Search Results (5,805)

The contamination of microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals (HMs) in water has caused widespread concern, while their effects on submerged macrophytes have rarely been reported. Experiments were carried out to investigate the toxic effects of polyamide microplastics (PAMPs; 0.1%, 0.3%, and 1.0% w/w) and cadmium (Cd; 0.3 and 1.0 mg/L), alone or in combination, on the submerged macrophyte Vallisneria natans (V. natans). The results showed that PAMPs significantly reduced Cd accumulation in leaves (decrease of 2.38% ~ 26.12%) but elevated Cd accumulation in roots. Both Cd exposure and high PAMP exposure alone inhibited plant growth. The combined stress showed concentration-dependent effects: the low Cd concentration (0.3 mg/L) and PAMPs synergistically exacerbated toxicity (synergism, MDR > 1.3), as PAMPs disrupted the sediment structure and enhanced the bioavailability of Cd, whereas when V. natans was co-exposed to the high Cd concentration (1.0 mg/L) and PAMPs, the PAMPs blunted the toxicity of Cd by efficiently adsorbing it (antagonism, MDR < 0.7). Both individual and combined exposures decreased chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b synthesis and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content in plant tissues. However, exposure to low and medium concentrations of MPs (0.1% and 0.3%w/w) alone had positive effects on plant growth and photosynthesis systems, while combined exposures exacerbated the damaging effects of PAMPs on the antioxidant defense system in V. natans. These results allow for a better understanding of the synergistic effect of co-contamination of microplastics and heavy metals in freshwater ecosystems, and highlight the necessity of ecological risk assessment during phytoremediation using submerged macrophytes. Full article

Efficient micropropagation systems are essential for the large-scale production of uniform and high-quality plant material in aromatic species. In this study, the effects of gibberellic acid (GA₃; 1.4, 2.8, and 5.6 µM) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA; 2.2, 4.4, and 8.8 µM) were evaluated on the in vitro performance of Artemisia pontica across two successive subcultures. Morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters were assessed, and the most effective treatment was further investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate leaf trichome characteristics. GA₃ treatments significantly enhanced shoot growth, shoot number, and relative growth rate, with the strongest response observed at 2.8 µM. This concentration also promoted higher chlorophyll content and antioxidant activity, indicating improved physiological status and metabolic performance of plantlets. In contrast, MeJA treatments, particularly at 8.8 µM, reduced growth performance and pigment accumulation, suggesting a less favorable physiological status for micropropagation. Multivariate analysis (PCA and hierarchical clustering) revealed a clear separation among treatments, with GA₃ at 2.8 µM associated with a coordinated increase in growth-related and antioxidant traits. SEM analysis showed that GA₃ influenced leaf epidermal structure, increasing the density of T-shaped, non-glandular trichomes and the diameter of glandular secreting trichomes, suggesting structural adjustments linked to metabolic activity. Overall, the results indicate that GA₃ at 2.8 µM represents the most effective supplementation under the tested conditions, promoting a balanced improvement in shoot proliferation, physiological performance, antioxidant activity, and selected structural traits. Full article

The aim of study was to investigate the effects of foliar application of salicylic acid on cellular damage, physiological indices, and growth of dwarf cashew cultivated under salt stress. A 5 × 4 factorial scheme, resulting from the combination of five ECiw levels (0.4, 1.2, 2.0, 2.8, and 3.6 dS m⁻¹) and four salicylic acid concentrations (control—0, 1, 2, and 3 mM), with three replications. Irrigation water salinity of 3.6 dS m⁻¹ inhibited the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and the growth of dwarf cashew plants. Foliar application of salicylic acid at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 2.5 mM mitigated the effects of salt stress on relative water content, stomatal conductance, internal CO₂ concentration, CO₂ assimilation rate, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, variable fluorescence, quantum efficiency of photosystem II, stem diameter at the grafting point, and plant height, while also reducing electrolyte leakage and initial fluorescence in dwarf cashew plants at 180 days after transplanting. Salicylic acid (SA), when applied at appropriate concentrations, alleviates the deleterious effects of salt stress on the growth and physiological performance of dwarf cashew plants. Full article

Drought stress significantly constrains broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) productivity by impairing growth, photosynthesis, and yield. Seed priming with ascorbic acid (AsA) has shown promise in enhancing early seedling performance; however, its effects on head development and yield under water deficit remain limited. This greenhouse pot experiment evaluated four seed treatments: non-primed control, water-primed control, 1 mg L⁻¹ AsA, and 10 mg L⁻¹ AsA under two irrigation regimes: 100% and 50% field capacity. Growth, physiological traits, biochemical responses, and yield were assessed. AsA priming significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced plant height, net photosynthesis, and chlorophyll content under both water regimes. Under 100% FC, water priming significantly increased canopy length, whereas under 50% FC, only AsA priming produced a significant increase relative to the non-primed control (p < 0.05). Biochemical responses further showed that 10 mg L⁻¹ AsA significantly (p < 0.05) increased chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b under 50% FC compared with the non-primed control. Proline accumulation was reduced by 10 mg L⁻¹ AsA, but this reduction was significant (p < 0.05) only under 100% FC. Under 100% FC, 10 mg L⁻¹ AsA significantly (p < 0.05) increased total phenolic content compared with the non-primed control. Total flavonoid content was significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 1 and 10 mg L⁻¹ AsA compared with the control, while both water priming and AsA priming significantly (p < 0.05) increased carotenoid content and reduced H₂O₂ accumulation relative to the non-primed control, irrespective of watering regime. Total yield per plant, measured on a fresh weight basis, significantly (p < 0.05) increased with increasing AsA concentration, with 10 mg L⁻¹ AsA enhancing yield by 37.8% relative to the water-primed control and by 70.5% relative to the non-primed control, independent of water regime. Percentage dry weight was unaffected by AsA treatment. Overall, AsA seed priming potentially enhanced physiological resilience and fresh yield of broccoli under water-limited conditions, indicating its potential as a low-cost strategy for drought mitigation. Full article

Ionic liquids (ILs) are widely used chemical compounds that may pose potential risks to the environment. In the present study, the effects of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMIMCl) on growth, photosynthetic performance, and oxidative stress in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings were evaluated, and the role of exogenous L-ascorbic acid (AsA) in modulating plant responses to this stress was investigated. Plants were cultivated in soil contaminated with EMIMCl at concentrations ranging from 1 to 1000 mg·kg⁻¹ of soil dry weight (DW) and treated with AsA at concentrations of 0.5–2 mM. EMIMCl significantly inhibited plant growth, reduced photosynthetic pigment content, and impaired chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, accompanied by increased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde equivalents (MDA) levels, indicating the induction of oxidative stress. Moderate doses of AsA partially alleviated EMIMCl-induced toxicity, whereas higher AsA concentrations under severe EMIMCl contamination intensified stress symptoms. These findings demonstrate a dose-dependent and biphasic role of AsA in maize responses to EMIMCl-induced stress. Full article

The precious aquatic plant Nymphaea hybrid, is valued for its ornamental and economic importance but is highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations. However, the interactive effects of light and temperature, two critical abiotic factors, on its photosynthetic performance and underlying structural basis remain poorly understood. In this paper, we conducted a two-factorial experiment in which N. hybrid plants were exposed to five light–temperature regimes for 9 days: control (T0, 800 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ + 25/20 °C); low light–low temperature—LLLT (T1, 200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ + 15/10 °C); low light–high temperature—LLHT (T2, 200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ + 35/30 °C); high light–low temperature—HLLT (T3, 1400 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ + 15/10 °C); and high light–high temperature—HLHT (T4, 1400 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ + 35/30 °C). We systematically investigated changes in photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and leaf ultrastructure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that: The HLLT treatment (T3) inflicted the most severe damage, triggering a rapid decline in net photosynthetic rate (Pn), maximal photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m), and chlorophyll content, coupled with a significant increase in intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci). Ultrastructurally, T3 caused stomatal closure, disintegration of thylakoid membranes, and accumulation of large osmophilic granules, indicating severe photo-oxidative stress. In contrast, the LLHT treatment (T2) demonstrated remarkable resilience, with physiological and structural parameters closely resembling the control. The HLHT treatment (T4) caused intermediate damage, primarily through non-stomatal limitations over time. Our findings demonstrate a significant light–temperature interaction in N. hybrid. The thermophilic nature of N. hybrid was evident: high temperature mitigated the negative effects of low light, whereas low temperature, especially in combination with high light, acted synergistically to cause catastrophic damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of N. hybrid’s environmental adaptability, offering critical insights for its cultivation management under changing climate conditions, especially in high altitude and high latitude areas. Full article

Early senescence of alpine pasture grass, manifested as rapid yellowing at the onset of autumn on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, constrains the sustainable development of grassland animal husbandry. Breeding stay-green forage germplasm is key to mitigating this problem. To identify superior stay-green germplasm and preliminarily elucidate the main drivers of senescence, we evaluated six stay-green lines of Elymus sibiricus with non-stay-green materials as controls. Fixed-site field observations were conducted for three consecutive years in Haiyan County, Qinghai Province. We quantified dynamic changes in phenotypic, photosynthetic, and physiological traits during senescence, applied mixed-effects models to identify factors associated with stay-green, and used the TOPSIS model for comprehensive evaluation. The results showed that plant height, green leaf area, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and root activity of stay-green E. sibiricus were significantly higher than those of non-stay-green materials at all planting years, and the senescence rate was significantly slower. All traits performed optimally at the third year. Relative to HB-2, HB-4, HB-8, HB-10, HB-11, and HB-15 (stay-green E. sibiricus), plant height, green leaf area, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and root activity of CK (non-stay-green E. sibiricus) were 0.83, 0.95, 0.79, 0.82, 0.80, and 0.78; 0.37, 0.37, 0.34, 0.35, 0.31, and 0.35; 0.82, 0.84, 0.80, 0.86, 0.82, and 0.75; 0.86, 0.86, 0.74, 0.89, 0.77, and 0.70; and 0.72, 0.74, 0.66, 0.78, 0.70, and 0.61, respectively. Mixed-effects modeling identified chlorophyll, root vitality, soluble sugars, and photosynthesis as the primary determinants of stay-green in E. sibiricus. The TOPSIS model indicated that HB-15 maintained the highest fitting degree values in years 2–4. These values were 0.69, 0.62, and 0.71, respectively. Therefore, HB-15 was the most ideal stay-green germplasm. These findings provide a theoretical basis and elite parental materials for breeding new stay-green varieties of E. sibiricus. Full article

Chlorophyll content represents a key growth indicator for maize. The traditional SPAD (Soil and Plant Analyzer Development) method, though easy to operate, is inefficient, destructive, and unsuitable for high-throughput field monitoring. UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) remote sensing technology is highly efficient and detects abundant indicators, enabling large-scale SPAD measurement. In this study, 18 vegetation indices and eight texture features were selected as the indicator system by combining prior knowledge and experimental analysis. In a two-year maize density experiment, multispectral images were collected in the growth period. The correlations among SPAD values, multispectral indices and texture features were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Then the detection accuracies of three algorithms, i.e., RF (Random Forest), PLSR (Partial Least Squares Regression), and SVR (Support Vector Regression), were compared under this indicator system. Compared with models constructed using single vegetation indices or single texture features, the estimation accuracy of the indicator system at the jointing stage was improved by 0.13 and 0.22, respectively. The results showed that SVR achieved the highest estimation accuracy among the three algorithms, with determination coefficients (R²) of 0.73, 0.77and 0.70 at the jointing, silking, and grain-filling stages, respectively. This study established a non-destructive monitoring framework for chlorophyll content during the entire maize growth stage based on UAV data. Full article

Soil salinity severely limits plant growth by disrupting cellular homeostasis and inducing oxidative damage. Although ethylene-responsive transcription factors (ERFs) are central regulators of stress responses, the function of ERF013 in salt stress responses remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of ERF013 in Arabidopsis thaliana using ERF013 overexpression lines (OE-ERF013) and genome-edited (ge-erf013) under 250 mM NaCl stress, in comparison with wild-type control (CK) and salt-treated wild-type (WT) plants. Under salinity stress, OE-ERF013 plants maintained vigorous shoot and root growth, exhibiting a 17% increase in shoot fresh weight and a 100% in root fresh weight relative to WT-T plants, whereas ge-erf013 mutants displayed severe growth inhibition. Salt stress markedly elevated superoxide (O₂⁻) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels in WT-T (62% and 134%) and ge-erf013 plants (122% and 193%) compared with CK, while OE-ERF013 plants showed a significant reduction in O₂⁻·and H₂O₂ levels, which decreased by 34% and 64%, respectively, relative to WT-T. Improved redox homeostasis in OE-ERF013 plants was associated with enhanced catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities (55% and 44%), increased DPPH radical-scavenging activity (62%), maintained total antioxidant capacity (ABTS), and reduced lipid peroxidation, whereas ge-erf013 plants exhibited a 47% increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content relative to WT-T. Furthermore, OE-ERF013 plants displayed reduced electrolyte leakage and sustained higher relative water content (RWC), with only a 15% decline under salt stress. Transcript analysis revealed strong upregulation of key ion homeostasis genes (SOS1, SOS2, NHX1, and HKT1) in OE-ERF013 plants, while their expression was suppressed in ge-erf013 mutants relative to WT-T. Additionally, OE-ERF013 plants accumulated higher abscisic acid (ABA) levels and showed increased expression of ABA biosynthesis-related genes (ATAO3 and ATABA3), accompanied by enhanced osmotic adjustment through elevated proline, soluble sugars, and sucrose accumulation, as well as improved chlorophyll stability. Collectively, these results demonstrate that ERF013 acts as a positive regulator of responses to salinity by coordinating ABA signaling, antioxidant defense, ion homeostasis, and osmotic regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) and pesticides increasingly co-occur in agricultural ecosystems, where they may jointly affect plant physiology and plant–microorganism interactions. This study investigated the individual and combined effects of biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), the herbicide metolachlor (MET), and the beneficial fungus Trichoderma harzianum KKP 534 on wheat (Triticum aestivum). Plant growth, physiological responses, chlorophyll content, cell membrane damage, antioxidant enzyme activities and selected metabolomic and lipidomic biomarkers were evaluated. High PBAT concentrations negatively affected wheat growth by reducing root and shoot length and increasing oxidative stress, as evidenced by elevated TBARS levels, increased antioxidant enzyme activities (POD, GST, CAT, and SOD), and enhanced membrane damage. Metabolomic and lipidomic analyses further revealed stress-associated changes in amino acid metabolism and membrane lipid remodelling. PBAT also adsorbed MET and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (DTBP), potentially altering their bioavailability and environmental behaviour. Although T. harzianum KKP 534 promoted plant growth and enhanced antioxidant responses under control conditions, these beneficial effects were attenuated in the presence of PBAT MP. The results suggest that biodegradable microplastics may influence plant–microbe interactions and modify pesticide dynamics under controlled conditions, highlighting the need for further studies in soil-based systems. Full article

Reliance on mineral fertilization in papaya cultivation raises sustainability concerns and drives demand for validated organic alternatives. This study tested whether integrating humic substances (HS) and sugarcane filter cake (FC) would stimulate photosynthetic physiology, upregulate carbon metabolism gene expression, and increase fruit yield in ‘Golden’ papaya while outperforming conventional NPK fertilization. A 12-month field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of four HS doses (0, 90, 180, and 270 mL plant⁻¹) combined with two FC doses (0 and 60 kg plant⁻¹) plus an NPK control, measuring photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange, relative expression of rbcL, ACC oxidase, invertase, relative growth rate, and fruit yield. Combined HS and FC increased chlorophyll a by up to 205%, chlorophyll b by 277%, and carotenoids by 208% relative to unamended controls. Gene expression was strongly induced: rbcL reached 202-fold, invertase 156-fold, and ACC oxidase 84.8-fold above control values. Photosynthetic rate followed a quadratic dose-response peaking near 90 mL plant⁻¹ HS. Fruit yield nearly doubled under the optimal combined treatment (115 t ha⁻¹) compared with unamended controls (62 t ha⁻¹) and NPK fertilization (66 t ha⁻¹). These results confirm that HS and FC act synergistically as dual-purpose amendments, improving soil fertility while biostimulating papaya physiology through coordinated upregulation of photosynthetic capacity and carbon partitioning toward reproductive sinks. Full article

Grassland foliar functional traits are closely linked to ecosystem functioning, biodiversity, and plant responses to environmental change. Hyperspectral remote sensing provides an efficient and non-destructive approach for mapping foliar traits, yet direct comparisons between UAV-based and airborne imaging spectroscopy remain limited. In this study, we evaluated the performance of UAV-based Nano and airborne Hyspex hyperspectral imagery for predicting ten foliar functional traits across experimental grassland plots at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, USA. We further assessed the contributions of visible-to-near-infrared (VNIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectral regions, as well as the effects of spectral preprocessing approaches for minimizing confounding effects from canopy structure, illumination/viewing geometry, and soil background. Random Forest regression models were developed using plot-level average spectra derived from Nano and Hyspex imagery. Both UAV- and airborne-based imaging spectroscopy achieved moderate to high prediction accuracies for most foliar traits. High accuracies were obtained for non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), carotenoids, β-carotene, hemicellulose, and cellulose (R² = 0.66–0.82; NRMSE = 6–10%), while moderate accuracies were achieved for nitrogen, chlorophyll, and xanthophylls (R² = 0.51–0.74; NRMSE = 8–12%). In contrast, carbon and lignin consistently exhibited lower predictive performance (R² = 0.32–0.59; NRMSE = 9–15%). Despite covering only the VNIR spectral range, the UAV-based Nano imagery achieved accuracies comparable to those obtained using the airborne full-spectrum Hyspex imagery, indicating that high spatial resolution can partially compensate for limited spectral coverage by reducing soil background effects. The VNIR spectral region alone provided trait estimation accuracies comparable to those obtained using the full visible-to-shortwave infrared (VSWIR) spectrum, whereas SWIR wavelengths contributed only marginal improvements for a subset of structural traits. Among preprocessing approaches, vector normalization generally improved prediction performance by reducing the confounding effects of canopy structure and illumination/viewing geometry, whereas NIR_v-adjusted spectra provided limited benefits. Our findings demonstrate that UAV-based VNIR imaging spectroscopy can provide accurate and cost-effective estimation of grassland foliar functional traits. The results also highlight important trade-offs between spectral and spatial resolution in hyperspectral remote sensing and provide practical guidance for selecting imaging spectroscopy platforms and preprocessing approaches for grassland ecosystem monitoring. Full article

Plant communities in reservoir drawdown zones experience highly altered hydrological regimes, and responses of locally dominant species shape the biodiversity and restoration trajectories of these artificial wetlands. The water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) is exposed to alternating flooding and drought, which strongly constrains both its vegetation and the biodiversity that depends on it. Cynodon dactylon dominates the herbaceous cover of the TGR WLFZ, but evidence on its stress responses remains fragmented across single-site studies. Following a PRISMA 2020 literature search and screening procedure, we synthesized 169 effect sizes from 12 qualifying experimental studies, covering biomass and morphological traits, photosynthetic gas-exchange parameters, chlorophyll content, and oxidative-stress indicators. Effect sizes were calculated as natural log response ratios (lnRR) and pooled with random-effects models; shallow and deep flooding were compared using subgroup analyses with bootstrap 95% confidence intervals. Flooding effects varied with water depth. Shallow flooding increased total biomass (+47.2%), whereas deep flooding reduced plant height (−46.5%) and root length (−22.3%). Plant height showed significant between-group heterogeneity (Q_between = 5.60, p = 0.045), indicating sensitivity to submergence depth. Flooding also increased malondialdehyde content (MDA) by 31.7%, whereas peroxidase activity (POD), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), and photosynthetic gas-exchange parameters showed no consistent responses. Drought effects on total biomass, plant height, and total chlorophyll were non-significant, although inference was limited by a few drought-related entries. Deep flooding, therefore, appears to be a stronger constraint than drought for Cynodon dactylon in the TGR WLFZ, mainly through morphological suppression and increased oxidative damage. Given the dominant role of this species in the herbaceous layer, its depth-dependent decline is relevant both for biodiversity conservation in this artificial wetland and for elevation-based restoration planning. Full article

The frequency and intensity of heatwaves are increasing annually worldwide due to climate change. Combined with the urban heat island effect, elevated heat stress episodes threaten the survival and performance of urban trees, in turn reducing their ecosystem benefits. For this reason, the foliar heat tolerance of 35 Malus genotypes (two species, 32 cultivars, one variety, one hybrid) was evaluated under controlled laboratory assays. Heat injury to foliar tissue was quantified using chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) to assess photosystem II (PSII) damage and an electrolyte leakage index (ELI) to evaluate cellular membrane integrity. A preliminary dose–response experiment using six genotypes exposed to a temperature gradient (40–50 °C) was conducted to establish thermal response curves and derive LT₅₀ values (temperature at 50% decline in Fv/Fm). These analyses confirmed substantial genotypic variation in thermal tolerance and identified 45 °C as an optimal discriminatory temperature for large-scale screening. This temperature was subsequently applied to assess heat injury across all 35 genotypes. Measurements were conducted in May (spring foliage) and August (summer foliage) to evaluate ontogenetic influences. In some instances, only one genotype was available for experimental purposes. Consequently, conclusions regarding genotypic differences in heat tolerance are based on replicated datasets, whereas genotypes represented by single-tree sampling are presented for descriptive purposes only. Heat stress significantly affected Fv/Fm and ELI, with strong genotype and seasonal effects recorded. In most genotypes, foliar damage was greater in spring than in summer. Good correlations between Fv/Fm and ELI confirmed their value as complementary physiological measures of heat tolerance in plants. Of the 35 genotypes evaluated, Malus sargentii, M. ‘Prairifire’, M. baccata ‘Jackii’, M. ‘Royal Fountain Huber’ and M. Donald Wyman were the most heat tolerant. The substantial variation in foliar heat tolerance detected across the 35 genotypes tested demonstrates potential for selecting Malus genotypes with superior foliar heat tolerance and highlights opportunities for identifying heat resilient candidates among other under-utilized urban tree taxa. Full article

Despite the economic and medicinal value of the tree species Litsea mollis in southern China’s mountain forests, its wild populations remain understudied in terms of their adaptation to altitudinal gradients. This study examined L. mollis populations spanning altitudes of 760–1550 m in Nanshan Park, Hunan Province, to evaluate variation in leaf traits and fruit quality with elevation changes as well as associations with soil chemical properties. Results revealed that increasing altitude corresponded with higher leaf mass, chlorophyll content, soluble compound levels, enzyme activity, and various fruit quality traits (e.g., longitudinal and transverse diameters, weight, and fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamin A, essential oil, and citral levels). Conversely, leaf area, specific leaf area, petiole length, fruit shape index, fruit stalk length, and ash content declined as altitude rose. Redundancy analysis indicated that specific leaf area, peroxidase activity, and Malondialdehyde content are the primary leaf characteristics influencing fruit quality, and soil pH and total nitrogen, alkaline nitrogen, and available potassium levels were key chemical factors shaping ecological adaptation and fruit quality of L. mollis along the altitudinal gradient. Overall, L. mollis augments light capture and nutrient acquisition by modifying morphological traits, such as leaf area (26.17%) and specific leaf area (44.32%), facilitating adaptation to low-light and nutrient-poor conditions at lower elevations. At higher elevations, plants preferentially allocate resources to increase leaf mass (33.33%) and chlorophyll content (19.02%), improving photosynthetic efficiency, osmotic regulation, and metabolic enzyme activity. This resource allocation promotes nutrient and secondary metabolite accumulation in fruit, enhancing plant stress resistance and fruit quality. This synergistic relationship represents an adaptive adjustment by L. mollis in allocating growth and reproductive resources across different altitude environments. These findings provide a theoretical framework for understanding altitudinal adaptation in L. mollis and offer practical guidance for its introduction, cultivation, and fruit quality improvement in high-elevation regions. Full article