Search Results (1,124)

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient required for plant growth, photosynthesis and metabolic regulation. Its importance is related to the involvement in several metabolic processes that ensure proper cellular function and balanced plant development throughout the production cycle. In plants, Mn is absorbed predominantly as Mn²⁺, and its availability is strongly influenced by soil pH, aeration, and other mineral nutrients in the soil solution. After uptake by roots, Mn is translocated to the shoot, accumulating primarily in metabolically active organs such as stems, young leaves and flowers. Although Mn exhibits limited mobility in the phloem, adequate concentrations are necessary to sustain both vegetative development and reproductive growth. Adequate Mn concentration is directly reflected in fruit development, as well-nourished plants show improved flowering, greater assimilate translocation capacity, and better fruit filling, thereby positively influencing yield and quality. However, Mn deficiency is common in alkaline soils or soils with high organic matter, causing interveinal chlorosis in young leaves, reduced growth, and lower biomass production. Under prolonged conditions, deficiency leads to less vigorous plants with reduced metabolic efficiency. Conversely, Mn toxicity, typically associated with acidic and poorly drained soils, restricts root development and induces nutritional imbalances with other elements, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Therefore, proper Mn management is essential to ensure nutritional balance and optimal performance of agricultural crops. Overall, this review synthesizes advances in Mn transport, cellular compartmentalization, and metabolic regulation, emphasizing how Mn interacts with other mineral nutrients to influence plant physiology. Attention is given to the integration of Mn with redox networks, photosynthetic regulation, and reproductive development. By linking transport mechanisms with physiological outcomes, this review identifies key patterns governing Mn homeostasis and highlights implications for crop nutrition and sustainable nutrient management. Full article

The integration of appropriate tillage practices with straw returning can effectively mitigate soil degradation in Northeast China. However, limited research has explored the impacts of different tillage practices combined with varying straw incorporation depths on the structure and diversity of soil microbial communities. In 2016, a field experiment was initiated using a two-factor split-plot design, featuring six treatments: two tillage depths of 10 cm (D10) and 30 cm (D30) combined with three straw management practices—straw mixing incorporation (SM), straw deep burial (SB), and straw removal (SR). Soil samples collected in 2019 were analyzed for multiple soil properties and microbial indices. Results indicated that both straw returning and tillage depth significantly influenced soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (STN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK), with the D30 treatment combined with straw returning optimizing soil nutrient contents most effectively. Under straw returning, D10 significantly increased urease activity in the 0–10 cm soil layer, whereas D30 enhanced this enzyme activity in the 10–30 cm soil layer, while β-glucosidase activity was less responsive to tillage depth. For the D10 treatment with straw returning, acid phosphatase activity was markedly higher than that in the straw removal treatment, whereas N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity exhibited the opposite trend. Straw-returning methods had no significant effects on the bacterial and fungal Chao1 indices, while the Shannon index was positively correlated with key soil properties. Redundancy analysis (RDA) of microbial community composition at the phylum level and soil environmental factors revealed that soil nutrients in the 0–10 cm soil layer were positively correlated with Actinobacteriota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota, whereas the explanatory power of soil nutrients for microbial community variation decreased in the 10–30 cm soil layer. Our results highlight that tillage depth and straw returning can regulate soil microbial community composition and enhance soil nutrient cycling, thereby providing a theoretical basis for optimizing the combined application mode of tillage and straw-returning practices in Northeast China. Full article

Neltuma juliflora (Sw.) Raf. (syn. = Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.) is among the world’s most aggressive woody invaders, yet its ecological impacts remain poorly quantified in hyper-arid environments, where soils are calcareous and ecosystems recover slowly from disturbance. In this study, we tested two hypotheses: (1) the presence of N. juliflora changes native plant diversity, as well as soil and key physicochemical properties in hyper-arid Qatar, and (2) agricultural farms act as primary sources of N. juliflora invasion. Using a comparative observational design across 62 sites (45 invaded and 17 non-invaded), we applied a generalised additive model (GAM) and a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) to quantify invasion drivers and the impact of invasion on perennial species diversity, respectively. Additionally, we used the Wilcoxon rank-sum test to compare the soil properties in the invaded and non-invaded sites. Our results indicate that N. juliflora is positively associated with farms, with the probability of occurrence declining by ca. 20% for each kilometre farther away from agricultural farms. This pattern suggests substantial propagule pressure from agricultural farms. Perennial species richness declined from 7.5 species at 0% N. juliflora cover to 4.8 species at full cover (36% reduction). Invaded sites were characterised by higher amounts of coarse sand (16%); reduced silt–clay fractions (5%); and elevated salinity indicators, including electrical conductivity (0.744 dS m⁻¹) and total dissolved solids (476 mg L⁻¹), while major N–P–K pools remained unchanged. These findings demonstrate measurable invasion-related changes in soil conditions and native perennial diversity in hyper-arid ecosystems and highlight the role of agricultural land use as a key driver of biological invasion. From a sustainability perspective, early detection, targeted control near agricultural and grazing zones, and integration of invasive species monitoring into land-use planning frameworks are essential to prevent further ecosystem degradation, protect biodiversity, and enhance the resilience of desert landscapes under increasing climate and land-use pressures. Full article

Rotational cover cropping is a key practice in conservation agriculture. To investigate the effects of maize-crop rotation with cover crops combined with nitrogen management on maize yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and related traits, a field experiment was conducted from 2023 to 2025. The experiment employed a split-plot design. The main plots consisted of three cropping systems: continuous maize (Fumin 985’) monoculture (CK), maize rotated with rapeseed (CC-Ra), and maize rotated with rye (CC-Ry). The subplots comprised five nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates (0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg ha⁻¹) respectively. Compared to CK, CC-Ra and CC-Ry increased average maize grain yield by 5.93% and 12.89%, and NUE by 8.09% and 2.89%, respectively. At the silking stage, these treatments increased average DM by 6.45% and 16.55%, respectively, and by 5.75% and 15.01% at the maturity stage. The maximum LAI was enhanced by an average of 16.24% and 26.82%, while the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of the ear leaf increased by 12.29% and 26.32%, respectively. In contrast, the leaf net assimilation rate (NAR) decreased by an average of 19.98% and 18.01%. While higher N application boosted yield, it sharply reduced NUE. Notably, yields under rotations at 225 kg N ha⁻¹ matched the yield of continuous maize at 300 kg N ha⁻¹. This suggests that the inclusion of cover crops can substitute for a portion of nitrogen fertilizer input while maintaining stable maize yield. Principal component analysis fundamentally clarified that maize rotational cover cropping combined with nitrogen fertilizer management significantly promotes yield. While cover crops increase maize yield, they also facilitate nitrogen accumulation and enhance NUE, albeit at the expense of leaf net assimilation rate. Therefore, balancing the source–sink characteristics of the maize population is necessary to avoid the loss of advantages conferred by rotational cover cropping. This study holds significant implications for incorporating cover crops into maize production systems. Full article

Orthohalarachne attenuata and O. diminuata mites are parasites of the respiratory system of Pinnipeds. During hosts’ dives, mites must cope with changing conditions of oxygen availability in the nasal cavity. Adults and nymphs live inside the host, but larvae are active and responsible for colonizing new hosts. Hence, larvae are also exposed to environmental conditions with variable temperature and pressure, as well as to dehydration and changes in salinity. Although both species live within the respiratory tract of hosts, adults attach to different sections. Also, larvae have differential thermal tolerances and locomotion capacities. In this study, we show the effect of hypoxia, humidity and salinity on survival of O. attenuata and O. diminuata mite larvae. We found that both species are highly tolerant to hypoxia and can withstand it for long periods. In turn, both species showed low survival when exposed to direct air. Finally, hyperosmotic solution was highly harmful for O. attenuata, but not for O. diminuata. Our results show that humidity rather than oxygen availability is a constraint for survival and a limitation for dispersal when searching for new hosts. The present study expands our knowledge of ecophysiology and adaptations to changing conditions experienced during the dispersal of these marine parasite species. Full article

This study presents a genome-resolved shotgun metagenomic analysis of artisanal raw-milk goat cheese from the Masurian region of Poland, addressing the limited understanding of strain-level diversification and functional restructuring during traditional cheese ripening. While microbial succession in cheese has been widely described, comprehensive genome-resolved analyses integrating strain-level genomic heterogeneity, pathway reweighting, and mobile genetic elements in artisanal goat cheese remain scarce. By combining taxonomic profiling with metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) reconstruction and pathway-level functional analysis, we characterised microbial succession and genome plasticity across ripening stages. Genome reconstruction yielded 37 MAGs during early ripening and 141 MAGs in mature cheese, revealing increased genome recoverability and pronounced strain-level heterogeneity within dominant taxa, including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, and Lactococcus lactis. Alpha diversity increased in mature samples, consistent with progressive community restructuring. Functional profiling demonstrated coordinated metabolic reweighting, particularly within carbohydrate metabolism, while amino acid and lipid metabolism remained proportionally stable. Genome-resolved analyses further identified tetracycline- and sulfonamide-associated resistance determinants and diverse bacteriophages targeting lactic acid bacteria, highlighting the role of mobile genetic elements in horizontal gene transfer and microevolutionary adaptation during ripening. Full article

This study analyzes the olive tree in the Menara Garden (Marrakech) to elucidate its role in the resilience of semi-arid urban agroecosystems. By combining hyperspectral remote sensing, bioeconomic modeling, and biophysical analyses, it quantifies the ecosystem services provided by the park (100 ha, 10000 trees). The results demonstrate optimal microclimate regulation (evapotranspiration accounting for 53.21% of the water balance), significant pollutant sequestration (carbon dioxide (CO₂), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), particulate matter (PM)), soil stabilization, and circular valorization of 268 t/year of biomass. These performances stem from adaptive traits (adjustable stomatal conductance, phenotypic plasticity), enabling water savings of 35 ± 5%. The study proposes a framework integrating plant physiology, ecosystem services, and SDGs, advocating for urban policies refocused on green infrastructure as pillars of sustainability in semi-arid zones. Full article

This study evaluated protein hydrolysates from fish collagen (Col) and sheep keratin (Ker) as potential biostimulants in the hydro-priming of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) seeds. Seeds treated with low, non-nutritional doses of Col (0.5%) and Ker (1%) were compared with non-primed (C) and water-primed (H) controls under optimal conditions and after high-temperature stress (35 °C, 9 days). After stress removal, H-Col and H-Ker seeds achieved ~90% germination, whereas H and C reached 78% and 60%, respectively, confirming improved seed quality and post-stress recovery. Seedlings from Col- and Ker-treated seeds showed enhanced growth, higher biomass, and increased chlorophyll and precursor content. High-temperature stress also acted as a priming factor, modifying elemental profiles and stimulating carotenoid antioxidant synthesis. ATR–FTIR analyses indicated changes in cell wall composition and protein structure, particularly in the H-Ker variant. The results demonstrate that collagen and keratin hydrolysates, as industrial by-products, possess strong phytobiostimulatory potential and can be applied in sustainable strategies to improve seed quality and plant stress resilience. Full article

Soil salinization is a major environmental hazard, hindering rapeseed development due to sodium ion (Na⁺) toxicity and ionic imbalances in plant cells. Understanding tolerance mechanisms and categorizing reliable physiochemical indicators is vital for enhancing rapeseed tolerance. Herein, we aimed to enhance knowledge about the stress-responsive mechanism of ten rapeseed varieties (C71, C88, C91, C97, C123, C136, C196, C272, C280, and C320) exposed to five NaCl concentrations (0, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mM) through determining key factors related to salt tolerance at the seedling stage. Our results showed that salt stress significantly reduced seedling growth and biomass with increasing salt stress concentration in a similar pattern in all studied varieties, especially in sensitive seedlings. Furthermore, photosynthetic pigment, osmotic solutes, and MDA showed significant variations under salt treatment versus control in all studied varieties. Based on morpho-physiochemical trait analysis of ten rapeseed varieties, C71 and C272 were selected as tolerant and sensitive varieties to study stress responses during six weeks (weekly time points) in the leaf, petiole, stem, and root of seedlings under 250 mM NaCl. Current findings demonstrated superior osmotic adjustment of C71 through higher accumulation of total soluble sugars and protein, reflected in lower MDA levels, which contributed to maintaining cellular homeostasis and membrane integrity to improve resilience under salinity versus C272. Besides, total amino acid content was enhanced in C71 versus C272 seedlings, which was attributed to stress tolerance. In different tissues of C71 and C272, Na⁺ and K⁺ levels varied with increasing growing time, reaching the maximum increment at the 6th week under salt stress conditions. Moreover, Na⁺ initially accumulates in roots and enhances the K⁺ level in tolerant seedlings; besides, K⁺ was accumulated higher in the roots of tolerant seedlings, resulting in K⁺ homeostasis, thereby improving stress tolerance. Our results can be a great reference value for rapeseed plant breeders to develop salt-tolerant cultivars. Full article

The deep sea is characterized by unique and extreme habitats. The absence of light, high salinity, hydrostatic pressure, low temperature, and high competition led to the evolution of physiological and biochemical adaptations necessary for survival. Marine fungi represent a significant part of deep-sea microbial communities. Studying bathypelagic sediment fungi helps us to understand their little-known communities and ecology, as well as their metabolic potential and ecophysiological properties, which have applications in pharmaceutical biotechnologies and bioremediation protocols. During an oceanographic campaign off the coast of Toulon (France, northwest Mediterranean Sea) in October 2021, as part of the KM3NeT Project, the Hybrid Remotely Operated Vehicle (HROV) Ariane collected a composite sediment sample at a depth of 2417 m. The sediment was physically, geochemically and mycologically characterized. Culturable fungi were isolated, and vital fungal strains were identified morphologically and molecularly. A total of 17 strains were isolated and identified in pure culture. The major taxa belonged to the Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium genera, but widespread species such as Wallemia sebi were also found. This study also paves the way for further research into the advantages and disadvantages of using HROV technology for mycological cultural investigations at prohibitive depths. Full article

Cissus verticillata (plant-insulin) is used in the Brazilian popular medicine to treat symptoms of diabetes. Studies about its ability to contrast glycoxidative stress is lacking, which may add mechanistic information about its effects on treat diabetic complications. This study investigated the ability of Cissus verticillata leaf hydroethanolic extract (CvExt) to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). ROS scavenging assays were used to test CvExt antioxidant activity. Incubations of bovine serum albumin with glucose (0.5 M) or methylglyoxal (2 mM) and CvExt (250, 125, and 62.5 μg/mL) were used to test the antiglycation activity, by monitoring fluorescent AGEs, markers of amino acid oxidation, and protein carbonyl groups (PCO). The plant extract was submitted to liquid−liquid extractions, fractions were analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, and the data obtained were subjected to partial least-squares discriminant analysis. CvExt scavenged ROS inhibited the formation of AGEs and amino acid oxidation products, and decreased PCO levels. The main metabolites found in CvExt were flavonoids, cinnamic acid derivatives, coumarins, free amino acids, and some lipophilic compounds. CvExt inhibited glycoxidative stress in vitro, which can be associated with its complex chemical composition. Full article

Biostimulants are becoming essential and complementary tools in modern agriculture, offering an innovative and environmentally friendly approach to enhance crop production and resilience. This review explores biostimulant classification—including humic substances, seaweed extracts, protein hydrolysates, and beneficial microorganisms—and elucidates the complex mechanisms of action through which they modulate plant physiology and biochemical and molecular processes. A major focus is placed on their demonstrated ability to significantly enhance nutrient use efficiency, stimulate root growth, improve water retention, and activate plant defense systems, thereby increasing tolerance to a wide plethora of stressors like drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures. Despite their proven efficacy, the broader adoption of biostimulants faces significant hurdles, including inconsistent product formulation, fragmented regulatory frameworks, and a limited understanding of their long-term effects under diverse field conditions. By emphasizing recent scientific and technological innovations, this review proposes a framework for research and practical application. Finally, biostimulants are part of the new technologies capable of improving plant resistance to abiotic stress and adapting agricultural systems to climate change, thanks to improved productivity and efficiency in the use of production inputs and natural resources. Advances in understanding the mechanisms of action of biostimulants will enable us to modulate the concept of plant nutrition and improve crop management. Full article

While the effect of domestication on various aspects of plant ecophysiology has been studied, less is known about its effect on plant–soil interaction. Here, we studied three botanical species of barley in comparison with four old cultivars and four contemporary cultivars with bare soils and two perennial grasses. Aboveground and belowground biomass decreased from botanical species to old cultivars and contemporary cultivars. Aboveground biomass of all barley cultivars was about one third lower in mineral fertilizer compared to the organic one, and this difference was similar in all barley cultivars. Biomass of perennial grasses was up to one third of barley biomass, but grass biomass did not differ significantly between fertilization treatments. Belowground biomass of botanical barley is significantly higher than that of modern cultivars; this discrepancy is even more pronounced under mineral fertilizer where belowground biomass of botanical barley significantly increased, and that of modern cultivars significantly decreased in comparison with organic fertilizer treatment, which means that modern barley cultivar in combination with mineral fertilizers provides less belowground litter to soil. This in the long term can potentially, together with other factors, contribute to the depletion of cultivated soil for organic matter. Microbial respiration in soil did not differ between treatments supplied by organic fertilizer, while in mineral fertilizer treatments old cultivars had lower respiration than other treatments. Microbial biomass did not differ between treatments supplied by mineral fertilizer, but in treatments supported by organic fertilizer, perennial grasses supported more microbial biomass than all barley treatments. The same pattern was observed in C content in soil. Carbon distribution in individual soil fractions did not differ between perennial grasses and barley treatments. In general, when hotspots of organic matter were provided, plants transferred this organic matter to soil, and this activity was more pronounced in perennial grasses than in barley treatments. Full article

The dinoflagellate Akashiwo sanguinea is a prominent harmful algal bloom (HAB) species responsible for significant mortalities of marine fauna. Its life cycle, which includes a benthic resting cyst stage, is fundamental to its bloom dynamics and geographic dispersal. This study investigates the effects of Taebaek coal powder, a silicate-rich mineral supplement, on the growth and life-stage transitions of A. sanguinea. Cultures were grown in standard f/2 medium (control) and f/2 medium amended with an extract of the coal powder. We monitored culture performance using fluorometry for quantitative biomass assessment and imaging flow cytometry (FlowCam) for qualitative life-stage analysis. The coal powder amendment conferred a distinct advantage, promoting both vegetative proliferation and the formation of resting cysts. Fluorescence-based measurements showed that the coal powder-amended cultures reached a density equivalent of 3851 ± 214 cells mL⁻¹ by day 4, significantly outpacing the control (2963 ± 351 cells mL⁻¹). Peak vegetative abundance in the treated cultures reached 6967 ± 423 cells mL⁻¹ on day 14, compared to 5979 ± 288 cells mL⁻¹ in the control. Critically, resting cyst production was substantially enhanced in the coal powder treatment, with densities reaching 32–37 cysts mL⁻¹ by the end of the experiment, compared to 22–26 cysts mL⁻¹ in the control. These findings demonstrate that mineral supplementation with Taebaek coal powder can significantly augment both vegetative growth and encystment in A. sanguinea, suggesting a potential link to micronutrient availability, though the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This enhanced cyst production method may prove valuable for harvesting cysts for ecophysiological research and highlights the need to explore how mineral-induced life-cycle shifts could influence bloom dynamics in a context-dependent manner. Full article