Understanding trait and genetic variability within endemic plant species is key to elucidate their plasticity, resource-use attitudes and adaptive responses in variable habitat conditions. However, no studies have focused on both variability dimensions and their relationship in narrow Mediterranean endemics of the forest understorey. We investigated this topic in the species pair Aegonychon calabrum, a rare herb in southern Italy, and its related widespread congener A. purpurocaeruleum (Boraginaceae). After assessing intraspecific variation in Leaf Area (LA), Specific Leaf Area (SLA), Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC), and population genetic structure by AFLP fingerprinting, we used PST–FST comparisons to infer the proportion of genotypic and phenotypic differentiation driven by directional vs. stabilizing selection. We also examined whether individuals exhibit similar trait values due to their genetic proximity. Lower LA suggested lower resource-acquisitive ability in A. calabrum, but variation in traits and CSR scores was comparable to its widespread congener. Population heterozygosity was slightly lower than in A. purpurocaeruleum, not supporting genetic erosion in the endemic species. In both species, phenotypic differentiation was higher than genetic differentiation suggesting that directional or divergent selection is potentially acting on the examined leaf traits and thus on their resource use attitudes. Trait values positively correlate with genetic proximity in a clade formed by two of the three A. calabrum populations, a pattern consistent with population-level niche conservatism. The case study of A. calabrum supports that, while generally fitting the "refuge" model, populations of endemic understory herbs of Mediterranean forests can be subject to non-stabilizing selection.
Chia (Salvia hispanica) seeds (C) are known for their potential metabolic, dermatological, and neuroprotective benefits; however, a systemic chemometrics integration linking multi-origin omics-based phenolic profiling to enzyme inhibition potential is yet to be explored. Eleven (C1-C11) different origins of chia seeds were extracted with a green solvent of acetone: water (70:30 v/v) using an ultrasonic dismembrator and quantified for the major phenolic compounds using UHPC-DAD. The compounds were evaluated in five different enzyme models of α‑amylase (ALP), acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase (AChE, BChE), lipase (LPS), and tyrosinase (TYR) inhibition. The K-mean cluster analysis, one-way ANOVA, and PCA were used to identify significant correlations and mean differences. Among the phenolics, rosmairinic acid (RA) (385.77 ppm), chlorogenic acid (cGA) (86.33 ppm), and ferulic acid (FA) (40.51 ppm) were found the major constituents, whereas the highest phenolic accumulation was observed for USA (78.7 ppm), Saudi Arabia (69.2 ppm), and Ecuador (52.5 ppm) origins. The initial screening revealed inhibition of 38–71
The genus Thalictrum (Ranunculaceae) is recognised as a source of diverse secondary metabolites with broad pharmacological potential. In contrast, many Thalictrum species from Africa and Asia remain understudied despite their historical use in traditional medicine for fever, infections, gastrointestinal disorders, wounds, and inflammation. This structured review evaluates the botanical traits, ethnomedicinal relevance, phytochemical composition, and pharmacological prospects of Thalictrum species from Africa and Asia. Data were systematically retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, ethnomedicinal surveys, and scholarly literature. Eleven species native to these regions were identified: T. rhynchocarpum, T. minus, T. foliolosum, T. pedunculatum, T. punduanum, T. isopyroides, T. baicalense, T. alpinum, T. glandulosissimum, T. cultratum, and T. delavayi. Phytochemical analyses reveal abundant bioactive constituents, including isoquinoline alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, and phenolics. However, a structural evaluation reveals substantial methodological deficiencies: approximately 70
Plants possess a sophisticated antioxidant defense system that alleviates the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species formed under diverse abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Among these stressors, allelochemicals represent a major source of chemical stress, as they can interfere with multiple physiological and biochemical pathways. We assessed the allelopathic influence of aqueous leaf extract of Lupinus termis. on the antioxidant system of Euphorbia helioscopia (Family: Euphorbiaceae) and Chenopodium murale (Family: Amaranthaceae). We measured seed germination, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant defense mechanisms, and metabolic enzyme activities, in Euphorbia helioscopia and Chenopodium murale. Treatment with Lupinus leaf extract caused a marked increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide radicals (O₂•⁻) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels in the leaves of both E. helioscopia and C. murale, reflecting elevated oxidative stress. Furthermore, total phenolic and flavonoid contents exhibited a pronounced increase following exposure to Lupinus leaf extract, reflecting a defensive metabolic adjustment against allelochemical-induced oxidative stress. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11), catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) and glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.8.1.7) were markedly stimulated at lower extract concentrations, suggesting an adaptive response to moderate oxidative stress. However, at higher concentrations, these activities were significantly suppressed, indicating enzyme inactivation or damage under excessive allelochemical stress. The study is novel in examining the effects of Lupinus termis leaf extract on E. helioscopia and C. murale, species not previously analyzed together. Its originality lies in linking concentration-dependent oxidative stress responses with alterations in nitrogen metabolism and phenylpropanoid pathway enzymes.
Salinity stress is a major constraint to mung bean production, and the integrated effects of silicon on root architecture, gene expression, and proteomic responses remain poorly understood. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using four mung bean varieties subjected to sodium metasilicate supplementation under progressive NaCl stress (0, 10, and 20 mM), integrating root system architecture, proteomic profiling, and gene expression analyses. The most silicon-responsive genotype was identified based on silicon accumulation patterns and advanced for in depth molecular analyses. Silicon supplementation was associated with improved root architectural recovery under salinity stress, with enhanced root surface area observed across tolerant varieties. Correlative changes in ionic balance were observed, with silicon-supplemented plants showing lower Na⁺/K⁺ and Na⁺/Ca2⁺ ratios compared with non-supplemented salt-stressed plants. Silicon transporter genes (Lsi1 (sevenfold) and Lsi2 (3.4-fold), and salt-responsive genes SOS1 (3.6-fold), SOS2 (1.6-fold), SOS3 (2.8-fold) were positively associated with silicon supplementation under saline conditions, suggesting correlative links between silicon uptake and ionic stress-responsive pathways. Exploratory proteomic profiling identified 23 differentially expressed proteins associated with photosynthetic and stress-response pathways, with silicon-supplemented plants showing higher proportions of photosynthesis-related and antioxidant proteins. PCA biplot (49.6
The conservation of threatened medicinal plants in the Indian Himalayan Region is increasingly challenged by climate change, habitat degradation, and unsustainable harvesting, highlighting the need for spatially explicit, forward-looking conservation strategies. In this study, we modelled and mapped habitat suitability and cultivation potential for seventeen vulnerable medicinal plant species in the alpine and subalpine regions of Uttarakhand, western Himalaya, using an integrated stacked species distribution modelling (SSDM) framework. Species occurrence data were compiled from field surveys, herbaria, literature, online databases, cleaned (n = 471) and modelled against high-resolution bioclimatic variables. Ensemble species distribution models were developed, and subsequently stacked for Category-I (highly vulnerable) and Category-II (vulnerable) species groups. Model performance was robust, with mean AUC values of 0.90 for Category-I and 0.88 for Category-II species. Precipitation of the coldest quarter (bio19) and mean temperature of the wettest quarter (bio8) were the dominant predictors for both species groups. Current suitability maps indicated that only 21.8
Root-mediated allelopathy is crucial in plant-soil interactions, particularly in continuous cropping systems. This study investigated the concentration-dependent allelopathic effects of the root aqueous extract (RAE), rhizosphere soil (RS), and root powder/residue–amended soil (RPAS/RRAS) of Nicotiana tabacum on two leguminous crops, Cicer arietinum and Pisum sativum. Bioassays conducted under controlled conditions revealed significant reductions in germination, seedling growth, photosynthetic pigments, and carbonic anhydrase and nitrate reductase activities. In contrast, proline accumulation, malondialdehyde content, and antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, and POX) levels were significantly elevated, indicating oxidative stress induction and activation of defense responses. Rhizosphere soil from tobacco also impaired the growth and physiological parameters of both crops, suggesting the persistence of phytotoxic compounds in the soil. Cytogenetic analysis using Allium cepa root meristems revealed chromosomal abnormalities, and scanning electron microscopy revealed alterations in stomatal morphology. GC–MS profiling identified 25 compounds, including nicotine-related alkaloids and phytosterols, which may have contributed to the observed phytotoxicity. Although these compounds are known constituents of tobacco, their integration with physiological and cytological responses provides mechanistic insights into root-mediated allelopathy. These findings support the hypothesis that the accumulation of tobacco root-derived allelochemicals in the soil may contribute to soil sickness under continuous monoculture, potentially impairing the growth of subsequent crops.
Traditional medicinal knowledge is an important component of biocultural heritage in mountain ecosystems, where human communities have long relied on local plant resources for primary healthcare. Understanding how ecological conditions and cultural identity influence the distribution of this knowledge is essential for its conservation and sustainable use. Despite extensive ethnobotanical research in the Western Himalayas, previous studies from Kashmir and adjacent regions have mainly focused on floristic inventories and quantitative documentation, with limited attention to how ethnic identity and ecological gradients shape medicinal plant knowledge. This study applied an integrative biocultural framework to examine the spatial and cultural distribution of ethnomedicinal knowledge across an altitudinal gradient (1000–4500 m a.s.l.) in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Between March 2023 and November 2024, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 105 informants representing the Gujjar, Pahari, and Kashmiri ethnic groups. Data were analysed using Frequency of Citation (FC), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), and Jaccard Index (JI). Differences in medicinal plant use across altitudinal zones were evaluated using the Kruskal–Wallis test and visualised with boxplot analysis. A total of 180 medicinal plant species belonging to 63 families were documented, dominated by Asteraceae and Poaceae. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part, commonly prepared as powders. Ethnomedicinal knowledge showed significant altitudinal structuring, with the highest concentration of medicinal plant records at mid-elevations (1801–2600 m a.s.l). Kruskal–Wallis analysis confirmed significant differences in species frequency distributions among altitudinal belts (H = 13.72, p = 0.003). Collection of medicinal species occurred mainly between February and October, with peak harvesting in April. Cross-cultural analyses revealed that the Pahari community retained the greatest proportion of unique medicinal knowledge (15 exclusive taxa), while Gujjar and Pahari groups shared 64 taxa, indicating strong intercultural exchange. RFC values ranged from 0.857 to 0.038, with Mentha arvensis and Mentha longifolia showing the highest cultural importance. Plant species were utilised to treat 27 categories of ailments, with gastrointestinal disorders representing the most frequently treated condition. Jaccard similarity values ranged from 6.96
European forests have a long history of management, which has often homogenized stand structure, impacting the diversity of forest biological communities. In the last decades, the pursuit of forest multifunctionality has put emphasis on the links between forest management, structure and biodiversity. However, the lack of integrated data on stand structure and multi-taxon biodiversity data has hampered the understanding of how changes in forest structure affect the composition of different taxonomic groups. In this data paper, we provide a dataset including forest structure and multi-taxon species diversity data in beech-dominated forests subjected to conservation-oriented forest management. We sampled standing trees, lying deadwood, as well as vascular flora, epiphytic lichens, and saproxylic fungi, in 19 sampling units within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park (central Italy). The dataset provides information on: (i) the occurrence and abundance of the three taxonomic groups; (ii) tree inventory data (species, diameter at breast height, height, vitality, dominance, and origin); (iii) size, type and decay class of lying deadwood. This dataset can inform studies on biodiversity and management effects on forest ecosystems.
Bertolonia (Melastomataceae) is a genus endemic to the Atlantic Forest, typically associated with moist and shaded understory environments. However, some populations occur in transitional zones between ombrophilous and seasonally dry forests, where pronounced climatic seasonality and recurrent drought raise questions about their persistence under periodic water limitation. In these environments, some individuals show conspicuously thickened stems, suggesting a potential role in water storage. Here, we investigated whether stem thickening represents an adaptive response to drought stress. We analyzed the stem morphoanatomy of six Bertolonia individuals from populations occurring under contrasting environmental conditions and compiled climatic data from their collection sites. Stem thickening was observed in individuals from four populations: one corresponding to Bertolonia crassicaulis and the other three representing undescribed morphotypes referred to here as ‘Boa Nova’, ‘Serra da Jiboia’, and ‘Valença’. In these plants, stem thickening was associated with a markedly expanded pith composed of thin-walled cells with wide lumina, occupying up to three-quarters of the stem volume. This configuration is consistent with aquiferous parenchyma and suggests a role in water storage, although the morphotype ‘Valença’ occurs in a more humid environment with no dry months. The remaining two populations belong to Bertolonia carmoi and Bertolonia acuminata, both from wetter environments. Individuals from these populations lack stem thickening and show reduced pith proportions. These findings suggest that stem thickening in Bertolonia may be associated with environmental conditions related to water limitation, although this trait is not exclusively restricted to seasonally dry environments, highlighting the possible influence of ecological and evolutionary factors on stem structural variation.
To assess variation in morphological traits, leaf anatomy, shoot yield, essential oil content, essential oil yield, uptake of macro- and microelements, and selected heavy metals, peppermint was sampled from farms of leading producers across Iranian provinces. Mean comparison revealed that the highest dry shoot yield (3410 kg/ha) was obtained from the Karaj accession. The highest essential oil contents, 2.36
Green nanotechnology offers promising alternatives to conventional agrochemicals and provides sustainable strategies to enhance crop productivity while minimizing environmental risks. In this study, iron oxide (Fe3O4) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were biosynthesized using plant extracts of Catharanthus roseus. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized to determine their physicochemical properties using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and DLS analyses. Their potential applications as plant growth stimulants and antibacterial agents were further investigated. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. The results demonstrated significant antimicrobial efficacy, with ZnO nanoparticles exhibiting particularly strong inhibitory effects. We also found that foliar application of synthesized Fe3O4 and ZnO NPs across concentrations of 10–100 mg/L enhanced biochemical traits in a dose-dependent manner, with the most pronounced effects at 100 mg/L, including significant increases in catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), proline, protein content, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. Notably, treatment with Fe3O4 NPs led to significant increases in proline, protein content, anthocyanins, and flavonoids by 85.41
Drought stress is a major constraint to safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) production, adversely affecting phenological development, physiological performance, and oil yield. In this study, the effects of foliar-applied salicylic acid (SA) (0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM) were evaluated under different irrigation intervals (Irrigation after 70, 110, and 150 mm evaporation from class A pan) to determine its role in enhancing drought tolerance and improving productivity. Results showed that drought stress accelerated flowering, shortened seed filling duration, and reduced plant biomass, seed yield, and oil accumulation. Application of SA mitigated these effects by improving leaf water content, stabilizing membranes, maintaining chlorophyll integrity, and enhancing photosystem II efficiency, thereby supporting photosynthetic capacity under stress. Importantly, the SA exhibited differential effects depending on water availability. The SA treatment accelerated the rate of oil accumulation in developing seeds under non-stress conditions; however, under drought stress mainly prolonged the oil filling period with little effect on the rate of accumulation, which ultimately enhanced final oil content and yield. These findings highlight the SA as a versatile regulator that not only improves safflower resilience under drought, but also optimizes oil deposition dynamics, offering a practical approach to sustaining oilseed productivity in water-limited environments.
Root system architecture (RSA) is a key determinant of plant growth, resource acquisition, and environmental stress management. Conventional root phenotyping is labor-intensive, destructive, and unsuitable for large-scale germplasm evaluation. However, RhizoVision-based digital phenotyping is well-suited for initial screening of germplasm in breeding programs. In this study, available tomato accessions were examined using the RhizoVision imaging platform. Root images (n = 154) were captured with a Basler machine-vision camera and analyzed in RhizoVision Explorer to measure 22 root architectural traits. Phenotypic variation was assessed using descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis, hierarchical clustering, and regression analysis. Significant variation in RSA was observed in root length, branching pattern, root volume, diameter, and biomass-related traits. Strong positive correlations among total root length, surface area, perimeter, and root volume suggest coordinated development of root architectural components, whereas biomass traits showed weaker relationships with RSA traits. PCA explained 66
Phytochemical composition and biological activities of methanolic extracts obtained from the flowers, leaves, and branches of chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) cultivated in Aydin, Türkiye. The extracts contained substantial levels of bioactive compounds, with Total Phenolic Content (TPC) reaching up to 672.7 mg GAE/g in purple Koçarli flower extracts and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) up to 25.1 mg QE/g in leaves. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiling confirmed marked chemical variability between plant parts, with flowers accumulating higher amounts of hesperidin, whereas leaves were richer in vanillic acid. Functionally, the extracts exhibited strong antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC values up to 2340.5 µmol TE/g), as well as notable antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The fractions, particularly APF and KMF, demonstrated time- and dose-dependent reduction in cell viability of TPC-1 thyroid cancer cells as measured by MTT assay, with APF exhibiting the strongest cytotoxic effect (IC50 = 31.25 μg/mL at 48 h). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of the methanolic extracts revealed that oleic acid and its isomers (9‑octadecenoic acid (E) and (Z)) were the predominant constituents across all plant organs, with branches showing especially high levels (66.68
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a deciduous woody plant of the Elaeagnaceae family. Its varied biological activities and complex chemical composition have recently attracted substantial academic attention. The objective of this review is to critically evaluate recent evidence (2021–2026) regarding the phytochemical composition, extraction technologies, pharmacological activities, clinical applications, safety profile, and future therapeutic potential of Hippophae rhamnoides. Flavonoids, phenolic compounds, vitamins, phytosterols, polysaccharides, essential fatty acids, and more than 190 physiologically active chemicals are known to be present in the plant. Some of its most important biological functions include cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects, as well as reducing inflammation and the risk of cancer. New evidence from clinical trials has found that seabuckthorn may be helpful in metabolic syndrome, gastrointestinal issues, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Furthermore, at the suggested therapeutic dosages, sea buckthorn has not been associated with any major side effects, demonstrating a solid safety margin. Ultimately, this analysis emphasizes the significance of sea buckthorn as a promising natural resource for the advancement of therapeutics and functional food uses.
The present study was conducted in the temperate forests between 1800 and 3500 m asl to elucidate the composition and regeneration dynamics along the disturbance gradients. Tree species richness was highest for moderately disturbed broad-leaved forests. The tree density ranged from 550 to 1420 trees ha−1, and total basal cover between 36.72 and 132.66 m2 ha−1. Rhododendron arboreum and Lyonia ovalifolia were the most widely distributed tree species in the study area. Tree diversity decreased with increasing disturbance, showing negative correlations with canopy cover (r = -0.683, P ≤ 0.01) and cut-stump density (r = -0.620, P ≤ 0.01). However, canopy cover indicated a positive correlation with sapling (r = 0.698, P ≤ 0.01) and seedling (r = 0.704, P ≤ 0.01) diversity. The seedling (11825 seedlings ha−1) and sapling (3640 saplings ha−1) were observed maximum in the least (FT7) to moderately (FT8) disturbed forests. An asymmetrical, inverse 'J' shaped distribution (positively skewed) reflected the scarcity of mature trees (individuals of higher diameter classes) in almost all forest types. The recruitment of new tree species outside their conventional habitats may result in compositional changes across many forest stands/types. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis results revealed that the five prominent disturbance indices were significant (F = 6.34, P = 0.048) in determining the pattern of tree species distribution along the axes. The total explained variance was found 69.43
In this study, the moss-bag technique using Platyhypnidium riparioides was applied to assess contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) along the Merse River (Tuscany, Italy). Transplanted moss samples were exposed for three weeks at eight sites along the river and at a reference site and analysed by ICP-MS for 10 PTEs. The results revealed a marked spatial variability, with the site closest to the former mining area showing high to critical contamination and ecological risk, particularly for Cd, Cu and As. Additional localised enrichment was detected downstream in an area influenced by agricultural and infrastructural activities. Comparison with a previous survey conducted in 2016 at the same sites showed no significant temporal changes, indicating that contamination levels persisted over nearly a decade since the remediation ceased and natural attenuation capacity was overwhelmed by persistent legacy load. Overall, this study confirms the moss-bag biomonitoring as a sensitive, integrative and cost-effective approach for spatial and long-term assessment of river contamination and ecological risk.
Plant-pollinator interactions have historically been defined by the attractant-reward paradigm, where visual pigments and volatile organic compounds serve as the primary communication channels. However, the prevalence of thermogenesis in ancient plant lineages has long suggested the existence of cryptic sensory modalities. This review synthesizes recent breakthrough evidence demonstrating that cycads (Zamia furfuracea) utilize infrared radiation (IR) as a specific, active pollination signal, fundamentally distinct from convective heat or volatile dispersion. We highlight the physiological mechanisms driving this phenomenon, detailing how the circadian-regulated alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway generates precise thermal pulses that act as glowing beacons for nocturnal pollinators. Furthermore, we explore the molecular basis of this interaction, specifically the identification of TRPA1 cation channels in the antennae of Pharaxonotha weevils, which function as dedicated IR receptors. By establishing that these insects "see" heat patterns rather than merely sensing ambient warmth, these findings redefine thermogenesis as a sophisticated optical signaling strategy. Finally, we discuss the evolutionary implications of this "hot spot" communication, proposing that IR signaling represents an ancestral, pre-floral sensory channel that facilitated pollination networks millions of years before the radiation of angiosperm visual displays.
Cashew trees are recognized for their economic and ecological importance in the tropics, but their species delimitations and phylogenetic relationships remain unclear. Here, we analyzed the genetic diversity of their germplasms from the Cerrado and restinga biomes in Northeastern Brazil. Twenty-four accessions of Anacardium occidentale and two of A. humile were evaluated using morphological and genetic markers. The morphological variability extended beyond species boundaries, challenging their differentiation. Furthermore, molecular analyses of selected nuclear (ITS) and plastid (matK, trnL-F, ycf1 and rps16) DNA regions revealed no clear genetic separation between A. occidentale and A. humile, resulting in an unresolved clade. We also performed cytogenetic analyses and genome size measurements on twelve accessions of A. occidentale along with two of A. humile to investigate possible undetected genomic differentiation. The results indicated a strong chromosomal stability, with 2n = 40, CMA+/DAPI− bands in the terminal regions of the short arm of three chromosome pairs, one pair of 5S rDNA, and three pairs of 35S rDNA sites co-localized with CMA+/DAPI− bands. Genome sizes were similar among the accessions, with a mean genome size of 0.44 pg/1C ( 435 Mbp), suggesting no significant intra- or interspecific variation and no evidence of polyploidy. The lack of differentiation among the analyzed accessions reinforces the need for expanding the present analysis to test if it may be attributed to incomplete lineage sorting, hybridization with introgression, or the possibility that A. occidentale and A. humile represent a single species, with domesticated accessions exhibiting larger fruits and pseudofruits.
