French Guiana is one of the earliest regions in the Neotropics where Xylaria species were extensively explored, notably by François Mathias René Leprieur during the 1830s, with many taxa subsequently described as new by Jean Pierre François Camille Montagne. Despite this long history and its clear biogeographical importance, the Xylaria diversity of French Guiana has remained insufficiently documented. Numerous species have been poorly defined, misidentified, or lack molecular data, and no modern, integrative synthesis combining morphology, typification, and phylogenetics has been available for the region. Based on extensive recent field collections by two of us (JF and CL) and a re-examination of historical material, a total of 98 taxa of Xylaria are documented from French Guiana, with X. cantareirensis and X. guadalupensis additionally treated from Brazil and the French West Indies, respectively. Among these, 39 taxa are considered novel to science, including 38 newly described species and one newly recombined name. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses based on protein-coding loci support the separation of the analyzed taxa and clarify relationships among morphologically similar taxa. Of the newly described species, 37 were included in the phylogenetic analyses and are further confirmed as distinct. Several species closely related to X. scruposa are shown to constitute a species complex. Numerous historical names originally reported from French Guiana are re-evaluated through type studies, epitypifications, and critical morphological reassessments. These results highlight the remarkable Xylaria species richness of the region. This study demonstrates that French Guiana harbors a remarkably rich and complex Xylaria diversity that remains only partially resolved. The integration of detailed morphology and molecular phylogenetics reveals a much higher level of diversity than previously recognized and exposes significant taxonomic uncertainty in several species complexes. These findings underscore the need for continued sampling, especially of fresh material suitable for culturing, sequencing, and emphasize the importance of French Guiana as a key region for understanding the taxonomy, evolution, and biogeography of Xylaria in the Neotropics.
Fusarium wilt of tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) is a serious disease. Host resistance and soil fumigation may reduce the impact of FOL, but the effectiveness may decrease over time due to the diversity and evolution of pathogens. Silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, but has been overlooked in crop protection due to its poor availability to plants. Silicate-solubilizing bacteria (SSB) are reported to enhance soil nutrition, plant growth, and stress tolerance by transforming inorganic silicon into a plant-available form. Hence, SSB with antimicrobial properties can act as green alternatives to fungicides. Therefore, this study aims to isolate rhizospheric SSB and uncover their benefits in crop protection. Among thirteen potentially beneficial strains identified through 16S rDNA sequencing, Burkholderia contaminans NRBC (NRBC) and Burkholderia sp. NRBA (NRBA) were chosen for greenhouse experiments to evaluate their effectiveness in promoting plant growth and suppressing FOL (race 2). Under normal greenhouse conditions, the co-application of NRBC and silicon significantly increased shoot dry weight. Under FOL stress, all bacteria-treated groups were taller than the control groups. Bacterial treatments significantly reduced disease incidence and suppressed disease progression with no significant effect of the silicon supplement. The expression profiling of some defense-related genes revealed that soil-inoculation with NRBA and NRBC induced transcriptional patterns consistent with the involvement of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid/ethylene (JA/ET)-related defense responses. SSB isolates, NRBA and NRBC, are effective standalone biocontrol agents for managing Fusarium wilt in tomato. Silicon supplementation did not show the anticipated plant growth promotion of tomato plants and FOL suppression.
BACKGROUND:Organ size is a key phenotypic trait linking plant structure, physiological function, and ecological adaptation. The epiphytic orchid genus Dendrobium comprises highly diversified species adapted to heterogeneous canopy microhabitats, where water and nutrients are scarce and unpredictable. It has evolved two specialized organs, water-storing pseudobulbs and absorptive succulent roots that are critical for epiphytic survival. However, their central role in drought adaptation, interspecific anatomical variation and the drivers of organ size remain poorly understood. Here, we quantified 7 pseudobulb and 13 root traits across 37 Dendrobium species, using phylogenetic independent contrasts to explore the relationships among traits. RESULTS:All traits exhibited considerable interspecific variation, with pseudobulbs showing greater trait lability than roots, reflecting diversified water-use strategies under epiphytic pressure. Weak phylogenetic signals across traits indicate environmental selection dominates anatomical diversification. Pseudobulb radius correlated strongly with parenchyma area and vascular bundle traits, regardless of phylogenetic correction, but not with epidermis thickness after phylogenetic correction. Root radius was associated closely with cortex, velamen, and vascular bundle traits across analyses, but not with exodermis thickness after phylogenetic correction. Functionally analogous traits (pseudobulb radius vs. root radius; pseudobulb vascular bundle area vs. root vascular bundle area and root exodermis area; pseudobulb parenchyma area vs. root cortex thickness, velamen area, and velamen cell area) between pseudobulbs and roots were consistently and positively correlated, revealing coordinated water-use strategies across organs. CONCLUSION:Dendrobium organ size is determined by tissue-level adaptive architecture. Pseudobulb size depends primarily on water-storage parenchyma, while root size is tightly linked to absorptive velamen. The species-level variation, driven mainly by environmental selection, underscores diversified hydraulic strategies in epiphytic orchids. Coordinated trait association between pseudobulb and root traits reflects adaptive integration of storage and absorption organs, a key evolutionary strategy for epiphytic survival. These findings highlight the fundamental role of cell and tissue dimensions in shaping orchid organ morphology.
BACKGROUND:Soil cadmium (Cd) contamination poses threats to ecosystems and human health, and the plant arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiotic system represents a promising green remediation strategy. However, the underlying mechanisms are complex and context-dependent, and systematic comparative studies remain scarce regarding differential regulation of Cd tolerance enhancement in plants of the same genus but different ecotypes. This study used a native species (Sphagneticola calendulacea), invasive species (Sphagneticola trilobata), and their hybrid as materials. It conducted an integrated analysis of the synergistic effects of inoculating Funneliformis mosseae (FM) on the rhizosphere microenvironment and mineral element uptake of three plants under a Cd stress gradient. The objective was to elucidate the interactive mechanisms by which FM enhances plant Cd tolerance and to evaluate its remediation potential. RESULTS:Results indicate that FM regulation of rhizosphere pH exhibits species specificity but generally alleviates Cd induced acidification. FM significantly enhances acid phosphatase activity in rhizosphere soil and substantially promotes plant phosphorus (P) uptake. FM comprehensively altered plant mineral element uptake, including promoting root accumulation of sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca), shoot potassium (K) allocation, and copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) absorption. CONCLUSIONS:This study elucidates how FM enhances P uptake and systematically optimizes elemental absorption homeostasis by regulating rhizosphere pH and phosphatase activity. These synergistic effects improve Cd tolerance in Sphagneticola species and highlight the broad potential of AMF-plant symbioses for Cd remediation. It provides crucial theoretical foundations and germplasm selection references for targeted soil restoration using ecologically distinct Sphagneticola ecotypes and their optimal FM partners.
Abstract Background The semi-dwarf high-yielding rice (Oryza sativa) variety IR8 was the major modern line that gave rise to the “Green Revolution” in Asia approximately 60 years ago. Although the sd1 mutation in IR8 responsible for semi-dwarfism is well known, the sequence variation, evolutionary origins, and functional impacts of SD1 haplotypes remain incompletely characterized. Results By analyzing whole-genome sequences from the 3K Rice Genomes Project, Taiwanese landraces, and Asian wild rice, we classified SD1 into 12 haplotypes, including two newly identified loss-of-function alleles: a 1,279-bp deletion and an E100/R340 variant. Phylogenetic and nucleotide analyses traced the origins of several haplotypes, including the widely used 383-bp deletion (DGWG type), to the wild accession W1718 in southern China, from which they were later introgressed into landraces and subsequently brought to Taiwan. Protein structural modeling further revealed that distinct amino acid substitutions affect GA20ox-2 activity by altering the catalytic pocket or local protein stability. Screening of SD1 and Hd1 genotypes showed that most modern indica varieties carry loss-of-function alleles of both sd1 and hd1, reflecting strong post–Green Revolution selection for semi-dwarfism and early maturity. Conclusion Our results clarify the evolutionary history and functional consequences of SD1 variation and highlight that the combined loss-of-function sd1–hd1 genotype was central to the development of high-yielding, lodging-resistant, and photoperiod-insensitive rice varieties. These findings provide a comprehensive framework for understanding key Green Revolution genes and offer guidance for future rice improvement and genome-editing strategies.
BACKGROUND: Floristic discoveries continue to occur even in regions with a long history of botanical exploration. Ukraine, one of the largest countries in Europe, has been the subject of intensive botanical study for more than two centuries, yet new species, subspecies, and national records are still regularly documented. Understanding the ecological and methodological factors that drive these discoveries is important for improving biodiversity assessment, guiding field surveys, and updating national floras. This study provides a comprehensive synthesis of all vascular plant taxa newly described for science or newly recorded from Ukraine during the period from 1997 to 2024 and identifies the principal drivers of floristic discovery in a temperate flora. RESULTS: A total of 331 species and subspecies of vascular plant were discovered or newly recorded during the study period, including 57 taxa described as new to science. These findings span lycopods, ferns, gymnosperms, and flowering plants, with flowering plants contributing the largest share. Synanthropic habitats, particularly those associated with human disturbance and escaped cultivated plants, yielded the highest number of discoveries. Grasslands, woodlands, stone outcrops, and coastal habitats also contributed substantially, while mountainous areas were notable centres for both newly described taxa and hybridogenic diversity. The majority of discoveries were based on material collected during spring and summer, although historical herbarium specimens, some over a century old, were essential for many taxonomic descriptions and for confirming previously overlooked taxa. Citizen science platforms supported several recent national records by enabling rapid detection and preliminary verification of unusual occurrences, although they have not yet contributed directly to the description of new taxa. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the continued incompleteness of floristic knowledge, even in well-studied temperate regions, and underscore the need for targeted survey strategies that integrate historical collections, underexplored habitats, and public participation. While Ukraine provides the case study, these patterns and methodological approaches are broadly applicable to biodiversity assessment and conservation planning in similar biogeographic contexts worldwide.
Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) are copper-containing enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of phenolic substrates to quinones. In cereal crops, PPOs contribute to both grain browning and defense responses. During domestication, multiple independent PPO mutations have been selected, creating a trade-off between grain quality and plant fitness. In rice, most PPO-related studies have focused on the reference genome of Oryza sativa ssp. japonica cv. Nipponbare, yet a comprehensive understanding of PPO gene diversity, copy number variation, and evolutionary history across the Oryza genus remains lacking. We systematically identified PPO genes in 21 fully sequenced wild and cultivated Oryza species, along with three close relatives. PPOs were classified into three types (PPO1–3), with PPO1 further divided into two subtypes (PPO1-1 and PPO1-2) and PPO3 is reported here for the first time. Both PPO1 and PPO3 possess thylakoid transfer domains and Tat-specific motifs, whereas PPO2 lacks these features. PPO1 and PPO2 expanded through tandem duplications, forming two major clusters: the PPO1 cluster and the PPO2/PPO3 cluster. Truncated PPO variants were found to be widespread across Oryza, present in roughly half of the surveyed species and often outnumbering intact PPO counterparts. Most truncated PPOs contain multiple indels: those in PPO1-1 and PPO3 arose independently, whereas the truncations in PPO1-2 and PPO2 are conserved. Furthermore, PPO mutations in Nipponbare (PPO1 and PPO3) and O. glaberrima (PPO1-1) are associated with domestication, with PPO1-2.1 in Nipponbare disrupted by transposable-element insertions and O. glaberrima harboring a novel truncated PPO1-1 allele. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the PPO gene family across Oryza, revealing three major PPO types. The expansion of PPOs through tandem duplications, coupled with frequent loss-of-function mutations due to frameshift-indel truncations, is consistent with a birth-and-death model of gene family evolution. Our findings highlight the combined contributions of domestication and natural selection in shaping PPO diversity in Oryza.
Astragalus membranaceus, a valuable medicinal plant, is widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, and nutritional industries due to its rich bioactive compounds. Its increasing demand has led to extensive cultivation of A. membranaceus to supplement natural resources and ensure a stable supply. However, comparing the metabolic characteristics of natural and cultivated plants is essential for understanding their quality, authenticity, and potential pharmacological differences. We conducted a comparative analysis of polysaccharide and monosaccharide composition and untargeted metabolite profiling in the roots of natural and cultivated A. membranaceus plants in Mongolia. The levels of alcohol soluble total polysaccharides and the major abundant monosaccharides were similar between natural and cultivated A. membranaceus roots. Whereas several less abundant monosaccharides showed reduced levels in the cultivated roots. Untargeted metabolomic profiling identified a total of 157 metabolites, among which 42 and 35 were differentially accumulated in natural and cultivated roots, respectively. Most metabolites showed increased levels in the cultivated roots; however, 32 metabolites were enriched in natural roots. Functional pathway enrichment revealed distinct metabolic features between the two root types. In natural roots, pathways related to stress response, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and energy production were enriched. In cultivated roots, the enriched metabolic pathways were linked to primary metabolism, growth, and energy production. Our findings reveal distinct metabolic characteristics between natural and cultivated A. membranaceus roots, likely shaped by differences in growth environments, soil conditions, and adaptive metabolic reprogramming. These results provide a valuable reference for evaluating, authenticating, and distinguishing natural and cultivated A. membranaceus roots, and offer insights into their pharmacological potential and quality control.
The section Tuberculata (Camellia L.) comprises 18 species, forming a monophyletic group with unique “tuberculate-wrinkled fruit pericarp” morphological characteristics. However, the interspecific relationships within this section remain poorly resolved. A notable taxonomic controversy involves Camellia lipingensis, C. zengii, and C. rhytidocarpa, which were previously considered conspecific. On the basis of extensive population surveys conducted in their type localities, we identified significant morphological disparities among these three taxa. To comprehensively clarify their taxonomic status and relationships, we conducted an integrated study incorporating morphology, micromorphology (leaf epidermis and pollen), and molecular systematics (cpDNA and nrDNA ITS). Evidence from morphology, anatomy, palynology, and molecular systematics consistently supports the treatment of Camellia zengii as a heterotypic synonym of C. lipingensis, while confirming the distinct species status of C. rhytidocarpa. Morphological analysis revealed continuous variation in key traits: Leaves lanceolate (6.42–12.50 × 2.16–4.45 cm); floral parts with 6–9 rounded sepals, 3–5 hairy styles, and 2.2–4.1 cm long filaments; fruit subglobose (diameter 2.24–3.18 cm), ovary 3-4-loculed (1 seed per locule). Anatomical and pollen characteristics are conservative: The leaf epidermal stomata are elliptical (39.9–41.2 × 31.4–36.7 μm), with a density of 62–86 per mm², and the pollen is nearly spherical (polar axis 36.7–37.8 μm/equatorial axis 40.3–41.3 μm, P/E ratio 0.87–0.91). Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirmed that Camellia lipingensis and Camellia zengii form a strongly supported monophyletic group (ML/PP = 100/1.00; clade Ⅰ), with Camellia rhytidocarpa forming a separate clade sister to it. The chloroplast genomes of the three taxa are conserved in structure, with consistent chloroplast genome structures (157,029, 157,029, 157,048 bp; GC 37.3
In recent decades, agrobiodiversity has significantly declined due to genetic erosion. Conservation strategies in response include both ‘in situ’ and ‘ex situ’ methods, with a third approach called ‘in vivo’ conservation, standing out as a promising approach for conserving agrobiodiversity within active agricultural systems by maintaining live cultivars rather than storing frozen genetic material. Bean landraces (Phaseolus spp.) from southern South America have been cultivated for more than a thousand years, and thus hold deep cultural and ecological significance; however, little information exists about their morphological and phenological characteristics. We propagated bean landraces in homegardens over two agricultural seasons (2022–2024) in the La Araucanía region, southern Chile. We implemented a transdisciplinary and participatory approach involving local women gardeners, with whom we conducted in vivo conservation trials in homegardens, under real cultivation conditions, integrating botanical characterization with traditional knowledge and local management practices. This approach allowed the documentation, for the first time, of phenological and morphological diversity of 30 bean landraces while strengthening community-based conservation. Detailed phenological and agrobotanical traits were recorded, including growth habits, morphological characteristics, and seed metrics. The collected data were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis to identify patterns and correlations among traits. We found significant morphological variability, especially in leaf, flower, pod, and seed traits, highlighting the potential to identify subgroups within the landraces. This work not only supports the conservation of these valuable landraces but also strengthens the local food systems, offering a pathway for communities to face commodification of this agrobiodiversity in order to safeguard their agricultural heritage and enhance local social-ecological resilience.
The enlarged concept ofOreocharis Benth., as the second largest genus of Gesneriaceae plants in China, has been a focus of attention for Gesneriaceae researchers in recent years. However, after the frequent taxonomic revisions of Oreocharis, errors in species publication have become common, leading to confusion in taxonomy. Two taxonomic issues requiring attention were identified during the investigation of the resources of Gesneriaceae in the karst plateau of Guizhou. First, the morphological characteristics of Oreocharis brachypoda J.M.Li Zhi M.Li and Oreocharis wanshanensis (S.Z.He) Mich.Möller A.Weber are difficult to distinguish, and their type localities overlap. Therefore, it is suspected that the same species has been repeatedly published, albeit with different specific epithets. Moreover, the above two species are closely related to the Oreocharis villosa (K.Y.Pan) Mich.Möller A.Weber. Second, there is no essential difference in morphological characteristics between Oreocharis notochlaena H.Lév. and Oreocharis mileensis (W.T.Wang) Mich.Möller A.Weber, and the latter should be treated as a synonym of Oreocharis notochlaena. In this study, through morphological, molecular phylogenetic, and haplotype network studies, the taxonomic status of the above involved species was explored. Based on original literature research, field investigation, and morphological comparison, it was determined that the morphological characteristics of Oreocharis brachypoda and O. wanshanensis are highly consistent, and there are no qualitative characteristics that can effectively distinguish the two, while quantitative characteristics overlap with each other. O. villosa differs from the above two by cymes 2-3 branches, 2-3 per plant, each 8-10-flowered, anther thecae divergent, style shorter than ovary. Similarly, it is difficult to distinguish between O. notochlaena and O. mileensis in morphology. Both the reconstructed phylogenetic relationships and the results of the haplotype network analysis also corroborate the results of the morphological studies. Based on morphology, geographic distribution patterns, molecular phylogeny, and haplotype networks, the findings on two taxonomic issues are as follows: First, O. brachypoda is a duplicate publication of O. wanshanensis, and morphologically, it is distinguished from O. villosa by cymes unbranched, 1-4-flowered, anther thecae confluent, style and ovary nearly equal in length. Second, O. mileensis is a duplicate publication of O. notochlaena. According to the regulations and suggestions of the 2018 International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (Shenzhen Code), it is proposed to treat O. wanshanensis as a variant of O. villosa and to treat O. brachypoda as a synonym of O. wanshanensis. At the same time, O. mileensis should be treated as a synonym of O. notochlaena.
Commercial ornamental plant growers require consistent flowering to adequately fulfill the needs of the industry in the global markets. Combining traditional plant breeding practices with contemporary technology-based solutions, such as eco-friendly methods and AI-focused models, is the way forward for plant flowering and production optimization to attain quality and sustainability. This review discusses the various factors that can be harnessed to modulate plant flowering. These include the major genetic flowering control mechanisms in ornamental plants, such as the key flowering time genes like Flowering Locus T (FT) and CO (CONSTANS) that make up genetic circuits responding to various factors such as hormones (e.g. ABA, gibberellins), as well as key environmental signals like light/dark and temperature. In tandem, the application of plant hormones, like auxins and gibberellins, provides a hormonal approach to enhance flower formation and yield physiologically. Furthermore, innovative improvements such as genetic editing through tools like overexpression or CRISPR/Cas9 and smart systems with sensors that measure parameters and automate controls are now crucial to improving outcomes. However, challenges still exist, including genetic variability and resource limitations, highlighting the necessity for adaptive approaches to sustainable horticulture. Combining these traditional and modern approaches will improve flowering traits and realize the cultural value of ornamental crops in the changing world economy.
BACKGROUND:Carnation and Dianthus (Dianthus spp) are globally cultivated as a cut flower, yet high summer temperatures in Taiwan significantly reduce the yield and quality of commercial cultivars. To enhance stress tolerance traits such as heat resistance and disease resistance, interspecific and intergeneric hybridization with native species is a viable approach. Since the success of hybridization is influenced by genetic distance, this study aimed to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among native species, commercial cultivars, and interspecific hybrids using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. RESULTS:Phylogenetic analysis based on RAPD markers effectively differentiated among native Taiwanese species, commercial varieties, interspecific hybrids, and outgroup taxa. ITS markers, on the other hand, were more informative for identifying parent-offspring relationships. Notably, Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus from Taiwan and Japan, despite sharing the same scientific name, exhibited clear distinctions in both morphological traits and molecular profiles. CONCLUSIONS:The combined use of RAPD and ITS markers provides complementary insights into the genetic relationships within the Dianthus genus. These findings not only support the strategic use of molecular markers in breeding programs but also highlight the need to reassess taxonomic classifications among morphologically similar varieties. This study provides genetics, breeding tools, and germplasm information for future Dianthus breeding.
This study explores the continuity and transformation of wild plant foraging practices in Biella, Piedmont (northwestern Italy), over the past 55 years. The aim was to assess how cultural, economic, and environmental shifts have shaped local ethnobotanical knowledge and practices, using a 1970 survey as a baseline for comparison. Ethnobotanical fieldwork was conducted with 15 local informants to document current wild plant uses for food and herbal teas. The resulting dataset of 82 species was compared with a historical record of 93 species to identify patterns of continuity, loss, and innovation. Three main patterns emerged: (1) the disappearance of certain traditionally foraged plants, not due to ecological absence but largely because of socio-economic changes like the decline of pastoralism and the loss of daily interaction with mountain environments (2) the emergence of new foraging practices involving species that grow near settlements, linked to evolving lifestyles and land use; and (3) a relatively robust preservation of traditional ecological knowledge when compared to other Alpine areas. This resilience is attributed to the area’s geographic marginality, the socio-economic aftermath of the textile industry’s collapse, and the strength of local traditions such as home gardening and communal land use. Wild plant foraging remains a living tradition in Biella, marked by both persistence and adaptation. The findings underscore the dynamic nature of ethnobotanical knowledge and its potential role in sustainability, food security, and cultural heritage preservation amid rural and peri-urban change.
Seeds of temperate terrestrial (hardy) orchids are considered more difficult to germinate compared to their tropical epiphytic counterparts, presumably because they have higher levels of abscisic acid (ABA) in their seed coats which prevents seeds from germinating prematurely during winter dormancy. In nature, ABA is gradually broken down (stripped) by natural weathering, triggering germination. This process can be shortened artificially, however, by using chemical bleaching agents and cold-moist stratification with mixed results. In this study, we explored the use of fluridoneto break seed dormancy in a hardy orchid native to North America, Platanthera leucophaea (Nutt.) Lindl. This organic compound (IUPAC name: 1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl] pyridin-4(1H)-one) is a commercial herbicide that inhibits ABA biosynthesis. We added fluridone directly to agar media prior to seed sowing in vitro. Both symbiotic and asymbiotic germination techniques were applied that involved two different agar media, with and without added fluridone. Symbiotic germination was carried out using standard oatmeal agar inoculated with a mycorrhizal fungus (Ceratobasidium), whereas asymbiotic treatments utilized P723 agar medium. Seedling development within some of the replicate plates progressed to Stage 3 in all treatments, but development was marked in all asymbiotic plates containing fluridone leading to leaf elongation, 385 days after sowing. As an herbicide, fluridone’s use as a media additive to propagate a rare photosynthetic orchid seems counterintuitive, but its use in vitro to stimulate seedling development has the potential to benefit conservation efforts for this and possibly other hardy orchid species.
BACKGROUND:Drought stress is a major constraint to the growth and productivity of Phaseolus vulgaris, particularly in dry regions. Utilizing natural biostimulants offers an eco-friendly approach to enhancing drought tolerance by modulating plant physio-biochemical responses. This study investigates the effectiveness of diluted lemon fruit juice (DLFJ) and diluted bee honey (DBH) as foliar biostimulants to mitigate drought-induced stress in P. vulgaris under two irrigation regimes: full (100% ETc) and deficit irrigation (60% ETc). RESULTS:Both DLFJ and DBH treatments significantly enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), osmoprotectant levels, antioxidant activity, and nutrient accumulation under drought conditions. Among all treatments (4% and 8% DBH, and 3% and 6% DLFJ), DBH-4% was the most effective. It significantly increased chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, photosynthetic efficiency, leaf integrity (RWC and MSI), osmoprotectant levels, antioxidant activities, and green pod yield under 60% ETc compared to untreated controls. It also markedly reduced oxidative stress markers (e.g., malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide) and further boosted enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. CONCLUSIONS:These findings demonstrate that DBH-4% is a promising and sustainable biostimulant for improving drought resilience in P. vulgaris. Its rich content of antioxidants and osmoprotectants confers significant physiological and agronomic gains under water-limited conditions.
BACKGROUND:The inconsistency between morphological and genetic evidence has consistently presented a challenge in taxonomy. The genus Aspidistra (Asparagaceae) comprises perennial herbs found primarily in eastern and southeastern Asia. This group has received limited systematic study despite the continuous publications of new species in recent years. Most species of Aspidistra have narrow distributions, and a large number of them are endemic. This study examined five Aspidistra species in Taiwan, which are part of a total of around 200 Aspidistra species found throughout Asia. In this study, we sampled all Aspidistra taxa in Taiwan to explore their phylogenetic relationships. We utilized transcriptome data for phylogenetic reconstruction and employed gene genealogy interrogation (GGI) to identify conflicts between gene trees and the species tree. Additionally, we tested nine evolutionary scenarios for these taxa by incorporating population-level genetic data. We obtained a well-supported species tree but also detected a high proportion of incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) phenomena. RESULTS:The results revealed that the two varieties of A. daibuensis failed to form monophyly despite morphological similarities. However, about 20.8% of the genes did not reject the topology that grouped them together. Among these genes, we identified positive signals in photosynthesis-related genes, suggesting their similarities arose from convergent evolution. Furthermore, we used a phylogenetic signal test to identify the evolutionary meaningful traits and found that the stigma width can reflect the phylogenetic relationships among these species. CONCLUSIONS:Our study provides new insights into the evolutionary dynamics and taxonomy of Aspidistra in Taiwan, revealing key genetic and morphological patterns shaping species divergence. Phylogenetic analysis revealed substantial ILS, with numerous genes supporting alternative tree topologies. Despite morphological similarities, A. daibuensis var. daibuensis and var. longkiauensis exhibit non-monophyletic relationships, challenging their previous classification. Genes associated with chloroplastic function and photomorphogenic adaptation suggest convergent evolution. Moreover, stigma shape emerges as a robust diagnostic trait for species delimitation. These findings underscore the complex interplay of genetics, morphology, and adaptation, emphasizing the need for further integrative research.
Araceae family is known for its entomophilous reproductive strategies, involving olfactory-driven pollinator attraction and diverse floral rewards. In the Neotropics, genera with unisexually-flowered inflorescences, feature short anthesis and intense thermogenesis, while those with bisexual flowers typically have longer anthesis and varied strategies. However, Monsteroideae, with short anthesis, remains an exception and is underexplored. This study focuses on the floral morphology, pollination ecology, and reproductive strategies of Stenospermation weberbaueri to enhance understanding of Neotropical aroid dynamics. A natural population of S. weberbaueri was investigated in the Colombian Andes. Detailed examinations of inflorescence morphology, floral development and population phenology were conducted. Over a 1‐year period, flowering and fruiting phenology were recorded, the reproductive system was assessed through controlled pollination experiments, and spadix temperatures were monitored during anthesis. Floral scent samples were collected and characterized using headspace and Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry methods, while pollen morphology and its position on floral visitor’s body were described using scanning electron microscopy. Attractiveness assays with baited traps were employed to attract scent‐oriented floral visitors. The reproductive sequence of S. weberbaueri consists of six stages over 50 days. Anthesis, lasting three days, involves thermogenesis, spathe movements, floral chamber formation, and scent emission to attract and retain visitors. Temperature increases are synchronized with flowering, peaking at 5.4–7.2 °C above ambient during the male phase of anthesis. We identified 3-pentanol as a novel floral scent component in Araceae, which attracts Cyclanthura sp., the primary pollinators of S. weberbaueri. Controlled pollination experiments confirmed that S. weberbaueri cannot self-pollinate or undergo apomixis. We make the first report of brood-site pollination mutualism in Stenospermation and in the subfamily Monsteroideae. This is the first comprehensive account of the pollination biology of genera Stenospermation, indicating a mutual dependence between S. weberbaueri and Cyclanthura sp., with weevils serving as pollen vectors and laying eggs on deciduous spathes. This BSPM in aroids, involving ectophagous and detritivorous larvae, highlights the complex interplay of floral traits—centered on long—range olfactory signals combined with putative visual and thermal signals—to attract specialized pollinators.
Marine-derived microorganisms are renowned for producing structurally diverse secondary metabolites with notable biological activities, serving as a promising reservoir for pharmaceutical development. In this study, the fungal strain Westerdykella dispersa Ca4-13, isolated from the edible oyster Crassostrea angulata, was investigated for its potential anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties using BV-2 microglial cells as a model system. Metabolite profiling of the solid-state fermented products of W. dispersa Ca4-13 yielded seven compounds 1–7. Their structures were elucidated using NMR and MS techniques, revealing three previously undescribed cytochalasins, namely westerchalasin A (1), westerchalasin B (2), and westerchalasin C (3), along with four known compounds 4–7. Among these, westerchalasin B (2) and westerchalasin C (3) significantly exhibited nitric oxide (NO) production production in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells, with IC₅₀ values of 11.1 ± 0.4 and 9.9 ± 0.4 µM, respectively. Western blot analysis demonstrated that compounds 2 and 3 significantly downregulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression at a concentration of 20 µM. Moreover, molecular docking analysis revealed that compound 3 exhibited a high binding affinity for iNOS synthase (ΔG = -18.8104 kcal/mol). The strong interaction was attributed to of hydrogen bonds between the catalytic residue Arg375 and the C-18 carbonyl group of the cycloundecene moiety, as well as Pi-alkyl interactions with Trp367, which contributed to enhanced stability of the complex. This study reported the isolation and structural elucidation of three novel cytochalasins 1–3 from W. dispersa Ca4-13. Notably, compounds 2 and 3 demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NO production and iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. Molecular docking analysis further confirmed strong interactions between compound 3 and key iNOS residues. Given the crucial role of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders, these findings suggested that compounds 2 and 3 may possess dual neuroprotective properties, warranting further exploration for therapeutic applications.
Understanding the reproductive barriers in natural plant hybrids is fundamental for comprehending mechanisms of speciation and evolutionary divergence. Most studies focus on reproductive barriers and gene exchange material between parental species, whereas fewer emphasize the biological significance of hybrid viability and their ability to interbreed with each other or with the parental species. To address this gap, the present study focuses on the hybrid Serapias x kelleri and its parental species, Serapias vomeracea and Serapias cordigera to evaluate reproductive success and the role of prezygotic and postzygotic barriers. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to investigate and evaluate the reproductive success, the biological and evolutionary implications of Serapias x kelleri, in terms of fruit production and seeds produced through hand pollination of any possible bidirectional cross combinations between hybrid plants and both parental species. Controlled manual crosses between hybrids and parental species to assess fruit and viable seed production were conducted. Results revealed no prezygotic barriers, as all pollinated flowers formed fruit. However, postzygotic barriers were evident, with significant variability in viable seed production. Hybrid self-crosses showed the lowest seed viability (0.6
