Search Results (16)

Water scarcity challenges floriculture, which depends on quality irrigation for ornamental value. This study assessed short-term salinity tolerance in eight Asteraceae species by measuring physiological (proline levels, antioxidant enzyme activity) and morphological (plant height, flower number, and size) responses. Plants were irrigated with 0, 50, 100, or 300 mM NaCl for 10 days. Salinity significantly enhanced proline content and the activity of key antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase), reflecting the activation of stress defense mechanisms. However, these defenses failed to fully protect reproductive organs. Flower number and size were consistently more sensitive to salinity than vegetative traits, with significant reductions observed even at 50 mM NaCl. Responses varied between species, with Zinnia elegans and Calendula officinalis exhibiting pronounced sensitivity to salinity, whereas Tagetes patula showed relative tolerance, particularly under moderate stress conditions. The results show that flower structures are more vulnerable to ionic and osmotic disturbances than vegetative tissues, likely due to their higher metabolic demands and developmental sensitivity. Their heightened vulnerability underscores the need to prioritize reproductive performance when evaluating stress tolerance. Incorporating these traits into breeding programs is essential for developing salt-tolerant floriculture species that maintain aesthetic quality under limited water availability. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the enhancement of A. gossypii control by A. colemani when Z. elegans was planted as a companion crop in cucumber greenhouses. The density and spatial distribution of A. gossypii and parasitized mummies were investigated across three treatment plots: (1) the simultaneous application of A. colemani and cultivation of Z. elegans (parasitoid-zinnia plot); (2) the application of A. colemani alone (parasitoid plot); and (3) a control plot (no application of both). A. gossypii maintained low densities in the parasitoid–zinnia plots, while its densities in the parasitoid plots initially decreased but rapidly increased thereafter. The spatial distribution patterns of A. gossypii and parasitized mummies showed similar trends across treatments. However, the parasitism rate of A. gossypii exhibited random distribution in parasitoid and control plots, while showing uniform distribution in the parasitoid–zinnia treatment. These results supported the idea that cultivating Z. elegans alongside cucumber could enhance the effectiveness of A. colemani as a biocontrol agent against A. gossypii, highlighting the importance of such companion planting in pest management strategies. Full article

Increasing environmental and economic concerns necessitate the research for peat moss alternatives, aiming to balance ecological sustainability with cost-effectiveness. This study assessed whether biochar (BC) and hydrafiber (HF) could be a partial replacement for peat moss as substrate components. Twelve substrates were formulated by either mixing BC (20%, 40%, and 60%, by vol.) with HF (20%, 40%, and 60%, by vol.), with the remaining being peat moss or mixing BC (0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%, by vol.) with the commercial substrates (CS) to grow zinnia (Zinnia elegans) and snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) plants in containers. The physical properties of the substrates, including container capacity, total porosity, air space, bulk density, and chemical properties including leachate pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured. Plant growth parameters including growth index (GI) and leaf greenness (indicated with SPAD), biomass, and number of flowers were measured biweekly. The results showed all the substrate mixes had similar air space, bulk density, and SPAD. Treatment with 20% BC and 80% CS yielded the highest GI, biomass, and numbers of flowers in both zinnia and snapdragon. In conclusion, BC could be used to partially (20%) replace commercial substrate mix for container-grown zinnia and snapdragon. Full article

The purpose of this work was to explore the feasibility of replacing all or part of peat with composted green waste (CGW) for vinca (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don) and zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) cultivation. Seven different growing media were prepared as follows (volume/volume): T1, 100% CGW; T2, 80% CGW + 20% peat; T3, 60% CGW + 40% peat; T4, 50% CGW + 50% peat; T5, 40% CGW + 60% peat; T6, 20% CGW + 80% peat; and T7, 100% peat. In the course of the experiment, the physicochemical properties of the seven media were analyzed, and the growth of vinca and zinnia was determined. Studies showed that replacing peat completely or partially with CGW could significantly enhance the nutrient content, bulk density, water-holding capacity, total porosity, aeration porosity, water-holding porosity, organic matter, pH, and electrical conductivity of growing media. In comparison with what observed with T7 (control), shoot fresh weight (SFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), root fresh weight (RFW), root dry weight (RDW), plant height (HP), root length (RL), flower number (FN), total chlorophyll, and the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids in the leaves of vinca cultivated under T5 conditions increased by 36%, 34%, 84%, 27%, 34%, 25%, 157%, 62%, 60%, and 33%, respectively; SFW, SDW, RFW, RDW, HP, RL, FN, total chlorophylls, and the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids in the leaves of zinnia increased by 341%, 296%, 365%, 302%, 206%, 93%, 180%, 56%, 49%, 67%, 110%, respectively. Full article

In organic farming, microwave irradiation can be used as an alternative to standard chemical seed treatment. The increase in temperature during this treatment may negatively affect the germination of low-quality seeds. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of microwaves on germination and the health of zinnia seeds using four seed samples varying in initial seed quality. Seeds were placed in a beaker with distilled water and irradiated at power output levels of 500, 650 and 750 W for 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 s. Controls were untreated seeds, seeds treated with fungicide and seeds soaked in water for 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 s. Germination and health tests were performed for controls and microwave-treated seeds. Analyzed samples differed in seed quality and response to microwave irradiation. Improvement in seed germination after microwave treatment was observed in three of the tested samples. The fungi Alternaria alternata, A. zinniae and Fusarium spp. prevailed on the seeds. Microwave treatment, especially at power outputs of 650 and 750 W, usually positively affected seed health, significantly increasing the number of seeds free of fungi, but when water temperature during treatment exceeded 60 °C significant deterioration in germination parameters was observed in all tested samples. Full article

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stress factors hindering crop production, including ornamental flowering plants. The present study examined the response to salt stress of Zinnia elegans ‘Lilliput’ supplemented with basic (150 mg·dm⁻³) and enhanced (300 mg·dm⁻³) potassium doses. Stress was imposed by adding 0.96 and 1.98 g of NaCl per dm⁻³ of the substrate. The substrate’s electrical conductivity was 1.1 and 2.3 dS·m⁻¹ for lower potassium levels and 1.2 and 2.4 dS·m⁻¹ for higher potassium levels. Salt stress caused a significant and dose-dependent reduction in leaf RWC, increased foliar Na and Cl concentrations, and reduced K. About 15% and 25% of cell membrane injury at lower and higher NaCl doses, respectively, were accompanied by only slight chlorophyll reduction. Salt stress-induced proline increase was accompanied by increased P5CS activity and decreased PDH activity. More than a 25% reduction in most growth parameters at EC 1.1–1.2 dS·m⁻¹ but only a slight decrease in chlorophyll and a 25% reduction in the decorative value (number of flowers produced, flower diameter) only at EC 2.3–2.4 dS·m⁻¹ were found. Salt stress-induced leaf area reduction was accompanied by increased cell wall lignification. An enhanced potassium dose caused a reduction in leaf Na and Cl concentrations and a slight increase in K. It was also effective in membrane injury reduction and proline accumulation. Increasing the dose of potassium did not improve growth and flowering parameters but affected the lignification of the leaf cell walls, which may have resulted in growth retardation. Zinnia elegans ‘Lilliput’ may be considered sensitive to long-term salt stress. Full article

Lignification of the stem in zinnia provides its mechanical properties due to xylem formation, which depends on the stage of plant development and is responsible for the transport of water and minerals. The study was aimed at the lignin deposition, anatomical traits, biochemical markers of lignification, as well as the genetic regulation of this process in zinnia stem cross sections of different age during their radial growth. The anatomical traits were assessed on cross sections. The content of lignin (Cysteine-assisted sulfuric method (CASA) and the thioglycolic acid (TGA) methods), the spectrum of phenolics (by thin layer chromatography (TLC)), the total activity and the variety of class III peroxidases were determined. The expression level of genes regulating phenylpropanoids and lignin biosynthesis were assessed. We suggest that time-specific and organ-specific lignification is determined by the metabolism of phenolic compounds and depends on the expression of genes of the phenylpropanoid pathway. It was shown that in the hypocotyl, during xylem ring formation, lignification was associated with increased expression of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) genes responsible for the early stages of the phenylpropanoid pathway, and with the rise of class III peroxidases activity, including cationic isoforms. This caused increased content and diversity of phenolics in mature hypocotyl. In epicotyl, which is younger than the hypocotyl, the proportion of ferulic acid among phenolics increased, which could be considered as a marker of lignification in it. The high expression level of CAD and the activity of peroxidases, including anionic isoforms, led to accumulation of lignin. Thus, the hypocotyl and epicotyl, being characterized by different ages, differed in spectrum of phenolics, isoforms of class III peroxidases, expression of the PAL, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H), peroxidases III class (PRX), and laccase (LAC) genes, and lignin content. Full article

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses in plants. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of salinity on relatively sensitive Zinnia elegans Jacq. ‘Zinnita Scarlet’ and relatively tolerant Zinnia marylandica D.M. Spooner et al. ‘Double Zahara Fire Improved’ through a comparative analysis of morphological, physiological, anatomic, and biochemical traits. Plants were irrigated at five levels of salt concentrations (0 [control], 50, 100, 150, 200 mM NaCl) for three weeks at one-day intervals in pots under greenhouse conditions. The effects of salinity stress on plant growth parameters, ion leakage, the loss of turgidity, minimum fluorescence (F_O’), plant nutrient elements, leaf anatomic parameters, stoma response to the application of light and abscisic acid perfusion, proline content, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, and carotenoid content were investigated. Differences in the stages and levels of plant response in the relatively sensitive and relatively tolerant cultivar were determined. Proline accumulation appeared to be higher in Double Zahara Fire Improved (D.Za.F.I.) than Zinnita Scarlet (Zi.S.) in the low concentration of salinity. After the application of abscsic acid perfusion to intact leaf surfaces, the stomata of the relatively tolerant cultivar D.Za.F.I. closed earlier (7 min) than Zi.S. (29 min). Ion leakage (32.3%) and Na accumulation (0.9%) in the aerial parts increased dramatically for Zi.S in the 50 mM NaCl treatment. Moreover, values of plant growth parameters, minimum fluorescence (F_O’), photosynthetic pigments, and plant nutrient elements all showed a greater decreasing percentage in Zi.S. compared to D.Za.F.I. Stomatal densities for both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces of the leaf decreased in parallel with the increase in salt stress. Palisade parenchyma cell height and leaf thickness values decreased in Zi.S. as salinity increased. In D.Za.F.I., leaf thickness increased by up to 100 mM NaCl while the height of palisade parenchyma cells decreased under high salt stress conditions (100 mM and above). Recommendations for future research include molecular-level evaluations and the study of how to increase salt tolerance in these potentially valuable ornamental cultivars. Full article

Zinnia elegans Jacq. is an important, globally cultivated ornamental plant. In August 2021, a leaf spot disease was observed in zinnia in Shibing County, Guizhou, China, with an incidence of approximately 60%. Pathogens were isolated and purified from the infected leaves by tissue isolation, and pathogen strain BRJ2 was confirmed as the pathogen causing the leaf spot. Based on morphology and ITS, TEF-1α, and TUB2 sequence analyses, the pathogen was identified as Nigrospora musae (McLennan and Hoëtte). The mycelial growth rate method was used to determine the in vitro toxicity of five fungicides to the pathogen. The results showed that 10% difenoconazole provided the strongest inhibitory effect on N. musae, with a concentration for 50% of maximal effect (EC₅₀) of 0.0658 mg/L; 75% trifloxystrobin·tebuconazole had the second greatest effect, with an EC₅₀ of 0.1802 mg/L. This study provides the first report that N. musae caused leaf spot disease in Z. elegans and provides important guidance for the effective prevention and control of this disease in Guizhou. Full article

Zinnia elegans Jacq. is an ornamental plant, widely used in landscaping. Heavy-metal pollution in urban and rural areas is still increasing, which determines the actuality of studying plants’ reactions to pollutants. Zinnia was not sufficiently studied in this regard, so the aim of our research was to identify morphophysiological changes in this species under excess copper concentration in the soil. For this, we treated a growth substrate with 200 µM CuSO₄ solution for 20 days. At the end of the treatment, several morphological, biochemical, and molecular genetic traits were evaluated: the root and the shoot size; the concentration of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA), as indicators of stress; the amount of the phenolic compounds and lignin; and the level of the expression of genes, which encoded their biosynthesis. The Cu amount in the substrate and zinnia organs was quantified using atomic-absorption spectroscopy; hydrogen peroxide, MDA, and phenolic compounds were determined spectrophotometrically, while the amount of lignin was determined according to Klason. Real-time PCR was used for estimation of the gene-transcription level. Lignin in tissues was visualized by fluorescent microscopy. In experimental plants, Cu accumulation was higher in the root than in the stem. This caused an increase in stress markers and a decrease in the root and stem lengths. For the first time for zinnia, it was shown that for several genes—4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL), cinnamoyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), and class III peroxidase (PRX)—the level of expression increased under copper treatment. The rise of the transcripts’ amount of these genes was accompanied by a thickening and lignification of the cell walls in the metaxylem vessels. Thus, the adaptation of zinnia to the excess Cu in the growth medium was associated with the metabolic changes in the phenylpropanoid pathway. As a result, the lignification increased in the root, which led to the accumulation of Cu in this organ and limited its translocation through the xylem to the stem, which provided plant growth. Full article

The study of salinity stress in irrigated floriculture can make a significant contribution to the preservation of freshwater sources. To analyze the morphological and aesthetic responses of zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.) and periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don) to different salinity stress levels, the following treatments were performed: s0 = municipal water (control), s1 = 3 dS m⁻¹, s2 = 4.5 dS m⁻¹, and s3 = 6 dS m⁻¹. The growth of zinnia (flower number, plant height, branch and leaf number, total fresh and dry biomass, and root length) was linearly reduced by increasing salinity levels, while all observed periwinkle traits for the s2 salinity treatment were either equal to or greater than the control treatment (n.s.) and a further increase in salinity stress showed a significant (p < 0.01) decrease. The first flower buds on zinnia appeared with the control treatment (s0), while for periwinkle the first flower bud appeared with the s1 treatment. With regard to both zinnia and periwinkle leaf necrosis, drying and firing occurred during the third week in the s2 and s3 treatments. Zinnia proved to be sensitive to salinity, while periwinkle showed mild tolerance to salinity stress, up to 3 dS m⁻¹. Full article

In the current communication, a simple, environmentally compatible, non-toxic green chemistry process is used for the development of silver nanoparticles (AgZE) by the reaction between silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and the ethanolic leaf extract of Zinnia elegans (ZE). The optimization of AgZE is carried out using a series of experiments. Various physico-chemical techniques are utilized to characterize the nanomaterials. The cell viability assay of AgZE in normal cells (CHO, HEK-293T, EA.hy926, and H9c2) shows their biocompatible nature, which is supported by hemolytic assay using mouse RBC. Interestingly, the nanoparticles exhibited cytotoxicity towards different cancer cell lines (U-87, MCF-7, HeLa, PANC-1 and B16F10). The detailed anticancer activity of AgZE on human glioblastoma cell line (U-87) is exhibited through various in vitro assays. In vivo the AgZE illustrates anticancer activity by inhibiting blood vessel formation through CAM assay. Furthermore, the AgZE nanoparticles when intraperitoneally injected in C57BL6/J mice (with and without tumor) exhibit fluorescence properties in the NIR region (excitation: 710 nm, emission: 820 nm) evidenced by bioimaging studies. The AgZE biodistribution through ICPOES analysis illustrates the presence of silver in different vital organs. Considering all the results, AgZE could be useful as a potential cancer therapeutic agent, as well as an NIR based non-invasive imaging tool in near future. Full article

Heavy metal pollution is among the important environmental problems in the world. Many techniques have already been used to remove the heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). Among them, the phytoremediation method is an environmentally friendly and green technology. This study was carried out to determine the efficiency of fulvic acid (FA) application in removing Pb and Cd from polluted soil using Tagetes eracta L. and Zinnia elegans Jacq. ornamental plants. The results indicated that, FA application, number of flower per plants, and plant fresh weight of Tagetes eracta plants and Zinnia elegans plants increased 187.5%, 104.5% and 155.5%, 57.7%, respectively with application of 7000 mg L⁻¹ FA at 100 mg kg⁻¹ Pb pollution condition, whereas 42.85%, 16.5%, and 44.4–36.1% with application of 7000 mg L⁻¹ FA at 30 mg kg^±1 Cd pollution condition, respectively. With the FA application in the Zinnia elegans plant, the root part has accumulated 51.53% more Pb than the shoot part. For Cd, the shoot part accumulated 35.33% more Cd than the root. The effect of FA application on superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and, catalase (CAT) of the Tagetes eracta were decreased as 32.7%, 33.1%, and 35.1% for Pb, 21.2%, 25.1%, and 26,1%, for Cd, and 15.1%, 22.7%, and 37.7% for Pb, and 7.55%, 18.0%, and 18.8% for Cd were in Zinnia elegans respectively. In conclusion, Tagetes eracta and Zinnia elegans can not be recommended for remediation of Pb and Cd polluted area, but FA can be recommended for Pb and Cd stabilization in polluted soil. Full article

Bedding plants in the nursery phase are often subject to drought stress because of the small volume of the containers and the hydraulic conductivity of organic substrates used. To analyse the morphological, physiological, and enzymatic responses of zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.) plants at different irrigation levels, four treatments were performed: irrigated at 100% (100% field capacity, FC); light deficit irrigation (75% FC), medium deficit irrigation (50% FC), and severe deficit irrigation (25% FC). The growth of zinnia was significantly influenced by drought stress treatments. Different morphological parameters (dry biomass, leaf number, root to shoot ratio (R/S)) were modified only in the more severe drought stress treatment (25% FC). The stomata density increased in 50% FC and 25% FC, while the stomata size was reduced in 25% FC. The net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration were reduced in 50% FC and 25% FC. The relative water content (RWC) was reduced in 25% FC. Severe drought stress (25% FC) increased proline content up to seven-fold. Catalase (CAT), peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity significantly increased in 50% FC and 25% FC. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the morphological and physiological parameters were mostly associated with the 100% FC and 75% FC treatments of the biplot, whereas the stomata density, R/S ratio, and antioxidant enzymes (GPX, CAT) were associated with 50% FC, and proline and DPPH were associated with 25% FC, respectively. Full article

Class III peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) have use a wide range of substrates and perform numerous functions, including synthesis of monolignols, lignin precursors. The activity and tissue localization of cationic guaiacol (GPOX) and anionic benzidine peroxidases (BPOX) were studied in the first internode of zinnia plants of different ages. The lignin in cross sections of plant tissues was stained by phloroglucinol-HClTthe lignin content was determined by Klason. Enzyme activity and the H₂O₂ amount were determined spectrophotometrically. The hypocotyl grew for 40 days and the lignin content for 60 days. In 20-days-old plants, lignin was detected in protoxylem, and in 60-days-old—in sclerenchyma, protoxylem, and metaxylem. Enzyme histochemistry revealed that BPOX was localized in endoderm, phloem, and protoxylem, while GPOX—in the metaxylem and sclerenchyma. A moderate increase in GPOX activity during internode growth was shown. In contrast, BPOX activity was high at the initial growth stage, and declined to the 60th day. Thus, the most intense lignification in mechanical tissue and xylem occurred during the period from 20 to 40 days of plant growth. BPOX is likely involved in the process at the early stages of growth, while GPOX is responsible for sclerenchyma and metaxylem lignification at the later stages. Full article