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The composition of plant functional traits varies in response to environmental conditions due to processes of community assembly and species sorting. However, there is a lack of understanding of how plant trait composition responds to environmental conditions at different spatial scales and across the plant life cycle. We investigated the trait composition of leaves (specific leaf area), seeds (seed mass) and seedlings (initial seedling height) across elevations and within elevations in relation to soil and light conditions in a tropical montane forest in southern Ecuador. We surveyed traits and communities of adult trees, seeds and seedlings on nine plots at three elevations (1000–3000 m a.s.l.) and calculated community‐weighted mean trait values to analyse trait variation across and within elevations. In addition, we measured two environmental factors (soil C/N ratio and canopy openness) to quantify local‐scale variation in environmental conditions within elevations. We found that community‐weighted means of specific leaf area, seed mass and initial seedling height decreased consistently with increasing elevation. Within elevations, mean trait values of trees, seeds and seedlings responded differently to local‐scale environmental conditions. Specific leaf area decreased with increasing soil C/N ratio, and initial seedling height decreased with increasing canopy openness. Seed mass was associated neither with soil nor with light conditions. Our findings show that broad‐scale and local‐scale processes differently shape the composition of leaf, seed and seedling traits in tropical forests, indicating a scale‐dependence in trait–environment associations. Furthermore, plant traits corresponding to different life stages were related differently to environmental conditions within elevations. Community assembly processes may therefore lead to differences in species sorting at early and late plant life stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) released from submerged leaf litter is an important allochthonous carbon source for heterotrophic bacteria that enhances the detrital food chain in freshwater ecosystems. In contrast, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and micronutrients released during the leaching process support primary production and enhance the grazing food chain in these ecosystems.This study investigated how DOC and dissolved N and P from the leaf litter of two temperate broadleaf and two coniferous tree species affect heterotrophic and autotrophic biomass by incubating the freshwater microbial community in the culture media prepared from the leaf litter leachate.The results showed that heterotrophic biomass, including bacteria, heterotrophic‐flagellated protists and fungal zoospores, was the highest in the leaf litter leachate, which contained the highest DOC concentration relative to dissolved N and P (Japanese hemlock). In contrast, autotrophic biomass, including small algae, autotrophic flagellated protists and cyanobacteria, was associated with concentrations of dissolved N and P in the leaf litter leachates.Amendment of basal nutrients other than N and P, including micronutrients, trace elements and vitamins, increased autotrophic biomass in two leaf litter leachates (oak, Siebold's beech), suggesting that some elements other than N and P were deficient relative to the requirements of autotrophic organisms.These results indicated that the elemental composition of leaf litter leachates influences microbial community structure and heterotrophic versus autotrophic biomass in freshwater ecosystems. More importantly, the present results suggest that changes in forest vegetation surrounding freshwater ecosystems alter detritus‐based heterotrophic production relative to autotrophic production through the changes in the elemental composition (i.e. stoichiometry) of leaf litter inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knotweeds, Reynoutria japonica (RJ) and R. sachalinensis (RS) are invasive species that strongly interfere with the soil environment and disrupt the biogeochemical cycles of many chemical elements. This paper analyses the content of C, N, P, K, Na, Mg, Ca, Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cd, Cr and Pb in the above-ground biomass of RJ and RS and in the soil (0-15 cm) in order to assess the accumulation properties of knotweed. Studies conducted in northern Poland showed statistically significant (p<0.05) differences in the content of Na in the soil of the studied knotweed. The elemental composition of the leaves and stems showed a good supply of macronutrients and increased concentrations of some trace elements. The leaves of RJ and RS were shown to be good bioaccumulators of N, K, Na, Mg, Ca, P, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu and Cd, and the stems of N, K, Na, Ca, Ni, Cd, Cr and Pb. Based on the values of bioconcentration factors (BCF), the similarity between the studied knotweeds concerning Mn, Cu and Cr in the leaf/soil relation and Al, Fe, Cu, Cd, Cr and Pb in the stem/soil relation was demonstrated. The highest mobility from stems to leaves expressed by the translocation factor (TF) was exhibited by Mn and Mg, and the lowest by Cr. Despite the low content in the soil, RJ and RS leaves and stems accumulated significant amounts of trace elements, which indicates their phytoextractive properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The WRKY transcription factors are integral to plant biology, serving essential functions in growth, development, stress responses, and the control of secondary metabolism. Through the use of bioinformatics techniques, this research has effectively characterized 207 members of the WRKY family (LaWRKY) present in the entire genome of Lavandula angustifolia. Phylogenetic analysis classified LaWRKYs into three distinct categories based on conserved domains. Collinearity analysis revealed tandem repeats, segmental duplications, and whole genome duplications in LaWRKYs, especially for segmental duplication playing a significant role in gene family expansion. LaWRKYs displayed distinct tissue-specific expression profiles across six different tissues of L. angustifolia. Particularly noteworthy were 12 genes exhibiting high expression in flower buds and calyx, the primary sites of volatile terpenoid production, indicating their potential role in terpenoid biosynthesis in L. angustifolia. RT-qPCR analysis revealed a notable increase in the expression levels of most examined LaWRKY genes in flower buds in response to both intense light and low-temperature conditions, whereas the majority of these genes in leaves were primarily induced by drought stress. However, all genes exhibited downregulation following GA treatment in both flower buds and leaves. Overexpression of LaWRKY57 (La13G01665) and LaWRKY75 (La16G00030) in tobacco led to a reduction in the density of glandular trichomes on leaf surfaces, resulting in changes to the volatile terpenoid composition in the leaves. Specifically, the content of Neophytadiene was significantly elevated compared to wild-type tobacco, while compounds such as eucalyptol, cis-3-Hexenyl isobutyrate, and D-Limonene were produced, which were absent in the wild type. These findings provide a valuable reference for future investigations into the biological functions of the WRKY gene family in L. angustifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mopane worms (Gonimbrasia belina) are important sources of nutrition among many people in southern Africa. Threats of climate change and over-harvesting have provided compelling evidence to conserve and domesticate these edible insects through a better understanding of their natural habitat. A study was conducted in Zimbabwe, with the objectives of determining the influence of soil properties on mopane larvae habitation and its nutritional content. Field sampling was conducted in treatment (with known mopane worm occurrence) and control (without mopane worm) sites. Soil and leaf samples were taken from each site and analysed for selected physical and chemical properties. Data were analysed using detrended correspondence analysis and Student t-test. Results show that G. belina larval abundance was highest on trees rooted in soils with 80–97% sand. Pupae population was positively linked to soil organic matter content, litter content, and exchangeable Ca, Mg and K concentrations but negatively linked to soil bulk density. The concentrations of Mg and K in the mopane tree leaves and mopane worm were at least seven times that of soil. Protein (55.6% DM) and fat (18.5% DM) were relatively higher in mopane worm than foliar samples. From these results, it can be hypothesised that the nutritional composition of the leaves had no link in habituating mopane worms. We conclude that mopane worms are more likely to burrow and metamorphosise to pupae into less compacted sandy soils with relatively high content of organic matter and litter content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protists, as integral constituents of the plant microbiome, are posited to confer substantial benefits to plant health and performance. Despite their significance, protists have received considerably less attention compared to other constituents of the plant microbiome, such as bacteria and fungi. To investigate the diversity and community structure of protists in sorghum leaves and roots, we employed amplicon sequencing of the eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene in 563 leaf and root samples collected from 57 locations across China. We found significant differences in the diversity and community structure of protists in sorghum leaves and roots. The leaf was taxonomically dominated by Evosea, Cercozoa and Ciliophora, while the root was dominated by Endomyxa, Cercozoa and Oomycota. The functional taxa of protists exhibited notable differences between leaves and roots, with the former being predominantly occupied by consumers and the latter by parasites. The community composition of protists in the leaf was predominantly influenced by mean annual precipitation, whereas soil pH played a more significant role in the root. The present study identified the most abundant and distributed protists in sorghum leaves and roots and elucidated the underlying factors that govern their community structure. The present study offers a novel perspective on the factors that shape plant‐associated protist communities and their potential roles in enhancing the functionality of plant ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circadian dynamics of the expression of key genes of carotenoid metabolism (PSY2, LCYE, CrtRB1, and NCED1) in the photosynthetic tissue of tomato Solanum lycopersicum L. (cultivar Korneevsky) plants was characterized. An in silico analysis of the gene expression pattern was carried out and a high level of their transcripts was detected in the leaf tissue. qRT-PCR analysis of gene expression was performed at six time points during the day and showed the highest levels of PSY2, LCYE, and NCED1 transcripts in the second half of the light phase and CrtRB1 at the end of the dark phase. The content and composition of carotenoids in leaf tissue in the middle of the day was determined; it was shown that the leaf accumulates 1.5 times more compounds of the ɛ/β-branch of carotenoid biosynthesis pathway than compounds of the β/β-branch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data scarcity is a hurdle for physiology-based precision agriculture. Measuring nutrient uptake by visible-near infrared spectroscopy implies collecting spectral and compositional data from low-throughput, such as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. This paper introduces data augmentation in spectroscopy by hybridisation for expanding real-world data into synthetic datasets statistically representative of the real data, allowing the quantification of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B). Partial least squares (PLS), local partial least squares (LocPLS), and self-learning artificial intelligence (SLAI) were used to determine the capacity to expand the knowledge base. PLS using only real-world data (RWD) cannot quantify some nutrients (N and Cu in grapevine leaves and K, Ca, Mg, S, and Cu in apple tree leaves). The synthetic dataset of the study allowed predicting real-world leaf composition of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) (Pearson coefficient correlation (R) ∼ 0.61–0.94 and standard error (SE) ∼ 0.04–0.05%) and micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B) (R ∼ 0.66–0.91 and SE ∼ 0.88–3.98 ppm) in grapevine leaves using LocPLS and SLAI. The synthetic dataset loses significance if the real-world counterpart has low representativity, resulting in poor quantifications of macronutrients (R ∼ 0.51–0.72 and SE ∼ 0.02–0.13%) and micronutrients (R ∼ 0.53–0.76 and SE ∼ 8.89–37.89 ppm), and not allowing S quantification (R = 0.37, SE = 0.01) in apple tree leaves. Representative real-world sampling makes data augmentation in spectroscopy very efficient in expanding the knowledge base and nutrient quantifications. [Display omitted] • Data hybridisation expands the information of the original dataset. • Synthetic data reproduces spectral and compositional information of the samples. • Hybridisation creates samples that could have been physically sampled. • Representativity of real-world data is essential for information expansion. • Data augmentation as a diagnostic tool of knowledge base representativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A study was conducted about the variation of levels of macro- and microelements in the soil and leaves of two species of the genus Nitraria L. in various habitats in Siberia. New data were obtained on the concentration variations of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Li, Sr, and Cd in leaves of N. schoberi L. and N. sibirica Pall. It was found that the salinity of habitats of N. sibirica (up to 3.23%) can exceed salinity of soils under N. schoberi (up to 0.5%) by more than sixfold. Soils of N. schoberi habitats are characterized by lower contents of carbonates (1.0–3.8%) and of physical clay (2–19%) as compared to soils of N. sibirica habitats: 1.2–18.2 and 9–40%, respectively. An increase in the physical-clay content of soil positively correlated with the accumulation of Mg, Cu (p ≤ 0.01), and Mn (p ≤ 0.001) in the plant leaves. The degree of soil salinity was positively associated with the accumulation of Ca, Zn, Sr (p ≤ 0.01), Mg (p ≤ 0.05), and Cd (p ≤ 0.001) in the leaves. An increase in concentration of mobile Na in soil positively correlated with concentrations of Ca, Cu (p ≤ 0.01), and Zn (p ≤ 0.001) in the leaves. In N. sibirica leaves, the concentration of K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Sr, Mn, Zn, and Cu was 1.5–3 times higher than that in N. schoberi leaves. Both species are capable of accumulating very high concentrations of Na (N. schoberi: up to 83.8 g/kg and N. sibirica: up to 77.2 g/kg). In the leaves of N. schoberi plants of immature age, K and Na levels were seven times higher than those in leaves of adult generative plants, whereas Mg and Ca levels were 3–5 times higher. This study should expand the understanding of mechanisms of Nitraria species' adaptation to high-salinity conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the aging quality of tobacco leaves, using the low-grade and upper tobacco leaves of Honghua Dajinyuan as the test material, the BioApex microbial enzyme was applied to tobacco leaves, and the conventional chemical components, volatile aroma composition and sensory quality of aged tobacco leaves were compared. The results showed that the content of conventional chemical components except chlorine were increased by microbial enzymes. Simultaneously, the microbial enzymes decreased the difference between the content of total sugars and reducing sugar, and coordinated chemical composition of aged leaves. With the increases of enzyme concentration, the content of reducing sugar, water-soluble sugar and potassium in tobacco leaves were also significantly increased. However, prolonged aging time will significantly reduce the content of nicotine and water-soluble sugar. Microbial enzyme treatment increased the degradation products of aromatic amino acids, carotenoids, and Maillard reactions in tobacco leaves. The sensory quality of tobacco leaves treated with 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% (90 days) concentration of microbial enzyme were obviously improved compared with the control. In summary, microbial enzymes can promote the transformation of tobacco leaf contents and effectively improve the quality of the upper tobacco leaves. This study can provide theoretical basis for the industrial application of microbial enzyme preparation fermentation technology in tobacco leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atraphaxis pyrifolia, a native medicinal plant of Central Asia, has a long history of traditional medicinal use; however, scientific research on its phytochemical and biological properties remains scarce. This paper aims to elucidate its chemical profile and assess its pharmacological potential through a comprehensive investigation of the phytochemical composition of stems and leaves using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), in conjunction with the assessment of its antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS) and cytotoxicity test on Artemia salina. Predominantly, glycosylated flavonoids were detected in stems and leaves extracts, notably including 8-Acetoxy-3′,4′,5,5′-tetrahydroxy-7-methoxy-3-α-L-rhamno-pyranosyloxyflavone, pyrifolin, and dehydroxypyrifolin. While the latter compound is exclusive to A. pyrifolia, the former compounds serve as shared chemical markers with other Atraphaxis species. The methanolic extracts of A. pyrifolia leaves exhibited significant antioxidant capacity without toxicity against Artemia salina. This study contributes to current research through providing valuable insights into the chemical diversity and potential medicinal properties of this plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological environment of wetlands in semi-arid regions has deteriorated, and vegetation succession has accelerated due to climate warming-induced aridification and human interference. The nutrient acquisition strategies and biomass allocation patterns reflect plant growth strategies in response to environmental changes. However, the impact of nutrient acquisition strategies on biomass allocation in successional vegetation remains unclear. We investigated 87 plant communities from 13 wetland sites in the semi-arid upper Yellow River basin. These communities were divided into three successional sequences: the herbaceous community (HC), the herbaceous–shrub mixed community (HSC), and the shrub community (SC). The nutrient composition of stems and leaves, as well as the biomass distribution above and belowground, were investigated. Results revealed that aboveground biomass increased with succession while belowground biomass decreased. Specifically, SC exhibited the highest stem biomass of 1,194.53 g m−2, while HC had the highest belowground biomass of 2,054.37 g m−2 . Additionally, significant positive correlations were observed between leaf and stem biomasses in both HC and SC. The nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents within aboveground parts displayed an evident upward trend along the succession sequence. The highest N and P contents were found in SC, followed by HSC, and the lowest in HC. Stem N was negatively correlated with stem, leaf, and belowground biomass but positively correlated with root–shoot ratio. Leaf P displayed positive correlations with aboveground biomass while showing negative correlations with belowground biomass and root–shoot ratio. The ratios of C:N, C:P, and N:P in stem and leaf exhibited positive correlations with belowground biomass. The random forest model further demonstrated that stem N and leaf P exerted significant effects on aboveground biomass, while leaf P, stem N and P, and leaf C:P ratio had significant effects on belowground components. Additionally, the root–shoot ratio was significantly influenced by leaf P, leaf C:P ratio, and stem N, P, and C:P ratio. Therefore, the aboveground and belowground biomasses exhibited asynchronism across successional sequences, while plant nutrient acquisition strategies, involving nutrient levels and stoichiometric ratios, determined the biomass allocation pattern. This study offers valuable insights for assessing vegetation adaptability and formulating restoration plans in the semi-arid upper Yellow River basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medicinal value of Centella asiatica leaf extract was evaluated as an alternative treatment. The chemical composition of the leaf extract was analyzed, and the biological activities were determined. High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector (HPLC‐PDA) was used to identify the asiatic acid, madasiatic acid, and madecassic acid/Brahmic acid isolated from the ethanolic extract. The plant extract at 25 mg/disk was found to inhibit both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative pathogenic bacteria by the agar disk diffusion test. The MIC and MBC of the ethanolic extracts were better than those of the aqueous extracts. The ethanolic extracts showed antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria with MICs and MBCs ranging from 1.024 to 2.048 mg/mL and 2.048 to 4.096 mg/mL, respectively. The remarkable antibacterial activities were observed against S. mutans. The ethanolic extract at a concentration of 1/2 × MIC exhibited the inhibition effect on S. mutans biofilm formation like the activity of 0.2% chlorhexidine and significantly modified hydrophobicity of the bacterial cell surface. The effects were confirmed via molecular docking analysis. The binding affinities of asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and madasiatic acid with glucosyltransferase C (GtfC) of S. mutans exhibited superior strength in comparison with alpha‐acarbose and chlorhexidine. Moreover, the nitric oxide (NO) secretion of RAW247.6 cells was determined after treating the cells with concentrations of the extract. The C. asiatica ethanolic extract can inhibit the secretion of NO, which can inhibit the inflammatory process. The findings indicate the applications of the C. asiatica ethanolic extract as the alternative anti‐S. mutans agent and could be used for further formulation for the treatment and prevention of dental diseases and inflammatory injury in the oral cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant tissues harbor abundant endophytes, which are crucial for plant growth. Endophytes present in Alsophila spinulosa, which is enriched with medicinal components, have not been isolated and characterized yet. Here we employed meta-amplicon sequencing to identify endophytic species and examined their diversity in the leaves, petioles, roots and stems of A. spinulosa. Our findings revealed 1,247 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for endophytic bacteria across 210 species and 476 OTUs for endophytic fungi across 222 species. Alpha diversity analysis showed the highest endophytic bacterial diversity in A. spinulosa roots, whereas fungal diversity was similar across the leaf, petiole and root tissues. Fungal diversity in the leaves and petioles was markedly higher than that in the stems. Furthermore, beta diversity analysis revealed similarities in the endophytic bacterial and fungal compositions between the leaves and petioles, whereas the compositions in roots and stems considerably differed from those in the leaves and petioles. At the genus level, the predominant endophytic bacteria were Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum and Pseudomonas, whereas the predominant endophytic fungi were Cutaneotrichosporon and Pseudofabraea. Linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed characteristic endophytic bacterial genera specific to each tissue type and characteristic endophytic fungal genera specifically in the leaves, petioles and roots. The co-occurrence network analysis indicated that the complexity of endophyte networks was the highest in the leaves and the lowest in the stems of A. spinulosa. Overall, this study elucidates the distribution patterns of endophytes in A. spinulosa across various tissues, offering valuable microbial resources for the development of natural products for medicinal application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purslane has been suggested as an alternative crop suitable for human consumption due to its high content of minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and several health-beneficial compounds. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of salinity stress (tap water (control), 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000, and 10,000 mg L−1), biostimulant application (putrescine and salicylic acid at 200 mg L−1), and the combination of the tested factors (i.e., salinity × biostimulant application) on the growth and chemical composition of purslane plants (Portulaca oleracea L.) over two growing seasons (2022 and 2023). Irrigation with tap water and putrescine application resulted in the highest plant height, weight of aboveground and underground parts, and number of shoots per plant. In contrast, the lowest values of growing parameters were recorded under severe saline stress (10,000 mg L−1), especially for the plants that were not treated with biostimulants. The same trends were observed for macronutrients (N, P, K), total carbohydrates, total chlorophylls, and vitamin C content in leaves. Moreover, nitrate and proline content was higher in plants grown under salinity stress, especially under severe stress (8000–10,000 mg L−1) without biostimulant application. In general, the application of biostimulants mitigated the negative impact of salinity on plant growth and leaf chemical composition, while the effect of putrescine on the tested parameters was more beneficial than that of salicylic acid. In conclusion, this study provides useful information regarding the use of putrescine and salicylic acid as biostimulatory agents with the aim of increasing purslane growth under salinity conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at investigating the chemical composition of root, stem and leaf essential oils from Ivorian Synedrella nodiflora, with the root oil being described for the first time. Sixty, fifty-one and forty-nine constituents were, respectively identified in the root, stem and leaf oils using a combination of GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C-NMR analyses. They accounted for 95.6–97.3%, 92.6–97.6% and 93.3–98.8% of the total composition, respectively. The main components of the root oil samples were γ-curcumene, (E)-β-caryophyllene, α-curcumene and curcuphenyl acetate. Three stem oil samples (S1, S2a, S3) were dominated by myrcene and limonene, while the most abundant components of sample S2b were thymol, germacrene D and β-elemene. (E)-β-caryophyllene and germacrene D were the major compounds of the leaf oil. Hierarchical cluster and principal component statistical analyses were performed and confirmed that the location does not influence the chemical composition. Group I consisted of the seven leaf oil samples, group II consisted of four stem oil samples and group III consisted of three root oil samples. The root oil composition differed considerably from the stem and leaf oil composition due to the presence of curcumene derivatives as major constituents. The leaf oil showed significant amounts of (E)-β-caryophyllene and germacrene D, while the stem oil stood out for its high myrcene, limonene and thymol contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Cinnamomum exhibits a rich variety of chemotypes and is an economically important essential oil (EO)-producing plant belonging to the family Lauraceae. Here, we aimed to explore the potential differences in the terpenoid (the principal components of EOs) biosynthesis pathways of different chemotypes at the molecular level in four Cinnamomum species—C. camphora var. linaloolifera, C. kanehirae, C. longipaniculatum, and C. micranthum. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to elucidate the discrepancies in the chemical profiles and compositions of leaf EO terpenoids among the four Cinnamomum species. The results revealed significant variations in leaf EO yields. The main constituents of the leaf EOs from C. camphora var. linaloolifera and C. kanehirae were the acyclic monoterpene linalool, and those of C. longipaniculatum and C. micranthum were the monoterpene eucalyptol and the sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene, respectively. Furthermore, a comparative transcriptome analysis of the leaves from the four Cinnamomum species revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in terpene-related entries. Specifically, 42 and 24 DEGs were significantly enriched to the mevalonate (MVA)/2-methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathways and terpene synthase (TPS) activity, respectively. Most genes encoding proteins involved in the terpenoid precursor MVA and MEP pathways exhibited differential expression across the four species, which correlated with the distinct terpenoid profiles observed in their leaf EOs. Four acyclic monoterpene linalool synthase genes—Maker00024100, Maker00014813, Maker00014818, and Maker00018424—were highly expressed in C. camphora var. linaloolifera and C. kanehirae. A monoterpene eucalyptol synthesis gene, Maker00001509, was highly expressed in C. longipaniculatum, and a sesquiterpene β-stigmasterol synthesis gene, Maker00005791, was highly expressed in C. micranthum. These expression levels were subsequently validated through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In conclusion, the combined results of the GC-MS and transcriptome analyses revealed a strong correlation between the metabolite content of the EOs and gene expression. This research contributes to a better understanding of the differences in terpene accumulation in various chemotypes of Cinnamomum at the molecular and mechanistic levels, laying a solid foundation for the cultivation of an ideal Cinnamomum variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf epicuticular waxes provide important anatomical and chemical defences against fungi that infect leaves. In this study we analysed the leaf wax composition of Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla hybrids with contrasting susceptibilities to Teratosphaeria leaf blight (TLB) caused by Teratosphaeria destructans, one of the most important foliar diseases of Eucalyptus. The Eucalyptus cuticular wax was extracted from non‐inoculated and inoculated genotypes with different levels of susceptibility to TLB and analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results showed that a triterpenoid, cycloartenol (CAS), was abundant in a resistant genotype and that hexanedioic acid content increased in the resistant genotypes in response to T. destructans infection. In contrast, palmitic acid was significantly more abundant in the inoculated highly susceptible genotype. In‐vitro and in‐planta T. destructans spore germination assays with pure compounds, showed that CAS and hexanedioic acid significantly inhibited spore germination. Application of these two compounds to the leaves of a susceptible host also significantly increased resistance to infection. In contrast, palmitic acid promoted spore germination and, when applied to the leaves of a resistant genotype, increased colonization by the pathogen. This is the first study providing insights into differences in the leaf wax composition of hosts with different levels of susceptibility to T. destructans. It also showed that leaf wax compounds can modulate spore germination and, ultimately, host resistance to infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Message: Leaves of seedlings from five oak species (Quercus robur L.; Q. pubescens L.; Q. suber L.; Q. afares Pomel; Q. ilex L.) displayed large, mainly inter-specific, differences in leaf mass-to-area ratio (LMA) and lignin content, as well as in the 13C composition of bulk leaf biomass. The variation in leaf lignin content and LMA did not impact the offset between the 13C composition measured in bulk leaf material versus soluble sugars. This observation, as well as the similar correlations between intrinsic leaf water use efficiency and the 13C compositions of bulk material or soluble sugars extracted from leaves, confirms their reliable use as a proxy for the former even when there is a large variation in LMA or lignin among samples. Context: Carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of bulk leaf biomass is frequently used as a proxy for intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) in large-scale intra- and inter-specific comparisons. However, post-photosynthetic 13C discrimination during the synthesis of lignin combined with differences in leaf mass-to-area ratio (LMA) may bias the relationship between δ13C of bulk leaf matter and iWUE and thus its use as a proxy of iWUE. Aims: To quantify the impact of differences in lignin content and LMA on the relationship between δ13C of bulk leaf biomass and iWUE over a large gradient of lignin contents across five oak species (deciduous: Quercus robur, Q. pubescens, Q. afares and evergreen: Q. ilex and Q. suber). Methods: We measured lignin content, LMA, and δ13C of bulk leaf biomass and of soluble sugars extracted from the leaves, as well as intrinsic water use efficiency (derived from leaf gas exchange) in seedlings of the five oak species grown under common conditions in a greenhouse and measured in a climate chamber. Results: There was a large range (mainly across species) in lignin content (4 to 33%) and LMA (60–180 g m−2). δ13C of bulk leaf biomass and soluble sugars were tightly correlated, showing a significant mean offset of − 0.4‰. This offset was stable across species and not correlated to the lignin content of the leaves. A very loose correlation was found between the offset and LMA, mainly due to one species. Conclusion: Our results are a demonstration that potential variations in leaf lignin content or LMA have no or only a little effect on the δ13C of bulk leaf biomass. They are unlikely to cause a bias when using bulk leaf δ13C as a proxy for variations in intrinsic water use efficiency among Mediterranean and temperate broad-leaf forest tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural dyes offer a harmless alternative to synthetic counterparts, minimizing the release of toxic chemicals associated with synthetic dyes. In this investigation, nylon fabrics underwent dyeing with neem leaf extract under acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions along with lemon juice mordant. The study revealed that colour strength exhibited an increase with decreasing pH levels, with the mordanted fabric dyed in an acidic medium demonstrating the highest value. Analysis of colour coordinates indicated that the mordanted fabric dyed in an acidic medium exhibited superior colour pickup compared to the other samples. Enhanced fastness properties were achieved under acidic pH conditions when a mordant was used. The FTIR test result ensured the nylon-lemon juice-neem leaves extracted dye interaction. The EDX analysis also confirmed the elemental composition of neem leaves extracted dye in nylon assisted by lemon juice. The SEM test results validated the dyeing process empirically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

【Objective】The effects of nitrogen fertilizer reduction on the growth and development, nutrient utilization, yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco were studied, and the feasibility of nitrogen fertilizer reduction was preliminarily clarified, which provided a theoretical basis for the sustainable production of flue-cured tobacco.【Method】Five treatments were set up, including no fertilization (control), conventional nitrogen application, 10% reduction of nitrogen fertilizer, 20% reduction of nitrogen fertilizer and 30% reduction of nitrogen fertilizer. The agronomic traits, economic traits, chemical composition and fertilizer utilization rate of tobacco plants in each treatment were compared and analyzed.【Result】An appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer reduction could shorten the growth period of flue-cured tobacco, and significantly increased the plant height, effective leaf number and maximum leaf width. In terms of chemical composition of tobacco leaves, the indexes of reducing sugar content, total nitrogen content and nicotine content of flue-cured tobacco leaves treated with nitrogen fertilizer reduction by 10% were all within the requirements of conventional chemical composition indexes of highquality flue-cured tobacco in Yunnan. In terms of appearance quality of tobacco leaves, the color of flue-cured tobacco leaves treated with nitrogen fertilizer reduction of 10% and 20% was orange, the structure was loose or still loose, the oil was sufficient, and the appearance quality of tobacco leaves was better. In terms of nitrogen nutrient distribution, the nitrogen content of each part of tobacco plants showed the rule of leaf > stem > root, and the nitrogen content of tobacco leaves was significantly increased under the treatment of 10% nitrogen reduction. In terms of nitrogen use efficiency, after reducing nitrogen application by 10% and 20%, the nitrogen fertilizer utilization rate, agronomic efficiency and partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer increased by 10.15%, 9.31%, 3.66%, 5.22%, 5.22%, 8.72%, respectively. After reducing nitrogen application by 30%, there was no significant difference between nitrogen fertilizer utilization rate and conventional nitrogen application rate. In terms of economic traits, the yield and output value of flue-cured tobacco increased by 6.47% and 16.18% after reducing nitrogen fertilizer by 10%.【Conclusion】The reduction of nitrogen fertilizer by 10% and 20% significantly affected the agronomic traits, nutrient distribution, chemical composition and economic traits of tobacco plants, however, the reduction of nitrogen fertilizer by 30% had no significant effect on the agronomic traits and economic traits of tobacco plants. The appropriate reduction of nitrogen fertilizer application promoted the growth of flue-cured tobacco, and improved the yield and quality as well as fertilizer utilization rate of flue-cured tobacco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes are of great concern in many countries. Culex pipiens L. (Diptera:Culicidae) is the vector of the West Nile virus and Usutu Viruses. Intense use of insecticidal agents has resulted in increased mosquitocidal resistance, and thereby search for new effective mosquitocidal agents. In this context, we have explored the larvicidal potential of Phoenician juniper [Juniperus phoenicea L. (Fam. Cupressaceae)] against Cx. pipiens and studied the chemical composition of the leaf extract. Fresh leaves of J. phoenicea were macerated in 70% methanol. The LC50 at 24, 48 and 72 h post-treatment with methanol extract were 7.14, 3.97 and 3.17 µg/mL, respectively, against Cx. pipiens larvae. In treated larvae, the cells lost integrity, nucleus and cell membrane damage, basal lamina detached, and lost nuclear and cytoplasmic materials. From GC--MS analysis, 19 compounds were detected. Some of the phytochemicals detected in J. phoenicea extract were 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-(50.2.%), podocarpa-8,11,13-trien-3-one, 14-isopropyl-13-methoxy-(13.2%), -Amino-7,10-dimethyldibenzo [b,f][1,4]oxazepin-11(10H)-one (8.4%), and n-hexadecanoic acid (5.6%). J. phoenicea offered promising larvicidal activity against Cx. pipiens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesophyll resistance for CO2 diffusion (rm) is one of the main limitations for photosynthesis and plant growth. Breeding new varieties with lower rm requires knowledge of its distinct components.We tested new method for estimating the relative drawdowns of CO2 concentration (c) across hypostomatous leaves of Fagus sylvatica. This technique yields values of the ratio of the internal CO2 concentrations at the adaxial and abaxial leaf side, cd/cb, the drawdown in the intercellular air space (IAS), and intracellular drawdown between IAS and chloroplast stroma, cc/cbd. The method is based on carbon isotope composition of leaf dry matter and epicuticular wax isolated from upper and lower leaf sides. We investigated leaves from tree‐canopy profile to analyse the effects of light and leaf anatomy on the drawdowns and partitioning of rm into its inter‐ (rIAS) and intracellular (rliq) components. Validity of the new method was tested by independent measurements of rm using conventional isotopic and gas exchange techniques.73% of investigated leaves had adaxial epicuticular wax enriched in 13C compared to abaxial wax (by 0.50‰ on average), yielding 0.98 and 0.70 for average of cd/cb and cc/cbd, respectively. The rIAS to rliq proportion were 5.5:94.5% in sun‐exposed and 14.8:85.2% in shaded leaves. cc dropped to less than half of the atmospheric value in the sunlit and to about two‐thirds of it in shaded leaves.This method shows that rIAS is minor but not negligible part of rm and reflects leaf anatomy traits, i.e. leaf mass per area and thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown that the differences water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions of plant leaf biomass, as well as phloem, are evolutionarily determined. They are associated with metabolic reactions during assimilation and photorespiration and do not depend on the illumination mode or on the spectral ranges of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) used in illumination. The above isotopic shifts are the cause of isotopic differences in assimilatory and photorespiratory carbon stocks that feed various metabolic processes. Due to the strict temporal and spatial organization of metabolism, carbon fluxes from the funds retain isotopic differences without complete mixing. The differences in the isotopic composition of carbon of the water-soluble fraction of the biomass and carbon of phloem juice from carbon of the water-insoluble fraction are small (1–3‰), but they are quite stable and easily fixed. The carbon of the water-soluble fraction is very close in isotopic composition to the carbon of the phloem and is noticeably enriched in isotope 13C relative to the water-insoluble fraction, which makes it possible to use it as a marker in the study of assimilate transport in plants, especially during budding and fruiting. It is shown that the reason for the enrichment of autotrophic organs and tissues with the isotope 12C relative to carbon of heterotrophic parts of the plant is the result of predominant participation in their formation of an isotopically light assimilation fund, whereas an isotopically heavy photorespiratory fund takes part in the formation of heterotrophic organs. It is shown that the manifestation of the formation of two isotopically different funds is the discovered relationship of the carbon isotope composition of leaves with their age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive leaves are a rich source of polyphenols with healthful properties and represent one of the most abundant waste products of olive oil production. The aims of this study were to explore the phenolic composition of olive leaves from the three main Tuscan cultivars (Leccino, Moraiolo and Frantoio) collected in Siena and Grosseto provinces and to investigate the possible use of these compounds as varietal and geographic origin markers. Discriminant factorial analysis (DFA) was used for distinguishing between different cultivars and locations. Apigenin and caffeoyl-secologanoside showed significant differences between cultivars. DFA showed that ligstroside, apigenin and luteolin have the most influence in determining the differences between sites, whereas total polyphenols, olacein and hydroxytyrosol acetate allowed for separation between leaves from the same province. The results of the present study indicate that concentrations of phenolic compounds, measured through high-resolution mass spectrometry, can be used as a marker for both the cultivar and of geographical origin of olive leaves, and possibly of olive-related products, as well as across small geographic scales (less than 50 km distance between sites). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Many agricultural areas are expected to face hotter, drier conditions from climate change. Understanding the mechanisms that crops use to mitigate these stresses can guide breeding for more tolerant plant material. We tested relationships between traits, physiological function in hot conditions and historical climate associations to evaluate these mechanisms for winegrapes. We expected a more negative leaf osmotic potential at full hydration (π o), which reduces leaf turgor loss during drought, and either a metabolically cheaper or more osmoprotectant leaf chemical composition, to allow cultivars associated with hot, dry regions to maintain greater gas exchange in hot growing conditions. Methods We measured π o, gas exchange and leaf chemistry for seven commercially important winegrape cultivars that vary widely in historical climate associations. Vines were grown in common-garden field conditions in a hot wine-growing region (Davis, CA, USA) and measured over the hottest period of the growing season (July–September). Key Results The value of π o varied significantly between cultivars, and all cultivars significantly reduced π o (osmotically adjusted) over the study period, although osmotic adjustment did not vary across cultivars. The value of π o was correlated with gas exchange and climate associations, but in the direction opposite to expected. Photosynthesis and π o were higher in the cultivars associated with hotter, less humid regions. Leaf chemical composition varied between cultivars but was not related to climate associations. Conclusions These findings suggest that maintenance of leaf turgor is not a primary limitation on grapevine adaptation to hot or atmospherically dry growing conditions. Thus, selecting for a more negative π o or greater osmotic adjustment is not a promising strategy to develop more climate-resilient grape varieties, contrary to findings for other crops. Future work is needed to identify the mechanisms increasing photosynthesis in the cultivars associated with hot, dry regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Whole‐genome duplication (neopolyploidy) can instantly differentiate the phenotype of neopolyploids from their diploid progenitors. These phenotypic shifts in organs such as roots and leaves could also differentiate the way neopolyploids interact with microbial species. While some studies have addressed how specific microbial interactions are affected by neopolyploidy, we lack an understanding of how genome duplication affects the diversity and composition of microbial communities. Methods: We performed a common garden experiment with multiple clones of artificially synthesized autotetraploids and their ancestral diploids, derived from 13 genotypes of wild strawberry, Fragaria vesca. We sequenced epiphytic bacteria and fungi from roots and leaves and characterized microbial communities and leaf functional traits. Results: Autotetraploidy had no effect on bacterial alpha diversity of either organ, but it did have a genotype‐dependent effect on the diversity of fungi on leaves. In contrast, autotetraploidy restructured the community composition of leaf bacteria and had a genotype‐dependent effect on fungal community composition in both organs. The most differentially abundant bacterial taxon on leaves belonged to the Sphingomonas, while a member of the Trichoderma was the most differentially abundant fungal taxon on roots. Ploidy‐induced change in leaf size was strongly correlated with a change in bacterial but not fungal leaf communities. Conclusions: Genome duplication can immediately alter aspects of the plant microbiome, but this effect varies by host genotype and bacterial and fungal community. Expanding these studies to wild settings where plants are exposed continuously to microbes are needed to confirm the patterns observed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flora of New Caledonia is renowned as one of the world's most significant biodiversity hotpots. The contrasting soil conditions that characterize this small archipelago profoundly influence species local diversity and distribution. Because the difference between soil chemistry is likely to cause variation in leaf elemental composition, we wanted to test how different soil properties affect plant community and leaf elemental concentration. We focused on two adjacent forests, of similar physiognomy, growing on serpentinite (ultramafic rock), and on volcano‐sedimentary rock. Both soils strongly differed in their pH, cation exchange capacity, and element concentration (Al, Mn, and Ni). The two adjacent forests have a diverse endemic flora and share a relatively high proportion of species (35%–42%). The tree composition differs more than the total vascular flora. Leaf element concentrations of 30 tree species that grow on both soil types, as well as the corresponding soil–plant‐available nutrients, were analyzed. Leaf element concentrations indicated N, P, K, and Ca deficiency. Despite higher plant‐available Mn concentration in ultramafic soil than volcano‐sedimentary soil, leaf Mn concentrations were significantly higher for plants growing on volcano‐sedimentary soil. Leaf Ni concentrations were higher on ultramafic soil and Al concentration was higher on volcano‐sedimentary soil. Major differences in leaf elemental concentration were for micronutrients (metals) while macronutrients varied in much lower proportion between the two soil types, suggesting a tight regulation of macronutrients compared to micronutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaves of Ilex paraguariensis (known as Yerba mate), used as a popular beverage, are a very well-recognized plant material with various biological activities, including analeptic (because of caffeine), anti-obesity (phenolics, saponins), antimicrobial, and antiviral (phenolics, saponins). Here, the chemical compositions of the leaves of two European Ilex species (× meserveae and aquifolium) with three varieties each were investigated. The terpenoid, saponin, and polyphenolic fractions were submitted for LC-MS or GC-MS analysis against a standard Mate leaf. In addition, the aroma profiles of all the species were analysed using HS-SPME-Arrow prior to GC-MS analysis. All fractions were subjected to antiviral and cytotoxic assays. We found 86 compounds in all accessions, with limonene, linalool, and p-cymene being predominant. There were minor similarities between the volatile compositions of the European and South American species. We found ursolic and oleanolic acid to be the main compounds in the terpenoid fraction. Mono-caffeoylquinic acids and di-caffeoylquinic acids were the main constituents of the polar fractions. About 180 compounds from the saponin group were tentatively identified, of which 9 and 3 were selected as distinctive markers for I. meserveae and I. aquifolium, respectively. Based on chemical screening, I. aquifolium Silver Queen was chosen as the source of terpenoid and saponin fractions and polyphenol extracts. The most substantial inhibition of cancer cell growth was observed with saponin in the case of the MCF7 (human breast cancer) cell line, while for LoVo and L929 cell lines (human colorectal cancer and reference mouse fibroblasts), it was slightly weaker. These results should be analysed further as a promising chemoprevention of colorectal and gastrointestinal cancers. Saponin and polyphenolic extracts exhibited similar activities against HSV-1 and HAdV-5, with 4-log reduction in virus titres. This study focuses our attention on a field of potential antiviral formulations derived from European holly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, there are no data in the scientific literature on studies aimed at characterizing Passiflora caerulea L. growing in Bulgaria. The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic profile and elemental composition of the leaves and pulp of this Passiflora, as well as to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of its leaf and pulp extracts. The results showed that the pulp predominantly contained the essential amino acid histidine (7.81 mg g−1), while it was absent in the leaves, with the highest concentration being tryptophan (8.30 mg g−1). Of the fatty acids, palmitoleic acid predominated both in the pulp and in the leaves. A major sterol component was β-sitosterol. Fructose (7.50%) was the predominant sugar in the pulp, while for the leaves, it was glucose—1.51%. Seven elements were identified: sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc. The highest concentrations of K and Mg were in the pulp (23,946 mg kg−1 and 1890 mg kg−1) and leaves (36,179 mg kg−1 and 5064 mg kg−1). According to the DPPH, FRAP and CUPRAC methods, the highest values for antioxidant activity were found in 70% ethanolic extracts of the leaves, while for the ABTS method, the highest value was found in 50% ethanolic extracts. In the pulp, for all four methods, the highest values were determined at 50% ethanolic extracts. Regarding the antibacterial activity, the 50% ethanolic leaf extracts were more effective against the Gram-positive bacteria. At the same time, the 70% ethanolic leaf extract was more effective against Gram-negative bacteria such as Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076. The leaf extracts exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity than the extracts prepared from the pulp. The obtained results revealed that P. caerulea is a plant that can be successfully applied as an active ingredient in various nutritional supplements or cosmetic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MACROALGAE contain macro- and microelements, vitamins, amino acids, and phytohormones. These compounds contribute to the development of plants, making macroalgae highly promising as a biofertilizer for different crops. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of three local macroalgae available along the Mediterranean coast, Egypt, two of which are green algae (Ulva flexusoa and Enteromorpha intestinalis), and one of red algae (Griffithsia teges), on nutrition status and fruit quality of "Valencia" orange (Citrus sinensis, Osbeck). Aqueous extracts of the three macroalgae were prepared at 0 (control), 5, 10, and 15% concentrations and applied three times as a foliar application throughout the growing period. Results revealed that the macroalgae under investigation contain significant levels of various phytohormones, such as IAA, GA3 ABA, and CK; green algae contain the highest concentrations of GA3, whereas cytokine was observed only in G. tege. Macroalgae possess various amounts of essential macro- and microelements, containing Na > Ca >Mg >Mn in addition to Zn, CU, Fe, K, and P. Applying macroalgae extracts significantly affected the mineral composition of orange leaves and the chlorophyll content (presented as SPAD values). Green algae notably impacted fruit quality characteristics, including weight, length and width, juice volume, TSS, and peel color. However, no significant effect was detected on peel thickness or titratable acidity. We concluded that macroalgae extracts could be utilized as an eco-friendly biofertilizer, providing an alternative source for required nutrients in citrus and other fruit orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the relationship between the chemical composition of tobacco leaves of non-flue-cured tobacco varieties and the sensory quality of heated cigarettes made from them, the conventional chemical composition of four types of non-flue-cured tobacco leaf samples such as oriental tobacco, air/sun-cured tobacco, burley tobacco and cigar tobacco samples were detected. Volatile metabolite profiles were analyzed by metabolomic technique, the differential volatile metabolites in different tobacco leaves were screened by orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis, and the correlation between them and sensory quality of heated tobacco leaves was analyzed. The results showed that the contents of total sugar and reducing sugar were higher in oriental tobacco leaves, and the contents of alkaloid and nitrogen were higher in burley tobacco, air/sun-cured tobacco and cigar tobacco leaves. The characteristics of volatile metabolites of burley tobacco, air/sun-cured tobacco and cigar tobacco were similar, but different from those of oriental tobacco. A total of 130 differential volatile metabolites were obtained from different tobacco types, mainly esters, ketones, heterocycles and terpenoids. The differential volatile metabolites were positively correlated with the attributes of the smoothness of smoke, irritancy, dry sensation and cleanliness, and negatively correlated with the attributes of unpleasant odor and strength. The results provide a reference for the formulation of heated cigarette products from non-flue-cured tobacco leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni originated in South America, but has gained popularity due to the concentration of sweet steviol glycosides present in its leaves. Stevia is also currently grown on other continents in many countries characterised with warm climate. This research aimed to determine whether different irrigation practices might have a significant influence on the yield and composition of the leaves of stevia plants grown in Poland, in cooler climate than native regions for stevia plants. Stevia plants were grown with four different irrigation regimes: irrigation twice a week, irrigation once a week, irrigation only during times of the drought and not irrigated at all. It was determined that different irrigation regimes have substantial effects on the yield, biometric characteristics and chemical composition of stevia leaves, but none of the irrigation regimes were clearly supreme to the others. Yield of stevia plants that were irrigated once a week or only during the drought times was the highest (2.42–2.58 kg per square meter). Stevia plants that were not irrigated were characterised with the lowest height and lateral width (47.61 and 25.35 cm). Leaves of un-irrigated stevia contained the greatest dry mass content (30.47%) and highest concentration of phenolic compounds (337.88 mg per 100 g of fresh stevia leaves). Stevia plants that were irrigated once or twice a week were characterised with a lower concentration of chlorophylls or carotenoids at the time of the harvest (1.20–1.24 and 2.54–2.58 mg per gram of fresh stevia leaves), but stevia plants that were not irrigated contained a greater amount of chlorophyll and carotenoids (1.58 and 3.17 mg per gram of fresh stevia leaves). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schinopsis lorentzii (Griseb.) Engler is an aromatic plant belonging to Anacardiaceae family, and grown in Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, and Bolivia. It is a rich source of essential oils and tannins as well as commercially available as vegetable-processed leather tanning and antiparasitic agent. This study was designed to explore the chemical composition of essential oil isolated from S. lorentzii leaves and elaborate on their significance as natural anti-diabetic, combined with molecular-docking studies. The leaf oil was chemically analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method and investigated for inhibitory effects against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Molecular-modelling study via Molecular Operating Environment-Docking (MOE-Dock) program was used to evaluate binding interactions of major components with the above-mentioned targets. The GC-MS analysis of the leaf oil revealed the predominance of β-caryophyllene (21.63±0.36%), γ-terpinene (13.53±0.74%), α-pinene (13.38±0.65%), and terpinen-4-ol (12.55±1.56%). The tested oil expressed a remarkable inhibitory effect against α-amylase with IC50 value of 2.27±0.19 μg/mL, comparable to acarbose (IC50 = 0.52±0.18 μg/mL) used as standard drug. Similarly, it significantly inhibited α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.84±0.03 μg/mL), compared to acarbose (IC50 = 0.38±0.02μg/mL). The in-silico molecular docking study revealed favorable binding affinities of β-caryophyllene, terpinen-4-ol and sabinene with variable degrees with α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Thus, this study demonstrated valuable scientific data on the leaf oil of S. lorentzii as a potential candidate for the development of natural antidiabetic formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to balance the allocation of resources between growth and reproduction as a response to stress factors, can be an advantage for plants in disturbed environments. Invasive alien plants (IAPs) often show high levels of phenotypic variability in resource allocation, a key trait that plays a crucial role in their success to invade new areas. Control management for IAPs must consider this capacity in the development of effective strategies. In this study, we performed continuous measures of leaf growth and reproductive traits of Cortaderia selloana, an IAP of global concern, and applied generalised linear models (GLMs) to evaluate trade‐offs between vegetative growth, leaf composition and reproductive success at different cutting moments. Cutting moment, but not flowering, affected the length of the vegetative growth period (VGP) and average growth rate (AGR), and the interaction with flowering affected AGR and final leaf length (vegetative growth total, VGT). Specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen (N) content and the isotopic value of δ13C were affected by cutting, and N was also affected by flowering and the interaction with cutting time. Silica also showed a negative correlation with leaf carbon (C) depicting a trade‐off between both structural components. Cortaderia selloana successfully adapted its leaf growth and composition to cutting moment, but this was also modulated by flowering. Moreover, the species is dioecious, and its response may differ between female and hermaphroditic plants. This suggests flexible trade‐offs in resource allocation, therefore the time for cutting must be precisely scheduled to suppress flowering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducing non- or under-utilized crops to cultivation generates benefits such as biodiversity enrichment, supporting mitigation actions towards climate change-induced effects. The salinization of soil and water supplies is progressively disrupting natural habitats and food production, especially in regions such as the Mediterranean. Sonchus oleraceus L. is a Mediterranean wild leafy green with nutritional and medicinal properties. This study's purpose was to determine whether salinity affects the growth, quality, and nutrient composition of Sonchus oleraceus L. In an unheated plastic greenhouse, seedlings were transplanted in pots filled with perlite and irrigated with a nutrient solution with no NaCl added (the control, C) or with the addition of 40, 60, 80, and 100 mM of NaCl (treatments S4, S6, S8, and S10, respectively). The leaf and root growth, leaf quality, and the nutrient composition of leaves and roots were determined. Regarding the results, growth was mainly affected at high salinity levels (S8 and S10), with no observed effects of salinity on the determined quality parameters. The nutrient composition was variably affected by salinity in leaves but not in roots (except in the case of Na and the K/Na ratio). Sonchus oleraceus L. showed a general relative tolerance in moderate salinity levels (40 and 60 mM of NaCl), suggesting potential commercial exploitation of the species in areas where the quality of irrigation water is low. However, the health effects of consuming this species grown under salinity stress need to be studied in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The citral chemotype of Camphora officinarum Nees ex Wall. is a promising industrial plant that contains an abundance of citral, which is widely used in medical, chemical, food, and other fields. For a more in-depth exploration, the dynamic characteristics of its essential oil (EO), oil compositions (OCs), and oil cells during leaf development were determined in the present study. The leaf phenotype changed rapidly from the 1st to the 4th week after leaf bud germination. The oil yield (OY), obtained via supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, reached the highest value of 2.82% ± 0.20% in the 12th week. Leaf development is a prerequisite for the production of EO, and the difference in the OY was not significant after leaf maturation. The OCs, analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), mainly included aldehydes, alcohols, and hydrocarbons. Different types of compounds accumulated differently during leaf development: the highest relative content of alcohol in the OCs was 30.18% in the 2nd week, while that of aldehyde was 76.11% in the 6th week. In total, 130 OCs were detected, and two isomers of citral, namely, geranial and neral, had the highest relative levels of 51.12% (12th week) and 28.63% (6th week), respectively. The OY was closely related to the developmental stage of the oil cells. In the 1st–2nd weeks, the oil cells were mostly in the non-essential oil stage and essential oil-forming stage, with a lower OY; oil cells reached saturation in the 12–24th weeks, with a higher OY. Transmission electron microscopy showed that osmium droplets were present in large quantities during leaf development and gradually integrated into the vacuoles, finally making the vacuoles become oil bladders for oil storage. In conclusion, EO may have new uses due to the different OCs in leaf development; additionally, the microscopic changes in C. officinarum provide a reference for the cellular mechanism of EO accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study published in the Chemistry of Natural Compounds journal that examines the chemical composition and antimicrobial properties of extracts from the Berberis pseudumbellata plant found in the Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh, India. The study focuses on the leaves, stems, and roots of the plant and uses gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to analyze the components. The results reveal the presence of various compounds, including alkaloids, tannins, phenolic compounds, and glycosides. The study provides valuable information about the composition of this unexplored species and its potential as a natural antimicrobial agent. The authors acknowledge the support of the National Medicinal Plants Board in India for their assistance in conducting the research project. [Extracted from the article]

Plant productivity is enhanced by elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, but N content of leaf is reduced. How atmospheric CO2 affects leaf 15N composition and the related mechanisms remain unclear. δ15N and N content of wheat and sunflower leaves were determined under two CO2 concentration(410 and 820 μmol·mol-1) treatments. The results show that the N content of both species decreases with elevated CO2 concentration, but the response of δ15N to CO2 enrichment is different between wheat and sunflower. Under high CO2 concentration treatment, δ15N of wheat leaves decreases significantly by 6.5‰, while δ15N of sunflower leaves increases slightly by 2.1‰, accompanied by a significant increase in leaf mass and aboveground biomass. Therefore, N nutrition characteristics of wheat are consistent with N assimilation limitation hypothesis, while the response of sunflower is consistent with dilution effect hypothesis. δ15N in wheat leaves decreases significantly with leaf aging and cell aging. Therefore, when using δ15N to infer environmental impacts on plant N metabolism, it is necessary to account for the leaf age effect. The results of meta-analysis show that δ15N of non-legume C3 plants decreases significantly by 0.3‰ under elevated CO2 concentration, in line with our results on wheat plants. The study shows that the inhibited N assimilation is an important mechanism related to the CO2 effect on N metabolism and 15N content of plants [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most devastating diseases of apples is scab, caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis. Most commercial apple varieties are susceptible to this disease; only a few are resistant. Breeding approaches are being used to develop better apple varieties that are resistant to scab. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute greatly to a plant's phenotype, and their emission profile largely depends on the genotype. In the non‐destructive phenotyping of plants, VOCs can be used as biomarkers. In this study, we assessed non‐destructively the scab tolerance potential of resistant (cv. 'Prima') and susceptible (cv. 'Oregon Spur') apple cultivars by comparing their major leaf VOC compositions and relative proportions. A comparison of the leaf VOC profiles of the two cultivars revealed 16 different VOCs, with cis‐3‐hexenyl acetate (3HA) emerging as a biomarker of cultivar differences. V. inaequalis growth was significantly inhibited in vitro by 3HA treatment. 3HA was significantly effective in reducing scab symptoms on V. inaequalis‐inoculated leaves of 'Oregon Spur.' The resistant cultivar 'Prima' also exhibited higher lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and α‐linolenic acid (ALA) levels, suggesting that V. inaequalis resistance is linked to LOX activity and 3HA biosynthesis. This study proposes 3HA as a potential biomarker for rapid non‐destructive screening of scab‐resistant apple germplasm of 'Prima' based on leaf VOCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam) is prioritized among crops that enhance food security and reduce malnutrition in Ghana. The production is expanding faster than other food crops owing to its superior nutrient composition. This study evaluates integrated approaches to increase on‐farm productivity, income, and utilization of sweetpotato. The first part evaluated the agronomic yield performance, financial return, and sensory quality of 10 varieties under different fertilizer treatments. The second part of activities assessed both storage root and leaf composition (i.e., total sugars, dry matter, protein, Fe, Zn, Ca, total phenolic, total monomeric anthocyanins, lutein, zeaxanthin, α‐tocopherol, β‐carotene, and total carotenoids). Third, storage stability characteristics were assessed (i.e., shelf life and the incidence of decay). Application of NPK of 40:40:70 at 300 kg ha−1 significantly (p < 0.001) increased storage root yield from 12.4 to 17.3 t ha−1, which represents a 32% increase in yield compared to farmers' standard practice. The variety SARI‐JanLow (where SARI is Savanna Agricultural Research Institute) was outstanding for root yield (23.5 t ha−1) and β‐carotene content (20.8 Mg 100 g−1). SARI‐Tiemeh was consistently ranked among the three most preferred varieties by the sensory panel across the production hubs. At locations Nyankpala and Nikongo, the most responsive varieties to fertilizer application with regard to marketable storage root yield were SARI‐Tiemeh (108%) and PGA14351‐4 (79%), respectively. The varieties SARI‐Nyumengre (1.4%), SARI‐Nyoriberi‐gu (1.4%), and PGA14351‐4 (1.6%) were the least susceptible to sweetpotato weevil attack. Considering the benefit–cost ratio and a return on investments, the four most economically viable varieties appear to be SARI‐JanLow, SARI‐Suyolo, SARI‐Tiemeh, and SARI‐Nyoriberi‐gu. Core Ideas: Fertilizer application increased storage root yield productivity by 36%–108% compared to farmers' standard practice.The benefit–cost ratio of 4.1:6 and a return on investment of 306%–501% were recorded in high‐yielding varieties.SARI‐JanLow (where SARI is Savanna Agricultural Research Institute) recorded the highest storage root yield and β‐carotene content, but SARI‐Tiemeh possesses superior sensory qualities.At the 40% decay threshold, SARI‐Nyoriberi‐gu, SARI‐Nyumengre, and SARI‐Nan showed longer shelf‐life.Leaf nutrients are compared favorably with vegetables such as Amaranthus spp. and Colocasia spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the diagenetic processes of organic matter (OM) within mangrove forests is essential to grasp ecosystem dynamics and exchanges with adjacent ecosystems. This study investigated the influence of urban runoff on leaf litter degradation in a New Caledonian mangrove forest, subjected to urban rainwater for over 50 years. Focusing on Avicennia marina and Rhizophora stylosa , our objectives were to determine factors affecting leaf litter degradation, assess urban runoff effects on decay rates and element concentrations, and understand OM changes at the molecular level. Litterbags containing senescent leaves placed on the mangrove floor were collected after 7, 14, 28, 56, and 72 days. C and N along with their stable isotopes were evaluated during degradation as well as lignin and neutral carbohydrates contents. Despite lower initial N content, R. stylosa exhibited faster degradation (t 1/2 of 36 ± 3 and 28 ± 2 days) than A. marina (t 1/2 of 43 ± 9 and 33 ± 4 days), emphasizing the critical role of species position within the mangrove forest regarding tidal immersion. Urban runoff, submerging the urban site, intensified leaf litter degradation, influencing both mass loss and molecular changes in OM. After 72 days of leaf litter degradation, the loss of rhamnose and glucose was more pronounced at the control site (13 % and 75 % for rhamnose and 46 % and 53 % for glucose for A. marina and R. stylosa , respectively) compared to the urban site. The study also exposed molecular tendencies during mangrove leaf litter degradation. The content of ferulic acid in the leaf litter decreased at all stands after 72 days of degradation (between −25 % and −58 %), while total syringyl phenols increased (between + 64 % and + 232 %). This research exposed the global implications of urban runoff, indicating accelerated leaf litter degradation in mangrove forests, potentially disrupting C sequestration dynamics and threatening ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Phagnalon Cass., included in the Asteraceae family, has a wide distribution, expanding from Macaronesia in the West to the Himalayas in the East, from South France and Nord Italy to Ethiopia and Arabian Peninsula. Various species of Phagnalon have been used in the popular medicine of several countries as medicinal herbs and food. The extracts and the secondary metabolites, have a varied application spectrum at several biological levels, with antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitumor, etc. properties having been reported. The essential oils of four taxa, Phagnalon rupestre, Phagnalon saxatile var. viride, and Phagnalon rupestre subsp. illyricum var. metlesicsii collected in Sicily (Italy), never previously investigated, and of Phagnalon graecum collected in Greece, were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). All the oils were very rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons, with β-pinene as main constituent. Chemotaxonomic considerations with respect to all the other oils of Phagnalon taxa were carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Smoke–water (1:2500 v/v) foliar application was tested on radish, spinach and turnip seedlings. • Essential mineral elements were determined in the leaves of seedlings of these vegetables. • Smoke–water significantly stimulated the length and weight of seedlings of examined vegetables. • Potassium and zinc levels were markedly improved in leaves with smoke–water. • Smoke–water, a promising technology for growing vigorous vegetable seedlings. Smoke–water, a smoke-saturated solution derived from the smoke generated by burning plant materials, promotes seed germination and growth of various plant species. There are many reported studies where seeds are treated and soils are drenched with smoke–water to explore the beneficial effects of smoke. However, little information is available on the influence of foliar spraying of smoke–water on the seedlings of commercial vegetable crops for better growth prospects. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of standardized smoke–water (1:2500 v/v) foliar application on the seedling growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and turnip (Brassica rapa L.), and determined the mineral elemental composition of leaves. Smoke–water foliar treatment significantly enhanced the length and weight of seedlings compared to the seedlings sprayed with water (control). Mineral elements, potassium and zinc, were increased notably in the leaves of all smoke–water foliar-treated seedlings. This can be attributed to increased photosynthetic activity that resulted in longer and heavier seedlings. The results of the present study provide an opportunity to incorporate the use of smoke–water for raising vigorous and healthier vegetable seedlings for better yield. Moreover, it can minimize the input of conventional chemical sprays that are detrimental to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keteleeria davidiana (C.E.Bertrand) Beissn. is a species of conifer native to southern China, Laos and Vietnam. The species has been listed as vulnerable in Vietnam. Essential oil samples have been isolated from leaves, twigs and wood, and their compositions investigated for the first time by combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques [GC-FID, GC-MS and13C NMR]. The composition of leaf essential oil was dominated by α-pinene (28.1%), β-pinene (15.8%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (13.8%). Twig essential oil contained mainly α-pinene (37.9%) and β-pinene (24.7%) accompanied by (E)-β-caryophyllene (8.3%) and β-phellandrene (7.5%). Lastly, α-pinene (27.9%), α-terpineol (20.3%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (20.8%) were predominant in wood essential oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Air curing (AC) plays a crucial role in cigar tobacco leaf production. The AC environment is relatively mild, contributing to a diverse microbiome. Fungi are important components of the tobacco and environmental microbiota. However, our understanding of the composition and function of fungal communities in AC remains limited. Methods: In this study, changes in the chemical constituents and fungal community composition of cigar tobacco leaves during AC were evaluated using flow analysis and high-throughput sequencing. Results: The moisture, water-soluble sugar, starch, total nitrogen, and protein contents of tobacco leaves exhibited decreasing trends, whereas nicotine showed an initial increase, followed by a decline. As determined by highthroughput sequencing, fungal taxa differed among all stages of AC. Functional prediction showed that saprophytic fungi were the most prevalent type during the AC process and that the chemical composition of tobacco leaves is significantly correlated with saprophytic fungi. Conclusion: This study provides a deeper understanding of the dynamic changes in fungal communities during the AC process in cigar tobacco leaves and offers theoretical guidance for the application of microorganisms during the AC process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive leaves are consumed as an extract or as a whole herbal powder with several potential therapeutic benefits attributed to polyphenols, tocopherol's isomers, and flavonoids, among others. This study assessed the potential variance in the functional features presented by olive leaves from three different Portuguese cultivars—Cobrançosa, Madural, and Verdeal—randomly mix-cultivated in the geographical area of Vale de Salgueiros. Inorganic analysis determined their mineral profiles while an organic analysis measured their total phenolic and flavonoid content, and scanned their phenolic and tocopherol and fatty acid composition. The extracts' biological activity was tested by determining their antimicrobial and antioxidant power as well as their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, MAO-A/B, and angiotensin-I-converting enzyme. The inorganic profiles showed them to be an inexpensive source able to address different mineral deficiencies. All cultivars appear to have potential for use as possible antioxidants and future alternative antibiotics against some multidrug-resistant microorganisms, with caution regarding the arsenic content in the Verdeal cultivar. Madural's extract displayed properties to be considered a natural multitarget treatment for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, depression, and cardiometabolic and dual activity for blood pressure modulation. This work indicates that randomly cultivating different cultivars significantly modifies the leaves' composition while keeping their multifaceted therapeutic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth and development of citrus trees and the quality of their fruits are significantly influenced by the essential role of mineral plant nutrition. This study aimed to improve the productivity of the citrus (Citrus clementina Hort. Ex Tanaka) orchards by optimizing mineral nutrition through well-monitored fertilization and fertigation aspects using lysimetry. The first phase consisted of studying the behavior of the nutrients in the soil solution at the high root concentration level, analysis of the nutritional status of five varieties of clementines (Sidi Aissa, Cadoux, Orogrande, Nules, and Nour), and the variation of leaf composition in major elements (Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) for the five varieties along phenological stages, through the exploitation of the results of analyses carried out for the management of mineral nutrition in 47 plots of citrus fruit in the Souss-Massa region with the use of lysimetry. The results obtained in this first part revealed an important variation of the nut rients in the soil solution (55.24%) in terms of water inputs, fertilizers, and edaphic conditions, as well as a large variation of foliar compositions (62.98%). The second phase, consisting of regular monitoring of the mineral nutrition dynamics targeting the "Nules" variety grafted on "Citrus macrophylla" affirmed the importance of the citrus fertilization approach for determining the availability, distribution, nutrient interactions in soil solution and plant response by regular leaf diagnostics. Thus, mobile lysimetry offered a powerful tool for achieving both productivity and sustainability in citrus fertilization programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]