Ginseng has a long cultivation period and limited seed production, thereby requiring tissue culture approaches to improve propagation efficiency. Somatic embryo (SE) induction efficiency is dependent on the carbon source concentration in the culture medium and may influence shoot formation and plant growth. In this study, the effects of sucrose concentration during SE induction were evaluated in Panax ginseng and P. quinquefolius by applying 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9
The rapid expansion of vertical farming demands highly space-efficient systems, but microclimatic heterogeneity often limits crop productivity. This study compared the growth, biomass allocation, and morphological responses of apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) cultivated in a conventional horizontal multi-tier growing system (HMGS) and a novel rotating vertical wall-mounted bi-directional growing system (RVWBGS). The RVWBGS accommodates 2.55 times more planting sites while reducing LED usage by 31.1
Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is a major disease of peaches (Prunus persica) that develops under the warm, humid conditions required for fruit production. Climate change has advanced the onset of infection and emergence of fungicide-resistant isolates and even new pathogenic strains, making chemical control increasingly difficult. Although the primary management strategy involves chemical control with fungicides, increasing concerns about the associated side effects, resistance development, and environmental safety underscore the urgency for breeding novel, durable anthracnose-resistant varieties. This study aimed to identify such genetic resources by evaluating leaf and fruit symptom intensity in 52 and 49 Korean peach cultivars, respectively. Colletotrichum fioriniae (Cfi) and C. fructicola (Cfr) were the species dominating orchards in Gyeongbuk Province. They were isolated and inoculated via the spore suspension and mycelial plug methods. Lesions were measured to assess the extent of resistance responses. The leaves and fruits of ‘Mongbaek’ were resistant to both; ‘Geumhwang’ was moderately resistant, and ‘Chiyomaru’ was susceptible. Among the genes related to disease resistance analyzed in this study, the expression of those related to reactive oxygen species was induced in the resistant variety compared to the susceptible one at 48 h after Cfi inoculation. This study selected ‘Mongbaek’ as a valuable candidate genetic resource for breeding peach cultivars resistant to anthracnose.
DOF (DNA-binding with one finger) transcription factors play important roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. In this study, a total of 73 BrDOF genes were identified in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) through genome-wide analysis, and they were classified into eight subfamilies based on their conserved domains and phylogenetic relationships. Analysis of gene structure and conserved motifs revealed that members within the same subfamily share similar gene structures and protein domains, suggesting they may have similar functions. Cis-acting element analysis identified multiple stress response and hormone signaling-related regulatory elements in the promoter regions of several BrDOF genes. RNA-seq and qPCR analysis showed significant differences in the expression patterns of BrDOF genes under salt stress conditions, with BrDOF6.2 being significantly upregulated under salt stress. To further investigate its function, we constructed transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing BrDOF6.2. The results showed that BrDOF6.2 overexpression significantly enhanced salt stress tolerance in transgenic plants, as evidenced by higher seed germination rates, longer root lengths, lower electrolyte leakage, lower Na+ accumulation and higher K+. In conclusion, this study systematically reveals the evolutionary characteristics and expression patterns of the DOF gene family in Chinese cabbage and preliminarily clarifies the positive regulatory role of BrDOF6.2 in salt stress responses, through the transcriptional activation of selected ion-homeostasis and stress-responsive genes, providing a theoretical foundation for the subsequent utilization of DOF transcription factors to improve crop stress resistance.
Leaf age is a key determinant of photosynthetic capacity, yet its role in predictive modeling under greenhouse conditions remains unresolved. In particular, the transferability of leaf age–based models across environments has not been rigorously evaluated. Here, we quantified leaf age-dependent photosynthetic dynamics in cut roses and evaluated the performance of existing models under local greenhouse conditions. Across 684 observations, net photosynthetic rate (Pn) increased rapidly after leaf expansion, peaked at 27 days, and declined toward senescence at 111–122 days. Existing models failed to reproduce these dynamics and substantially overestimated both leaf longevity and post-peak Pn. Recalibration using observed data markedly improved model performance, with the optimized model achieving adjusted R² = 0.87 and RMSE = 0.11. The recalibrated models identified a narrow window of maximal photosynthetic efficiency (18–23 days), indicating a temporally constrained phase of carbon assimilation. These results demonstrate that the relationship between leaf age and Pn is strongly dependent on environmental conditions and cannot be reliably described with fixed parameters. Incorporating environment-conditioned parameterization, supported by data-driven approaches, will be essential for improving the accuracy and applicability of photosynthesis models in greenhouse rose production.
The C. eburneum Lindl. and C. insigne Rolfe. is a native variety of China’s Hainan Province and has great beauty value. It is crucial for orchid breeding, the growth of the flower market in Hainan, and the preservation of the germplasm resources of wild orchids in Hainan to comprehend the causes of the flower color trait segregation in the F1 generation of the C. eburneum Lindl.× C. insigne Rolfe. Using broad target metabolomics technology, we examined five color traits (white sepals, yellow sepals, red sepals, red lips, and yellow lips) to investigate the differential components, metabolic pathways, and important metabolites that contribute to the flower color difference between the F1 generation of the C. eburneum and C. insigne. Out of the 1868 metabolites found, over 90 flavonoids and anthocyanins were linked to flower color. Anthocyanins and flavonoids were identified as the primary color-related metabolites in each group by pairwise comparison analysis. The findings served as a scientific guide for the development and breeding of novel orchid types as well as a theoretical foundation for the ensuing investigation into the molecular regulation of orchid color.
Autotetraploidy is widely used in citrus breeding to modify plant architecture and fruit traits, but its physiological consequences remain incompletely characterized. We compared diploid (2x) and colchicine-induced autotetraploid (4x) branches coexisting on the same trees across several citrus cultivars to assess leaf anatomy, photosynthesis, short-term water limitation, and fruit quality. Autotetraploid leaves showed increased leaf thickness, palisade mesophyll thickness, and vascular bundle size, together with enlarged but less dense stomata. Although chlorophyll index (SPAD) increased in several cultivars, net photosynthetic rate (Pₙ) declined or remained unchanged. Reduced intercellular air space likely increased internal CO₂ diffusion resistance, limiting CO₂ availability for carboxylation and contributing to reduced photosynthetic performance. Under mild water limitation, chlorophyll fluorescence responses were strongly cultivar-dependent and did not consistently indicate improved stress tolerance. Fruit traits were also variable. Although soluble solids content increased in some autotetraploids, this may partly reflect a concentration effect associated with reduced fruit size rather than enhanced sugar accumulation. Overall, autotetraploidy induced marked anatomical and physiological changes in citrus, but its effects were highly genotype-specific. Variable effects on fruit quality, including increased acidity in some cultivars, indicate that autotetraploid lines should be evaluated on a cultivar-specific basis in polyploid breeding programs.
Türkiye harbours diverse local basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) populations whose phytochemical and antioxidant properties remain incompletely characterised at panel scale. We profiled essential-oil chemotypes, fresh-versus-dried phenolics and multi-assay antioxidant capacity in 70 genotypes including 48 Turkish landraces. Genotypes were grown in a randomized complete block design at Tokat, Türkiye. Essential oils from leaves and flowers were obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed chromatographically; fresh- and dry-leaf phenolic compounds were profiled by mass spectrometry; antioxidant capacity was assessed using radical-scavenging, reducing-power and lipid-peroxidation inhibition assays. Chemotypes were defined by hierarchical cluster analysis. Essential-oil content ranged 0.20–3.80 mL · 100 g⁻¹ dry weight, averaging approximately 1.8-fold higher in flowers than leaves (1.79 vs. 1.01). Multivariate analysis identified 12 chemotypes; linalool-dominant profiles were most common. Total phenolic content varied 4.7-fold (5.85–27.33 mg gallic-acid equivalents · g⁻¹). Across 62 paired genotype means, total phenolic content correlated strongly with three Trolox-equivalent endpoint antioxidant assays (r = 0.93, 0.91 and 0.87; all p < 0.001); a separate kinetic lipid-peroxidation inhibition assay gave divergent rankings. The panel reveals substantial functional diversity within Turkish basil germplasm under Tokat field conditions; multi-environment validation, molecular characterisation and bioavailability evaluation are required before cultivar selection for specific essential-oil or antioxidant traits.
Seed germination can enhance the functional properties of plant-derived foods. However, information on changes in bioactive compounds during germination of cucurbitaceous crops remains limited. This study investigated the effects of light quality (white, blue, red, and darkness) and exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) on seedling growth and cucurbitacin accumulation during sweet pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duch. ‘Bochang’) seed germination using independent experimental designs. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed to quantify cucurbitacins B and E in different seedling organs during germination, with light conditions and GA3 treatments evaluated in independent experiments. Under the optimized analytical conditions, cucurbitacins B and E exhibited strong linearity over the tested concentration range. The limit of detection for cucurbitacins B and E was 1.15 μg/mL and 0.68 μg/mL, respectively. Cucurbitacin B content in seedlings increased progressively during germination, rising from 129.40 ± 14.87 μg g−1 DW dry weight (DW) at day 3 to 365.60 ± 29.35 μg g−1 DW at day 7, followed by a decrease to 348.00 ± 17.32 μg g−1 DW at 9 days. Cucurbitacin E was not detected in the cotyledons or hypocotyls but was exclusively present in the roots, where its concentration increased by approximately 168
Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is a safe, broad-spectrum antimicrobial that also functions as a phytopathogen elicitor. This study assessed the effects of ClO₂ on the physicochemical properties and microbial communities of vineyard soils. They were treated with varying ClO₂ concentrations: 4, 8, and 16 mg L⁻¹ and analyzed for key physicochemical parameters—pH and electrical conductivity; organic carbon; available phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—as well as microbial population. The physicochemical attributes did not change significantly, with all values falling within agronomically acceptable ranges, suggesting that ClO₂ does not negatively impact the soil environment. The bacterial population did not decline markedly, unlike fungal colonies, which were reduced remarkably (65
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production is often compromised by drought stress, resulting in significant yield and quality losses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play essential roles in regulating plant growth, development, and stress responses. In a previous study, our team obtained miRNA, transcriptome, and degradome sequencing data from drought-stressed cucumber seedlings. Using integrated analyses, we identified 17 members of the miR156 family (Csa-miR156s) and their corresponding target genes in the current study. Bioinformatic approaches were employed to characterize the Csa-miR156s, analyze their expression profiles, and investigate their regulatory relationships with target genes. Additionally, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to assess the expression of Csa-miR156s under PEG-simulated drought stress. The results indicated that the miR156 family is divided into four major branches, with the 17 members distributed across them. Fifteen Csa-miR156s were located on five cucumber chromosomes, while the remaining two were repeatedly distributed in chloroplast, mitochondrial, and scaffold sequences. The 17 mature Csa-miR156s were derived from 17 distinct precursor sequences, all of which could form stable stem-loop secondary structures. Analysis of promoter regions revealed that Csa-miR156s contained cis-acting elements associated with responses to light, hormones, or stresses, as well as biosynthesis and metabolism. Expression analyses showed differential expression patterns between Csa-miR156s and their target genes, and qPCR confirmed significant changes in Csa-miR156 expression under drought stress compared with controls. These results suggest that Csa-miR156s are likely involved in the drought stress response in cucumber, thus providing a robust theoretical foundation and offering candidate genes for the future genetic improvement of drought tolerance in cucumber.
Temporary immersion system (TIS) cultures are thought to be superior to semi-solid and liquid cultures for the in vitro regeneration of many plant species. In this study, we employed a TIS for Cymbidium ‘Snow Pearl’ plant proliferation and compared the outcomes with liquid and semi-solid cultures. When compared to semi-solid and liquid cultures, the plants grown in TIS exhibited considerably greater growth indices, including plant height, fresh weight, dry matter, leaf number, length, width, index, root number and length, and amount of chlorophyll content. The plants that had regenerated in different systems were moved to an ex vitro environment and raised in a greenhouse for four weeks. After being transplanted, the greatest percentage (100
Enoki mushrooms (Flammulina filiformis) are a major Korean horticultural export, yet recurrent Listeria-related international recalls have raised concerns about postharvest microbial safety and the adequacy of current packaging practices. Despite reported outbreaks, systematic data linking supplier-level contamination, headspace atmosphere dynamics, and non-destructive contamination indicators remain limited. This study integrated a comparative supplier survey of six commercial Korean suppliers (n = 4 per company) with a controlled transport simulation using styrofoam and corrugated cardboard packaging under cold (4 °C), heat (28 °C), and transitional (4 °C → 28 °C) conditions over 36 h, coupling PALCAM- and PCA-based microbial enumeration with thermal desorption GC-MS volatilomic profiling and headspace gas analysis. In the comparative supplier survey, presumptive Listeria spp. counts ranged from below detection to 4.39 log₁₀ CFU/g; headspace O₂ correlated positively with presumptive Listeria loads (r = 0.73, p < 0.001), although this association is observational and cannot be interpreted as causal. In the transport simulation, heat treatment in both packaging types produced the highest presumptive Listeria and total aerobic bacterial loads (up to 8.00 ± 0.64 log₁₀ CFU/g), whereas cardboard packaging under cold storage suppressed proliferation over 36 h. Volatilomic profiling revealed two distinct VOC origins: 3-octanone increased markedly under heat across both packaging types and was undetectable in pure Listeria cultures, supporting a mushroom-derived heat-stress origin via lipid peroxidation pathways, whereas acetoin and branched-chain alcohols (2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol) showed mixed mushroom and microbial origins. Limited 16 S rRNA sequencing of selected isolates supported genus-level Listeria assignment but precludes species-level risk attribution. Together, these findings support a two-tier risk framework in which supplier hygiene determines baseline contamination at retail entry, while temperature control governs proliferation kinetics during distribution; VOC profiling, particularly 3-octanone as a tentative heat-stress marker pending controlled validation, offers a complementary non-destructive tool to inform cold-chain management and packaging strategy for high-value mushroom exports. Thus, VOC profiling should complement, not replace, species-level microbiological confirmation.
Identification of key genes associated with drought tolerance in chrysanthemum and development of drought-tolerant cultivars via genetic improvement are critical for improving drought resistance and thus promoting yield potential. The TIFY gene family plays an important role in plant hormone signal transduction and stress response. In this study, the differentially expressed gene CmTIFY10A, which was highly expressed in chrysanthemum under drought stress, was identified via transcriptomic analysis. Subcellular localization and yeast transcription activity analysis revealed that CmTIFY10A is a nuclear protein and has no transcriptional self-activation activity in yeast cells. CmTIFY10A-overexpressed and CmTIFY10A-silenced (RNAi) plants were generated via the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of chrysanthemum. Further analysis revealed that the drought tolerance of chrysanthemum improved after silencing of the CmTIFY10A gene compared with that of the WT plants. Following the measurement and analysis of a series of plant physiological indicators, the contents of osmotic regulators (including proline (Pro) and soluble sugars (Ss)) were significantly increased; the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)) were markedly elevated; Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, relative electrical conductivity (REC), and hydrogen peroxide accumulation were all significantly reduced. Further investigation revealed that under drought stress, CmTIFY10A-silenced transgenic plants exhibited markedly elevated transcription levels of osmotic regulation-related genes (CmP5CS, CmMDH), along with significantly upregulated expression of antioxidant-related genes (CmCu-ZnSOD, CmCAT, CmPOD). These findings indicate that silencing CmTIFY10A exerts a positive regulatory effect on the ROS scavenging system, osmotic adjustment, and membrane protection in chrysanthemums, thereby maintaining cellular homeostasis and playing an important role in the response of chrysanthemum to drought stress.
Petal color is the key ornamental trait of Dianthus species, attracting both pollinators and human interest. Although pigment composition is widely regarded as the primary determinant of floral coloration, epidermal cell morphology may also influence color appearance by modulating light reflection and scattering. However, the interplay between epidermal structure, pigment composition, and observed color patterns of petals in Dianthus remains insufficiently characterized. In this study, 25 Dianthus germplasms were analyzed to investigate the relationship between pigment distribution pattern, epidermal cell structure, and floral color phenotype. The 25 petals were classified into four color categories, five distinct pigment distribution patterns and four types of upper epidermal cell morphologies based on clustering of quantitative colorimetric values and petal transverse structure. Correlation analyses revealed a significant association between epidermal morphology and petal coloration. Analysis of pigment composition and anthocyanin content in 11 carnation varieties revealed that flavonoids and anthocyanins are the major pigment components in carnation petals, and anthocyanins were detected exclusively in red- and pink-colored varieties. Transcriptome analysis revealed a positive correlation between the expression of DcaMYB4 and pigment accumulation. Overexpression of DcaMYB4 led to increased pigment accumulation and upregulated the expression of anthocyanin structural genes. Overall, our study provides a foundational basis for engineering multi-layered color traits in Dianthus through targeting both cellular morphology and key transcriptional regulators like DcaMYB4.
Anthriscus sylvestris, a member of the Apiaceae family, is an important medicinal plant resource, particularly valued for its lignan-rich roots, which have been widely studied for pharmaceutical applications. Although different plant parts often share common constituents, they may also contain unique metabolites that serve as alternative sources of bioactive materials. Furthermore, the composition and concentration of these metabolites can vary depending on cultivation conditions and harvest timing. In this study, the chemical profiles of the roots, leaves, and stems of A. sylvestris harvested at different harvest time were compared. Seven compounds, chlorogenic acid (1), cynaroside (2), 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3a), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3b), deoxypodophyllotoxin (4), yatein (5), and anthriscusin (6), were successively isolated. Quantitative analysis revealed that major lignans, deoxypodophyllotoxin (4) and yatein (5), were present in all plant organs, while flavonoid cynaroside (2) was exclusively detected in the leaves, and the lignan derivative anthriscusin (6) was specific to the roots. The content of these compounds varied according to both the plant organ and harvest time. Notably, level of cynaroside (2) concentration in the leaves were high during March and May but became undetectable in October. Major lignans, deoxypodophyllotoxin (4) and yatein (5), were most abundant in the roots, while their levels in the leaves and stems were comparatively lower. Collectively, these findings indicate that, in addition to roots, the leaves and stems of A. sylvestris could also serve as valuable sources of bioactive metabolites. Optimization of plant organs and harvest timing will enhance the efficient utilization of A. sylvestris in various functional and pharmaceutical applications.
Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo (D. officinale) is a precious Chinese herbal medicine. Polysaccharides are one of the most important active components of D. officinale, and they exert a profound impact on the quality of D. officinale. Our previous study found that polysaccharides synthesis can be enhanced under low phosphorus condition, and this enhancement is positively correlated with the expression of glucomannan synthase genes DoCSLAs. However, the mechanism by which DoCSLAs regulate polysaccharides synthesis, as well as the regulatory pathway of DoCSLAs in response to low phosphorus condition, remain unclear. Here, we report that two glucomannan synthase genes, DoCSLA6 and DoCSLA7, promote polysaccharides accumulation in D. officinale. The proteins of DoCSLA6 and DoCSLA7 are subcellularly localized in the cell membrane. Transient overexpression of DoCSLA6 and DoCSLA7 in D. officinale protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) not only increased the content of polysaccharides but also promoting the ratio of mannose to glucose. There were multiple W-box binding sites in the promoter of DoCSLA6/DoCSLA7, and low phosphorus related WRKY family transcription factors were screened. Yeast one-hybrid and Dual-luciferase experiments showed that DoWRKY71 and DoWRKY75 regulate DoCSLA6, while DoWRKY70 and DoWRKY75 regulate DoCSLA7. Collectively, our findings reveal that DoWRKY70,75 respond to low-phosphorus signals, and then regulate DoCSLA6 and DoCSLA7 to promote the accumulation of polysaccharides, thereby enhancing the quality of D. officinale.
The cucumber fruit bitterness is caused by cucurbitacins, which are a specific group of bitter tetracyclic triterpenoids, and they markedly diminish the eating quality and market value. Breeding for non-bitter cucumber cultivars is complicated, because the expression of bitterness is influenced by various environmental factors. This challenge is evident in Korean cucumber varieties with conditional bitterness, but no robust molecular markers are available for environment-independent marker-assisted selection (MAS). Whole genome re-sequencing (WGRS) was performed on eight cucumber lines. The sequencing achieved over 98
One of the key environmental elements that influences plant growth in vitro is light quality. Currently, a variety of horticultural plants are regenerated in vitro using light-emitting diode (LED) light sources to produce healthy, high-quality plants that can adapt well to ex vitro transplantation conditions. Investigating the impact of various spectrum light sources at various phases of in vitro regeneration is essential, though. The objective of this research was to examine how red (R), blue (B), white (W), red plus blue (RB, 1:1), red, green (G), and blue (RGB, 1:1:1) LEDs affect the growth of protocorm-like bodies (PLBs), shoot regeneration, and the rooting stages of shoots. The findings showed that B-LEDs were accountable for PLB proliferation, whereas R-LEDs were responsible for increased shoot regeneration and improved growth matrices with shoots and plantlets as compared to other LED treatments. Plant height, leaf count, and dry matter percentage were all higher in the plantlets that were regenerated under R-LED. On the other hand, more root regeneration and longer roots were caused by the B-LED treatment. Plants cultivated under RB LEDs had greater levels of carotenoid pigments, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b. When compared to other treatments, photosynthetic fluorescence characteristics like maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), relative electron transport in PSII (ETRII), and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were lower in plants cultivated under R-LED treatment. The best LED for in vitro Cymbidium ‘Snow Pearl’ plant regeneration was as follows: The B-LED was good for PLB proliferation, the R-LED was appropriate during shoot regeneration, and the growth of plantlets, the physiological characteristics such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid content and number of epidermal cells per unit area were optimum with the plants grown under RB LED light.
Indoor particulate matter (PM) remains a critical air-quality concern, yet plant-based mitigation studies have largely focused on leaves and rarely resolve organ-level retention or the role of cuticular wax fractions. PM capture by leaves and perianths of Phalaenopsis ‘Mantefon’, one of the most widely used indoor ornamental potted plants, was quantified following four weeks of controlled indoor exposure. Surface-deposited PM (SPM) was partitioned into SPM2.5 and SPM10, and wax-associated PM (WPM) was assessed via sequential wax extraction to operationally define epicuticular and intracuticular wax fractions (EW and IW). Perianths accumulated more SPM10 than leaves (6.4 vs. 2.5 µg·cm⁻²), whereas SPM2.5 loads were comparable between organs (5.6 vs. 4.5 µg·cm⁻²). Across organs, WPM was dominated by the IW-enriched fraction, reaching 11.4 µg·cm⁻² in leaves and 28.7 µg·cm⁻² in perianths, exceeding the EW fraction (6.0 and 8.7 µg·cm⁻²). Wax loads were greater in the IW fraction and positively correlated with WPM (R² = 0.698). These results demonstrate that perianths contribute substantially to whole-plant PM retention under indoor conditions and that PM sequestration is strongly associated with the IW-enriched fraction. Evaluating PM mitigation across plant organs and operationally defined wax fractions, rather than leaves alone, is therefore essential.
