Search Results (552)

The multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) protein plays a crucial role in mediating plant responses to aluminum (Al) toxicity. The key candidate gene BnaMATE43b related to Al toxicity stress in rapeseed was identified using GWAS and transcriptome analysis. In this study, the BnaMATE43b gene was cloned and functionally characterized in rapeseed. Compared with wild-type rapeseed (WT), the BnaMATE43b overexpression lines (OE) demonstrated stronger aluminum tolerance, specifically manifested in higher relative elongation of taproots (RETs) and relative total root length (RTRL); under Al toxicity stress, the enzyme activities (SOD and POD) and root activity were significantly increased in the OE lines, whereas the MDA content and relative electrical conductivity were reduced in rapeseed root. Further transcriptome analysis of OE-3 showed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched in zeatin biosynthesis (map00908), glucosinolate biosynthesis (map00966), phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (map00940), and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism (map00053). In addition, the yeast cDNA library of rapeseed was constructed, and twenty-two candidate upstream transcription factors (UTFs) of BnaMATE43b were screened; furthermore, four candidate UTFs were obtained through one-on-one interaction validation and luciferase assays, comprising three bHLH transcription factors (BnaA02g28220D, BnaA06g07840D, and BnaA08g24520D) and one ERF transcription factor (BnaA05g23130D). Collectively, these results suggest that BnaMATE43b could improve Al tolerance in rapeseed by mediating antioxidant enzyme activities and the related metabolic pathway, while the obtained UTFs lay the foundation for further analysis of the gene regulatory network under Al toxicity stress. Full article

The energy transition, driven by the global shift toward renewable and electrification, necessitates accurate and efficient prediction of electrical load profiles to quantify energy consumption. Therefore, the systematic literature review (SLR), followed by PRISMA guidelines, synthesizes hybrid architectures for sequential electrical load profiles, aiming to span statistical techniques, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) strategies for optimizing performance and practical viability. The findings reveal a dominant trend towards complex hybrid models leveraging the combined strengths of DL architectures such as long short-term memory (LSTM) and optimization algorithms such as genetic algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to capture non-linear relationships. Thus, hybrid models achieve superior performance by synergistically integrating components such as Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for feature extraction and LSTMs for temporal modeling with feature selection algorithms, which collectively capture local trends, cross-correlations, and long-term dependencies in the data. A crucial challenge identified is the lack of an established framework to manage adaptable output lengths in dynamic neural network forecasting. Addressing this, we propose the first explicit idea of decoupling output length predictions from the core signal prediction task. A key finding is that while models, particularly optimization-tuned hybrid architectures, have demonstrated quantitative superiority over conventional shallow methods, their performance assessment relies heavily on statistical measures like Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). However, for comprehensive performance assessment, there is a crucial need for developing tailored, application-based metrics that integrate system economics and major planning aspects to ensure reliable domain-specific validation. Full article

Crop root development, and in turn crop growth, is strongly influenced by soil strength and the mechanical impedance of compacted layers, which restrict root elongation and exploration. Because the depth and thickness of compacted layers vary across a field, their identification is essential for site-specific tillage and sustainable root-zone management. A sensing approach that can support future real-time identification of compacted layers after soil-specific calibration, which would enable variable-depth tillage, reducing mechanical impedance and improving energy-use efficiency while maintaining crop yields. This study aimed to develop and evaluate prediction models that can support future real-time identification of compacted soil layers using soil electrical conductivity (EC) and moisture content as non-destructive indicators. A sandy clay soil (48.6% sand, 29.3% clay, 22.1% silt) was tested in a soil-bin laboratory under controlled conditions at three moisture levels (13, 18, and 22% db.) and six depth layers (C1–C6, 0–30 cm) identified from the penetration-resistance profile to measure penetration resistance, shear resistance, and EC. Penetration and shear resistance increased toward the most resistant depth layer and decreased with increasing moisture content, whereas EC generally increased with both depth layer and moisture content. Linear regression models relating penetration resistance ($R^2=0.893$) and shear resistance ($R^2=0.782$) to EC and moisture content were developed and evaluated. Field validation in a paddy field of similar texture showed that predicted penetration resistance differed from measured values by 3–6% across the three compaction treatments evaluated. Root length density and root volume decreased with increasing machine-induced compaction, confirming the agronomic relevance of the modeled patterns and supporting the suitability of the proposed indicators. Together, these results demonstrate that EC and moisture content can potentially be used as non-destructive proxies for compacted-layer identification and provide a calibration basis for future on-the-go sensing systems to support site-specific, variable-depth tillage in agricultural fields. Full article

BTB-TAZ (BT) proteins are plant-specific transcription factors that contain a BTB domain and a TAZ domain and play vital roles in various biological processes, growth regulation, and stress responses. In this study, we investigate the effect of overexpressing the cucumber CsBT1 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana on its tolerance to salt and drought. Quantitative analysis revealed significant downregulation of CsBT1 under salt and drought treatments, contrasting with its ABA-induced expression. The CsBT1 gene was introduced into Arabidopsis under the control of 35S promoter via floral dip transformation method. Two CsBT1-overexpressing transgenic Arabidopsis lines were used for stress treatment and phenotypic studies. The transgenic lines exhibited reduced germination, shorter root lengths, and accelerated leaf chlorosis under salt and drought treatments, in comparison to wild-type (WT) plants. Furthermore, overexpressed lines accumulated higher reactive oxygen species with lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, correlating with increased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Notably, abscisic acid (ABA) treatment rescued the root growth inhibition in CsBT1-overexpressing transgenic Arabidopsis lines. Taken together, these results establish CsBT1 as a key negative regulator of salt and drought tolerance that functions through the ABA signaling pathway. Full article

(1) Background: The use of wearable technology for assessing running biomechanics in field-based sports has increased in recent years. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are low-cost, non-invasive devices capable of estimating spatiotemporal gait-related metrics during overground locomotion. This study evaluated the accuracy and concurrent validity of a foot-mounted IMU system for estimating sprinting kinematics. (2) Method: Twenty-five elite and sub-elite athletes completed four maximal 10-metre fly efforts, with their kinematics measured concurrently using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and IMUs. (3) Result: The foot-mounted IMU system’s root mean square errors for stride length and duration were 0.22 m and 0.04 s, respectively. Mean biases (95% level of agreement) were −0.67 $\mathrm{m} · {\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$ (−1.19; −0.14) for peak velocity, −0.51 $\mathrm{m} · {\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$ (−1.10; 0.09) for instantaneous velocity, and 0.17 $\mathrm{m} · {\mathrm{s}}^{-2}$ (−1.04; 1.37) for instantaneous acceleration. Stride length, duration, and cadence were −0.07 m (−0.36; 0.23), 0.02 s (−0.02; 0.06), and −4.64 strides $· {\min }^{-1}$ (−15.82; 6.53), respectively. (4) Conclusions: End users implementing this technology in research and practice should interpret this study’s findings relative to their analytical objectives, logistical resources, and operational constraints. Therefore, its adoption should be guided by the specific performance metrics of interest and the extent to which the system’s capabilities align with the outcomes the end user aims to achieve. Full article

Soil salinization, characterized by complex ionic compositions, threatens global wheat production. Current research often focuses on single salts, leaving a gap in systematic comparisons of specific salt effects. This study comprehensively evaluated six prevalent salts (NaCl, Na₂SO₄, KCl, NaHCO₃, MgSO₄, and MgCl₂) across concentrations (10–200 mmol/L) during wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germination. By integrating ten physiological indicators with principal component analysis (PCA), membership function evaluation, and median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) calculation, we identified distinct salt-specific toxicities. Results established a clear toxicity hierarchy: MgCl₂ was consistently most toxic (LC₅₀ = 32.92 mmol/L), indicating Mg²⁺/Cl⁻ synergy, while KCl was least inhibitory (LC₅₀ = 159.66 mmol/L). PCA simplified the 10-trait dataset, extracting 1 principal component (PC, 89.29–92.35% contribution) for most salts (fresh weight as key loading, reflecting growth) and 2 PCs (95.65% cumulative contribution) for MgSO₄ (separating root-growth and germination-vigor responses), thus identifying salt-specific key evaluation traits. Building on this PCA-derived trait screening, this analysis further revealed fresh weight (FW), germination rate (GR), shoot length (SL), and simple vigor index (SVI) as core evaluation indicators, and identified distinct mechanistic pathways: while most salts caused a generalized growth inhibition reflected in biomass reduction, MgCl₂ exerted a more specific and severe inhibitory effect on shoot elongation. MgSO₄ uniquely employed dual pathways, separately affecting root and germination traits. An innovative aspect of this work is the synergistic application of three synergistic evaluation methodologies with multi-physiological parameters, which allows for the rigorous quantitative characterization of distinct salt-specific effects on both early germination and seedling growth in wheat. This laboratory-based study provides a theoretical framework and practical indicators for salt damage risk assessment and preliminary screening of salt-tolerant wheat germplasm and lays a foundation for field validation and targeted management strategies for specific saline–alkali soils. Full article

Jasmonate-ZIM domain (JAZ) proteins act as repressors in the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway and also function as plant-specific proteins participating in plant growth and development, stress response, and defense. In our study, a total of 25 JAZ genes were identified in B. rapa based on their conserved domains. First, the primary characteristics were surveyed, including the lengths of the CDS and proteins, molecular weights, and isoelectric points. Next, a phylogenetic tree of JAZ proteins among B. rapa, A. thaliana, O. sativa, B. oleracea, and B. napus was constructed, which revealed that these proteins cluster into four groups based on sequence homology rather than by species. Synteny analysis of JAZ genes among these species demonstrated that the highest number of collinear pairs was found between B. rapa and B. napus. Most BrJAZ genes were highly expressed in root, stem, and leaf. Moreover, the expression levels of BrJAZ1a and BrJAZ6b were induced by drought, high salt, black rot, and MeJA. Over-expressed these genes in A. thaliana lines enhanced their tolerance to drought and high salt stress, which was associated with higher enzymatic activities of SOD and POD. Both BrJAZ1a-GFP and BrJAZ6b-GFP were localized in the nucleus. Full article

Breeding wheat varieties that are resilient to arid climates, which impart a complex combination of stresses, including excessive Ca, high pH, nutrient deficiency, and aridity, is important. Afghan landrace wheat is assumed to have evolved with a specific prototypical pattern of traits to adapt to its challenging, composite stress environment. Here, a useful semi-hydroponic double cup screen aiding proteomic analysis was exploited to reconstruct the combined excessive Ca²⁺ (100 ppm) and extreme pH (11.0) of the soils and to dissect specific morpho-physiological characteristics and adaptation strategies in Kihara Afghan wheat landrace (KAWLR). When compared to other cultivars and growth habits, several winter-type KAWLR showed lower unused N-K-P and greater rhizosphere pH stability in the bottom cup and higher tolerance in terms of greater root allocation shift, and most of their above ground traits (shoot biomass, chlorophyll content, and stomatal conductance) were strongly correlated with root length and biomass under stress conditions. Quantitative proteomics on the roots of a tolerant winter-type KAWLR, Herat-740 (KU-7449), showed a strong decreasing trend in changed proteins (12 increased/816 decreased). The proteins (such as mitochondrial phosphate carrier protein, cytoskeleton-related α-, and β-tubulin) that increased in abundance were associated with energy transport and cell growth. A metabolism overview revealed that most proteins that were mapped to glycolysis, fermentation, and the TCA cycle decreased in abundance. However, proteins related to cell wall and lipid metabolism pathways remained unchanged. Our results suggest that winter-type KAWLR adopts a homeostatic stress adaptation strategy that globally downshifts metabolic activity, while selectively maintaining root growth machinery. Root allocation shift, rhizosphere pH stabilization (nutrient solubilization), and a selective proteome response maintaining the root growth machinery in winter-type KAWLR could be breeding selection markers for early-stage screening in calcareous-alkaline arid land. Full article

The mechanisms through which forest thinning influences the fine root foraging strategies of coexisting tree species in mixed forests remain unclear, limiting our ability to manage mixed forests for long-term productivity. We employed a space-for-time substitution approach in a Qinling pine-oak forest, in which fine roots of Pinus tabuliformis (Pt) and Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata (Qa) were sampled from unthinned plots and plots thinned 6 years (transient phase) and 14 years (persistent phase) prior, respectively. We analyzed the morphological and chemical traits of both absorptive and transport fine roots (0–20 cm depth) to decipher their distinct adaptation strategies. The results showed that Pt enhanced morphological plasticity in both absorptive and transport roots at T₂₀₁₀ (e.g., specific root length: +44% and 37%, p < 0.05). In contrast, Qa showed minimal changes in absorptive root morphology and chemistry (p > 0.05). Redundancy analysis indicated that thinning intensified functional divergence in root strategies between the two tree species and between the two root functional types (i.e., absorptive vs. transport fine roots). Hierarchical variance partitioning analysis indicated that root functional type was the primary driver (51.9%), with tree species identity (Pt vs. Qa) and thinning practices being secondary. Critically, soil properties significantly shaped absorptive root traits (explaining 10.4% of the variance) but did not affect transport root traits, whereas thinning was a dominant factor for transport roots (21.6%). This insight enables the tailoring of silvicultural interventions to tree species-specific foraging strategies, optimizing belowground resource acquisition in mixed forests. Full article

Protein phosphatase 2Cs (PP2Cs) constitute a widespread family of signaling regulators in plants and play central roles in abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated stress signaling; however, the PP2C gene family has not yet been systematically identified and characterized in pea (Pisum sativum), a salt-sensitive legume crop. In this study, we identified 89 PsPP2C genes based on domain features and sequence homology. These genes are unevenly distributed across seven chromosomes and classified into ten subfamilies, providing a comparative framework for evaluating structural and regulatory diversification within the PsPP2C family. The encoded proteins vary substantially in length, physicochemical properties, and predicted subcellular localization, while most members contain the conserved PP2Cc catalytic domain. Intra- and interspecies homology analyses identified 19 duplicated gene pairs in pea and numerous orthologous relationships with several model plants; all reliable gene pairs exhibited Ka/Ks < 1, indicating pervasive purifying selection. PsPP2C genes also showed broad variation in exon number and intron phase, and their promoter regions contained diverse light-, hormone-, and stress-related cis-elements with heterogeneous positional patterns. Expression profiling across 11 tissues revealed pronounced tissue-specific differences, with generally higher transcript abundance in roots and seeds than in other tissues. Under salt treatment, approximately 20% of PsPP2C genes displayed concentration- or time-dependent transcriptional changes. Among them, PsPP2C67 and PsPP2C82—both belonging to the clade A PP2C subfamily—exhibited the most pronounced induction under high salinity and at early stress stages. Functional annotation indicated that these two genes are involved in ABA-related processes, including regulation of abscisic acid-activated signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, and MAPK signaling pathway-plant. Collectively, this study provides a systematic characterization of the PsPP2C gene family, including its structural features, evolutionary patterns, and transcriptional responses to salt stress, thereby establishing a foundation for future functional investigations. Full article

Juniper formations are valuable habitats for fauna and flora and play an important role in protecting the ecosystem, where they grow, from erosion and degradation. Juniper habitats are included in the European Directive 92/43. Juniperus phoenicea is of great ecological importance in Mediterranean areas, as it is often among the only species that can survive under extremely unfavorable conditions. Along with other species, it forms the habitat 2250* “Coastal dunes with Juniperus spp.” Habitat 2250* is a priority habitat, and today, it is under threat due to several factors such as coastal erosion, forest fires, etc. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the factors that affect the rooting of J. phoenicea shoot cuttings collected from plants growing in their natural habitat. Specifically, the effects of the cutting collection season and the different concentrations (0, 3, 6, and 12 g·L⁻¹) of the plant growth regulator K-IBA (indole-3-butyric acid potassium salt) on the rooting of J. phoenicea shoot cuttings in two propagation systems (mist and fog) were investigated. The shoot cuttings of J. phoenicea rooted in high percentages reaching more than 90%. The factors studied played an important role, and significant differences in the rooting ability of cuttings were found, as well as in the number and length of roots. For the optimal results, cuttings should be collected in winter and treated with 6 g·L⁻¹ K-IBA under a mist system or in summer with 3 g·L⁻¹ K-IBA under a fog system. The results of the present study can be used to make up a basic step for conservation and restoration efforts and for sustainable exploitation strategies for this valuable phytogenetic resource. Full article

Maize requires substantial nitrogen input, and nitrogen deficiency significantly impairs root development, reducing yield. Therefore, improving maize root system architecture under low-nitrogen (LN) conditions is critical for improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, the genetic relationship between nitrogen efficiency and root traits is unclear in maize. Here, we conducted a hydroponic experiment during the seedling stage using maize single-segment substitution lines (SSSLs) derived from a cross between the N-efficient inbred line Xu178 and the N-inefficient inbred line Zong3. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was performed for root architecture traits under both high-nitrogen (HN) and LN conditions. We identified a total of 160 QTLs, with 101 and 59 detected under HN and LN conditions, respectively. These included 19 for root total length (RTL), 43 for root surface area (RSA), 24 for root average diameter (RAD), 60 for root volume (RV), and 14 for root tip number (RTN), distributed across all ten chromosomes, with the highest number on chromosome 1. Additive effects of individual QTLs ranged from −33.14% to 331.16%. Notably, we discovered a major HN-specific QTL cluster on segments end–umc1929 (Bin 7.00) and bnlg1655 (Bin 10.03), and a key LN-specific cluster on segment umc1883–bnlg249 (Bin 6.00). These findings not only highlight distinct genetic bases for nitrogen adaptation at the seedling stage but also provide valuable molecular markers and candidate genomic regions for the marker-assisted breeding of nitrogen-efficient maize varieties. Full article

Brassica vegetables are in high demand because they are an essential nutrient source for humans. Glucosinolates (GSLs), a major bioactive compound found in Brassicaceae, are amino acid derivatives that contribute to the health benefits of these crops. Light quality plays a significant role in plant growth and metabolite synthesis, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as artificial light sources offer many benefits. This study examined three cultivars of leafy cabbage B. oleracea. var. acephala (Kale), B. oleracea var. viridis (collard), and B. oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) grown under different LED conditions (red, blue, and blue–red) in the growing chamber. The primary objective of this study was to identify the most effective LED light spectrum for promoting GSLs accumulation and enhancing the overall plant quality. The findings of this study demonstrate that LED lights can have varying impacts on the cultivars of leafy cabbage. The different light spectra had varying impacts on the parameters examined in this study. GSLs compounds, particularly glucobrassicin, showed the most significant increase under the blue light treatment, with a 61% increase compared to the control. The R&B (red and blue) light treatment was the most effective in improving the growth traits of the shoot and root in the Kale cultivar. For the collard cultivar, the R&B light increased the leaf length and width, whereas for the cabbage cultivar, it led to an increase in the number of leaves and chlorophyll index. These findings demonstrate that the specific light quality can have different effects on the phytochemical composition and morphological characteristics of the different leafy cabbage cultivars. The blue light spectrum was particularly effective in enhancing GSLs accumulation, while the combination of red and blue light provided the most beneficial effects on overall plant growth and development across the three cultivars studied. These results suggest that the metabolism and phytochemical properties of leafy cabbage cultivars depend on exposure to multiple factors, such as cultivar type and light quality. Therefore, R&B light was the most effective light for most traits and can be suggested for performance. Full article

Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) is a dicotyledonous plant from the Rosaceae family that originated in China. Functional genomic studies in Japanese apricot are essential to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying key agronomic traits and to accelerate crop improvement. However, the lack of an efficient genetic transformation system has hindered gene function analysis and impeded molecular breeding efforts. Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation has emerged as a robust tool for functional gene validation and studying root-specific processes across diverse plant species, due to its simple protocol and rapid turnaround time. Notably, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation remains notoriously recalcitrant in Rosaceae species, particularly in Japanese apricot. Through screening of ten Japanese apricot varieties, we identified ‘Muguamei’ (MGM) as the optimal cultivar for tissue culture. Using its genotype, we established an Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation system for Japanese apricot via an in vitro approach. The binary vector incorporated the RUBY reporter for visual selection and eYGFPuv for fluorescent validation of transformation events. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of PmPDS in ‘Muguamei’ calli generated albino phenotypes, confirming successful genome editing. Through optimization of antibiotics, the study achieved an 80% explant survival rate using Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with 6-BA (0.5 mg/L) and TDZ (0.05 mg/L). For in vitro micropropagation, we found that ‘Muguamei’ exhibited optimal shoot growth in the presence of 6-BA (0.06 mg/L) and TDZ (0.1 mg/L), and up to 8 bud proliferation lines could be reached under 4.0 mg/L 6-BA. During the rooting of micro shoots, ½MS medium performed better and reached the optimum root length (35.70 ± 4.56 mm) and number (6.00 ± 1.00) under IAA (0.5 mg/L) and IBA (0.4 mg/L). Leaf explants were cultured on WPM supplemented with TDZ (4.0 mg/L) and NAA (0.2 mg/L). 50 mg/L kanamycin concentrations were the suitable screening concentration. Full article

Global climate change has intensified land desertification in the arid and semi-arid regions of northwestern China, highlighting the urgent need to cultivate plant species with ideal architecture and well-developed root systems to combat ecosystem degradation. Amorpha fruticosa is widely used as a windbreak and sand-fixation shrub; however, its rapid growth and high transpiration during the early planting stage often result in excessive water loss, low survival rates, and limited vegetation restoration effectiveness. Plant growth retardants (PGRts) are known to suppress apical dominance and promote branching. In this study, one-year-old A. fruticosa seedlings were treated with different combinations of paclobutrazol (PP₃₃₃) and uniconazole (S₃₃₀₇) to investigate their effects on plant morphology and biomass allocation; it aims to determine the optimal formula for cultivating shrub structures with excellent windbreak and sand-fixation effects in land desertification areas. The results showed that both PP₃₃₃ and S₃₃₀₇ significantly inhibited plant height while promoting basal stem diameter, branching, and root development. Among all treatments, the S₃₃₀₇ 200 mg·L⁻¹ + PP₃₃₃ 200 mg·L⁻¹ combination (SD3) was the most effective, resulting in the greatest increases in basal diameter, branch number, total root length, and root-to-shoot ratio, while significantly reducing height increment, leaf length and leaf area (p < 0.05). Under the S₃₃₀₇ 200 mg·L⁻¹ + PP₃₃₃ 300 mg·L⁻¹ treatment (SD4), leaf width and specific leaf area were reduced by 17.92% and 38.89%, respectively, compared with the control. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive or negative relationships among most growth traits, with leaf length negatively correlated with other morphological indicators. Fresh and dry weights of both aboveground and root tissues were significantly positively correlated with basal diameter (R = 0.38) and branch basal diameter (R = 0.33). Principal component analysis demonstrated that the SD3 treatment achieved the highest comprehensive score (2.91), indicating its superiority in promoting a compact yet robust plant architecture. Overall, the SD3 treatment improved drought resistance and sand-fixation capacity of A. fruticosa by “dwarfing and strengthening plants while optimizing root–shoot allocation.” These findings provide theoretical support for large-scale cultivation and vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid regions and offer a technical reference for growth regulation and windbreak and sand-fixation capacity in other xerophytic shrub species. Full article