Search Results (35)

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that regulates a broad spectrum of genes with oncogenic potential, thereby serving as a critical driver of tumorigenesis. Canonical STAT3 function is mediated through tyrosine phosphorylation, which enables dimerization and transcriptional activation, whereas serine phosphorylation of STAT3 has a postulated role in fine-tuning canonical functions and contributes to non-canonical roles as well. One of the transcriptional targets of STAT3 is the anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein, itself subject to phosphorylation-dependent regulation. In this study, we investigated the effect of chelidonine, an alkaloid component of Chelidonium majus L., on STAT3/Bcl-2 signaling in human T leukemia/lymphoma cells, reported to have numerous effects in common with microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs). Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy revealed that chelidonine transiently increased both serine-phosphorylated STAT3 (pSer-STAT3) and Bcl-2 levels in a distinct subpopulation of cells, with near-complete overlap between the affected cells. This effect appeared at least partially independent of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and was associated with the M-phase of the cell cycle, as indicated by enhanced phosphorylation of Bcl-2 at serine 70 and nuclear morphology characteristic of mitosis. Our study provides the first single-cell evidence that STAT3 and Bcl-2 undergo concurrent serine phosphorylation as a response to chelidonine treatment, with the effect tightly linked to the M-phase. Full article

The optimization of bioactive compound extraction from medicinal herbs is critical for developing functional food ingredients with substantiated health benefits. This study employed response surface methodology (RSM) and partial least squares (PLS) regression to maximize polyphenol recovery and antioxidant capacity from five medicinal herbs (Helichrysum stoechas, Chelidonium majus, Mentha pulegium, Artemisia absinthium, and Adiantum capillus-veneris). A custom experimental design assessed the effects of herb identity, extraction technique, and solvent-to-solid ratio on total polyphenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The PLS compromise optimum was identified for M. pulegium using 60% ethanol at 55 mL/g, yielding 37.54 ± 2.10 mg GAE/g dw TPC, 21.62 ± 1.15 mg RtE/g dw TFC, 334.38 ± 12.37 µmol AAE/g dw FRAP, and 262.67 ± 9.46 µmol AAE/g dw DPPH. HPLC-DAD profiling revealed 18 polyphenolic compounds (10.22 ± 0.34 mg/g dw), dominated by kaempferol-3-O-β-rutinoside, protocatechuic acid, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside. These compounds contribute complementary mechanisms: protocatechuic acid modulates oxidative and antioxidant pathways, kaempferol-3-O-β-rutinoside exerts cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects via VEGF-C binding, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside suppresses NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 84.8% of variance, clearly separating optimized from non-optimized extracts, while PLS confirmed strong correlations between specific phenolics and antioxidant indices. Overall, this integrated chemometric approach demonstrates that data-driven optimization can deliver phenolic-rich herbal extracts with robust and balanced antioxidant potential for functional food applications. Full article

The incorporation of bioactive natural compounds into biomedical applications offers a promising route to enhance therapeutic efficacy while supporting sustainability. In this study, we investigated the synergistic potential of Sericin, a silk-derived biopolymer, and Chelidonium majus L. (C. majus), a medicinal plant with a diverse phenolic profile, in relation to biological activities relevant for wound care and infection control. A combined experimental strategy was applied, integrating detailed chemical characterization of C. majus extracts with antimicrobial and cytocompatibility assays across different Sericin–plant extract ratios (1:1, 1:2, 2:2, and 2:1). Phytochemical analysis identified and quantified 57 phenolic compounds, including high levels of flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin) and phenolic acids (caffeic and ferulic acid). Salicylic acid (123.6 µg/g), feruloyltyramine (111.8 µg/g), and pinocembrin (98.4 µg/g) were particularly abundant, compounds previously reported to disrupt microbial membranes and impair bacterial viability. These metabolites correlated with the strong antimicrobial activity of C. majus against Gram-positive strains (MIC = 5–10 mg/mL). In combination with Sericin, antimicrobial performance was ratio-dependent, with higher proportions of C. majus (2:1) retaining partial inhibitory effects. Cytocompatibility assays with HFF1 fibroblasts demonstrated low antiproliferative activity across most formulations (GI₅₀ > 400 µg/mL), supporting their potential safety in topical applications. Collectively, the results indicate a concentration-dependent interaction between C. majus phenolics and the Sericin protein matrix, reinforcing their suitability as candidates for natural-based wound healing materials. Importantly, the valorization of Sericin, an underutilized byproduct of the silk industry, together with a widely accessible medicinal plant, underscores the ecological and economic sustainability of this approach. Overall, this work supports the exploration of the development of biomaterials with potential for advancing tissue repair and wound management. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by impaired glucose regulation. This study evaluated the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of aqueous extracts from four plant species from the southern Algarve: Aristolochia baetica, Chelidonium majus, Dittrichia viscosa, and Lavandula viridis, using non-cellular in vitro assays. HPLC/PDA was used to identify active compounds. Antioxidant activity was assessed by using TAA, FRAP, RP, and DPPH assays; antidiabetic potential through α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition; and wound healing relevance through elastase, collagenase, and lipoxygenase inhibition. D. viscosa showed the highest antioxidant activity (FRAP: 1132.99 ± 19.54 mg TE/g dw; DPPH IC₅₀ = 25.85 ± 0.75 μg/mL) and total phenolic/flavonoid content, with a diverse profile including caffeic and chlorogenic acids, isoquercetin, and quercetin. It also exhibited potent α-glucosidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.61 ± 0.06 mg/mL), outperforming acarbose. L. viridis had the highest total phenolic content (39.04 mg/g), while A. baetica demonstrated the strongest anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, and lipoxygenase activity, suggesting wound-healing potential. C. majus showed the weakest effects. A strong correlation was observed between phenolic content and antioxidant/antidiabetic activity. These findings support further in vivo studies on D. viscosa and A. baetica for potential use in T2DM management and diabetic wound healing. Full article

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a biotrophic bacterial pathogen, which causes devastating bacterial blight disease worldwide. In this study, we thoroughly investigated the antimicrobial effect of the plant-derived extract chelerythrine against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and elucidated its mechanism. Chelerythrine is a quaternary ammonium alkaloid with a 2,3,7,8-tetrasubstituted phenanthridine structure, extracted from plants, such as the whole plant of Chelidonium majus, and the roots, stems, and leaves of Macleaya cordata. We found that chelerythrine significantly inhibited the growth of Xoo at a concentration of 1.25 μg/mL. Further experiments revealed that chelerythrine interfered with the division and reproduction of the bacterium, leading to its filamentous growth. Additionally, it increased the permeability of Xoo cell membranes and effectively decreased the pathogenicity of Xoo, including the inhibition of extracellular polysaccharide production, cellulase secretion, and biofilm formation. Chelerythrine induced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the bacterium, triggering oxidative stress. The result showed that chelerythrine inhibited the formation of the Z-ring of Xoo, interfered with the synthesis of pyrimidine and purine nucleotides, inhibited DNA damage repair, and inhibited the formation of peptidoglycan and lipid-like A, thus interfering with cell membrane permeability, inhibiting carbohydrate metabolism and phosphorylation of sugars, reducing pathogenicity, and ultimately inhibiting bacterial growth and leading to the destruction or lysis of bacterial cells. Altogether, our results suggest that the antimicrobial effect of chelerythrine on Xoo exhibits multi-target properties. Additionally, its effective inhibitory concentration is low. These findings provide a crucial theoretical basis and guidance for the development of novel and efficient plant-derived antimicrobial compounds. Full article

Salinity represents a significant challenge for agriculture, especially in semi-arid regions, affecting the growth and productivity of plants such as nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), which is valued for its ornamental, medicinal, and food uses. Salt stress disrupts biochemical, physiological, and anatomical processes, limiting plant development. This study investigated the application of attenuators, including salicylic acid, nicotinamide, and proline, to mitigate the effects of salt stress on nasturtium cultivated in a hydroponic system. The treatments involved different combinations of these compounds under saline conditions (40 mM NaCl). The attenuators reduced the negative impacts of salt stress, promoting improvements in gas exchange, such as increased net photosynthesis, water-use efficiency, and stomatal conductance. Additionally, the treatments enhanced vegetative and reproductive growth, increasing the dry biomass of leaves, stems, and flowers, as well as the number of flowers and flower buds. The combination of salicylic acid, nicotinamide, and proline stood out by providing greater efficiency in carbon assimilation, stability of photosynthetic pigments, and higher tolerance to salt stress. These findings reinforce the potential of using attenuators to optimize the cultivation of nasturtium in saline environments, promoting higher productivity and plant quality. Full article

Enhancing the growth and productivity of ornamental and horticultural plants is a major function of plant extracts and macronutrient elements. The growth properties of Artemisia abrotanum plants were evaluated in two successive seasons as affected by the magnesium (Mg) fertilizer added to the soil in the form of magnesium sulfate at four concentrations of 0 (as a control), 4, 6, and 8 g/L as well as Tropaeolum majus aqueous leaf extract (ALE) at concentrations of 0 (as a control), 4, 6, and 8 g/L as a foliar application. The chemical components of A. abrotanum essential oils (EOs) were analyzed using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) apparatus. The studied parameters, including plant height, total fresh weight, number of branches/plant, EO percentages, chlorophyll-a content, chlorophyll-b content, and carotenoid content, were enhanced by the application of Mg or T. majus ALE or their combinations. The highest plant heights, 48.83 cm, and 48.5 cm, were observed in the plants treated with Mg (8 g/L)+T. majus ALE (8 g/L) and Mg (6 g/L)+T. majus ALE (4 g/L), in both seasons, respectively. The highest values of total fresh weight, 54.80 and 60.59 g, were recorded in plants treated with Mg (8 g/L)+T. majus ALE (4 g/L) and Mg (8 g/L)+T. majus ALE (4 g/L), in both seasons, respectively. The highest number of branches/plant, 60.33 and 73.33, were measured in plants treated with Mg (8 g/L)+T. majus LAE (8 g/L), in both seasons, respectively. The highest EO percentages, 0.477% and 0.64%, were measured in plants treated with Mg (8 g/L)+T. majus ALE (8 g/L), in both seasons, respectively. The total fresh weight in both seasons (r = 0.96), the number of branches/plant in both seasons (r = 0.97), the number of branches/plant in the first season, and the number of branches/plant in both seasons (r = 0.96), the total fresh weight in the second season and the number of branches/plant in the first season (r = 0.95) and the second season (r = 0.94), and the number of branches/plant and the carotenoids in the first season (r = 0.90) were all found to be significantly and positively correlated. The major compounds in the EOs were 7-methoxy-4-methylcoumarin (4-methylherniarin), cedrol, endo-borneol, and 7-epi-silphiperfol-5-ene. The antibacterial activity of the EOs was evaluated against the growth of Pectobacterium atrosepticum and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, which causes soft rot of potato tubers. The EOs were found to be effective against P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum with the inhibition zones ranging from 1 to 5 mm at the concentration of 100 μg/mL, and no inhibitions were found against P. atrosepticum at the studied concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentration against P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum was found at 75 μg/mL. In conclusion, using the combination treatments of Mg and T. majus ALE is highly suggested to enhance the growth of A. abrotanum plants. Full article

Salinity is a significant challenge for agriculture in semi-arid regions, affecting the growth and productivity of plants like Tropaeolum majus (nasturtium), which is valued for its ornamental, medicinal, and food uses. Salt stress disrupts the plant’s biochemical, physiological, and anatomical processes, limiting its development. This study investigates the potential of proline as an osmoprotectant to mitigate the effects of salt stress on nasturtium’s growth and physiology. A completely randomized factorial design was employed, testing five levels of electrical conductivity (0.0, 1.50, 3.00, 4.5, 6.5 dS m⁻¹) and four proline concentrations (0.0, 5.00, 10.0, 15.0 mM) with six replicates. The results showed that proline application, particularly at 15.0 mM, enhanced growth parameters such as leaf number, stem diameter, and root length. At moderate salinity (3.0 dS m⁻¹), proline significantly improved gas exchange, increasing net photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance. Additionally, proline reduced the negative impact of salt stress on the fresh mass of leaves, stems, and roots, and increased both the mass and number of flowers. Proline also elevated the levels of total phenolic compounds and vitamin C while reducing soluble sugars, particularly under moderate salt stress (4.75 dS m⁻¹). Overall, applying 15.0 mM proline shows promise for enhancing the biomass accumulation, flower production, and overall quality of nasturtium under saline conditions. Full article

Previously, we assessed the pathogenicity of eleven endemic entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), including six Beauveria isolates, four Metarhizium isolates, and one M. pingshaense, against the agricultural pest Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm, FAW). We found that four Beauveria and one Metarhizium isolates were effective, with Beauveria isolates B-0571 and B-1311 exhibiting high mortality within 24 h post-spore application. This study aimed to identify and characterise the entomopathogenesis mechanisms of these isolates as potential FAW biocontrol agents. All Beauveria isolates were determined as B. bassiana, the Metarhizium isolates as two M. robertsii, one M. majus, and an unknown Metarhizium species. Despite the high mortality from B-0571 and B-1311 isolates, scanning electron microscopy showed no fungal spore germination on dead larvae 24 h after spore application. Four insecticide compound gene clusters, i.e., bassianolide, beauvericin, beauveriolide, and oosporein, were identified and characterised in all B. bassiana isolates. These compounds are hypothesised to contribute to the high early mortality rates in FAWs. Identifying and characterising gene clusters encoding these insecticide compounds in B-0571 and B-1311 will contribute to a better understanding of the entomopathogenicity of these isolates that will be vital to developing these EPF isolates as sustainable alternative FAW biocontrol agents. Full article

The best known Microdochium spp. are important pathogens of small-grain cereals and/or endophytes of diverse monocot hosts. This study is the first report of M. majus isolated from asymptomatic grapevine tissues. It was hypothesised that this M. majus strain, CBS 152328, was an endophyte and an antagonist of some fungal pathogens of grapevine. Microscopic examinations revealed that this strain was a necrotrophic mycoparasite of Botrytis cinerea. This was demonstrated in the confrontation zones of dual cultures of M. majus and B. cinerea, and also on the surface of co-inoculated grape leaf discs and germinated wheat grains. Pathogenicity tests indicated that M. majus can colonise both grape leaf discs and germinated wheat, but it only damaged wheat. When co-inoculated with B. cinerea onto grape leaf discs, the M. majus strain CBS 152328 suppressed its mycohost on grape tissues and prevented leaf necrosis caused by B. cinerea. In addition to the parasitism, M. majus also showed mild antibiosis against B. cinerea, as well as a defence elicitor effect on grape leaf discs. This work is the first report of the mycoparasitic behaviour of M. majus, in addition to its first isolation from a dicot host. Full article

Ammi majus L. (Apiaceae) is a medicinal plant with a well-documented history in phytotherapy. The aim of the present work was to isolate isopimpinellin (5,8-methoxypsoralen; IsoP) from the fruit of this plant and evaluate its biological activity against selected tumor cell lines. The methanol extract obtained with the use of an accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) method was the most suitable for the quantitative analysis of coumarins in the A. majus fruit matrix. The coumarin content was estimated by RP-HPLC/DAD, and the amount of IsoP was found to be 404.14 mg/100 g dry wt., constituting 24.56% of the total coumarin fraction (1.65 g/100 g). This, along with the presence of xanthotoxin (368.04 mg/100 g, 22.36%) and bergapten (253.05 mg/100 g, 15.38%), confirmed A. majus fruits as an excellent source of these compounds. IsoP was isolated (99.8% purity) by combined liquid chromatography/centrifugal partition chromatography (LC/CPC) and tested for the first time on its antiproliferative activity against human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29, SW620), osteosarcoma (Saos-2, HOS), and multiple myeloma (RPMI8226, U266) cell lines. MTT assay results (96 h incubation) demonstrated a dose- and cell line-dependent decrease in cell proliferation/viability, with the strongest effect of IsoP against the Saos-2 cell line (IC50; 42.59 µM), medium effect against U266, HT-29, and RPMI8226 (IC50 = 84.14, 95.53, and 105.0 µM, respectively), and very weak activity against invasive HOS (IC50; 321.6 µM) and SW620 (IC50; 711.30 µM) cells, as well as normal human skin fibroblasts (HSFs), with IC50; 410.7 µM. The mechanistic study on the Saos-2 cell line showed that IsoP was able to reduce DNA synthesis and trigger apoptosis via caspase-3 activation. In general, IsoP was found to have more potency towards cancerous cells (except for HOS and SW620) than against healthy cells. The Selective Index (SI) was determined, underlining the higher selectivity of IsoP towards cancer cells compared to healthy cells (SI = 9.62 against Saos-2). All these results suggest that IsoP might be a promising molecule in the chemo-prevention and treatment of primary osteosarcoma. Full article

Tropaeolum majus L. is a traditional medicinal plant with a wide range of biological activities due to the degradation products of the glucosinolate glucotropaeolin. Therefore, the goals of this study were to identify volatiles using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS) of the hydrosols (HYs) isolated using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG). Cytotoxic activity was tested against a cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), human colon cancer cell line (HCT116), human osteosarcoma cell line (U2OS), and healthy cell line (RPE1). The effect on wound healing was investigated using human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT), while the antibacterial activity of the HYs was tested against growth and adhesion to a polystyrene surface of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Antiphytoviral activity against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was determined. The GC-MS analysis showed that the two main compounds in the HYs of T. majus are benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and benzyl cyanide (BCN) using the MAE (62.29% BITC and 15.02% BCN) and MHG (17.89% BITC and 65.33% BCN) extraction techniques. The HYs obtained using MAE showed better cytotoxic activity against the tested cancer cell lines (IC₅₀ value of 472.61–637.07 µg/mL) compared to the HYs obtained using MHG (IC₅₀ value of 719.01–1307.03 μg/mL). Both concentrations (5 and 20 µg/mL) of T. majus HYs using MAE showed a mild but statistically non-significant effect in promoting gap closure compared with untreated cells, whereas the T. majus HY isolated using MHG at a concentration of 15 µg/mL showed a statistically significant negative effect on wound healing. The test showed that the MIC concentration was above 0.5 mg/mL for the HY isolated using MAE, and 2 mg/mL for the HY isolated using MHG. The HY isolated using MHG reduced the adhesion of E. coli at a concentration of 2 mg/mL, while it also reduced the adhesion of S. aureus at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. Both hydrosols showed excellent antiphytoviral activity against TMV, achieving100% inhibition of local lesions on the leaves of infected plants, which is the first time such a result was obtained with a hydrosol treatment. Due to the antiphytoviral activity results, hydrosols of T. majus have a promising future for use in agricultural production. Full article

In addition to the naturopathic medicines based on the antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, or antioxidant properties of plant extracts that have been capitalized upon through the pharmaceutical industry, the increasing interest of the food industry in this area requires potent new materials capable of supporting this market. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro amino acid contents and antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts from sixteen plants. Our results show high accumulated amino acid contents, mainly of proline, glutamic, and aspartic acid. The most consistent values of essential amino acids were isolated from T. officinale, U. dioica, C. majus, A. annua, and M. spicata. The results of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay indicate that R. officinalis was the most potent antioxidant, followed by four other extracts (in decreasing order): T. serpyllum, C. monogyna, S. officinalis, and M. koenigii. The network and principal component analyses found four natural groupings between samples based on DPPH free radical scavenging activity content. Each plant extracts’ antioxidant action was discussed based on similar results found in the literature, and a lower capacity was observed for most species. An overall ranking of the analyzed plant species can be accomplished due to the range of experimental methods. The literature review revealed that these natural antioxidants represent the best side-effect-free alternatives to synthetic additives, especially in the food processing industry. Full article

The search for new substances with cytotoxic activity against various cancer cells, especially cells that are very resistant to currently used chemotherapeutic agents, such as melanoma cells, is a very important scientific aspect. We investigated the cytotoxic effect of Chelidonium majus, Mahonia aquifolium and Sanguinaria canadensis extracts obtained from different parts of these plants collected at various vegetation stages on FaDu, SCC-25, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Almost all the tested extracts showed higher cytotoxicity against these cancer cells than the anticancer drug etoposide. The highest cytotoxicity against the FaDu, SCC-25, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines was obtained for the Sanguinaria candensis extract collected before flowering. The cytotoxicity of extracts obtained from different parts of Chelidonium majus collected at various vegetation stages was also evaluated on melanoma cells (A375, G361 and SK-MEL-3). The highest cytotoxic activity against melanoma A375 cells was observed for the Chelidonium majus root extract, with an IC50 of 12.65 μg/mL. The same extract was the most cytotoxic against SK-MEL-3 cells (IC50 = 1.93 μg/mL), while the highest cytotoxic activity against G361 cells was observed after exposure to the extract obtained from the herb of the plant. The cytotoxic activity of Chelidonium majus extracts against melanoma cells was compared with the cytotoxicity of the following anticancer drugs: etoposide, cisplatin and hydroxyurea. In most cases, the IC50 values obtained for the anticancer drugs were higher than those obtained for the Chelidonium majus extracts. The most cytotoxic extract obtained from the root of Chelidonium majus was selected for in vivo cytotoxic activity investigations using a Danio rerio larvae xenograft model. The model was applied for the first time in the in vivo investigations of the extract’s anticancer potential. The application of Danio rerio larvae xenografts in cancer research is advantageous because of the transparency and ease of compound administration, the small size and the short duration and low cost of the experiments. The results obtained in the xenograft model confirmed the great effect of the investigated extract on the number of cancer cells in a living organism. Our investigations show that the investigated plant extracts exhibit very high cytotoxic activity and can be recommended for further experiments in order to additionally confirm their potential use in the treatment of various human cancers. Full article

Year-round demand for locally sourced specialty cut flowers continues to increase. However, due to low radiation intensities and temperatures, growers in northern latitudes must utilize greenhouses, but limited production information detailing manipulation of the radiation environment exists. Therefore, our objective is to quantify the influence of supplemental lighting (SL) quality on time to flower and harvest and stem quality of three long-day specialty cut flowers. Godetia ‘Grace Rose Pink’ (Clarkia amoena), snapdragon ‘Potomac Royal’ (Antirrhinum majus), and stock ‘Iron Rose’ (Matthiola incana) plugs are transplanted into bulb crates and placed in one of six greenhouse compartments with SL providing a total photon flux density of 120 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ from 0700 to 1900 HR. After four weeks, SL is extended to provide a 16 h photoperiod to induce flowering. SL treatments are provided by either high-pressure sodium (HPS) fixtures or various light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures. Treatments are defined by their 100 nm wavebands of blue (B; 400–500 nm), green (G; 500–600 nm), red (R; 600–700 nm), and far-red (FR; 700–800 nm) radiation (photon flux density in μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) as B₇G₆₀R₄₄FR₉ (HPS₁₂₀), B₂₀G₅₀R₄₅FR₅, B₂₀R₈₅FR₁₅, B₃₀G₂₅R₆₅, B₁₂₀, or R₁₂₀. Time to harvest (TTH) is up to 14, 15, and 10 d slower under R₁₂₀ SL for godetia, snapdragon, and stock, respectively, compared to the quickest treatments (HPS₁₂₀, B₁₂₀, and B₂₀R₈₅FR₁₅ SL). However, R₁₂₀ SL produces cut flowers up to 18% longer than those grown under the quickest treatments. Both broad-spectrum LED fixtures slightly delay TTH compared to the quickest treatments. Stem caliper is not commercially different between treatments for godetia or snapdragon, although stems are up to 14% thinner for stock grown under B₁₂₀ SL compared to the other treatments. Flower petal color is not commercially different between SL treatments. We recommend utilizing a SL fixture providing a spectrum similar to B₂₀R₈₅FR₁₅ SL or B₂₀G₅₀R₄₅FR₅, as they elicit desirable crop responses with minimal developmental, quality, and visibility tradeoffs. While HPS lamps perform similarly to the recommended fixtures, we recommend utilizing LEDs for their higher photon efficacy and potential energy savings. Full article