Botanic gardens have long served as centers for plant collection, research, conservation, and public education. This article reviews the historical development of botanic gardens with particular emphasis on the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Early forms of managed plant landscapes in Sri Lanka, including royal, monastic, and home gardens, are recorded in ancient chronicles and archaeological evidence from the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods. These early gardens combined aesthetic, cultural, and utilitarian functions and reflected advanced knowledge of plant cultivation and landscape design. The introduction of European botanical traditions during the colonial period led to the establishment and expansion of formal botanic gardens, with Peradeniya emerging as the principal botanical institution in the country. Over time, the garden has played a significant role in plant introduction, economic botany, scientific research, conservation, education, and tourism. This historical perspective highlights the transformation of botanic gardens in Sri Lanka from cultural landscapes to modern scientific institutions contributing to biodiversity conservation and sustainable plant use.

Low temperature is a significant environmental constraint, impeding the extensive cultivation of tropical plants. Here, we identify the transcription factor SlMYB17 as an important negative regulator of tomato chilling tolerance. Overexpression of SlMYB17 significantly reduced chilling tolerance, whereas slmyb17 mutants exhibited enhanced tolerance. ChIP-seq analysis revealed that SlMYB17 targets genes involved in diverse biological processes and stress responses, suggesting its role in coordinating plant development and stress adaptation. SlMYB17 directly binds to the promoters of cold-regulated (COR) genes, such as SlCOR27b and WCOR413, thereby inhibiting their expression. Crucially, protein-protein interaction studies and Dual-LUC assays demonstrated that SlMYB17 interacts with SlCBF1, SlCBF2, and SlCBF3 in the nucleus to inhibit SlCBF-mediated activation of COR genes. Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) targeting SlCBF1-3 in wild-type and slmyb17 mutants, we demonstrate genetically that SlMYB17's function in chilling tolerance is dependent on SlCBFs. Collectively, SlMYB17 antagonises the SlCBF pathway at both transcriptional and protein activity levels, ultimately suppressing tomato chilling tolerance. Our work establishes slmyb17 mutants as valuable genetic resources for developing chilling-tolerant tomato varieties, and the ChIP-seq data provide important insights for studying MYB transcription factors in stress responses and development.

With a limited range of alpine and sub-alpine vegetation in the Himalayas, Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki) is an endangered species. Due to its limited range of distribution, small population size, and high value, it is one of the most sought-after medicinal plants in the world and was listed as one of the 37 species with the highest priority for conservation and cultivation in the Western Himalayas. Due to its growing demand in the herbal medicine sector, growing kutki can be a lucrative endeavor for farmers and business owners. The Uttarakhand government is encouraging the state to grow medicinal plants. In Uttarakhand, the government has also developed several policies to support the conservation and cultivation of significant medicinal plants. The Herbal Research and Development Institute (HRDI) in Mandal, Gopeshwar (Chamoli), is the state's nodal agency for the medicinal plant industry. It is also developing cutting-edge initiatives to support the cultivation of different species of medicinal plants, which is raising public awareness and encouraging an increasing number of people to adopt the practice. From 2022 to 2025, the kutki crop was studied in seven blocks of the Chamoli district: Dewal, Nanda Nagar (Ghat), Joshimath, Gairsain, Tharali, and Dasholi. The average yield of kutki in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, was 865.24 kg/ha. The blocks of District Chamoli, viz., Dewal (349.60 qt.), Nanda Nagar (77.01 qt.), Gairsain (12.40 qt.), Joshimath (10.70 qt.), Dasholi (8.9 qt.), and Tharali (8.45 qt.), had the highest kutki production in the Chamoli district in 2022–2025. Currently, the average yield of kutki (865.24 kg/ha) is higher than previously reported. The work done by organizations such as HRDI is commendable, but to ensure the crop's sustainability, more organizations should step up and provide funding for medicinal plant projects.

Societal Impact Statement Traditional fermented foods worldwide depend on naturally occurring microbes, yet the environmental sources shaping these microbes and their effects on food quality remain poorly understood. We investigated bacteria living inside the roots of wild plants used to produce Munkoyo, a widely consumed nonalcoholic fermented cereal beverage in Zambia, to determine how plant species and local growing conditions influence these microbial communities. We found that both plant species identity and soil environment shape the root microbes that seed fermentation. These findings can improve beverage quality, support the cultivation of threatened species, and promote sustainable access to ingredients, helping protect nutrition, livelihoods and cultural heritage. Summary Plants interact with diverse soil microbes through their roots, and these bacterial communities play vital roles in plant health and nutrient acquisition. In some traditional foods, root microbiomes of specific wild plant species act as natural starter cultures for fermentation. Yet, it remains unclear how distinct these root bacterial communities are among plant species and how much variation reflects plant identity versus growing environment. This study examined three wild plant species used as inoculum for producing Munkoyo, a traditional, nonalcoholic fermented cereal beverage in Zambia. Root endosphere, rhizosphere and bulk soil samples were collected from five districts, and bacterial communities were characterised using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Bulk soil bacterial communities varied strongly across field sites and were structured by soil physicochemical properties, whereas root endosphere microbiomes were more distinct and differed among plant species and locations. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the bacterial communities involved in traditional fermented beverage production. They highlight the importance of plant species and soil environment in structuring root microbiomes, with implications for fermentation quality, sustainable cultivation of fermentation plants, and cultural heritage preservation.

Thallium (Tl) contamination of soils in lead-zinc mining areas poses potential ecological risks, and the impact of microplastics on Tl accumulation by hyperaccumulator plants remains unclear. This study examined soils collected from the Daliangzi lead-zinc mining area to investigate the characteristics of Tl contamination. These soil samples were used in plant cultivation experiments. The thallium contents in both the soil and plant samples were determined using acid digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The contamination level, plant enrichment capacity, and ecological risk were then comprehensively evaluated through the Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), Bioconcentration factor (BCF), and potential ecological risk index. The results indicated that the Igeo of Tl in the soil was 2.413, corresponding to a moderately to heavily polluted level, which necessitates focused attention. Polyethylene exhibited markedly opposing effects on Pteris vittata and Solanum nigrum: it significantly promoted Tl accumulation in the former, while distinctly inhibiting it in the latter. Microplastics could modify the pH value of soil, as well as the contents of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Risk assessment indices indicated that Tl pollution in this region reaches a very high contamination level with moderate potential ecological risk. Polyethylene and polypropylene demonstrated a species-specific promoting effect on Tl adsorption by the two hyperaccumulator plants, with polyethylene significantly enhancing the Tl accumulation capacity of P. vittata and polypropylene distinctly promoting Tl adsorption in S. nigrum.

The present study investigated the effect of actinobacterial inoculation on the growth performance and secondary metabolite accumulation of Salvia hispanica cultivated under saline soil conditions. Two highly active isolates, Actinocorallia aurantiaca (NR_114514) and Streptomyces mutabilis (PP496558), designated as strains 9 and 34, respectively, were individually applied to sterile and non-sterile soils adjusted to a salinity level of 4 dS/m. Plants were grown under controlled conditions until the vegetative stage, after which growth parameters and major phytochemicals, including phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, were quantified using standard biochemical assays. Actinobacterial inoculation significantly enhanced plant growth and secondary metabolite production compared to non-inoculated controls. S. mutabilis (PP496558) showed the highest stimulation of phenolic and flavonoid contents under saline conditions. In addition, sterile saline soils supported greater accumulation of bioactive compounds than non-sterile soils. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of actinobacteria as bio-enhancers for improving the productivity and phytochemical quality of S. hispanica under salinity stress, highlighting their potential application in sustainable medicinal plant cultivation in arid and saline environments.

increases knowledge of health, therefore assisting partners. Partners can also easily make herbal beverages to strengthen the immune system. Methodology/approach: This community involvement enables partners to work together efficiently. Its goal is to increase knowledge of the need of health and enhancement of immunity. Furthermore, partners can quickly develop herbal beverages that boost the immune system. Results/findings: This community involvement enhances knowledge of health and immunity while benefiting partnering collaborators. The creation of herbal beverages that boost the immune system is made simple for partners, allowing them to easily use natural ingredients to produce health-boosting drinks. This initiative not only supports public health but also provides business opportunities for partners, offering products in high demand. Conclusions: The findings of this activity show the increased knowledge of how the immune system works, the right techniques of preparing herbs to avoid negative effects, and the betterment of participants' capacities in producing herbal beverages supporting immune function. Limitations: Limited costs, facilities and innovations to carry out activities as well as limited experienced personnel or experts who master the immune system and the manufacture of herbal drinks Contributions: Housewives, teenager and farmer groups in the use of herbal resources and the cultivation of efficacious herbal plants.

Growth regulators have become an effective tool for enhancing the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants by promoting vegetative development and increasing the accumulation of bioactive metabolites. Benzyladenine (BA), a synthetic cytokinin, is widely recognized for its ability to influence growth and secondary metabolism in ornamental species; however, dose response evaluations under open field conditions remain limited for Tagetes erecta. This study examined the effects of foliar BA applications at 0, 50, 75, and 100 ppm, applied weekly over three intervals, on vegetative growth, pigment composition, antioxidant-related metabolites, and macronutrient status. BA treatments significantly improved all measured parameters relative to untreated plants, with responses showing a clear concentration dependent trend. The 100 ppm treatment produced the most pronounced enhancements, yielding maximum vegetative growth (72.133 cm height, 177.80 g fresh weight, 74.26 g dry weight), highest pigment levels (8.35 mg/100 g FW chlorophyll a, 5.88 mg/100 g FW chlorophyll b, 5.12 mg/100 g FW carotenoids), improved mineral content (3.15% nitrogen, 0.454% phosphorus, 2.92% potassium), and elevated antioxidant properties (25.844% antioxidant activity, 94.2 mg/100 g FW total phenols, 2.884 mg/100 g FW total flavonoids). These findings demonstrate that BA, particularly at 100 ppm, effectively enhances growth performance and secondary metabolite accumulation in T. erecta, providing field-based evidence for the role of cytokinins in optimizing the agronomic and phytochemical potential of this economically important ornamental species.

Smart farming technologies significantly enhance medicinal plant cultivation by improving yield, quality, and sustainability, while addressing traditional challenges through precision, automation, and data-driven decision-making. Medicinal plants have played a vital role in healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. However, traditional cultivation methods face challenges, such as variable yield due to environmental stress and suboptimal resource use. While pharmacopeias already define strict quality parameters for medicinal plant material, smart farming technologies can further support consistency, sustainability, and efficiency in cultivation. This review critically examines the integration of smart farming technologies to optimize the biological mechanisms governing the growth and phytochemical production of medicinal plants. This paper focuses on key physiological processes including photosynthesis regulation, nutrient uptake, stress response, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, which are directly influenced by precision irrigation, AI-driven nutrient management, and controlled-environment agriculture. Countries such as the Netherlands (80%), Japan (75%), and the USA (70%) are leading adopters, using automated greenhouses, artificial intelligence crop analytics, and drones. Key medicinal crops benefiting include Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, Panax ginseng Makino, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Ocimum sanctum L., Hypericum perforatum L., Cinnamomum verum J.Presl, and Coriandrum sativum L. Techniques, such as precision irrigation, soil health monitoring, artificial intelligence-based pest detection, controlled-environment agriculture, and drone surveillance, have shown major improvements. Empirical studies report improvements in water efficiency and phytochemical yields in these plants, with the results derived from empirical trials conducted in controlled settings. However, scalability and economic feasibility of these technologies in diverse climatic regions remain challenges. Despite these gains, barriers like high costs, limited tech literacy, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory hurdles remain. Addressing these through funding, education, and policy change is essential. Future integration of genomics and metabolomics could further boost yield, quality, and sustainability. This review advances the field by providing a comprehensive framework for adopting smart farming in medicinal plant cultivation, linking technology trends with practical outcomes and global adoption insights.

This community service program was conducted by Group 7 of KKN ITB Ahmad Dahlan Lamongan in Bapuhbandung Village, Glagah District, Lamongan Regency, aiming to address environmental and public health issues through the utilization of ecobricks and the cultivation of family medicinal plants (TOGA). The main problems identified were low awareness of plastic waste management and the underutilization of home yards for medicinal plants. The program applied a participatory assistance method involving students, parents, youth, and village officials throughout the stages of observation, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The results showed that more than 300 ecobricks were produced and assembled into an installation forming the word “BAPUHBANDUNG,” which now serves as a new village icon. In addition, medicinal plants such as ginger, turmeric, and lemongrass were planted around the installation area and residents’ yards. The evaluation indicated high community participation, good-quality ecobricks, and positive initial growth of TOGA. This program not only produced physical outputs but also increased community awareness of plastic waste management, family health independence, and the strengthening of village identity.

Abstract The search for sustainable alternatives to peat-based substrates in horticulture has intensified due to environmental concerns, rising costs, and limitations of peat resources. Consequently, there is a continued need for alternative media. This study evaluated composted kenaf ( Hibiscus cannabinus ) growing media, formulated with food and landscape waste (Mix A: 40% kenaf, Mix B: 30% kenaf), as substitutes for commercial Promix BX in the production of coleus ( Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Wasabi’). Cuttings were grown in 25%–100% composted kenaf-based media for five weeks. Growth parameters, shoot and root biomass, media pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and nutrient composition were measured. Composted kenaf-based media supported coleus growth equal to or greater than the control, especially with higher proportions of Mix B, linked to elevated nitrogen and potassium. Although pH and EC were initially higher in kenaf-based mixes compared to Promix BX, both levels decreased over time and did not impair plant growth or quality. Despite lower phosphorus and some micronutrient concentrations compared to Promix BX, these findings suggest that composted kenaf-based substrates can serve as a promising, sustainable alternative to peat-based media for ornamental plant cultivation, provided that nutrient balance and pH are further optimized. Species used in this study: Kenaf ( Hibiscus cannabinus L .), Coleus [ Solenostemon scutellarioides (L. ) Codd].

Dianthus caryophyllus L.: Genetic improvement via LED bio-stimulation Enhances morphological, flowering parameters, enzyme activity, and molecular diversity.

Sm3+-activated NaLaScSbO6 multifunctional red phosphors for optical thermometers, plant cultivation LEDs, and white LEDs

Seasonal variation regulates the efficacy of phytoremediation strategies on the rhizosphere resistome in urban river ecosystems.

Gamma-irradiated sodium alginate (I-SA), a low-molecular-weight oligosaccharide elicitor, holds promise as a sustainable biostimulant for enhancing both yield and phytochemical quality in medicinal plants. In this study sodium alginated irradiated using a 60 Co gamma source and the dose-dependent effects of foliar-applied I-SA (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg L −1 ) were investigated on growth, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant systems, and essential oil composition in Dracocephalum kotschyi . Results revealed that I-SA significantly improved plant height (up to +32.6 %), leaf area (+72.7 %), and shoot dry weight (+52.0 %), with biomass accumulation maximized at 150–200 mg L −1 . Photosynthetic capacity was enhanced through a 63.3 % increase in total chlorophyll (at 100 mg L −1 ) and a 41.5 % rise in the chlorophyll-to-carotenoid ratio (at 200 mg L −1 ), indicating improved light utilization and reduced oxidative pressure. Concurrently, I-SA activated the antioxidant defense system: peroxidase activity increased by 82.0 %, anthocyanin content by 30.4 %, total phenolics by 16.0 %, and flavonoids by 22.1 %, culminating in a 12.6 % enhancement in total antioxidant activity at 150 mg L −1 . Notably, the essential oil profile shifted toward higher-value compounds, with citral (neral+geranial) rising to 39.91 % (vs. 36.0 % in control) and geranyl acetate peaking at 9.25 % under 150 mg L −1 treatment. Critically, 150 mg L −1 I-SA emerged as the optimal concentration, harmonizing maximal biomass, antioxidant capacity, and bioactive metabolite production. These findings highlight I-SA as a promising, eco-friendly biostimulant for medicinal plant cultivation. Future studies should explore its efficacy across diverse species and field conditions, and integrate physicochemical characterization to refine structure–activity relationships. • Irradiated sodium alginate (I-SA) elicits oligosaccharide signaling, enhancing photosynthesis and biomass production in Dracocephalum kotschyi. • I-SA integrates primary and secondary metabolism, upregulating photosynthetic pigments and inducing antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase) and phenolic compounds in D. kotschyi. • Foliar I-SA at 150 mg L⁻¹ optimally enhances biomass, total antioxidant capacity, and high-value bioactive metabolite accumulation in D. kotschyi. • I-SA enriches essential oil with oxygenated monoterpenes (citral, geranyl acetate), sustainably tailoring oil profiles for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) mediate rhizosphere plant-microbe interactions, yet their integrated effects on plant microbiome assembly and host transcriptional regulation remain unresolved. Here we address this gap by investigating how two common VOCs, acetoin (AC) and 2,3-butanediol (BD), influence growth, rhizosphere communities, and root gene expression in the medicinal plant Pseudostellaria heterophylla using a split-pot system. Bacterial and fungal communities were monitored across three developmental stages via amplicon sequencing, alongside root transcriptome profiling during tuber enlargement. Contrasting with widely reported growth-promoting effects of microbial VOCs, both compounds significantly reduced tuber number and biomass. Bacterial communities remained taxonomically stable, shaped primarily by species replacement, with modest VOC responses but clear shifts across developmental stages. Fungal communities exhibited marked compositional restructuring and greater treatment sensitivity, particularly under BD. Neutral community modeling indicated predominantly stochastic bacterial assembly, while fungal assembly-especially under BD-showed stronger influence of deterministic processes. BD associated with broader transcriptional reprogramming than AC, including downregulation of photosynthesis, specialized metabolism, and defense pathways. Cross-omics network analysis revealed discriminant genera (e.g., Granulicella, Harposporium) that correlated strongly with host genes involved in stress response, development, and epigenetic regulation, with fungal taxa showing tighter associations with host expression than bacteria. Together, these findings establish a mechanistic framework for how microbial VOCs shape rhizosphere communities and host responses, with implications for microbiome-based strategies in medicinal plant cultivation.

Evaluating plant quality indices is a crucial task in horticulture, agriculture, and forestry, given that these indices quantify key plant production attributes, including biomass allocation, morphological stability, and structural integrity.Despite advancements in the development and testing of plant quality indices, there is an over-reliance on conventional indices, which limits the ability to capture fully the complexity and diversity of modern experiments in plant physiology.Among the most widely used metrics are the Dickson quality index (DQI), the compactness index, and the shoot-to-root ratio (S/R), all of which have long served as standard indicators for assessing seedling vigor and overall plant quality.Although these indices are valuable owing to their simplicity and broad applicability, they often fail to incorporate physiological performance capabilities or capture the full spectrum of morphological variations.In this study, we first provide a concise review of these conventional indices, i.e., their derivation, strengths, and limitations.Building on this synthesis, we then propose a series of complementary plant quality indices formulated to integrate additional morphological and physiological parameters.Specifically, we introduce the balanced morpho-structural index (BMSI), shoot-root efficiency index (SREI), compact biomass index (CBI), top-heavy index (THI), root investment ratio (RIR), morphological complexity index (MCI), leaf efficiency index (LEI), simple growth quality index (SGQI), and structural stability index (SSI), which are derived by integrating important quantitative parameters, in this case, morphological traits (e.g., plant size, leaf number, and branch number) and biomass.In addition, we present the integrated morphophysiological index (IMI) and two variants: a square-root variant applied to the morphological component (IMI morpho ) and a square-root variant applied to the full index (IMI total ).All three integrate quantitative morphological and biomass parameters with physiological indicators, specifically the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (F v /F m ) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI).Together, these indices constitute a new suite of plant quality indices that complements, rather than replaces, existing ones.By integrating both morphological diversity and physiological soundness, this suite addresses the structural limitations inherent in widely used plant quality indices and provides a more comprehensive assessment of plant quality as a proof-of-concept framework that lays the groundwork for broader application across plant groups and cultivation conditions, pending empirical validation.

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) provide authentic research while promoting student engagement, persistence in STEM, and skill development. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and growing demand for flexible, scalable educational tools in biology, we developed and implemented a digital CURE (DCURE) adapted from a live-plant manipulative experiment CURE. This DCURE engages students on research in Arabidopsis thaliana, utilizing images of experimental plants and digital platforms. By eliminating the need for during-semester in-lab/course plant cultivation, this module expands equitable access to research experiences, especially for institutions or students without greenhouse or growth chamber infrastructure. Implemented across community colleges and 4-year institutions in both foundational and more advanced biology courses, the DCURE promotes transferable skills in digital literacy, data analysis, and scientific communication. Students participated in authentic scientific processes-collecting and curating data, generating and refining hypotheses, analyzing results, and contributing findings to a public research database. Formal evaluation from over 1,300 students across 5 semesters revealed significant gains in technical proficiency, confidence in data analysis, and conceptual understanding of plant biology. Faculty also reported benefits including enhanced collaboration of students within courses and across institutions, improving instructional design through iterative feedback, and a stronger focus on helping students connect digital methods to biological theory. The DCURE serves as a flexible, accessible, and rigorous model for integrating digital research experiences into undergraduate education. It equips students with the computational and analytical skills essential for a modern biology workforce. This model is adaptable for use in other experimental systems across the life sciences.

The application of oil-tea waste, a byproduct derived from edible-oil tree (Camellia oleifera Abel) oil production, is frequently regarded as a sustainable approach for under-forest cultivation. Nevertheless, the ecological ramifications of utilizing unprocessed oil-tea waste remain inadequately elucidated. In this study, we aim to assess its impacts on the growth, health status, and fungal community composition of shorthairy antenoron (Anoectochilus roxburghii) under near-natural cultivation conditions. We integrated field experiments with ITS amplicon sequencing of bulk soil, rhizosphere soil and root endophytes to investigate the effects of unprocessed oil-tea waste on the growth and health of shorthairy antenoron, as well as the correlation between the effects and microbiomes. Our study demonstrated that unprocessed oil-tea waste markedly inhibited plant growth and exacerbated disease symptoms, particularly at elevated application rates. These detrimental effects correlated with the proliferation of pathogenic fungi (e.g., Fusarium, Ilyonectria) concomitant with a decline in beneficial taxa (e.g., Trichoderma, Umbelopsis), culminating in a disruption of the rhizosphere microbial equilibrium. Functional annotation further revealed a pronounced shift toward pathogen-dominated fungal communities. Correlation analyses substantiated significant negative relationships between pathogen abundance and plant performance metrics, whereas beneficial fungi exhibited positive correlations. Collectively, this study highlights the ecological risks associated with the application of unprocessed organic waste and provides microbiome-informed perspectives to guide the sustainable management of under-forest medicinal plant cultivation.

Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl is a mangrove medicinal plant widely distributed along the coastal regions of Thailand. It is recognized as a rich natural source of acteoside, a phenylethanoid glycoside and is discovered in the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activities. However, the information availability regarding the influence of environmental factors, particularly soil properties and heavy metal accumulation, on acteoside biosynthesis is limited. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of soil physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal concentrations on acteoside content in A. ebracteatus collected from three distinct habitats in eastern Thailand: Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, organic matter, and macronutrient contents, including nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), as well as concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb using inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometer (ICP–OES). Acteoside levels in methanolic leaf extracts were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Correlations between soil parameters and acteoside content were evaluated. Based on our searching literature found that an association between soil heavy metal levels and acteoside concentration in A. ebracteatus is demonstrated. The results revealed significant variations in soil composition among the sampling sites. The highest acteoside accumulation was observed in plants from the Chachoengsao habitat, which was characterized by near-neutral soil pH (7.1 ± 0.2) and relatively elevated concentrations of Hg (0.06 ± 0.00 mg kg⁻¹) and Pb (20.07 ± 0.81 mg kg⁻¹). A strong positive correlation was identified between acteoside content and soil Hg and Pb concentrations. These findings indicated that soil mineral composition and heavy metal availability played a crucial role in modulating acteoside biosynthesis in A. ebracteatus. The results provide valuable insights for phytochemical quality control, environmental monitoring, and the sustainable cultivation of this medicinal plant within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT HIGHLIGHTS Soil physicochemical properties and heavy metal levels significantly influence acteoside accumulation in Acanthus ebracteatus across different eastern Thai habitats. Plants from Chachoengsao exhibited the highest acteoside content, strongly correlated with near-neutral soil pH and elevated Hg and Pb concentrations. These findings provide important insights for phytochemical quality control and support sustainable cultivation strategies for medicinal mangrove plants in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor.