Search Results (350)

Orchid seed germination requires symbiotic association with mycorrhizal fungi that provide essential nutrients for germination and subsequent growth. Extensive research has elucidated the pivotal role of the mycorrhizal fungus Tulasnella sp. in the modulation of seed germination and growth processes in Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reiehb.f. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this symbiosis remain poorly characterized. Our integrated transcriptomic-metabolomic analysis of symbiotic germination revealed that co-cultivation of Tulasnella sp. bj1 with B. striata seeds significantly downregulates the expression of plant-derived flavonoid biosynthetic genes, with flavonoid degradation potentially alleviating germination and growth inhibition. The bj1 strain modulates indoleacetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis in B. striata by upregulating the expression of plant-derived tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) in the tryptophan pathway and hydrolytic enzymes (NtAMI) in the indoleacetamide pathway, with elevated IAA potentially contributing to seed germination and growth. Moreover, bj1 suppresses the jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthetic pathway of B. striata by downregulating key plant-derived biosynthetic genes, concurrently promoting the accumulation of 12-hydroxyjasmonic acid—a metabolite associated with plant immune regulation that may favor colonization and symbiotic establishment with B. striata seeds. Additionally, bj1 induces the expression of polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, potentially improving carbon source utilization to support protocorm development. In conclusion, bj1 modulates the immune response of B. striata seeds, facilitating the establishment of a symbiotic relationship. Subsequently, the germination and growth of B. striata seeds are enhanced through reduced flavonoid accumulation, increased IAA synthesis, and improved carbon source utilization. Consequently, this investigation provides a crucial foundation for elucidating mechanisms governing symbiotic germination in B. striata. Full article

This systematic review critically evaluates and synthesizes current evidence on the efficacy of biostimulants in enhancing soybean seed yield and quality. A comprehensive literature search was conducted following the PRISMA approach using the Web of Science (WoS) database, focusing on peer-reviewed studies from 2014 to 2025 reporting on the effects of biostimulants applied alone or in combination with other agro-inputs on soybean performance. Over 500 publications were retrieved from the database, of which 72 were included in this review. Extracted data were used to calculate changes in yield (kg ha⁻¹), percentage yield increase (%), oil content (%), and protein concentration (%). Our synthesis demonstrated that the sole application of biostimulants, including seaweed extracts, humic acids, amino acids, and beneficial microbes (Bradyrhizobium, PGPR, AMF), consistently enhanced soybean yield by 4% to 65%, while their interaction with other agro-inputs was shown to be capable of increasing yield by more than 150% under abiotic stress conditions, indicating strong synergistic effects. These improvements are mediated through various physiological mechanisms such as enhanced nutrient uptake, improved root growth, increased photosynthetic efficiency, and elevated stress tolerance. Furthermore, biostimulant application positively affects seed quality, increasing oil and protein content by 0.4–5.5% and 0.5–7.3%, respectively, by optimizing source–sink relationships and metabolic pathways. Overall, the greatest benefits are frequently observed through synergistic combinations of biostimulants with one another or with reduced rates of mineral fertilizers, highlighting a promising pathway toward sustainable crop intensification in soybean systems. Full article

Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized through biologically mediated reduction of metal ions using biomolecules derived from microorganisms, algae, or plants are attracting growing attention in plant biotechnology due to their multifunctional properties and environmental advantages compared with conventional physicochemical synthesis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of biological approaches for NP production using bacteria, fungi, algae, cyanobacteria, whole plants, and in vitro plant cell cultures. The main biosynthetic mechanisms, types of reducing and capping metabolites, metal specificity, and typical NP characteristics are described for each system, with emphasis on their relative productivity, scalability, reproducibility, and biosafety. Special consideration is given to plant cell and tissue cultures as highly promising platforms that combine the metabolite diversity of whole plants with precise control over growth conditions and NP parameters. Recent advances highlight the significance of bioengineering of reductive capacity as a novel strategy to enhance the efficiency and controllability of NP biosynthesis. Since NP formation is driven by key biomolecules, targeted modification of biosynthetic pathways through metabolic and genetic engineering can substantially increase NP yield and allow fine-tuning of their structural and functional properties. The applications of biogenic NPs in plant biotechnology are systematically evaluated, including their use as environmentally safe disinfectants for explants and seed sterilization, modulators of callus induction and morphogenesis, and abiotic elicitors that enhance the accumulation of economically valuable secondary metabolites. Remaining challenges, such as variability in NP characteristics, limited scalability, and insufficient data on phytotoxicity and environmental safety, are discussed to outline future research priorities. The synthesis–function relationships highlighted here provide a foundation for developing sustainable NP-based technologies in modern agriculture. Full article

Aims: The plant and soil microbiome serve as a reservoir of beneficial endophytic bacteria, including plant-growth-promoting (PGP) Bacillus subtilis, which enhances nutrient acquisition and protects plants against environmental stresses. We isolated novel bacteria from cultivated peanut plants selected from agricultural fields that survived a season of water scarcity and high temperatures. Experiments were conducted to determine whether plant survival was partially attributable to the presence of beneficial microbes that could be harnessed for future biotechnology applications. Methods and Results: Seven bacterial isolates of Bacillus spp. were identified through 16S rRNA sequencing, revealing close affiliations to B. subtilis, B. safensis, and B. velezensis. Growth curve analysis and colony morphology characterization revealed distinct growth patterns across different media types, while phytohormone production assays demonstrated variable indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis among isolates. When applied as seed biopriming agents to two hybrid peanut varieties, bacterial inoculation significantly enhanced root surface area and root tip development, with B. subtilis-TAM84A showing the most pronounced effects on ‘Schubert’ roots. In addition, vegetative growth assessments indicated increased branch numbers and plant height, particularly with treatments with B. velezensis strains TAM6B and TAM61A, and a consortium of all isolates. Under drought conditions, inoculated plants exhibited delayed wilting and improved recovery after rehydration, indicating enhanced drought resilience. Conclusions: Several local Bacillus strains recovered from drought-tolerant peanut plants showed improved growth and drought tolerance in greenhouse-grown peanut plants. Ongoing field studies aim to evaluate the potential of regionally adapted microbial populations as soil amendments during planting. Impact Statement: This study demonstrates that local strains of Bacillus isolated from drought-resistant peanut plants possess significant potential as bioinoculants to improve growth and drought tolerance in potted peanut plants. This work provides a foundation for utilizing regionally adapted microbial populations to address agricultural challenges related to water scarcity. Full article

Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. phenazini S1Bt23 extracts detected phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) and 2-hydroxyphenazine (2-OH-PHZ) as the main phenazine derivatives. We investigated their relative contributions to the antagonistic activity of strain S1Bt23 against Pythium arrhenomanes, a root rot pathogen of corn. CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts were carried out on the phzF gene, required for PCA synthesis, and the phzO gene, which is involved in converting PCA to 2-OH-PHZ. Deletion of the phzF gene abrogated the production of PCA and 2-OH-PHZ, and the ΔphzF mutant lost the antagonism against Pythium arrhenomanes. In contrast, deletion of the phzO gene created a 2-OH-PHZ-negative mutant with intact antagonistic ability. Concordantly, S1Bt23 wild type and the ΔphzO mutant, but not the ΔphzF mutant, significantly bioprotected corn seeds of a susceptible inbred variety, CO441, from P. arrhenomanes. At equimolar amounts of 75 nM, synthetic PCA inhibited Pythium growth, whereas 2-OH-PHZ did not. This highlights the critical contribution of PCA to the biocontrol activity of strain S1Bt23 against P. arrhenomanes. Unexpectedly, deletion of phzO did not result in additional PCA accumulation. This suggests that the conversion of PCA to 2-OH-PHZ by S1Bt23 is a potential protective mechanism against the overproduction of lethal cellular doses. This study paves the way for bioengineering strain S1Bt23 into a more effective biopesticide. Full article

This study presents an energy-efficient, room-temperature synthesis and characterization of methacrylated pullulan (Pull-MA) hydrogel developed for controlled nutrient delivery in agricultural applications. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analyses confirmed the successful functionalization of pullulan with methacrylate groups, accompanied by a decrease in thermal transition temperatures, indicative of increased polymer chain mobility. The synthesized Pull-MA hydrogel exhibited a high swelling capacity, reaching an equilibrium swelling ratio of 1068% within 5 h, demonstrating its suitability as a carrier matrix. The room-temperature synthesis approach enabled the in situ incorporation of microbial inoculant into the hydrogel network, preserving microbial viability and activity. SEM analysis performed under the different magnifications (1000, 2500, 5000, 10,000, 25,000×) has confirmed brittle nature of xerogels and increasing in structural irregularities with increasing in cultivation broth content.The biological performance of the fertilizer-loaded hydrogels was evaluated through seed germination assays using maize and pepper as model crops. The optimized formulation, T2 (Pull-MA: cultivation broth 1:5 w/w), significantly improved germination efficiency, as evidenced by increased relative seed germination (RSG), root growth rate (RRG), and germination index (GI) compared to both the control and the low-fertilizer formulation (T1, 1:2.5 w/w). These findings highlight the potential of Pull-MA hydrogels as bioactive seed-coating materials that enhance early seedling development through controlled nutrient release. The results lay a solid foundation for further optimization and future application of this system under real field conditions. Full article

This study evaluated the effect of different sprouting methods on the morphological traits, pigmentation, and bioactive compound content of radish sprouts (Raphanus sativus L.). The following four sprouting techniques were compared: tray (T), sprouter (S), jar (J5–J20), and tank (R5–R20), varying in seed density and aeration conditions. The results demonstrated that the sprouting method significantly influenced growth parameters and phytochemical profiles. Sprouts produced using the tray (T) and sprouter (S) methods exhibited the highest mass and lowest dry matter content, reflecting favorable hydration and aeration. Sprouter-grown sprouts were particularly rich in chlorophyll (47.6 mg/100 g DW) and ascorbic acid (11.36 mg/100 g DW), indicating optimal photosynthetic and antioxidant metabolism. Tray-grown sprouts showed the highest polyphenol (919.8 mg GAE/100 g DW) and anthocyanin (217.0 mg C3G/100 g DW) concentrations, suggesting enhanced synthesis of secondary metabolites under mild abiotic stress. A comparative assessment using a three-point scale confirmed that sprouter, tray, and low-density tank methods provided the most favorable nutritional and sensory attributes. Overall, both technological factors and genetic background determine the nutritional quality of radish sprouts, offering practical guidance for optimizing sprout production and developing functional foods. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) are volatile, aromatic, and hydrophobic extracts of plant origin, known for their complex chemical composition, which often includes over 300 natural molecules with low molecular weights. They are extracted from various plant organs through physical–mechanical processes or dry distillation, and their qualitative composition and quantity change depending on the species, cultivar, and environmental growth conditions. They play a key role in plants’ response to abiotic stresses, such as drought and salinity, whose effects are intensified by climate change. Several studies showed that drought and salinity can increase or decrease EO production, depending not only on the plant species but also on the severity of the stress; in fact, in many crops an enhancement of EO synthesis was often observed under mild stress, whereas moderate or severe stress reduced production. For a few years, EOs have been considered important biostimulants and bioprotectors, capable of replacing chemical pesticides in sustainable agriculture. Consequently, seed pre-treatments (e.g., seed priming or seed coating) with EOs may represent promising tools to improve germination, stress tolerance, and crop productivity under stress conditions. Nevertheless, the high costs of extraction of EOs and the little evidence collected from field experiments still limit their use in agronomic applications. The aim of this review was to gather the most important information, published over the last ten years, concerning the effects of drought and salinity on the production of EOs and their use as biostimulants. This review critically examines the available literature, highlighting a positive perspective towards the adoption of natural approaches to reduce the environmental impact of agricultural production. Current results indicate encouraging progress in the application of EOs as biostimulants; however, further studies are needed to verify their effectiveness in real agronomic environments. Full article

This research focused on the synthesis of triangular silver nanoplates (TSNPs) with sharp corners using a photomediated seed growth method. The TSNPs produced had an average edge length of 27.2 ± 9.2 nm and a (110) crystalline plane structure. In terms of optical properties, the TSNPs displayed three key absorbance peaks at approximately 400 nm, 500 nm, and 660 nm, which correspond to out-of-plane dipolar resonance, in-plane quadrupolar resonance, and in-plane dipolar resonance, respectively. The prepared TSNP colloidal solutions served as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active materials for detecting paraquat residue in aqueous samples. We optimized the mixing time of the liquid SERS with the sample, maintaining a 1:1 volume ratio. The findings showed a remarkable enhancement of the Raman signal with 10 min mixing time using laser excitation at a wavelength of 785 nm. This study achieved the development of novel SERS-active substrates capable of detecting pesticides with excellent accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility for both qualitative and quantitative analysis in tap water, river water, drinking water, and cannabis water. Additionally, it paved the way for using the SERS technique as a promising approach in the areas of food safety and environmental monitoring, especially in the organic farming field. Full article

Pervaporation is a compelling alternative to azeotrope-breaking and solvent dehydration due to lower energy demand and strong selectivity compared with distillation. FAU-type zeolite membranes combine large pore openings and hydrophilic frameworks with robust chemical stability, enabling water-selective separations from alcohols such as isopropanol and ethanol. Despite numerous synthesis routes, the role of seed crystal size in secondary growth, controlling nucleation density, intergrowth, and defect formation remains insufficiently quantified for FAU membranes under identical growth conditions. Here, FAU layers were fabricated on α-Al₂O₃ supports via secondary growth with varying seed sizes in the nanometer-to-micrometer range (72 nm to 6 μm). Zeolite crystal phase purity and morphology of membranes were assessed by XRD and SEM, with pervaporation of IPA/water 80 wt% at 75 °C quantified flux, separation factor, and permeance. We show that smaller seeds (95.51 nm) increase nucleation density, yielding thinner, more intergrown FAU layers with a higher separation factor but a modest trade-off in flux. Full article

Silicon-nanomaterials (Si-NMs) have emerged as a revolutionary tool in modern agriculture; however, the collaborative role of Si-NMs in onion crop productivity and expansion in acidic soils remains elusive. We conducted a series of sequential experiments, from seed germination to field trials, over two consecutive cultivation years. Intriguingly, the results revealed that among the differential doses, 1.0 mM L⁻¹ of Si-NMs significantly ameliorated the acid-stress-induced suppression of onion seed germination and seedling growth. Additionally, a selected dose of Si-NMs reduces seedling mortality and improves plant establishment rate with increased photosynthetic performance, bulb properties, and nutritional quality. These stimulatory effects of Si-NMs on onion crop adaptation to acidic soil were associated with reduced ROS accumulation driven by enhanced antioxidant potential, which further increased upon dolomite supplementation. Furthermore, exogenous Si-NMs spray accelerated the early stages of harvestable onion size, accompanied by increased synthesis of IAA and GA₃ hormones, suggesting the potential of Si-NMs to enhance farm resilience in acidic soils. Full article

Agave species possess substantial cultural, ecological, and economic significance, particularly in Mexico, where they are traditionally utilized for food, fiber, and beverages. Their industrial relevance has expanded to include bioenergy, nutraceuticals, and sustainable agriculture. However, conventional propagation methods are constrained by long life cycles, low seed germination rates, and susceptibility to phytopathogens. In vitro culture has emerged as a pivotal biotechnological strategy for clonal propagation, germplasm conservation, and physiological enhancement. This review presents a critical synthesis of plant growth regulators (PGRs) employed in agave micropropagation, emphasizing their roles in organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, shoot proliferation, and rooting. Classical PGRs such as 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), benzyladenine (BA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) are widely utilized, with BA + 2,4-D and BA + IAA combinations demonstrating high efficiency in embryogenic callus induction and shoot multiplication. Additionally, non-traditional regulators such as abscisic acid (ABA) and putrescine (Put) have been shown to affect embryo maturation. This review synthesizes recent studies on agave in vitro culture protocols, identifies trends in PGR use, and highlights key research gaps. These insights reveal opportunities for innovation and underscore the need for species-specific optimization and molecular validation to improve reproducibility and scalability. Full article

The phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea, which causes gray mold disease, has become a limiting factor on agricultural production. B. cinerea field control is made mainly using chemical fungicides, which has led to the spreading of resistant populations of this fungus. Thus, the quest of new fungicides molecules has been focused on synthesis of natural product-inspired compounds. The main aim of this work is to synthesize prenylated phenol derivatives and to assess their potential application as antifungal agents with minimal phytotoxic effects. Thus, new prenylphenols (4, 5, and 7) have been obtained by microwave irradiation with yields ranging from 2.4% to 42.9%, whereas compounds 8 and 9 were synthesized with yields of 25.6% and 54.1%, respectively. The effect of different concentrations of these compounds on B. cinerea spore germination, and their phytotoxic effect on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seed germination and root growth, were evaluated. Obtained results indicate that biological activities of all tested compounds are concentration-dependent. Interestingly, compound 7 exhibits the highest antifungal activity against B. cinerea spores (IC₅₀ < 50 µg/mL) with minimal phytotoxicity on tomato seed germination and root growth. In contrast, compounds 2 and 3 are active against spores (IC₅₀ = 461 and 325 µg/mL, respectively) but, at the same time, their phytotoxicity is important at the highest concentrations. These results indicated that the presence of hydroxyl and methyl substituents on the aromatic ring of these compounds induces variations in biological activities, and compound 7 could be a promising candidate as a sporicidal agent. Full article

Direct growth of high-quality, Bernal-stacked bilayer graphene (BLG) on dielectric substrates is crucial for electronic and optoelectronic devices, yet it remains hindered by poor film quality, uncontrollable thickness, and high-density grain boundaries. In this work, a facile, catalyst-assisted method to grow high-quality, single-crystalline BLG directly on dielectric substrates (SiO₂/Si, sapphire, and quartz) was demonstrated. A single-crystal monolayer graphene template was first employed as a seed layer to facilitate the homoepitaxial synthesis of single-crystalline BLG directly on insulating substrates. Nanostructure Cu powders were used as the remote catalysis to provide long-lasting catalytic activity during the graphene growth. Transmission electron microscopy confirms the single-crystalline nature of the resulting BLG domains, which validates the superiority of the homoepitaxial growth technique. Raman spectroscopy and electrical measurement results indicate that the quality of the as-grown BLG is comparable to that on metal substrate surfaces. Field-effect transistors fabricated directly on the as-grown BLG/SiO₂/Si showed a room temperature carrier mobility as high as 2297 ± 3 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, which is comparable to BLG grown on Cu and much higher than that reported on in-sulators. Full article

Bacillus subtilis is applied as a biofertilizer, biocontrol agent, and probiotic in agriculture, and is also used for industrial synthesis of proteins and peptides. These applications can be combined by using B. subtilis to synthesize plant health-promoting peptides in culture or to deliver them to roots via seed treatments. To facilitate the use of B. subtilis as a cell factory, we tested different media, temperatures, and growth phases to optimize ectopic expression of a Plant Elicitor Peptide from soybean (GmPEP3) that enhances seedling growth. Our results indicate that temperature, culture media, and growth phase have interactive effects, and that 30 °C and 2x YT media can enhance ectopic expression per cell compared to 37 °C or LB media in log phase bacteria. We also identified tradeoffs between cell growth and ectopic expression levels per cell, with the log phase favoring high expression per cell but the stationary phase yielding higher cell numbers and consequently higher expression levels per unit of growth media. In addition, to facilitate B. subtilis seed treatments, we compared retention of spores versus vegetative cells with and without carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) to improve the viability of B. subtilis seed treatments. Our results indicated that retention of viable bacteria on B. subtilis-treated seeds could be increased by ~40% by using the adhesive polymer CMC, and shelf life could be extended from 24 h to at least 3 months by using endospores rather than vegetative cells. For B. subtilis expressing GmPEP3, endospores also had comparable plant-growth-promoting activity as vegetative cells. This establishes the bioactivity of spores and illustrates the potential benefits of using B. subtilis to deliver heterologous peptides. These results provide valuable insights for deploying B. subtilis for crop health. Full article