Search Results (62)

This study aimed to evaluate the interactive effects of daytime temperature and nutrient solution concentration on the growth and yield of cut rose ‘White Beauty’ under winter greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted using a two-factor factorial design with three daytime temperatures (25, 28, and 30 °C) and four nutrient concentrations (70–100% of the standard solution). Yield was significantly affected by the interaction between temperature and nutrient concentration, with the highest yield observed at 28 °C under 90% nutrient concentration. In contrast, yield decreased significantly at 30 °C across all treatments. Nutrient concentrations of 80–90% maintained comparable yield and growth characteristics to the standard concentration. In addition, drainage EC increased with both temperature and nutrient concentration, indicating increased nutrient accumulation in the root zone. These results indicate that maintaining nutrient concentrations at 80–90% of the standard solution at 28 °C is sufficient to sustain stable production and flower quality under winter conditions. This approach suggests potential for reducing fertilizer input while maintaining productivity in greenhouse rose cultivation. Full article

Cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.) are highly sensitive to postharvest conditions, often experiencing quality losses associated with declines in SPAD values (relative chlorophyll index), color instability, Botrytis cinerea incidence, and impaired bud opening. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different storage atmospheres, including controlled atmosphere (CA; 10% CO₂ + 3% O₂ and 6% CO₂ + 3% O₂), normal atmosphere (NA), and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; LDPE1 (low-permeability MAP): 25 µm, 8000 cc m⁻² day⁻¹ O₂ permeability; LDPE2 (high-permeability MAP): 25 µm, 12,000 cc m⁻² day⁻¹ O₂ permeability), on SPAD values, color parameters, disease incidence, and bud development in cut rose cultivars (Rosa hybrida L.) cvs. ‘Rhodos’ and ‘Athena’ harvested in May, June, August, and November. The experiment was conducted as a factorial completely randomized design with seven biological replicates per treatment, each consisting of a single flower. Treatments were applied in combination with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, 625 ppb) and a commercial postharvest hydrating solution (Chrysal RVB, 1 mL L⁻¹) under storage conditions of 0.5 ± 0.5 °C and 80–85% relative humidity. The results indicated that CA conditions in combination with 1-MCP maintained higher SPAD values, improved color stability, and were associated with lower Botrytis incidence (p < 0.01). In addition, the low-permeability LDPE1-based MAP treatment minimized variations in hue angle (h°) and improved bud development scores, while the hydrating solution treatment promoted bud opening, particularly in cv. ‘Athena’, although its effect on disease suppression was limited. Overall, the combined application of controlled atmosphere storage and 1-MCP generally showed superior performance in maintaining postharvest quality, reducing disease incidence, and preserving the visual and physiological attributes of cut roses, with effects varying depending on cultivar and evaluated parameter. Full article

Efficient cultivation is essential for the rose industry. Both substrate formulation and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) application both critical, yet their synergistic effects remain limited. This study investigated the synergistic effects of Bacillus subtilis (Bs) and Priestia megaterium (Pm) combined with five substrate formulations on the growth physiology, photosynthetic characteristics, and soil properties of Rosa × hybrida ‘Ruby’. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant interactions between substrate and PGPR treatments for most growth and physiological indicators. Orthogonal experiments demonstrated that specific PGPR–substrate combinations significantly enhanced plant growth and photosynthetic performance of the studied cultivar, as well as soil quality. Principal component analysis and membership function analysis identified four substrate–PGPR combinations as optimal, with the T4 substrate (humus/perlite/vermiculite/coconut coir/peat/biochar = 5:1.5:1:1:1:0.5) showing the most pronounced effects. In this T4 substrate, PGPR inoculation significantly altered the rhizobacterial community structure. LEfSe analysis revealed 67 enriched microbial biomarkers—substantially more than single-strain treatments. The relative abundance of beneficial genera such as Acidibacter and Chryseotalea increased, and the combined bacterial treatment enhanced functional pathways associated with signal transduction, cell motility, and RNA processing. Compared to single-strain treatments, the combined bacterial application demonstrated superior regulatory effects on plant growth. The optimal combined treatments increased plant height by up to 42.7%, root activity by 103.0%, soluble protein content by 302.8%, and soil ammonium nitrogen by 168.8%. These findings demonstrated that tailored combinations of PGPR and cultivation substrates highlight the potential for optimizing rose cultivation and improving the rhizosphere microecological environment. Full article

Background/Objectives: The 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) enzyme is a key and rate-limiting component in the biosynthesis of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). Through controlling VLCFA production, KCS plays an essential role in plant cuticle formation. The necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea can infect all aboveground parts of rose plants (flowers, leaves, and stems), causing severe economic losses. KCS restricts pathogen invasion by influencing cuticle formation and enhances tolerance to environmental stresses. While the KCS gene family has been well-studied in some plants, it remains unexplored in rose (Rosa × hybrida Hort.), a species of significant ornamental and economic value. Methods: In this study, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of the RcKCS gene family in rose, identifying 18 non-redundant genes. Phylogenetic, structural, and synteny analyses were performed to investigate the evolutionary relationships, gene architecture, and duplication events. The expression patterns of RcKCS genes in rose petals during B. cinerea infection were examined, and transient overexpression and silencing of RcKCS6 were used to study its function. Results: RcKCS6 was found to be upregulated during gray mold infection, and transient overexpression reduced lesion size on infected petals. Conclusions: Our study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the RcKCS gene family in rose and highlights RcKCS6 as a potential candidate for improving resistance to gray mold in rose through molecular breeding. Full article

Edible flowers have garnered increasing attention due to their high content of bioactive compounds, making them promising candidates for biomedical and functional food applications. This work evaluated the metabolomic data of fresh Rosa x hybrida petals, revealing seven types of metabolites, including amino acids, organic acids, vitamins, sugars, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. Notably, quercetin, kaempferol and their derivatives were the main flavonoids determined. Furthermore, in vitro studies were conducted to evaluate the potential antiproliferative effects against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Thus, the methanolic extract derived from Rosa x hybrida petals demonstrated significant antitumoral activity against both sensitive and resistant TNBC cells, as evidenced by reduced MTT metabolization, colony formation, and wound healing activity. Furthermore, the cell death mechanism associated with the petal extract was studied. The antiproliferative activity was mediated by reactive oxygen species generation, triggering cell death mechanisms such as apoptosis and autophagy. In conclusion, these results propose Rosa x hybrida could be a new tool for nutraceuticals and functional food production. Full article

Roses (Rosa hybrida) are among the most highly valued ornamental plants worldwide, with flower color serving as a major determinant of consumer preference and commercial success. However, the absence of the flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase (F3′5′H) gene limits delphinidin biosynthesis, making it difficult to achieve blue or purple pigmentation. Vacuolar sodium/proton antiporters (NHX) regulate vacuolar pH and are also implicated in color stability. In this study, we introduced Viola tricolor F3′5′H (VtF3′5′H) and Rosa hybrida NHX (RhNHX) into the rose cultivar ‘Red Farm’ using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The non-native VtF3′5′H gene was detected in transgenic plants but not in the wild type, while RhNHX expression was relatively higher in transgenic plants. Petal anthocyanin content was significantly increased in T1–T4 compared to the wild type, and petal pH was also higher than that of the wild type. Growth and floral traits were also altered. Transgenic plants exhibited shorter stems, reduced stem diameter, more lateral branches, fewer prickles, and more than threefold higher petal numbers. Expression analysis showed reduced GA20-oxidase (GA20ox1) and GA3-oxidase (GA3ox) levels and increased GA2-oxidase (GA2ox) and GA2-oxidase6 (GA2ox6), particularly in stems, suggesting enhanced gibberellin (GA) inactivation. Overexpression of VtF3′5′H and RhNHX led to simultaneous changes in floral pigmentation and plant morphology. These findings indicate that both genes play functional roles in color development and growth regulation in roses. Full article

Rosa hybrida (R. hybrida), a widely cultivated ornamental species, is increasingly threatened by climate-induced abiotic stresses, including heat and drought. Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) are critical for plant stress responses, yet their roles in R. hybrida remain understudied. In this research, 71 HSF genes were identified from the haplotype-resolved genome of the tetraploid variety ‘Samantha’. These genes were classified into three major classes (HSFA, HSFB, HSFC) and 15 subgroups based on phylogenetic and motif analysis. Gene structure and conserved motifs revealed subgroup-specific functional divergence. Promoter analysis identified abundant hormone- and stress-responsive cis-elements, particularly for abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid. Synteny analysis suggested that segmental duplication contributed to the RhHSF family’s expansion. Tissue-specific expression profiling revealed distinct roles for HSFs, with HSFB genes predominantly expressed in reproductive tissues and HSFA genes in vegetative organs. Expression under heat and drought stress showed dynamic, subgroup-dependent responses, with HSFC members playing significant roles. Functional assays demonstrated that RhHSF17, induced by both stresses and ABA, localized to the nucleus, and its overexpression in Arabidopsis enhanced drought tolerance. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the RhHSF gene family, offering insights into their roles in stress tolerance and laying the foundation for future functional research. Full article

Rosa hybrida is a globally important ornamental species, but its economic and aesthetic value is often compromised by rose black spot disease (Diplocarpon rosae). Effective monitoring and early detection are essential for disease management. This study investigated physiological and biophysical responses to infection in a resistant cultivar (‘Carefree Wonder’) and a susceptible cultivar (‘Red Cap’) using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), biochemical assays, and ultrastructural analysis. Key EIS parameters (r_i, r_e, τ), reducing sugar and free proline content, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities, and chloroplast ultrastructure were monitored. The results showed that ‘Carefree Wonder’ had a higher initial EIS arc magnitude and osmolyte levels than ‘Red Cap’. Following infection, ‘Red Cap’ displayed earlier and more pronounced increases in EIS arc magnitude, while ‘Carefree Wonder’ responded more gradually. Reducing sugar and proline levels increased in both cultivars, with earlier accumulation in the resistant cultivar. Notably, extracellular resistivity (r_e) exhibited strong positive correlations with reducing sugar (R² = 0.479), free proline (R² = 0.399), chitinase (R² = 0.399), and β-1,3-glucanase activities (R² = 0.401). These findings highlight r_e as the most reliable EIS-derived indicator for early, non-destructive detection of rose black spot resistance. This study supports the potential of EIS for rapid disease diagnostics in rose breeding and cultivation. Full article

Hybrid tea roses (Rosa hybrida) are economically important horticultural crops and highly susceptible to heat stress, which significantly impacts flower quality and yield. As a key member of the heat shock protein (HSP) family, HSP70 protein acts as a molecular chaperone and exhibits diverse abiotic stress response functions in plants. A total of 113 HSP70 transcription factors (TFs) with varying physical and chemical properties were identified in the genome of hybrid tea rose. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the identified TFs could classify into three (I, II, and III) subfamilies, with most members (51 TFs) falling in subfamily II. Wide gene structural variations were observed among the three subfamilies, with group I and II members lacking introns, while group III members only harbored 1~4 exons and introns. Numerous cis-acting elements associated with abiotic stress, hormone response, growth and development responses, as well as light response were detected in the HSP70 gene promoters. In addition, protein interaction networks predicted a wide range of interactions between different hybrid tea rose HSP70 subfamilies. Gene expression analysis revealed that 57 HSP70 genes had strong organ specificity and response to heat stress in the hybrid tea rose plants. Notably, the expression levels of two RhHSP70 genes, RhHSP70-69 and RhHSP70-88, were significantly increased after heat stress, indicating that these two genes might be crucial for plant heat stress response. Subcellular localization of RhHSP70-69 and RhHSP70-88 revealed that their proteins were located in the nucleus. Our results are not only useful for future evaluation of the regulatory roles of RhHSP70 genes in the hybrid tea rose growth and development, but also provides key genes for future molecular breeding of heat tolerant plants. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of an auxin amide hydrolase gene (IAA-Leucine Resistant1-like Hydrolase, RhILL1) in the petal pigmentation of rose (Rosa hybrida), providing theoretical insight into the hormonal regulation of flower coloration at the molecular level. Methods: Using petals at Stage 3 (S3) of the cut rose cultivar ‘Pink Floyd’ as experimental material, we cloned the rose auxin amide hydrolase gene RhILL1 and validated its function via virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). The expression levels of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, anthocyanin content, and auxin (IAA) levels were analyzed to assess the role of RhILL1 in petal pigmentation. Results: The full-length open reading frame (ORF) of RhILL1 was cloned, spanning 1326 bp and encoding a 441-amino-acid protein harboring two conserved domains, Peptidase_M20 and M20_dimer, characteristic of the ILL1 protein family. Functional characterization was performed using VIGS. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that RhILL1 expression progressively increased from the Green (G) stage to S3, correlating with intensified petal coloration. Silencing RhILL1 resulted in visibly lighter petals, the reduced expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, and a significant decrease in endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels compared with controls. Moreover, exogenous application of 10 μM naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to petals significantly preserved petal pigmentation. Conclusion: These findings suggest that RhILL1 contributes to the development and maintenance of petal coloration in rose, likely by modulating IAA levels, thereby influencing the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis-related genes. Full article

Soybean is an important economic oilseed crop, being rich in protein and plant oil, it is widely cultivated around the world. Soybeans have been shown to establish a symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) with their compatible rhizobia, resulting in the formation of nodules. Previous studies have demonstrated the critical roles of phytohormones, such as abscisic acid and cytokinin, in the process of legume nodulation. The present study investigated the role of GmWRKY17, a homolog of Rosa hybrida (Rh)WRKY13 in regulating plant immunity through cytokinin content and abscisic acid signaling in soybean nodulation. Utilizing real-time PCR and histochemical staining, we demonstrated that GmWRKY17 is predominantly expressed in soybean root nodules. Subsequently, we analyzed the function of GmWRKY17-overexpression, RNA interference (RNAi), and the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Overexpression of GmWRKY17 significantly increases soybean nodule number, while RNAi or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of GmWRKY17 resulted in a dramatic repression of nodule formation in soybeans. These results highlight that GmWRKY17 functions as a positive regulator involved in soybean nodulation. Furthermore, manipulation of GmWRKY17 expression impacts the expression of genes associated with the nod factor (NF) signaling pathway, thereby influencing soybean nodulation. This study demonstrated that WRKY-type transcription factors are involved in the regulation of legume nodulation, offering new light on the molecular basis of the symbiotic interaction between legumes and rhizobia. Full article

Rose is one of the most popular ornamental plants worldwide. The double-flower trait, referring to flowers with extra petals, has been a key focus in rose breeding history. However, the genetic mechanisms regulating petal number in roses are still not fully understood. Here, we identified the CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 3 (RhCUC3) gene in the miniature rose (Rosa hybrida ‘Eclair’). The expression of RhCUC3 was high during the petal and stamen primordium differentiation stages but declined sharply during pistil primordium development. RhCUC3 belongs to the NAM/CUC3 subgroup of NAC transcription factors and is localized in the nucleus. The transcript level of RhCUC3 increased significantly with ABA and GA treatments and was inversely down-regulated with MeJA and 6-BA treatments. Silencing RhCUC3 using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in rose ‘Eclair’ significantly decreased the number of petaloid stamens and normal petals while slightly increasing the number of stamens. Additionally, the expression of RhAG and RhAGL, two MADS-box genes associated with floral organ identity, was significantly higher in TRV-RhCUC3 compared to the TRV control. These findings suggest that RhCUC3 enhances stamen petaloidy and petal number, potentially by modulating the expression of RhAG and RhAGL, providing new insights into the function of NAC transcription factors in plants. Full article

The presence of bioactive compounds in plants with red flowers constitutes a valuable natural resource for the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries. This paper aims to highlight these characteristics to facilitate the selection of extracts according to market needs. The analyzed parameters can provide valuable insights into the compositional variability of the five red flower plants, as new sources of bioactive compounds and natural antioxidants of plant origin. Five plants with red flowers (Magnolia liliiflora, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Petunia grandiflora, Rosa hybrida L.) were selected and investigated regarding their polyphenol concentration, total anthocyanins, antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, and antimicrobial activity. Total polyphenols were found in concentrations ranging from 75.17 ± 0.16 mgGAE/g (C. morifolium) to 107.49 ± 0.19 mgGAE/g (R. hybrida L.), and total anthocyanins between 14.99 ± 0.13 mg Cy-3-Glu/g and 21.66 ± 0.18 mg Cy-3-Glu/g. The antioxidant activity DPPH/IC50 mg/mL for the extract from R. hybrida L. flowers reached a value of 29.35 ± 0.17 mg/g, with ABTS and FRAP achieving maximum values of 49.89 ± 0.24 mmol TE/g and 48.68 ± 0.23 mmol TE/g, respectively. The antibacterial activity was particularly evident against strains commonly encountered in human pathology, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with reduced or no impact on strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Proteus mirabilis. The results demonstrated that the extracts from the selected, red-flowered plants contain valuable biologically active compounds in generous quantities, thus recommending their use in the food, pharmaceutical, and medical sectors. Full article

Rosa hybrida is one the most commonly cultivated ornamental plant of economic importance and faces major challenges under heat stress. Melatonin has been widely shown to regulate plant stress response; however, the exact mechanism involved in heat stress in R. hybrida has yet to be determined. Here, we observed that R. hybrida in vitro plantlets supplemented with melatonin in the culture medium exhibited higher chlorophyll content, relative ion leakage, and fresh weight after 12 d of high-temperature treatment; the optimal concentration was established at 5 mg/L. Using molecular and biochemical techniques, we explored the roles of a melatonin synthase gene RhCOMT1, which expression was influenced by heat stress and melatonin. RhCOMT1 was located in the nuclear-cytoplasmic under ambient conditions, while heat stress translocated the distribution of RhCOMT1 to chloroplasts. Overexpression of RhCOMT1 in rose petal enhanced thermotolerance, and silencing of RhCOMT1 reduced thermotolerance via affect H₂O₂ content and relative ion leakage. These findings collectively emphasize the pivotal role of melatonin in enhancing thermotolerance to R. hybrida by alleviation of oxidative stress, through modulation of RhCOMT1 expression and location. Full article

Roses are one of the most important flowers applied to landscape, cut flowers, fragrance and food industries widely. As an effective method for plant reproduction, the regeneration via somatic embryos is the most promising method for breed improvement and genetic transformation of woody plants. However, lower somatic embryogenesis (SE) induction rates and genotypic constraints impede progress in genetic transformation in rose. This study describes a plant regeneration system for the famous red cut flower cultivar Rosa hybrida ‘Carola’. The stems without petioles cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), 0.05 mg·L⁻¹ a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 30 g·L⁻¹ sucrose showed the maximum proliferation coefficient of shoots with 3.41 for the micropropagation system. We evaluated the effects of different plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the induction, proliferation and conversion of somatic embryos. The induction rate of calli reached 100% on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 g·L⁻¹ NAA and 30 g·L⁻¹ glucose. The highest induction rate of somatic embryos achieved a frequency of 13.33% on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg·L⁻¹ zeatin (ZT), 0.1 mg·L⁻¹ NAA and 30 g·L⁻¹ glucose. The most suitable carbohydrate with 60 g·L⁻¹ glucose resulted in a proliferation rate of somatic embryos (4.02) on MS medium containing 1.5 mg·L⁻¹ ZT, 0.2 mg·L⁻¹ NAA and 0.1 mg·L⁻¹ gibberellic acid (GA₃). The highest somatic embryos germination rate (43.33%) was obtained from the MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ 6-BA, 0.01 mg·L⁻¹ IBA and 30 g·L⁻¹ glucose. Finally, the germinated somatic embryos successfully rooted on 1/2 MS medium containing 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ NAA, 30 g·L⁻¹ sucrose, and the vigorous plantlets were obtained after hardening-off culture. This study provided a stable and efficient protocol for plant regeneration via somatic embryos in R. hybrida ‘Carola’, which will be beneficial to the further theoretical study and genetic improvement in roses. Full article