Scientia Horticulturae最新文献

{"title":"Oryzalin-induced autopolyploidy in sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.)","authors":"Emmanuel Nkosinathi Kunene,&nbsp;Jong-Yi Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114638","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114638","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sweet marjoram (<em>Origanum majorana</em> L.) is a medicinal and aromatic herb valued for its applications in traditional medicine and culinary use. The growing demand for this crop has created the need to increase productivity per unit area. Mutation breeding through polyploidization can be employed to develop improved cultivars with enhanced productivity traits. This study investigated the effects of different oryzalin seed treatments (0, 7.5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 µM for 24 hours) on polyploid induction in sweet marjoram. Oryzalin-treated seeds were germinated and established <em>in vitro</em> for polyploid screening using stomatal assays. Ploidy levels were subsequently confirmed by flow cytometry of greenhouse-established plants. Results indicated that oryzalin neither promoted nor inhibited seed germination. However, seedling development and survival were reduced in plants from oryzalin-treated seeds. Oryzalin induced triploid, tetraploid, and mixoploid plants. Among the surviving plants, the average polyploid induction efficiency was 22.7 %. The highest induction efficiency (50.0 %) was observed at 120 µM, whereas the lowest (8.3 %) occurred at 30 µM. Intermediate concentrations of 7.5, 15, and 60 µM produced efficiencies of 16.7 %, 24.0 %, and 30.8 %, respectively. Tetraploid plants exhibited an average induction efficiency of 9.1 %, with the highest value (50.0 %) observed at 120 µM. Induced polyploid plants exhibited an increased leaf width-to-length ratio, changing from ovate or oblong-ovate to orbicular leaf shape. Stomatal size increased while density decreased compared with diploid controls. Similarly, trichome size increased and density decreased, indicating characteristic epidermal modifications typically associated with chromosome doubling and improved leaf surface traits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114638"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genome-wide identification and functional analysis of UGT genes reveal multiple flavonoid 3-O-glycosyltransferases synergistically enhancing cold tolerance in Allium fistulosum","authors":"Mifeng Bai ,&nbsp;Huanhuan Xu ,&nbsp;Jiayi Xing ,&nbsp;Yexuan Zheng ,&nbsp;Lecheng Liu ,&nbsp;Yongqin Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114587","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114587","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flavonoids, as core antioxidants in plant secondary metabolism, are crucial for abiotic stress responses and bioactive compound development. UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) catalyze the glycosylation of flavonoids, a key structural modification that enhances their stability and bioactivity. This study identified 124 <em>UGT</em> genes in the <em>Allium fistulosum</em> genome, classified into 18 evolutionary groups. Analyses of gene structure and conserved motifs provided insights into the potential mechanisms underlying functional divergence among these <em>UGT</em> lineages, while promoter <em>cis</em>-element analysis suggested stress-responsive regulation. Tissue-specific expression patterns were characterized via RNA-seq. Metabolomic profiling detected 157 flavonoid metabolites, with 93 showing significant differential accumulation between leaves and stems. Notably, flavonoid 3-O-glucoside derivatives exhibited the most pronounced differences. Phylogenetic analysis classified <em>AfUGT24, AfUGT25, AfUGT89</em>, and <em>AfUGT92</em> within the 3GT gene. Functional characterization via transient expression in tobacco revealed that only <em>AfUGT24, AfUGT25</em>, and <em>AfUGT89</em> significantly enhanced glycosyltransferase activity and total flavonoid content. Under cold stress (10 °C), the expression of these three genes in <em>A. fistulosum</em> seedlings was significantly upregulated, accompanied by a concurrent increase in glycosyltransferase activity elevated total flavonoid content. Collectively, these findings indicate that <em>AfUGT24, AfUGT25</em>, and <em>AfUGT89</em> bolster the plant’s antioxidant defenses, thereby enhancing its cold hardiness. Our findings provide genetic resources and mechanistic insights for breeding cold-resistant <em>Allium</em> crops.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114587"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146000536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comprehensive genomic identification and expression analysis of the U-box gene family and its association with pigment biosynthesis in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)","authors":"Liqiang Jia ,&nbsp;Zijie Xiao ,&nbsp;Shengmei Yang ,&nbsp;Yujiao Yang ,&nbsp;Di Wu ,&nbsp;Huoyan Zhang ,&nbsp;Piao Wang ,&nbsp;Jianwen He","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114626","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114626","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plant <em>U-box</em> E3 ubiquitin ligases play important roles in plant growth and development, and have been extensively studied among various plants, but limited research has been conducted in pepper (<em>Capsicum annuum</em> L.). Here, we identified and characterized 55 <em>U-box</em> genes in the pepper genome, which were classified into 10 groups according to phylogenetic analysis, which was also supported by the conserved motifs and gene structural features. Each group contained different numbers of <em>CaU-box</em> genes. <em>Cis-acting</em> element analysis showed that various numbers of <em>cis</em> elements were predicted in the promoter regions of these genes. The expression levels of most of the <em>CaU-box</em> genes in the pericarp or placenta varied significantly during fruit development. In response to continuous dark and low-temperature (20 °C) treatments, most of the <em>CaU-box</em> genes exhibited significant changes in expression in the pericarp and placenta, respectively. Expression correlation analyses using the nonparametric Spearman correlation method revealed a significant association between <em>CaU-box29/38/54</em> genes and <em>Ca10g18500</em>, as well as chlorophyll and flavonoid synthesis-related genes <em>CaCPOX</em>/<em>CaF3H</em>, which indicated that the protein ubiquitination pathway is involved in pigment biosynthesis. This study provides valuable insights into the functional roles of <em>CaU-box</em> genes and lays a foundation for future research on their involvement in pigment homeostasis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114626"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146000874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Malic acid modulates adventitious root elongation through auxin accumulation and MdTCP17-mediated regulation in apple","authors":"Li Fan ,&nbsp;Sinuo Sun ,&nbsp;Meng Ji ,&nbsp;Jiabao Gao ,&nbsp;Wenying Zhang ,&nbsp;Pengyan Wei ,&nbsp;Jianing Yu ,&nbsp;Juanjuan Ma ,&nbsp;Dong Zhang ,&nbsp;Jiangping Mao ,&nbsp;Muhammad Mobeen Tahir ,&nbsp;Minji Li","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114610","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114610","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The formation of adventitious roots (AR) is a crucial and complex step in apple propagation. Malic acid (MA), an essential organic acid, significantly influences root development; nevertheless, its precise effects on AR formation in apples are poorly understood. This study investigates the impact of MA on AR formation in <em>MdTCP17</em>-overexpressing (T-OE), <em>MdTCP17</em>-RNAi (T-RNAi), and wild-type (WT) apple microshoots. MA treatments reduced AR numbers across genotypes but promoted AR elongation, particularly in T-RNAi microshoots in response to medium MA concentration, which also exhibited enhanced tolerance to high MA concentrations. Anatomical observations indicated that MA concentration stimulates AR primordia formation in WT and T-RNAi microshoots. Endogenous hormone analysis revealed elevated indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels in T-RNAi and T-OE microshoots as compared to WT. RNA-seq analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched in plant hormone signaling pathways, particularly auxin. The findings indicate that medium MA concentrations facilitated AR elongation in T-RNAi microshoots by enhancing IAA accumulation and modulating auxin-related gene expression. While <em>MdTCP17</em> overexpression disrupted this process, consistent with its previously established role in suppressing key regulators like <em>MdWOX11</em>, thereby overriding the positive effects of elevated IAA levels. These findings reveal <em>MdTCP17</em> as a central regulator of root architecture plasticity, modulating the hormonal response to MA concentration to determine the balance between root initiation and elongation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114610"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146000535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genome-wide identification of CKX genes in petunia reveals PhCKX3 as a key regulator of flower and leaf development","authors":"Linxia Zhang ,&nbsp;Shuting Zhang ,&nbsp;Jinfang Xu ,&nbsp;Binbin Dai ,&nbsp;Juntao Huo ,&nbsp;Ying Lin ,&nbsp;Miaomiao Sun ,&nbsp;Jianzhong Ni ,&nbsp;Guofeng Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX) is a critical regulator of cytokinin homeostasis, influencing plant growth and developmental processes. Despite their importance, the evolutionary dynamics and functional roles of <em>CKX</em> genes in ornamental species like petunia remain poorly characterized. Here, we conducted a genome-wide identification of <em>CKX</em> genes from four wild <em>Petunia</em> species (<em>P. axillaris, P. exserta, P. secreta</em>, and <em>P. inflata</em>) and a garden petunia line (<em>P. hybrida</em> Line A), totally identifying 29 <em>CKX</em> genes with five or six members in each genome. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that <em>CKX</em> genes were classified into five clades in angiosperms, with <em>PhCKX</em>s distributed across four of these clades. Promoter analysis identified <em>cis</em>-elements responsive to light, hormones, and stress, indicating that <em>CKX</em> expression in petunia is regulated through multiple pathways. Expression profiles of <em>PhCKX</em>s in various tissues and flower development stages were investigated, which revealed tissue- and stage-specific expression patterns of <em>PhCKX</em>s, moreover, the expression levels of <em>PhCKX3</em> and <em>PhCKX7</em> showed significant correlation with floral organ size. Functional inhibition of <em>PhCKX3</em> through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) resulted in enlarged leaf and floral organs, confirming its role as a negative regulator of cell proliferation. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of <em>CKX</em> genes in <em>Petunia</em>, offering insights into cytokinin-mediated floral development and strategies for molecular breeding of flower size.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114631"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differentiation of volatile organic compounds and sensory characteristics in the upper and lower flowers of grape hyacinth","authors":"Qian Lou ,&nbsp;Chuhan Zhi ,&nbsp;Jiayao Qin,&nbsp;Yishan Li,&nbsp;Hongwu Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114633","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114633","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Functional differentiation between sterile and fertile flowers is a key plant adaptation. While research has focused on visual traits, less attention has been given to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Grape hyacinth (<em>Muscari</em> spp.), with its stable inflorescence pattern of fertile (open) lower and sterile (closed) upper flowers, is an ideal model for such study, yet its VOC composition remains uncharacterized. From ten initially screened species, three representative ones—<em>M. azureum</em> (M1), <em>M. armeniacum</em> ‘Heavenly Blue’ (M2), and <em>M. aucheri</em> ‘Ocean Magic’ (M3)—were selected based on highly significant differences in aroma intensity between upper and lower flowers. Analyses revealed spatial differentiation in VOCs and corresponding sensory attributes: upper flowers produced fewer compounds and were enriched in myrtenol and 1-octen-3-ol, potentially facilitating long-distance pollinator attraction, whereas lower flowers released more diverse VOCs that may prolong visitor retention. Myrtenol and 1-octen-3-ol established characteristic grassy and oily base notes across species. The three species developed distinct aromatic profiles through specific compounds: M1 accumulated ethyl phenylacetate with cocoa nuances; M2 contained abundant myrtenol and eucalyptol with minty tones; and M3 displayed fruity notes due to synergistic interaction between (Z)-β-ocimene and methyl salicylate. Furthermore, 1-octen-3-ol exhibited context-dependent expression, presenting earthy notes at Relative Odor Contribution (ROC) ≥ 99 % but shifting to herbaceous and oily tones at ROC &lt; 50 %. In complex odor environments, myrtenol and acetophenone diverged from their typical minty and sweet-fruity profiles to instead contribute green nuances and modified minty characters. Additionally, sub-threshold ethyl phenylacetate helped shape the distinctive cocoa-fermented aroma in M1 through synergistic effects, further demonstrating how compound interactions dynamically modulate odor perception. This study demonstrates spatial differentiation of VOCs between upper and lower flowers in grape hyacinth and their potential ecological functions, providing new chemical insights into the evolution of floral traits and pollination strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114633"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pear PbrPAO14 modulates pollen tube growth in vitro via altering tip-localized H₂O₂ content","authors":"Yuzhen Qian,&nbsp;Haoran Wu,&nbsp;Lan Xu,&nbsp;Yuqian Wang,&nbsp;Kaijing Zhang,&nbsp;Yihu Sui,&nbsp;Xueping Zhang,&nbsp;Shuangshuang Jia,&nbsp;Nengbing Hu,&nbsp;Meilan Jiang,&nbsp;Yuxi Sun,&nbsp;Yingzhi Zhao,&nbsp;Ming Qian,&nbsp;Jingjing Qian","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyamine oxidase (PAO)-derived hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is known to participate in various plant growth and developmental processes. However, its role in pollen tube growth (PTG) of fruit trees remain elusive. In this study, we first identified 63 <em>PAO</em> members across four pear genomes, including 15 in <em>Pyrus bretschneideri</em>, and 16 each in <em>P. betulifolia, P. pyrifolia</em>, and <em>P. communis</em>. Phylogenetic analysis of 258 PAOs from 38 plant species classified them into seven distinct subclasses. The 63 pear PAOs were distributed across Subclasses I, III, IVa, IVb, and IVc, with members within each subclass exhibiting relatively conserved gene structures. Secondly, using <em>P. bretschneideri</em> as a model, tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that <em>PbrPAO14</em> were specifically and highly expressed in pollen and pollen tube (PT), was selected for further functional characterization. Thirdly, transient suppression of the peroxisome-localized <em>PbrPAO14</em> expression via antisense oligodeoxynucleotides significantly decreased PAO activity (by average 40 %), reduced apical H₂O₂ levels (by average 16 %) to increase PT length (by average 16 %). Furthermore, exogenous spermine and spermidine treatment markedly up-regulated <em>PbrPAO14</em> expression, while its expression suppression led to significant spermine accumulation in PT. Recombinant His-PbrPAO14 protein preferentially used spermine as a substrate, converting spermine to spermidine and putrescine via back conversion (BC) pathway, and generating H₂O₂. Our results suggested that pear <em>PbrPAO14</em> mainly regulates PTG by producing H₂O₂ via the BC pathway. This study advances our understanding of a PAO-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) source at the PT apex in the regulation of PTG, which significantly broadens the perspective on ROS dynamics in polarized cell growth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114620"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of affinity of different pumpkin hybrid combinations with cucumber grafting","authors":"Xue Lu,&nbsp;Meng Zhang,&nbsp;Mengchao Lei,&nbsp;Chunhui Wu,&nbsp;Weili Guo,&nbsp;Zhenwei Liu,&nbsp;Bihua Chen,&nbsp;Xinzheng Li","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To study the grafting affinity of different pumpkin hybrid combinations with cucumber, this paper selected ten root-knot nematode-resistant and wilt-resistant pumpkin hybrid combinations as rootstocks for cucumber grafting. Grafting survival rate, growth status of grafted seedlings, root system vitality, enzyme activity, and other indicators were measured. The results showed that among the ten pumpkin hybrid combinations, grafted cucumber seedlings exhibited superior growth indicators and higher CAT activity compared to self-rooted cucumber; The root activity and the SOD activity of nine pumpkin hybrid combinations grafted cucumber were higher than that of self-rooted cucumber; the POD activity of three pumpkin hybrid combinations grafted cucumber was significantly higher than that of self-rooted cucumber; and the MDA content of seven pumpkin hybrid combinations of grafted cucumber was lower than that of self-rooted cucumber. The above results indicated that grafting may reduce membrane lipid peroxidation by increasing the activity of protective enzymes in cucumber, thereby enhancing their resistance and improving their adaptability to a certain extent. The analysis of the membership function showed that the pumpkin hybrid combinations showing good performance before and after grafting were 487–2 × 112–2, 487–2 × LingchuanC1, Renhe-1 × LingchuanC1, and Renhe-1 × Daziwang-24. Analysis of enzyme activities at the junction of the rootstock and the scion indicated that the pumpkin hybrid combinations Fangshan × Renhe-1, 487–2 × 112–2, 487–2 × LingchuanC1, and Renhe-1 × LingchuanC1 grafted cucumber had lower callose synthase activity than other pumpkin hybrid combinations. Comprehensive membership function analysis indicated that the pumpkin hybrid combinations 487–2 × 112–2, 487–2 × LingchuanC1 and Renhe-1 × LingchuanC1 grafted cucumber have excellent grafting affinity advantage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114629"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Suitability of Apium graveolens L. var. secalinum Alef. to hydroponic cultivation for baby leaf production","authors":"Alessandro Esposito,&nbsp;Filippo Vetrano,&nbsp;Alessandra Moncada,&nbsp;Eristanna Palazzolo,&nbsp;Caterina Lucia,&nbsp;Alessandro Miceli","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Consumers are increasingly seeking innovative, healthy foods rich in nutraceuticals, driving the search for new or underutilized leafy vegetables. Leaf celery (<em>Apium graveolens</em> L<em>.</em> var. <em>secalinum</em> Alef.), a promising candidate for new food sources, stands out from ribbed celery with its smaller size and enhanced aroma. It is gaining global interest due to its high concentration of bioactive compounds, but it is presently cultivated only on soil in restricted regions. Significant knowledge gaps still exist regarding optimal agronomic management for its hydroponic baby leaf production and post-harvest cold storage as a minimally processed product. The necessity of adopting hydroponic systems for ready-to-eat leafy salads requires specific studies on techniques and nutrient management for novel vegetables like leaf celery. This research, for the first time, investigates the feasibility of producing fresh-cut suitable leaf celery baby leaves using a hydroponic ebb-and-flow cultivation system. We studied the effects of two plant densities (615 and 947 plants m⁻²) and three nutrient solution concentrations (NS) (only water, half strength, and full strength) on leaf celery growth, yield, and postharvest quality over two growing seasons (S1: winter/spring and S2: spring/summer). The experiment included two mowings per season to test the plant's regrowth capability, with morphological, biochemical, and yield characteristics assessed after each. Leaves from the first mowing of each trial were tested via sensory analysis and evaluated for shelf-life following minimal processing and cold storage (21 days at 4 °C). This research provides essential, globally transferable data for sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) by quantifying the yield, nutritional stability, and post-harvest longevity of this novel crop across critical seasonal and resource management variables. Results showed higher total yields in S1 (5.25 kg m⁻²) compared to S2 (2.76 kg m⁻²) using the full-strength NS, with nutrient availability effects varying by season and density. The full-strength NS maximized total yield, while the half-strength NS achieved the highest NUE (35.6 g DW g⁻¹ N in S1). Importantly, the baby leaves exhibited good vitamin and mineral content with consistent stability across growing seasons and mowings. Their sensory profile showed only minor differences between seasons, generally maintaining a good overall evaluation. Crucially, the leaves maintained a shelf-life exceeding 14 days across all tested treatments. Overall, leaf celery proved well-suited for hydroponic cultivation, yielding baby leaves with excellent shelf-life and nutritional quality, offering a viable high-value option for the fresh-cut market.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114619"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating UAV multi-sensor imagery and machine learning for non-destructive estimation of nitrogen nutrition index in tea plants","authors":"Zhipeng Li ,&nbsp;Shuting Gong ,&nbsp;Xinle Jiang ,&nbsp;Wentian Yang ,&nbsp;Wenmei Wang ,&nbsp;WenJun Qian ,&nbsp;Yu Wang ,&nbsp;Zhaotang Ding ,&nbsp;Kai Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate diagnosis of nitrogen status is globally crucial for precise fertilization and optimal management in tea plantations. The Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI) provides a robust quantitative measure of N sufficiency, yet its practical application in tea plants has been limited due to the lack of established critical nitrogen dilution curves (CNDC) and validated non‑destructive monitoring methods. To address this, this study developed a novel UAV‑based multi‑source remote sensing approach for NNI estimation in tea plants, innovatively combining LiDAR with multispectral (MS) and visible‑light (RGB) data to capture complementary structural and spectral information. Field experiments involving three tea varieties under six N treatments were conducted, and NNI estimation models were built by integrating three feature selection methods (Boruta, RFE, ElasticNet) with four machine learning algorithms (SVM, PLS, RF, GPR). The results demonstrated a significant nitrogen fertilization effect, with NNI values ranging from 0.36 to 1.16, increasing with nitrogen application. Single-source remote sensing features selected by the three algorithms exhibited the performance ranking of MS &gt; RGB &gt; LiDAR. Multi‑sensor feature fusion significantly outperformed single‑sensor models. The optimal model, integrating Boruta-selected MS+RGB features with GPR, achieved the highest accuracy (R²=0.7346, RMSE=0.0878, RPD=1.6987). This model provides an accurate and non‑destructive tool for field‑scale monitoring of tea nitrogen status, supporting precision fertilization that can reduce fertilizer application in tea cultivation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114614"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}