Search Results (18,035)

Xanthomonas species are Gram-negative bacterial pathogens responsible for diseases in over 400 plant hosts, including numerous economically important crops such as Brassica species. The limited efficacy and environmental concerns associated with chemical control strategies underscore the need for sustainable and targeted alternatives. In this study, we evaluated the suitability and biocontrol efficacy of phages Phi1 and Phi3 to combat Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) in broccoli plants. Kill-curve assays demonstrated that both phages effectively suppressed Xcc growth across a range of multiplicities of infection. Transmission electron microscopy further confirmed their lytic activity, revealing pronounced structural damage to Xcc cells following phage treatment, accompanied by the subsequent release of phage progeny. To assess host specificity and biosafety, the phages were tested against 41 bacterial isolates that were isolated and taxonomically characterized from broccoli and cauliflower in this study. Neither Phi1 nor Phi3 exhibited lytic activity against any non-target isolate, indicating high host specificity and minimal risk to the native Brassica-associated microbiota. In planta assays demonstrated that the combined application of Phi1 and Phi3 reduced Xcc-induced symptom severity in broccoli plants by 80%. Collectively, these results demonstrate that phages Phi1 and Phi3 represent effective and biologically precise agents for the control of black rot disease in Brassica crops. Full article

The rapid development of smart energy infrastructures and renewable energy systems requires advanced sensing solutions that provide high accuracy, expandability, and stability under real operating conditions. However, conventional gas monitoring systems are predominantly based on resistive or voltage-output sensors, which require complex analog front-end circuits and analog-to-digital conversion, leading to increased system complexity, cost, and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference. This paper tackles this limitation by proposing a frequency-domain sensing approach for multichannel monitoring of biogas plant parameters. The objective of this study is to develop and experimentally validate an extendable sensing architecture based on autogenerator microelectronic gas transducers with direct gas concentration–frequency conversion and FPGA-based digital acquisition. The proposed method is grounded in a physical–mathematical model of the space-charge capacitance of gas-sensitive semiconductor structures derived from Poisson’s equation, facilitating analytical formulation of conversion and sensitivity functions. A multichannel FPGA-based measurement system is implemented to process frequency signals without analog conditioning or ADC stages. Experimental validation was performed for CH₄ (0–85%), CO₂ (0–60%), H₂, NH₃, and H₂S (1–20,000 ppm). The results demonstrate measurement uncertainty within 0.25–0.5%, with sensitivity reaching 350–748 Hz/ppm for H₂, 455–750 Hz/ppm for NH₃, and 253–375 Hz/ppm for H₂S, while methane and carbon dioxide sensitivities reach up to 112 kHz/% and 98.7 kHz/%, respectively. Spectral analysis in the LTE-1800 band confirms improved noise immunity (up to 4.5×) and extended transmission capabilities. A 12-channel FPGA-based monitoring system (RDM-BP-1) with a 1 s sampling interval, IP67 protection, and wireless connectivity is developed and validated. The proposed architecture eliminates analog signal conditioning, reduces hardware complexity, and provides an easily expandable and reliable sensing solution for smart buildings, renewable energy systems, and cloud-integrated energy infrastructures. Full article

Fine-scale crop type information is essential for agricultural monitoring, irrigation management, and food security assessment. This study mapped three major crops—wheat, corn, and sunflower—in the Hetao Irrigation District, China, using multi-temporal Sentinel-2 optical imagery and Sentinel-1 SAR observations at the parcel scale. A multi-source feature set, including spectral bands, vegetation and red-edge indices, moisture-related variables, radar backscatter coefficients, and derived radar features, was constructed from the full growing season. An LSTM network was used to learn temporal representations of crop phenological dynamics, and the resulting embeddings were then combined with traditional machine learning classifiers, including Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), for final classification. The results show that the hybrid framework substantially improves classification performance compared with the corresponding non-LSTM classifiers. Among all tested models, XGBoost + LSTM achieved the best performance, with an overall accuracy of 93.61%, a Kappa coefficient of 91.66%, and a mean IoU of 87.41%. The class-wise F1-scores were 85.61% for wheat, 97.22% for corn, and 87.27% for sunflower. Additional experiments further confirmed the advantages of parcel-based aggregation in improving spatial consistency and reducing mixed-field noise. The proposed framework provides a promising parcel-scale workflow for crop type mapping in fragmented irrigation districts, while its transferability across years and regions still requires further validation. Full article

The chemical composition of basil essential oil is influenced by plant developmental stage, which alters the relative distribution of volatile constituents and their functional properties. In this study, we investigated developmental-stage-dependent changes in the essential oil composition of Ocimum basilicum and evaluated their relationship with nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity and estragole exposure. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS), resulting in the identification of 54 volatile compounds representing 98.13–98.97% of the total composition. Estragole remained the dominant constituent, ranging from 70.58% to 85.55%, with the lowest proportion at the flowering stage (Day 85). In contrast, minor constituents, including eucalyptol (2.41–3.77%), β-ocimene (0.52–1.98%), and methyleugenol (~2.00%), increased during flowering. NO inhibitory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages was strongest at Day 85. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) ranged from 0.4215 to 1.1005 µg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹, and Margin of Exposure (MOE) ranged from 2999 to 7830. These findings indicate that developmental stage influences composition, activity, and exposure. From a compositional perspective, the observed redistribution among major chemical groups reflects a structured balance that can be interpreted within a symmetry-related framework in multicomponent systems. Full article

Chlorothalonil is a widely used fungicide in agriculture, but its excessive application can lead to environmental contamination. This study investigated the biodegradation potential of Proteus terrae ZQ02 in free and immobilized forms. Under optimal conditions (37 °C, pH 7), free cells degraded 97.2–98.7% of chlorothalonil (50 mg/L) within seven days. Bacterial microcapsules were prepared using 3% sodium alginate, 2% calcium chloride, and 60 g/L wet biomass, with encapsulation times ranging from 6 to 12 h. The microcapsules displayed uniform size, high mechanical strength, porous structure, and excellent mass transfer, ensuring stable degradation activity. Encapsulated cells demonstrate enhanced tolerance to variations in pH, temperature, and salinity compared to free cells. In soil, microcapsules reduced chlorothalonil half-lives to 1.33–5.45 days for concentrations of 10–30 mg/L, achieving 92–96% degradation over 14–35 days. In tomato-planted soils, encapsulated and free cells degraded 96.3% and 81.6% of residues, respectively, after 28 days, significantly exceeding the control. These findings highlight that immobilization improves the stability, reusability, and efficiency of P. terrae ZQ02, making it a promising strategy for sustainable chlorothalonil biodegradation. The study demonstrates the potential of combining microbial strains with carrier materials for effective pesticide remediation and environmental protection, providing a foundation for large-scale applications in contaminated agroecosystems. Full article

The fig tree (Ficus carica L.) is one of the oldest cultivated fruit trees in the Mediterranean region and represents an important genetic resource for both traditional and emerging production systems. Despite its agronomic and economic relevance, modern fig breeding remains limited, and large-scale phenotypic evaluations across Mediterranean germplasms are still scarce. The objective of this study was to assess phenotypic diversity and identify key agronomic traits relevant for fig breeding. A total of 257 female fig genotypes conserved in germplasm banks located in Spain, Turkey, and Tunisia were used. Over two consecutive seasons (2021 and 2022), a total of 27 morphological, phenological, and pomological traits were assessed according to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) descriptors for fig (TG265/1), with 23 phenotypic traits retained for statistical analyses. Linear mixed models were used to estimate marginal means and to partition genetic and environmental variance, while multivariate analyses and trait correlations were employed to explore the structure of phenotypic diversity. The germplasm exhibits remarkable variation in productive type, reproductive behaviour, harvesting date, and fruit quality traits. Harvesting date spans nearly three months. Fruit weight ranges from 11.7 to 134.5 g, total soluble solids from 9 to 39 °Brix, and maturation index values reached high levels, indicating pronounced sweetness during fruit ripening. Most genotypes showed high skin scratch resistance, absence of cracking at maturity, and medium or small ostiole size, highlighting the presence of ideotypes specifically suited for fresh market production. Heritability estimates indicate strong genetic control of key traits, such as fruit weight, fruit size, and total soluble solids, highlighting their suitability for selection in breeding programs. Stakeholder prioritisation further confirmed the relevance of fruit size, sweetness, firmness, and ostiole characteristics, helping to identify best genotypes for breeding and agronomic purposes. Overall, this study demonstrates the value of Mediterranean fig germplasm as a reservoir of valuable agronomic and commercial traits and provides a robust phenotypic framework to support future breeding, conservation, and cultivar selection strategies. Full article

Walnut is an important nut with a rich nutritional profile and associated health benefits for the human body. B-box (BBX) proteins containing one or two BBX motifs play pivotal roles in plant growth and developmental processes; nevertheless, the functions of JrBBXs in walnut anthocyanin biosynthesis remain inadequately understood. In this study, 39 JrBBXs in red walnut ‘RW-1’ were identified, with phylogenetic analysis suggesting that they were divided into six classes based on the distribution of conserved domains and unevenly distributed on 14 chromosomes. Promoter analysis demonstrated that JrBBX promoters possessed an abundance of light responsiveness elements, ABA responsiveness elements, MYB binding sites and MYC binding sites. The transcriptome analysis results demonstrated that eight JrBBXs were differently expressed in normal green walnut ‘Zhonglin 1’ and red walnut ‘RW-1’ seed coats. Furthermore, qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) analysis showed that JrBBX3 exhibited lower expression during seed coat development in ‘RW-1’. Y1H (Yeast One-Hybrid) and LUC (dual-luciferase reporter) assays revealed that JrBBX3 directly inhibited the expression of JrUFGT5, considered a key anthocyanin biosynthesis structural gene in research. Subcellular localization analysis indicated both cytoplasmic and nuclear localization of JrBBX3. Transient overexpression of JrBBX3 in walnut leaves resulted in reduced JrUFGT5 expression and anthocyanin accumulation. Collectively, these findings revealed the negative regulation of JrBBX3 in red walnut anthocyanin biosynthesis, and provided a basis to further study the anthocyanin biosynthesis mechanism of red walnut. Full article

Ledum palustre (L. palustre) is widely used in drug development because of its antibacterial and analgesic effects. However, wild L. palustre is often affected by wildfires, resulting in unstable yields. Forest fires represent a major disturbance in northern forest ecosystems and profoundly affect shrub vegetation and its associated rhizosphere microbial communities. In this study, we investigated a fire chronosequence (1991, 2004, 2012, 2017, and 2020) to systematically examine the morphological traits of L. palustre, rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties, and microbial community characteristics and to identify the key drivers underlying these patterns. The results revealed that postfire recovery time significantly influenced the morphological traits of L. palustre. The biomass, branch number, basal diameter, and plant height of the shrubs at the 1991 burned site increased by 270.49%, 36.11%, 79.32%, and 191.36%, respectively (p < 0.05). From unburned soils, 29 bacterial and 29 fungal isolates were obtained, with Bacillus sp. and Oidiodendron sp. being the dominant culturable bacterial and fungal taxa, respectively. With increasing postfire recovery time, soil moisture, total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, soil organic carbon, acid phosphatase (AP) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity significantly decreased. Early fire disturbance markedly altered soil microbial abundance and community composition, leading to an overall decrease in bacterial α diversity. The bacterial community structure at the 2020 burn site and the fungal community structure at the 2012 burn site significantly differed. Mantel tests revealed significant positive correlations between branch number and basal diameter (p < 0.01) and significant negative correlations between plant height and stem density (p < 0.001). Soil carbon and hydrolysable nitrogen were significantly positively correlated with AP and NAG activities (p < 0.001). Moreover, soil physicochemical properties significantly shaped soil microbial community structures, with bacterial communities in early postfire sites driven by total carbon and nitrogen (p < 0.05), whereas fungal communities in the 2012 burned site were influenced primarily by β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (BG) activity (p < 0.05). Fire disturbance drives successional changes in the rhizosphere microbial community structure and function by altering the soil nutrient status and enzyme activity, which in turn influences the morphological traits of L. palustre. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving the yield of L. palustre by exploring the variation in rhizosphere microorganisms. Full article

Lodging is a major constraint limiting grain yield in dry direct seeding rice (DDSR), yet the key traits and phenotypic relationships governing lodging resistance in japonica varieties adapted to this system remain poorly understood. This study evaluated 79 japonica accessions over two years in Shenyang, Northeast China, to dissect phenotypic variation in lodging index and identify ideotypes for breeding. Based on hierarchical clustering, varieties were classified into strong lodging resistance (SLR), medium lodging resistance (MLR), and weak lodging resistance (WLR) types, with SLR varieties achieving lodging indices 27.4–31.8% lower than those of MLR and 63.2–83.8% lower than those of WLR varieties. SLR varieties reduced lodging risk by coordinately balancing whole-plant bending moment and stem breaking resistance: plant height and center-of-gravity height were 5.2–10.7% lower, while basal internode bending stress was 27.9–81.9% higher than in other types. Structural equation modeling identified culm dry weight, inner diameter, and culm phenotype index as primary determinants of lodging variation. Notably, despite 11.0–13.7% fewer spikelets per panicle, SLR varieties maintained grain yields comparable to those of WLR varieties through compensatory increases in grain-filling rate (6.7–7.3%) and 1000-grain weight (8.1–8.7%). These findings demonstrate that optimizing basal internode structure and enhancing culm tissue density can simultaneously improve lodging resistance and preserve yield potential, providing a practical framework for breeding lodging-resistant, high-yielding japonica varieties for DDSR systems in Northeast China. Full article

Carotenoids contribute to photoprotection and abiotic stress adaptation in plants, and lycopene cyclases (LCYs) occupy a key branch point in carotenoid biosynthesis. However, the composition and stress-responsive divergence of LCY genes in pepper remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, we identified six CaLCY genes in Capsicum annuum and analyzed their structural features and expression patterns under drought and salt stress. CaLCYB1 showed the strongest and most consistent induction under both drought and salt stresses and was positively correlated with carotenoid accumulation, whereas the other CaLCY members exhibited distinct or negligible expression patterns. Transient overexpression of CaLCYB1 significantly increased β-carotene and total carotenoid contents by 117.6% and 45.1%, respectively, relative to the empty-vector control, and also augmented ABTS^•+ radical scavenging activity as well as ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity. Conversely, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of CaLCYB1 led to marked reductions in all of these parameters. Correlation analysis, together with gain- and loss-of-function assays, supports an important role of CaLCYB1 in carotenoid accumulation and β,β-branch-related antioxidant responses under stress. Yeast two-hybrid screening identified three potential interactors of CaLCYB1, namely CaUBQ, CaLHP1, and CaLARP6B. This study provides a family-level characterization of LCY genes in pepper and identifies CaLCYB1 as a major stress-responsive member that directs carotenoid flux and enhances antioxidant capacity under abiotic stress. Full article

14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved regulatory proteins that integrate signaling pathways governing plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, the 14-3-3 gene family in oat (Avena sativa) has not been systematically investigated. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of oat 14-3-3 genes, including their physicochemical properties, gene structures, phylogeny, conserved motifs, promoter cis-elements, and selective pressures. A total of 19 AsGF14 genes were identified and classified into the ε and non-ε groups. The AsGF14 gene family expanded primarily through segmental duplications and has been under strong purifying selection during evolution. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that six AsGF14 genes were significantly upregulated at one or more time points under drought stress. Notably, AsGF14k exhibited sustained and significant upregulation. Subcellular localization analysis showed that AsGF14k localized to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Furthermore, Y2H assays indicated that AsGF14k does not form homodimers. Our results provide a systematic characterization of the AsGF14 gene family and their drought-responsive expression patterns, establishing a preliminary basis for the functional validation of AsGF14 genes under drought stress. Full article

Kappa-carrageenan (κ-CRG) forms thermo-reversible physical hydrogels via a coil–helix transition and helix bundling, but its sulfate-driven electrostatic repulsion limits mechanical robustness and control over aqueous disintegration. Here, we show that plant-derived polyphenols reprogram κ-CRG gel through sulfate-directed binding in a structure-dependent manner. Tannic acid (TA) selectively engages κ-CRG sulfate groups, yielding transparent gels and a >5-fold increase in storage modulus, whereas the same TA triggers turbidity and precipitation in sulfate-free agarose, supporting sulfate-mediated specificity. Using monomeric pyrogallol as a galloyl analogue, we demonstrate that monovalent interactions partially reinforce κ-CRG but lack cooperative stabilization. Intervention timing further separates mechanism. Pyrogallol produces pathway-dependent mechanics and gelation temperature, while TA is stage-insensitive, consistent with multivalent network annealing. In simulated gastric/intestinal fluids, pyrogallol/κ-CRG gels retain morphology longer, whereas TA/κ-CRG ones disintegrate rapidly yet exhibit strong adhesion to rough substrates and human skin. These findings provide a fully food-grade route to tune κ-CRG mechanics, thermal behavior, adhesion and programmed disintegration. Full article

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are widely applied as bioinoculants to enhance crop performance, yet their broader ecological effects on rhizosphere microbial assembly under field conditions remain insufficiently understood. Here, we evaluated the impact of a commercial AMF inoculant and its carrier material on lettuce performance and rhizosphere microbial communities in an open-field experiment. We hypothesized that both viable AMF propagules and formulation components contribute to shifts in rhizosphere processes. Active AMF inoculation significantly increased root colonization and fresh biomass at harvest, confirming successful establishment and enhanced plant performance under field conditions. Colonization levels in the heat-inactivated carrier treatment were comparable to the non-inoculated control, indicating that the carrier did not inhibit indigenous AMF activity or induce nutrient-mediated suppression of symbiosis. Plant physiological responses were stage-dependent, supporting the context-dependent nature of AMF effects in dynamic field environments. High-throughput sequencing revealed no significant treatment effects on bacterial or fungal alpha diversity. However, beta-diversity analyses demonstrated significant compositional restructuring of rhizosphere communities, particularly within the bacterial domain. A stable core microbiome persisted across treatments, yet relative abundances and community evenness were altered by both active inoculation and carrier application. These results suggest that AMF inoculation reorganizes microbial community structure predominantly via shifts in ecological niche occupation. Collectively, our results show that AMF inoculation functions not only as a symbiotic nutrient-acquisition strategy but also as a driver of rhizosphere microbial reorganization under field conditions. Integrating plant performance with microbiome dynamics provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding and optimizing microbial inoculants in sustainable agricultural systems. Full article

This study conducted a genome-wide identification and functional analysis of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene family in the xerophytic desert shrub Reaumuria soongorica. A total of 67 GST genes were identified, classified into seven subfamilies, including Phi and Tau, with family expansion primarily attributed to small-scale duplication events. The findings revealed that ResoGST52, a member of the Tau subfamily, serves as a core gene in drought response, exhibiting significant upregulation of 2.40-fold in leaves and 9.01-fold in roots under drought stress. Mechanistic investigations indicated that the expression of ResoGST52 is likely directly regulated by the transcription factor ResoDof17, with specific hydrogen bonding interactions identified between the two. Co-expression network analysis further demonstrated that ResoGST52 cooperates with key pathways such as plant hormone signaling, MAPK cascades, and glutathione metabolism to collectively respond to drought stress. Notably, evolutionary analysis revealed that ResoGST52 has undergone positive selection, with three positively selected sites identified. Among these, the p.Ala115Ser mutation increases the volume of the protein’s active site pocket, while the remaining mutations enhance surface hydrophobicity, thereby improving protein stability and catalytic efficiency under extreme drought conditions. In summary, this study not only systematically identifies the GST gene family in R. soongorica but also elucidates the central role of ResoGST52 in drought adaptation through multiple layers—from transcriptional regulation and co-expression networks to protein structural adaptive evolution—providing valuable candidate genes and theoretical insights for genetic improvement of drought tolerance in crops. Full article

Botrytis cinerea and Plasmopara viticola, the causal agents of grey mold and downy mildew, respectively, are two major grapevine pathogens whose control largely relies on synthetic fungicides, raising environmental and health concerns. Plant-derived secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids involved in plant defense, represent promising sustainable alternatives. Among them, sakuranetin, a flavanone aglycone known for its antifungal activity in rice, remains poorly explored for grapevine protection. In this study, sakuranetin was purified from cherry branches (48 mg) and structurally characterized using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and NMR analyses. Its antifungal activity against B. cinerea and P. viticola was evaluated through in vitro, in vivo and in planta assays. For B. cinerea, our results showed a significant in vitro inhibition of mycelium growth, with EC₅₀ values of 16.43 mg·L⁻¹, while no protection of detached berries was observed. Against P. viticola, sakuranetin has no effect on the release of zoospores, but there is a total inhibition of spore germination at 1 mg·L⁻¹ in vitro, confirmed in vivo on a foliar disc. In planta, no significant protection is observed at 25 mg·L⁻¹, even if some targeted defense genes are induced. Further studies are needed to determine the best concentration of sakuranetin to use to manage B. cinerea and P. viticola in planta. Full article