Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) threatens lily production by reducing floral quality and enabling carry-over via infected planting stock. To explore tissue-specific host responses, we analyzed a legacy, single-replicate RNA-seq d... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Tech Science Press

As a pivotal environmental factor, light, comprising intensity, photoperiod, and spectrum, governs the entire life cycle of strawberries by mediating alterations in the plant’s morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits. Although extensive research has been conducted on light-mediated growth regulation in horticultural crops, most reviews focus primarily on leafy and fruiting vegetables, with limited attention given to berry crops such as strawberries. Additionally, most existing reviews concentrate on one or several growth stages, failing to systematically characterize light’s effects throughout the entire growth cycle and postharvest stage. This review briefly summarizes the regulatory roles of light across key stages of strawberry growth, including seedling propagation, vegetative growth, reproductive growth, and postharvest stages. It seeks to address the knowledge gap by systematically organizing research findings across these developmental phases. The integrated analysis provides a theoretical foundation for designing stage-specific lighting strategies to improve strawberry yield and quality.

The sustainable sourcing of novel bioactive compounds from natural sources is crucial to the success of the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries. Iris bucharica Foster (syn. Juno bucharica (Foster) Vved.) is a promising source of novel bioactive molecules, particularly phenolic compounds, which are renowned for their antioxidant properties. In this study, we developed a reliable HPLC-UV-DAD method to identify and quantify phenolic compounds in the leaves and bulbs of I. bucharica, establishing the first set of quality control markers for this species. A total of 21 phenolic compounds were identified in the leaves, with flavonoids such as isoorientin, guaijaverin, hyperoside, cosmosiin, biochanin A, and ferulic acid being the most prominent. In comparison, 14 compounds were identified in the bulbs, primarily isoflavonoids, including tectoridin and germanaism B. The leaf extracts exhibited significant antioxidant activity, whereas the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects were mild. These findings highlight I. bucharica as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds with potential industrial applications. However, further studies are needed to evaluate bioavailability and in vivo efficacy, as well as to optimise extraction methods to realize its industrial potential fully.

The study evaluated the skin anti-aging activity of Astragalus sarcocolla leaves extract (ASE) by assessing its antioxidant and inhibitory effect activity on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase in relation to its chemical composition. Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS) identified 27 metabolites (15 flavonoids, 8 phenolic acids and their derivatives, and 4 coumarins). ASE showed strong antioxidant capacity in DPPH (IC50 value of 26.05 µg/mL) and FRAP (2433 µM FeSO4/g extract) assays. The extract inhibited MMP-1 and MMP-9 in a concentration-dependent manner and suppressed collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase activities (IC50 = 35.038, 40.748, 61.389, and 30.980 µg/mL, respectively). A network pharmacology study was conducted to uncover the mechanisms responsible for skin anti-aging effects, and molecular docking further evaluated interactions of key metabolites with hub targets. Twenty-one bioactive metabolites, selected based on oral bioavailability and drug-likeness, highlighted cinnamic acid, acacetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and apigenin as key compounds. MMP-9, ESR1, PTGS-2, and EGFR were identified as main targets. Docking studies revealed that acacetin and apigenin have stronger binding affinities to MMP-9, PTGS-2, and EGFR than other constituents. These findings suggest that ASE may serve as a natural multi-target skin anti-aging remedy with potential cosmetic applications.

Lycium ruthenicum Murray (black goji berry) is an economically important crop rich in anthocyanins, however, the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying anthocyanin accumulation in its fruits are unknown. Here, we used whole-transcriptome sequencing to identify differentially expressed circRNAs and lncRNAs in black goji (BS4) and white goji (WS4). Furthermore, we analyzed the regulatory networks of the key ncRNAs and their target genes by combining targeted phytohormone metabolomics with molecular docking technology. We found that the circRNA plantcirc_001165 synergistically upregulated the flavonoid biosynthesis gene LrHCT with the lncRNA MSTRG.28703 to promote anthocyanin accumulation. However, MSTRG.28703 repressed LrZOX1 expression, leading to the accumulation of cis-zeatin (cZ). Molecular docking confirmed strong interactions between these enzymes and related ligands, and network pharmacology further predicted potential targets of petanin, a major anthocyanin component, against oxidative stress and inflammation-related pathways in Alzheimer’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, this study systematically revealed the ncRNA-mediated synergistic regulatory network of anthocyanin and cZ metabolism in black goji, and provides a new perspective for analyzing the mechanism of its fruit coloration and leveraging the bioactivities of its anthocyanins.

This study investigated the association between floral and fruiting traits in oil tree peony to inform elite breeding and hybrid programmes. Floral and fruiting metrics of Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdanbai’ and Paeonia rockii ‘Zibanbai’ were recorded under natural conditions; data were analysed using independent-samples t-tests, Pearson correlations, stepwise multiple linear regression and membership functions. Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdanbai’ produced more pollen number per flower, but fewer ovules and seeds per fruit than Paeonia rockii ‘Zibanbai’ (p < 0.05). Pollen viability and stigma receptivity followed similar unimodal temporal curves in both taxa. Peak pollen viability occurred on day 3 after anthesis in P. ostii ‘Fengdanbai’ (86.95 ± 1.41%) and on day 2 in P. rockii ‘Zibanbai’ (85.91 ± 2.99%). Optimal stigma receptivity spanned days 3–5 and 2–5 post-anthesis, respectively, yielding a 3-day overlap favourable for synchronous pollination. Seed number per fruit correlated positively with petal number per flower (r = 0.49), ovule number per fruit (r = 0.68) and seed setting rate (r = 0.70, p < 0.01); carpel number also contributed (r = 0.31, p < 0.05). Stepwise multiple regression identified ovule number per fruit and seed setting rate as the most significant predictors of seed number per fruit (p < 0.001), together explaining over 99% of the variation in the model (adjusted R2 = 0.992). Membership function analysis, based on pollen viability, ovule number per fruit, and seed setting rate, suggested that ‘Fengdanbai’ exhibits superior comprehensive performance, though selection indices should be validated across broader germplasm. We propose ovule number per fruit and seed setting rate as primary selection indices, with pollen viability as a supplementary indicator, for consideration in breeding high-yield cultivars.

Citrus is a genus of great economic importance and a complex history of hybridization. The aim of this work is to present the trajectory of essential oil (EO) from the citrus fruit peel to their main uses. The flavedo is a morpho-functional region of the citrus fruit peel where EO-producing cavity glands are located. The EO produced is the source of the characteristic citrus aroma relevant for flavor (food and beverage industry) and fragrance applications (perfumery). The citrus EO is dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons. Out of these, D-limonene is the major compound in the peel EO of commercial citrus types, accounting for 30% and over 90% of its composition. Minor oxygenated components are important contributors to the distinct sensory characteristics. Selected studies on various citrus types indicate that EOs exhibit a strain-dependent antimicrobial activity as well as certain antioxidant activity relevant in particular for food preservation and active packaging. The most dynamic area of research is the optimization of delivery systems that seek to improve the stability and functionality across applications. The citrus value chain is integrated vertically, generating value for the customer and is linked horizontally to other value chains. Its main vulnerability resides in upstream production constraints from the agronomic segment that can potentially impact sustainability and supply. For the next decade, growth is projected for citrus flavor and fragrance markets.

Changes in climate are one of the most serious global concerns of the 21st century, and they have substantial implications for the services that ecosystems provide and the biodiversity that they support. Changes in weather patterns and the occurrence of extreme events are becoming more often as global temperatures continue to rise, which disrupts the delicate balance that exists within ecosystems. an examination of the effects of climate change on biodiversity, with particular attention paid to the repercussions of habitat destruction, the migration of species, and the disturbance of ecological interconnections. In addition, the ways in which these alterations influence vital ecosystem services, such as pollination, water purification, and carbon sequestration, which are essential for the well-being of humans and the stability of natural systems. This research shows the cascading consequences of climate change on ecosystems and the services that they supply by conducting a review of the available literature and case studies. In addition to this, it addresses the possibilities for mitigation and adaptation methods to protect biodiversity and guarantee the continuous provision of ecosystem services in a world that is undergoing fast change. In order to meet the difficulties that are faced by climate change and to protect the ecological basis of life on Earth, the findings highlight the urgent need for global conservation efforts and sustainable behaviours.

Abiotic stresses, such as drought, heavy metals, salinity, and extreme temperatures, are among the most common adverse threats that restrict the use of land for agriculture and limit crop growth and productivity. As sessile organisms, plants defend themselves from abiotic stresses by developing various tolerance mechanisms. These mechanisms are governed by several biochemical traits. The biochemical mechanisms are the products of key genes that express under specific conditions. Interestingly, the expression of these genes is regulated by specialized proteins known as transcription factors (TFs). Several TFs, including those from the bZIP, bHLH, MYB, HSF, WRKY, DREB, and DOF families, play critical roles in regulating plant growth, development, and responses to environmental changes. By binding to specific DNA sequences, TFs can act as molecular switches to repress or activate the transcription of targeted genes. Moreover, some TF genes have been engineered to strengthencrop resilience to multiple abiotic stresses. Identifying and manipulating TFs is an interesting research area that could aid in improving crop abiotic stress tolerance. This review describs the harmful effects of salinity, drought, temperature and heavy metals on plant growth and development. We also provide an updated discussion on how TFs regulate and activate the plant tolerance under different abiotic constraints. Our aim is to extend understanding of how abiotic stresses affect the physiological characteristics of plants and how TFs alleviate these deleterious effects on plant growth and productivity.