This paper discusses the development characteristics of urban horticulture under the background of smart agriculture,as well as the application of artificial intelligence technology in it.It analyzes the importance of...This paper discusses the development characteristics of urban horticulture under the background of smart agriculture,as well as the application of artificial intelligence technology in it.It analyzes the importance of highly skilled talents in urban agriculture in the era of smart agriculture and their cultivation pathways and practices.It proposes measures such as building multi-level practical teaching platforms,implementing the“Enjoy Horticulture”series of high-quality activities,and establishing the“1234”applied talent training model to cultivate high-quality talents that meet the development needs of modern urban horticulture industry.Taking Beijing University of Agriculture and other universities as examples,the paper analyzes the practical cases and effects of the urban horticulture discipline’s industry-education-research collaborative talent training model,which has reference significance for further improving and perfecting the urban horticulture industry-education-research collaborative talent training plan.展开更多
Understanding plant responses under low-pressure conditions is important for developing closed cultivation systems that simulate space environments.This study aimed to assess the effects of different pressure levels o...Understanding plant responses under low-pressure conditions is important for developing closed cultivation systems that simulate space environments.This study aimed to assess the effects of different pressure levels on growth,photosynthesis,and secondary metabolite accumulation in red leaf lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.var.‘Super Caesar’s Red’).Plants were cultivated for three weeks in sealed chambers under 101 kPa(atmospheric pressure),66 kPa(moderate low pressure),and 33 kPa(severe low pressure).Growth analysis showed that leaf length and leaf area decreased significantly with reduced pressure,while chlorophyll content and SPAD values increased gradually.Photosynthetic measurements indicated lower transpiration and stomatal conductance under low pressure relative to atmospheric conditions,consistent with reduced stomatal size and density observed by SEM.Secondary metabolite analysis showed strong induction of anthocyanins(41.3%at 66 kPa and 190.8%at 33 kPa),with significant increases in phenolic and flavonoid contents.Thus,low-pressure conditions may suppress morphological growth but promote secondary metabolite contents,offering potential advantages for quality-oriented cultivation strategies.This study provides fundamental insights into physiological adaptation under low pressure and practical implications for crop selection and management in space agriculture and other controlled environments.展开更多
Drought stress is one of the factors limiting pepper production in water-stressed regions.It affects growth and development by inducing morphological,biochemical,and physiological changes.Breeding drought-resistant va...Drought stress is one of the factors limiting pepper production in water-stressed regions.It affects growth and development by inducing morphological,biochemical,and physiological changes.Breeding drought-resistant varieties is a sustainable strategy to mitigate drought,therefore,reliable evaluation systems are essential to identify drought-resistant pepper accessions.In this study,100 pepper accessions were screened for drought resistance under highly controlled conditions at the vegetative stage.Selected accessions exhibited a significantly higher recovery rate after water-deficiency and showed durable resistance under greenhouse conditions.Correlation analysis between drought resistance with morphological and physiological traits showed that the recovery rate was positively correlated with root length and relative water content,and negatively correlated with plant height and leaf area.Gene expression analysis showed that the drought-resistant accession exhibited higher expression levels of drought-responsive genes under drought stress.Among the accessions,anthocyanin-accumulating peppers showed more significant drought resistance compared to other accessions.When the MYB transcription factor An2,the genetic determinant of anthocyanin accumulation,was silenced,drought resistance was significantly reduced.Drought-resistant accessions with favorable adaptive traits identified in this study will be valuable in various breeding programs to generate new pepper cultivars to cope with climate change.展开更多
Seed vigor is critical for uniform germination and emergence,directly influencing subsequent seedling development.This is especially important under both normal and stress conditions that may arise post-sowing.Chillin...Seed vigor is critical for uniform germination and emergence,directly influencing subsequent seedling development.This is especially important under both normal and stress conditions that may arise post-sowing.Chilling stress during emergence and early growth poses significant challenges for tomato seedlings,potentially leading to uneven emergence,abnormal growth,and higher seedling mortality.This study evaluated the effectiveness of combining drum-priming with melatonin to alleviate chilling stress during these two critical stages.Tomato seeds were primed with melatonin at various concentrations and compared to untreated controls under chilling stress conditions.Higher concentrations of melatonin significantly accelerated emergence and improved early growth under stress.These stress-mitigating effects were evidenced by reductions in oxidative stress markers,such as malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide,along with increased total polyphenol and flavonoid contents.Furthermore,melatonin priming preserved photosynthetic efficiency,typically reduced by chilling stress,and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes,including catalase and peroxidase.These biochemical changes reduced oxidative damage and promoted stress resilience.Melatonin also accelerated the expression of genes within the C-repeat binding factor pathway,which is crucial for cold acclimation.This suggests that melatonin priming enabled quicker adaptation to chilling stress following sowing and bolstered seedling resilience during subsequent growth stages.Overall,our results demonstrate that melatonin priming not only enhances germination but also significantly supports seedling growth under adverse conditions.The findings highlight melatonin as a promising tool in crop management strategies to improve resilience against sudden chilling stress.展开更多
Cucumber mosaic virus(CMV)threatens lily production by reducing floral quality and enabling carry-over via infected planting stock.To explore tissue-specific host responses,we analyzed a legacy,single-replicate RNA-se...Cucumber mosaic virus(CMV)threatens lily production by reducing floral quality and enabling carry-over via infected planting stock.To explore tissue-specific host responses,we analyzed a legacy,single-replicate RNA-seq dataset from two cultivars,‘Cancun’and‘Connecticut King’(CK),profiling leaf(source)and bulb(sink)tissues at 0 and 28 days post-inoculation(dpi),alongside leaf DAS-ELISA.Principal component analysis indicated that tissue identity dominated the transcriptome(PC1=47.7%),with CMV treatment driving within-tissue shifts over time.Exploratory Gene Ontology/KEGG summaries and a focused marker panel revealed a consistent split:in leaves,genes linked to jasmonate/WRKY-associated defense(e.g.,WRKY40/41/51/53;AOS/OPR1/2;CYP74A/DDE2)tended to show higher expression at 28 dpi,whereas cell-wall/transport-related terms were reduced;in bulbs,transcripts associated with photosynthetic/organellar maintenance(LHCB/CAB,HCF107)andβ-amylase-linked carbohydrate turnover were more prominent,with comparatively limited elevation of canonical defense modules.Leaf ELISA trajectories were compatible with this framework:CK showed a transient peak at 14 dpi followed by a decline at 24 dpi,whereas‘Cancun’increased progressively.Taken together,the concordance among ordination,enrichment patterns,marker behavior,and leaf titers in this non-replicated dataset is consistent with a working model in which stronger or earlier leaf responses may contribute to partial containment and reduced systemic accumulation.We propose a compact leaf marker set(WRKY40/41/51/53;AOS/OPR1/2;CYP74A/DDE2)and bulb candidates(β-amylase;LHCB/CAB/HCF107)as hypothesis-generating indicators of containment and sink maintenance.These tissue-resolved patterns provide a descriptive framework and a starting point for future validation by qPCR and replicated RNA-seq across additional cultivars,with the long-term goal of informing selection and stock hygiene in lily production.展开更多
The Leafminers,representing a diverse group of insects from various genera within the Agromyzidae family,pose a significant threat to spinach(Spinacia oleracea L.)production.This study aimed to identify single nucleot...The Leafminers,representing a diverse group of insects from various genera within the Agromyzidae family,pose a significant threat to spinach(Spinacia oleracea L.)production.This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)markers associated with leafminer resistance through a genome-wide association study(GWAS)and to evaluate the prediction accuracy(PA)for selecting resistant spinach using genomic prediction(GP).Using a dataset of 84301 SNPs obtained from whole-genome resequencing,seven GWAS models,including BLINK,FarmCPU,MLM,and MLMM in GAPIT 3,as well as MLM,GLM,and SMR in TASSEL 5,were employed to perform GWAS on a panel of 286 USDA spinach germplasm accessions.Three SNP markers,namely 1_115279256_C_T,3_157082529_C_T,and 4_168510908_T_G on chromosomes 1,3,and 4,respectively,were identified as associated with leafminer resistance.In the 30 kb flanking regions of these markers,four candidate genes(SOV1g031330,SOV1g031340,SOV4g047270,and SOV4g047280),encoding LOB domain-containing protein,KH domain-containing protein,were discovered.Nodulin-like domain-containing protein,and SAM domain-containing protein,were discovered.The PA for leafminer resistance selection was estimated using ten different SNP sets,including two GWAS-derived marker sets(three and 51 SNPs)and eight random marker sets(ranging from 51 to 10 K SNPs)analyzed by seven GP models.The findings emphasized the superior performance of GWAS-derived SNP sets,reaching a PA of up to 0.79 using the cBLUP model.Notably,this research marks the pioneering application of GP in the context of insect resistance,providing a significant advancement in the understanding and management of leafminer resistance in spinach cultivation.展开更多
Lignin is a significant secondary metabolite produced through the phenylpropanoid pathway.As a vital component of the plant cell wall,lignin affects various fruit characteristics,including size,seed quantity,and firmn...Lignin is a significant secondary metabolite produced through the phenylpropanoid pathway.As a vital component of the plant cell wall,lignin affects various fruit characteristics,including size,seed quantity,and firmness.In this study,we conducted comprehensive identification and phylogenetic analysis of 265 Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase(COMT)genes across ten different plant species,including Vaccinium corymbosum and four other Vaccinium species.The results reveal that VcCOMT38 is a promising structural gene for the biosynthesis of lignin in blueberry.An in vitro enzymatic assay of VcCOMT38 demonstrated that it is a special enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis pathway and prefers to use caffeic acid as a substrate over 5-hydroxyferulic acid.Transient overexpression and silencing of VcCOMT38 in Vaccinium corymbosum‘Northland’fruits demonstrated that VcCOMT38 participates in lignin biosynthesis and contributes to both an increased number of immature seeds and enhanced fruit firmness.The heterologous overexpression of VcCOMT38 in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that this gene could increase the lignin content and the syringyl/guaiacyl(S/G)ratio,which determines the maximum monomer yield during lignin depolymerization.These results highlight VcCOMT38 as a crucial gene in lignin biosynthesis and its potential for improving lignin production in industry through genetically modified woody plants.展开更多
Directed breeding of horticultural crops is essential for increasing yield,nutritional content,and consumer-valued characteristics such as shape and color of the produce.However,limited genetic diversity restricts the...Directed breeding of horticultural crops is essential for increasing yield,nutritional content,and consumer-valued characteristics such as shape and color of the produce.However,limited genetic diversity restricts the amount of crop improvement that can be achieved through conventional breeding approaches.Natural genetic changes in cisregulatory regions of genes play important roles in shaping phenotypic diversity by altering their expression.Utilization of CRISPR/Cas editing in crop species can accelerate crop improvement through the introduction of genetic variation in a targeted manner.The advent of CRISPR/Cas-mediated cis-regulatory region engineering(cis-engineering)provides a more refined method for modulating gene expression and creating phenotypic diversity to benefit crop improvement.Here,we focus on the current applications of CRISPR/Cas-mediated cis-engineering in horticultural crops.We describe strategies and limitations for its use in crop improvement,including de novo cis-regulatory element(CRE)discovery,precise genome editing,and transgene-free genome editing.In addition,we discuss the challenges and prospects regarding current technologies and achievements.CRISPR/Cas-mediated cis-engineering is a critical tool for generating horticultural crops that are better able to adapt to climate change and providing food for an increasing world population.展开更多
Plant height(PH),primary lateral branch length(PBL),and branch number(BN)are architectural components impacting peanut pod yield,biomass production,and adaptivity to mechanical harvesting.In this study,a recombinant i...Plant height(PH),primary lateral branch length(PBL),and branch number(BN)are architectural components impacting peanut pod yield,biomass production,and adaptivity to mechanical harvesting.In this study,a recombinant inbred population consisting of 181 individual lines was used to determine genetic controls of PH,PBL,and BN across three environments.Phenotypic data collected from the population demonstrated continuous distributions and transgressive segregation patterns.Broad-sense heritability of PH,PBL,and BN was found to be 0.87,0.88,and 0.92,respectively.Unconditional individual environmental analysis revealed 35 additive QTLs with phenotypic variation explained(PVE)ranging from 4.57 to 21.68%.A two-round meta-analysis resulted in 24consensus and 19 unique QTLs.Five unique QTLs exhibited pleiotropic effects and their genetic bases(pleiotropy or tight linkage)were evaluated.A joint analysis was performed to estimate the QTL by environment interaction(QEI)effects on PH,PBL,and BN,collectively explaining phenotypic variations of 10.80,11.02,and 7.89%,respectively.We identified 3 major and stable QTL regions(uq9-3,uq10-2,and uq16-1)on chromosomes 9,10,and 16,spanning1.43-1.53 Mb genomic regions.Candidate genes involved in phytohormones biosynthesis,signaling,and cell wall development were proposed to regulate these morphological traits.These results provide valuable information for further genetic studies and the development of molecular markers applicable to peanut architecture improvement.展开更多
Organic matter increases biological activity within the root zone because it contains beneficial microbes that stimulate vital processes.This study aimed to determine the effect of Ochrobactrum anthropi added to the s...Organic matter increases biological activity within the root zone because it contains beneficial microbes that stimulate vital processes.This study aimed to determine the effect of Ochrobactrum anthropi added to the soil as a single or mixed solution with different concentrations of organic matter on the vegetative growth of the zinnia plant and its content of nutrients.The study was conducted with a randomized complete block design(RCBD)with three replications.The plant was grown in soil with a high salinity level of 8 ds m^(–1).Plant characteristics were estimated 30 and 60 days after planting the plant.The treatment with the addition of bio-inoculum produced the best results;within 30 days,there was a 56.89%increase in plant length;after 60 days,there was a 52.56%increase;additionally,there was a 52.56%increase in leaf count within 30 days;after 60 days,there was a 53.50%increase;and finally,there was an increase in flower count.For plants after 60 days,it reached 3.66%.With the addition of bio-inoculum to soil at a level of 3 gm kg^(–1)of organic matter,the mixing treatment achieved the highest dry weight,29.86%.The addition of bio-inoculum resulted in the largest and most significant increase in chlorophyll content in leaves,reaching 18.76%.In the mixing addition of the biological inoculum treatment,the organic content of the plant showed an increase in nitrogen(14.38%),phosphorus(21.18%),and potassium(39.75%)at 2 and 3 gm kg^(–1)organic matter,respectively.展开更多
Flowering is one of the most important phenological periods,as it determines the timing of fruit maturation and seed dispersal.To date,both nitric oxide(NO)and DNA demethylation have been reported to regulate flowerin...Flowering is one of the most important phenological periods,as it determines the timing of fruit maturation and seed dispersal.To date,both nitric oxide(NO)and DNA demethylation have been reported to regulate flowering in plants.However,there is no compelling experimental evidence for a relationship between NO and DNA demethylation during plant flowering.In this study,an NO donor and a DNA methylation inhibitor were used to investigate the involvement of DNA demethylation in NO-mediated tomato(Solanum lycopersicum cv.Micro-Tom)flowering.The results showed that the promoting effect of NO on tomato flowering was dose-dependent,with the greatest positive effect observed at 10μmol L^(-1) of the NO donor S-nitrosoglutathione(GSNO).Treatment with 50μmol L^(-1) of the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacitidine(5-AzaC)also significantly promoted tomato flowering.Moreover,GSNO and 5-AzaC increased the peroxidase(POD)and catalase(CAT)activities and cytokinin(CTK)and proline contents,while they reduced the gibberellic acid(GA3)and indole-3-acetic acid(IAA)contents.Co-treatment with GSNO and 5-AzaC accelerated the positive effects of GSNO and 5-AzaC in promoting tomato flowering.Meanwhile,compared with a GSNO or 5-AzaC treatment alone,co-treatment with GSNO+5-AzaC significantly increased the global DNA demethylation levels in different tissues of tomato.The results also indicate that DNA demethylation may be involved in NO-induced flowering.The expression of flowering genes was significantly altered by the GSNO+5-AzaC treatment.Five of these flowering induction genes,ARGONAUTE 4(AGO4A),SlSP3D/SINGLE FLOWER TRUSS(SFT),MutS HOMOLOG 1(MSH1),ZINC FINGER PROTEIN 2(ZFP2),and FLOWERING LOCUS D(FLD),were selected as candidate genes for further study.An McrBC-PCR analysis showed that DNA demethylation of the SFT gene in the apex and the FLD gene in the stem might be involved in NO-induced flowering.Therefore,this study shows that NO might promote tomato flowering by mediating the DNA demethylation of flowering induction genes,and it provides direct evidence for a synergistic effect of NO and DNA demethylation in promoting tomato flowering.展开更多
Phalaenopsis orchids are economically important ornamental crops;however,their commercial micropropagation is often limited by poor rooting efficiency and inconsistent growth.In this study,we investigated the effects ...Phalaenopsis orchids are economically important ornamental crops;however,their commercial micropropagation is often limited by poor rooting efficiency and inconsistent growth.In this study,we investigated the effects of silver nanoparticles(Ag-NPs)on the in vitro regeneration and growth of Phalaenopsis cultivar 611B to determine the optimal concentration of Ag-NPs for improved micropropagation outcomes.Shoot tip explants(2–3 mm)—derived from protocorm-like bodies were cultured on a regeneration medium containing Hyponex(20:20:20 and 6.5:6.5:19),18 g/L sugar,2 g/L peptone,0.8 g/L activated charcoal,12.5 g/L potato extract,50 mL/L apple juice,and 10 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine(6-BA),with varying concentrations of Ag-NPs(0,0.5,1.0,2.0,and 2.5 mg/L).After 10–12 weeks,shoot and root formation,plant height,fresh weight,leaf number,and chlorophyll contents were evaluated.At 1.0 mg/L Ag-NPs,shoot regeneration(5.4 vs.2.9 shoots per explant),root induction(2.1 vs.1.4 roots per explant),and shoot formation frequency(100%vs.55%)were significantly higher than the control(0 mg/L).Fresh weight(592.4 mg)and leaf number(9.7)also showed notable increases at this concentration.Although chlorophyll a and b levels peaked at 2.0 mg/L,the difference from 1.0 mg/L was not statistically significant.These results suggest that 1.0mg/LAg-NPs is the optimal concentration for enhancing shoot and root development and improving overall plantlet quality in Phalaenopsis.The findings highlight the potential of nanomaterials to improve the efficiency of orchid tissue culture systems.展开更多
Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is an important agricultural crop because of the nutritional value of the fruit and its economic importance.Various techniques have been practiced to enhance pepper's productivity and n...Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is an important agricultural crop because of the nutritional value of the fruit and its economic importance.Various techniques have been practiced to enhance pepper's productivity and nutritional value.Therefore,this study was conducted to determine the impact of different training methods and biostimulant applications on sweet pepper plants'growth,yield,and chemical composition under greenhouse conditions.For the training method,unpruned plants were compared with one stem and two stem plants.Unpruned plants had the fruit number of 33.98,fruit weight of 2.18 kg·plant^(-1),and total marketable yield of 1 090.0 kg·hm^(-2).One stem plant gave the best average fruit weight of 86.63 g,vitamin C content of 13.66 mg·kg^(-1)FW,and TSS content of 7.21%.However,two stem plants had the highest fruit setting of 62.41%,carotenoid content of 0.14 mg·kg^(-1)FW,and fruit chlorophyll content of 3.57 mg·kg^(-1)FW.For biostimulant applications,control plants were compared with the Disper Root (DR) and Disper Vital (DV).DR application significantly increased total sugar,carotenoid,fruit chlorophyll,and TSS contents compared to the control and DV applications.While,applying DV increased fruit setting,plant fruit number,weight,and total marketable yield.In addition,integrating one stem plant with the DR application improved fiber,vitamin C,and TSS contents significantly.Two stem plants,and the DV application improved fruit setting and carotenoid content.Thus,one and two stem training methods integrated with the DR and DV biostimulant applications could be considered for developing agricultural practices to obtain commercial yield and improve the nutrition values of sweet peppers,as unpruned plants without biostimulant applications have a negative impact.展开更多
This review focused on the role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria(PGPR)in enhancing plant growth and protecting against pathogens,highlighting their mechanisms of action,ecological benefits,and challenges.PGPR m...This review focused on the role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria(PGPR)in enhancing plant growth and protecting against pathogens,highlighting their mechanisms of action,ecological benefits,and challenges.PGPR mediate plant growth through several mechanisms,including nutrient acquisition,production of antimicrobial compounds and induction of systemic resistance.These mechanisms are critical in improving crop yields,especially under stressful conditions.This review examines the molecular mechanisms of PGPR-mediated plant pathogen control,cellular mechanisms of PGPR in plant pathogen control,ecological and environmental benefits of PGPR application.Despite their potential,PGPR application is limited by environmental variability,inconsistent efficacy,and challenges in formulation and commercialization.The review discusses these challenges and also provides solutions.Additionally,the review outlines the latest advancements in PGPR strain selection and their genetic modifications for enhanced resilience and biocontrol efficacy.PGPR are particularly crucial in addressing global food security challenges,exacerbated by climate change,and the need for sustainable agricultural practices.PGPR have been shown to increase crop yields by 20%–30%in drought-prone regions and reduce pesticide use by up to 50%,contributing to more sustainable farming.As research advances,PGPR can play a key role in reducing chemical input dependency and promoting long-term agricultural sustainability.This review examines the role of PGPR in pathogen control and highlights their potential to enhance agricultural sustainability.展开更多
The reproduction of grapevine genotypes,one of the most important species in the world,while preserving their genetic characteristics,is practically done by rooting cuttings.Adventive rooting of cutting studies for se...The reproduction of grapevine genotypes,one of the most important species in the world,while preserving their genetic characteristics,is practically done by rooting cuttings.Adventive rooting of cutting studies for seedling production in nursery conditions often remain below the expected productivity level due to biotic and abiotic stress-related reasons.Studies to increase nursery yields are still on the agenda of grapevine researchers.In this study,the effects of silver nanoparticles(AgNPs)produced by the green synthesis method using grape seed extract and AgNO3 on rooting and vegetative growth of the standard(TS 4027)cuttings taken during the dormancy period of Vitis vinifera L.cvs Ekşi Kara and GökÜzüm were investigated under greenhouse conditions.Cuttings treated by keeping in 0.1,0.2 g·L^(−1)AgNPs,0.1,0.2 g·L^(−1)IBA aqueous solutions for 24 h were planted in black,1 L volume seedling bags filled with 1:1 peat:perlite in the greenhouse,while the control was kept in pure water for 24 h and planted.Changes in sprouting rate,plant transformation rate,shoot length,shoot diameter,number of nodes,stomatal conductance,leaf temperature,photosynthetic efficiency,leaf fresh and dry weight,SPAD,root number,root length,root fresh and root weight were examined in developing seedlings.In evaluating the effects of AgNPs and Indole-3-butyric acid(IBA)treatments on cutting rooting and vegetative development,ANOVA,post hoc analysis with the Tukey test,and Principal Component Analyses(PCAs)were used to better understand and depict the correlations between the examined variables.This analysis method was performed using ggplot2 in the R Studio program.The heatmap generated by the pheatmap package was used to visualize the correlation and variation.As a result of this study,AgNPs applications were found to be more effective than IBA treatments in the rooting of grapevine cuttings and the vegetative development of young plants.In conclusion,0.1 g·L^(−1)AgNPs can be tested as a support and/or economical alternative to IBA for the promotion of rooting of cuttings and vegetative development of young plants for subsequent clonal propagation.展开更多
Water scarcity is an escalating global challenge that severely threatens productivity and reproductive success in crops,particularly in drought-sensitive species such as Capsicum annuum L.Although deficit irrigation s...Water scarcity is an escalating global challenge that severely threatens productivity and reproductive success in crops,particularly in drought-sensitive species such as Capsicum annuum L.Although deficit irrigation strategies are widely recommended to enhance water use efficiency,knowledge remains limited regarding their interactions with soil amendments such as biochar and the consequent impacts on reproductive traits.This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of deficit irrigation strategies and biochar application on pollen viability and morphology in Capsicum annuum.The experiment was conducted under full,partial,and deficit irrigation regimes with and without biochar treatment,following a randomized block design.The primary parameters examined were pollen viability(viable,semi-viable,and non-viable rates),anther width and length,and pollen width and length.Microscopic measurements and statistical analyses(p≤0.05)revealed significant effects of both irrigation regimes and biochar applications.Under deficit irrigation,viable,semi-viable,and non-viable pollen rates were 29.84%,32.95%,and 37.21%,respectively,whereas the highest viable pollen rate was observed under full irrigation.In partial irrigation,viable pollen accounted for 31.67%,semi-viable for 38.81%,and non-viable for 29.49%.In plots treated with biochar under partial irrigation,anther width(1700.89μm),anther length(3805.34μm),pollen width(26.93μm),and pollen length(37.42μm)reached the highest values,while the lowest values were recorded in deficit irrigation plots without biochar.These findings emphasize the importance of integrating biochar into irrigation management to mitigate the adverse effects of water stress on pollen development.Nevertheless,further research is needed to clarify the long-term implications of these practices for reproductive success and agricultural sustainability.展开更多
Chive(Allium ascalonicum L.),a seeding-vernalization-type vegetable,is prone to bolting.To explore the physiological and molecular mechanisms of its bolting,bolting-prone(‘BA’)and bolting-resistant(‘WA’)chives wer...Chive(Allium ascalonicum L.),a seeding-vernalization-type vegetable,is prone to bolting.To explore the physiological and molecular mechanisms of its bolting,bolting-prone(‘BA’)and bolting-resistant(‘WA’)chives were sampled at the vegetative growth,floral bud differentiation,and bud emergence stages.No bolting was observed in bolting-resistant‘WA’on the 130th day after planting,whereas the bolting reached 39.22%in bolting-prone‘BA’,which was significantly higher than that of‘WA’.The contents of gibberellins,abscisic acid,and zeatin riboside after floral bud differentiation in‘WA’were significantly less than in‘BA’,whereas the indoleacetic acid content in‘WA’was significantly higher than that in‘BA’before and after floral bud differentiation.The soluble sugar content and nitrate reductase activity in‘BA’were significantly higher than those in‘WA’before and during floral bud differentiation periods.However,they were significantly lower in‘BA’compared with in‘WA’after bolting due to the nutrient consumption required by reproductive growth.A transcriptome analysis determined that the differentially expressed genes related to bolting tolerance were enriched in the terms‘photoperiodism,flowering’,‘auxin-activated signaling pathway’,‘gibberellic acid mediated signaling pathway’,and‘carbohydrate metabolic process’,and this was generally consistent with the physiological data.Additionally,12 key differentially expressed genes(including isoform_203018,isoform_481005,isoform_716975,and isoform_564877)related to bolting tolerance were investigated.This research provides new information for breeding bolting-tolerant chives.展开更多
Unlike most plants, members of the genus Solanum produce cholesterol and use this as a precursor for steroidal glycoalkaloids. The production of the compounds begins as a branch from brassinosteroid biosynthesis, whic...Unlike most plants, members of the genus Solanum produce cholesterol and use this as a precursor for steroidal glycoalkaloids. The production of the compounds begins as a branch from brassinosteroid biosynthesis, which produces cholesterol that is further modified to produce steroidal glycoalkaloids. During the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, genetic engineering could alter the formation of cholesterol from provitamin D3(7-dehydrocholesterol) and produce vitamin D3. Cholesterol is a precursor for many steroidal glycoalkaloids, including a-tomatine and esculeoside A. Alpha-tomatine is consumed by mammals and it can reduce cholesterol content and improve LDL:HDL ratio. When there is a high a-tomatine content, the fruit will have a bitter flavor, which together with other steroidal glycoalkaloids serving as protective and defensive compounds for tomato against insect, fungal, and bacterial pests. These compounds also affect the rhizosphere bacteria by recruiting beneficial bacteria. One of the steroidal glycoalkaloids, esculeoside A increases while fruit ripening. This review focuses on recent studies that uncovered key reactions of the production of cholesterol and steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato connecting to human health, fruit flavor, and plant defense and the potential application for tomato crop improvement.展开更多
Bemisia tabaci is a polyphagous herbivore that feeds on a wide range of horticultural and ornamental crops cultivated under diverse ecological zones. In Sierra Leone, B. tabaci is found to infest a wide range of veget...Bemisia tabaci is a polyphagous herbivore that feeds on a wide range of horticultural and ornamental crops cultivated under diverse ecological zones. In Sierra Leone, B. tabaci is found to infest a wide range of vegetable crops by directly feeding on phloem sap thereby inducing physiological disorders, and also serve as a vector to gemini viruses. Invariably the destructive feeding of B. tabaci affects the productivity and aesthetic values of vegetables and other horticultural crops and hence is considered a serious economic pest. A bioassay experiment was carried out by rearing B. tabaci populations on four vegetable crops under controlled laboratory conditions to determine its life table and demographic parameters. Results showed that the intrinsic rate of growth which measures the population size and growth pattern was highest for populations reared on tomato crops with the following values: rm 0.145 female female−1 day−1, the gross reproduction rate (Ro), and finite growth rate λ were highest for population reared on tomato, correspondingly the development period from egg-adult emergence was shortest with a value of 26 d. Conversely, the computed demographical parameters rm, λ and Ro for the population reared on sweet pepper were 0.106 female female−1 day−1 respectively, with a corresponding development period egg-adult emergence as 36d. The computed biological parameters for okra and garden egg varied with intermediary values between tomato and pepper host materials. The survivorship rates were quite significant for the smaller instars (Instars 1-III) with over 80% surviving to pre-pupa and pupa stage for the populations reared for all the test materials. High mortality was noticed for the pre-pupa and pupa stages as their survival rates were significantly low compared to the high survival rates of the smaller instars. Less than 50% of pupae failed to emerge to adults except for populations reared on tomato test materials where 52% emerged to adults. The study indicated tomato as the most suitable host among the four vegetable crops. Although life table and demographic parameters are invaluable information for forecasting pest populations and help in designing pest management efforts, further investigations such as the economic threshold and economic injury levels of B. tabaci population are requisite decision tools for sound pest management decisions of B. tabaci on these vegetable crops. The information obtained from this investigation would be quite relevant for extension service and pest management practitioners where mixed vegetable farming is a common practice.展开更多
Newly planted apple orchards in the USA comprising the highly biennial cultivar, “Honeycrisp”, are prone to flower within the first two years from planting and set fruit. These processes limit canopy development and...Newly planted apple orchards in the USA comprising the highly biennial cultivar, “Honeycrisp”, are prone to flower within the first two years from planting and set fruit. These processes limit canopy development and subsequent yield potential. GA4 + 7 can inhibit floral formation processes of apples. The timing and dose for eliminating return bloom of young “Honeycrisp” trees, however, is unclear. A factorial experimental design to test GA4 + 7 application timing and rate produced significant reductions in return bloom for both factors and their interaction. Treatment responses demonstrated that florigenic processes in “Honeycrisp” occurred early. The most pronounced reduction in return bloom followed the 2-week after full bloom (WAFB) application timing, increasing with increasing rate. The effect on return bloom was progressively diminished over the next two weeks of applications but remained significantly lower than the control. Three successive applications timed one week apart eliminated return bloom of spurs at the highest rate. Both factors and their interaction also significantly reduced return bloom of terminal buds of leaders;in contrast to floral buds on spurs, the response of terminal buds on leaders improved with delayed application timings. Timing exerted a stronger effect than rate on return flowering of the terminal buds of leaders. Leader growth was positively affected by GA4 + 7, the year of application, when three successive applications were made. Tree height, overall growth, expressed as the increase in trunk cross-sectional area, and limb number were also significantly improved by GA4 + 7 but varied in their responses to application timing and rate, and were inconsistent. Overall, successive applications of GA4 + 7 had good efficacy for inhibiting floral initiation of meristems on spurs and terminals while improving the vegetative growth of young “Honeycrisp” trees.展开更多
基金The Enhancement Project of Young Teachers Research Innovation Ability(JKC2022006)Beijing Municipal Higher Education Institutions’Teacher Team Construction Support Plan-High-Level Teaching Innovation Team(BPHR20220211)+1 种基金Beijing Higher Education Undergraduate Teaching Reform and Innovation Project(2023003)2024 Beijing University of Agriculture Student Party Members“Vanguard Force Action”Project。
文摘This paper discusses the development characteristics of urban horticulture under the background of smart agriculture,as well as the application of artificial intelligence technology in it.It analyzes the importance of highly skilled talents in urban agriculture in the era of smart agriculture and their cultivation pathways and practices.It proposes measures such as building multi-level practical teaching platforms,implementing the“Enjoy Horticulture”series of high-quality activities,and establishing the“1234”applied talent training model to cultivate high-quality talents that meet the development needs of modern urban horticulture industry.Taking Beijing University of Agriculture and other universities as examples,the paper analyzes the practical cases and effects of the urban horticulture discipline’s industry-education-research collaborative talent training model,which has reference significance for further improving and perfecting the urban horticulture industry-education-research collaborative talent training plan.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation(NRF)funded by the Korean government(MSIT)(No.RS-2024-00459463).
文摘Understanding plant responses under low-pressure conditions is important for developing closed cultivation systems that simulate space environments.This study aimed to assess the effects of different pressure levels on growth,photosynthesis,and secondary metabolite accumulation in red leaf lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.var.‘Super Caesar’s Red’).Plants were cultivated for three weeks in sealed chambers under 101 kPa(atmospheric pressure),66 kPa(moderate low pressure),and 33 kPa(severe low pressure).Growth analysis showed that leaf length and leaf area decreased significantly with reduced pressure,while chlorophyll content and SPAD values increased gradually.Photosynthetic measurements indicated lower transpiration and stomatal conductance under low pressure relative to atmospheric conditions,consistent with reduced stomatal size and density observed by SEM.Secondary metabolite analysis showed strong induction of anthocyanins(41.3%at 66 kPa and 190.8%at 33 kPa),with significant increases in phenolic and flavonoid contents.Thus,low-pressure conditions may suppress morphological growth but promote secondary metabolite contents,offering potential advantages for quality-oriented cultivation strategies.This study provides fundamental insights into physiological adaptation under low pressure and practical implications for crop selection and management in space agriculture and other controlled environments.
基金supported by Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development(Grant No.RS-2020-RD009069)Rural Development Administration and the National Research Foundation of Korea(Grant No.RS-2021-NR059647),Republic of Korea.
文摘Drought stress is one of the factors limiting pepper production in water-stressed regions.It affects growth and development by inducing morphological,biochemical,and physiological changes.Breeding drought-resistant varieties is a sustainable strategy to mitigate drought,therefore,reliable evaluation systems are essential to identify drought-resistant pepper accessions.In this study,100 pepper accessions were screened for drought resistance under highly controlled conditions at the vegetative stage.Selected accessions exhibited a significantly higher recovery rate after water-deficiency and showed durable resistance under greenhouse conditions.Correlation analysis between drought resistance with morphological and physiological traits showed that the recovery rate was positively correlated with root length and relative water content,and negatively correlated with plant height and leaf area.Gene expression analysis showed that the drought-resistant accession exhibited higher expression levels of drought-responsive genes under drought stress.Among the accessions,anthocyanin-accumulating peppers showed more significant drought resistance compared to other accessions.When the MYB transcription factor An2,the genetic determinant of anthocyanin accumulation,was silenced,drought resistance was significantly reduced.Drought-resistant accessions with favorable adaptive traits identified in this study will be valuable in various breeding programs to generate new pepper cultivars to cope with climate change.
文摘Seed vigor is critical for uniform germination and emergence,directly influencing subsequent seedling development.This is especially important under both normal and stress conditions that may arise post-sowing.Chilling stress during emergence and early growth poses significant challenges for tomato seedlings,potentially leading to uneven emergence,abnormal growth,and higher seedling mortality.This study evaluated the effectiveness of combining drum-priming with melatonin to alleviate chilling stress during these two critical stages.Tomato seeds were primed with melatonin at various concentrations and compared to untreated controls under chilling stress conditions.Higher concentrations of melatonin significantly accelerated emergence and improved early growth under stress.These stress-mitigating effects were evidenced by reductions in oxidative stress markers,such as malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide,along with increased total polyphenol and flavonoid contents.Furthermore,melatonin priming preserved photosynthetic efficiency,typically reduced by chilling stress,and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes,including catalase and peroxidase.These biochemical changes reduced oxidative damage and promoted stress resilience.Melatonin also accelerated the expression of genes within the C-repeat binding factor pathway,which is crucial for cold acclimation.This suggests that melatonin priming enabled quicker adaptation to chilling stress following sowing and bolstered seedling resilience during subsequent growth stages.Overall,our results demonstrate that melatonin priming not only enhances germination but also significantly supports seedling growth under adverse conditions.The findings highlight melatonin as a promising tool in crop management strategies to improve resilience against sudden chilling stress.
基金the support of“Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development(Project No.PJ00926803)”Rural Development Administration,Republic of Korea.
文摘Cucumber mosaic virus(CMV)threatens lily production by reducing floral quality and enabling carry-over via infected planting stock.To explore tissue-specific host responses,we analyzed a legacy,single-replicate RNA-seq dataset from two cultivars,‘Cancun’and‘Connecticut King’(CK),profiling leaf(source)and bulb(sink)tissues at 0 and 28 days post-inoculation(dpi),alongside leaf DAS-ELISA.Principal component analysis indicated that tissue identity dominated the transcriptome(PC1=47.7%),with CMV treatment driving within-tissue shifts over time.Exploratory Gene Ontology/KEGG summaries and a focused marker panel revealed a consistent split:in leaves,genes linked to jasmonate/WRKY-associated defense(e.g.,WRKY40/41/51/53;AOS/OPR1/2;CYP74A/DDE2)tended to show higher expression at 28 dpi,whereas cell-wall/transport-related terms were reduced;in bulbs,transcripts associated with photosynthetic/organellar maintenance(LHCB/CAB,HCF107)andβ-amylase-linked carbohydrate turnover were more prominent,with comparatively limited elevation of canonical defense modules.Leaf ELISA trajectories were compatible with this framework:CK showed a transient peak at 14 dpi followed by a decline at 24 dpi,whereas‘Cancun’increased progressively.Taken together,the concordance among ordination,enrichment patterns,marker behavior,and leaf titers in this non-replicated dataset is consistent with a working model in which stronger or earlier leaf responses may contribute to partial containment and reduced systemic accumulation.We propose a compact leaf marker set(WRKY40/41/51/53;AOS/OPR1/2;CYP74A/DDE2)and bulb candidates(β-amylase;LHCB/CAB/HCF107)as hypothesis-generating indicators of containment and sink maintenance.These tissue-resolved patterns provide a descriptive framework and a starting point for future validation by qPCR and replicated RNA-seq across additional cultivars,with the long-term goal of informing selection and stock hygiene in lily production.
基金supported by USDA-SCRI(Grant Nos.2017-51181-26830 and 2023-51181-41321)USDA-AMS SCMP(Grant No.16SCCMAR0001)+1 种基金Arkansas Department of Agriculture SCBGP(Grant No.AM22SCBGPAR1130-00)USDA NIFA Hatch project ARK0VG2018 and ARK02440.
文摘The Leafminers,representing a diverse group of insects from various genera within the Agromyzidae family,pose a significant threat to spinach(Spinacia oleracea L.)production.This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)markers associated with leafminer resistance through a genome-wide association study(GWAS)and to evaluate the prediction accuracy(PA)for selecting resistant spinach using genomic prediction(GP).Using a dataset of 84301 SNPs obtained from whole-genome resequencing,seven GWAS models,including BLINK,FarmCPU,MLM,and MLMM in GAPIT 3,as well as MLM,GLM,and SMR in TASSEL 5,were employed to perform GWAS on a panel of 286 USDA spinach germplasm accessions.Three SNP markers,namely 1_115279256_C_T,3_157082529_C_T,and 4_168510908_T_G on chromosomes 1,3,and 4,respectively,were identified as associated with leafminer resistance.In the 30 kb flanking regions of these markers,four candidate genes(SOV1g031330,SOV1g031340,SOV4g047270,and SOV4g047280),encoding LOB domain-containing protein,KH domain-containing protein,were discovered.Nodulin-like domain-containing protein,and SAM domain-containing protein,were discovered.The PA for leafminer resistance selection was estimated using ten different SNP sets,including two GWAS-derived marker sets(three and 51 SNPs)and eight random marker sets(ranging from 51 to 10 K SNPs)analyzed by seven GP models.The findings emphasized the superior performance of GWAS-derived SNP sets,reaching a PA of up to 0.79 using the cBLUP model.Notably,this research marks the pioneering application of GP in the context of insect resistance,providing a significant advancement in the understanding and management of leafminer resistance in spinach cultivation.
文摘Lignin is a significant secondary metabolite produced through the phenylpropanoid pathway.As a vital component of the plant cell wall,lignin affects various fruit characteristics,including size,seed quantity,and firmness.In this study,we conducted comprehensive identification and phylogenetic analysis of 265 Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase(COMT)genes across ten different plant species,including Vaccinium corymbosum and four other Vaccinium species.The results reveal that VcCOMT38 is a promising structural gene for the biosynthesis of lignin in blueberry.An in vitro enzymatic assay of VcCOMT38 demonstrated that it is a special enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis pathway and prefers to use caffeic acid as a substrate over 5-hydroxyferulic acid.Transient overexpression and silencing of VcCOMT38 in Vaccinium corymbosum‘Northland’fruits demonstrated that VcCOMT38 participates in lignin biosynthesis and contributes to both an increased number of immature seeds and enhanced fruit firmness.The heterologous overexpression of VcCOMT38 in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that this gene could increase the lignin content and the syringyl/guaiacyl(S/G)ratio,which determines the maximum monomer yield during lignin depolymerization.These results highlight VcCOMT38 as a crucial gene in lignin biosynthesis and its potential for improving lignin production in industry through genetically modified woody plants.
基金Funding in the Van der Knaap laboratory is from the National Science Foundation(IOS 1564366,IOS 1732253,and USDA 2017-67013-26199).
文摘Directed breeding of horticultural crops is essential for increasing yield,nutritional content,and consumer-valued characteristics such as shape and color of the produce.However,limited genetic diversity restricts the amount of crop improvement that can be achieved through conventional breeding approaches.Natural genetic changes in cisregulatory regions of genes play important roles in shaping phenotypic diversity by altering their expression.Utilization of CRISPR/Cas editing in crop species can accelerate crop improvement through the introduction of genetic variation in a targeted manner.The advent of CRISPR/Cas-mediated cis-regulatory region engineering(cis-engineering)provides a more refined method for modulating gene expression and creating phenotypic diversity to benefit crop improvement.Here,we focus on the current applications of CRISPR/Cas-mediated cis-engineering in horticultural crops.We describe strategies and limitations for its use in crop improvement,including de novo cis-regulatory element(CRE)discovery,precise genome editing,and transgene-free genome editing.In addition,we discuss the challenges and prospects regarding current technologies and achievements.CRISPR/Cas-mediated cis-engineering is a critical tool for generating horticultural crops that are better able to adapt to climate change and providing food for an increasing world population.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,China(ZR2022MC045)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32001584,32201876)+2 种基金the Major Science and Technology Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China(2022A02008-3)the Breeding Project from Department of Science&Technology of Shandong Province,China(2022LZGC007)the Agricultural Scientific and the Technological Innovation Project of Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences,China(CXGC2023A06,CXGC2023A39 and CXGC2023A46),and the Major Scientific and Technological Achievements Cultivation Program of Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences,China(CXGC2025E02)。
文摘Plant height(PH),primary lateral branch length(PBL),and branch number(BN)are architectural components impacting peanut pod yield,biomass production,and adaptivity to mechanical harvesting.In this study,a recombinant inbred population consisting of 181 individual lines was used to determine genetic controls of PH,PBL,and BN across three environments.Phenotypic data collected from the population demonstrated continuous distributions and transgressive segregation patterns.Broad-sense heritability of PH,PBL,and BN was found to be 0.87,0.88,and 0.92,respectively.Unconditional individual environmental analysis revealed 35 additive QTLs with phenotypic variation explained(PVE)ranging from 4.57 to 21.68%.A two-round meta-analysis resulted in 24consensus and 19 unique QTLs.Five unique QTLs exhibited pleiotropic effects and their genetic bases(pleiotropy or tight linkage)were evaluated.A joint analysis was performed to estimate the QTL by environment interaction(QEI)effects on PH,PBL,and BN,collectively explaining phenotypic variations of 10.80,11.02,and 7.89%,respectively.We identified 3 major and stable QTL regions(uq9-3,uq10-2,and uq16-1)on chromosomes 9,10,and 16,spanning1.43-1.53 Mb genomic regions.Candidate genes involved in phytohormones biosynthesis,signaling,and cell wall development were proposed to regulate these morphological traits.These results provide valuable information for further genetic studies and the development of molecular markers applicable to peanut architecture improvement.
文摘Organic matter increases biological activity within the root zone because it contains beneficial microbes that stimulate vital processes.This study aimed to determine the effect of Ochrobactrum anthropi added to the soil as a single or mixed solution with different concentrations of organic matter on the vegetative growth of the zinnia plant and its content of nutrients.The study was conducted with a randomized complete block design(RCBD)with three replications.The plant was grown in soil with a high salinity level of 8 ds m^(–1).Plant characteristics were estimated 30 and 60 days after planting the plant.The treatment with the addition of bio-inoculum produced the best results;within 30 days,there was a 56.89%increase in plant length;after 60 days,there was a 52.56%increase;additionally,there was a 52.56%increase in leaf count within 30 days;after 60 days,there was a 53.50%increase;and finally,there was an increase in flower count.For plants after 60 days,it reached 3.66%.With the addition of bio-inoculum to soil at a level of 3 gm kg^(–1)of organic matter,the mixing treatment achieved the highest dry weight,29.86%.The addition of bio-inoculum resulted in the largest and most significant increase in chlorophyll content in leaves,reaching 18.76%.In the mixing addition of the biological inoculum treatment,the organic content of the plant showed an increase in nitrogen(14.38%),phosphorus(21.18%),and potassium(39.75%)at 2 and 3 gm kg^(–1)organic matter,respectively.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32360743,32072559,and31860568)the National Key Research and Development Program,China(2018YFD1000800)the Fostering Foundation for the Excellent Ph D Dissertation of Gansu Agricultural University,China(YB2022004)。
文摘Flowering is one of the most important phenological periods,as it determines the timing of fruit maturation and seed dispersal.To date,both nitric oxide(NO)and DNA demethylation have been reported to regulate flowering in plants.However,there is no compelling experimental evidence for a relationship between NO and DNA demethylation during plant flowering.In this study,an NO donor and a DNA methylation inhibitor were used to investigate the involvement of DNA demethylation in NO-mediated tomato(Solanum lycopersicum cv.Micro-Tom)flowering.The results showed that the promoting effect of NO on tomato flowering was dose-dependent,with the greatest positive effect observed at 10μmol L^(-1) of the NO donor S-nitrosoglutathione(GSNO).Treatment with 50μmol L^(-1) of the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacitidine(5-AzaC)also significantly promoted tomato flowering.Moreover,GSNO and 5-AzaC increased the peroxidase(POD)and catalase(CAT)activities and cytokinin(CTK)and proline contents,while they reduced the gibberellic acid(GA3)and indole-3-acetic acid(IAA)contents.Co-treatment with GSNO and 5-AzaC accelerated the positive effects of GSNO and 5-AzaC in promoting tomato flowering.Meanwhile,compared with a GSNO or 5-AzaC treatment alone,co-treatment with GSNO+5-AzaC significantly increased the global DNA demethylation levels in different tissues of tomato.The results also indicate that DNA demethylation may be involved in NO-induced flowering.The expression of flowering genes was significantly altered by the GSNO+5-AzaC treatment.Five of these flowering induction genes,ARGONAUTE 4(AGO4A),SlSP3D/SINGLE FLOWER TRUSS(SFT),MutS HOMOLOG 1(MSH1),ZINC FINGER PROTEIN 2(ZFP2),and FLOWERING LOCUS D(FLD),were selected as candidate genes for further study.An McrBC-PCR analysis showed that DNA demethylation of the SFT gene in the apex and the FLD gene in the stem might be involved in NO-induced flowering.Therefore,this study shows that NO might promote tomato flowering by mediating the DNA demethylation of flowering induction genes,and it provides direct evidence for a synergistic effect of NO and DNA demethylation in promoting tomato flowering.
文摘Phalaenopsis orchids are economically important ornamental crops;however,their commercial micropropagation is often limited by poor rooting efficiency and inconsistent growth.In this study,we investigated the effects of silver nanoparticles(Ag-NPs)on the in vitro regeneration and growth of Phalaenopsis cultivar 611B to determine the optimal concentration of Ag-NPs for improved micropropagation outcomes.Shoot tip explants(2–3 mm)—derived from protocorm-like bodies were cultured on a regeneration medium containing Hyponex(20:20:20 and 6.5:6.5:19),18 g/L sugar,2 g/L peptone,0.8 g/L activated charcoal,12.5 g/L potato extract,50 mL/L apple juice,and 10 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine(6-BA),with varying concentrations of Ag-NPs(0,0.5,1.0,2.0,and 2.5 mg/L).After 10–12 weeks,shoot and root formation,plant height,fresh weight,leaf number,and chlorophyll contents were evaluated.At 1.0 mg/L Ag-NPs,shoot regeneration(5.4 vs.2.9 shoots per explant),root induction(2.1 vs.1.4 roots per explant),and shoot formation frequency(100%vs.55%)were significantly higher than the control(0 mg/L).Fresh weight(592.4 mg)and leaf number(9.7)also showed notable increases at this concentration.Although chlorophyll a and b levels peaked at 2.0 mg/L,the difference from 1.0 mg/L was not statistically significant.These results suggest that 1.0mg/LAg-NPs is the optimal concentration for enhancing shoot and root development and improving overall plantlet quality in Phalaenopsis.The findings highlight the potential of nanomaterials to improve the efficiency of orchid tissue culture systems.
文摘Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is an important agricultural crop because of the nutritional value of the fruit and its economic importance.Various techniques have been practiced to enhance pepper's productivity and nutritional value.Therefore,this study was conducted to determine the impact of different training methods and biostimulant applications on sweet pepper plants'growth,yield,and chemical composition under greenhouse conditions.For the training method,unpruned plants were compared with one stem and two stem plants.Unpruned plants had the fruit number of 33.98,fruit weight of 2.18 kg·plant^(-1),and total marketable yield of 1 090.0 kg·hm^(-2).One stem plant gave the best average fruit weight of 86.63 g,vitamin C content of 13.66 mg·kg^(-1)FW,and TSS content of 7.21%.However,two stem plants had the highest fruit setting of 62.41%,carotenoid content of 0.14 mg·kg^(-1)FW,and fruit chlorophyll content of 3.57 mg·kg^(-1)FW.For biostimulant applications,control plants were compared with the Disper Root (DR) and Disper Vital (DV).DR application significantly increased total sugar,carotenoid,fruit chlorophyll,and TSS contents compared to the control and DV applications.While,applying DV increased fruit setting,plant fruit number,weight,and total marketable yield.In addition,integrating one stem plant with the DR application improved fiber,vitamin C,and TSS contents significantly.Two stem plants,and the DV application improved fruit setting and carotenoid content.Thus,one and two stem training methods integrated with the DR and DV biostimulant applications could be considered for developing agricultural practices to obtain commercial yield and improve the nutrition values of sweet peppers,as unpruned plants without biostimulant applications have a negative impact.
文摘This review focused on the role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria(PGPR)in enhancing plant growth and protecting against pathogens,highlighting their mechanisms of action,ecological benefits,and challenges.PGPR mediate plant growth through several mechanisms,including nutrient acquisition,production of antimicrobial compounds and induction of systemic resistance.These mechanisms are critical in improving crop yields,especially under stressful conditions.This review examines the molecular mechanisms of PGPR-mediated plant pathogen control,cellular mechanisms of PGPR in plant pathogen control,ecological and environmental benefits of PGPR application.Despite their potential,PGPR application is limited by environmental variability,inconsistent efficacy,and challenges in formulation and commercialization.The review discusses these challenges and also provides solutions.Additionally,the review outlines the latest advancements in PGPR strain selection and their genetic modifications for enhanced resilience and biocontrol efficacy.PGPR are particularly crucial in addressing global food security challenges,exacerbated by climate change,and the need for sustainable agricultural practices.PGPR have been shown to increase crop yields by 20%–30%in drought-prone regions and reduce pesticide use by up to 50%,contributing to more sustainable farming.As research advances,PGPR can play a key role in reducing chemical input dependency and promoting long-term agricultural sustainability.This review examines the role of PGPR in pathogen control and highlights their potential to enhance agricultural sustainability.
文摘The reproduction of grapevine genotypes,one of the most important species in the world,while preserving their genetic characteristics,is practically done by rooting cuttings.Adventive rooting of cutting studies for seedling production in nursery conditions often remain below the expected productivity level due to biotic and abiotic stress-related reasons.Studies to increase nursery yields are still on the agenda of grapevine researchers.In this study,the effects of silver nanoparticles(AgNPs)produced by the green synthesis method using grape seed extract and AgNO3 on rooting and vegetative growth of the standard(TS 4027)cuttings taken during the dormancy period of Vitis vinifera L.cvs Ekşi Kara and GökÜzüm were investigated under greenhouse conditions.Cuttings treated by keeping in 0.1,0.2 g·L^(−1)AgNPs,0.1,0.2 g·L^(−1)IBA aqueous solutions for 24 h were planted in black,1 L volume seedling bags filled with 1:1 peat:perlite in the greenhouse,while the control was kept in pure water for 24 h and planted.Changes in sprouting rate,plant transformation rate,shoot length,shoot diameter,number of nodes,stomatal conductance,leaf temperature,photosynthetic efficiency,leaf fresh and dry weight,SPAD,root number,root length,root fresh and root weight were examined in developing seedlings.In evaluating the effects of AgNPs and Indole-3-butyric acid(IBA)treatments on cutting rooting and vegetative development,ANOVA,post hoc analysis with the Tukey test,and Principal Component Analyses(PCAs)were used to better understand and depict the correlations between the examined variables.This analysis method was performed using ggplot2 in the R Studio program.The heatmap generated by the pheatmap package was used to visualize the correlation and variation.As a result of this study,AgNPs applications were found to be more effective than IBA treatments in the rooting of grapevine cuttings and the vegetative development of young plants.In conclusion,0.1 g·L^(−1)AgNPs can be tested as a support and/or economical alternative to IBA for the promotion of rooting of cuttings and vegetative development of young plants for subsequent clonal propagation.
文摘Water scarcity is an escalating global challenge that severely threatens productivity and reproductive success in crops,particularly in drought-sensitive species such as Capsicum annuum L.Although deficit irrigation strategies are widely recommended to enhance water use efficiency,knowledge remains limited regarding their interactions with soil amendments such as biochar and the consequent impacts on reproductive traits.This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of deficit irrigation strategies and biochar application on pollen viability and morphology in Capsicum annuum.The experiment was conducted under full,partial,and deficit irrigation regimes with and without biochar treatment,following a randomized block design.The primary parameters examined were pollen viability(viable,semi-viable,and non-viable rates),anther width and length,and pollen width and length.Microscopic measurements and statistical analyses(p≤0.05)revealed significant effects of both irrigation regimes and biochar applications.Under deficit irrigation,viable,semi-viable,and non-viable pollen rates were 29.84%,32.95%,and 37.21%,respectively,whereas the highest viable pollen rate was observed under full irrigation.In partial irrigation,viable pollen accounted for 31.67%,semi-viable for 38.81%,and non-viable for 29.49%.In plots treated with biochar under partial irrigation,anther width(1700.89μm),anther length(3805.34μm),pollen width(26.93μm),and pollen length(37.42μm)reached the highest values,while the lowest values were recorded in deficit irrigation plots without biochar.These findings emphasize the importance of integrating biochar into irrigation management to mitigate the adverse effects of water stress on pollen development.Nevertheless,further research is needed to clarify the long-term implications of these practices for reproductive success and agricultural sustainability.
基金funded by the‘National Key R&D Program Subject of China’(No.2021YFD1100301)the post subsidy project of National Key R&D Program,and the Guizhou Modern Agriculture Research System(GZMARS)-Plateau characteristic vegetable industry.
文摘Chive(Allium ascalonicum L.),a seeding-vernalization-type vegetable,is prone to bolting.To explore the physiological and molecular mechanisms of its bolting,bolting-prone(‘BA’)and bolting-resistant(‘WA’)chives were sampled at the vegetative growth,floral bud differentiation,and bud emergence stages.No bolting was observed in bolting-resistant‘WA’on the 130th day after planting,whereas the bolting reached 39.22%in bolting-prone‘BA’,which was significantly higher than that of‘WA’.The contents of gibberellins,abscisic acid,and zeatin riboside after floral bud differentiation in‘WA’were significantly less than in‘BA’,whereas the indoleacetic acid content in‘WA’was significantly higher than that in‘BA’before and after floral bud differentiation.The soluble sugar content and nitrate reductase activity in‘BA’were significantly higher than those in‘WA’before and during floral bud differentiation periods.However,they were significantly lower in‘BA’compared with in‘WA’after bolting due to the nutrient consumption required by reproductive growth.A transcriptome analysis determined that the differentially expressed genes related to bolting tolerance were enriched in the terms‘photoperiodism,flowering’,‘auxin-activated signaling pathway’,‘gibberellic acid mediated signaling pathway’,and‘carbohydrate metabolic process’,and this was generally consistent with the physiological data.Additionally,12 key differentially expressed genes(including isoform_203018,isoform_481005,isoform_716975,and isoform_564877)related to bolting tolerance were investigated.This research provides new information for breeding bolting-tolerant chives.
文摘Unlike most plants, members of the genus Solanum produce cholesterol and use this as a precursor for steroidal glycoalkaloids. The production of the compounds begins as a branch from brassinosteroid biosynthesis, which produces cholesterol that is further modified to produce steroidal glycoalkaloids. During the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, genetic engineering could alter the formation of cholesterol from provitamin D3(7-dehydrocholesterol) and produce vitamin D3. Cholesterol is a precursor for many steroidal glycoalkaloids, including a-tomatine and esculeoside A. Alpha-tomatine is consumed by mammals and it can reduce cholesterol content and improve LDL:HDL ratio. When there is a high a-tomatine content, the fruit will have a bitter flavor, which together with other steroidal glycoalkaloids serving as protective and defensive compounds for tomato against insect, fungal, and bacterial pests. These compounds also affect the rhizosphere bacteria by recruiting beneficial bacteria. One of the steroidal glycoalkaloids, esculeoside A increases while fruit ripening. This review focuses on recent studies that uncovered key reactions of the production of cholesterol and steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato connecting to human health, fruit flavor, and plant defense and the potential application for tomato crop improvement.
文摘Bemisia tabaci is a polyphagous herbivore that feeds on a wide range of horticultural and ornamental crops cultivated under diverse ecological zones. In Sierra Leone, B. tabaci is found to infest a wide range of vegetable crops by directly feeding on phloem sap thereby inducing physiological disorders, and also serve as a vector to gemini viruses. Invariably the destructive feeding of B. tabaci affects the productivity and aesthetic values of vegetables and other horticultural crops and hence is considered a serious economic pest. A bioassay experiment was carried out by rearing B. tabaci populations on four vegetable crops under controlled laboratory conditions to determine its life table and demographic parameters. Results showed that the intrinsic rate of growth which measures the population size and growth pattern was highest for populations reared on tomato crops with the following values: rm 0.145 female female−1 day−1, the gross reproduction rate (Ro), and finite growth rate λ were highest for population reared on tomato, correspondingly the development period from egg-adult emergence was shortest with a value of 26 d. Conversely, the computed demographical parameters rm, λ and Ro for the population reared on sweet pepper were 0.106 female female−1 day−1 respectively, with a corresponding development period egg-adult emergence as 36d. The computed biological parameters for okra and garden egg varied with intermediary values between tomato and pepper host materials. The survivorship rates were quite significant for the smaller instars (Instars 1-III) with over 80% surviving to pre-pupa and pupa stage for the populations reared for all the test materials. High mortality was noticed for the pre-pupa and pupa stages as their survival rates were significantly low compared to the high survival rates of the smaller instars. Less than 50% of pupae failed to emerge to adults except for populations reared on tomato test materials where 52% emerged to adults. The study indicated tomato as the most suitable host among the four vegetable crops. Although life table and demographic parameters are invaluable information for forecasting pest populations and help in designing pest management efforts, further investigations such as the economic threshold and economic injury levels of B. tabaci population are requisite decision tools for sound pest management decisions of B. tabaci on these vegetable crops. The information obtained from this investigation would be quite relevant for extension service and pest management practitioners where mixed vegetable farming is a common practice.
文摘Newly planted apple orchards in the USA comprising the highly biennial cultivar, “Honeycrisp”, are prone to flower within the first two years from planting and set fruit. These processes limit canopy development and subsequent yield potential. GA4 + 7 can inhibit floral formation processes of apples. The timing and dose for eliminating return bloom of young “Honeycrisp” trees, however, is unclear. A factorial experimental design to test GA4 + 7 application timing and rate produced significant reductions in return bloom for both factors and their interaction. Treatment responses demonstrated that florigenic processes in “Honeycrisp” occurred early. The most pronounced reduction in return bloom followed the 2-week after full bloom (WAFB) application timing, increasing with increasing rate. The effect on return bloom was progressively diminished over the next two weeks of applications but remained significantly lower than the control. Three successive applications timed one week apart eliminated return bloom of spurs at the highest rate. Both factors and their interaction also significantly reduced return bloom of terminal buds of leaders;in contrast to floral buds on spurs, the response of terminal buds on leaders improved with delayed application timings. Timing exerted a stronger effect than rate on return flowering of the terminal buds of leaders. Leader growth was positively affected by GA4 + 7, the year of application, when three successive applications were made. Tree height, overall growth, expressed as the increase in trunk cross-sectional area, and limb number were also significantly improved by GA4 + 7 but varied in their responses to application timing and rate, and were inconsistent. Overall, successive applications of GA4 + 7 had good efficacy for inhibiting floral initiation of meristems on spurs and terminals while improving the vegetative growth of young “Honeycrisp” trees.
