This study investigated the effects of five concentrations of magnesium sulphate on selected microgreen species. Six plant species – broccoli, mustard, cress, basil, sunflower and cucumber – were treated with MgSO4 solutions containing magnesium at concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg · L−1. The content of water-soluble magnesium and calcium, fresh yield, dry matter content, vitamin C, total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity were evaluated in all species. Biofortification significantly increased (p < 0.05) the Mg content in all tested species without negatively affecting yield. The highest water-soluble magnesium content (after the application of 50 mg · L−1) was observed in cucumber (1076 mg · kg−1 FW), while the lowest was found in sunflower (369 mg · kg−1 FW). Compared with the control, the application of 50 mg · L−1 increased the magnesium content in plants by 67% in mustard, 81% in sunflower, 137% in broccoli, 172% in cress, 186% in cucumber and 262% in basil. Furthermore, 50 mg Mg · L−1 significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) total phenol content, flavonoids, vitamin C and antioxidant activity in broccoli.
The effect of a high-voltage electrostatic field on postharvest preservation of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) was studied. The morphological indexes such as cut flower morphology, colour char-acteristics, flower weight, water content, stomatal traits (including stomatal closure ratio (SCR) and stomatal size), and physiological indexes such as chlorophyll, anthocyanin, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) were recorded in the whole process by setting field intensities of 10 kV · m–1, 30 kV · m–1 and the control group (CK) (0 kV · m–1). The results showed that the vase period of 10 kV · m–1 treatment was significantly increased, which was 1.52 days longer than that of CK, with consequent effects on flower colour brightness. Also, the effect on flower colour brightness was obvious. Compared with CK, at 10 kV · m–1, anthocyanins increased by 8.1%, which improved flower colour brightness, and SOD activity increased by 11.2%, indicating reduced oxidative stress and better maintenance of flower weight and water content. Interestingly, the SCR of 10 kV · m–1 was 4.85 times higher than that of CK, with a decrease of 9.4% in stomatal length and 10.68% in stomatal width. To sum up, 10 kV · m–1 can prolong the vase life of carnation significantly and may delay the flower wilting time by adjusting the stomatal opening-closing ratio. The research provides a new idea for the fresh-keeping technology of cut flowers.
Indian-strawberry (Duchesnea indica) covering (IC) represents an environmentally friendly and cost-effective 'grass- to-grass' weed suppression strategy in orchard management, warranting further investigation into its impacts on soil microecology. Soil samples under IC were analysed for nutrient content, microbiome composition, and metabolome profiles to elucidate the effects of snakeberry coverage on soil microbial communities and metabolite dynamics. IC significantly improved soil physicochemical properties, with longer coverage duration yielding more pronounced enhancements. Soil organic matter and available phosphorus showed heightened environmental sensitivity and relatively rapid accumulation rates. IC exerted regulatory influence on soil microbial community structure without altering the dominant taxonomic composition, which remained primarily Proteobacteria and Ascomycota. Metabolites in covered soils were significantly enriched in pathways such as 'biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites' with arachidonic acid identified as a potential key metabolite of interest. Overall, IC contributes positively to the regulation of soil microecology and enhancement of soil quality, providing theoretical support for the promotion and application of snakeberry coverage in orchard soil management.
Strawberries are very sensitive fruits prone to mechanical damage, water loss, and fungal attacks, especially grey mould (Botrytis cinerea), which is one of the main causes of postharvest diseases. Traditional methods of postharvest preservation, including applying preharvest fungicides and cold storage, have their own limitations, and therefore, effective alternative methods are needed. Prohexadione-Ca (Pro-Ca) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) are environmentally friendly postharvest treatments that increase the shelf life of strawberries. These compounds reduce excessive growth, strengthen the cell wall, and deter enzymatic breakdowns, thus slowing down the ripening process. The current study determined the effects of different levels of Pro-Ca (10, 15, and 20 ppm) and CaCl2 (1%, 2%, and 3%) on postharvest characteristics of strawberries kept at 4°C for 20 days. The retention of total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity(TA), vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and flavonoid contents showed significant improvements, accompanied by decreases in weight loss, severity of the disease, and microbial growth, with optimal doses depending on the specific parameter evaluated. The study highlights Pro-Ca and CaCl2 as promising and sustainable postharvest treatments of strawberries as a safer substitute to the traditional chemical fungicides, which also fits the current consumer demands of natural products. Additionally, the use of these treatments not only improves the quality of fruits but also leads to economic sustainability through alleviating postharvest losses.
Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are a valuable horticultural crop, widely consumed for their high phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. However, significant variability exists among cultivars in their biochemical profiles and defence strategies, which may influence fruit quality and functional value. This study compared 10 commercial blueberry cultivars grown under uniform agronomic conditions in the Maule Region of Chile. We analysed total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP]), and the activity of key antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], peroxidase [POD], and ascorbate peroxidase [APX]), alongside colorimetric parameters Commission Internationale de l'& Eacute;clairage L*a*b* color space (CIELab). 'O'Neal' consistently showed the highest levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants and FRAP values, while 'Legacy' and 'Ventura' also displayed strong antioxidant profiles with elevated enzymatic activity. Multivariate analysis revealed two distinct antioxidant strategies among cultivars: one based on enzymatic defences, and the other on phenolic compound accumulation. Strong correlations were found between anthocyanin content and CIELab parameters, suggesting potential for rapid visual screening. These results highlight cultivar-dependent variation in antioxidant systems and support the strategic selection of genotypes with superior nutritional quality and postharvest potential. The findings provide valuable insights for breeding programmes, functional food development, and the expanding blueberry industry.
This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the phaenological, pomological, and nutritional traits of various almond cultivars based on multi-year observations. The results revealed significant differences among cultivars in flowering and ripening times, stone and kernel weight, shell hardness, and sensory characteristics. The earliest cultivar in terms of both flowering and ripening was 'Zora', while 'Ferrastar' and 'Ferragnes' flowered the latest. 'Gersonskaja' exhibited the highest stone weight (8.8 +/- 3.1 g) and shell hardness and 'Suzanne' the softest shell. The highest kernel weight was recorded in Prunus amygdalus var. tenera (1.6 +/- 0.1 g). All evaluated cultivars had sweet kernels, except for the rootstock 'MN-VA-1', which was rated as semi-sweet. 'Ferrastar' received the highest palatability rating, while 'Ferragnes' had the lowest, though still favourable, score. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis revealed two main cultivar groups, with 'Gersonskaja' and 'Zora' being the most distinct. The chemical composition of the kernels showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). 'Genco' exhibited the highest fat content (61.79 +/- 0.01% FW), while 'Famosa' had the highest soluble protein content (14.16 +/- 0.79% FW). 'Ferragnes' stood out for its highest levels of phenolic compounds (142.09 +/- 0.39 mg) (GAE & centerdot;100 g(-1) FW), flavonoids (85.11 +/- 0.35 mg (CE)& centerdot;100 g(-1) FW), and antioxidant capacity (AC) (148.9 +/- 1.7 mg) (TE & centerdot;100 g(-1) FW). PCA of the nutritional data confirmed the similarity between 'Ferragnes' and P. amygdalus var. tenera in terms of secondary metabolite content, whereas 'Gersonskaja' showed the lowest values across most parameters.
Micropropagation is considered an important technique for the large-scale production of genetically uniform and disease-free avocado rootstocks. However, the recalcitrant nature of avocado poses significant challenges during different stages of micropropagation, often limiting the efficiency of this method. This study aimed to develop and optimise surface sterilisation, shoot proliferation and rooting conditions in the micropropagation of 'Duke 7' clonal rootstock. In the establishment stage, four sterilising agents [sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), mercuric chloride (HgCL2), sodium merthiolate (Na-merthiolate), and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC)] at different concentrations and exposure durations were evaluated. The most effective surface sterilisation treatment was 0.25% NaDCC for 20 min, providing the highest survival rate (87.50% +/- 16.23%) with minimal contamination. During the shoot proliferation stage, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KIN), and thidiazuron (TDZ) were assessed at various concentrations. Maximum number of shoots (2.07 +/- 0.07 per explant), shoot length (21.00 +/- 1.05 mm), number of leaves (5.27 +/- 0.26 per explant) and shoot growth index (3.13 +/- 0.29/4.00) were achieved on modified MS medium containing 8.88 mu M BAP. In the rooting stage, different concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) were evaluated using the quick-dip method. The highest rooting rate (13.33% +/- 0.79%) was obtained with the 10 mM IBA treatment; however, this rate remained relatively low for effective root induction. In conclusion, this study demonstrated improvements in the surface sterilisation and shoot proliferation stages of avocado micropropagation. However, rooting remains a critical limiting stage, with its success influenced by genotype and the applied auxin induction strategy.
This study aims to reveal the spatial distribution patterns of effective components in different parts of morel mushrooms, analyse the impact of cultivation on soil factors, and explore the intrinsic relationship between soil factors and effective components, providing a theoretical basis for precision cultivation and ecological agriculture. Samples were collected from two regions, Daozhen and Shuicheng, and 28 soil factors and five effective components were measured. Correlation analysis was conducted to study the coupling relationships between variables. The results showed that post-planting, soil alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen (AN), total nitrogen (TN), available potassium (AK), total humic acid (THA), C/P and N/P levels increased at both sites, with respective increases of 8.5%-48.1%, 1.2%-26.8%, 40.2%-84.7%, 6.5%-23.4%, 10.5%-51.1% and 12.8%-41.3%; while pH, total phosphorus (TP), water-soluble humic acid (WSH), Na, Fe, Zn, Mn and Se decreased by 2.4%-4.6%, 10.1%-10.8%, 4.1%-21.9%, 0.6%-5.5%, 0.7%-4.9%, 2.3%-2.9%, 5.3%-21% and 15.5%- 21.2%, respectively. Both region are primarily nitrogen-limited with accompanying phosphorus mineralisation, while carbon limitation is not significant. Cap content is generally higher than stalk content, but the difference between the two parts within the same region is within 5%, indicating significant development potential for the stalk. The Daozhen region exhibits superior accumulation of total phenols and total saponins, while the Shuicheng region stands out for its higher polysaccharide and protein content. The two origins show little difference in total flavonoids. Soil factors total potassium (TK), Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, Be and Ni all showed positive correlations (p <= 0.05) with total phenolics, total saponins and protein content. These factors collectively promoted the accumulation of these three effective components in morel mushrooms, while TK, Mg, Na, Fe, Co and Ni all showed negative correlations with total polysaccharides (p > 0.05). Increased levels of these soil factors inhibit the accumulation of total polysaccharides in morel (p > 0.05). Total flavonoids are minimally affected by soil factors, exhibiting only a negative correlation with SOM. Soil factors are the key limiting factors for effective components, and production management should be adjusted according to local conditions.
This study investigated the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the leaf nutrient status of rooted hazelnut cuttings. Rooted hardwood and softwood cuttings of 'Tombul', '& Ccedil;ak & imath;ldak' and 'Okay 28' cultivars were grown under greenhouse conditions for 1 year following basic fertilisation (BF) and inoculation treatments (BF + Bacteria and BF + Mycorrhiza). Results showed that while bio-inoculants generally improved the nutrient profile, the effects were particularly significant for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and chlorophyll content, especially in the BF + M group. However, despite the treatments, nitrogen (N) concentrations across all groups remained below the sufficiency threshold, indicating that the applied N dose was insufficient for an annual growth cycle. The study demonstrates that while AMF and PGPR enhance the uptake of several key minerals, their effectiveness is influenced by cultivar and cutting type. For successful nursery production, bio-inoculation should be supported by optimised nitrogen fertilisation to ensure balanced plant nutrition.
Seed priming is an effective approach to control diseases in tomato. In this context, the current study was undertaken to confirm the effectiveness of seed priming. Treatments included (1) dry seeds; (2) seed priming with 1 mL of moringa leaf extract diluted with 30 mL of distilled water for 18 hr; (3) seed priming with 1% NaCl for 36 hr; (4) seed priming with 10% polyethylene glycol (PEG) for 12 hr; (5) 100 ppm GA3; (6) 5% KNO3 under dark conditions and (7) 1000 ppm thiourea for 24 hr; (8) distilled water for 12 hr and (9) 2% KH2PO4; and 0.5 mmol · L−1 NAA at 4°C for 6 hr. The treated seeds were immediately broadcasted in separate nursery beds; after that 21-day old seedlings were transplanted in main plots. Foliar application of GA3 at 100 ppm was sprayed 25 days after the seedlings were transplanted. Two-year results revealed that tomato seeds primed with 2% KH2PO4 in combination with GA3, significantly reduced bacterial wilt, leaf spot, early blight, late blight and leaf curl diseases. Additionally, the combination of 10% PEG with GA3 has emerged as the most effective for controlling collar rot disease. While PEG decreased the incidence of collar rot, KH2PO4 strongly reduced bacterial wilt. Target leaf spot, early blight and late blight were less severe when KH2PO4, KNO3 and moringa leaf extracts were used, indicating that seed priming was more crucial for prevention of disease severity. Application of GA3 also enhanced the effect of nearly all priming agents.
This study investigated the effects of indigenous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) consortia on corm development, the physiological attributes and nutrient acquisition of Freesia hybrida grown under greenhouse conditions. Five PGPR consortia (A1-A5) were evaluated in comparison with chemical fertiliser and control treatments. The results revealed that A2 and A4 consortia significantly enhanced corm dry weight (by 22%-28%), diameter (by 18%) and chlorophyll content (by 15%) relative to the control, while A1 and A4 promoted cormlet formation. Both A2 and A4 also increased macronutrient uptake, particularly nitrogen (by 21%), potassium (by 24%) and calcium (by 19%), indicating improved root-soil interaction and nutrient use efficiency. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation matrices confirmed a distinct clustering of A2 and A4 treatments, demonstrating consistent broad-spectrum effects on the morphological and nutritional parameters. The findings highlight the potential of native PGPR formulations as sustainable biofertilizers capable of reducing chemical fertiliser dependency and improving soil health in ornamental bulb production systems.
This experiment aimed to explore the effects of bioactive substances such as alginate (seaweed extract) (SW), potassium humate (humic acid) (HA), diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6) and brassinolide (BR) on the germination and salt resistance of melon seeds, and to optimise their appropriate concentrations and ratios. The simulated salt stress environment was irrigated with a 100 mmol · L−1 NaCl solution. Treatment groups with different concentrations of SW, HA, DA-6 and BR were set up, and a completely blank control group (CK) was set up. The optimal concentrations were SW 1000 mg · L−1, DA-6 10 mg · L−1, HA 50 mg · L−1 and BR 0.2 mg · L−1. Among them, SW treatment can maximise the germination index, with an average of 26.7. DA-6 had the best effect on promoting the growth of the radicle and the most significant promotive effect, with embryonic root length and hypocotyl length reaching 95.0 mm and 11.8 mm, respectively. HA can also effectively improve seed germination rate and vigour index, with mean values of 91.5% and 217.4%, respectively. BR can effectively improve the vigour index of seeds, reaching 241.6. All tested bioactive substances significantly improved the salt resistance of melon seeds, and among them, alginate showed the most significant effect compared with the control group. Not only did the main root length increase, but the number of lateral roots also significantly increased. When the concentration of SW reached 1000 mg · L−1, vigour index and radicle length showed significant differences compared with the control, thereby enhancing its salt resistance.
Biostimulants have demonstrated capacities to modulate the sensory and functional properties of plant yields; however, their modes of effects and potential benefits to cannabis are largely unknown. In this study, low-THC Cannabis sativa (cv. 'Fairnsfield') was grown hydroponically under controlled conditions with fertiliser supplemented with a biostimulant complex (BC) comprising molasses, Aloe vera extract, and fish hydrolysate. The harvested flowers were analysed for their volatiles, cannabinoids, and odour. Roots, leaves, and sugar leaves were analysed for their metabolites, phytohormones, and peroxidase and chitinase activities. Statistical modelling was utilised to explore associations between flower odour strength and volatiles, volatile physicochemical properties and their pharmacokinetic properties, and flower volatile and cannabinoid profiles with reviewer impressions of benefits to anxiety or depression. The results indicated that BC application induced a salicylic acid-driven defence response that increased THC and reduced volatiles within flowers, which was associated with reduced measures for odour strength, descriptors minty and fruity, and was predicted to increase the impression of benefits to depression. The reductions in cannabis odour resulting from BC treatment are expected to improve acceptability to medicinal cannabis patients requiring lower sensory stimulation such as paediatrics and those with an autism spectrum disorder.
The in vitro hormetic effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the morphogenic response was evaluated on Ananas comosus in this study. Meristems were placed in the Murashige Skoog (MS) medium with different AgNP concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 mg & centerdot; L-1), whereby the effect of combining 1 mg & centerdot; L-1 of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and AgNPs in the afore mentioned concentrations was also assessed. Responses were evaluated after 30 days and 60 days of culture. The best concentration for sprout formation was 50 mg & centerdot; L-1 of AgNPs, with which 6.33 +/- 0.33 shoots per explant were obtained. This response doubled when combined with 1 mg & centerdot; L-1 of BAP, where 11.33 +/- 0.88 shoots per explant were obtained. Concentrations of 50 mg & centerdot; L-1 and 100 mg & centerdot; L-1 of AgNPs, either alone or in combination with BAP, stimulated chlorophyll synthesis. When applying 200 mg & centerdot; L-1 of AgNPs, total phenolic content was higher and the best DPPH response was observed at 50 mg & centerdot; L-1 of AgNPs, which was enhanced when combined with BAP. These results demonstrated that AgNPs induce direct organogenesis (nanoregulatory effect) in the in vitro culture of pineapple, along with different physiological and biochemical responses in A. comosus shoots.
This study compares the effects of rain-shelter and open-air farming on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth, yield, fruit quality and late blight resistance in subtropical China. Three treatment groups were evaluated at Guangxi Province’s tomato production facilities. Rain-shelter cultivation yielded significant benefits, with plants growing 30% taller than in open-air conditions and increasing stem diameter by 15%. Root mass and shoot mass were also notably higher in the rain-shelter group, with increases of 20% and 25%, respectively. Fruit quality features were significantly improved, with mean single fruit weight and volume increasing by 50% and 40%, respectively, compared with open-air cultivation. The ascorbic acid content in tomatoes under rain-shelter was 20% higher, highlighting its nutritional benefits. Assessment of late blight infections showed a dramatic reduction in disease incidence in the rain-shelter group, with only 5% incidence compared with 100% in open-air cultivation. This resulted in a significant increase in yields, with the rain-shelter group yielding 10000 kg · 0.0667 ha−1 compared with 661 kg · 0.0667 ha−1 in the open-air. Economic analysis revealed higher gross and net returns in rain-shelter cultivation due to improved yields and lower disease management costs. In conclusion, rain-shelter cultivation emerges as an effective strategy for increasing tomato production in subtropical China, with enhanced growth, fruit quality, disease resistance and economic benefits.
Drought is an important abiotic stressor that restricts agricultural development and yield worldwide. The severity of drought stress is continually rising due to extreme climate change. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of soil application of vermicompost (V.CO) at 1 kg · plant−1 and foliar application of trehalose (TH) at 10 mM, individually and together, on the growth performance and physiochemical responses of two citrus rootstock seedlings, volkamer lemon (Citrus volkameriana) and sour orange (Citrus aurantium), under drought stress conditions. Seedlings, 9 months old at the onset of the experiment, were subjected to three irrigation levels: 100% (control), 70% and 40% of field capacity (FC). Results showed that applying V.CO and TH together during moderate drought stress (i.e. 70% FC) significantly enhanced the morphological and biochemical parameters of both citrus rootstock seedlings, including the rootstock height, shoot number, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzymes and osmotic regulators. Additionally, this treatment reduced the amounts of proline accumulated, percentage of ion leakage, levels of superoxide anions (O2•–) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) relative to the control seedlings, which were under drought stress but were not treated. Anatomical investigations revealed that drought stress reduced the cuticle thickness, lamina thickness, midrib zone thickness, vascular bundle size of the midrib and mesophyll cell size. However, applying V.CO and/or TH alleviated these effects and caused the anatomical features to improve under stress conditions.These findings suggest that V.CO and TH, especially when applied in combination, are effective strategies for enhancing drought tolerance of citrus rootstock seedlings under water-limited situations.
ABSTRACT Curcumin content and expression patterns of curcumin synthase (CURS ) genes in three tissues (corms, leaves and inflorescences) of 16 Curcuma alismatifolia genotypes were analysed in this study. This study aimed to investigate the variability of curcumin content and the expression patterns of CURS genes in different tissues of various C. alismatifolia genotypes, in order to identify potential resources for curcumin extraction and genetic improvement. The curcumin synthase 2 (CURS2 ) and curcumin synthase 3 ( CURS3 ) gene sequences were successfully cloned. Significant variations in curcumin content were observed among different genotypes and tissues. In corms, Twister (0.299 mg · g −1 ) and Doitung (0.296 mg · g −1 ) had the highest curcumin levels. In inflorescences, Lanna Snow (0.375 mg · g −1 ) had the highest curcumin levels. In leaves, NewSolo (0.783 mg · g −1 ) had the highest curcumin levels. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns of CURS genes: curcumin synthase 1 (CURS1 ) was highly expressed in corms, CURS2 in leaves and CURS3 in inflorescences. Additionally, CURS2 and CURS3 were successfully cloned from C. alismatifolia . Both genes have a CDS length of 1173 bp, encoding 390 amino acids, with high sequence conservation. Phylogenetic analysis indicated close evolutionary relationships between CURS genes and those from Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale . This study provides a basis for curcumin extraction and genetic improvement of C. alismatifolia , and contributes to further research on curcumin biosynthesis.
Medicinal plants play a crucial role in both traditional and modern medicine. As demand continues to grow, the requirements for their yield and quality are becoming stringent. Exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been indicated to enhance plant stress resistance; however, its effects on the yield and quality of medicinal plants, as well as whether soil nutrient conditions modulate these effects remain unclear. We experimented to examine the effects of GABA (0, 2, 10 and 50 mL · L−1) and nutrients (0, 1, 5 and 10 mL · L−1) on the growth and contents of the main active constituents (chlorogenic acid and total flavonoids) and nutrition (soluble sugar and protein) of a typical medicinal plant Glechoma longituba. The addition of GABA significantly increased the biomass of G. longituba. Still, it decreased the contents of chlorogenic acid and total flavonoids, while not affect soluble sugar and protein content. The addition of nutrients increased the biomass of G. longituba, reduced the contents of chlorogenic acid and total flavonoids, yet increased the soluble sugar content. Our results highlight that the application of GABA and nutrients can boost the biomass of G. longituba but may compromise its quality. This provides valuable experimental evidence for optimising the cultivation practices of medicinal plants.
Maples—Acer L.—belong to one of the most species-rich and valuable genera of trees in landscape architecture. They exhibit a wide range of morphological, ornamental, cultivation and habitat-related characteristics. In horticulture, they are prized for their decorative foliage, particularly their autumnal colouring. This study aims to assess the growth, ornamental value and suitability for cultivation of selected maple species, based on mature tree specimens, under common garden conditions in Central Poland. The research material consisted of 33 maple species, each represented by at least 8 specimens of trees, no younger than 20 years old, growing in the SGGW Arboretum in Rogów. The study was conducted in the years 2023–2024. Assessed traits included: attained dimensions (height, width and their ratio), ornamental value of flowers, fruits, leaves, autumn colours, regularity of leafing pattern, overall habit, bark of trunks and plant health. The highest ornamental value was noted in A. pensylvanicum and other species of the section Macrantha (A. rufinerve, A. davidii, A. tegmentosum), as well as section Palmata: A. amoenum, A. shirasawanum, A. palmatum, section Trifoliata: A. triflorum, A. mandshuricum, A. griseum, also A. cissifolium, A. saccharum and A. carpinifolium. The main ornamental features of the studied maples are their autumn foliage colouration and regular, distinctive habit. The species studied demonstrated high levels of health and full frost resistance. The findings may support and optimise the species selection for urban greenery and ornamental horticulture in temperate climates.
Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a fruit crop containing a high level of ascorbic acid (AsA). However, the regulation of AsA accumulation differs significantly in various jujube germplasm resources and tissues, and the factors contributing to this discrepancy remain unknown. To explore the mechanisms underlying AsA metabolism, we investigated the dynamics of AsA content in the fruits, leaves and petals during the development of two jujube varieties, Z. jujuba Mill. cv. 'Zhanshanmizao 1' (ZM1) and Z. jujuba Mill. cv. 'Zhanshanpingguozao' (ZP). The diversity of AsA content in different jujube tissues demonstrated that the fruits had the highest levels of AsA, whereas the petals had the lowest. The pattern of AsA accumulation in the fruits and leaves was similar during the development of both jujube varieties. The activity of GalDH was correlated with the AsA levels in the ZM1 fruits. The activity of GalLDH was positively correlated with the AsA levels in ZP leaves. In contrast, the activities of GalDH and GalLDH were not correlated with AsA content during leaf growth in ZM1. We also analysed the expression patterns of genes involved in AsA metabolism. The results showed that AsA biosynthesis in jujube fruits was mainly related to the L-galactose pathway. Moreover, expression of genes involved in AsA biosynthesis (GME1, GMP1, GGP and GalLDH) was associated with the AsA concentrations in ZM1 and ZP fruits. GME, GMP and GalDH may be the key genes for AsA synthesis in ZM1 and ZP leaves.
