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
Pollination Syndrome, Florivory, and Breeding System of Satyrium nepalense var. ciliatum (Orchidaceae) in Central Yunnan, China
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1228; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091228 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Research on Satyrium nepalense var. ciliatum (Lindl.) Hook. f. has primarily focused on populations in Northwestern Yunnan, with limited studies on pollination syndromes and insect behavior. In addition, it is geographically limited in its breeding system studies. Therefore, this study selected S. nepalense
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Research on Satyrium nepalense var. ciliatum (Lindl.) Hook. f. has primarily focused on populations in Northwestern Yunnan, with limited studies on pollination syndromes and insect behavior. In addition, it is geographically limited in its breeding system studies. Therefore, this study selected S. nepalense var. ciliatum from Liangwang Mountain (Yunnan, China) to investigate its pollination syndromes, florivory, and breeding systems. Field observations, dissecting microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and paraffin section techniques were employed. Results revealed the pollination syndrome was characterized by an out-crossing trend, such as bright color, a developed rostellum, nectaries in the spur, and food hairs. The color and nectar attracted flower visitors, and florivory was observed. Some flower visitors pollinated their companion species. Ants were identified as floral visitors for the first time in Satyrium, although substantial pollination was not observed. Ants might be potential pollinators. S. nepalense var. ciliatum displayed a mixed breeding system, including selfing, out-crossing, and apomixis, with apomixis being predominant in nature. It is suggested that the pollination syndrome, florivory, and pollination competition would contribute to its mixed breeding systems, particularly leading to the occurrence of apomixis.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Plant Ecology)
Open AccessArticle
Regulation of Root Exudation in Wheat Plants in Response to Alkali Stress
by
Huan Wang, Shuting Zhao, Zexin Qi, Changgang Yang, Dan Ding, Binbin Xiao, Shihong Wang and Chunwu Yang
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1227; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091227 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Soil alkalization is an important environmental factor limiting crop production. Despite the importance of root secretion in the response of plants to alkali stress, the regulatory mechanism is unclear. In this study, we applied a widely targeted metabolomics approach using a local MS/MS
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Soil alkalization is an important environmental factor limiting crop production. Despite the importance of root secretion in the response of plants to alkali stress, the regulatory mechanism is unclear. In this study, we applied a widely targeted metabolomics approach using a local MS/MS data library constructed with authentic standards to identify and quantify root exudates of wheat under salt and alkali stresses. The regulatory mechanism of root secretion in alkali-stressed wheat plants was analyzed by determining transcriptional and metabolic responses. Our primary focus was alkali stress-induced secreted metabolites (AISMs) that showed a higher secretion rate in alkali-stressed plants than in control and salt-stressed plants. This secretion was mainly induced by high-pH stress. We discovered 55 AISMs containing –COOH groups, including 23 fatty acids, 4 amino acids, 1 amino acid derivative, 7 dipeptides, 5 organic acids, 9 phenolic acids, and 6 others. In the roots, we also discovered 29 metabolites with higher levels under alkali stress than under control and salt stress conditions, including 2 fatty acids, 3 amino acid derivatives, 1 dipeptide, 2 organic acids, and 11 phenolic acids. These alkali stress-induced accumulated carboxylic acids may support continuous root secretion during the response of wheat plants to alkali stress. In the roots, RNAseq analysis indicated that 5 6-phosphofructokinase (glycolysis rate-limiting enzyme) genes, 16 key fatty acid synthesis genes, and 122 phenolic acid synthesis genes have higher expression levels under alkali stress than under control and salt stress conditions. We propose that the secretion of multiple types of metabolites with a –COOH group is an important pH regulation strategy for alkali-stressed wheat plants. Enhanced glycolysis, fatty acid synthesis, and phenolic acid synthesis will provide more energy and substrates for root secretion during the response of wheat to alkali stress.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Plant Signaling Mechanisms in Biotic and Abiotic Stress)
Open AccessArticle
Biochar Loaded with a Bacterial Strain N33 Facilitates Pecan Seedling Growth and Shapes Rhizosphere Microbial Community
by
Zexuan Jiang, Qi Li, Fangren Peng and Jinping Yu
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1226; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091226 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Biochar and beneficial microorganisms have been widely used in ecological agriculture. However, the impact of biochar loaded with microbes (BM) on plant growth remains to be understood. In this study, BM was produced by incubating pecan biochar with the bacterial strain N33, and
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Biochar and beneficial microorganisms have been widely used in ecological agriculture. However, the impact of biochar loaded with microbes (BM) on plant growth remains to be understood. In this study, BM was produced by incubating pecan biochar with the bacterial strain N33, and the effects of BM on pecan growth and the microbial community in the rhizosphere were explored. BM application significantly enhanced the biomass and height of pecan plants. Meanwhile, BM treatment improved nutrient uptake in plants and significantly increased the chlorophyll, soluble sugars, and soluble proteins of plants. Furthermore, BM treatment improved the soil texture and environment. Finally, BM application substantially enhanced the diversity of soil fungi and bacteria as well as the relative abundances of the phyla Firmicutes and Chloroflexi, and families Bacillaceae and Paenibacillaceae, as shown by high-throughput sequencing. Together, this study clarified the growth-promotive effects of BM on pecan plants and suggested an alternative to synthetic fertilizers in their production.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions)
Open AccessArticle
Influences of Cluster Thinning on Fatty Acids and Green Leaf Volatiles in the Production of Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes and Wines in the Northwest of China
by
Xiaoyu Xu, Chifang Cheng, Xu Qian, Ying Shi, Changqing Duan and Yibin Lan
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1225; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091225 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Cluster thinning has been widely applied in yield management and its effect on green leaf volatiles (GLVs) in wines has seldom been studied. GLVs are important flavor compositions for grapes and wines. This work aimed to investigate the impact of cluster thinning on
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Cluster thinning has been widely applied in yield management and its effect on green leaf volatiles (GLVs) in wines has seldom been studied. GLVs are important flavor compositions for grapes and wines. This work aimed to investigate the impact of cluster thinning on these volatiles and their precursors in grapes and wines. Severe cluster thinning (CT1) and medium cluster thinning (CT2) were performed on Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.) vines in two sites (G-farm and Y-farm) from Xinjiang province in the Northwest of China. The impact of cluster thinning treatments on the accumulation of GLVs and their precursors, long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) of grape berries and C6 volatiles, in resulting wines was investigated. Multivariate analysis showed that cluster thinning treatments induced significant changes in fruit and wine composition in both farms. In Y-farm, medium cluster thinning (CT2) significantly increased the average cluster weight of harvested berries. Additionally, both cluster thinning treatments (CT1 and CT2) increased fatty acids in harvested berries and CT2 led to an increase in C6 esters and a decrease in C6 alcohols in the wines of Y-farm under the warmer and drier 2012 vintage. However, the effect of cluster thinning was likely negative in G-farm due to its wetter soil and excessive organic matter. The treatments may be applicable for local grape growers to improve viticultural practices for the more balanced vegetative and reproductive growth of Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines. This work also provided further knowledge on the regulation of fatty acids and the derived C6 volatiles through the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flavor Quality of Cultivated and Wild Berries and Their Biological Basis)
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Open AccessArticle
Zinc and Silicon Nano-Fertilizers Influence Ionomic and Metabolite Profiles in Maize to Overcome Salt Stress
by
Abbas Shoukat, Zulfiqar Ahmad Saqib, Javaid Akhtar, Zubair Aslam, Britta Pitann, Md. Sazzad Hossain and Karl Hermann Mühling
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1224; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091224 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Salinity stress is a major factor affecting the nutritional and metabolic profiles of crops, thus hindering optimal yield and productivity. Recent advances in nanotechnology propose an avenue for the use of nano-fertilizers as a potential solution for better nutrient management and stress mitigation.
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Salinity stress is a major factor affecting the nutritional and metabolic profiles of crops, thus hindering optimal yield and productivity. Recent advances in nanotechnology propose an avenue for the use of nano-fertilizers as a potential solution for better nutrient management and stress mitigation. This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of conventional and nano-fertilizers (nano-Zn/nano-Si) on maize and subcellular level changes in its ionomic and metabolic profiles under salt stress conditions. Zinc and silicon were applied both in conventional and nano-fertilizer-using farms under stress (100 mM NaCl) and normal conditions. Different ions, sugars, and organic acids (OAs) were determined using ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The results revealed significant improvements in different ions, sugars, OAs, and other metabolic profiles of maize. Nanoparticles boosted sugar metabolism, as evidenced by increased glucose, fructose, and sucrose concentrations, and improved nutrient uptake, indicated by higher nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate levels. Particularly, nano-fertilizers effectively limited Na accumulation under saline conditions and enhanced maize’s salt stress tolerance. Furthermore, nano-treatments optimized the potassium-to-sodium ratio, a critical factor in maintaining ionic homeostasis under stress conditions. With the growing threat of salinity stress on global food security, these findings highlight the urgent need for further development and implementation of effective solutions like the application of nano-fertilizers in mitigating the negative impact of salinity on plant growth and productivity. However, this controlled environment limits the direct applicability to field conditions and needs future research, particularly long-term field trials, to confirm such results of nano-fertilizers against salinity stress and their economic viability towards sustainable agriculture.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Nutrition)
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Open AccessArticle
Dynamic Simulation of the Leaf Mass per Area (LMA) in Multilayer Crowns of Young Larix principis-rupprechtii
by
Jinshan Wang, Ying Zhou, Cuiying Ji, Longfei Xie, Qiang Liu and Zhidong Zhang
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1223; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091223 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Leaf mass per area (LMA) is a key structural parameter that reflects the functional traits of leaves and plays a vital role in simulating the material and energy cycles of plant ecosystems. In this study, vertical whorl-by-whorl sampling of LMA was conducted in
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Leaf mass per area (LMA) is a key structural parameter that reflects the functional traits of leaves and plays a vital role in simulating the material and energy cycles of plant ecosystems. In this study, vertical whorl-by-whorl sampling of LMA was conducted in a young Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation during the growing season at the Saihanba Forest Farm. The vertical and seasonal variations in LMA were analysed. Subsequently, a predictive model of LMA was constructed. The results revealed that the LMA varied significantly between different crown whorls and growing periods. In the vertical direction of the crown, the LMA decreased with increasing crown depth, but the range of LMA values from the tree top to the bottom was, on average, 30.4 g/m2, which was approximately 2.5 times greater in the fully expanded phase than in the early leaf-expanding phase. During different growing periods, the LMA exhibited an allometric growth trend that increased during the leaf-expanding phase and then tended to stabilize. However, the range of LMA values throughout the growing period was, on average, 40.4 g/m2. Among the univariate models, the leaf dry matter content (LDMC) performed well (adjusted determination coefficient (Ra2) = 0.45, root mean square error (RMSE) = 13.48 g/m2) in estimating the LMA. The correlation between LMA and LDMC significantly differed at different growth stages and at different vertical crown whorls. The dynamic predictive model of LMA constructed with the relative depth in the crown (RDINC) and date of the year (DOY) as independent variables was reliable in both the assessments (Ra2 = 0.68, RMSE = 10.25 g/m2) and the validation (absolute mean error (MAE) = 8.05 g/m2, fit index (FI) = 0.682). Dynamic simulations of crown LMA provide a basis for elucidating the mechanism of crown development and laying the foundation for the construction of an ecological process model.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Modeling)
Open AccessArticle
Effect of Glycolipids Application Combined with Nitrogen Fertilizer Reduction on Maize Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Yield
by
Xianghai Meng, Qingshan Dong, Baicheng Wang, Zheng Ni, Xingzhe Zhang, Chunguang Liu, Wenquan Yu, Jie Liu, Xinrui Shi, Dehai Xu and Yan Duan
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091222 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Microbial-driven N turnover is important in regulating N fertilizer use efficiency through the secretion of metabolites like glycolipids. Currently, our understanding of the potential of glycolipids to partially reduce N fertilizer use and the effects of glycolipids on crop yield and N use
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Microbial-driven N turnover is important in regulating N fertilizer use efficiency through the secretion of metabolites like glycolipids. Currently, our understanding of the potential of glycolipids to partially reduce N fertilizer use and the effects of glycolipids on crop yield and N use efficiency is still limited. Here, a three-year in situ field experiment was conducted with seven treatments: no fertilization (CK); chemical N, phosphorus and potassium (NPK); NPK plus glycolipids (N+PKT); and PK plus glycolipids with 10% (0.9 N+PKT), 20% (0.8 N+PKT), 30% (0.7 N+PKT), and 100% (PKT) N reduction. Compared with NPK, glycolipids with 0–20% N reduction did not significantly reduce maize yields, and also increased N uptake by 6.26–11.07%, but no significant changes in grain or straw N uptake. The N resorption efficiency under 0.9 N+PKT was significantly greater than that under NPK, while the apparent utilization rates of N fertilizer and partial factor productivity of N under 0.9 N+PKT were significantly greater than those under NPK. Although 0.9 N+PKT led to additional labor and input costs, compared with NPK, it had a greater net economic benefit. Our study demonstrates the potential for using glycolipids in agroecosystem management and provides theoretical support for optimizing fertilization strategies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility Management for Sustainable Crop Production)
Open AccessArticle
Genome-Wide Analysis of MYB Gene Family in Chrysanthemum ×morifolium Provides Insights into Flower Color Regulation
by
Bohao Wang, Xiaohui Wen, Boxiao Fu, Yuanyuan Wei, Xiang Song, Shuangda Li, Luyao Wang, Yanbin Wu, Yan Hong and Silan Dai
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1221; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091221 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
MYBs constitute the second largest transcription factor (TF) superfamily in flowering plants with substantial structural and functional diversity, which have been brought into focus because they affect flower colors by regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis. Up to now, the genomic data of several Chrysanthemum species
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MYBs constitute the second largest transcription factor (TF) superfamily in flowering plants with substantial structural and functional diversity, which have been brought into focus because they affect flower colors by regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis. Up to now, the genomic data of several Chrysanthemum species have been released, which provides us with abundant genomic resources for revealing the evolution of the MYB gene family in Chrysanthemum species. In the present study, comparative analyses of the MYB gene family in six representative species, including C. lavandulifolium, C. seticuspe, C. ×morifolium, Helianthus annuus, Lactuca sativa, and Arabidopsis thaliana, were performed. A total of 1104 MYBs, which were classified into four subfamilies and 35 lineages, were identified in the three Chrysanthemum species (C. lavandulifolium, C. seticuspe, and C. ×morifolium). We found that whole-genome duplication and tandem duplication are the main duplication mechanisms that drove the occurrence of duplicates in CmMYBs (particularly in the R2R3-MYB subfamily) during the evolution of the cultivated chrysanthemums. Sequence structure and selective pressure analyses of the MYB gene family revealed that a majority of R2R3-MYBs were subjected to positive selection, which are mostly located on the distal telomere segments of the chromosomes and contain motifs 7 and 8. In addition, the gene expression analysis of CmMYBs in different organs and at various capitulum developmental stages of C. ×morifolium indicated that CmMYBS2, CmMYB96, and CmMYB109 might be the negative regulators for anthocyanin biosynthesis. Our results provide the phylogenetic context for research on the genetic and functional evolution of the MYB gene family in Chrysanthemum species and deepen our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of MYB TFs on the flower color of C. ×morifolium.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolutionary Genomics III)
Open AccessReview
Role of Abscisic Acid, Reactive Oxygen Species, and Ca2+ Signaling in Hydrotropism—Drought Avoidance-Associated Response of Roots
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Baris Uzilday, Kaori Takahashi, Akie Kobayashi, Rengin Ozgur Uzilday, Nobuharu Fujii, Hideyuki Takahashi and Ismail Turkan
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1220; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091220 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Plant roots exert hydrotropism in response to moisture gradients to avoid drought stress. The regulatory mechanism underlying hydrotropism involves novel regulators such as MIZ1 and GNOM/MIZ2 as well as abscisic acid (ABA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Ca2+ signaling. ABA, ROS, and
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Plant roots exert hydrotropism in response to moisture gradients to avoid drought stress. The regulatory mechanism underlying hydrotropism involves novel regulators such as MIZ1 and GNOM/MIZ2 as well as abscisic acid (ABA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Ca2+ signaling. ABA, ROS, and Ca2+ signaling are also involved in plant responses to drought stress. Although the mechanism of moisture gradient perception remains largely unknown, the sensory apparatus has been reported to reside in the root elongation zone rather than in the root cap. In Arabidopsis roots, hydrotropism is mediated by the action of MIZ1 and ABA in the cortex of the elongation zone, the accumulation of ROS at the root curvature, and the variation in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in the entire root tip including the root cap and stele of the elongation zone. Moreover, root exposure to moisture gradients has been proposed to cause asymmetric ABA distribution or Ca2+ signaling, leading to the induction of the hydrotropic response. A comprehensive and detailed analysis of hydrotropism regulators and their signaling network in relation to the tissues required for their function is apparently crucial for understanding the mechanisms unique to root hydrotropism. Here, referring to studies on plant responses to drought stress, we summarize the recent findings relating to the role of ABA, ROS, and Ca2+ signaling in hydrotropism, discuss their functional sites and plausible networks, and raise some questions that need to be answered in future studies.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Root Growth Behavior)
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Open AccessArticle
SMS2, a Novel Allele of OsINV3, Regulates Grain Size in Rice
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Jianzhi Huang, Zelong Zhou, Ying Wang, Jing Yang, Xinyue Wang, Yijun Tang, Ran Xu, Yunhai Li and Lian Wu
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091219 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Grain size has an important effect on rice yield. Although several key genes that regulate seed size have been reported in rice, their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, a rice small grain size 2 (sms2) mutant was identified, and
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Grain size has an important effect on rice yield. Although several key genes that regulate seed size have been reported in rice, their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, a rice small grain size 2 (sms2) mutant was identified, and MutMap resequencing analysis results showed that a 2 bp insertion in the second exon of the LOC_Os02g01590 gene resulted in a grain length and width lower than those of the wild-type Teqing (TQ). We found that SMS2 encoded vacuolar acid invertase, a novel allele of OsINV3, which regulates grain size. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that SMS2 was involved in endoplasmic reticulum protein synthesis, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and propionic acid metabolism, thereby regulating grain size. An analysis of sugar content in young panicles showed that SMS2 reduced sucrose, fructose, and starch contents, thus regulating grain size. A haplotype analysis showed that Hap2 of SMS2 had a longer grain and was widely present in indica rice varieties. Our results provide a new theoretical basis for the molecular and physiological mechanisms by which SMS2 regulates grain size.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Regulation of Rice Development)
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Open AccessArticle
Phenotypic Characteristics and Occurrence Basis of Leaf Necrotic Spots in Response of Weedy Rice to Imazethapyr
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Zeyu Zhang, Xianyu Wang, Jianing Zang, Dongsun Lee, Qian Zhu and Lijuan Chen
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1218; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091218 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Weedy rice is the most challenging weed species to remove in rice production. We found a novel phenotype of seedling leaves which rapidly generates necrotic spots in response to imidazolinone herbicides in weedy rice, but its influencing factors and formation basis are still
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Weedy rice is the most challenging weed species to remove in rice production. We found a novel phenotype of seedling leaves which rapidly generates necrotic spots in response to imidazolinone herbicides in weedy rice, but its influencing factors and formation basis are still unknown. In this study, we used the leaf necrotic spot-producing type of weedy rice as the material. First, leaf necrotic spots were defined as physiological and vacuole-mediated cell necrosis by microscopic examination. The imazethapyr concentration was positively correlated with the degree of necrotic spots occurring, while the action site was in accordance with necrosis using herbicide stability tests combined with fluorescence parameters. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed significant differences in the gene expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress and the lipid metabolism membrane structure damage pathway during necrosis, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The light–temperature test also showed that high temperature and intense light could promote the appearance of necrotic spots. These experimental results are helpful in clarifying the process and basis of imazethapyr in inducing the rapid generation of necrotic spots in rice leaves and providing new insight into understanding the mechanism of response to imidazolinone herbicides and the control of weedy rice.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Rice and Rice Breeding)
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Open AccessArticle
Impacts of N-P-K-Mg Fertilizer Combinations on Tree Parameters and Fungal Disease Incidences in Apple Cultivars with Varying Disease Susceptibility
by
Ádám Csihon, István Gonda, Marianna Sipos and Imre J. Holb
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1217; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091217 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Adequate mineral fertilization helps to ensure optimal tree growth, fruit development, and predictable yield of apple trees. This 7-year study (2016–2022) aims to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) fertilizer combinations (NP, NPK, NPKMg, and control)
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Adequate mineral fertilization helps to ensure optimal tree growth, fruit development, and predictable yield of apple trees. This 7-year study (2016–2022) aims to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) fertilizer combinations (NP, NPK, NPKMg, and control) on eight parameters (trunk cross-sectional area—TCSA; fruit yield—FY; number of fruit per tree—FNT; crop load—CL; fruit diameter—FD; fruit weight—FW; fruit scab incidence—FSI; and powdery mildew incidence on shoot—PMIS) on the cultivars (cvs) ‘Golden Reinders’ (disease susceptible) and ‘Pinova’ (scab and mildew tolerant). In the 7-year period, TCSA values continuously increased for both cultivars over the years. Fertilizer treatments showed significant differences on TCSA but the effect varied greatly annually among fertilizer treatments. Fertilizer treatments had increasing effects on FY and FNT in 2018 and 2022, on CL in 2018, on FD in 2018 and 2019, and on FW in 2016 and 2018 in both cultivars compared to the control treatment. FSI values were the lowest in the NPKMg treatment for cv. ‘Golden Reinders’ in 2016, 2017, and 2022; for cv. ‘Pinova’ in 2016; PMIS values for cv. ‘Golden Reinders’ in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022; and for cv. ‘Pinova’ in 2018. Correlation and regression analyses revealed strong and significant (p = 0.05) relationships between FNT versus (vs.) TCSA, FNT vs. FY, FW vs. TCSA, CL vs. FY, FW vs. FD, and FSI vs. FW. In conclusion, our study showed that multiyear application of fertilizer combinations can successfully increase TCSA and yield parameters as well as reduce fungal disease incidences, especially on the disease-susceptible cultivar in sandy soil with moderate fertility, under Central-European continental climate conditions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fertilizer Management: Enhancing Crop Yield and Produce Quality)
Open AccessArticle
Mango Fruit Detachment of Trees after Applying a Blend Composed of HNO3 and Charcoal Activated
by
David Vargas-Cano, Federico Hahn, José Luis Rodriguez de la O, Alejandro Barrientos-Priego and Víctor Prado-Hernández
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1216; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091216 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
As young workers prefer urban labors and migrate to USA and Canada, mango harvesting is becoming scarce on Mexican coasts. This seasonal labor is becoming expensive and when many orchards produce fruit simultaneously, grower losses increase. In this research, an innovative fruit detachment
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As young workers prefer urban labors and migrate to USA and Canada, mango harvesting is becoming scarce on Mexican coasts. This seasonal labor is becoming expensive and when many orchards produce fruit simultaneously, grower losses increase. In this research, an innovative fruit detachment method was tested after applying a viscous paste to the pedicel of mango fruits hanging in the tree. Activated carbon or charcoal (AC), was mixed with different amounts of nitric acid to provide three AC composite blends named: light, medium, and dense. The nanomaterial was applied with a brush to the fruit pedicel/peduncle taking up to 4 h before the mango fruits felt to a net below the tree canopy. Mango detachment experiments indicated that the medium blend was the most efficient in releasing the fruit, taking an average of 2 h. The dense nano-material decreased latex exudation to 7% of the fruits. Fruit maturity emerged as a crucial factor for detachment time, followed by mango weight.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnology Advances during Fruit Ripening and Vegetable Post-harvest)
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Open AccessArticle
Alginate Oligosaccharides Alleviate Salt Stress in Rice Seedlings by Regulating Cell Wall Metabolism to Maintain Cell Wall Structure and Improve Lodging Resistance
by
Youwei Du, Huimin Zhao, Naijie Feng, Dianfeng Zheng, Aaqil Khan, Hang Zhou, Peng Deng, Yaxing Wang, Xutong Lu and Wenxin Jiang
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1215; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091215 (registering DOI) - 28 Apr 2024
Abstract
Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses that damage the structure and composition of cell walls. Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) have been advocated to significantly improve plant stress tolerance. The metabolic mechanism by which AOS induces salt tolerance in rice cell walls
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Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses that damage the structure and composition of cell walls. Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) have been advocated to significantly improve plant stress tolerance. The metabolic mechanism by which AOS induces salt tolerance in rice cell walls remains unclear. Here, we report the impact of AOS foliar application on the cell wall composition of rice seedlings using the salt-tolerant rice variety FL478 and the salt-sensitive variety IR29. Data revealed that salt stress decreased biomass, stem basal width, stem breaking strength, and lodging resistance; however, it increased cell wall thickness. In leaves, exogenous AOS up-regulated the expression level of OSCESA8, increased abscisic acid (ABA) and brassinosteroids (BR) content, and increased β-galacturonic activity, polygalacturonase activity, xylanase activity, laccase activity, biomass, and cellulose content. Moreover, AOS down-regulated the expression levels of OSMYB46 and OSIRX10 and decreased cell wall hemicellulose, pectin, and lignin content to maintain cell wall stability under salt stress. In stems, AOS increased phenylalamine ammonia-lyase and tyrosine ammonia-lyase activities, while decreasing cellulase, laccase, and β-glucanase activities. Furthermore, AOS improved the biomass and stem basal width and also enhanced the cellulose, pectin, and lignin content of the stem, As a result, increased resistance to stem breakage strength and alleviated salt stress-induced damage, thus enhancing the lodging resistance. Under salt stress, AOS regulates phytohormones and modifies cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin metabolism to maintain cell wall structure and improve stem resistance to lodging. This study aims to alleviate salt stress damage to rice cell walls, enhance resistance to lodging, and improve salt tolerance in rice by exogenous application of AOS.
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(This article belongs to the Section Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change)
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Open AccessArticle
Magnaporthe oryzae Effector AvrPik-D Targets Rice Rubisco Small Subunit OsRBCS4 to Suppress Immunity
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Linlin Song, Tao Yang, Xinxiao Wang, Wenyu Ye and Guodong Lu
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1214; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091214 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Rice blast, caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae), is a highly destructive disease that significantly impacts rice yield and quality. During the infection, M. oryzae secretes effector proteins to subvert the host immune response. However, the interaction between
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Rice blast, caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae), is a highly destructive disease that significantly impacts rice yield and quality. During the infection, M. oryzae secretes effector proteins to subvert the host immune response. However, the interaction between the effector protein AvrPik-D and its target proteins in rice, and the mechanism by which AvrPik-D exacerbates disease severity to facilitate infection, remains poorly understood. In this study, we found that the M. oryzae effector AvrPik-D interacts with the Rubisco (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) small subunit OsRBCS4. The overexpression of the OsRBCS4 gene in transgenic rice not only enhances resistance to M. oryzae but also induces more reactive oxygen species following chitin treatment. OsRBCS4 localizes to chloroplasts and co-localizes with AvrPik-D within these organelles. AvrPik-D suppresses the transcriptional expression of OsRBCS4 and inhibits Rubisco activity in rice. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the M. oryzae effector AvrPik-D targets the Rubisco small subunit OsRBCS4 and inhibits its carboxylase and oxygenase activity, thereby suppressing rice innate immunity to facilitate infection. This provides a novel mechanism for the M. oryzae effector to subvert the host immunity to promote infection.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant-Fungal Pathogen Interaction)
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Open AccessArticle
Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Secondary Metabolites Using Ethyl Lactate Green Solvent from Ambrosia arborescens: LC/ESI-MS/MS and Antioxidant Activity
by
Evelyn Guillen, Hector Terrones, Teresa Cano de Terrones, Mario J. Simirgiotis, Jan Hájek, José Cheel, Beatriz Sepulveda and Carlos Areche
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091213 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Alternative solvents are being tested as green solvents to replace the traditional organic solvents used in both academy and industry. Some of these are already available, such as ethyl lactate, cyrene, limonene, glycerol, and others. This alternative explores eco-friendly processes for extracting secondary
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Alternative solvents are being tested as green solvents to replace the traditional organic solvents used in both academy and industry. Some of these are already available, such as ethyl lactate, cyrene, limonene, glycerol, and others. This alternative explores eco-friendly processes for extracting secondary metabolites from nature, thus increasing the number of unconventional extraction methods with lower environmental impact over conventional methods. In this context, the Peruvian Ambrosia arborescens was our model while exploring a microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) approach over maceration. The objective of this study was to perform a phytochemical study including UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS and the antioxidant activity of Ambrosia arborescens, using sustainable strategies by mixing both microwaves and ethyl lactate as a green solvent. The results showed that ethyl lactate/MAE (15.07%) achieved a higher extraction yield than methanol/maceration (12.6%). In the case of the isolation of psilostachyin, it was similar to ethyl lactate (0.44%) when compared to methanol (0.40%). Regarding UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS studies, the results were similar. Twenty-eight compounds were identified in the ethyl lactate/MAE and methanol/maceration extracts, except for the tentative identification of two additional amino acids (peaks 4 and 6) in the MeOH extract. In relation to the antioxidant assay, the activity of the ethyl lactate extract was a little higher than the methanol extract in terms of ORAC (715.38 ± 3.2) and DPPH (263.04 ± 2.8). This study on A. arborescens demonstrated that the unconventional techniques, such as MAE related to ethyl lactate, could replace maceration/MeOH for the extraction and isolation of metabolites from diverse sources. This finding showed the potential of unconventional methods with green solvents to provide eco-friendly methods based on green chemistry.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction, Isolation, and Characterization of Plant Natural Products Using Conventional and Non-conventional Techniques)
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Open AccessArticle
Precision Estimation of Crop Coefficient for Maize Cultivation Using High-Resolution Satellite Imagery to Enhance Evapotranspiration Assessment in Agriculture
by
Attila Nagy, Nikolett Éva Kiss, Erika Buday-Bódi, Tamás Magyar, Francesco Cavazza, Salvatore Luca Gentile, Haidi Abdullah, János Tamás and Zsolt Zoltán Fehér
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091212 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
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The estimation of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) is crucial for irrigation water management, especially in arid regions. This can be particularly relevant in the Po Valley (Italy), where arable lands suffer from drought damages on an annual basis, causing drastic crop yield losses. This
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The estimation of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) is crucial for irrigation water management, especially in arid regions. This can be particularly relevant in the Po Valley (Italy), where arable lands suffer from drought damages on an annual basis, causing drastic crop yield losses. This study presents a novel approach for vegetation-based estimation of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) for maize. Three years of high-resolution multispectral satellite (Sentinel-2)-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalized Difference Red Edge Index (NDRE), and Leaf Area Index (LAI) time series data were used to derive crop coefficients of maize in nine plots at the Acqua Campus experimental farm of Irrigation Consortium for the Emilia Romagna Canal (CER), Italy. Since certain vegetation indices (VIs) (such as NDVI) have an exponential nature compared to the other indices, both linear and power regression models were evaluated to estimate the crop coefficient (Kc). In the context of linear regression, the correlations between Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-based Kc and NDWI, NDRE, NDVI, and LAI-based Kc were 0.833, 0.870, 0.886, and 0.771, respectively. Strong correlation values in the case of power regression (NDWI: 0.876, NDRE: 0.872, NDVI: 0.888, LAI: 0.746) indicated an alternative approach to provide crop coefficients for the vegetation period. The VI-based ETc values were calculated using reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and VI-based Kc. The weather station data of CER were used to calculate ET0 based on Penman-Monteith estimation. Out of the Vis, NDWI and NDVI-based ETc performed the best both in the cases of linear (NDWI RMSE: 0.43 ± 0.12; NDVI RMSE: 0.43 ± 0.095) and power (NDWI RMSE: 0.44 ± 0.116; NDVI RMSE: 0.44 ± 0.103) approaches. The findings affirm the efficacy of the developed methodology in accurately assessing the evapotranspiration rate. Consequently, it offers a more refined temporal estimation of water requirements for maize cultivation in the region.
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Open AccessReview
Prenylated Flavonoids of the Moraceae Family: A Comprehensive Review of Their Biological Activities
by
Jaime Morante-Carriel, Suzana Živković, Hugo Nájera, Susana Sellés-Marchart, Ascensión Martínez-Márquez, María José Martínez-Esteso, Anna Obrebska, Antonio Samper-Herrero and Roque Bru-Martínez
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1211; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091211 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2024
Abstract
Prenylated flavonoids (PFs) are natural flavonoids with a prenylated side chain attached to the flavonoid skeleton. They have great potential for biological activities such as anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibition, and anti-Alzheimer’s effects. Medicinal chemists have recently paid increasing attention to
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Prenylated flavonoids (PFs) are natural flavonoids with a prenylated side chain attached to the flavonoid skeleton. They have great potential for biological activities such as anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibition, and anti-Alzheimer’s effects. Medicinal chemists have recently paid increasing attention to PFs, which have become vital for developing new therapeutic agents. PFs have quickly developed through isolation and semi- or full synthesis, proving their high value in medicinal chemistry research. This review comprehensively summarizes the research progress of PFs, including natural PFs from the Moraceae family and their pharmacological activities. This information provides a basis for the selective design and optimization of multifunctional PF derivatives to treat multifactorial diseases.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Secondary Metabolites in Plants)
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Open AccessCommunication
Exploring the Metatranscriptome of Bacterial Communities of Two Moss Species Thriving in Different Environments—Terrestrial and Aquatic
by
Vesselin Baev, Gana Gecheva, Elena Apostolova, Mariyana Gozmanova and Galina Yahubyan
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1210; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091210 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2024
Abstract
Mosses host diverse bacterial communities essential for their fitness, nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and pathogen defense. Understanding the microbiome’s taxonomic composition is the first step, but unraveling their functional capabilities is crucial for grasping their ecological significance. Metagenomics characterizes microbial communities by composition,
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Mosses host diverse bacterial communities essential for their fitness, nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and pathogen defense. Understanding the microbiome’s taxonomic composition is the first step, but unraveling their functional capabilities is crucial for grasping their ecological significance. Metagenomics characterizes microbial communities by composition, while metatranscriptomics explores gene expression, providing insights into microbiome functionality beyond the structure. Here, we present for the first time a metatranscriptomic study of two moss species, Hypnum cupressiforme (Hedw.) and Platyhypnidium riparioides (Hedw.) Dixon., renowned as key biomonitors of atmospheric and water pollution. Our investigation extends beyond taxonomic profiling and offers a profound exploration of moss bacterial communities. Pseudomonadota and Actinobacteria are the dominant bacterial phyla in both moss species, but their proportions differ. In H. cupressiforme, Actinobacteria make up 62.45% and Pseudomonadota 32.48%, while in P. riparioides, Actinobacteria account for only 25.67% and Pseudomonadota 69.08%. This phylum-level contrast is reflected in genus-level differences. Our study also shows the expression of most genes related to nitrogen cycling across both microbiomes. Additionally, functional annotation highlights disparities in pathway prevalence, including carbon dioxide fixation, photosynthesis, and fatty acid biosynthesis, among others. These findings hint at potential metabolic distinctions between microbial communities associated with different moss species, influenced by their specific genotypes and habitats. The integration of metatranscriptomic data holds promise for enhancing our understanding of bryophyte–microbe partnerships, opening avenues for novel applications in conservation, bioremediation, and sustainable agriculture.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Roles of Bryophytes in Aquatic Ecology)
Open AccessArticle
Unveiling the Synergistic Effects of Phosphorus Fertilization and Organic Amendments on Red Pepper Growth, Productivity and Physio-Biochemical Response under Saline Water Irrigation and Climate-Arid Stresses
by
Hamza Bouras, Krishna Prasad Devkota, Achraf Mamassi, Aicha Loudari, Redouane Choukr-Allah and Moussa El-Jarroudi
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1209; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091209 - 26 Apr 2024
Abstract
In regions facing water scarcity and soil salinity, mitigating these abiotic stresses is paramount for sustaining crop production. This study aimed to unravel the synergistic effects of organic matter and phosphorus management in reducing the adverse effect of saline water for irrigation on
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In regions facing water scarcity and soil salinity, mitigating these abiotic stresses is paramount for sustaining crop production. This study aimed to unravel the synergistic effects of organic matter and phosphorus management in reducing the adverse effect of saline water for irrigation on red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production, fruit quality, plant physiology, and stress tolerance indicators. The study was carried out in the arid Tadla region of Morocco and involved two key experiments: (i) a field experiment during the 2019 growing season, where red pepper plants were subjected to varying phosphorus fertilizer rates (120, 140, and 170 kg of P2O5.ha−1) and saline water irrigation levels (0.7; 1.5; 3; and 5 dS.m−1); and (ii) a controlled pot experiment in 2021 for examining the interaction of saline water irrigation levels (EC values of 0.7, 2, 5, and 9 dS.m−1), phosphorus rates (30, 36, and 42 kg of P2O5.ha−1), and the amount of organic matter (4, 8, 12, and 16 t.ha−1). The field study highlighted that saline irrigation significantly affected red pepper yields and fruit size, although phosphorus fertilization helped enhance productivity. Additionally, biochemical markers of stress tolerance, such as proline and glycine betaine, along with stomatal conductance, were impacted by increasing salinity levels. The pot experiment showed that combining organic amendments and phosphorus improved soil properties and stimulated red pepper growth and root weight across all salinity levels. The integration of phosphorus fertilization and organic amendments proved instrumental for counteracting salinity-induced constraints on red pepper growth and yield. Nonetheless, caution is necessary as high salinity can still negatively impact red pepper productivity, necessitating the establishment of an irrigation water salinity threshold, set at 5 dS.m−1.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular and Physiological Mechanisms Regulating Vegetable Crops Growth under Stressful Conditions)
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