Search Results (48)

Silphium perfoliatum is a promising economic plant rich in bioactive secondary metabolites, yet the molecular regulation of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis across development remains unclear. To elucidate the regulatory networks underlying these metabolic processes, we integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses across six developmental stages, from cotyledon to flowering. LC–MS/MS identified 1964 metabolites, with phenylpropanoids representing the largest class (601 compounds). Differential accumulation analysis showed pronounced temporal dynamics in phenylpropanoid levels, especially chlorogenic acid and its derivatives, with many compounds peaking at the flowering stage. In parallel, RNA-seq revealed 31,624 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment highlighted phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthetic pathways as major metabolic hubs. Correlation analysis indicated that PAL, 4CL, HCT, F3H, FLS, and F3′H expression was tightly coordinated with the accumulation of phenolic acids and flavonoids, suggesting these gene encoded enzymes may represent rate-limiting steps. Furthermore, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified a “blue” module strongly associated with phenylpropanoid accumulation and significantly enriched in pathway-related genes. Together, these results provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in S. perfoliatum and offer valuable genetic targets for metabolic engineering and molecular breeding to enhance bioactive compound production. Full article

Soil salinity is recognized as a critical abiotic stress that limits plant growth on marginal lands. The cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.), a perennial bioenergy species with high biomass potential, has been proposed for cultivation on saline-degraded soils; however, its physiological responses to different types of salinity stress, particularly alkaline and neutral salt stress, remain insufficiently characterized. In the present study, the physiological responses of the cup plant to neutral (NaCl) and alkaline (NaHCO₃) salt stress at concentrations of 100, 200, and 300 mM were evaluated in a pot experiment conducted under controlled conditions. The assessed indicators included relative chlorophyll content (CCI), chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F_v/F_m, F_v/F₀, PI), and gas exchange characteristics, namely net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (g_s), transpiration rate (E), and intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i). Salinity reduced most physiological parameters, although some, such as maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) and transpiration rate (E), did not show a clear dose-dependent response. Alkaline salt stress induced more pronounced reductions in the physiological parameters than neutral salt stress. At the first measurement, at the highest salt concentration, the chlorophyll content decreased by 49.0% and the P_N parameter by 77.8% under NaHCO₃ treatment, whereas under NaCl conditions the decreases were 29.0% and 51.3%, respectively, compared to the control. At 300 mM NaHCO₃, the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate were substantially reduced compared with those recorded under the corresponding NaCl treatment. Even at the moderate salinity level of 100 mM NaHCO₃, reductions in photosynthetic performance were detected relative to the control. Overall, photosynthetic efficiency and gas exchange in the cup plant were markedly impaired by salinity, particularly under conditions of high bicarbonate concentration. The results offer a deeper understanding of the physiological limitations of S. perfoliatum under acute salt stress and demonstrate that alkaline salinity, associated with elevated pH due to HCO₃⁻, exacerbates stress effects beyond the osmotic and ionic impacts of neutral salinity. These results highlight the potential of S. perfoliatum for sustainable biomass production on salt-affected soils, supporting renewable energy generation and environmentally responsible land use. Full article

The presented research focuses on assessing the impact of the geometry of the compaction channel on the quality of pellets produced from giant miscanthus, silphium, and sida. Geometry refers to parameters such as L, D, α, and the diameter of the channel, as well the height of the compacting cone. Our analysis covered the pressure compaction process of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous perennials, considered a valuable source of biomass for energy purposes. These species are the subject of processing research; they are promising, easy to grow and, crucially, non-invasive. The results of the research indicated the optimal configurations for each plant. For miscanthus: D = 12 mm, α = 10°, L = 13 mm, and compaction pressure P = 245 MPa; for D = 10 mm, α = 10°, L = 22 mm, and P = 185 MPa. For silphium: D = 12 mm, α = 20°, L = 21 mm, P = 50 MPa, and for D = 10 mm: α = 20°, L = 26 - 27 mm, and P = 42 MPa. For Virginia mallow: D = 12 mm, α = 10°, L = 5 mm, and P = 237 MPa, or with a diameter of 10 mm: α = 30°, L = 23 mm, and P = 58 MPa. Full article

Residual and waste materials such as biowaste and the perennial energy crop Silphium perfoliatum (cup-plant) contain high fiber contents, which limit their energetic utilization in biogas plants. Pre-separating the fiber fraction can improve overall valorization. The recovered natural fibers can be further used as raw materials, e.g., in paper production or fiber-reinforced composites. This study aimed to optimize fiber extraction from biogenic residues and renewable raw materials using pilot-scale Thermal-pressure hydrolysis (TPH). Biowaste and cup-plant were used as substrates. Process parameters (150, 160, 170 °C; 15, 30, 60 min) were systematically varied to evaluate their influence on process efficiency, chemical composition, and functional properties of the resulting fiber and pulp fractions. Biowaste and cup-plant produced final products with similar dry matter (DM) contents—fibers (~36% DM) and pulp (~3.2% DM)—but differed markedly in chemical composition: biowaste was richer in nutrients, whereas the cup plant contained more fiber. Sugar release from the cup-plant increased by over 1900% during TPH and, like the organic acids, was largely relocated to the pulp fraction. Methane yields of the resulting pulps ranged between 310 and 375 L_CH4kg_ODM⁻¹, significantly higher than those measured in the fiber fractions, which ranged from 180 to 250 L_CH4kg_ODM⁻¹. Approximately 55% of the total energy potential was transferred into the pulp. Despite the formation of organic acids and potential inhibitors during TPH, no critical threshold values were exceeded. The energy balance of the Biowaste fiber processing was neutral (biowaste: energy demand 475 kWh/t, energy yield from biogas 484 kWh/t). For papermaking applications, the cup-plant proved to be significantly more suitable, as the heterogeneity and contamination of biowaste limited its material usability. The results highlight the potential of TPH for the combined energetic and material utilization of biogenic residues. Full article

Background: Reducing postprandial blood glucose (PBG) is a crucial strategy for treating diabetes and minimizing the risk of complications. Developing efficient and safe α-glycosidase inhibitors from natural products to lower PBG has attracted much attention. Silphium perfoliatum L. (SP), a traditional herbal medicine of North American Indigenous tribes, has efficacy of treating metabolic diseases, but its hypoglycemic activity and bioactive components have not been fully studied. Methods: In vitro α-glucosidase inhibition and in vivo sucrose/maltose/starch tolerance assays were performed to assess the hypoglycemic effects of SP extracts, and UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS/MS analysis was used to tentatively identify its chemical structure composition. In vitro enzyme inhibition and molecular docking were used to verify the effective ingredients. Results: In vitro hypoglycemic activities of four extracts of SP (SP-10/SP-40/SP-60/SP-C) showed that SP-10 exhibited strong α-glucosidase (sucrase and maltase) inhibitory effects with IC₅₀ of 67.81 μg/mL and 62.99 μg/mL, respectively. Carbohydrate tolerance assays demonstrated that SP-10 could significantly reduce the PBG levels of diabetic mice, with a significant hypoglycemic effect at a dosage of 20 mg/kg. A total of 26 constituents, including 11 caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) and 15 flavonol glycosides, were tentatively identified by mainly analyzing secondary MS fragmentation. Moreover, three CQAs rich in SP-10, namely chlorogenic acid (CGA), neochlorogenic acid (NCGA), and cryptochlorogenic acid (CCGA), may be the main hypoglycemic substances, as evidenced by their inhibitory effects on sucrase and maltase. Conclusions: The α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of SP extract both in vitro and in vivo and its active ingredients were systematically studied for the first time. Results indicated that SP extract, rich in CQAs, had significant hypoglycemic activity, supporting the considerable potential of SP as hypoglycemic functional food or cost-effective therapeutic agents for diabetes treatment. Full article

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of different lactic acid bacteria additives (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum or Lentilactobacillus buchneri) on the fermentation quality, chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, bacterial community structure, and predictive function of S. perfoliatum silage feed. Fresh S. perfoliatum was wilted overnight, then its moisture content was adjusted between 65 and 70%. The experiment was performed in three groups as follows: (1) the control group (CK group), which lacked a Lactobacillus preparation; (2) the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) group (LP group), which was inoculated with L. plantarum at 5 × 10⁶ cfu/g FW; and (3) the Lentilactobacillus buchneri (L. buchneri) group (LB group), which was inoculated with L. buchneri at 5 × 10⁶ cfu/g FW. The results showed that L. plantarum significantly reduced pH and increased lactic acid (LA) content in S. perfoliatum silage compared with the control. L. buchneri, on the other hand, excelled in reducing ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) content and significantly increased acetic acid (AA) content. At 60 days of fermentation, the CP content was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the LP and LB groups than in the CK group (19.29 vs. 15.53 and 15.87). At 60 days of fermentation, the ivCPD was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the LB group than in the CK and LP groups (57.80 vs. 54.77 and 55.77). The 60-day silage process completely altered the bacterial community of S. perfoliatum silage. In the fresh samples, the dominant genera were Weissella_A and Pantoea_A. Weissella_A and Pantoea_A were gradually replaced by Lentilactobacillus and Lactiplantibacillus after S. perfoliatum ensiling. After 45 days of fermentation, L. buchneri became the dominant strain in CK, LP and LB groups. Inoculation with L. plantarum altered the succession of the bacterial community from 7 to 15 days of fermentation of S. perfoliatum. In contrast, inoculation with L. buchneri affected the succession of the bacterial community from 30 to 60 days of S. perfoliatum fermentation. In S. perfoliatum silage aged 7 to 60 days, the amino acid metabolic pathway in the LB group remained upregulated. The experimental results revealed that inoculation with L. buchneri had a stronger effect on S. perfoliatum silage than inoculation with L. plantarum. Thus, L. buchneri should be selected as an additive for S. perfoliatum silage fermentation in practical production. Full article

In recent years, land degradation has become a major challenge for human society, with negative impacts on the natural habitat, the economy, and human well-being. A variety of anthropogenic and natural factors are exacerbating the processes of land degradation in the era of climate change. Land restoration is an important and proactive strategy to combat this negative situation. Among the many approaches, the use of vegetation plays a central role in restoring soil health, preventing erosion, promoting biodiversity, and improving water retention. Therefore, the identification of new plant species that have the properties to contribute to land restoration is a necessity today. The plant proposed in this conceptual review for land restoration is the cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.). After a brief presentation of the agronomy, adaptability, and multiple uses of this plant species, its potential to provide important ecosystem services useful for land restoration to combat land degradation is herein emphasized. Recent studies have shown that this plant has great potential for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Hg, and Co), especially in post-mining areas where pollution exceeds ecological limits. Most studies have shown that the accumulation of heavy metals is higher at the lamina stage. There is also some evidence that the cup plant thrives in flood-prone areas and contributes to their restoration. Cup plant cultivation can also reduce greenhouse gasses and increase the organic carbon content of the soil. Another method of land restoration related to the establishment of the cup plant in a given area is the suppression of weeds, particularly the prevention of the invasion of exotic weed species. Further research under different soil–climatic conditions is needed to investigate cup plant cultivation as a promising strategy for land restoration in a time when the climate is constantly changing. Full article

The study evaluates the accuracy of two FvCB model sub-models (I and II) in estimating the maximum electron transport rate for CO₂ assimilation (J_A-max) by comparing estimated values with observed maximum electron transport rates (J_f-max) in four C₃ species: Triticum aestivum L., Silphium perfoliatum L., Lolium perenne L., and Trifolium pratense L. Significant discrepancies were found between J_A-max estimates from sub-model I and observed J_f-max values for T. aestivum, S. perfoliatum, and T. pratense (p < 0.05), with sub-model I overestimating J_A-max for T. aestivum. Sub-model II consistently produced higher J_A-max estimates than sub-model I. This study highlights limitations in the FvCB sub-models, particularly their tendency to overestimate J_A-max when accounting for electron consumption by photorespiration (J_O), nitrate reduction (J_Nit), and the Mehler reaction (J_MAP). An alternative empirical model provided more accurate J_f-max estimates, suggesting the need for improved approaches to model photosynthetic electron transport. These findings have important implications for crop yield prediction, ecological modeling, and climate change adaptation strategies, emphasizing the need for more accurate estimation methods in plant physiology research. Full article

Peroxiredoxin (Prx) plays a role in maintaining the balance of intracellular reactive oxygen species. The peroxidase SiPrx gene from the Tianshan Snow Lotus (Saussurea involucrata) has been proved to significantly enhance the stress resistance of plants. In this study, the SiPrx gene was expressed heterogeneously in high-quality herbage Silphium perfoliatum L. (SP). After treatment with NaCl, the transgenic SP only exhibited partial leaf wilting, whereas the wild-type (WT) plants were on the brink of death. Simultaneously, physiological and biochemical assays indicated that under high-salt conditions, the content of malondialdehyde in the transgenic plants was significantly lower than that in the WT plants, while the activity of antioxidant enzymes was significantly higher than that in the WT plants. The expression of the SiPrx gene has been shown to significantly enhance the salt stress resistance of transgenic SP. Furthermore, after treatment at −10 °C for 48 h, the leaves of transgenic plants were able to maintain a certain morphological structure, whereas the WT plants were completely wilted. Physiological and biochemical index measurements indicated that all indicators in the transgenic plants were significantly better than those in the WT plants. Based on these findings, this study plans to overexpress the SiPrx gene extracted from Saussurea involucrata in Comfrey using the Agrobacterium-mediated method and then study its effects on the stress resistance of transgenic SP. The research results indicate that the SiPrx gene shows significant application potential in enhancing the cold resistance and salt tolerance of SP. This study provides a certain research basis and scientific evidence for the mining of stress resistance genes in Saussurea involucrata and the cultivation of new varieties of SP. Full article

Pollinator declines and expectations for more sustainable agriculture, including pasture-based enterprises, bring attention to strategies to enhance the habitat value of grazing lands. We evaluated native warm-season grass (NWSG) pastures with (FORB) and without (CONT) interseeded native forbs in 2021–2023. An analysis was conducted using R with the significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The grass appeared to be weakened predominantly by grazing management practices. Forb density and mass had an inverse relationship in seasons two and three. Total forage mass declined in response to increased grazing days and weakened stands. The forage nutritive compositions differed, with more stable, season-long crude protein and lower fiber concentrations in late-season FORB, which supported higher bodyweight gains and season-long average daily gain. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta; BESU), lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata; LCOR), and showy ticktrefoil (Desmodium canadensis; STTF) were the most abundant forbs, and BESU, LCOR, and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea; PURC) produced long flowering windows. Cattle grazed STTF, cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum; CUPP), and oxeye sunflower (Helopsis helianthoides) the most. Under continuous stocking, a blend of BESU, LCOR, PURC, STTF, and CUPP produced acceptable cattle gains and provided pollinator resources, suggesting that this model may be a viable means to enhance the sustainability of pastures. Full article

The agricultural production of maize (Zea mays L.) increases the risk of water erosion. Perennial crops like cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) offer a sustainable alternative to produce biomass for biogas plants. The assessment of soil conservation measures requires calibrated soil erosion models that spatially identify soil erosion processes. These support decision-making by farmers and policymakers. Input parameters for the physically based soil erosion model EROSION 3D for cup plant cultivation were established in a field study. Rainfall simulation experiments were conducted to determine the model input parameter’s skinfactor and surface roughness. The results showed a reduction of soil erosion and higher infiltration rates for cup plant resulting in higher skinfactors of 11.5 in June and 0.75 post-harvest (cup plant) compared to 1.2 in June and 0.21 post-harvest (maize). With the extended parameter catalogue of EROSION 3D for cup plant cultivation model simulations were conducted for a rainfall event in June (64 mm). The sediment budget would have been reduced by 92.6% through the growth of cup plant in comparison to conventionally grown maize. Perennial cup plant can, therefore, contribute to achieving the targets outlined in the European Green Deal by reducing soil erosion and enhancing soil health. Full article

Silphium perfoliatum, an energy crop with a high fiber content but low concentrations of fermentable carbohydrates, presents challenges for complete fermentation in biogas production. To overcome this, a bioeconomic approach proposes the use of the fibers for paper and board production, which requires high-quality silage with minimal butyric acid, which affects the marketability of the fibers. This study aims to optimize the silaging process of Silphium perfoliatum by investigating the effects of harvest date, bacterial cultures and additives on fermentation results. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of three harvest dates on fermentation acid composition, with a focus on increasing lactic acid production to inhibit butyric acid formation. Results indicate that an early harvest date (early September) is critical for achieving stable fermentation and minimizing ensiling losses. The addition of sugar-rich additives, such as syrup, was found to be essential, especially for later harvest dates. Despite these interventions, a late harvest (early November) consistently resulted in suboptimal fermentation. The results suggest that optimizing harvest timing and incorporating appropriate additives are key strategies for producing high quality silage and ensuring the suitability of Silphium perfoliatum fibers for industrial applications. Full article

In this experiment, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri were added individually or in combination to Silphium perfoliatum L. (SP) silage to investigate the effects of different fermentation types of lactobacilli on the fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility, and aerobic stability of SP-silage, with a view to providing a certain scientific basis and technical support for obtaining high-quality SP-silage in production. The experiment comprised a non-additive group (control), an L. plantarum group (LP), an L. buchneri group (LB), and an L. plantarum and L. buchneri mixed treatment group (LPLB). Samples were taken after 60 days of fermentation and analyzed for the fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility, and aerobic stability of the SP-silage. The results showed that the addition of LP, LB, and LPLB significantly reduced the pH and proportion of ammonia nitrogen to total nitrogen and significantly increased the lactic acid, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and in vitro crude protein digestibility in the SP-silage (p < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the dry matter and crude protein contents of the LB and LPLB groups were significantly increased, while the neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The SP-silage supplemented with LPLB had the highest dry matter and crude protein contents. The gross and digestible energies of the SP-silage in the LB and LPLB groups were significantly higher than those in the control and LP groups (p < 0.05). The aerobic stability of the SP-silage was significantly reduced by 24.14% in the LP group and increased by 58.62% and 34.48% in the LB and LPLB groups, respectively, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). It was shown that adding a combination of LP and LB resulted in the best fermentation quality, nutritional value, and in vitro digestibility of the SP-silage. LB was effective in improving the aerobic stability of SP-silage. Full article

The cup plant shows promise for biomass production and has significant potential for increasing biodiversity. This species primarily grows in habitats with high soil humidity. Precipitation deficits are common throughout Poland, especially in the central regions, necessitating crop irrigation. To design and manage resource-efficient irrigation for the cup plant, estimating water requirements and rainfall deficits is essential. This research aims to calculate water requirements, rainfall deficits, and irrigation demand and to assess their temporal and spatial variations for cup plants energy plantations from 1981 to 2020. The study, conducted using the Blaney–Criddle method, focused on the growing season (1 April–30 September) across four provinces in central Poland: Kuyavian–Pomeranian (18°01′ E, 53°08′ N), Greater Poland (16°50′ E, 52°25′ N), Masovian (20°59′ E, 52°09′ N), and Lodz (19°24′ E, 51°44′ N). The research revealed varying values of water requirements depending on the province, ranging from 445.9 mm in Lodz province to 465.2 mm in Kuyavian–Pomeranian province. The magnitude of water requirements also significantly depended on the month of the growing season, with the highest value occurring in July (from 103.6 mm in Lodz province to 108.9 mm in Kuyavian–Pomeranian province). Over the forty-year period, a notable upward trend in water requirements was observed across all provinces, ranging from 6.7 mm per decade to 12.5 mm per decade. On average, rainfall deficits during the growing season amounted to 125 mm in normal years, 237 mm in medium dry years, and 316 mm in very dry years. These findings are crucial for efficient irrigation management in central Poland, which, in line with sustainable agricultural development, will enable the maximization of yields of this plant while simultaneously conserving water resources. Full article

Perennial grains have been proposed as a soil-healthy alternative to annual grains. Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), whose seed is currently sold under the trade name Kernza^®, and silflower (Silphium integrifolium), which is in the early stages of domestication at The Land Institute in Central Kansas, lack characterization for their deficiency symptoms. This has complicated attempts to assess the causes of visible stress on plants in the field and the greenhouse. By growing Th. intermedium and S. integrifolium in a set of hydroponic solutions, each containing all but one selected nutrient—including nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and manganese—we were able to assess the effects of twelve different nutrient deficiencies across the two species. Visible symptoms were described and documented via photographs. The effects of the deficiencies on height, leaf biomass, root biomass, gas exchange and photosynthesis (silflower), and resin production (silflower) were measured. Calcium, nitrogen, and potassium were found to alter growth responses in intermediate wheatgrass; in silflower, growth, resin production, and photosynthetic traits were affected by many nutrient deficient treatments. Our results suggest that further work addressing how symptoms might look at the time of flowering, seed production, and in the field at different concentrations of key nutrients would help ongoing plant-breeding efforts. Full article