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Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.), a summer legume, is becoming increasingly important as an industrial crop due to its high gum and viscosity content. This study investigated the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), chitosan (CH), and their combination on the growth, yield, and quality of guar under irrigation regimes. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using a factorial design to evaluate the effect of foliar spraying with MeJA (5, 25, and 50 µM), CH (100, 150, and 200 mg/L), their combination (25 µM MeJA + 150 mg/L CH), and control on two commercial guar varieties (RGC-986 and BR-2017) under different irrigation regimes (100%, 70%, and 40% field capacity). The results showed that the exogenous application of MeJA and CH, individually and in combination, significantly enhanced various morphological traits and yield components in guar, including plant height, pod characteristics, seed yield, and root development. Additionally, the combination treatments improved seed quality parameters, such as gum percentage and viscosity content. Leaf analysis revealed increased levels of total phenolic content, total flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents. The BR-2017 variety showed superior performance in most morphological and qualitative traits, demonstrating greater resistance to irrigation regimes. It maintained yield and quality characteristics under water-deficit conditions, particularly when treated with 25 µM MeJA and 150 mg/L CH. The highest gum percentage (33.67%) and viscosity (4768.5 cP) were observed in the RGC-986 variety, along with enhanced levels of secondary metabolites. This study provides new insights into how MeJA, CH, and their combination can improve the yield and quality of guar under water deficit stress conditions. The results suggest that the use of these elicitors, especially in combination, represents an innovative strategy for improving guar production and quality, with potential variety-specific responses to water-deficit stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study applied electrospun fibers containing 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid (8-HQS) (100, 150, and 200 mg L−1) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) (15 and 20 mg L−1) to enhance the longevity and qualitative parameters of two cyclamen cultivars. The results indicated that the vase life of the flowers treated with 20 mg L−1 AgNO3 and 200 mg L−1 8-HQS was higher than that of the other treatments (16 days). Cyclamens treated with 8-HQS (100 mg L−1) + AgNO3 (15 mg L−1) and 8-HQS (100 mg L−1) + AgNO3 (20 mg L−1) had lower polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity than the control group. Also, it was observed that the higher phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) enzyme activity of cyclamens in the 8-HQS (150 mg L−1) + AgNO3 (15 mg L−1) treatment was longer than that of the other treatments and control groups. Treatment with 100 mg L−1 8-HQS and 20 mg L−1 AgNO3 showed higher peroxidase (POD) activity than the different treatments. This research indicated that adding AgNO3 and 8-HQS to electrospun fibers is a promising method for enhancing the longevity and maintaining the quality of these cut flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ziziphora clinopodioides L. is a valuable medicinal and aromatic plant; however, its special requirements for proper growth and enhanced secondary metabolite composition have limited its production and availability. The lack of appropriate fertilizer dosage recommendations is one of these limiting factors for ex situ conservation and large-scale cultivation. This study investigated the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization on Z. clinopodioides in both open field and unheated greenhouse conditions. The determined research factor was N dosage (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha−1 in the field) and (0, 200, 400, and 600 mg N pot−1 in the greenhouse). It was found that Z. clinopodioides plants could grow successfully outside their natural habitat with sufficient N fertilization yielding a satisfactory amount of metabolites per plantation area. Specifically, among the tested dosages, the 120 kg N ha−1 (which showed no significant difference from 80 kg N ha−1) and 400 mg N pot−1 fertilizers increased the aboveground dry and fresh biomass, essential oil (EO) content, and yield. Nitrogen fertilization showed a direct correlation with menthone, neo-menthol, menthol, pulegone, E-ocimenone, and spathulenol, but a negative correlation with α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, 1,8-cineol, trans-pulegol, and iso-menthone. This study is the first to evaluate the effects of N fertilization on the genus Ziziphora. The results indicate that utilizing N fertilizer at a moderate rate (80 kg N ha−1 in the field and 400 mg N pot−1 in the greenhouse) can improve the agronomic traits and EO of Z. clinopodioides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low temperature is a major environmental factor that negatively affects the growth and productivity of plants, such as the tropical fruit Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.), which is susceptible to cold stress. Therefore, to investigate the effect of the amino acid L-phenylalanine (Phe), L-cysteine (Cys), or sodium selenite (Se) on enhancing antioxidant activities, experiments were conducted on the phenolic compounds, proline content, and membrane stability of Cape gooseberry seedlings under low-temperature stress. The seedlings were exposed for 48 h to a low temperature (4 °C) followed by 24 h of optimal growth conditions. In seedlings treated with Se, we found a high relative water content, good membrane integrity, low ion leakage, and hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, this treatment led to the improvement of photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant activity. The analysis of seedlings under cold stress showed that the Phe enhanced the stomatal conductance and phenol content. Furthermore, low concentrations of Cys resulted in the production of proline and flavonoids, which reduced the negative effects of environmental stress on seedlings and maintained cell membrane integrity. Overall, in this experiment, the use of Se and low concentrations of Cys had a positive effect on the amount of antioxidant compounds, which improved seedling growth under stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid postharvest quality deterioration of button mushroom as fruit body surface browning brings about senescence development and limits its distribution potential and postharvest storage. In this investigation, 0.5 mM of NaHS as the optimum concentration for H2S fumigation was applied to retain the quality of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms concerning some qualitative and biochemical attributes evaluation throughout 15 storage-day at 4 °C and 80–90% relative humidity. In H2S fumigated mushrooms, pileus browning index, weight loss and softening decreased, concomitant with higher cell membrane stability as revealed by subsidiary electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 contents compared to the control during the cold storage period. H2S fumigation boosted total phenolics, as presented by the enhanced phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity and total antioxidant scavenging activity, while polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity diminished. Moreover, in H2S fumigated mushrooms not only peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities but also ascorbic acid and glutathione (GSH) contents increased, even though glutathione (GSSG) content declined. The raised endogenous H2S level prompted by greater cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS), cystathionine ?-lyase (CSE), cysteine synthase (CS), L-cysteine desulfhydrases (LCD) and D-cysteine desulfhydrases (DCD) enzymes activities until 10d in fumigated mushrooms. In general, the increase in endogenous H2S biogenesis promoted by H2S fumigation in button mushrooms resulted in retarding senescence development, maintaining redox balance by boosting multiple enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants defense parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal fertilizer concentration for Mentha plants is contingent on the growing systems and harvest time, serving as operational solutions to control and enhance quality and yield. This study aimed to determine the effects of three macronutrients concentration in hydroponic nutrient solution (HNS) during three harvest times on the growth, quality, yield, and shelf life of three mint species (M. spicata L. var. viridis (MV); M. piperita L. (MP); M. spicata L. var. rubra (MR)) grown in a New Growing System (NGS®). Total dry matter (DM), nitrate (NO3−), phosphate (PO43−), and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) concentrations were increased with the addition of higher levels of nutrient fertilization in three species. When the ion concentration of the HNS was increased, total fresh yield decreased. The highest total bacterial count (TBC) was obtained in MR species in the three harvests in all the levels of HNS. The lowest browning potential (BP) and soluble o-quinone (So-Q) levels were observed at second harvest in the MR species with the application of one of the two HNS high in nitrogen (N). In conclusion, the combination of optimal HNS ion concentration and appropriate species is considered essential to obtain suitable yield, quality, and ensure shelf life of mint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornamental geophytes, renowned for their beauty, hold a special place among flower enthusiasts and producers, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of gardens and orchards. The main aim of this study was to ascertain the viability of cultivating decay-resistant genotypes and identify appropriate planting locations for each species within a one-to-three-year timeframe, contingent upon the specific species. The research took place at the Flower and Plant Production Center of the Gorgan Municipality's Landscape and Urban Green Space Organization in Iran, with the primary focus on leveraging various geophyte flower species to optimize urban landscapes and elevate their visual allure. Utilizing a completely randomized block design with three replications, the study examined numerous species in the landscape. Various plant growth parameters were evaluated, including flowering time, optimal planting time, flower longevity on the plants, speed of underground bulb sprouting time, and visual quality of the samples. Results revealed that Narcissus jonquilla and Alstroemeria aurea cv. Balance exhibited the longest flower longevity, lasting for 43 days in the second year of growth. Conversely, Gladiolus hybrida (cv. Alexander) and Canna indica (cv. Flaccida and cv. Phasion) demonstrated a flower longevity of 13 days across both cultivation years. Alstroemeria and Crocosmia showed the shortest flowering time, significantly reduced compared to the first year due to the altered planting time. The assessment of visual quality highlighted Polianthes, Dahlia, and Gladiolus cultivars as displaying the highest visual appeal among the studied species. These findings yield valuable insights into the potential production and/or breeding of decay-resistant hybrid cultivars well suited for such regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping systems are a widely used agricultural practice by smallholder farmers to enhance food security and to use natural resources more efficiently. The objective of this study was to evaluate two lettuce cvs under an intercropping system. Enzymatic growth, yield and economic benefit were evaluated. The experiment was carried out from August to February in Jaboticabal (Brazil) using tomato plants as a main crop and Lucy Brown and Vanda cvs of lettuce as secondary crops. The catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity of lettuce plants was analyzed. Mineral nutrient content, growth, yield parameters and commercial economic benefit were measured. Significant differences in stress and activity enzymatic indicators were found versus cultivars of lettuce. The loss of abiotic factors such as radiation or its effect on enzymatic stress indicators was greater than its effect on yield. Yield loss in the intercropping systems was different for each cultivar system, with cv Lucy Brown showing greater yield loss than cv Vanda. Economic benefit was only found for the Vanda lettuce cv. Although the benefits of intercropping have been demonstrated as very appropriate cultural management, the choice of cultivars involved might be the determining factor for the agronomic success of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each landscape is the result of an encounter with the culture of a community and the physical features of a territory. The conservation of the historical, artistic, and cultural heritage represents a priority for any society that wishes to draw on references for its civil progress. The aim of the present research is to combine the richness of the historical–cultural heritage with innovative forms of agriculture. It focuses on the recovery, in productive terms, of an air-raid shelter used during the Second World War, located in the center of Varese beneath the Estensi Historical Gardens. The project involves the construction of an underground Vertical Farm (Deep Farm) with the aim of restoring a place of memory, making it more accessible than it is today, and raising public awareness about a new cultivation model. A Deep Farm was designed with a cultivation area in the middle, an educational room, and two hygiene rooms, one at each end of the tunnel. A Vertical Farm was conceived to be shared with local stakeholders to produce vegetables and to foresee an innovative reality in the field of education and tourism. This project has the ambition of representing a model that could be used for similar Italian realities and enhancing meeting places between landscape and modern culture diversities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is an important medicinal plant, of which all parts have pharmaceutical and nutritional applications and which is distributed throughout the southwest regions of Iran. The aerial parts of myrtle were collected at different phenological stages (vegetative, flowering, unripe fruit and ripening fruit stages, after the fully mature fruit dispersal stage) from Fars Province of Iran and were analyzed with GC–FID and GC–MS. All the data were submitted to multivariate statistical analysis, showing many differences among the various plant parts and their phenological stages. Monoterpene hydrocarbons (18.9–50.5%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (38.2–72.4%) were the most abundant class in the volatile emissions, with α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, limonene, linalool, α-terpineol, linalyl acetate and geranyl acetate being the main constituents in the majority of the examined samples. α-Pinene content ranged from 8.88% at the after fully mature fruit dispersal stage (leaves) to 32.84% at the flowering stage in the leaves. Limonene, which is the dominant component at the flowering stage, was 23.97% in the flowers, while the limonene amount was 0.14–1.42% at other harvest stages. The greatest 1,8-cineole amount was obtained prior to flowering, 45.98%, while the lowest amount was obtained at the flowering stage, in the flowers. The total phenol and flavonoid contents varied between different myrtle parts: the highest total phenol and flavonoid contents were obtained for the extract made of the before-flowering stage in leaves (66.52 mg GAE/g and 7.49 mg QE/g extracts). Overall, the study indicated that collecting myrtle at the vegetative and flowering stages, especially the leaves organs, would be of considerable importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]