ABSTRACT The quest to restore the capacity for botanical seed production in garlic is fundamental for increasing genetic variability and facilitating the selection of superior genotypes. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of exogenous plant growth regulators on the flowering capacity and production of botanical seeds in garlic. The experiment was conducted in the Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Brazil, in a randomized complete block design with four replications in a 7×3 factorial design. Each experimental unit consisted of three 5 dm³ pots, maintained under open-field conditions. Six doses of different plant growth regulators were evaluated: GA3 and PBZ (3.5 mg/L GA3; 9 mg/L GA3; 18 mg/L GA3; 480 mg/L PBZ; 3,600 mg/L PBZ; 7,200 mg/L PBZ) in addition to a control treatment (water), applied during the pre-anthesis, anthesis, and post-anthesis stages. Traits related to flowering and seed production were evaluated. The results implicate that the application of plant growth regulators in the garlic crop modified the reproductive physiology of the plants, influencing the potential for flowering and seed production. The doses of PBZ (7,200 mg/L) and GA3 (18 mg/L), applied at pre-anthesis, increased the potential of botanical seed production. The results indicate that higher doses of the evaluated plant growth regulators can improve flowering and stimulate seed production in garlic.
Capsicum spp. are model taxa for studying evolutionary mechanisms due to their morphological diversity. This study investigates the phytotoxic effects of the polyploidy-inducing agents oryzalin and trifluralin on four Capsicum genotypes, elucidating their role in seedling emergence and morphological diversification. Seeds were exposed to five agents' concentrations across four exposure durations at 25 degrees C. Both agents reduced seedling emergence in genotypes (<37%) and emergence speed index in a concentration-dependent manner, with genotype-specific tolerance reflecting divergent evolutionary adaptations to mitotic disruption. Induced morphological alterations, such as thickened leaves and reduced internodes, mirror patterns observed in natural polyploids, suggesting that genomic instability caused by antimitotics may mimic evolutionary diversification processes in Capsicum. This genotypic variability provides insights for breeding, as genotypes with higher tolerance to specific antimitotics could facilitate controlled polyploid induction, aiming to create variability for developing superior cultivars with enhanced hybrid vigor, abiotic stress tolerance, or larger fruits. Unexpected survival at high trifluralin concentrations correlated with delayed mean emergence time, indicating potential selection of tolerant or polyploid subpopulations. These findings position antimitotic agents as tools to explore stress-induced genomic plasticity and its taxonomic implications in Capsicum, while paving the way for innovative strategies in breeding programs.
Indoor green plants, such as the Anthurium plowmanii (Anthurium Bird Nest group), are used to balance the domestic environment in large cities and stand out in this market. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro plantlets of Anthurium plowmanii cultivated under 30% photo-selective nets in the red, blue, and black spectra, and two kinds of pots, opaque and translucent. After one year of cultivation, plants under the red net showed a higher number of leaves per pot, fresh mass, and leaf length, regardless of the pot type. The roots were influenced by the type of pot, with a higher thickness of velamen in the roots grown in opaque pots. The presence of chloroplasts and chlorophyll in the cortical parenchyma of the roots is exclusively in translucent pots. No root escape was observed in either treatment at the end of the 12-month cultivation period.
ABSTRACT Root-knot nematodes (RKNs, Meloidogyne spp.) represent the phytonematodes with the highest global economic impact. In tomato, various Meloidogyne species infect the crop, and the use of resistant cultivars is considered an important control strategy. However, M. enterolobii has recently been causing significant concern due to its aggressiveness, and resistance genes are ineffective in controlling this species. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the resistance of various wild tomato accessions to M. javanica, M. enterolobii, M. incognita, and M. paranaensis nematode species. And commercial rootstocks were tested solely against M. enterolobii. To investigate the inheritance of resistance to this pathogen, selected genotypes were intercrossed in a diallel scheme and their progenies were phenotypically evaluated. For this purpose, eight wild tomato species (S. galapagense, S. pimpinellifolium, S. chmielewskii, S. chilense, S. peruvianum, S. habrochaites, S. neorickii, and S. pennellii) and 15 commercial rootstocks were evaluated. The S. peruvianum accession showed the lowest reproduction factor (RF) and nematodes per gram of root (NGR) values, indicating an important source of resistance, especially against M. enterolobii. The evaluated tomato rootstocks were susceptible to M. enterolobii, although some exhibited relatively low RF and NGR values, indicating a degree of tolerance. The diallel analysis revealed significant effects for general and specific combining abilities, indicating the importance of additive and non-additive effects in the inheritance of resistance. The rootstocks TD1, Embajador, and Shield stood out, being recommended for use in breeding programs aimed at developing rootstocks tolerant to M. enterolobii.
ABSTRACT The adoption of irrigation frequencies combined with the use of brackish water in semi-arid regions can reduce the deleterious effects of salt and water stress. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation frequencies using water with higher and lower salinity on the agronomic performance, productivity, and quality of sugar beet roots. The experiment was conducted at the experimental station of the Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira, Redenção, Ceará, Brazil. A completely randomized design was used in a 5x2 factorial layout, referring to five irrigation frequencies (F1 = daily irrigation; F2 = irrigation every two days; F3 = irrigation every three days; F4 = irrigated every four days; and F5 = irrigated every five days) and two electrical conductivities of the irrigation water (0.8 and 6.0 dS/m), with 6 replicates. Irrigation frequency every five days negatively affected beet crop performance in terms of plant height, root length, and root diameter. Increasing the irrigation frequency to every four days reduced leaf area, dry matter of the aboveground and root parts, and yield, although to a lesser extent in the treatment with water of lower salinity. Irrigation every five days, combined with salt stress, was more efficient than the control treatment in terms of yield and soluble solids.
Grapes are among the most widely cultivated fruit crops globally, yet their growth and yield are severely compromised by Colletotrichum viniferum, which causes a devastating disease that affects grape berries. The wall-associated kinase (WAK) gene family, a unique subfamily of receptor-like-kinases (RLKs), plays important roles in mediating plant responses to both abiotic and biotic stresses. However, the expression patterns and biological functions of grape WAKs in response to C. viniferum infection remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, a total of 57 VdWAK genes were identified and phylogenetically classified into twelve subgroups. Chromosomal localization and collinearity analyses further revealed that tandem duplication and segmental duplication events contributed to the expansion of the VdWAK gene family. Transcriptomic profiling identified VdWAK19 as a key responsive gene. It was predominantly expressed in mature berries but transcriptionally repressed upon C. viniferum infection. Virus-induced gene silencing assays in grape berries demonstrated that knockdown of VdWAK19 significantly reduced fruit resistance to C. viniferum infection. Overall, these findings advance our understanding of the functional roles of VdWAK genes during C. viniferum infection and provide a theoretical basis for the potential application of VdWAK19 in breeding grape varieties with enhanced resistance to ripe rot.
Aquaponics is a resource-efficient agricultural system, yet its overall productivity is frequently constrained by micro- and macronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron (Fe) and potassium (K). Currently, the efficacy of combined dietary Fe and K supplementation in optimizing nutrient management in these systems remains unclear. Therefore, a 60-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of four dietary Fe and K levels—CK (basal diet without added Fe or K), T1 (Fe 0.1 g/kg + K 2.5 g/kg), T2 (Fe 0.2 g/kg + K 5.0 g/kg), and T3 (Fe 0.3 g/kg + K 7.5 g/kg)—on the growth and quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and the physiological responses of crucian carp (Carassius auratus). The results demonstrated that the T2 treatment was suitable for enhancing system productivity. Compared with the CK group, the lettuce plant height, biomass, and net photosynthetic rate in the T2 group exhibited marked increases of 25.3%, 16.0%, and 26.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the vitamin C content increased by 52.2%, while the nitrate content notably declined by 32.2%. Plant nutrient analysis revealed that the combined Fe and K supplementation markedly promoted the foliar uptake of P, Mn, and Zn (peaking in the T2 group), whereas Cu and S contents increased linearly with the supplementation dose, reaching its maximum in the T3 group. Regarding fish health, the weight gain rate (WGR) of crucian carp in the T2 group peaked at 41.0%, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved to 1.76. Additionally, the dietary supplementation maintained the stability of water quality parameters of the recirculating system. These findings indicate that a combined dietary inclusion of 0.2 g/kg Fe and 5.0 g/kg K can simultaneously enhance the yield and quality of both plants and fish. This approach provides a novel optimization strategy for mitigating acute water quality shocks, while also highlighting the inherent boundaries of competitive ion antagonism in aquaponic nutrient management.
To clarify the regulatory mechanism of NLA on tomato plant architecture and fruit quality, wild-type (WT), nla mutant (narrow leaf angle), and NLA overexpression lines (OE1, OE2) were used as materials, and the study was carried out through genetic analysis, phenotypic and quality determination, and gene expression analysis. The results showed that the tomato leaf angle is controlled by a single gene with semi-dominant inheritance. The nla mutant forms a compact plant architecture due to reduced cell volume at the leaf angle. During vegetative growth, it exhibited significantly increased plant height and decreased stem diameter and crown width. During reproductive growth, it showed significantly higher height of the first inflorescence node and a significantly higher number of the first flowering node. The nla mutant maintained a higher SPAD value during the whole growth period. Mutation of NLA had no significant effect on soluble solids content, but significantly increased flavonoid and titratable acid contents. Meanwhile, the compact architecture optimizes plant spatial distribution, and higher flavonoid content improves antioxidant capacity. Molecular mechanism analysis combined with GA quantification showed that the nla mutant exhibited significantly higher contents of bioactive GA1 and GA4, which were closely associated with up-regulated expression of GA biosynthetic genes SlGA20ox1 and SlGA20ox2, as well as down-regulated expression of GA catabolic genes SlGA2ox4 and SlGID1.This study provides a theoretical basis for high-photosynthetic-efficiency breeding and high-quality cultivation of tomato.
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica) is a rich source of glucosinolates, bioactive compounds whose levels are markedly affected by postharvest senescence. The present study evaluated the effects of hormonal regulators associated with senescence-cytokinins, ethylene, and the ethylene-action inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP)-on glucosinolate metabolism during postharvest storage of broccoli heads. Broccoli heads were treated with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), ethephon, or 1-MCP and stored at 20 degrees C for five days in darkness. Senescence progression was evaluated through superficial color and chlorophyll content. Glucosinolate pattern and gene expression involved in glucosinolate biosynthesis and degradation was also analyzed. Postharvest storage induced rapid yellowing, chlorophyll loss, and a general decline in glucosinolate content in control samples. BAP and 1-MCP treatments significantly delayed senescence, preserved chlorophyll levels, and reduced glucosinolate losses, particularly for indolic glucosinolates such as glucobrassicin and neoglucobrassicin. In the case of BAP-treated samples, glucobrassicin and neoglucobrassicin contents were 117% and 93% higher, respectively, compared to the controls on day 5. In the case of 1-MCP-treated samples, greater differences were detected on day 3, with glucobrassicin and neoglucobrassicin levels 69% and 66% higher, respectively. In contrast, ethephon accelerated senescence and promoted a more pronounced decrease in both aliphatic and indolic glucosinolates. Gene expression analyses showed a general downregulation of aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthetic genes during storage, whereas indolic pathway genes exhibited hormone-dependent responses. Overall, the results indicate that senescence-associated hormonal regulation plays a central role in glucosinolate metabolism during broccoli postharvest storage, and that BAP and 1-MCP treatments are effective strategies to maintain nutritional quality by delaying senescence and glucosinolate degradation.
Physalis grisea is an orphan crop with significant economic and medicinal potential. Although initial genome editing applications have recently emerged for Physalis species, the development and optimization of highly efficient, visually traceable Agrobacterium-mediated editing platforms remain crucial for advancing its functional genomics. This study uses the phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene-a key enzyme in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway-as a visual reporter to develop a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing platform in P. grisea. A dual-target guide RNA (sgRNA) expression vector was constructed, and transgenic plants were successfully generated via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of hypocotyl explants. Strikingly, phenotypic observations revealed that the regenerated mutants exhibited characteristic complete albino or green-white chimeric phenotypes, accompanied by distinct developmental retardation and dwarfing. Physiological quantitative analysis showed that total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in the mutant leaves were significantly reduced by over 70% and 78%, respectively. Targeted sequencing further confirmed that the CRISPR/Cas9 system efficiently induced various mutations at the PgPDS locus (derived from Physalis grisea)-including fragment deletions, 1-4 bp insertions, and 2-3 bp substitutions-revealing a specific preference for non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair. In summary, this study not only validates the suitability of PgPDS as a reporter gene but also successfully establishes a robust genome editing technical system for P. grisea, providing a solid foundation for future functional genomics research and molecular breeding in this crop.
Petunia & times; hybrida is a highly valued ornamental species worldwide, prized for its bright flower colors and long flowering period. Soil salinization is a major abiotic stress that negatively impacts both agriculture and ornamental plant cultivation. Its detrimental effects stem from osmotic stress, ionic toxicity, and oxidative stress induced by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Melatonin, a multifunctional signaling molecule, can enhance plant resistance under adverse conditions. In this study, Petunia & times; hybrida cv. 'Mirage Rose' was used to investigate these effects. The five treatment groups consisted of control (CK), salt stress alone (NaCl, 200 mmol & centerdot;L-1), and salt stress combined with 50, 100, or 200 & micro;mol & centerdot;L-1 melatonin (NaCl + MT50, NaCl + MT100, and NaCl + MT200). Evaluations covered developmental morphology, physiological and biochemical parameters, stomatal density, and transcript levels of antioxidant enzymes. Results indicated that high salinity significantly inhibited vegetative growth and reduced stomatal density while increasing the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide anions (O2-), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Exogenous melatonin application significantly alleviated these adverse effects, with 100 & micro;mol & centerdot;L-1 being the most effective concentration among the tested doses. This treatment enhanced the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, reduced membrane lipid peroxidation, promoted the accumulation of compatible solutes for osmotic balance, and improved stomatal development. Overall, 100 & micro;mol & centerdot;L-1 melatonin effectively enhanced salt tolerance in Petunia by regulating redox homeostasis and modulating stomatal characteristics.
Ilex rotunda Thunb. is a prestigious ornamental tree renowned for its vibrant red fruits, yet the molecular mechanisms governing its fruit color variation remain poorly understood. The discovery of a rare yellow-fruited natural bud sport cultivar, ‘Peace Time’, provides an ideal model to investigate these processes compared to the wild-type red fruit. In this study, we integrated physiological evaluations, untargeted metabolomics, and de novo transcriptomics across multiple fruit developmental stages to elucidate the basis of this color transition. Our results demonstrated that the yellow phenotype is characterized by high lightness and yellowness values, driven by the profound suppression of anthocyanin biosynthesis. Biochemical and transcriptomic profiling revealed that DFR (dihydroflavonol 4-reductase), a critical “gatekeeper” gene, experiences severe transcriptional silencing in the yellow-fruited cultivar. This enzymatic bottleneck triggers a “passive substrate overflow,” redirecting shared precursors toward the parallel flavonol branch, resulting in the substantial accumulation of specific flavonols, including rutin and isoquercitrin. Furthermore, correlation network analysis highlighted a putative dual regulatory module associated with this metabolic reprogramming: the down-regulation of the putative activator bHLH30 coupled with the robust up-regulation of the putative repressor bHLH51, together likely contributing to the silencing of DFR transcription. These findings provide a comprehensive “dual-module” and “passive overflow” framework for fruit coloration in I. rotunda, highlighting a remarkable metabolic plasticity that reshapes this cultivar’s phytochemical profile and offers vital insights for future ornamental breeding.
The protection of leaves from photoinhibition and berries from dehydration and sunburn has become an increasingly important objective in response to the rising frequency and intensity of heat waves worldwide. This research investigated the effect of a white nonwoven geotextile sheet (TNT) installed in the fruiting zone in the white cultivar 'Verdicchio' (Vitis vinifera L.) during critical summer periods with the aim of protecting leaves and berries from extreme heat. The study was conducted over two seasons (2020-2021) in a rainfed vineyard in central Italy using a randomized block design. Physiological and yield parameters were recorded. Vines protected with TNT did not show any changes in net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency, compared to unshielded vines. However, TNT reduced leaf temperature and increased berry total acidity and malic acid concentration while reducing sugar content, leading to wines with higher freshness and reduced alcohol levels. The use of TNTs shows significant potential as a practical tool for viticulturists to mitigate the effects of excessive heat, allowing for better management of berry ripening and ultimately improving final wine characteristics. Additionally, TNT is economically feasible, especially if applied only to the afternoon-exposed side of the canopy, and its cost can be amortized, especially in vineyards affected by frequent heat waves and/or dedicated to the production of premium wines.
Fruit softening, an irreversible ripening process that causes postharvest losses, is mainly attributed to cell wall disassembly, rendering cell-wall-modifying genes critical targets for genetic improvement. However, the molecular mechanism by which expansins loosen the cell wall via the nonenzymatic mechanism, thereby affecting fruit softening, remains largely unknown. In this study, HSM (melting peach, MF) fruits exhibited a rapid decline in firmness, accompanied by more extensive cell wall disassembly and larger intercellular spaces compared with CN14 (non-melting peach, NMF) during the fruit development process. The expression of PpEXPA13, an expansin gene, was significantly higher in HSM than in CN14 during fruit softening. Virus-induced gene silencing in peach delayed firmness loss, while the overexpression of PpEXPA13 in tomato accelerated it. PpEXPA13-OE fruits displayed enlarged intercellular spaces and upregulated expression of multiple cell-wall-modifying genes. Furthermore, a yeast one-hybrid assay identified the transcription factor PpMYC2 as an upstream regulator of PpEXPA13. PpMYC2 specifically binds to the MYC box (CACGTG) in the PpEXPA13 promoter. These findings reveal that PpMYC2 activates PpEXPA13 expression, which might lead to cell wall disassembly and promote peach fruit softening.
Postharvest rot caused by Neopestalotiopsis rosae severely threatens strawberry production globally. Here, a novel species of Streptomyces was isolated and identified through polyphasic taxonomy, for which we propose the name Streptomyces hanimojiang sp. nov. AMJ-169. Its volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inhibited N. rosae hyphal growth by 70 +/- 3.81%, with (1S)-(-)-alpha-pinene identified as the key antifungal component (EC50 = 0.018 mL & centerdot;L-1). Fumigation with 6 & times; EC50 alpha-pinene reduced fruit rot by 97.52% in a concentration-dependent manner. SEM observations showed that alpha-pinene caused severe hyphal damage and suppressed pathogen colonization on fruit surfaces. Transcriptomic analysis further indicated that alpha-pinene treatment was associated with redox regulation, glutathione metabolism, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and carbon-metabolism-related responses in strawberry fruit. These findings suggest that alpha-pinene controls postharvest anthracnose through direct antifungal activity on fungal hyphae together with host-associated physiological regulation, highlighting its potential as a sustainable postharvest biocontrol candidate.
Ginger possesses both significant edible and medicinal value. Sprouting of ginger is a critical phase that influences the yield and quality of the crop. While silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are known to promote the growth of ginger, their impact on sprouting remains unclear. The results show that sprouting 100 mg L-1 SiNPs (SiNP100) significantly improved ginger sprouting rate and respiratory intensity while reducing weight loss. It also elevated fructose, sucrose, and glucose contents, as well as sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SS), neutral invertase (NI), acid invertase (AI) activities, indicating that SiNP100 is associated with enhanced sprouting by modulating sugar metabolism. Concurrently, starch content decreased and alpha- and beta-amylase activities increased. Hormonal profiling showed that SiNP100 increased auxin (IAA), trans-zeatin (TZR), isoamylalkenyladenin (IP), and gibberellic acid (GA3) levels, while decreasing abscisic acid (ABA), further supporting its role in promoting sprouting. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR validated that SiNP100 significantly enriched the plant hormone signal transduction and starch and sucrose metabolism pathways, upregulating genes related to sugar transport and metabolism (ZoSweet7, ZoSSIVa, ZoSPS1, and ZoSUS5). Field trials over two consecutive years confirmed that SiNP100 application improved ginger growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant capacity, and ultimately yield and quality. This study demonstrated the potential of SiNPs to improve seed sprouting and promote ginger growth under field conditions.
Blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) are rich in phenolic and anthocyanin compounds that contribute to strong antioxidant activity; however, limited information exists on the biochemical characteristics of Southern United States cultivars. This study evaluated the antioxidant capacity and selected physicochemical properties of four blueberry cultivars (Premier', 'Powder Blue', 'Brightwell', and a highbush cultivar) grown in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA, except focusing on cultivar-dependent differences. Significant differences were observed among the four blueberry cultivars. Physicochemical analysis showed that 'Premier' had the lowest moisture content (78.7%) and the highest pH (3.94), whereas the highbush cultivar showed the highest moisture content (82.20%) and the lowest pH (3.43). 'Brightwell' had the highest total soluble solids (TSS) (13 degrees Brix), while the highbush cultivar showed the lowest TSS (7 degrees Brix). In terms of antioxidant activity, 'Powder Blue' exhibited the strongest activity (IC50 = 20.85 & micro;g/mL), whereas the highbush cultivar showed the weakest activity (42.47 & micro;g/mL). Total phenolics varied markedly among cultivars, with 'Brightwell' (3.96 +/- 0.08 mg TAE/g DW) and 'Powder Blue' (3.56 +/- 0.00 mg TAE/g DW) showing the highest levels and the highbush cultivar the lowest (1.81 +/- 0.14 mg TAE/g DW). Anthocyanin content was relatively consistent across varieties, ranging from 6.71 to 6.85 A/g fresh weight. Protein quantification using the Lowry method revealed higher protein content in 'Powder Blue' (0.080 g/g) compared with the highbush cultivar (0.047 g/g). Sensory evaluation indicated that 'Premier' received the highest overall acceptability score (9.5 +/- 0.3). This study provides baseline data on antioxidant capacity and key physicochemical properties for these four Southern-adapted blueberry cultivars, supporting their use in the development of functional foods and informing future breeding and production strategies in the region.
The impact of potassium fertilization on disease resistance in Korla fragrant pear trees was evaluated under drip irrigation to determine the optimal application rate. Seven- to eight-year-old trees were subjected to four K treatments: the control (K0, 0 kg/hm) and applications of 75 (K75), 150 (K150), and 225 kg/hm2 (K225). Disease resistance indices in current-year shoots and old branches were assessed throughout growth stages, and correlations with branch mineral contents were analyzed. The K75 treatment significantly increased branch Ca and Mg contents and enhanced flavonoid and lignin contents and PAL activity relative to K0. The K150 treatment markedly raised N, P, K, Fe, Mn, and Cu contents, as well as flavonoid, lignin, soluble sugar, PPO, and PAL levels, with optimal effects on flavonoids and old branch PAL activity. The K225 treatment mildly reduced Ca and Mg but strongly elevated total phenols, flavonoids, lignin, soluble sugars, PPO, and PAL, exerting the greatest influence on total phenols, soluble sugars, PPO, and current-year shoot PAL. K rates were significantly correlated with disease resistance indices. Branch mineral contents showed highly significant correlations with resistance indices and yield, but resistance indices were not significantly associated with yield. Potassium directly modulated resistance indices, with mineral elements exerting more pronounced effects in current-year shoots. Application of 150 kg/hm K is proposed as the optimal rate to improve disease resistance, mineral nutrition, tree vigor, survival, and yield in 7-8-year-old Korla fragrant pear orchards.
Weed infestations are a major agricultural problem, driving the need for sustainable control methods beyond conventional synthetic herbicides. This study explored wood vinegar (WV), a pyrolysis by-product, as a dual-purpose tool for weed management and crop growth. Chemically characterized WV exhibited an acidic pH, high acetic acid content, and diverse organic compounds. Pot experiments demonstrated WV’s strong, concentration-dependent inhibition of weed seedling emergence. Field trials across three seasons confirmed WV’s efficacy in reducing weed density and biomass, particularly at 50% and 100% concentrations, while also influencing weed community composition. Critically, subsequent evaluation of residual phytotoxicity on tomato and courgette crops revealed that WV 50% significantly optimized both plant biomass and fruit yield. In contrast, WV 100% negatively impacted courgette yield, and WV 10% showed variable effects. These findings highlight WV, especially at optimal dilutions like 50%, as a promising sustainable solution for integrated weed management with potential biostimulant properties for crops.
Gene family expansion and contraction are key processes underlying functional innovation and genome evolution in plants, yet their roles in the horticultural plant white clover (Trifolium repens) remain poorly understood. In this study, we systematically investigated the association between lineage-specific whole-genome duplication (WGD) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) with gene family dynamics and stress-responsive transcription. Our results indicate that white clover underwent a lineage-specific WGD, which is associated with increased gene family expansion. SINE copy number was strongly correlated with the proportion of significantly expanded genes (r = 0.637, p = 0.0259, n = 12), but not with the proportion of significantly contracted genes. This result suggests a potential association between SINE insertions and gene family expansion. GO enrichment analyses indicated that expanded gene families are predominantly involved in metabolic processes, environmental stress responses, defense mechanisms, and floral organ development, whereas contracted gene families were mainly enriched in core housekeeping functions, such as ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolism and mitochondrial organization. Transcriptome analyses further showed that genes within expanded families were broadly upregulated under drought, cadmium, and cold stress, while generally upregulated in floral tissues compared with other organs. Collectively, these findings reveal the relationships among WGD, SINE elements, and gene family dynamics in environmental adaptation and flower development, providing a molecular framework for understanding adaptive regulation associated with gene family expansion.
