Search Results (369)

Gibberellins (GAs) are key endogenous hormones regulating chrysanthemum flowering, and Gibberellin INSENSITIVE DWARF1 (GID1) is the core receptor of the gibberellin (GA) signaling pathway. However, the functional mechanism of CmGID1A remains unelucidated. Here, we constructed CmGID1A-RNAi silencing lines and characterized the biological function of CmGID1A by phenotypic identification, protein interaction assays, qRT-PCR and RNA-seq. The results of RT-qPCR showed that CmGID1A responds to short days and gibberellins. Inhibition of the expression of CmGID1A can significantly promote the transition of chrysanthemum from the vegetative growth stage to the reproductive growth stage and accelerate its flowering process. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays confirmed that CmGID1A interacts with the DELLA protein CmRGL1 in a gibberellin-dependent manner. RNA-seq results revealed that silencing of CmGID1A leads to a significant up-regulation of downstream Ethylene Response Factor 6 (ERF6) expression. Collectively, CmGID1A acts as a GA receptor to mediate GA signal transduction via interacting with CmRGL1, and regulates the expression of CmERF6 and other downstream genes, thereby participating in the regulation of floral transition in chrysanthemum. This study clarifies the core role of CmGID1A in the GA signaling pathway and provides novel experimental data for enriching the molecular regulatory mechanism of GA in floral transition in chrysanthemum. Full article

Several bioactive compounds, including phenolic and flavonoid substances, have been identified in the aqueous leaf extract of Schinus terebinthifolius (ALE). These compounds are active ingredients in green nanoparticle biosynthesis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), zeta potential analysis, and FTIR spectral analysis were used to characterize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). According to TEM results, AgNPs exhibited somewhat larger diameters (12 ± 4 nm), were spherical with significant aggregation, and displayed a fairly uniform distribution, while CuNPs were primarily quasi-spherical with a narrow size range of about 4–5 nm. CuNPs showed a much more negative zeta potential value of −25.8 mV, indicating good to high colloidal stability, whereas AgNPs had a zeta potential of −15.5 mV, suggesting moderate stability. The main compounds included chlorogenic acid (10,375.28 µg/g), gallic acid (7015.59 µg/g extract), ellagic acid (1571.29 µg/g extract), and rutin (1485 µg/g extract). The antifungal activity of CuNPs and AgNPs was tested at concentrations of 6, 12, 25, 50, and 75 μg/mL on Quercus rubra wood against Fusarium circinatum and Pythium tardicrescens. The greatest inhibition of F. circinatum growth was observed with CuNPs and AgNPs at 75 µg/mL, showing fungal inhibition percentages (FIPs) of 61.48 and 60.74%, respectively. CuNPs and AgNPs at 75 µg/mL exhibited moderate activity against P. tardicrescens, with FIPs of 21.48% and 15.92%, respectively. The MICs for AgNPs and CuNPs were 1.5 and 85 µg/mL with F. circinatum and P. tardicrescens, respectively. Overall, CuNPs and AgNPs demonstrated potential antifungal activity against F. circinatum but moderate activity against P. tardicrescens compared to the control. This ALE from S. terebinthifolius is rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, including gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, ellagic acid, and p-coumaric acid, as identified by HPLC analysis. These biomolecules act as both capping agents, which stabilize the nanoparticles, and reducing agents. Using S. terebinthifolius ALE’s rich phytochemical profile as a reducing and stabilizing agent provides an environmentally friendly method for the green synthesis of CuNPs and AgNPs. Full article

Background: Cymbidium kanran ‘Zhushalan’ is a famous traditional Chinese orchid with high ornamental and economic value. As its market expands, there is a need to improve its key horticultural traits and stress resistance. Unfortunately, these traits are difficult to breed using traditional methods, and an optimal regeneration and genetic transformation system for C. kanran has yet to be established. Methods: This study evaluated the factors affecting Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation and regeneration of C. kanran ‘Zhushalan’ using rhizomes obtained from seedlings as receptor material. Results: The highest regeneration frequency was achieved after pre-cultivating the rhizomes in the dark on ½ MS medium for 10 days. The genetic transformation system was optimized as follows: Agrobacterium strain, EHA105; optimal concentration of Agrobacterium solution, OD₆₀₀ = 0.6; 100 mg·L⁻¹ acetosyringone; an infection time of no more than 40 min; and co-culturing for one to three days. Positive strains were screened using meropenem (15 mg·L⁻¹) and hygromycin (50 mg·L⁻¹) and confirmed through PCR and qRT-PCR. A transformation rate of 11.67% was achieved. Conclusions: An efficient regeneration and genetic transformation system for C. kanran ‘Zhushalan’ has been established for developing transgenic technologies. Our findings will stimulate research on functional genes and molecular breeding related to C. kanran. Full article

Ethylene is a key phytohormone regulating fruit ripening, the senescence of ornamental plants, and the post-harvest quality of horticultural products. Although numerous studies have described compounds that inhibit ethylene biosynthesis or perception, the available evidence remains fragmented across chemical groups, plant species, and pre- and post-harvest applications. This review addresses that gap by critically integrating current knowledge on the principal inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis and perception used in horticulture, with emphasis on their sites of action, practical effectiveness, and limitations. Biosynthesis inhibitors, including aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), aminooxyacetic acid (AOA), daminozide, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), and oxalic acid (OA), reduce ethylene production at different stages of the ethylene pathway, whereas perception inhibitors such as 1-methylcyclopropene, 1-DCP, silver compounds, alkenes, and diazocyclopentadiene interfere with receptor binding and downstream ripening responses. The available literature indicates that 1-methylcyclopropene remains the most widely used commercial inhibitor, while oxalic acid is emerging as a promising natural modulator of ethylene-related processes. However, the efficacy of these compounds is strongly dependent on species, maturity stage, dose, temperature, and storage conditions, and some are additionally constrained by regulatory concerns, incomplete mechanistic understanding, or inconsistent performance. Overall, ethylene inhibitors are important tools for extending shelf life, maintaining firmness, delaying senescence, and reducing post-harvest losses. Further comparative and crop-specific studies are needed to optimize application strategies, improve environmental safety, and support the development of effective natural alternatives. Full article

Datura species are valued ornamentals but contain toxic tropane alkaloids (TAs) like hyoscyamine and scopolamine, which restrict their safe horticultural use. To address this, we developed a genome editing platform in Datura inoxia for creating non-toxic varieties. We first established an efficient, auxin-independent shoot regeneration system using a novel cytokinin combination (thidiazuron and 6-benzylaminopurine) achieving over 7 shoots per explant. This system facilitated an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation protocol with a stable efficiency exceeding 50% (49 independent lines from 100 explants for LS; 36 lines from 70 explants for CYP80F1). Using this platform, we performed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of two key TA biosynthetic genes, LS (littorine synthase) and CYP80F1 (littorine mutase). Among the transgenic lines analyzed, 8 out of 15 (53%) carried mutations in LS, while all 12 (100%) lines carried mutations in CYP80F1. HPLC and high-resolution mass spectrometry confirmed the complete absence of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in the mutant leaves, with no detectable peaks at the corresponding retention times. Crucially, the edited plants grew normally and were morphologically indistinguishable from the wild type. This work establishes the first CRISPR/Cas9 platform for Datura and generates the first non-toxic germplasm, providing both a functional genomics tool and a foundation for breeding safe ornamental cultivars. Full article

Background/Objectives: The orchid Dendrobium devonianum Paxt., valued for its ornamental and medicinal properties, is widely used in horticulture, medicine, and food industries. Methods: This study investigated dynamic changes in aroma-active volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and associated gene expression in D. devonianum flowers across four developmental stages (bud, half bloom, full bloom, and aging) using headspace solid-phase microextraction, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and transcriptome analysis. Results: Floral VOCs, particularly volatile terpenoids and esters, were most abundant at full bloom. Among the 664 VOCs identified, α-hemelene, β-bisabolene, δ-naphthalene, perillyl alcohol, L-perillyl alcohol, terpinen-4-ol, 2-(4-methylphenyl)propan-2-ol, cis-3-hexenyl butyrate, and α-pinene were likely to contribute to floral scent. Terpene biosynthesis pathways played a pivotal role in floral fragrance formation. A comprehensive terpenoid biosynthesis pathway for D. devonianum floral scent was proposed, and eight genes encoding key regulatory enzymes were identified. Conclusions: These results provide new insights into terpenoid metabolism in Dendrobium and may guide future research on the utilization of floral scent. Full article

Caladium bicolor is an important ornamental foliage plant; however, its tropical origin makes it highly sensitive to environmental stresses such as drought and low temperature, which limits its cultivation and industrial development. Basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors play key roles in plant responses to abiotic stresses, but their functions in C. bicolor remain largely unknown. Here, a bHLH transcription factor gene, CbbHLH35, was cloned from C. bicolor, and its sequence characteristics, subcellular localization, expression patterns, and potential roles in stress responses were analyzed. The results showed that CbbHLH35 contains a conserved bHLH domain and is localized in the nucleus. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that CbbHLH35 is expressed in different tissues, with the highest expression in tubers, and is significantly induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA), abscisic acid (ABA), drought, and low-temperature treatments. Transgenic C. bicolor plants overexpressing CbbHLH35 were generated and subjected to drought and cold stress. Compared with control plants, the overexpression lines showed higher chlorophyll content and POD activity but lower electrolyte leakage and MDA content, indicating enhanced drought and cold tolerance. These results suggest that CbbHLH35 plays a positive role in regulating drought and cold tolerance in C. bicolor and represents a promising candidate gene for the molecular breeding of stress-resistant cultivars. Full article

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is a commercially important medicinal and ornamental plant; however, its functional genomics remain poorly understood because of the lack of efficient cell-based research tools. To address this limitation, we established an optimized method for isolating viable protoplasts from petal and mesophyll tissues of G. jasminoides and developed a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated transient expression system. For petal protoplast isolation, the optimal enzyme combination consisted of 3.0% cellulase R-10 and 1.0% macerozyme R-10 supplemented with 0.5 M D-mannitol, yielding 5.26 × 10⁶ protoplasts per gram fresh weight (FW) with 80.63% viability. For mesophyll protoplast isolation, 1.5% cellulase R-10 and 0.5% macerozyme R-10 supplemented with 0.5 M D-mannitol produced 8.75 × 10⁶ protoplasts g⁻¹ FW with 84.55% viability. PEG-mediated transient transformation was optimized at 20% PEG4000 for petal protoplasts and 40% PEG4000 for mesophyll protoplasts, resulting in efficient GFP expression. This system was successfully applied to subcellular localization analyses of floral regulatory proteins (GjAP3, GjPI, and GjSEP) and defense-related proteins (GjNPR1 and GjTGA2), as well as to the validation of protein–protein interactions between GjSEP and GjPI and between GjNPR1 and GjTGA2 using bimolecular fluorescence complementation and yeast two-hybrid assays. Collectively, these results establish a reliable and species-specific protoplast-based platform for rapid functional characterization of genes in G. jasminoides, providing an effective tool for future studies on gene regulation, metabolic engineering, and molecular breeding in this horticultural plant species. Full article

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat.) is a globally popular ornamental plant, but most cultivars lack efficient petal-based transient transformation systems, limiting floral trait molecular mechanism exploration. Protoplasts are versatile tools for gene localization, interaction, and functional characterization. Here, we established a petal protoplast isolation and transient transformation system for C. morifolium ‘Wandai Fengguang’ via L₉(3⁴) orthogonal design: optimal isolation (0.6 M mannitol, 8 h enzymatic digestion time, 0.4% macerozyme R-10, 4% cellulase R-10) and transformation (40% PEG4000, 12 μg plasmid, 10 min transfection, a protoplast density of 1 × 10⁶ protoplasts mL⁻¹). Under these conditions, protoplast yield was 5.14 × 10⁶ protoplasts g⁻¹·FW, viability 87.41%, and transformation efficiency 51.50%, with good applicability for six additional germplasms. We further analyzed CmVIT1 protein localization. Compared with the previous system, this system significantly improved protoplast yield and transformation efficiency, facilitating the transient transformation of genes related to floral traits in chrysanthemum and providing a methodological framework for other horticultural crops. Full article

The protection of landscape and biological diversity on small Mediterranean islands represents a significant challenge in the context of intensive anthropogenic pressure and land-use change. The aim of this study was to determine the composition of ornamental flora in private gardens on the island of Koločep (IPA, Natura 2000 site), the smallest inhabited island in the Croatian part of the Adriatic, with special emphasis on invasive (IAS) and potentially invasive (PIAS) plant species, and to analyse their relationship with landscape changes and property types. A total of 161 private gardens were analysed, representing all private gardens on the island. In total, 2095 plant records corresponded to 255 unique horticultural taxa from 82 families. Allochthonous species dominate in the gardens (73%). Private gardens represent the primary pathway for the introduction of IAS and PIAS taxa on the island. The taxa with the highest invasion intensity were Ailanthus altissima and Carpobrotus edulis, while among PIAS species, high invasive potential was observed for Mirabilis jalapa and Diospyros virginiana. The study highlights the need for systematic monitoring of ornamental flora and landscape transformation, and the promotion of horticultural practices focused on autochthonous species in gardens, in order to preserve island biological and landscape diversity. Full article

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) has become a key driver of vertical farming (VF), offering innovative solutions for the sustainable production of ornamental plants in urban environments with limited arable land. This review examines recent advances in VF technologies and their applications in foliage and flowering ornamental plant production. The literature indicates that precise environmental control, including optimized LED lighting spectra, hydroponic and aeroponic nutrient delivery, and automated climate regulation, can significantly enhance plant growth, morphological characteristics, color intensity, and overall market quality of ornamental species. In addition, VF systems demonstrate substantial reductions in water consumption, pesticide use, and land requirements compared with conventional cultivation methods. However, several challenges remain, including high-energy demand, economic feasibility, and the need for crop-specific environmental optimization for different ornamental species. This review synthesizes current research on VF systems, highlights the integration of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and data-driven management tools, and evaluates their potential to improve production efficiency and sustainability in ornamental horticulture. Overall, vertical farming represents a promising approach for high-quality ornamental plant production, although further research is required to optimize energy efficiency and cultivation protocols for diverse ornamental crops. Full article

Species of the genus Thunbergia, native to Africa, Asia, and Australia, are widely cultivated as ornamental plants; however, their ability to escape cultivation and establish themselves in novel environments poses a growing threat to tropical forests. Here, we provide the first nationwide assessment of Thunbergia species occurring in Ecuador, integrating data from citizen science platforms, herbarium collections, and field surveys. We analyzed spatiotemporal patterns of occurrence, evaluated invasion status based on wild persistence and spread, and assessed environmental preferences using climatic niche analyses. Species distributions were further examined across land-cover types, conservation areas, and forest–non-forest interfaces. We confirmed the presence of five Thunbergia species in Ecuador, two of which also occur in the Galapagos Islands. All species were recorded both in cultivation and in the wild, indicating ornamental horticulture as the main introduction pathway for the genus, and occurrences were documented within 24 conservation areas. Thunbergia alata, T. fragrans, and T. grandiflora were categorized as invasive in Ecuador. Among them, T. fragrans exhibited broad environmental tolerance across bioregions. Wild occurrences were predominantly associated with human-modified landscapes but frequently occurred near forest edges, indicating ongoing encroachment into natural forests. These findings highlight the urgent need for preventive and targeted management strategies, particularly against T. alata, which represents an emerging threat to Andean forest ecosystems. Full article

Abiotic stresses severely constrain the growth, yield, and quality of horticultural plants, collectively posing major challenges to sustainable production under changing climatic conditions. Nitric oxide (NO) is a key signaling molecule that modulates plant responses to abiotic stress by integrating with redox regulation systems, hormonal crosstalk pathways, ion homeostasis mechanisms, and transcriptional control networks. Rather than functioning as an isolated regulator, NO participates in dynamic signaling frameworks whose outcomes depend on concentration, timing, cellular redox status, and interaction with other signaling molecules. This review synthesizes current knowledge on NO-mediated mechanisms contributing to abiotic stress tolerance and examines their relevance to sustainable horticultural crop management. After outlining the historical recognition of NO as a plant signaling molecule, we discuss stress-responsive NO-dependent processes, including S-nitrosylation-based post-translational modification, NO–reactive oxygen species (ROS) interactions, and the modulation of stress-responsive transcriptional programs. The roles of NO in tolerance to drought, salinity, extreme temperature, and heavy metal stress are analyzed with emphasis on experimentally supported physiological and molecular responses. We further evaluate evidence from fruit, vegetable, ornamental, and medicinal crops, highlighting how NO-associated signaling correlates with yield stability, quality-related traits, and post-harvest performance under stress conditions. Finally, NO-based strategies such as priming, donor application, and integration with biostimulants are critically assessed in the context of climate-resilient and sustainable horticulture, with attention to translational constraints and field-level feasibility. By connecting mechanistic insights with applied considerations, this review provides a structured framework for evaluating the potential and limitations of NO-based approaches in abiotic stress management of horticultural crops. Full article