Geographical Origin Research Articles

Demographic and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Student Migration in Nepal

Student migration, defined as the movement of students to pursue education abroad for at least a year outside their country of citizenship, has transformed into a market-driven phenomenon due to the globalization of higher education. As the demand for international education surges, an increasing number of students perceive it as a pathway to potential permanent residency. The cultural and economic contributions of these international students have prompted stakeholders to facilitate their entry and integration. While North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and East and Southeast Asia remain primary destinations, emerging educational hubs like Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore are witnessing a rise in international student enrollment. Nepal is a microcosm of this global trend, with thousands of its citizens pursuing higher education abroad annually. A comprehensive analysis of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of Nepalese students studying abroad reveals complex patterns influenced by factors such as geographic origin, gender, age, religion, marital status, and economic background. The preference for countries like Japan, characterized by favorable policies and educational opportunities, is particularly pronounced among students from regions like Lumbini and Madesh. These disparities underscore the persistence of sociocultural barriers hindering educational opportunities for women and the inequitable access to international education among students from different socioeconomic strata. To effectively support Nepalese students abroad, it is imperative to develop tailored policies and support systems that address the diverse needs and backgrounds of this population.

Resistance of barley cultivars and accessions to pathotypes of the spot blotch causative agent

Background. The spot blotch disease caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana has become a serious problem for barley. Utilization of resistant or tolerant barley cultivars ensures sustainable diversity conservation and environmentfriendly crop production. Thus, supplying barley breeders with sources of resistance to harmful diseases is an urgent task. Materials and methods. A set of 100 barley accessions, earlier selected for different levels of resistance to B. sorokiniana, served as the material for this study. Eleven isolates of B. sorokiniana of various geographic origin, belonging to 4 pathotypes, were used for testing. The resistance of barley seedlings was assessed under controlled laboratory conditions, and that of adult plants under artificial infection pressure in the field. Responses to B. sorokiniana were scored using the 0–9 rating scale.Results and conclusions. Barley genotypes with race-specific resistance to the spot blotch causative agent were identified. The percentage of barley genotypes resistant to five isolates of B. sorokiniana pathotype 1 averaged 24.2%; two isolates of pathotype 3, 29.5%; three isolates of pathotype 7, 18.3%; and one isolate of pathotype 0, 37%. Barley accessions manifesting resistance in their seedlings, but susceptible in the phase of milk-wax ripeness, and vice versa, with seedling susceptibility and adult resistance, were identified. Six (6) barley genotypes showed seedling and adult resistance to pathotype 1, nine (9) to pathotype 3, and two (2) to pathotype 7. No barley accessions resistant to all isolates of the pathogen were found.

Geographical Origin Traceability of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Based on Chemical Composition, Chromaticity, and Electronic Nose.

Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (AMR) is a traditional Chinese medicine used for gastrointestinal diseases. With increased demand, there are more and more places of cultivation for AMR. However, the quality of AMR varies from place to place, and there is no good way to distinguish AMR from different origins at present. In this paper, we determined the content of eight chemical components including 60% ethanol extracts, essential oil, polysaccharides, atractylenolides, and atractylone, obtained the color parameters of AMR powder by colorimetry, and odor information was captured by the electronic nose, all of which were combined with machine learning to establish a rapid origin traceability method. The results of the principal component analysis of the chemical components revealed that Zhejiang AMR has a high comprehensive score and overall better quality. The Kruskal-Wallis test demonstrated that there are varying degrees of differences in chemical composition and color parameters across the different origin. However, the accuracy of the classification model is low (less than 80%), making it difficult to distinguish between different origins of AMR. The electronic nose demonstrated excellent classification performance in the traceability of AMR from different origins, with accuracy reaching more than 90% (PLS-DA: 96.88%, BPNN: 96.88%, PSO-SVM: 100%). Overall, this study clarified the quality differences of AMR among different origins, and a rapid and precise method combining machine learning was developed to trace the origin of AMR.

Determining the geographical origins of goji berries using the Twin-Tower model for Multi-Feature

Gogi berry products, known for their medicinal value, are exclusively available in the Ningxia region of China. However, the nutritional components, active ingredients, and economic value of these berries vary considerably among different cultivation zones in Ningxia. Accurate geographical traceability is essential not only for fostering the sustainable growth of the goji berry industry but also to ensure consumer safety, safeguard regional brands, and prevent fraudulent labelling practices that can erode market confidence and disrupt economic stability. Consequently, identification of the precise geographical origin of goji berries in Ningxia has emerged as a focal point in the progression of the industry. In this study, the Twin-Tower Model (TTM) was employed in conjunction with hyperspectral spectral and image data to establish a classification model for determining the proximate geographical origins of goji berries in Ningxia, including the regions of Zhongning, Guyuan, Tongxin, and Huinong. The results show that the graph-based training method built on TTM improves the accuracy by 3.7% compared to traditional data fusion methods. Notably, it attained a flawless 100% recognition rate for the highest quality Zhongning goji berries. These findings highlight that the implementation of the TTM method for multitask learning signifies a novel direction for transforming the conventional data fusion paradigm. Furthermore, it provides an essential technological means for the robust development of the goji berry industry.

Applications of Primate Genetics for Conservation and Management

Conservation genetics is the use of genetics to understand and mitigate the threats caused by anthropogenic activities, including habitat loss and fragmentation, wildlife trafficking, and emerging diseases. In this review, we discuss the role of primate conservation genetics in the development of effective conservation strategies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining genetic diversity to enhance adaptive potential and prevent extinction. First, we discuss studies of various primate species that exemplify how genetic data have been instrumental in accurately assessing threat levels, identifying trafficked animals and tracing their geographic origin, and studying how habitat loss affects primate populations. Subsequently, we describe the various molecular tools and analytical approaches employed in these studies. Lastly, we provide a bibliographic review of research in conservation genetics over the last 20 years. We conclude with a brief discussion of the limitations and challenges in this field in developing countries and recommendations for future research.

Rapid evaluation of vegetable oil varieties and geographical origins by ambient corona discharge ionization mass spectrometry

The composition and ratio of unsaturated fatty acids in vegetable oils play a crucial role in determining their overall quality. In this study, we present a corona discharge ionization mass spectrometry (MS) method for the rapid differentiation of vegetable oil varieties and their geographical origins under environmental conditions. Abundant water dimer radical cations, (H2O)2+•, were generated by the ionization setup, which effectively activated carbon‑carbon double bonds (C=C) to form epoxidized products. These epoxidation products were analyzed using tandem MS, generating diagnostic fragment ions that precisely identified CC bond positions. Statistical analysis models were subsequently developed using the resulting MS fingerprint data, revealing significant differences between various vegetable oils and olive oils from different origins. Key advantages of this method include minimal sample preparation, rapid analysis, and easily interpretable spectra. This study provides a new MS-based strategy for food quality assessment and offers a promising tool for identifying CC positional isomers in complex systems.

Rapid determination of the geographical origin of kimchi by Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy coupled with chemometric techniques.

Determining the geographical origin of kimchi holds significance because of the considerable variation in quality and price among kimchi products from different regions. This study explored the feasibility of employing Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy in conjunction with supervised chemometric techniques to differentiate domestic and imported kimchi products. A total of 30 domestic and 30 imported kimchi products were used to build datasets. Three categories of preprocessing methods such as scattering correction (multiplicative signal correction and standard normal variate), spectral derivatives (the first derivative and the second derivative), and data smoothing (Savitzky-Golay filtering and Norris derivative filtering) were used. K-nearest neighbors, support vector machine, random forest, and partial least squares-discriminant analysis were employed. By appropriately preprocessing spectral data, these four methods successfully distinguished between the two sample groups based on their origin. Notably, the k-nearest neighbors method exhibited exceptional performance, accurately classifying the sample groups irrespective of the preprocessing method employed and swiftly achieving this classification. In comparison, classification and regression tree as well as naïve Bayes methods were outperformed by the aforementioned four classification techniques. Particularly, the efficiency and accuracy of the k-nearest neighbors method make it the most recommended chemometric tool for determining the geographical origins of kimchi.

The Use of Fluorescence Spectrometry Combined with Statistical Tools to Determine the Botanical Origin of Honeys.

At a time when the botanical origin of honey is being increasingly falsified, there is a need to find a quick, cheap and simple method of identifying its origin. Therefore, the aim of our work was to show that fluorescence spectrometry, together with statistical analysis, can be such a method. In total, 108 representative samples with 10 different botanic origins (9 unifloral and 1 multifloral), obtained in 2020-2022 from local apiaries, were analyzed. The fluorescence spectra of those samples were determined using a F-7000 Hitachi fluorescence spectrophotometer, Tokyo, Japan. It is shown that each honey variety produces a unique emission spectrum, which allows for the determination of its botanical origin. Taking into account the difficulties in analyzing these spectra, it was found that the most information regarding botanical differences and their identification is provided by synchronous cross-sections of these spectra obtained at Δλ = 100 nm. In addition, this analysis was supported by discriminant and canonical analysis, which allowed for the creation of mathematical models, allowing for the correct classification of each type of honey (except dandelion) with an accuracy of over 80%. The application of the method is universal (in accordance with the methodology described in this paper), but its use requires the creation of fluorescence spectral matrices (EEG) characteristic of a given geographical and botanical origin.

Geographical Traceability of Millet by Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy and Feature Extraction

To identify the geographical origin of millet accurately, 36 samples of Guangling millet, Qinzhouhuang millet, Liuseng millet, Qiananhuang millet, and 33 samples of Yuzhou millet were collected. Mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectra of all the samples were obtained. Denoising, standard normal variate (SNV), multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), and normalization were carried out to preprocess the data. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the dimension of the data, combined with support vector machine (SVM), and the geographical origin of the five kinds of millet was identified. The recognition accuracy of the training set (99.2%) and the prediction set (98.3%) were highest when using the first 12 principal components, indicating that the established mid-IR spectroscopic identification model was feasible and effective. PCA, window analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, and SVM were combined to extract the feature information of mid-IR spectra of millet from five producing areas. Five wavenumbers, 1026, 1053, 1685, 1715, and 1744 cm-1, were found to be with small correlation, and the recognition accuracy of the training set and the prediction set based on these five features were 95.8% and 100.0%, respectively. The feature extraction method established here could be used to improve the prediction efficiency of the identification model and provide data support for the analysis of differential components.

Enhancing forensic applications through the mineralogy of clays in surface soil horizon: A case study of baixada fluminense, Southeast Brazil

Clay minerals possess chemical, mineralogical, and crystallographic characteristics that make them potential forensic markers, as they can reflect geochemical and weathering processes on a detailed scale. Therefore, this study aims to use the mineralogy of the clay fraction to distinguish samples from the surface soil horizons in four municipalities in Brazil, to assess the possibility of geographical tracking for forensic applications. Studies characterizing clays in environments with a variety of soil types in forensic pedology are necessary but still in their early stages. Furthermore, due to the high incidence of homicides involving the displacement of bodies in the region and the low resolution of these crimes, this research is crucial for geoscientific applications, with the potential for global replication. The samples were separated by centrifugation and analyzed using X-ray diffractometry, X-ray fluorescence, and thermogravimetry. Minerals were determined through quantitative mineralogical analyses using Rietveld and Biscaye methods. Additionally, in conjunction with the crystallographic parameters of kaolinite (Full Width at Half Maximum – FWHM), it was possible to form 8 Clay Mineral Assemblages and Gibbsite (CMAG), whose geographical delimitation considered geological and hydrographic aspects. The determination of CMAGs is based on mineralogy and is defined as follows: CMAG 1: kaolinite+(illite); CMAG 2: kaolinite+(gibbsite); CMAG 3: kaolinite + illite + montmorillonite; CMAG 4: kaolinite + illite+(gibbsite); CMAG 5: ordered kaolinite+(illite)+(gibbsite); CMAG 6: kaolinite + gibbsite+(illite); CMAG 7: disordered kaolinite + illite + gibbsite; CMAG 8: kaolinite+(illite)+(chlorite). The results indicate that the quantification of clay minerals in samples from surface soil horizons, FWHM, and the % of Al in goethite can represent valuable tools for forensic pedology. Moreover, through the characterization of iron and titanium (hydr)oxides, it was possible to distinguish samples with a distance of 335 m between them, further expanding the capability to identify the geographical origin of samples, making them potential forensic markers.

Comprehensive amino acids profiling: Grape varieties grown in California and in Tuscany, Italy.

Twenty-three amino acids and glutathione were profiled in 33 juices: Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, and Merlot grown in Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy, and Napa Valley, CA, as well as Petit Verdot grown in Napa Valley, CA. The method was carried out by online pre-column derivatization followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection; residual standard deviation values for repeatability (n=20) were<5%. All amino acids could be successfully separated in these samples within 18 min. The most abundant amino acids, PRO, γ-aminobutyric acid, and ARG, varied by two-, two-, and three-fold, respectively, across all of the grape juices sampled. Comparisons between grape juices based on their geographic origin and variety were made with principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. Merlot juices from both regions were correlated differently by amino acids profile than Cabernet sauvignon and Cabernet franc juices. The amino acids profile in Merlot juices was more similar between most sites in Bolgheri. In contrast, Cabernet sauvignon and Cabernet franc juices had a higher similarity between vineyards in Bolgheri and vineyards in Napa Valley. Overall, most of the amino acids quantified in Cabernet franc juices and, to a lesser degree, Cabernet sauvignon juices from Bolgheri and Napa Valley vineyards were strongly correlated with each other.

Arsenic, cadmium, and chromium concentrations in contrasting phosphate fertilizers and their bioaccumulation by crops: Towards a green label?

Potentially toxic elements such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) are severely regulated in fertilizers and deserve continuous investigation. Phosphate-derived Cd has been a stepping-stone toward achieving sustainable and safe worldwide food production, especially after a new regulation aiming for reduced limits of Cd in P fertilizers (EU, 2019/1009). Three pot experiments were conducted to assess the variability of As, Cd, and Cr concentrations - with a particular focus on Cd - from monoammonium phosphates (MAP 1, MAP 2, and MAP 3 from different geographic origins) and their accumulation in limed and unlimed soils, and contrasting crops, representing staple food and significant sources of these elements for humans (i.e., potato, tobacco, and rice). A diverse array of sensitive techniques for trace elements determination were used to reveal the highest level of Cd of MAP 3 (20.71 mg kg−1 MAP), which loaded the highest amounts of this element to the soil matrix and solution, plant shoots, and xylem sap, contrasting with results for MAP 1 (0.87 mg kg−1 MAP), which has almost ten times less Cd than that required for low-Cd labeling of P fertilizers (≤20 mg Cd kg−1 P2O5). MAP 3 also had the highest Cr concentration (139.3 mg kg−1 MAP). Among crops, rice accumulated 16-fold less Cd than potato plants. Liming decreased Cd in tobacco and potato shoots up to 35%. Moreover, reductions of about 20% were also observed for Cd accumulation in tubers and sap. Conversely, Cd from MAP 3 was always much more accumulated in soil solution, achieving up to 20 μg L−1, while values < 5 μg L−1 (i.e., a groundwater limit) were obtained from MAP 1. Our findings may be used as a reference in developing green labels for fertilizers in scenarios where Cd accumulation represents a potential risk for soil and human health.

Фенологические особенности развития сортов вишни в меняющихся погодно-климатических условиях

Annotation. Cherry is a stone fruit crop cultivated in almost all regions of Russia. Currently, there is a significant change in weather and climatic conditions, their impact leads to a shift in the phenological phases of plant development and to disruption of the stages of organogenesis. In this regard, there is a need to study the passage of phenological phases of cherry development in the changing weather and climatic conditions of the southern region. The research was carried out on the basis of the collective use center (CUC) “Genetic collection of fruit crops” in the period 2020-2023 in the Kuban horticulture zone of Krasnodar region. The objects of research were 11 varieties of sour cherries of various ecological and geographical origins. Planting scheme is 5x3 m, rootstock is antipka seedlings. During the research, the sum of active temperatures during the cherry growing season was determined, which determines the occurrence of the main phenological phases of development of cherry varieties in the annual development cycle. It was established that over the years of research, on average, the sum of active temperatures exceeded the long-term average by 551,7 °C. It was determined that during the research period the phenological phase “beginning of growing season” of cherries took place at a sum of temperatures of 32.8-54.2 °C. The phenological phase of “beginning of flowering” for most varieties in 2020 and 2023 occurred earlier than the long-term average date by 2-8 days, in 2023 – by 2-6 days, and in 2021-2022 – later by 2-14 days. It was revealed that at the phenophase "beginning of flowering", early cherry varieties (Krasnodarskaya sladkaya, Chudo vishnya), medium (Timati, Feya, Assol’, Svatlaya) are strongly affected by stress. Tamaris and Hodosa cherry varieties of late ripening showed relatively high resistance to stress during the flowering period. Key words: cherry, variety, phenological characteristics, flowering, climate.

Antioxidant activities of Saudi honey samples related to their content of short peptides

This study explored the effect of geographical and floral origins on the antioxidant activities of Saudi honey samples related to their content of short peptides originated from honeybee proteins. The studied antioxidants were the total protein concentration, catalase activity, phenolic acids and flavonoids. The antioxidant activity assays included were the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and Ascorbic acid Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (AEAC). The studied honey samples were obtained from the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia, namely Asir (65) and Jazan (25). The floral origins of the honey samples were Acacia (51), Ziziphus (4) and polyfloral (35). The LC/MS technique was used to detect the short peptides and the mascot database was used to identify the short peptides, their precursor proteins and the protease enzymes that produce them. Jazan honey was characterized by high number of short peptides. The short peptides were originated from honeybee proteins by the action of proteases from the honeybees and bacteria. The antioxidant activity of the honey samples increase with the increase of their content of short peptides and proteins. The amino acids type and sequence of the short peptides qualify them to act as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertension, immunomodulatory and cholesterol lowering peptides.

The development of L. major, L. donovani and L. martiniquensis, Leishmania currently emerging in Europe, in the sand fly species Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. tobbi.

Several new species of Leishmania have recently emerged in Europe, probably as the result of global changes and increased human migration from endemic areas. In this study, we tested whether two sand fly species, the Western Mediterranean Phlebotomus perniciosus and the Eastern Mediterranean P. tobbi, are competent vectors of L. donovani, L. major and L. martiniquensis. Sand flies were infected through the chick skin membrane using Leishmania species and strains of various geographical origins. Leishmania infections were evaluated by light microscopy and qPCR, and the representation of morphological forms was assessed from Giemsa-stained gut smears. Neither P. perniciosus nor P. tobbi supported the development of L. martiniquensis, but L. major and L. donovani in both species survived defecation of blood meal remnants, colonized the stomodeal valve and produced metacyclic stages. The results with L donovani have shown that infection rates in sand flies can be strain-specific; therefore, to determine vector competence or refractoriness, it is optimal to test at least two strains of Leishmania. Both sand fly species tested are potential vectors of L. donovani and L. major in Mediterranean area. However, further studies will be needed to identify European vectors of L. martiniquensis and to test the ability of other European sand fly species to transmit L. major, L. donovani, L. tropica and L. infantum.

Correction of Batch Effect in Gut Microbiota Profiling of ASD Cohorts from Different Geographical Origins.

To date, there have been numerous metataxonomic studies on gut microbiota (GM) profiling based on the analyses of data from public repositories. However, differences in study population and wet and dry pipelines have produced discordant results. Herein, we propose a biostatistical approach to remove these batch effects for the GM characterization in the case of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). An original dataset of GM profiles from patients with ASD was ecologically characterized and compared with GM public digital profiles of age-matched neurotypical controls (NCs). Also, GM data from seven case-control studies on ASD were retrieved from the NCBI platform and exploited for analysis. Hence, on each dataset, conditional quantile regression (CQR) was performed to reduce the batch effects originating from both technical and geographical confounders affecting the GM-related data. This method was further applied to the whole dataset matrix, obtained by merging all datasets. The ASD GM markers were identified by the random forest (RF) model. We observed a different GM profile in patients with ASD compared with NC subjects. Moreover, a significant reduction of technical- and geographical-dependent batch effects in all datasets was achieved. We identified Bacteroides_H, Faecalibacterium, Gemmiger_A_73129, Blautia_A_141781, Bifidobacterium_388775, and Phocaeicola_A_858004 as robust GM bacterial biomarkers of ASD. Finally, our validation approach provided evidence of the validity of the QCR method, showing high values of accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, and AUC-ROC. Herein, we proposed an updated biostatistical approach to reduce the technical and geographical batch effects that may negatively affect the description of bacterial composition in microbiota studies.

From GI products consumers to destination visitors: an examination of the push side mechanism

PurposeGeographical Indication (GI) products represent a distinct association between a product and its specific geographic origin. While scholars have acknowledged the impact of GI products on destination marketing, there exists a dearth of research concerning the underlying mechanism through which the perceived value of GI products influences consumers' intention to visit the region of origin.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes the cognitive appraisal theory as a basis for constructing a conceptual framework to investigate the association between the perceived value of GI products, emotional reactions and destination brand awareness.FindingsBy placing particular emphasis on the diverse impacts of perceived value on tourists' affective responses and travel intentions, the results of this research offer significant contributions to the field of destination marketing.Originality/valueA deeper understanding of the perceived value of GI products can enable destination marketers to effectively attract prospective tourists and foster a stronger connection between tourists and the regions of origin.

Hepatitis E virus prevalence among HIV-2 infected individuals in central Portugal.

To date, no studies comparing the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection between the general and human immunodeficiency virus 2 (HIV-2) populations are available. With the purpose of filling this gap, this prevalence was assessed in the HIV-2 population from central Portugal. HEV seropositivity was 19.4%, which did not differ significantly from that found in the matched control population, and was not associated with CD4 cell count, HIV-2 viral load, and geographic origin or travel history to regions considered highly endemic for HEV. The results suggest that HIV-2 is not a risk factor for HEV infection, neither for an increased occurrence of chronic HEV infection.

The prospects for the introduction of a mesoamerican species chia Salvia hispanica L. in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia

Relevance. This article presents the results of breeding work and the introduction of the Mesoamerican culture Spanish sage or chia (Salvia hispanica L.), which is currently one of the most popular pseudo-grain crops from the family of Lamiaceae in Western countries due to its unique seeds rich in nutrients, PUFA, dietary fiber and antioxidants. In 2009, the European Union considered the seeds of the plant to be a promising type of food. There are only 17 registered genotypes of culture in the world, in the collection of GRR VIR there are two forms obtained from European countries. There are no registered varieties of Spanish sage in the state register of breeding achievements approved for use in the territory of the Russian Federation. The research of this culture is limited only by the biological side: the study of morphobiological features, its use for decorative purposes.Material and methodology. The research was conducted in the educational and experimental farm of the Omsk State Agrarian University in 2019-2023. The objects of research were several samples of various ecological and geographical origin and 2 new forms of Spanish sage obtained during local selection. All records and observations were carried out according to the following methods: field experience in vegetable growing (S.S. Litvinov, 2011), State variety testing of agricultural crops (1989), assessment of primary introduction by G.P. Semenova (2001) and variety assessment of floral ornamental plants by V.N. Bylov (1971).Results. As a result of continuous year-round introduction work, the breeders of the Omsk State Agricultural University managed to overcome the photoperiodic sensitivity of the plant and obtain adaptive forms 0/18 and 3/18. An assessment of the decorative value, the success of the introduction and the possibility of introducing new samples into production in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia is given. The first of the locally obtained forms, as more productive, was transferred to the state variety testing in 2023 under the assumed name of the variety "Siberian Emerald". Breeding work in this direction continues.

Tracing the Evolutionary History of the Temperature-Sensing Prion-like Domain in EARLY FLOWERING 3 Highlights the Uniqueness of AtELF3.

Plants have evolved mechanisms to anticipate and adjust their growth and development in response to environmental changes. Understanding the key regulators of plant performance is crucial to mitigate the negative influence of global climate change on crop production. EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3) is one such regulator playing a critical role in the circadian clock and thermomorphogenesis. In Arabidopsis thaliana, ELF3 contains a prion-like domain (PrLD) that acts as a thermosensor, facilitating liquid-liquid phase separation at high ambient temperatures. To assess the conservation of this function across the plant kingdom, we traced the evolutionary emergence of ELF3, with a focus on the presence of PrLDs. We found that the PrLD, primarily influenced by the length of polyglutamine (polyQ) repeats, is most prominent in Brassicales. Analyzing 319 natural A. thaliana accessions, we confirmed the previously described wide range of polyQ length variation in AtELF3, but found it to be only weakly associated with geographic origin, climate conditions, and classic temperature-responsive phenotypes. Interestingly, similar polyQ length variation was not observed in several other investigated Bassicaceae species. Based on these findings, available prediction tools and limited experimental evidence, we conclude that the emergence of PrLD, and particularly polyQ length variation, is unlikely to be a key driver of environmental adaptation. Instead, it likely adds an additional layer to ELF3's role in thermomorphogenesis in A. thaliana, with its relevance in other species yet to be confirmed.