Ornamental Plants Research Articles

Cytoplasmic genomes of Jasminum sambac reveal divergent sub-mitogenomic conformations and a large nuclear chloroplast-derived insertion

BackgroundJasminum sambac, a widely recognized ornamental plant prized for its aromatic blossoms, exhibits three flora phenotypes: single-petal (“SP”), double-petal (“DP”), and multi-petal (“MP”). The lack of detailed characterization and comparison of J. sambac mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) hinders the exploration of the genetic and structural diversity underlying the varying floral phenotypes in jasmine accessions.ResultsHere, we de novo assembled three mitogenomes of typical phenotypes of J. sambac, “SP”, “DP”, and “MP-hutou” (“HT”), with PacBio reads and the “HT” chloroplast (cp) genome with Illumina reads, and verified them with read mapping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The three mitogenomes present divergent sub-genomic conformations, with two, two, and four autonomous circular chromosomes ranging in size from 35.7 kb to 405.3 kb. Each mitogenome contained 58 unique genes. Ribosome binding sites with conserved AAGAAx/AxAAAG motifs were detected upstream of uncanonical start codons TTG, CTG and GTG. The three mitogenomes were similar in genomic content but divergent in structure. The structural variations were mainly attributed to recombination mediated by a large (~ 5 kb) forward repeat pair and several short repeats. The three jasmine cp. genomes showed a well-conserved structure, apart from a 19.9 kb inversion in “HT”. We identified a 14.3 kb “HT”-specific insertion on Chr7 of the “HT” nuclear genome, consisting of two 7 kb chloroplast-derived fragments with two intact ndhH and rps15 genes, further validated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The well-resolved phylogeny suggests faster mitogenome evolution in J. sambac compared to other Oleaceae species and outlines the mitogenome evolutionary trajectories within Lamiales. All evidence supports that “DP” and “HT” evolved from “SP”, with “HT” being the most recent derivative of “DP”.ConclusionThe comprehensive characterization of jasmine organelle genomes has added to our knowledge of the structural diversity and evolutionary trajectories behind varying jasmine traits, paving the way for in-depth exploration of mechanisms and targeted genetic research.

Beneath the apple trees - Exploring soil microbial properties under Malus domestica concerning various land management practices

The presented study evaluated the impact of six land management practices on soil bacterial and fungal communities under apple trees: green field belts, forests, gardens with trees and ornamental plants, gardens with farm animals, and uncultivated and cultivated orchards. The study explored soil microbial properties including the enzymatic activity of dehydrogenases (tested by colorimetric reaction with 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride), metabolic profile (using Biolog™ ECO Plates), metataxonomy structure (Next Generation Sequencing using Illumina®), followed by physicochemical properties (pH, N, P, K, microelements concentrations, organic matter, and Corg content). The hypothesis was that different land management practices would influence soil microbial properties, with cultivated orchards expected to show significantly lower dehydrogenases activity, and higher substrate-based respiratory than biomass response, within substrate stress occurrence, when testing metabolic profiles, but also different composition and lower relative abundances of specific microbial taxa and different biomarker genera, compared to other treatments. We aimed to identify practices promoting diverse microbial substrate-based metabolic and taxa diversity responses, with a focus on Bacillus and Trichoderma abundances, which are potential biological agents against fungal pathogens. As expected the presented research revealed significant statistical variations in microbial communities among different land management practices in soil beneath apple trees. It was accordingly noted that cultivated orchards, but also green belts, clearly exhibited reduced microbial activity (3.59 and 4.76 TPF kg−1 d−1, respectively) compared to gardens and uncultivated orchards (12.08 and 9.89 TPF kg−1 d−1). Cultivated orchards notably showed higher respiration levels and substrate stress compared, especially to forests and other land management practices represented by a clear separation of observed according to Sneath's criteria in cluster analysis. Different land management practices induce unique stress responses in microbial communities: forests struggled with B-Methyl-d-Glucoside, gardens with Serine and Putrescine, cultivated orchards with d-Glucosaminic Acid and Cyclodextrin, and bounds with 2-Hydroxy-Benzoic Acid. Substantial differences were also observed in the relative abundance of the top ten bacterial and fungal orders, and biomarker genera representatives. In cultivated orchards, there was a significant decrease in the relative abundance of many bacterial taxa such as e.g. Rhizobiales, Burkholderiales, Vivinamibacterales, and fungal taxa including Eurotiales, and Saccharomycetales. Notably, no significant differences were noted for Bacillus abundance among tested management practices. Forests favored Trichoderma abundance the most among tested practices (relative abundance 0.05 %). In turn, Trichoderma representatives were revealed as biomarker genera in gardens with animals. Williamsia representatives, as found in uncultivated orchards were suggested to be a biomarker of less disturbance, resulting from area restoration. Overall, the study discussed how different land management practices influence soil microbial communities and their functional roles, emphasizing the potential impacts of use on soil health and biodiversity within its implications. The most important recommendation bullet points:•using Williamsia representatives as a soil biomarker microorganism to indicate successful area restoration processes in apple orchards,•using d-Glucosaminic Acid metabolic stress test to reveal early difficulties in controlling fungal pathogens in soil microbial communities,•promoting diverse plant covers and reasonably reduced agrochemical inputs in apple orchards for enhancing soil microbial resilience,•preserving habitats of wild apple trees in forests or green belts, as these environments exhibit reduced metabolic stress and support the occurrence of fungi like Trichoderma, in the context of locations from which such isolates should be sought for further biocontrol use.

Mitogenomes comparison of 3 species of Asparagus L shedding light on their functions due to domestication and adaptative evolution

BackgroundAsparagus L., widely distributed in the old world is a genus under Asparagaceae, Asparagales. The species of the genus were mainly used as vegetables, traditional medicines as well as ornamental plants. However, the evolution and functions of mitochondrial (Mt) genomes (mitogenomes) remains largely unknown. In this study, the typical herbal medicine A. taliensis and ornamental plant A. setaceus were used to assemble and annotate the mitogenomes, and the resulting mitogenomes were further compared with published mitogenome of A. officinalis for the analysis of their functions in the context of domestication and adaptative evolution.ResultsThe mitochondrial genomes of both A. taliensis and A. setaceus were assembled as complete circular ones. The phylogenetic trees based on conserved protein-coding genes of Mt genomes and whole chloroplast (Cp) genomes showed that, the phylogenetic relationship of the sampled 13 species of Asparagus L. were not exactly consistent. The collinear analyses between the nuclear (Nu) and Mt genomes confirmed the existence of mutual horizontal genes transfers (HGTs) between Nu and Mt genomes within these species. Based on RNAseq data, the Mt RNA editing were predicted and atp1 and ccmB RNA editing of A. taliensis were further confirmed by DNA sequencing. Simultaneously homologous search found 5 Nu coding gene families including pentatricopeptide-repeats (PPRs) involved in Mt RNA editing. Finally, the Mt genome variations, gene expressions and mutual HGTs between Nu and Mt were detected with correlation to the growth and developmental phenotypes respectively. The results suggest that, both Mt and Nu genomes co-evolved and maintained the Mt organella replication and energy production through TCA and oxidative phosphorylation .ConclusionThe assembled and annotated complete mitogenomes of both A. taliensis and A. setaceus provide valuable information for their phylogeny and concerted action of Nu and Mt genomes to maintain the energy production system of Asparagus L. in the context of domestication and adaptation to environmental niches.

Evaluation of the pollutant removal efficiency of swine wastewater through two configurations of hybrid wetlands with tropical ornamental plants

The pig farming industry in Mexico is an important economic activity that is growing significantly, generating large volumes of wastewater that negatively affect water bodies and human health. The lack of adequate treatment systems exacerbates this problem. Hybrid constructed wetlands that combine Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands (VF-CWs) and Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetlands (HF-CWs) offer an economical and effective treatment using natural processes. The objective was to evaluate the removal of contaminants from pig farm wastewater using two configurations of hybrid systems with ornamental plants. Two configurations were established: System I: VF-CWs + HF-CWs and System II: HF-CWs + VF-CWs. The VF-CWs were planted with Canna hybrids and the HF-CWs with Heliconia latispatha. The results indicated higher removal efficiencies of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus in System I (BOD5: 72.99 %, COD: 71.41 %, TN: 79 %, NH4+: 84.31 %, NO3-: 74.29 %, TP: 59.54 %, FC: 99.88 %) compared to System II (BOD5: 66.80 %, COD: 67.01 %, TN: 77.90 %, NH4+: 82.31 %, NO3-: 70.48 %, TP: 55.81 %, FC: 99.89 %), regarding FC, the same results were obtained in both systems. Both plant species showed vigorous development, although the growth of Heliconia latispatha was more notable. In conclusion, the results suggest that the VF-CWs + HF-CWs configuration in hybrid wetlands could be a suitable option for treating this type of effluent.

Pollinators respond positively to urban green space enhancements using wild and ornamental flowers

Abstract Pollinator diversity and abundance are under direct threat from human activities. Despite societal dependence on pollinators for crop production, humankind continues to drive pollinator declines through agricultural intensification and urbanisation. Urban environments can provide refuge to some pollinators. There is a need, however, to understand how pollinator communities can be supported in these areas while also considering human needs. Public green spaces provide a promising avenue to target plant–pollinator conservation measures in an urban setting due to their large area, high abundance and low plant–pollinator biodiversity. We used a paired design to compare the plant community, pollinator community and plant–pollinator interactions of (i) public urban green spaces enhanced with wildflower meadows and pollinator‐friendly ornamental plantings to (ii) control unenhanced urban green spaces. The planting types within enhanced sites were also separately compared. Our results show that not only was the diversity of the overall pollinator community higher in enhanced than control sites, but also the complexity of some wild Hymenoptera and the abundance of Diptera pollinator groups. The negative impact of urbanisation on some pollinator groups was reduced in enhanced sites compared with control sites. Planting both pollinator‐friendly ornamental plants and wildflower meadows significantly increased the visits from Diptera and the diversity in the plant–pollinator community compared with wildflower plantings alone. Our results suggest that enhancing public spaces for pollinators has positive effects on key groups and can help mitigate the impacts of urbanisation. Non‐native ornamental plants can also play a role in enhancing green spaces for pollinators while maintaining their recreational functions. This supports a mixed‐planting approach for improving public green spaces in urban areas for both people and nature.

Varying Tolerance to Diesel Toxicity Revealed by Growth Response Evaluation of Petunia grandiflora Shoot Lines Regenerated after Diesel Fuel Treatment

Continuous efforts are required to find ways to protect crop production against the toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons, such as diesel, and contamination of soils. There is a need for identification of candidate plants that are tolerant to diesel toxicity that might also have the potential for remediation of diesel-contaminated soils. In this study, petunia, a popular ornamental plant and a model experimental plant in research on phytoremediation of environmental pollutants, was used to evaluate a novel method for rapidly assessing diesel toxicity based on the tolerance of shoots generated through in vitro plant cell culture selection. Petunia shoot lines (L1 to L4) regenerated from diesel-treated callus were compared with those from non-diesel-treated callus (control). Significant morphological differences were observed among the tested lines and control, notably with L1 and L4 showing superior growth. In particular, L4 exhibited remarkable adaptability, with increased root development and microbial counts in a diesel-contaminated potting mix, suggesting that the shoots exhibited enhanced tolerance to diesel exposure. Here, this rapid bioassay has been shown to effectively identify plants with varying levels of tolerance to diesel toxicity and could therefore assist accelerated selection of superior plants for phytoremediation. Further research is needed to understand the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying tolerance traits, with potential applications beyond petunias to other environmentally significant plants.

Expert assessment of illegal collecting impacts on Venus flytraps and priorities for research on illegal trade.

Illegal collecting of wild Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) for the horticultural trade represents a persistent threat to populations of the species across their endemic range in the coastal plain of North and South Carolina (United States). Although wild collecting of Venus flytraps is not a novel threat, there has been very little research on the impacts of collecting on the species' conservation to date or why an illegal trade persists alongside a legal one. We drew on qualitative expert stakeholder elicitation to contextualize the threat of illegal collecting to the long-term conservation of Venus flytraps in relation to other anthropogenic threats. Expert elicitation included botanical and conservation researchers, cognizant state and federal agency staff, land managers, and conservation nonprofit actors. The workshop included mapping of supply chain structures and prioritization of social and environmental harms. Expert consensus determined illegal collecting is an ongoing problem for Venus flytrap conservation, but habitat destruction, degradation, and fire suppression are the most significant threats to flytrap conservation. Supply chain analysis showed that observable social and environmental harms of the trade are focused at the supply stage and that less is known about transit and demand stages. Key research gaps identified include a lack of understanding of plant laundering practices relevant to a range of desirable plant taxa; the role of commercial nurseries in illicit horticultural supply chains; motivations for engaging in Venus flytrap collecting; and the persistent demand for illegally harvested plants when cultivated, legally obtainable plants are readily available. Our findings and methodology are relevant to a range of ornamental plants affected by illegal trade for which robust social data on illegal collecting drivers are lacking.

A Fast, Efficient, and Tissue-Culture-Independent Genetic Transformation Method for Panax notoginseng and Lilium regale.

The Agrobacterium-based transgenic technique is commonly used for gene function validation and molecular breeding. However, it is not suitable for plants with a low regeneration capacity or a low transformation rate, such as Panax notoginseng (Burk) F.H. Chen and Lilium regale Wilson. In this study, a novel Agrobacterium transformation method based on injection in the meristems was developed using P. notoginseng and L. regale as experimental models. PCR analysis confirmed the successful integration of the reporter gene DsRed2 (Discosoma striata red fluorescence protein 2) into the genome of two experimental models. QRT-PCR and Western blot analysis demonstrated the transcriptional and translational expression of DsRed2. Additionally, laser confocal microscopy confirmed the significant accumulation of the red fluorescent protein in the leaves, stems, and roots of transformed P. notoginseng and L. regale. Most importantly, in the second year after injection, the specific bright orange fluorescence from DsRed2 expression was observed in the transgenic P. notoginseng and L. regale plants. This study establishes a fast, efficient, and tissue-culture-independent transgenic technique suitable for plants with a low regeneration capacity or a low transformation rate. This technique may improve the functional genomics of important medicinal and ornamental plants such as P. notoginseng and L. regale, as well as their molecular breeding.

An overview of alien, invasive Microlepidoptera species, potential pests in agri- horti- or silviculture, recently found in Hungary

AbstractAlong with climate change, or by transportation of agricultural products, such as fruits and ornamental plants, their alien insect pests have also started to appear in Hungary. Although these pest species are sometimes sparsely studied, their biology and interactions with their host plants provide key information for monitoring their spread and identifying their vulnerable points, targets for developing methods preventing their overpopulation. In this review article we have collected data on newly emerged moth species recently found in Hungary that might threaten plantations in Hungary in the near future.

Ergothioneine Improves Seed Yield and Flower Number through FLOWERING LOCUS T Gene Expression in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Biostimulants are a new category of materials that improve crop productivity by maximizing their natural abilities. Out of these biostimulants, those that increase seed production are considered to be particularly important as they contribute directly to the increase in the yield of cereals and legumes. Ergothioneine (EGT) is a natural, non-protein amino acid with antioxidant effects that is used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and foods. However, EGT has not been used in agriculture. This study investigated the effect of EGT on seed productivity in Arabidopsis thaliana. Compared with an untreated control, the application of EGT increased the seed yield by 66%. However, EGT had no effect on seed yield when applied during or after bolting and did not promote the growth of vegetative organs. On the other hand, both the number of flowers and the transcript levels of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), a key gene involved in flowering, were increased significantly by the application of EGT. The results suggest that EGT improves seed productivity by increasing flower number through the physiological effects of the FT protein. Furthermore, the beneficial effect of EGT on flower number is expected to make it a potentially useful biostimulant not only in crops where seeds are harvested, but also in horticultural crops such as ornamental flowering plants, fruits, vegetables.

Perception of the Vegetation Elements of Urban Green Spaces with a Focus on Flower Beds.

Urban vegetation plays a crucial role in meeting the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and climate change. The presence of plants and green spaces in urban areas provides a variety of environmental, social, and economic benefits. Understanding how users perceive ornamental plants in public green spaces and what their preferences are for certain vegetation elements is extremely important for planning and designing functional and aesthetically interesting urban landscapes. Although landscape experts sometimes use their creativity to create new trends, it is important not to ignore the attitudes and preferences of the public, who sometimes have a different opinion from that of the experts. The aim of the study was to determine the perceptions and preferences of the public and landscape experts for different vegetation elements and the differences in attitudes between these two groups. The study was conducted in Croatia in April 2012 using an online survey (n = 348). The results showed that trees were the most preferred vegetation element and that the public preferred flower beds and lawns to a greater extent than the professionals. All respondents perceived vegetation elements as volumes (trees, shrubs, and hedges) and plains (flower beds and lawns). In addition, respondents perceived two basic types of flower beds according to the features that characterize them: conventional and sustainable. The results show that users perceive the functional and spatial characteristics of the different vegetation elements, which is very important for the design of functional and sustainable urban green spaces.

Beyond the Scent: New Evidence about Micromorphological, Phytochemical and Biological Features of Plumeria rubra 'Tonda Palermitana' (Apocynaceae).

Plumeria rubra L. is an ornamental Caribbean plant widely known for its ethnobotanical uses and pharmacological activities. The 'Tonda Palermitana' cultivar, on which no data are to date available, is commonly cultivated in Sicily. The aim of our study was to characterize the micro-morphological features of leaves and flowers of this cultivar by light and Scanning Electron Microscopy and to investigate the phytochemical profile and the biological properties of their food-grade extracts (LE and FE, respectively) by LC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis and different in vitro assays. Numerous branched laticifers were observed, and their secretion contained alkaloids and lipophilic compounds as confirmed by histological analyses. Phytochemical analyses showed the presence of alkaloids (9%), terpenoids (13%) and fatty acids (6%), together with a very abundant presence of iridoids (28%) and polyphenols (39%). The most notable biological activity of both extracts appears to be the antioxidant one, showing half-inhibitory concentrations (IC50) about 5 times lower than those detected in anti-inflammatory assays (383.74 ± 5.65 and 232.05 ± 2.87 vs. 1981.23 ± 12.82 and 1215.13 ± 10.15, for FE and LE, respectively), with LE showing the best, and statistically significant (p < 0.001), biological activity. These results allow us to speculate promising nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applications for this old Sicilian cultivar.

Investigation of genes involved in scent and color production in Rosa damascena Mill

Rosa damascena Mill., commonly known as the King Flower, is a fragrant and important species of the Rosaceae family. It is widely used in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. The scent and color of the flowers are significant characteristics of this ornamental plant. This study aimed to investigate the relative expression of MYB1, CCD1, FLS, PAL, CER1, GT1, ANS and PAR genes under two growth stages (S1 and S2) in two morphs. The CCD1 gene pathway is highly correlated with the biosynthesis of volatile compounds. The results showed that the overexpression of MYB1, one of the important transcription factors in the production of fragrance and color, in the Hot pink morph of sample S2 increased the expression of PAR, PAL, FLS, RhGT1, CCD1, ANS, CER1, and GGPPS. The methyl jasmonate (MeJA) stimulant had a positive and cumulative effect on gene expression in most genes, such as FLS in ACC.26 of the S2 sample, RhGT1, MYB1, CCD1, PAR, ANS, CER1, and PAL in ACC.1. To further study, a comprehensive analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the principal volatile compounds and colors. Our data suggest that the rose with pink flowers had a higher accumulation content of flavonoids and anthocyanin. To separate essential oil compounds, GC/MS analysis identified 26 compounds in four samples. The highest amount of geraniol, one of the main components of damask rose, was found in the Hot pink flower, 23.54%, under the influence of the MeJA hormone.

A telomere-to-telomere gap-free reference genome of Chionanthus retusus provides insights into the molecular mechanism underlying petal shape changes

Abstract Chionanthus retusus, an arbor tree of the Oleaceae family, is an ecologically and economically valuable ornamental plant for its remarkable adaptability in landscaping. During C. retusus breeding, we observed diverse floral shapes; however, no available genome for C. retusus has hindered the widespread identification of genes related to flower morphology. Thus, a de novo telomere-to-telomere (T2T) gap-free genome was generated. The assembly, incorporating high-coverage and long-read sequencing data, successfully yielded two complete haplotypes (687 and 683 Mb). The genome encompasses 42 864 predicted protein-coding genes, with all 46 telomeres and 23 centromeres in one haplotype. Whole genome duplication analysis revealed that C. retusus underwent one fewer event of whole-genome duplication after differentiation compared to other species in the Oleaceae family. Furthermore, flower vein diversity was the main reason for the differences in floral shapes. Auxin-related genes were responsible for petal shape formation on genome-based transcriptome analysis. Specifically, the removal and retention of the first intron in CrAUX/IAA20 resulted in the production of two transcripts, and the differences in the expression levels of CrAUX/IAA20 resulted in the variations of flower veins. Compared to transcripts lacking the first intron, transcripts with intron retention caused more severe decreases in the number and length of flower veins in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana. Our findings will deepen our understanding of flower morphology development and provide important theoretical support for the cultivation of Oleaceae.

ORANGE gene positively regulates chromoplast formation and carotenoid accumulation in Osmanthus fragrans

Sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) cultivar from Aurantiacus Group shows orange or orange-red flower color due to the accumulation of abundant carotenoids in the petals. Orange (Or) gene has been functionally characterized in the formation of plant chromoplasts and carotenoid accumulation in several species. However, whether Or gene from sweet osmanthus plays essential role in the formation of plant chromoplasts is not clear. In this study, we isolated Or homologous gene OfOr from sweet osmanthus by transcriptome homology search. The protein encoded by the gene has two transmembrane domains and a zinc finger domain, and is co-localized with the chloroplasts. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the petal tissues of sweet osmanthus showed that the chromoplast volume, the plastoglobule number and volume increased significantly with petal development, accompanied by an increase in the expression level of OfOr. Correlation analysis showed that the development of chromoplasts was significantly positively correlated with the expression pattern of OfOr. In addition, after stable overexpression of OfOr in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), it was found that the transgenic tomato fruits exhibited significantly higher redness, yellowness and chroma, as well as an increased distribution of carotenoids in the pulp cells, with total carotenoid content significantly higher than that of wild type. In summary, our study indicate that OfOr positively regulates chromoplast formation and carotenoid accumulation. This study also further reveals that OfOr can be used as a novel genetic tool to increase the accumulation of carotenoids and improve the coloring of colored organs in crops and ornamental plants.

Characterization of Flower’s Color based on CHS Gene Structure in &lt;i&gt;Phalaenopsis&lt;/i&gt; ‘OX Queen’ and &lt;i&gt;Dendrobium&lt;/i&gt; ‘Cheddi Jagan’ Orchids

Orchids (Orchidaceae) are ornamental plants known for their high aesthetic value attributed to the shapes, colours, and fragrances of their flowers. Two types of hybrid orchids with attractive flowers, namely the Phalaenopsis 'OX Queen' orchid and the Dendrobium 'Cheddi Jagan' boast attractive flowers were used in this research, because of the beauty of its flower colour. The objective of this research is to characterise the morphology of flower colour and CHS (Chalcone Synthase) gene content that induces flower colour. The method used in this research analyzing the flower’s colour by using the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) colour chart and molecular analysis by DNA genomic isolation and PCR amplification of gDNA for CHS gene specific primers. The results showed that purple colour is observed through the RHS, with P. 'OX Queen' coded as Deep Purple Pink (N73A) and D. 'Cheddi Jagan' coded as Strong Reddish Purple (N72C). The CHS gene can be amplified in P. ’OX Queen’ 1,287 bp and D. ’Cheddi jagan’ 3,731 bp. In both orchids, the results of amplification showed CHS motifs with conserved domains PLN03172 and PLN03170. The research results show that there is a significant difference in the morphology of the flowers of orchids. Purple colour is observed through the RHS, with P. 'OX Queen' coded as N73A and D. 'Cheddi Jagan' coded as N73C. The results showed that gDNA can be isolated by using CTAB method according to Murray and Thomson, and the CHS gene can be amplified by using CHS primers, resulting 1200 bp of P. 'OX Queen' and 2500 bp for D. 'Cheddi Jagan'. Through this study, preliminary data is expected to be obtained for future research, which is the formation of variegated flowers through editing the CRISPR/Cas9 genome in the CHS gene. This research is intended to support further studies on the formation of variegated flower patterns in P. 'OX Queen' and D. 'Cheddi Jagan’, focusing on the CHS gene using CRISPR/Cas9 technique.

Vertical Green Wall Systems for Rainwater and Sewage Treatment

Rainwater and sewage are important pollution sources for surface water bodies. Vertical greening systems (VGSs) are extensively employed for these wastewater treatments due to the green and sustainable characteristics, as well as their high-efficiency in pollutant (organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus) removal. At present, more and more VGSs are designed with green buildings, serving city ecosystems. This study provides an overview of different kinds of VGSs for rain and sewage treatment, emphasizing their types, design, mechanisms, selection of plants, and growth substrate. Plants play a crucial role in pollutant removal, and different plants usually obtain different efficiencies of water treatment. Climbing plants and ornamental plants with fast growth rates are priority selections for VGSs, including Canna lilies, Jasmine, Grape vine, Boston ivy, Pittosporum tobira, Pelargonium australe, Mentha aquatica, and Lythrum salicaria. The substrate is the most critical part of the VGS, which plays an important role in regulating water flow, supporting plant growth, promoting biofilm growth, filtering pollutants, and adsorbing nutrients. The single substrate either has a blockage problem or has a short holding time. Therefore, a number of studies have mixed the substrates and integrated the advantages of the substrates to form a complementary effect, thereby improving the overall purification efficiency and stability. Novel substrates (sand, spent coffee grounds, date seeds, coffee grinds, reed-based, etc.) are usually mixed with coco coir, light-weight expanded clay, growstone, or perlite at a certain ratio to obtain optimum treatment performance. Moreover, plants in clay show more significant growth advantages and health statuses than in zeolite or soil. Operating parameters are also significant influences on the treatment performance. This review provides theoretical and technical support for designing sustainable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective VGSs in treating rainwater and sewage.

Effects of Ozone Treatments on in vitro Seed Germination of Ruscus aculeatus, Ruscus hypoglossum and Danae racemosa

Ruscus aculeatus, R. hypoglossum and Danae racemosa are cut foliage and valuable for ornamental plants, they are also very valuable in terms of their medicinal aromatic properties. Propagating these plants using their seeds are very challenging due to deep dormancy and required pre-treatments before sowing. Ozone is a colorless gas with a pungent odor, made up of three oxygen atoms and it offers eco-friendly solution to break dormancy in seed. In this study, stored seeds for four years were treated to ozone gas for 0, 15 and 30 minutes using a ozone generator has the capacity to produce 6 grams of ozone per hour. Then the seed cultured in Petri dishes containing Murashige and Skoog medium without plant growth regulators. In vitro seed germination rates were recorded at 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after culture initiation. According to statistical analysis effects of species, duration of ozone treatments and interaction of species and duration of ozone treatments on in vitro germination rates of seeds were statistically significant. The highest in vitro germination rates with 42%, 28% and 24% were recorded at 30 min ozone treatment in R. aculeatus, R. hypoglossum and D. racemosa respectively. These results indicate that ozone application positively affects the germination of plant seeds.

Exploring the Effects of Intercropping Ornamental Plants on Soil Fertility and Microbial Community in Tea Gardens: Implications for Sustainable Growth and Ecosystem Functioning

Intercropping of ornamental flowering plants like Lycoris radiata Herb. and Cuphea hookeriana Walp. with tea trees can enhance the visibility and esthetic appeal of tea gardens. However, there has been limited research of the impact of intercropping ornamental flowering plants with tea trees on the soil in tea gardens. During this study, our objective was to analyze the effects of intercropping systems on tea garden soil by examining the physicochemical properties of rhizosphere soil samples from tea gardens intercropped with L. radiata and C. hookeriana. We also performed rhizosphere microbial metagenomic sequencing to assess the microbial community structure. The results revealed significant improvements in soil physicochemical indicators, particularly pH. Although intercropping systems had minor impacts on bacterial diversity and abundance, they had more pronounced effects on the community structure of microorganisms at the phylum and genus levels. Furthermore, an analysis of microbial functions using Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxa (FAPROTAX) revealed enrichment of carbon and nitrogen cycling pathways in the tea garden soil. Our findings indicated that intercropping practices have the potential to enhance the visual appeal of tea gardens while improving soil fertility and modulating the microbial community structure. These results contribute to our understanding of intercropping strategies and the implications of intercropping for tea tree growth and ecosystem functioning.

Clonal propagation of rare orchid species Paphiopedilum spp. (Orchidaceae) to save Indonesian biodiversity

Paphiopedilum spp. is one of the terrestrial orchids that is interesting as an ornamental plant. This orchid flower has a distinctive characteristic, namely its labellum resembles a sac, so it is sought after by ornamental flower collectors because of its uniqueness. This orchid is included in the Appendix I group according to CITES, namely a critical species that is threatened with extinction, so it needs to be conserved both in situ and ex situ. Ex situ conservation can be done by propagating orchids using in vitro culture techniques. The objective of this research is to carry out mass propagation of 3 species of Paphiopedilum spp orchids: P. supardii, P. primulinum, P. glaucophyllum through somatic embryogenesis and to characterize the existence of embryo gene RKD4 homolog in Paphiopedilum orchids. The method is to culture the nodes slices in dark conditions for 2 weeks, and then changed to photoperiod mode 16:8 hours (dark:light) on ½ MS media plus a combination of 2,4-D or NAA with TDZ. The somatic embryo were analyzed anatomically. This method is an improvement over previously reported methods for Paphiopedilum spp. due to its efficiency and reproducibility for conservation. We concluded that ½ MS media with a combination of NAA or 2,4D with TDZ were able to induce somatic embryogenesis. The result show that 3 mg L−1 NAA was the best PGRs for PLBs induction in P. supardii (50 %), 1 mg L−1 2,4-D + 0.5 mg L−1 TDZ was the best PGRs for callus embryogenic induction in P. primulinum (20 %), and 1 mg L−1 NAA was the best PGRs for PLBs induction in P. glaucophyllum (33 %).