Search Results (166)

Plant biostimulants may alter photosynthetic energy use and leaf structure, but their effects on complementary PSII energy partitioning in both cucumber leaves and fruits remain insufficiently characterized. Using plant material from a commercial greenhouse trial previously reported for agronomic outcomes, we evaluated a combined CropBioLife^®, KeyPlex 120^®, and Key Eco Oil^® application protocol relative to conventional management. Chlorophyll Content Index (CCI), chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, and leaf anatomical traits were assessed. Under low light (LL; 455 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹), the combined-treatment greenhouse showed higher ΦPSII than the conventional-control greenhouse by 22% in fruits and 50% in leaves; fruit ΦNPQ was 17% higher, whereas ΦNO was 12% lower in fruits and 26% lower in leaves. Under high light (HL; 973 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹), differences in ΦPSII were smaller, while leaf ΦNO remained 17% lower. CCI was 38% higher in fruits and 52% higher in leaves. In leaves, spongy parenchyma thickness increased from 110 ± 3.4 to 135 ± 4.1 μm, palisade parenchyma thickness from 75 ± 2.1 to 78 ± 1.8 μm, total leaf thickness from 230 ± 4.6 to 245 ± 5.2 μm, and intercellular air-space area from 420 ± 18 to 610 ± 22 μm². The parallel physiological and anatomical differences are consistent with a possible functional association, but gas exchange, mesophyll conductance, ROS, and water-use efficiency were not measured in the present dataset. Because the two management regimes occupied separate, non-replicated greenhouses and received different crop-protection inputs, the findings should be interpreted as treatment-associated differences rather than causal effects attributable to individual products. Full article

Plant functional traits are key indicators of plant responses to environmental conditions and resource-allocation trade-offs, thereby providing insights into adaptive mechanisms across habitats. Wetlands are one of the major habitats worldwide, yet organ-level plant life adaptive strategies in different wetland types remain insufficiently understood. This study compared three representative marsh systems located in different regions of Northeast China. Forty-five plant community plots were established, and 10 leaf traits, 13 root traits, and 8 soil environmental variables were systematically measured for dominant herbaceous species. We examined above- and belowground trait trade-offs using Pearson correlation analysis and assessed their responses to environmental gradients using redundancy analysis (RDA). The results showed that trait variability differed markedly among marsh types. Inland salt marshes exhibited the greatest variation in leaf and root morphology, while morphological traits generally varied more strongly than ecophysiological traits. In inland salt marshes, root ecophysiological traits were closely associated with leaf morphology. Forested marshes showed multi-trait trade-offs and nutrient regulation, whereas freshwater herbaceous marshes displayed strong leaf-root trait correlations, indicating flexible inter-organ nutrient allocation. Soil environmental properties explained different proportions of functional trait variation across habitats, with the highest explanatory power in forested marshes (42.85%), followed by freshwater herbaceous marshes (34.56%) and inland salt marshes (34.41%). Soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratio significantly affected plant growth in all three habitats, although the other environmental drivers were habitat-specific. These findings reveal distinct community-level patterns of leaf–root trait variation and coordination among the sampled dominant herbaceous species across the three marsh habitats, providing empirical evidence for understanding wetland plant adaptation mechanisms in Northeast China. Full article

Salinisation and metal contamination are among the leading causes of arable land loss worldwide, yet halophytes and metallophytes—the plants best adapted to these conditions—remain a considerably underexploited biotechnological resource. Using an eco-evo-devo perspective, in which environmental pressure, developmental plasticity and evolutionary outcome interact to shape adaptive traits, we examine evidence that salinity and metal tolerance arose independently and repeatedly across distant angiosperm lineages, converging on comparable structural and physiological solutions: succulence, anatomical transport barriers, root exudation, osmoprotection, and ion compartmentalisation. This convergence distinguishes stress-tolerance mechanisms that are general from those that are stressor-specific, informing efforts to transfer these traits into other extremophytes and conventional crops. In turn, we assess the ecological roles of halophytes and metallophytes in their natural habitats before evaluating their biotechnological applications, which range from halophyte-derived genes and promoters for crop improvement to halophyte biomass for bioenergy, biomaterials and remediation of saline, polluted soils and wastewaters, while metallophytes underpin phytoremediation, phytomining, and biomonitoring of metal-contaminated sites. Notwithstanding this progress, wider exploitation remains limited by the scarcity of crop-relevant gene-editing platforms for halophytes, low biomass yield in metal-hyperaccumulating species, and inconsistent phytochemical standardisation across growing conditions, as well as by three unresolved gaps: the lack of methods to partition host and microbiome contributions to tolerance, uncertainty over whether mechanisms shared between the two groups are convergent or evolutionarily conserved, and the undetermined contribution of epigenetic inheritance to stress adaptation. Translating this evolutionary and physiological knowledge into stress-adapted cultivars, optimised extraction systems, and field-ready phytoremediation and phytomining programmes is central to addressing land degradation, food security, and sustainable resource recovery. Full article

Xylem sap is increasingly recognized as a dynamic biological matrix reflecting whole-plant physiological status, but its biochemical variation under field conditions remains insufficiently characterized. We investigated oxidative stress markers, osmolytes, antioxidant enzymes, and redox-related enzymes in xylem sap from three focal tree individuals representing Fraxinus excelsior, Populus nigra, and Pinus sylvestris. Sap was collected by passive stem tapping using a custom-built apparatus, and biochemical patterns were evaluated using multivariate statistical and machine-learning approaches. The three focal trees showed distinct biochemical profiles within the present dataset. The focal P. nigra individual was associated with relatively higher antioxidant enzyme activities, whereas the focal F. excelsior and P. sylvestris individuals were more closely associated with oxidative-damage and metabolic-adjustment traits. Precipitation and wind direction were retained as the main meteorological variables associated with biochemical variation, with wind direction interpreted as an atmospheric correlate rather than a direct physiological driver. Exploratory machine-learning analyses highlighted catalase and selected meteorological variables as influential predictors. Overall, the findings support the potential of xylem sap for integrative ecophysiological monitoring while emphasizing the exploratory nature of patterns derived from repeated measurements of three focal trees. Full article

Climate-driven warming may enhance the spread of warm-adapted alien cyanobacteria in freshwater ecosystems. This study assessed four nostocalean cyanobacteria from European lakes—native Aphanizomenon gracile and alien Chrysosporum bergii, Raphidiopsis raciborskii, and Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides—to evaluate species identity, toxin production potential, and thermal responses. A polyphasic approach combining phylogenetic analysis, morphology, and toxin screening confirmed the identifications and revealed a saxitoxin-producing A. gracile strain. No toxin genes were detected in the alien taxa. Experimental testing across 15–35 °C demonstrated broader thermal tolerance in the alien species, which maintained positive growth across 20–35 °C but showed limited performance at 15 °C. In contrast, the native Aphanizomenon gracile maintained positive growth at 15 °C, indicating greater adaptation to cooler conditions. Isolate-specific variation at thermal extremes highlighted the importance of ecotype-level traits. Our findings suggest that rising temperatures, combined with strain-level physiological diversity, may increase the risk of alien cyanobacteria establishing and forming blooms in temperate lakes. This study supports the need for monitoring strategies that integrate taxonomy, ecophysiology, and local adaptation to better assess invasion potential under changing environmental conditions. Full article

Environmental heterogeneity can promote niche differentiation among closely related species, yet ecological segregation may not be mirrored by traits measured during a single field campaign. We tested whether edaphic differentiation exceeded morphological and ecophysiological divergence in Rosa acicularis, R. alberti, and R. spinosissima across the Altai and Tarbagatai Mountains of eastern Kazakhstan. The dataset comprised 40 field records representing 25 geographic coordinates and 30 species–site combinations. Plant height, crown width, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll-related outputs, and soil pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, and total carbon were analysed using FDR-controlled univariate tests with Dunn post hoc comparisons, PERMANOVA, reduced-variable PCA, partial redundancy analysis, correlation analysis, and small-sample explanatory models with leave-one-out validation. Within Tarbagatai, species identity explained 48.6% of multivariate soil variation but only 9.2% of plant-trait variation. Omnibus differences in pH, nitrogen, and carbon remained significant after correction, and the species–site analysis also supported EC differentiation. The soil block explained no significant independent component of plant-trait variation after species and mountain system were taken into account. Rosa spinosissima was taller in the Altai at the observation level, and a species-plus-region model showed moderate cross-validated performance for height; models for other traits had little predictive value. These results support edaphic niche differentiation accompanied by limited divergence in field-measured traits. Because the study was observational and temporally restricted, the findings demonstrate environmental association rather than adaptation. Still, they identify testable hypotheses and support environmentally stratified conservation of wild Rosa genetic resources. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable crop protection has intensified interest in biological control agents. This study characterized a Trichoderma asperellum strain (IDE-10) to assess its suitability for integrated pest and disease management. Key ecophysiological traits, including temperature, pH, and ultraviolet (UV) tolerance, were evaluated, along with compatibility with commonly used fungicides and insecticides. The strain exhibited optimal growth at 28.28 °C and sustained high growth rates up to 35 °C, with a maximum threshold of 39.21 °C, indicating strong adaptation to warm climates. Sporulation was enhanced between 25 and 35 °C, with no growth at 5 °C, and soil viability remained stable from 7 to 21 °C. The IDE-10 strain demonstrated broad pH tolerance (3–7) and high resistance to UV-A and UV-B radiation, distinguishing it from commercial strains. Insecticides had no significant adverse effects, while fungicide compatibility varied, with IDE-10 being compatible with metalaxyl- and copper-based formulations. These findings highlight the robustness and adaptability of T. asperellum IDE-10, supporting its potential as a biocontrol agent for sustainable crop protection strategies, particularly in Mediterranean agricultural systems. Full article

Coccocypselum lanceolatum is a tropical, perennial, creeping, herbaceous C3 plant species that is found in deeply shaded humid forests. This species has potential for medicinal and culinary uses. Knowledge about this species and other herbaceous Rubiaceae is confined to phytocoenological and morpho-anatomical studies. Here, it was hypothesized that (1) leaf gas exchange dynamics over a one-year period in C. lanceolatum are related to light conditions, phenology and environmental seasonal changes; (2) photosynthetic performance is focused on enhanced carbon gains through a high leaf net assimilation rate (A_net) relative to light availability, a low dark respiration rate (R_d) and a light compensation point (LCP); and (3) these parameters will vary over leaf age. The photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), characterizing the growth and development of C. lanceolatum, was reduced to 4–11% of incoming light in the open area, while the red-to-far-red light ratio (R:FR) was reduced from 1.15 to mean diurnal values of 0.45–0.81, depending on forest canopy dynamics. Leaf gas exchange parameters [A_net, stomatal conductance (g_s), leaf transpiration (E), and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE)] were observed over a one-year period. A_net, g_s, and E were correlated with energy factors (PPFD and air temperature) during vegetative growth, while only iWUE showed a correlation with leaf gas exchange parameters during blooming and fruiting, indicating that seasonality and phenology were additional drivers of leaf gas exchange. As a deep-shade forest species, C. lanceolatum displayed low iWUE (3–21 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and was adapted to maximize carbon gain and prioritize high g_s rather than water economy. The extremely low LCP (4.2 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), low R_d (0.2 to 0.43 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), maximum net photosynthesis (A_max, 5 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), and apparent quantum efficiency of CO₂ assimilation (Φ of 0.04 µmol µmol⁻¹) were adaptational traits of this species for low light. Finally, the A_net, g_s, E, iWUE, gross photosynthesis under light saturation, R_d, LCP, and light saturation point values were different when comparing young and adult leaves. The ecophysiological responses over a one-year period shown here could assist in the success of C. lanceolatum as a sustainable soil-cover plant in shaded areas. Full article

The sustainable valorization of marine biowaste, particularly shrimp residues, has emerged as a promising strategy to develop eco-friendly agricultural inputs that enhance crop productivity and reduce environmental impacts. This study investigated the effects of a biotechnologically processed fermented shrimp-waste (Parapenaeus longirostris) formulation as a biostimulant on the growth, physiological performance, and development of a local mays variety (Zea mays L., DKC 744) under controlled pot conditions. The experiment evaluated root, foliar, and combined applications of the biostimulant at three concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%) over a 90-day vegetative cycle. Morphological parameters, including stem height, leaf number, leaf mass, and root biomass, were measured at regular intervals, while chlorophyll a and b contents were assessed to evaluate photosynthetic efficiency. The results indicated that all biostimulant treatments significantly enhanced mays growth. Root-applied biostimulants primarily stimulated root biomass by up to 764.0 ± 66.8 g at the 10% concentration, whereas foliar applications improved above-ground traits, including stem elongation and leaf formation, reaching maximum heights of 200.0 ± 1.9 cm and 17.0 ± 0.4 leaves under intermediate concentrations. Combined root and foliar applications produced the highest stem height (240.0 ± 5.6 cm), leaf number (19.0 ± 0.0), leaf mass (1034.0 ± 11.1 g), and chlorophyll content (2.44 ± 0.9 for chlorophyll a) at 10–15% concentrations. The results also revealed that moderate concentrations generally provided the most balanced stimulation, suggesting the presence of an optimal dose threshold. This study demonstrated the comparative effectiveness of root, foliar, and combined applications of a fermented shrimp-waste biostimulant and identified an optimal concentration. However, its limitations lie in the use of controlled pot conditions and a single crop variety, which restrict the extrapolation of results to field-scale applications and diverse agroecological environments. Therefore, more research is needed to explore the action mechanisms of the studied biostimulant and elicitors, mainly the interaction between biocompounds and the treated plant. Full article

Under the combined pressures of climate change and irrigated cropland expansion, groundwater tables are declining rapidly across arid regions, thereby intensifying water limitation in riparian ecosystems. However, the mechanisms by which dominant riparian tree species coordinate multiple functional traits to maintain carbon–water balance remains poorly understood. This study investigated coordinated ecophysiological trait shifts of Populus euphratica Oliv. along a groundwater-depth gradient (2.19, 4.88, and 7.45 m) in the middle reaches of the Tarim River (China), hereafter referred to as shallow, middle, and deep groundwater depths, respectively. We quantified photosynthetic, hydraulic, stomatal, leaf anatomical and nutrient traits, and estimated long-term intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUE_i) from foliar δ¹³C. As the groundwater table declined, (1) photosynthetic capacity and photochemical performance decreased, whereas WUE_i increased markedly from 38.5 ± 2.9 to 54.2 ± 1.0 μmol mmol⁻¹, accompanied by the lowest transpiration rate at the deep groundwater depth (4.6 ± 0.5 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹); (2) stomatal and anatomical adjustments consistent with water-loss reduction were observed, including a significant decline in stomatal density from 93.5 ± 14.5 to 79.3 ± 17.4 pores mm⁻², and reduced stomatal size and stomatal area fraction (−20.3% and −32.7%, respectively); (3) the percentage loss of hydraulic conductivity increased, whereas sapwood-specific hydraulic conductivity declined, accompanied by greater sapwood investment relative to leaf area, with Huber value rising from 0.06 ± 0.02 to 0.11 ± 0.04 mm² cm⁻² at deep water depth; and (4) chlorophyll concentrations and leaf water content declined, whereas structural investment increased, as reflected by higher specific leaf mass and leaf dry matter content, and leaf nutrients were enriched, with total nitrogen and total phosphorus increasing by 67.1% and 42.0%, respectively. Trait-WUE_i relationships further indicated that WUE_i covaried most strongly with leaf anatomical and nutrient traits. These results demonstrate that increasing groundwater depth was associated with coordinated shifts in carbon assimilation, water-use regulation, hydraulic function, and nutrient allocation in P. euphratica. Such trait coordination may help explain how this species persists under chronic water limitation in arid riparian forests. Full article

Soybean is a vital crop supporting global food, feed, and biofuel production. Soybean yields have surged, with record yields reaching 14,678 kg/ha⁻¹, though average farm yields remain stagnant at 2770–2790 kg ha⁻¹. The persistent yield gaps leave 44% of potential production unrealized due to climate change, threatening food security. To meet future caloric demands, which are projected to rise by 46.8% by 2050, soybean breeding must prioritize climate-resilient, high-yielding varieties with minimal ecological footprints. In this comprehensive and in-depth review, we synthesized existing literature and Google Patents and reviewed the multifaceted impacts of climate-change driven eCO₂ and stresses (heat, drought, flooding, salinity, and pathogens), revealing non-linear interactions where eCO₂ may not compensate yield losses under combined stresses. We then highlight key strategies for soybean breeding under climate-change scenario. To this regard, we provide a detailed trait-by-trait breeding roadmap covering seed number, seed size, seed weight, protein-oil balance and their metabolic trade-offs, above and below ground plant architecture, nitrogen fixation and nodulation dynamics, root system architecture, water use efficiency, canopy architecture, flowering time regulation, early maturity etc., in light of specific genes and validated strategies. We explicitly discuss the novel strategies including deeper understanding of traits, abiotic stress physiology, changing pathogen dynamics, phenomics, (multi-)omics, machine learning, and modern biotechnological techniques for developing future soybean varieties. We provide a future roadmap prioritizing specific actions, including engineering climate-resilient ideotypes through gene stacking, optimizing nitrogen fixation and nutrition under stresses leveraging omics data, pan-genome, wild soybean, speeding breeding hubs, and participatory farmer-network validation, while redefining the future soybean breeder would be a hybrid orchestrator of data and dirt. This review establishes a foundational framework for translating climate-adaptive morphological, biochemical, physiological, omics, agronomic, phenomics, and biotechnological insights into actionable breeding strategies, thereby guiding policy-driven investment in soybean improvement programs targeting 2050 and beyond. Full article

Trees in arid mountainous forests adapt to seasonal water variability through dynamic eco-physiological adjustments. This study investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics and environmental drivers of such adaptations in Picea schrenkiana Fisch. et Mey, a keystone conifer in China’s Tianshan Mountains. We monitored key indicators—including osmoregulatory substances, antioxidant enzyme activities, and stoichiometric traits—across three regions (eastern, central, western) and three seasons (spring, summer, autumn) during the 2023 growing season. The results revealed significant seasonal shifts in all the measured traits (p < 0.05). Spring was characterized by high carbon allocation toward soluble sugars and starch, supporting growth; summer triggered elevated antioxidant enzyme activities to mitigate oxidative stress; and autumn favored nitrogen accumulation and proline synthesis, indicating preparatory storage for winter. Soil factors were primarily positively associated with antioxidant enzyme activity (path coefficient = 0.51; p < 0.001), whereas microenvironmental factors were more complex and often negatively correlated. The partial least squares path model confirmed that osmoregulatory substances centrally link stoichiometric adjustments with antioxidant defense, revealing an integrated physiological strategy. These findings elucidate the mechanism underlying the resilience of P. schrenkiana in arid highlands and provide a framework for its conservation under environmental change. Full article

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) is a widely cultivated and economically important fruit crop that is severely affected by Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (race 1.2) (Fom). Conventional management practices have shown limited effectiveness and pose environmental and health risks; therefore, sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives are required to manage this disease. In the present study, 23 endophytic fungal isolates belonging to eight genera were isolated from Ecballium elaterium and screened to determine antifungal potential against Fom using an in vitro antagonistic assay. Two endophytic isolates (Fusarium sp. EeR4 and Fusarium clavum EeR24) exhibited an inhibitory effect against Fom on quarter-strength PDA plates. In growth chamber experiments, F. clavum EeR24-colonized melon seedlings and significantly protected plants from wilting compared to non-colonized pathogen-challenged seedlings. Under greenhouse conditions, F. clavum EeR24 significantly improved morphological and physiological traits, including plant height, weight, number of leaves, membrane stability, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration, in Cucumis melo. Endophytic colonization improved catalase (56%), guaiacol peroxide (47%), and superoxide dismutase activity (25%), and increased flavonoid and phenolic content by 11–59% compared to non-colonized Fom-challenged plants. Lipid peroxidation significantly decreased by 37% and proline accumulation increased by 70% in colonized plants compared to non-colonized plants. Histochemical analysis also indicated that endophytic colonization considerably reduced the levels of H₂O₂, O₂⁻, malondialdehyde, and cell mortality in Fom-challenged plants. In addition, the culture filtrate and organic residues of F. clavum EeR24 inhibited the mycelial growth of Fom by 52–58%, respectively. Furthermore, a study on spatial colonization of the endophyte and the pathogen using GFP and RFP tagging indicated that both the endophyte and the pathogen simultaneously colonized the root tissues of C. melo; however, the endophyte significantly reduced the pathogenicity of Fom. These results suggest that endophytic F. clavum EeR24 may be developed as an effective biocontrol agent for the management of Fusarium wilt in melon plants under field conditions. Full article

Succulent plants in arid ecosystems exhibit contrasting strategies to cope with high irradiance, thermal stress, and water limitation. We evaluated spatial distribution, microhabitat use, nurse identity, and orientation beneath canopies for two threatened globose cacti from the Querétaro semi-desert (Mexico): Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus and Lophophora diffusa. One site with high population density was selected for each species, where 10 plots were established (9 m² for A. kotschoubeyanus and 49 m² for L. diffusa). The study aims to evaluate whether species-specific recruitment patterns are associated with differential dependence on nurse-plant microhabitats under conditions of radiation and thermal stress. We hypothesized that: (1) both species exhibit aggregated spatial distributions but differ in their reliance on nurse-mediated microclimatic buffering; and (2) nurse-plant identity and orientation patterns vary between species, reflecting species-specific ecophysiological thresholds to irradiance and heat stress. Both species showed strongly aggregated spatial distributions (Hopkins index > 0.8), indicating recruitment constrained by microsite heterogeneity. However, their stress-adaptation strategies differed markedly. A. kotschoubeyanus occurred predominantly in open microsites (79%), consistent with its geophytic growth form and tolerance to high radiation and temperature extremes. In contrast, L. diffusa was strongly associated with nurse plants (78%), particularly Larrea tridentata and Bursera fagaroides, and preferentially established on eastern canopy exposures that reduce afternoon heat load. These patterns reflect species-specific ecophysiological thresholds linked to radiation tolerance and microclimatic buffering. Facilitation in globose cacti is therefore trait-mediated and context-dependent. Maintaining perennial shrub diversity is essential to preserve the microhabitats that sustain recruitment and persistence of stress-sensitive succulents under increasing climatic aridity. Full article