The intensive cultivation of perennially grown Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk increases the complexity of bacterial-fungal cross-domain networks but reduces the evaluation of soil quality and ecological sustainability

Abstract It is hypothesised that wild plants have the potential to be used as ornamentals. The term ‘wild’ as applied to plant species refers to those that grow spontaneously in self-sustaining populations. The ornamentals encompass a diverse array of herbaceous seasonal flowers, shrubs, semi-shrubs, and woody species. A significant attribute of ornamentals is their aesthetic appeal. The cultivation of plants is driven by a variety of factors, including the presence of specific characteristics such as: flowers, leaves, fragrance, fruit, stem, bark, or due to the presence of particular physiological and morphological characteristics. There is an emerging trend of incorporating novel wild native plants that possess ornamental value with the objective of reducing the financial burden associated with garden maintenance, enhancing the survival rates of plants in unfavourable conditions, and curtailing the propagation of alien floral species to regulate their dispersal. The present study constitutes an inventory of the floristic diversity of native wild ornamental plants of the priority 62CO* Ponto-Sarmatic steppes natural habitat, that have decorative qualities. In the course of the field surveys conducted as part of the 62C0* habitat restoration project, 60 species from 22 families were identified as having the potential to be used as ornamental plants. The majority of these species are classified as perennial herbaceous.

Pioneer phytoremediation of highly acidic mineral soil: O-glycoside components of rhizosphere exudates inhibit Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.

<p>Agricultural development on peatlands has its own challenges, especially in the cultivation of chili plants that are susceptible to various diseases. Therefore, an expert system is needed that can help farmers diagnose chili plant diseases quickly and accurately based on the plant growth phase. This research aims to apply the Naïve Bayes algorithm to the expert system for diagnosing Capsicum annum L (Chilli) plant diseases. The results of the expert system research offer an innovative and adaptive solution for the management of plant diseases in peatlands, with great potential to increase agricultural productivity and plant resistance to disease. The expert system is able to diagnose several types of diseases on chili plants in peatlands, such as anthracnose, fusarium wilt, and leaf curl disease. Each diagnosis is based on symptoms observed in each phase of plant growth, from the vegetative phase to the generative phase. Expert system testing results. This system is expected to increase the productivity and quality of chili crops on peatlands, as well as reduce losses due to disease attacks. In addition, this research also shows that the Naive Bayes algorithm has great potential to be applied in expert systems in other agricultural fields.</p>

Tuning the biodegradation rate of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by incorporating acidified or oxidized biochar.

Luminescence properties of LaNb2VO9:Eu3+ phosphors with efficient UV excitation bands for w-LEDs, plant cultivation LEDs, and latent fingerprint detection

Apical stem cuttings are the primary method for propagation in medicinal cannabis, yet propagation has not been studied as extensively as the later stages of crop cultivation. This study examined how mother plant age and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) during mother plant cultivation and propagation affect rooting, growth, and development of apical stem cuttings. Mother plants ( Cannabis sativa ‘Original Blitz’ and ‘King Harmony’) were grown in climate-controlled chambers under two light intensities (400 and 800 μmol·m −2 ·s −1 ) for up to 6 months. Apical stem cuttings were excised every 3 weeks and subsequently propagated without externally applied auxin for 3 weeks under three light intensities (50, 150, and 250 μmol·m −2 ·s −1 ). Mother plant age did not affect rooting (root dry mass and fraction of rooted cuttings). However, older mother plants exhibited decreased cutting dry mass at severance, which coincided with a reduced leaf area. The light intensity during mother plant cultivation had genotype-specific effects, with rooting either reduced or unaffected for the higher light intensity. This reduction coincided with an accumulation of starch and soluble sugar at the stem base at severance, while auxin concentrations in the apex, leaf, and stem base were unaffected by light intensity during mother plant cultivation. In contrast, light intensity during propagation did not affect the fraction of rooted cuttings. However, higher light intensity increased root and cutting dry mass. These findings indicate that mother plant age, up to 6 months, does not impact rooting in stem cuttings. However, higher light intensity during mother plant cultivation reduced rooting genotype-dependently, whereas higher light intensity during propagation increased root dry mass without affecting fraction of rooted cuttings.

Dravya is an important concept in Ayurveda, acting as a source of various properties like Guna (qualities), Karma (action), Rasa (taste), Virya (potency), and Vipaka (post-digestive effect), which influence its effects on the body. The quality of herbal Dravya, whether grown on farms or collected from forests, depends on the type of soil and land where it grows. Ancient texts like the Samhitas and Vedas describe BhoomiPariksha (soil testing) in detail, highlighting its role in farming and medicinal plant cultivation. The success of Ayurveda’s four key pillars-Bhishak (doctor), Aushadhi (medicine), Rugna (patient), and Paricharak (caretaker)-relies on the quality of medicines, which in turn depends on fertile soil (PrashastaBhoomi). Modern science also recognizes that nutrient-rich soil is essential for plant growth. Farmers often add natural supplements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and manganese to improve soil fertility. However, pollution from air and water can lower the medicinal value of plants. Proper soil testing is important not just for farming but also for deciding land use for drinking water sources, roads, and buildings. Ayurveda teaches that a patient’s health is influenced by their environment, and medicines should come from their natural habitat for the best results. By combining ancient wisdom with modern scientific methods, we can improve agriculture and produce high-quality medicinal plants.

Abstract The aim of this research is to assess the thermal and agricultural benefits achievable with a novel deep water culture (DWC) and modular hydroponic system prototype developed in the framework of the Italian PRIN research project “Fud-Of-Sithy” (Favor the Urban Development OF Sustainable Agriculture Through Hydroponics). First, the experimental mock-up is characterized with its geometrical, thermal and plant cultivation features. Then, the results of an experimental campaign carried out during the 2024 summer season at the University of Catania campus (Italy) are presented and discussed in terms of water (i.e., nutrient) temperature, reduction in roof surface temperature compared to a traditional roof configuration and crops harvest for various vegetables. The results revealed that a well-insulated module of about 1 m 2 extension and 0.30 m water depth can guarantee a stable water temperature, in the range of 25-28 °C, when the outdoor air temperature is as high as 34-36°C and the peak solar irradiance is of about 800 W/m 2 . The first crops harvest included 0,125 kg of lettuce and 1,045 kg of basil, with growing cycles of about 25 days for the lettuce and 27 days for the basil.

Abstract The aim of this research is to assess the thermal and agricultural benefits achievable with a novel deep water culture (DWC) and modular hydroponic system prototype developed in the framework of the Italian PRIN research project “Fud-Of-Sithy” (Favor the Urban Development OF Sustainable Agriculture Through Hydroponics). First, the experimental mock-up is characterized with its geometrical, thermal and plant cultivation features. Then, the results of an experimental campaign carried out during the 2024 summer season at the University of Catania campus (Italy) are presented and discussed in terms of water (i.e., nutrient) temperature, reduction in roof surface temperature compared to a traditional roof configuration and crops harvest for various vegetables. The results revealed that a well-insulated module of about 1 m 2 extension and 0.30 m water depth can guarantee a stable water temperature, in the range of 25-28 °C, when the outdoor air temperature is as high as 34-36°C and the peak solar irradiance is of about 800 W/m 2 . The first crops harvest included 0,125 kg of lettuce and 1,045 kg of basil, with growing cycles of about 25 days for the lettuce and 27 days for the basil.

A solar-driven system with a closed-loop water cycle for passive and sustainable saline soil remediation.

Plants serve as a significant source for the identification of novel compounds with therapeutic potential for pharmaceutical development. The rising demand for natural medicines has rendered the commercial cultivation of medicinal plants and the development of their active compounds increasingly significant. Plant tissue and cell culture techniques constitute a significant area of research in plant biotechnology, employed to improve the multiplication of medicinal plants and the synthesis of active compounds under regulated circumstances. Plant tissue and cell cultures serve as valuable alternatives in the pharmaceutical business, since they provide standardized, contaminant-free, and bio-sustainable systems for the manufacture of active medicinal ingredients. Plant tissue and cell cultures function as "bio-factories" for the synthesis of secondary metabolites, which are generally produced in minimal amounts inside plant tissues and are variably distributed across different plant organs (root, stem, leaf, fruit, etc.). Plant tissue culture facilitates the proliferation of undifferentiated plant cells, enabling the regeneration of entire plants or the cultivation of individual cells for the subsequent production of secondary metabolites. The plant tissue (explant) utilized to commence cell culture expansion at the injury site proceeds to proliferate, resulting in an unstructured cell mass termed a callus. Successful tissue culture studies that commence with callus cultures and progress to suspension cultures utilize bioreactors, enabling the quick and standardized generation of active substances. The advancement of plant cell culture research for the generation of active medicinal components and the enhancement of secondary metabolite diversity in limited quantities will yield significant contributions.

This community service program implements an IoT-based automation system for environmental management in the cultivation of bio-pharmaceutical plants in North Sulawesi, adopting a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach. Utilizing the CBPR method, all program stages were designed and executed participatorily with three farmer groups involving 9 community members over six months, encompassing problem identification, system design, installation, monitoring, and evaluation. The system implementation involved the installation of DHT11 sensors, NodeMCU ESP8266 modules, and actuators, all integrated with a cloud platform. Test results demonstrated that the system successfully stabilized the cultivation environment with high consistency, maintaining temperature at 26±1°C and humidity at 50±5%, compared to pre-intervention conditions (temperature: 23-34°C, humidity: 30-70%). These optimal conditions significantly enhanced harvest quality, evidenced by a 10% increase in average harvest weight compared to conventional cultivation methods. The active participation of the community throughout the process not only ensures the system's sustainability but also strengthens the community's technological capacity.

Background. In the context of modern challenges for ensuring food security and sustainable development of agrotechnologies in the Russian Federation, particular attention is being paid to optimizing plant cultivation methods in controlled environments. One of the promising methods is the use of closed hydroponic systems, where the light spectrum plays a key role in regulating growth processes and photosynthesis. This article focuses on studying the effects of different light spectra (blue, red, and mixed) on the growth of Lactuca sativa under controlled hydroponic conditions. The study presents the results of a comparative analysis of growth rates, biomass, and plant quality. Purpose. To examine the influence of different light spectra (blue, red, and mixed) on the growth and productivity of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in hydroponic conditions, to determine the optimal lighting conditions for maximizing yield and quality. Materials and Methods. The study found that blue light (450 nm) increases chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity, promoting compact plant growth with a high leaf count but reducing total biomass. Red light (660 nm, 740 nm), on the other hand, stimulates stem elongation and biomass accumulation but decreases chlorophyll content. Combined lighting (red and blue spectra) provided balanced results, ensuring optimal conditions for growth, high photosynthetic activity, and high-quality plant biomass. Results. It has been shown that the use of UAVs in agriculture in the Sakhalin region offers broad opportunities for monitoring agricultural indicators, enabling the creation of a compact and flexible data collection system through the connection and integration of various sensors, thus facilitating the development of a scalable system. A model for the application of UAVs in the ecological monitoring of agricultural lands in the Sakhalin region has been developed, featuring an original interface for real-time sensor data processing and storage in a specialized database. To implement the model, a methodology for utilizing UAVs to assess the quality state of agricultural lands in the Sakhalin region was developed and tested. Conclusions. The use of combined light spectra in hydroponic systems allows for achieving maximum productivity and quality in lettuce cultivation. The results underscore the need for further optimization of lighting conditions to promote efficient Lactuca sativa growth under hydroponic conditions and confirm the potential of closed hydroponic systems for sustainable food crop production.

Botanic gardens and arboreta maintain globally important collections for conservation and education. Many organisations hold a reputation for excellence in propagation, cultivation and collection preservation. Learning from successes and challenges, and having the ability to disseminate that knowledge, is paramount for improving techniques and outcomes. However, the field of horticultural research is not well defined, and results of plant cultivation techniques are often only shared informally rather than published. This study was designed to explore how horticultural research practitioners perceive the field of horticultural research and excellence, how they and their institutions are involved, and what are the most urgent needs of future horticultural research among gardens and arboreta in the United States. An online survey was distributed to ascertain the status of horticultural research amongst the United States members of the American Society for Horticultural Science, the American Public Gardens Association, Botanic Gardens Conservation International and the Interactive Community of Arboreta, Level II, III and IV members. The survey was completed by 128 respondents from 34 US states across 116 institutions. The responses highlight the fact that horticultural excellence is holistic – focusing on species conservation, ecology and pest mitigation. The findings also touch on the status and involvement of respondents in horticultural research and their perceived needs for future research. These responses further highlight challenges such as funding, time and personnel shortfalls. Horticultural research also includes an emphasis on practical approaches, requiring better recognition and sharing methods. The findings introduce a new framework to support the horticulture community in conceptualising, communicating and implementing research. This framework proposes that horticultural research can be broadly categorised into two overarching approaches: practical and technical.

SummaryDuring pathogen attack, plants recruit beneficial microbes in a ‘cry for help’ to mitigate disease development. Simultaneously, pathogens secrete effectors to promote host colonisation through various mechanisms, including targeted host microbiota manipulation.Inspired by in silico antimicrobial activity prediction, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of Av2, an effector of Verticillium dahliae, in vitro. Furthermore, its role in V. dahliae virulence was assessed through microbiota sequencing of inoculated plants, microbial co‐cultivation assays, and inoculations in a gnotobiotic plant cultivation system.Av2 appears structurally unique and lacks domains that hint towards its function. We show that Av2 inhibits bacterial growth and acts as a virulence factor during host colonisation. Microbiota sequencing revealed involvement of Av2 in suppression of Pseudomonas spp. recruitment upon plant inoculation with V. dahliae, indicating that Av2 suppresses the cry for help. We show that several Pseudomonas spp. are antagonistic to V. dahliae and sensitive to Av2 treatment.We conclude that V. dahliae secretes Av2 to suppress the plant's cry for help by inhibiting the recruitment of antagonistic Pseudomonas spp. to pave the way for successful plant invasion.

Global warming and soil salinization pose significant challenges to modern plant cultivation. Background/Objectives: Polyploidization of whole-genome duplication is an important evolutionary strategy, enhancing plant adaptation to environmental stress. This study investigates the impact of heat and salt stress on photosynthesis and proteomic changes in a polyploid series of Arabidopsis thaliana (diploid, triploid, and tetraploid). Methods: Two-month-old plants were exposed to heat stress (45 °C for 3 h) or salt stress (300 mM NaCl for 24 or 48 h). Stress effects were assessed via photosystem II maximum efficiency (Fv/Fm), the performance index (PIABS), and proline content. Proteomic responses were analyzed using 2D SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Results: Our findings revealed that polyploid plants maintained higher photosynthetic performance than diploids under both heat and salt stress. While proline accumulation under heat stress was comparable across all ploidy levels, polyploids accumulated more proline under salt stress, indicating enhanced salinity tolerance. Proteomic analysis showed differential protein expression among diploid and polyploid plants in response to stress. Several differentially expressed proteins had functions involved in photosynthesis and stress response pathways. These findings confirm prior evidence of tetraploid Arabidopsis resilience to salinity and extend this observation to heat stress. Moreover, triploids also demonstrated increased stress tolerance, suggesting adaptive advantages of this intermediate ploidy level as well. Conclusions: Differential expression patterns among ploidy levels may reflect varied energy-saving strategies and alterations in protein structure and function. This work highlights the importance of polyploidy in improving plant stress resilience, offering insights for breeding stress-tolerant crops in a changing climate.

BackgroundThe Greater Khingan Mountains (GKM), located in the eastern Mongolian Plateau, are a multi-ethnic region predominantly inhabited by Mongolians, with the Han ethnic group forming the majority. The GKM serve as a vital plant germplasm resource and natural medicinal herb base in northern China. Through interactions with nature, Mongolians have developed distinctive traditional medicine cultures by discovering and utilizing wild plants for their healthcare, supported by oral traditions and practical knowledge accumulated over generations. This study comprehensively investigated the wild plants used in Traditional Mongolian Medicine (TMM) of the GKM, aiming primarily to: (1) promote the sustainable development and utilization of these plant resources by conducting an integrated assessment, and propose specific conservation strategies; (2) evaluate the commonalities and differences between TMM and local Mongolian Folk Medicine (MFM) applications, advance the protection and inheritance of traditional medicinal knowledge.MethodsFrom 2021 to 2023, multiple field investigations were conducted in the GKM to collect voucher specimens, which were integrated with the collation of previously collected specimens, taxonomic identifications, and also records of relevant literature, and the wild vascular plant species in this region were determined. On this basis, the inventory of the wild plants used in TMM of the GKM was established according to records in the Chinese Materia Medica: Mongolian Medicine Volume. By collating survey data from ethnobotanical studies in this region, the species and their utilization knowledge used by local Mongolians were obtained. The relevant information of the medicinal herbs that are industrially utilized by Mongolian Medicine pharmaceutical enterprises was obtained from their official websites. An Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model was applied to quantitatively assess the development and utilization value of these resources.ResultsA total of 163 wild plant species used in TMM belonging to 118 genera and 55 families, dominated by Asteraceae, were identified in the GKM. Among them, herbaceous plants (87.73%) are predominant based on life forms, and mesophytes (77.30%) constitute the majority based on water ecotypes. In terms of distribution area, the southern regions hosted the highest species diversity (161 species), while there are no significant differences between the northern (138), eastern (135), and western (131) regions. A total of 133 Mongolian Medicine names correspond to 163 scientific species names, with 27 borrowed names derived from Tibetan, Chinese, and Sanskrit. Whole plants (77 species) and roots and rhizomes (43) are the primary medicinal parts that are harvested mainly in autumn. Among the total wild plant species used in TMM, 92 (56.44%) are used by local Mongolian folk, 69 (42.33%) are used industrially, while 50 (30.67%) have been documented in the literature but lack practical application. Among the 92 species used by local Mongolian folk, the medicinal parts of 31 species are identical to those in TMM, and 36 species partially similar to those in TMM, and the 25 species are different from those in TMM. The medicinal parts and effects of 8 species are different from the records in TMM. This area has a clear focus on the cultivation of wild medicinal plants, concentrating on the ecological cultivation of geo-authentic herbs. Based on the integrated assessment values, the species were categorized into four grades: highest value (36 species), high value (28), general value (69), and low value (30).ConclusionThe wild plants used in TMM of the GKM stand out for their rich plant diversity, widespread distribution area, exceptional medicinal value, and unique geo-authenticity. Mongolian Medicine names reveal multicultural integrations of the TMM. The comparison between TMM and local MFM not only confirms that traditional knowledge of MFM and TMM belongs to the same medical system, but also reveals valuable indigenous knowledge that unrecorded in the TMM. Locally and industrially used wild plants used in TMM demonstrate high utilization rates, reflecting their high medicinal value. Special attention should be given to underutilized species, particularly those documented in the literature but lacking practical application, to advance their large-scale utilization while ensuring effective conservation. Conservation strategies require the integration of strengthened legal regulations, public education and science popularization, nature reserve management, species-specific conservation initiatives, large-scale cultivation, and rational harvesting practices to achieve effective conservation and sustainable utilization of these invaluable resources.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13002-025-00802-3.

Microclimate control, especially temperature, is a critical factor in the cultivation of cherry tomato plants in greenhouses. The high temperature in the GrenBox greenhouse (reaching 38°C) has the potential to inhibit plant growth. This research aims to design an Internet of Things (IoT)-based automation system to regulate temperature in real-time through the activation of ventilation fans and data monitoring via a website. The design method is applied by integrating SHT11 sensor (temperature and humidity meter), GUVA-S12SD sensor (UV index detector), and Banana Pi microcomputer as the control center. The results show that the fan operates automatically when the temperature reaches 30°C, with microclimate data (temperature, humidity, UV index) accessed through a web interface. Data analysis revealed UV index as the dominant variable affecting temperature rise. At UV index ≤10, the fan is able to reduce the temperature by ±3°C, but its effectiveness is significantly reduced at UV index >10 due to the high intensity of solar radiation. The system also allows flexible setting of fan activation temperature limits via the web, according to the needs of the plants. The conclusion of the study confirms that this IoT-based automation system is effective as a greenhouse microclimate control solution, especially for commodities that are sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

Confronted with increasing global food demands, diminishing arable land, and climate volatility, controlled-environment agriculture with advanced red and far-red LED lighting can enhance photosynthesis and optimize plant growth. This investigation reports the generation of a Mn4+/Nd3+ co-doped Y2SiO5 phosphor with a Nd3+ concentration ranging from 0.1 to 2.5 mol% via a solid-state synthesis method, aiming to enhance red and far-red emission for plant cultivation LEDs. For the Y2SiO5:Mn4+ (1 mol%), Nd3+ (2 mol%) phosphor, the phase integrity, nanostructured morphology, elemental mapping, and vibrational characteristics were examined using XRD, Rietveld analysis, FTIR, SEM, and EDX. Nd3+ ions act as near-infrared excitation mediators, ensuring efficient Nd3+ → Mn4+ energy transfer upon 808 nm excitation, and this leads to pronounced red photoluminescence from Mn4+ ions that covers the range of 640–710 nm, exhibiting strong emission peaks centered at 650nm, 663nm, and 685nm, coinciding with the absorption band of phytochromes and chlorophyll. The optimal emission intensity was accomplished for a Nd3+ doping concentration of 2 mol%, beyond which concentration quenching occurred. The material produced a strong, concentrated deep red emission with CIE coordinates near (0.73, 0.27) and a high color purity of 98.96%, making it well-suited for photosynthetic activation. A phosphor-integrated red pc-LED was fabricated, and Tulsi plants were grown under this LED during the winter in Meghalaya, a period critical for plant growth due to the low ambient light. Over a 30-day period, the plants exhibited enhanced height and leaf development, demonstrating the practical potential of Mn4+/Nd3+ co-doped Y2SiO5 for energy-efficient, wavelength-optimized horticultural lighting.