The objective of this study was to investigate how fruit texture and cell wall composition change during the ripening stage of ‘Shine Muscat’. The physical properties of the berries, including adhesive strength between flesh and skin, were measured at different stages of maturity. The cell wall components were analyzed by dividing the berries into three parts: central berry flesh, flesh around skin

The continuous cultivation of chrysanthemums has decreased rooting success in cuttings, adversely affecting plant performance and reproductive efficiency. However, treatment with Stenotrophomonas pavanii KC 98 significantly improved rooting outcomes, resulting in increases of 28.89 % in rooting rate, 26.85 % in the number of roots, 18.65 % in root length, and 35.77 % in dry root weight. Additionally

Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by the soil-borne fungal pathogen (Verticillium dahliae), poses a major threat to tomato production in temperate climates, including Western North Carolina and the nearby states. There is a dire need to develop disease-resistant lines by understanding the in-depth genetic basis of unexplored VW resistance in tomato germplasms. In this study, we developed segregating genetic

Flavescence dorée (FD) is a severe phytoplasma disease affecting grapevine (Vitis vinifera) in Europe, significantly impacting plant gene expression. This study aimed to (i) identify in natura gene expression differences between a highly susceptible cultivar (Cabernet Sauvignon) and a less susceptible one (Merlot), (ii) understand plant responses to FD phytoplasma (FDp) infection, and (iii) possibly

Hyperspectral imaging is a powerful, non-destructive tool that has shown promise in estimating plant nutrition but remains underexplored for Hydrangea macrophylla, an important ornamental shrub. In this study, we developed regression and discrimination models for assessing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) statuses in hydrangea at the seeding stage using spectral data combined with machine learning techniques

Given the growing need to phase out chemical pesticides, plant-derived compounds are being investigated as eco-friendly alternatives. Sweet flag (Acorus calamus) essential oil (SEO), traditionally used in Chinese medicine, remains underexplored in terms of its phytotoxic properties and agricultural potential. This study evaluated the phytotoxic effects of 24-hour seedling incubation with emulsified

Canopy management in viticulture involves key agronomic practices aimed at balancing the leaf-to-fruit ratio and optimizing microclimates for leaves and bunches. In temperate-to-cool regions, intensive green pruning is essential for effective crop protection and aroma development. However, rising temperatures and stress conditions are prompting a re-evaluation of these practices to mitigate negative

Soil biofumigation (SBF) and biosolarisation (SBS) are sustainable practices used for the control of soilborne pathogens, parasitic nematodes and weeds, based in the burial of fresh organic matter in the agricultural soil. The use of in-farm crop debris for SBF and SBS, allows farmers to conform to circular economy and bioeconomy guidelines, together with the management of the mentioned crop health

Fruit maturity highly influences the quality and storability of apples. Hence, this study investigated the influence of fruit maturity on the fruit quality and skin structural deformation of ‘Picnic’ apples at harvest and during cold storage (0 °C) for 6 months. Apples were harvested based on the 1‒8 scales of Cornell’s starch pattern index (SPI) method at low (SPI-6), medium (SPI-7), and high (SPI-8)

Tomato leaf mold, a disease that severely affects tomato yield and quality, is caused by Cladosporium fulvum. Previous studies have shown that JAZ1 and JAZ9 are involved in the anti-C. fulvum pathway in tomato, but their role in this pathway and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, the expression of JAZ1 and JAZ9 was found to be induced by C. fulvum and hormones (methyl jasmonate

Grafting is an advantage strategy for cucumbers to cope with various adversities, but the influence of grafting on fruit quality and its underlying mechanism remain to be fully explored. Here, non-grafted cucumbers served as the control (YN-S), while black-seeded pumpkin (B-45-G) and yellow-seeded pumpkin (Y-65-G) were utilized as rootstocks to investigate the influence of grafting on cucumber fruit

Increasing productivity and quality in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a key challenge in sustainable horticulture, given its high input requirements and the need to optimize resource use efficiency. In consequence, there is a pressing need to identify cultivars adapted to in low-input environments. In the present study, a diversity panel of twenty-five genotypes was tested for agronomic performance

The stability of the flower stem, large bud size, and desirable postharvest life are key characteristics of high-quality roses, directly influenced by calcium content. This study introduces novel insights into the synergistic effects of calcium fertilizers—calcium amino acid chelates and calcium silicate—compared with calcium nitrate, a common fertilizer, on flower quality, antioxidant enzyme activity

Precision irrigation scheduling in fruit crops requires good knowledge of water relations. Knowing plants’ behavior and the strategies to be adopted under water stress allows irrigation scheduling to maximize water productivity and minimize water losses. Therefore, the aim of this study is (i) to analyze the relationships between sap flux density, leaf stomatal conductance and fruit diameter daily

Soil health assessment effectively identifies key soil-limiting factors, enabling targeted decisions for agricultural management. Hence, the selection of representative soil indicators and appropriate assessment approaches is critical for effective evaluation. However, most studies focus solely on evaluating soil health without offering actionable strategies to improve soil health, especially in cash

Daily light integral (DLI) is a key factor in greenhouse production of geranium and petunia, significantly affecting their growth, flowering and water use. Optimizing greenhouse light intensity can enhance plant growth and flowering while reducing plant water needs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify irrigation water savings achieved by lowering DLI and to determine the optimal

Proanthocyanidin (PA) is primary flavonoid compound in grape berries and red wines, helping plants resist various abiotic stresses. However, the specific role of PA in response to water constraints has not been extensively studied. In this study, six-year-old field grown 'Marselan' (Vitis vinifera L.) grapevines were subjected to different levels of water constraint in 2022, including well-irrigated

Global climate change has led to increasing phenomena of high temperature and water scarcity. Misting water-saving irrigation technology can effectively alleviate the damage caused by high temperatures to plants. As the mist irrigation provides only limited amount of water, therefore this irrigation system needs to be combined with other technologies like drip irrigation. However, the research on the

Plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) provide a controlled environment for seedling production, helping overcome challenges posed by fluctuating weather conditions. UV-B irradiation enhances plant physiology by increasing flavonoid accumulation, strengthening disease resistance, and improving seedling vigor. However, because of species specific and context dependent responses, researchers

Cold storage is the most popular method used to retain fruit quality during shipping. However, cold storage can affect the fruit quality of plum cultivars differently. This study aimed to identify the cultivars with similar responses to reduce quality loss. The physical, biochemical, and physiological responses of twelve plum cultivars stored under simulated commercial conditions were analyzed. Results

Pomelo is an important horticultural cash crop in China, and it is of great significance to conserve and characterize its rich germplasm resources. There are few studies using SCoT molecular markers for genetic diversity analysis in pomelo germplasm, therefore, this study aimed to combine leaf phenotypic traits and SCoT molecular markers to characterize the genetic diversity and relatedness of pomelo

Analyzing the seedless grape ovule abortion mechanism is crucial in guiding the embryo rescue breeding of seedless grapes. The ovule abortion process in seedless grapes constitutes a degradation of materials, including amino acids and mineral elements. In this study, the concentrations of 21 free amino acids and 9 mineral elements in the ovules of 4 cultivars (“Flame Seedless,” “Ruby Seedless,” “Muscat

WD40 proteins represent a large gene family within the plant kingdom and play crucial roles at various stages of plant growth and development. However, their function in pear remains poorly characterized. In this study, we performed a genome-wide analysis of the WD40 gene family in pear. A total of 330 members of the WD40 family were meticulously identified and categorized into eight distinct subfamilies

The OVATE FAMILY PROTEIN (OFP) genes encode transcription factors pivotal for plant growth and reproductive development. In pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), previous research has primarily focused on OFP’s role in regulating fruit shape; however, the mechanism by which OFP influences floral development and fertility in pepper remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the functional role of CaOFP20

Lotus (Nelumbo spp.) is a widely cultivated perennial aquatic plant with important edible, medicinal, and ornamental value. The long history of natural evolution and artificial selection has resulted in a complex genetic background of lotus germplasm and making it difficult to accurately identify the varieties based on their morphological traits alone. In this study, we analyzed the genetic structure

With the increasing demand for precision agriculture, efficient phenotypic analysis is crucial for crop breeding and productivity enhancement. This study presents an economically efficient and high-throughput phenotypic analysis framework for Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis), combining low-cost multispectral imaging drones with deep learning technologies. During the seedling stage

Soil amendments can reduce the bioavailability of heavy metals (HMs) in the soil and consequently decrease the uptake of HMs by plants. Sulfur is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development and plays a crucial role in plant tolerance to HMs. Earthworms were fed cabbage or chicken manure to produce two vermicomposts enriched in sulfur and nutrients, respectively. An incubation and pot

Pigments and fragrances are pivotal traits in horticultural plants, not only enhancing their aesthetic appeal but also playing critical roles in attracting pollinators, ensuring reproductive success, and ecological adaptability such as stress tolerance and herbivore deterrence. Recent studies highlight the emerging role of WRKY transcription factors (TFs) as key regulators of pigments and volatile

The fruit of the 'Fengtang' plum exhibits a thin skin, is abundant in juice, and boasts a crisp yet refreshing texture. Notably, it is characterized by its substantial size, sweetness, and a honey-like flavor. This fruit is also a rich source of various nutrients. Linolenic acid metabolism not only influences cell membrane function but is also intricately linked to fruit ripening. This study employed

The WRKY gene family, is a group of plant-specific transcription factors (TFs) that are involved in a wide range of pathogen attacks and physiological processes in plants. As a main pathogen of black spot, Alternaria alternata greatly reduces the ornamental and economic value of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa). However, the genome-wide analysis and function of the WRKY gene family are still unknown

Excessive application of chemical fertilizer in saline soil has posed a significant threat to soil quality and the environment. Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has emerged as a promising complement to conventional fertilization practices. The microbial inoculants used in the study were PGPR strain Bacillus sp. RA that genome consisted of a circular chromosome and three plasmids. Genes responsible

Establishing healthy nurseries via soilless media is highly important for promoting protected cultivation as a commercial horticultural venture; however, the use of microbes and their cultivar-specific interactions are rarely considered. The enrichment of potting media (mix of cocopeat: vermiculite: perlite at a 3:1:1 ratio) or seed priming with the CN-fixing cyanobacteria Anabaena torulosa BF1 or

Dendrobium species, as epiphytic orchids, are highly valued for their ornamental flowers and significantly contribute to the vertical landscape of gardens. However, their epiphytic nature makes them susceptible to drought stress, and there is limited research on the plasticity of flowering under varying drought intensities. This study compares the responses of a native Dendrobium species and a horticultural

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are an important bacterial resource for microbial fertilizers, particularly strains with high indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production. The isolation and identification of PGPR strains from adaptable plants can promote plant growth and reduce the use of industrial fertilizers. Thus, we isolated 250 bacteria from the rhizosphere of Malus. hupehensis Rehd (M.

Onion (Allium Cepa L.) is an economically important bulbous crop and finds applications as food, flavor, and nutraceutical ingredient. The health benefits associated with onions can be attributed to the presence of organosulphur compounds, polyphenols, and prebiotics. India is one of the largest producers of onion and contributes to nearly 25% of the world’s production. Onion is highly perishable and

Deficit irrigation was applied to Monastrell grapevines grafted on five different rootstocks (140Ru, 1103P, 41B, 110R and 161-49C) in south-eastern Spain for six years (2012–2017). The rootstocks modified fine root growth and soil respiration in the rhizosphere, soil-plant hydraulics, plant-water relations, leaf gas exchange, hormone signalling and primary and secondary metabolism. 161-49C vines showed

Exogenous ATP treatment has attracted increasing attention in fresh produce storage research. In this study, we investigated the effects of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 mM ATP treatments on the physiological characteristics and intracellular ATP (iATP) metabolism of white mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) stored at 3 ± 1° C. The 0.8 mM ATP treatment effectively maintained plasma membrane integrity, preserved mushroom

Solar light has long been known to contribute to tea aroma, but research on light exposure during post-harvest processing and its effects on tea flavor characteristics is limited. This study investigated the influences of ultraviolet B (UV-B) on the flavor of white tea (‘Baimudan’, BMD) and green tea (‘Guapian’, GP), and its potential to improve tea flavor quality during post-harvest processing. UV-B

Zoysia is a perennial grass in the Poaceae family and is recognized as an excellent warm-season turfgrass with good tolerance to salt, drought, and other abiotic stresses. However, the identification of zoysiagrass species is still difficult because of the lack of specific molecular markers. In this study, a total of 18,981 SSR loci were detected based on the reported genome sequence of Z. japonica

The increasing incidence of soil alkalinity, which is closely related to drought conditions, seriously affects crop productivity and quality by reducing micronutrient availability for plant uptake. Synthetic-chelates based fertilizers are successfully used for micronutrient supply to crops under alkaline conditions; however, several concerns have been raised on the environmental and human health impacts

Glutamine synthase (GS) is a crucial enzyme in the nitrogen metabolism of plants, regulating the absorption and utilization of ammonium nitrogen by plants. In this study, the GS gene in pecan was cloned, and the physicochemical properties, structure and evolution of the protein corresponding to the gene were analyzed. Based on the transcriptome data, the expression patterns of the CiGS1.2 gene in different

Plant tissue culture often suffers from latent infections, leading to significant losses in both research laboratories and industrial production. This study introduces an innovative strategy by incorporating Coriolus versicolor polysaccharide (CVP) into tea plant tissue culture systems to control latent infections without compromising plant growth. The standard Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, supplemented

Root growth is influenced by numerous internal and external factors. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) has been shown to regulate the growth and development of plant roots. However, there is limited research on the effects of MeJA on the root growth in Bok choy. Herein, exogenous MeJA treatment significantly increased both root length and lateral root number in Bok choy. Additionally, the levels of indole-3-acetic

Volatile aroma compounds (VACs), including aldehydes, alcohols, and esters derived from the fatty acid metabolism pathway (FAP), enable plants to produce distinct aroma profiles. Lipoxygenase (LOX) is a key enzyme in this pathway, significantly affecting the aroma components and content of fruits and vegetables. However, the role of LOXs in the biosynthesis and regulation of VACs in chili remains unclear

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), a globally significant commercial crop, has been cultivated for nearly a millennium. Fusarium wilt (FW), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon), poses a major threat to watermelon production by damaging the root system through the vascular bundle. Thus, understanding the resistance mechanism of watermelon against Fon is critical. Given the negative regulatory

Indoor vertical farming systems require optimal growth conditions, but these conditions often induce tipburn in lettuce, a physiological disorder caused by a local calcium deficiency. While a higher photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) is known to increase tipburn development, the effects of light spectra are understudied. We investigated tipburn development in butterhead lettuce grown under two

In this work, a total of 132 genetic resources from four distinct collections in Slovenia were analysed with a set of 14 microsatellite markers (SSR) to determine the genetic structure and diversity of the pear germplasm. In total, 242 distinct alleles were successfully amplified with an average of 17.3 alleles per locus and the results showed a high diversity of the germplasm with an average expected

The trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP) gene family plays a critical role in plant metabolism, growth, and stress resilience by regulating trehalose biosynthesis. Despite its significance, research on TPP genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under hormonal and abiotic stress conditions remains limited. Here, we identified eight SlTPP genes distributed across five chromosomes in the tomato

Anthocyanins are key pigments responsible for purple leaf coloration in tea, and their accumulation varies among different tea plant germplasm resources (TPGRs). Here, we investigated anthocyanin biosynthesis in three TPGRs with distinct leaf colors using metabolomics, transcriptomics, and resequencing. The results revealed that 12 anthocyanins were differentially accumulated across the TPGRs. Many

Tree peony leaf was first time evaluated as a food resource in this study. The nutrient and functional compositions in the leaves of 13 tree peony varieties, cultivars C1–13, were compared for selection of specific varieties. The results showed that tree peony leaf was rich in nutrients and secondary metabolites, such as soluble protein, soluble sugar, starch, fatty acids, pigments, and flavonoids

Fruit bagging is a prevalent technique in fruit production to enhance quality and protect fruits from various biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we employed bags of different colors (red, yellow, blue, green, and transparent as CK) to investigate their impacts on bayberry fruit quality. The red bag raised the most red light by 28.61 % and slightly elevated blue light by 7.55 %. Conversely

Climate change is affecting fruit tree dormancy progression around the world. Temperature increase during winter could hinder the attainment of the climatic requirements that are needed to have a correct dormancy release. In this context, knowing the chill accumulation needed by each cultivar is essential to make correct decisions on the cultivar selection for each region. Searching for new tools and

Photoperiod plays a crucial role in regulating β-carotene accumulation, which is essential for crop nutrition. This study explored the Flavin-binding Kelch repeat F-box 1(FKF1), Beta-carotene hydrolase 1 (CHYβ1), and Trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) genes in cucumber, focusing on their structure, evolution, and function. We found that these genes belong to distinct evolutionary subfamilies and differ in

Studies have confirmed that organic fertilizers and biochar can enhance the nutritional quality of vegetables. However, researchers have yet to clarify how they improve the intrinsic quality of tomatoes, particularly flavor quality, by adjusting the physicochemical properties of the soil. Field trial experiments showed that compared to chemical fertilizer alone (F), treatments with organic fertilizer

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), a member of the genus Brassica, is a significant economic crop worldwide. Black rot (BR) caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) severely threatens cabbage yield. Therefore, there is an urgent need to breed resistant varieties. To screen resistant germplasms, 171 cabbage inbred lines were inoculated, of which only three were highly resistant

The consumption of organic fresh vegetables and fruits is on the rise globally, offering a more sustainable option compared to conventional products. However, their raw or minimally processed nature raises concerns about microbiological safety. This study investigates the microbiota diversity, free-living amoebae (FLA) microbiome, and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARG) and bacteria in irrigation water

Flavonoids derived from the phenylpropane pathway are polyphenolic secondary metabolites in plants, which are involved in various processes of plant growth and abiotic stress. Based on metabolome and transcriptome analysis, we speculated that UV-B irradiation may be a convenient method to improve the cold resistance of tea plants. In our study, tea plants pre-irradiated with 2 μmol·m-2·s-1 UV-B exhibited