Search Results (34)

Understanding how flowering phenology varies across spatial scales is essential for assessing plant responses to environmental heterogeneity under climate change. In this study, we investigated the flowering phenology of the plant species Taraxacum officinale across five sites in an agricultural region of Wanju, Republic of Korea. Each site contained five 1 m × 1 m quadrats, where the number of flowering heads was recorded at 1- to 2-day intervals during the spring flowering period (February to May). We applied the nlstimedist package in R to model flowering distributions and to estimate key phenological metrics including flowering onset (5%), peak (50%), and end (95%). The results revealed substantial variation in flowering timing and duration at both the intra-site (quadrat-level) and inter-site (site-level) scales. Across all sites, the mean onset, peak, end, and duration of flowering were day of year (DOY) 89.6, 101.5, 117.6, and 28.0, respectively. Although flowering onset showed relatively small variation across sites (DOY 88 to 92), flowering peak (DOY 97 to 108) and end dates (DOY 105 to 128) exhibited larger differences at the site level. Sites with dry soils and regularly mowed Zoysia japonica vegetation with minimal understory exhibited shorter flowering durations, while those with moist soils, complex microtopography, and diverse slope orientations showed delayed and prolonged flowering. These findings suggest that microhabitat variability—including landform type, slope direction, soil water content, and soil temperature—plays a key role in shaping local flowering dynamics. Recognizing this fine-scale heterogeneity is essential for improving phenological models and informing site-specific climate adaptation strategies. Full article

In a hypothetical climate change scenario, zoysiagrass species could be a good choice for turfgrass areas due to their adaptation to heat conditions and the great variability in species and cultivars. Knowledge of the root system’s characteristics is paramount for predicting cultivar adaptation to different heat–drought scenarios and therefore for designing proper turfgrass management programs, especially irrigation. A field experiment was conducted in the Mediterranean environment of Valencia (Spain) to study the root weight density (RWD), root length density (RLD), and average root diameter (RDI) at three different soil depths (0–5, 5–15, and 15–30 cm) of five new zoysiagrass genotypes (Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr., Zoysia japonica Steud., and their hybrid), relating these parameters to the performance of these experimental lines during their establishment. All the tested experimental lines had a higher RWD and RLD in the upper soil layer (0–5 cm), while the RDI was higher in the lowest layer of the sampled soil profile (0.269 mm compared with 0.249 mm and 0.241 mm in the upper layers). All the tested genotypes showed the same RWD and RLD, while the Zoysia matrella experimental line A showed a higher RDI value (0.2683 mm) than those for the Z. japonica (0.2369 mm) and the hybrid (0.2394 mm) genotypes. This last finding could have influenced its more rapid establishment, although it was not linked to its NDVI values during autumn. In conclusion, different morphological root characteristics were detected among new zoysiagrass genotypes and soil depths, which could have affected their canopy performance, and they are expected to affect irrigation management in a possible future drought scenario. Full article

This study investigated the effects of Trichoderma harzianum inoculation on the growth, physiological responses, and soil nutrient uptake of three turfgrass species cultivated on eco-concrete—Axonopus compressus (Sw.) Beauv., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., and Zoysia sinica Hance. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to evaluate plant growth, physiological responses, and soil metrics under cement stress, incorporating T. harzianum inoculation (inoculated vs. control) and substrate composition (eco-concrete vs. pastoral soil). Our results indicate that inoculation with Trichoderma harzianum significantly enhanced the growth potential of the three turfgrass species compared to uninoculated controls. Furthermore, under cement stress conditions in vegetated concrete, inoculation with T. harzianum significantly alleviated the inhibition of growth and development. More specifically, in the vegetated concrete habitat, inoculated plants exhibited significantly increased root length and surface area. This enhancement promoted the uptake of available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK) from the soil. Concurrently, inoculated plants showed higher leaf epidermal cell density, stomatal width, soluble sugar content, and antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, POD, CAT, and APX). Additionally, significant reductions were observed in root activity, relative conductivity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline contents. In conclusion, T. harzianum inoculation promotes the growth of the three turfgrass species under cement stress, likely by enhancing root development, increasing osmoregulatory substance accumulation, and elevating antioxidant enzyme activities. Full article

Magnolia biondii Pamp., an elegant ornamental tree that graces early spring landscapes, has flower buds that are widely used as Traditional Chinese Medicine ‘Xin Yi’. In this study, the phytotoxic effects of aqueous extracts derived from tepal litter (EMT) and bract litter (EMB) of M. biondii flower were evaluated on six target plant species: Triticum aestivum L., Lactuca sativa L., Zoysia pacifica, Agrostis canina L., Trifolium pratense L. and Axonopus compressus. Secondary metabolites in EMT and EMB were tentatively characterized by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), and the joint action of allelochemicals was examined. Our findings revealed that both EMT and EMB significantly inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth of all target plants in a concentration-dependent manner. There were 120 and 98 secondary metabolites annotated by LC-HRMS in EMT and EMB, respectively. Among them, malic acid (MA) and citric acid (CA) with high relative contents showed synergistic phytotoxicities on seed germination and seedling growth of L. sativa and Z. pacifica. In summary, the flower litter of M. biondii displayed significant allelopathic effects, and the synergistic effects of MA and CA probably played an important role. Full article

Heavy metals (HMs) or/and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) stress have significant adverse effects on the photosynthetic function and SPAD values of plants. Physiological integration is the typical feature of clonal plants, which can mitigate the adverse effects on ramets under heterogeneous stress. However, the sustainability of physiological integration between clones over prolonged stress durations, the dynamics of integration intensity and potential differences under various stress types remain unclear. This study examined the effects of three different heterogeneous stresses—cadmium (Cd), phenanthrene (Phe), and a combination of Cd and Phe (Cd + Phe) on the physiological integration of Zoysia japonica at different time points. The results indicate that physiological integration significantly enhances SPAD value, net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (Cond), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), transpiration rate (Tr), and water use efficiency (WUE). However, the physiological integration intensity diminishes with prolonged stress exposure. In addition, among different stress types, the initial integration intensity was highest under the highest toxicity conditions, it decreased most rapidly, resulting in the lowest integration intensity during the later stages of stress. To sum up, this study highlights the role of physiological integration in maintaining the photosynthetic function of clonal plants under heterogeneous stress and elucidates the temporal changes in integration intensity under different stress conditions. Full article

The management of thermal environments in animal production facilities presents significant challenges, requiring continuous adjustments to meet animals’ physiological needs. This study evaluated the effects of green roofs on the thermal environment and comfort indices in small-scale poultry house prototypes, comparing facilities with and without green roof installations. The research tested various roof types (ceramic, fiber cement, and metal) combined with emerald grass (Zoysia japonica) green roof systems. Parameters measured included air temperature, relative humidity, internal roof surface temperature, Temperature and Humidity Index (THI), Black Globe Humidity Index (BGHI), Human Comfort Index (HCI), and Thermal Radiation Load (TRL) under both open and closed conditions. Results showed that green roofs reduced indoor air temperature by up to 2.4 °C in open prototypes and 10.6 °C in closed prototypes during peak heat periods. In combinations using green roofs with fiber cement tiles, internal roof surface temperature decreased by 24.0 °C in open prototypes and 27.0 °C in closed configurations. The implementation of green roofs resulted in THI reductions of 2.3 and 8.1 units in open and closed prototypes, respectively, BGHI decreases of 2.8 and 11.3 units, and TRL reductions of 21.0 W/m² and 74.0 W/m². HCI measurements confirmed improved thermal comfort conditions with green roof installations in both settings. This study concludes that green roofs effectively enhance the thermal environment by reducing bioclimatic indices during hot periods while maintaining stable conditions during cooler weather, thereby improving overall thermal comfort in animal facilities. Full article

Clonal plants can support the growth of their ramets in heterogeneous environments through clonal integration between the ramets. However, the role of clonal integration in modulating ramet photosynthesis under toxic stress, especially combined stress, is unclear. This study examines the impact of clonal integration on Zoysia japonica under three heterogeneous stresses (Pb, pyrene, and Pb+Pyrene) with two stolon connection conditions (connected and disconnected). Our results show that clonal integration significantly enhances P_N, g_s, C_i, E, and CE while reducing WUE. It also improves ΦPSII, F_v′/F_m′, F_v/F_m, F_v/F₀, and q_P while reducing NPQ. Clonal integration lowers MDA levels, increases SOD activity, and mitigates the decline in CAT and POD activity, resulting in increased biomass under stress. Furthermore, we observed that the synergistic effects of the Pb+Pyrene mixture negatively impacted the adaptability of clonal integration. Our study underscores the role of clonal integration in maintaining photosynthesis and supporting the success of clonal plants in toxic environments. Full article

There is an increasing demand for low-maintenance public garden models, and environmental stress on plants due to climate change is growing. As a result, the demand for developing new plant varieties based on native species for use in gardens in response to climate change has increased significantly. Many plants in the Poaceae family are applied for various purposes, including food crops, fodder grasses, ornamental plants, and medicinal plants. Additionally, native plants provide economic and ecological benefits, making them advantageous for use in gardens. However, there are some difficulties in Poaceae breeding studies and the utilization of wild native plants for breeding. Model plants can be utilized in breeding studies of Poaceae plant species. In this study, to identify Korean native Poaceae species with the potential for use not only as garden materials but also as model plants for breeding research in response to climate change, candidate species were selected from the Korean Plant Names Index (KPNI). A total of three Korean native plants in the Poaceae family, including Brachypodium sylvaticum, Setaria viridis, and Zoysia japonica, were selected, and their properties and genome information were compared with the existing representative model plants, Arabidopsis thaliana and Brachypodium distachyon. The current research status of B. sylvaticum, S. viridis, and Z. japonica has been summarized, and the genome size and other characteristics of these model plants have been compared and discussed. As a result, both A. thaliana (2n = 2x = 10) and B. distachyon (2n = 2x = 10) are annual C₃ plants, but B. sylvaticum (2n = 2x = 18) is a perennial C₃ plant, and S. viridis (2n = 2x = 18) is an annual C₄ plant. Thus, B. sylvaticum and S. viridis can be utilized as model plants for perennial C₃ plants and annual C₄ plants, respectively. Z. japonica (2n = 4x = 40) is a perennial C₄ plant, but it can be unsuitable as a model plant because it is an allotetraploid. The application of these newly selected candidate plants in breeding research can build a foundation for breeding native Poaceae plants in Korea in the new climate regime. Full article

Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) and its hybrids are known for their low maintenance requirements and are widely utilized as warm-season turfgrass, which offers considerable ecological, environmental, and economic benefits in various environments. Molecular genetic approaches, including the identification and genetic engineering of valuable gene resources, present a promising opportunity to enhance the quality and performance of zoysiagrass. This review surveys the recent molecular genetic discoveries in zoysiagrass species, with a focus on elucidating plant responses to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Furthermore, this review explores the notable advancements in gene function exploration to reduce the maintenance demands of zoysiagrass cultivation. In addition, we discuss the achievements and potential of contemporary molecular and genetic tools, such as omics approaches and gene editing technologies, in developing zoysiagrass cultivars with desirable traits. Overall, this comprehensive review highlights future strategies that may leverage current molecular insights to accelerate zoysiagrass improvement and further promote sustainable turf management practices. Full article

Salt stress severely inhibits plant growth. Understanding the mechanism of plant salt tolerance is highly important to improving plant salt tolerance. Previous studies have shown that nonselective cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (CNGCs) play an important role in plant salt tolerance. However, current research on CNGCs mainly focuses on CNGCs in glycophytic plants, and research on CNGCs in halophytes that exhibit special salt tolerance strategies is still scarce. This study used the halophilic plant Zoysia japonica, an excellent warm-season turfgrass, as the experimental material. Through bioinformatics analysis, 18 members of the CNGC family were identified in Zoysia japonica; they were designated ZjCNGC1 through ZjCNGC18 according to their scaffold-level chromosomal positions. ZjCNGCs are divided into four groups (I–IV), with the same groups having differentiated protein-conserved domains and gene structures. ZjCNGCs are unevenly distributed on 16 scaffold-level chromosomes. Compared with other species, the ZjCNGCs in Group III exhibit obvious gene expansion, mainly due to duplication of gene segments. The collinearity between ZjCNGCs, OsCNGCs, and SjCNGCs suggests that CNGCs are evolutionarily conserved among gramineous plants. However, the Group III ZjCNGCs are only partially collinear with OsCNGCs and SjCNGCs, implying that the expansion of Group III ZjCNGC genes may have been an independent event occurring in Zoysia japonica. Protein interaction prediction revealed that ZjCNGCs, calcium-dependent protein kinase, H⁺-ATPase, outwardly rectifying potassium channel protein, and polyubiquitin 3 interact with ZjCNGCs. Multiple stress response regulatory elements, including those involved in salt stress, are present on the ZjCNGC promoter. The qPCR results revealed differences in the expression patterns of ZjCNGCs in different parts of the plant. Under salt stress conditions, the expression of ZjCNGCs was significantly upregulated in roots and leaves, with ZjCNGC8 and ZjCNGC13 showing the greatest increase in expression in the roots. These results collectively suggest that ZjCNGCs play an important role in salt tolerance and that their expansion into Group III may be a special mechanism underlying the salt tolerance of Zoysia japonica. Full article

Turfgrass systems hold significant climate change mitigation value, but their management often negates the beneficial effects due to the intense adoption of external inputs. The research objective in this paper was to assess the nitrogen fertilization rate able to maintain the ideal esthetic characteristics of Zoysia turfgrass, reducing the environmental impacts associated with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A two-year open field experiment was conducted. Nitrogen was added to the soil at six rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kg ha⁻¹). The GHG emissions were monitored using a portable gas analyzer and the static chamber methodology. Cumulative environmental impacts were calculated from the inclusion of CO₂, CH₄, and, N₂O using the Global Warming Potential (GWP). The quality assessment of the turf was assessed through a visual and instrumental approach. Higher CO₂ and N₂O fluxes were linked to high nitrogen rates, ranging from 83.55 to 87.50 and from 0.046 to 0.047 g N-N₂O ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ for 200 and 250 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively. CH₄ emissions were not correlated to nitrogen rates. Higher GWP impacts were linked to high N rate treatments. A rate of 100 kg N ha⁻¹ is recommended as the best strategy to reduce GHG emissions while maintaining high turf quality. Full article

As one of the most salt-tolerant grasses, characterizing salt-tolerance genes of Zoysia matrella [L.] Merr. not only broaden the theoretical information of salt tolerance, but also provide new salt-resistant genetic resources for crop breeding. The salt-inducible protein disulfide isomerase (ZmPDI) of Zoysia matrella [L.] Merr. was proved to enhance salt tolerance in homologous overexpression transgenic plants. In order to evaluate its potential application in crops, we conducted the salt tolerance evaluation in heterologous overexpression transgenic rice (OX-ZmPDI), Wild-type (WT) rice, and LOC_Os11g09280 (OsPDI, homologous gene of ZmPDI in rice) knock-out rice generated by CRISPR-Cas9 system (CR-OsPDI). Our findings revealed that OX-ZmPDI rice was higher and exhibited longer main root length, more proline (Pro) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and higher peroxidase (POD) activity than WT control after salt treatment, while CR-OsPDI resulted in contrary phenotypes. These results indicated that ZmPDI can significantly enhance the salt tolerance in rice, whereas loss-of-function of OsPDI reduces the salt tolerance. To further investigate these differences at the molecular level, we collected roots from OX-ZmPDI transgenic, CR-OsPDI transgenic, and wild-type (WT) plants at 0 and 24 h after salt treatment for RNA-seq and data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteome sequencing. Combined analysis of the transcriptome and proteome revealed that ZmPDI has the potential to enhance the salt tolerance of rice by modulating the expression of laccase-6, zingipain-2, WIP3, FKBP65, AKR4C10, GBSSII, Pho1, and TRXf1. Those results provided new information for the molecular regulation mechanism by which ZmPDI improves salt tolerance, and prove the potential of ZmPDI for application in crop breeding. Full article

The U-box protein family of ubiquitin ligases is important in the biological processes of plant growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress responses. Plants in the genus Zoysia are recognized as excellent warm-season turfgrass species with drought, wear and salt tolerance. In this study, we conducted the genome-wide identification of plant U-box (PUB) genes in Zoysia japonica based on U-box domain searching. In total, 71 ZjPUB genes were identified, and a protein tree was constructed of AtPUBs, OsPUBs, and ZjPUBs, clustered into five groups. The gene structures, characteristics, cis-elements and protein interaction prediction network were analyzed. There were mainly ABRE, ERE, MYB and MYC cis-elements distributed in the promoter regions of ZjPUBs. ZjPUBs were predicted to interact with PDR1 and EXO70B1, related to the abscisic acid signaling pathway. To better understand the roles of ZjPUBs under salt stress, the expression levels of 18 ZjPUBs under salt stress were detected using transcriptome data and qRT-PCR analysis, revealing that 16 ZjPUBs were upregulated in the roots under salt treatment. This indicates that ZjPUBs might participate in the Z. japonica salt stress response. This research provides insight into the Z. japonica PUB gene family and may support the genetic improvement in the molecular breeding of salt-tolerant zoysiagrass varieties. Full article

Zoysia japonica (Zoysia japonica Steud.) is a kind of warm-season turfgrass with many excellent characteristics. However, the shorter green period and longer dormancy caused by cold stress in late autumn and winter are the most limiting factors affecting its application. A previous transcriptome analysis revealed that ethephon regulated genes in chlorophyll metabolism in Zoysia japonica under cold stress. Further experimental data are necessary to understand the effect and underlying mechanism of ethephon in regulating the cold tolerance of Zoysia japonica. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ethephon by measuring the enzyme activity, intermediates content, and gene expression related to ethylene biosynthesis, signaling, and chlorophyll metabolism. In addition, the ethylene production rate, chlorophyll content, and chlorophyll a/b ratio were analyzed. The results showed that ethephon application in a proper concentration inhibited endogenous ethylene biosynthesis, but eventually promoted the ethylene production rate due to its ethylene-releasing nature. Ethephon could promote chlorophyll content and improve plant growth in Zoysia japonica under cold-stressed conditions. In conclusion, ethephon plays a positive role in releasing ethylene and maintaining the chlorophyll content in Zoysia japonica both under non-stressed and cold-stressed conditions. Full article

Potassium is crucial in plant metabolism processes, and sufficient potassium can improve plant tolerance to abiotic stress. We studied the effects of different KCl concentration treatments (0, 1, 5, 20 mM) on the biomass, photosynthetic characteristics, and ion content of Zoysia matrella under salt stress (NaCl 300 mM). The results showed that the plant dry weight, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, photosynthesis rate, K⁺ content in plants, and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in leaves of Zoysia matrella under NaCl stress were significantly lower than those under no NaCl conditions. The addition of K can promote an increase in plant dry weight and significantly improve the stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and photosynthesis rate of plants. In addition, under salt stress, the addition of 20 mM KCl can significantly reduce the accumulation of Na⁺ in plants and promote the secretion of Na⁺ in leaves, thus improving the salt tolerance of Zoysia matrella. Full article