Plant Physiology Research Articles

Inter-row cover crops influencing the development of conilon coffee

The use of forage as a cover crop is an alternative for the sustainable management of conilon coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex Froehner) crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the herbage accumulation and nutritive value of forages used as cover crops and their effect on the productivity and physiology of conilon coffee plants. The inter-row management assessed were 1- Congo grass [Urochloa ruziziensis (R. Germ. & C.M. Evrard) Crins], 2- Mombaça guineagrass [Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs], 3- Marandu palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) R.D.Webster], 4- weeds, 5- weeding and herbicide application. The experiment was conducted in 2020 and 2021 using a randomized block design (split-plot) with four replications and a plot size of 24 m2. Herbage accumulation of Congo grass, Mombaça guineagrass and Marandu palisadegrass (1.12 to 3.81 t/ha) were higher than weeds (0.18 to 1.95 t/ha) in seven periods evaluated. Mombaça guineagrass had the highest average herbage accumulation (1.47 to 3.81 t/ha). The forage cover crops did not differ among themselves for dry matter concentration, crude protein and C:N ratio in three periods evaluated. The inter-rows management with cover crops did not reduce productivity, grain/fruit ratio, grain size, vegetative vigour and physiology of the coffee plants compared to the management with weeding and herbicide in 2021. In 2022, they stagnated or reduced productivity by up to 49%, with changes in plant physiology. Adjustments in the management of cover crops are needed for the development of competitive and sustainable coffee crops.

Genome-Wide Identification of the bHLH Gene Family in Callerya speciosa Reveals Its Potential Role in the Regulation of Isoflavonoid Biosynthesis

Callerya speciosa (Champ. ex Benth.) Schot is a significant leguminous plant valued for its edible tuberous roots, which are a plentiful source of isoflavonoids. Basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs) have been reported to regulate secondary metabolism in plants, especially flavonoid biosynthesis. However, the bHLH genes in C. speciosa have not yet been reported, and their regulatory role in isoflavonoid biosynthesis remains unexplored. Here, 146 CsbHLH genes were identified in the C. speciosa genome, classifying them into 23 subfamilies based on the gene structures and phylogenetic relationships. All the CsbHLH proteins contained both motifs 1 and 2, whereas motif 8 was only distributed in subgroup III (d + e). Collinearity analysis demonstrated that fragmental replications are the primary driver of CsbHLH evolution, with the majority of duplicated CsbHLH gene pairs experiencing selective pressure. Nine candidate CsbHLH genes were found to play a potential role in regulating isoflavonoid biosynthesis through a combination of gene-to-metabolite correlation analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Additionally, the cis-regulatory elements and response to MeJA of these nine genes were characterized and confirmed through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Among them, three CsbHLHs (CsbHLH9, CsbHLH89, and CsbHLH95) were selected for further investigation. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), dual-luciferase (LUC) assays, bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays, and transient transformation demonstrated that CsbHLH9 acted as a transcriptional activator through its interaction with CsMYB36 and binding to the promoters of isoflavonoid biosynthesis genes in a MeJA-induced manner, such as CsIFR2, CsI3′H2, and CsCHS4, to promote isoflavonoid (calycosin, calycosin-7-o-glucoside, and formononetin) accumulation. Our results establish a basis for the functional analysis of bHLH genes and investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying isoflavonoid biosynthesis in C. speciosa.

Combined Effects of Magnetized Irrigation and Water Source on Italian Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. ramosa Hort.) Growth and Gene Expression

Agricultural water scarcity has become a global issue. Optimizing irrigation water quality and effectively utilizing non-conventional water resources are essential strategies to alleviate pressure on agricultural water use and achieve sustainable development. This study employed Italian lettuce as the test crop to explore the effects of magnetization treatment (M) at a magnetic field strength of 0.2 T and various irrigation water sources (T) on its growth. The following six treatments were established: fresh water irrigation (M0T1), recycled water irrigation (M0T2), saline water irrigation (M0T3), magnetized fresh water irrigation (M1T1), magnetized recycled water irrigation (M1T2), and magnetized saline water irrigation (M1T3). The results showed that the magnetization treatment increased the electrical conductivity (EC), power of hydrogen (pH), and dissolved oxygen (DO) of the three water sources compared to the non-magnetized treatment. Furthermore, magnetized irrigation with fresh water, recycled water, and saline water increased the contents of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in lettuce. It also led to increases in the contents of soluble proteins (by 9.27% to 22.25%), soluble sugars (by 13.45% to 20.50%), and vitamin C (VitC) (by 4.18% to 19.33%) in lettuce. Additionally, it enhanced the above-ground fresh weight of lettuce (by 9.36% to 8.81%) and water productivity (WPc) (by 5.85% to 10.40%), while reducing water consumption. Among these treatments, magnetized fresh water irrigation was the most effective in improving quality, fresh weight, and WPc, followed by magnetized recycled water. Gene expression analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were primarily enriched in metabolic pathways such as the MAPK signaling pathway—plant, phytohormone signaling, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. In summary, magnetized irrigation significantly enhanced DO levels in irrigation water, along with the fresh weight, quality, and WPc of lettuce, demonstrating its effectiveness as an efficient method for agricultural irrigation.

Biostimulant-Based Molecular Priming Improves Crop Quality and Enhances Yield of Raspberry and Strawberry Fruits

Background/Objectives: The biostimulant SuperFifty, produced from the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum, can improve crop quality and yield and mitigate stress tolerance in model and crop plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, pepper, and tomato. However, the effect of SuperFifty on raspberries and strawberries has not been well studied, especially in terms of nutritional properties and yield. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SuperFifty on the quality and quantity of raspberry and strawberry fruits, with a focus on metabolic composition and essential elements, which together determine the nutritional properties and total yield of these two crops. Methods: Metabolome analysis was performed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS), and essential elements analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: Here, we demonstrate that SuperFifty increases the fruit size of both raspberries and strawberries and enhances the yield in these two berry crops by 42.1% (raspberry) and 33.9% (strawberry) while preserving the nutritional properties of the fruits. Metabolome analysis of 100 metabolites revealed that antioxidants, essential amino acids, organic acids, sugars, and vitamins, such as glutathione, alanine, asparagine, histidine, threonine, serine, tryptophan, sucrose, citric acid, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), as well as other primary metabolites, remain the same in the SuperFifty-primed fruits. Secondary metabolites, such as caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, kaempferol, and quercetin, also maintained their levels in the SuperFifty-primed fruits. Analysis of essential elements demonstrated that elements important for human health, such as Zn, Mn, Fe, B, Cu, K, and Ca, maintain the same levels in the raspberry and strawberry fruits obtained from the biostimulant-primed plants. Magnesium, an important element known as a co-factor in many enzymatic reactions related to both plant physiology and human health, increased in both raspberry and strawberry fruits primed with SuperFifty. Finally, we discuss the potential financial and health benefits of the SuperFifty-induced priming for both growers and consumers. Conclusions: We demonstrate that SuperFifty significantly enhances the yield of both raspberries and strawberries, improves the marketable grade of the fruits (larger and heavier fruits), and enhances the nutritional properties by elevating Mg content in the fruits. Altogether, this biostimulant-induced molecular priming offers an environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable way to enhance the yield and quality of berry crops, with clear benefits to both berry producers and customers.

Hyperspectral Leaf Reflectance Detects Interactive Genetic and Environmental Effects on Tree Phenotypes, Enabling Large-Scale Monitoring and Restoration Planning Under Climate Change.

Plants respond to rapid environmental change in ways that depend on both their genetic identity and their phenotypic plasticity, impacting their survival as well as associated ecosystems. However, genetic and environmental effects on phenotype are difficult to quantify across large spatial scales and through time. Leaf hyperspectral reflectance offers a potentially robust approach to map these effects from local to landscape levels. Using a handheld field spectrometer, we analyzed leaf-level hyperspectral reflectance of the foundation tree species Populus fremontii in wild populations and in three 6-year-old experimental common gardens spanning a steep climatic gradient. First, we show that genetic variation among populations and among clonal genotypes is detectable with leaf spectra, using both multivariate and univariate approaches. Spectra predicted population identity with 100% accuracy among trees in the wild, 87%-98% accuracy within a common garden, and 86% accuracy across different environments. Multiple spectral indices of plant health had significant heritability, with genotype accounting for 10%-23% of spectral variation within populations and 14%-48% of the variation across all populations. Second, we found gene by environment interactions leading to population-specific shifts in the spectral phenotype across common garden environments. Spectral indices indicate that genetically divergent populations made unique adjustments to their chlorophyll and water content in response to the same environmental stresses, so that detecting genetic identity is critical to predicting tree response to change. Third, spectral indicators of greenness and photosynthetic efficiency decreased when populations were transferred to growing environments with higher mean annual maximum temperatures relative to home conditions. This result suggests altered physiological strategies further from the conditions to which plants are locally adapted. Transfers to cooler environments had fewer negative effects, demonstrating that plant spectra show directionality in plant performance adjustments. Thus, leaf reflectance data can detect both local adaptation and plastic shifts in plant physiology, informing strategic restoration and conservation decisions by enabling high resolution tracking of genetic and phenotypic changes in response to climate change.

Gibberellin biosynthesis, its roles in plant physiology and abiotic stress responses

Gibberellins (GAs) are a group of phytohormones that significantly impact plant growth and development processes, including seed germination, stem elongation, and fruit development. These diterpenoid acids are influenced by environmental factors such as light and temperature, which can alter their concentration and activity. Initially discovered in the 1920s in the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi, over 136 GAs have been identified in various plants, fungi, and bacteria. A particularly active form of gibberellin, GA3, is widely used in agriculture to promote cell elongation, induce the grow of seedless fruits and improve crop yields. The synthesis and regulation of gibberellins in plants involve complex biosynthetic pathways that integrate both endogenous and environmental signals. Additionally, GAs play a role in stress response, helping plants adapt to challenging conditions like salinity and water scarcity. Research continues to explore the biotechnological applications of GAs, including their use in floriculture, fruit production, and improving plant resilience under stress conditions, making them essential for sustainable agriculture.

OsPIPK-FAB, A Negative Regulator in Rice Immunity Unveiled by OsMBL1 Inhibition

Phosphatidylinositol signaling system plays a crucial role in plant physiology and development, phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKs) are one of the essential enzymes responsible for catalyzing the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) within this signaling pathway. However, its mechanism of signal transduction remains poorly exploited in plants. OsMBL1, a jacalin-related mannose-binding lectin in rice, plays a crucial role in plant defense mechanisms, acting as a key component of the pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) pathway. Here, a rice phosphatidylinositol-phosphate kinase FAB (OsPIPK-FAB), a member of the rice PIPKs family, as an interacting protein of OsMBL1 through yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) screening assay. And this interaction was confirmed by using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and pull-down assay techniques. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the deletion of OsPIPK-FAB gene in plant enhanced resistance against rice blast while overexpression of OsPIPK-FAB increases sensitivity to the fungal infection. Additionally, through determination and measurement of the plant inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) contents and the plant phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) activity, we revealed that OsMBL1 inhibits the PIP5K kinase activity of OsPIPK-FAB as well as the plant IP3 contents in rice. Conclusively, these findings indicated that OsPIPK-FAB serves as a novel and critical component that is negatively involved in PTI activation and was inhibited by OsMBL1.

Nutrition Rather Than Phytohormone-Dependent Defense of Host Plant Mediates the Different Response of Red- and Green-Morph Pea Aphids to Nitrogen Fertilization

Nitrogen fertilization is widely known to affect plant metabolism, which subsequently influences phytophagous insects through a bottom-up effect. The interplay between plants and insects is often overlooked in studies examining the effects of nitrogen fertilization on insect performance. Here, we assessed the performance of green and red morphs of pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum feeding on alfalfa Medicago truncatula with and without nitrogen fertilization and examined how nitrogen fertilization and aphid infestation affect plant amino acid composition and phytohormone-dependent defenses. The results showed that nitrogen fertilization significantly enhanced the growth rate and fecundity of the green-morph aphid but only slightly increased the growth rate of the red morph. The feeding behaviors of the two morphs of aphid were similarly inhibited by nitrogen fertilization, manifested as prolonged stylet pathway duration and shortened phloem ingestion duration. With nitrogen fertilization, the green-morph-aphid-infested plant accumulated more free amino acids, particularly essential amino acids, when compared with the red-morph aphid. Furthermore, the infestation of both morphs of aphid repressed the expression of genes involved in salicylic acid-dependent defense while enhancing those involved in jasmonic acid/ethylene signaling under nitrogen fertilization. These results suggest that nitrogen fertilization and aphid infestation interact in manipulating plant metabolism, with nutritional changes playing a vital role in the aphid morph-specific growth and fecundity response to nitrogen fertilization.

Tetranychus ludeni (Acari: Tetranychidae) infestation triggers a spatiotemporal redox response dependent on soybean genotypes.

The redox homeostasis and photosynthetic pigments changes vary with Tetranychus ludeni infestation, with longer-cycle genotypes showing greater tolerance and efficiency in antioxidant defense. Infestations of Tetranychus ludeni Zacher (Tetranychidae) have been frequently observed in soybean plants. In this context, understanding the oscillation of redox homeostasis is crucial for detecting and assessing the stress levels caused in the plants by these organisms. The impacts of these infestations on redox metabolism and photosynthetic pigments are currently unknown. Therefore, we examined the hypothesis that T. ludeni infestations in soybean plants can influence redox homeostasis and photosynthetic pigments in a spatiotemporal manner, varying between different infestation times, modules and genotypes. For this purpose, soybean plants of the genotypes Monsoy, maturity group 5.7, and Brasmax, maturity group 6.3, grown in a controlled environment, were exposed to infestation and evaluated at two periods: 14 and 24days. A variation in the distribution of T. ludeni within the infested plants over time increased the activity of ascorbate peroxidase and catalase, especially in Monsoy, reducing the content of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, which prevented lipid peroxidation in the apical region in both genotypes. In the basal region, low chlorophyll indices corroborated by the yellow coloration of trifoliate leaves, high levels of membrane stability loss, and accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide characterized senescent trifoliate leaves in Brasmax, 24days post infestation. Thus, the infestation of T. ludeni has a complex and significant impact on the redox metabolism of soybean plants, especially in shorter-cycle genotypes such as Brasmax. Furthermore, the oscillation of homeostasis can be considered as a good biochemical marker for selecting more suitable genotypes that are less sensitive and prone to infestations.

Impact of Salinity Stress on Morpho-physiology of Four Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties

Abiotic stress, especially salinity, is one of the major restraints for attaining self-sufficiency in the food grain production. The saline soils affect the crop growth both directly and indirectly by interfering with plant metabolism resulting in reduction in yield potential of various crops. Rice (Oryza sativa L.), the staple food of much of the world’s population, is categorized as a salt-susceptible crop. Improving the salt tolerance of rice would increase the potential of saline-alkali land and ensure food security. To investigate the effect of different levels of salinity on morpho-physiological characters and yield of four rice variety viz. Pokkali, Narendra Ushar Dhan 3, IR 28 and IR 29. A pot experiment was conducted during Kharif 2011 and 2012 at the Department of Crop Physiology, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) under normal soil and saline conditions with EC 6.0 and EC 10.0 dS/m. Gradual increase on plant height as well as biomass with the advancement in the age of crop up to dough grain in all the varities under both normal and salinity treatment. Maximum grain yield recorded in tolerant varieties Narendra Usar Dhan 3 followed by Pokkali, whereas minimum in IR 28. Under saline conditions regarding sink potential, the tolerant varieties recorded less reduction in yield attributes like length of panicle (cm), number of panicle per plant, number grain panicle-1 and grain yield plant-1 as compared to normal condition. The salinity tolerance capacity of tolerance varieties was associated with increased the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzyme batter accumulation of proline and total carbohydrate as compared to normal condition.

The Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils from Five Species of the Magnoliaceae Family

The leaves of Magnoliaceae family plants contain abundant essential oils (EOs), and these species can be used in many fields due to their high industrial, medicinal, and ornamental values. This study aims to identify the main compounds of the EOs from the leaves of five common Magnoliaceae species (Michelia maudiae, Michelia hedyosperma, Michelia macclurei, Manglietia lucida, Manglietia conifer) using hydrodistillation, GC–MS analysis, and in vitro tests. Additionally, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the EOs were also evaluated. The results show that 151 compounds were identified across five species, with sesquiterpenes being dominant. Some key compounds (such as β-caryophyllene, δ-amorphene, β-guaiene, globulol, and β-acorenol) were common among all the species, highlighting their crucial roles in plant physiology and resilience. Other compounds (like valeranone and nerolidol in M. maudiae and β-elemene in M. macclurei) were specific, indicating different functions. Among the five species, the essential oil of M. macclurei contains β-elemene and nerolidyl acetate, and it has the weakest antioxidant activity (IC50 value: 2918.61~21,341.98 μg/mL) but the strongest antibacterial activity (inhibition zone diameter: 8.55 ± 0.93~22.92 ± 0.46 mm; LC50 value: 0.02~0.78 mg/mL). Meanwhile, the EO of M. maudiae demonstrated the best antioxidant activity (the IC50 value was 1283.58~6258.32 μg/mL) and the second-best antibacterial activity (the inhibition zone diameter ranged from 7.61 ± 0.02 to 26.92 ± 0.46 mm, and the LC50 value was 0.03~2.28 mg/mL). Overall, the EO of M. maudiae had the best comprehensive performance. Therefore, the EOs of M. macclurei and M. maudiae showed different performances in biological activity categories, and they could be developed and used in different fields, with the possibility of discovering new applications. This brings inspiration to the potential commercial and industrial uses of sesquiterpenes in Magnoliaceae.

The effect of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Microplastic stress on the composition and gene regulatory network of amino acid in Capsicum annuum

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a widely used plastic in daily life. The extensive accumulation of PET microplastics (PET-MPs) in the environment adversely affects plant growth in multiple ways. However, the impact of PET-MPs exposure on the plant metabolism and the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unexplored. To address this gap, we employed metabolomics and transcriptomics combination analyses to investigate the effects of PET-MPs exposure, varying in particle size and concentration, on the amino acid content and composition in pepper, as well as the underlying genes regulatory network. A total of 282 amino acids and their derivatives were identified, including 8 essential amino acids. Significant changes in differentially accumulated amino acids (DAAs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed across different treatments, indicating that PET-MPs exposure affects amino acid metabolism in peppers, with these effects closely related to the size and concentration of PET-MPs. Ten DAAs with significant variable importance were identified through OPLS-DA. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that the red module was significantly correlated with most of the DAAs indicators, highlighting the essential roles of HMSI, BCAT, and 12 transcription factor (TF) genes in regulating amino acid synthesis under PET-MPs exposure. Furthermore, correlation and redundancy analysis (RDA) identified three candidate genes, HSMI, PROC, and FHM, involved in amino acid biosynthesis pathways. This study enhances our understanding of MPs pollution and provides novel insights into the impact of MPs on crop growth and nutrition.

Enhancing strawberry resilience to saline, alkaline, and combined stresses with light spectra: impacts on growth, enzymatic activity, nutrient uptake, and osmotic regulation

BackgroundThis study examines the effects of various complementary light spectra on the growth, development, antioxidant activity, and nutrient absorption in strawberry plants under stress conditions. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were used to provide specific wavelengths, including monochromatic blue (460 nm), monochromatic red (660 nm), a dichromatic mix of blue and red (1:3 ratio), full-spectrum white light (400–700 nm), and ambient light as a control (no LED treatment). The stress treatments applied were: control (no stress), salinity (80 mM NaCl), alkalinity (40 mM NaHCO₃), and a combined salinity/alkalinity condition.ResultsOur results indicated that complementary light spectra, especially red and blue/red, helped mitigate the adverse effects of stress on plant growth and development. These spectra improved plant tolerance by enhancing the activity of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase enzymes and increasing starch accumulation in the leaves. Furthermore, under stress conditions, red and blue-red light significantly boosted fruit anthocyanin levels. Although stress elevated antioxidant activity, supplementary light reduced this activity by alleviating stress compared to ambient light. While stress led to increased Na and Cl ion concentrations in leaves, treatments with blue, red, and blue-red light minimized these harmful effects and promoted the absorption of beneficial ions such as K, Mg, Fe, and Cu.ConclusionsAdjusting light quality significantly influences the morphology and physiology of strawberry plants, underscoring the role of specific light spectra in promoting optimal growth under stress conditions.Clinical trial numberNot applicable

Impact of nitrogen rates on biosynthesis pathways: A comparative study of diterpene synthases in clerodane diterpenoids and enzymes in benzylisoquinoline alkaloids

Tinospora sagittata is rich in secondary metabolites used in traditional medicine. However, environmental factors impact key enzymes in metabolite synthesis, highlighting the need for improved growth conditions. This study employs transcriptomics and metabolomics to assess nitrogen's impact on enzymes in secondary metabolites biosynthesis pathways. The gene expressions of berberine bridge enzymes (BBEs) like TsBBE2 had peak expression in low nitrogen treatments (A0 and A1) but were absent in higher nitrogen treatments (A2 and A3). Similar trends were observed for other enzymes such as (S)-scoulerine 9-O-methyltransferase (TsCMT3), Tetrahydroberberine oxidase (TsSTOX), and Columbamine O-methyltransferase (TsCoCOMT2-4) in response to nitrogen levels. In examining gene families related to diterpene synthases (diTPS), 1-deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate synthase (TsDXR1) expression increased with higher nitrogen fertilizer, while TsDXR2 peaked at maximal nitrogen levels. Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (TsGGPP3 and TsGGPP5) decreased with nitrogen levels. (−)-kolavenyl diphosphate synthase (KPS) genes had higher expression in treatments, while ent-kaurene synthase (KSL) genes, especially TsKSL1 and TsKSL2, showed higher expression in control conditions with lower nitrogen fertilizer. Metabolite analysis confirmed more upregulated compounds in A3 compared to A0. These findings have practical implications for agriculture and pharmaceuticals, highlighting the link between nitrogen fertilization and specialized metabolism in medicinal plants.

Impacts of groundwater depth and tree age on the non-structural carbohydrates of Haloxylon ammodendron

Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) are important substrates for plant growth and metabolism, and their concentration reflects the plant's ability to adapt to environmental changes. Although the response of NSCs to changes in water availability has been extensively studied, it is still not fully understood whether this response is modulated by tree ages and organs. This study investigates Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A. Mey.) Bunge ex Fenzl, the dominant species in the Gurbantunggut Desert in the Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Utilizing the natural topographic conditions characterized by a gradual increase in groundwater depth from the desert edge to the interior, we collected samples of different age classes of H. ammodendron along a groundwater depth gradient of 3, 7, 10, and 14 meters. We measured the total concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) and their components soluble sugar (SS) and starch (ST) in the assimilative twigs and stems. The results showed that the assimilative twigs of H. ammodendron exhibited higher NSC concentrations at the site with the deepest groundwater, while the other three sites showed similar NSC concentrations. Furthermore, as groundwater depth increased, the concentrations of SS in the assimilative twigs increased, whereas ST concentrations decreased. Similarly, the concentrations of SS in the stems also increased at sites with deeper groundwater. The NSC concentrations in the assimilative twigs were significantly affected by groundwater depth, while variations in stem NSC were primarily driven by plant age. In younger trees, higher soluble sugars concentrations in the stem may enhance water transport efficiency, whereas older trees tend to store more NSC to alleviate drought stress. Overall, elevated nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations contributed to greater drought resilience in H. ammodendron. These results suggest that different age classes of H. ammodendron exhibit distinct physiological responses to decreasing groundwater depth. The varying requirements for soluble sugars and starch in H. ammodendron help to partially mitigate the adverse effects of reduced groundwater accessibility. These findings provide important insights into the physiological adaptations of H. ammodendron in arid environments and offer a scientific basis for future ecological restoration and management strategies.

Trivalent chromium stress trigger accumulation of secondary metabolites in rice plants: Integration of biochemical and transcriptomic analysis

Trivalent chromium [Cr (III)] is a frequently detected environmental contaminant that negatively affects plant metabolism, growth, and yield. Plant secondary metabolites are non-nutrient compounds involved in diverse physiological functions in response to abiotic stresses. This study performed biochemical and transcriptomic analyses to clarify the protective role and mechanism of secondary metabolites in rice seedlings under Cr(III) stress. The content of measured secondary metabolites i.e., total soluble phenolics, flavonoids, lignin, and anthocyanin in rice tissues was significantly enhanced under Cr(III) exposure. Additionally, the activities of several enzymes including chalcone synthase, phenylalanine ammonialyase, peroxidase, and anthocyanidin synthase, were positively activated. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Cr(III)-treated rice seedlings and their expression patterns are tissue-specific. Additionally, the DEGs involved in secondary metabolism pathways were evident after KEGG enrichment analysis. Cr(III) exposure resulted in distinct genetic regulation strategies in rice tissues, with different DEGs activating various sub-pathways in the secondary metabolism pathways to cope with Cr(III) stress. Furthermore, the integrated correlation analysis of the secondary metabolites and transcriptome data identified key genes involved in different steps of the sub-pathways of secondary metabolism pathway in rice plants under Cr(III) stress. This study indicates that the accumulation of secondary metabolites in rice plants is a survival and detoxification strategy to reduce the adverse effects of toxic compounds. Future research should explore how key genes in secondary metabolism pathways aid in Cr(III) detoxification and enhance crop stress tolerance.

Rubisco activity and activation state dictate photorespiratory plasticity in Betula papyrifera acclimated to future climate conditions

Plant metabolism faces a challenge of investing enough enzymatic capacity to a pathway without overinvestment. As it takes energy and resources to build, operate, and maintain enzymes, there are benefits and drawbacks to accurately matching capacity to the pathway influx. The relationship between functional capacity and physiological load could be explained through symmorphosis, which would quantitatively match enzymatic capacity to pathway influx. Alternatively, plants could maintain excess enzymatic capacity to manage unpredictable pathway influx. In this study, we use photorespiration as a case study to investigate these two hypotheses in Betula papyrifera. This involves altering photorespiratory influx by manipulating the growth environment, via changes in CO2 concentration and temperature, to determine how photorespiratory capacity acclimates to environmental treatments. Surprisingly, the results from these measurements indicate that there is no plasticity in photorespiratory capacity in B. papyrifera, and that a fixed capacity is maintained under each growth condition. The fixed capacity is likely due to the existence of reserve capacity in the pathway that manages unpredictable photorespiratory influx in dynamic environments. Additionally, we found that B. papyrifera had a constant net carbon assimilation under each growth condition due to an adjustment of functional rubisco activity driven by changes in activation state. These results provide insight into the acclimation ability and limitations of B. papyrifera to future climate scenarios currently predicted in the next century.

Exogenous Hormone Treatments in Maize.

Plant hormones have key functions in plant morphology, physiology, and stress responses. Studies on the biology of hormones and their effect on plant physiology and metabolism are greatly facilitated by the exogenous application of these compounds. In general, methods for exogenous hormone application are easy and fast, and provide useful information about their effects in planta. Although hormone effects have been studied in several plant species, the used methods need to be tailored specifically to each species to get robust data. Maize is an established model for basic and applied research, and an excellent system for studying the effects of hormones on developmental and stress responses in a cereal crop. Different methods have been reported for the exogenous application of plant growth regulators in maize, including watering, spraying, immersion, and application to the apical whorl. These various methods are useful to analyze hormone responses at different developmental stages, in specific organs, and within tissues. As with all exogenous application assays, suitable experimental design and the inclusion of proper controls are critical factors in these methods, to obtain reliable and reproducible results. Here, we provide an overview of various methods for hormone exogenous application in maize, and technical considerations to get successful results.

Medicinal Plants Approach for Diabetes Mellitus-A Computational Model

The multidimensional metabolic syndrome that includes diabetes mellitus poses a serious threat to world health. There is an increasing interest in researching herbal remedies for their possible therapeutic advantages, even as traditional allopathic treatments continue to be widely used. This work throws light on the multiple ways of metabolism and biochemical interactions of medicinal plants in the control of glucose level, highlighting their crucial role in the process. The work clarifies several herbal extracts' efficacy and safety profiles, such as Aloe vera, Garlic, Gurmar, Bitter Melon, Neem, Tulsi, and through a thorough literature review and empirical evidence. These plants, which are abundant in bioactive substances like tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids, show promise in treating insulin resistance, improving pancreatic function, and controlling blood sugar level. A further assessment of the rising risk associated with diabetes mellitus is discussed, and a differential equation model for diabetes mellitus is developed to minimize the complications. When using medicinal plants to treat diabetes, several factors are considered, including blood sugar level, sugar intake activity, and plasma insulin concentrations. The stability criterion for the mathematical model is examined through the system of differential equations. A representation highlighting the medicinal plants that can aid individuals with diabetes mellitus is provided. The blood sugar level, insulin generalization variable and plasma insulin concentration have all been measured at different points in time. Aloe vera, Gurmar, Garlic, Tulsi, Bitter Melon and Neem are among the medicinal plants selected for their demonstrated anti-hyperglycemic properties due to their easy availability in India. Mathematical solutions were calculated for every plant and proved to be steady.

Fibrillin gene family and its role in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress

Fibrillins (FBNs), highly conserved plastid lipid-associated proteins (PAPs), play a crucial role in plant physiology. These proteins, encoded by nuclear genes, are prevalent in the plastoglobules (PGs) of chloroplasts. FBNs are indispensable for maintaining plastid stability, promoting plant growth and development, and enhancing stress responses. The conserved PAP domain of FBNs was found across a wide range of photosynthetic organisms, from plants and cyanobacteria. FBN families are classified into 12 distinct groups/clades, with the 12th group uniquely present in algal–fungal symbiosis. This mini review delves into the structural attributes, phylogenetic classification, genomic features, protein–protein interactions, and functional roles of FBNs in plants, with a special focus on their effectiveness in mitigating abiotic stresses, particularly drought stress.