Journal Description
Plants
Plants
is an international, scientific, peer-reviewed, open access journal on plant science published semimonthly online by MDPI. The Australian Society of Plant Scientists (ASPS), the Spanish Phytopathological Society (SEF), the Spanish Society of Plant Physiology (SEFV), the Spanish Society of Horticultural Sciences (SECH) and the Italian Society of Phytotherapy (S.I.Fit.) are affiliated with Plants and their members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed, PMC, PubAg, AGRIS, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Plant Sciences) / CiteScore - Q1 (Plant Science)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 15.3 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
4.5 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
4.8 (2022)
Latest Articles
Ethnomedicinal Plants and Herbal Preparations Used by Rural Communities in Tehsil Hajira (Poonch District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan)
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1379; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101379 (registering DOI) - 15 May 2024
Abstract
The present study emphasizes the importance of documenting ethnomedicinal plants and herbal practices of the local rural communities of Tehsil Hajira (Pakistan). The aim was to document, explore and quantify the traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed
[...] Read more.
The present study emphasizes the importance of documenting ethnomedicinal plants and herbal practices of the local rural communities of Tehsil Hajira (Pakistan). The aim was to document, explore and quantify the traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge. Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using various quantitative indices. The results showed that 144 medicinal plant species from 70 families and 128 genera play an important role in herbal preparations. The most common type of preparation was powder (19.0%), followed by paste (16.7%), aqueous extract (15.7%), decoction (14.7%) and juice (11.0%). Fragaria nubicola (0.94) and Viola canescens (0.93) had the highest relative frequency of mention (RFC), while Berberis lycium (1.22) and Fragaria nubicola (1.18) had the highest use value (UV). Geranium wallichianum (85.5), Ligustrum lucidum (83) and Indigofera heterantha (71.5) were the most important species in the study area with the highest relative importance (RI) value. The diseases treated were categorized into 17 classes, with diseases of the digestive system and liver having the highest Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) value, followed by diseases of the oropharynx and musculoskeletal system. Important plants mentioned for the treatment of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are Zanthoxylum alatum, Berberis lycium, Mentha longifolia, Punica granatum, Rubus ellipticus and Viola canescens. New applications of rarely documented plants from this area are: Oxalis corniculata paste of the whole plant to treat vitiligo, Carthamus tinctorius flowers to treat chicken pox, Dioscorea deltoidea tuber powder to treat productive cough, Inula cappa root decoction to treat miscarriage, Habenaria digitata tuber juice for the treatment of fever, Viola canescens leaves and flowers for the treatment of sore throat and Achillea millefolium root and leaf juice for the treatment of pneumonia. These plants may contain interesting biochemical compounds and should be subjected to further pharmacological studies to develop new drugs. Traditional medicinal knowledge in the area under study is mainly limited to the elderly, traditional healers and midwives. Therefore, resource conservation strategies and future pharmacological studies are strongly recommended.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Ethnobotany and Ethnoecology)
Open AccessArticle
Aeration Alleviated the Adverse Effects of Nitrogen Topdressing Reduction on Tomato Root Vigor, Photosynthetic Performance, and Fruit Development
by
Jingang Li, Pingru He, Qiu Jin, Jing Chen, Dan Chen, Xiaoping Dai, Siyu Ding and Linlin Chu
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1378; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101378 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
To explore the compensation effect of aeration on tomato vegetative and reproductive growth in arid and semi-arid areas, a two-year field experiment was conducted with four micro-nano aeration ratios (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) and three nitrogen topdressing levels (80, 60, and 40
[...] Read more.
To explore the compensation effect of aeration on tomato vegetative and reproductive growth in arid and semi-arid areas, a two-year field experiment was conducted with four micro-nano aeration ratios (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) and three nitrogen topdressing levels (80, 60, and 40 kg·ha−1) during the tomato growth period in Ningxia, China. The results showed that increasing the aeration ratio in the range of 0–15% was conducive to the enhancement of tomato root vigor (the ability of triphenyltetrazolium chloride to be reduced, 3–104%) and the leaf net photosynthetic rate (14–63%), favorable to the facilitation of plant dry matter accumulation (3–59%) and plant nitrogen accumulation (2–70%), and beneficial to the improvement of tomato yield (12–44%) and fruit quality. Interestingly, since the aeration ratio exceeded 10%, the increase in the aeration ratio showed no significant effects on the single-fruit weight, tomato yield, and fruit quality. Moreover, with aerated underground drip irrigation, properly reducing the traditional nitrogen topdressing level (80 kg·ha−1) by 25% was favorable for enhancing tomato root vigor (5–31%), increasing tomato yield (0.5–9%), and improving fruit soluble solid accumulation (2–5%) and soluble sugar formation (4–9%). Importantly, increasing the aeration ratio by 5% could compensate for the adverse effects of reducing the nitrogen topdressing level by 25% by improving the leaf photosynthetic rate, promoting plant dry matter accumulation, increasing tomato yield, and enhancing the soluble solid and soluble sugar accumulation in tomato fruits. Synthetically considering the decrease in the nitrogen topdressing amount, leading to plant growth promotion, a tomato yield increase, and fruit quality improvement, a favorable nitrogen topdressing level of 60 kg·ha−1 and the corresponding proper aeration ratio of 10% were suggested for tomato underground drip irrigation in the Yinbei Irrigation District of Ningxia.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management and Efficient Utilization of Water and Fertilizer in Field Crops II)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Detection Model of Tea Disease Severity under Low Light Intensity Based on YOLOv8 and EnlightenGAN
by
Rong Ye, Guoqi Shao, Ziyi Yang, Yuchen Sun, Quan Gao and Tong Li
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1377; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101377 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
In response to the challenge of low recognition rates for similar phenotypic symptoms of tea diseases in low-light environments and the difficulty in detecting small lesions, a novel adaptive method for tea disease severity detection is proposed. This method integrates an image enhancement
[...] Read more.
In response to the challenge of low recognition rates for similar phenotypic symptoms of tea diseases in low-light environments and the difficulty in detecting small lesions, a novel adaptive method for tea disease severity detection is proposed. This method integrates an image enhancement algorithm based on an improved EnlightenGAN network and an enhanced version of YOLO v8. The approach involves first enhancing the EnlightenGAN network through non-paired training on low-light-intensity images of various tea diseases, guiding the generation of high-quality disease images. This step aims to expand the dataset and improve lesion characteristics and texture details in low-light conditions. Subsequently, the YOLO v8 network incorporates ResNet50 as its backbone, integrating channel and spatial attention modules to extract key features from disease feature maps effectively. The introduction of adaptive spatial feature fusion in the Neck part of the YOLOv8 module further enhances detection accuracy, particularly for small disease targets in complex backgrounds. Additionally, the model architecture is optimized by replacing traditional Conv blocks with ODConv blocks and introducing a new ODC2f block to reduce parameters, improve performance, and switch the loss function from CIOU to EIOU for a faster and more accurate recognition of small targets. Experimental results demonstrate that YOLOv8-ASFF achieves a tea disease detection accuracy of 87.47% and a mean average precision (mAP) of 95.26%. These results show a 2.47 percentage point improvement over YOLOv8, and a significant lead of 9.11, 9.55, and 7.08 percentage points over CornerNet, SSD, YOLOv5, and other models, respectively. The ability to swiftly and accurately detect tea diseases can offer robust theoretical support for assessing tea disease severity and managing tea growth. Moreover, its compatibility with edge computing devices and practical application in agriculture further enhance its value.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Plant Pathology and Disease Management)
Open AccessArticle
Obtaining and Characterization of an Interspecific Hybrid between Lilium callosum and ‘Snow Queen’ and Evaluation of the Botrytis Stress Response
by
Yongyao Fu, Shulin Lu, Chengchen Liu, Chaojun Ding, Xiaoyu Wang, Xinrong Li, Sijia Jiang and Liping Yang
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1376; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101376 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
To cultivate excellent lily germplasms, an interspecific hybrid (LC×SQ-01) was successfully obtained by using a cut-style pollination method in which the rare wild lily Lilium callosum was used as the female parent and the cut flower L. longiflorum ‘Snow Queen’ was used as
[...] Read more.
To cultivate excellent lily germplasms, an interspecific hybrid (LC×SQ-01) was successfully obtained by using a cut-style pollination method in which the rare wild lily Lilium callosum was used as the female parent and the cut flower L. longiflorum ‘Snow Queen’ was used as the male parent. The morphological features of LC×SQ-01 included height, leaf length, and width, which were observed to be between those of the parents in the tissue-cultured seedlings. The height and leaf length of LC×SQ-01 were more similar to those of the male parent, and the width was between the widths of the parents for field-generated plants. The epidermal cell length and the guard cell and stoma sizes were between those of both parents in tissue-cultured and field-generated plants. In addition, the shapes of the epidermal cells and anticlinal wall in LC×SQ-01 were more analogous to those in the male parent, while the stoma morphology was different from that of both parents. Fourteen pairs of polymorphic SSR primers were identified in both parents, and the validity of LC×SQ-01 was demonstrated by PCR amplification using five pairs of SSR primers. Flow cytometry and root tip squashing assays revealed that LC×SQ-01 was a diploid plant, similar to its parents. Furthermore, the LC×SQ-01 hybrid was more resistant to B. cinerea than its parents, and it also showed much greater peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity than the parents. These results lay a foundation for breeding a new high-resistance and ornamental lily variety.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flower Germplasm Resource and Genetic Breeding)
Open AccessReview
Exploring Chemical Variability in the Essential Oils of the Thymus Genus
by
Karim Etri and Zsuzsanna Pluhár
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1375; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101375 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Thyme remains an indispensable herb today, finding its place in gastronomy, medicine, cosmetics, and gardens worldwide. It is highly valued in herbal remedies and pharmaceutical formulations for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties derived from the richness of its essential oil, which comprises
[...] Read more.
Thyme remains an indispensable herb today, finding its place in gastronomy, medicine, cosmetics, and gardens worldwide. It is highly valued in herbal remedies and pharmaceutical formulations for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties derived from the richness of its essential oil, which comprises various volatile components. However, climate change poses a significant challenge today, potentially affecting the quality of thyme, particularly the extracted essential oil, along with other factors such as biotic influences and the plant’s geographical distribution. Consequently, complex diversity in essential oil composition was observed, also influenced by genetic diversity within the same species, resulting in distinct chemotypes. Other factors contributing to this chemodiversity include the chosen agrotechnology and processing methods of thyme, the extraction of the essential oil, and storage conditions. In this review, we provide the latest findings on the factors contributing to the chemovariability of thyme essential oil.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bio-Active Compounds in Horticultural Plants)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Assessment of Anticancer Properties of Argemone mexicana L. and Berberine: A Comparative Study
by
Joel H. Elizondo-Luevano, Ramiro Quintanilla-Licea, Imelda N. Monroy-García, Miroslava Kačániová, Uziel Castillo-Velázquez, Aldo F. Bazaldúa-Rodríguez, Lourdes M. Garza-Vega, Ángel D. Torres-Hernández and Abelardo Chávez-Montes
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1374; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101374 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Argemone mexicana L. has been used in traditional Mexican medicine. Among its bioactive constituents, berberine (BER) has garnered attention for its cytotoxic properties against different tumor cell lines. This study investigates the in vitro toxicity against HEP-G2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) and murine lymphoma
[...] Read more.
Argemone mexicana L. has been used in traditional Mexican medicine. Among its bioactive constituents, berberine (BER) has garnered attention for its cytotoxic properties against different tumor cell lines. This study investigates the in vitro toxicity against HEP-G2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) and murine lymphoma (L5178Y-R) cells using the MTT assay of the methanol extract (AmexM), sub-partitions of A. mexicana, and BER. Selectivity indices (SIs) were determined by comparing their cytotoxic effects on VERO (monkey kidney epithelial) and PBMC (human peripheral blood mononuclear) non-tumoral cells. Additionally, the anti-hemolytic effect of these treatments was assessed using the AAPH method. The treatment with the most promising activity against tumor cells and anti-hemolytic efficacy underwent further evaluation for toxicity in Artemia salina and antioxidant activities using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. BER demonstrated an IC50 = 56.86 µg/mL in HEP-G2 cells and IC50 < 5.0 µg/mL in L5178Y-R cells, with SI values of 15.97 and >5.40 in VERO and PBMC cells, respectively. No significant hemolytic effects were observed, although AmexM and BER exhibited the highest anti-hemolytic activity. BER also demonstrated superior antioxidant efficacy, with lower toxicity in A. salina nauplii compared to the control. Additionally, BER significantly attenuated nitric oxide production. This study highlights the antiproliferative effects of A. mexicana, particularly BER, against HEP-G2 and L5178Y-R tumor cell lines, along with its selectivity towards normal cells. Furthermore, its anti-hemolytic and antioxidant potentials were demonstrated, suggesting that BER is a promising candidate for potent chemotherapeutic agents.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activity, Phytochemical Prospective and Bioefficiency of Plant Species)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Bx Involved in Benzoxazinoids Biosynthesis Revealed the Roles of DIMBOA during Early Somatic Embryogenesis in Dimocarpus longan Lour
by
Xiaoqiong Xu, Chunyu Zhang, Chunwang Lai, Zhilin Zhang, Jiajia Wu, Qun Su, Yu Gan, Zihao Zhang, Yukun Chen, Rongfang Guo, Yuling Lin and Zhongxiong Lai
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1373; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101373 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Benzoxazinoids (BXs) are tryptophan-derived indole metabolites and play a role in various physiological processes, such as auxin metabolism. Auxin is essential in the process of somatic embryogenesis (SE) in plants. In this study, we used bioinformatics, transcriptome data, exogenous treatment experiments, and qPCR
[...] Read more.
Benzoxazinoids (BXs) are tryptophan-derived indole metabolites and play a role in various physiological processes, such as auxin metabolism. Auxin is essential in the process of somatic embryogenesis (SE) in plants. In this study, we used bioinformatics, transcriptome data, exogenous treatment experiments, and qPCR analysis to study the evolutionary pattern of Bx genes in green plants, the regulatory mechanism of DlBx genes during early SE, and the effect of 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazine-3-one (DIMBOA) on the early SE in Dimocarpus longan Lour. The results showed that 27 putative DlBxs were identified in the longan genome; the Bx genes evolved independently in monocots and dicots, and the main way of gene duplication for the DlBx was tandem duplication (TD) and the DlBx were strongly constrained by purification selection during evolution. The transcriptome data indicated varying expression levels of DlBx during longan early SE, and most DlBxs responded to light, temperature, drought stress, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) treatment; qRT-PCR results showed DlBx1, DlBx6g and DlBx6h were responsive to auxin, and treatment with 0.1mg/L DIMBOA for 9 days significantly upregulated the expression levels of DlBx1, DlBx3g, DlBx6c, DlBx6f, DlB6h, DlBx7d, DlBx8, and DlBx9b. The correlation analysis showed a significantly negative correlation between the expression level of DlBx1 and the endogenous IAA contents; DIMBOA significantly promoted the early SE and significantly changed the endogenous IAA content, and the IAA content increased significantly at the 9th day and decreased significantly at the 13th day. Therefore, the results suggested that DIMBOA indirectly promote the early SE by changing the endogenous IAA content via affecting the expression level of DlBx1 and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content in longan.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics in Modern Plant Science)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Comprehensive Assessment of the Effect of Multi-Cropping on Agroecosystems
by
Jovita Balandaitė, Kęstutis Romaneckas, Rasa Kimbirauskienė and Aušra Sinkevičienė
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1372; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101372 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Multi-cropping is becoming an increasingly popular technique in agriculture to tackle major and complex agroecosystem problems such as biodiversity and soil fertility loss, erosion and degradation, increased greenhouse gas emissions, etc. Comprehensively assessing the impact of multi-cropping intensity on agroecosystems is a new
[...] Read more.
Multi-cropping is becoming an increasingly popular technique in agriculture to tackle major and complex agroecosystem problems such as biodiversity and soil fertility loss, erosion and degradation, increased greenhouse gas emissions, etc. Comprehensively assessing the impact of multi-cropping intensity on agroecosystems is a new and still under-researched approach that can provide a better understanding of the impact of individual indicators on the overall functioning of biodiverse agroecosystems. Data from a stationary field experiment using multi-cropping at the Vytautas Magnus University Experimental Station between 2020 and 2022 were used to carry out this study. The study included maize, hemp, and faba bean as single, binary, and ternary crops. A complex assessment approach (CEI value) was used to determine the impact of these crops on the agroecosystem, the interrelationships between the main indicators, and the strength of their effects. It was found that the ternary maize–hemp–faba bean crop had the most positive effect on the agroecosystem. The effectiveness of other crops was 2 to 35% less. The lowest value was calculated for the maize–faba bean crop.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Mechanisms for Crop Development, Productivity and Quality Promotion)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
PGPB Consortium Formulation to Increase Fermentable Sugar in Agave tequilana Weber var. Blue: A Study in the Field
by
Beatriz G. Guardado-Fierros, Diego A. Tuesta-Popolizio, Miguel A. Lorenzo-Santiago, Ramón Rubio-Cortés, Rosa M. Camacho-Ruíz, José J. Castañeda-Nava, Antonia Gutiérrez-Mora and Silvia M. Contreras-Ramos
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1371; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101371 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Agave tequilana Weber var. Blue is used as the primary raw material in tequila production due to its fructans (inulin) content. This study evaluates the formulation of a plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) consortium (Pseudomonas sp. and Shimwellia sp.) to increase sugars in A.
[...] Read more.
Agave tequilana Weber var. Blue is used as the primary raw material in tequila production due to its fructans (inulin) content. This study evaluates the formulation of a plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) consortium (Pseudomonas sp. and Shimwellia sp.) to increase sugars in A. tequilana under field conditions. A total of three doses were tested: low (5 L ha−1), medium (10 L ha−1), and high (15 L ha−1), with a cellular density of 1 × 108 CFU mL−1 and one control treatment (without application). Total reducing sugars (TRS), inulin, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and plant growth were measured in agave plants aged 4–5 years at 0 (T0), 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) months. Yield was recorded at T12. The TRS increased by 3%, and inulin by 5.3% in the high-dose treatment compared to the control at T12. Additionally, a low content of sucrose, glucose, and fructose (approximately 1%) was detected. At T12, the weight of agave heads increased by 31.2% in the medium dose and 22.3% in the high dose compared to the control. The high dose provided a higher inulin content. The A. tequilana plants were five years old and exhibited growth comparable to the standards for 6–7-year-old plants. This study demonstrates a sustainable strategy for tequila production, optimizing the use of natural resources and enhancing industry performance through increased sugar content and yield.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Formulations to Increase Crop Production, from Laboratory to Fields)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Enhanced In Vitro Plant Morphogenesis of Tobacco: Unveiling Indoleamine-Modulated Adaptogenic Properties of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.)
by
Vanessa Vongnhay, Mukund R. Shukla, Murali-Mohan Ayyanath, Karthika Sriskantharajah and Praveen K. Saxena
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1370; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101370 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
The medicinal plant tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) is acknowledged for its invigorating and healing properties that enhance resilience to stress in various human and animal models by modulating antioxidant compounds. While extensive research has documented these effects in humans, the adaptogenic potential
[...] Read more.
The medicinal plant tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) is acknowledged for its invigorating and healing properties that enhance resilience to stress in various human and animal models by modulating antioxidant compounds. While extensive research has documented these effects in humans, the adaptogenic potential of tulsi in stressful in vitro plant systems has not been explored. This study aimed to elucidate the adaptogenic properties of tulsi leaf extract on the in vitro regeneration of tobacco leaf explants through an investigation of the indoleamines at different developmental stages. Shoot regeneration from leaf explants on the medium supplemented with tulsi extract (20%) was compared to the control, and the differences in indoleamine compounds were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Treatment of the explants with the extract resulted in an almost two-fold increase in the number of regenerants after four weeks of culture, and 9% of the regenerants resembled somatic embryo-like structures. The occurrence of browning in the extract-treated explants stopped on day 10, shoots began to develop, and a significant concentration of tryptamine and N-acetyl-serotonin accumulated. A comparative analysis of indoleamine compounds in intact and cut tobacco leaves also revealed the pivotal role of melatonin and 2-hydroxymelatonin functioning as antioxidants during stress adaptation. This study demonstrates that tulsi is a potent adaptogen that is capable of modulating plant morphogenesis in vitro, paving the way for further investigations into the role of adaptogens in plant stress biology.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Vitro Morphogenesis of Plants)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessCorrection
Correction: Bleyer et al. Together for the Better: Improvement of a Model Based Strategy for Grapevine Downy Mildew Control by Addition of Potassium Phosphonates. Plants 2020, 9, 710
by
Gottfried Bleyer, Fedor Lösch, Stefan Schumacher and René Fuchs
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1369; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101369 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Error in Figure [...]
Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant Protection)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 2
Open AccessArticle
Developing a Colorimetrically Balanced, Measurement-Based Petal Colour System for Cultivated Rose (Rosa L. Cultivars) and the Resulting Colour Categories
by
Gábor Boronkay, Dóra Hamar-Farkas, Szilvia Kisvarga, Zsuzsanna Békefi, András Neményi and László Orlóci
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1368; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101368 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
There is no practical and at the same time objective colour system available for describing cultivated roses (Rosa L. cultivars). For this reason, a new colour classification system was developed which is colorimetrically balanced and appropriate for algorithmic colour identification; however, it
[...] Read more.
There is no practical and at the same time objective colour system available for describing cultivated roses (Rosa L. cultivars). For this reason, a new colour classification system was developed which is colorimetrically balanced and appropriate for algorithmic colour identification; however, it is also suitable for field-work. The system is based on the following colorimetric criteria: (A) Each colour category is characterised by a measured petal colour in the CIE L*a*b* standard as the centroid of the category. (B) The CIEDE2000 colour differences between the adjacent centroid colours are limited (5 < ΔE00 < 7). (C) The maximal colour difference between the measured colours in a category is also limited (to 12.12 ΔE00). (D) A measured petal colour can only be classified into an existing category if the colour difference from the centroid colour of the given category is less than 5.81 ΔE00, otherwise a new category is required. (E) A category is only considered non-redundant if it has at least one measured petal colour that cannot be classified elsewhere. (F) The classification of the petal colours is based on the least colour difference from the centroid colours. As a result, 133 colour categories were required for describing all the 8139 petal colours of the rose cultivars of the Budatétény Rose Garden (Hungary). Each colour category has the following parameters: standardised colour name, the colorimetric parameters of the centroid, grouping, RHS colour chart coding, and reference cultivars, which are described in the article.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening II)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
What Was George Forrest’s Plant Collection Journey like in China?
by
Ke Shi, Minli Jin, Renwu Wu, Yongxi Zou, Shuai Liao, Zhoubing Xiang, Jifan Luo, Xiaoxue Zhong and Zhiyi Bao
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1367; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101367 - 15 May 2024
Abstract
Since the 16th century, Western countries have conducted extensive plant collections in Asia, particularly in China, driven by the need to collect botanical resources and foster academic development. These activities have not only significantly enriched the Western botanical specimen collections but have also
[...] Read more.
Since the 16th century, Western countries have conducted extensive plant collections in Asia, particularly in China, driven by the need to collect botanical resources and foster academic development. These activities have not only significantly enriched the Western botanical specimen collections but have also had a profound impact on the development of related disciplines such as botany, ecology, and horticulture. During this process, a large number of renowned plant hunters emerged, whose discoveries and contributions are still remembered today. George Forrest (1873–1932) was one of these distinguished plant hunters. From 1904 to 1932, he visited China seven times to collect plants and became famous for the regional distinctiveness of the species he collected. However, due to the lack of systematic collection, organization, and analysis of specimens collected by Forrest, only a few species, such as the species Rhododendron, are well-known among the many species he introduced to the West. Furthermore, the personal collecting characteristics and the characteristic species collected by Forrest are also not clear. This limits a comprehensive understanding of the specimen collection history and impact of Forrest in China. Therefore, systematic organization and analysis of Forrest’s plant specimens collected in China are crucial to understanding his impact on botanical classification, Rhododendrons introduction, global horticulture, and plant propagation. This study aims to systematically organize and analyze the plant specimens collected by George Forrest in China to investigate the family, genus, and species composition of the collected specimens and the seven collection expeditions of Forrest in China, as well as the time and altitude of these collections. Furthermore, it seeks to discuss Forrest’s scientific contributions to the global spread of plants, the widespread application of the Rhododendron, and his impact on the development of modern gardens, providing a theoretical basis and data reference for related research and professional development. To this end, we extensively consulted important historical literature related to Forrest and systematically collected data from online specimen databases. The conclusions drawn from the available data include 38,603 specimens, with 26,079 collection numbers, belonging to 233 families, 1395 genera, and 5426 species, which account for 48.24%, 32.63%, and 14.17% of the plant families, genera, and species in China, respectively. Rhododendron specimens made up 17.20% of the specimens collected in this study. The collection locations cover three provinces or autonomous regions, 11 prefecture-level cities, and 25 counties. Furthermore, we found that Forrest’s collections were concentrated in spring and summer, mainly in high-altitude areas, with 135 species found below 1500 m and 3754 species at 1500 m and above. Rhododendron specimens were mostly found above 3000 m.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Historical Ethnobotany: Interpreting the Old Records 2.0)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Screening of Endophytic Antagonistic Bacteria in Wheat and Evaluation of Biocontrol Potential against Wheat Stripe Rust
by
Ainisai Saimi, Qiqi Zhang, Qi Liu, Guangkuo Li, Haifeng Gao and Jing Chen
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1366; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101366 - 14 May 2024
Abstract
Wheat stripe rust is globally one of the most important diseases affecting wheat. There is an urgent need to develop environmentally safe and durable biological control options to supplement the control that is achieved with breeding and fungicides. In this study, endophytic bacteria
[...] Read more.
Wheat stripe rust is globally one of the most important diseases affecting wheat. There is an urgent need to develop environmentally safe and durable biological control options to supplement the control that is achieved with breeding and fungicides. In this study, endophytic bacteria were isolated from healthy wheat through the tissue separation method. Antagonistic endophytic bacteria were screened based on the control effect of urediniospore germination and wheat stripe rust (WSR). The taxonomic status of antagonistic strains was determined based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and molecular biological identification (16S rDNA and gyrB gene sequence analysis). Finally, the potential growth-promoting effect of different concentrations of antagonists on wheat seedlings and the biological control effect of WSR were studied. A total of 136 strains of endophytic bacteria belonging to 38 genera were isolated. Pseudomonas was the most common bacterial genus, with 29 isolates (21%). The biological control effect of different isolates was assessed using an urediniospore germination assay. The isolate XD29-G1 of Paenibacillus polymyxa had the best performance, with 85% inhibition of spore germination during primary screening. In the deep screening, the control effect of XD29-G1 on wheat stripe rust was 60%. The antagonist XD29-G1 promoted the germination of wheat seeds and the growth of wheat seedlings at a solution dilution of 10−7 cfu/mL. The pot experiment results showed that different dilution concentrations of the strain had different levels of antibacterial activity against WSR, with the concentration of 10−1 cfu/mL having the best control effect and a control efficiency of 61.19%. XD29-G1 has better biological control potential against wheat stripe rust.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant Protection)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Possess Important Beneficial Properties Dependent on Their Different Stages of Maturity
by
Jessica Maiuolo, Saverio Nucera, Maria Serra, Rosamaria Caminiti, Francesca Oppedisano, Roberta Macrì, Federica Scarano, Salvatore Ragusa, Carolina Muscoli, Ernesto Palma and Vincenzo Mollace
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1365; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101365 - 14 May 2024
Abstract
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. belongs to the Cactaceae family and the genus Opuntia; it is a succulent plant that adapts to extreme climatic conditions. The aerial part of the plant consists of the cladodes, morphological changes of branches that appear green, are covered
[...] Read more.
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. belongs to the Cactaceae family and the genus Opuntia; it is a succulent plant that adapts to extreme climatic conditions. The aerial part of the plant consists of the cladodes, morphological changes of branches that appear green, are covered with thorns, and are essential to reduce excessive perspiration of water. The composition of cladodes is very varied, and the main constituents are water, fibers, polysaccharides, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, sterols, minerals, and polyphenols. Polyphenols are responsible for many beneficial activities for human health, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and nutritional properties. The purpose of this manuscript was to compare the properties of cladodes belonging to the same plant but with different stages of maturity. Relative extracts were tested both in vitro and on a cell line and antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties were found. The antioxidant activity was tested by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) test, and the measurement of cellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Anti-apoptotic activity was evaluated by the annexin/PI assay and measurement of caspases 9 and 3 expression. The results obtained showed that the extracts considered possess antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. However, the different stages of maturity of cladodes are essential for the performance of both functions. In addition, important variations were made in the dissolution of the extracts that brought greater safety in their use. In conclusion, this manuscript provides further information on cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica, which can be used as adjuvants in many human pathologies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Utilization of By-Products from Fruits and Vegetables)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
In Vitro Shoot Multiplication and Rooting of ‘Kashan’ and ‘Hervy Azerbaijan’ Damask Rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) Genotypes for Cosmetic and Ornamental Applications
by
Behzad Kaviani, Bahareh Deltalab, Dariusz Kulus, Amir Ali Khoddamzadeh and Cesar Augusto Roque-Borda
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1364; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101364 - 14 May 2024
Abstract
The damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) is an ornamental–medicinal plant from the Rosaceae family, and its aromatic compounds and essential oils are applied globally in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Due to its economic value, this research aimed to establish a
[...] Read more.
The damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) is an ornamental–medicinal plant from the Rosaceae family, and its aromatic compounds and essential oils are applied globally in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Due to its economic value, this research aimed to establish a protocol for an efficient, rapid, and cost-effective method for in vitro shoot multiplication and rooting of the R. damascena ‘Kashan’ and ‘Hervy Azerbaijan’ genotypes. Nodal segments (as primary explants) were cultured on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with combinations of various plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as gibberellic acid (GA3), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), as well as a PGR-like substance, phloroglucinol (PG), vitamins such as ascorbic acid (AA), and activated carbon in the form of active charcoal (AC). For the establishment stage, 0.1 mg·L−1 PG, 0.2 mg·L−1 GA3, and 1 mg·L−1 BAP were added to the media. Secondary explants (nodal segments containing axillary buds produced from primary explants) were obtained after 30 days of in vitro culture and transferred to the proliferation media supplemented with different concentrations of BAP (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 mg·L−1) and GA3 (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1 mg·L−1) together with 0.1 mg·L−1 PG and 20 mg·L−1 of AA. The rooting media were augmented with different concentrations of BAP and GA3 with 0.1 mg·L−1 of IBA, PG and 20 mg·L−1 of AA and AC. The results showed that the highest regeneration coefficient (4.29 and 4.28) and the largest number of leaves (23.33–24.33) were obtained in the explants grown on the medium supplemented with 2 mg·L−1 BAP and 0.4 mg·L−1 GA3 for the ‘Kashan’ and ‘Hervy Azerbaijan’ genotypes, respectively. Likewise, this PGR combination provided the shortest time until bud break (approximately 6.5 days) and root emergence (approximately 10 days) in both genotypes. The highest number of shoots (4.78 per explant) and roots (3.96) was achieved in this medium in the ‘Kashan’ rose. Stem and root lengths, as well as stem and root fresh and dry weights, were also analyzed. In most measured traits, the lowest values were found in the PGRs-free control medium. Rooted plantlets were transferred to pots filled with perlite and peat moss in a 2:1 proportion and were acclimatized to ambient greenhouse conditions with a mean 90.12% survival rate. This research contributes significantly to our understanding of Damask rose propagation and has practical implications for the cosmetic and ornamental plant industries. By offering insights into the manipulation of regeneration processes, our study opens up new possibilities for the effective production of high-quality plant material.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in Plant In Vitro Culture)
Open AccessArticle
Gymnadenia winkeliana—A New Orchid Species to Romanian Flora
by
Nora E. Anghelescu, Lori Balogh, Mihaela Balogh, Nicoleta Kigyossy, Mihaela I. Georgescu, Sorina A. Petra, Florin Toma and Adrian G. Peticila
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1363; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101363 - 14 May 2024
Abstract
A novel species, Gymnadenia winkeliana, has been identified in the Bucegi Natural Park ROSCI0013, located in the Southern Carpathians of Central Romania. Two moderately sized populations of Gymnadenia winkeliana, totalling 120–140 individuals, were discovered inhabiting the alpine grasslands of the park,
[...] Read more.
A novel species, Gymnadenia winkeliana, has been identified in the Bucegi Natural Park ROSCI0013, located in the Southern Carpathians of Central Romania. Two moderately sized populations of Gymnadenia winkeliana, totalling 120–140 individuals, were discovered inhabiting the alpine grasslands of the park, situated 2.000 m above sea level. To describe this newly found population as comprehensively as possible, 44 vegetative and floral organs/organ parts were directly studied and measured from living plants. Special attention was focused on the characteristics that proved to have taxonomic significance, particularly those involving distinctive details in the morphology of the leaves, perianth, labellum and gynostemium. A total of 223 characteristics were analysed encompassing the morphology of every organ of the plant, cytology and breeding system. Furthermore, comprehensive taxonomic treatment and description, accompanied by colour photographs illustrating the holotype, are provided. Voucher specimens were deposited at the Herbarium of the University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest (USAMVB Herbarium barcode: 40102, NEA); Gymnadenia winkeliana, a (micro)endemic species, is characterized as a putative allogamous, facultatively apomict that significantly differs from other Gymnadenia R.Br. species found in Romania. Notably, it distinguishes itself through its smaller habitus (reaching heights of up to 8–10 cm), its two-coloured, rounded/hemispherical inflorescence displaying a gradient of pink hues in an acropetal fashion (ranging from whitish-pink at the base to vivid-pink at the topmost flowers), and its limited distribution in high-altitude areas, encompassing approximately 8–10 km² in the central area of the Bucegi Natural Park. This species has been under observation since 2005, with observed population numbers showing a significant increase over time, from ca. 50–55 (counted at the time of its discovery) to 120–140 individuals (counted in June 2023). Additionally, comprehensive information regarding the habitat, ecology, phenology and IUCN conservation assessments of Gymnadenia winkeliana are provided, including maps illustrating its distribution.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Taxonomy, Systematics, and Phylogeography)
Open AccessArticle
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals POD as an Important Indicator for Assessing Low-Temperature Tolerance in Maize Radicles during Germination
by
Yifei Zhang, Jiayu Li, Weiqing Li, Xinhan Gao, Xiangru Xu, Chunyu Zhang, Song Yu, Yi Dou, Wenqi Luo and Lihe Yu
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1362; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101362 - 14 May 2024
Abstract
Low-temperature stress (TS) limits maize (Zea mays L.) seed germination and agricultural production. Exposure to TS during germination inhibits radicle growth, triggering seedling emergence disorders. Here, we aimed to analyse the changes in gene expression in the radicles of maize seeds under
[...] Read more.
Low-temperature stress (TS) limits maize (Zea mays L.) seed germination and agricultural production. Exposure to TS during germination inhibits radicle growth, triggering seedling emergence disorders. Here, we aimed to analyse the changes in gene expression in the radicles of maize seeds under TS by comparing Demeiya1 (DMY1) and Zhengdan958 (ZD958) (the main Northeast China cultivars) and exposing them to two temperatures: 15 °C (control) and 5 °C (TS). TS markedly decreased radicle growth as well as fresh and dry weights while increasing proline and malondialdehyde contents in both test varieties. Under TS treatment, the expression levels of 5301 and 4894 genes were significantly different in the radicles of DMY1 and ZD958, respectively, and 3005 differentially expressed genes coexisted in the radicles of both varieties. The phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway was implicated within the response to TS in maize radicles, and peroxidase may be an important indicator for assessing low-temperature tolerance during maize germination. Peroxidase-encoding genes could be important candidate genes for promoting low-temperature resistance in maize germinating radicles. We believe that this study enhances the knowledge of mechanisms of response and adaptation of the maize seed germination process to TS and provides a theoretical basis for efficiently assessing maize seed low-temperature tolerance and improving maize adversity germination performance.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Nitric Oxide Mitigates the Deleterious Effects Caused by Infection of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and Modulates the Carbon Assimilation Process in Sweet Cherry under Water Stress
by
Carlos Rubilar-Hernández, Carolina Álvarez-Maldini, Lorena Pizarro, Franco Figueroa, Luis Villalobos-González, Paula Pimentel, Nicola Fiore and Manuel Pinto
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1361; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101361 - 14 May 2024
Abstract
Bacterial canker is an important disease of sweet cherry plants mainly caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss). Water deficit profoundly impairs the yield of this crop. Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule that plays an important role in the plant defense mechanisms.
[...] Read more.
Bacterial canker is an important disease of sweet cherry plants mainly caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss). Water deficit profoundly impairs the yield of this crop. Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule that plays an important role in the plant defense mechanisms. To evaluate the protection exerted by NO against Pss infection under normal or water-restricted conditions, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, was applied to sweet cherry plants cv. Lapins, before they were exposed to Pss infection under normal or water-restricted conditions throughout two seasons. Well-watered plants treated with exogenous NO presented a lower susceptibility to Pss. A lower susceptibility to Pss was also induced in plants by water stress and this effect was increased when water stress was accompanied by exogenous NO. The lower susceptibility to Pss induced either by exogenous NO or water stress was accompanied by a decrease in the internal bacterial population. In well-watered plants, exogenous NO increased the stomatal conductance and the net CO2 assimilation. In water-stressed plants, NO induced an increase in the leaf membranes stability and proline content, but not an increase in the CO2 assimilation or the stomatal conductance.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Photosynthesis in Complex Climates)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the GRAS Gene Family in Lettuce Revealed That Silencing LsGRAS13 Delayed Bolting
by
Li Chen, Yong Qin and Shuangxi Fan
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1360; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101360 - 14 May 2024
Abstract
Lettuce is susceptible to high-temperature stress during cultivation, leading to bolting and affecting yield. Plant-specific transcription factors, known as GRAS proteins, play a crucial role in regulating plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. In this study, the entire lettuce LsGRAS gene family
[...] Read more.
Lettuce is susceptible to high-temperature stress during cultivation, leading to bolting and affecting yield. Plant-specific transcription factors, known as GRAS proteins, play a crucial role in regulating plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. In this study, the entire lettuce LsGRAS gene family was identified. The results show that 59 LsGRAS genes are unevenly distributed across the nine chromosomes. Additionally, all LsGRAS proteins showed 100% nuclear localization based on the predicted subcellular localization and were phylogenetically classified into nine conserved subfamilies. To investigate the expression profiles of these genes in lettuce, we analyzed the transcription levels of all 59 LsGRAS genes in the publicly available RNA-seq data under the high-temperature treatment conducted in the presence of exogenous melatonin. The findings indicate that the transcript levels of the LsGRAS13 gene were higher on days 6, 9, 15, 18, and 27 under the high-temperature (35/30 °C) treatment with melatonin than on the same treatment days without melatonin. The functional studies demonstrate that silencing LsGRAS13 accelerated bolting in lettuce. Furthermore, the paraffin sectioning results showed that flower bud differentiation in LsGRAS13-silenced plants occurred significantly faster than in control plants. In this study, the LsGRAS genes were annotated and analyzed, and the expression pattern of the LsGRAS gene following melatonin treatment under high-temperature conditions was explored. This exploration provides valuable information and identifies candidate genes associated with the response mechanism of lettuce plants high-temperature stress.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Growth and Development of Vegetable Crops)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Journal Menu
► ▼ Journal Menu-
- Plants Home
- Aims & Scope
- Editorial Board
- Reviewer Board
- Topical Advisory Panel
- Instructions for Authors
- Special Issues
- Topics
- Sections & Collections
- Article Processing Charge
- Indexing & Archiving
- Editor’s Choice Articles
- Most Cited & Viewed
- Journal Statistics
- Journal History
- Journal Awards
- Society Collaborations
- Conferences
- Editorial Office
Journal Browser
► ▼ Journal BrowserHighly Accessed Articles
Latest Books
E-Mail Alert
News
Topics
Topic in
Agronomy, Beverages, Fermentation, Horticulturae, Plants
Grapevine Facing Climate Change: From Land, through Plants to Grapes and Wine
Topic Editors: Othmane Merah, Ana Fernandes De Oliveira, Daniela Satta, Mario Cunha, Jesus Yuste, Jalloul BouajilaDeadline: 30 June 2024
Topic in
Agronomy, Diversity, Forests, IJPB, Plants
Plant Invasion
Topic Editors: Bruce Osborne, Panayiotis G. DimitrakopoulosDeadline: 31 July 2024
Topic in
Agriculture, Agronomy, Microorganisms, Plants, Soil Systems, Nitrogen
Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling in Agro-Ecosystems and Other Anthropogenically Maintained Ecosystems
Topic Editors: Jie Li, Adnan Mustafa, Jan FrouzDeadline: 30 September 2024
Topic in
Agronomy, Crops, Plants
Abiotic Stress Responses in Wheat: Perspectives on Productivity and Sustainability
Topic Editors: Wenshan Guo, Jinfeng Ding, Min ZhuDeadline: 31 October 2024
Conferences
Special Issues
Special Issue in
Plants
Traditional Cultivars as a Genetic Source of Stress Tolerance and Quality Enhancement
Guest Editors: Marija Viljevac Vuletić, Ines MihaljevićDeadline: 25 May 2024
Special Issue in
Plants
Diagnosis and Control of Plant Bacterial Diseases
Guest Editor: Joel L. VannesteDeadline: 31 May 2024
Special Issue in
Plants
Microscopy Techniques in Plant Studies
Guest Editors: Emilio de Castro Miguel, Maura Da Cunha, Thaiz Batista Azevedo Rangel MiguelDeadline: 20 June 2024
Special Issue in
Plants
In Vitro Morphogenesis of Plants
Guest Editor: Praveen K. SaxenaDeadline: 30 June 2024
Topical Collections
Topical Collection in
Plants
Advances in Plant Diversification and Biosystematics
Collection Editors: Yang Liu, Ângela Sartori
Topical Collection in
Plants
New Trends in Plant Science in Italy
Collection Editors: Claudio Moser, Massimo Galbiati
Topical Collection in
Plants
New Trends in Plant Science in China
Collection Editors: Ming Chen, Dijun Chen, Xianwen Meng
Topical Collection in
Plants
Essential Oils of Plants (Chemical Composition, Variation and Properties)
Collection Editors: Jésus Palá-Pául, Joe Brophy