Search Results (30)

Medicinal plants serve as vital resources for preventing and treating diseases, with their flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, or entire plants being utilized in the pharmaceutical industry or as direct therapeutic agents. During our investigation of microfungi associated with medicinal plants in Guizhou and Sichuan Provinces, China, several asexual and sexual fungal morphs were collected. Multi-locus phylogenetic analysis based on combined ITS, LSU, SSU and TEF1-α datasets revealed that these taxa are related to the family Dictyosporiaceae. Morphological characteristics, along with multi-locus phylogenetic analysis, supported the establishment of Dictyocheirospora alangii sp. nov. and Pseudocoleophoma rosae sp. nov., as well as the introduction of a novel genus Neoxylochrysis, which accommodates Neoxylochrysis typhicola comb. nov. (≡Pseudocoleophoma typhicola). In addition, four new host records are introduced for Aquadictyospora lignicola from Periploca forrestii, Dendryphiella eucalyptorum from Leonurus japonicus, Ophiopogon japonicus and Sambucus javanica, D. vinosa from Phytolacca americana, and Dictyocheirospora rotunda from Euonymus japonicus and Prinsepia utilis. Detailed descriptions, micrographs of the new taxa and a phylogenetic tree are provided. Full article

CCHC-type zinc finger proteins (CCHC-ZFPs), ubiquitous across plant species, are integral to their growth, development, hormonal regulation, and stress adaptation. Roses (Rosa sp.), as one of the most significant and extensively cultivated ornamentals, account for more than 30% of the global cut-flower market. Despite its significance, the CCHC gene family in roses (Rosa sp.) remains unexplored. This investigation identified and categorized 41 CCHC gene members located on seven chromosomes of rose into 14 subfamilies through motif distribution and phylogenetic analyses involving ten additional plant species, including Ginkgo biloba, Ostreococcus lucimarinus, Arabidopsis thaliana, and others. This study revealed that dispersed duplication likely plays a crucial role in the diversification of the CCHC genes, with the Ka/Ks ratio suggesting a history of strong purifying selection. Promoter analysis highlighted a rich presence of cis-acting regulatory elements linked to both abiotic and biotic stress responses. Differential expression analysis under drought conditions grouped the 41 CCHC gene members into five distinct clusters, with those in group 4 exhibiting pronounced regulation in roots and leaves under severe drought. Furthermore, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of the RcCCHC25 member from group 4 compromised drought resilience in rose foliage. This comprehensive analysis lays the groundwork for further investigations into the functional dynamics of the CCHC gene family in rose physiology and stress responses. Full article

Slavonia is the most developed agricultural region in Croatia. With rich and fertile soils that have enabled the cultivation of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and cereals, Slavonia has always met the food needs of its population. Today, the biocultural diversity of local varieties and semi-natural vegetation has irretrievably disappeared. Our aim was to document the remaining local knowledge of plant use in this area through in-depth semi-structured interviews, which were conducted in 2022–2023. All possible aspects of the use of plants and fungi were recorded as food, animal feed, medicine, construction, jewelry, rituals and ceremonies, dyes, etc. The names and uses of local plant varieties were also recorded. The results show 1702 entries—a total of 296 plant taxa from 76 families and 28 fungi from 16 families. The most frequently named plants were: Urtica dioica, Robinia pseudoacacia, Rosa canina, and Sambucus nigra. The plants with the greatest variety of uses were Morus alba, Rosmarinus officinalis, Triticum aestivum, and Zea mays. Interesting uses were identified. The leaves of the ornamental plant Hosta sieboldiana are still used today as food for wrapping meat with rice, the aquatic plant Trapa natans is eaten like chestnuts, and Pteridium aquilinum was once consumed as a vegetable. In addition, Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Sambucus ebulus were given to horses to prevent and avoid blood poisoning. Some forest species had a special significance and were revered or favored. The most frequently mentioned edible fungi were Boletus sp., Cantharellus cibarius, and Lactarius piperatus. Auricularia auricula-judae is the only species stated to have been used exclusively as a raw snack. Evidence of edible use of Sarccoscypha coccinea, which was reported as traditionally consumed in the past, was of particular interest. Despite the modernization and agricultural nature of the region, many interesting uses of plants and fungi were identified. Further efforts should be directed towards documenting this knowledge to facilitate its dissemination in the communities that possess it, or at least to preserve it for future generations. Full article

The detection of Xylella fastidiosa in Portugal occurred through prospection in 2019 in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, in plants of Lavandula dentata L. Currently, in Portugal, there are 18 Xylella fastidiosa Demarcated Zones (DZs). The main objective of this study is to gain a comprehensive understanding of this problem within the defined Demarcated Zones in the North Region of Portugal from 2019 to June 2023. This work comprised two phases: the prospection phase (inspecting plants, sampling, and submission of samples to the laboratory) and the research phase (collecting and organizing data and statistical treatment). Our findings provide essential insights, suggesting that the Northern Region of Portugal is highly conducive to Xylella fastidiosa. Portugal has Xf-preferred hosts such as the olive tree, orange tree, Laurus nobilis, Rosa spp., Nerium oleander L., Pelargonium sp., Hedera helix L., and Lavandula dentata L. Portugal’s favorable environmental factors such as temperature and humidity can have an important role in influencing the interaction between bacteria and hosts. Nevertheless, it is crucial to consider variations in the behavior of insect vectors, as these variations can limit the prevalence of the disease. Activities like the transport of infected planting materials from the first Demarcated Zone of the Area Metropolitana do Porto could be associated with the introduction and spread of Xylella fastidiosa, potentially triggering new disease outbreaks in the country. Our findings confirm the alarming spread of Xylella fastidiosa across Portugal. Factors such as the presence of insect vectors, abundance of host plants, and climate suitability play pivotal roles in Xylella fastidiosa dispersal. We recommend that countries identified with relatively high risk, like Portugal, undertake thorough individual risk analyses. The implementation of preventive measures and, if necessary, the enhancement of surveillance systems for early detection of Xylella fastidiosa in plants and insect vectors are crucial steps. Full article

The basic/helix–loop–helix (bHLH) family is a major family of transcription factors in plants. Although it has been reported that bHLH plays a defensive role against pathogen infection in plants, there is no comprehensive study on the bHLH-related defence response in rose (Rosa sp.). In this study, a genome-wide analysis of bHLH family genes (RcbHLHs) in rose was carried out, including their phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, chromosome localization and collinearity analysis. Via phylogenetic analysis, a total of 121 RcbHLH genes in the rose genome were divided into 21 sub-groups. These RcbHLHs are unevenly distributed in all 7 chromosomes of rose. The occurrence of gene duplication events indicates that whole-genome duplication and segmental duplication may play a key role in gene duplication. Ratios of non-synonymous to synonymous mutation frequency (Ka/Ks) analysis showed that the replicated RcbHLH genes mainly underwent purification selection, and their functional differentiation was limited. Gene expression analysis showed that 46 RcbHLHs were differentially expressed in rose petals upon B. cinerea infection. It is speculated that these RcbHLHs are candidate genes that regulate the response of rose plants to B. cinerea infection. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) confirmed that RcbHLH112 in rose is a susceptibility factor for infection with B. cinerea. This study provides useful information for further study of the functions of the rose bHLH gene family. Full article

Diplocarpon rosae Wolf is the most common and damaging fungal pathogen in roses. Nationwide, the attack of this pathogenic fungus is very serious in most rose gardens due to rapid disease development that typically leads to leaf yellowing and defoliation. This study aimed to assess the way in which the fungus’s attack affects the chemical composition of Rosa sp. leaves. The research was conducted in the summer of 2023 on ten cultivars of rose grown in the rosary in the ‘Alexandru Buia’ Botanical Garden in Craiova. The influence of the cultivar and harvest time was discussed. Leaf black spot on roses produced by the fungus Diplocarpon rosae Wolf affected plants in all cultivars and the differences between cultivars highlighted the sensitivity of the relationship between plants and pathogens when exposed to some microclimatic environment factors. The correlations of attack degree with tannins, chlorophyll, or alkaloids were significant, negative for tannins (r = −0.189 *) and chlorophyll (r = −0.517 ***) and positive for alkaloids (r = 0.510 ***). Between phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, and chlorophyll, very significant positive correlations were found. Alkaloids established negative and also very significant correlations with phenolic compounds (r = −0.403 ***), tannins (r = −0.339 ***), flavonoids (r = −0.409 ***), and chlorophyll (r = −0.604 ***). Full article

Nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃⁻–N) removal and garden waste disposal are critical concerns in urban environmental protection. In this study, biochars were produced by pyrolyzing various garden waste materials, including grass clippings (GC), Rosa chinensis Jacq. branches (RC), Prunus persica branches (PP), Armeniaca vulgaris Lam. branches (AV), Morus alba Linn. sp. branches (MA), Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco branches (PO), Pinus tabuliformis Carrière branches (PT), and Sophorajaponica Linn. branches (SL) at three different temperatures (300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C). These biochars, labeled as GC300, GC500, GC700, and so on., were then used to adsorb NO₃⁻–N under various conditions, such as initial pH value, contact time, initial NO₃⁻–N concentration, and biochar dosage. Kinetic data were analyzed by pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The equilibrium adsorption data were evaluated by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich models. The results revealed that the biochar yields varied between 14.43% (PT700) and 47.09% (AV300) and were significantly influenced by the type of garden waste and decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature, while the pH and ash content showed an opposite trend (p < 0.05). The efficiency of NO₃⁻–N removal was significantly influenced by the type of feedstock, preparation process, and adsorption conditions. Higher pH values had a negative influence on NO₃⁻–N adsorption, while longer contact time, higher initial concentration of NO₃⁻–N, and increased biochar dosage positively affected NO₃⁻–N adsorption. Most of the kinetic data were better fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (0.998 > R² > 0.927). Positive b values obtained from the Temkin model indicated an exothermic process of NO₃⁻–N adsorption. The Langmuir model provided better fits for more equilibrium adsorption data than the Freundlich model, with the maximum NO₃⁻–N removal efficiency (62.11%) and adsorption capacity (1.339 mg·g⁻¹) in PO700 under the conditions of pH = 2, biochar dosage = 50 mg·L⁻¹, and a reaction time of 24 h. The outcomes of this study contribute valuable insights into garden waste disposal and NO₃⁻–N removal from wastewater, providing a theoretical basis for sustainable environmental management practices. Full article

A new species in the Chrysis leachii group from Cyprus, Chrysis kalliroi Rosa & Makris, sp. Nov., is described. Distribution, illustrations, and a key to the Cypriot members of this species group are provided. Chrysis lanceolata Linsenmaier, 1959 is recorded from Cyprus for the first time. Chrysis pumilio Balthasar, 1953 stat. nov. is raised to species rank. Chrysis cypruscula Linsenmaier, 1959 (repl. Name for Chrysis leachii cypriana Linsenmaier, 1951 nec Enslin, 1950) is synonymised with Chrysis pumilio Balthasar, 1953. Full article

The plant-specific transcription factor TEOSINTE BRANCHED, CYCLOIDEA, AND PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR (TCP) gene family plays vital roles in various biological processes, including growth and development, hormone signaling, and stress responses. However, there is a limited amount of information regarding the TCP gene family in roses (Rosa sp.). In this study, we identified 18 TCP genes in the rose genome, which were further classified into two subgroups (Group A and Group B) via phylogenetic analysis. Comprehensive characterization of these TCP genes was performed, including gene structure, motif composition, chromosomal location, and expression profiles. Synteny analysis revealed that a few TCP genes are involved in segmental duplication events, indicating that these genes played an important role in the expansion of the TCP gene family in roses. This suggests that segmental duplication events have caused the evolution of the TCP gene family and may have generated new functions. Our study provides an insight into the evolutionary and functional characteristics of the TCP gene family in roses and lays a foundation for the future exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of TCP genes in plant growth and development. Full article

The root microbiome is vital in plant development and health and is highly influenced by crop cultural practices. Rose (Rosa sp.) is the most popular cut flower worldwide. Grafting in rose production is a standard practice to increase yield, improve flower quality, or reduce root-associated pests and diseases. ‘Natal Brier’ is a standard rootstock used in most commercial operations in Ecuador and Colombia, leading countries in producing and exporting ornamentals. It is known that the rose scion genotype affects root biomass and the root exudate profile of grafted plants. However, little is known about the influence of the rose scion genotype on the rhizosphere microbiome. We examined the influence of grafting and scion genotype on the rhizosphere microbiome of the rootstock ‘Natal Brier’. The microbiomes of the non-grafted rootstock and the rootstock grafted with two red rose cultivars were assessed using 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing. Grafting changed microbial community structure and function. Further, analysis of grafted plant samples revealed that the scion genotype highly influences the rootstock microbiome. Under the presented experimental conditions, the rootstock ‘Natal Brier’ core microbiome consisted of 16 bacterial and 40 fungal taxa. Our results highlight that the scion genotype influences root microbe’s recruitment, which might also influence the functionality of assembled microbiomes. Full article

Rose rosette disease (RRD), caused by the rose rosette emaravirus (RRV), is a major viral disease in roses (Rosa sp.) that threatens the rose industry. Recent studies have revealed quantitative trait loci (QTL) for reduced susceptibility to RRD in the linkage groups (LGs) 1, 5, 6, and 7 in tetraploid populations and the LGs 1, 3, 5, and 6 in diploid populations. In this study, we seek to better localize and understand the relationship between QTL identified in both diploid and tetraploid populations. We do so by remapping the populations found in these studies and performing a meta-analysis. This analysis reveals that the peaks and intervals for QTL using diploid and tetraploid populations co-localized on LG 1, suggesting that these are the same QTL. The same was seen on LG 3. Three meta-QTL were identified on LG 5, and two were discovered on LG 6. The meta-QTL on LG 1, MetaRRD1.1, had a confidence interval (CI) of 10.53 cM. On LG 3, MetaRRD3.1 had a CI of 5.94 cM. MetaRRD5.1 had a CI of 17.37 cM, MetaRRD5.2 had a CI of 4.33 cM, and MetaRRD5.3 had a CI of 21.95 cM. For LG 6, MetaRRD6.1 and MetaRRD6.2 had CIs of 9.81 and 8.81 cM, respectively. The analysis also led to the identification of potential disease resistance genes, with a primary interest in genes localized in meta-QTL intervals on LG 5 as this LG was found to explain the greatest proportion of phenotypic variance for RRD resistance. The results from this study may be used in the design of more robust marker-based selection tools to track and use a given QTL in a plant breeding context. Full article

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a robust, efficient, and cost-effective gene editing tool widely adopted in translational studies of ocular diseases. However, in vivo CRISPR-based editing in animal models poses challenges such as the efficient delivery of the CRISPR components in viral vectors with limited packaging capacity and a Cas9-associated immune response. Using a germline Cas9-expressing mouse model would help to overcome these limitations. Here, we evaluated the long-term effects of SpCas9 expression on retinal morphology and function using Rosa26-Cas9 knock-in mice. We observed abundant SpCas9 expression in the RPE and retina of Rosa26-Cas9 mice using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunostaining. SD-OCT imaging and histological analysis of the RPE, retinal layers, and vasculature showed no apparent structural abnormalities in adult and aged Cas9 mice. Full-field electroretinogram of adult and aged Cas9 mice showed no long-term functional changes in the retinal tissues because of constitutive Cas9 expression. The current study showed that both the retina and RPE maintain their phenotypic and functional features in Cas9 knock-in mice, establishing this as an ideal animal model for developing therapeutics for retinal diseases. Full article

Rose (Rosa sp.) is a widely used raw material for essential oil extraction and fragrance production. The carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases pathway is one of the main metabolic pathways for the degradation of carotenoids, which is located downstream of the terpenoids biosynthesis pathway and is closely related to the biosynthesis of volatile compounds. We performed a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the rose CCD family genes (RcCCDs) in terms of phylogeny, sequence characterization, gene structure, gene duplication events, and transcriptome. Finally, 15 CCD family members were identified from the rose genome, and they were classified into three clades: nine for the CCD clade, four for the NCED clade, and two for the CCD-LIKE clade. The RcCCDs were distributed on chromosomes 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7, and were concentrated on both ends of the chromosomes. RcCCDs did not have paralogous genes or whole genome duplication events (WGD), eleven of them were single-copy genes, and their repetitive sequences were mainly dispersed and tandem. Ten RcCCDs were differentially expressed in the transcriptomes of different flowering stages. The expression of four of them increased and then decreased, which was the same process as the accumulation of volatile compounds, and it was speculated that these genes might be involved in the biosynthesis of volatile compounds. A total of fifteen modules were obtained by weighted gene co-expression network analysis of eighteen volatile compounds-related genes, of which six modules were a highly significant positive correlation with volatile compounds, and 20 hub genes in the modules were predicted. These hub genes all exercised their functions in the early flowering stage with strict temporal specificity. This study provided a theoretical basis for further exploring the biological functions of RcCCDs and hub genes regulating the synthesis and metabolism of volatile compounds in rose. Full article

This study analyzed the use of plants and fungi, some wild and some cultivated, in three municipalities of Lika-Senj County (Perušić, Gospić and Lovinac). The range of the study area was about 60 km. Forty in-depth semi-structured interviews were performed. The use of 111 plant taxa from 50 plant families and five taxa of mushrooms and fungi belonging to five families was recorded (on average 27 taxa per interview). The results showed quite large differences between the three studied areas in terms of ethnobotanical and ecological knowledge. In the Perušić area, (101 taxa mentioned), some people still use wild plants on a daily basis for various purposes. The most commonly noted plants are Prunus spinosa, Taraxacum spp., Rosa canina, Urtica dioica, Juglans regia and Fragaria vesca. In the Lovinac region, people used fewer species of plants (76 species mentioned). The most common species used there are: Rosa canina, Achillea millefolium, Cornus mas, Crataegus monogyna, Sambucus nigra and Prunus domestica. In the town of Gospić, the collection and use of plants was not so widespread, with only 61 species mentioned, the most common being: Achillea millefolium, Cornus mas, Sambucus nigra, Viola sp., Prunus domestica and Rosa canina. The medicinal use of herbal tea Rubus caesius and Cydonia oblonga against diarrhea was well known in the study area and is used medicinally, mainly in the rural parts of the Gospić area. The consumption of the Sorbus species (S. aria, S. domestica and S. torminalis) is an interesting local tradition in Perušić and Lovinac. Species that are difficult to find in nature today and are no longer used include: Veratrum sp., Rhamnus alpinum ssp. fallax, Gentiana lutea and Ribes uva-crispa. The use of Chenopodium album has also died out. We can assume that the differences in ethnobotanical knowledge between the three studied areas are partly due to minor differences in climate and topography, while other causes lie in the higher degree of rurality and stronger ties to nature in the Lovinac and Perušić areas. The most important finding of the study is the use of the parasitic fungus Taphrina pruni (Fuckel) Tul. as a snack. The use of Helleborus dumetorum for ethnoveterinary practices is also worth noting. The traditional use of plants in the study area shows many signs of abandonment, and therefore efforts must be made to maintain the knowledge recorded in our study. Full article

This study was designed to investigate the effects of exogenous calcium on the tolerance of Rosa hybrida ‘Carolla’ to high-temperature and the physiological mechanisms underlying this response. Leaves of ‘Carolla’ grown under stress were treated by spraying four different concentrations of calcium chloride (CaCl₂; 50, 100, 150, or 200 μM). The photosynthetic responses, antioxidant enzyme activities, and osmotic substance contents were measured under high-temperature stress at the flowering stage. Temperature-stressed ‘Carolla’ with CaCl₂ treatment showed significantly increased chlorophyll (Chl) content, net photosynthetic rate (An), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), water use efficiency (WUE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities together with proline (Pro), soluble sugar (SS), and soluble protein (SP) concentrations, while malonaldehyde (MDA) content and relative electrical conductivity (REC) were significantly reduced. The damages caused by high-temperature stress were alleviated by applying CaCl₂. Among the CaCl₂ treatments, 100 μM CaCl₂ best minimized the damage caused by high-temperature to ‘Carolla’. This study showed that exogenous calcium could improve the tolerance of Rosa hybrida ‘Carolla’ to high-temperature stress by regulating photosynthesis, the antioxidant system, and osmotic substances. Full article