformity. The L. perenne ‘Sirtaky’ and P. pratensis ‘Liberator’ cultivars provided a closer chromatic match, although ‘Liberator’ established more slowly. The NDVI and NDRE measurements supported the visual assessments, though correlations between sensors varied among cultivars and seasons, with the GreenSeeker sensor detecting larger cultivar differences than the CropCircle sensor, particularly during colder winters. In addition, the AUPC proved to be an effective integrative metric for comparing cultivar performance over a defined period. Overall, overseeding effectively reduced winter discoloration of bermudagrass, with ‘Sirtaky’ emerging as the most balanced option for Mediterranean sports overseeding management on C. dactylon (‘Arden 15’). Full article

There is an urgent demand for sustainable agricultural practices that minimize environmental impacts and reduce the reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Endophytes represent a largely untapped resource of beneficial microorganisms with multiple potential applications as natural biocontrol agents and promoters of plant growth and development. This paper aimed at identifying new fungal strains and performing a series of preliminary in vitro screenings to evaluate their potential use for plant-growth promotion and antifungal activity. A total of 102 fungal endophytes were isolated from different plant tissues of seven wild relatives of barley (Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromus hordeaceus, Bromus sterilis, Elymus farctus, Elymus repens, Leymus arenarius and Lolium perenne) that were sourced from 22 contrasting wild habitats. Fungal endophytes were isolated using standard culture-based methods and identified via DNA barcoding of the nrITS marker. Based on a literature search, a sub-group of endophytes were selected and evaluated for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, ammonia production and phosphorous (P) solubilization. From these, 15 endophytes were also tested for antifungal activity against Ramularia collo-cygni, Pyrenophora teres, and Gaeumannomyces tritici. All the endophytes were positive for ammonia production at variable rates, but no P solubilization nor IAA synthesis without L-tryptophan were observed. On the contrary, five promising isolates (2 Daldinia concentrica, Metapochonia suchlasporia, Chaetomium sp., and Ophiocordyceps sinensis) had mean pathogen growth inhibition rates above 80%, compared to the untreated negative controls. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first published report that investigates natural antagonism against Ramularia collo-cygni and expands the list of endophytic strains with natural antagonism on the tested cereal pathogens. Results are discussed in the context of endophytes application to barley cultivation within the European regulatory framework. Full article

Heracleum sosnowskyi is considered to be a dangerous invasive plant species that has successfully naturalized within a variety of plant communities across numerous countries. As a result of its superior competitiveness, the alien species is able to displace the indigenous species from their native habitats, thus changing the ecosystems and decreasing biodiversity. The phytochemicals present in the H. sosnowskyi aqueous extracts were revealed using GC/MS and HPLC/DAD/TOF techniques. Isopsoralen, methoxsalen, (iso)pimpinellin and/or bergapten were determined to be major compounds in the leaf, inflorescence and root extracts. Glutaric, quinic, linolenic, (iso)chlorogenic and other polyphenolic acids were identified in the extracts. Furthermore, a number of furanocoumarins, including hermandiol, bakuchicin, candinols (A and C) and candibirin F, and coumarins, umbelliferone and yunngnins (A and B), were identified in the roots. Additionally, the presence of flavonoids, including astragalin, quercetin 7,3,4-trimethyl ether, nicotiflorin and rutin, has been detected in the flower and leaf extracts. Allelopathic effects of H. sosnowskyi aqueous extracts were tested on four model plants, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and three native Lithuanian meadow herbs, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), using the Petri dish method. H. sosnowskyi flower and leaf extracts demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effects on the germination and growth of the tested plant seeds. At the highest relative concentrations, 0.5 and 1.0, extracts of Sosnowsky’s hogweed inflorescences inhibited timothy seedling growth by 95.47% (from 19.64 ± 2.57 mm to 0.89 ± 0.73 mm) and 100%, respectively. The leaf extracts exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects on white clover seedlings. The highest relative concentrations tested (0.5 and 1.0) suppressed clover seedling growth by 94.66% (from 41.22 ± 2.53 mm to 2.20 ± 0.63 mm) and 100%, respectively. Additionally, the germination rate and vigor index of model plants were assessed. The research is of significance for the regulation and monitoring of the spreading of aggressive H. sosnowskyi plants. Moreover, it is important for the development of natural herbicides based on active phytotoxic compounds from these plants. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) drastically inhibits plant growth and metabolism, whereas arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can enhance plant Cd tolerance through metabolic regulation. To clarify tissue-specific responses, we conducted a pot experiment combined with GC-MS to examine how AM fungi influence root and leaf metabolism of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) under different Cd levels. Root and leaf metabolomes diverged substantially in composition and function. In total, 83 metabolites were identified in roots, mainly phenolics, amines, and sugars associated with carbon–nitrogen metabolism and stress-defense pathways, whereas 75 metabolites were identified in leaves, largely related to photosynthetic metabolism. Roots were more sensitive to Cd, showing significant metabolic alterations at Cd ≥ 5 mg·kg⁻¹, including disruption of galactose metabolism, while leaves exhibited notable changes only at Cd ≥ 100 mg·kg⁻¹, with suppression of citrate, L-aspartate, and starch and sucrose metabolism. AM fungi modulated plant metabolism more strongly under Cd stress. Specifically, AM fungi restored Cd-suppressed galactose and glyoxylate/dicarboxylate metabolism in roots, enhanced starch and sucrose metabolism and amino acid pathways in leaves, and increased stress-related amino acids and organic acids in both tissues. Overall, AM fungi substantially alleviated Cd-induced metabolic inhibition, particularly at Cd ≥ 50 mg·kg⁻¹, providing mechanistic insight into AM-enhanced Cd tolerance and supporting the application of AM symbiosis in remediation of Cd-contaminated soils. Full article

Our main goal was to determine whether the accumulation of Cd and Cu is harmful for L. perenne or whether this plant can be used in the bioremediation, e.g., of wastewaters or contaminated soils. The IC50 values (concentration at which the tested parameter is inhibited to 50% against the control) for root and shoot inhibition after 14 days showed that Cu, as an essential element for plants, was more toxic than Cd. The translocation factor (TF), which refers to metal transport from the root to the shoot, did not exceed values of 0.228 and 0.353 for Cd and Cu, respectively, indicating their accumulation mostly in the roots rather than in the shoots. The protein thiol (-SH) groups as a parameter of the increased level of reactive oxygen species did not confirm the significantly higher level of oxidative stress for Cu, which is a redox-active cation. We confirmed a statistically significant positive correlation between -SH groups and chlorophyll a (r = 0.79; p < 0.05) and chlorophyll b (r = 0.84; p < 0.01) in the presence of Cd. We concluded that bioaccumulation of the tested metals occurred mostly in the roots, and the photosynthetic pigment content in the shoots was not significantly impaired by the increased presence of Cd or Cu in the shoots. Therefore, we suggest L. perenne as a suitable candidate for the phytomining or phytoextraction of metals, mostly from wastewater, in cooperation with other plant hyperaccumulators. Full article

Perennial ryegrass is a widely cultivated cool-season forage and turf grass species whose growth and development are limited by drought and high temperature. MAX2 is an F-box leucine-rich repeat (LRR) protein, which serves as a central component of strigolactone (SL) and karrikin (KAR) signaling pathways, involved in multiple growth and developmental processes as well as stress response. Here, we identified LpMAX2, a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) homolog of Arabidopsis MAX2 (AtMAX2) and rice D3. LpMAX2 can interact with AtD14 and LpD14 in an SL-dependent manner, implying functional conservation with AtMAX2. Overexpression of LpMAX2 in the Arabidopsis max2-3 mutant partially rescued leaf morphology, hypocotyl elongation, and branching phenotypes, while fully restoring drought tolerance, highlighting the evolutionarily conserved roles of MAX2 in plant growth and drought resistance. In conclusion, LpMAX2 is evolutionarily conserved in SL/KAR signaling pathways, highlighting its potential function in drought adaptation. In addition to elucidating the biological function of LpMAX2, this study identifies a promising genetic target for enhancing stress resilience in forage grasses through biotechnological approaches. Full article

Root exudates play a critical role in enabling plants to respond to environmental stresses and mediate information exchange within the rhizosphere. These compounds regulate plant–rhizosphere interactions and significantly influence the structural and functional properties of the rhizosphere micro-ecosystem. Under continuous cropping systems, allelochemicals derived from root exudates progressively accumulate in the root zone, thereby contributing to the development of continuous cropping obstacles. In this study, root exudates were collected from wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) and four forages under controlled conditions to test their effects on seed germination and seedling growth in mangold (Betu vulgaris L.) and wolfberry, as well as on the root rot pathogen. Our research shows that forage root exudates could promote wolfberry seedling growth. White clover (Trifolium repens L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), especially, could have their growth increased by up to 61% and 90% (p < 0.05). Wolfberry root exudates could promote the seed germination and seedling growth of white clover and mangold, the seed germination of Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and the seedling growth of alfalfa. In addition, mangold root rots were identified as Molds, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium solani and wolfberry root rots were Mucor cirrus, Rhizopus, Fusarium oxysporum, and Fusarium solani. What is more, wolfberry root exudates could promote Fusarium plaque expansion and mycelial growth. Ryegrass inhibited the growth of Mucor, Fusarium putrum, and oxysporum, and alfalfa and white clover promoted the plaque expansion of Rhizopus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium fulcrum, but inhibited the mycelial growth of related pathogens; mangold root exudates could inhibit wolfberry root rot, which affects interspecific relationships. This study provides robust technical support for elucidating interspecific relationships and promoting the development and application of the wolfberry-forage intercropping system. Full article