The photon spectrum (light quality) can regulate growth and quality characteristics of young plants, but responses of culinary herb transplants are not well described. Blue light (400 to 499 nm) generally inhibits extension growth while far-red radiation (700 to 750 nm) promotes stem elongation and leaf expansion. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential interaction between blue light and far-red radiation on six culinary herb species, basil ( Ocimum basilicum ), cilantro ( Coriandrum sativum ), parsley ( Petroselinum crispum ), sage ( Salvia officinalis ), mint ( Mentha spicata ), and oregano ( Oreganum vulgare ), with the goal of producing high-quality transplants with compact growth. Six sole-source lighting treatments were tested with blue photon flux densities (PFDs) of 20, 60, or 100 µmol·m −2 ·s −1 and far-red radiation of 0 or 60 µmol·m −2 ·s −1 , with red light (600 to 699 nm) added so that the total PFD was 210 µmol·m −2 ·s −1 in all treatments. Seeds were sown in 72-cell trays at a constant 23 °C under a 16-h photoperiod and grown for 28 to 44 days until harvest. Far-red radiation increased stem length in all species, while blue light up to 60 µmol·m −2 ·s −1 inhibited stem elongation. Interestingly, the promotive effects of far-red radiation on stem length increased as the B PFD increased in basil and cilantro, but the opposite occurred in sage. In all herbs except oregano, far-red radiation decreased the root dry-mass fraction and increased the leaf area ratio. Blue light generally decreased shoot dry mass, while far-red radiation had the opposite effect. However, by increasing shoot growth disproportionally to root growth, far-red radiation decreased the quality of the transplants. We conclude that blue light and far-red radiation interact, sometimes in contrasting ways across species, to regulate stem length, leaf area, and biomass accumulation. The species-specific responses to the photon spectrum indicate that while far-red radiation is generally a growth promoter, it can negatively affect transplant quality, and in some species, its effect depends on the B PFD.

Prediction of wheat stem biomass using a new unified model driven by phenological variable under remote-sensed canopy vegetation index constraints

Fungal communities play crucial roles in plant development and metabolite accumulation, especially in fully mycoheterotrophic medicinal plants like Gastrodia elata. While the importance of fungal symbiosis in G. elata is recognized, how fungal community dynamics evolve across its entire growth cycle and how they influence biomass and bioactive compound accumulation remain largely unclear. High-throughput sequencing combined with multi-omics analyses revealed that developmental progression significantly shapes fungal diversity and composition, thereby influencing biomass and metabolite accumulation in G. elata. These effects are mediated by stage-specific selective recruitment and dynamic remodeling of fungal communities in both rhizome and rhizosphere compartments. Structural equation modeling indicated that developmental stage, fungal α-diversity, and community structure exert both direct and indirect effects on biomass and the accumulation of bioactive compounds. High-resolution association network analyses further identified key functional fungal groups, particularly wood and soil saprotrophs, as major contributors to seed stem biomass regulation. Notably, the symbiotic fungus Armillaria showed the strongest positive correlation with gastrodin accumulation, while wood saprotrophs and plant pathogens also significantly influenced its levels. This study systematically elucidates the dynamic changes in fungal communities across different developmental stages of G. elata and their effects on biomass and bioactive metabolite accumulation. Our findings highlight the central role of microbe-plant-metabolite interactions in regulating biomass and bioactive metabolite production, offering valuable insight for optimizing the cultivation and quality of medicinal plants through microbiome-targeted strategies.

Abstract Carbon sequestration is an important management objective in China’s plantation forests, which are the most extensive in the world. Planning of plantation management often employs simulators that use either tree- or stand-level models. The use of individual-tree models is increasing in Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China, as these models enable flexible analyses of different stand structures, species compositions, and cutting types. So far, management optimization with individual-tree simulators has considered only the carbon storage of living tree biomass. This study proposed a method for expanding the simulators to accommodate the carbon storage of dead organic materials (DOM) and wood products. A dead tree is transferred to the dead-tree list, and a cut tree is transferred to the harvested tree list. Each new dead tree is characterized by the biomass of stem, branches, foliage, and roots, and the annual decomposition rate of each biomass component. A harvested tree is partitioned into harvest residue and wood product components. A residue component obtains biomass and the annual decomposition rate, and a wood product component obtains biomass and the yearly product disposal rate. From these lists, the remaining biomass of any DOM or product category can be easily computed for any future year. The method can be used in any country. In the example analyses conducted for Chinese larch ( Larix gmelinii ) plantations, the live tree carbon stock accounted for 75–80% of the total carbon storage, and wood products accounted for a maximum of 10–12%. Increasing the importance of carbon storage decreased cutting and led to longer rotations. Maximizing carbon storage as the sole objective resulted in very low harvest and long rotations (> 200 years).

Aim of study: To compare the productivity, nutrient content and carbon stock with the reforestation of native trees Cordia gerascanthus and Cariniana pyriformis in an agricultural area abandoned. In Colombia, these species are commonly known as móncoro and abarco, respectively. Area of study: Pure forest of native species planted in the Andean region of Colombia with a typical tropical rainforest climate and naturally low-fertility soils. Material and methods: After eight years of planting, the stem volume was evaluated in 27 trees per species using the Smalian formula. These data were used to develop allometric equations for stem volume. To estimate the nutrient and carbon content of the stem, a representative tree of each species was felled, and soil samples were collected up to 40 cm deep. Main results: The two species showed similar survival, basal area and stem carbon stock, but for abarco the stem volume (62.0 m3 ha-1) and stem biomass (35.2 Mg ha-1) were two and 0.4 times higher (p < 0.05), respectively The zinc (41%), copper (128%), and Mg (+400) contents accumulated significantly more (p < 0.05) in the stem of móncoro. The nonlinear models of Spurr (R2= 0.94) and Schumacher-Hall (R2= 0.93) showed the highest accuracy for estimating volume. In the soil, the carbon content of both species averaged 69.3 Mg ha-1 (p > 0.05). Research highlights: The abarco shows higher commercial productivity than the móncoro. These results provide a baseline for understanding growth performance, but further studies involving reference sites or control plots are needed to evaluate the overall results of reforestation.

Fusarium spp. cause devastating crop diseases and produce carcinogenic mycotoxins such as fumonisins, threatening global food safety and human health. In this study, Trichoderma longibrachiatum A25011, isolated from apples in Aksu, Xinjiang, exhibited significant antagonistic activity with mycelial growth inhibition rates of 54.52% against F. verticillioides 48.62% against F. proliferatum, and 58.22% against F. oxysporum in confrontation assays. Enzyme activity detection revealed high chitinase (583.21 U/mg protein) and moderate cellulase (43.92 U/mg protein) production, which may have the capacity to degrade fungal cell walls. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analyses enabled the quantification of fungal hormones including gibberellin A3 (GA3, 2.44 mg/L), cytokinins (cis-zeatin riboside (CZR): 0.69 mg/L; trans-zeatin riboside (TZR): 0.004 mg/L; kinetin: 0.006 mg/L), and auxins (indole-3-acetic acid (IAA): 0.35 mg/L; abscisic acid: 0.06 mg/L). Application of a T. longibrachiatum A25011 spore suspension around the roots of peanut plants enhanced growth by 13.20% (height), 5.65% (stem and leaf biomass), and 39.13% (root biomass). Notably, A25011 reduced F. proliferatum-derived fumonisin accumulation in rice-based cultures by 93.58% (6 d) and 99.35% (10 d), suggesting biosynthetic suppression. The results demonstrated that T. longibrachiatum strain A25011 exhibited excellent biocontrol capability against Fusarium spp., proving its dual role in simultaneously suppressing fungal growth and fumonisin accumulation while promoting plant growth. T. longibrachiatum A25011 could be applied as a multifunctional biocontrol agent in sustainable agriculture in the future.

Tomato seedling production for grafting faces significant challenges in growth management during summer because of high air temperatures (HTs) in greenhouses. This study evaluated the effects of daytime HTs on key grafting-related morphological traits of tomato scions and rootstocks and interpreted their responses using multiple quality indices and thermal time-based modeling. Growth chambers simulated midsummer greenhouse conditions by maintaining temperatures at 35/20 °C (photo-/dark periods) as HTs and 25/20 °C as normal air temperature (NTs). Light conditions were set at a photosynthetic photon flux density of 250 μmol·m −2 ·s −1 with a photoperiod of 12 h·d −1 under warm-white light-emitting diodes. Seedlings with expanded cotyledons were exposed to HTs for 0, 2, 4, 8, or 10 days and then transferred to NTs for the remainder of 10 days. The HT exposure promoted stem elongation, while stem thickening and leaf expansion showed no significant differences among treatments, consistent with thermomorphogenetic responses. Prolonged HT exposure induced excessive elongation and unbalanced biomass distribution, thus reducing seedling quality, whereas short-term HT exposure at early stages promoted the balance between leaf and stem growth and biomass, resulting in improved seedling quality. Key grafting parameters obtained via noninvasive imaging, including epicotyl length and diameter, hypocotyl length and diameter, and leaf area index, followed a sigmoidal pattern with thermal time. In addition, leaf pigment composition changed and intumescence incidence showed cultivar-specific responses in scions, both of which are crucial for post-grafting performance. Integrating thermal time-based modeling with noninvasive imaging could improve environmental control in greenhouses during summer, support decision-making, and facilitate the timely production of seedlings with grafting-appropriate morphologies.

Achieving "remediating while producing" on arsenic contaminated soil by constructing interplanting systems based on medicinal crops and Pteris vittata L․.

Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy alternatives has become a major global challenge of the 21st century and a key element of sustainable development. Phytomass has considerable potential as a source of energy and value-added products within the circular economy. This study aimed to evaluate the quality indices of fresh whole-plant biomass harvested during the flowering period and dry stem biomass collected in early spring from the perennial energy crops cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum ‘Vital’) and giant knotweed (Polygonum sachalinense ‘Gigant’) cultivated in the experimental plots of the National Botanical Garden, Chișinău. The fresh biomass contained 289-375 g/kg DM, with 10.8-11.7% CP, 6.0-8.3% ADL, 31.6-39.3% Cel, 21.3-23.9% HC, and 8.4-11.1% ash, while the biomethane yield ranged from 270 to 310 L/kg VS. The dry stem biomass collected in early spring contained 522-563 g/kg Cel, 234-248 g/kg HC, 110-128 g/kg ADL, and 2.61-4.24% ash, with an estimated theoretical ethanol yield of 558-578 L/t VS. Densified biomass fuels, including briquettes and pellets, exhibited a high calorific value. The local cultivars of perennial energy crops Silphium perfoliatum ‘Vital’ and Polygonum sachalinense ‘Gigant’ represent versatile and promising raw materials for renewable energy production in the Republic of Moldova.

Hydroponics provides a precise cultivation system by carefully regulating nutrient supply and environmental conditions to enhance plant growth. This study observed the physiological response of cherry tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) to five concentrations of AB Mix nutrients (800–1200 ppm) in a wick hydroponic system. A completely randomized design (CRD) with five nutrient concentration levels and three replicates was used in a greenhouse. The parameters observed included plant height, as well as the fresh and dry weights of the stems, roots, and fruits. Nutrient concentration did not significantly affect the parameters during the vegetative phase, but had a noticeable effect on physiological traits during the generative phase. The highest fruit weight per plant was statistically obtained in the 900–1000 ppm concentration range, which formed the group with the highest yield and differed significantly from concentrations ≥1100 ppm. At the same time, the 800–900 ppm treatment tended to support greater stem and root biomass accumulation compared to the 1000–1200 ppm concentration. Higher nutrient concentrations (>1000 ppm) reduced physiological efficiency, possibly due to osmotic stress and nutrient imbalance. These findings emphasize the importance of phase-specific nutrient management and the use of moderate concentration ranges to optimize physiological performance and plant productivity in hydroponic systems.

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Corn is a cereal of great importance in human and animal food; which, guarantees food security and global economy. In Peru, corn is cultivated under conventional agriculture that is dependent on agrochemicals. <strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate the combined effect of different foliar doses of hydrogen peroxide and compost on the initial development of corn seedlings. <strong>Methodology:</strong> Commercial hydrogen peroxide (CHP) (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> at a concentration of 3 g 100 mL<sup>-1</sup>) and compost-C were evaluated in the treatments: T0 (control-conventional), T1 (C-2.5% CHP), T2 (C-5% CHP), T3 (C-10% CHP). The morphometric variables were: plant height (PH), root length (RL), number of leaves (NL) and stem diameter (SD) and biomass: aerial fresh weight (AFW), aerial dry weight (ADW), root fresh weight (RFW), root dry weight (RDW) at 26 and 39 DAP (days after planting), Brix grades (°B) were evaluated on the last date. <strong>Results:</strong> T2 and T3 treatments significantly improved RL and NL at 26 DAP; however, at 39 DAP, T2 increased PH, AFW, RFW, ADW, RDW and °B; and T3 increased RL. The highest positive correlation between variables was present at 39 DAP with respect to 36 DAP. <strong>Implications:</strong> The combined effect of “CHP” and “C” improves plant performance through a good distribution of organic carbon (glucids) obtained from carbon dioxide fixation and reduces fertilizer use. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Treatments T2 and T3 significantly increased the variables under study at 39 DAP. Likewise, the positive correlation between the variables improved.</p>

Accurate assessment of stand structure is fundamental for elucidating the relationship between forest structure and ecological function, which is vital for enhancing forest quality and ecosystem services. This study, conducted in a 1 hm2 plot of old-growth broadleaved-Korean pine forest in Changbai Mountain, integrated Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), precise geographic coordinates, Quantitative Structure Models (QSM), and wood density data. This methodology enabled a precise, non-destructive quantification of key structural parameters—DBH, tree height, crown overlap, stand volume, and carbon storage—and the development of species-specific allometric equations. The results demonstrated that TLS-derived DBH estimates were 99% accurate, consistent across diameter classes. The overall crown overlap rate (DBH ≥ 5 cm) was 59.1%, decreasing markedly to 26.7% and 19.2% at DBH thresholds of 20 cm and 30 cm, respectively. Allometric models based on DBH showed higher predictive accuracy for stem biomass than for branches, and for broadleaved species over conifers. Notably, conventional models overestimated stem biomass while underestimating branch biomass by 1.34–92.85%, highlighting biases from limited large-tree samples. The integrated TLS-QSM approach provides a robust alternative for accurate biomass estimation, establishing a critical foundation for large-scale, non-destructive allometric modeling. Its broader applicability, however, necessitates further validation across diverse forest ecosystems.

Estimating Biomass and Carbon Sequestration of Stem and Branches of Pinus brutia Ten. Trees in Duhok Governorate, Iraq

Magnesium nanoparticles enhance growth and reshape the rhizosphere microbial community in soybean (Glycine max L.).

Soil degradation is a major constraint to agricultural productivity in Ethiopia, particularly in highland regions where erosion, acidity, and nutrient depletion are widespread. Although biochar has shown promise in restoring soil health, its effectiveness depends heavily on feedstock type and production conditions. Rumex abyssinicus, a culturally significant and abundant Ethiopian plant, has been studied for activated carbon but not for biochar synthesis or soil rehabilitation using stem biomass. This study addresses that gap by optimizing biochar production from Rumex. abyssinicus stems using response surface methodology (RSM), and evaluating its impact on degraded soil. Pyrolysis parameters: temperature, time, heating rate, and particle size, were optimized to maximize yield, achieving 31.98% under ideal conditions. The resulting biochar exhibited high fixed carbon (78.8%), large surface area (455.1 m2/g), and favorable properties including pHpzc (9.2), WHC (5.56 g/g), and CEC (15 meq/100 g). A 100-day pot experiment using soil from Wolayta showed significant improvements in bulk density (− 49.24%), porosity (+ 81.47%), pH (+ 24.57%), and organic matter (+ 531.33%). Statistical analysis confirmed treatment effects across key parameters. These findings demonstrate that Rumex abyssinicus biochar is a viable, locally sourced amendment for degraded soils. Its use is recommended for sustainable land restoration and climate-resilient agriculture in Ethiopia.

Large-scale tree planting programs that store carbon provided by wood and non-wood products are being promoted to mitigate climate change. Assessing the biomass pool of plantations is thus an essential task in forest ecology. This study investigated biomass allocation and allometric equations for above- and belowground components along an age-sequence of Pinus tabuliformis plantations (8, 18, 32, and 46 years old) in northern Hebei Province, China. The biomass of each tree component (root, stem, branch, foliage) was quantified by destructive harvesting. Allometric equations and biomass conversion and expansion factors (BCEFs) were subsequently developed for each tree component. The mean above- and belowground biomass was 5.86, 20.05, 41.26, and 135.28 kg tree−1 and 1.73, 3.42, 11.39, and 27.30 kg tree−1 in the 8-, 18-, 32-, and 46-year-old stands, respectively. The proportion of stem biomass to total tree biomass increased from 28.7% for the 8-year-old stand to 55.8% for 46-year-old stand. In contrast, the contributions of foliage and branch decreased along the chronosequence. The root contribution to total tree biomass also showed a declining trend with stand age. Allometric models based on diameter at breast height showed a good fit (p < 0.001) and incorporating stand age as an additional variable improved the fit of allometric equations (higher R2 and lower ACI) for branch, aboveground, root, and total tree biomass. BCEFs decreased for all tree components as stand age increased. These findings indicate that changes in tree biomass allocation and allometry across stand development must be considered to improve estimates of plantation biomass and carbon stocks at regional and national scales.

The use of organo-mineral fertilizers as a method of sustaining soil fertility management strategy has drawn more attentions in the agroforestry system. Hence, this study investigated the growth and yield performance of Terminalia ivorensis A. Chev. seedlings under nursery conditions using standard methods. Results obtained from the growth parameters revealed a significance difference in stem diameter from 5-8 Weeks After Transplanting (WAT) when compared with control (no treatment), plant height shows a significant difference from 2-8 WAT while number of leaves also revealed a significant difference among the seedlings from 4-8WAT when compared with control. In contrast, total biomass results for both dry and wet weight of Terminalia ivorensis seedlings shows no significant differences but recorded highest wet leaf and root biomass of 13.17g, 10.46g for treatment CD2 (cow dung only) and stem biomass recorded 5.51g for treatments CB8 (Cow dung+ NPK) respectively. The total dry leaf and roots biomass also recorded 11.76g, 9.06g for treatments CD2 and stem dry biomass of 4.50g for treatments CB8 respectively. Conclusively, the response of organic and inorganic manure nutrients sources integration in Terminalia ivorensis seedlings reveals a long-term contribution of soil fertility, forest sustainability as well as seedling vigor.

Abstract Phytoremediation of contaminated freshwater bodies with rare earth elements (REEs) is a promising nature-based solution, but it is rarely studied. Here, we studied how efficiently willow ( Salix schwerinii: SS ) and cultivar (Klara: KL) purify water and react to three combined doses of REEs. SS and KL were subjected to increasing combined doses of REEs, specifically lanthanum (La) and neodymium (Nd), for 8 weeks in floating treatment wetlands (FTWs). The treatments included: T0 (tap water without REEs), T1 (10 µM La + 10 µM Nd), T2 (20 µM La + 20 µM Nd), and T3 (40 µM La + 40 µM Nd). The study aimed to evaluate how La and Nd affect willow growth, including height, dry biomass, and tolerance index, as well as their uptake and translocation within the roots, stems and leaves. Results showed that willow height increased over time, with significant biomass development and a noticeable allocation to stem biomass under REEs exposure. Height and biomass tolerance indices indicated that SS and KL exhibited high tolerance to REEs. The findings revealed the highest accumulation of La (25,252 μg plant −1 ) and Nd (18,252 μg plant −1 ) in the roots of SS in treatment T3. KL also showed the highest accumulation of La (16,153 μg plant −1 ) and Nd (13,209 μg plant −1 ) in roots, but in treatment T2. Moreover, SS and KL demonstrated increased translocation of La and Nd, particularly from the water solution to the roots, with minimal translocation to the leaves and stems. In SS, La and Nd removal efficiencies ranged from 56–95% and 40–74%, respectively. For KL, La removal varied from 22–90%, while Nd removal ranged from 21–68%. A considerable accumulation of nutrients such as P, K, Mg, and Ca in the willow tissues was also observed. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term removal and recovery of REEs by willow and other perennial plants, with a primary focus on environmental factors and design of FTWs which may influence the uptake and translocation of REEs in plants.

The in-planta accumulationof coproducts in crops canenhance thevalue of lignocellulosic biomass and facilitate a sustainable bioeconomy.Corn stover represents a major renewable source of lignocellulosefor the production of advanced biofuels and bioproducts. In this study,we engineered corn with a bacterial gene encoding a dehydroshikimatedehydratase (QsuB) to overproduce protocatechuate (DHBA). Transgeniccorn lines accumulate up to 2.9% DHBA on a dry weight basis in leafand stem biomass. DHBA occurs in the form of glucosides that are extractablefrom biomass using aqueous methanol as the solvent. The analysis oflignin did not show any evidence for the incorporation of DHBA; however,an increase in the lignin syringyl to guaiacyl ratio and a higherrelative abundance of p-coumarate groups comparedwith total lignin units were observed in QsuB-modified corn. Alkalinehydrolysates prepared from QsuB corn were enriched in DHBA comparedto the hydrolysates obtained from wild-type biomass, which containedmostly p-coumarate and ferulate. Using engineered Novosphingobium aromaticivorans as a production host,a 375% improvement in 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylate titers was achievedthrough biological upgrading of alkaline hydrolysates derived fromQsuB corn compared to unmodified biomass. Our data demonstrate anengineering strategy to overproduce DHBA in corn that can facilitatesustainable manufacturing of other valuable bioproducts using stoveras a feedstock.

During the present decade of ecosystem restoration, protection of forest ecosystems is perceived as among the most effective strategies for climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration along with co-benefits of diversity conservation and improving the dynamics of forest ecosystems. Present study was carried out in three differently managed forests i.e. secondary forests, reserve forests and protected area to understand how protection or lack of it influences species richness, diversity and forest structural attributes which in turn affects vegetation biomass and carbon reserves of forests. Results of the present study showed that protection of the forest ecosystems improves the vegetation parameters, biomass and carbon stock. In the present study, highest stem density (2915 ± 181 individuals/ha), basal area (37.69 ± 8.07 m2/ha), diversity (1.84 ± 0.18), biomass (131.92 ± 21.59Mg/ha) and carbon stock (65.96 ± 10.79Mg C/ha) was observed in the protected forests. In contrast lowest values for stem density (1005.8 ± 79.9 individuals/ha), basal area (16.14 ± 1.6 m2/ha), biomass (87.60 ± 11.87Mg/ha) and carbon stock (43.80 ± 5.93Mg C/ha) were observed in the secondary forests. Further, our results indicate that due to regular selective logging, reserve forests significantly lost its carbon stores as compared to the other mature forest (protected area), although diversity was not impacted. In the present study, basal area has also been found to be the most important factor for the variation of the biomass carbon in different forests. On the basis of the results of the present study, we recommend that protection of old-growth forests along with restoration of degraded forests and creation of new forests on waste lands are the best-case scenario for the long-term storage of carbon which will be helpful for combating the crisis of climate change.