Soil salinity is a major environmental constraint affecting avocado (Persea americana Mill.) productivity. In this study, we evaluate the physio-morphological and molecular responses of two avocado varieties, drymifolia (sensitive) and americana (tolerant), subjected to increasing NaCl concentrations for 60 days. Our results reveal distinct adaptive strategies. While salinity reduced total biomass in both genotypes, var. americana exhibited superior resilience, characterized by preferential biomass allocation to the root system. Ion analysis demonstrated that tolerance was not mediated by K+ homeostasis, but rather by the differential management of toxic ions. var. americana effectively sequestered chloride Cl− in the roots, whereas var. drymifolia exhibited a breakdown of the exclusion mechanism at 60 mM NaCl, with shoot Cl− concentrations exceeding those of the root, leading to severe toxicity. At the molecular level, qPCR analysis of the Na+ transporters PaHKT1 and PaSOS1 showed no expression pattern correlated with salt stress. Bioinformatic assessment revealed significant structural divergences and a lack of conserved functional domains in these proteins. These findings challenge the applicability of the classical sodium-exclusion model (typical of Liliopsida and Magnoliopsida) to avocado. We conclude that salt tolerance in this Lauraceae species is primarily driven by root-mediated Cl− exclusion rather than canonical Na+ transport pathways.

The protection of leaves from photoinhibition and berries from dehydration and sunburn has become an increasingly important objective in response to the rising frequency and intensity of heat waves worldwide. This research investigated the effect of a white nonwoven geotextile sheet (TNT) installed in the fruiting zone in the white cultivar ‘Verdicchio’ (Vitis vinifera L.) during critical summer periods with the aim of protecting leaves and berries from extreme heat. The study was conducted over two seasons (2020–2021) in a rainfed vineyard in central Italy using a randomized block design. Physiological and yield parameters were recorded. Vines protected with TNT did not show any changes in net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency, compared to unshielded vines. However, TNT reduced leaf temperature and increased berry total acidity and malic acid concentration while reducing sugar content, leading to wines with higher freshness and reduced alcohol levels. The use of TNTs shows significant potential as a practical tool for viticulturists to mitigate the effects of excessive heat, allowing for better management of berry ripening and ultimately improving final wine characteristics. Additionally, TNT is economically feasible, especially if applied only to the afternoon-exposed side of the canopy, and its cost can be amortized, especially in vineyards affected by frequent heat waves and/or dedicated to the production of premium wines.

Datura species are valued ornamentals but contain toxic tropane alkaloids (TAs) like hyoscyamine and scopolamine, which restrict their safe horticultural use. To address this, we developed a genome editing platform in Datura inoxia for creating non-toxic varieties. We first established an efficient, auxin-independent shoot regeneration system using a novel cytokinin combination (thidiazuron and 6-benzylaminopurine) achieving over 7 shoots per explant. This system facilitated an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation protocol with a stable efficiency exceeding 50% (49 independent lines from 100 explants for LS; 36 lines from 70 explants for CYP80F1). Using this platform, we performed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of two key TA biosynthetic genes, LS (littorine synthase) and CYP80F1 (littorine mutase). Among the transgenic lines analyzed, 8 out of 15 (53%) carried mutations in LS, while all 12 (100%) lines carried mutations in CYP80F1. HPLC and high-resolution mass spectrometry confirmed the complete absence of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in the mutant leaves, with no detectable peaks at the corresponding retention times. Crucially, the edited plants grew normally and were morphologically indistinguishable from the wild type. This work establishes the first CRISPR/Cas9 platform for Datura and generates the first non-toxic germplasm, providing both a functional genomics tool and a foundation for breeding safe ornamental cultivars.

The genus Passiflora includes species important for fruit production, ornamental value, and breeding programs. Conventional methods, such as seed propagation and vegetative cuttings, face challenges like genetic heterogeneity, pathogen transmission, and long juvenile phases, limiting large-scale cultivation and breeding efficiency. In vitro culture technologies are essential for clonal propagation, germplasm conservation, and improving Passiflora species using biotechnology. This review critically evaluates current progress in micropropagation and regeneration systems in Passiflora spp. and examines the prospects of haploid and doubled haploid technologies as future breeding tools. Unlike previous reviews, which primarily focus on summarizing tissue culture protocols, this study integrates regeneration biology, developmental constraints, and emerging biotechnological approaches to provide a broader framework for research. Additionally, this review offers a comparative analysis of various regeneration systems across Passiflora species and highlights the challenges of genotype-dependent methods. By synthesizing recent advancements in haploid technology, it provides new insights into the potential for accelerating breeding programs in Passiflora, a field where robust protocols are still lacking.

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) production relies on the availability of viable and physiologically active pollen during female flowering, making pollen storage an important strategy to overcome flowering asynchrony and ensure effective artificial pollination. In this study, we systematically reviewed and quantitatively synthesized the effects of pollen storage conditions on pollen physiological quality and reproductive performance in date palm. Following PRISMA guidelines, 22 experimental studies were identified in the qualitative synthesis, and comparable quantitative datasets were used for meta-analysis. Acetocarmine staining, the most commonly used method for assessing pollen stainability across studies, was selected as the standardized indicator of pollen stainability. Multilevel random-effects meta-regression models were applied to evaluate temporal deterioration patterns over storage periods of up to 24 months, while standardized forest plot meta-analyses were used to estimate pooled effects after 12 months of storage. The results revealed a strong temperature-dependent decline in pollen physiological quality. Acetocarmine stainability declined by −6.41, −3.10, −2.62, and −2.24% month−1 under ambient, refrigerated, mild freezing, and moderate freezing conditions, respectively, whereas germination declined by −6.77, −1.86, −3.14, −1.09, and −1.05% month−1 under ambient (23–25 °C), refrigerated (4–5 °C), mild freezing (−5 °C), moderate freezing (−20 °C), and deep freezing (−80 °C) conditions, respectively. After 12 months of storage, stainability, germination, and fruit set were significantly reduced relative to fresh pollen. In contrast, pollen storage had no significant effect on final fruit weight, suggesting that pollen deterioration primarily affects fertilization success rather than subsequent fruit development. The available evidence suggests that low-temperature storage represents the most effective strategy for preserving date palm pollen functionality. Refrigerated storage around 4 °C appears to provide a reliable and accessible option for short- to medium-term pollen preservation, whereas freezing conditions may be advantageous for longer storage periods when moisture control and thawing procedures are properly managed.

This study investigated the effects of four LED light qualities, red+blue+far-red (WRS-LED), blue+red (BR-LED), blue (B-LED), and red (R-LED), and exogenous L-glutamic acid at 10 ppm on the growth and quality of red mustard spinach (Brassica rapa var. perviridis) cultivated in a plant factory using a recirculating deep-flow hydroponic system. Plants were exposed to four LED light quality treatments at 180 ± 10 μmol·m−2·s−1 PPFD for 28 days after transplanting. L-glutamic acid at 10 ppm was applied once to the recirculating nutrient solution 15 days after transplanting, resulting in 13 days of exposure prior to final harvest on day 28. All growth and quality parameters were measured at the final harvest after 28 days of cultivation. WRS-LED promoted the greatest biomass production. Additionally, vitamin C content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and total phenolic content were highest under BR-LED and B-LED conditions. Notably, under B-LED, L-glutamic acid treatment increased total phenolic content to approximately twice that of the control. Leaf redness, expressed as Hunter a* values, was observed exclusively under BR-LED. Principal component analysis revealed that LED light quality was the primary determinant of treatment responses, with growth-related traits associated with WRS-LED and R-LED, and quality-related traits with B-LED and BR-LED. Overall, BR-LED combined with L-glutamic acid represents the most suitable treatment for red mustard spinach cultivation in plant factories, achieving a favorable balance between growth and nutritional quality.

Disease resistance breeding is an important direction for the genetic improvement of Chinese cabbage. The traditional elite variety ‘Yutian Baojian’ Chinese cabbage is highly regarded for its tall cylindrical head with a pointed tip, tightly twisted wrapper leaves, and sweet taste. However, long-term cultivation has led to a significant decline in its resistance to clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae. To restore clubroot resistance while maintaining its desirable horticultural traits, this study used the clubroot-susceptible ‘Yutian Baojian’ as the recurrent parent and the resistant donor ‘Shaocai’, which carries the CRd resistance gene, to develop backcross populations. Using marker-assisted selection (MAS), plants were comprehensively screened based on foreground selection with markers tightly linked to the CRd gene, background selection with 73 genome-wide polymorphic markers, and phenotypic evaluation of horticultural traits, including plant height, plant spread, head shape, and soluble solids content. In the BC1 population, three individuals showing high genetic similarity were selected. From the BC2 population, four elite individuals were obtained, exhibiting 99.32% genetic similarity, stable clubroot resistance, and typical horticultural characteristics. Furthermore, three homozygous resistant inbred lines (BC2S2) with the ‘Yutian Baojian’ phenotype were developed. These results enrich the clubroot-resistant germplasm resources of Chinese cabbage and provide an effective MAS-based strategy for the precise improvement and germplasm innovation of local cultivars.

This study evaluated the effects of red LED (RL), blue LED (BL), and white LED (WL) on the growth, physiological responses, and hormonal regulation of Aquilaria crassna tissue-cultured plantlets. Morphological assessment revealed that both RL and BL treatments reduced growth variation, with RL significantly promoting shoot elongation and secondary root development. Compared to WL, RL also enhanced the rooting rate and aboveground biomass. Analysis of hormones and physiological indicators indicated that RL and BL treatments decreased abscisic acid (ABA), cytokinin (CTK), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, while increasing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), soluble sugar levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, thereby altering hormone balance and antioxidant system stability. Correlation analysis revealed that light quality was significantly negatively correlated with ABA content, while root development was closely associated with hormonal balance and antioxidant capacity. A comprehensive evaluation using the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method ranked RL as the most favorable light condition for overall growth and development, with a closeness coefficient of 0.71. These findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing light quality management to improve the efficiency and quality of A. crassna tissue culture systems.

In the study of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), a cross between the green peel line 19143 and the white peel line 19147 produced E4957 F1 hybrids with a purple–brown peel. Self-fertilization of the F1 hybrids yielded E4957 F2 offspring with a segregation ratio of 27:9:21:7 among individuals with purple–brown, purple–red, green, and white peel colors, respectively, which was consistent with a genetic model controlled by reciprocal recessive epistasis between D and P, and Gv1 likely acting as a modifying factor. The green peel line 19143 exhibited higher chlorophyll but lower anthocyanin levels than the white peel line 19147, which contained low levels of both pigments, while the E4957 F1 hybrids had elevated levels of both pigments. Two epistatic genes, D and P, associated with anthocyanin synthesis, were mapped on chromosomes 10 and 8, respectively. The putative modifying locus Gf, involved in chlorophyll accumulation in the flesh, was mapped on chromosome 8, and the localization interval was close to the previously reported Gv1 locus associated with chlorophyll synthesis in the peel. DNA markers (InDel22522, InDel5531, InDel-APRR2) were developed to genotype 237 F2 individuals and correlate genotypes with phenotypes. Sequence analysis revealed a 6 bp deletion in the SmMYB1 (D) gene and a large deletion in the SmAPRR2-Like (Gv1) gene in the white peel line 19147, as well as a T to A mutation in the SmANS (P) gene in the green line 19143. This study provided evidence for inheritance between loci involved in anthocyanin and chlorophyll pathways contributing to eggplant peel color variation and provides molecular markers that may facilitate the breeding of eggplant varieties with diverse peel colors.

To address challenges related to complex background interference and insufficient multi-scale target feature extraction in lettuce growth stage detection. The lightweight YOLOv10 detection model and the specific characteristics of lettuce field data were used. The CNCM channel non-local mixture mechanism and ASF adaptive spatial frequency attention mechanism were incorporated to optimize lightweight modules, including DownSample, Zoom_cat, and ScalSeq, within the original model. Consequently, an improved CCASF-YOLOv10 model was constructed, integrating multi-scale feature fusion and enhanced target feature extraction. Experimental results demonstrate that, in an NVIDIA A40 GPU testing environment, the model achieves an accuracy rate of 91.9%, a recall rate of 91.6%, mAP@0.5 of 95.3%, and mAP@0.5:0.95 of 72.9%. The parameter size is 11.9 M, and the single-frame inference speed is 24.76 ms, indicating a favorable balance between detection precision, model efficiency, and real-time inference. Furthermore, an intelligent machine vision detection system for lettuce growth-stage monitoring and precise field control was developed using the CCASF-YOLOv10 model. This system facilitates the industrial advancement of lettuce cultivation.