Search Results (3,008)

Salt stress poses a major environmental challenge that leads to ecological imbalance and reduced agricultural productivity globally. Sapium sebiferum, a highly valued ornamental and perennial woody oil species, shows promise for saline land utilization due to its natural salt stress adaptability. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. This study investigated the responses of S. sebiferum to salt stress by integrating RNA sequencing and Non-invasive Micro-test Technology (NMT). Comparative transcriptome analysis identified 693, 1061, and 1851 differentially expressed genes at 1 h, 3 h and 6 h after salt treatment, respectively. Functional analysis of DEGs revealed that genes related to ion binding, transmembrane transport, and signal transduction were significantly enriched. Notably, genes involved in calcium (Ca²⁺) and phytohormone signaling were altered, activating stress-response pathways. Furthermore, the dynamic effects of salt stress on nitrate (NO₃⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) uptake were assessed. After salinity stress (150 mM NaCl), an increase in the net influx of NO₃⁻ was observed under the conditions of the assay, while the net flux of NH₄⁺ did not show a significant change. The differential expression of NRT genes suggests that NO₃⁻ may play a multifaceted role in salinity tolerance, potentially contributing to nutrition, ion homeostasis, and signaling pathways. The coordinated signaling network likely allows S. sebiferum to effectively cope with salinity stress and sustain physiological functions under challenging conditions. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of salt tolerance in S. sebiferum, thereby supporting sustainable practices in saline environments. Full article

CCCH zinc-finger proteins constitute a unique class of transcription factors that play vital roles in mediating plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses and regulating various physiological and developmental processes. This study systematically identified and characterized the apple (Malus domestica) CCCH (MdC3H) gene family, aiming to elucidate its evolutionary patterns, functional characteristics, and regulatory mechanisms under drought stress. Genome-wide analysis revealed 85 MdC3H genes, which were unevenly distributed across chromosomes and exhibited significant differences in physiochemical properties, suggesting functional divergence. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into 9 subfamilies with distinct conservation. Collinearity analysis indicated a close evolutionary relationship between apple and Malus sieversii, with 150 collinear gene pairs identified, highlighting the conservation of the C3H gene family during speciation. Cis-acting element prediction in promoter regions uncovered abundant stress-responsive elements (e.g., ABRE, DRE, MYB), implying the potential of MdC3H genes in coordinating environmental signals. Functional verification demonstrated that MdC3H49, a key member of the family, is localized in the nucleus and possesses transcriptional activation activity. Overexpression of MdC3H49 in Arabidopsis and apple calli significantly enhanced drought tolerance, characterized by reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content, relative electrical conductivity, and increased proline accumulation. Mechanistic studies revealed that MdC3H49 directly regulates the expression of MdP5CS, a core gene in proline biosynthesis, thereby strengthening the cellular antioxidant capacity and mitigating drought-induced damage. Collectively, this study establishes MdC3H49 as a critical regulator in apple drought stress response, providing valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying abiotic stress tolerance in perennial plants and laying a foundation for genetic improvement of drought resistance in apple breeding. Full article

Three novel alkaloids, penicitrioids A–C (1–3), and two known compounds (4–5) were isolated from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of the solid fermentation of Penicillium citrinum VDL118, an endophytic fungus harbored in the leaves of Vaccinium dunalianum Wight (Ericaceae), a perennial evergreen shrub native to the southwestern regions of China, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Compounds 1 and 2 are novel pyridine alkaloids characterized by an unprecedented dihydrofuro[3,4-c]pyridine core, while 3 features a distinct pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine framework. Their structures were unambiguously established by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. In vitro antifungal assays revealed that compounds 1–5 exhibited moderate to potent inhibitory effects against five tested phytopathogenic fungi, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 3.1 to 100 μg/mL. Notably, four of them (1–4) displayed broad-spectrum and potent activity against Gloeophyllum trabeum, Coriolus versicolor, Fusarium solani, and Botrytis cinerea, with MIC values as low as 3.1–12.5 μg/mL. Furthermore, a plausible biosynthetic pathway for compounds 1–3 was proposed. Full article

Climate variability is a major driver of belowground microbial assembly, yet its effects on rhizosphere microbiomes in perennial crops remain insufficiently resolved. We investigated how macroclimatic oscillations associated with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influence bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of Coffea arabica. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing across five sampling campaigns covering El Niño, La Niña, and Neutral phases in the Colombian Andes, together with multivariate and variance-partitioning analyses, we quantified the relative contributions of climatic and edaphic factors to rhizosphere community structure. PERMANOVA across three dissimilarity metrics showed that the ENSO explained 11–17% of β-diversity, exceeding the contribution of intra-annual seasonality (6–12%). Ordination analyses indicated moderate compositional differentiation with considerable overlap among ENSO groups, consistent with gradual community turnover under contrasting hydroclimatic conditions. Rainfall and soil pH emerged as the main edaphic correlates of community composition, although their independent effects were no longer significant after accounting for the ENSO phase and season. Despite these shifts, the rhizosphere remained dominated by Acidobacteriota, Actinobacteriota, and Proteobacteria, and a prevalence-defined core microbiome (genera detected in ≥85% of samples) was maintained across climatic phases and seasons. These results indicate that, within the explained fraction of variation, macroclimatic variability contributed more to rhizosphere bacterial turnover than local edaphic heterogeneity, while a conserved prevalence-defined bacterial core may contribute to taxonomic stability in climate-sensitive coffee systems. Full article

The perennial grass timothy (Phleum pratense) is an important forage crop in cold temperate regions. It forms three types of tillers: vegetative (VEG), generative (GEN), and non-flowering elongated (ELONG). To understand the influence of plant development and tiller formation on biomass production and the diversity in these traits, a total of 246 wild and domesticated accessions of timothy and the related species, P. nodosum and P. alpinum, were investigated. The length of different plant developmental stages and the formation of different tiller types were studied to test the hypotheses: (1) the proportion (%) of different tiller types affects biomass and is influenced by the lengths of the different plant developmental stages, (2) domestication and breeding have affected the length of developmental stages and proportions of tiller types. While timothy cultivars did not differ significantly from wild accessions in biomass, wild accessions had higher VEG%, which increased with latitude of accession origin. P. nodosum cultivars produced the highest number of ELONG of all accessions and species, and the ELONG% showed a strong positive correlation with biomass. Timothy cultivars showed later emergence and tillering, and reached stem elongation and heading earlier than wild accessions, suggesting that delayed tillering, but an overall faster development, has been favoured during breeding. The time between tillering and stem elongation showed a positive correlation with VEG%. This study reveals large diversity in developmental and tiller traits among accessions, reflecting differences in their domestication and breeding history, and highlighting the importance of considering early developmental traits and ELONG formation for yield and quality in further pre-breeding research. Full article

Leaf senescence in perennial species constitutes a highly orchestrated developmental phase that differs fundamentally from the obligate monocarpic senescence of annual plants. While individual organs undergo programmed senescence, prerennial organisms maintain longevity across multiple growing seasons through a sophisticated interplay between endogenous programs and exogenous cues. This review provides a systematic synthesis of the regulatory mechanisms governing leaf senescence in herbaceous perennials (Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea) and woody perennials (Populus, Pinus, and Agave). We highlight a multi-layered regulatory landscape, encompassing divergent and conserved pathways in transcriptional orchestration, hormonal crosstalk, metabolic reprogramming, and telomere maintenance. Specific emphasis is placed on how these mechanisms allow for tissue-specific and seasonal adaptation, such as the integration of dormancy signals in woody taxa versus stress-plasticity in perennial grasses. By elucidating these complex frameworks, this review not only advances our fundamental understanding of plant life-span regulation but also provides a theoretical foundation for the molecular breeding of delayed senescence germplasm, offering transformative potential for enhancing agricultural productivity and ecological resilience. Full article

Weed control of solanaceous weeds growing with solanaceous crops is a constant challenge. Infected by viruses, they can also act as virus reservoirs, complicating this problem further. Viromes of annual Solanum nigrum, Datura stramonium, and Solanum dulcamara, a perennial climbing shrub, were investigated using RNA sequencing and validated using RT-PCR, revealing infection with nine viruses. Broad bean wilt virus 1 (BBWV1), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and potato virus M (PVM) were found to infect S. nigrum. Investigating only 46 plants revealed infection with Solanum dulcamara yellow fleck virus (SDYFV) not only in S. dulcamara but in a new host, D. stramonium, which also represents a new host of turnip yellows virus (TuYV). We described the first presence of a potato virus H (PVH)-like, and Oxybasis rubra mitovirus 1 (OxruMV1)-like virus in Europe, in S. dulcamara as a new host. Our results highlight the unexpected complexity of the viromes of solanaceous weeds, which should be considered during reliable and efficient plant protection strategies, in order to alleviate the virus reservoir role of the weeds. Full article

Astragalus membranaceus is an important perennial medicinal plant whose roots constitute its primary medicinal organ; however, its cultivation is severely constrained by root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum. This study aimed to characterize differences in the rhizosphere microbiome between healthy and diseased plants, identify antagonistic microorganisms from healthy rhizosphere soils, and investigate their suppressive effects on F. oxysporum and the associated host metabolic responses. High-throughput sequencing was used to compare bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizospheres of healthy and diseased plants. Microorganisms were isolated from healthy rhizosphere soils and screened for antagonistic activity against F. oxysporum, followed by validation in pot experiments. Metabolomic analysis was further conducted to assess host metabolic responses to microbial treatment. Root rot disease significantly altered the dominant composition of rhizosphere microbial communities and was associated with reduced fungal diversity and lower bacterial richness in diseased soils. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed increased complexity in bacterial networks and strengthened positive correlations among fungal taxa under diseased conditions. A total of 81 microbial strains were isolated from healthy rhizosphere soils, among which Penicillium halotolerans exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity against the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum. Pot experiments further supported its suppressive effect on Astragalus root rot. Metabolomic analysis indicated that P. halotolerans treatment was associated with changes in host metabolic profiles related to energy metabolism, defense-associated protein synthesis, and nutrient uptake. Overall, this study identified P. halotolerans as a fungal strain with antagonistic activity against F. oxysporum and provided initial evidence for its association with the suppression of Astragalus root rot. These findings offer candidate microbial resources and mechanistic insights for understanding rhizosphere-associated disease suppression in Astragalus membranaceus. Full article

Wetlands are ecosystems with critical functions. However, the accelerated progression of global urbanization and human activities, including agricultural encroachment, has resulted in a notable decline in wetland areas and the degradation of wetland quality worldwide. Consequently, wetland restoration has become a central focus of wetland research. Plant community characteristics are among the simplest and most frequently used indicators for evaluating wetland restoration progress and are a crucial factor in maintaining the health and stability of wetland ecosystems. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the plant community characteristics of restored wetlands with different durations of abandonment in the lower Tumen River Basin, which is expected to provide guidance for promoting the restoration of abandoned farmlands in this region. We hypothesize that species diversity decreases with increasing abandonment age, plant community composition converges toward that of natural wetlands over time, and beta diversity declines due to increasing biotic homogenization during succession. We established a chronosequence of abandoned wetlands in the lower Tumen River Basin, with sites abandoned for approximately 5, 15, and 30 years. And we use natural wetlands and paddy fields as references. With natural succession, the dominant plant species in the restored wetlands transitioned from annuals/biennials to perennials. The aboveground biomass initially increased and subsequently decreased. A gradual decline in species diversity was observed along with a further reduction in beta diversity, and the species turnover component consistently exceeded the richness difference component. The pronounced biotic homogenization among communities indicates that achieving a stable state comparable to that of natural wetlands may require considerably more time or may not be attainable solely through natural succession. Full article

Systematic comparisons of how plants with contrasting ecological strategies respond to extremely wide nutrient availability gradients remain limited. We investigated the physiological, photosynthetic, and growth adaptations of four plant species representing distinct ecological strategies: Triticum aestivum L. (C3 annual crop), Zea mays L. (C4 annual crop), Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (C3 annual/perennial aquatic vegetable), and Canna glauca L. (C3 perennial wetland ornamental). Plants were grown hydroponically under nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) gradients ranging from 0% to 500% of standard Hoagland nutrient solution. The study results showed that all measured plant traits exhibited characteristic unimodal dose–response patterns. Optimal performance mostly occurred at 100–150% nutrient availability gradients. Severe inhibition or mortality occurred at extreme gradients. Simultaneously, different plant species displayed markedly varying response amplitudes and nutrient-specific sensitivities. Z. mays showed the highest nutrient use efficiency and broadest optimal ranges, particularly for N and K. C. glauca exhibited extraordinary N responsiveness (32-fold increase in photosynthetic rate) but narrow optimal ranges (e.g., 1.01 ± 0.15 μmol CO₂/(m²·s) at the 1% N treatment vs. 32.52 ± 3.33 μmol CO₂/(m²·s) at the 150% N treatment). I. aquatica showed pronounced P limitation with broad tolerance to supra-optimal N and K. T. aestivum displayed moderate responses with clear sensitivity to N limitation. Root–shoot ratios declined systematically with increasing nutrient availability across all plant species, following negative exponential functions. The results of data analyses revealed significant effects of N, P, and K availability on all the determined plant traits. Correlation analyses demonstrated tight coupling effects among physiological, photosynthetic, and growth traits, indicating integrated whole-plant responses to nutrient variations. These findings reveal that plant ecological strategy systematically modulates nutrient response patterns and provide a quantitative framework for species-specific nutrient management. This study provides a theoretical basis for precision fertilization of aquatic vegetables and wetland plants, and more broadly support species-specific nutrient management in controlled-environment agriculture. Full article

At present, the characteristics of key enzyme genes in the upstream pathway for triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in P. grandiflorum, as well as their expression patterns over the growth duration, have not been systematically analyzed. This study, at the whole-genome level, conducts the first bioinformatics and expression analyses of the SS and SE gene families in P. grandiflorum. Four PgSS and seven PgSE genes were identified and distributed across six chromosomes. Members within the same subfamily exhibited highly conserved sequences and structures, while distinct structural divergence was observed between different subfamilies. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PgSS and PgSE genes were closely related to those of dicotyledons such as Panax ginseng and Polygala tenuifolia, suggesting high evolutionary conservation. Promoter analysis revealed abundant light- and hormone-responsive elements and MYB/MYC binding sites, indicating regulation by multiple signals. Protein secondary structures were dominated by the Alpha helix and were structurally stable. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) demonstrated that expression levels of PgSS and PgSE in one-year-old Platycodonis Radix were significantly higher than in perennial Platycodonis Radix, especially for the PgSE family. This study characterized the basic biological features and growth-stage-dependent expression patterns of the SS and SE gene families in P. grandiflorum. The results identify key candidate genes and molecular targets for regulating triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis, and provide data supporting quality improvement and active metabolite research in this medicinal plant. Full article

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a significant perennial crop in arid and semi-arid regions. Understanding the evolution of research on this crop is vital for identifying major research trends, current challenges, and emerging areas for future agricultural innovation and sustainable crop management strategies. This study conducts a comprehensive scientometric analysis of 9062 scientific publications indexed in the Scopus database between 1837 and 2025, spanning nearly two centuries of research on date palm. Using bibliometric tools such as Bibliometrix and ScientoPy, the study examines patterns of scientific production, collaboration networks, institutional participation, thematic evolution, and emerging research trends. The results indicate a marked increase in scientific publications, especially after 2007, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran among the most productive countries. The thematic structure of the literature shows a shift from early studies on diseases and oasis cultivation to recent research focusing on biomass valorization, activated carbon production, antioxidant properties, pest management with special emphasis on the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), mechanical properties of date palm fibers, and plant biotechnology on methods like micropropagation and somatic embryogenesis. Geographically, research activity is concentrated in the Middle East and North Africa, the primary palm-producing region, with Saudi Arabia leading in institutions, researchers, funding, and international collaborations in date palm research. Emerging trends indicate a rising interest in digital tools, particularly artificial intelligence and advanced analytical tools, which are increasingly being explored to improve crop management. Overall, these findings provide a structured overview of the historical development of date palm research and contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolution and organization of scientific knowledge in this field. Additionally, the identification of key research pathways and emerging trends offers valuable insights for guiding future agronomic innovation, supporting evidence-based crop management strategies, and promoting the sustainable development of date palm production systems. Full article

Olive cultivation represents a key pillar of rural economies and cultural heritage in Mediterranean regions, including western Greece. Despite its socio-economic importance, the sector faces increasing pressures from climate change, market volatility, and technological transformation, while progress toward environmentally sustainable production remains uneven. This study investigates how olive farmers’ perceptions of carbon footprint and climate risks are influenced by their demographic characteristics. Primary data were collected through 402 structured questionnaires distributed to olive producers in the Aetolia–Acarnania region. The sample was designed to represent farmers directly engaged in olive production, ensuring the relevance and reliability of the collected data. The findings, based on descriptive statistics, reveal significant heterogeneity in producers’ perceptions of climate risks and their capacity to respond through sustainable practices. Demographic characteristics appear to play an important role in shaping awareness of carbon footprint and the potential adoption of environmentally responsible farming strategies. These results suggest that sustainability transitions in perennial cropping systems depend not only on technological availability but also on social, informational, and institutional capacities. Strengthening agricultural advisory services, farmer training, and climate adaptation strategies may therefore support the adoption of climate-smart practices in olive cultivation. Furthermore, cooperation and value-chain integration are identified as potentially important mechanisms for facilitating knowledge transfer and supporting the adoption of sustainable practices (e.g., efficient irrigation and optimized input use). However, their contribution to environmental performance and greenhouse gas mitigation cannot be directly inferred from the present perception-based analysis and should be examined in future research using appropriate quantitative or environmental assessment frameworks. Full article

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a strategically important perennial crop because it is the main botanical source of steviol glycosides, a group of high-intensity, non-caloric sweeteners increasingly demanded by the global food and beverage industry. Despite the rapid expansion of stevia cultivation, commercial production remains strongly dependent on a narrow genetic base, particularly on clonally propagated cultivars such as ‘Morita II’, which has long served as the industrial benchmark because of its favourable rebaudioside A profile and processing consistency. This dependence has raised concerns about limited adaptive capacity, genetic erosion and restricted long-term breeding progress. In this review, we provide an integrated and critical synthesis of current knowledge on the genetic diversity of S. rebaudiana, the biosynthetic and regulatory architecture of steviol glycosides, and the conventional and emerging strategies available for crop improvement. Unlike previous reviews, this article explicitly connects domestication-driven genetic bottlenecks, wild germplasm mobilisation, metabolic pathway regulation, advanced analytical phenotyping and precision breeding into a single systems-oriented framework. We examine the roles of wild germplasm, somaclonal variation, polyploidy, molecular markers, omics-assisted approaches and transgene-free genome editing as complementary tools to broaden the stevia breeding base while preserving industrial quality standards. We finally propose an integrative roadmap for the sustainable genetic improvement of stevia, positioning ‘Morita II’ not as an endpoint, but as a benchmark within a broader diversification strategy. Full article

Succulent plants in arid ecosystems exhibit contrasting strategies to cope with high irradiance, thermal stress, and water limitation. We evaluated spatial distribution, microhabitat use, nurse identity, and orientation beneath canopies for two threatened globose cacti from the Querétaro semi-desert (Mexico): Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus and Lophophora diffusa. One site with high population density was selected for each species, where 10 plots were established (9 m² for A. kotschoubeyanus and 49 m² for L. diffusa). The study aims to evaluate whether species-specific recruitment patterns are associated with differential dependence on nurse-plant microhabitats under conditions of radiation and thermal stress. We hypothesized that: (1) both species exhibit aggregated spatial distributions but differ in their reliance on nurse-mediated microclimatic buffering; and (2) nurse-plant identity and orientation patterns vary between species, reflecting species-specific ecophysiological thresholds to irradiance and heat stress. Both species showed strongly aggregated spatial distributions (Hopkins index > 0.8), indicating recruitment constrained by microsite heterogeneity. However, their stress-adaptation strategies differed markedly. A. kotschoubeyanus occurred predominantly in open microsites (79%), consistent with its geophytic growth form and tolerance to high radiation and temperature extremes. In contrast, L. diffusa was strongly associated with nurse plants (78%), particularly Larrea tridentata and Bursera fagaroides, and preferentially established on eastern canopy exposures that reduce afternoon heat load. These patterns reflect species-specific ecophysiological thresholds linked to radiation tolerance and microclimatic buffering. Facilitation in globose cacti is therefore trait-mediated and context-dependent. Maintaining perennial shrub diversity is essential to preserve the microhabitats that sustain recruitment and persistence of stress-sensitive succulents under increasing climatic aridity. Full article