ACS agricultural science & technology最新文献

Under global warming scenarios, where drought and water scarcity are becoming more prevalent, this study investigated the efficacy of the nanophosphorus material (n-P) in enhancing soybean resilience under soil water restriction. Compared to conventional ionic phosphate fertilizer (i-P), n-P application significantly improved soybean growth under water-limited conditions, achieving a near-normal growth status. The n-P treatments increased plant fresh weight by 21.2–30.2% relative to i-P, demonstrating superior growth promotion. Physiological analysis revealed that n-P enhanced stress adaptation through the modulation of antioxidant enzyme activities, indicating improved oxidative stress management. Importantly, n-P application boosted reproductive success with 62.0% higher pod fresh weight and 21.5% increased total protein content compared to i-P. Postharvest soil analysis showed additional benefits of n-P fertilization, including 69% lower residual Olsen-P and ameliorated soil acidification compared with the i-P group. These findings provide mechanistic insights into nanofertilizer-mediated plant stress adaptation and highlight the dual benefits of n-P in sustainable crop production and soil health maintenance.

Agricultural products have been a very important factor in transforming humankind from hunter-gatherer to farmer throughout human civilization. In this regard, the production of various crops with therapeutic and nutritional values has been of interest in different societies. Industrialization of agriculture, limitation of natural resources, and population growth highlighted the importance of producing valuable species of medicinal plants. Cannabis is considered a medicinal plant, whose proliferation and mass production have attracted a lot of attention in recent years. The demand for the use of cannabis in the pharmaceutical and food industries is increasing significantly. Various methods of propagation and mass production have accordingly become the most important medicinal aspects of cannabis production. Despite the current achievements in improving cannabis production through the introduction of new varieties and different propagation methods, the development of large-scale micropropagation and modern breeding strategies, as well as the genetic conservation of this plant, should be given more attention. However, the application of plant biotechnologies requires high-throughput in vitro culture systems that enable the transformation and development of new cannabis varieties on a large scale. The present review summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of common methods of sexual and asexual propagation of cannabis seedlings.

In response to stress, living plants propagate a chemical wave composed of H₂O₂ through their tissues. Advances in nanosensors capable of measuring H₂O₂ within the living plant in real time have informed a quantitative theory to describe the spatiotemporal profile of its concentration─labeled a signaling waveform. A heretofore unaddressed aspect of the theory is the role of the existing basal H₂O₂ concentration level within the plant before and after stress wave propagation, potentially informing mechanisms of stress priming─or state changes associated with prior, low magnitude levels of stress that condition the resulting waveform. Herein, we develop a mathematical description of wave propagation within an existing basal level of H₂O₂. We show that the shape and intensity of the waveform can be mathematically decoupled from the basal H₂O₂ concentration. This opens the possibility that the equilibrium basal concentration can operate as a distinct, orthogonal signaling channel, separate from the acute waveform following a discrete stress event. The mathematics developed herein may find utility in a more detailed description of mechanisms such as stress priming. More broadly, the results will aid in extending waveform analysis across diverse plant species and environmental conditions.

Chemical camouflage is a fascinating and intricate survival strategy that plants have evolved to defend themselves against herbivores and pests. While plant defense mechanisms have long captivated scientific interest, their full potential remains largely untapped in practical applications. This review takes a distinctive interdisciplinary approach, weaving together insights from molecular biology, ecology, and agricultural science to offer a comprehensive perspective on chemical camouflage. It was driven by a shared understanding that integrating plant defense strategies more deeply into agricultural systems could help address urgent challenges such as pest control, crop productivity, and environmental sustainability. With continued research and advances in biotechnology, chemical camouflage could become a key component of future farming─where crops not only protect themselves but also contribute actively to a more productive and sustainable agricultural landscape.

In the last two decades, chickpea has drawn increasing attention due to its low production cost, high content of proteins with good biological value, a well-balanced amino acid profile, and potential health benefits. To date, almost all studies about chickpea seed proteins have been performed using gel-based approaches and large-size databases (e.g., the taxonomy Viridiplantae). In the present study, a shotgun approach was employed to explore the chickpea seed proteome. To this aim, the genotype Pascià, grown under two water regimes, was used as a case study. Due to the combination of high resolution and high mass accuracy of mass spectral data, along with the use of a database restricted only to Cicer arietinum entries (reviewed and unreviewed) downloaded from the UniProt database (updated February 2023, 31239 entries), it was possible to enlarge the actual knowledge of the seed chickpea proteome by identifying more than 700 novel proteins previously undetected. This analytical approach, also including a label-free quantification (LFQ), was applied to compare two chickpea samples of the genotype Pascià, grown in an open field under two different water regimes, namely rainfed and irrigated. The results of this comparison allowed us to explore the plant’s response to the two different water regimes applied in this study .

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus), a major winter pulse crop with high protein content often referred to as “poor man’s meat”, is vital for a well-nourished diet to the vegetarian masses. Despite being well adapted to harsh environments and rich in essential amino acids, lentil production is at a significant risk from climate change and plausibly terminal heat stress, which results in decreased yield and nutritional value. Here, we study the effect of heat stress as manifested through different sowing times on the grain yield, crude protein content, and mineral availability in lentil cultivars. Under normal sowing conditions, the grain yield, along with iron, zinc, and calcium concentrations, is higher. In contrast, late sowing leads to a reduced yield, diminished nutritional quality, increased phytate phosphorus content, and lower bioavailability of iron and zinc. Correlation, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) has inferred that, under differential sowing conditions, grain yield, mineral concentrations, and phytic acid level are critical contributors to genotype variation. Among the tested lentil varieties, Moitree, L-4717 and KLS-220 exhibit better nutritive value under heat stress conditions, while L-4717 and BM-7 perform the best in normal sowing. The present study is significant in identifying climate-resilient, heat-tolerant lentil varieties that are nutrient-rich, contributing to sustainable agriculture and food security.

This study evaluated the effects of two Sarcocornia sp. ecotypes on the agronomic and nutritional traits of vegetatively propagated plants grown under different salinity levels. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed both as Sarcocornia perennis. Commercial rooting treatments significantly improved the cutting success. Productivity peaked at the first harvest, with ecotypes Sp_E1 and Sp_E2 reaching maximum yields at 22.6 and 15.8 g/L salinity, respectively. Productivity declined at higher salinity, especially in Sp_E1. Ecotype Sp_E2 had better regrowth and resilience under moderate salinity, making it more suitable for extended cultivation cycles. Both ecotypes were rich in moisture, ash, essential minerals, and fiber, offering nutritious low-fat vegetables, though their high sodium content suggests moderate intake in sodium-restricted diets. Antinutritional factors were detected only at the third harvest, highlighting the need for careful evaluation in long-term cultivation. Overall, S. perennis shows promise for commercial cultivation in saline environments, with ecotype Sp_E2 being the more resilient option.

Skin whitening agents have attracted increasing interest not only for their esthetic appeal but also for their potential therapeutic applications in managing hyperpigmentation-related skin disorders. The Lilium genus, well-known for its ornamental, medicinal, and edible properties, contains a diverse array of bioactive compounds with numerous pharmacological effects. Despite the increasing interest in their cosmetic applications, the melanin-inhibiting potential of Lilium flowers remains underexplored. This study analyzed the phytochemical profiles of three Lilium species and assessed their ability to inhibit melanin synthesis. Lilium lancifolium Thunb. exhibited the highest overall content of identified phytochemicals─including phenolics, carotenoids, and vitamin E─and demonstrated superior efficacy in inhibiting melanin formation. Key phytochemical components, including regaloside C, regaloside A, lutein, α-tocopherol, and α-tocotrienol, were identified as the most significant melanin-inhibiting agents. This study not only highlights the potential value of Lilium flowers in skin whitening but also offers valuable insights for the comprehensive utilization of Lilium. As a sustainable source of bioactive compounds, Lilium flowers hold great promise for applications in daily chemicals, functional food ingredients, and pharmaceuticals.

Hydrogels are emerging as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based foams and pots in horticulture due to their high porosity, enhancing water and nutrient retention. This study develops κ-carrageenan (Carr)-based hydrogels incorporating hydrolyzed (HSW) and nonhydrolyzed red seaweed (WSW) (0–50 wt %) to introduce biostimulant properties for soilless cultivation. Hydrogels were analyzed for swelling in different media, solubility, microstructure (SEM), physicochemical interactions (FTIR, XRD), and mechanical properties, revealing high porosity, superabsorbent behavior (swelling up to 6000%), and reduced compression modulus with increasing seaweed content. Their biostimulant effect was assessed on Arabidopsis thaliana, with 20 wt % HSW hydrogels promoting enhanced root and shoot growth. Additionally, the hydrogels inhibited Fusarium solani, demonstrating antifungal properties. These results highlight the potential of Carr-seaweed hydrogels as multifunctional substrates for sustainable plant cultivation.