Search Results (1,884)

Tire wear particles (TWPs) are a significant source of microplastics and chemical additives in the environment; however, differences in the toxicity of particles from different vehicle types remain unclear. This hydroponic study compared the phytotoxicity of leachates from aircraft- and automobile-derived TWPs on mung bean. Both leachates inhibited seed germination and seedling growth, with aircraft TWP leachates showing stronger effects, including greater germination delays and more pronounced reductions in shoot height, root length, and root surface area. Physiological analyses revealed that TWP leachates induced oxidative stress, characterized by significant suppression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, compensatory increases in catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities, and marked accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), indicating severe membrane lipid peroxidation. Chlorophyll content decreased in all groups, with greater reductions under aircraft leachates. Toxicological Priority Index (ToxPi) modeling identified zinc as the shared primary risk factor, while aircraft tire-specific additives (e.g., dicyclohexylamine, 1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline) constituted a distinct risk component linked to differentiated formulations. Aircraft TWP leachates thus exhibit stronger phytotoxicity through multiple pathways. These findings support refined environmental risk assessment and targeted control measures for aircraft TWPs. Full article

The shoots of ‘Ziyan’ (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) are rich in anthocyanins, making their flavor unique and providing health benefits. The problem is that ‘Ziyan’ has weak growth and low yield of the shoots. Nitrogen levels affect the yield and quality of tea shoots by regulating their growth and the metabolism of major quality components, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, one-year-old seedlings of purple cultivar ‘Ziyan’ (Camellia sinensis) were grown hydroponically under three nitrogen levels (low nitrogen, moderate nitrogen, high nitrogen). The contents of quality-related chemical components and key enzyme activities were determined, combined with transcriptome analysis, to investigate the effects of nitrogen level on growth and quality component metabolism of ‘Ziyan’ tea seedlings. Results showed that compared with medium nitrogen (control), low nitrogen significantly decreased yield and total free amino acids, while high nitrogen did not markedly increase either index. Meanwhile, both low and high nitrogen significantly elevated phenylalanine content by 132.46% and 47.37%, respectively. Although the responses of EGCG and catechin contents to low nitrogen and high nitrogen are completely opposite. However, both low nitrogen and high nitrogen significantly reduced the anthocyanin content in shoots (8.15%, 25.26%), inhibiting anthocyanin synthesis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed that flavonoid, phenylpropanoid and sucrose-related pathways were relatively active under both high and low nitrogen supply. Additionally, transcriptome analysis identified C4H, LAR and FLS as key genes, and transcription factors (e.g., GRF, bHLH, MYB) and auxins were actively involved in the nitrogen stress response related to ‘Ziyan’ shoot growth and major quality component metabolism. The findings help clarify the adaptive mechanisms of ‘Ziyan’ shoots under nitrogen stress and provide a scientific basis for the fertilization management. Full article

Agronomic biofortification represents an effective strategy to counteract hidden hunger in humans. Salts and synthetic chelates are widely used as foliar or root applications for enriching vegetables with mineral nutrients. Recently, biochelates have been proposed as a sustainable alternative to synthetic chelates, especially peptide-based biochelates that combine the beneficial role of peptides as biostimulants and chelating agents. This study investigated the impact of multiple foliar applications of two peptide-based biochelates for enhancing Fe and Zn in leaves of hydroponically grown lettuce. No significant differences were observed in the fresh and dry weight of lettuce shoots, leaf pigments, leaf antioxidant activity and leaf macronutrient profile, while a significant increase in biochelate treatments was observed in leaf Fe and Zn concentrations in comparison with untreated control (+38.1% and +44.1%, respectively). Leaf concentration of Fe and Zn in biochelate treatments allowed to estimate that 100 g of biofortified fresh lettuce shoots per day in the human diet can contribute to Population Reference Intake from 7.9 to 11.5% for Fe and from 3.3 to 3.9% for Zn. Moreover, Zn-peptide treatments reduced nitrate concentration with respect to control and Fe-peptide (−9% and −11%, respectively), increasing the quality of lettuce leaves. Overall, peptide-based biochelates proved to be a promising, environmentally friendly fertilizer for lettuce biofortification, enhancing Fe and Zn concentration without impairing yield and leaf quality. Full article

The tip of the underground stolon of arrowhead (Sagittaria trifolia) can perceive rhizosphere mechanical resistance and promote corm expansion by regulating the biosynthesis and accumulation of plant hormones. However, corm development of S. trifolia is affected under hydroponic conditions with low mechanical resistance. This study aimed to promote the formation and expansion of S. trifolia corms under hydroponic conditions and explore its potential regulatory mechanism through exogenous hormone application and transcriptome analysis. Exogenous ABA, JA, and SA was applied to hydroponic S. trifolia, and the key candidate genes regulating corm expansion were identified by transcriptome assay. The results showed that both MeJA and ABA could promote the corm expansion under hydroponic conditions, while SA inhibited corm development at the early stage of treatment and induced a large number of stolons to emerge and branch from the underground part of S. trifolia at the later stage. Transcriptome analysis showed that the key genes related to ethylene, auxin and cytokinin, namely StriChr1G051240 (EIN3), StriChr3G133510 (EIN3), StriChr2G094080 (ARF), StriChr3G125830 (ARR), StriChr4G170530 (ARF), and StriChr5G184020 (ARF), were all differentially expressed in expanded S. trifolia corms that were induced by ABA treatment and high rhizosphere mechanical resistance. This finding indicated that ABA may act together with ethylene, auxin and cytokinin by regulating the expression of EIN3, ARR and ARF genes to promote the corm formation, in the condition of insufficient mechanical resistance. Current study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the hormonal regulatory of S. trifolia corm expansion and improving the delayed corm expansion problem under hydroponic cultivation. Full article

Synthetic food dyes represent an important category of chemical contaminants with potential phytotoxic, genotoxic, and ecotoxic effects on living organisms and natural ecosystems. The present study aimed to evaluate the physiological effects induced by three commercial food dyes on the model organism Allium cepa, using the Allium test under hydroponic conditions. A total of 105 bulbs were exposed for 48 h to two different concentrations of each dye, for which gravimetric and physiological parameters, such as biomass, water content, mineral and organic composition, growth inhibition index, tolerance index, and relative growth rate, were subsequently analyzed. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences between batches for all evaluated parameters, indicating effects mainly dependent on the type of dye applied. The results suggest that exposure to synthetic food dyes causes disturbances in water balance, biomass accumulation and mineral homeostasis, confirming the phytotoxic potential of these compounds and the utility of the Allium test in the biomonitoring of chemical contaminants. Full article

The accumulation of polylactic acid nano-plastics (PLA-NPs) in saline–alkali soils poses a potential threat to crop growth; however, the underlying toxicological mechanisms remain poorly understood. We conducted a hydroponic experiment to investigate the effects of polylactic acid (PLA) NPs (100 and 500 mg L⁻¹) under conditions both in the presence (50 mmol L⁻¹ NaCl) and absence of salt stress on maize seed germination, seedling growth, physiological characteristics, and transcriptomic responses. The results showed that exposure to PLA-NPs, particularly at a high concentration (500 mg L⁻¹), significantly inhibited seed germination and seedling growth. Compared to the low concentration (100 mg L⁻¹) of PLA-NPs, the high concentrations (500 mg L⁻¹) reduced the germination percentage by 25.0% and fresh weight by 25.8% and increased root MDA (6.7%), SOD (30.0%), POD (6.3%), ASA (13.4%), and GSH (13.1%). Under the same concentration of the PLA, PLA + NaCl treatments exerted stronger inhibitory effects than PLA-NPs alone, with the seed germination percentage and fresh weight reduced by an average of 52.7% and 6.6%, respectively. Notably, the inhibitory effects and integrated biomarker response (IBR) index of the PLA 500 + NaCl treatment were the highest. The presence of PLA-NPs in roots was confirmed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. GO enrichment analysis showed that pathways related to nutrient reservoir activity, oxidoreductase activity, hydrogen peroxide catabolic process, and hydrogen peroxide metabolic process were enriched under PLA-NP and PLA + NaCl treatments. KEGG analysis further indicated enrichment in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, ABC transporters, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism. The PLA-NP and PLA + NaCl treatments upregulated genes associated with oxidoreductase activity (Zm00001eb238800, Zm00001eb128620, and Zm00001eb020790). These findings suggest that synergistic toxicity of PLA-NPs and salinity stress in maize is primarily driven by the internalization of PLA-NPs and Na⁺ within maize roots, which negatively impacts maize seed germination and seedling growth by disrupting redox homeostasis and metabolic balance, thereby forcing plants to reallocate resources from growth toward oxidative stress defense. This study provides critical insights into the environmental risks of biodegradable nano-plastics in saline–alkali soil environments. Full article

Selenium (Se) is essential for human health, but its dietary intake remains insufficient in many regions, increasing interest in biofortification strategies. Indoor hydroponic systems offer a controlled and resource-efficient approach for producing Se-enriched leafy greens. Sulfur (S), an essential macronutrient for plants, affects Se uptake and metabolism due to their chemical similarity. In this study, we investigated the effects of Se supplementation (2 µM Na₂SeO₄) under two S levels (0.65 and 1.3 mM, supplied as MgSO₄) on Se accumulation, yield, and nutritional quality in lettuce, rocket, and basil grown in an indoor nutrient film technique (NFT) system. High S supply increased biomass in lettuce and basil by 16% and 25%, respectively, while rocket remained unaffected. The effect of Se on biomass depended on S status and species. Under low S conditions, Se increased lettuce biomass but reduced basil biomass, whereas no significant effects were observed under high S. Sulfur strongly reduced Se accumulation in all species, leading to lower contributions to the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Under low S conditions, Se-biofortified lettuce, rocket, and basil provided 111%, 179%, and 37% of the RDA per serving, respectively, whereas these values decreased to 56%, 64%, and 20% under high S. Sulfur and Se treatments also influenced macro- and micro-nutrient composition in a species-dependent manner. Se supplementation consistently reduced total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP) across all species. Total ascorbic acid was affected only in rocket, with the highest levels observed under high S without Se. These findings highlight a clear antagonistic interaction between S and Se in hydroponic systems and demonstrate the need to optimize S supply to balance yield and Se biofortification without compromising nutritional quality in leafy greens grown in indoor systems. Full article

The use of genes derived from halophytes represents a promising strategy for enhancing salt tolerance. Among salt tolerance mechanisms, vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ exchangers (NHXs) play a central role in cellular Na⁺ sequestration in both halophytes and glycophytes. In this study, we identified the SvNHX2 gene from the halophyte Sporobolus virginicus and characterized its role in salinity tolerance. SvNHX2 expression was strongly induced by salt stress, particularly in shoots in S. virginicus. Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing SvNHX2 exhibited significantly improved growth at the vegetative growth stage under 100 and 125 mM NaCl on agar plates and at the reproductive growth stage under 100 mM NaCl in hydroponic systems, although no clear correlation was observed between transgene expression levels and tolerance. Ion analysis showed that SvNHX2 overexpression increased Na⁺ accumulation in roots under NaCl stress, suggesting enhanced vacuolar Na⁺ sequestration, while K⁺ levels remained comparable to the wild type. These findings indicated that SvNHX2 contributes to salt tolerance primarily by promoting Na⁺ compartmentalization, and that its capacity is comparable to those of NHX proteins in glycophytes. In this study, we provide additional insights into the function of halophytic NHX and demonstrated that SvNHX2 is a valuable gene for engineering salt-tolerant crops. Full article

This study investigated the efficacy of fruit peel-derived fertilizers from banana (Musa), orange (Citrus × sinensis), and mixed fruit peels in promoting lettuce (Lactuca sativa) growth in a hydroponic system as a sustainable alternative to synthetic nutrient solutions. The research determined the optimal concentration and application through trials, comparing effectiveness across concentrations and light exposure conditions within the first 1–2 weeks of cultivation. Findings revealed that optimal concentrations of 400–1000 g of peels per liter of water and a 3-L fertilizer combination yielded favorable outcomes under direct sunlight. The study concludes that banana and mixed peel fertilizers supported robust lettuce growth, with banana being the most effective. Full article

Purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) have attracted attention as a group of microorganisms with plant growth-promoting abilities. Notably, agriculturally important PNSB, including members of the genera Rhodopseudomonas and Rhodobacter, are classified within the class α-Proteobacteria. However, molecular visualization of these bacteria in plant tissues remains challenging without bacterial genetic manipulation. In this study, a DIG-labeled RNA probe was developed from a 16S rRNA region showing relatively high sequence conservation among the tested α-Proteobacterial strains. Northern blot analysis using RNA extracted from 13 bacterial strains demonstrated preferential hybridization of the probe to the tested α-Proteobacterial strains. Then, in situ hybridization (ISH) of fixed bacterial cells produced positive signals only in the tested α-Proteobacterial strains. Finally, after inoculation of Rhodopseudomonas palustris C2 during rice seed priming and seedling hydroponic cultivation, ISH analysis of rice roots revealed probe-positive bacterial structures in root epidermal and root hair-associated regions. Collectively, these results demonstrate the applicability of the developed RNA probe for molecular visualization from extracted RNA and bacterial cells to rice root tissues under controlled inoculation conditions and provide a useful approach for investigating bacterial localization and plant–bacteria interactions in rice roots. Full article

Year-round production of high-quality green forage using resource-efficient technologies is an important challenge for sustainable livestock farming. This study developed and experimentally evaluated an automated multi-tier hydroponic system integrating a sapropel-based bioactive medium, recirculating irrigation, and energy-efficient LED lighting. Experimental trials were conducted using feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) during a 10-day cultivation cycle. Resource consumption was assessed under light in-tensities of 200, 300, and 400 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, while biomass productivity was evaluated using sapropel extract concentrations of 1.0%, 2.0%, and 2.5%. The highest biomass productivity was obtained at a 2.5% concentration, where fresh green mass reached 44.8 kg per tray (25.45 kg m⁻²), representing a 1.6-fold increase compared with the control treatment, which consisted of identical hydroponic cultivation conditions without sapropel extract addition. The recirculating irrigation system reduced specific water consumption, while optimized LED lighting improved energy-use efficiency. The results demonstrate that integration of natural bioactive supplementation with automated environmental control can significantly enhance hydroponic forage productivity while reducing specific resource inputs. Full article

Cultivation knowledge deficiencies limit the appreciation of microalgae-based nutrient solutions on hydroponic plants. This study compared Chlorella vulgaris implications for lettuce growth and the production of high-value components through the use of four different co-cultivation hydroponic scenarios. The results of 30-day co-cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris and lettuce demonstrated the significance of controls of pH (7.0–7.75) and green microalgal cell density (10⁷ cells/mL) to improve the qualities in lettuce leaf growth, root vigor, and nutrient yield from days 15 to 30 during the co-cultivation. Plant height increased by 19%, leaf area by 4%, root cortex thickness by 14% (p < 0.05), total chlorophyll content by 49%, soluble sugar content by 12%, and protein content by 6% through the adoption of 1.0 × 10⁷~1.6 × 10⁷ cells/mL of microalgal solution during hydroponic cultivation. Furthermore, the aerated hydroponic device benefits of co-cultivating high-concentration Chlorella vulgaris and lettuce resulted in a 1.0-time increase in vitamin C compared to the cultivation of low-concentration Chlorella vulgaris. This study highlights the benefits of the sustainable strategy of the microalgal cultivation technique used in the hydroponic systems for nutritious and healthy leafy vegetable growers, which is also emphasized for eco-friendly bioactive compound production. Full article

Banana Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), poses a significant threat to global banana production; however, effective and sustainable control strategies remain limited. Extracellular self-DNA (esDNA), which functions as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), has recently been identified as a crucial regulator of plant innate immunity. Nonetheless, it is unclear whether the immune regulatory function of esDNA varies with disease progression. In this study, we examined the effects of esDNA derived from banana leaves exhibiting different disease severities on plant resistance to Fusarium wilt. Hydroponic experiments revealed that esDNA displayed a distinct disease-stage-dependent regulatory pattern. EsDNA from mildly diseased tissues significantly suppressed Foc TR4 colonization, supported plant growth, and mitigated oxidative damage, whereas esDNA from severely dise ased tissues lost protective effects and even intensified cellular stress. Physiological analyses indicated that beneficial esDNA effectively reduced H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde accumulation while enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and phenylpropanoid metabolism. Transcriptome profiling further demonstrated that esDNA extensively altered pathogen-induced gene expression, with enrichment of pathways involved in metabolic and redox homeostasis. These transcriptional changes correlate with the observed reduction in oxidative damage and improved plant growth, suggesting that restoration of homeostasis may contribute to esDNA-mediated resistance. Our findings collectively demonstrate that esDNA serves as a dynamic DAMP signal, exhibiting effects that depend on the disease stage. This study offers new insights into the role of plant self-DNA in mediating immunity and presents a promising strategy for developing environmentally sustainable control measures against banana Fusarium wilt. Full article

Global food production systems are increasingly challenged by population growth, climate change, water scarcity, and environmental degradation, necessitating the adoption of sustainable, resource-efficient food production strategies. Aquaponic systems integrate recirculating aquaculture with hydroponic crop cultivation, enabling nutrient recycling and improved water-use efficiency. Simultaneously, CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology has emerged as a powerful tool for precise genetic improvement of economically important aquaculture traits. This review critically evaluates current progress in CRISPR/Cas9 applications in aquaculture, with emphasis on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Evidence from peer-reviewed studies indicates that targeted modification of genes associated with growth regulation, disease resistance, nutrient metabolism, feed efficiency, and stress tolerance can significantly enhance fish productivity and physiological resilience. Genes involved in hypoxia adaptation and nitrogen metabolism may further improve environmental performance in intensive recirculating systems by reducing ammonia accumulation and enhancing nutrient utilization. However, most genome-editing studies have been conducted under laboratory or conventional aquaculture conditions, with limited information available regarding the long-term performance, ecological interactions, microbial dynamics, and biosafety of genome-edited fish in aquaponic environments. Technical limitations including off-target effects, mosaicism, delivery efficiency, regulatory uncertainty, and public acceptance continue to constrain large-scale implementation. In the short term, CRISPR/Cas9 applications are likely to focus on practical trait enhancement under controlled aquaculture systems, whereas longer-term research may explore fish lines specifically optimized for nutrient cycling, environmental resilience, and integrated aquaponic sustainability. Overall, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing represents a promising but still emerging strategy for improving sustainable aquaculture and aquaponic food production systems. Full article

Soybean is a critical economic, oil and industrial raw material crop, yet its production is often hindered by pathogen infection and pesticide residues. This study explored the synergistic effects of Rhizophagus intraradices and mycorrhizal helper bacteria (MHB) on AMF colonization, AMF spore density, total number of bacterial colonies, soybean growth, root rot disease index, and carbendazim residues. Hydroponic and pot experiments were conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) with five biological replicates per treatment; after 30 days of growth, three replicates were randomly selected for all measurements. Results showed that inoculation with microbial agents, particularly co-inoculation, increased soybean biomass, reduced disease index, and decreased carbendazim residues. In the hydroponic experiment, co-inoculation increased plant height, aboveground fresh weight, and underground dry weight by 64.28%, 78.13%, and 109.09%, respectively, and decreased carbendazim residues by 71.84% relative to the carbendazim-alone group. In the pot experiment, co-inoculation reduced carbendazim residues by 81.25% and root rot disease index by 45.56% compared with the carbendazim-alone group. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation (p < 0.001) between carbendazim degradation in hydroponic and pot systems, indicating stable degradation function across environments. Co-inoculation of R. intraradices and MHB synergistically promotes soybean growth, suppresses root rot, and reduces carbendazim residues, providing a theoretical basis for developing functional microbial inoculants for safe and green soybean production. Full article