Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)最新文献

The effects of overused chemical fertilizers, which threaten soil, plant, and human health, have always remained a topic of interest in theory and practice, emphasizing the judicious use of mineral nutrients. This study was aimed at reducing the harmful effects of excessive chemical fertilizer application and at exploring alternative approaches that can improve soil fertility without environmental and health damage. The experimental design involved a controlled greenhouse setup where tomato cultivars were inoculated with different AMF species under varying nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) doses. The tomato cultivars Rio Grande and Nadir were inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species, including Glomus claroideum, Glomus etunicatum, Glomus fasciculatum, and Glomus mosseae-within a commercial greenhouse. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of these fungi on tomato growth physiology, yield, and fruit quality when subjected to varying doses of N and P. Glomus mosseae significantly increased plant height by 14%, stem diameter by 22.25%, dry matter by 23.59%, yield by 38.57%, N uptake by 16.40%, P uptake by 37.5%, potassium (K) uptake by 18.55%, chlorophyll a (Chl a) content by 15.18%, and chlorophyll b (Chl b) content by 25.19% when compared to untreated controls. Additionally, Glomus mosseae improved fruit diameter by 9.98%, fruit firmness by 18.45%, juice content by 15.20%, titratable acidity (TA) by 10.42%, and ascorbic acid concentration by 16.75%. The interaction between the N and P levels of 140:42 mg L^-1 and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) species Glomus mosseae resulted in the highest improvement in growth, yield, and fruit quality-related traits. Among the cultivars, Rio Grande exhibited the greatest root colonization, plant dry matter content, N, P, K uptake, plant height, Chl a, Chl b, and yield when compared to the control. In contrast, cultivar Nadir showed the highest stem diameter, fruit size, firmness, ascorbic acid, fruit juice contents, and TA. This study recommends that AMF inoculation in combination with a low N and P supply can be promising for improving tomato growth, productivity, and fruit quality on a commercial scale with minimum threats to the environment and human health. This study suggests the exploration of long-term sustainability and scalability of AMF inoculation methods in diverse agricultural settings.

Children often exhibit limited knowledge of plant life, a phenomenon referred to as "plant awareness disparity," which can hinder the development of environmental literacy and ecological stewardship. Despite the foundational role of plants in ecosystems, educational systems and cultural narratives frequently prioritize animals, leaving children's understanding of trees underdeveloped. This study aimed to examine how primary school children in the rural Slovak village of Granč-Petrovce acquire knowledge about trees, and how formal education, family practices, and peer interactions shape this learning. Using an interdisciplinary approach grounded in ethnobiology and social anthropology, the research combined participant observation, free listing, map drawing, semi-structured interviews, diaries, and outdoor walks with 10 children aged 7-9 over a five-week period. Results revealed that children were most familiar with fruit trees such as apple and cherry, with knowledge strongly tied to personal, hands-on experiences in gardens and during family activities. While formal education introduced certain species, these were less salient unless reinforced through lived interaction. Peer learning also played a notable role, with older children often teaching younger peers about plants. Despite spending time outdoors, children who lacked active engagement with plants showed limited ecological understanding, particularly in areas like tree reproduction. The study underscores that the quality of engagement with nature-especially when culturally and relationally meaningful-matters more than the quantity of exposure. These findings advocate for educational strategies that integrate outdoor, experiential, and peer-based learning to foster deeper plant knowledge and reduce plant awareness disparity among young learners.

Seaweeds are considered an essential component of the blue economy. Because seaweed extracts are rich in bioactive compounds that enhance plant stress resilience, exploiting this resource could offer a sustainable solution for crop production. Salinity is a major abiotic challenge that significantly impacts crop yield and food security. Through meta-analysis, we explored whether the exogenous application of seaweed extracts improves the salt tolerance of cereal crops. All the studies chosen for this study utilized aqueous seaweed extracts as foliar sprays. A multi-level meta-analysis with a mixed effects model was performed to determine the effect size. This meta-analysis demonstrated that applying aqueous seaweed extracts enhanced the shoot and root biomass under normal and salinity stress conditions, suggesting that seaweed extract can help improve crop stress tolerance. The seaweeds studied belonged to three classes: Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyta, and Chlorophyta, with extracts from Chlorophyta and Phaeophyceae significantly enhancing biomass production under salinity conditions. Applying aqueous seaweed extracts effectively improved salinity tolerance at both 34.2-100 mM and 101-400 mM NaCl equivalent salinity stress. Moreover, exogenous foliar application of ≤ 25% aqueous seaweed extracts was most effective for improving salinity tolerance in cereals. The impact of seaweed extracts on cereal crop yields has not been extensively reported; therefore, further studies should focus on this aspect.

Sclerotinia Stem Rot (SSR) disease is one of the most serious diseases affecting the yield and quality of oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Understanding the genetic basis of the resistance trait in oilseed rape to SSR and microbiome composition for enhanced resistance is crucial for developing resistant varieties and sustainably mitigating the impact of the disease. In this study, in a panel of 168 oilseed rape accessions, the most resistant (NGB 13503 and NGB 13834) and susceptible (NGB 13497 and NGB 13897) accessions are identified. A Genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 47 SNPs linked to the SSR lesion length, lesion area, and lesion relative to the leaf area. Among the SNPs significantly linked to lesion length were Bn-A04-p10555408, Bn-A07-p12487549, Bn-A09-p4652268, Bn-A09-p4916858 and, to our knowledge, these SNPs have not been previously linked to SSR resistance in oilseed rape. Moreover, the study identified 24 SNPs linked with chlorophyll content before SSR inoculation (SPADH), after the SSR inoculation (SPADI), and chlorophyll index (CI). Maintaining the chlorophyll level is correlated with SSR resistance. Furthermore, bacterial taxa (e.g., Pseudomonas, Methylobacterium, and Aquabacterium) and fungal taxa (e.g., Mycosphaerellales, Thelebolales, and Akanthomyces) were enriched in the resistant compared to the susceptible oilseed rape accessions. The SNPs linked to lesion length showed consistent haplotype variation between these selected accessions. Given the absence of complete resistance against SSR, the study provides insights into the significance of maintaining chlorophyll levels and considering microbiome composition for enhancing the level of existing partial resistance to SSR in oilseed rape.

Fusarium wilt of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis, continues to threaten oases across the Maghreb. However, the disease has failed to establish in Southeastern Algeria, despite the ongoing movement of potentially contaminated plant material. This study investigated whether soil chemical properties contribute to this apparent epidemiological boundary. A total of 48 soil samples were collected from healthy and diseased date palm groves across infected (Adrar, Ghardaïa) and uninfected (Biskra) regions. Soils were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), soluble cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺), and available phosphorus (PO₄ ^3-). While no consistent differences were observed between healthy and diseased trees within infected areas, five parameters-EC, Ca²⁺, PO₄ ^3-, Mg²⁺, and CaCO₃-differentiated uninfected from infected regions. Higher levels of EC, Ca²⁺, and CaCO₃ in uninfected soils suggest a suppressive effect on the pathogen or enhanced host resistance. These findings align with previous studies showing that elevated salinity and calcium can limit Fusarium development by altering cell wall integrity, enzyme activity, and spore production. Phosphorus and magnesium may further modulate disease expression through effects on plant immunity and pathogen metabolism. Our results support the hypothesis that F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis is constrained by edaphic factors in Southeastern Algeria. This study highlights the importance of soil chemistry in shaping pathogen distributions and suggests that nutrient-based management may help suppress Fusarium wilt in date palm agroecosystems.

Freshwater algae possess remarkable metabolic flexibility and environmental resilience, enabling them to adapt to polluted habitats and contribute to ecological restoration. This study investigates the physiological and biochemical responses of five green algal taxa: Monoraphidium sp., Scenedesmus sp., Nephrocytium sp., Chlorococcum sp., and Klebsormidium sp. during a 25-day phycoremediation of contaminated water of the Yamuna River, New Delhi, India. The water, characterized by high concentrations of organic matter, nutrients, and heavy metals, induced species-specific metabolic adjustments. A decline in chlorophyll a and b (31.25% ± 2.25% to 67.11% ± 5.37% and 11.49% ± 0.25% to 86.98% ± 3.21%, respectively) indicated stress or damage to the photosynthetic system. This decline can be caused by various abiotic or biotic stress factors, while carotenoid accumulation, particularly in Chlorococcum sp. (307.70% ± 4.32%), suggested photoprotective adaptations. Enhanced biosynthesis of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in Chlorococcum sp. (139.33% ± 4.32% and 81.81% ± 2.72%, respectively) correlated with elevated antioxidant activity across all species (27.67% ± 1.61% to 73.51% ± 2.44% DPPH inhibition). Lipid content shifts were species-dependent, with Monoraphidium sp. showing the highest increase (63.02% ± 2.09%). Elemental CHNS analysis revealed increased carbon content and reduced nitrogen and sulfur levels, indicating altered nutrient dynamics. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) elucidated distinct clusters reflecting interspecific differences in stress-responsive metabolic traits. This study demonstrates the metabolic plasticity and stress tolerance of green algae under complex pollutant loads, advancing our understanding of algal adaptation mechanisms. It shows that phycoremediation not only enhances interspecific biochemical divergence but also alters algal elemental stoichiometry. By integrating multivariate biochemical analysis with CHNS profiling, we identify nitrogen as the primary driver of post-treatment differentiation. These findings highlight both the ecological and biotechnological relevance of algae in integrated water treatment and sustainable biomass utilization, while offering a novel framework for selecting candidate species in environmental remediation and biotechnological applications.

The macroalgae of the Cystoseira sensu lato complex host a great epiphytic bacterial community that significantly guarantees several important physiological processes, especially in case of disturbance. However, no direct evidence of relevant changes in the quali-quantitative composition of these communities under anthropic disturbance is currently available. This work aims to characterize the epiphytic bacterial community associated with Cystoseira sensu lato populations in case of disturbance in Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area (Sardinia, Italy). To this purpose, the abundance and health status of the most abundant species of the Cystoseira complex were evaluated in the three main islands of the MPA, characterized by different levels of protection. Moreover, thalli samples of the target species Ericaria amentacea (C. Agardh) Molinari and Guiry were collected in each zone to quali-quantitative characterize its associated bacteria. Results confirmed a high abundance of Cystoseira sensu lato populations in the whole study area, with no chlorosis or damages related to the magnitude of disturbance. Significant differences were instead recorded in the quali-quantitative characterization of the bacterial community among islands. Where the protection was lower, the abundance of living bacteria was higher and a relevant presence of bacteria involved in macroalgae resistance to disturbance, such as Lutibacter and Psychromonas, was observed. These results prove that the structure of the bacterial community associated with E. amentacea blades significantly changes in relation to disturbance. Moreover, they suggest that the good health status of these macroalgae observed also in cases of quite high disturbance could be related to a shift in its epiphytic bacterial community composition, that could, therefore, be actively involved in their adaptation.

Understanding species-specific salt and heat tolerance mechanisms provides valuable insights into colonization and zonation patterns in saline environments. To explore these mechanisms, this study investigated the effects of selected salinity and thermoperiod on seed germination in the African haplotypes of the common reeds, P. australis and P. mauritianus. The effect of salinity was determined by germinating seeds in 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 50% seawater at alternating night/day temperatures of 15°C/25°C and 20°C/30°C for 21 days. In both species, the highest germination, seedling vigor, root length, and number of leaves were obtained in the non-saline control treatment. In P. australis, there was 100% seed germination in the non-saline controls in both thermoperiods, while in P. mauritianus, germination was 36% and 45% lower, respectively. Salinity did not affect the germination of P. australis at 15°C/25°C, but at 20°C/30°C, germination decreased. In P. mauritianus, seed germination decreased significantly with an increase in salinity in both thermoperiods. Salinity and 20°C/30°C thermoperiod significantly reduced biomass, leaf production, culm height, and root elongation in both species. Phragmites australis was more salt-tolerant than P. mauritianus, as germination percentage, biomass, root length, and seedling vigor index were higher in both thermoperiods. Neither species germinated at 5°C and 35°C/40°C thermoperiods; however, P. australis seeds exhibited higher viability as indicated by a greater germination recovery percentage compared to P. mauritianus. Phragmites australis seeds are lighter, fluffier, more viable, disperse easily, and may contribute to its ability to colonize a greater diversity of habitats compared to P. mauritianus.

Rain gardens depend on resilient plant species that can withstand fluctuating moisture conditions while providing ecological and aesthetic benefits. This study addresses the limited research on tropical and native herbaceous species by evaluating their health through both visual and physiological assessment methods. A pretest list of 44 species was developed through expert interviews, and plant responses were assessed using chlorophyll fluorescence, expressed as the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (F _v/F _m), and visual damage ratings after a 15-day continuous immersion experiment. Cluster analysis identified 24 immersion-tolerant species, among which 10 native perennial herbaceous plants were selected for further testing. These species were subjected to repeated water stress cycles consisting of 7 and 14 days of immersion followed by 7 days of drought, repeated over three immersion and two drought intervals. Results indicated that nine species-Aster indicus, Aster shimadae, Lobelia chinensis, Dianthus seisuimontanus, Dianthus superbus, Evolvulus alsinoides, Euphorbia formosana, Lespedeza cuneata, and Richardia scabra-consistently maintained F _v/F _m values above 0.7 throughout both flooding durations, reflecting high photosynthetic stability, indicating that they can tolerate such fluctuations in water availability. By contrast, Eupatorium lindleyanum exhibited F _v/F _m above 0.7 in 66% and 33% of observations in the 7- and 14-day treatments, respectively. These results provide insight into the selection of resilient native species and support the establishment of a standardized methodology for plant health assessment in rain garden design.

Freezing temperature is a key environmental factor that influences plant growth and distribution. Mosses exhibit remarkable resistance to freezing stress due to their unique morphological and physiological traits. The protonema, which is the initial structure formed during the germination of a moss spore, exhibits a short life cycle and is highly sensitive to environmental changes. In this study, the protonemas of three moss species, Physcomitrium patens, Bryum argenteum, and Syntrichia caninervis, were harvested when they were 5, 10, and 15 days old. Protonemas were air dried for 0, 1, 2, and 12 h. Air-dried protonemas were kept at -80°C for 6 months to evaluate their resilience to ultra-low freezing stress. This resilience was assessed at 6, 12, and 18 days after re-culture. The three moss species exhibited varying degrees of freezing tolerance. P. patens did not recover after -80°C treatment, fully dried 10-days-old B. argenteum achieved highest recovery rate of 99.6% ± 0.2% while fully dried 5-days-old S. caninervis achieved the highest recovery rate of 98.6% ± 0.5%. The regeneration rate was influenced by both relative water content (RWC) and age. An analysis using a linear mixed-effects model indicated that the impact of RWC (effect size = 0.75) was greater than that of age (effect size = 0.35). This research provides valuable insights into the resilience of moss protonemas after exposure to -80°C, emphasizing the importance of protonema in abiotic stress research. These findings are crucial for developing methods to preserve and maintain terrestrial ecosystems in arid regions.