Search Results (81)

Diploid Vaccinium fuscatum is a wild blueberry species with a low chilling requirement, an evergreen growth habit, and soil adaptability to southeast US growing regions. Regardless of its potential to improve the abiotic and biotic resilience of cultivated blueberries, this species has rarely been used for blueberry breeding. One hurdle is the ploidy barrier between diploid V. fuscatum and tetraploid cultivated highbush blueberries. To overcome the ploidy barrier, vegetative shoots micro-propagated from one genotype of V. fuscatum, selected because it grew vigorously in vitro and two southern highbush cultivars, ‘Emerald’ and ‘Rebel,’ were treated with colchicine. While shoot regeneration was severely repressed in ‘Emerald’ and ‘Rebel,’ shoot production from the V. fuscatum clone was not compromised at either 500 µM or 5000 µM colchicine concentrations. Due to the high number of shoots produced in vitro via the V. fuscatum clone shoots of this clone that had an enlarged stem diameter in vitro were subjected to flow cytometer analysis to screen for induced polyploidy. Sixteen synthetic tetraploid V. fuscatum, one synthetic octoploid ‘Emerald,’ and three synthetic octoploid ‘Rebel’ were identified. Growth rates of the polyploid-induced mutants were reduced compared to their respective wildtype controls. The leaf width and length of synthetic tetraploid V. fuscatum and synthetic octoploid ‘Emerald’ was increased compared to the wildtypes, whereas the leaf width and length of synthetic octoploid ‘Rebel’ were reduced compared to the wildtype controls. Significant increases in stem thickness and stomata guard cell length were found in the polyploidy-induced mutant lines compared to the wildtypes. In the meantime, stomata density was reduced in the mutant lines. These morphological changes may improve drought tolerance and photosynthesis in these mutant lines. Synthetic tetraploid V. fuscatum can be used for interspecific hybridization with highbush blueberries to expand the genetic base of cultivated blueberries. Full article

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., is a pervasive pest of humans throughout the world. Insecticide resistance, cryptic habits, and proclivity for harborage on human belongings have contributed to its global status as a difficult pest to control. Leaves from common bean plants, Phaseolus vulgaris L., which include numerous trichomes, have traditionally been used to capture wandering bed bugs in southeastern Europe. However, fresh leaves rapidly desiccate once removed from plants, losing their trapping ability. A leaf-derived trapping material was developed that does not desiccate as rapidly as fresh leaves and retains the potential to trap bed bugs. In this study, we tested the efficacy of the leaf-derived material in capturing bed bugs. We tested the leaf-derived material in both horizontal and vertical orientations, using fresh bean leaves as positive controls. When deployed horizontally, the leaf-derived material captured bed bugs of all life stages and both sexes (adults). Leaf-derived material was also found to capture bed bugs in a vertical orientation (only evaluated for adult male bed bugs). Because this experimental leaf-derived material was effective in both horizontal and vertical orientations and against all life stages, it may have great potential for development into bed bug monitoring or exclusion devices. Full article

The commercial production of grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) relies heavily on rootstocks that are hybrids of non-vinifera parentage. The relatively newly released GRN rootstocks (GRN-1, GRN-2, GRN-3, GRN-4, and GRN-5) were bred from especially under-studied genetic backgrounds. This study aimed to evaluate ungrafted GRN-series grape rootstocks under moderate water-stress conditions and to characterize and compare their physiological performances. Each of the GRN rootstocks had specific physiological characteristics that would make them suitable for a wide range of growing conditions and vineyard management goals. GRN-1 had growth habits which were more vigorous and the highest carbohydrate storage levels, while GRN-2 had the highest level of nitrogen and the largest leaf area, but the lowest levels of carbohydrate storage. GRN-3 was less tolerant to high-salinity soils, and had the longest internodes, while GRN-4 had high boron levels, which supports flowering and fruit set, and short internodes. GRN-5 was consistently moderate across all measured areas, except internode thickness, for which it was the highest. These findings show the variations in physiological growth habits among the ungrafted GRN-series rootstocks and suggest that growth habits, carbohydrate storage, leaf canopy, fruit production, and nutrition vary based on rootstock parentage. Further investigation is needed to determine whether these characteristics persist when grafted onto Vitis vinifera L. scions. Full article

Urban forests are remnants of forest habitats within urban areas. Their structural alterations create stressful microclimatic conditions that can influence the morphology of sensitive plants, such as ferns. This study analyzed variations in the morphological traits of ferns in four urban forest sites in central Veracruz, Mexico, considering the microclimatic differences arising from vegetation structure. Temperature, humidity, canopy openness, and radiation were measured, along with eight foliar traits, while assessing the impact of site and habit (terrestrial or epiphytic) on the response. Sites with greater alterations in vegetation structure exhibited increased canopy openness, solar radiation, temperature, and a higher number of days with lower relative humidity. In these sites, leaves showed an increase in dry matter content and vein density, indicating a greater investment in resource storage and structural resistance. In the less-disturbed sites, terrestrial ferns demonstrated larger leaf area and specific leaf area, suggesting greater growth potential. Conversely, epiphytes generally had smaller leaves, which could represent an adaptive advantage for these species. The results also suggest a process of biotic homogenization within this plant group, reflecting a similar morphological response, except for indicator species restricted to less disturbed sites. Thus, this study reveals that microclimatic variations induced by urbanization significantly affect plant morphology and, ultimately, species diversity. Full article

Peonies (Paeonia spp.) are renowned for their beautiful ornamental flowers and significant cultural, medicinal, and economic values. Based on growth habit, peonies are categorized into herbaceous and tree peonies. Viral infections in peonies, historically referred to as “peony ringspot” or “peony mosaic” diseases, have been reported worldwide over decades. Infections symptoms typically include leaf discoloration and diminished flowering, substantially reducing both ornamental and commercial quality. In severe cases, viral diseases can cause stunted plant growth and impaired flowering, directly affecting peony cultivation and the floriculture profitability. This review systematically summarizes the current research on key viral diseases in peonies, addressing disease classification, symptomatology, causative viruses, pathogenesis, molecular virus–host interactions, and contemporary approaches for prevention and management. The insights provided in this review offer a theoretical foundation and practical guidelines to facilitate effective control of peony viral diseases, potentially promoting sustainable development within the peony industry. Full article

Background: Ethyl methyl sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis is widely used because of its advantages of inducing point mutations and no need for genetic transformation. To identify germplasm resources of processed tomatoes with superior comprehensive traits suitable for cultivation in Xinjiang. Methods: In this study, tomato seeds were treated with 2% EMS reagent for 12 h, 21 quality traits and 20 quantitative traits of 33 processed tomatoes derived from EMS-mutagenized“M82”were evaluated. Results: The results indicated that for traits such as hypocotyl color, growth habit, plant type, leaf type, and leaf shape, the range of quantitative trait variation was 8.45–37.25%, with a genetic diversity index ranging from 1.25 to 2.07. Conclusions: Cluster analysis of quantitative traits categorized the 33 EMS-mutagenized “M82” processed tomato resources into five groups: Group I contained 22 robust germplasm samples; Group II consisted of a single potential high-quality germplasm; Group III comprised five germplasm with a small and extreme plant type; Group IV included four high-yield germplasm; and Group V represented one moderate, conventional germplasm. Raw data from 15 quantitative traits across the 33 accessions were standardized using the “extreme method” to extract six comprehensive factors. The top 10 germplasm resources based on the comprehensive score were 76, 137, 97, 102, 19, 104, 21, 108, 17, and 147. It provides some theoretical basis for realizing the high-yield and high-quality cultivation and variety breeding of processed tomatoes in Xinjiang. Full article

Mimosa series Cordistipulae was created by Barneby in 1991, embracing species diagnosed by their small subshrubby habit and the presence of gland-tipped setae and trimerous flowers. Most species are endemic to Northeastern Brazil, and some possess characters deemed diagnostic which nonetheless overlap, making species identification difficult. Our study aimed to test species circumscriptions and sets of characters that could be applied to unequivocally distinguish the species. Twelve populations (225 individuals) were collected at nine localities, encompassing the Brazilian vegetation types Caatinga, Campos Rupestres and Restinga. Linear measurements of 38 floral and vegetative characters were measured and analyzed using Canonical Variate Analysis and cluster analysis. The first two canonical axes explained 41.4% and 18.9% of the variation and separated two populations of the group recently described as a new species. Vegetative characters are more informative for species delimitation than flower characters, and most groups are distinguished primarily by the number of pinnae pairs, number of leaflets per pinna and length of the leaf rachis. The species displaying the highest morphological similarity are M. misera, M. leptantha and M. minarum. The traditional morphometric approach was capable of objectively dealing with a type of variation that would be difficult to interpret by purely examining herbarium specimens. Full article

To characterize the naturalized population of burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L.), a valuable pasture legume, in subtropical Queensland, Australia, a collection of 1747 lines from 107 sites in 11 regions was grown, and 26 phenotypic and agronomic attributes were recorded. This data matrix was analyzed by cluster, principal co-ordinates, discriminant and correlation analyses to examine line relationships based on plant attributes and their association with site characteristics of climate and soil. Among the wide polymorphism of attributes across the collection zone, there were a number of notable phenotypic associations. One of these, with large green leaves, minimally dentate leaf margins, and light purple petioles, was widely distributed. Three others, one with a distinctive magenta leaf mark, dark purple petioles, and an upright habit; one with those same attributes but with a prostrate habit; and one with grey-green leaves, high frost resistance, and the ability to stay green and to produce high pod yields, were associated with climatic and soil characteristics in the north, east, and south of the collection zone, respectively. Days to flowering were longer in lines from saline soils at lower altitude, and plant vigor was greatest in lines from more fertile soils with higher rainfall. A wide variation in time to flower of lines at all collection sites contributes to the adaptation of M. polymorpha in subtropical Queensland and potentially to its persistence with future climate change. Full article

Aerides rosea (Orchidaceae) boasts high ornamental value due to its pleasant aroma, foxtail spike, and elegant floral morphology. Inducing A. rosea to become tetraploid enhances horticultural traits and facilitates fertile intergeneric hybrids through crosses with other market-available tetraploid species. The experimental design involved the application of colchicine at varying concentrations—0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2%—to a solid medium. Exposure durations were 5, 10, and 15 days, with treatments conducted under sterile conditions on 6-week-old protocorms post-germination. Results indicated that the protocorms were sensitive to colchicine concentrations exceeding 0.05%, with high concentrations leading to a mortality rate exceeding 50%. Flow cytometry (FCM) with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining confirmed a doubling of chromosome numbers in tetraploid plants (2n = 4x = 76) compared to diploid controls (2n = 2x = 38). Induction efficiency was significantly influenced by colchicine concentration and treatment duration. A 10-day treatment with 0.2% colchicine yielded a 70.00% tetraploid induction rate; however, considering protocorm survival, a 5-day treatment with 0.05% colchicine was preferable, achieving a 63.55% survival rate and a 56.67% tetraploid induction rate. Tetraploid plants exhibited distinct morphological traits, such as a more compact growth habit, thicker leaves, and increased stem and root thickness. Leaf morphology changes included larger stomata with reduced density, denser spongy mesophyll, and more pronounced venation. Tetraploids also demonstrated a 1.94-fold increase in genome size compared to diploids. The tetraploid genotypes developed in this study hold significant potential for future Aerides breeding programs. Full article

Prunus serotina (black cherry) is native to America and has five subspecies: serotina, eximia, hirsuta, virens, and capuli. P. serotina subsp. capuli is found in Central and South America with superior fruits found in Ecuador. These have large, juicy, and tasty fruits used for human consumption. They are available in produce markets and have important nutraceutical properties. However, no commercial cultivars of capuli are currently available. The main goal of this research was to understand if different morphological characters can differentiate unique populations of P. serotina subsp. capuli present in Ecuador. Morphological traits (tree, leaf, and flower) of plants grown from the OP seeds of 44 capuli accessions collected from three provinces of Ecuador (Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, and Tungurahua) were characterized in 2019 and 2020. Tree measurements included the number of primary branches and growth habit. Leaf measurements included petiole length, leaf area, leaf height, leaf width, leaf apex angle, and leaf basal angle. Flower measurements included pedicel length, flower width, and flower length. Raceme length, number of racemes per branch, and number of flowers per raceme were also characterized. ANOVA were performed with significant differences observed among capuli accessions for all variables measured. No clear differences were observed across regions with PCA and cluster analysis that may support the presence of different populations. Full article

Rootstocks are critical in selecting pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) cultivation and its impact on scion performance. Pistachio rootstocks exhibited distinct absorption capabilities, impacting leaf nutrient concentrations and tree health. The review discusses current knowledge on the influence of various rootstocks on growth habit, nutrient uptake, yield, nut quality, alternate bearing, and responses to abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, and cold. Contrary to the traditional belief linking higher yield solely to vigor and size, the review emphasized the need for an in-depth understanding of the interplay between rootstock, scion, and their interaction to optimize yield. Additionally, we discussed the influence of rootstock selection on pistachio nut quality, including early splitting, hull cracking, and fatty acid composition. It addressed the complex phenomenon of alternate bearing, highlighting how vigorous rootstocks could affect cyclic variations in crop yield through increased carbohydrate resources. Rootstocks mitigate salinity stress, enhancing drought tolerance and preserving nut quality under water stress. The study emphasized the significance of rootstock choice in cold climates, advocating for identifying and using cold-tolerant rootstocks to enhance orchard resilience against cold stress. The findings provide valuable insights for growers and researchers, facilitating informed decision-making regarding rootstock selection in pistachio cultivation worldwide. Full article

A plant species can have diverse hydraulic strategies to adapt to different environments. However, the water transport divergence of co-occurring species in contrasting habitats remains poorly studied but is important for understanding their ecophysiology adaptation to their environments. Here, we investigated whole-branch, stem and leaf water transport strategies and associated morphology traits of 11 co-occurring plant species in Yuanjiang valley-type savanna (YJ) with dry–hot habitats and Xishuangbanna tropical seasonal rainforest (XSBN) with wet–hot habits and tested the hypothesis that plants in YJ have a lower water transport efficiency than co-occurring species in XSBN. We found high variation in whole-branch, stem and leaf hydraulic conductance (K_shoot; K_stem and K_leaf) between YJ and XSBN, and that K_stem was significantly higher than K_leaf in these two sites (K_stem/K_leaf: 16.77 in YJ and 6.72 in XSBN). These plants in YJ with significantly lower K_shoot and K_leaf but higher sapwood density (WD) and leaf mass per area (LMA) showed a lower water transport efficiency regarding less water loss and the adaptation to the dry–hot habitat compared to co-occurring species in XSBN. In contrast, these co-occurring plants in XSBN with higher K_shoot and K_leaf but lower WD and LMA tended to maximize water transport efficiency and thus growth potential in the wet–hot habitat. Our findings suggest that these co-occurring species employ divergent hydraulic efficiency across YJ and XSBN so that they can benefit from the contrasting hydraulic strategies in adaptation to their respective habitats. Full article

Background: The proper development of grana and stroma within chloroplasts is critical for plant vitality and crop yield in rice and other cereals. While the molecular mechanisms underpinning these processes are known, the genetic networks governing them require further exploration. Methods and Results: In this study, we characterize a novel rice mutant termed yellow leaf and dwarf 7 (yld7), which presents with yellow, lesion-like leaves and a dwarf growth habit. The yld7 mutant shows reduced photosynthetic activity, lower chlorophyll content, and abnormal chloroplast structure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed defective grana stacking in yld7 chloroplasts. Additionally, yld7 plants accumulate high levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and exhibit an up-regulation of senescence-associated genes, leading to accelerated cell death. Map-based cloning identified a C-to-T mutation in the LOC_Os07g33660 gene, encoding the YLD7 protein, which is a novel ankyrin domain-containing protein localized to the chloroplast. Immunoblot analysis of four LHCI proteins indicated that the YLD7 protein plays an important role in the normal biogenesis of chloroplast stroma and grana, directly affecting leaf senescence and overall plant stature. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the significance of YLD7 in the intricate molecular mechanisms that regulate the structural integrity of chloroplasts and the senescence of leaves, thus providing valuable implications for the enhancement of rice breeding strategies and cultivation. Full article

Plant ecological strategies are essential for assessing habitat stress and disturbance and evaluating community productivity. These strategies provide theoretical frameworks for maintaining the natural state of vegetation and enhancing productivity. The functional traits of leaves reflect a plant’s responses to environmental changes and contribute to understanding ecosystem stability, providing a basis for species diversity maintenance and effective conservation efforts. The Wuyishan National Park, a biodiversity hotspot in China, is a focal point for ecological research. Its evergreen, broad-leaved forest, the zonal vegetation of Mt. Wuyi, underpins plant diversity protection in the region. This study investigates the CSR (competitor, stress-tolerator, ruderal) strategy of 126 species on Wuyi Mountain to elucidate prevalent ecological strategies. The main ecological strategy of plants in the study area is the CS (competitor, stress-tolerator) strategy. The species exhibit nine categories. The most abundant ecological strategy is S/CS (plants from Fagaceae), accounting for 38%, followed by S/CSR at 23% (plants from Theaceae), CS at 20% (plants from Fagaceae and Theaceae), and the remaining strategies collectively at 19%. The different growth habit categories showed variations in the CSR strategies. The trees clustered around a CS median strategy, with no R-selected trees observed. Shrubs and lianas centered around an S/CSR strategy, while grasses and understory shrubs clustered around CS/CSR. Redundancy analysis results indicate that leaf functional traits are primarily influenced by temperature, suggesting that temperature is the key environmental factor driving the differentiation of plant functional traits. This study provides insights into the ecological strategies of plant species in the Mt. Wuyi region, highlighting the importance of considering both biotic and abiotic factors in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Full article

Sideritis scardica (S. scardica) Griseb., also known as mountain tea, is an important medicinal and aromatic plant species. Due to the high cross-pollination ability of the species, diverse genotypes and phenotypes occur naturally. Considering that superior uniform genotypes are necessary for highly qualitative and sustainable production, this study aimed to conduct a pre-breeding evaluation of three clones (SID1, SID2, and SID3) originating from a selected S. scardica population growing in Greece. According to a phenotypic and agronomic evaluation, SID2 seemed to be superior among the three clones, expressing a good profile with desirable traits (i.e., desired inflorescence length and leaf surface, high length of stems, and high fresh and dry plant biomass). Furthermore, SID3 presented some remarkable measurements regarding morphological (upright growth habit) and agronomic (high number of stems and plant dry weight, desired plant surface) traits. The phytochemical profile of the three clones was assessed with regard to their volatile and polyphenolic compounds. Forty-four constituents were identified in S. scardica essential oil, including hydrocarbon monoterpenes, sesquiterpenoids, oxygenated monoterpenes, and other groups (monoterpene ketones, saturated fatty alcohols, benzoic esters). Liquid chromatographic analysis revealed SID2 as the clone most abundant in the major polyphenolic metabolites: verbascoside (2234.3 mg 100 g⁻¹), isoscutellarein-7-O [6″-O-acetyl]-allosyl(1 → 2) glucoside (1456.5 mg 100 g⁻¹), and 4-methyl hypolaetin-7-O [6″-O-acetyl]-allosyl(1 → 2) glucoside (861.8 mg 100 g⁻¹). The results indicate the ability to combine morphological, agronomic, and phytochemical traits, in order to identify superior S. scardica genotypes for further evaluation and utilization in breeding programs, aiming to create cultivars or varieties for farming purposes with desired performance and high quantitative and qualitative yields. Full article