Search Results (2,068)

Immature embryos rescued in sunflower breeding programs represent one of the important procedures for creating a competitive research program. The development of inbred lines in a short period offers a significant advantage, enabling faster adaptation of sunflower hybrids to farmers’ needs, including new herbicide technologies, such as existing sulfonylurea- and imidazoline-based treatments or the introgression of new disease-resistant genes. In our research, we initiated immature embryo rescue by harvesting at 168 h, 216 h, 264 h, and 312 h after fecundations. The media used were based on MS (Murashige and Skoog) and supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, NAA, and GA₃. For the experiments, three types of genotypes were used: inbred lines, populations, and sunflower hybrids. Our results demonstrated a significant connection between harvest timing, the medium used, and the genotype. The highest survival rates were recorded as up to 81% for hybrids and 71% for inbred lines. For immature embryo rescue, they were obtained at 312 h on MS5—2.0:0.4:0.4 (BAP:NAA:GA₃). The genotype, culture medium composition, and harvesting time are essential factors for optimizing the in vitro rescue technique of immature sunflower embryos. The survival rates of immature embryos were significantly influenced by the interaction of these factors. Full article

In plants, hexokinase (HXK) is a kind of bifunctional enzyme involved in sugar metabolism and sugar signal transduction that plays important roles in plant growth and development and stress response. Some HXK genes without a phosphorylation function have been found in Arabidopsis, tobacco, etc., but these genes have not been identified in tomato. Therefore, further genome-wide systematic identification and characterization is necessary for tomato HXK genes. In this study, six HXK genes were identified from the tomato genome distributed across six different chromosomes, named SlHXK1-6. Gene structure analysis showed that the SlHXK genes contain the same number of introns and exons. Gene duplication and collinearity analysis revealed two pairs of tandem repeats among SlHXKs, and a higher collinearity between tomatoes and potatoes were found. Response elements associated with phytohormones, abiotic stresses, and growth and development were identified in the promoter sequences of SlHXKs. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) results further indicated the potential role of SlHXKs in tomato development and stress responses. The expression levels of most SlHXKs were significantly induced by abiotic stress, hormone, and sugar solution treatments. In particular, the expression of SlHXK1 was significantly induced by various treatments. Functional complementation experiments were performed using HXK-deficient yeast strain YSH7.4-3C (hxk1, hxk2, and glk1), and the results showed that SlHXK5 and SlHXK6 were unable to phosphorylate glucose and fructose in yeast. In conclusion, these results provide valuable foundations for further exploring the sugar metabolism and sugar signal transduction mechanisms of HXK and the functions of SlHXK genes in various abiotic stresses, and some SlHXKs may be key genes for enhancing plants’ tolerance to abiotic stresses. Full article

Selenium (Se) biofortification is a promising agronomic strategy to enhance the dietary intake of this essential micronutrient while simultaneously adding value to agricultural by-products like Brassica oleracea L. var. italica leaves. This study evaluated the effects of foliar Se biofortification on a fresh market broccoli cultivar (‘Belstar’) using selenite and selenate (1 and 2 mM). Growth performance, biochemical properties, nutraceutical quality, and phytohormone profiles of broccoli leaves were analyzed, highlighting their potential as functional by-products. Multivariate analysis revealed that 2 mM selenite application was the most effective treatment, significantly improving several parameters. Selenium biofortification with 2 mM selenite increased essential nutrient content, including Se, Ca, S, Fe, Mn, Mg, and Mo. It also enhanced the soluble protein content (+2.2-fold), phenolic compounds (+1.5-fold), and total antioxidant capacity (+1.4-fold) compared to control plants. In this sense, the nutraceutical quality of broccoli leaves was markedly improved, supporting their use as a source of bioactive ingredients. Additionally, to assess practical applications, water-extracted Se-enriched broccoli leaves demonstrated antifungal activity against the plant pathogen Fusarium solani, attributed to Se-induced alterations in phytohormone profiles. These findings suggest that Se-biofortified broccoli leaves can serve as a sustainable source of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds for the food industry. Furthermore, their antifungal properties position them as potential eco-friendly biopesticides to combat plant pathogenic fungi, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture. Full article

Background: In this work the plant growth-promoting (PGP) qualities of the Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 were studied, including screening tests for PGP, whole genome sequencing (WGS) and genome annotation, and greenhouse experiments on wheat. A gene table was formed that allows us to evaluate the potential PGP properties of a microorganism based on the results of genome-wide sequencing. Results: Based on the results of screening tests and genome annotation, it can be concluded that the E. soli strain AF-22b-4245 strain may have PGP properties, which consist in the ability to survive in arid and saline soils contaminated with copper, arsenic, lead, and chromium soils, form biofilms, produce phytohormones, siderophores, and solubilize phosphorus. Based on the results of experiments on wheat, the E. soli strain AF-22b-4245 increases the efficiency of mineral fertilizers; this effect persists even in conditions of drought and excess salt. It has been shown that E. soli A F22b-4245 can compensate for the lack of soluble phosphorus in the mineral fertilizer, probably by solubilizing insoluble forms in the soil. Full article

cgr-miR166 was observed to be significantly enhanced in Chrysanthemum under 200 mM NaCl treatment. Here, ten family members were identified by aligning cgr-miR166 with scaffold sequences from the Chrysanthemum nankingense genome database, naming them from cgr-miR166a to cgr-miR166j, and their precursors could form stable stem-loop structures. The mature regions were observed to be highly conserved, with the 3′ end being more conserved than the 5′ end. miR166s promoters have been found to contain cis-acting elements responsive to diverse stimuli like the phytohormones ABA and IAA. qRT-RCR results demonstrated that the transcriptome sequencing results were reliable and miR166 was present at different levels in the roots, stems, leaves and flowers of Chrysanthemum. Furthermore, the HD-ZipIII transcription factor was validated to be the target gene of Chrysanthemum miR166s by degradome sequencing. Taken together, the cgr-miR166 family exhibited both evolutionary conservation and diversification. The expression level of miR166 was upregulated in root under salt stress, while the expression level of the target gene HD-ZipIII was downregulated. These findings established the foundation for further understanding the mechanism of miR166-HD-ZipIII modules in salt response and tolerance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plant metallothioneins (MTs) are low-molecular-weight proteins involved in heavy metal binding and response to stress conditions. This work aimed to analyse canola (Brassica napus L.) MTs (BnMT1-4) response to salinity and plant interaction with bacteria. Methods: (1) We tested germination and canola growth and development in the presence of sodium chloride and bacteria Serratia plymuthica; (2) We analysed phytohormones content using LC-MS/MS; (3) We identified in silico cis-regulatory elements in promoters of BnMT1-4 genes; and (4) we investigated BnMT1-4 genes’ expression in B. napus. Results: Under saline conditions, canola germination and plant growth were notably inhibited, whereas inoculation of seeds with S. plymuthica significantly stimulated the analysed physiological traits of B. napus. The content of auxin, abscisic acid, jasmonates, gibberellins, and salicylic acid in B. napus was significantly affected by salinity and modulated by S. plymuthica presence. The promoter regions of the BnMT1-4 genes contain numerous regulatory elements controlled by light, hormones, and various stresses. Interestingly, the expression of BnMT1-3 genes was down-regulated under salt stress, while BnMT4 transcript levels increased strongly at the highest salt concentrations with and without S. plymuthica present. Conclusions: The results show that BnMT genes are differently affected by salinity and bacteria S. plymuthica and significantly correlate with particular phytohormones content in canola tissues, confirming the diversified functions of MTs in plant responses to changing environment. Full article

Paclobutrazol (PAC) is a significant inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis that profoundly influences grape seed development (GSD) through the modulation of key molecular pathways. Here, we identified 6659 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GSD under PAC treatment, with 3601 up-regulated and 3058 down-regulated. An analysis of hormone-associated DEGs revealed that auxin-related genes (16) were the most up-regulated, followed by genes associated with brassinosteroid and ABA. In contrast, cytokinin- and gibberellin-related genes exhibited a suppressive response. PAC treatment also triggered extensive reprogramming of metabolic pathways, including 44 genes involved in starch and sucrose metabolism (24 up-regulated, 20 down-regulated), 101 cell wall-related genes (53 up-regulated, 48 down-regulated), and 110 transcription factors (77 up-regulated, 33 down-regulated). A cis-element analysis of the promoters of 76 hormone-responsive genes identified 14 types of hormone-responsive cis-elements, with ABRE being the most prevalent. Genes responsible for inactivating active hormones, such as ABA-VvPP2CA, IAA-VvGH3.1, and CK-VvARR9-1, were also identified. Concurrently, PAC negatively regulated hormone-active genes, including BR-VvXTH25, SA-VvTGA21-3, and JA-VvTIFY3B, leading to reduced levels of these hormones. PAC modulates GSD by mediating the dynamic balance of multi-hormone accumulations. Furthermore, development-related cis-elements such as the AACA-motif, AAGAA-motif, AC-I, AC-II, O2-site, as-1, CAT-box, CCAAT-box, circadian, GCN4-motif, RY-element, HD-Zip 1, HD-Zip 3, MSA-like, MYB-like sequence, MYB-binding site, and MYB recognition site, were found in key DEGs involved in starch and sucrose metabolism, cell wall remodeling, and epigenetic regulation. This indicates that these pathways are responsive to PAC modulation during GSD. Finally, we developed a comprehensive regulatory network to illustrate the PAC-mediated pathways involved in GSD. This network integrates multi-hormonal signaling, cell wall remodeling, epigenetic regulation, and transcription factors, highlighting PAC’s pivotal role in GSD. Our findings provide new insights into the complex mechanisms underlying PAC’s effects on grapevine development. Full article

Ciprofloxacin (CIP), a widely used fluoroquinolone antibiotic, poses a growing environmental concern due to its persistence in agricultural soils and potential adverse effects on crop production. While previous studies have documented CIP’s negative impacts on plant growth, effective strategies to protect crops from antibiotic stress remain limited. Biochar-based approaches show promise, but their application at the nanoscale for antibiotic stress management is largely unexplored. This study demonstrates how biochar nanoparticles (BNPs) effectively mitigate CIP-induced stress in rice seedlings through adsorption mechanisms. Rice seedlings were treated with 5 and 10 mg L⁻¹ CIP, with and without 0.2 g L⁻¹ BNPs. Results showed that CIP significantly disrupted plant growth, decreasing shoot length by 20.5% and root length by 45.2%, along with reduced biomass. Application of BNPs effectively reduced CIP bioavailability by over 80%, leading to a decreased CIP accumulation of 49.7% in shoots and 33.1% in roots. The addition of BNPs mitigated these growth impacts by restoring shoot length to 98.2% of control levels at 5 mg L⁻¹ CIP and improving root growth and biomass accumulation. BNPs also mitigated CIP-induced hormone imbalance, evidenced by a recovery in IAA levels by 8.9%, an increase in 6-BA by 152.6%, and an enhancement in SA levels by 12.7–13.6%. These findings demonstrate the significant potential of nanoscale biochar in reducing antibiotic stress in agricultural systems and provide insights into plant responses under these conditions. This research offers a promising strategy for enhancing crop resilience in areas affected by pharmaceutical pollutants. Full article

Cytokinins (CKs) are a class of phytohormones identified in the early 1960s and are mainly responsible for stimulating cell division. Following the discovery, research to help understand the pluralistic roles of CKs in plant growth and stress biology increased. With their fascinating ability, CKs serve as an important element in regulating the defense–growth trade-off. Herein, we demonstrate how the CK fine-tuning the organogenesis of different parts of horticultural plants is discussed. CK’s role in tailoring reproductive biology (flowering, sex differentiation, fruit set, and fruit attributes) has been presented. An extensive explanation of the CK-mediated response of horticultural crops to abiotic (temperature, drought, and salinity) and biotic stresses (fungal, bacterial, and nematodes) is provided. Finally, we posit the unexplored roles of CKs and highlight the research gaps worth addressing. Full article

Red-leaf lettuces, rich in bioactive compounds like anthocyanins and flavonoids, offer health benefits by reducing oxidative stress and boosting immunity. This article provides an extensive review of the genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and technological factors influencing anthocyanin biosynthesis and leaf coloration in red-leaf lettuce, emphasizing its significance in agriculture and nutrition. The genetics of anthocyanin biosynthesis, environmental influences, practical applications, agronomic insights, and future directions are the main areas covered. Anthocyanin accumulation is regulated by structural, regulatory, and transporter genes, as well as the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) complex. Mutations in these genes impact coloration and stress responses. Advances in genomic studies, such as GWAS and QTL mapping, have identified key genes and pathways involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, aiding breeding programs for desirable traits. In addition, light intensity, stress conditions (e.g., drought, temperature), and phytohormones affect anthocyanin levels and photomorphogenesis in general. Controlled environments, like vertical farms, optimize these conditions to enhance pigmentation and phytochemical content. LED lighting and tailored cultivation techniques improve color intensity, antioxidant capacity, and yield in controlled settings. Sustainable production technologies for red-leaf lettuce in vertical farms are being developed to meet consumer demand and promote functional foods, integrating genetic, epigenetic, and environmental research into agronomy. This review highlights red-leaf lettuce’s aesthetic, nutritional, and functional value, advocating for innovative cultivation methods to enhance its market and health potential. Full article

Salvia miltiorrhiza is a herbaceous plant that possesses significant medicinal value. Land salinization affects the growth of S. miltiorrhiza, resulting in a decline in its quality and yield. Knotted1-like homeobox (KNOX) genes are transcription factors that play important roles in plant growth and abiotic stress. The characteristics and functions of KNOX genes in S. miltiorrhiza remain unclear. Here, we identified ten KNOX genes in S. miltiorrhiza, all of which possess the characteristic four domains: KNOX1, KNOX2, ELK, and HD. These SmKNOXs were divided into two groups together with homologous genes. Cis-acting element analysis indicated all SmKNOXs contained elements associated with phytohormone, light, and stress response. The SmKNOXs show tissue-specific expression among roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. We assessed the response of the SmKNOXs to salt stress using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Notably, SmKNOX4 expression significantly decreased within 24 h of salt exposure, while SmKNOX1, SmKNOX2, SmKNOX3, SmKNOX8, and SmKNOX9 showed significant increases. The expression of SmKNOX1, SmKNOX2, and SmKNOX3 was significantly positively correlated with that of their target genes, GA20ox1 and S11 MYB. These findings suggest that SmKNOXs and their target genes respond to salt stress, providing a foundation for studies of SmKNOXs and the potential genetic improvement of S. miltiorrhiza. Full article

In the natural environment, plants are simultaneously exposed to multivariable abiotic and biotic stresses. Typical abiotic stresses are changes in temperature, light intensity and quality, water stress (drought, flood), microelements availability, salinity, air pollutants, and others. Biotic stresses are caused by other organisms, such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses or parasites. This review presents the current state-of-the-art knowledge on programmed cell death in the cross-tolerance phenomena and its conditional molecular and physiological regulators, which simultaneously regulate plant acclimation, defense, and developmental responses. It highlights the role of the absorbed energy in excess and its dissipation as heat in the induction of the chloroplast retrograde phytohormonal, electrical, and reactive oxygen species signaling. It also discusses how systemic- and network-acquired acclimation and acquired systemic resistance are mutually regulated and demonstrates the role of non-photochemical quenching and the dissipation of absorbed energy in excess as heat in the cross-tolerance phenomenon. Finally, new evidence that plants evolved one molecular system to regulate cell death, acclimation, and cross-tolerance are presented and discussed. Full article

Background: Pirins are nuclear cupin proteins, one of several gene families within the plant cupin superfamily. However, the identification and functional analysis of Pirin proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana have not been explored. Methods: In this study, genome-wide analysis identifying NbPirin genes in N. benthamiana was conducted, as was phylogenetic analysis of Pirin genes in four Solanaceae species (including Capsicum annuum, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum tuberosum, and N. benthamiana). In addition, we also evaluated the expression pattern of NbPirins under abiotic stress (temperature and phytohormones) and biotic stress (TMV, TuMV, and PVX). Results: A total of six Nbpirin genes were identified, which can be divided into three clades, and NbPirins also embraced a variety of abiotic or biotic cis-acting elements. The results showed that the expression of NbPirin1-6 was influenced by temperature variations, of which NbPirin6 was significantly upregulated at high temperatures (42 °C) but downregulated at low temperatures (4 °C). Notably, the expression of NbPirin6 exhibited a consistent decrease under ABA and MeJA treatments. Moreover, the expression of NbPirin1-6 was also affected by TMV, TuMV, and PVX infection. NbPirin1, NbPirin2, NbPirin3, and NbPirin5 showed higher expression levels under different viral infections compared to non-infection. Interestingly, NbPirin3 showed the highest expression level during TuMV infection (approximately a 20-fold increase compared to non-infection). Conclusions: Our study proposes the potential role of NbPirin6 in plant responses to abiotic stress, and the role of NbPirin3 in plant antiviral defense, and further lays the groundwork for future research on the functions of NbPirin proteins in responses to various stressors. Full article

Luffa is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines in the Cucurbitaceae family, recognized as an important cultivated commercial vegetable. However, the seeds of the luffa species are considered hard-seeded, and the processes governing seed germination remain understudied. The 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) genes, which are critical for seed germination, have not been well characterized in Luffa. In this study, we identified four LaNCED genes in Luffa acutangula and four LcNCED genes in Luffa cylindrica, distributed across four chromosomes in each species. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into two subgroups. Gene structure and motif composition analyses revealed both similarities and differences among the NCEDs. Cis-element analysis further revealed that these NCEDs may be involved in growth regulation by modulating the phytohormonal network and responding to stress stimuli. Expression profiling of LcNCED genes during seed germination showed a decrease in LcNCED2 levels, coinciding with an increase in α-amylase activity throughout the germination process. Subcellular localization assays demonstrated that LcNCED2 is localized in the chloroplast. Furthermore, transient overexpression of LcNCED2 in tobacco leaves led to a significant increase in ABA content. Our findings provide a comprehensive genomic characterization of the NCED family in Luffa cylindrica and Luffa acutangula and reveal the functional role of LcNCED2 in regulating ABA levels, which may play a critical role in seed germination. Full article

Microalgae-based CO₂ capture has potential as an industrial-scale solution to climate change challenges while also amassing usable microalgae biomass. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can optimize CO₂ extraction in microalgae growing systems, especially when paired with phytohormone-regulated growth. This paper examines the use of CFD to predict fluid flow, nutrient distribution, light intensity, and mass transfer in microalgae-based systems, which are crucial for improving photosynthetic efficiency and fixing CO₂. The focus is on how phytohormones, such as auxins and cytokinin, influence microalgal growth and their subsequent involvement in increasing carbon sequestration. Furthermore, this review discusses CFD applications in reactor design, where fluid dynamics and biological kinetics interact to increase biomass yield. The focus on scaling up and transitioning from laboratory to industrial application with the possible integration of computational fluid dynamics with experiment data to enhance simulation precision is addressed. The assessment demonstrates CFD’s potential as an important tool for sustainable CO₂ fixation. Full article