Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is a major Mediterranean crop, valued for both fruit yield and high-quality oil, yet extreme summer stress, including high temperature, intense irradiance, and water limitation, can substantially reduce productivity and affect oil composition. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the mitigating efficacy of foliar applications of glycine betaine (GB), kaolin (K), and calcium carbonate (CC) under rainfed conditions across three Greek sites on “Koroneiki” (in two sites) and “Lianolia Kerkyras” (in one site) cultivars. Treatments were applied during the summer, and effects on fruit yield, oil content per fruit, oil yield per tree, and key oil quality parameters—including total phenols, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, and fatty acid composition—were assessed. GB significantly enhanced fruit yield and oil production for “Koroneiki” at the site with the harshest environmental conditions (24.37 kg fruits per tree and 4.69 kg of oil per tree compared to 19.16 kg fruits per tree and 3.48 kg of oil per tree in control). In contrast, K proved most effective at the other two sites for both cultivars (43% and 52.8% increase in fruit yield and oil mass per tree in “Koroneiki” respectively and 30% as well as 34% increase in yield and oil mass per tree in “Lianolia Kerkyras”, respectively. CC exhibited limited impact on both productivity and quality. Under all treatments, the oils produced could be classified as extra virgin olive oils, with the products exhibiting minor effects on the functional properties of the oils. These findings indicate that the efficacy of stress-alleviating foliar treatments is strongly influenced by both environmental conditions and cultivar. Overall, K was the most effective treatment, followed by GB. Tailored application of these treatments represents a sustainable approach to maintaining olive productivity and preserving oil quality in the context of climate change.

Genotyping is a key step in molecular breeding. Due to its cost-effectiveness, accuracy, and flexibility, genotyping by target sequencing (GBTS) has become a preferred technology for medium-density genotyping. In this study, a new GBTS array for fresh edible maize was developed using resequencing data from 477 lines. The array contains 5759 SNPs evenly distributed across the maize genome, with average minor allele frequency (MAF) and polymorphism information content (PIC) values of 0.40 and 0.36, respectively. These SNPs are closely associated with 1566 functional genes. Cluster analysis of 198 maize lines based on the GBTS array was consistent with their pedigree relationships. Furthermore, 277 fresh waxy maize lines were genotyped and used for genomic selection analyses of hundred-kernel weight, kernel length, and kernel width. Comparative evaluation of different models indicated that Ridge Regression Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (rrBLUP) was the optimal model, with prediction accuracies of 0.33, 0.64, and 0.36, respectively. Additional analyses using different marker densities based on the rrBLUP model showed that prediction accuracy did not increase when the number of markers exceeded 2000, indicating that this array provides sufficient marker density for genetic analysis and genomic selection. Overall, this array provides a useful tool for genetic studies of fresh edible maize and facilitates the application of genomic selection in breeding programs.

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) possesses characteristics such as strong stress tolerance and high yield. However, weeds compete with foxtail millet, leading to reduced crop yield, degraded quality, and even the promotion of pest and disease spread. Chemical weed control is currently the most practical and feasible method for preventing weed damage in foxtail millet production, but herbicides can harm the main crop, resulting in reduced yield. To investigate the effects of sethoxydim on the growth and development of foxtail millet, this experiment adopted a pot design, setting four concentration gradients for foliar spraying: 0.75, 1.5 (recommended dosage), 3 and 6 L of active ingredient per hectare (L ai ha−1). Sethoxydim treatment hindered electron transport in photosynthesis, leading to a decrease in adenosine triphosphate synthesis and consequently a decline in the photosynthetic parameters of both photosystem I and photosystem II. Meanwhile, the activities and related gene expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), NADP-malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH) and pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK) all showed a decreasing trend. In contrast, the activities and related gene expression of NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco); the contents of soluble protein and soluble sugar; and the activities of antioxidant enzymes including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), along with their related gene expression, exhibited a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, reaching their peak at a dosage of 1.5 L ai ha−1 (T2 treatment group). Meanwhile, the continuous rise in O2·− and H2O2 contents indicated enhanced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants under herbicide stress. These results show that at the recommended dosage, although sethoxydim causes certain damage to foxtail millet, the plant can maintain certain photosynthetic functions and physiological stability through self-regulation and gradually return to normal.

The homeobox transcription factor (TF) superfamily includes the WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) family, which plays a critical role in adaptive plant growth. Specifically, WOX regulates stem growth in plants, with stems serving as the structural framework for laticifers in Euphorbia hirta. However, the number of WOX gene family members in the E. hirta genome has not been reported. In this study, we identified 14 EhWOX genes in E. hirta and characterized their physicochemical properties, chromosomal locations, phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, gene structures, promoter cis elements, gene ontology (GO) enrichment, tissue-specific expression patterns, and subcellular localization. Chromosomal mapping indicated their distribution across nine chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into three evolutionary clades. Promoter cis-element analysis identified abundant light-responsive, hormone-responsive, and stress-responsive elements. GO enrichment suggested their broad involvement in diverse biological processes. Additionally, RNA-seq revealed high expression levels of EhWOX4-6 and EhWOX14 in stems. Furthermore, RT-qPCR confirmed tissue-specific expression in stems. Moreover, experimental evidence confirmed the subcellular localization and autoactivation capability of some WOX proteins that may be involved in stem development. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive characterization of the candidate EhWOX genes and provides a foundational resource for future functional investigations into their possible roles in stem and laticifer biology.

Cassava is an economically important crop in Colombia, particularly along the Caribbean Coast, where major processing industries are located. Seasonality in cassava production poses a major challenge for both industry and farmers, as current commercial varieties exhibit a pronounced decline in dry matter content (DMC) when harvest is extended beyond 10–12 months after planting (MAP). To address this issue, several experimental genotypes and three commercial checks were evaluated in multi-location trials across the Caribbean Coast under several harvest ages and specially after 10, 14, and 18 MAP. Genotype SM2828-28 emerged as a promising candidate due to its adequate sprouting, plant height, first branching height, fresh root yield, and low susceptibility to root rot and lodging. A key advantage of this clone is the stability of its DMC across different harvest ages. Extending the harvest period with appropriate germplasm may increase farmers’ income and reduce the downtime of processing facilities caused by seasonal production gaps. The evidence also suggests that DMC stability is under genetic control, indicating that it can be effectively improved through targeted breeding. However, research involving extended harvest intervals poses considerable logistical challenges.

The growth characteristics and changes in major polyphenol content of the rare plant Persicaria chinensis cultivated under greenhouse conditions were investigated to evaluate its potential for large-scale cultivation and industrial use. The fresh and dry weights of the leaves and stems were measured monthly from May to October, and the corilagin, ellagic acid, geraniin, and neochlorogenic acid contents were analyzed. Leaf fresh and dry weights peaked in June (11.73 ± 4.74 g and 3.02 ± 1.22 g, respectively) and increased again in August thereafter, and subsequently decreased, whereas stem fresh and dry weights continuously increased throughout the cultivation period, reaching 20.06 ± 3.88 g and 7.68 ± 1.55 g, respectively, in October. The polyphenol content in leaves was generally highest in June and then declined. In September, the contents of corilagin and ellagic acid showed marked increases, reaching 10.34 ± 4.13 mg/g and 7.26 ± 3.78 mg/g, respectively. In the stems, the polyphenol content was lower than that in the leaves and showed a decreasing trend after the early cultivation stage. Correlation analysis revealed weak relationships between biomass and polyphenol content in the leaves, whereas strong positive correlations among polyphenols and negative correlations between stem growth and polyphenol content were observed in the stems. These results demonstrate that stable greenhouse cultivation of P. chinensis and the accumulation of functional compounds are feasible and provide fundamental information for the development of cultivation strategies, including appropriate fertilization and environmental management, aimed at functional raw material production.

Efficient resource allocation during fruit expansion and ripening is critical for enhancing mango (Mangifera indica L.) productivity and fruit quality. A study was conducted to quantify the effects of foliar-applied GA3 at concentrations of 0 (control), 50 (GA50), 100 (GA100) and 200 (GA200) mg L−1, applied at 15, 25 and 35 days after full bloom, on fruit physiochemical attributes during the fruit expansion and ripening phases. In addition, metabolic profiling and pathway analysis were conducted after fruit ripening. Compared with the control, GA3 application at 50, 100, and 200 mg L−1 increased fruit length by 8, 12, and 14%, and fruit diameter by 5, 11, and 14%, respectively. The mean single-fruit weight was increased by 5–11% at physiological maturity. During the fruit expansion phase, GA3 treatment decreased starch and total acidity by up to 11% and 29%, respectively, while increasing the soluble sugar content by 21%. Furthermore, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, and CAT), accompanied by a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in leaves, were observed. At the ripening stage, GA3-treated fruits exhibited lower weight loss, higher firmness, more uniform color development, and reduced disease incidence, although vitamin C content and total soluble solids declined. PCA analysis identified GA100 as the optimal treatment. Metabolomics analysis revealed 287 differentially regulated metabolites between GA100 and the control. Sweet, fruity, and floral compounds were upregulated, whereas terpenoids and aldehydes were downregulated. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that GA100 modulated key resource-related metabolic pathways, including nitrogen, carbon and energy metabolism, thereby promoting efficient resource allocation toward fruit growth, quality, and aroma development. Overall, preharvest foliar application of GA3, particularly at a concentration of 100 mg L−1 (GA100), markedly improved mango fruit growth and quality but tended to simplify the aroma profiles by favoring ester production over complex terpenoid-derived notes.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) has a propensity to accumulate cadmium (Cd), especially in its leaves, which can have a detrimental impact on yield, quality, and product safety. The development of low-accumulation cultivars is a vital mitigation approach; however, the underlying mechanisms remain inadequately understood. In this study, through pot experiments, the physiological mechanisms responsible for the differential Cd accumulation between the low-accumulating tobacco line CF986 and the high-accumulating Yuyan5 were explored. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on the organ-specific Cd distribution, chemical speciation, subcellular compartmentalization, and photosynthetic responses across a gradient of Cd exposure. In comparison with Yuyan5, CF986 accumulated significantly higher amounts of Cd in the roots and stems, but substantially lower amounts in the leaves. Specifically, the Cd content in the leaves of CF986 was only 64.32–68.74% of that in Yuyan5 across different Cd exposure levels. The organ-specific Cd distribution pattern in CF986 followed the order: leaf > stem > root. Moreover, the proportion of Cd partitioned to the leaves was lower in CF986 compared to Yuyan5, while the roots and stems exhibited enhanced Cd retention, with Cd levels in stems reaching up to 2.04 times higher than those in Yuyan5. Analysis of the chemical forms and subcellular distribution of Cd indicated that the mobile Cd fractions in the stems of CF986 were significantly reduced compared to Yuyan5. A larger proportion of Cd was immobilized in the stem cell-wall fraction, which enhanced Cd retention and restricted xylem-mediated transport to the leaves. Cd exposure did not significantly affect the concentration of foliar photosynthetic pigments in CF986; however, it notably inhibited the activity of the photosystem II (PSII) reaction center. At higher Cd levels, the photoprotective thermal dissipation gradually failed, with a decrease of up to 41.36% in ΦNO for CF986 compared to CK under Cd4.0 treatment. This research unveiled a stem barrier mechanism, whereby Cd translocation to the leaves is restricted through chemical and subcellular sequestration in the stem. This mechanism provides a novel perspective on both plant heavy metal allocation and the assurance of crop safety.

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of branches of black chokeberry, sea buckthorn, and black currant as raw materials for the development of pharmacologically active compounds, primarily oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), as they exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, etc. Branch biomass collected in spring and autumn of 2023–2025 was analyzed for its functional group profile and used for the isolation of OPCs with ethanol, an ethanol–water mixture (1:1, v/v), and an ethanol–acetone–water mixture (4:1:5, v/v/v). The highest yield of OPCs (up to 14% of DB) was achieved using the ethanol–acetone–water solvent mixture. Using LC-MS/MS, the OPC composition was analyzed and found to consist of dimers (m/z 577), trimers (m/z 865), and tetramers (m/z 1153). The maximum OPC content was observed in autumn samples. Mechanical pretreatment enhanced OPC accessibility by disrupting cell walls and increasing particle surface, facilitating release from the matrix and yielding up to 1.2-fold more OPCs than from untreated biomass. Quantification of 22 elements in the biomass by ICP-MS revealed low levels of toxic metals along with the presence of nutritionally relevant elements. Therefore, from a chemical safety perspective, biomass can be considered suitable for use as a source of OPCs.

Decades ago, the introduction of GC-MS marked a significant advancement in primary plant metabolite studies. Here, in our review, we will delve into critical aspects of the workflow, spanning the selection of an analytical platform, sample preparation, analytical acquisition, and data processing and interpretation. The exceptional separation capabilities of GC, characterized by remarkable chromatographic resolution, render it ideal for analysis of the complex plant metabolome, including the separation of isomeric compounds. The diversity of analytical platforms allows the investigation of plant metabolomes using targeted and non-targeted approaches. GC-MS, equipped with efficient extraction methods and reliable derivatization protocols for semi- and non-volatile compounds, enables qualitative and quantitative analysis of these molecules. The stability of derivatives forms the foundation for the robustness and reproducibility of GC-MS methods, and their mass spectra provide characteristic fragments for confident identification and sensitive quantification of individual metabolites. There has been key progress in the advancement of GC-MS approaches to studying plant metabolism. However, the presence of artifacts during GC-MS analysis, particularly during derivatization, is a challenge that requires careful validations, which frequently necessitate additional investigations. The feasible solutions that were achieved to overcome the limitations in GC-MS-based studies are a particular focus of the present discussion.