Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) cultivation has declined sharply in traditional regions due to biotic and abiotic stresses, with Fusarium acuminatum-induced corm rot emerging as a major threat. Given saffron's genetic sterility and concerns over chemical fungicides, sustainable alternatives are essential. This study demonstrates that organic amendments, particularly Trichoderma bioformulation (T3) and walnut leaf powder (T7), effectively suppress corm rot, with lowest infection percentage recorded in T7 (13.32%), followed by T3 (19.89%). Notably, the chemical treatment T6 (NPK) showed a comparatively higher disease percentage area (56.43%) than the untreated control (T0) (47.55%). Trichoderma bioformulation activated jasmonic acid- and ethylene-mediated induced systemic resistance (ISR), regulated sugar metabolism, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity. Walnut leaf powder improved resistance by boosting antioxidant potential and osmotic balance, linked to its high phenolic content and osmolyte accumulation. Both treatments demonstrated complementary mechanisms, combining direct antifungal action with host defense activation, highlighting their potential as eco-friendly alternatives for integrated management of saffron corm rot. The study demonstrates that host-specific organic amendments can suppress pathogen development and reprogram host biochemical defences, highlighting the specificity of organic amendments for sustainable saffron health management.

Laticifers are specialized structures found in diverse plant families and are regarded as important components of plant defense systems. In Fabaceae, however, laticifers are relatively uncommon and have been reported in only a few genera, including Mimosa. Despite this, little is known about the ultrastructural features of laticifer protoplasts and cell walls in this group, as well as their distribution throughout the plant body. This study investigated the distribution, anatomy, and ultrastructure of laticifers in Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) from a developmental perspective, encompassing the embryo, seedling, and adult stages. Articulated nonanastomosing laticifers were found associated with both primary and secondary phloem. Total lipids, acidic polysaccharides, and terpenes were detected within the laticifer protoplasts. Primordial laticifer cells displayed thick pectocellulosic walls containing plasmodesmata, dense cytoplasm and abundant organelles. Young laticifers exhibited digitiform extensions toward neighboring cells, while in maturing laticifers, the terminal walls of aligned cells underwent dissolution. Mature laticifers showed an additional discontinuous internal parietal layer of uniform appearance, composed of callose. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first report of callose in laticifers of a legume species. The potential protective role of callose as a self-cytotoxic barrier and as a defense mechanism against natural enemies in the laticifer system is hypothesized. This study fills an important gap in the knowledge of laticifer origin and typology in Fabaceae and provides valuable insights to support taxonomic, ecological, and sustainable-use studies of this multipurpose forest species native to the Brazilian semi-arid region. Main Conclusion. Articulated, nonanastomosing laticifers are present throughout the development of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, occurring in mature embryos,seedlings, and adult plants. A discontinuous parietal layer composed of callose internally lines the laticifer cells.

This study examined the influence of exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on drought tolerance in faba bean (Vicia faba) under 15% PEG-induced drought stress conditions. Faba bean plants were subjected to treatments with varying GABA concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2mM) to evaluate physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses to drought stress. The results indicated that a concentration of 0.5mM GABA significantly enhanced the photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content, while also markedly improving relative water content (RWC). At this concentration, GABA treatment mitigated oxidative damage, evidenced by reduced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and increased antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase). Furthermore, GABA supplementation influenced the accumulation of proline and soluble sugars, thereby facilitating osmotic regulation and stress adaptation. Gene expression analysis revealed that GABA modulated key drought-responsive genes, notably enhancing the expression of those associated with antioxidant defenses (VfCAT, VfSOD, VfAPX), water transport (VfPIP), and osmoprotection (VfP5CDH), particularly in leaf and root tissues, with differential effects observed across GABA concentrations. Interestingly, higher concentrations of GABA (1 and 2mM) yielded reduced or inconsistent outcomes, suggesting the existence of an optimal concentration threshold for stress mitigation. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of GABA as a beneficial agent for enhancing drought resilience in faba bean, providing a promising strategy to improve crop tolerance to water scarcity.