Search Results (3,136)

The ability of Ribes species to survive the fluctuating winter and early spring conditions, relies on the regulation of transcription factors (TFs) and other key genes involved in the abiotic stress response. In this study, we developed specific primers for 33 stress-responsive genes, which may facilitate future functional studies in Ribes and other less-characterized lineages within the Saxifragales order. These genes were selected based on a comparative transcriptomic analysis of R. nigrum cv. Aldoniai and are known to function in cold acclimation and stress signaling pathways. We analyzed expression profiles of these 33 genes in R. aureum, R. hudsonianum, and R. nigrum microshoot cultures exposed to controlled cold stress, deacclimation and reacclimation treatments. Our results revealed species-specific genetic responses across acclimation cycles of varying durations (24–96 h). Cold stress induces molecular changes in three Ribes spp.; however, deacclimation triggered by transient warming significantly reduced freezing tolerance in R. nigrum, had a moderate effect on R. hudsonianum, and minor impact on R. aureum. Gene expression profiling revealed distinct, species-specific regulatory patterns among species during different stress cycles, highlighting conserved and specific genes in acclimation mechanisms within the Ribes spp. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of transcriptional regulation under acclimation cycles in currants and provide molecular tools that may support breeding strategies aimed at enhancing cold tolerance in Ribes crops amid increasing climate variability. Full article

Grafting is an effective horticultural technique that significantly enhances disease resistance and stress tolerance in watermelon. This review systematically summarizes the types of rootstocks used in watermelon grafting and analyzes the effects of grafting on plant responses to biotic stresses, such as viral and fungal pathogens, root-knot nematodes infections, and abiotic stresses, including drought, temperature extremes, and salinity. Furthermore, it discusses the changes in fruit quality and explores the underlying mechanisms associated with graft-induced resistance. By synthesizing recent research advances, this review aims to offer valuable insights and practical references for improving resistance and promoting sustainable production in cucurbit and other vegetable crops through grafting. As a sustainable cultivation strategy, grafting demonstrates considerable potential for enhancing watermelon resilience and yield; however, optimizing fruit quality remains a critical focus for future research. Full article

Cucumis sativus L. is a globally important vegetable crop that occupies a significant position in protected agriculture due to its high nutritional value, short cultivation cycle, and considerable economic benefits. As a cold-sensitive plant, however, cucumber is highly susceptible to low-temperature stress. which can severely inhibit growth and development, hinder seed germination, and reduce photosynthetic efficiency. Under low-temperature stress, cucumber plants typically incur damage to cellular membrane structures, experience an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), exhibit a disruption in hormonal homeostasis, and suffer from the inhibition of pivotal metabolic pathways. In response, cucumber plants activate an array of resistance mechanisms, encompassing osmotic adjustment, reinforcement of the antioxidant system, and modulation of cold-responsive gene expression. This review summarizes the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying cucumber’s response to low-temperature stress, aiming to provide effective strategies for improving abiotic stress resistance. The main findings are as follows: (1) Low-temperature stress damages cucumber cell membranes, suppresses photosynthesis and respiration, suppresses water and nutrient uptake/transport, and suppresses growth retardation. (2) Cucumber counters these adverse effects by orchestrating the accumulation of osmoregulators (e.g., soluble sugars, proline), activating activation defenses (e.g., SOD, CAT), and rebalancing its phytohormone network (e.g., ABA, GA, SA, ethylene). (3) At the molecular level, cucumber activates low-temperature-responsive genes (e.g., COR, GoIS) through transcription factors such as CBF, MYB, and WRKY, thereby enhancing cold tolerance. (4) Application of exogenous protectants (e.g., hydrogen sulfide, melatonin, oligosaccharides) significantly improves cucumber’s low-temperature tolerance by modulating the antioxidant system, promoting osmoregulatory substances accumulation, and regulating hormone signaling pathways. Future research should focus on elucidating the molecular regulatory network in cucumber under low-temperature stress and developing gene editing with multi-omics techniques to advance the development of cold-resistant cultivars and cultivation practices. This study offers a scientific foundation for research on cucumber cold tolerance and proposes potential solutions to agricultural challenges in the context of global climate change. Full article

Fungi from the genus Trichoderma have been extensively studied and used as biological control agents (BCAs) because of their versatile mechanisms of action. These include triggering systemic resistance, directly inhibiting pathogens, promoting plant growth, enhancing tolerance to abiotic stress, and producing auxins. However, the widespread application of the most studied Trichoderma strains has been limited by discrepancies between their potential results observed in controlled environments and the outcomes in greenhouses and field conditions. These differences are associated with context dependency, influenced by strain-specific traits, crop genotype, soil properties, and environmental factors. In this review, we examine the mechanisms of action, current challenges, and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of local strategies and detailed characterization of native strains to boost the effectiveness of Trichoderma-based products in sustainable agriculture. Full article

In Xinjiang, soybean yield potential is constrained by varietal limitations and abiotic stresses. Although plant growth regulators (PGRs) can enhance crop yield, their specific impacts on soybean production, endogenous hormone regulation, and nutrient dynamics in this region have not been well characterized. This study evaluated the effects of different PGR treatments on yield formation, hormone levels, and nutrient contents through a field experiment conducted in Ili, Xinjiang, from 2023 to 2025. Foliar applications of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA, 300 g ha⁻¹), prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca, 450 g ha⁻¹), and iron chlorine e6 (ICE6, 45 g ha⁻¹) were applied twice—at the fourth trifoliolate and full-pod stages—with an untreated control (CK) for comparison. Compared with CK, PGR treatments increased biomass allocation to reproductive organs by 6.2%, nutrient accumulation of N, P, and K by 12.3%, 25.5%, and 6.5%, respectively, pod number by 6.92 pods per plant, seed number by 4.86 seeds per plant, and 100-seed weight by 0.47 g, resulting in 6.6–12.0% higher grain yield. Seed PGR residues were 0.009 mg kg⁻¹. PGR application enhanced reproductive organ conversion capacity, nutrient uptake efficiency, and regulated endogenous hormone levels, clarifying internal yield-formation mechanisms and offering valuable reference for soybean research, particularly in similar latitudes. Full article

Cotton’s susceptibility to low temperatures makes it a crucial raw resource for the world’s textile industry, yet its cultivation in temperate regions is severely limited. Although plant growth and stress responses depend on receptor-like kinases (RLKs), the functions of the MEDOS (MDS) gene family, which includes genes that encode RLK, are still poorly understood in cotton. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide analysis to systematically investigate the distribution of MDS gene family members in four cotton species. Phylogenetic analysis identified five evolutionary clades of the MDS gene family in cotton. The role of promoter cis-acting elements in hormone signaling and abiotic stress responses was suggested by analysis. Collinearity analysis demonstrated that segmental duplication was the primary driver of family expansion. Gene expression profiling showed that GhMDS11 was significantly upregulated under cold stress. Functional validation through silencing GhMDS11 compromised cold tolerance, confirming its role in stress adaptation. Comparative transcriptome study of silenced plants demonstrated substantial enrichment in pathways associated with hormone signal transduction and fatty acid breakdown. It is speculated that the chain of “hormone synthesis → signal transduction → secondary metabolism” completely presents the transcriptional regulation network and functional response of plants after receptor kinase VIGS. Silencing the GhMDS11 gene in cotton initiates regulatory effects through hormone synthesis, which is amplified via a signal transduction cascade, ultimately affecting secondary metabolism. This comprehensive pathway clearly demonstrates the downstream transcriptional reprogramming and functional changes. This work thoroughly examined the evolutionary traits of the MDS family across four cotton species and clarified the functional and molecular processes of GhMDS11 in improving low-temperature tolerance, laying a solid foundation for further clarifying multidimensional regulatory networks and breeding cold-resistant cotton materials. Simultaneously, our findings pave the way for future research to develop molecular markers, which could potentially shorten the breeding cycle and facilitate the targeted enhancement of cold tolerance in cotton. Full article

Traditional diets based on diverse edible plants are increasingly threatened by climate change, which exposes crops to abiotic and biotic stressors such as drought, soil salinity, UV radiation, microorganisms, and insect herbivory. Understanding how these conditions influence both the nutritional and nutraceutical profiles, as well as the availability of key compounds, is essential to preserve their functional value. Piper auritum Kunth, used in Mexican gastronomy, was selected to assess two abiotic stress scenarios: drought stress (DS) and salicylic acid (SA) to simulate plant defense against pathogens and/or predators. We evaluated proximate composition, dietary fiber, total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, low molecular weight carbohydrates (LMWCs), monomeric composition, and essential oil volatiles. Additionally, the simulated gastrointestinal digestion (INFOGEST) with an additional rat small-intestine extract (RSIE) revealed that both SA and DS shifted sugar distribution, especially for soluble and structural pools. SA treatment correlated with synthesis of secondary metabolites, particularly oxygenated and hydrocarbon terpenes. Both abiotic stressors modulated LMWC release during digestion, altering the distribution of sugars such as raffinose and galacturonic acid, with potential prebiotic implications. Essential oil analysis revealed stress-specific shifts in volatile composition, particularly in safrole, β-caryophyllene, and related terpenes. Beyond individual compound changes, the combined evaluation of composition, antioxidant properties, and volatile profile provides a comprehensive view of how abiotic stress can reshape the functional potential of P. auritum. To our knowledge, this is the first report on LMWC relative abundance across INFOGEST stages for a quelite species and on the integrated effect of DS and SA on its chemical profile. These findings highlight the importance of including compound release and functional traits, alongside chemical characterization, in future assessments of traditional plants under climate-related stress to safeguard their contribution to sustainable diets. Full article

The grapevine microbiome is shaped by a complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors, affecting microbial community structure and plant health. This study investigates the diversity, composition, and dynamics of fungal communities associated with grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and neighboring cultivated plants, as well as plants from semi-natural vegetation, including pear (Pyrus communis), apricot (Prunus armeniaca), dogrose (Rosa canina), and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), in a landscape-level habitat matrix. Using metabarcoding techniques, fungal communities from leaves and woody tissues of grapevine and neighboring plants were analyzed over a growing season. Fungal richness and abundance differed significantly among host plants, with woody tissues exhibiting higher diversity. Host plant identity was the primary factor shaping wood-associated fungal communities (15.7% of explained variance), whereas sampling time dominated in leaves (16.3%), with sampling site having a weaker effect in both cases. Pathogenic fungi associated with grapevine trunk diseases, such as Diaporthe, Eutypa, and Phaeomoniella, were identified across grapevine and neighboring plants, suggesting that multiple hosts may act as reservoirs for fungal inoculum. These findings highlight the complex interactions between fungal communities, host plants, and environmental factors, underscoring the need for landscape-level approaches to plant protection that account for both cultivated and surrounding ecosystems. Full article

Waterlogging (WL) is an abiotic stress that severely limits crop yield. However, limited research has addressed the effects of long-term WL stress at different developmental stages on the yield and physiological responses of forage maize. In this study, forage maize plants were subjected to 14-day WL stress at the emergence (E), four-leaf (V4), eleven-leaf (V11), and tasseling (VT) stages. Plant height significantly decreased by 60% at the E stage and 48% at the V4 stage when exposed to 14-day WL. Leaf area decreased by 79% at the E stage, and the number of green leaves decreased most significantly at the VT stage. Chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and the relative chlorophyll content index (RCI) decreased most significantly at the V4 stage. The lysigenous aerenchyma formation rate of the roots increased significantly after 14-day WL at the V4 stage, whereas the number of adventitious roots increased most significantly at the V11 stage. The hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, which are indicative of the root oxidation state, exhibited the highest increase at the E stage. In addition, at the E and V4 stages, the expression of genes related to energy metabolism and lysigenous aerenchyma formation in the roots was upregulated after 14-day WL. The total dry matter (DM) of maize after harvest decreased most significantly when exposed to 14-day WL at the V4 stage, while acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased with the developmental stages. Consequently, total digestible nutrients (TDNs) and the relative feed value (RFV) decreased with advancing developmental stages, with the highest decrease at the VT stage. These results demonstrate that effective drainage management during the early developmental stage (V4) is more important to prevent forage maize yield loss due to prolonged WL stress, which is expected to increase in frequency due to climate change, and management during the later developmental stage (VT) is critical to prevent decreases in feed values. These findings provide valuable insights into the physiological responses of forage maize to WL stress. Full article

Silicon (Si), a beneficial element accumulated by rice (Oryza sativa L.), enhances productivity and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Fragrance, primarily driven by 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP), is a key trait in premium rice markets. This study evaluated the effects of Si on grain yield, yield components, 2AP content, and Si accumulation in three Thai fragrant rice genotypes—BNM4, BNMCMU, and KDML105—under highland and lowland conditions. Plants received four Si application rates: 0 (control), 168, 336, and 504 kg Si ha⁻¹. Si significantly increased yield under lowland conditions, while responses in the highland were genotype-dependent, with only BNMCMU showing significant improvement at the highest Si rate. Silicon accumulation in shoot tissues was consistently higher in the highland than in the lowland across all genotypes. Nevertheless, Si application significantly increased shoot Si content under lowland conditions. A positive correlation between grain yield and shoot Si accumulation was observed under both environments, highlighting the role of Si in yield enhancement. The influence of Si on 2AP concentration was limited, with stronger effects from genotype and environment especially in the highland, where KDML105 consistently exhibited the highest 2AP levels. In the lowland, however, Si application significantly enhanced 2AP content in BNMCMU and KDML105. These findings underscore the significance of genotype × environment interaction and support precision Si application to enhance both yield and aroma in fragrant rice. Full article

Drought stress induced by climate change is a major limiting factor for crop growth. Selenium (Se) is recognized as an important exogenous regulator that can mitigate drought and other abiotic stresses, but the effects of Se application at different growth stages remain unclear. In this study, greenhouse-grown tomato plants were subjected to four Se treatments (T1: control; T2: Se at seedling stage; T3: Se at flowering stage; T4: Se at both stages) combined with three irrigation regimes (W1: 50–55%, W2: 65–70%, W3: 80–85% of field capacity). The impacts of Se timing on antioxidant enzymes, osmotic regulators, and growth parameters were evaluated. Drought stress induced oxidative damage, reduced photosynthesis, and inhibited biomass accumulation, while proline content increased with drought severity. Se application showed clear growth-stage specificity: under mild stress, Se at the flowering stage most effectively enhanced antioxidant activity, regulated proline metabolism, improved photosynthetic performance, and promoted growth. Dual-stage application did not provide additional benefits. These findings indicate that applying Se during the flowering and fruiting stage is optimal for alleviating drought-induced growth inhibition in tomato. The results contribute to understanding Se-mediated drought tolerance and may support the development of stage-specific Se fertilizer management strategies. Full article

Fig tree growth and development are highly susceptible to variations influenced by abiotic factors and management practices, including fertilization and training systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic and mineral fertilization on the photosynthetic, nutritional, and productive efficiency of fig trees subjected to different training systems in semi-arid regions. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme, with three blocks and three plants per plot. The treatments consisted of five fertilizer sources (mineral fertilizer (NPK) applied at a dose of 126 g N, 90 g P, and 90 g K per plant (M); and four organic sources—cattle manure (CM), organic compost (OC), chicken litter (CL), and sheep manure (SM), all applied at a dose of 10 kg per plant); and four types of training systems (plants with two branches (2B), three branches (3B), four branches (4B), and espalier). Our results demonstrated that the mineral fertilizer (M) and chicken litter (CL) treatments yielded the highest results, particularly in photosynthetic performance. Fig trees fertilized with mineral fertilizer and subjected to the 3B system showed enhanced net photosynthesis (36.96 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and, consequently, higher productivity of 21.28 t ha⁻¹. Similarly, plants fertilized with chicken litter (CL) under the 4B system produced comparable results. These findings demonstrate that the use of mineral and organic fertilizers, combined with an appropriate training system, is a viable strategy for optimizing fig productivity and profitability in semi-arid conditions. Full article

Agriculture is a major economic industry that sustains life. Moreover, plant health is a crucial aspect of a highly functional agricultural system. Because stress agents can damage crops and plants, it is important to understand what effect these agents can have and be able to detect this negative impact early in the process. Machine learning technology can help to prevent these undesirable consequences. This research investigates machine learning applications for plant health analysis and classification. Specifically, Residual Networks (ResNet) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models are utilized to detect and classify plants response to abiotic external stressors. Two types of plants, azalea (shrub) and Chinese tallow (tree), were used in this research study and different concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCL) and acetic acid were used to treat the plants. Data from cameras and soil sensors were analyzed by the machine learning algorithms. The ResNet34 and LSTM models achieved accuracies of 96% and 97.8%, respectively, in classifying plants with good, medium, or bad health status on test data sets. These results demonstrate that machine learning algorithms can be used to accurately detect plant health status as well as healthy and unhealthy plant conditions and thus potentially prevent negative long-term effects in agriculture. Full article

Urban trees are subjected to stressful conditions caused by anthropogenic, biotic, and abiotic factors. These stressors can cause structural changes, increasing the risks of branch failure or even complete uprooting. To mitigate the risks to people’s safety, administrators must assess and evaluate the health and structural stability of trees. Risk analysis typically takes into account environmental vulnerability and tree characteristics, assessed at a specific point in time. However, although dynamic tests play a crucial role in risk assessment in urban environments, the high cost of the sensors significantly limits their widespread application across large tree populations. For this reason, the present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of low-cost sensors in monitoring tree dynamics. A low-cost micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensor is tested in the laboratory and the field using a pull-and-release test, and its performance is compared with that of seismic reference accelerometers. The collected data are analyzed and compared in terms of both the frequency and time domains. To obtain reliable measurements, the accelerations must be generated by substantial dynamic excitations, such as high wind events or abrupt changes in loading conditions. The results show that the MEMS sensor has lower accuracy and higher noise compared to the seismic sensor; however, the MEMS can still identify the main peaks in the frequency domain compared to the seismic sensor, provided that the input amplitude is sufficiently high. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.), as a globally significant cereal crop, exhibits high sensitivity to salt stress during early seedling stages. Although melatonin (MT) has demonstrated potential in mitigating abiotic stresses, the specific mechanisms underlying MT-mediated alleviation of salt stress in maize seedlings remain unclear. In this study, we established four treatment groups: control (CK), melatonin treatment (MT), salt stress (NaCl), and combined treatment (NaCl_MT). Metabolomic and proteomic analyses were performed, supplemented by photosynthesis-related experiments as well as antioxidant-related experiments. Metabolomic analysis identified key metabolites in MT-mediated salt stress mitigation. Both metabolomic and proteomic analyses underscored the critical roles of photosynthetic and antioxidant pathways. Salt stress significantly decreased the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) by 67.7%, disrupted chloroplast ultrastructure, and reduced chlorophyll content by 41.6%. Conversely, MT treatment notably mitigated these detrimental effects. Moreover, MT enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes by approximately 10–20% and reduced the accumulation of oxidative stress markers by around 10–25% in maize seedlings under salt stress. In conclusion, this study conducted a systematic and multidimensional investigation into the mitigation of salt stress in maize seedlings by MT. Our results revealed that MT enhances antioxidant systems, increases chlorophyll content, and alleviates damage to chloroplast ultrastructure, thereby improving photosystem II performance and strengthening photosynthesis. This ultimately manifests as improved seedling phenotypes under salt stress. These findings provide a meaningful entry point for breeding salt-tolerant maize varieties and mitigating the adverse effects of salinized soil on maize growth and yield. Full article