Horticulturae, Volume 10, Issue 5 (May 2024) – 88 articles

Eco-friendly lighting systems, like LED lights, can reduce energy consumption in greenhouse operations, have a long lifespan, and enable precise control over plant growth through spectrum selection. On the other hand, Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient with a beneficial role in plant metabolism and an essential element for human health. In this study, we aim to unravel the effects of LED lighting combined with Se supplementation on the physiological behavior, yield, and quality of arugula (Eruca sativa). Arugula plants were cultivated under controlled conditions using two distinct LED lights: full white spectrum (W) and a mix of 80%/20% of red/blue light (R:B). These plants were then supplemented with three levels of Se: 0 mg Se kg⁻¹ soil [⁰], 0.3 mg Se kg⁻¹ soil [0.3], and 0.6 mg Se kg⁻¹ soil [0.6]. The results showed that stomatal conductance remained unaffected by the light script. However, the plants exposed to R:B displayed more pronounced signs of photodamage and reduced net photosynthetic rate. Supplementation with Se plays a significant role in mitigating light-induced stress and in improving the antioxidant defense system; this was especially notable in R:B plants. Finally, R:B light decreased the accumulation of aboveground biomass, while no significant impact of Se was noticed on this outcome. Se accumulation exhibited a direct and proportional relationship with the concentration of Se applied. The integration of LED technology and Se supplementation not only enhances crop nutritional value but also aligns with the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

Malus sieversii f. niedzwetzkyan, a wild species capable of growing on saline-alkali soil in Xinjiang, is the most promising horticultural crop for improving the saline-alkali wasteland. However, the tolerance of M. niedzwetzkyan to saline-alkali stress and the underlying molecular mechanisms remains largely unknown. Here, we conducted a hydroponic experiment in which M. niedzwetzkyana and M. domestica “Royal Gala” seedlings were subjected to 150 mM saline-alkali stress. Physiological data showed that M. niedzwetzkyana had a strong ROS scavenging ability and ion transport ability, and its saline-alkali resistance was higher than that of M. “Royal Gala”. Saline-alkali stress also promoted the synthesis of anthocyanins in M. niedzwetzkyana. Transcriptome analysis was conducted on the leaves and roots of M. niedzwetzkyana at different time points under saline-alkali stress (0 h, 6 h, and 12 h). Transcriptome analysis revealed that saline stress down-regulated most genes involved in the anthocyanin flavonoid synthesis pathway. Transcription levels of genes involved in antioxidant enzyme activity and ion transport were altered. We identified hub genes related to superoxide dismutase as well as Na⁺ and K⁺ transport using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. This study elucidated, for the first time at the molecular level, the saline-alkali tolerance of M. niedzwetzkyana, including the complex changes in pathways that regulate reactive oxygen species homeostasis, ion uptake, and anthocyanoside synthesis under saline-alkali stress conditions. This research provides an important genetic resource for identifying genes involved in responses to saline-alkali stress. Full article

Lilium concolor var. pulchellum has a brilliant flower colour, high germination rate, and resistance to cold, drought, and salinity and is an excellent source of lily germplasm. Anthocyanins are important flavonoids commonly found in plants and can make the flowers and fruits of plants more colourful. We first found that 0.2 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) specifically induced the accumulation of anthocyanins, which were mainly cyanidins, in callus tissue culture of Lilium. Transcriptomic results indicated that anthocyanin accumulation was mainly involved in the flavonoid pathway, and an LhMYB1 transcription factor encoding 267 amino acids positively associated with anthocyanin accumulation was cloned from the MYB family. Subcellular localisation in tobacco showed that the gene was located in the nucleus of epidermal cells. Virus-induced gene silencing showed that silencing of the LhMYB1 gene on lily petals resulted in a purple to white colour change and a decrease in anthocyanin deposition, mainly in the upper and lower epidermis of the petals. Therefore, the results of this study will provide some ideas for the molecular breeding of lily flower colour. Full article

Understanding genetic diversity and population structure plays a vital role in the efficient use of available material in plant-breeding programs and in germplasm conservation strategies. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the genetic variations and population structure of male date palms from Morocco. The genetic diversity of 100 date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) genotypes was investigated using the performance of three types of molecular markers: inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs), direct amplification of minisatellite DNA (DAMD), and simple sequence repeats (SSRs). On the basis of their polymorphic information content (PIC) (ISSRs = 0.38; DAMD = 0.4; SSRs = 0.33), effective multiplex ratio (EMR) (ISSRs = 27.34; DAMD = 52.31; SSRs = 22.20), Resolving power Rp (ISSR = 13.81; DAMD = 28.73; SSR = 14.6), and marker index (MI) (ISSRs = 9.22; DAMD = 20.23; SSRs = 7.54) values, all markers used in our study are considered informative markers. Among them, DAMD markers demonstrated slightly higher informativeness compared to ISSR and SSR markers. A total of 216, 438, and 248 bands were, respectively, detected using ISSRs, DAMD, and SSRs, with 95%, 98% and 94% of polymorphism, respectively. The AMOVA results revealed considerable diversity within date palms. The PCOa results showed that males of Tinghir and Errachidia were regrouped into the same cluster, while males of Goulmima were separated into another group. A cluster and structure analysis separated the studied genotypes into three groups. One group comprises genotypes of males from Zagora with some female varieties scattered in this group. The second group includes male genotypes from Goulmima along with accessions of female and male varieties. The third group contains males of Errachidia, Tata and Tinghir populations. The cluster and structure analysis separated the studied genotypes according to their origin. Full article

Physalis philadelphica, a member of the Solanaceae family, commonly known as Physalis, is a one-year-old herbaceous plant with both medicinal and edible properties, as well as ornamental value. At present, only limited research is available on the flower color of P. philadelphica. This study aimed to elucidate the metabolic characteristics underlying the flower color of P. philadelphica and to identify key genes associated with flower color metabolism. We selected two representative varieties of P. philadelphica with significant differences in flower color, namely, “Tieba” (yellow flower) and “Qingjin” (yellow-purple flower), as the experimental materials. The analysis of related pigment components and the determination of relative content by high-performance liquid chromatography were conducted to investigate the flower color-related metabolic pathways of P. philadelphica. Through next-generation sequencing, these pathways were further investigated for the characteristics and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with flower color formation. The results of the research show that: Anthocyanin is the main component of petal coloring of P. philadelphica var. Qingjin, while malvidin pigment, pelargonidin, delphinidin, and cyanidin are the main components of flower color intensity. Carotenoids are the main components of the petal coloring of P. philadelphica var. Tieba and β-carotene is the main component of flower color intensity. Comparing different developmental stages of these two kinds of Physalis pubescens, we identified two key transcription factors (TFs) (eBP and STAT) that were involved in the inhibition of anthocyanin synthesis and regulate the inhibition of pf05G124640 (dihydroflavonol 4-reductase) and pf09G224140 (anthocyanin synthase) in anthocyanin synthesis. One heat shock transcription factor was found to regulate the flavonoid and flavonol synthesis pathway of pf01G020090 (anthocyanin 3-O-glucosyltransferase); two key TFs (NAC and G2-Like), pf10G255070 (isoricin dehydrogenase) and pf09G237080 (abscisic acid 8′-hydroxylase), played important roles in carotene biosynthesis. This study provides new insights for further exploration of the genetic diversity of petal coloring in P. philadelphica and establishes a foundation for subsequent molecular breeding efforts. Full article

The low availability of phosphorus has become a common problem worldwide. Phosphorus is essential for phenotypic morphology and ginsenoside synthesis. However, the effects of Pi stress on ginseng phenotype and ginsenoside synthesis remain unclear. Phenotypic analyses and transcriptomics revealed the phenotypic construction and regulation of differential genes involved in the physiological metabolism of ginseng under low-Pi stress. Root length and stem length were found to be significantly inhibited by phosphate-deficiency stress in the half-phosphate (HP) and no-phosphate (NP) treatment groups; however, the number of fibrous roots, which are regulated by phytohormones, was found to increase. In ginseng leaves, the indexes of physiological stress, superoxide anion (221.19 nmol/g) and malonaldehyde (MDA) (0.05 μmol/min/g), reached the maximum level. Moreover, chlorophyll fluorescence images and chlorophyll content further confirmed the inhibition of ginseng photosynthesis under low-Pi stress. A total of 579 and 210 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were shared between NP and total phosphate (TP) and HP and TP, respectively, and only 64 common DEGs were found based on the two comparisons. These DEGs were mainly related to the synthesis of phosphate transporters (PHTs), phytohormones, and ginsenosides. According to KEGG analyses, four DEGs (Pg_s 0368.2, Pg_s3418.1, Pg_s5392.5 and Pg_s3342.1) affected acetyl-CoA production by regulating glycometabolism and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA). In addition, related genes, including those encoding 13 PHTs, 15 phytohormones, and 20 ginsenoside synthetases, were screened in ginseng roots under Pi-deficiency stress. These results indicate that changes in the ginseng phenotype and transcriptional regulation of DEGs are involved in the Pi-deficiency stress environment of ginseng, thereby providing new information regarding the development of ginseng for low-Pi tolerance. Full article

Spring frost is a perennial and widespread problem across many cool climatic and high-elevation winegrowing regions of the world. Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot noir is an early budding cultivar; thus, it is particularly susceptible to late-spring frost damage. In late April 2022, an advective frost event occurred throughout Western Oregon winegrowing regions and subsequently damaged a substantial number of commercial vineyards. Growers often are unsure of how to manage grapevines after a frost event. Limited research has shown little-to-no effect of pruning vs. non-pruning strategies on vine yield and productivity. In addition, pruning a frost-affected vineyard incurs additional labor costs that may offset the cost–benefit balance for the grower. Therefore, in this experiment, the effect of two different post-frost pruning treatments (cane pruning and spur pruning) on vine yield, berry composition, and vine vegetative growth were tested. No effect of post-frost pruning treatments on vine yield, berry composition, and vine vegetative characteristics was observed. Cluster numbers, cluster weights, and berries per cluster only differed between cane- vs. spur-pruned vines. Therefore, leaving frost-affected vines alone and a scaled-back vineyard management practice could be practical for economic reasons. Full article

Origanum vulgare L. is ethnomedicinally valuable against various diseases. In Romania, attention for the oregano extracts such as infusions, decoctions, or tinctures, which are very popular among consumers, is constantly increasing, mainly as an important therapeutic alternative. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the comparative cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of local oregano using a sustainable method such as the Allium cepa assay. Two aqueous oregano extracts obtained by infusion (I01) and decoction (D02) and two hydroalcoholic extracts (E03—water/ethanol 80:20 v/v; E04—water/ethanol 60:40 v/v) were used in this study. Before performing the Allium cepa test, a phytochemical screening carried out using fast and efficient analytical methods (electrometry, colorimetry, UV-Vis spectrometry, and high-performance thin-layer chromatography/HPTLC) allowed the qualitative differences in the chemical profile of the investigated oregano extracts to be highlighted. The aqueous and hydroalcoholic oregano extracts were tested on root meristems of Allium cepa and the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity parameters evaluated were the mitotic index (MI) and chromosomal aberration (CA). The results revealed a decrease in MI for each analyzed sample, with hydroethanolic extract E04 showing the most significant effect on MI (9.66%, 3 times less than that of the control sample), followed by the D02 sample obtained by decoction. Chromosomal aberrations such as the ana-telophase with bridges, expelled chromosomes, or delayed chromosomes were observed in all four extracts. The frequency of cells with CA was higher in the case of samples treated with hydroalcoholic extracts compared to aqueous extracts. The experimental extraction conditions influenced the mitotic index, the varieties of identified chromosomal aberrations, and their frequency. Therefore, based on the result obtained in this study, it may be concluded that the Oregano vulgare L. extracts present cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on onion cells. The Allium cepa assay proves to be an easy-to-handle method, with reliable results, minimal cost, and environmental friendliness for the evaluation of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of oregano extracts. Full article

Anthocyanins are widely found in plants and have significant functions. The accurate detection and quantitative assessment of anthocyanin content are essential to assess its functions. The anthocyanin content in plant tissues is typically quantified by wet chemistry and spectroscopic techniques. However, these methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, tedious, expensive, destructive, or require expensive equipment. Digital photography is a fast, economical, efficient, reliable, and non-invasive method for estimating plant pigment content. This study examined the anthocyanin content of Rosa chinensis petals using digital images, a back-propagation neural network (BPNN), and the random forest (RF) algorithm. The objective was to determine whether using RGB indices and BPNN and RF algorithms to accurately predict the anthocyanin content of R. chinensis petals is feasible. The anthocyanin content ranged from 0.832 to 4.549 µmol g⁻¹ for 168 samples. Most RGB indices were strongly correlated with the anthocyanin content. The coefficient of determination (R²) and the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) of the BPNN and RF models exceeded 0.75 and 2.00, respectively, indicating the high accuracy of both models in predicting the anthocyanin content of R. chinensis petals using RGB indices. The RF model had higher R² and RPD values, and lower root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) values than the BPNN, indicating that it outperformed the BPNN model. This study provides an alternative method for determining the anthocyanin content of flowers. Full article

The response of plants to abiotic stress is intricately mediated by PYR/PYL/RCARs, key components within the ABA signal transduction pathway. Despite the widespread identification of PYL genes across diverse plant species, the evolutionary history and structural characteristics of these genes within the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) remained unexplored. In this study, we uncovered, for the first time, 12 PgPYLs from the whole genome dataset of ‘Tunisia’, mapping them onto five chromosomes and categorizing them into three distinct subgroups (Group I, Group II, and Group III) through phylogenetic analysis. Detailed examination of the composition of these genes revealed similar conserved motifs and exon–intron structures among genes within the same subgroup. Fragment duplication emerged as the primary mechanism driving the amplification of the PYL gene family, as evidenced by intra-species collinearity analysis. Furthermore, inter-species collinearity analysis provided insights into potential evolutionary relationships among the identified PgPYL genes. Cis-acting element analysis revealed a rich repertoire of stress and hormone response elements within the promoter region of PgPYLs, emphasizing their putative roles in diverse signaling pathways. Upon treatment with 100 μmol/L ABA, we investigated the expression patterns of the PgPYL gene family, and the qRT-PCR data indicated a significant up-regulation in the majority of PYL genes. This suggested an active involvement of PgPYL genes in the plant’s response to exogenous ABA. Among them, PgPYL1 was chosen as a candidate gene to explore the function of the gene family, and the CDS sequence of PgPYL1 was cloned from pomegranate leaves with a full length of 657 bp, encoding 218 amino acids. Tobacco transient expression analysis demonstrated a consistent trend in the expression levels of pBI121-PgPYL1 and the related genes of the ABA signaling pathway, both of which increased initially before declining. This study not only contributes to the elucidation of the genomic and structural attributes of PgPYL genes but also provides a foundation for understanding their potential functions in stress responses. The identified conserved motifs, evolutionary relationships, and expression patterns under ABA treatment pave the way for further research into the PgPYL gene family’s role in pomegranate biology, offering valuable insights for future studies on genetic improvement and stress resilience in pomegranate cultivation. Full article

A discrete choice experiment was conducted to assess the perceptions and willingness-to-pay of Italian consumers regarding plant diagnosis and sustainable cultivation attributes in outdoor ornamental plants, specifically Abelia × grandiflora. The results revealed that most Italian consumers place great importance on the health of ornamental plants during the purchasing process, with a preference for obtaining them from nursery facilities. Additionally, they demonstrated a willingness to pay a price premium for innovative plant diagnosis and sustainable cultivation in the production of A. × grandiflora, amounting to EUR 1.10 and EUR 0.90, respectively. These findings have significant implications for (i) nursery growers, enabling them to shape their sustainable nursery management and marketing strategies, and (ii) policymakers, facilitating the enhancement of communication strategies and the implementation of awareness campaigns aimed at promoting the sale of healthy Italian ornamental species, following the current EU regulation 2020/1201. Full article

Enzymatic browning, occurring on the cut surfaces of many popular fresh-cut fruit and vegetables due to wounding and the activity of endogenous polyphenyloxidase enzymes, is considered as the main reason for their rejection by consumers. In this study, water extracts were obtained from seeds of cabbage, sinapis, and wild rocket at 10 and 20% w/w seed:water ratios (SWE) and analyzed for total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant capacity (AC). The extract was then applied on cut surfaces of mid rib segments of lettuce leaves for 1 or 3 min. The segments were stored at 7 °C for 14 days. The SWE’s inhibitory capacity on enzymatic browning were measured by CIELAB color coordinates L* a* and b* and expressed as second derivatives, their % inhibition and different indices. An additional visual acceptance measurement and calculation of shelf life was also performed. The seed extracts of cabbage at 10–20% and wild rocket at 20% showed the highest anti-browning efficacy (comparable to 25 mM potassium metabisulfite control) along with TPC and AC. A high % of seed:water extract and increased exposure time led to a considerable increase in shelf life, visual score, % inhibition of browning or whitening index of the extracts of all seed sources. Chromatometric outcome data clearly showed that the visual data were more accurate than the chromatometric procedure (L*, a*, b* values, their derives ΔE, h°, C, Δh° and ΔC or calculated indices), although the latter could detect the differing degrees of browning development or its inhibition in treated and control segments during storage. Full article

To explore the effects of different preservation methods on the quality of loquat after fresh-keeping treatment, various preservation techniques were employed. These included natural preservation (NP), vacuum freezing preservation (VFP), vacuum at room temperature preservation (VP) and freezing preservation (FP). The quality assessment involved analyzing the effects of these preservation methods using physicochemical indexes, a colorimeter, an electronic nose (E-nose), an electronic tongue (E-tongue) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results showed minor differences in loquat quality under different preservation methods, with sensory scores ranging from 55 to 78 and ΔE values ranging from 11.92 to 18.59. Significant variations were observed in moisture content (ranging from 53.20 g/100 g to 87.20 g/100 g), calorie content (ranging from 42.55 Kcal/100 g to 87.30 Kcal/100 g), adhesion (ranging from 0.92 to 1.84 mJ) and hardness (ranging from 2.97 to 4.19 N) (p < 0.05). Additionally, the free amino acid content varied from 22.47 mg/g to 65.42 mg/g. GC–MS analysis identified a total of 47 volatile flavor substances in varieties of loquats, including 13 aldehydes, 9 esters, 6 ketones, 2 acids, 3 alcohols, 2 phenols, 3 pyrazines, 1 furan and 8 other substances. The relative content of aldehydes was significantly higher than that of other chemicals. The VFP and FP samples exhibited higher aldehyde content compared to the NP and VP samples. Moreover, Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed 18 marked compounds that could differentiate between 5 loquat species. Analysis using E-nose and E-tongue indicated significant changes in the olfactory and gustatory senses of loquats following preservation. The VFP samples demonstrated the most effective preservation of loquat quality with minimal impact. This study provides some theoretical guidance for the home preservation of loquats. Full article

Citrus is a subtropical fruit tree with high water requirements. This study aimed to determine the effects of water deficit on an orange orchard subjected to different water-saving strategies. The study was realised in an orange orchard in a semiarid area by adopting four different water management techniques: 100% crop evapotranspiration (control); SSDI—subsurface sustained deficit irrigation; RDI—regulated deficit irrigation; PRD—partial rootzone drying treatment during five growing seasons. The experimental design foresaw a randomised block design with six replicates per treatment (24 index plants). The results of the study showed that the water-saving strategies reduced irrigation water consumption by 25% (SSDI), 33% (RDI), and 49% (PRD) compared to the fully irrigated treatment without yield reduction, thus increasing water use efficiency. Mineral nutrition of the trees was slightly affected by irrigation treatments; element concentration in leaves was generally in the optimal range; only potassium showed values below the recommended leaf concentrations. Regarding fruit quality parameters, the vitamin C concentration in RDI showed significant differences with a value of 62.7 mg 100 mL⁻¹ compared to 58.5 mg 100 mL⁻¹ in the control. Plants subjected to SSDI and PRD strategies showed increased levels of pulp colour index with significant values of 10 and 9.90, respectively, compared to the control (8.44). By implementing targeted water management, citrus growers could save water and increase the ascorbic acid and sugar concentration in the fruits; anthocyanins also increased but not significantly. These findings open new market opportunities for citrus growers in marginal areas, where they cannot rely solely on producing citrus fruits to remain competitive. Full article

Sedimentable solids generated in aquaponic systems are mainly composed of organic waste, presenting molecules such as phytate, which can be a potential source of inorganic nutrients through mineralization. This work aimed to isolate and identify phytase-producing bacteria and evaluate the inoculation effects of pure strains on mineralization and nutrient release from solid waste generated in aquaponic systems at different oxygen and temperature conditions. The bacteria were isolated from the settleable solids of a commercial aquaponic system and molecularly identified by amplifying the 16S rRNA gene. Subsequently, two tests were carried out: 1. Test for the biochemical identification of phytase-producing bacteria; 2. In vitro mineralization test, where the ability to mineralize phytate and release nutrients under different oxygen conditions [0 rpm (2.1 mg L⁻¹) and 200 rpm (7.8 mg L⁻¹)] and temperatures (24 and 37 °C) were evaluated. Our findings show that two pure strains of Lysinibacillus mangiferihumi can mineralize phytate under conditions of 200 rpm and 24 °C, mainly increasing the mineralization of PO4- and Ca, a property that has not yet been reported for this species. On the other hand, at 0 rpm and 24 °C, an increase in K was observed (control conditions), while the conditions of 200 rpm and 24 °C, regardless of bacterial inoculation, favored a rise in S, Mg, and Fe. The Lysinibacillus strains obtained in this investigation are of great importance due to their application in agriculture and the optimization of mineralization in aquaponic systems. A proper combination of oxygen and temperature will lead to a greater availability of nutrients for the growth and development of vegetables. Full article

The PlantEye multispectral scanner is an optoelectrical sensor automatically applied to a mechatronic platform that allows the non-destructive, accurate, and high-throughput detection of morphological and physiological plant parameters. In this study, we describe how the advanced phenotyping platform precisely assesses changes in plant architecture and growth parameters of wild rocket salad (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. [DC.]) under drought stress conditions. Four different irrigation supply levels from moderate to severe, required to keep 100, 70, 50, and 30% of the water-holding capacity, were adopted. Growth rate and plant architecture were recorded through the digital measure of biomass, leaf area, Canopy Light Penetration Depth, five convex hull traits, plant height, Surface Angle Average, and Voxel Volume Total. Vegetation color assessments included hue, lightness, and saturation. Vegetation and senescence indices were calculated from canopy reflectance in the red (620–645 nm), green (530–540 nm), blue (peak wavelength 460–485 nm), near-infrared (820–850 nm), and 3D laser (940 nm) ranges. The temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation of the environment were also recorded. Overall, morphological parameters, color, multispectral data, and vegetation indices provided over 7200 data points through daily scans over three weeks of cultivation. Although a general decrease in growth parameters with increasing stress severity was observed, plants were able to maintain the same morpho-physiological performances as the control during the early growth stages, keeping both 70% and 50% of the total water-holding capacity. Among indices, the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) contributed the most to the differentiation between different stress levels during the cultivation cycle. Across the 3 weeks of growth, statistically significant differences were observed for all traits except for the Saturation Average. Comparisons with respect to the control highlighted the strong impact of drought stress on morphological plant traits. This study provided meaningful insights into the health status of wild rocket salad under increasing drought stress. Full article

The objective of this study was to investigate the response of the grapevine variety ‘Tribidrag’ to virus infection over two vegetation seasons. Virus-free plants were greenhouse cultivated and green grafted with five different virus inocula composed of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) singly or in coinfection with other most economically important grapevine viruses. Changes in nutrient status and photosynthesis-related parameters, along with symptom development, were measured. Using the quantitative PCR method, the relative concentration of five selected Vitis genes was determined. Cluster analysis and ANOVA revealed the reduction in phosphorus concentration (P) and photosynthesis-related parameters in infected plants in both seasons, even in the absence of symptom expression, indicating P and assimilation rate (Photo (A)) as stable markers of virus infection. Plants infected with inoculum Y composed of five different viruses provoked major significant changes in the first season while, in the second, fewer changes were measured. The sucrose synthase 3 gene was upregulated in infected plants confirming disturbed sugar metabolism related to virus-induced stress. This study showed that virus-induced changes in ‘Tribidrag’ plants even in the absence of symptoms are dependent on plant age, as well as on the composition of virus inocula. Full article

Cordyceps militaris is one of the commercially cultivated mushrooms, valued for its medicinal and nutritional benefits. However, the fruiting body development mechanism has remained elusive. Chitin synthases (CHSs) are ubiquitous enzymes involved in the regulation of fungal growth, development and virulence. In this study, a total of eight CmChs genes were identified. Chromosomal localization analysis revealed an uneven distribution of CmCHSs across the C. militaris genome. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, 100 CHSs from Cordyceps sensu lato, encompassing C. militaris, were categorized into three divisions and seven classes, shedding light on their evolutionary relationships. There was no significant difference in the number of CHSs between ascomycetes and basidiomycetes in general (p = 0.067), as well as between pathogenic and saprotrophic fungi in general (p = 0.151 and 0.971 in Ascomycota and Basidiomycota fungi, respectively). This underscored the essential and conserved nature of these CHSs across various fungal lifestyles and ecological niches. The different transcript patterns of the eight CmChss during key life cycle stages, such as conidia germination, infection, and fruiting body development, indicated that each CHS gene may have a distinct role during specific stages of the life cycle. In conclusion, these findings indeed lay the groundwork for a further exploration of the functional roles of CHSs in the regulatory mechanism of fruiting body development in C. militaris. Full article

Yellow pitahaya (Selenicereus megalanthus Haw.) is an exotic fruit with great potential for exportation in Ecuador. The research was carried out with the objective of evaluating the fruit growth and ripening as affected by four elicitors: salicylic acid (SA), methyl salicylate (MeSa), methyl jasmonate (MeJa), and oxalic acid (OA), all of them at 1, 5, and 10 mM concentration, compared with untreated plants (control). For each elicitor, nine plants were selected, and on each plant, three fruits were marked to follow up the growth by measuring polar and equatorial diameters. At harvest, yield (kg plant⁻¹ and number of fruits plant⁻¹), fruit weight, percentage of pulp and skin, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and firmness were determined. Treated plants enhanced fruit size, crop yield, and fruit weight compared with control fruits, although results depended on the elicitor tested and applied doses. The highest and lowest TSS were found in 10 mM MeSa and 5 mM MeJa-treated fruit, respectively, while the highest TA content was shown in 5 mM SA. Firmness was only enhanced in MeJa-treated fruits. Overall, results suggest that preharvest use of elicitors could modulate the pitahaya ripening and could improve quality attributes at harvest. Full article

This study investigates codon usage bias within the chloroplast genomes of 18 Taraxacum species, focusing on the base composition and various metrics including GC content, Relative Synonymous Codon Usage (RSCU), Effective Number of Codons (ENc), and GC3s. Our analysis revealed a pronounced preference for A/T-ending codons across Taraxacum species, with GC content across the first, second, and third positions of the codons (GC1, GC2, GC3) and the average GC content consistently below 50%. A detailed examination using the RSCU metric identified 29 commonly preferred A/T-ending codons, indicating a strong codon usage bias towards these endings. Specifically, the codon for leucine (UUA) emerged as highly preferred, while the codon for serine (AGC) was least favored. Through the ENc–GC3s plot analysis, we explored the forces shaping this bias, finding evidence that both mutation pressure and natural selection significantly influence codon preference, with most coding sequences showing weak bias. The PR2 plot analysis further confirmed the role of these factors by demonstrating a higher frequency of T over A and C over G at the third codon position, pointing towards a mutation bias complemented by natural selection. Collectively, our findings highlight a consistent pattern of codon usage bias in the chloroplast genomes of Taraxacum species, influenced by a combination of mutation pressure, natural selection, and possibly other unidentified factors. Full article

Bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) were grown in a greenhouse to evaluate organic fertilizer and foliar seaweed application effects on plant architecture, yield, and fruit quality. Many organic fertilizers contain phytohormones intrinsically. Hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed fish fertilizer and cyano-fertilizer treatments were applied in split applications every 7 days over a 135-day growing period. Control plants received no supplemental N. Each fertilizer treatment received applications of one of two different foliar seaweeds or no foliar seaweed in a 4 × 3 factorial design with three replications. Both hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed fish fertilizers and cyano-fertilizer increased the number of branches per plant compared to the N-deficient control. The plants receiving cyano-fertilizer or non-hydrolyzed fish fertilizer yielded more than the N-deficient control, and those treatments received 2–3 times the auxin application as the hydrolyzed fish fertilizer. In addition, the leaves from the plants treated with non-hydrolyzed fish fertilizer contained substantially higher levels of abscisic acid, although no abscisic acid was detected in the fertilizers. Both seaweed products decreased the number of fruits that were “bell”-shaped and increased the number of “long”-shaped fruits. Organic fertilizers are complex matrices of nutrients, phytohormones, and other metabolites, making it very challenging to determine the mechanisms behind the observations. Full article

Rootstocks serve as a strategic tool for grapevine adaptation to specific biotic and abiotic conditions and for managing vine growth, grape yield, and berry composition in commercial vineyards. This study investigates the influences of four different rootstock varieties (101-14 MGt, 3309 C, 110 R, and 140 Ru) on the viticultural performance of ‘Xinomavro’ vines, a prominent Greek red winegrape varietal. By conducting a two-year field experiment using various rootstocks, we assessed parameters related to water status, vegetative growth, yield, and berry composition. Our results revealed that rootstock selection has a significant impact on vine development, especially in terms of berry size and the concentrations of secondary metabolites. Principal component analysis confirmed the complex interaction between rootstock vigor and vine productivity. This study underscores the importance of rootstock variety in manipulating grapevine characteristics, particularly for the ‘Xinomavro’ variety, in response to regional climatic conditions. Full article

The management and improvement of yam productivity are associated with a good supply of essential nutrients for the growth and development of the crop that has economic viability. This research aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of foliar fertilization with Zintrac^® in two yam agricultural seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). Therefore, two experiments were conducted at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, Mossoró, RN, Brazil. The experimental design was in a Latin square design with five treatments of doses of Zintrac^® (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 L ha⁻¹) and five replications. Among the production costs of yams, labor and seed acquisition were the most significant. The highest profitability index was achieved with the dose of 1L Zintrac^® ha⁻¹ in the first season and second season, which corresponded to 78.97 and 57.86%. For the first season, increments were observed in all treatments that received zinc doses with increases of 48.70, 31.22, 14.30, and 15.93% for 1, 2, 3, and 4 L of Zintrac^® ha⁻¹ compared to the dose of 0 L ha⁻¹. On the other hand, in the second season, there was an increase only in the dose of 1 L ha⁻¹ of Zintrac^®, which corresponded to 51.3% in the net yield (ha⁻¹) of the dose of 0 L ha⁻¹. Therefore, foliar zinc oxide fertilization was economically viable for the yam crop, obtaining higher economic indices at the dose of 1 L ha⁻¹. The highest cost for growing yams is using a dose of 4 L ha⁻¹ of Zintrac^®, totaling USD 6977.59 (first season) and USD 6868.33 (second season) Full article

To accurately evaluate the role of storage temperature in improving the quality of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, the effects of two storage temperatures (5 °C and 15 °C) on the phenylpropanoid pathway and sucrose metabolism in fresh-cut melon (cv. Yugu) cubes were determined. A higher temperature (15 °C) expedited sucrose decomposition in the melon cubes at the early stage of storage, resulting in higher levels of glucose and fructose. This effect was corroborated by increased activities of acid invertase (AI), neutral invertase (NI), and sucrose synthase cleavage (SS-c), along with higher expressions of CmAI1/2, CmNI1/2, and CmSS1/2 in the melon cubes at 15 °C. Additionally, the higher activity and gene expression of hexokinase in melon cubes at 15 °C led to an increase in the utilization rate of sugars toward downstream metabolic pathways. Moreover, the melon cube storage at 15 °C elevated the activities and gene expressions of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H), and 4-coumaric acid: CoA ligase (4CL), thereby increasing the synthesis of phenolics. Sucrose showed a significant negative correlation with PAL, C4H, and 4CL, as well as with CmPAL5/7 and CmC4H1/3. However, hexokinase displayed a significant positive correlation with PAL, C4H, and 4CL, as well as with CmPAL1, CmPAL3-9, CmC4Hs, and Cm4CLs. These findings demonstrate that a higher-temperature storage of melon cubes can accelerate the phenylpropanoid pathway and sucrose metabolism by regulating the activity and gene expression of related enzymes, thereby inducing phenolic accumulation. These results also indicate that lower-temperature storage is not conducive to the conversion of sugars into phenolics in fresh-cut melon. Therefore, the temperature can be appropriately and briefly raised in the production and preservation process of fresh-cut melon to obtain higher levels of phenolics. Full article

This study focused on the “Xinlu” walnut and explored the molecular regulatory mechanism of lignin synthesis in the endocarp, aiming to explain the formation of bared-nut walnuts through morphological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic techniques. It was found that the synthesis of lignin, cellulose, p-coumaryl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol was severely inhibited in the pulpy-hue (PUH) of the endocarp. We obtained 14 modules (gene sets) significantly correlated with the lignification factor (LIG) and 1548 hub genes. Additionally, we identified a MEplum3 module involved in endocarp lignin synthesis, primarily participating in phenylalanine biosynthesis and the lignin biosynthetic process. Meanwhile, we constructed a gene co-expression network for the MEplum3 module and identified a key hub gene for lignin synthesis—JrCAD10. Among the different tissues of “Xinlu”, the expression level of JrCAD10 in the scleritic-hue (SCH) was significantly higher than in other tissues, with a relative copy number (RCN) of 3.2. However, JrCAD10 expression was severely suppressed in the PUH. The suppression of JrCAD10 expression led to the inhibition of lignin monomer synthesis, which further resulted in inhibited lignin synthesis, thus forming the bared-nut walnut. Our findings provide new insights into understanding the regulation of lignin synthesis and offer a possible explanation for the formation of bared-nut walnuts. Full article

The Asteraceae family in Siberian Asia exhibits remarkable biodiversity and has long served as a valuable resource for domesticating various beneficial plants with medicinal, therapeutic, and industrial significance to humanity. In this work, we studied for the first time the chemical composition of six understudied or previously unexplored plant species, Artemisia jacutica (AJ), Carduus nutans subsp. leiophyllus (CL), Cirsium heterophyllum (CH), Echinops davuricus (ED), Ixeris chinensis subsp. versicolor (IV), and Lactuca sibirica (LS), which were successfully cultivated under open-field conditions as biennial or perennial crops. We profiled these species, employing a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry approach, identifying over 100 phenolic compounds. Among these compounds were hydroxybenzoic acid glucosides, hydroxybenzoyl/p-coumaroyl/feruloyl quinic acids, hydroxycoumarin O-glucosides, caffeoyl/p-coumaroyl/feruloyl glucaric/tartaric acids, O- and C-glucosides of apigenin, acacetin, luteolin, chrysoeriol, 6-hydroxyluteolin, pectolinarigenin, kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and tri-/tetra-O-p-coumaroyl spermines and spermidines. All examined species exhibited a significant accumulation of phenolic compounds throughout the experimental period, reaching levels comparable to or exceeding those found in wild samples (WSs), with the best total phenolic content for AJ at 26.68 mg/g (vs. 26.68 mg/g in WS; second year), CL at 50.23 mg/g (vs. 38.32 mg/g in WS; second year), CH at 51.14 mg/g (vs. 40.86 mg/g in WS; sixth year), ED at 86.12 mg/g (vs. 78.08 mg/g in WS; seventh year), IV at 102.49 mg/g (vs. 88.58 mg/g in WS; fourth year), and LS at 127.34 mg/g (vs. 110.64 mg/g in WS; fifth year). Notably, in the first year of cultivation, approximately 40–60% of the wild-level target compounds accumulated in the plants, with even higher levels detected in subsequent years, particularly in the second and third years. This study highlights the potential of cultivation to produce new Asteraceae plants rich in bioactive phenolics. Full article

The levels of different nutraceutical metabolites present in the jicama root were measured when subjecting the plant to induced biotic stress via infestation with Phyllophaga spp. (white grubs). The change in secondary metabolites on the stressed jicama roots (SJ), mostly antioxidants, was followed over 100, 140, and 180 days and compared against the non-infested control jicama (CJ). Our results show that infested (SJ) samples contained higher concentrations of tannins, flavonoids, and total phenols, measured using spectrophotometric methods, peaking at 140 days, and higher overall concentration of saponins. SJ samples showed higher DPPH inhibition, peaking at 100 days. Chlorogenic acid had the highest concentration among the phenolic compounds (7.47 mg g⁻¹), followed by protocatechuic acid, both in SJ, which was possibly related to the lower observed concentrations of caffeic and ferulic acids. As for flavonoids, we observed a high concentration of rutin in CJ and a low concentration of pelargonidin and myricetin in SJ, possibly promoted via the dihydrokaempferol pathway. Taken together, these results show that Phyllophaga spp.-mediated biotic stress affects the concentrations of secondary metabolites in the different maturity stages in jicama, having an effect on its metabolic pathways, which presents an opportunity for the use of material such as agro-industrial waste. Full article

Humulus lupulus (hop) is a necessary material in beer brewing because its female inflorescences (called hop cones) give a floral aroma, bitterness and foam stability to beer. Various aspects of growth conditions in the cultivation area, especially temperature, strongly affect the yield and quality of hop cones. Recent estimates suggest that climate change accompanied by global warming is negatively impacting hop production, with high temperatures reducing the expression of genes that regulate beneficial secondary metabolites in hops. This underscores the need for techniques to enhance hop tolerance to high temperatures. This study explores the potential of N-acectylglutamic acid (NAG), a non-proteinogenic amino acid, to confer hops with tolerance against oxidative and heat stress by suppressing ROS accumulation. Exogenous NAG treatment activated the expression of HlZAT10/12 and HlHSFA2, which are putative homologues considered master regulators in response to oxidative and heat stress in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). Additionally, histone acetylation, a histone modification associated with transcriptional activation, was increased at these stress-responsive genes in the NAG-treated hops. These findings reveal NAG as a potential chemical compound to mitigate hop production reduction caused by high temperatures and suggest the conservation of epigenetic modification-mediated regulation of gene expression in response to environmental stresses in hops. Full article

Arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) is a nutritious vegetable, commonly used in salads, known for its high glucosinolate content and various health benefits and flavors. However, arugulas may contain -excessive nitrate levels, potentially harmful to human health. We aimed to examine the effect of substrate moisture levels on the growth and quality of arugula under controlled irrigation conditions to investigate a proper irrigation practice for the quality production of arugula. The plants were cultivated using a sensor-based automated irrigation system to maintain the substrate volumetric water content (VWC) levels at 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50 m³·m⁻³ over three weeks (vegetative stage). The treatment with VWC of 0.20 m³·m⁻³ resulted in reduced shoot growth, primarily attributed to drought-induced constraints on leaf expansion. Despite the initial reductions in stomatal conductance in arugulas subjected to lower VWC treatments, they eventually recovered and exhibited similar stomatal conductance levels across all VWC treatments 15 days after treatment, indicating acclimation to drought stress. The VWC treatment did not affect the nitrate and total glucosinolate contents of arugula, except for a decrease in glucoerucin content observed in the lowest VWC treatment. Maintaining a VWC level at 0.20 m³·m⁻³ could impair both the growth and quality of arugula due to severe drought conditions. Alternatively, maintaining the VWC at 0.30 m³·m⁻³ would ensure a high water use efficiency while securing the growth and quality of arugula. Full article

Fig is a widespread crop in southern Italy, highly valued for its sweet flavor. However, its consumption as a fresh product is limited to three to four days after harvest because of its high susceptibility to quality loss and microbial contamination. The combined use of low temperature and a modified atmosphere is the traditional preservation method. However, several studies have shown that the use of Aloe arborescens or vera and O. ficus-indica (OFI) mucilage as an edible coating could reduce the microbial load and water loss, respectively. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effects of Aloe gel (AG) and O. ficus-indica mucilage (OM) on the quality and safety of two fig cultivars, ‘San Giovanni’ and ‘Melanzana’, during cold storage at 4 °C. The main results showed the effectiveness of edible coatings on both fig cultivars. An AG coating significantly reduced the microbial load, while the OM treatment showed the ability to preserve firmness and reduce weight loss. In addition, the combined OM + AG treatment showed the same effects as the individual coating formulations, also improving visual appearance. Thus, the use of the synergetic coating formulation could be a natural way to reduce the microbial load, extending fresh fig fruit’s shelf life. Full article