Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a major perennial forage legume, but the long-term development of global alfalfa research has not been comprehensively characterized. Here, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of 41,401 articles, reviews, and proceedings papers indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from 1926 to 2025. Annual publication output, country/region distribution, citation impact, collaboration strength, and term co-occurrence patterns from titles and abstracts were analyzed using Excel, R, Origin, and VOSviewer. The results show that alfalfa research expanded from a small, agronomy-oriented literature into a diversified interdisciplinary field. Publication output was geographically uneven, with the United States and China contributing the largest shares of publications and citations, whereas many countries in Africa and South America were weakly represented in the WoS-indexed literature. Based on publication growth patterns and historical changes in agricultural and biological research, the field was divided into four periods: embryonic development (1926–1960), steady development (1961–1980), rapid growth (1981–2000), and explosive growth (2001–2025). Across these periods, alfalfa research remained organized around three major themes: genetic improvement and molecular physiological mechanisms, nutritional quality and animal production, and field management and grassland agricultural systems. Over time, these themes became increasingly interconnected, reflecting a shift from production-centered studies toward integrated research linking plant function, forage utilization, and agroecosystem sustainability. This study provides a comprehensive overview of century-scale alfalfa research and identifies major knowledge structures, regional gaps, and future directions for breeding, utilization, and sustainable grassland management.
Potassium (K) is an essential macronutrient in grapevine physiology and quality, as it regulates osmotic pressure, activates enzymatic pathways, and facilitates the transport of photoassimilates to the berries. Nano-fertilization with K (K-NPs) is an agronomic strategy to improve the productivity and quality of fruit crops, although the optimal application ranges and its differential effects on Vitis vinifera have not been sufficiently characterized. This study evaluated the foliar application of K-NPs at five doses (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L⁻¹) on yield, berry quality, bioactive compounds, and K concentration in the ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ cultivar. The results showed a hormetic response; the lowest dose (100 mg L⁻¹) maximized agronomic yield, with a 166% increase, associated with a greater number and weight of clusters. Regarding berry quality, the 300 mg L⁻¹ dose increased total soluble solids by 25.2%, estimated probable alcohol content by 30.4%, anthocyanins by 81.4%, total phenols by 41.7%, and flavonoids by 42.3% compared with the control. In contrast, the highest antioxidant capacity was observed at 400 mg L⁻¹, representing a 3.96% increase relative to the control. K accumulation in berries increased with the K-NPs dose. Potassium nano-fertilization may represent a promising foliar strategy for improving grapevine yield, oenological quality, and berry phytochemical composition, while maintaining key quality responses within desirable physiological and oenological ranges.
Ornamental plants and flowers increasingly bring urban populations closer to nature in the pursuit of improved quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the biomass accumulation of Chinese pink (Dianthus chinensis L.), English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller), and wild pansy (Viola tricolor L.) seedlings grown under different protected environments and substrate compositions based on peat and vermiculite. The experiment followed a completely randomized design in a 4 × 5 factorial scheme (four protected environments × five substrate compositions). The environments included three screenhouses with black screens providing 18%, 30%, and 50% shading, and one greenhouse covered with plastic film and a 42–50% shading screen under the film. Within these environments, five substrate compositions were assessed. The cultivation environment and substrate can influence the growth of ornamental flower seedlings, as observed in this study for D. chinensis, L. angustifolia, and V. tricolor. For shoot dry mass, root dry mass, and total dry mass of all three ornamental species, the highest values were observed in the greenhouse with 42–50% shading under the plastic film. It was concluded, for these experimental conditions, that the greenhouse environment with 42–50% shading, combined with a substrate containing 80% Carolina Soil®, was the most suitable condition for developing D. chinensis seedlings. For L. angustifolia, optimal growth occurred with 100% Carolina Soil® under the same greenhouse conditions, whereas for V. tricolor, the best growth was achieved with substrates containing at least 80% Carolina Soil®.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of grafting on plant growth, fruit quality, and seed traits in melon within a controlled hybridization program, and to determine whether grafting should be applied to the female or male parent in hybrid seed production. Two double haploid melon lines, DA5 and SR31, were used as scions and grafted onto three different rootstocks (Nun9075, Maximus, and Sphinx), and were compared with self-grafted (DA5/DA5; SR31/SR31) and non-grafted control plants. In the hybridization program, DA5 was used as the female and SR31 as the male parent. Parental lines were grafted onto the rootstocks and 25 controlled crosses were conducted over two years. The results indicated that grafting had no significant effect on vegetative parameters such as plant length and stem diameter, although the DA5 line exhibited stronger vegetative growth compared to SR31. Promoted the number of seeds per fruit, with increases of 21% Sphinx, 19% self-grafted plants, 14% Maximus, and 8% in Nun9075 rootstock combinations. The highest fruith yield and fruit parameters were obtained in hybridization combinations where the female plant was non-grafted and the male plant was grafted, particularly when SR31 was grafted onto the Maximus rootstock. In addition, the Maximus/DA5 combination improved seed yield, while self-grafted and Nun9075 rootstock combinations increased seed germination rates. Overall, the findings indicate that for hybrid seed production, crossing the non grafted female parent with grafted male parent provides superior fruit quality and seed performance, highlighting an effective strategy for optimizing hybridization programs in melon breeding.
Interest in sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural systems has intensified in the European Union following the European Green Deal (2019), which promotes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the transition toward a more sustainable economy. In this context, organic fruit production is gaining importance for food security and environmental protection. Apple, the second most widely cultivated fruit species in Romania after plum, is valued for its sensory and nutritional qualities, while the country’s favourable pedoclimatic conditions provide strong potential for organic cultivation. However, maintaining fruit quality and yield requires effective and sustainable pest management, particularly under changing climatic conditions that influence pest biology and population dynamics. The woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) (Hausmann), is one of the most dangerous pests of apple orchards and has become increasingly difficult to control due to progressive restrictions of chemical products. In this study, conducted in 2024–2025, five eco-friendly insecticidal products were evaluated under both field and controlled conditions and compared with a standard chemical treatment. Assessments performed three days after application showed that the azadirachtin-based product achieved mortality rates exceeding 90%, under the specific experimental conditions of the study. These results indicate a higher efficacy of the azadirachtin-based treatment compared to the other evaluated organic products, while remaining below or comparable to the chemical standard. Overall, the findings suggest that azadirachtin-based formulations may represent a potential component of integrated pest management strategies for E. lanigerum under similar experimental conditions.
Crown rot, primarily caused by the fungus Colletotrichum musae and related pathogens, significantly impacts the postharvest quality and marketability of bananas. The increase in regulatory constraints and the emergence of fungicide-resistant strains highlight the urgent need for sustainable, residue-free alternatives. This research demonstrates that cell-free extracts (CFE) of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens effectively inhibit crown rot and activate host defence mechanisms in tissue-cultured banana plantlets. Treatment with CFE at 100 µg mL-1 reduced lesion formation by up to 78% and significantly decreased fungal biomass, providing protection comparable to that of a commercial fungicide. Molecular analyses revealed significant overexpression of defence-related genes, including PAL, PR5, CHI, and WRKY. Additionally, there was an increased accumulation of defence-associated proteins and phenolic compounds. Metabolomic and biochemical assessments showed enhanced structural and chemical barriers in the treated tissues. These findings provide mechanistic evidence that bacterial metabolites, even in the absence of living cells, can both inhibit pathogen colonization and activate systemic resistance pathways. The research supports the potential of B. amyloliquefaciens CFE as a sustainable and effective alternative to traditional fungicides for combating postharvest crown rot.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of different drying systems on the chemical profile, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibitory activities of fresh Cydonia oblonga Mill. fruit. The samples were subjected to drying at room temperature (DRT), oven-drying (OD) at 40 °C, and unconventional high-temperature treatment (UHT) at 200 °C. Methanolic extracts were prepared from different samples, and the chemical profile, antioxidant, and anti-enzyme potentials were evaluated. Results showed significant enhancement (p < 0.05) in total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents (TPC, TFC, and TTC) after drying by UHT and OD. GC-MS chromatograms revealed various types and quantities of identified components in the different dried samples and fresh fruit. Potassium (K) content showed a considerable increase in all dried samples, especially in fruits dried by UHT and OD, whereas ascorbic acid content was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after drying treatments, particularly after DRT and OD. The heat drying applications (OD and UHT) significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the anti-DPPH radical potential and total antioxidant capacity of C. oblonga fruits, and this enhancement was strongly correlated with remarkable increases in TPC and TTC. The anti-enzyme effect was reduced after drying processes compared to fresh fruit, especially for α-glucosidase after drying by OD and UHT. These findings indicate a recognized change in the chemical content and bioactive aspects after applying OD and UHT, which may enhance the polyphenols and antioxidant potential, but, at the same time, the dried product loses many bioactive elements and nutritive value. Further pharmacological and taxological studies are warranted.
The analysis of the effects of fertilisers, biostimulants, and climatic variability on the quality of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruits is presented in this research. The research was conducted in Bijelo Polje, in northern Montenegro, which is characterized by mountainous continental climatic conditions. The research period was 2021-2023. In the experimental planting of raspberry cultivars: ‘Willamette’ and ‘Glen Ample’, seven treatments were applied: one control treatment; Four treatments with mineral fertilizer; Two biostimulant treatments. The chemical quality of the fruit was analysed, with parameters TSS, TS, TA, TSS/TA, and TS/TA, and also the vitamin C content. Variety, treatment, and year had significant effects. The ‘Willamette’ variety had a higher content of total sugars (up to 6.30%). The TS/TA ratio was more favourable (up to 8.52). This indicates better sensory quality and greater stability in changing climatic conditions. ‘Glen Ample’ variety is characterised by a higher content of total acids (up to 2.46%). The content of vitamin C is also higher (up to 54.43 mg 100 g⁻¹). This confirms its higher nutritional value. The best fruit quality was in 2023, when temperatures were accompanied by a more favourable water regime. Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) gave the best results with the variety ‘Glen Ample’. Treatments with phosphorus and potassium, together with biostimulants, were most effective with the variety ‘Willamette’. The results obtained confirm that raspberry fruit quality results from the interaction of genotype, nutrition, and climatic conditions, and emphasise the importance of adapting production technology to conditions of pronounced climatic variability.
This study was conducted over a four–year period (2019–2022) in an experimental red currant (Ribes rubrum L.) orchard to examine the effect of organic fertilization on the contents of macroelements (C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) and microelements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B) in the leaves and fruits. Two organic fertilizers were applied: well–decomposed cattle manure (CM) at 60 t ha⁻¹, and pelletized poultry manure (PPM, ‘Italpollina’, NPK 4:4:4) at 1.6 t ha⁻¹. The study evaluated nutrient balance using the Deviation from Optimum Percentage (DOP) index in two cultivars, ‘Rolan’ and ‘Jonkheer van Tets’. In 2021, no differences in balance of macronutrient were observed between cultivars; however, in 2022, ‘Rolan’ exhibited a higher imbalance than ‘Jonkheer van Tets’. ‘Rolan’ showed greater imbalance for micronutrients in 2021, whereas in 2022 the opposite trend was recorded, with ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ showing higher ΣDOP values. Fertilization treatment affected nutrient balance, with CM causing the highest macro- and micronutrient nutrient differences in 2022, while PPM promoted a more moderate and stable nutrient status. The greatest differences were observed in the R–CM treatment. The findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate fertilizer to maintain nutrient balance and optimize red currant cultivation.
Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient for plants, but its excessive availability in acidic soils can induce toxicity. Soil acidification in tea (Camellia sinensis) plantations significantly increases the solubility and mobility of Mn2+, thereby increasing the risk of excessive Mn accumulation and toxicity in tea seedlings. This study investigated the dose-dependent effects of Mn on tea seedlings by applying five concentrations of Mn (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mM) over 18 weeks. Growth phenotypes, root architecture, photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll-related indices, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, and key quality components were assessed. The results demonstrated a classic “low-concentration promotion and high-concentration inhibition” effect. Specifically, the 10 mM Mn treatment performed optimally across multiple indicators, significantly promoting above-ground growth and biomass accumulation, improving root development, enhancing photosynthetic capacity and photosystem II photochemical efficiency, and synergistically activating the antioxidant enzyme system. In contrast, high-concentration Mn treatments (≥ 30 mM) induced toxicity, characterized by inhibited growth, root degradation, reduced photosynthetic efficiency, impaired antioxidant defense, decreased chlorophyll and flavonoid indices, elevated non-photochemical quenching, and suppressed synthesis of quality-related compounds. Correlation analysis revealed significantly positive relationships among growth traits, photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, and quality components. Together, these findings elucidate the concentration-dependent regulatory role of Mn in tea seedlings, suggesting 10 mM as an optimal concentration for enhancing tea growth and quality, while highlighting the risks associated with high Mn concentrations.
Melatonin (MT) is a plant hormone that enhances tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses. However, its role in alleviating heat stress (HS) in rice, particularly across cultivars with contrasting intrinsic heat tolerance, remains largely unexplored. This study examined the responses of a heat‑tolerant rice cultivar (‘Ganxiangzhan No.1’) and a heat‑sensitive cultivar (‘Ninjing No.4’) to exogenous MT (100 µM) applied as a foliar spray, compared to a control group that received water only, under HS conditions (42 °C). Heat stress reduced growth and biomass production, which correlated with increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and electrolyte leakage (EL), as well as decreased chlorophyll content. In contrast, exogenous MT treatment improved growth and biomass in both genotypes by reducing MDA (16.67%) and H₂O₂ (18.81%) levels, increasing endogenous MT synthesis (14.53%) and photosynthetic pigments (31.91–55.38%), and strengthening antioxidant activities (21.61–75%). Heat stress induced a rise in endogenous MT synthesis in both genotypes, with the most significant increase observed in ‘Ganxiangzhan No.1’, which also showed upregulated expression of the MT biosynthesis genes OsASMT1 and OsASMT2. Furthermore, exogenous MT treatment elevated the expression of OsAPX, OsCAT, OsPOD, and OsSOD, thereby enhancing antioxidant activities and mitigating HS‑induced damage in both genotypes. Additionally, MT application increased the expression of OsNCED1 and HSP70 in both cultivars, providing extra protection against HS. These results indicate that MT enhances heat stress tolerance by strengthening antioxidant defense systems, promoting MT biosynthesis, and regulating the transcription of both MT biosynthetic and stress‑responsive genes.
Mountain forests of the northwestern Himalaya are highly sensitive to climate change, yet climate-growth response of dominant conifers in Galyat region (Pakistan) is insufficiently explored. This study investigates age structure, radial growth dynamics, and climate-growth relationships of three key Himalayan conifers, Taxus wallichiana, Cedrus deodara, and Pinus wallichiana across an elevational gradient (1900-2800 m a.s.l.). Tree-ring chronologies were developed using standard dendrochronological techniques. Multivariate analyses (PCA and hierarchical clustering) were applied to identify common growth patterns. Climate-growth relationships were evaluated using CRU TS 4.09 temperature and precipitation data (1901–2024). It was observed that there are distinct species and elevation-dependent differences in longevity and growth rates. T. wallichiana at high elevation (Mushkpuri) exhibited exceptional longevity (up to 149 years) with slow but persistent radial growth, whereas mid and low-elevation trees showed comparatively faster growth. Correlation and bootstrapped response analyses indicate that temperature is the primary limiting factor, particularly during late spring and early summer, while precipitation plays a compensatory role by mitigating moisture stress. DBH-age relationships varied significantly across species and elevations, highlighting limitations in using DBH as a universal age proxy in mountain forests. Overall, the findings demonstrate that elevation and species-specific strategies regulate climate sensitivity, with high-elevation, slow-growing species being more vulnerable to warming. These chronologies provide baseline data for dendroclimatic reconstruction and forest vulnerability assessment under future climate conditions.
Cadmium (Cd) toxicity severely impacts crop productivity and human health, necessitating the development of effective remediation techniques. Biochar (BC) and vermicompost (VC) are important amendments for improving crop productivity and stress resistance. Nevertheless, their combined effects in mitigating Cd toxicity are poorly understood. This study evaluated the role of BC and VC individually and in combination in counteracting Cd toxicity in Brassica napus. The study included the following treatments: cadmium (Cd) stress (10 mg kg-1), Cd + BC (2%), Cd + VC (2%), and Cd + BC (1%) + VC (1%). Cadmium toxicity inhibited growth and yield by impairing photosynthetic efficiency, root growth, and nutrient availability and increasing electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels. Biochar and VC alleviated the adverse impacts of Cd and significantly enhanced growth. This treatment increased the chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (gs) and decreased the EL, MDA (60.25%), and H2O2 production, contributing to improved growth. Biochar and VC amendments also stimulated antioxidant activity and osmolyte synthesis and upregulated the expression of antioxidant defence genes (BnAPX, BnCAT, BnPOD, and BnSOD), thereby protecting the plants. The combined application of BC and VC increased soil nutrient availability and enzyme activity. It also promoted Cd immobilization by increasing the soil pH and encouraging iron plaque formation, which subsequently reduced cadmium uptake and accumulation in roots by 42.12% and in shoots by 82.49%, respectively. Overall, coapplication of BC and VC is an effective strategy to increase crop productivity and reduce health risks by decreasing Cd accumulation in plants.
Reliable plant authentication is crucial for reproducible pharmacological investigations. In this study, ITS rDNA sequencing unequivocally confirmed the identity of Rhamnus alaternus (97.65% BLAST similarity) with robust phylogenetic support (99% bootstrap). Ultrasound-assisted extraction yielded a phenolic-rich leaf extract, characterized by high levels of total phenolics (215.36 ± 4.21 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (68.74 ± 2.85 mg QE/g), tannins (32.18 ± 1.47 mg CE/g), and saponins (45.92 ± 2.03 mg DE/g). LC–MS/MS analysis revealed a diverse phytochemical profile dominated by bioactive phenolic acids and flavonoids, including gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin. Biological evaluation highlighted a dual bioactivity profile, with moderate general toxicity in the Artemia salina lethality assay (LC₅₀ = 285.7 µg mL-1) alongside marked cholinesterase inhibition against AChE (68.4%, IC₅₀ = 21.3 µg mL-1) and BChE (61.7%, IC₅₀ = 28.6 µg mL-1). The extract exhibited remarkable antioxidant capacity, with low IC₅₀ values in DPPH (7.80 µg mL-1) and ABTS (8.20 µg mL-1) assays, and competitive reducing power in FRAP and CUPRAC systems. Molecular docking suggested that rutin, apigenin-7-glucoside, and kaempferol-3-glucoside may interact favourably with AChE and BChE active-site regions, with rutin showing the most favourable predicted binding scores among the tested compounds. Collectively, these findings support the potential of R. alaternus leaf extract as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and cholinesterase-modulating properties, warranting further studies on compound level activity, BBB permeability, in vivo efficacy, and safety.
The quality of olive oil is primarily influenced by cultivar, climate, soil conditions, fruit health, and processing methods. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous putrescine applications on the chemical composition and quality attributes of olive oil in two cultivars: ‘Gemlik’ and ‘Kozan Yerli’. For this purpose, two different applications were made to olive trees by spraying at doses of 8 and 16 ppm. Analyses were conducted to determine free fatty acidity, fatty acid composition (by GC), biophenolic profile (by HPLC), and total phenolic content. Oleic acid was identified as the predominant fatty acid (67.45%), followed by palmitic (18.92%) and linoleic acids (16.78%). Remarkably, linoleic acid content in ‘Kozan Yerli’ nearly doubled in response to 8 ppm (13.90%) and 16 ppm (16.78%) putrescine treatments compared to the control (8.73%). Putrescine treatment reduced tyrosol content in both cultivars. Conversely, the highest levels of caffeic acid were observed in the 16 ppm treatment in ‘Gemlik’ (10.30 mg kg-1) and the 8 ppm treatment in ‘Kozan Yerli’ (66.72 mg kg-1). The findings suggest that ‘Gemlik’ cultivar may possess naturally higher endogenous putrescine levels, while the ‘Kozan Yerli’ cultivar may require further investigation in this context. These results highlight the importance of examining both intrinsic and exogenously applied putrescine in different olive cultivars to better understand its role in olive oil quality and composition.
A two-year experimental study was carried out to investigate the susceptibility of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars and hybrids to Foveavirus latensarmeniacae (Apricot latent virus, ApLV) using biological indexing and RT-PCR diagnostics. In total, 19 different genotypes were analyzed in this study. Inoculated plants developed symptoms on the young sprouting apricot leaves, including chlorotic spots, leaf wrinkling, necrosis, and stunting, most prominently expressed in the first year of cultivation. In the four following evaluation periods (May 2024, July 2024, May 2025, July 2025), symptom expression slightly decreased, while plant mortality increased considerably, the percentage of plant mortality was 35.1%. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) in symptom manifestation between GF-305 indicator and apricot hybrids were observed only in the second evaluation period (July 2024; r = 0.5882), while the most pronounced symptoms on apricots occurred in the first period. ANOVA revealed a significant relationship between symptom expression and virus presence in apricot plants in the first and third periods, whereas GF-305 symptoms correlated with ApLV detection in all periods. Principal component analysis (PCA) further highlighted the relationship between GF-305 symptoms and the number of infected plants, while symptom expression on apricot genotypes was less consistently correlated with RT-PCR diagnostic results. Cluster analysis separated the studied material into two groups, with LE-3246, LEM/2017/18, LEM/2017/20, ‘Orangered’ and ‘Harlayne’ showing indications of a comparatively lower susceptibility to ApLV. These results provide insights into the interaction between ApLV and apricot genotypes. The findings also suggest that ApLV may not be entirely latent under certain conditions, as severe symptoms were observed in several apricot cultivars in this study.
Rising temperatures and prolonged drought periods, driven by global climate change, are placing increasing pressure on limited water resources. Consequently, there is growing interest in warm-season grass species and cultivars due to their superior heat tolerance and relatively lower water requirements. Among these, zoysiagrasses (Zoysia spp.), often referred to as “environmental grasses” due to their low maintenance requirements, have gained increasing attention in Türkiye. In this study, two interspecific Zoysia hybrids (‘MG-Turkzoy’ and ‘Anazoy’), previously developed from Z. japonica × Z. matrella crosses and selected for their high turf quality and drought tolerance within a turfgrass breeding program at Akdeniz University, were evaluated under field conditions during 2023–2024. Both hybrids were subsequently commercialized in 2025. The study assessed establishment rate, turfgrass quality and colour, fall dormancy and spring green-up, and morphological characteristics of the hybrids in comparison with the commercial cultivar ‘El-Toro’. Although ‘El-Toro’ exhibited approximately 30% greater turf coverage than the hybrids during the first five months after planting, all cultivars reached comparable establishment levels (96–100%) by six months, achieving full turf coverage by the end of the first growing season. The hybrids demonstrated superior quality and winter colour retention compared to ‘El-Toro’. Notably, ‘MG-Turkzoy’ and ‘Anazoy’ maintained ≥80% green cover for up to 12 months, whereas ‘El-Toro’ sustained this level for only 8.5 months, highlighting their superior capacity for extended year-round greenness. Their use in golf courses and other green spaces requiring year-round visual turf quality may significantly reduce reliance on overseeding with cool-season turfgrasses, thereby reducing maintenance costs and labour requirements. Overall, the results indicate that these hybrid zoysiagrass cultivars have strong potential for the establishment of high-quality, sustainable turf systems in subtropical climates.
Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is an important Solanaceae vegetable crop, whose yield and quality are strongly influenced by fruit set characteristics. Parthenocarpy is a key trait for enhancing stress resilience, ensuring stable yield, and improving fruit marketability. However, parthenocarpic capacity varies widely among eggplant genotypes, and environmental stresses frequently cause fruit drop, severely affecting economic returns. Exogenous hormone application is an effective approach to induce parthenocarpy and overcome environmental limitations. Among these, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) has recently attracted attention for its role in regulating parthenocarpy in eggplant, although its genotype-specific mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of exogenous MeJA on a parthenocarpic eggplant genotype (D6) and a non-parthenocarpic genotype (JDX8) by examining fruit morphology, endogenous hormone levels measured at 1, 3, and 5 days after treatment, and the expression of hormone‑related genes analyzed via qPCR at 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. MeJA treatment significantly increased fruit set in JDX8 (from 5% to 37.5%) and led to pronounced accumulation of auxin (IAA) and jasmonic acid (JA), whereas JA content decreased in D6. These findings suggest that MeJA may differentially regulate hormone pathways and alleviate pollination dependency in JDX8, providing a potential physiological basis for improving the cultivation of non-parthenocarpic eggplant varieties under stress conditions.
The genus Cuscuta comprises holoparasitic medicinal plants, nevertheless the phytochemical and biological profiles of Cuscuta monogyna Vahl and Cuscuta chinensis Lam. remain poorly investigated than those of other Cuscuta species. This study determined the chemical constituents, antioxidant activity and antibiofilm activity of ethanolic extracts of C. monogyna and C. chinensis collected from different regions of Iraq. GC-MS analysis was used to recognize the chemical composition, while antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical-scavenging assay with ascorbic acid as a positive control. The antibiofilm activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 using the crystal violet microtiter plate technique. GC-MS profiling revealed 26 compounds in C. monogyna and 22 compounds in C. chinensis, with fatty acids and their derivatives forming the major chemical groups. Ricinoleic acid, cis-vaccenic acid, and related lipid-derived compounds were among the major composition recorded in both species. The DPPH assay exhibited concentration-dependent radical-scavenging activity in both Cuscuta extracts. C. monogyna showed higher antioxidant activity, reaching 80.71 ± 1.25% at 100 µg mL⁻¹, compared to 64.71 ± 1.25% for C. chinensis. Both extracts exhibited notable antibiofilm activity. C. monogyna inhibited biofilm formation by 83.15 ± 0.43% against S. aureus and 84.52 ± 0.46% against E. coli, whereas C. chinensis recorded 79.82 ± 0.33% and 85.41 ± 0.27% inhibition respectively. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant effects of Cuscuta species, concentrations, bacterial strain, and their interactions. These findings suggest that both Cuscuta species contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antibiofilm activities. These findings support further investigation of these species as sources of phytochemical bioactive compounds.
Castanopsis sclerophylla (Lindl.) Schott holds significant ecological and economic value. However, increasing collection of germplasm from different regions has complicated the analysis of its genetic background. This study investigated the relationship between the genetic diversity of different C. sclerophylla germplasm accessions and their geographical distribution, and provides a basis for the molecular identification and application of these germplasm resources. Genetic analysis was performed on 28 germplasm accessions from various locations in China. 10 pairs of highly polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were screened from 26 primer pairs previously developed for Fagaceae plants. The results showed that these SSR markers exhibited high polymorphism, with an average allele number of 10.7 and an average polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.7961. Multiple complementary approaches consistently classified the 28 germplasm accessions into three genetic groups. However, this classification showed no significant correlation with their geographical origins. Although some sympatric germplasm displayed genetic similarity, most clusters comprised germplasm from different regions. Notably, even geographically distant germplasm shared identical genetic backgrounds. While these results are consistent with the possible influence of non-geographical factors such as historical migration, gene flow, or human-mediated introduction, the current SSR dataset alone does not directly demonstrate these processes, and therefore such interpretations remain preliminary. Furthermore, this study successfully constructed a DNA fingerprint profile for C. sclerophylla using five core primer pairs, providing an effective molecular tool for precise identification, intellectual property protection, and breeding utilization.
