Plant Level Research Articles

Abscisic acid-producing bacterium Azospirillum brasilense effectively reduces heavy metals (cadmium, nickel, lead, and zinc) accumulation in pak choi across various soil types.

Abscisic acid-producing bacterium Azospirillum brasilense effectively reduces heavy metals (cadmium, nickel, lead, and zinc) accumulation in pak choi across various soil types.

Heterogeneous variations on historical of mercury, dioxins, and CO2 emissions from medical waste incineration process in China: Emission inventory, driving factors, and the impact of COVID-19.

Heterogeneous variations on historical of mercury, dioxins, and CO2 emissions from medical waste incineration process in China: Emission inventory, driving factors, and the impact of COVID-19.

Plant level analysis of energy efficiency change and technical efficiency measurement of Indian iron and steel manufacturers for evaluating advancements and uncovering further opportunities

Plant level analysis of energy efficiency change and technical efficiency measurement of Indian iron and steel manufacturers for evaluating advancements and uncovering further opportunities

Effect of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus on endogenous hydrogen peroxide levels and peroxidase activity in transgenic potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) expressing the gox gene

Higher levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in plant tissues improve resistance to a variety of biotic and abiotic stressors. One of the key enzymes involved in the regulation of H2O2 levels in plants is peroxidase. The present study was aimed at analyzing the level of endogenous H2O2, peroxidase activity, and its isoenzyme spectrum in the roots of in vitro Skarb cultivar and its transgenic lines expressing the Penicillium funiculosum glucose oxidase (gox) gene under normal conditions and with exposure to the phytopathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. The H2O2 level of transgenic lines carrying the modified gox gene was shown to be significantly higher compared to the original cultivar and to increase further due to exposure to the phytopathogen. Under normal growth conditions, differences were observed in the spectrum of peroxidase isoforms in the transgenic lines and the original Skarb cultivar. Upon exposure to the phytopathogen, the spectrum of isoforms was significantly altered in the original Skarb cultivar and in the transgenic lines compared with the Skarb cultivar. The obtained data prove that the product of gox gene expression causes a high H2O2 level due to glucose oxidation. High H2O2 levels in transgenic lines presumably inactivate peroxidase. Exposure to the phytopathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus is shown to increase peroxidase activity and change the isoenzyme composition in both control and transgenic lines.

Doubly Fed Induction Generator Robust Design for Avoiding Converter-Driven Instability: Perspective

Renewable power generation has experienced significant global deployment, leading to the replacement of synchronous generators, which traditionally defined the slow dynamics of power systems. As a result, stability issues related to converter dynamics are becoming increasingly prominent. It is crucial for the grid system to be sure that the renewable generation is robust with regard to the converter dynamics to avoid instability issues. This paper focuses on enhancing wind farm robustness to minimize the risk of converter-driven stability phenomena, considering both grid-feeding and grid-forming control schemes. Three software solutions to improve the stability criteria at the wind turbine level are evaluated, assessing their impact on system performance across various frequency ranges. Additionally, a second solution at the plant level, separate from the software solutions, is also included in the scope of the paper. Moreover, a trade-off analysis was carried out to evaluate these different solutions. Finally, the results showed that the stability criteria can be improved by adopting software solutions without additional costs, but the filter as a plant solution could mitigate the harmonic emission and provide extra reactive power capabilities.

Light Limitation and Foliar Pathogenic Infection Impact Phloem Anatomy and Function in Pinus radiata D. Don.

Phloem plays a major role in plant physiology, health and growth. However, little research has addressed the impact of biotic and abiotic stressors on phloem structure and development. This study extends recent interest on stress impact on phloem to further understand its physiological limits by exploring a common combination of stressors within forest systems: reduced light availability and concomitant foliar pathogenic infection. We compared juvenile Pinus radiata D. Don. plants growing under optimal light conditions to plants growing under reduced light availability and exposure to pathogenic infection. We monitored foliar gas exchange and took destructive samples for nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) analysis and phloem anatomy in spring and early summer. We used software-assisted image analysis to determine cell composition and area of conducting phloem, and a fluid dynamics model to derive phloem hydraulic parameters. Phloem showed environmental plasticity within the same growing season. We found changes in phloem anatomy in shaded and infected plants, including an increased sieve cell density and permeability, and reduced cell wall thickness. While intrinsic phloem hydraulic efficiency was maintained at the tissue level in stressed plants, the reduction in phloem cross-sectional area resulted in an eventual decline in phloem sap flow rate. Thus, phloem cross-sectional area was dynamically adjusted to match reduced translocation requirements. In addition, shaded and infected plants experienced reduced growth and C assimilation, as well as greater necrotic photosynthetic tissue, but showed similar levels of total NSC than control plants. The high levels of NSC observed in our stressed plants are an important finding that suggests that radial growth cessation and, by association, phloem formation impairment are induced by sink limitation instead of reduced carbohydrate supply to the meristem.

Biocontrol of Bacterial Wilt Disease Using Plant-Associated Bacterial Communities in Tomato.

Host-protective or disease-suppressive microorganisms are emerging as sustainable solutions for controlling crop diseases, such as bacterial wilt. However, the efficacy of biocontrol strategies is often constrained by limited resilience under varying environmental conditions and interactions with native microbial communities in the field. One major challenge is that introduced biocontrol microbes often face suppression by indigenous microbes due to competitive interactions. Synthetic communities (SynComs) offer a promising alternative strategy. However, conventional approaches to assembling SynComs by combining different microbial isolates often result in antagonism and competition among strains, leading to ineffective and inconsistent outcomes. In this study, we assembled a bacterial wilt-suppressive SynCom for tomato, composed of bacterial isolates derived from co-cultured microbial complexes associated with healthy plants. This SynCom demonstrates significant disease-suppressive effects against Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum in tomato seedlings under both axenic and soil conditions. Additionally, our findings suggest the presence of an optimal SynCom colonization level in plants, which is crucial for effective disease suppression. The SynCom also exhibits direct antibiotic activity and modulates the plant-associated microbiome. Our results provide an effective approach to constructing SynComs with consistent and effective disease-suppressive properties within microbial community contexts. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Expert System For Detecting Soil Fertility Levels for Oil Palm Cultivation Using the Fuzzy Tsukamoto

Soil fertility is one of the critical factors that affect the productivity of oil palm plants. Inappropriate soil fertility levels can cause suboptimal plant growth and even crop failure. Low public knowledge about soil fertility is also a significant factor. This research aims to build an expert system that can detect the soil fertility level for oil palm plants using the fuzzy Tsukamoto method. This system uses three main parameters as a reference: soil acidity (pH), soil moisture, and soil texture. The fuzzy Tsukamoto method was chosen because it can handle uncertain data and provide more flexible results. The system was developed web-based using the PHP programming language and MySQL database, and tested on 49 soil data points from the Agricultural Extension Center of Matangkuli District, North Aceh Regency. The system successfully detected soil fertility levels accurately and consistently. Tests were conducted on 49 soil sample data from various villages in Matangkuli District, North Aceh Regency, where soil fertility in the Low category was found in 43 villages with a percentage of 84%, soil fertility in the Medium category was found in 6 villages with a rate of 16% and soil fertility in the High category was not found in any town of Matangkuli District with a percentage of 0% with valid fertility classification results and by expert judgment. With this system, farmers and agricultural extension workers can be helped to make the right decisions regarding the feasibility of land for planting oil palm plants.

Mobile RNAs and proteins: Impact on plant growth and productivity.

Short- and long-distance mobile signals (mobile RNAs and proteins) are integral parts of the local and systemic communications that coordinate various physiological processes at whole plant level and have far-reaching impacts on plant productivity. A coherent description highlighting integral roles of these mobile signals in controlling phenotypic traits and plant productivity would be invaluable. Here, we emphasize how key mobile RNAs (mRNAs, small RNAs, and long non-coding RNAs) and proteins including RNA-binding proteins function as vital regulators of multi-faceted aspects of phenotypic traits, such as formation of shoot-apical meristem, leaf morphology, root architecture, flowering, ripening of fleshy fruits, tuberization, crop yield, and abiotic stress responses, that eventually govern plant productivity. We also describe recent advancements in macromolecular transport mechanisms, such as cyclophilin-mediated transport and extracellular vesicle-based signal delivery, as well as the identification of novel signature motifs on mobile RNAs. Further, we highlight the perspectives on discoveries of new mobile signals and underline how mobile signals could be explored with advanced biotechnological interventions, virus-induced flowering, genome-editing tools, and emerging breeding approaches (e.g. xenia-based mobile RNA delivery system for fleshy fruits) to design strategies for enhancing valuable phenotypic traits and plant productivity.

Anthracene: multiparametric toxicity assessment in Pisum sativum, Vigna radiataand Epipremnum aureum, and remediation efficacy by Epipremnum aureum.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are emerging contaminants that are toxic to plants. Toxicity of anthracene, a priority PAH, was examined in Pisum sativum and Vigna radiata by evaluating their germination index, growth parameters, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content at three concentrations of anthracene: 25, 50, and 100 mg/L water. Growth characteristics and MDA content of anthracene-treated Epipremnum aureum were also monitored to assess anthracene-induced toxicity at the previously specified concentrations of anthracene. Following 30 days of plantation with E. aureum, HPLC analysis was performed to investigate the elimination of anthracene. The 24-h germination index and germination percentage revealed anthracene significantly reduced the germination index in P. sativum at all concentrations and in V. radiata at 50 and 100 mg/L concentrations. Anthracene-treated legumes showed concentration-dependent reductions in root length, shoot length, biomass, and moisture content compared to the control group. A significant reduction in biomass and a significant rise in moisture content were found in E. aureum in the presence of anthracene compared to the control group. Anthracene significantly increased MDA levels in both leguminous plants at all concentrations, while E. aureum exhibiting a significantrise in MDA at 50 and 100 mg/L ofanthracene treatment. Following a 30-day cultivation period utilizing E. aureum, anthracene was undetectable in the media that contained 25 mg/L of anthracene. In addition, a notable reduction in anthracene levels was observed in the media containing 50 and 100 mg/L of anthracene. This study indicates that anthracene is toxic to P. sativum and V. radiata during the initial growth period, which might influence crop yields for these two legumes. Due to its resistance to low concentrations of anthracene, the ornamental plant E. aureum can be utilized for the phytoremediation of anthracene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, potentially preventing their entry into the food chain.

Qualitative Phytochemical Screening And Metal Analysis Of Some Selected Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants have been integral to traditional medicine system for centuries due to their therapeutic properties. By employing standard phytochemical screening methods and Atomic absorption spectroscopy, the selected medicinal plants like Entada rheedei, Tridax procumbens and Balanited aegyptiaca were screened for different phytochemicals and metals. By these analyses, we detected key constituents like flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, phenols, glycosides, some metals and essential minerals. However, contamination of these plants with metals such as Pb and Cd can lead to the significant health risks to consumers such as indigestion, neurological disorders & carcinogenesis. This research underscore the significance of qualitative phytochemical screening and metal analysis in medicinal plants and its relevance in ensuring the safety & efficacy of herbal remedies. The findings generally indicates differences in the phytochemical and mineral level in plant. Thus, as a result this study has demonstrated the validation of these medicinal plants with respect to the presence of phytochemical and accumulation of heavy metals or minerals. Further research directions are proposed to enhance the formulation of potential herbal drugs and establish comprehensive regulatory frameworks for herbal products.

So you want to build a BECCS plant: the patchwork policy context for bioelectricity with carbon capture and storage in Europe

Abstract Bioenergy and Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) could produce baseload electricity with reduced net emissionsor even negative emissions—net atmospheric drawdown of CO2—through the permanent storage of captured biogenic CO2, but large-scale deployment remains pending. BECCS is a complex system, combining large-scale biomass sourcing, energy production, and transport and storage of CO2, each subject to a different selection of regulatory frameworks. A BECCS installation also has competing goals; (i) producing and selling energy in a financially viable manner, (ii) providing credible and efficient net removals while minimising other environmental impacts. Navigating these conflicting goals to realize sustainable and economically feasible development of BECCS plants, requires a coherent policy environment. This paper offers a stock-take of the current EU regulatory landscape encountered by potential BECCS facilities, providing recommendations to facilitate BECCS upscaling. Reviewing 19 policies relevant to (parts of) the BECCS system, including legislation in force and under development, non-binding communications and funding mechanisms, assessing whether these policies facilitate or hinder BECCS development. In doing so, we identified a lack of a standardised definition of negative emissions, as well as insufficient clarity on the approach to system boundaries selection to use in emission accounting, sustainability criteria and accounting of upstream emissions for biowastes and residues. Furthermore, clarity regarding the long-term valuation of different types of negative emissions is missing and with it, policies that can enable long-term price stability to allow increased costs of generation practices. We conclude that BECCS is subject to a complex regulatory landscape with limited internalisation of climate value. Financial considerations at plant level as well as competition for biomass have implications for reaching EU climate targets, including the proposed 2040 target of a net-zero power sector with 4–34 Mtpa of BECCS. High-ambition BECCS targets may not be realistic under current regulatory conditions and constrained biomass supply.

Late embryogenesis abundant gene GhLEA-5 of semi-wild cotton positively regulates salinity tolerance in upland cotton.

Late embryogenesis abundant gene GhLEA-5 of semi-wild cotton positively regulates salinity tolerance in upland cotton.

Effects of suppression of phosphate transporter 4;4 on CO2 assimilation in rice.

Homeostasis of inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the chloroplasts is essential for healthy CO2 assimilation. When Pi in chloroplasts is insufficient, the increase in the CO2 assimilation rate (A) with an increase in CO2 level is restricted, whereas A per unit total protein level moderately decreases under low-to-normal CO2 levels. Some phosphate transporters (PHT) are localized in the chloroplast envelope; however, their contribution to the maintenance of Pi homeostasis for CO2 assimilation has rarely been reported. In this study, we generated transgenic rice plants with RNAi-suppressed PHT4;4, one of the two genes of chloroplast envelope-localized PHT, and examined the changes in the characteristics of CO2 assimilation. In three transgenic lines, the mRNA levels of PHT4;4 decreased by approximately 80% without a notable decrease in total leaf-P levels or total leaf-N levels, which is thought to approximately correspond to total protein levels. A in the transgenic plants tended to be slightly lower than that in the wild-type plants, irrespective of the CO2 level, and typically increased to saturation with increasing CO2 levels. A per unit total leaf-N level in transgenic plants tended to be slightly lower than that in wild-type plants. These results indicate that substantial PHT4;4 suppression caused slight symptoms of Pi-limited CO2 assimilation. Therefore, PHT4;4 is suggested to be involved in the maintenance of chloroplast Pi homeostasis for healthy CO2 assimilation, although its contribution is minor.

Global dataset combining open-source hydropower plant and reservoir data

Hydropower is a crucial renewable source that depends heavily on water availability. Analyzing drought and climate change impacts on hydropower potential requires detailed data on both hydropower plant attributes (e.g. plant type and head) and reservoir characteristics (e.g. area, depth and volume). However, existing open-source datasets are poorly integrated: hydropower plant datasets often lack reservoir information, while reservoir datasets commonly miss hydropower plant information. This paper addresses this gap by introducing GloHydroRes, a global dataset that combines existing open-source hydropower plant and reservoir datasets. GloHydroRes includes attributes like plant location, head, plant type as well as reservoir details such as dam and reservoir location, dam height, reservoir depth, area, and volume for 7,775 plants in 128 countries. GloHydroRes covers nearly 79% and 81% of the global installed capacity when compared with installed hydropower data as reported by the EIA(2022) and IRENA (2023), respectively. The open-source GloHydroRes dataset provides crucial data to improve hydropower generation modelling at plant level and can support energy security and planning at continent to global scale.

Botanical remedies for livestock: A quantitative ethnoveterinary study in the Northeastern coastal region of Odisha, India

Compared to other coastal regions of India, research on the quantitative approach of ethnoveterinary useful plants is still scarce in the northeastern coastal region of Odisha. To fill this knowledge gap, here we investigated the use value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL %) of medicinal plants, used for veterinary purposes. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 63 individuals to collect essential ethnoveterinary information. A total of 52 plant species belonging to 51 genera of 36 families were recorded to cure 12 different livestock aliment categories. Among all the plant parts, the indigenous community primarily uses leaves for preparing remedies instead of underground parts of plants, to minimize the disturbance of the natural habitat and population of plants. In our study region, oral consumption (50%), and paste (40.38%) are the common modes of consumption and formulation, respectively. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre was the most common medicinal plant used by the majority of indigenous communities having UV of 0.86. Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don. and Justicia adhatoda L. species are frequently used by the community for treating respiratory system disorders having ICF of 0.96. We identify Curcuma longa L. as a highly medicinal value for maximum treatments (wound treatment, reproductive disorder, and respiratory system disorder) having higher FL% (83.87%). Our documentation provides precious information on ethnoveterinary medicine that helps in-situ conservation of the highly medicinal plant as well as conserves traditional knowledge at both the local and national levels.

Water stress enhances triacylglycerol accumulation via different mechanisms in wild-type and transgenic high-leaf oil tobacco.

Metabolically engineered high-leaf oil plants have been developed to meet the increasing demand for plant oils. Oil production of these plants under controlled conditions is promising; however, their performance under field-like conditions with abiotic stresses remains uncertain. In this study, wild-type (WT) and high-leaf oil (HLO) transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants were exposed to moderate and sustained water stress to mimic field conditions. The effects of water stress on biomass and lipid accumulation were investigated at the physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional levels. The presence of transgenes increased leaf triacylglycerol (TAG) levels in HLO plants by upregulating endogenous genes involved in lipid biosynthesis at the expense of biomass reduction, altered leaf lipid content and profile, and a decrease in unsaturation levels of membrane lipids compared to WT plants. Moreover, the biomass penalty in HLO plants could reduce canopy transpiration, contributing to their better performance under water-limited environments. Furthermore, WT and HLO plants exhibited enhanced TAG accumulation under water stress but via different mechanisms. In WT plants, water stress induced lipid remodeling, upregulated genes encoding phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP), diacylglycerol o-acyltransferase (DGAT2), and lipid droplet-associated proteins (LDAP1), but downregulated genes encoding Gly-Asp-Ser-Leu (GDSL) lipases. In contrast, HLO plants showed increased TAG accumulation primarily through upregulation of OLEOSINS and downregulation of GDSLs under water stress. In conclusion, moderate water stress promoted oil production in HLO plants, demonstrating the robustness of HLO technology for sustainable oil production in the field under water deficit conditions which may be more prevalent in the future due to climate change.

Physiological and Biochemical Mechanisms of Aoria nigripes (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) Adaption to Flavonoid-Rich Plant Nekemias grossedentata.

This study aimed to explore the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of the interaction between N. grossedentata and A. nigripes. First, specimens were categorized into low- (6.16% ± 0.66%), medium- (9.23% ± 1.19%), and high-content groups (21.23% ± 1.23%) based on the initial dihydromyricetin concentration in N. grossedentata. Subsequently, we assessed the variations in total flavonoids, dihydromyricetin, myricitrin, and myricetin in plants 24, 48, and 72 h post-feeding. Concurrently, we analyzed the impact of plant leaf consumption on the detoxifying [glutathione S-transferase (GST), carboxylesterase (CarE), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), and cytochrome P450 (CYP450)] and protective enzyme [superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT)] activities in A. nigripes, along with its metabolic processes. The results demonstrated that N. grossedentata enhanced its secondary metabolites, particularly dihydromyricetin, as a defensive response to insect-induced stress. A. nigripes utilized its detoxification and protective enzyme systems to mitigate the effects of high flavonoid levels in the host plant, with particular emphasis on the roles of detoxification enzymes (GST, AchE, CYP450, and CarE) in detoxification metabolism, which showed significant correlation (p < 0.01) with dihydromyricetin, exhibiting correlation coefficients of 0.689, 0.633, 0.579, and 0.561, respectively. Additionally, key flavonoids in N. grossedentata were observed to accumulate with different degrees during digestion and metabolism in insects. These findings lay a theoretical foundation for the further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of A. nigripes adaptation to a flavonoid-rich plant N. grossedentata and inform the development of novel pest control strategies and the selection of resistant plant varieties.

Determination of some heavy metals concentrations in green and yellow wheat crops from Iraqi fields: a comparative analysis of heavy metal accumulation.

Wheat is a crucial staple crop in Iraq, essential for food security. However, heavy metal contamination from sources like irrigation water and fertilizers can pose risks to both plant health and human consumption. This study compares heavy metal levels in green and yellow wheat plants, in five agricultural regions in Iraq: Baghdad, Kirkuk, Salah Al-Din, Al Anbar, and Basra, addressing a gap in research specific to Iraqi wheat and its safety. The research analyzed six heavy metals-iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb)-in different plant parts using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Green plants generally had higher levels of essential metals, while yellow plants, indicative of iron deficiency, accumulated more toxic metals like Cd and Pb. Notably, all cereal samples (the edible part) exceeded the FAO/WHO cadmium limit of 0.02 mg/kg, and some exceeded the lead limit of 0.03 mg/kg, suggesting potential health risks, especially for children. Despite no acute risk, the study emphasizes the need for long-term monitoring to manage contamination. Green wheat is recommended for food due to its lower toxic metal content, while yellow wheat could be used for phytoremediation to clean up contaminated soils. This aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger) and 3 (Good Health), providing data for agricultural and health policies.

Divergence of Two Diospyros Species Promoted by Geo‐Climatic Processes Across Dry Valleys and Lowlands in Subtropical China

ABSTRACTAimExploring the divergence and speciation processes is central to understanding the origin and maintenance of biodiversity. The dry valley mosaic in the Hengduan Mountains and its southern extension range is one of the special landscapes globally and harbours a high level of endemic plants of tropical margin nature. The dry valleys and lowlands‐adapted plants constitute a unique system to explore how the geological and ecological effects have shaped the speciation processes here.LocationSubtropical China.TaxonDiospyros dumetorum and Diospyros saxatilis.MethodsWe surveyed patterns of genetic variation from 33 populations spanning their distribution ranges using three chloroplast DNA fragments and eight nuclear microsatellite loci. Approximate Bayesian computation was conducted to compare population demographic models considering gene flow and to estimate key parameters. We used Ecological Niche Models (ENMs) to reconstruct changes in range distribution during glacial and interglacial periods and evaluate their niche differentiation.ResultsPlastid and nuclear data strongly support divergence between the two species occurring during the Pliocene/Pleistocene period followed by secondary contact in response to climatic oscillations. ENMs predicted drastic distribution range changes during the Quaternary and identified significant differences in climatic conditions at the set of locations occupied by these two species. Correlation analyses were conducted, and the results suggest that geographical isolation rather than environmental heterogeneity shapes the current population genetic structure within the two species.Main ConclusionPhylogeographical patterns revealed in our results document that geographic vicariance associated with tectonic uplifts initiated allopatric species divergence between the two dry valleys and lowlands‐adapted Diospyros species, and niche differentiation perhaps further accelerated the speciation processes with limited subsequent gene flow. Our findings could contribute to the knowledge of forces that drive speciation processes in the unique landscape of dry valleys, as well as the evolution of the flora in subtropical China.