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Verticillium dahliae is a devastating soil-borne fungal pathogen that causes severe yield losses in melon (Cucumis melo L.) and other crops. Identifying novel resistance genes is crucial for sustainable disease management. In this study, we characterized the function of CmVQ23, a candidate gene previously identified through QTL mapping, in mediating defense against V. dahliae using heterologous expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. Subcellular localization assays revealed that the CmVQ23-eGFP fusion protein predominantly localized to the nucleus, consistent with its predicted role as a co-factor of transcription factor. Upon V. dahliae inoculation, CmVQ23-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines exhibited significantly reduced disease indices and restricted fungal proliferation compared with wild-type and mutant plants, although these lines displayed altered vegetative growth, including delayed bolting and reduced plant height. Mechanistically, CmVQ23 overexpression promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and hypersensitive response (HR)-mediated cell death at infection sites, as evidenced by intensified DAB and trypan blue staining. Furthermore, transgenic lines maintained higher photosynthetic efficiency, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, and increased lignin deposition via upregulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Notably, CmVQ23 overexpression markedly upregulated both salicylic acid (SA)- and jasmonic acid/ethylene (JA/ET)-responsive marker genes, including AtPR1, AtPR2, AtPR5, AtPAD4, AtPDF1.2, and AtVSP2 upon infection. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that CmVQ23 functions as a positive regulator of resistance to Verticillium dahliae by orchestrating ROS/HR-mediated cell death, antioxidant defense, phenylpropanoid pathway activation, and phytohormone signaling crosstalk, offering a promising genetic resource for improving Verticillium wilt resistance in crops. Full article

Climatic changes are heavily affecting the sustainability of vegetable crops crucial for food supply worldwide, mainly in subtropical countries. One of the main threats to food security is the spread of diseases caused by plant viruses, favored by irregular rains and extreme temperatures, which reduce crop yield and quality. During a preliminary field survey carried out in two provinces of Angola in 2024, a few symptomatic plants of tomato, habanero pepper, common bean and a wild weed were sampled. These plants generally showed dwarfing, yellowing and leaf curl and were submitted to high-throughput sequencing to detect any viral agent. The evidence of mixed infections of several polyphagous viruses with RNA or DNA genomes, variously affecting the selected plants, was assessed from the sequence analysis and further confirmed for most samples by molecular tests, like (RT)-PCR or qPCR. Emerging polero-, begomo and tobamoviruses were denoted as infecting these plants. A novel, previously unknown carlavirus was also described in a wild weed. Most of those viruses are efficiently mechanically transmitted or airborne vehiculated by insect vectors. Although based on a limited number of samples, this study provides a first insight into the diversity of viruses infecting vegetable crops in Angola. It also highlights the pressing need for a broader monitoring to better understand virus distribution and epidemiology, and suggests the use of virus-free seeds to reduce the potential risk to crop production. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max) is a key crop in China grown as a source of edible oil and plant-derived protein, and its production is closely linked to national food security. Insufficient nitrogen availability remains a key constraint on soybean yield. In legumes, symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) enables the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and improving soil quality. Nitrogenase activity is a central determinant of SNF efficiency; however, its regulatory mechanisms in soybean nodules are not yet fully understood. In this study, transcriptomic data from two soybean accessions with contrasting SNF performance (Suinong 14 and ZYD00006) were analyzed, leading to the identification of Glyma.04G013500 as a member of the GmRD22 gene family. This study verified that this gene is potentially associated with nitrogenase activity. Functional characterization revealed that this gene acts as a negative regulator of nodulation by influencing the expression of genes associated with nodule development. Haplotype analysis further uncovered a pattern consistent with domestication, as the elite haplotype (HapI) with enhanced nitrogen fixation capacity, exhibited a progressive increase in frequency from wild soybean populations to landraces and modern cultivars. These findings suggest that GmRD22 has undergone directional selection during soybean domestication and improvement. Overall, these results offer new insights into the genetic control of SNF and establish promising targets for breeding soybean varieties with improved nitrogen fixation efficiency. Full article

Actaea racemosa L. (syn. Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt., black cohosh) rhizomes contain triterpene glycosides (TTGs) that serve as principal quality markers in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) monograph. However, discrepancies between chromatographic profiles of the plant material and the herbal reference standard (HRS) dry extract complicate quality assessment. This study elucidated the chemical origin of these discrepancies and evaluated whether the extract-based HRS can represent the analytical fingerprint of the plant material. Thirteen TTGs were identified and characterized within the official Ph. Eur. HPLC–ELSD method using centrifugal partition chromatography, semi-preparative UPLC, HRMS, GC–MS and NMR spectroscopy, employing reference standards and isolated compounds. Three malonylated TTGs (8a, 9a, 10a) were detected in wild and cultivated rhizomes but were absent from the A. racemosa dry extract HRS and other dry extracts. Quantitative analysis revealed that cultivated plants contained an insufficient amount of TTGs; however, after extraction, both the amount and the profile aligned with the Ph. Eur. requirements. This behavior is explained by the degradation and rearrangement pathways of the TTGs. Overall, these findings clarify the origin of chemical variability between plant and extract fingerprints and support the inclusion of malonylated TTGs in the quantitative determination of A. racemosa triterpene glycosides in the Ph. Eur. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins are major intracellular immune receptors involved in effector-triggered immunity. However, the evolutionary diversity and genomic organization of NLR repertoires remain incompletely characterized in Solanaceae crops and their wild relatives. This study aimed to investigate the pan-NLRome landscape and evolutionary patterns of tomato and related species. Methods: A comparative pan-NLRome analysis was performed across five angiosperms, including cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and four related species (Solanum chilense, Solanum lycopersicoides, Solanum pimpinellifolium, and Arabidopsis thaliana). NLR genes were identified using an integrated HMMER- and BLASTp-based pipeline, followed by chromosome anchoring, orthogroup (OG) classification, phylogenetic analysis, spatial organization analysis, and evaluation of associations with long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons. Results: A total of 1566 chromosome-anchored NLR genes were assigned to 150 OGs. Core OGs represented 25.3% of total OG diversity but contained a large proportion of NLR genes. Rarefaction analysis indicated continuous accumulation of novel OGs with increasing species sampling, supporting an open pan-NLRome structure. Phylogenetic analysis identified 18 NLR subfamilies, with SF_03 and SF_01 together accounting for approximately 79% of NLR genes. Dispersed homologs represented the predominant spatial arrangement pattern, accounting for 85.1% of NLR gene pairs across Solanaceae species. Conclusions: This study provides a comparative genomic framework for understanding NLR diversity and evolution in tomato and related Solanum species, highlighting the dynamic expansion and spatial organization of plant immune receptor repertoires and providing valuable resources for resistance gene discovery. Full article

Drought stress is a major abiotic factor that adversely affects plant growth, development, and crop productivity. Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are key enzymes in the jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthetic pathway and play crucial roles in plant responses to environmental stresses. In this study, the ZmLOX2 gene was cloned from maize (Zea mays L.), and was found to encode a chloroplast-localized 13-lipoxygenase (13-LOX) protein. Expression analysis revealed that ZmLOX2 was predominantly expressed in leaves and was strongly induced under osmotic stress conditions. Compared with wild-type plants, transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing ZmLOX2 exhibited significantly higher survival rates, enhanced growth performance, and improved root development under water deficit conditions. Physiological and biochemical analyses showed that the overexpression lines displayed higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), accompanied by significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Further investigation demonstrated that the expression levels of JA biosynthesis- and signaling-related genes, including ALLENE OXIDE SYNTHASE (AtAOS), 12-OXOPHYTODIENOATE REDUCTASE 3 (AtOPR3), MYC DOMAIN PROTEIN 2 (AtMYC2), and JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN 1 (AtJAZ1), were markedly upregulated in the transgenic lines. Protein–protein interaction analysis suggested that ZmLOX2 may interact with ALLENE OXIDE SYNTHASE 1 (AOS1), HYDROPEROXIDE LYASE 1 (HPL1), and ALPHA-DIOXYGENASE 1 (DOX1). Collectively, these results suggest that ZmLOX2 may contribute to plant adaptation to water limitation by regulating responses associated with JA, enhancing antioxidant defense, and maintaining ROS homeostasis. Full article

Wild edible plants play a crucial role in supporting rural livelihoods, yet knowledge about their use remains under documented, particularly among younger generations and across gender lines. This study examined the distribution of ethnobotanical knowledge of wild edible plants across age and gender groups in four municipalities of the Vhembe District, South Africa. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with 160 participants, primarily in the Venda region. Gendered patterns emerged, where women were more familiar with wild vegetables, while men demonstrated greater knowledge of wild fruits. Promisingly, some female youth demonstrated greater knowledge than older women and male participants. Voucher specimens of the cited plants were verified at the University of Venda Herbarium, and data were analysed using qualitative methods and generalised linear models. Results of this study suggest the need to document and conserve Indigenous knowledge, promote intergenerational knowledge transfer, and empower women and youth in traditional food systems to enhance food security and cultural heritage. The study further provides a foundation for future research on knowledge transmission pathways and supports the development of targeted, community-based conservation and educational initiatives to enhance food security and cultural heritage. Full article

Lavandula stoechas (Lamiaceae) is a highly valued medicinal plant due to its rich content of bioactive secondary metabolites, particularly rosmarinic acid. This study aimed to develop an efficient in vitro propagation protocol from seeds and to evaluate the influence of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) on morphogenesis and phenolic compound production while comparing the antioxidant and antifungal activities of methanolic extracts from in vitro cultured and wild-growing plants. Seeds were germinated on half-strength MS medium under different sucrose concentrations and temperatures. Nodal explants from seedlings were cultured on full-strength MS medium supplemented with 0, 1, 2, or 3 µM BAP. Methanolic extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content, rosmarinic acid concentration (HPLC), antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS assays), and antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi. Rapid germination occurred on day 3 on half-strength MS medium with 1% sucrose at 20 °C. The highest biomass production was achieved with 3 µM BAP. In vitro cultured plants accumulated fivefold-higher total phenolic content (217.73 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW) than wild plants (43.23 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW), with significantly higher rosmarinic acid levels. Antioxidant activity was markedly stronger in extracts from plants grown with 1–2 µM BAP, whereas antifungal activity remained limited. These results demonstrate that in vitro propagation with optimized BAP concentrations is an effective strategy for enhancing bioactive metabolite production and supporting the conservation of Tunisian L. stoechas. Full article

The Ilha Grande National Park region (Brazil) holds one of the most diverse traditional knowledge repositories among Atlantic Forest conservation areas. This study describes the current composition of the medicinal plant knowledge, its taxonomic breadth, and its relevance for conservation. In 2026, this inventory documented 47 species from 33 botanical families cited across a sample of 4 remaining traditional healers. About 27.7% of these specimens are wild/native to nature and 72.3% are cultivated, reflecting both historic management and the residents’ long tradition in household plant acclimatization. The collection includes 25 species of herbs and 11 species of trees, as well as 9 shrubs and 2 climbers. Quantitative analysis at the category level revealed that gastrointestinal disorders had the highest consensus index (ICF = 0.375) after interviews, taxonomic revision, data grouping, and standardizing nomenclature based on the British National Formulary. The results reveal a severe risk of information erosion and a limited representation of younger generations among practitioners, underscoring the need for targeted safeguarding. Strengthening national partnerships, developing cooperative cultivation networks, and improving scientific validation records are proposed as key strategies to enhance the biocultural preservation value of this traditional heritage. Overall, the Ilha Grande healer knowledge serves as an important scientific, educational, and pharmacological resource and plays a central role in advancing the preservation of Brazil’s medicinal plant diversity. Full article

The demand for sustainable nutrients and bioactive compounds has increased interest in underutilized wild plants. Forestiera tomentosa, a Mexican drupe-bearing species, is largely unexplored. This study evaluated the proximate composition, physicochemical and functional properties, phenolic profile, antioxidant capacity, and toxicological safety of F. tomentosa fruit. The fruit showed high carbohydrate content [71.94% dry weight (DW)], with notable crude fiber (7.90% DW), protein (7.39% DW), and lipid (4.30% DW) contents. Analysis revealed a mildly acidic pH (5.66), titratable acidity of 0.32%, and total soluble solids of 2.33 °Brix. The fruit powder had a low water activity (0.42) and a favorable water solubility index (56.10%), oil absorption (4.54%), and foaming capacity (19.71%). The fruit contained high levels of soluble phenols (280.42 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoids (98.89 mg CE/g DW), anthocyanins (54.53 mg C3G/g DW), and condensed tannins (94.05 mg CE/g DW). High-performance liquid chromatography identified 20 phenolic compounds, with 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid, syringic acid, catechin, epicatechin, and gallocatechin being predominant. The fruit showed significant radical scavenging and reducing potential (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP). Toxicological evaluation using the Artemia salina bioassay showed a 100% survival rate across all concentrations, indicating no acute toxicity. In silico ADMET predictions revealed favorable pharmacokinetic properties, including high intestinal absorption and compliance with Lipinski’s rule of five. These findings position F. tomentosa as a promising, non-toxic source of functional ingredients for the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries, supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource utilization. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential health benefits of this fruit in vitro and in vivo. Full article

Salinity poses a major threat to sustainable agriculture and coastal ecosystems, resulting in a substantial loss of plant productivity and biodiversity. Although some coastal grass species exhibit natural adaptation to saline conditions, the physiological mechanisms underlying salt tolerance remain incompletely understood, particularly regarding the contribution of plant-associated microorganisms. In a previous study, a commercial cultivar of red fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. rubra cv. Rafael) was shown to be salt sensitive when grown hydroponically, whereas wild populations of F. rubra commonly occur in coastal salt marshes (possibly ssp. litoralis). We hypothesized that this difference in salt tolerance is partly associated with beneficial fungal plant interactions. To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether inoculation with a fungal isolate designated Fusarium sp. 1 and isolated from F. rubra growing on a salt marsh along the Dutch Wadden Sea coast could improve the salinity tolerance of the commercial cultivar. The results showed that inoculation with Fusarium sp. 1 alleviated the salt-induced growth inhibition. At 100 mM NaCl, shoot and root biomass were partially restored relative to non-inoculated controls, accompanied by a significant increase in the shoot-to-root ratio. To investigate the physiological basis of this response, we applied the Microelectrode Ion Flux Estimation (MIFE) technique to quantify Na⁺ -induced K⁺ efflux in roots. Inoculated plants exhibited improved K⁺ homeostasis, characterized by a reduced instantaneous Na⁺-induced K⁺ efflux and a faster recovery of root fluxes. Moreover, inoculated plants grown at 50 and 100 mM NaCl displayed 333% and 397% greater net K⁺ influx, respectively, compared with non-inoculated controls. Our results indicated that inoculation with Fusarium sp. 1 improves the salinity tolerance of F. rubra, likely through enhanced root K⁺ retention. These findings suggest that commercial F. rubra cultivars remain responsive to beneficial microbial associations and highlight the potential of exploring plant–microbe interactions from naturally salt-adapted environments to improve salinity resilience in grasses and potentially other crops. Full article

During the last 50 years, average wild animal populations have decreased by 73%. The present article is part of a scientific project aimed at tracking wild animal habitats in the Bulgarian mountains. Based on the PlantNet base model, a model based on the YOLOv8n architecture has been created through transfer learning on local data to recognize animal species specific to Bulgarian geographical latitudes. In this paper, a system for assessing population dynamics and animal movement through the analysis of time series of images is proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is illustrated using a database of images from Ukraine, as it provides a sufficient number of images needed to train and test the model, thereby monitoring changes in the behavior of wild animals over time. This will enable the detection of migration patterns, preferred habitats, and potential threats to these populations. Full article

Frequent outbreaks of root rot in Psammosilene tunicoides W. C. Wu & C. Y. Wu severely compromise the quality of its medicinal materials and hinder its large-scale cultivation. Interestingly, wild P. tunicoides growing under pine trees rarely experience this disease. To explore the potential basis of root rot suppression, we evaluated the direct antifungal activity of pine-derived volatile oils and the associated changes in the rhizosphere microbiome. GC-MS showed that pine turpentine was dominated by α-pinene (45.50%) and longifolene (28.20%). In vitro assays confirmed its highly efficient inhibition (81.65–94.71%) against major root rot pathogens in P. tunicoides. Beyond direct antifungal effects, metagenomic analysis indicated that volatile oil (SYR) treatment was associated with shifts in the rhizosphere microbiome, including increased relative abundances of potentially beneficial taxa, such as Paenibacillus, Trichoderma, and Geosiphon. Pine volatiles might be associated with shifts in the rhizosphere microbial community of P. tunicoides, potentially involving plant-mediated changes in root exudation and the enrichment of certain beneficial microbes. However, it remains to be further elucidated regarding the specific mechanisms underlying these community changes. Functional prediction of the microbial community suggested a predominance of metabolic pathways, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and flagellar assembly in the SYR group. Conclusively, pine volatiles may contribute to root rot suppression through two potential processes: direct pathogen inhibition and beneficial microbiome enrichment. This study provides a theoretical basis for establishing sustainable agroforestry co-planting systems for P. tunicoides. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.) productivity is severely constrained by drought stress. Although the maize SET domain-containing gene family has previously been investigated, the earlier analysis was based on the incomplete B73 RefGen_v2 genome assembly, and the drought-responsive functions of individual ZmSET members remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, 47 ZmSET genes were identified using the updated B73 RefGen_v5 genome and systematically analyzed for their physicochemical properties, chromosomal distribution, gene structures, conserved motifs, and promoter cis-acting elements. The ZmSET family exhibited substantial evolutionary conservation, while its promoters contained numerous stress- and hormone-responsive elements. Transcriptome analysis identified ZmSET9 as a drought-responsive gene, and RT-qPCR showed that it maintained relatively high expression throughout drought treatment. Heterologous overexpression of ZmSET9 in Arabidopsis thaliana enhanced drought tolerance and supported plant growth under drought stress. Compared with wild type plants, the transgenic lines exhibited higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) activities and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, indicating enhanced antioxidant capacity and reduced membrane lipid peroxidation. Under PEG induced osmotic stress, AtCAT1 and AtMYC2 were more strongly induced in the transgenic lines. Protein–protein interaction prediction and yeast two-hybrid assays further demonstrated that ZmSET9 physically interacts with FERTILIZATION-INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM 1 (FIE1), a core component of Polycomb repressive complex 2. These findings update the genomic characterization of the maize SET family and suggest that ZmSET9 contributes to drought tolerance by enhancing antioxidant defense and regulating stress-responsive gene expression. Full article