Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has increased public reliance on natural treatments, particularly in regions with strong cultural ties to herbal medicine or limited access to conventional healthcare. Globally, surveys have reported heightened use of plant-based remedies and dietary supplements, perceived as safe and effective. In Israel, this trend was evident within an integrative healthcare system that combines conventional and complementary medicine. The public demonstrated significant interest in herbal remedies and supplements to boost immunity and manage pandemic-induced stress. Natural compounds with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties offer potential pharmacological benefits, warranting clinical investigation. However, restrictive trial criteria hinder broader applicability of findings. To address this gap, we evaluated the effects of bioactive dietary supplements on COVID-19 severity and duration through an online survey. Among respondents, Boswellia emerged as the most popular supplement. Disease duration in Boswellia users was significantly reduced (11.8± 7.1 days) compared to untreated cases or those taking other supplements (18.0±9.7 days). Known as frankincense, Boswellia’s gum resin has traditionally been used for its anti-inflammatory properties. Its bioactive compounds, boswellic acids and incensole acetate, inhibit cytokines like TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6, implicated in COVID-19-related cytokine storms and ARDS. Preliminary clinical and laboratory studies suggest Boswellia’s potential as an anti-inflammatory and antiviral agent. Laboratory experiments corroborated these findings, demonstrating that Boswellia extract (100 µg/mL) significantly reduced Coronavirus RNA levels (~8500-fold) in cell cultures infected with 229e virus, as measured by qPCR. Boswellia extracts also decreased viral RNA levels by up to 75% without adverse effects on cell viability and inhibited TMPRSS2 activity, a key protease for viral entry. These findings underscore Boswellia’s therapeutic potential, combining anti-inflammatory and antiviral mechanisms, and support further investigation into its use as a complementary treatment for COVID-19.

Abstract This study investigated the influence of tree diameter at breast height (DBH) on Melia dubia pulpwood properties via gene expression analysis. In this study, different DBH classes, such as 10.0 cm, 15.0 cm and 20.0 cm, were considered for pulpwood chemical properties. Compared with the other classes, the 15.0 cm DBH class presented the highest cellulose content (69.6%), moderate lignin content (21.0%) and kappa number value (17.2). Additionally, it has the highest tear index (4.9), indicating stronger paper quality. On the other hand, the 20.0 cm DBH class had greater lignin content (24.8%) and a kappa number of 18.6, reducing its pulping efficiency. Furthermore, gene expression analysis revealed that higher expression of cellulose synthesis genes (Ces2, Ces4) was associated with the 15.0 cm DBH class, whereas lignin biosynthesis genes (CAD2, LAC8) were highly expressed in the 20.0 cm DBH class. Additionally, the correlations between gene expression and wood properties and growth traits corresponded, suggesting that DBH influences cellulose and lignin biosynthesis, affecting pulp quality. Thus, the 15.0 cm DBH class is optimal for harvesting, balancing high cellulose content and favourable lignin levels, leading to improved pulp yield and paper strength.

Abstract Gladiolus, known as the Queen of bulbous flowers, is popular for its long flower spikes used in cut flower arrangements. One of the main problems in its commercial production is the lack of good-quality planting material and the prolonged transition time it takes for small cormels to grow into flowering-size corms. This study was conducted to observe how different priming treatments and growing media affect the growth of cormels and roots in the gladiolus variety ‘Punjab Glad 3’. A factorial experiment using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was carried out with three priming chemicals (calcium nitrate, gibberellic acid and potassium nitrate) and water as the control, along with two types of growing media: sandy loam soil and cocopeat. The results showed that sandy loam soil supported better overall growth and cormel development, while cocopeat helped root growth by increasing the number and length of roots. Priming with 1% calcium nitrate increased cormel size and weight by 90.29% and 89.65%, respectively, compared to the control. Gibberellic acid at 200 ppm improved root number and length. Therefore, priming gladiolus cormels with 1% calcium nitrate and planting them in sandy loam soil led to better vegetative and cormel growth.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of phyllosphere methylotrophic plant growth-promoting bacteria on drought stress mitigation in groundnut. The experiment included five treatments [T1 – Control, T2 – Methylobacterium populi TMV7-4, T3 – Methylobacterium thiocyanatum VRI7-A4, T4 – Pseudomonas psychrotolerans K-TMV7-6, and T5 – microbial consortium (comprising M. populi TMV7-4 + M. thiocyanatum VRI7-A4 + P. psychrotolerans K-TMV7-6)] under three water regimes (75%, 45%, and 20% field capacity). Each treatment was replicated five times, and pots were arranged in a completely randomized design. Seeds were sown in containers and maintained under regular watering for 22 days before imposing water stress for an additional 6 days. Plant growth parameters, proline content, and ethylene emission were recorded at the end of the stress period. In addition, the expression of the ACC oxidase (ACCO) gene was analyzed using qRT-PCR. Results revealed that microbial inoculation improved plant growth compared to the control, irrespective of drought stress intensity. However, no significant differences were observed between single strains and the microbial consortium. Microbial inoculation alleviated drought stress by reducing stress-related ethylene and proline accumulation, indicating lowered stress levels in treated plants. Across all drought conditions, plants inoculated with methylotrophic bacteria exhibited significantly reduced ACCO gene expression compared to the control. These methylotrophic isolates hold potential for development into a drought-tolerant bio-inoculant for groundnut.

Abstract Temperature regimes within flowers and inflorescences are not well studied but have been shown to be important in plant sexual reproduction (pollination). We report for the first time the effects of ambient air temperatures and insolation (sunny vs. cloudy vs. night) on temperatures within the various sizes of the complex flowering head of teasel (Dipsacus fullonum). Blossom temperatures influence pollination in various ways, notably through the growth and maturation of the sexual organs and by being perceived by and influencing pollinator behaviour. We report that the inflorescences of common teasel become warmed above the adjacent ambient air by absorbing solar radiation and trapping heat. Inflorescence size, time of day and insolation have notable impacts on temperatures within teasel inflorescences. Large inflorescences (about 50 mm long × 30 mm in diameter) become as much as 8 C warmer than the ambient air at the time of day when the sun was strongest (ca. 10:00–14:00 EST), mid-sized ones (about 30 mm long × 20 mm diameter) about 5 C and small ones (about 20 mm long × 10 mm diameter) about 3 C. Temperature excesses observed under sunny conditions are abolished at night and under cloud. Pollinator activity, mostly by bumblebees (Bombus) on teasel heads follows the same trends as the temperature regimes, being most intense in warm sunny conditions. That correlation may reflect some relationships between floral biology and pollinator behaviour, such as floral heat, effects on nectar secretion, viscosity and availability, pollen presentation, and maturation of florets.

Abstract Lentil is a promising crop for diversifying the vast, untapped rice-fallows of South Asia. However, augmenting lentil productivity in this niche remains a key challenge due to poor soil biophysical properties. Research gap on root trait variation warrants harnessing genotypic variability of lentil root system to shed light on root developmental plasticity. The present study aimed to assess the genotypic variability of 24 lentil genotypes in root traits under differential tillage practices of rice-fallow systems and identify key root traits contributing to root architectural plasticity. Additionally, the role of genes controlling root development in lentil was elucidated. The results revealed substantial genetic variability in root traits and the prospective lentil genotypes had better total root length, surface area, volume, and lateral root numbers. Significant correlations among vital root traits providing a win-win opportunity for the researchers to target these traits for improving resource acquisition in challenging environments. Notably, this study is the first to elucidate the role of triphosphate tunnel metalloenzyme 3 (LcTTM3), and auxin transporter like protein 5 (LcLAX5) in root development, as genotypes with a robust root system exhibited significantly higher transcript-level variation for these genes. Based on a summation rank index, four superior genotypes (2011S 56234-1, ILL-10961, L-1112-19, and ILL-7978) were identified as ideal candidates for cultivation in rice-fallow systems, irrespective of tillage practices. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic basis of root development and its role in nutrient and water uptake efficiency to reduce yield risks and enhance system resilience in lentil.

Abstract The Fungarium at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel-Aviv University, was founded 50 years ago by the late Prof. Nissan Binyamini. Over the last decade a group of amateur mycologists, led by Bruria Gal, have restored and digitized Binyamini’s vast collection. They have performed fungi surveys throughout Israel to renew this collection and preserve new specimens for future research, which will also be available for molecular research. Twenty-two new records of macrofungi in Israel were acquired during these surveys. The role of citizen science is emphasized in enhancing ecological surveys, through the collective effort of non-professionals in gathering extensive data across diverse habitats.

Abstract This study attempts to provide insights on phytocompounds and antioxidant efficacies of A. pubescens. The study primarily focused on estimation of phenolic content, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of different extracts of stem, leaf and inflorescence comparing with standard antioxidants. The results indicated that the amount of phenolics in different plant parts varied from 7.56 to 48.5 mg TAE/g and the amount of flavonoids varied from 0.23 to 0.81 mg QE/g. Among different plant parts, ethanol extract of inflorescence possessed highest amount of phenolics, while aqueous extract of leaf had highest amount of flavonoids as compared to stem. The antioxidant capability of the species as verified by diverse antioxidant assays varied with different plant parts as well as with different solvents used for extraction. Remarkably, all the tested extracts validated a significant free radical scavenging action with the water and ethanol extracts of leaf and inflorescence in most of the test methods. Therefore, water and ethanol were determined to be the most effective solvent systems for extracting antioxidants. The correlation coefficient of phenolics and flavonoids with antioxidant efficacy endorsed the contribution of the phytocompounds to the antioxidant potential. These findings signify that the extracts of A. pubescens possess effective antioxidant properties and can be used to prevent the damage caused by free radicals.

Abstract This review article provides an updated overview of the structural and functional aspects of dehydrins, a group of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that play a pivotal role in plant stress tolerance. Dehydrins are known to be involved in the protection of plants against various abiotic stresses, such as extreme temperatures, drought, and salinity. The review highlights the architectural composition of dehydrins, including their conserved K-, Y-, S-, F- and H-segments, which contribute to the structural diversity and functional versatility. The dynamic nature of dehydrins, which allows them to adopt transient conformations and interact with multiple cellular components, is crucial for their protective roles under stress conditions. The article also discusses the regulatory mechanisms of dehydrins, emphasizing the importance of understanding the signaling pathways that control their expression. The review further explores the potential of dehydrins as biomarkers for plant stress management and their application in crop improvement strategies.

Abstract Israel’s climate is characterized by hot and dry summers and cool, rainy winters in the northern and coastal regions, whereas the southern and eastern regions are arid. The aquatic macrophyte Chara is a common genus in Israel, and its distribution varies across Israel’s climatic gradient. Although few studies described the abundance and taxonomy of the local Chara species in Israel, only little is known about the molecular taxonomy of this group in the region. We sampled Chara species along Israel’s climatic gradient and identified specimens using the classical taxonomy key and molecular identification methods. We characterized the molecular taxonomy of four Chara species: C. vulgaris, C. contraria, C. gymnophylla, and C. globata. Notably, the latter species, which was found in a hyper-arid area, was last recorded in Israel ~50 years ago on the northern Mediterranean coast and Judaean Mountains. Chara gymnophylla was more abundant in northern Israel, while C. vulgaris and C. contraria were common in southern Israel. We developed Inter Simple Sequence Repeat markers to identify the four species and sequenced their chloroplast gene rbcL. The phylogenetic trees generated using the rbcL sequences and ISSR-based dendrogram were consistent with the classical taxonomy of Chara.