High-intensity blue light is a powerful regulatory signal for plants, but its excess induces oxidative stress requiring rapid diagnosis. This study evaluated the potential for early detection of changes in the spectral characteristics of microgreen canopy cover caused by high-intensity blue light (PPFD 2500 µmol·m−2·s−1, 12 h) in five species of microgreens (Helianthus annuus, Pisum sativum, Eruca sativa, Hordeum vulgare, Raphanus sativus ‘Sango Purple’) using hyperspectral imaging (450–950 nm) and machine learning. A Random Forest model trained on 85 vegetation indices classified light stress with high accuracy (Accuracy > 93%, Kappa > 0.87, F1-score > 93%) and detected spectral changes characteristic of light stress as early as 1–3 h of exposure. SHAP analysis identified carotenoid-sensitive indices (PRI, CCI, PRICI2) and chloroplast movement and stress indices (CMI, LSIRed, LSINorm, Carter5) as the most informative predictors. It is assumed that the primary mechanism underlying early spectral changes was chloroplast avoidance rather than pigment degradation, as confirmed by the reversibility of canopy bleaching, rapid recovery of maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, and unchanged chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Sunflower and radish were the most sensitive species to high-dose blue light, while barley was the least sensitive. LSIRed was identified as a reliable qualitative marker of light stress that does not require a control sample, simplifying its use in automated monitoring systems. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of hyperspectral phenotyping for non-invasive, rapid diagnosis of light stress in microgreens, providing a tool for optimising lighting regimes in controlled environment agriculture.
Global demand for cape gooseberry fruits has experienced significant growth in recent years. These fruits exhibit a physiological disorder known as cracking, caused by irregular water supply to the crop and calcium deficiencies. Therefore, the effects of different irrigation levels and calcium fertilization on fruit quality and on enzymes such as polygalacturonase, which is involved in cell wall degradation during ripening and stress responses. A completely randomized block design was used, with three blocks representing irrigation frequencies (4, 9, and 14 days) and twelve treatments arranged in a 4 × 3 factorial design. The first factor was the irrigation coefficient (0.7, 0.9, 1.1, and 1.3 of evaporation), and the second was calcium fertilization (0, 50, and 100 kg ha−1 of Ca2+ applied as calcium nitrate). Calcium fertilization did not affect the fruits’ calcium concentration [Ca2+]. Cape gooseberry plants fertilized with 50 and 100 kg ha−1 of calcium accumulated 57% and 107% more of this nutrient in the leaves compared to the control, while the calyx accumulated 72% more with calcium application. Irrigation coefficients of 1.1 and 1.3 of ETc reduced [Ca2+] in the leaves by 24% compared to irrigation coefficients of 0.7 and 0.9. [Ca2+] in the calyx decreased by 25% when the irrigation frequency was increased from 4 to 14 days. Numerically, the highest fruit concentrations of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ were observed under the combination of a 50 kg ha−1 calcium dose, a 0.9 irrigation coefficient, and a 9-day irrigation frequency. Polygalacturonase activity was significantly reduced by calcium fertilization, but irrigation treatments did not produce statistically significant effects.
Temperature is a major environmental determinant of flowering time and reproductive success in plants. Ongoing global warming is changing flowering phenology across natural and agricultural ecosystems, yet the mechanisms by which ambient temperature regulates the transition to reproduction remain less fully resolved than those underlying photoperiodic flowering and vernalization. This review synthesizes eco-physiological and molecular evidence for temperature-dependent flowering across plant groups and terrestrial ecosystems. It considers the development of the florigen concept, the identification of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and related phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein family members, and the integration of temperature signals with flowering activators and repressors. Particular attention is given to the thermosensory pathway, including alternative splicing, chromatin regulation, membrane-associated signaling, phase separation and temperature-dependent accumulation or stability of regulatory proteins. The review also examines phenological responses to rising temperatures in bulbous geophytes, Arctic and boreal species, subtropical and tropical crops, and desert plants. Available evidence indicates that the temperature requirements for floral initiation, their organogenesis and anthesis vary widely among species and developmental stages, and that these optima reflect life-history strategy, origin and adaptation to seasonal temperature regimes.
The genus Euterpe, which includes açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea) and juçara palm (Euterpe edulis), plays an important socioeconomic and environmental role in Brazil. However, soil and water salinization is a global issue that compromises agricultural productivity by affecting plant physiological and metabolic processes. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological responses of young açaí and juçara plants under salt stress. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of five irrigation water salinity levels (0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0 dS m−1) and two Euterpe species (açaí and juçara), with four replicates. After 104 days of stress exposure, gas exchange, chlorophyll ‘a’ fluorescence, relative chlorophyll index (SPAD), and sodium, chloride, and phenolic compounds were evaluated. Increasing salinity caused linear reductions in the maximum quantum yield and potential photochemical efficiency of PSII, accompanied by an increase in F0/Fm, indicating impaired PSII photochemical performance and photoinhibition. Stomatal conductance and transpiration also decreased significantly with increasing salinity, with reductions of up to 41.33% and 35.48%, respectively, at the highest salinity level. Salt stress negatively affected the physiological performance of both palm species through stomatal limitation and reduced photosystem II efficiency. However, açaí plants exhibited greater tolerance to salt stress than juçara plants.
Salt stress represents one of the main challenges for global agricultural production, and digital phenotyping has emerged as a promising alternative for identifying popcorn genotypes tolerant to salt stress. This study evaluated the accumulation of plant pigments in response to salt stress in 49 popcorn genotypes (7 inbred lines and 42 F1 hybrids). Seeds were subjected to two saline conditions: without salt stress (NS—0 mM NaCl) and salt stressed (SS—100 mM NaCl). The evaluation included physiological parameters, and morphological and colorimetric attributes based on the CIELab color space were analyzed using the GroundEye® system. Additionally, the salt stress tolerance index (SSTI) was calculated for all assessed genotypes. The SSTI ranged from 0.55 to 0.83, with values closer to 1.0 indicating higher tolerance to the stressor. Among the evaluated genotypes, L472 and four of its hybrids stood out for their salinity tolerance, as they combined efficient maintenance of chlorophyll content with higher SSTI estimates. In contrast, L217 and two of its hybrids were identified as sensitive, exhibiting some of the lowest SSTI estimates and significant accumulation of anthocyanins, which, in this study, indicated a response mechanism to oxidative damage. Digital phenotyping associated with CIELab colorimetric analysis constitutes an objective tool for identifying tolerant genotypes, thereby accelerating breeding programs aimed at developing cultivars adapted to saline environments.
Aging is characterized by a progressive decline in physiological resilience and increased susceptibility to chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Emerging evidence indicates that low-dose stressors (collectively termed hormetic stimuli) activate adaptive cellular responses that enhance stress resistance, promote repair mechanisms, and ultimately extend healthspan. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on hormesis in the context of aging, with a focus on key molecular pathways including nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), sirtuins, autophagy, and mitohormesis. We examine how lifestyle interventions (physical exercise, caloric restriction, mild thermal stress) and emerging pharmacological agents induce beneficial adaptive responses, while critically evaluating their translational potential in clinical and public health settings. Special emphasis is placed on the role of hormesis in counteracting neurodegeneration, the utility of autophagy and systemic aging biomarkers (epigenetic clocks, inflammaging scores) for precision dosing, and the limitations imposed by inter-individual variability, age-related decline in adaptive capacity, and risks of overexposure. Understanding the delicate balance between beneficial and detrimental stress responses is essential for leveraging hormesis as a robust strategy to counteract aging and age-related diseases. We further propose a multilevel framework integrating molecular mechanisms with clinical outcomes, positioning hormesis as a key determinant of adaptive resilience in aging.
Boron serves as a necessary micronutrient, but elevated concentrations may exert toxic effects, which has raised concern over its increasing presence in the environment owing to anthropogenic activities. This study assessed the sublethal effects of boron on Daphnia magna, which is a commonly employed model species in freshwater ecotoxicology. D. magna neonates were subjected to boron concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 350 mg B/L over 48 h, and acute toxicity (EC50), along with swimming velocity, heart rate, and oxidative stress responses, were evaluated as toxicological endpoints. Swimming velocity increased significantly at 80 mg B/L before declining, while heart rate significantly decreased at 250 mg B/L (p < 0.05). In addition, significant increases in oxidative stress responses were observed at sublethal concentrations of 40 and 80 mg B/L (p < 0.05), highlighting the sensitivity of oxidative stress responses to boron exposure. These findings demonstrate the previously underexplored sublethal effects of boron on D. magna, including alterations in swimming velocity, heart rate, and antioxidant defenses, emphasizing the need for integrated endpoints in ecotoxicological assessments.
Water deficit represents a major environmental constraint that severely limits the growth and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Although inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate drought-induced stress, the efficacy of specific strains, such as Priestia aryabhattai CMAA 1363, remains to be fully elucidated. This study evaluated the morpho-agronomic and biochemical responses of common bean to seed inoculation with P. aryabhattai CMAA 1363 under two contrasting irrigation regimes: 100% (well-watered) and 40% (water-restricted) of available water capacity (AWC) under greenhouse conditions. Water restriction significantly compromised plant performance, reducing plant and pod length, root dry biomass, and yield components (pod and grain counts, and total grain mass). Conversely, bacterial inoculation enhanced vegetative traits, increasing plant length by approximately 15% and root dry biomass by approximately 25% compared to non-inoculated controls. Notably, under severe water deficit (40% AWC), inoculated plants achieved a 20% increase in total grain mass per plant relative to their non-inoculated counterparts. Biochemical profiling indicated that inoculation effectively attenuated oxidative stress, as evidenced by lower malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and modulated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, while water-stressed plants adapted by accumulating total soluble sugars and increasing peroxidase (POD) activity. Overall, P. aryabhattai CMAA 1363 promotes vegetative development, preserves grain production under drought, and orchestrates antioxidant defense mechanisms, highlighting its potential as a sustainable bioinput to improve common bean resilience in water-limited agricultural systems.
Legume–rhizobia symbiosis plays an important role in plant responses to stressful environments, including soils contaminated with heavy metals. Anthyllis vulneraria, a widespread wild legume, exhibits genotype-dependent variation in metal tolerance and accumulation. The objective of this study was to compare responses of three A. vulneraria genotypes to Pb and Mn stress and to test the hypothesis that tolerance is influenced by rhizobial inoculation with a specific strain. Plants were cultivated under partially controlled conditions with or without inoculation and subjected to Pb or Mn stress. Growth, nodulation, tissue water content, photochemical performance, and metal accumulation were assessed. Both metals negatively affected plant growth and physiological performance; however, responses were genotype-dependent and modified by inoculation. Genotype AV1 showed consistently positive responses, AV2 moderate responses particularly under Mn stress, and AV3 limited effects. Metal accumulation patterns suggested genotype-dependent differences, with AV2 showing higher accumulation in roots and lower Mn concentrations, while AV1 and AV3 showed higher Pb concentration in older leaves under inoculated conditions. Overall, the results suggest that plant responses in A. vulneraria may depend on specific genotype–rhizobia–metal combinations, but these findings are based on a limited number of genotypes and a single inoculum and should be interpreted cautiously with respect to phytoremediation applications.
Brassica napus L. is a major oilseed crop whose productivity is significantly affected by abiotic stresses such as drought. PYR/PYL/RCAR (PYL) proteins act as key abscisic acid (ABA) receptors and play central roles in stress responses. However, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the PYL gene family in B. napus is still lacking, limiting our understanding of their functions in plant and stress adaptation. This study reports the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the PYL gene family in B. napus (rapeseed), cultivar ZS11, identifying 25 BnPYL genes grouped into four subfamilies, I (four genes), I-II (five genes), II (five genes), III (11 genes), and their encoded proteins were predicted to be mainly localized in the chloroplast. Structural analysis revealed diverse exon–intron organization and 10 conserved motifs. All identified BnPYLs contained Polyketide_cyc2 domains (PF10604), supporting their annotation as members of the PYL family. Promoter analysis identified cis-regulatory elements related to light response, stress regulation, and hormonal signaling. Computational analysis of post-translational modifications suggested that phosphorylation sites are mainly localized at serine and threonine residues. Tertiary structure modelling revealed conserved three-dimensional architectures among BnPYL proteins, suggesting potential functional conservation. Expression profiling and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that several BnPYL genes respond to ABA-mediated drought stress, with BnPYL15 and BnPYL22 exhibiting the highest induction (4–5-fold) and BnPYL2, BnPYL5, BnPYL6, BnPYL17, BnPYL18, and BnPYL25 showing significant upregulation (2.0–4.5-fold), suggesting potential roles in enhancing drought tolerance in B. napus.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a globally important horticultural crop, with Asia contributing 60.45% of total production, followed by the Americas at 13.36%. Tomato productivity is increasingly constrained by southern blight, a destructive disease responsible for yield losses ranging from 30 to 90% and annual economic damage of $10–20 million. The causal pathogen, Sclerotium rolfsii, infects the stem base and induces reddish-brown cankers through secretion of oxalic acid (OA) and cell wall-degrading enzymes, which girdle tissues, impair water transport, and result in rapid plant wilting and death. Its persistence in soil via sclerotia, broad host range, and adaptability make the disease difficult to manage. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and other multi-omics approaches have substantially improved understanding of pathogen virulence factors, host defense responses and disease epidemiology. These studies have revealed key roles of OA, carbohydrate-active enzymes, effector proteins, and sclerotial melanization in pathogenesis, while highlighting the activation of salicylic acid (SA)-, jasmonic acid (JA)-, and ethylene (ET)-mediated defense pathways in tomato. Although cultural, biological, and chemical measures are available, these measures often provide inconsistent protection when used alone. Promising strategies include the use of biocontrol agents, hypovirulence-inducing mycoviruses, and chemical fungicides such as carboxamides and quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs), though fungicide resistance remains a risk factor. Integrated Disease Management (IDM) approaches, such as combining biocontrol agents with fungicides, demonstrate enhanced efficacy. This review also evaluates progress in resistance breeding, grafting, RNA interference (HIGS and SIGS), CRISPR-based genome editing, and exploitation of wild genotypes for durable resistance. Furthermore, emerging precision agriculture tools, including hyperspectral imaging, machine learning-assisted disease detection and climate-resilient management strategies, were discussed as new components of sustainable disease management.
Salinity stress adversely affects plant growth, yield, and productivity. It requires an investigation of ameliorative techniques, for example, spraying synthesized nanoparticles such as zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnOnps). This current research studied the impact of sodium chloride as a stressor (150 mM NaCl) and the application of ZnOnps (2 g L−1) on some biochemical properties of maize (Zea mays) leaves. The experiment involved examining some mineral concentrations (Na, K, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn), fatty acid profile, and the antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) properties of aqueous and diethyl ether maize leaf extracts, supported by molecular docking studies of the 17 previously determined phenolic compounds against DNA gyrase and alpha-L-fucosidase enzymes. Applying ZnOnps markedly decreased sodium concentrations from 5.8 to 1.9 mg g−1 dry weight (DW) and established ion balance. ZnOnps also reduced γ-linolenic acid levels to 60% under stress, returning them to normal (34%), while increasing palmitic acid to 30%. Determining the antimicrobial activities indicated that extracts from plants sprayed with ZnOnps exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity, as evidenced by the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations against bacterial and fungal strains, including Salmonella typhi and Aspergillus flavus. The computational molecular docking confirmed the antimicrobial findings, with the compound apigenin-7-glucoside, which exhibited the highest binding affinity scores for antibacterial (−7.4 kcal/mol), and the compound chlorogenic acid as antifungal (−7.2 kcal/mol) against the enzyme targets. Thus, ZnOnps can be considered an efficient strategy for mitigating salinity stress in maize plants while elevating the antimicrobial activity and stability of variant secondary compounds.
Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in plant tissues causes several damages, including disturbances in anatomical structures, negative impacts on photochemical reactions, and reducing the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus. 24-Epibrassinolide (EBR) is a plant steroid that regulates multiple physiological and biochemical processes to counteract the harmful effects of metal stress. The aim of this research was to investigate whether exogenous EBR application affects leaf and root anatomical structures, including stomatal responses, redox-metabolism-related biochemical responses intrinsically related to photosynthetic apparatus, and nutritional status in soybean plants under Cd excess. The experiment was randomized with four treatments: two cadmium concentrations (0 and 500 µM Cd, described as −Cd and +Cd, respectively) and two EBR levels (0 and 100 nM EBR, described as −EBR and +EBR, respectively). Results demonstrated that EBR positively regulated root and leaf structures and stomatal performance, with significant increases in epidermis and cortex (root) and benefits for spongy parenchyma and stomatal density (leaf), clearly protecting the photosynthetic apparatus against Cd excess. Simultaneously, this steroid mitigated Cd-induced oxidative stress by stimulating the activities of superoxide dismutase (25%), catalase (28%), ascorbate peroxidase (30%) and peroxidase (48%), while simultaneously reducing the content of oxidative compounds, including superoxide (16%), hydrogen peroxide (8%), malondialdehyde (12%) and electrolyte leakage (14%). The dual mechanism modulated by EBR protected anatomical structures and stimulated antioxidant defense. Therefore, the results prove that exogenous EBR application effectively attenuates the adverse effects of Cd excess in soybean plants.
Polyamine treatments are beneficial against various stress factors due to direct protective effects and the regulation of metabolite remodelling and gene expression. However, their protective, specific effects as priming under stress conditions remain not fully understood. We hypothesised that the positive effect of priming decreases even shortly after priming. To investigate the duration of action of putrescine treatment against osmotic stress, and to reveal species- and time-dependent differences, the effects of putrescine seed-soaking were monitored in wheat and maize during osmotic stress. The putrescine pre-treatment was effective in both species against osmotic stress during three trials ran in parallel, even when the stress was applied 7 days after seed-soaking. Leaves and roots responded differently, and putrescine induced certain unique changes under control and osmotic stress conditions. The effects of the treatments at the metabolite level changed between the sub-experiments and differed between the two species. Putrescine alone had an increasing effect on jasmonic acid-isoleucine level in the roots of both wheat and maize, and it induced the expression of WRKY97 in both the leaves and roots of maize plants throughout the experiment. These results highlight that different hormonal and transcriptional changes induced by putrescine were associated with the observed positive effects.
Oleanolic acid (OA) is a hydrophobic pentacyclic triterpene widely distributed in the plant kingdom and characterized by broad biological activity, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, renoprotective, and anticancer effects. Increasing evidence suggests, however, that many of these actions are better explained not by single molecular targets, but by OA-dependent modulation of an integrated organelle stress network involving mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), autophagy, mitophagy, and apoptosis. This review critically analyzes the available evidence on the effects of OA on the mitochondria–ER–autophagy–apoptosis axis, with particular emphasis on mechanisms governing the transition between cellular adaptation and cell death. The available literature indicates that, in non-cancer models, OA most commonly lowers reactive oxygen species (ROS), stabilizes mitochondrial function, attenuates the ER stress signature, and promotes adaptive autophagy and mitophagy. In contrast, in many cancer models, OA may enhance mitochondrial dysfunction, lower the threshold for mitochondrial apoptosis, and induce autophagy that can be either protective or cytotoxic depending on the biological context. Overall, the current evidence supports a model in which OA acts as a context-dependent modulator of the organelle stress threshold, shifting the balance of an integrated mitochondria–ER–autophagy–apoptosis network rather than functioning as a uniformly cytoprotective or uniformly proapoptotic compound. At the same time, the literature remains heterogeneous with respect to models, doses, exposure times, and markers used, while poor aqueous solubility and limited bioavailability continue to constrain translation. Future studies should therefore integrate analyses of mitochondria, ER, mitochondria–ER contact sites (MERCS), autophagy, apoptosis, pharmacokinetics, formulation, and safety in order to define the true potential of OA as a modulator of biological stress.
Sustainable agricultural technologies are essential to respond to environmental and social pressures, ensuring the maintenance of global food security. Therefore, there is an urgent demand for more sustainable agricultural practices that promote soil quality, as this factor directly impacts the global economy. Agricultural yield is directly associated with soil health and fertility. The use of organic waste serves as a source of essential nutrients for plants, increasing soil organic matter, contributing to the improvement of soil physical and chemical properties, as well as increasing crop yield. Based on this context, this research aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating organic waste aiming to mitigate the oxidative damage in maize plants grown under different levels of soil fertility (low, average, and high), evaluating soil and plant, more specifically chemical, physiological, biochemical, and morphological responses. In soil, organic waste promoted significant increases in the activities of arylsulfatase and β-glucosidase and improved the chemical parameters, including cation exchange capacity, soil organic matter, base saturation, and sum of bases. The application of organic waste, regardless of fertility level, improved the nutritional status in maize plants, increased concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, maximized the photochemical efficiency and photosynthesis rate. In plant metabolism, the results demonstrated that organic waste promoted significant increases in plant antioxidant defense, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase, minimizing the oxidative stress on photosynthetic machinery, especially in plants cultivated on soil with low fertility. Therefore, this research proves that organic waste mitigates the negative impacts associated with nutritional starvation, improves soil health and fertility, favors the maintenance of redox metabolism, and stimulates photosynthesis in maize plants cultivated in low-fertility soil.
Cross-kingdom pathogenesis—human and animal pathogens colonizing and persisting in plants—is transforming our understanding of microbial ecology, food safety, and public health. This review translates incoming research that demonstrates plants as more than mute carriers to dynamic ecological interfaces where human and zoonotic pathogens, such as Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes, will adhere, internalize, and, in some cases, potentially evade host defenses. Such pathogens exploit evolutionarily conserved molecular processes like Type III secretion system 1 (TTSS), biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and small RNA-mediated immune sabotage that have allowed them to cross biological kingdom boundaries. To provide an entry point for pathogens, environmental conditions (e.g., contaminated irrigation water, manure application, wildlife access, and mechanical wounding) promote pathogen transfer to and penetration into plant tissues through stomata hydathodes above ground or roots below ground. Once inside, pathogens confront a range of plant immune responses, indigenous microbiota, and abiotic stresses such as UV radiation exposure, nutrient starvation, and osmotic fluctuations. Nonetheless, biofilm production, metabolic versatility, and virulence gene expression contribute to their persistence. Interactions with plant pathogens and microbiomes additionally shape colonization dynamics, for example, through co-survival and niche manipulation. With the acceleration of these processes due to climate change, urbanization, and intensified agriculture, cross-kingdom pathogenesis becomes a rising concern for One Health. Critical knowledge gaps, including seedborne transmission, microbiome engineering, and predictive modeling, are pointed out in the review along with emerging mitigation strategies, including point-of-care diagnostics and microbial biocontrol. In conclusion, this review advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration from microbiology, plant science, and One Health perspectives to predict and mitigate cross-kingdom threats to global food production.
Harsh environments and climate change hamper industrial hemp productivity. Under stress conditions, uniform germination and vigorous seedlings are key to sustaining crop establishment and performance. Trichoderma spp. are beneficial micromycetes, able to colonize plant roots and promote plant development even under abiotic stress conditions. Thus, the seed treatment with specifically selected Trichoderma isolates could be a useful strategy to enhance hemp seed germination and plantlet growth. In this view, a preliminary screening was performed with ‘Eletta campana’ cv. Nine out of 20 Trichoderma isolates enhanced the radicle growth (+66–111%); most of them resulted in good root colonization, but only four isolates significantly enhanced the shoot DW (+18–22%). Three isolates were selected for a pot experiment, compared to T. afroharzianum T22, to evaluate the effect on plant growth, root architecture, accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and stress-related compounds, and variation in antioxidant activity in 20-day-old plantlets. T. afroharzianum OR4 significantly promoted plantlet growth (+9% shoot DW and +11% leaf DW). The seed treatment had a low impact on the other variables studied, except in the case of foliar proline content, a marker of stress tolerance, that was greatly increased with T. afroharzianum T22 and T. atrobrunneum X44 (+32% and +17% DW).
Methane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2), and its atmospheric concentration is on the rise. Soil CH4 consumption (=absorption) capacity is declining due to reduced forests and green spaces, as well as other environmental factors and anaerobic stresses. Environmental and stand structure parameters were cross-referenced with publicly available international ecosystem databases, such as FLUXNET, ICOS, NEON, AmeriFlux, the TRY plant trait database and the Oak Ridge FACE site. Searches were conducted using keywords such as region, water level, and stand density. The data indicate that under high-CO2 conditions, the increase of forest canopy density leads to increased litter accumulation on the forest floor and reduced sunlight penetration, creating anaerobic conditions. This can cause forests to shift from CH4 consumption to CH4 release. Based on these findings, we discussed methods to maintain and enhance the CH4-absorbing capacity of forest soils. This can be achieved through management practices that improve environmental conditions and increase soil fauna’s activity, such as those associated with thinning operations in overmature forest stands across various regions. This ecological manipulation through thinning practices promotes ground-level temperature increases and the activities of soil fauna, as well as maintaining aerobic conditions near the soil surface.
Microplastic pollution has attracted significant attention in recent years due to evidence that these particles can accumulate in organisms’ tissues and organs and induce adverse health effects, with oxidative stress being a key underlying mechanism of toxicity. The present study investigated the effects of polystyrene microplastics (0.1 μm in diameter) administered at a dose of 0.1 mg/day/animal for 4 weeks, followed by a 2-week recovery period without exposure, on oxidative stress markers in the liver, kidney, and spleen and on hematological and blood biochemical parameters in mice. The results showed a statistically significant increase in white blood cell counts, including lymphocytes, granulocytes, and monocytes, at week 5, indicating the development of an inflammatory response. During the last week of the recovery period (week 6), values returned to levels that approached baseline. Changes in lipid peroxidation demonstrated an induction of oxidative stress, accompanied by alterations in glutathione levels and antioxidant enzyme activities, with a tendency toward recovery after cessation of polystyrene microplastic exposure. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that even short-term exposure to low doses of polystyrene microplastics could trigger oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, highlighting their potential health risks and the need for further investigation into their long-term biological effects.
