Homoarginine is a toxic non-protein amino acid that occurs naturally in plants and adversely affects plant growth and development. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of different externally applied L-homoarginine doses (10, 50, and 100 mM) on various physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical, and anatomical parameters of onion (Allium cepa L.) bulbs. All L-homoarginine doses caused a decrease in the physiological parameters examined (germination percentage, root length, root number, and fresh weight), a rise in chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus frequency, and a decrease in the mitotic index. L-Homoarginine applications promoted chromosomal aberrations such as cellular budding, accumulation of micronuclei, C-metaphase, chromosomal stickiness, chromatid bridges, vagrant chromosomes, unequal separation of chromosomes, and polar slip in the root meristem cells. In addition, this non-protein amino acid caused an enhancement in the free proline, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde contents in the root cells of onion bulbs. Moreover, this toxic amino acid revealed some serious damage and changes such as the epidermal and cortex cell deformations, wall thickening in the cortex layer cells, accumulation of some chemical compounds in cortex layer cells, flattening of the cell nuclei, and deformation of the cell nuclei in the anatomical structure of onion roots. In summary, it was concluded that L-homoarginine is an amino acid with inhibitory effects and that the A. cepa test is a useful bioindicator for monitoring these effects.

The somatic chromosome numbers were counted in seven species of the subtribe Erantheminae from various localities in China. The chromosome numbers were determined as 2n=2x=28 in Echinacanthus lofouensis, Ec. longipes and Ec. longzhouensis, 2n=8x=88 in Eranthemum austrosinense, 2n=4x=44 in Er. pulchellum, 2n=2x=28 in Leptosiphonium venustum and 2n=2x=28 in Pararuellia glomerata. Combined with existing reports, it is inferred that x=14 may represent the original basic chromosome number for Echinacanthus and Pararuellia, and x=11 for Eranthemum. The results support the close relationship between Echinacanthus and other genera of Erantheminae. This study enriches the cytogenetic data for seven species and provides a basis for the taxonomy of four genera in terms of chromosomal characteristics.

Tripleurospermum hygrophilum is a threatened rare endemic species in Türkiye. In this work, an effective in vitro propagation protocol was developed for T. hygrophilum using in vitro techniques. Nodal explants were used to test in vitro shoot induction in Murashige–Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with several combinations of cytokinins and auxins. The highest number of shoots (2.90±0.55) among all the media was obtained from MS medium supplemented 0.25 mg L−1 6-Benzylaminopurine+0.1 mg L−1 Indol-3-butyric acid. Rooting was observed in all auxin concentrations studied, while the highest number of roots (15.85±2.87) was found in MS medium containing 0.25 mg L−1 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The survival rate of the plants transferred to the external environment was found to be 98%. No changes in chromosome number (2n=2x=18) and genome size between regenerants and mother plants in natural population were detected. This in vitro propagation protocol developed herein can be used as conservation activites of the threatened endemic species of T. hygrophilum.

Fluorescence imaging has become a central tool in plant cell biology, enabling detailed analysis of cellular structures and dynamics. However, challenges such as phototoxicity, photobleaching, and the invasiveness of fluorescent labeling have driven the development of artificial intelligence (AI)-based alternatives. Among these, deep learning-based segmentation and virtual staining have shown significant promise for advancing plant cell microscopy. Compared with traditional methods reliant on manual operations or simple thresholding algorithms, segmentation powered by AI-based image transformation offers enhanced accuracy and reproducibility in quantifying cellular features. Moreover, virtual staining transforms bright-field images into synthetic fluorescence images, enabling non-invasive, high-resolution analyses while bypassing the need for physical labeling. Together, these techniques expand the analytical capabilities of plant cell microscopy, facilitating efficient and precise imaging workflows. Despite their potential, these approaches face technical challenges. Virtual staining relies heavily on high-quality bright-field images and is currently constrained when applied to three-dimensional analyses of complex plant tissues. Future efforts must focus on developing diverse training datasets and advancing AI technologies to overcome these limitations. By offering automated segmentation and virtual staining, AI is transforming plant cell microscopy into a more versatile and powerful tool, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and broader applications in plant cell biology.

The Cardueae, a tribe within the family Asteraceae, comprises approximately 1,600 species, many of which are commonly known as thistles and have significant ecological and economic importance, particularly as weeds. The chromosome number in this tribe ranges from 2n=20 to 108, based on x=12, 13, 16, or 17, although the primary base number remains unclear. This meiotic study, which includes nine genera and 17 species (34 populations) from the Northwest Himalayas, contributes new or varying cytotypes to help address the cytogenetic diversity within the tribe. The chromosome count of 2n=34 in Serratula pallida is newly reported worldwide, while Echinops echinatus (2n=30) and Centaurea calcitrapa (2n=20) are first-time reports for Indian populations. Meiotic analyses across different populations reveal a substantial occurrence of abnormalities, including chromosome stickiness, misaligned bivalents, cytomixis, and laggards, resulting in meiocytes with either fewer or additional chromosomes (aneuploidy) or entire extra sets of chromosomes (polyploidy). These abnormalities may lead to the formation of unreduced pollen grains, negatively impacting pollen viability. The high frequency of these meiotic irregularities could be a contributing factor to the variation in chromosome numbers within the tribe.

The chromosome numbers and the karyotypic characters of four species of the genus Aspidistra Ker-Gawl. from Guangxi, China were reported for the first time. A. radiata is a new record to Guangxi and formulated as 2n=38=24m+2sm+12st. The karyotype formulas of A. longgangensis and A. molendinaceae share the same karyotype formulas of 2n=38=22m+4sm+12st. A karyotype of A. longipetala is formulated as 2n=38=22m+2sm+14st.

The Alpinia species (A. intermedia, A. zerumbet, A. formosana, A. uraiensis, and unidentified strains native to the Daito Islands), which are native to the Nansei Islands, Japan are ornamental plants that can be used as resources to produce seasonings and antibacterial and antiviral substances. Despite the usefulness of these plants, little scientific research has been conducted on their phylogenetic relationships. In this study, their phylogenetic relationships were examined based on genomic and chloroplast DNA polymorphisms, repetitive sequence abundance, and cytogenetic perspectives. The results indicated that A. formosana is most likely the outcome of a hybrid of A. zerumbet and A. intermedia, and the unidentified strains native to the Daito Islands are the outcomes of a hybrid of A. zerumbet and A. uraiensis. Immunostaining with a newly produced anti-centromere-specific histone H3 (CENH3) antibody revealed that the number of chromosomes in these species was 2n=48.

Chromosome numbers of seven taxa of Cyperus L. (Cyperaceae) collected from Japan are presented. Our findings differ from previous reports and are as follows: 2n=58 for C. brevifolius (Rottb.) Hassk. var. leiolepis (Franch. & Sav.) T.Koyama, 2n=50 for C. distans L.f., 2n=44 for C. eragrostis Lam., 2n=30 for C. flaccidus R.Br., 2n=64 for C. flavidus Retz., 2n=28 for C. haspan L., and 2n=64 for C. tenuispica Steud.