Search Results (412)

Red Fruit Ginseng (Campanumoea lancifolia), widely cultivated in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Guangxi, in China, is valued for its sweet-tasting fruit and medicinal potential. In this study, leaves of the Yunnan Maguan variety were used as explants to establish an efficient tissue culture system for callus induction, adventitious bud regeneration, and rooting. Different combinations of cytokinins and auxins were tested to determine the optimal balance of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Our results indicated that when the combined concentration of kinetin (KT) and 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) in the primary culture medium was lower than 1.0 mg/L, callus induction was the most effective, with treatments of 0.5 mg/L KT + 0.2 mg/L 6-BA and 0.2 mg/L KT + 0.8 mg/L 6-BA showing higher induction rates compared to other groups. During the subculture, 0.5 mg/L 6-BA promoted vigorous adventitious bud growth, while higher levels inhibited development. For rooting, 0.5 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) combined with 0.2 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) induced the highest root number and healthiest plantlets, outperforming indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The optimized protocol resulted in over 80% explant survival and produced vigorous seedlings suitable for acclimatization. This leaf-derived regeneration method provides a reliable approach for large-scale propagation, conservation, and potential pharmacological applications of Red Fruit Ginseng, contributing to the sustainable utilization and commercial development of this valuable medicinal plant. Full article

Three Australian populations of Portulaca oleracea—Common Purslane, Omega Gold and Omega Red—were grown under identical conditions, separated into portions—leaf, bud, stem and root—and their extracts tested for total phenolic content (TPC), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), and for antioxidant activity against hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in a linoleic acid emulsion. Highest TPC was found in Omega Gold and Omega Red roots, with 31.1 and 36.5 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram dry weight (mg GAE/g DW), respectively, being ten times higher than for Common Purslane roots (3.1 mg GAE/g DW). Other plant portions were generally higher for Omega Gold and Omega Red, though with much less difference, i.e., <2-fold variation. Results from other antioxidant tests paralleled those of TPC. Online monitoring of antioxidant activity via post-column reaction with [2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS^●+), revealed a peak with significant activity. Purification of the compound responsible yielded oleracein australis 1, and 1D and 2D NMR data are presented for the first time. The results of this study show that Australian populations of P. oleracea are high in bioactivity and may be superior to the internationally recognised medicinal plant, Common Purslane. Full article

Polyploids play significant roles in tea production due to their strong tolerance to adverse environmental conditions and their high levels of certain chemical components. Tetraploid can be used to produce more polyploid tea plants, but there have been only a handful of tetraploids found in tea plants. In spite of the extremely low probabilities, bud mutant selection is an effective way to obtain polyploid tree crops. In the present study, a Dashu tea, cytochimera, derived from a bud mutation was identified by using flow cytometry and chromosome observation. The morphology and photosynthetic characteristics of leaves were investigated briefly. Some chemical components were determined. Finally, the pollen viability and ploidy of progeny were detected. The results show that tetraploid cells account for 71.48 ± 3.88%–72.19 ± 2.80% of the leaf tissue in this cytochimera. Compared with the original diploid, the cytochimera exhibited broader, longer, and thicker leaves. Its net photosynthetic rate (high to 41.77 ± 0.38 μmol CO₂·m⁻²·s⁻¹) was higher than that of the original diploid (peak value 28.00 ± 2.29 μmol CO₂·m⁻²·s⁻¹) for most of the day when measured in September. Notably, the total content of 19 free amino acids in the tender spring shoots of cytochimera was 22.96 ± 0.58 mg/g, approximately twice of that of the diploid materials analyzed. The contents of 10 free amino acids, including theanine, were significantly higher than those in diploids, with some free amino acid contents reaching up to seven times those observed in diploids. In addition, the cytochimera produced larger pollen grains than the original diploid, although the in vitro germination rate was lower (14.63 ± 1.11%). Three open-pollinated progenies of cytochimera were identified as triploids. To sum up, cytochimera has larger and thicker leaves, a higher photosynthetic rate, and higher content of total free amino acids and some free amino acids, especially theanine, than the original diploid. Moreover, cytochimera has a certain level of fertility and can produce triploids. These findings suggest the potential for selecting polyploid tea plants from bud mutants and for developing new tea germplasms with enhanced amino acid contents. Full article

This study established an efficient in vitro regeneration system using stem nodes from root collar suckers as explants. Subsequently, regenerated shoots were used to establish an in vitro medicinal production protocol that achieved ginkgolic acid production. The self-developed Ginkgo biloba medium (GBM), first reported in this study, was pivotal to system establishment. The plantlet propagation system showed that the bases of stem nodes dipped in GBM with 2 mg·L⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.2 mg·L⁻¹ 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) achieved near-complete axillary bud induction (99.56%). Adventitious shoot induction reached 82.22% (3.5 shoots/explant) using GBM with 0.2 mg·L⁻¹ BA, 0.02 mg·L⁻¹ kinetin (Kin) and 0.2 g·L⁻¹ proline (Pro). Maximum adventitious shoot elongation (92.22%, average 3.35 cm) was observed on GBM containing 0.1 mg·L⁻¹ zeatin (ZT) and 0.01 mg·L⁻¹ BA. After 3-week preculture with 15 mg·L⁻¹ phloroglucinol (PG), treatment with 0.6 mg·L⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 0.2% activated carbon (AC) yielded 96.67% rooting (6.19 roots/explant) and 85% acclimatization survival. For medicinal resource production, bud cluster induction at 94.44% (20.89 buds/explant) on GBM with 1 mg·L⁻¹ BA, 0.03 mg·L⁻¹ Kin, and 0.2 g·L⁻¹ Pro. Leaf organs in GBM with 0.3 mg·L⁻¹ BA, 0.01 mg·L⁻¹ Kin, 0.01 mg·L⁻¹ IBA, 0.3 g·L⁻¹ Pro, and 0.01 mg·L⁻¹ glutamine (Gln) accumulated 20.64 g fresh weight and 41.910 mg·g⁻¹ DW ginkgolic acids, representing a 4.93-fold increase over mother plants. This system enables large-scale Ginkgo biloba L. propagation and provides an in vitro strategy for producing medicinal compounds in endangered plants. Full article

This study investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) plant extracts as a natural preservative, prolonging food shelf-life. The research evaluated the performance of 10 different extracts, including cinnamon, thyme, clove, and dashi, in low-fat food matrices. The results showed that these extracts significantly prolonged the shelf life of a plant-based and animal-based matrixes, with cinnamon and dashi extracts proving highly effective in plant-based matrix against mould and yeast growth for up to 65 days. A key part of the study focused on the interaction between these lipophilic extracts and black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) fat as a potential carrier system. While fats were expected to improve the extracts’ sensory properties and act as a delivery system, in vitro tests revealed an antagonistic effect. The lipophilic nature of the extracts’ active compounds caused them to be trapped within the fat phase, rendering them unavailable to interact with pathogens. These findings highlight the challenges and potential of using lipophilic natural antimicrobials in food systems and underscore the need for new strategies to optimize their efficacy. Full article

Background: High-temperature stress is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting cotton production. Identifying genetic loci and genes for heat tolerance is crucial for breeding heat-tolerant varieties. Methods: Given the complexity of heat tolerance phenotypes in cotton, this study, which focused on resource materials, identified an A/C SNP mutation at position 5486185 on chromosome D06 within the heat tolerance interval through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of natural Gossypium hirsutum populations. Results: A total of 308 resource materials were identified and evaluated for their heat tolerance phenotypes over two years of field research. Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) molecular markers were developed on the basis of the D06-5486185 SNP to characterize the heat tolerance phenotypes of these 308 resource materials. Genotyping for heat tolerance-related traits and agronomic traits was also performed. Materials with the C/C haplotype at position D06-5486185 presented increased heat tolerance (higher pollen viability (PV), leaf area (LA), chlorophyll (Chl) and number of bolls on the third fruit branch (FB3) and a lower number of dry buds (DBs) and drop rate (DR)) without negatively impacting key yield traits. This locus is located in the intergenic region of two adjacent bZIP transcription factor genes (GH_D06G0408 and GH_D06G0409). Expression analysis revealed that the expression levels of these two genes were significantly greater in heat-tolerant accessions (C/C type) than in sensitive accessions and that their expression levels were significantly correlated with multiple heat-tolerant phenotypes. Conclusions: In summary, this study developed a Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) marker associated with heat tolerance in G. hirsutum and identified two key heat tolerance candidate genes. These results provide an efficient marker selection tool and important genetic resources for the molecular breeding of heat-tolerant G. hirsutum, laying an important foundation for further establishing a molecular marker-assisted breeding system for heat tolerance in G. hirsutum. Full article

The production of high-quality cassava planting material is a key strategy for mitigating the spread of pests and diseases. To promote the adoption of such strategies by farmers, it is essential to strengthen local capacities through knowledge transfer and the incorporation of innovative technologies, such as tunnels for rapid propagation (TxRPs), which have been successfully implemented in various international contexts. This study appraised the performance of four industrial cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties—Corpoica Tai, Corpoica Belloti, Corpoica Ropain, and Corpoica Sinuana—under tunnel conditions at two locations on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Planting material consisted of mini-cuttings (7–9 months old) with three buds. Five successive harvest cycles were assessed by measuring key growth parameters, including plant height, leaf number, SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) chlorophyll index, leaf area, and biomass (dry weight and nutrient content). Environmental conditions within the tunnels, such as temperature and humidity, were regulated to promote rapid sprouting and accelerated growth of the cuttings. However, sprouting, vigor, and overall growth performance varied by variety. All four cassava varieties produced high-quality cuttings (>20 mm in diameter and >6 leaves), suitable for further seedling propagation. Cutting vigor increased across cycles, with productivity rising from over 60 cuttings/m² in the first cycle to more than 180 cuttings/m² by the fifth. Substrate mixtures enhanced both physical and chemical soil properties, depending on the source (CRT or CBL). The addition of coco peat or sand effectively minimized environmental impacts by preventing substrate compaction. The findings demonstrate the potential of tunnel-based systems to accelerate the production of high-quality cassava planting material, supporting improved productivity and sustainability in cassava cultivation for both farmers and industry stakeholders. Full article

Potential sources of chlorophyll, widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries, could be invasive species and weeds. The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of vegetation period and leaf age on changes of chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in leaves of six widespread plant species of four different families, as well as in the weed Urtica dioica as a “comparative” species. Plants were growing under the same environmental conditions, and chlorophylls and carotenoids were analyzed spectrophotometrically every two weeks from May to September. Average total chlorophyll (a + b) content only in leaves of Lamium album and Aegopodium podagraria was lower than in Urtica dioica and significantly differed from their content in Leonurus cardiaca and Agrimonia eupatoria. Total chlorophyll (a + b) content in leaves of common native Pastinaca sativa and very invasive Solidago canadensis was also higher or very similar to that of Urtica dioica. The highest amount of green pigments in all species was found at the budding and/or flowering period. Unlike other species, variation of total chlorophyll (a + b) in Leonurus cardiaca was little, and chlorophyll a/b ratio was lower than 2:1 during the vegetation period. In contrast to total chlorophyll (a + b), total carotenoid was higher in young leaves. Full article

Lycium barbarum L. bud tea and leaf tea are functional processed products made from L. barbarum buds and leaves with traditional green tea processing techniques. Based on an extensive targeted metabolomics technology, this study systematically analyzed the chemical composition of L. barbarum bud tea and leaf tea, identified their differential compounds, and explored the effects of water-extracted substances on the activities of pancreatic lipase and α-Amylase. The results showed that the contents of total phenols, total flavonoids, and chlorogenic acid in the bud tea were 36.09 ± 1.97 mg/g, 7.44 ± 0.31 mg/g, and 4.18 ± 0.10 mg/g, respectively, 66.25%, 34.78%, and 22.58% higher than those in the leaf tea, respectively. A total of 594 metabolites were identified through the metabolomics analysis, mainly including flavonoids, phenolic acid compounds, alkaloids, amino acids and their derivatives, organic acids, lignans and coumarins, terpenoids, ands steroid compounds. Among them, flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, and amino acids and their derivatives accounted for approximately 58%. Compared with the leaf tea, the bud tea was significantly enriched with flavonoids, phenolic acid compounds, nucleotide compounds, lignans, and coumarins. Delphinidin 3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside were identified as significantly differential metabolites. Both L. barbarum bud tea and leaf tea exhibited good inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase and α-Amylase, with the highest inhibition rates being 68.71%, 77.33%, 76.08%, and 69.96%, respectively. The contents of anthocyanins and their derivatives, including delphinidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-O-hexoside, delphinidin-O-hexoside, and delphinidin diglucoside, were positively correlated with the activities of the two enzymes. These results underpin functional exploration and quality standardization of L. barbarum bud/leaf tea products. Full article

Lilium species produce some of the most commercially valuable ornamental flowers in the world, characterized by their attractiveness and high demand in cut flower markets. However, it is necessary to strengthen the competitiveness of this sector in the global market. Due to strong competition from international producers and an increasingly demanding market regarding quality, shelf life, and sustainability, alternatives are being sought to counteract the use of conventional agrochemicals. The use of nanoparticles has emerged as a promising strategy in ornamental horticulture due to their ability to enhance plant growth, improve stress tolerance, and stimulate physiological processes, ultimately contributing to higher quality and productivity. The hypothesis of this research is that the foliar application of selenium and titanium dioxide nanoparticles during the vegetative growth and flowering stages significantly enhances the growth, development, and flowering of Lilium plants when compared with untreated plants. Therefore, the physiological effects of SeNPs and TiO₂NPs applied via foliar application in two concentrations (SeNPsD1, SeNPsD2, TiNPsD1, and TiNPsD2) were evaluated against absolute control. The treatments were applied in two phenological stages (vegetative and reproductive development), and their effects on vegetative and reproductive variables in Lilium plants were evaluated from 120 to 270 days after sowing. The surface of seeds obtained from SeNPsD1-treated plants was further analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results demonstrate that the application of SeNPs generated variable effects depending on the phenological stage. In the vegetative stage (46 DAS), SeNPsD2 increased the number of leaves by 118%, while SeNPsD1 increased the fresh weight of leaves by 110%. Regarding ovaries, the application of SeNPsD2 resulted in a 276% increase in fresh weight and a 230% increase in dry weight, while SeNPsD1 achieved an increase of 164% in fresh weight. Furthermore, at this stage, SeNPsD2 promoted a 223% increase in the number of bulbils, a 240% increase in fresh weight, and a 199% increase in dry weight. In the reproductive stage (69 DAS), SeNPsD1 increased the leaf fresh weight by 1% and yielded a 107% increase in the number of ovaries, in addition to 307% and 328% increases in their fresh and dry weights, respectively. In the same stage, SeNPsD2 increased the fresh ovary weight by 153%, compared with the control. Finally, capsule formation was observed only under the SeNPsD1 treatment. Meanwhile, TiO₂NPs had an effect on the number of buds and the number of open buds: the number of buds increased by 115% with TiNPsD1 (69 DAS) and the number of open buds increased by 104% (46 DAS) with TiNPsD1; in the reproductive stage, the number increased by 115% with TiNPsD1 compared with the control. In the seed capsules of plants treated with selenium nanoparticles (SeNPsD1), although no surface selenium was detected via EDS, elements that had possibly been physiologically redistributed were identified, including iron (Fe), silicon (Si), and aluminum (Al). These findings confirm the hypothesis of this research, demonstrating that the foliar application of SeNPs and TiO₂NPs to Lilium plants during the vegetative and reproductive stages significantly improves their vegetative growth, reproductive development, and floral quality under controlled conditions. This work presents the first comparative evidence regarding the effects of SeNPs and TiO₂NPs on the vegetative and reproductive characteristics of Lilium Sunny Oriental, providing unprecedented information for the use of nanotechnology in ornamental horticulture. The findings confirm the potential use of nanoparticles as agents to optimize the productivity and commercial quality of ornamental flowers in highly competitive markets. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bolting in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is highly sensitive to elevated temperatures, leading to premature flowering and reduced crop quality and yield. Although SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1) is a well-known floral integrator in Arabidopsis, its role in heat-induced bolting in lettuce remains unclear. Methods: In this study, we generated CRISPR/Cas9-mediated LsSOC1 knockout (KO) lines and evaluated their phenotypes under high-temperature conditions. Results: LsSOC1-KO lines exhibited delayed bolting up to 18.6 days, and stem elongation was reduced by approximately 3.8 cm, which is equivalent to a 36.1% decrease compared to wild-type (WT) plants. Transcriptome analysis of leaf and bud tissues identified 32 up-regulated and 10 down-regulated genes common to leaf tissue (|log₂FC| ≥ 1, adjusted p < 0.05). Among them, GA20-oxidase1 was significantly down-regulated in both tissues, which may have contributed to delayed floral transition and possibly to reduced stem elongation, although tissue-specific regulation of gibberellin metabolism warrants further investigation. In contrast, genes encoding heat shock proteins, ROS-detoxification enzymes, and flavonoid biosynthetic enzymes were up-regulated, suggesting a dual role of LsSOC1 in modulating thermotolerance and floral transition. qRT-PCR validated the sustained suppression of flowering-related genes in LsSOC1 KO plants under 37 °C heat stress. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that LsSOC1 is a key integrator of developmental and thermal cues, orchestrating both bolting and stress-responsive transcriptional programs. Importantly, delayed bolting may extend the harvest window and improve postharvest quality in lettuce, highlighting LsSOC1 as a promising genetic target for breeding heat-resilient leafy vegetables. Full article

Hypolepis punctata, an aromatic fern with insect-resistant and ornamental potential. Up to date, no studies have reported its micropropagation, particularly using vegetative organs as explants. The optimized stolon sterilization (81.11%) employed 75% ethanol (30 s) and 15% sodium hypochlorite (12 min). The optimal conditions for GGB induction (75.56%) and proliferation (8.46 mm) were achieved using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium + 2.0 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) + 0.2 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The optimal plant growth regulator (PGR) formula for sporophyte regeneration was 0.5 mg/L BA + 0.1 mg/L NAA + 2 g/L activated charcoal (AC), achieving a 98.89% induction rate and 49.19 buds per explant. The 1/4 MS medium had the greatest promoting effect on biomass accumulation and leaf expansion. Optimal shoot elongation (97.78% success, 4.83 cm) was achieved in 1/4 MS + 0.5 mg/L BA + 0.1 mg/L NAA + 2 g/L AC, and optimized rooting (92.22%) was achieved using 1/4 MS + 0.5 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) + 0.1 mg/L NAA + 2 g/L AC, producing 25.27 roots per plantlet. Crucially, ISSR analysis confirmed the genetic stability of all regenerants. This optimized protocol establishes a scalable micropropagation system, enhancing both commercial cultivation and genetic improvement potential in Hypolepis punctata. Full article

Understanding how leaf maturity affects the flavor attributes of green tea is crucial for optimizing harvest timing and processing strategies. This study comprehensively characterized the flavor profiles of Fudingdabai green teas at three distinct leaf maturity stages—single bud (FDQSG), one bud + one leaf (FDMJ1G), and one bud + two leaves (FDTC2G)—using a multimodal approach integrating electronic nose, electronic tongue, HS-GC-IMS, relative odor activity value (rOAV) evaluation, and machine learning algorithms. A total of 85 volatile compounds (VOCs) were identified, of which 41 had rOAV > 1. Notably, 2-methylbutanal, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, and linalool exhibited extremely high rOAVs (>1000). FDQSG was enriched with LOX (lipoxygenase)-derived fresh, grassy volatiles such as (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and nonanal. FDMJ1G showed a pronounced accumulation of floral and fruity compounds, especially linalool (rOAV: 7400), while FDTC2G featured Maillard- and phenylalanine-derived volatiles like benzene acetaldehyde and 2,5-dimethylfuran, contributing to roasted and cocoa-like aromas. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis revealed significant enrichment in butanoate metabolism and monoterpenoid biosynthesis. Random forest–SHAP analysis identified 20 key flavor markers, mostly VOCs, that effectively discriminated samples by tenderness grade. ROC–AUC validation further confirmed their diagnostic performance (accuracy ≥ 0.8). These findings provide a scientific basis for flavor-driven harvest management and the quality-oriented grading of Fudingdaibai green tea. Full article

Passiflora edulis propagation relies extensively on grafting, yet the optimization of pruning strategies for scion quality remains empirically guided. This study elucidates the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying scion quality across five leaf retention treatments (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and unpruned control). The 50% partial leaf retention (50% PLR) treatment optimally promoted axillary bud development in passion fruit through coordinated physiological and molecular adaptations. This treatment significantly outperformed other treatments in terms of both bud sprouting rate and growth parameters (including length and diameter). Physiological analyses demonstrated transient auxin accumulation coupled with synchronized antioxidant system activation, maintaining redox homeostasis. Transcriptomic profiling identified upregulation of genes in the auxin signaling pathway and cytokinin activators, while dormancy-related genes were suppressed. These findings establish 50% PLR as an optimal threshold that balances photosynthetic capacity with hormonal regulation, providing a science-based strategy to standardize grafted seedling production, while enhancing scion quality for grafting efficiency. Full article

Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia), Macadamia tetraphylla and hybrids, a crop of high economic and nutritional importance, faces challenges with low fruit set rates and severe fruit drop. To address this, we investigated the effects of exogenous plant growth regulators (PGRs) and boron fertilizer on the development, fruit set, and yield of the A4 macadamia variety. The study was conducted in 2024 at the Lujiangba research base (China, Yunnan Province). Five treatments were applied during key growth stages: boron (B), brassinosteroids (BR), N-(2-Chloro-4-pyridyl)-N’-phenylurea (CPPU), 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), and gibberellic acid (GA₃). Growth stages include flower bud formation, peak flowering, and fruiting. Our findings revealed that B treatment significantly increased pollen viability (95.69% improvement) and raceme length (23.97% increase), while BR enhanced flower count per raceme (26.37% increase) and CPPU improved flower retention (10.53% increase). Additionally, GA₃ and 6-BA promoted leaf expansion in new shoots, increasing leaf length by 39.83% and 31.39%, respectively. Notably, B application significantly improved total yield (43.11% increase) and fruit number (39.12% increase), whereas BR maximized nut shell diameter (5.7% increase) and individual nut weight (19.9% increase). Furthermore, CPPU and 6-BA markedly improved initial fruit set rates, while GA₃, BR, and B effectively reduced early fruit drop. Physiological analyses indicated that elevated soluble sugars and proteins in flowers correlated with higher initial fruit set, whereas increased endogenous cytokinin and GA₃ levels improved fruit retention and reduced drop rates. Based on these findings, we propose an integrated approach to optimize productivity: applying 0.02% B at the floral bud stage, 2 mg/L 6-BA at full bloom, and a combination of 0.02% B and 0.2 mL/L BR during early fruit set. This strategy not only enhances yield but also mitigates fruit drop, offering practical solutions for macadamia production. Full article