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Hyssop is an aromatic plant containing essential oil, used in folk medicine, and also known as a popular spice and ornamental plant. Hyssop essential oil is commonly used in cosmetics, perfumes, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and food additives. It can also be intended for external use as a fragrance ingredient in soaps, perfumes, creams, and other cosmetic products, as well as in aromatherapy. The composition of hyssop essential oil is not uniform and depends on a number of factors, including genetic, ontogenetic, and environmental ones. The hyssop essential oil is rich in oxygenated terpene compounds, the majority of which are represented by monoterpene ketones, i.e., isopinocamphone and pinocamphone. The essential oil yield ranged from 0.22% to 4.4% in different parts of the plant. The highest concentration of essential oil is found during full bloom. Annual plants accumulated the highest contents of volatile compounds, which was significantly influenced by genotype and year of cultivation. In addition, environmental conditions modify the composition of the essential oil of individual hyssop genotypes in different ways. Hyssop essential oil exhibits multi-faceted biological activities, depending on its chemical composition, which in turn depends on the stage of development and growing conditions. Full article

Liriomyza sativae is a serious pest of horticultural and ornamental crops worldwide. The overuse of chemical insecticides has caused resistance and environmental pollution, demanding alternative control methods. Plant essential oils, with their insecticidal activity, serve as promising natural alternatives to synthetic insecticides. This study characterized the chemical composition of Artemisia scoparia essential oil using GC-MS and evaluated its insecticidal and growth inhibitory effects against L. sativae. The results showed that the major components were agropyrene (18.96%), o-cymene (12.60%), and caryophyllene oxide (11.35%). The essential oil of A. scoparia demonstrated significant fumigant toxicity against L. sativae adults, with an LC₅₀ value of 0.40 µL/L air after 8 h of exposure. Sublethal concentrations (LC₁₀ and LC₂₀) prolonged the pre-adult developmental stages and reduced the longevity of female adults. The oviposition period and fecundity were significantly reduced compared to the control group. Additionally, reproductive parameters, including the net reproductive rate (R₀), gross reproduction rate (GRR), intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ), were significantly lower than the control group. The results indicate that A. scoparia essential oil has potent fumigant and growth-inhibitory effects on L. sativae, offering a promising and sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides for pest control in agriculture. Full article

Anemone davidii Franch. is an herbaceous plant with high ornamental and medicinal value belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. Understanding its genetic diversity and predicting its potential habitat shifts are crucial for its germplasm conservation. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity of 164 individuals from A. davidii and its relatives using genotypic sequencing (GBS) technology. The results indicated that the expected heterozygosity (He) of 12 A. davidii populations ranged from 0.074 to 0.095, while the observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.105 to 0.127. Phylogenetic, principal component (PCA), and population structure analyses revealed clear genetic separation among A. davidii, A. griffithii, and A. scabriuscula. The 12 A. davidii populations were grouped into three genetic clusters. Six populations—CQ, ES, SNJ, SZ, TR, and WX—of Central China were clustered together. Southwestern region populations were divided into two clusters (DG, PZ, SF and DY, EMS, HY). Low genetic differentiation values (Fst, 0.018–0.053) and high levels of gene flow (Nm, 4.4678–13.639) between populations were observed in this study, indicating that genetic differentiation was lower between adjacent populations. We also used the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model to predict changes in suitable distribution areas of A. davidii across four time periods and two climate scenarios (RCP4.5, RCP8.5). Compared to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the current suitable habitat area has contracted. Future climate projections indicated a progressive range contraction under both scenarios. Therefore, appropriate conservation measures are needed to address its limited genetic diversity and projected habitat loss under climate change. Our findings provide insights into the population genetics of A. davidii and the impact of climate change on plants of Southwestern China. Full article

This study provides a comprehensive and refined framework for the micropropagation of the critically endangered Greek endemic Silene conglomeratica. Using a limited seed stock, a reliable in vitro propagation protocol was developed, supporting both ex situ conservation and potential commercial applications in floriculture and landscape architecture. Nodal explants excised from aseptic seedlings, established on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, were successfully used for culture initiation. Supplementation with 1.0 mg L⁻¹ meta-topolin (mT) and 0.2 mg L⁻¹ 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) promoted shoot proliferation. Subsequent subculturing on half-strength Rugini Olive Medium (OM/2) supplemented with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP) resulted in high multiplication rates and a high frequency of spontaneous rooting. Rooting initiation was further optimized using OM/2 supplemented with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The high acclimatization percentage (80%) confirms the feasibility of this protocol for ex situ conservation and highlights its applicability for nursery production and specialized landscape use. Overall, this study contributes an efficient and scalable propagation strategy that supports both the conservation and sustainable utilization of this valuable endemic species. Future work should focus on refining these protocols through more targeted testing of concentrations and alternative combinations of growth regulators and nutrient compositions. Full article

Technosols are artificial soils produced from organic and inorganic solid waste to improve soil fertility and functionality. This study evaluated the potential of Technosols produced from household waste from the Altos de Guadalupe residential complex in Colombia to fertilize green areas and promote the growth of Duranta erecta. A physical characterization of waste from 46 houses was performed to estimate per capita production (PPC) and waste composition. Technosols were produced in 20, 50, and 200 L bioreactors using recyclable organic and inorganic waste arranged in 10 layers and composted for three months. A field trial was established with two treatments, soil without Technosols (T1) and soil with Technosols (T2), with three replicates and ten plants per plot (60 plants total). Soil fertility parameters and plant growth variables were evaluated over 300 days. The PPC reached 0.56 kg·capita⁻¹·day⁻¹, and 56.4% of the residues were suitable for Technosol production. Technosol exhibited a pH of approximately 7.1, an organic matter content of 11.1%, and phosphorus and potassium concentrations of 50.3 mg·kg⁻¹ and 2573 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively. Technosol increased soil organic matter by 5.4 percentage points and improved nutrient availability. After 300 days, plant height and root dry matter in T2 were 30% and 41% higher, respectively, than in T1 (p < 0.05). These results show that the use of Technosols on a residential scale can improve urban soil fertility and plant productivity, contributing to the principles of the circular economy and Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 12. Full article

Rapid and accurate diagnosis of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is crucial for Hydrangea macrophylla nursery management. Traditional methods are time-consuming, and existing non-destructive studies rarely target ornamental plants or support joint N-P diagnosis at the early growth stage. A total of 339 RGB images were captured from potted hydrangeas grown under varying N and P levels at the seedling stage, with 65 phenotypic traits (color, texture, and morphology) extracted. Nutritional status (deficient, optimal, and surplus) was categorized with reference to plant nutrition indices. Discriminant models were then developed using four machine learning algorithms: convolutional neural network (CNN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and probabilistic neural network (PNN). The model performances were evaluated using overall accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and Cohen’s Kappa coefficient (κ). As a result, CNN achieved 82.65% accuracy (κ = 0.7392) for N classification, and SVM reached 83.65% accuracy (κ = 0.7357) for P classification. Color-related traits dominated the top five contributing features, indicating a stronger correlation with N and P status. This work offers a practical solution for real-time, low-cost, and non-destructive nutrient diagnosis, supporting precision fertilization and enhancing environmental sustainability in nursery production. Full article

This study examined the effects of different LED light spectra on the in vitro development of plantlets of Bletilla striata (Orchidaceae), a frost-hardy ornamental orchid with increasing horticultural relevance outside its native East Asian range. The objective was to optimize growth conditions using energy-efficient lighting to support sustainable cultivation practices. Plantlets approximately 4 cm in length with 0.5 cm leaves were cultured on standard Orchimax medium in 200 mL Erlenmeyer flasks and exposed to five LED treatments: 100% blue (B), 100% red (R), red/blue at 70:30 (RB), 50% yellow + RB (7:3), and 50% green + RB (7:3). Fluorescent light served as controls. The photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was maintained at approximately 40 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ across all light treatments. After seven weeks, selected LED spectra improved plantlet performance compared with the control. Leaf number remained stable, while RB light promoted leaf expansion, resulting in the widest leaves. Root formation occurred under all LED treatments, supporting subsequent acclimatization. Light quality strongly affected photosynthetic pigments and secondary metabolism. The highest total chlorophyll content was recorded under RB illumination (581 µg g⁻¹ FW), whereas monochromatic red light resulted in the lowest pigment levels. Carotenoid accumulation was significantly enhanced under RB and RBG spectra. Blue-containing treatments (B and RB) markedly stimulated the accumulation of phenolic compounds, including flavonols and anthocyanins, while red light suppressed phenolic biosynthesis. Total soluble sugars showed an organ-specific response, with red light promoting sugar accumulation in shoots and blue light in roots. These findings demonstrate that targeted LED lighting not only improves plant quality but also offers an environmentally sustainable and economically viable approach for commercial micropropagation and conservation of B. striata. Full article

Plants from the eudicot Celastraceae family are primarily cultivated for ornamental use due to their colourful autumn foliage, and, as such, their chemical composition is rarely investigated. In total, 125 samples from, altogether, 40 shrub, vine and tree species (Catha, Celastrus, Euonymus, Gymnosporia, Maytenus, Parnassia, and Tripterygium) were investigated to confirm tocotrienol dominance in the family, which was observed in the initial screenings. The tocochromanol–tocopherol (T) and tocotrienol (T3) contents ranged from 3.04 to 66.22 mg 100 g⁻¹ dw. Almost all the samples were tocotrienol-dominated (50.1–98.5% of total tocochromanols), except for Parnassia. The two most prevalent compounds were γ-T3 and α-T3. Most Euonymus species’ seeds contained primarily α-T3 (16.2–86.0% of total tocochromanols) and tocopherol (up to 35.0%), while the other species had higher γ-T3 (36.0–87.2%) and tocopherol (up to 29.9%) contents, except the Parnassia samples, which contained primarily γ-T and δ-T. The highest total tocochromanol content was observed in E. scandens, but it was highly variable. The content of α-T3 was less variable than γ-T3 (coefficients of variation of 0.74 and 1.46, respectively). This study shows that tocotrienols are predominant in the Celastraceae family. A streamlined ethanolic extraction protocol was evaluated and deemed suitable for routine screening and, potentially, bioactive extraction. Full article

Marine copepods are an essential live feed for the culture of many marine ornamental fish and other finfish species, yet their production is frequently constrained by contamination from free-living ciliates. To address this challenge, the efficacy of three disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite, iodine, and hydrogen peroxide) was evaluated for ciliate removal in cultures of two copepod species, Parvocalanus crassirostris and Oithona colcarva. Appropriate ranges of disinfectant concentrations and exposure durations were identified through a preliminary trial assessing the toxicity to Euplotes spp. over a 5-min period. Subsequent experiments tested three doses of each disinfectant to quantify ciliate removal success and egg hatch rates for each copepod species. Ciliate presence/absence showed no variation (100% in controls, 0% after disinfection), precluding statistical analysis except for one variable iodine trial, which was analyzed using Fisher’s Exact Test. Hatch and recovery rates were analyzed using binomial GLMMs with treatment as a fixed effect and replicate as a random effect, with Tukey-adjusted pairwise comparisons and α = 0.05. Sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide consistently removed all ciliates across tested concentrations, whereas iodine only achieved complete removal at the highest dose. The effects on hatch rate differed between species, with hydrogen peroxide producing the highest hatch rates in P. crassirostris (approximately 44 to 46% at 50–100 g/L for one minute) and sodium hypochlorite supporting the highest hatch in O. colcarva (up to 92% at 250 mg/L for one minute). These findings demonstrate that disinfectant performance is species-specific and that species-specific disinfection protocols are warranted to improve the reliability of copepod production in marine aquaculture. Full article

Although not major crops, Cornaceae species, the dogwood family, are common in most continents and used primarily as ornamental crops, though some are used for food as well. In the present study, tocochromanol–tocopherol (T) and tocotrienol (T3)–contents were analyzed in the seeds of twenty-four Cornus species belonging to six Cornus subgenera. Given the substantial number of samples included in this study, we applied a fast extraction protocol using an ethanol and ultrasound treatment and systematically compared its performance with that of a conventional alkaline saponification method. Total tocochromanol content ranged from 0.78 to 21.63 mg 100 g⁻¹ dry weight (dw) seeds in C. kousa and C. controversa, respectively. The highest mean total tocochromanol content was (16.70 ± 5.28 mg 100 g⁻¹ dw), followed by C. nuttallii (12.96 mg 100 g⁻¹ dw) and C. sanguinea (9.10 ± 2.47 mg 100 g⁻¹ dw). The major tocochromanols in the seeds were γ-T3 (up to 93% in C. rugosa), α-T (up to 98% in C. mas) and γ-T (up to 60% in C. controversa). Tocochromanol composition was strongly subgenus-dependent. The applied sustainable solvent–ethanol and ultrasound-treatment approach for the extraction of tocochromanols demonstrated the suitability of this method for screening daily Cornus species seed samples and potential extraction. Full article

Members of the Rosaceae family possess substantial economic and ornamental value, making their effective propagation and genetic improvement critical. Plant regeneration represents a foundational technology for efficient breeding, genetic transformation, functional genomics, molecular breeding, germplasm conservation, and large-scale commercial propagation. The regenerative capacity of explants in many Rosaceae taxa remains limited, despite significant progress. This review systematically synthesized conventional and emerging plant regeneration strategies and critically examined the principal biological and technical constraints affecting regenerative efficiency. A comprehensive comparison was first made among the various genera of the Rosaceae family regarding regeneration processes, environmental conditions, PGRs, exogenous additives, basal media, common obstacles and regeneration suggestions. The application of molecular biotechnology approaches in elucidating the mechanisms underlying regeneration and in enhancing regeneration capacity is also evaluated. Finally, this review assesses the future potential of these advanced technologies for improving regeneration systems in Rosaceae plants, providing a comprehensive reference framework for both academic research and industrial applications. Full article

This study investigates the genomic basis of immune adaptation in the transparent glass catfish (Kv: Kryptopterus vitreolus), focusing on the loss of the Toll-like receptor 21 (TLR21) gene. Comparative genomic analysis with closely related non-transparent North African catfish (Cg: Clarias gariepinus) revealed 11 TLR genes in the latter, while only 8 TLR genes (KvTLR1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, and 20) were retained in the glass catfish, with TLR21 specifically absent. Collinearity analysis confirmed that the genomic region containing TLR21 is conserved across eight siluriform species, with loss exclusively in the glass catfish, supporting its lineage-specific absence. Structural expansion was notable in KvTLR5, KvTLR7, and KvTLR20. Molecular docking indicated that binding stability between CpG oligonucleotides and TLR21 varies significantly, with CpG-B 1681 showing the strongest interaction, which highlights sequence-dependent ligand recognition. Interestingly, absence of the TLR1 gene in another transparent teleost, the X-ray tetra (Pristella maxillaris), suggests that transparent fishes may share an evolutionary trend of lineage-specific TLR gene loss. Together, these findings reveal a distinctive evolutionary trajectory in the innate immune receptor family of transparent fishes and provide new molecular insights into their adaptive immune strategies. These insights will benefit the academic community by improving comparative frameworks for fish innate immunity, and they may inform disease prevention and health management strategies in aquaculture and the ornamental fish trade. Full article

Tree peony (Paeonia sect. Moutan) is one of the most important traditional ornamental woody flowers in China. However, its cultivation is often challenged by intense light and high temperatures during summer, leading to severe photo-oxidative damage and leaf senescence. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of polyolefin (PO) film on potted tree peony leaves under summer intense light and high temperature stress. Using tree peony ‘Luoyanghong’ as experimental material, we systematically compared the effects of two controls under natural light (CK1 and CK2, housed in separate greenhouses), single-layer PO film (PO1), and double-layer PO film (PO2) treatments. Microenvironment monitoring showed that single-layer and double-layer PO films reduced light intensity by 21% and 49%, respectively, while having limited effects on temperature. Morphological and physiological analyses indicated that PO film treatments effectively alleviated leaf yellowing and withering, maintained normal physiological morphology, and increased chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid (Car) content. The net photosynthetic rates of PO1 and PO2 plants were 18–36% higher than those of the control groups (CK1 and CK2). Evans blue and NBT staining revealed that PO film reduced cellular damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, while decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increasing catalase (CAT) activity. Furthermore, qRT-PCR results showed that stress-responsive genes (Hsp70, Hsp90, and ATG5) and photosynthetic genes (RbcS and RbcL) were upregulated under PO film treatment. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that high light intensity, rather than temperature, was the primary factor causing leaf damage in potted tree peonies. The results show that PO film is an effective and low-cost agronomic measure, which can alleviate the intense light stress under high temperature conditions, relieve photo-oxidative damage, maintain photosynthetic performance, and increase the survival rate of potted tree peonies in summer. Full article

Background/Objectives:Aster (A.) koraiensis (Nakai) Kitamura (synonym Gymnaster koraiensis), commonly referred to as Korean starwort, belongs to the composite (Asteraceae) family. This endemic perennial species is cultivated for its long-lasting ornamental flowers and for its young leaves and stems, which serve as a nutritious food source. It grows abundantly across the southern and central regions of the Korean Peninsula, including Jeju Island. The presence of diverse secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, polyacetylenes, benzofurans, flavonoids, triperpenoidal saponins, and sesquiterpenoids contributes to its importance in both traditional medicine and modern pharmacology. To date, no comprehensive review has been conducted to summarize its phytoconstituents and pharmacological potential. Methods: A non-systematic electronic search of English-language articles using A. koraiensis and its synonyms as keywords was conducted to assess its bioactive constituents and health-promoting potential. Results: This review seeks to compile and discuss the health-promoting activities of A. koraiensis, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, antithrombotic, anticoagulant, anti-angiogenic, antinociceptive, anti-metabolic syndrome, antiviral, hepatoprotective, and cognitive function-enhancing properties, based on evidence from cell and animal studies. To date, more than 75 phytoconstituents have been purified and characterized from this plant. Conclusions: The extensive pharmacological activities of A. koraiensis highlight its medicinal importance. Future studies should concentrate on the separation, identification, and quantification of its bioactive metabolites, alongside an in-depth investigation of its potential health-enhancing properties. Full article

Molecular genotyping is a key factor for plant breeding programming and plant variety protection (PVP). However, its potential still remains to be elucidated when considering ornamental plants like Petunia × hybrida. In this study, a petunia breeding clone collection, including sister line groups, was genotyped through double digest Restriction-site Associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq), and its genetic diversity and structure were studied. In addition to estimating the high genetic similarity observed among sister lines, this approach allowed the unique discrimination of each clone too. Molecular results agreed with genealogy data, supporting the assessment of genotyping effectiveness. In addition, the minimal number of variants able to uniquely discriminate and/or correctly cluster the experimental lines was investigated. The loci number could be reduced to eight to achieve line discrimination, and a method to identify the specific variant sets is presented. Conversely, to preserve the original clustering with minor adjustments, one hundred loci were required and were obtained through minor allele frequency (MAF) filtering. Moreover, analysis of the chromosomal distribution of variants revealed a predominant accumulation in distal regions. Genetic analyses were repeated considering only variants located in coding sequences and results were in agreement with what previously observed, disclosing the potential of the expressed regions for genotyping purposes. Eventually, the applied approach enabled the investigation of SNPs within genes putatively involved in traits of interest. Our findings encourage the adoption of high-throughput and cost-effective sequencing techniques for petunia genotyping aimed at achieving PVP, supporting new variety registration, and developing marker-assisted breeding (MAB) and marker-assisted selection (MAS) strategies. Full article