Search Results (301)

Soil nutrients and water are often distributed heterogeneously in space, yet how plant roots forage in response to such heterogeneity and how their strategies relate to functional traits remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted an indoor pot experiment manipulating water and nutrient supply in both homogeneous and heterogeneous patch patterns using seedlings of four tree species, focusing on root functional traits and foraging strategies. The results indicate that root foraging behavior exhibits both resource specificity and species specificity: roots tend to proliferate toward nutrient-rich and low-water patches as an adaptive strategy. Although no strict dichotomy was observed between high foraging scale (low precision) and low foraging scale (high precision) strategies under heterogeneous conditions, fine-rooted species (Acer truncatum and Koelreuteria paniculata) exhibited traits leaning toward “precise foraging”, whereas coarse-rooted species (Prunus davidiana and Quercus variabilis) tended toward a conservative “random walk” pattern, with no trade-off between root foraging scale and precision. Root morphological traits exerted significant nonlinear regulation on foraging scale: root biomass foraging scale (FS_RB) correlated positively with root diameter (RD) but negatively with specific root length (SRL) and specific root area (SRA); root length foraging scale (FS_RL) correlated positively with root length (RL), root tip number (RTN), SRL, and SRA. In contrast, root morphological traits could not explain the variation in foraging precision, suggesting that foraging precision constitutes another distinct dimension in root-trait space. In summary, this study provides key insights into the foraging strategies of plant roots in heterogeneous environments, expanding our understanding of the multidimensionality of root functional traits. Full article

While climate change shifts plant phenology, conventional satellite-based studies often overlook intra-individual variations due to spatial averaging. This study utilized high-resolution UAV imagery and Digital Surface Models (DSMs) to investigate how intra-crown microclimatic heterogeneity affects the spatiotemporal patterns of flowering and autumn leaf senescence. Rhododendron yedoense f. poukhanense (H.Lév.) M. Sugim (RY) and Acer triflorum Kom. (AT) were monitored at the Korea National Arboretum, with 23 time-series images acquired between April and November 2025. Cumulative solar duration was calculated for 0.5 m intra-crown grids, and phenological events were detected using derivative analysis of vegetation indices (Red Chromatic Coordinate [RCC] and Green Chromatic Coordinate [GCC]). The results confirmed asynchrony in phenological events within single individuals depending on crown sectors. However, the linear relationship between intra-crown microclimatic heterogeneity and phenological duration was statistically weak ($\rho$ > 0.05), suggesting that strong physiological buffering mitigates the direct impact of spatial light variation. Despite this buffering, species-specific response patterns were observed: RY exhibited spatially independent flowering responses, whereas AT maintained relatively higher synchrony. Furthermore, AT showed a “Phenological Velocity” gap, where sunlit sectors tended to experience senescence approximately 1.12 days later than shaded areas**, while RY showed no significant directional lag.** This research demonstrates that phenological responses can be spatially dispersed even within an individual, and the buffering mechanisms against environmental variability differ by crown structure and growth form. These findings highlight the necessity of individual-level spatial resolution in understanding plant responses to climate change. Full article

Pseudolysimachion pyrethrinum var. gasanensis (Gasan spike speedwell) is a valuable Korean endemic variety with significant horticultural potential. Despite its morphological distinctiveness, its taxonomic status and evolutionary position have remained a subject of debate. In this study, we assembled and characterized the first complete chloroplast (cp) genome of P. pyrethrinum var. gasanensis using high-throughput sequencing. The complete plastome is 152,251 bp in length, exhibiting a typical quadripartite structure with a large single-copy (LSC) region (83,191 bp), a small single-copy (SSC) region (17,690 bp), and two inverted repeats (IRs) (25,685 bp each). The genome contains 133 genes, including 88 protein-coding, 37 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. Genomic analysis identified 42 simple sequence repeat (SSR) units across 38 distinct loci, predominantly mononucleotide A/T motifs, which serve as potential molecular markers for variety-level identification. Selective pressure analysis revealed that the majority of protein-coding genes are under strong purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1.0), emphasizing the evolutionary stability of the plastome. Comparative analysis of IR boundaries using IRscope revealed a high degree of structural conservation among Pseudolysimachion species, with minor variations at the junction sites. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18 complete plastomes strongly supported the monophyly of the genus Pseudolysimachion (Bootstrap = 100%) and placed P. pyrethrinum var. gasanensis as a sister to the European P. spicatum. These genomic resources provide a foundational tool for the molecular breeding, systematic conservation, and sustainable utilization of this endemic variety, while offering clarity to its taxonomic classification within the tribe Veroniceae. Full article

To overcome the limitations of ground-based observations, this study aims to identify optimal color indices for detecting tree phenological events using time-series Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV) orthomosaics. We monitored 37 woody taxa at the Korea National Arboretum from April to November 2025. By extracting Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) values from canopy polygons, we calculated four indices: Brightness, Green Chromatic Coordinate (GCC), Red Chromatic Coordinate (RCC), and Green-Red Vegetation Index (GRVI). We then evaluated signal detectability using Z-score standardization. The analysis confirmed that 74.6% of phenological events were detectable. Specifically, flowering and autumn coloration showed high detection rates (88.9% and 100%, respectively), identifying Brightness, RCC, and GRVI as key indicators for capturing these distinct visual changes. Conversely, gradual transitions like leaf-out showed lower detectability. These findings demonstrate that selecting specific color indices based on the visual characteristics of each event enables effective quantitative monitoring. This study provides a methodological basis for utilizing UAV-based indices as a complementary tool in long-term ecological monitoring. Full article

This study investigated the effects of environmentally friendly soil amendments—processed red clay (PRC) and rice husk (RH)—on early establishment, growth characteristics, phytochemical accumulation, and soil chemical properties in wild-simulated ginseng (WSG; Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) cultivated under forest conditions. PRC was produced through alkali-assisted thermal processing to improve material homogeneity and enhance plant-available mineral components, particularly silicon. We hypothesized that the combined application of PRC and RH would improve soil chemical conditions and thereby support WSG growth and phytochemical accumulation under low-input cultivation systems. Four treatments were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replicates: non-treated control (NMNF), PRC alone (NMPRC), RH alone (RHNF), and combined PRC and RH (RHPRC). Growth responses were assessed in one-year-old and seven-year-old WSG, including germination rate, seedling vigor index, growth traits, photosynthetic pigment composition, total polyphenol content, ginsenoside profiles, and soil chemical properties. The RHPRC treatment significantly increased germination rate and seedling vigor compared to the non-treated control and showed consistently greater biomass accumulation across cultivation stages. RH application was primarily associated with improved early establishment and increased total polyphenol content, particularly during the early growth stage, whereas PRC application was associated with enhanced root development and age-dependent increases in selected ginsenosides. Soil analyses indicated that PRC application increased available phosphorus and exchangeable cation contents, with the most stable improvements observed under combined PRC and RH treatment. Overall, the results indicate that integrated mineral–organic soil management using PRC and RH can improve soil chemical propertise and support long-term growth and phytochemical accumulation in WSG cultivated under forest conditions. This approach offers a practical, low-input strategy for enhancing the sustainability of WSG cultivation while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Full article

The genus Allium L. includes economically significant crops such as Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng.) and onions (Allium cepa L.), and is utilized in diverse agricultural applications, with numerous cultivars developed to date. However, these cultivars are facing a reduction in genetic diversity, raising concerns regarding their long-term sustainability. Crop wild relatives (CWRs), which possess a wide range of genetic traits, have recently gained attention as important genetic resources and priorities for conservation. In this study, the taxonomy of Allium species distributed in Korea is assessed using morphological characteristics. Two types of morphological analyses were conducted: macro-morphological traits were examined using stereomicroscopy and multi-spectral image analyses, while micro-morphological traits were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. We detected significant interspecific and intraspecific variation in macro-morphological traits. Among the micro-morphological features, the seed outline on the x-axis and structural patterns of the testa and periclinal walls were identified as reliable diagnostic characters for subgenus classification. Moreover, micro-morphological evidence contributed to inferences about evolutionary trends within the genus Allium. Based on phylogenetic relationships between wild and cultivated taxa, we propose an updated framework for the CWR inventory of Allium. Full article

Berberis amurensis var. quelpaertensis (Nakai) Nakai is an endemic shrub species in Korea with considerable conservation importance; however, information regarding its propagation remains limited. This study aimed to characterize its seed dormancy type and identify optimal germination requirements. Water imbibition tests demonstrated that seed weight increased by >21% in 24 h, indicating a permeable seed coat and the lack of physical dormancy (PY). Additionally, morphological analysis revealed that embryos were completely developed at the time of seed dispersal, indicating the non-occurrence of morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). The results from modified move-along and stratification experiments showed that germination was notably enhanced by cold stratification at 5 °C; however, it also occurred following a prolonged period (>68 weeks) of warm stratification alone. Therefore, we conclude that the seeds of B. amurensis var. quelpaertensis exhibit intermediate physiological dormancy, which may represent a “bet-hedging” strategy adapted to the unique conditions of their alpine environment. Full article

Background: YABBY transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and development. Although this gene family has been characterized in many plant species, a comprehensive analysis in cotton remains unavailable. Methods: In this study, we investigated the YABBY gene family in cotton by integrating multiple bioinformatics methods. Results: YABBY genes were identified in the genomes of four cotton species (Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium arboretum and Gossypium raimondii) and these identified genes were further classified into six groups. Following this classification, the expansion of the cotton YABBY gene family was examined, and we found that the family exhibits diverse expansion patterns during evolution, with segmental duplication acting as the primary driving force. In contrast, the notably larger repertoire of YABBY genes in G. raimondii is likely attributable to transposon activity. Regarding their evolutionary trajectory, Ka/Ks analysis showed that the YABBY gene family has undergone purifying selection. Beyond evolution, expression and cis-element analyses further demonstrated that YABBY genes possess diverse functions. In addition, we identified YABBY genes involved in different developmental stages of cotton fibers. Conclusions: We clarify the function and evolution of the cotton YABBY gene family in this work, and these results will provide a critical resource for further research on YABBY genes. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine fungal diversity and composition in an area of high host diversity and identify the organisms involved in the appearance of symptoms in Pinus needles. Asymptomatic and symptomatic live needle samples were obtained from different Pinus spp. in an arboretum with confirmed presence of brown spot needle blight. The samples were analysed using high-throughput sequencing of fungal ITS2rDNA. Ascomycota dominated all samples, with Lophodermium as the most abundant genus, although it showed lower representation in symptomatic needles. Other genera with recognised pathogenic potential, including Lecanosticta, Pestalotiopsis, Cyclaneusma, Rhizosphaera, Neophysalospora, and Cenangium, were also detected, whereas the Dothistroma genus was absent despite its presence in the region. Alpha diversity was higher in asymptomatic needles, with a significant difference only for the Shannon index, while Bray–Curtis dissimilarity revealed significant shifts in community composition between needle types. Functional guilds were dominated by pathotroph–saprotroph trophic mode, and the functional guild ‘plant pathogen’ was the most abundant across samples. These findings identify fungal genera associated with symptomatic and asymptomatic needles and provide guidance for future targeted isolation and detailed morphological and molecular identification using more resolutive techniques, enabling a deeper understanding of pathogenic community presence and their potential synergistic interactions. Full article

The influence of crown illumination on leaf damage of horse chestnut species (Aesculus hippocastanum L., Aesculus glabra Willd, Aesculus flava Aiton, Aesculus pavia L., Aesculus × carnea Hayne, Aesculus parviflora Walter, Aesculus chinensis Bunge) affected by ohrid leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dymić) was studied using some accessions from the arboretum botanical tree collection. A. hippocastanum, A. glabra, A. flava had the lowest chl a content in the foliage on the sunlit side of the crown, while in A. pavia, A. parviflora and A. chinensis this indicator was the highest. The chl a content in the leaves of A. hippocastanum and A. flava under shaded conditions was 1.3 and 2.4 times higher than in the sunlit part, while in A. pavia, A. parviflora and A. chinensis the chl a content on the shaded side was 1.2, 1.6 and 1.3 times lower. The quantitative content of chl b in the sunlit part of the crown in A. hippocastanum and A. flava was significantly higher than in the other species. Moreover, while A. flava and A. parviflora had the highest chl b content in the foliage of the shaded part of the crown, A. glabra and A. × carnea had the lowest. Similarly, differences in proline levels were found in the leaves of different horse chestnut species on the sunny side of the crown. Higher proline levels in less infested species were identified. Water content imbalances due to feeding by leaf miners were most characteristic of the severely affected species. Chlorophyll fluorescence determination revealed high photochemical activity with an effective defense system in resistant species, while non-resistant species exhibited weak defense mechanisms in both sunlight and shade. To assess horse chestnut species the hyperspectral analysis indices (DSWI and SIPI) were also successfully applied. Changes in chl a and chl b content, proline levels, and leaf water-holding properties can be used to assess the resistance of horse chestnut species using classical physiological and biochemical methods. Hyperspectral analysis indices (DSWI and SIPI) can also be successfully applied. Full article

Cultural ecosystem services (CESs) play a critical role in urban residents’ well-being, yet conventional evaluations rely heavily on green-space area and overlook how facility quality and basic services influence the delivery of actual cultural benefits. To address this methodological gap, this study develops a three-tier evaluation framework—service potential, actual supply capacity, and actual service utility—to quantify multistage attenuation in CES provision across 95 parks in seven central districts of Shenyang, China. The framework integrates 114 quantitative and qualitative indicators from field surveys, national facility standards, and perception-based assessments, enabling a scientifically robust and replicable assessment of how cultural benefits are transformed from ecological structure to human experience. Results reveal that single-index, area-based assessments substantially overestimate CES supply: district-level supply–demand ratios drop from 66 to 195% to only 11–55% once quality and basic services are incorporated. Comprehensive and special parks retain the highest CES potential, whereas community and linear parks undergo significant losses due to aging facilities, insufficient maintenance, and inadequate infrastructure. Education and cultural services exhibit the most severe shortages, with deficits reaching 59–84%, underscoring structural limitations in learning-oriented spaces. By distinguishing structural (quantity), functional (quality), and experiential (basic service) constraints, the framework provides clear diagnostic guidance for targeted planning and management. Its multistage structure also reflects broader principles of sustainable urban development: improving CES requires not only expanding ecological elements but also enhancing service quality, strengthening infrastructure, and promoting equitable access to cultural benefits. The framework’s generalizability makes it applicable to high-density cities worldwide facing land scarcity and green-space inequality, supporting efforts aligned with SDG 11 to build inclusive, resilient, and culturally vibrant urban environments. Full article

Seed dormancy and germination traits of Campanulaceae species in relation to ecological factors remains unclear. Hence, we clarified the seed germination characteristics of five Campanulaceae species (Adenophora triphylla (Thunb.) A.DC., Asyneuma japonicum (Miq.) Briq., Campanula punctata Lam., Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., and Lobelia sessilifolia Lamb.) native to Korea. Seeds were subjected to varying temperatures, cold stratification (CS) durations, and gibberellic acid (GA₃) concentrations. Seeds of all species imbibed water readily, suggesting the absence of physical dormancy. For A. triphylla, A. japonicum, and L. sessilifolia, suitable seed germination occurred under elevated temperature conditions: 74.0 ± 6.2%, 37.0 ± 1.0%, and 26.0 ± 3.5% germination, respectively, at 25 °C, and 79.0 ± 3.8%, 38.0 ± 3.5%, and 62.0 ± 8.4% germination, respectively, at 25/15 °C (day/night) after 7 weeks after incubation. Germination of C. punctata and C. pilosula was consistently low across all temperatures. CS treatment resulted in significant final germination improvement to ~70.0% in four species, excluding C. pilosula. GA₃ application significantly enhanced seed germination by ~60.0% across all species, with the most notable effects observed at 1000 mg∙L⁻¹. Overall, Campanulaceae species seeds are permeable, and pre-treatment with CS and GA₃ is required for effective seed germination. Full article

Roses (Rosa spp.) are among the most economically and ornamentally important floricultural crops worldwide, yet their improvement is constrained by inefficient breeding methods. Tissue culture regeneration based plant transformation and genome editing technologies provide innovative and increasingly effective approaches to surmount these longstanding challenges; however, rose tissue culture regeneration remains notoriously recalcitrant. Successful plant regeneration in roses depends on multiple factors, including genotype, explant source, physiological status, and the precise combination of plant growth regulators and culture conditions. Over the past three decades, numerous efforts have focused on optimizing rose organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis systems. Despite progress, low regeneration frequencies, strong genotype dependency continue to limit molecular breeding and genome editing application in rose. This review synthesizes current advances in in vitro regeneration methods for roses, emphasizing key determinants of morphogenic response, including explant selection, hormonal balance, media composition, light and temperature regimes, and the organic and inorganic additives. The underlying causes of recalcitrance are discussed in relation to tissue physiology, biochemical and molecular regulation of morphogenesis. Finally, strategies for overcoming regeneration barriers—such as the use of morphogenic regulators and in planta transformation—are highlighted as emerging avenues toward cultivar independent transformation and genome editing for rose. Full article

Urban vegetation plays a role as a sink, but accurately estimating carbon storage requires cultivar-specific allometric equations due to variations in growth patterns. This study develops and compares carbon storage models for cultivars of Hibiscus syriacus L.: ‘Wonhwa’ and ‘Chilbo’, ranked first and second in preference in South Korea and most widely planted in urban areas, to address the lack of specific data for these popular varieties. We destructively sampled 106 trees from experimental nurseries in Korea, measuring growth parameters, partitioned biomass, and component-specific carbon content. A non-linear regression equation modeled the relationship between root collar diameter (RCD) and total carbon storage. RCD proved the most effective predictor, resulting in high-performance power-function models (R² = 0.99) for both cultivars: ‘Wonhwa’ (CS = 0.02RCD^2.41) and ‘Chilbo’ (CS = 0.01RCD^2.38). An extra sum-of-squares F-test confirmed a statistically significant difference between the models (p < 0.001). Notably, both cultivars exhibited a branch-dominant allocation pattern (accounting for approximately 50–51% of total biomass), which contrasts significantly with the stem-dominant pattern typically observed in forest-grown trees. The observed inter-cultivar differences indicate that using a single species-level equation can yield inaccurate carbon estimates. Consequently, we recommend that urban managers apply these cultivar-specific equations rather than generic species-level models to minimize estimation uncertainty and support precise carbon inventory management. Full article

For centuries, four Rosaceae species—Malus sieboldii, Sorbus commixta, Duchesnea indica, and Prunus sargentii—have been prized for their pharmacological properties. In this study, solvent extracts from the seeds of these species were prepared, and their total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays, as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Fe²⁺ chelation tests. Compounds in the extracts were identified through molecular networking with the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) platform. Among all samples, D. indica extract contained the highest polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations (335.63 ± 0.03 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per gram of extract and 230.14 ± 2.90 mg rutin equivalents (RE) per gram of extract, respectively). It also exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, with statistically significant outcomes. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis and molecular networking revealed a diverse metabolite profile corresponding to seven biosynthetic pathways in the extracts. Notably, D. indica extract was rich in shikimates, phenylpropanoids, and ellagic acid derivatives, which have potent antioxidant effects. These results suggest a strong relationship between the extract’s chemical profile and its biological activity, offering promising opportunities to use D. indica seeds as functional ingredients across various fields. Full article