Search Results (510)

Halophytes such as Salicornia europaea rely on biochemical and structural mechanisms to survive in saline environments. This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress and structural defense responses in four inland populations—Poland (Inowrocław, Ciechocinek), Germany (Salzgraben-Salzdahlum, Salz), and Soltauquelle (Soltq)—subjected to 0, 200, 400, and 1000 mM NaCl, using non-destructive, image-based approaches. Lipid peroxidation was assessed via malondialdehyde (MDA) detected with Schiff’s reagent, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation was visualized with 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB). Roots and shoots were analyzed through colour image analysis and quantified using a computer vision system (CVS). MDA accumulation revealed population-specific differences, with Salz tending to exhibit lower peroxidation, characterized by lower L* ≈ 42–43 and higher b* ≈ 37–18 in shoots at 200–400 mM, which may reflect a potentially more effective salt-management strategy. Although H₂O₂ responses deviated from a direct salinity-dependent trend, particularly in the tolerant Salz and Soltq populations, both approaches effectively tracked population-specific adaptation, with German populations displaying detectable basal H₂O₂ levels, consistent with its multifunctional signalling role in salt management and growth regulation. Structural defences were further explored through histochemical mapping and image analysis of pectin and lignin distribution, which revealed population-specific patterns consistent with cell wall remodelling under stress. Non-destructive, image-based methods proved effective for detecting oxidative and structural responses in halophytes. Such a non-destructive, cost-efficient, and reproducible approach can accelerate the identification of salt-tolerant ecotypes for saline agriculture and reinforce S. europaea as a model species for elucidating salt-tolerance mechanisms. Full article

Tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height are important quantitative attributes in forestry surveys. They serve as essential data for calculating forest stock, growth, and carbon sequestration, and are of significant research value for forest health assessments and other research outcomes. To improve the efficiency of forest resource inventories and to reduce labor costs, a forestry survey device integrating multiple sensors has been developed. Based on the principles of laser ranging and the tunnel magnetoresistance effect, this device integrates both the DBH and tree height measurements. Compared to traditional measurement methods, it boasts a compact size, low cost, and high measurement accuracy. Experimental applications have shown that the average root mean square error (RMSE) of tree height measurements ranges from 31 to 55 cm, while the DBH measurement accuracy reaches 98%, We acknowledge that, although this accuracy meets the requirements for general forestry surveys, it still falls short of the accuracy required for high-precision forest resource surveys (<20 cm), which points to a direction for future improvement. Full article

This study evaluates the impact of biotic elicitors and hormone regimes on the in vitro establishment, shoot multiplication, and organogenesis of Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Fianna under controlled laboratory conditions. Explants derived from pre-treated tubers were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with vitamins and varying concentrations of growth regulators or elicitors. Aseptic establishment achieved a high success rate (~95%) using a 6% sodium hypochlorite disinfection protocol. Multiplication was significantly enhanced with a combination of 0.2 mg L⁻¹ naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.5–1.0 mg L⁻¹ benzylaminopurine (BAP), producing the greatest number and length of shoots and roots. Direct organogenesis was stimulated by bio-elicitors Activane^®, Micobiol^®, and Stemicol^® in (MS) basal medium at mid-level concentrations (0.5 g or mL L⁻¹), improving shoot number, elongation, and root development. Activane^®, Micobiol^®, and Stemicol^® are commercial elicitors that stimulate plant defense pathways and morphogenesis through salicylic acid, microbial, and jasmonic acid signaling mechanisms, respectively. Indirect organogenesis showed significantly higher callus proliferation in Stemicol^® and Micobiol^® treatments compared to the control medium, resulting in the highest fresh weight, diameter, and friability of callus. The results demonstrate the potential of biotic elicitors as alternatives or enhancers to traditional plant growth regulators in potato tissue culture, supporting more efficient and cost-effective micropropagation strategies. Full article

Three previously undescribed clerodane diterpenoids, including two cis-clerodanes, solidagolactone IX (1) and solidagoic acid K (2), and one trans-clerodane, solidagodiol (3), along with two known cis-clerodane diterpenoids, (−)-(5R,8R,9R,10S)-15,16-epoxy-ent-neo-cleroda-3,13,14-trien-18-ol (4) and solidagoic acid J (5), were isolated and comprehensively characterized from the ethanolic and ethyl acetate root extract of Solidago gigantea Ait. (giant goldenrod). Compound 4 has previously been reported from the roots of this species, whereas compound 5 was identified from the leaves of S. gigantea but not from the roots. The bioassay-guided isolation involved thin-layer chromatography–direct bioautography (TLC–DB) with a Bacillus subtilis antibacterial assay, preparative flash column chromatography, and TLC–mass spectrometry (MS). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds (1–5) were elucidated through extensive in-depth spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses, including one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HRMS/MS), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy. Their antimicrobial activities were evaluated using in vitro microdilution assays against B. subtilis and different plant pathogens. Compound 3 was the most active against the tested Gram-positive strains, exerting particularly potent effects against Clavibacter michiganensis with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 5.1 µM as well as B. subtilis and Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (MIC 21 µM for both). Compound 4 also strongly inhibited the growth of C. michiganensis (MIC 6.3 µM). Compounds 2, 4, and 5 displayed moderate to weak activity against B. subtilis and C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens with MIC values ranging from 100 to 402 µM. Rhodococcus fascians bacteria were moderately inhibited by compounds 3 (MIC 41 µM) and 4 (MIC 201 µM). Bactericidal activity was observed for compound 3 against C. michiganensis with a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) value of 83 µM. Compounds 2 and 3 demonstrated weak antifungal activity against Fusarium graminearum. Our findings underscore the value of bioassay-guided approaches in discovering previously undescribed bioactive compounds. Full article

Due to climate change, flooding stress has occurred more frequently and intensively than ever before, which has become one of the major abiotic stresses affecting rice production. In tropical regions around the world, southeastern coastal countries, and southern rice production areas of China, frequent flooding disaster usually takes place during the rainy season and heavy summer rainfall, which leads to great yield losses in rice production. Currently, only a few rice genotypes are flooding-tolerant, and the relevant flooding-resistant cultivation and regulation practices are still lacking. Therefore, this review highlighted the latest studies on the physiological mechanisms of rice response to flooding stress and flooding-resistant cultivation, particularly summarizing the effect of flooding stress on rice root system architecture, plant growth, reactive oxygen metabolism, energy metabolism, radiation use efficiency, endogenous hormone metabolism, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and yield formation. In addition, the breeding strategies and cultivation regulation approaches for alleviating the flooding stress of rice were analyzed. Finally, future research directions are outlined. This review comprehensively summarizes the rice growth performance and physiological traits response to flooding stress, and sums up some useful regulation strategies, which might assist in further interpreting the mechanisms of plants’ response to flooding stress and developing stress-resistant cultivation practices for rice production. Full article

While root exudates play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance and promoting plant growth, existing research primarily focuses on single ecosystems (e.g., field crops), with systematic investigations of their ecological functions in compound cropping systems, particularly nitrogen (N) cycling mechanisms in orchard multi-cropping systems, remaining limited. This review focuses on the N impact mechanisms mediated by plant root exudates in orchard ecosystems, emphasizing how root exudates optimize soil N activation, absorption, and utilization efficiency by modulating rhizosphere processes (e.g., nitrogen mineralization, root architecture remodeling). Studies indicate that the changes in orchard ecosystem function mediated by organic acids and flavonoids root exudates can significantly reduce nitrogen loss risks and increase the soil nitrogen turnover rate by lowering pH-activated nutrients, balancing the C:N ratio, and immobilizing microbial communities. This process also involves the coordinated regulation of nitrification, denitrification, and microbial fixation. Future research should prioritize investigating the interaction networks and regulatory mechanisms between root exudates of associated orchard crops and N-fixing microorganisms. This research direction will provide a scientific basis for improving the N use efficiency in orchard crops, optimizing fertilizer reduction techniques, and reducing chemical fertilizer usage, providing significant implications for achieving sustainable agricultural development. The theoretical support offers important scientific and practical value for advancing green and sustainable agriculture. Full article

In the context of climate change and the increasing ecological importance of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in European forests, sustainable regeneration strategies are essential for ensuring long-term forest resilience. This study investigates how different conditions of regeneration sites, namely areas under pine canopies, gaps (openings within the pine stand), inter-gap area (open zone surrounding the pine gaps), and clear-cut area (zone where trees were completely removed), affect the early growth performance of artificially regenerated oak stands in Central Europe. Seedling height, root collar diameter, sturdiness quotient (SQ), and light availability (via hemispherical photography) were assessed. The most favorable growth occurred in gaps and under-canopy sites, where light intensity ranged from 44% to 57%, and seedlings reached mean heights of 148.7 cm and 143.4 cm, respectively. In contrast, seedlings in clear-cut and inter-gap areas exhibited lower growth and higher SQ values, suggesting lower seedling stability. In these areas, the average seedling height was 127.2 cm in clear-cut opening and 137.9 cm in inter-gap area. These sites also had the highest light intensity, amounting to 100% and 89.85% of total incident radiation, respectively. Growth performance was also affected by cardinal direction, except within gaps. This study highlights the importance of microsite selection in oak regeneration and demonstrates how optimizing light conditions can enhance reforestation success and climate resilience. These findings contribute to sustainable forest management practices aimed at supporting adaptive strategies in temperate ecosystems facing climate change. Full article

This study examines the influence of economic growth, energy consumption, a shadow economy, and foreign direct investment (FDI) on the ecological footprint in ASEAN countries. The analysis covers a panel of nine member states—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—over the period from 1993 to 2017 due to data availability. To ensure robustness, various panel econometric techniques were employed, including cross-sectional dependence, panel unit root, and cointegration tests, as well as estimation methods such as Driscoll–Kraay standard errors, feasible generalized least squares (FGLS), and panel-corrected standard errors (PCSE). The results do not support an inverted U-shaped Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) between economic growth and ecological footprint in the ASEAN countries. Moreover, the findings consistently show that energy consumption, the size of the shadow economy, and FDI exert a statistically significant and positive impact on the ecological footprint towards the Driscoll–Kraay standard errors, FGLSs, and PCSE estimators. For policy recommendations, a country’s pursuit of economic growth should be aligned with a higher degree of environmental sustainability by strategically reducing energy consumption, curbing the shadow economy, and managing foreign direct investment responsibly. Full article

Salinity is a major limiting factor for all food crops, mainly Chinese cabbage. This study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar (BC) on physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of Chinese cabbage grown under salinity stress in an open field. We supplied three concentrations of BC (5, 10, and 15 t/ha) to the 200 mM NaCl salinity-stress-induced field, which enhanced physical and chemical properties of the soil. Under salinity stress, BC increased photosynthetic pigments and reduced proline and H₂O₂ contents. Notably, 5 t/ha BC boosted plant growth, biomass, and yield by >40% and inhibited ROS accumulation under salinity stress. BC also promoted the concentrations of various key micronutrients, particularly Fe and Zn, in Chinese cabbage under salinity stress, which may contribute to improving the nutrient content. BC under salinity stress significantly induced the expression of NHX family genes (BoNHX1 and BoNHX2). Among these, the BoNHX1 gene was found to be highly expressed in shoot and root tissues of Chinese cabbage grown under salinity stress with BC. Identification of this key candidate gene will lay the groundwork for further functional characterization studies to elucidate its role under salinity stress with BC. This study comprehensively analyzes the physiological, biochemical, and molecular impacts of BC application in Chinese cabbage under salinity stress. This study found that the application of 5 t/ha significantly improved various physiological and biochemical traits of Chinese cabbage under salinity stress compared to the other treatments. The outcome of this study provides novel insights into the bioprotective role of BC, offering a valuable foundation of organic supplements for farmers while also highlighting potential research directions for enhancing crop resilience and productivity in economically important crops. Full article

Direct seeding is considered a versatile and cost-effective approach to forest regeneration; however, its broader application is limited by low seedling survival rates and species-specific regeneration requirements, which often necessitate site preparation. We investigated the emergence, survival, and growth of Korean ash (Fraxinus chinensis subsp. rhynchophylla (Hance) A.E.Murray) seedlings regenerated by direct seeding over six years following two site preparation treatments—scarification and mixing—to determine appropriate site preparation methods for direct seeding and to assess the effects of site preparation treatments on soil, understory vegetation, and seedling growth. Additionally, the seed germination, shoot and root lengths, and biomass of the seedlings were investigated over 50 days in a growth chamber using soils from each site preparation treatment to examine early-stage growth responses. Both scarification and mixing treatments enhanced seed germination and seedling establishment. Seedling emergence rates were similar between the treatments; however, the seedling mortality and the height and coverage of competing understory vegetation were significantly greater at the scarification treatment than at the mixing treatment during the first year (p < 0.05). Both treatments reduced minimum winter soil temperatures during the first two years, with frost heaving identified as a primary cause of early seedling mortality. From the second year onward, seedling growth was significantly greater in the mixing treatment (p < 0.05), which also more effectively suppressed competing vegetation. A shallow depth mixing treatment (<5 cm) is recommended for direct seeding of Korean ash, as it reduces frost heaving damage and facilitates seedling survival and growth by minimizing understory competition. Full article

Dry topsoil restricts root growth and nutrient uptake in arid regions, thereby significantly reducing crop yield. Hydraulic lift occurs due to the dry topsoil and wet deep soil. This study investigates the effects of topsoil drought intensity (three field capacities in topsoil: 60–70% (W1), 50–60% (W2), and 40–50% (W3)) and nitrogen application rate (N1: 120, N2: 240, and N3: 360 kg ha⁻¹) on cotton quality and the distribution of nitrogen in soil and plant under hydraulic lift using a root-splitting device. The upper pot of the root-splitting device was 22 cm high, with a 26 cm top diameter and a 23 cm bottom diameter; the lower pot of the root-splitting device was 45 cm high, with a 48 cm top diameter and a 36 cm bottom diameter. Topsoil moisture was maintained at W1 without nitrogen application under the control treatment (CK). The W2 and W3 treatments (representing different topsoil drought intensities) were designed to compare the interactive effects of water and nitrogen fertiliser on nitrogen distribution and cotton quality with the CK treatment. Results indicate that the concentrations of nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) in the 10–20 cm soil were generally higher than those in the 0–10 cm soil. The topsoil drought intensity and nitrogen application rate had significant impacts on nitrogen concentrations in cotton organs. The W2 treatment produced the maximum nitrogen concentration, except for the root nitrogen concentration in 2021. The nitrogen concentration in the roots and stems peaked at 240 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen application rate. The topsoil drought intensity and nitrogen application rate had considerable influences on the cotton dry matter. The nitrogen application rate had a significant impact on the following indexes: internal nitrogen-fertiliser use efficiency (INUE), physiological nitrogen-fertiliser use efficiency (PNUE), and nitrogen-fertiliser recovery efficiency (NRE), except for PNUE in 2020. The INUE of other treatments decreased by 13.82–43.44% compared with CK treatment. In 2021, fibre length and elongation were significantly impacted by the topsoil drought intensity, nitrogen application rates, and their interactions. The nitrogen application rate’s effects on the uniformity index were significant in 2020 and 2021. The hydraulic lift magnitude, NRE, and NO₃⁻-N in the 0–10 cm soil were significantly correlated with each other. There were correlations among cotton quality indexes: fibre length and strength, uniformity index and micronaire, and micronaire and elongation. These findings provide a reference for future research on the mechanism by which hydraulic lift participates in nitrogen distribution in soil and crops and also offer a new direction to utilize deep water to improve the utilization rate of water resources. Full article

Background: Children with disabilities face complex, systemic health access barriers rooted in societal, institutional, and structural inequities, requiring urgent global policy attention. Publications on access to health services for this population category have been found to have a significant growth in both quantity and content. The article aims to examine the structure and evolution of scientific literature in analyzing the healthcare system through the lens of inclusive services. Methods: We present the bibliometric profile of the global literature on access to health services for children with disabilities, the publication trends, the structure of research in this field concerning geographical distribution, methodological approaches, and interdisciplinary collaborations, and the core research topics, conceptual clusters, and future research directions in the field. The publications were screened from Web of Science databases, using PRISMA methodology. Finally, 1100 academic publications published between 1984 and 2025, obtained from a total of 432 different sources, the majority of which were peer-reviewed journals, were screened. Results: The calculated annual publication growth rate of 8.37% and the distinct upward trend observed, especially after 2015. The highest level was reached in 2023, with over 90 publications showing that the topic has become a focus of international academic interest. The USA (33.5%), the United Kingdom (15.7%), Australia (9.5%), and Canada (9.5%) stood out in publications, and there were strong collaborative networks among European nations (8.2%). Conclusions: Although high-income countries still appear to play a dominant role in research production, expanding international collaborations and distributing resources more equitably will contribute to the development of more inclusive solutions on a global scale. Temporal trends show an evolution toward diagnostic processes, family-centered approaches, and psychosocial dimensions. The results draw a clear picture of the current research landscape regarding access to health services for pediatric disability populations and identify potential directions for future research. Full article

Sugar transporters of the SWEET family are essential for plant growth, development, yield formation, and stress responses by regulating sugar transport and distribution. This study characterizes the function and expression characteristics of CoSWEET2a, a Clade I SWEET gene in Camellia oleifera. We conducted subcellular localization, functional complementation in Arabidopsis, sugar response assays, drought tolerance tests, and hormone induction analysis. A key finding is CoSWEET2a, which that is localized on the vacuolar membrane in Camellia oleifera. Heterologous expression in Arabidopsis atsweet2 mutants revealed sugar-specific effects on root growth. Moreover, expression of CoSWEET2a increased soluble sugar content in Arabidopsis seeds. Additionally, CoSWEET2a overexpression enhanced drought stress tolerance by augmenting sugar content. The expression of CoSWEET2a is regulated by gibberellin (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA), and its promoter contains corresponding hormone response elements. In conclusion, CoSWEET2a functions as a “sugar buffer” on the vacuolar membrane, regulating sugar accumulation, root development, and drought stress responses. This discovery not only reveals that vacuolar SWEET plays an important role in maintaining cytoplasmic sugar homeostasis in plants but also provides a direct genetic target for engineering high-quality, drought-tolerant crops. Full article

Forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.)) is a cereal native to Africa and belongs to the family Poaceae. It is a forage with a C4 photosynthetic pathway that stands out for its ability to adapt to different environments; it is able to produce even in unfavorable circumstances. The objective of this study was to analyze the attenuating effect of the brassinosteroid hormone in the form of 24-epibrassinolide on forage sorghum plants subjected to water deficit and rehydration. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used in the experiment. A 2 × 3 × 5 factorial arrangement was used, with two water conditions (water deficit and rehydration), three brassinosteroid doses (0 nM, 50 nM, and 100 nM as 24-epibrassinolide), and five replicates. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. Sorghum seeds were sown in pots with a capacity of 3 kg of substrate. Analyses were performed on the roots and leaves of sorghum plants at different growth stages. The macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) were analyzed in the soil physics laboratory. As a result, the content of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg decreased under a water deficit and was then restored by the hormone 24-epibrassinolide, which was able to restore these nutrients. The effect of the hormone under rehydration had a positive effect, increasing the levels of nutrients. Given the above, it was possible to conclude that there were no significant divergences between the treatments during the period of irrigation suspension. Among the tested concentrations, 50 nM of 24-epibrassinolide showed the most consistent improvements in nutrient concentrations under water-deficit conditions, suggesting a potential role in mitigating nutritional imbalance during stress. Rehydrated plants maintained nutrient levels similar to the controls regardless of 24-epibrassinolide application. However, it is important to note that nutritional quality indices such as crude protein and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were not evaluated in this study, which limits direct conclusions about the forage nutritional value. Full article

The growth potential of Crinum bulbispermum was evaluated on gold mine tailings. The primary objectives were to model the species’ climatic niche in relation to gold mining regions, assess its germination success on tailings, and compare seedling survival and growth on tailings versus other soil types. Species distribution modelling identified the South African Grassland Biome on the Highveld (1000+ m above sea level), where the majority of gold mines are located, as highly suitable for the species. Pot trials demonstrated above 85% germination success across all soil treatments, including gold mine tailings, indicating its potential for restoration through direct seeding. An initial seedling establishment rate of 100% further demonstrated the species’ resilience to mine tailings, which are often seasonally dry, nutrient-poor, and may contain potentially toxic metals. However, while C. bulbispermum was able to germinate and establish in mine tailings, long-term growth potential (over 12 months) was constrained by low organic carbon content (0.11%) and high salinity (194.50 mS/m). These findings underscore the critical role of soil chemistry and organic matter in supporting long-term plant establishment and growth on gold tailings. Building on previous research, this study confirms the ability of this thick-rooted geophyte to tolerate chemically extreme soil conditions. Crinum bulbispermum shows promise for phytostabilization and as a potential medicinal plant crop on tailings. However, future research on microbial community interactions and soil amendment strategies is essential to ensure its long-term sustainability. Full article