Taxonomy, Distribution and Dispersal of Calonectria Species: Important Pathogens of Forestry, Agricultural and Horticultural Crops

Olfaction is essential for key insect behaviors, such as host-seeking and mating, and is initiated by odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), which bind and transport hydrophobic odors. Thrips hawaiiensis is a major pest that infests the flowers of numerous horticultural crops, yet its chemosensory mechanisms remain poorly understood. Now, the availability of its genome assembly allows us to address this gap. To this end, we performed a comprehensive exploration and comparative analysis of its OBP genes. Our genome-wide analysis identified a total of 12 OBP genes in T. hawaiiensis, whereas the repertoire across other published thrips genomes ranges from 10 to 17, a count significantly lower than that in most other insects. Notably, transcriptomic and RT-qPCR analyses revealed consistent male-biased expression of OBPs in T. hawaiiensis, supporting their role in mate-finding and foraging behaviors. Furthermore, we identified 11 chemosensory proteins (CSPs). Transcriptomic and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that these CSPs exhibit an expression pattern similar to that of the OBPs, with over half of the genes showing significantly higher expression in males. This work provides a foundational framework for future functional studies of olfactory proteins, both in T. hawaiiensis and the wider insect community.

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a harmful pathogen that causes severe disease in tomato, pepper, and other horticultural and agronomic crops. Its genome comprises three linear single-stranded RNA molecules (segments L, M, and S), which are unequally packed in nucleocapsids. Although its genome structure and molecular mechanism of infection are well understood, the evolutionary dynamics of this virus require further analysis to determine the most probable viral ancestor, the date of divergence, the ancestral geographical source of dispersal, and the demographic history of TSWV. For this, we employed a Bayesian framework to analyze whole-genome sequences of 136 isolates of TSWV obtained from different sites worldwide with a sampling window of 35 years, and phylodynamic analysis was performed separately for segments L, M, and S. Our results showed that the mutation rates of the different genome segments ranged from 1.678 × 10- 4 to 2.444 × 10- 4 substitutions/site/year. Although the estimated time to the most recent common ancestor varied depending on the dataset used, the most probable date of TSWV divergence was around 1768 CE. Our phylogeographic analysis yielded concordant results for the three genome segments, indicating that the TSWV population originated in South Korea and, from there, first expanded to Europe and then to North America and other continents. Past population dynamics analysis showed that the virus experienced two major population expansions that coincided with the expansion of the agricultural frontier and the emergence of new species of insect vectors.

Sustainable valorisation of postharvest waste for disease control and quality preservation in fruits and vegetables.

Intensive greenhouse cultivation, characterized by high agrochemical inputs and minimal organic amendments, maximizes crop productivity but often leads to soil degradation and environmental harm, notably through nitrate leaching and increased nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions. To reduce agricultural inputs that may lead to soil degradation, this study evaluates an alternative fertilization strategy based in ecological intensification (EI). Specifically, a management system incorporating horticultural crop residues and organic amendments—with limited use of inorganic fertilizers—was compared to a conventional fertilization system (C) over a six-year period. Soil quality was assessed using physical and chemical indicators alongside microbial gene abundance (16s, ITS) and genes related to denitrification processes ( nirK , nirS , nosZ 1, and nosZ 2) measured by Real-Time PCR. The EI system enhanced soil organic matter and soil structure by enhancing macroporosity and aggregate stability. However, it also increased the risk of salinization. Fungal abundance and the key denitrification genes ( nosZ1 and nosZ2 ) were significantly higher under EI management. The fungal-to-bacterial ratio approached, but did not reach, statistical significance, and the nos/nir gene ratio—an indirect indicator of N 2 O emission potential—remained similar between treatments. These findings suggest a complex interaction between soil quality and denitrifier community dynamics that warrants further investigation, particularly to assess potential N 2 O emissions.

Pyrabactin resistance1-like (PYL) receptors are essential for activating abscisic acid (ABA) signalling and play critical roles in plant growth and development. Melon (Cucumis melo) is a horticultural crop cultivated worldwide, yet the molecular functions of CmPYL in melon remain largely unexplored. We performed in situ hybridisation and transcriptomic analysis to investigate the expression patterns of the CmPYL gene in melon. CmPYL5 exhibits specifically high expression levels during the development of melon ovules and fruits. Overexpression of CmPYL5 in melon significantly promotes fruit ripening, advancing 3-5 days compared to WT. Transcriptomic analysis showed that fruit ripening-related genes are significantly altered in the CmPYL5-Oe melon. Silencing of CmPYL5 and overexpression of a Protein Phosphatase-type 2C A6 (CmPP2CA6) gene, which is a negative regulatory component in the ABA signal pathway, both delayed the fruit ripening and affected the accumulation of ethylene, ABA, carotenoids and chlorophyll in melon. Protein interaction assays showed that CmPYL5 and CmPP2CA6 directly interacts in the cell membrane, leading to the inhibition of CmPP2CA6 phosphatase activity. The transcription factors CmABF2 and CmABF4 directly bind to CmPP2CA6 promoter and then activate its transcription. These findings illustrate a novel CmPYL5-CmPP2CA6 gene regulation pathway modulating melon fruit ripening.

Mitigation of abiotic stress of crops is currently one of the primary issues for modern agriculture to secure food supply. On that point, it is acknowledged that climate change is leading to an increase in temperature and solar radiation, while also contributing to prolonged drought events. In contrast, saline soil and heavy metal pollution have been globally problematic, affecting a large part of crops. In this review, we have provided an overview of the eco-physiological and molecular aspects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) as a novel technology for alleviating abiotic stress in plants. It is reported that the presence of ZnO-NPs has positive benefits in physiological processes, such as photosynthetic efficiency, osmotic regulation, ionic homeostasis, and the activation of antioxidant defense systems through gene modifications and the regulation of genes that are regulated under stress conditions. These are positive results for yields, nutrition, and resistance levels in cereals, legumes, and horticultural crops. Furthermore, essential details are reported, suggesting that the addition of ZnO-NPs to crops may be involved in regulating plant metabolism. Nonetheless, we recognize that this technology poses significant challenges for validation on a large scale, particularly in uncontrolled environments.

Apricot is one of Türkiye's most important horticultural crops, accounting for approximately 21% of global production. The Hacıhaliloğlu cultivar, responsible for 90% of the country's dried apricot exports, is cultivated in Malatya, where declining precipitation due to climate change poses a significant threat to sustainable production. This study, conducted from 2021 to 2023, aimed to evaluate the effects of different drought irrigation regimes on the morpho-physiological and biochemical characteristics of Hacıhaliloğlu apricot trees under water stress. Four-year-old T-budded saplings were grown in pots and subjected to monthly irrigation treatments during the post-harvest period.The results revealed that drought stress significantly inhibited shoot elongation, reduced leaf size and dry matter accumulation, and impaired pistil development. The T0 treatment (full irrigation) consistently outperformed all other regimes in terms of shoot length, pistil length, specific leaf weight, and relative leaf dry weight. Drought-exposed trees, especially those under rainfall-only or late irrigation conditions (T1, T7, T8), exhibited increased oxidative damage, as indicated by elevated levels of membrane permeability, H₂O₂, MDA, and antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, POD, SOD). Moreover, leaf water potential and chlorophyll content declined under prolonged stress conditions.These findings emphasize that irrigation during critical developmental stages particularly July and August, when flower bud differentiation and vegetative growth overlaps is vital for preserving productivity and physiological integrity in apricot trees. Strategic water management in arid and semi-arid regions can mitigate the negative effects of drought stress and enhance tree performance even under limited water availability.

This paper review climate resilient and sustainable horticultural practices by looking at how climate change affects horticultural production in sub-Saharan region of Nigeria. It is evident that horticultural crops are more susceptible and exposed to climate change. The study undoubtedly open the door for effective climate-resilient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly horticultural practices, which are essential for maintaining ecological balance and long-term agricultural productivity while lessening the negative environmental effects of traditional horticultural techniques that helps contribute to climate change. Food security and rural/urban livelihoods are seriously threatened by the unpredictable weather patterns as a result of climate change in sub-Saharan Africa. Nigerian horticultural practices that are considered traditional or conventional include the overuse of pesticides, inorganic fertilizers, inadequate irrigation and drainage systems, results in the loss of beneficial insects and plants, pollution, soil nutrients, water quality, and soil depletion or degradation. In contrast, horticultural practices that are climate resilient and sustainable prioritize the protection of natural resources, ecosystem development, and mitigation of adverse environmental impacts in order to guarantee higher productivity. Numerous important horticultural issues that are more environmentally friendly are reviewed and analyzed in the study. These issues have the potential to immediately lower production costs and improve overall ecosystems and biodiversity.

Proteome dynamics of chilli pepper fruits during development and ripening from two Mexican cultivars of Capsicum annuum L.

Identification and expression analysis of short internodes related sequence (SRS) gene families in litchi and longan, with functional characterization of LcSRS5 and DlSRS4 in dwarfing regulation.

Banana is an important horticultural fruit crop of the world. It provides nutritional, economical and cultural benefits.The present study aimed to document and characterise the indigenous dessert banana varieties of Vaishali district,Bihar to assess morphological traits and varietal wealth. Field surveys, interaction with the farmers, traders and systematic observations were conducted in major banana growing areas of the district. Result showed the rich diversity of indigenous dessert banana varieties namely, Malbhog, Chinia, Alpan,Kothia and Barhari exhibiting significant variations in plant height, bunch characteristics,thickness of skin and shelf life.The study also revealed that some local varieties are on the verge of genetic erosion due to the adoption of high yielding commercial hybrids.Indigenous varieties with unique morphological traits emphasize their agronomic and economical potential. Conservation of these indigenous varieties are essential to safeguard these genetic resources.Documentation provides baseline data for further research and is essential step in conservation of plant varieties.

ABSTRACT Home garden is an ecological interaction system between human beings and nature, such as the plants, animals, soil and water in a specific area around the home. Home gardening faces various challenges, including a lack of care, the problem of pest control, poor maintenance/management, inadequate application of necessary agricultural techniques, improper use of inputs such as water, unhealthy seeds or seedlings and poor soil quality, as well as inconsistent and sporadic involvement by the household. Some individuals in the household lack the necessary regard for the home garden, thereby affecting its sustainability, despite its contributions to income, food security, nutritional security, dietary diversification, recreation, as well as emotional and psychological improvements. However, research is still lacking in crucial aspects, including factors that affect the sustainability of home gardening and the gardeners' willingness/determination to transfer knowledge gained from home gardening to mainstream agricultural participation, which this research investigated amidst other objectives. This research reports its outcome on 104 home gardeners among 360 sampled households in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, using descriptive, ordinary least squares (OLS) and logistic regression as the analytical tools. The results show that some, but few, households were actively engaged in their home gardens by cultivating their plots twice to three times a year. The logistic results show that experience gained from home gardening influences the gardeners' willingness to engage in mainstream agricultural activities. The OLS model indicates that household size, level of education, knowledge of farming systems; including crop rotation, compost and animal manures, as well as the combined use of organic and inorganic manures, significantly influence the sustainability of home gardening. The interview revealed that home gardening makes neglected and Underutilized Crop Species (NUCS) or crops not commonly available in an area accessible to households for health and other benefits. Home gardening enables immigrants to experiment with and cultivate crop species from their place of origin in their new location. Home gardens provide indigenous horticultural crops, even in a foreign land. Home garden awareness should be intensified.

Red chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a high-value horticultural crop in Indonesia, but its production is severely constrained by Aphis gossypii, which can cause yield losses of up to 65%. This study aimed to evaluate the biological characteristics, virulence, and lethal-sublethal effects of local isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against A. gossypii. Fungal viability and growth were assessed through spore germination and radial growth assays, while pathogenicity was evaluated using four conidial concentrations (10⁴–10¹⁰ conidia mL⁻¹). Aphid mortality, lethal concentration (LC), lethal time (LT), and reproductive performance were recorded, and the data were analyzed using factorial and probit analyses. The results showed that both fungi exhibited high spore viability (>96%) and stable mycelial growth rates (3.71–3.74 mm day⁻¹). Aphid mortality increased significantly with increasing conidial concentration, reaching 100% at 10¹⁰ conidia mL⁻¹, whereas mortality at 10⁴ conidia mL⁻¹ ranged from 26.67% to 40.00%. Probit analysis revealed comparable virulence, with LC₉₅ values of 8.09 for M. anisopliae and 8.29 for B. bassiana. Lethal time analysis showed a concentration-dependent killing pattern, with B. bassiana acting more rapidly at lower concentrations (10⁴–10⁶ conidia mL⁻¹) and M. anisopliae exhibiting shorter LT₅₀ values at higher concentrations (10⁸–10¹⁰ conidia mL⁻¹). In addition to lethal effects, both fungi significantly suppressed aphid reproduction, particularly at higher conidial concentrations. These findings demonstrate that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae possess strong and complementary bioefficacy against A. gossypii, supporting their potential application in integrated pest management programs.

The study examines the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) on irrigation development and agricultural performance in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan. Secondary data covering the period from 2014–15 to 2023–24 were analyzed to assess changes in irrigated area and crop yields. The findings show that the district achieved more than 31,000 hectares under micro irrigation, ranking eleventh in the state and surpassing 22 districts in coverage. Crop-wise analysis reveals major gains in mustard, gram, garlic, and wheat, which registered significant improvements in both irrigated area and yield. Paddy and rice expanded in area but recorded only moderate yield gains, while coriander and fenugreek experienced a decline in irrigated coverage. Garlic and onion displayed sharp fluctuations yet confirmed a shift toward high-value horticultural crops. The results indicate that PMKSY has strengthened water-use efficiency and promoted crop diversification in Jhalawar. The study also identifies challenges such as high installation costs, limited training, variable crop responses, and the need for region-specific strategies. The scheme has acted as a catalyst for irrigation-led growth in Jhalawar but requires complementary measures for sustaining balanced and inclusive agricultural development.

High temperature stress severely compromises plant growth and productivity by triggering chlorophyll loss. Plant protochlorophyllide-dependent translocon component of 52 kDa (PTC52) has been proven to be involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis, yet its functional role in plant high-temperature stress response remains uncharacterized. In our study, PlPTC52 was isolated and characterized from herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), an economically important ornamental species susceptible to high temperature stress. The PlPTC52 gene comprised a 1647 bp coding sequence that translates into a 548-amino-acid protein. Subcellular localization confirmed its chloroplast localization, consistent with its putative role in chlorophyll biosynthesis. Functional analyses showed that silencing of PlPTC52 in P. lactiflora accelerated chlorophyll loss, increased reactive oxygen species accumulation, and impaired photosystem II efficiency and membrane integrity under high temperature stress. Conversely, overexpression of PlPTC52 in Nicotiana tabacum decelerated chlorophyll loss, decreased reactive oxygen species accumulation, and improved photosystem II efficiency and membrane integrity under high temperature stress. Collectively, this study provides the first functional evidence implicating PTC52 in plant responses to high temperature stress and identifies PlPTC52 as a potential genetic resource for enhancing thermotolerance in horticultural crops.

Pear is an important temperate fruit crop in the Kashmir Valley, where climatic variability poses serious challenges to horticultural productivity. This study investigated the relationship between pear yield and weekly weather variables, maximum and minimum temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours, and relative humidity over a 39 year period (1985–2023). Using meteorological data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and yield records from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, a correlation analysis based on both unweighted and weighted weather indices was conducted using Pearson’s method. The findings revealed that weighted weather indices exhibited stronger correlations with pear yield than unweighted indices, highlighting their superior predictive efficiency. Among the main weather variables, rainfall (Z31) and relative humidity (Z51) emerged as the most influential, while interaction-based weighted indices such as Z231 and Z351 showed particularly high correlations (r > 0.60). Visual tools such as correlation heatmaps and bar plots further confirmed the strength and direction of these associations. These findings offers valuable insights for developing climate-resilient orchard management strategies and contributes to improving yield prediction tools in horticultural crops

Poplars (Populus L.) are fast-growing, widely distributed trees with high ecological, economic, and climate-mitigation value, making them central to diverse agroforestry systems worldwide. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric and content-based review of global poplar-based agroforestry research, using Scopus and Web of Science databases and a PRISMA-guided screening process to identify 496 peer-reviewed publications, covering publications from 1987 to 2024. Results show a steady rise in scientific output, with a notable acceleration after 2013, dominated by agriculture, forestry, and environmental sciences, with strong international contributions and research themes focused on productivity, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and economic viability. A wide range of Populus species and hybrids is employed globally, supporting functions from crop production and soil enhancement to climate mitigation and ecological restoration. Poplar-based systems offer substantial benefits for soil health, biodiversity, and carbon storage, but also involve trade-offs related to tree–crop interactions, such as competition for light reducing understory crop yields in high-density arrangements, management intensity, and regional conditions. Poplars provide a wide array of provisioning, regulating, and supporting ecosystem services, from supplying food, fodder, timber, and biomass to moderating microclimates, protecting soil and water resources, and restoring habitats, while supporting a broad diversity of agricultural and horticultural crops. However, several critical gaps—including a geographic research imbalance, socio-economic and adoption barriers, limited understanding of tree–crop interactions, and insufficient long-term monitoring—continue to constrain widespread adoption and limit the full realization of the potential of poplar-based agroforestry systems.

India’s geography and diversified agroclimatic conditions make it ideal for producing various horticultural crops. India needs to catch up to China regarding fruit and vegetable production. Horticulture accounts for more than a third of all agricultural output. Like the rest of the country, Punjab places a high value on horticultural development. In this context, the current research focuses on the expansion and diversity of fruits and vegetable crops at the district level in Punjab. The study’s scope is confined to fruits and vegetable crops grown at the district level in Punjab for two periods, 2004-05 and 2018- 19. The Herfindahl index (HI) has been used to calculate the degree of diversity based on the area under various horticulture crops in a given location at a given time. In the case of fruits, the study found that the production of almost all crops has increased. However, productivity for vegetables has decreased for some crops. Ludhiana district had the most diversification, with an H-Index of 0.188, followed by Nawashahar and Patiala districts, with H-Indexes of 0.189 and 0.192, respectively. Ferozpur district, on the other hand, has a high level of specialism, with an H-Index of 0.600, followed by Muktsar and Hoshiarpur districts, with H-Indexes of 0.476 and 0.420, respectively. Overall, horticulture in the state exhibits a high level of diversification. However, farmers should be taught about the new cultivation measures and ensure that the prices of their produce are appropriate to raise the overall income of the farming community and make agriculture sustainable.

The European honey bee, Apis mellifera, is a vital pollinator of agricultural and horticultural crops. The midgut is the site of entry for honey bee pathogens and for bacterial pesticidal proteins (BPP) used for crop protection. We characterized the proteome of brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV), which are enriched in gut surface proteins, prepared from the midguts of honey bee adults and larvae. A total of 2064 and 2337 proteins were identified via timsTOF mass spectrometry in midgut BBMV from adults and larvae, respectively. These proteins included 71 midgut plasma membrane proteins in adult and 77 in larval samples identified by use of bioinformatic tools and manual curation. The most abundant proteins were identified using a new hybrid method that takes both protein length and sample complexity into account. The potential roles of plasma membrane proteins in interaction with and defense against pathogens were assessed by use of Gene Ontology terms. Seven proteins from three of the protein families (aminopeptidase, cadherin, ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily C) known to include functional BPP receptors in other insects were identified. Information on the presence and relative abundance of these proteins could inform the risk of BPP toxicity to honey bees.