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Main conclusion: Year-round strawberry production is achievable by combining advanced forcing techniques, suitable cultivars (low-chilling or day-neutral), and optimized environmental controls. These strategies extend the growing season, enhance productivity, and enable continuous out-of-season cultivation. Garden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is one of the most widely produced and consumed fruit crops worldwide, valued for its distinctive flavor, aroma, and nutritional benefits. Year-round production of garden strawberry is an emerging goal for global horticulture, but traditional, season-bound cultivars limit availability and market continuity. Recent advances in forcing culture techniques, combined with the adoption of low-chilling and day-neutral cultivars, now support continuous strawberry harvests beyond conventional seasons. This review synthesizes key developments in forcing culture across major Japanese and European production systems, focusing on photoperiod and temperature regulation, optimized cultivar selection, and regional adaptations. By extending harvest windows, these strategies help stabilize supply chains and improve grower profitability. The physiological basis of floral induction and cultivar responses is examined to reveal practical, climate-resilient pathways for sustainable strawberry cultivation. Challenges remain in labor efficiency, resource sustainability, and adapting forcing protocols to local environments. Future research should integrate genetic, environmental, and technological innovations, including genetic markers for forcing responsiveness and automated environmental controls, to ensure reliable, high-quality year-round yields. Expanding forcing culture holds promise for stabilizing production, enhancing fruit quality, and supporting sustainable livelihoods amid climate variability and growing global demand.

Main conclusion: PhC2H2-ZFP45 may act as a transcriptional activator to up-regulate the expression of PhPAL2 and participate in the formation of floral fragrance. C2H2-zinc finger proteins (C2H2-ZFPs) are involved in the regulation of plant development and stress resistance. However, there are few studies on the effect of C2H2-ZFPs on the regulation of floral fragrance. Petunia hybrida has become an ideal model plant for studying floral volatile benzenoids/phenylpropanoids (FVBP) metabolism. To gain insight into the participation of C2H2-ZFPs in the regulation of floral fragrance in petunia, we performed a genome-wide identification and characterization of C2H2-ZFP genes. A total of 96 C2H2-ZFP genes were identified from the genome of Petunia axillaris, one wild parent of P. hybrida, and their gene structure, conserved motif, phylogenetic relationship, cis-acting elements were analyzed. The length and intron-exon organization in P. axillaris C2H2-ZFP genes were highly heterogeneous. The C2H2 domain was conserved in all C2H2-ZFPs, while the EAR domain was present in 33 C2H2-ZFPs. The P. axillaris C2H2-ZFP gene family was classified into four clades, and clade D contained 51 members. Most petunia C2H2-ZFP genes contained light stress response elements and hormone-related elements. 67 assembled sequences according to reported P. hybrida 'Mitchell' corolla RNA sequencing data could be mapped to the C2H2-ZFP genes of Petunia axillaris. The spatiotemporal expression patterns of PhC2H2-ZFP8 and PhC2H2-ZFP45 well correlated with the developmental and tissue-specific patterns of petunia floral scent formation and emission, suggesting that these genes might be involved in the regulation of FVBP metabolism. Through yeast one hybrid and dual luciferase assay, PhC2H2-ZFP45 was further confirmed to upregulate the expression of PhPAL2. This study will serve as a molecular basis for further exploring the role of PhC2H2-ZFPs in floral scent regulation.

Main conclusion: Oryza australiensis combines unique constitutive and inducible responses to heat stress, revealing novel mechanisms and candidate genes putatively involved in thermotolerance for improving cultivated rice's resilience Heat stress negatively impacts plant growth, reproduction, and productivity, posing a growing threat to crop yields under climate change. Understanding thermotolerance mechanisms is critical for developing resilient crops. Oryza australiensis, a wild rice species native to Australia, exhibits greater heat tolerance than the cultivated Oryza sativa, though the molecular basis remains unclear. Here, we investigated comparative heat stress responses and recovery in both species. Our data show that O. australiensis maintained higher expression of Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle genes under heat stress, consistent with its ability to sustain photosynthesis at elevated temperatures. Genes involved in C4 metabolism showed constitutively higher expression in O. australiensis, suggesting traits of a C3-C4 intermediate species. While both species down-regulated carbohydrate metabolism genes under heat, transcript levels remained higher in O. australiensis. Notably, only O. sativa accumulated sucrose under stress, implying differences in carbon partitioning between the species. We also identified differentially induced genes in O. australiensis related to protein folding, including specific heat shock proteins, alongside reduced expression of calmodulin-related signaling genes. During recovery, only O. australiensis up-regulated thionin genes, indicating a possible link between defense peptides and abiotic stress response. Additionally, several genes with unknown functions were uniquely regulated, highlighting novel candidates for further investigation. Together, these findings suggest that O. australiensis combines constitutive and inducible responses to manage heat stress and represents a valuable genetic resource for enhancing thermotolerance in cultivated rice, a key trait in a changing climate.

Main conclusion: The suppression of photosystem II, photosystem I, respiratory complex I, and respiratory complex III triggers lipid biosynthesis via increased ROS in Chlorella pyrenoidosa SHOU-1002 under nitrogen limitation. This study investigated the regulation of photosynthesis and respiration in lipid biosynthesis. Chlorella pyrenoidosa SHOU-1002 was analyzed using biochemical and molecular biological approaches under nitrogen limitation, chemical treatments, and RNA interference (RNAi). The results showed that nitrogen limitation redirected carbon flux from chlorophyll, carbohydrates, and proteins to lipids, yielding biodiesel-suitable lipids with a calculated degree of unsaturation ≤ 92.80%. Mechanistically, nitrogen limitation inhibited the activities of photosystem II (PSII), photosystem I (PSI), respiratory complex I (RCI), and respiratory complex III (RCIII) by downregulating the expression of their constituent genes. This suppression led to increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent lipid accumulation. RNAi of these complexes similarly enhanced ROS and lipid accumulation. These results support a conclusion that photosynthetic and respiratory inhibition drives ROS-mediated lipid accumulation in C. pyrenoidosa SHOU-1002. This finding enhances our understanding of microalgal lipid biosynthesis under nitrogen limitation and could contribute to the development of the microalgae-biofuel industry through metabolic engineering.

Main conclusion: Secondary metabolites play important roles in osmotic adjustment, ion homeostasis, and redox signaling in wheat under salinity stress. Together, these functions support plant acclimation to saline conditions. Integrative omics approaches can clarify the regulation of their biosynthetic pathways. Applying this knowledge in targeted breeding may accelerate the development of saltresilient wheat cultivars. Salt stress is a major environmental challenge that adversely affects wheat growth, developmental cascades, and grain yield and quality. As a major staple crop, it is imperative to improve wheat's salt tolerance for ensuring food security in increasingly saline agricultural environments. Secondary metabolites, a diverse group of organic compounds not directly involved in primary metabolic processes, play significant roles in plant stress responses and adaptation. These compounds include phenolics, terpenoids, and alkaloids, each contributing to plant defense mechanisms through antioxidant activities, osmoprotection, and stress signaling. This review focuses on the pivotal role of secondary metabolites in enhancing wheat's resilience to salt stress. It explores how these metabolites contribute to various aspects of salt tolerance, including ion regulation, osmotic adjustment, and oxidative stress management. By examining recent research findings, this review aims to highlight the specific secondary metabolites involved in wheat's response to saline conditions and their potential mechanisms of action. Ultimately, the review seeks to provide insights into how leveraging secondary-metabolite pathways can lead to the development of wheat varieties with improved salt tolerance, contributing to sustainable agriculture and food security.

Main conclusion: In the Negev, substantial vapor stems from the wet soil following rain events and therefore cannot be considered as dew but rather as distillation. Distillation provided ~ 35% and ~ 60% of the vapor-driven liquid for the cobbles and rock slabs, respectively, implying that lithobionts may benefit from vapor condensation also in non-dewy deserts. Lithic chlorolichens (lichens with green algae as photobionts) and cyanobacteria cover almost all rock surfaces in the Negev Highlands, where chlorolichens are believed to mainly benefit from non-rainfall water (NRW), i.e., dew and vapor at high relative humidity. Since chlorolichens may also inhabit non-dewy deserts and vapor may also stem from the wet soil (which once condenses is termed distillation), we hypothesized that vapor that stems from the wet soil may also benefit lithic chlorolichens. To evaluate the potential amount accumulated on these rocky surfaces, whether by NRW or soil vapor plus distillation (jointly termed as indirect rain water, IRW), 3-year-long measurements were conducted in the Negev using cloths attached to a pair of rock slabs and a pair of cobbles. Taking 0.05 (reflecting vapor adsorption) and 0.1 mm (reflecting vapor condensation), which allows for net photosynthesis by chlorolichens and cyanobacteria, respectively, we found that: (1) the average number of days with NRW and IRW ≥ 0.05 mm was respectively 128.7 days and 28.0 days (for cobbles) and 37.3 days and 19.3 days (for rock slabs), with dew (which occurs along the year) and distillation (limited to days after rain events) occurring respectively for 36.7 days and 20.0 days (cobbles) and 28.0 days and 6.0 days (rock slabs), (2) average annual amounts of NRW and IRW ≥ 0.05 mm were respectively 11.5 mm and 3.9 mm (for cobbles) and 2.7 mm and 1.8 mm (for rock slabs), with dew and distillation being respectively 4.7 mm and 3.1 mm (for cobbles) and 0.5 mm and 0.9 mm (for rock slabs), (3) average annual daytime duration of > 0.05 mm for NRW and IRW were respectively 307.8 h and 83.9 h (for cobbles) and 81.0 h and 46.7 h (for rock slabs) with dew and distillation lasting respectively 103.8 h and 60.2 h (for cobbles) and 10.3 h and 17.6 h (for rock slabs). Given that daylight duration primarily dictates growth, we may conclude that: (1) cobbles receive substantially higher amounts of NRW and IRW than rock slabs, (2) the amount of distillation received on cobbles (3.1 mm) was not substantially lower than that of dew (4.7 mm). As far as the annual daylight wetness duration for cobble-dwelling lichens is concerned, distillation provided 36.7% of the total duration provided by vapor. Since IRW may occur also in dewless deserts, such as the Mojave Desert, it may partially explain lithic lichen inhabitation in the Mojave and other non-dewy deserts.

Main conclusion: The recalcitrant seeds of Brosimum alicastrum, a widespread tropical tree, have an exceptional ability to resist desiccation, which we propose has contributed to the dominance of the species across a broad precipitation gradient in forests of Latin America. Seed desiccation sensitivity is relatively common in tree species of tropical rain forests. For such species, pre-germination survival may be as important as seedling establishment in determining reproductive success, yet the adaptive traits important for survival are poorly understood. We studied seeds of Brosimum alicastrum Sw., a dominant tree species across a very broad precipitation gradient in Central America. This ecological success seems counterintuitive to the putative presence of seed desiccation sensitivity, that potentially severely limits propagule survival. We evaluated the anatomical, chemical and physiological traits for pre-germination survival in Brosimum alicastrum. Seeds were subjected to a series of desiccation experiments to determine the role of the seed coat and cuticular layers in controlling the rate of water loss. The structural properties were characterised using light and electron microscopy and complemented by biochemical and biophysical characterization of the seed cuticle. We confirm that Brosimum alicastrum seeds are highly desiccation sensitive but exhibit an exceptional resistance to desiccation. We show that the mechanisms for this trait of exceptional control of water loss are multifaceted and relate to the structural, biochemical and biophysical properties of the cuticle surrounding the embryo. When the cuticle is punctured, seed resistance to drying is lost and the seeds die rapidly. We propose that, combined with dispersal by winged fauna, this unique feature of seed desiccation resistance enables this species to colonise and occupy a broad range of edaphic and precipitation niches and so contribute to its prevalence in the forests of Latin America.

Main conclusion: Exogenous substances can enhance plant tolerance to low-temperature stress through five primary mechanisms. The rational application of these substances during early spring cold snaps and other unexpected low-temperature events at various growth stages can effectively mitigate crop damage and ensure stable yields. Low-temperature stress (LTS) is one of the main abiotic stress factors limiting plant growth and development and crop yield. It severely affects plant yield and even causes death by interfering with cell membrane stability, inhibiting photosynthesis, and causing metabolic imbalance. In recent years, exogenous substances (ESs) regulation technology has become an important research direction for improving plants' resistance to LTS due to its high efficiency and operability. Multiple ESs have been shown to effectively alleviate LTS in plants. This paper systematically reviews the research findings on 82 ESs from 121 literature sources and summarizes the molecular physiological mechanisms by which these substances alleviate LTS. The mechanisms of action mainly include the following five aspects: (1) enhancing the antioxidant defense system; (2) optimizing plant hormone balance; (3) maintaining and enhancing photosynthetic efficiency; (4) accumulating osmoprotective substances; (5) improving plant nutritional status. In addition, we explored in depth how to effectively utilize exogenous substances with potential and efficiency to address the challenges posed by LTS in agricultural production. This paper summarizes the research progress on the mechanisms of exogenous substances in resisting LTS, providing theoretical basis and technical support for crop cultivation and stable production in response to LTS.

Main conclusion: Insights from paclitaxel research inspire elucidation of hypericin biosynthesis, highlighting gene identification, multi-omics integration, and biotechnological strategies enabling scalable and sustainable production of valuable Hypericum secondary metabolites. Paclitaxel (Taxol^®), a major plant-derived anticancer drug, exemplifies how research on complex natural products can lead to both breakthrough therapies and innovative strategies for scalable production. Building on this model, this review examines how advances in paclitaxel research have inspired new approaches to studying and producing other pharmaceutically important metabolites, particularly hypericins in Hypericum species. Complementary strategies, ranging from in vitro cultures and elicitor treatments to metabolomic and transcriptomic profiling, have shown promise in enhancing hypericin production, paralleling advances achieved with paclitaxel. Despite their known antiviral and anticancer properties, the biosynthetic pathway of hypericins remains only partially resolved. Current evidence supports a polyketide origin involving emodin and related intermediates, yet key enzymatic steps, particularly those leading to dimeric structures, are still unknown. Although candidate enzymes such as the polyketide synthase HpPKS2 have been identified in Hypericum species, much of the pathway remains unresolved. Given the biosynthetic parallels, fungal systems synthesizing related polyketide metabolites represent promising comparative models for elucidating the hypericin pathway and advancing metabolic engineering efforts. Insights derived from paclitaxel research may thus guide future strategies for elucidating, optimizing, and sustainably producing hypericins and other specialized metabolites across the genus Hypericum.

Main conclusion: Enhanced Apiaceae germination performance by seed priming involves promoting pre-germination growth of the underdeveloped (small) embryos, reduction in hormone contents, and priming with abscisic acid (ABA) improved ageing resilience. Different seed priming technologies are used to improve germination performance and seedling vigour of vegetable crops. Daucus carota (carrot), Pastinaca sativa (parsnip), and other Apiaceae produce morphologically dormant single-seeded fruit halves (mericarps) as dispersal units. In mature mericarps, the underdeveloped (small) embryo is embedded in abundant endosperm tissue, and pre-germination embryo growth to a critical embryo:seed (E:S) length ratio is a requirement for the completion of germination by radicle emergence. We investigated how hydropriming and additive priming with gibberellins (GA), abscisic acid (ABA), and gas plasma-activated water (GPAW) affected carrot and parsnip mericarp germination and ageing sensitivity accessed using a wet ageing assay (80% RH, 42 °C). Carrot and parsnip mericarp priming enhanced germination speed (germination rate GR_50%), maximal germination percentage (G_max), and germination vigour. This was associated with enhanced pre-emergence embryo growth inside hydroprimed, hormone-primed, and GPAW-primed mericarps. Hydropriming affected the hormone contents and ABA sensitivity of parsnip mericarps. It reduced the contents of bioactive GAs and indole-3-acetic acid ~ 2.1 and ~ 7.7-fold, and of the germination inhibitors ABA and cis-(+)-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid ~ 9.2 and ~ 6.0-fold, respectively. Hydroprimed carrot and parsnip mericarps were more sensitive in the wet ageing assay. GPAW-priming increased carrot salinity tolerance but did not increase its wet ageing resilience to a controlled deterioration treatment (CDT). In contrast, GPAW-priming increased the wet ageing resilience of many other vegetable seeds and cereal grains. ABA-priming not only enhanced embryo growth and germination performance, it also increased the wet ageing resilience of carrot and parsnip mericarps. We conclude that ABA-priming and GPAW-priming are promising technologies to improve vigour and wet ageing resilience of primed seeds.