Search Results (632)

Temperature is a major determinant of plant metabolic plasticity, yet its role in directing volatile and semi-volatile specialized metabolism in Ginkgo biloba remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how contrasting low- and high-temperature treatments reshape secondary metabolite contents in G. biloba microclones cultivated in vitro. Plants were exposed to cold (+3 °C) and heat (+30 °C) conditions, and their responses were analyzed using GC–MS profiling, anatomical measurements, chlorophyll fluorescence, and multivariate statistics. Cold treatment selectively increased the abundances of monoterpenes (13.22%) and sesquiterpenes (13.83%), with the strongest accumulation of caryophyllene, eucalyptol, and (1S)-camphor. In contrast, heat treatment reduced ester content to 3.73% and strongly enriched oxy-sesquiterpenes (46.50%) and lactone/ketone/spiroketone (29.54%) contents. The enhanced accumulation of isocalamendiol, isoshyobunone, cyclohexanone derivative, dehydroxy-isocalamendiol, and (+)-2-bornanone was observed under heat. According to the multivariate analysis, control plants were associated with traits reflecting optimal physiological performance, including greater parenchyma, phloem, and xylem thickness, larger vascular bundles, longer stomata, and higher NPQ, qN, Y(NPQ), and F_v/F_m. Cold-treated plants showed thicker epidermis and sclerenchyma, higher stomatal density and width, elevated Y(NO), and an enrichment of esters and terpenoids, whereas heat-treated plants were characterized by thicker adaxial and abaxial epidermis, increased mesophyll thickness, and higher levels of oxygenated metabolites. These findings expand current knowledge beyond terpene trilactones and flavonoids and identify Ginkgo microclones as a useful in vitro model for temperature-guided metabolic reprogramming and targeted metabolite enrichment. Full article

Forage grasses are an important component of livestock systems due to their contribution to animal feed, soil conservation, and carbon sequestration. In the face of climate change, analyzing stomatal characteristics allows us to understand the mechanisms of adaptation and tolerance to environmental stress. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the stomatal characteristics and trichome density of ten forage grasses present in a pine-oak dominated ecosystem. Sampling was carried out in October and November 2022 on a 1938 ha area. Mature, healthy leaves were selected, and epidermal impressions were obtained from the adaxial and abaxial surfaces using the cyanoacrylate method. Observations were made with an optical microscope at 400× magnification, quantifying stomatal density, trichome density, number of epidermal cells, and stomatal index per mm². The results indicated that nine species were amphistomatic, while Schizachyrium scoparium exhibited an epistomatic pattern. Muhlenbergia arizonica showed the highest stomatal density, and Setaria parviflora the lowest. It is concluded that there is high stomatal variability among species, highlighting its importance for the management and improvement of pastures. Full article

Cross-kingdom pathogenesis—human and animal pathogens colonizing and persisting in plants—is transforming our understanding of microbial ecology, food safety, and public health. This review translates incoming research that demonstrates plants as more than mute carriers to dynamic ecological interfaces where human and zoonotic pathogens, such as Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes, will adhere, internalize, and, in some cases, potentially evade host defenses. Such pathogens exploit evolutionarily conserved molecular processes like Type III secretion system 1 (TTSS), biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and small RNA-mediated immune sabotage that have allowed them to cross biological kingdom boundaries. To provide an entry point for pathogens, environmental conditions (e.g., contaminated irrigation water, manure application, wildlife access, and mechanical wounding) promote pathogen transfer to and penetration into plant tissues through stomata hydathodes above ground or roots below ground. Once inside, pathogens confront a range of plant immune responses, indigenous microbiota, and abiotic stresses such as UV radiation exposure, nutrient starvation, and osmotic fluctuations. Nonetheless, biofilm production, metabolic versatility, and virulence gene expression contribute to their persistence. Interactions with plant pathogens and microbiomes additionally shape colonization dynamics, for example, through co-survival and niche manipulation. With the acceleration of these processes due to climate change, urbanization, and intensified agriculture, cross-kingdom pathogenesis becomes a rising concern for One Health. Critical knowledge gaps, including seedborne transmission, microbiome engineering, and predictive modeling, are pointed out in the review along with emerging mitigation strategies, including point-of-care diagnostics and microbial biocontrol. In conclusion, this review advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration from microbiology, plant science, and One Health perspectives to predict and mitigate cross-kingdom threats to global food production. Full article

Temporary Immersion Systems (TISs) are an efficient alternative for in vitro plant regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different culture methods on the in vitro shoot proliferation and acclimatization of agave (Agave marmorata Roezl). The culture methods compared were a recipient for automated temporary immersion (RITA^®), a temporary immersion bioreactor (TIB), a SETIS™ bioreactor, and a semisolid medium control. After eight weeks of in vitro culture, the hyperhydricity of the explants, development variables, photosynthetic pigment content, stomatal density, and survival percentage during acclimatization were evaluated. The results showed that TISs significantly reduced explant hyperhydricity and increased the multiplication rate, number of shoots and leaves, number of roots per shoot, root length, carotenoid content, stomatal density, and percentage of closed stomata during in vitro shoot proliferation. Furthermore, TISs resulted in a higher number of leaves and roots and improved the survival percentage during acclimatization compared to the semisolid medium. Explants cultured in the SETIS™ bioreactor showed the highest photosynthetic pigment content. In conclusion, the evaluated TISs enhanced the physiological development of the explants, favoring the multiplication rate and survival percentage during the acclimatization of A. marmorata. Full article

Screening for stomatal opening enhancers and their application via foliar spraying represents a feasible strategy to increase CO₂ assimilation flux by augmenting stomatal aperture, thereby enhancing photosynthesis and promoting plant growth. However, the lack of relevant research on forage crops has significantly limited the implementation of this strategy in forage production. In this study, using vetch (Vicia sativa) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) as experimental materials, we first established a stable observation system tailored for evaluating stomatal opening regulation in forages: incubating abaxial epidermal peels in a solution containing 0.5% KCl (pH 6.0) under light conditions for 4 h resulted in stably opened stomata. Utilizing this system, we systematically screened the regulatory effects of 14 stomatal opening modulators, including signaling molecules, phytohormones, and amino acids. The results indicated that stomatal opening in both vetch and alfalfa exhibited pronounced concentration-dependent and species-specific responses to the modulators. Supplementation with appropriate concentrations of EGTA, GA₃, MT, His, and Pro significantly promoted stomatal opening in vetch, with increases ranging from 21% to 35%. In contrast, appropriate concentrations of Ca²⁺, H₂O₂, MJ, His, Glu, Met, Arg, and Ala effectively enhanced stomatal opening in alfalfa, with increases of 8% to 34%. To further validate the reliability of the screening system, we selected Met, which showed no regulatory effect on vetch stomata but enhanced opening in alfalfa, for foliar application validation. The results demonstrated that Met treatment had no significant effect on stomatal aperture in vetch but significantly increased it in alfalfa, consistent with the initial screening results. This consistency further confirmed the reliability of our established screening system for identifying stomatal opening enhancers in forages. Correspondingly, foliar Met application did not affect vetch growth but significantly promoted alfalfa growth, increasing biomass by 18%. In conclusion, this study established a stable screening system for stomatal opening enhancers specifically for vetch and alfalfa and successfully identified several species-specific enhancers using this system. Foliar application of these species-specific enhancers effectively increased stomatal aperture and promoted growth in target forage species, demonstrating promising potential for enhancing forage yield. Full article

Winter rapeseed (Brassica rapa L.) is an important crop for vegetable oil production in China. However, its productivity is frequently threatened by severe cold waves during winter. To investigate the role of the microtubule cytoskeleton in cold adaptation of winter rapeseed, a microtubule stabilizer paclitaxel (Tax) and a microtubule depolymerizer colchicine (Col) were sprayed on winter rapeseed and transgenic proBrAFP1 Arabidopsis, respectively. The mRNA levels of cold-induced genes, along with cell membrane stability, antioxidant enzyme activities, and hormone levels were assessed under cold stresses of 4 °C and −4 °C. The results showed that low temperature significantly activated the proBrAFP1 promoter activity and increased the mRNA levels of core cold signaling pathway genes, such as C-REPEAT BINDING FACTORS (CBFs), Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channel (CNGC), OPEN STOMATA 1 (OST1) and Inducer of CBF EXPRESSION 1 (ICE1). Notably, under low-temperature stress, exogenous application of the microtubule stabilizer Tax markedly suppressed proBrAFP1-driven reporter activity in transgenic Arabidopsis, with consistent inhibition observed across both stem and leaf tissues; meanwhile, the Tax application alleviated reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitigated membrane damage. In contrast, under the same low-temperature stress, the Col treatment exacerbated oxidative stress, enhanced lipid peroxidation, and elevated membrane damage. Collectively, these findings establish that microtubule regulators play indispensable roles in the cold stress response of winter rapeseed. It provides new insights into the mechanism by which plant microtubule cytoskeleton regulators mediate the cold response. Full article

The increased demand for food worldwide has led to the widespread use of synthetic chemical fertilizers. Since the Green Revolution, the use of such chemical fertilizers has been in high demand as a nutrient input in agriculture. The increased application of fertilizer to upsurge crop yields is not suitable for the long term and leads to nutrient loss, as well as severe environmental and ecological consequences. In contrast to conventional fertilizers, nano fertilizers, which are designed at the 1–100 nm size, provide focused nutrient delivery, decreased leaching, and improved plant absorption. They accomplish this by greatly increasing crop yields, enhancing fertilizer usage efficiency, and facilitating sustainable farming in the face of obstacles, including resource scarcity, climate change, and a projected population size of 10 billion by 2050. In comparison to typical NPK fertilizers at equal nutrient rates, nano fertilizers enhanced crop yields by an average of 20–23% across cereals, legumes, and horticulture crops according to studies conducted between 2015 and 2024. In particular, using nano urea with rice increased grain yields by 28.6% with 44% less nitrogen input, and applying nano zinc to wheat increased yields by 31.2% and improved the grain’s Zn content by 41%. Through targeted foliar or soil application, nano fertilizers frequently increase nutrient use efficiency (NUE) by more than 50% as opposed to 30–50% for conventional fertilizers. Nano fertilizer is prepared based on the encapsulation of plant essential minerals and nutrients with a suitable polymer matrix as a carrier and then delivered as nano-sized particles or emulsions to the plants. Natural plant openings like stomata and lenticels in plant parts facilitate the uptake and diffusion, leading to higher NUE. This review provides an overview of current knowledge on the development of advanced nano-based and smart agriculture using nano fertilizer to improve nutritional management. Furthermore, nanoscale fertilizers and their formulation, nano-based approaches to increase crop production, the different types of fertilizers that are currently available, and the mechanism of action of the nano fertilizers are discussed. Thus, it is expected that a properly designed nano fertilizer could synchronize the release of nutrients in crop plants as and when needed. Full article

Impatiens hawkeri W. Bull (I. hawkeri) is popular among consumers due to its diverse flower colors and year-round blooming. However, changes in ecological conditions, cultivation methods, and planting scale have led to increased disease incidence and diversity, particularly the widespread and destructive leaf spot disease. Currently, studies addressing the pathogen species and its biological characteristics remain limited. In this study, a highly pathogenic strain (IH-4) was selected from previously isolated fungi associated with leaf spot in I. hawkeri. Its taxonomic status was confirmed using upright fluorescence microscope analysis, internal transcribed spacer (ITS)/large subunit (LSU)/RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2)/β-tubulin (tub2) rRNA gene sequencing, and phylogenetic tree construction. Additionally, the biological characteristics of the pathogen and its sensitivity to 8 chemical fungicides were assessed. Strain IH-4 was identified as Ectophoma multirostrata (E. multirostrata) through combined morphological and molecular approaches. Optimal growth conditions included a temperature of 25 °C, a pH of 7, Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium, fructose as the optimal carbon source, and urea as the optimal nitrogen source, with the fastest growth observed under a semi-light photoperiod (12 h light/12 h dark). Fungicide sensitivity assays indicated that 25% azoxystrobin exhibited the lowest half-maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀, 0.0724 μg/mL) and the steepest virulence regression slope (1.7), demonstrating the strongest inhibitory activity and highest sensitivity. Microscopic observations revealed that IH-4 hyphae penetrate I. hawkeri leaf tissues via stomata, colonize internally, and consequently cause host damage. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the timely and effective management of leaf spot disease in I. hawkeri. Full article

Terminalia arjuna (Arjun) is a tropical deciduous tree species significantly valued for its pharmaceutical properties for various heart diseases, as well as its economic role in the sericulture industry. However, the growth performance and physiological responses of T. arjuna under water stress conditions remain largely unexplored, particularly in the context of increasing climate variability and the growing challenges posed by climate change. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the morpho-physio-biochemical alterations, nutrient uptake changes, and adaptive strategies under different degrees of water stress with respect to field capacity ($F_{wc}$), maintained at 100% $F_{wc}$ (control), 75% $F_{wc}$ (mild), 50% $F_{wc}$ (moderate), and 25% $F_{wc}$ (severe). Key growth parameters, including shoot and root length, leaf traits and shoot dry biomass, were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced under the given water stresses. Root dry biomass showed a distinct response, increasing under mild to moderate water stress but failing to sustain its levels under severe stress. Increasing drought severity resulted in a substantial reduction in stomatal density (15–37%), while stomatal size increased (18–49%) under mild to moderate stress but decreased under severe stress. These responses were associated with significant reductions in gas exchange traits (45–75%), whereas water use efficiency increased by 59–99%, reflecting a survival-focused adaptive mechanism. Moderate water stress triggered the stress responses in T. arjuna through high proline accumulation and increased oxidative stress markers. The most critical impact was found under the severe stress with a substantial reduction in leaf relative water content and membrane stability index (MSI), although MSI was sustained above the critical threshold, reflecting cellular protection. Increased stress intensity also altered mineral uptake, decreased major nutrients, and increased potassium and calcium content, indicating an adaptive strategy. These findings suggest a threshold effect, where T. arjuna tolerates mild stress well and activates adaptive morpho-physiological mechanisms under moderate stress but shifts to survival-focused strategies under severe stress. The demonstrated tolerance of Terminalia arjuna to mild–moderate drought suggests that climate-resilient forestry policies and conservation programs should prioritize its cultivation and restoration in drought-prone landscapes while ensuring adequate water management to prevent severe stress and sustain its medicinal and economic benefits. Full article

Pseudostellaria heterophylla, an important traditional medicinal plant in China, has suffered increasing yield and quality loss due to leaf spot disease in recent years. In this study, the causal agent was conclusively identified as Sclerotiophoma versabilis through detailed morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS), the 28S large subunit of the nrDNA (LSU), RNA polymerase II (rpb2), and ß-tubulin (tub2) sequences. Pathogenicity tests fulfilled Koch’s postulates, thereby resolving previous taxonomic inconsistencies regarding this disease. The effects of environmental and nutritional factors on mycelial growth, conidial germination, and infection were systematically evaluated. Optimal mycelial growth occurred at 20–25 °C, pH 6–8, under continuous light. Optimal mycelial growth occurred at 20–25 °C, pH 6–8, under continuous light, while conidial germination was maximized at 20–25 °C and pH 6–7 under continuous light. Starch and glycine were identified as the most favorable carbon and nitrogen sources for the fungal mycelial growth, respectively. Infection assays indicated an incubation period of approximately 3 d and maximal disease development at moderate temperatures under low-light conditions, with 6 d-old cultures exhibiting the greatest infectivity. Microscopic observations revealed that S. versabilis penetrated host tissues directly or via stomata without forming specialized infection structures. These findings integrate taxonomic resolution with ecological and infection biology analyses, providing mechanistic insight into the environmental drivers of leaf spot epidemics and a scientific basis for disease-risk assessment and management in P. heterophylla production systems. Full article

Drought stress severely constrains plant growth and productivity. To mitigate water loss, plants primarily regulate stomatal aperture through the Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, where the Sucrose Nonfermenting 1-Related Protein Kinase 2 (SnRK2) family kinase Open Stomata 1 (OST1) acts as a central positive regulator. However, the upstream regulators that fine-tune OST1 activity remain incompletely characterized. Aliphatic Suberin Feruloyl Transferase (ASFT), a BAHD acyltransferase essential for suberin aromatic monomer biosynthesis, was previously uncharacterized regarding its function in leaves. Here, we report that ASFT negatively regulates drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana by directly interacting with OST1 and inhibiting its autophosphorylation, thereby restricting stomatal aperture. Consistent with this, the asft mutant exhibited decreased water loss and enhanced survival under drought, whereas ASFT-overexpressing lines showed opposite phenotypes. BiFC, Co-IP and in vitro kinase assays confirmed that ASFT directly interacts with OST1 and suppresses its autophosphorylation, while dehydration-induced OST1 phosphorylation was elevated in the asft mutant. Genetic evidence confirmed that ASFT functions upstream of OST1. This study reveals a moonlighting role for this suberin biosynthetic enzyme in ABA signaling and provides a potential target for breeding drought-resistant crops. Full article

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a staple crop that is highly susceptible to heat stress (HS), which severely impairs growth and yield. In this study, we identified the rice Ovate Family Protein OsOFP3 as a novel negative regulator in response to heat. Our results demonstrate that the expression of OsOFP3 is suppressed at both the transcriptional and protein levels under HS. Overexpression of OsOFP3 significantly reduces the survival rate of rice seedlings under HS and exacerbates chlorophyll degradation, membrane damage, and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (H₂O₂ and O₂⁻). In contrast, OsOFP3 mutants exhibit enhanced heat tolerance. Moreover, OsOFP3-overexpressing plants display increased stomatal opening and decreased stomatal closure under HS. Molecular interaction analysis further reveals that OsOFP3 interacts with the C-terminal domain of OsHTAS, a known positive regulator of heat tolerance encoding an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and this interaction depends on the RING domain of OsHTAS. Taken together, our findings indicate that OsOFP3 negatively regulates rice heat tolerance by disrupting ROS homeostasis, inhibiting stomatal closure, and potentially antagonizing the OsHTAS-mediated signaling pathway. This research provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying HS tolerance in rice. Full article

Historically, certain physiological behaviours were typically attributed to genetic factors. However, some grape varieties exhibit different responses depending on crop management and environmental conditions. The present study examines whether the physiological responses of grapevines traditionally attributed to genotypic traits (near-isohydric or near-anisohydric behaviour) can instead be substantially modified by canopy architecture. The objective was to determine how canopy management influences water relations (leaf water potential—Ψ_L), physiological plant responses (water use efficiency (WUE), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration (E) and photosynthetic (A) rates), and radiation interception efficiency (εi), particularly under warm Mediterranean conditions. To test this, two training systems were evaluated in a Syrah vineyard: a vertical shoot position (VSP1) and a sprawl (S1) system with 12 shoots·m⁻¹, under the same irrigation regime. The results showed that under stressed conditions (high vapor pressure deficit [VPD] and relatively lower Ψ_L, from −1.4 to −0.6 MPa), the S1 system—despite a similar leaf area index, LAI—exhibited lower gs values than those of the VSP1 system (10–30%), with plants closing their stomata to reduce water consumption and prevent their dehydration caused by steep E rates. Meanwhile, the VSP vines exhibited higher gs values (isohydric-like response), indicating higher E rates, which reduced their WUE and intrinsic water-use efficiency (IE). This strategy (similar to the anisohydric one) allowed the S1 treatment to obtain higher WUE and interception radiation efficiency (εi) ratios, even at low Ψ_L (more efficient), produced by the higher canopy demand (more exposed surface area [SA]). These contrasting behaviours indicate that sprawl systems can enhance radiation interception and WUE compared with vertical systems under semiarid Mediterranean conditions. Full article

Bio-inspired engineering draws on principles refined by natural evolution to tackle persistent challenges in fluid mechanics, structural dynamics, and thermal transport. This article presents a critical, mechanism-driven narrative review that integrates recent advances across three complementary domains that are often treated independently, namely: flow-control strategies such as leading-edge tubercles, alula-like devices, riblets, superhydrophobic skins, and hybrid low-Reynolds-number fliers; fluid-structure interactions inspired by aquatic and aerial organisms that leverage compliant foils, flexible filaments, ciliary arrays, and piezoelectric fluttering plates for propulsion, wake regulation, mixing, and energy harvesting; and phase-change heat-transfer surfaces modeled after stomata, porous biological networks, and textured cuticles that enhance nucleation control, liquid replenishment, and droplet or bubble removal. Rather than providing an exhaustive catalog of biological analogues, this review emphasizes the underlying physical mechanisms that link these domains and enable multifunctional performance. These developments reveal shared physical principles, including multiscale geometry, capillary- and vortex-mediated transport, and compliance-enabled flow tuning, which motivate the integrated treatment of aerodynamic, hydrodynamic, and thermal systems in applications spanning aerospace, energy conversion, and microscale thermal management. The review assesses persistent challenges associated with scaling biological architectures, ensuring long-term durability, and modeling tightly coupled fluid-thermal-structural interactions. By synthesizing insights across flow control, fluid-structure interaction, and phase-change heat transfer, this review provides a unifying conceptual framework that distinguishes it from prior domain-specific reviews. Emerging opportunities in hybrid multi-mechanism designs, data-driven optimization, multiscale modeling, and advanced fabrication are identified as promising pathways to accelerate the translation of biological strategies into robust, multifunctional thermal–fluid systems. Full article

Drought stress significantly limits crop yield by disturbing plant water status and redox homeostasis, leading to oxidative stress and growth suppression. Anthocyanins, with their strong antioxidant properties, are closely linked to abiotic stress adaptation. The R2R3-MYB transcription factor SlANT1 promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis in tomato, yet its role in drought resistance remains poorly understood. This study explored the function of SlANT1 in tomato under drought conditions. SlANT1 expression was upregulated under both drought and high salinity. The overexpression of SlANT1 resulted in higher anthocyanin accumulation and reduced leaf and stem dimensions. Under drought, SlANT1-overexpression (SlANT1-OE) plants maintained a greater leaf relative water content, showed less negative water potential, wilted less, and recovered faster after rewatering. These plants also accumulated lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). While antioxidant enzyme activities were generally reduced, anthocyanin-dependent ROS scavenging was significantly enhanced. SlANT1 overexpression also modulated carbohydrate metabolism and aquaporin gene expression, elevating sucrose, fructose, glucose, and soluble protein while decreasing starch, thereby supporting osmotic adjustment. Notably, while stomata remained partially open in SlANT1-OE plants during drought, they exhibited reduced stomatal density, which likely compensated for the wider apertures and helped maintain favorable water status, while still sustaining higher photosynthetic rates and photosystem II integrity. These findings demonstrate that SlANT1 enhances drought tolerance through coordinated mechanisms involving anthocyanin-mediated antioxidant protection, improved water relations, and the reprogramming of carbohydrate and aquaporin pathways. SlANT1 thus represents a promising target for breeding drought-resilient, high-anthocyanin tomato varieties. Full article