Vigorous Growth Research Articles

Эффект синергизма для управления посевными качествами семян люцерны изменчивой с элементами нейросети для контроля дозы УФО

The article presents studies to identify the greatest synergy effect for managing the sowing qualities of alfalfa seeds of variable Victoria with the use of neural network elements to control the dose of ultraviolet irradiation. The synergistic effect occurs when the seeds are simultaneously exposed first to ultraviolet radiation and then to a silicon-containing preparation of nanosilicon, or first to treatment with a preparation of NanoSilicon, and then to ultraviolet radiation. In both cases, changes in the sowing qualities of seeds were observed. The seeds were irradiated on a mobile LED UV irradiation unit using end-to-end digital energy-saving technologies with neural network elements to control the dose of UFOs with a VEML6070 digital sensor from the manufacturer Vishay Semiconductors. The TKS– ABC device measured the energy illumination of UV LEDs at a height of 70 mm, which showed that UV-A radiation is 95.67% at an average energy illumination of 3.137 W/m2, UV-B radiation is 3.41% at 0.112 W/m2 and UV-C radiation is 0.91% at 0.030 W/m2. The conducted studies have revealed that the greatest synergistic effect for managing the sowing qualities of alfalfa seeds occurs when alfalfa seeds are treated first with a nanosilicon preparation, and then with UFOs. As a result of the management of the sowing qualities of alfalfa seeds, which is involved in the implementation of the proposed sequence of pre-sowing seed treatment, an increase in laboratory germination was obtained by 6% at HCR05 – 4%; the length of the sprout up to 2.4 cm and the root up to 1.5 cm; the degree of development of seedlings up to 3.0 points and growth strength up to 29.8%. Keywords: ALFALFA VARIABLE, LABORATORY GERMINATION, DEGREE OF SEEDLING DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH VIGOR, SYNERGISM, ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION DOSE, DIGITAL CONTROL SYSTEMS

Impacts of climate change on winter wheat net primary production: the regulatory role of crop management.

The Huang-Huai-Hai Plain (3HP) is the main agricultural area in China. Although climate change (CC) and crop management (CM) are considered factors affecting the winter wheat net primary production (NPP) in this region, their effects remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the relative contributions of CC and CM to winter wheat aboveground NPP (ANPP) in the 3HP and the relationships between climatic factors and ANPP using the first-order difference method from 2000 to 2020. CM had a greater influence on the ANPP of winter wheat than did CC. However, the relative contribution of CM to ANPP gradually decreased in humid and dry sub-humid regions with the development of winter wheat. Furthermore, in areas characterized by low temperatures and limited precipitation, CC became the dominant factor contributing to ANPP, indicating that varieties resilient to drought and cold should be selected in these regions. Minimum and average temperatures were the dominant factors driving spatiotemporal variations in ANPP during the early stage of winter wheat growth, whereas maximum temperature constrained growth throughout the winter wheat growth cycle. When winter wheat entered the vigorous growth stage, precipitation and solar radiation replaced temperature as the driving factors influencing winter wheat growth. The results of the present study provide guidance for optimizing winter wheat crop management in the 3HP. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Survival tactics of an endangered species Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal to arid environments.

Withania coagulans is a valuable medicinal plant with high demand, but its wild growth and local usage pose a threat to its natural habitat. This study aims to understand the plant's growth, anatomy, and physiology in different environmental conditions to aid in conservation and re-vegetation efforts. Fifteen differently adapted populations of Withania coagulans were collected from diverse ecological regions, viz., (i) along the roadside, (ii) hilly areas, (iii) barren land, and (iv) wasteland to unravel the adaptive mechanisms that are responsible for their ecological success across heterogenic environments of Punjab, Pakistan. The roadside populations had high values of photosynthetic pigments, total soluble proteins, root endodermis thickness, stem and leaf cortical thickness, and its cell area. The populations growing in hilly areas showed better growth performance such as vigorous growth and biomass production. Additionally, there was enhanced accumulation of organic osmolytes (glycine betaine and proline), chlorophyll content (chl a/b), and enlarged epidermal cells, cortical cells, vascular bundles, metaxylem vessels, and phloem region in roots. In case of stem area, epidermal thickness, cortical thickness, vascular bundle, and pith area showed improved growth. However, the barren land population showed significant increase in carotenoid contents, vascular bundle area, and metaxylem area in roots, and xylem vessels and phloem area in stems and leaves. The wasteland population surpassed the rest of the populations in having greater root dry weight, higher shoot ionic contents, increased root area, thick cortical, and vascular bundle area in roots. Likewise, cortical thickness and its cell area, and pith area in stems, whereas large vascular bundles, phloem region, and high stomatal density were recorded in leaves. Subsequently, natural populations showed the utmost behavior related to tissue organization and physiology in response to varied environmental conditions that would increase the distribution and survival of species.

Ameliorating effect of nanoparticles and seeds’ heat pre-treatment on soybean plants exposed to sea water salinity

Impairing plant growth and reducing crop production, salinity is considered as major problem in modern agriculture. The current study aimed to investigate the role of seeds' heat pretreatment at 45 °C as well as application of two different nanoparticles nanosilica (N1) and nanoselenium (N2) in reducing salinity stress in three genotypes of Egyptian commercial soybeans (Glycine max L.). Two levels of salt stress using diluted sea water (1/12 and 1/6) were tested either alone or in combination with protective treatments. Obtained results revealed that salinity caused a significant reduction in all tested physiological parameters such as germination rate and membrane stability in soybean plants. A significant reduction in mitotic index and arrest in metaphase were recorded under both tested levels of salinity. It was also revealed that chromosomal abnormalities in soybean plants were positively correlated with the applied salinity concentrations. The fragmentation effect of salinity on the nuclear DNA was investigated and confirmed using Comet assay analysis. Seeds heat pre-treatment (45 °C) and both types of nanoparticles' treatments yielded positive effects on both the salt-stressed and unstressed plants. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis for salt stress responsive marker genes revealed that most studied genes (CAT, APX, DHN2, CAB3, GMPIPL6 and GMSALT3) responded favorably to protective treatments. The modulation in gene expression pattern was associated with improving growth vigor and salinity tolerance in soybean plants. Our results suggest that seeds’ heat pretreatment and nanoparticle applications support the recovery against oxidative stresses and represent a promising strategy for alleviating salt stress in soybean genotypes.

Differences in macrophage expression in induced membranes by fixation method – Masquelet technique using a mouse's femur critical-sized bone defect model

IntroductionMasquelet's induced membrane technique (MIMT) is an emerging method for reconstructing critical-sized bone defects. However, an incomplete understanding of the underlying biological and physical processes hinders further optimization. This study investigated the effect of different bone-defect fixation methods on macrophage expression in an induced membrane using a novel mouse plate-fixed Masquelet model. MethodsMice were divided into Plate-fixed Masquelet (P-M), Intramedullary-fixed Masquelet (IM-M), Plate-fixed Control (P-C), and Back subfascial (B) groups. In the P-M and IM-M groups, a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spacer was implanted into a 3 mm bone defect, while the defect in the P-C group remained unfilled. In group B, a spacer was inserted under the back fascia to examine membrane formation caused by a simple foreign body reaction. Tissues were collected at 1, 2, and 4 weeks postoperatively. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry (CD68 and CD163: macrophage markers) were performed to assess macrophage expression within the membrane. qPCR was performed to measure the expression of CD68, CD163, and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). ResultsFour weeks post-operation, the P-M group presented with minimal callus growth, whereas the IM-M group exhibited vigorous growth. The P-M and IM-M groups displayed a tri-layered membrane structure, which is consistent with the results of previous studies. The IM-M group had significantly thicker membranes, whereas the P-M group exhibited higher expression levels of CD68, CD163, and FGF2. Group P-C showed no osteogenesis, whereas group B maintained a thin, cell-dense membrane structure. The P-M group consistently showed higher gene expression levels than the P-C and P-B groups. ConclusionThis study introduced a mouse plate fixation model for MIMT. The induced membranes could be adequately evaluated in this model. Induced membranes are formed by foreign body reactions to PMMA spacers; however, their properties are clearly different from those of simple foreign body reaction capsules and granulation tissues that infiltrate bone defects, suggesting that they are more complex tissues. The characteristics and expression of macrophages within these induced membranes varied according to the bone defect fixation method.

Overexpression of the EuFPS5 gene in Hevea brasiliensis fails to produce Eucommia rubber but affects the biosynthesis of natural rubber

The Eucommia ulmoides rubber (EuR) is a naturally occurring long-chain trans-1,4-polyisoprene with extensive applications but high production costs. Previous studies suggest that the Eucommia farnesyl diphosphate synthase 5 (EuFPS5) alone is capable of catalyzing the biosynthesis of EuR. As the most high-yielding cis-polyisoprene-producing plant species with a cost-effective latex harvesting system, Hevea brasiliensis exhibits the potential to produce EuR at a lower cost. Via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, this study generated a transgenic Hevea line overexpressing EuFPS5 (EuFPS5oe). The EuFPS5oe Hevea plants exhibited slightly wrinkled leaves, but no significant difference in growth vigor compared to the wild type control (WT). 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses indicated that the rubber of 1-year-old EuFPS5oe plants was identical to that of WT, suggesting that EuFPS5 alone is not sufficient to catalyze the biosynthesis of EuR in Hevea. However, compared to the WT, EuFPS5oe plants showed significantly increased rubber content in the leaves, while the rubber molecular weight in the latex decreased. LC-MS/MS analysis showed that the EuFPS5oe latex contained a comparable level of IPP, but a significantly higher level of FPP than the WT. Taken together, our study suggests a role for EuFPS5 in the biosynthesis of FPP in Hevea, provides in vivo evidence that under limited IPP supply, higher FPP level increases rubber production but decreases rubber molecular weight, and thus lays a foundation for future genetic improvement of natural rubber production in Hevea brasiliensis.

Influence of autumn plant condition on cold hardiness of winter cereal crops at different sowing dates

Research on the influence of autumn plant condition as a factor affecting the cold hardiness of winter wheat, rye, and triticale was conducted at the Siberian Scientific Research Institute of Plant Growing and Breeding, a branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, SB RAS, from 2018 to 2021. Morphological indicators of pre-winter plant condition in cereal crops (plant height, number of tillering shoots, and green mass) are primarily associated with the sowing date (contributing to 54.68–85.86%) and genotypic characteristics of winter crops (contributing to 3.63–22.81%). The best morphological indicators were observed with the first sowing date, which decreased by the third sowing date. Over the research period, more vigorous growth, the formation of tillering shoots, and the development of green mass were observed in winter rye compared to triticale and wheat, regardless of the sowing date. In addition to morphological changes in plants, biochemical changes were also observed (sugar content in the tillering node). The accumulation of sugars was influenced by the meteorological conditions of the year (contributing to 30.36%) and determined by the biological characteristics of the crop (contributing to 18.69%). High sugar content in the node of tillering of rye was found in 2020 - 34.3–43.4%, in wheat - 22.8–32.5%, and in triticale - 28.4–37.3%, which can be explained by excellent vegetative conditions promoting the accumulation of more sugars in the node of tillering of plants. At different sowing dates, high sugar content was observed in winter rye: in the first - 36.5%, the second - 26.8%, and the third - 31.3%. Triticale exceeded winter rye in sugar content in the second - 29.5% and third sowing date - 33.0%. Winter rye exhibited high morphological and biochemical indicators in autumn, contributing to its high cold hardiness (80–100%) at different sowing dates. A positive correlation was established with plant height and tillering coefficient (r =0.90*–0.91*), indicating increased cold hardiness with these traits. Wheat and triticale significantly lagged behind rye due to their lower resistance to extreme negative temperatures compared to rye. It was found that an increase in linear growth promotes increased cold hardiness, the formation of tillering shoots, and the amount of sugars in the node of tillering (r =0.34…0.93*) in wheat and the maximum height and number of tillering shoots (r =0.84*…0.94*) in triticale in the autumn period.

Relationship between laboratory and field assessments of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed quality indicators

The objective of this study was to extend the measure of seed quality beyond seed germination using three common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris. L) cultivars. Under laboratory conditions, total seed germination was included in calculation of other seed performance measures, mean germination rate and germination vigour index. These parameters were used to produce a new parameter, total potential value for germination. The laboratory measures were duplicated under field conditions over two seasons to produce comparable data for seedling emergence, mean emergence rate and emergence vigour index. Consequently, total potential value for emergence was derived. The crop was grown under field conditions at three seeding rates (177 000 plants ha-1, 150 000 plants ha-1 and 115 000 plants ha-1). Prediction of seed performance under field conditions was extended by measuring plant size from the first trifoliate to initiation of reproductive stage. During this period, new measures comparable to those of laboratory seed vigour and emergence vigour were derived on the basis of vegetative growth vigour, resulting in total potential value of plant growth. The study revealed that germination and plant growth can be correlated using vigour indices.

Brassinosteroids as promoters of seedling growth and antioxidant activity under heavy metal zinc stress in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.).

The escalation of harmful pollutants, including heavy metals, due to industrialization and urbanization has become a global concern. To mitigate the negative impacts of heavy metal stress on germination and early plant development, growth regulators have been employed. This study aimed to evaluate the response of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) to zinc stress in the presence of brassinosteroids, focusing on seedling growth and antioxidant potential. Mung bean seedlings were treated with three concentrations of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 PPM) with or without zinc. Results demonstrated that the application of brassinosteroids, combined with zinc stress, significantly enhanced germination percentage (about 47.06, 63.64, and 120%), speed of germination (about 39.13, 50, and 100%), seedling growth (about 38% in case of treatment combined 0.4 PPM 24-EBL and 1.5 mM ZnSO4) and seedling vigor index (204% in case of treatment combined 0.4 PPM 24-EBL and 1.5 mM ZnSO4) compared to zinc-treated seedlings alone after 24 h. The activities of antioxidative enzymes (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase) and total soluble protein content decreased, while lipid peroxidation and proline content exhibited a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to the control. However, the negative effects induced by heavy metal stress on these parameters were significantly mitigated by EBL application. Notably, the most effective concentration of EBL in overcoming zinc stress was found to be 0.4 PPM. These findings underscore the potential of exogenously applied brassinosteroids as a valuable tool in phytoremediation projects by ameliorating heavy metal stress.

Effect of seed size and pod position of clove (Syzigium aromaticum) to seed viability

Cloves are commonly propagated generatively using true seed. One of the factors causing the lack of qualified clove seeds is farmers^ low awareness of using high-quality seeds. Farmers usually do not produce seeds- in particular, they obtain seeds from their trees without exclusively separating trees for making seeds and flowers. The seeds are randomly harvested from all the flowers without considering the pod position and size. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pod position and size on clove seed viability. The research was conducted at the Glass House of Indonesian Spices and Medicinal Crops Research Institute, Indonesia, from August to December 2018. The study was arranged in a completely randomized design with two factors. The first factor was the seed size: large (≥ 0.9 g) and small (< 0.9 g). The second factor was pod position : (a) the pods exposed to the morning sun, (b) the pods exposed to the afternoon sun, and (c) the pods’ unexposed sun (hidden). The pods originated from selected mother trees from Kayu Aro, West Sumatra. The results showed that seed size ≥ 0.9 g and pods exposed to the morning sun had higher viability, as indicated by the high seed growth rate, vigor, and better plant growth than other treatments.

Биоэкологическая характеристика уникальных природных и искусственных популяций дуба на полупустынных ландшафтах Волгоградской области

Биоэкологическая характеристика уникальных природных и искусственных популяций дуба на полупустынных ландшафтах Волгоградской области

Herbaceous angiosperms, pteridophytes and shrubs cocktail for rapid ground cover for soil and water bioengineering in the Caribbean

Among the Nature-based Solutions currently spreading worldwide, soil and water bioengineering techniques, are used to stabilize hill slopes, earth embankment, and riverbanks. They consist in the use of living plants, sometimes coupled with dead materials, to control erosion and restore ecosystems.These approaches remain to be adapted to Neotropics and particularly to the Caribbean Islands biodiversity hotspot. The success of soil and water bioengineering designs depends on the selection of suitable native plant species and considering the hydrodynamic and geotechnical processes. In the Caribbean, data are available concerning woody species but are still lacking for the other constitutive components of riparian plant communities. The objective of this study was to identify the riparian forest understory species best suited for use in SWBE at their establishment phase. In a three-month ex situ experiment, we measured the survival rate, biomass production and root growth of propagules (cuttings and bulbils) of eleven native Caribbean species (5 herbs, 4 pteridophytes, 2 shrubs) occurring naturally in a variety of riparian environments. All the herb and shrub species studied displayed growth vigour adequate for a successful inclusion in soil and water bioengineering techniques. Among herbs, Commelina diffusa, Hymenachne amplexicaulis and Sphagneticola trilobata performed the best. Gynerium sagittatum and Dieffenbachia seguine, despite their slower growth and root development, remain suitable. Regarding the two shrubs, Ludwigia octovalvis gave better results than Clidemia hirta. Among the pteridophytes, Adiantum latifolium, Thelypteris reticulata and particularly Lycopodium cernuum appeared poorly suited to soil and water bioengineering. Acrostichum danaeifolium was the best-performing pteridophyte. These first experimental results focusing on the propagation and establishment of native herbs, pteridophytes and shrubs, allowed to identify a diversity of species of interest as cuttings for soil and water bioengineering and practical clues for their use in the Neotropics.

Identifying high-performing seedling teas in Passara, Sri Lanka

Tea is a shade-loving plant and is propagated either by seeds or cuttings. The seedling teas exhibit the ability to endure prolonged droughts while still achieving vigorous shoot growth. This study aimed to identify high-performing seedling teas in Passara where drought is a key determinant of tea yield. Twenty-one high-performing seedlings and six extensively-used vegetatively propagated tea cultivars from three randomly selected tea estates in Passara were compared morphologically based on shoot density, banji shoots, shoot weight, internodal length, length, and width of the mature leaf. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Minitab (version 17) software. The findings demonstrated a significant difference among tea bushes considering selected morphological traits at a 5% significance level. Clustering analysis of Gonakele estate grouped GS4 with TRI 2025, GS2, and GS3 with TRI 2043. VS1 and VS3 seedlings from Varellapathna estate were clustered with TRI 2023 and CY9, respectively. Hopton estate seedlings did not cluster with vegetatively propagated cultivars. Therefore, GS2, GS3, GS4 from Gonakale, and VS1, and VS3 from Varellapathna were selected as mother bushes. Thus, the findings unveil distinct clusters of high-performing seedling teas from various estates, providing insights into potential candidates for maintaining genetic diversity in tea plantations.

A Review on Impact of Different Nitrogen Management Techniques on Maize (Zea mays L.) Crop Performance

Nitrogen (N), as a primary nutrient requirement of maize (Zea mays L.), plays a critical role in its development and productivity. Proper nitrogen management practices involve a delicate balance between providing an adequate amount of this nutrient and mitigating potential environmental impacts. When implemented effectively, these practices can significantly improve corn production. An adequate nitrogen supply promotes vigorous vegetative growth, contributing to strong stalks and an abundance of leaves, which are essential for maximizing the plant's photosynthetic capacity. This lush foliage, in turn, leads to increased photosynthesis and carbohydrate production, providing the energy maize needs throughout the reproductive stage to develop and fill its kernels. In addition, nitrogen is closely linked to kernel development. Well-timed and dosed nitrogen applications can result in larger, well-filled ears with plump kernels, ultimately increasing both the quantity and quality of the maize yield. Environmental considerations, such as reducing nitrogen runoff and greenhouse gas emissions, are important for maintaining ecosystems and mitigating climate change. Thus, this review article highlights the need for a holistic approach to nitrogen management, combining innovative techniques with sustainable agricultural practices, to ensure food security and environmental conservation in maize production systems.

Association analysis of agronomic traits and construction of genetic networks by resequencing of 306 sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) lines

Due to the relatively brief domestication history of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris), our understanding of the genomic diversity and functional genes in its cultivars is limited, resulting in slow breeding progress. To address this issue, a total of 306 germplasm materials of major cultivars and breeding lines from China, the USA, and Europe were selected for genome resequencing. We investigated population structure and genetic diversity and performed selective scanning of genomic regions, identifying six novel genes associated with important agronomic traits: the candidate genes DFAX2 and P5CS for skin roughness; the candidate genes FRO5, GL24, and PPR91 for root yield and sugar yield, and the pleiotropic candidate gene POLX for flourishing growth vigour, plant height, crown size, flesh coarseness, and sugar yield. In addition, we constructed a protein–protein interaction network map and a phenotype-gene network map, which provide valuable information for identifying and characterizing functional genes affecting agronomic traits in sugar beet. Overall, our study sheds light on the future improvement of sugar beet agronomic traits at the molecular level.

MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS FOR MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS OF AMARANTHUS VIRIDIS

Amaranthus viridis, a weed found in upland rice farming poses a threat, to crop plants because it competes for vital resources like water, minerals, and nutrients. This competition leads to decreases in crop yield. To tackle this issue a designed study was conducted to examine the characteristics of Amaranthus viridis in three different locations with distinct environments. The results showed a meaningful connection between traits such as dry weight, fresh weight, plant height, leaf area, leaf width, leaf length and root length. Interestingly the width of the plant leaves was found impact on its height. Additionally, location two was identified as an environment for the vigorous growth and development of Amaranthus viridis plants. To effectively minimize losses, in crop yield caused by this weed it is strongly recommended to remove or control Amaranthus viridis populations. This study underscores the importance of population management strategies.

The Effect of the Taro Corm Type and Storage on Morphophysiological Deterioration and Early Growth in the Field

Corm type correlates with corm size, which affects longevity and early growth in the field. Seed storage after harvesting is important to preserve viability and vigor. This study was conducted to determine the correlation between the corm type and storage period on corm deterioration, storage, vigor, and growth in the field. A factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was arranged, with the corm size (i.e., corm and cormels) and the storage period (i.e., 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks). Corms undergo color changes faster than cormels do. The weight and diameter decreased by more than 10–30% after 4 weeks, while the length decreased by more than 10% after 6 weeks, and even the hardness decreased by 50% compared to that at 0 weeks. Corms were stored for 6 weeks, when the weight loss was lower than that of cormels. The corm sprouted after 2 weeks of storage. Corm resulted in a higher sprouting percentage than cormels. The corm type did not have a significant effect on growth vigor, but corm resulted in higher growth vigor than cormels after storage. The storage period leads to growth vigor loss. Weight, length, and diameter loss were positively correlated with sprouting and negatively correlated with hardness and growth vigor. This research recommends that the storage period of taro tubers before planting should be less than six weeks to optimize growth in the field.

Fertiliser supplementation with a biostimulant complex of fish hydrolysate, Aloe vera extract, and kelp alters cannabis root architecture to enhance nutrient uptake

Biostimulants are non-nutritive fertiliser additives which have demonstrated improvements to growth outputs of various agricultural crops. As a result, they have gained attention as sustainable components in cultivation practices, particularly in the rapidly emerging cannabis spheres, including medicinal and industrial cannabis cultivation. One point of focus to cannabis cultivators is the plant's efficiency of nutrient utilisation, attributed to the growth vigour and activity of roots. Despite the interest in this topic, due to the concealment of plant roots within substrates, exploration of plant roots is generally challenging and as such has hampered understanding of the impacts of biostimulants to plant root activity and associated nutrient utilisation efficiency. This project aimed to characterise the impacts and modes of action of the biostimulants kelp, Aloe vera extract, and fish hydrolysate to cannabis growth through exploration of their impacts individually, and as a biostimulant complex (BC). To overcome the limitations of root analyses, substrate-free hydroponic growth systems such as aeroponics, deep water culture (DWC), and the Root-TRAPR system were utilized. These systems allowed for the measurement of changes in root architecture and nutrient utilisation induced by the biostimulants. The results demonstrated that application of BC significantly enhanced root development, as indicated by increased root branching (P = 0.038) and increased total length (P = 0.046). In addition, BC treatment resulted in significant increases in the uptake of phosphorous (P = 0.038) and potassium (P = 0.040) by the plant. Metabolite and phytohormone profiling revealed that kelp and Aloe vera extract induced general plant stress-response mechanisms, whilst fish hydrolysate induced mechanisms associated with the plant pathogen defence response. However, when applied together as BC, the induced molecular mechanisms were associated with phosphorous deficiency without induction of general stress response mechanisms, potentially driving the increased uptake of phosphorous observed. These novel characterisations of biostimulant mechanisms and efficacies provide valuable insights to establishing optimised usage of biostimulants within cannabis cultivation, leading to increased production efficiency through sustainable practises.

Hormonal involvement in boosting the vegetative vigour underlying caffeine-related improvements in lentil production

Previous studies have shown that caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) has some potential for its use as a biostimulant ingredient for boosting lentil production at suboptimal temperatures. However, some limitations to its use include its potential side effects as an emerging contaminant and the current lack of knowledge of its mechanism of action. Here, we aimed to study the mechanisms underlying improved lentil production upon caffeine application. Greenhouse-grown plants treated with caffeine (at 10-5 M, 10-4 M, and 10-3 M) were compared to an untreated, control treatment, and both reproductive and vegetative vigour were evaluated in parallel with endogenous foliar concentrations of phytohormones, including both stress and growth-related hormones. Results showed an enhanced lentil production at the highest caffeine concentration (10-3 M) which might be attributed, at least in part, to a greater vegetative vigour. The hormonal profiling revealed a dual effect. Firstly, there was a specific increase in jasmonoyl-isoleucine (JA-Ile) in the short term, which may provide a priming effect. Secondly, abscisic acid (ABA) content kept at low levels and the active cytokinin (CK) isopentenyl adenine (2-iP) increased and persisted at high levels throughout the reproductive stage. Cytokinin-mediated effects on growth, and more specifically the high CK/ABA ratios in leaves, appeared to mediate caffeine-related effects in boosting vegetative vigour. In conclusion, caffeine emerges as a compelling alkaloid for integration into biostimulant formulations due to its favorable effect in boosting lentil production through an improvement of vegetative vigour. These outcomes appear to be modulated by phytohormones, most notably jasmonates, priming plants for improved performance under suboptimal temperatures, and cytokinins, alongside ABA and its associated ratios, collectively enhancing plant growth and reproductive vigour in challenging conditions.

Geographical provenance variation of growth and wood properties of 18-year-old Schima superba.

We analyzed the variation patterns of growth and wood properties of 24 different provenances of 18-year-old Schima superba in Jian'ou, Fujian Province. A total of 11 growth and wood indices were measured, including tree height, diameter at breast height, wood basic density and anatomical structure. We analyzed the geographical variation patterns of growth and wood properties, and the provenance areas were divided. Further, the excellent timber provenances were selected according to different uses. The results showed that the variation of growth traits, which was 17.6%-27.3% with mean value of 22.4%, was larger than that of wood properties (7.0%-21.0%, mean 12.7%). Growth properties and some wood properties (fiber length, fiber lumen diameter and fiber cell wall thickness) had significant differences among provenances. Growth traits were not correlated with fiber traits, and they could be selected independently without emphasis on other traits. There was significant correlation between the longitudinal and radial growth indicators of wood properties, but they were not correlated with the wood basic density, which could be selected independently. In addition, the growth and wood properties were significantly influenced by temperature and precipitation, which showed a latitudinal variation pattern. According to Q-type clustering analysis, 24 provenances could be divided into four categories, of which southern provenances from distribution area of S. superba had vigorous growth and supper wood properties. They had smaller microfibril angle, higher maturity, longer fiber length, and thicker fiber cell wall. Finally, five excellent provenances were selected according to pulpwood and building use.