Search Results (3,309)

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a noncontact camera-based technique that enables deep learning models to learn various plant conditions by detecting light reflectance under illumination. In this study, we investigated the effects of four light sources—halogen (HAL), incandescent (INC), fluorescent (FLU), and light-emitting diodes (LED)—on the quality of spectral images and the vase life (VL) of cut roses, which are vulnerable to abiotic stresses. Cut roses ‘All For Love’ and ‘White Beauty’ were used to compare cultivar-specific visible reflectance characteristics associated with contrasting petal pigmentation. HSI was performed at four time points, yielding 640 images per light source from 40 cut roses. The results revealed that the light source strongly affected both the image quality (mAP@0.5 60–80%) and VL (0–3 d) of cut roses. The HAL lamp produced high-quality spectral images across wavelengths (WL) ranging from 480 to 900 nm and yielded the highest object detection performance (ODP), reaching mAP@0.5 of 85% in ‘All For Love’ and 83% in ‘White Beauty’ with the YOLOv11x models. However, it increased petal temperature by 2.7–3 °C, thereby stimulating leaf transpiration and consequently shortening the VL of the flowers by 1–2.5 d. In contrast, INC produced unclear images with low spectral signals throughout the WL and consequently resulted in lower ODP, with mAP@0.5 of 74% and 69% in ‘All For Love’ and ‘White Beauty’, respectively. The INC only slightly increased petal temperature (1.2–1.3 °C) and shortened the VL by 1 d in the both cultivars. Although FLU and LED had only minor effects on petal temperature and VL, these illuminations generated transient spectral peaks in the WL range of 480–620 nm, resulting in decreased ODP (mAP@0.5 60–75%). Our results revealed that HAL provided reliable, high-quality spectral image data and high object detection accuracy, but simultaneously had negative effects on flower quality. Our findings suggest an alternative two-phase approach for illumination applications that uses HAL during the initial exploration of spectra corresponding to specific symptoms of interest, followed by LED for routine plant monitoring. Optimizing illumination in HSI will improve the accuracy of deep learning-based prediction and thereby contribute to the development of an automated quality sorting system that is urgently required in the cut flower industry. Full article

Melanin produced in melanocytes contributes to photoprotection, oxidative stress reduction, immune regulation, and epidermal homeostasis, while its dysregulation underlies diverse pigmentary disorders. Natural products modulate melanogenesis by regulating tyrosinase activity, intracellular signaling pathways such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) and cyclicAMP/protein kinase A/cAMP response element-binding protein (cAMP/PKA/CREB), and cellular redox balance. Anti-melanogenic effects have been reported for various fruit-derived phytochemicals, ginseng-based metabolites, and plant polyphenols, which act through direct enzymatic inhibition, suppression of melanoenic signaling, modulation of melanosome dynamics, and antioxidant or anti-inflammatory activities. Advances in delivery systems, including nano- and microencapsulation platforms, further enhance the stability and topical bioavailability of these compounds. In contrast, certain methoxylated flavonoids and phenolic constituents can stimulate pigmentation by sustaining melanogenic signaling and promoting microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF)-driven transcription, emphasizing the context-dependent and bidirectional influence of natural substances on pigmentation outcomes. Collectively, these findings highlight the therapeutic potential of natural product-based modulators of melanogenesis while underscoring the need for mechanistic clarification, safety evaluation, and translational studies to ensure effective and controlled pigmentation management. This review summarizes the biological functions of melanin and examines natural strategies for regulating pigmentation. Full article

The combined application of straw biochar and nitrogen fertilizer is an increasingly studied strategy to enhance soil fertility and crop yield. Optimizing the biochar-nitrogen interaction could be a choice for increasing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and reducing nitrogen loss in dryland agriculture. However, the mechanisms by which it regulates nitrogen allocation and absorption in foxtail millet (Setaria italica) are still limited in terms of mechanical understanding. Based on preliminary experiments, the optimal biochar-nitrogen interaction for soil nutrient absorption was identified. A field experiment was conducted with six treatments in an arid region of northwestern China: N1C1 (N1: 130 kg ha⁻¹ + C1: 100 kg ha⁻¹, control group), N2C4 (N2: 195 kg ha⁻¹ + C4: 250 kg ha⁻¹), N3C1 (N3: 260 kg ha⁻¹ + C1: 100 kg ha⁻¹), N3C2 (N3: 260 kg ha⁻¹ + C2: 150 kg ha⁻¹), N3C3 (N3: 260 kg ha⁻¹ + C3: 200 kg ha⁻¹), and N3C4 (N3: 260 kg ha⁻¹ + C4: 250 kg ha⁻¹). The results demonstrated that the biochar–nitrogen ratio significantly influenced topsoil total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), and microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN). All biochar-to-nitrogen combinations sharply increased soil total nitrogen by 133.11–151.52% compared to pre-sowing levels, providing a fundamental base for microbial-driven nitrogen transformation. Low nitrogen addition is more conducive to biomass accumulation, with N2C4 significantly increasing by 62.82%. Although a high biochar-to-nitrogen ratio reduced leaf relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) by 5.72–16.18% and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) by 16.09–52.65% at the heading stage, these did not compromise final yield. Importantly, N2C4, N3C1, and N3C4 significantly increased spike ¹⁵N abundance by 71.45%, 13.21%, and 19.43%, respectively. N2C4 grain production increases by 53.77–110.57% in two years and was positively correlated with spike ¹⁵N abundance, reflecting high nitrogen partial factor productivity. In conclusion, a reasonable biochar-nitrogen interaction enhances nitrogen allocation and grain yield by stimulating microbial activity and strengthening soil–plant synergy, the certified strategy effectively supports sustainable dryland agriculture by simultaneously increasing productivity and improving soil health. Full article

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is increasing worldwide, with profound implications for plant nitrogen acquisition and ecosystem nutrient cycling, particularly in nitrogen-limited systems. In this study, we investigated how inorganic nitrogen form regulates nitrogen uptake in H. altissima through pot experiments by applying ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, mixed nitrogen, and a nitrogen-free control in Songnen grassland ecosystems at the eastern end of Eurasia. Soil abiotic properties, root morphological traits, and nitrogen uptake dynamics were jointly quantified using integrative modeling in combination with ¹⁵N stable isotope tracing. Relative to the no-nitrogen control, both ammonium and nitrate nitrogen significantly altered soil physicochemical conditions and stimulated root development, with ammonium consistently exhibiting stronger effects. Ammonium and nitrate applications reduced soil pH by 4.83% and 6.25%, increased electrical conductivity by 2.01% and 1.17%, and enhanced inorganic nitrogen pools by 115.84% and 45.69%, respectively. Root morphological traits were significantly enhanced under ammonium, nitrate, and mixed nitrogen treatments. ¹⁵N tracing further demonstrated that ammonium nitrogen significantly increased root ¹⁵N uptake compared with the no-nitrogen control (p < 0.05) and promoted a 20.10% greater allocation of absorbed nitrogen to aboveground biomass than nitrate nitrogen. Collectively, these findings highlight nitrogen form as a key regulator of soil–plant nitrogen coupling, with ammonium nitrogen more effectively enhancing nitrogen acquisition and internal translocation than nitrate. Full article

One of the global challenges is the deficit of food. Food production is highly dependent on the productivity of agricultural plants used by humans and livestock. Various chemical and natural compounds are used to stimulate plant growth and increase their resistance to stress. The aim of our study was to analyze the chemical composition of extracts of the most common Ural tinder fungi and their effect on the early stages of wheat growth. Water–alcohol extracts from five wood-destroying fungi contained biologically active compounds (BACs), such as phenolics, free amino acids and reducing sugars. F. pinicola was characterized by the smallest amount of extracted substances. F. fomentarius has the largest amount of phenolic compounds and sugars, and I. obliquus had the highest concentration of free amino acids. Qualitative analysis revealed alkaloids in P. betulinus, and anthraquinones in F. fomentarius. Saponins were found in all tested species, except F. fomentarius. The extracts stimulated the early stages of wheat development at concentrations of 1.0–0.2 g of fungal biomass per liter. Seed germination rate was comparable to the control samples or exceeded it, and the length of roots and shoots increased. Thus, extracts from fruiting bodies of studied fungi can be recommended for priming wheat seeds, and for biotechnological cultivation. Full article

Metabolic reprogramming allows cancer cells to proliferate rapidly, survive nutrient limitation, and resist stress, making tumor metabolism an important therapeutic target. However, pharmacological inhibition of metabolic enzymes often causes systemic toxicity and compensatory pathway activation. To overcome these limitations, recent studies have highlighted an alternative host-centered strategy based on increasing systemic energy expenditure. Recent studies highlight an alternative strategy in which the host increases energy expenditure through uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) dependent thermogenesis, thereby lowering systemic glucose, fatty acid, and nucleotide availability for tumors. Engineered beige adipocytes overexpressing UCP1, PR domain-containing protein 16 (PRDM16), or peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PPARGC1A/PGC1A) suppress tumor growth through nutrient competition, suggesting that activating endogenous UCP1 may provide a non-genetic and physiologically aligned anticancer approach. Building on this concept, natural products such as polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, and carotenoids have emerged as promising UCP1 activators that stimulate beige and brown adipocyte thermogenesis through pathways involving AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), PGC1A, PRDM16, and mitochondrial biogenesis. In parallel, computational studies further indicate that several plant-derived compounds bind directly to the central cavity of UCP1 with high affinity, offering structural support for their thermogenic action. Importantly, many of these compounds also inhibit cancer cell intrinsic metabolism by reducing glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, lipid synthesis, and amino acid dependent anaplerosis. This review integrates UCP1 biology, natural product mediated thermogenesis, molecular docking evidence, and tumor metabolic suppression, proposing a unified framework in which natural compounds impose coordinated metabolic pressure on cancer through both adipocyte-driven nutrient competition and direct inhibition of tumor metabolism. Full article

Soil salinity is a major constraint on global crop production, disrupting photosynthesis, ion homeostasis, and growth. Beyond the roles of classic osmoprotectants and antioxidant enzymes, flavonoids have emerged as versatile mediators of salt stress tolerance at the interface of redox control, hormone signaling, and developmental plasticity. This review summarizes current evidence on how salinity remodels flavonoid biosynthesis, regulation, and function from cellular to whole-plant scales. We first outline the phenylpropanoid–flavonoid pathway, with emphasis on transcriptional control by MYB, bHLH, and NAC factors and their integration with ABA, JA, and auxin signaling. We then discussed how post-synthetic modifications such as glycosylation and methylation adjust flavonoid stability, compartmentation, and activity under salt stress. Functional sections highlight roles of flavonoids in ROS scavenging, Na⁺/K⁺ homeostasis, membrane integrity, and the modulation of ABA/MAPK/Ca²⁺ cascades and noncoding RNA networks. Spatial aspects, including root–shoot communication and rhizosphere microbiota recruitment, are also considered. Based on this synthesis, we propose a flavonoid-centered stress network (FCSN), in which specific flavonoids function as key nodes that connect metabolic flux with hormonal crosstalk and stress signaling pathways. We argue that reconceptualizing flavonoids as central stress network regulators, rather than generic antioxidants, provides a basis for metabolic engineering, bio-stimulant design, and breeding strategies aimed at improving crop performance on saline soils. Full article

Activation of microglia and resulting neuroinflammation are central processes that significantly contribute to neurodegenerative disease progression. Treatments capable of attenuating neuroinflammation are therefore an urgent medical need. Vitis vinifera L., cultivated since ancient times for its fruits, is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, polyphenols, the main bioactive molecules in V. vinifera extracts, exhibit considerable variability due to numerous hard-to-control factors, which complicates the production of standardized extracts with consistent biological activity. To address this issue, plant cell culture biotechnology was used to produce a highly standardized V. vinifera phytocomplex (VP), and its anti-neuroinflammatory profile was investigated in LPS-stimulated microglial cells, an in vitro model of neuroinflammation. VP reduced the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory phenotype, improved cell viability and cell number, attenuated NF-κB activation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and increased SIRT1 levels. To overcome VP’s poor water solubility, water-soluble cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-based formulations were developed and tested. VP-CNC formulations markedly reduced the BV2 pro-inflammatory phenotype and increased cell viability under both basal and LPS-stimulated conditions. The nanoformulations also decreased pERK1/2 levels and increased SIRT1 expression, exhibiting biological activities comparable to VP alone. V. vinifera phytocomplex derived from plant cell cultures represents an innovative and standardized product with promising anti-neuroinflammatory properties. Full article

Zanthoxylum piperitum is a food and culinary plant commonly used in East Asia. In traditional medicine, its fruits, seeds, and bark have been utilized to treat digestive disorders, pain, and stomachache. Prior research has demonstrated its health benefits, particularly its significant antioxidant properties. However, limited research has investigated the specific metabolites responsible for these pharmacological effects. In this study, the antioxidant activities (EC₅₀: 9.1–1084.5 μg/mL) and metabolite profiles of different organs (fruits, pericarps, and seeds) of Z. piperitum collected from different regions were comparatively analyzed. Chemical structures of 91 metabolites from different organs were identified using UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS based on untargeted metabolomics. The LC-DPPH method was employed to screen antioxidants from the extracts of the most active organ (the pericarps). The potential effects of the active compounds on oxidation-related diseases were evaluated by integrating compound–target interaction network analysis. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks revealed EGFR, STAT3, AKT1, TNF, BCL2, CASP3, ESR1, PPARA, CYP19A1, and CDK2 as central hub genes. The significance of compound and target interactions was further supported by molecular docking studies, which demonstrated favorable binding affinities, with most proteins exhibiting docked scores below −4.27 kcal/mol. The extracts of Z. piperitum fruits and pericarps also exhibited antioxidative activity against ROS production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Our findings demonstrate the application of an optimized extraction process and underscore the medicinal value of this food-plant by characterizing its bioactive constituents. The results indicate that Z. piperitum may serve not only as a health-promoting food but also has the potential for prevention or treatment of oxidative-stress-related diseases. Future research should focus on in vivo studies by exploring the therapeutic mechanisms of actions of the active extracts. Full article

New Zealand’s only tea (Camellia sinensis) plantation supplies a niche market for organically produced high value tea but faces challenges from climatic conditions and the decision to use only organic production methods. Fungi from the genus Trichoderma have been commercialised in New Zealand and elsewhere as disease-suppressing and plant growth-promoting agents. However, the potential benefits of using Trichoderma as a microbial biostimulant for tea cultivation have not been investigated in New Zealand. The ability of T. atroviride application to stimulate tea plant growth at a tea plantation was investigated over one year of production. The study involved foliar application of the biostimulant either once, twice or three times, one month apart, using 12 g of a commercially formulated spore mixture of four strains of T. atroviride per 5 m² of experimental plots. Treatment with T. atroviride significantly increased tea yield by between 17% and 28% compared to the control over the harvesting season, but there were no statistically significant yield differences among the number of applications. The foliar applied T. atroviride was not detected in the soil or root samples six months after application, in either a soil metabarcoding analysis or on re-isolation media. This was likely due to the dense tea foliage and ground cover under the tea plants which impeded its movement to the soil. While the specific nature of T. atroviride interaction with perennial crops like tea is not known, in this trial it appeared to have remained on the phyllosphere and provided biostimulation without reaching the soil. Full article

Drought stress is one of the major constraints limiting crop productivity, primarily through oxidative damage, pigment degradation, and metabolic imbalance. Nanostructured selenium particles (SeNPs) have recently attracted attention for their potential to enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stress. In this study, green-synthesized SeNPs, with a main hydrodynamic size distribution in the range of 90–100 nm, were foliar applied to broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) plants grown under well-watered (100% water holding capacity) and drought (50% water holding capacity) conditions at concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 50 ppm. Drought stress significantly decreased chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids, while increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline levels, confirming oxidative stress and membrane damage. SeNPs treatments partially mitigated these effects by enhancing pigment stability, increasing carotenoid content, and reducing both MDA and proline accumulation. Phenolic and flavonoid responses exhibited a dose-dependent pattern with the highest stimulation at 50 ppm under drought and moderate enhancement at 10 ppm under optimal irrigation. Antioxidant capacity assays demonstrated that SeNPs modulate plant redox metabolism, in a context-dependent manner, particularly under water deficit. Peroxidase (POD) activity was also significantly induced under drought stress, mainly at 20 ppm. These results indicate that foliar-applied SeNPs can influence physiological and biochemical responses associated with drought tolerance in broccoli. The observed effects are consistent with nanoparticle–leaf surface interactions contributing to redox regulation and stress adaptation, rather than implying direct nanoparticle internalization. Full article

Microbial volatile metabolites can enhance plant growth, yet the mechanisms by which plants perceive and transduce these signals are unknown. Growth of Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 seedlings was found to be stimulated by volatiles from the soil bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor. To investigate volatile-responding candidate signaling molecules and genes, cultivation of seedlings in gas-phase contact with S. coelicolor genotypes was combined with GC-MS and plant transcriptomics. Components potentially involved were further studied using pure compounds and A. thaliana T-DNA mutants. Application of volatiles from S. coelicolor enhanced the growth of A. thaliana seedlings primarily by stimulating lateral root growth rate and inhibiting primary root extension. Concurrently, a family-wide induction of the Kelch-repeat F-box gene family KISS ME DEADLY (KMD) was observed. A. thaliana genotypes with a loss of function for the KMD family or other alterations of auxin/cytokinin signaling homeostasis suppressed the root response to both S. coelicolor total volatiles and the common microbial volatile 3-octanone. The results reveal a novel function of KMDs in mediating plant growth stimulation in response to volatile stimulation that alters auxin/cytokinin signaling and emphasize rhizospheric microbials as potential indicators of soil status to plants. Full article

Agricultural systems in Mediterranean-type climates are increasingly threatened by drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, heavy metal contamination, and pathogen pressure, all of which undermine crop productivity and agroecosystem stability. In this context, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), natural symbionts of most terrestrial plants, emerge as key biological agents capable of enhancing crop resilience. Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review synthesizes current knowledge on the role of AMF in mitigating abiotic and biotic stresses, highlighting their potential as a central component of sustainable Mediterranean agriculture. The available evidence demonstrates that AMF symbiosis significantly increases plant tolerance to multiple stressors across major crop families, including Poaceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, and Asteraceae. Under abiotic constraints, AMF improve water and nutrient uptake via extensive hyphal networks, modulate ion homeostasis under salinity, enhance tolerance to thermal extremes, and reduce heavy metal toxicity by immobilizing contaminants. Regarding biotic stresses, AMF induce systemic resistance to pathogens, stimulate secondary metabolite production that deters herbivores, and suppress parasitic nematode populations. Moreover, co-inoculation with other biostimulants, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, shows synergistic benefits, further improving crop productivity and resource-use efficiency. Overall, AMF represent an effective and multifunctional nature-based tool for improving the sustainability of Mediterranean agroecosystems. However, further research is required to evaluate AMF performance under simultaneous multiple stress factors, thereby reflecting real-world conditions and enabling a more integrated understanding of their agronomic potential. Full article

Water deficit is a major constraint limiting the growth and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.). A pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions to evaluate the effect of inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae BIHB 1148 (strain F14) and Pseudomonas alkylphenolica PF9 (strain L13) on faba bean drought resilience. Two irrigation regimes were applied: well-watered (80% of field capacity) versus water-stressed (40% of field capacity). Strain F14 was used to ensure effective biological nitrogen fixation, while strain L13 was applied in co-inoculation to evaluate its biostimulatory effects. The control plants received nitrogen in its chemical form. Results indicated that water deficit significantly (p < 0.001) reduced plant growth, nodulation, and photosynthesis-related parameters, and increased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, which are key markers of oxidative stress. However, co-inoculation with strains F14 and L13 significantly enhanced shoot and root biomass, as well as most agro-morphological traits. It also stimulated (p < 0.05) the antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase (3-fold), guaiacol peroxidase (12%), and catalase (104%), and increased proline content (119%), which led to lower levels of MDA (54% decrease) and H₂O₂ (55% decrease), improved membrane stability, water status, and enhanced photosynthesis. Overall, co-inoculation of faba bean with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae BIHB 1148 and Pseudomonas alkylphenolica PF9 offers a promising and sustainable approach to improve plant resilience under water deficit. Full article

Tropaeolum majus L. is a popular ornamental plant. All parts of T. majus plant (flowers, leaves, and seeds) are edible and are appreciated for their pungent taste, although their chemical composition varies. T. majus is known for its many health benefits. It is a source of trace elements and bioactive compounds that are easily absorbed by the human body. The flowers of T. majus contain flavonoids from the flavone and flavonol groups, as well as their glycosides, which exhibit antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity. They also inhibit the activity of certain enzymes. Among the flavonoids, the flowers and leaves of T. majus contain derivatives of kaempferol and quercetin. Flavonoids also include anthocyanins, which are responsible for the color of T. majus flowers. In red flowers, delphinidin predominates; in orange flowers, pelargonidin; and in yellow flowers, pelargonidin and delphinidin are present in similar amounts. In the flowers of T. majus, seven carotenoids have been identified: violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, α, β and γ-carotene. In the leaves, however, lutein, violaxanthin, β-carotene and neoxanthin were detected. In T. majus, the presence of two glucosinolates has been reported: glucotropaeolin and sinalbin. The flowers and leaves of T. majus also contain both macroelements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na) and microelements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo), and essential oils which have anti-cancer, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. The quality and flowering of T. majus are enhanced by fungi of the Trichoderma genus, which is important both ecologically and in terms of increasing the yield of raw material extracted from the plant. T. aureoviride, T. hamatum, and T. harzianum stimulated the flowering of the T. majus ‘Spitfire’. The plants treated with T. harzianum after being planted in pots flowered the most abundantly. Trichoderma spp. caused the plants to grow more intensively, producing longer and more leafy shoots with a greater number of offshoots. Trichoderma spp. stimulated the uptake of macronutrients, except for P. In the case of Ca and Na, this phenomenon was only observed in plants treated with T. aureoviride and T. hamatum, and for Mg, only when T. hamatum was applied to sown seeds. As for the developed root systems, as far as the micronutrients are concerned, Trichoderma spp. stimulated the uptake of Zn and Mn. Additionally, there was a higher Fe content in the plants treated with T. harzianum on both dates and T. aureoviride after planting the plants in pots. Full article