Search Results (13,832)

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are well established as biological control agents, but their emerging role as endophytes reveals a broader and more powerful function in crop protection. By colonizing plant tissues, endophytic entomopathogenic fungi (EEPF) create a dynamic tripartite interaction between plants, fungi, and herbivores, enabling systemic, plant-mediated pest suppression. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the behavioral and ecological responses of herbivorous arthropods to EEPF-colonized plants, with an emphasis on the mechanisms and implications for integrated pest management (IPM). Growing evidence indicates that EEPF consistently modify herbivore behavior and performance across diverse crops and insect taxa. Colonization frequently alters feeding, host selection, and oviposition, often deterring pests, although mediated responses may vary among fungal species, host plants, insect taxa, and environmental conditions. These responses are driven by EEPF-induced changes in plant chemistry, including shifts in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and defensive metabolites. In parallel, EEPF impair insect fitness by delaying development, reducing survival, and lowering fecundity, thereby suppressing pest populations. These plant-mediated and behavioral changes extend to multitrophic interactions, potentially affecting associations with natural enemies and the transmission efficiency of some insect vectors of plant viruses. Despite rapid progress, critical gaps remain in resolving the mechanistic basis of these interactions and their stability under field conditions. Advancing the application of EEPF will require integrated approaches combining microbial ecology, chemical ecology, and insect behavioral biology. Harnessing these interactions offers a compelling pathway to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides while enhancing the resilience and sustainability of agricultural systems. Full article

Rust, caused by the fungus Uromyces pisi, is the most harmful disease of peas in temperate regions. It is necessary to search for sources of resistance with different defense mechanisms in the pea gene pool. A set of 38 Pisum sativum accessions of various origin was studied in Western Siberia in 2021–2024. The aim of the research was to assess the accessions in the field and under controlled conditions using seedlings and adult plants, as well as to study the interaction of U. pisi with resistant varieties, and to determine genetic control of rust resistance. All accessions showed partial (incomplete) resistance to rust in the field. A set of 10 resistant varieties was used for studying U. pisi interaction with peas using cytological methods. The protective mechanisms of Russian varieties led to the inhibition of 50–90% spores on leaf surfaces before penetration into the stomata, and a part of the small colonies died without hypersensitive reaction in the tissues. Hydrogen peroxide and phenolic compounds with red and green autofluorescence appeared by the stage of sporogenesis. Five varieties showed adult resistance to rust. A hybridological analysis revealed monogenic dominant control of resistance in two varieties, and digenic control in two others. The information obtained expands the understanding of the partners’ interaction in the pathosystem ‘U. pisi–P. sativum’, and can also be used for breeding pea varieties with different resistance mechanisms. Full article

Here, we present a single-operator push-cart platform equipped with a 16-beam LiDAR. A push-button interface controls data acquisition, and the data processing pipeline removes ground points, filters noise, performs 5-cm voxelization, and produces plot-level canopy metrics. We validated biomass estimation in hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and corn (Zea mays) leaf- and whole-plant thinning experiments. In vetch, voxelized estimation of plant volume correlated strongly with destructively measured biomass (r² = 0.88), showing that the multi-beam LiDAR can produce biomass estimates comparable to previously reported methods. In corn, comparisons of perpendicular (0°) and multi-angle LiDAR beams showed significantly greater voxel counts in the upper canopy when angled beams were used (beam angle × height interaction, p < 0.001), demonstrating that multi-beam scanning provides greater penetration into the upper canopy than a single perpendicular scan plane. We also extended the suite of LiDAR-derived traits to include apparent leaf area index (LAI), mean tilt angle (MTA), persistent homology-based stand density, and plot-bounded foliage area density (FAD). The persistent homology algorithm distinguished between leaf-removal and plant-removal treatments (removal type × removal amount, p = 0.0039). LiDAR-derived LAI has been used to estimate canopy leaf area, but gap-fraction approaches do not fully exploit the ability of LiDAR to resolve distance. Plot-bounded FAD used ray length and interception distance within defined plot volumes and was more sensitive to plot-level treatments than apparent LAI or MTA, detecting differences associated with both the removal amount and removal type. These results show that a robust, portable, multi-beam LiDAR cart can reproduce plot-level canopy measurements and improve trait especially in research-sized plots. Full article

The rapid global transition toward sustainable food systems has intensified interest in alternative protein ingredients derived from both terrestrial plants and blue foods. However, a critical bottleneck in the commercialization of these proteins is the stabilization of flavor profiles during dehydration. Drying technologies ranging from conventional hot-air and heat pump drying to microwave and vacuum freeze-drying inevitably induce structural reorganization and oxidative modifications. These transformations fundamentally modulate how volatile flavor compounds are bound, retained, and released within the food matrix. This review proposes a comprehensive structure–process–function framework that mechanistically connects intrinsic protein architectures, drying-induced denaturation, and flavor-binding behavior. The review first contrasts globular plant proteins (e.g., soy, pea, and emerging tropical crops) with fibrous marine myofibrillar and collagenous proteins, emphasizing their distinct hierarchies, amino acid compositions, and oxidative vulnerabilities. It then critically evaluates how varying drying modalities drive protein unfolding, aggregation, and carbonylation, and how these transformations alter binding pocket accessibility, surface hydrophobicity, and lipid–protein–flavor crosstalk. Furthermore, it highlights the emerging role of hybrid plant–marine protein matrices as a strategy to optimize techno-functionality. By integrating structural biophysics with computational approaches such as molecular docking and structure-based modeling, this review provides a predictive conceptual map for designing flavor–protein interactions under specific dehydration histories. Ultimately, the proposed framework offers practical design principles for selecting protein sources and tailoring drying strategies to produce high-quality, sensorially superior, and sustainable next-generation food products. Full article

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA), including hydroponics, vertical farming (VF), and soilless cultivation, is expanding rapidly as food production shifts toward resource-efficient and climate-resilient systems. However, conventional substrates such as rockwool, peat, coco coir, and perlite present limitations related to nutrient buffering, structural stability, and environmental sustainability. Biochar has emerged as a promising alternative substrate component due to its porous structure, surface functionality, and ability to modify root-zone conditions. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the role of biochar in controlled cultivation systems, focusing on its physicochemical properties, substrate interactions, and plant physiological responses. Biochar incorporation influences water retention, aeration, nutrient availability, and microbial activity within confined root environments, thereby improving root architecture, photosynthetic performance, crop quality, and plant uniformity. Applications across hydroponic, VF, and soilless cultivation systems demonstrate improved moisture regulation, nutrient buffering, and substrate stability. Biochar interactions with conventional media such as coco peat, perlite, and peat moss further highlight its role in engineered growing substrates. Despite these advantages, challenges remain, including feedstock variability, pH and electrical conductivity effects, lack of standardized specifications, and limited long-term performance data in recirculating systems. Emerging research areas such as engineered biochar, nano-biochar, microbial integration, and precision cultivation technologies offer opportunities to optimize biochar performance in controlled environments. Overall, biochar represents a versatile and sustainable substrate component for CEA, with potential to enhance crop productivity, substrate durability, and resource efficiency. Future research should focus on material standardization, system-specific optimization, and large-scale validation to support commercial adoption. Full article

Background/Objectives: Drought stress is a primary constraint on maize productivity, yet the role of rhizosphere microbial communities in modulating cultivar-specific drought resilience remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the physiological and microbiome-mediated responses underlying differences in drought tolerance between contrasting cultivars to better understand drought tolerance mechanisms. Methods: Two maize cultivars with contrasting drought tolerance—NK718 (tolerant) and Zhongdan 808 (sensitive)—were subjected to drought stress at the V12 stage. We assessed yield components, oxidative stress indicators (Malondialdehyde (MDA)), and antioxidant enzyme activities (Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD), Catalase (CAT)). Metagenomic sequencing was employed to analyze structural and functional shifts in the rhizosphere microbiota. Results: Drought significantly suppressed yield and physiological performance in both cultivars. However, the sensitive cultivar suffered more pronounced yield losses and severe oxidative stress, indicated by elevated Malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities. Conversely, the tolerant cultivar maintained superior physiological homeostasis. Metagenomic sequencing revealed drought-induced microbial shifts, including decreased Proteobacteria and Ascomycota, alongside increased Actinobacteriota and Mucoromycota. Notably, the drought-tolerant cultivar exhibited enhanced microbial community stability and more complex co-occurrence networks. Furthermore, it enriched specific functional pathways, such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, which positively correlated with yield stability and antioxidant capacity. Conclusions: Maize drought tolerance is underpinned by the coordinated regulation of plant physiological adaptation and the structural and functional stabilization of the rhizosphere microbiome. These findings offer a theoretical framework for developing breeding strategies that leverage root-microbe interactions to optimize maize yields under water-limited conditions. Full article

Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most destructive polyphagous pests, yet the transcriptional organization underlying its digestive capacity remains poorly resolved. Here, we compiled 579 publicly available RNA-seq libraries representing 54 independent experiments and quantified transcript abundance across tissues and developmental stages. This complete dataset was used to support broader tissue-level expression profiling. After metadata harmonization and quality filtering, a subset of 130 biologically comparable libraries from five tissue/developmental categories was retained for weighted gene co-expression network analysis. WGCNA identified four biologically informative modules, among which the turquoise module was positively associated with fourth- and fifth-instar larval midgut samples. Independent expression profiling revealed strong midgut-biased expression of several trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like serine proteases, although only a subset of these genes was assigned to the turquoise module. Descriptive functional annotation of this module identified 202 co-expressed loci, including digestive enzymes, nutrient transporters, detoxification-related proteins, epithelial components and putative transcriptional or signaling-associated genes. Phylogenetic analyses and manual inspection of genomic locations further showed that several digestive protease genes occur in local clusters and have closely related counterparts in H. zea, suggesting partial conservation of local genomic organization. Collectively, these results describe a midgut-associated co-expression module containing genes associated with digestive, absorptive and protective functions and provide candidate genes for future functional studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plant architecture and kernel-related traits are important determinants of yield potential and breeding value in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). This study aimed to construct a high-density genetic linkage map, identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with these traits, and prioritize candidate genes underlying key genomic regions in cultivated peanut. Methods: A recombinant inbred line population derived from Luojiangjiwo, a sprawling large-pod line, and Fuhuasheng, an erect small-pod line, was used to construct a high-density genetic linkage map and identify QTL associated with plant architecture and kernel traits. Results: Specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing generated 1,295,490,603 clean reads, with an average Q30 of 93.67%. After SNP discovery, filtering, and linkage analysis, 2646 SNP markers were mapped to 20 linkage groups, spanning 1338.86 cM with an average marker interval of 0.51 cM. Phenotypic evaluation of 16 traits revealed broad variation among 200 recombinant inbred lines, with strong positive correlations among pod-size traits and among kernel-size traits. Composite interval mapping detected eight QTL distributed on chr04, chr05, chr13, and chr15, including five QTL for plant architecture traits and three QTL for kernel-related traits. qLBL13 for lateral branch length explained the highest phenotypic variation, whereas qMKL05 for mean kernel length was delimited to a 0.151 Mb interval containing only nine genes. Candidate-gene analysis prioritized AH05G29360, encoding a knotted-1-like homeobox protein; AH05G29380, encoding mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 9; AH05G29350, encoding COP1-interacting protein 7; and AH05G29410, encoding a pentatricopeptide repeat-containing protein. Additional candidates included AH15G16520, AH15G16460, AH15G16630, and AH15G16770 in the shared qHKW15/qMKW15 interval. Conclusions: This study identified genomic regions and biologically relevant candidate genes associated with plant architecture and kernel-related traits in peanut. These findings provide valuable genomic resources for future functional validation and facilitate marker-assisted breeding for improved plant architecture and kernel characteristics. Full article

The DUF538 gene family, harboring unknown functional proteins, has been reported to take active roles in plant development and response to adversities, while few studies of genome-wide identification and functional verification have been performed in cotton. Hence, two ancestral diploid species, G. arboretum and G. raimondii, and two cultivated tetraploid ones, G. hirsutum and G. barbadense, were chosen in this study to investigate the cotton DUF538 gene family, resulting in 37, 37, 70, and 70 members identified, respectively. A phylogenetic tree was constructed on these cotton DUF538 genes, together with 22 A. thaliana ones, which were divided into seven groups unevenly distributed across nearly all chromosomes. High-degree conservatism, while rich in diversity, was separately observed in gene structure and conserved motif analyses between the same groups and different groups, and a great number of gene-replication events were detected from intraspecific and interspecific collinearity analyses, implying this was the driving force for DUF538 family expansion. Multiple cis-acting elements relevant to adversity-stress responses were found in the promoter region, which were consistent with the transcriptome expression analyses in response to low-temperature and drought stress and Verticillium wilt infection. Coincidentally, GhDUF538-7 showed the core position in the protein–protein interaction network and was identified in the overlapping region of the interval of four reported VW resistance-related QTLs. The gene function of GhDUF538-7 was verified via gene cloning, relative expression-pattern detection, and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiment. The TRV:DUF538-7 plants showed more serious VW symptoms, significantly severe disease indices, relatively higher fungal biomass, and increased brown vascular bundles compared with TRV:00 plants. Significantly lower expression levels of marker genes PR4 and MYC2 in jasmonate signaling pathways indicated GhDUF538-7 as a potentially positive regulatory factor in plant defense via hormone signal transduction. This study not only broadened the research perspective of evolution and functional differentiation of the cotton DUF538 gene family, but it also revealed the cooperative relationship between DUF538-7 and the JA pathway for further molecular mechanisms of cotton resistance to VW infection. Full article

Background/Objectives: N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is a prevalent RNA modification that significantly influences various biological processes. AlkB homologs (ALKBHs) belong to the family of specific demethylases and, by regulating m⁶A methylation, are known to be involved in the modulation of plant stress responses. However, the ALKBH gene family has not been systematically characterized in ginseng. Methods: A genome-wide identification and characterization of the ALKBH gene family in ginseng were performed using a telomere-to-telomere reference genome. Phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, 3D structures, chromosomal distribution, syntenic relationships, cis-acting regulatory elements, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and expression profiles were analyzed. Transcriptome datasets covering multiple tissues, developmental stages, cultivars, and abiotic stress treatments were examined. Candidate stress-responsive genes were further validated by qRT-PCR. Results: A total of 17 PgALKBH genes were identified and classified into seven subfamilies. Structural analyses revealed conserved motifs, exon–intron organization, and 3D structures among members within the same subfamily. Chromosomal localization and synteny analyses suggested that the PgALKBH family has been evolutionarily conserved between ginseng and Arabidopsis and has primarily undergone purifying selection during its expansion. Promoter analysis identified abundant light-, hormone-, and stress-responsive cis-elements. Expression profiling revealed distinct tissue- and developmental stage-specific patterns. The PPI analysis suggested that PgALKBH proteins, especially PgALKBH10, may play a central role in m⁶A-mediated RNA regulation in ginseng. Transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses further showed that PgALKBH genes respond differentially to drought, cold, and salt stresses. Notably, PgALKBH10 was induced under all three stress conditions. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the ALKBH gene family in ginseng and identifies PgALKBH10 as a promising candidate involved in multiple abiotic stress responses. These findings establish a foundation for elucidating the roles of RNA m⁶A demethylation in ginseng and provide valuable genetic resources for developing stress-tolerant ginseng cultivars. Full article

Investigating the dynamic response of pepper leaves at different growth stages under droplet impact is of great significance for optimizing spray deposition processes. In this study, high-speed imaging combined with mechanical modeling was employed to systematically analyze the inclination angle variation and bending deformation behavior of pepper leaves at the seedling, flowering, and fruiting stages under droplet impact. The temporal evolution of petiole inclination angle and leaf blade inclination angle under different impact velocities and impact positions was investigated, and the energy transfer mechanism of bending energy during droplet impact was quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that pepper leaves exhibited a typical damped oscillation response after droplet impact. As the droplet impact velocity increased, the degree of leaf deformation increased significantly and the vibration duration was prolonged markedly. When the impact velocity increased from 0.89 to 1.53 m s⁻¹, the maximum vertical displacement (Δh_max) near the leaf tip increased from 0.8 to 1.9 mm at the seedling stage, from 0.6 to 3.1 mm at the flowering stage, and from 1.2 to 4.5 mm at the fruiting stage. Along the leaf length direction, both the maximum inclination angle variation and vertical displacement gradually increased from the near-petiole region toward the near-tip region because of reduced local stiffness and weaker structural constraints. In contrast, the maximum inclination angle variation generally decreased with increasing growth stage, mainly due to the increase in leaf mass and enhanced structural support. Based on the bending energy model, the conversion of droplet kinetic energy into leaf structural deformation energy was further analyzed. The results demonstrated that the bending energy of leaves increased significantly with increasing droplet impact velocity. When the droplet kinetic energy increased from 3.4 μJ to 8.0 μJ, the maximum bending energy increased from 0.063 μJ to 0.21 μJ. Among different regions, the near-tip area exhibited the highest bending energy response because of its higher flexibility and lower bending stiffness. These findings provide new insights into the interaction mechanism between droplets and flexible leaves and offer a theoretical basis for improving spray deposition efficiency and optimizing spraying strategies for pepper plants at different growth stages. Full article

Distant hybridization in plants is a powerful tool for broadening genetic diversity and developing new varieties with improved traits. However, crosses between genetically distant species are accompanied by reproductive barriers that prevent successful fertilization. This work investigated pollen–pistil interactions during the progamic phase of fertilization in distant crosses involving four members of the Solanaceae family, using several cross combinations. In all cross combinations, pollen of all species germinated on the stigma, grew through the transmitting tissues of the style and ceased growth at a specific distance from the stigma surface. Our studies have revealed that the arrest of pollen tube growth during distant hybridization exhibits a striking similarity to that observed in the gametophytic S-RNase-based self-incompatibility mechanism of Solanaceae plants. Elucidating the mechanisms of pollen tube growth arrest during distant hybridization in Solanaceae will provide deeper insight into the nature of reproductive barriers and aid in the development of strategies to overcome them, thereby expanding the possibilities for successful hybridization between distant species and enabling the creation of valuable new varieties. Full article

Maize is a major global crop; however, its production is affected by Fusarium verticillioides, which causes stalk, ear, and root rot. Bacillus cereus B25 is a maize bacterium that antagonizes F. verticillioides, likely through antifungal compounds and possibly by inducing maize chitinase genes. Fusarium verticillioides effectively infects maize by producing a chitinase-modifying protein that disrupts maize chitinases, preventing fungal cell wall degradation and evasion of plant immune responses triggered by Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns. The aim of this work was to analyze maize, B25, and F. verticillioides gene expression during bipartite and tripartite interactions at early stages (5, 7, 10, and 14 days post-inoculation). Physiological results showed increased root and shoot growth in maize seedlings under the tripartite interactions compared to fungus alone. B25 was demonstrated to grow endophytically and coexist with F. verticillioides in maize roots. Maize extracellular chitinase genes were induced, possibly due to chitin fragments released from the fungal cell wall, while the fungus effector genes were also upregulated in response. Furthermore, the chitinase gene Zm00001eb317090 (bk4) may contribute to cell wall strengthening, as suggested by in silico co-expression analyses. Overall, these results support a coordinated interaction between maize and B25 that contributes to controlling F. verticillioides infection. Full article

Cannabis sativa (C. sativa) is widely recognized for its therapeutic potential, historically attributed to its cannabinoid content. Some of the phytocannabinoid compounds of C. sativa are mediated through interactions with the endocannabinoid system, while some are able to modulate the interaction between cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system. Additionally, the non-cannabinoid group exhibits a broad range of bioactive potential, also displaying pharmacological actions. However, the non-cannabinoid fraction of the plant has not been extensively studied. This review emphasizes the emerging pharmacological importance of non-cannabinoid phytochemicals such as terpenes, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids found within C. sativa. Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed were utilized as databases to search for relevant published literature. The search employed the keywords such as “Cannabis sativa phytochemicals, non-cannabinoid compounds of Cannabis sativa, pharmacological activity of non-cannabinoid compounds of Cannabis sativa”. The total number of published articles initially retrieved between January 2010 and May 2025 was 187. From these, only 12 articles were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The review highlights the structural diversity and functional significance of non-cannabinoid constituents. Terpenes and flavonoids were particularly well-characterized, with demonstrated synergistic interactions that enhanced therapeutic efficacy via mechanisms like the “entourage effect.” Despite promising preclinical findings, the clinical translation of these compounds remains limited due to challenges in standardization, regulatory barriers, and a lack of well-defined analytical methods. This review concludes that non-cannabinoid phytochemicals are integral to the pharmacological complexity of C. sativa and warrant further investigation as potential candidates for drug development, especially in formulations that aim to optimize whole-plant therapeutic effects. Full article

The present research investigated the effects of two pork back-fat concentrations (30% fat, FAT30, and 40% fat, FAT40), two sodium chloride levels (2.4% and 2.6%), and two starter culture combinations (Lactobacillus curvatus/Staphylococcus xylosus; LAB6, and Lactobacillus sakei/Staphylococcus xylosus; LAB8) on ripened ostrich salami. Salami samples were formulated without nitrite and nitrate, which aligns with consumer demands for healthier, cleaner-label meat products. It is specified that the present experiment is structured with a single-batch-per-treatment combination: this was due to structural processing limitations in the production facility, which was an artisanal laboratory and not an industry plant. After 10 weeks of ripening, FAT30 salami showed higher values of pH, salt content, water-phase salt (WPS), α-tocopherol, free fatty acids (FFA), and secondary lipid oxidation products (TBARS) compared with FAT40 salami. Conversely, FAT40 salami exhibited higher water activity (a_w), moisture-to-protein ratio (M:P), conjugated dienes (CD; primary lipid oxidation products), and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) than FAT30 salami. Both NaCl concentration and starter culture type influenced several of the measured variables. Specifically, salami containing 2.4% salt exhibited higher FFA and CD values than the formulation containing 2.6% salt. Likewise, the LAB8 starter culture resulted in higher CD and NPN levels compared with LAB6. Fat inclusion level significantly affected sensory characteristics. FAT40 salami exhibited greater intensities of gamy, metallic, fatty, and moldy flavors, as well as higher overall off-flavor intensity, tenderness, and juiciness. In contrast, FAT30 salami was characterized by greater cohesiveness and a more pronounced ripening flavor. The 2.6% sodium chloride treatment resulted in greater color homogeneity, higher odor intensity, and stronger rancid notes, while reducing the perception of metallic, fatty, and moldy flavors compared with the 2.4% treatment. Salami inoculated with LAB6 exhibited a higher intensity of off-flavors than the formulation produced with LAB8. Moreover, several significant interactions among the three experimental factors were observed. After 20 weeks of ripening, the effects observed after 10 weeks for most physicochemical parameters were largely maintained. However, FFA and CD concentrations (both below the limit of quantification) no longer differed between the two fat inclusion levels. Sensory evaluation revealed that the differences between FAT30 and FAT40 in undesirable flavor attributes disappeared over time, whereas the perception of ripening and maturity became even more pronounced in FAT30 salami. Regarding FA composition, FAT30 salami contained higher proportions of saturated FA and polyunsaturated FA, whereas FAT40 salami was characterized by a higher monounsaturated FA content and more favorable lipid quality indices. Full article