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18 pages, 10135 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Sucrose Metabolism Genes Involved in Actinidia rufa and Their Expression Profiling during the Fruit Developmental Stages

by Yun Jia, Xu Qiang, Pengbin Dong, Ting Ren, Ying Zhang and Yanci Yang

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070772 - 21 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Soluble sugars, as an indispensable source of energy, play crucial roles in plant growth and development. However, to date, scant information about the sucrose metabolism-related gene families is available in kiwifruit (Actinidia rufa Planch). Here, we systematically identified the members of various [...] Read more.

Soluble sugars, as an indispensable source of energy, play crucial roles in plant growth and development. However, to date, scant information about the sucrose metabolism-related gene families is available in kiwifruit (Actinidia rufa Planch). Here, we systematically identified the members of various gene families encoding crucial enzymes or transporters involved in sucrose metabolism, re-analyzed their expression patterns under different fruit development stages, and determined the regulatory mechanism involving key transcription factors. A total of sixty-two genes from six gene families (thirty-one ArINVs, two ArSPPs, four ArSPSs, nine ArSUSs, six ArSUCs/SUTs, and ten ArSWEETs) were identified in the A. rufa genome. The characterization of these members, including gene structure, motifs, conserved domains, and cis-acting elements, were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these gene families could be categorized into six distinct subgroups. These six gene families have undergone strong purifying selection during domestication. In addition, expression analysis of the 62 genes indicated that differential expression patterns are highly regulated by developmental processes. Specifically, we identified 11 transcription factors that were rigorously correlated (r > 0.98) with key gene expression profiles. This represents a comprehensive analysis of the genes involved in sucrose metabolism in kiwifruit, which provides useful information for further functional analysis of these genes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Genetics, Genomics, Breeding, and Biotechnology (G2B2))

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17 pages, 5067 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Identification, Biological Characteristics, and Fungicide Sensitivity of the Causal Agent of Strawberry Red Core Root Rot

by Yiming Zhang, Minyan Song, Yanan Li, Lina Zhang, Zhi Zhu, Liqi Li and Li Wang

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 771; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070771 - 21 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Strawberry red core root rot disease affects the growth and yield of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch), which leads to economic losses in China. The study employed a tissue separation method to isolate and identify the causal agent responsible for strawberry red core root [...] Read more.

Strawberry red core root rot disease affects the growth and yield of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch), which leads to economic losses in China. The study employed a tissue separation method to isolate and identify the causal agent responsible for strawberry red core root rot. This was achieved by the observation of its morphological characteristics, sequencing analyses, and pathogenicity tests. The sensitivity of five chemical fungicides against the two species of Fusarium was determined using the mycelial growth rate method, and the biological characteristics of the two species were examined. The pathogens were identified as Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum. The optimal conditions for the mycelial growth of F. solani and F. oxysporum were determined to be potato sucrose agar at 25 °C and pH 6, and potato dextrose agar at 30 °C and pH 8, respectively, with a 24:24 light cycle. The most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources for the mycelial growth of F. solani were sucrose and sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), while for F. oxysporum, they were glucose and peptone. A fungicide sensitivity test indicated that Prochloraz had a good inhibitory effect on the growth of F. solani and F. oxysporum with EC50 values of 0.088 mg L⁻¹ and 0.162 mg. The growth inhibition effect of Azoxystrobin to F. solani and Carbendazim to F. oxysporum was not obvious. This study provides a theoretical basis for further research on strawberry red core root disease and its prevention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Pathology and Disease Management (PPDM))

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13 pages, 2092 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Leafy-Stem-Buried Etiolation Contributed to the High Efficiency of Rootstock Vegetative Propagation in Avocado (Persea americana)

by Weiming Li, Xiaowei Ma, Songbiao Wang, Wenshan Huang and Mingguo Jiang

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070770 - 21 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Because of their tolerance to root rot and many abiotic stresses, rootstocks are generally required for commercial avocado production. However, cutting and air-layering, which are popular methods of vegetative propagation for producing large numbers of uniform and genetically identical plants, have been unsuccessful [...] Read more.

Because of their tolerance to root rot and many abiotic stresses, rootstocks are generally required for commercial avocado production. However, cutting and air-layering, which are popular methods of vegetative propagation for producing large numbers of uniform and genetically identical plants, have been unsuccessful for years. To develop a practical and efficient rooting procedure for selected avocado clonal rootstocks, the present research investigated the effects of various factors on rooting cutting. Shoots were divided into three groups (air layering, direct cutting, and stem-buried etiolation) and treated with different combinations (plant growth regulators, PGRs; soaking time; and culture media), in which orthogonal or randomized-block designs were used. The rooting rate, average root length, average root number, average root dry weight, and rooting quality (Q value) were used as evaluation indicators. The results show that etiolation treatment of the mother shoot is the requisite condition for avocado shoot rooting. In addition, the rooting effect of etiolated cuttings was strongly impacted by PGR type, concentration, and soaking time, whereas no significant differences were detected among the culture media. Among these factors, the roots and the survival rates of etiolated cuttings of two hard-to-root varieties were optimal under the following conditions: indolebutyric acid concentration of 2500 mg/L, dipping duration for 5 s, and perlite:vermiculite culture at 1:1. The rooting rate of ‘Dusa’ was generally greater than that of ‘Duke 7’ and reached 82%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Propagation and Seeds)

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16 pages, 2553 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mulching with Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Compost Has Beneficial Side Effects on Vineyard Soil Compared to Mulching with Synthetic Films

by Ileana Blanco, Massimiliano Cardinale, Corrado Domanda, Gianluca Pappaccogli, Piergiorgio Romano, Gianni Zorzi and Laura Rustioni

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070769 - 20 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) compost represents a sustainable alternative to plastic film for mulching in viticulture. This study investigated the effects of MSW compost on vineyard soil properties, specifically focusing on side effects such as soil temperature and microbial decomposition activity, independently from [...] Read more.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) compost represents a sustainable alternative to plastic film for mulching in viticulture. This study investigated the effects of MSW compost on vineyard soil properties, specifically focusing on side effects such as soil temperature and microbial decomposition activity, independently from its role in weed control. The experiment was conducted in a vineyard located in the Mediterranean region (Southern Italy), with six different mulching treatments: black polyethylene (PE) film, black and white biodegradable film, three different amounts of MSW compost (8, 15, and 22 kg plant⁻¹), and a control without mulching. Weed growth was monitored to determine the optimal compost application amount. The 15 kg plant⁻¹ treatment was selected for further analyses, as it did not significantly impact weed growth compared to the control. Results indicated that MSW compost mulching maintained lower soil temperatures compared to other treatments (up to 5 °C in the warmest hours) and reduced the amplitude of the thermal wave up to 50% compared to the non-mulched soil and even more compared to black film mulched soil, particularly during the warmest periods. This suggests that MSW compost can mitigate heat stress on plant roots, potentially enhancing plant resilience and preserving crop production also in stressful growing conditions. Microbial decomposition activity, assessed using the tea bag index, was higher in the MSW compost treatment during spring compared to the control, indicating temperature as a key driver for organic matter decomposition, but this effect disappeared during summer. These findings highlight the potential of MSW compost to support sustainable viticulture by reducing reliance on synthetic mulching materials and promoting environmental sustainability through the recycling of organic municipal waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Viticulture: Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Grape Quality)

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34 pages, 687 KiB

Open AccessReview

Essential Oils from Native Brazilian Plants of the Genus Eugenia as an Innovative and Sustainable Source of Active Ingredients for Food Systems and Human Health and Well-Being

by Felipe Tecchio Borsoi, Arícia Possas, Glaucia Maria Pastore and Henrique Silvano Arruda

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 768; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070768 - 19 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Brazil is home to some of the world’s greatest biodiversity, providing an immeasurable number of new opportunities and unexplored sources of native plants for the development of products, extracts, foods, and compounds of social and economic interest. Among these, plants of the genus [...] Read more.

Brazil is home to some of the world’s greatest biodiversity, providing an immeasurable number of new opportunities and unexplored sources of native plants for the development of products, extracts, foods, and compounds of social and economic interest. Among these, plants of the genus Eugenia stand out because of the large number of species found in Brazilian territory, many of which are endemic and exclusive to Brazil. These plants have emerged as potential sources for obtaining essential oils with relevant biological activities. In this context, the present review provides an overview of essential oils derived from the main native plants of Brazilian socio-biodiversity from the genus Eugenia with food value (Eugenia stipitata, Eugenia dysenterica, Eugenia involucrata, Eugenia brasiliensis, Eugenia klotzschiana, Eugenia uniflora, and Eugenia pyriformis) and their phytochemical profile and health beneficial effects. The compiled data showed that the essential oils of these plants are composed mainly of sesquiterpenes and, in smaller quantities, monoterpenes and other compounds. These compounds contribute to different biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiparasitic effects. These findings demonstrate that the essential oils of Brazilian native plants of the genus Eugenia can be a promising raw material for active ingredients to develop innovative and sustainable food products, drugs, and cosmetics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Isolation, Characterization and Biological Activities)

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18 pages, 4696 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Evaluation of the Effect of Fertilizer Rate on Tree Growth and the Detection of Nutrient Stress in Different Irrigation Systems

by Krishna Neupane, Anthony Witcher and Fulya Baysal-Gurel

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070767 - 19 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Early season monitoring of nutrient stress is important in red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) to optimize management practices and ensure healthy crop production in containers. Two different irrigation systems (drip and overhead irrigation) were used [...] Read more.

Early season monitoring of nutrient stress is important in red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) to optimize management practices and ensure healthy crop production in containers. Two different irrigation systems (drip and overhead irrigation) were used in this study. Two rates (low and high) of controlled-release fertilizer were used with no fertilizer as a control treatment. Data were recorded for plant height, stem diameter, substrate pH and electrical conductivity (EC), chlorophyll content, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), visual observation of plant quality, and leaf nutrient content. The results of this study showed that the increase in plant height and stem diameter was greater among the fertilized maple tree, whereas no differences were observed in the flowering dogwoods for an increase in plant height. NDVI was greater for drip irrigation for both fertilizer rates in both red maples and flowering dogwoods. A positive correlation of 73% to 83% was observed for red maples and 79% to 83% was observed for flowering dogwoods between handheld NDVI and unmanned aerial vehicle-mounted NDVI sensors. In red maple, a high fertilizer rate resulted in greater substrate pH, whereas in flowering dogwood, no differences were observed. Varied responses were observed among the treatments for nutrient content; however, both rates of fertilizer application were sufficient for both tree species. Drip-irrigated red maples had higher nitrogen and phosphorous content, whereas nitrogen content was higher in both irrigation systems in flowering dogwoods. This study provides useful insights into understanding the effect of nutrient stress on tree growth and the application of sensing technology for the monitoring and early detection of nutrient stress in container-grown nursery crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses of Horticultural Plants)

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17 pages, 4117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Integrated Pest and Disease Management Combinations against Major Insect Pests and Diseases of Tomato in Tamil Nadu, India

by Sankaran Pagalahalli Shanmugam, Marimuthu Murugan, Mookiah Shanthi, Thiyagarajan Elaiyabharathi, Kathithachalam Angappan, Gandhi Karthikeyan, Gopal Arulkumar, Palanisamy Manjari, Manickam Ravishankar, Paola Sotelo-Cardona, Ricardo Oliva and Ramasamy Srinivasan

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 766; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070766 - 19 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Tomatoes are one of the predominant vegetable crops grown throughout the year in Tamil Nadu, India. Their perishable nature and resource-intensive cultivation make them susceptible to biotic stress. The damage caused by invasive insect pests, bacterial wilt during the rainy season, and viral [...] Read more.

Tomatoes are one of the predominant vegetable crops grown throughout the year in Tamil Nadu, India. Their perishable nature and resource-intensive cultivation make them susceptible to biotic stress. The damage caused by invasive insect pests, bacterial wilt during the rainy season, and viral diseases are major yield-limiting factors, and the farmers mostly depend on calendar-based insecticide applications for insect pest and disease management in tomatoes. The desired tomato hybrids grafted onto bacterial wilt-resistant eggplant rootstocks offer protection against bacterial wilt during the rainy season. The integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) practices consist of resistant grafted tomato seedlings (wild eggplant rootstocks EG 203 and TS 03), bioinoculants (Bacillus subtilis + Trichoderma asperellum + Purpureocillium lilacinum), pheromone traps (Phthorimaea absoluta and Helicoverpa armigera), botanicals (azadirachtin), microbial pesticides (Bacillus thuringiensis, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Beauveria bassiana), and bio-rationals, which were evaluated in four locations in two major tomato-growing tracts of Tamil Nadu. The results revealed that the treatment EG 203 eggplant rootstock-grafted tomato along with IPDM practices performed better across all experimental locations than the other treatment combinations viz., TS 03 eggplant rootstock-grafted tomato + IPDM, tomato + IPDM, grafted tomato + farmers’ practice and tomato + farmers’ practice. The EG 203-grafted tomato recorded a higher yield than the farmers’ practice with significantly superior biometric parameters. The treatment of EG 203-grafted tomato and IPDM practices can be adopted for safer tomato production by enabling a reduction in pesticide applications while enhancing productivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Insect Pest Management)

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22 pages, 4126 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Microbiome Diversity with Disease Symptoms in Brassica oleracea Leaves

by Héctor Martín-Cardoso, Víctor M. González-Miguel, Luis Soler-López, Sonia Campo and Blanca San Segundo

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070765 - 19 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea), a crop of major economic importance worldwide, is affected by numerous diseases, which are caused by a wide range of microorganisms, including fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, and viruses, which lead to important losses in yield and quality. The increasing [...] Read more.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea), a crop of major economic importance worldwide, is affected by numerous diseases, which are caused by a wide range of microorganisms, including fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, and viruses, which lead to important losses in yield and quality. The increasing availability of reference genomes of plant-associated microbes together with recent advances in metagenomic approaches provide new opportunities to identify microbes linked to distinct symptomatology in Brassica leaves. In this study, shotgun metagenomics was used to investigate the microbial community in leaves of B. oleracea plants from agricultural farmlands. Compared with conventional techniques based on culture-based methods, whole-genome shotgun sequencing allows the reliable identification of the microbial population inhabiting a plant tissue at the species level. Asymptomatic and symptomatic leaves showing different disease symptoms were examined. In the asymptomatic leaves, Xanthomonas species were the most abundant taxa. The relative abundance of bacterial and fungal communities varied depending on disease symptoms on the leaf. The microbiome of the leaves showing mild to severe levels of disease was enriched in bacterial populations (Sphingomonas, Methylobacterium, Paracoccus) and to a lesser degree in some fungal taxa, such as Alternaria and Colletotrichum (e.g., in leaves with high levels of necrotic lesions). Sclerotinia species were highly abundant in severely damaged leaves (S. sclerotium, S. trifolium, S. bolearis), followed by Botrytis species. The common and specific bacterial and fungal species associated to disease symptoms were identified. Finally, the analysis of the gene functions in the metagenomic data revealed enrichment in carbohydrate-active enzymes potentially involved in pathogenicity, whose distribution also varied among disease severity groups. Understanding the B. oleracea leaf microbiome in agricultural ecosystems will pave the way for the efficient management of diseases in this crop. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Pathology and Disease Management (PPDM))

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10 pages, 2935 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Bioactive Functions and Quantitative Analysis of Phenolic Compounds of Glehnia littoralis from Different Regions

by Nari Yoon, Sullim Lee, Kyung Choi, Jajung Ku and Sanghyun Lee

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070764 - 19 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Glehnia littoralis F. (GLF), a perennial herb indigenous to the coastal areas of northern Pacific countries is widely utilized in medicine for various diseases and symptoms. The current study aimed to determine the relationship between phytochemicals and their diverse functional abilities. High-performance liquid [...] Read more.

Glehnia littoralis F. (GLF), a perennial herb indigenous to the coastal areas of northern Pacific countries is widely utilized in medicine for various diseases and symptoms. The current study aimed to determine the relationship between phytochemicals and their diverse functional abilities. High-performance liquid chromatography and a photodiode array detector were used to identify chlorogenic acid (1), rutin (2), isoquercitrin (3), psoralen (4), 8-methoxy psoralen (5), and bergapten (6). 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS⁺)- and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-radical-scavenging assays were conducted. It was found that GLF from the Chungnam Province had a higher content of compounds 4–6 contents of approximately 51.29 µmoL/g, which was primarily composed of bergapten (6) (44.44 µmoL/g). Moreover, GLF from Jeju Island exhibited the strongest ABTS⁺- and DPPH-radical-scavenging activities, with IC₅₀ values of 6.69 mg/mL and 10.26 mg/mL, respectively, followed by Chungnam Province and Jeonnam Province. In contrast, the radical-scavenging activities of GLF did not correlate with compounds 4–6 (furanocoumarins) and were predicted to be related to compounds 1–3. These differences in chemical composition and biological functions are consistent with differences in environmental conditions. Therefore, GLF with high amounts of flavonoid compounds such as rutin and isoquercitrin could potentially be utilized as herbal medicines; however, further research into their additional biological effects is needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Isolation, Characterization and Biological Activities)

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10 pages, 1231 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Species-Specific PCR Differentiates Two Causal Agents of Hazel Powdery Mildew and Reveals the Occurrence of Erysiphe corylacearum

by Klementina Kalmár, Katalin Borostyán, Orsolya Molnár, János Ágoston, Éva Preininger and Márk Z. Németh

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 763; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070763 - 19 Jul 2024

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Abstract

The demand for common hazel (Corylus avellana) fruit increases constantly. Powdery mildew (PM) on hazels in Hungary and throughout Europe was previously caused mainly by Phyllactinia guttata. However, less than a decade ago, another fungus of Asian origin, Erysiphe corylacearum [...] Read more.

The demand for common hazel (Corylus avellana) fruit increases constantly. Powdery mildew (PM) on hazels in Hungary and throughout Europe was previously caused mainly by Phyllactinia guttata. However, less than a decade ago, another fungus of Asian origin, Erysiphe corylacearum, appeared on hazels in Europe, including Hungary. Our investigation aimed to develop a species-specific PCR (ssPCR) to aid the identification of P. guttata and E. corylacearum, and to assess the presence of the latter, non-native fungus in Hungary. For this study, 59 samples were collected from Hungary between 2021 and 2023. The chasmothecial morphology of the PM fungi was observed, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA was sequenced in representative samples. Morphological analysis distinguished two types of chasmothecia. Parts of the chasmothecia, typical of P. guttata, were flattened and spherical with bristle-like appendages, while other chasmothecia, characteristic of E. corylacearum, were distinctly smaller, bearing appendages with branched apices. Sequence data also verified the presence of P. guttata and E. corylacearum in our samples. The developed ssPCR revealed that E. corylacearum was present in more than three-quarters of the samples, more than a quarter of the samples contained both fungi and about one-fifth carried solely P. guttata. The alien fungus E. corylacearum was found in all but one of the sampled regions and was found on C. avellana and also on C. colurna. Erysiphe corylacearum spreads rapidly and can be considered an invasive pathogen. Its practical importance lies in its ability to infect hazelnuts, potentially causing economic losses. Our ssPCR ensures accurate and quick identification of the fungus, which is essential for effective plant protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Pathology and Disease Management (PPDM))

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20 pages, 10163 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification of Litchi SPL Gene Family and Expression Analysis in Pericarp Anthocyanin Biosynthesis

by Ziqiang Xu, Jiayun Wu, Xiangyang Jing, Faiza Shafique Khan, Yanzhao Chen, Zhe Chen, Hongna Zhang and Yongzan Wei

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 762; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070762 - 18 Jul 2024

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Abstract

During the ripening of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruit, anthocyanin biosynthesis is crucial in providing vibrant coloring. Previous studies on anthocyanin-related transcription factors have made significant discoveries relating to plants. However, the role of the SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein-like (SPL) [...] Read more.

During the ripening of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruit, anthocyanin biosynthesis is crucial in providing vibrant coloring. Previous studies on anthocyanin-related transcription factors have made significant discoveries relating to plants. However, the role of the SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein-like (SPL) transcription factors in anthocyanin biosynthesis has rarely been studied in litchi. SPL genes are widely involved in the developmental mechanisms of plants. In this study, a total of 17 SPL genes have been identified from the litchi genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these genes were divided into eight groups (Group I-VIII). Analysis of gene structure conserved domains, conserved motifs, and miR156 target prediction showed that LcSPLs were highly conserved during evolution. RNA-seq analysis of litchi revealed that six LcSPL genes have a role in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis. Further, weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) revealed LcSPL7’s role in anthocyanin synthesis and chlorophyll degradation in litchi fruit ripening. These findings collectively suggest that the LcSPL gene family plays an essential role in anthocyanin biosynthesis in litchi pericarp. In summary, comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the SPL family expands our understanding of anthocyanin synthesis in litchi pericarp. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Recent Scientific Developments in Genetics, Genomics, and Breeding of Fruit Trees)

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21 pages, 1465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Cold Tolerance of Stenotaphrum Trin Plants by Integrating Their Performance at Both Fall Dormancy and Spring Green-Up

by Jia Qu, Dong-Li Hao, Jin-Yan Zhou, Jing-Bo Chen, Dao-Jin Sun, Jian-Xiu Liu, Jun-Qin Zong and Zhi-Yong Wang

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070761 - 18 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Owing to the poor cold tolerance of Stenotaphrum Trin and the urgent need for shade-tolerant grass species in temperate regions of East China, this study evaluated the cold tolerance of 55 Stenotaphrum accessions, aiming to provide shade-tolerant materials for temperate regions. A fine [...] Read more.

Owing to the poor cold tolerance of Stenotaphrum Trin and the urgent need for shade-tolerant grass species in temperate regions of East China, this study evaluated the cold tolerance of 55 Stenotaphrum accessions, aiming to provide shade-tolerant materials for temperate regions. A fine cold-tolerant turfgrass should have both the advantages of delayed fall dormancy and early spring green-up. However, previous research on the cold resistance of turfgrass has mainly focused on the performance of the spring green-up, with less attention paid to the fall dormancy, which has affected the ornamental and application value of turfgrass. This study first dynamically investigated the leaf colour of each accession during the fall dormancy and the coverage during the spring green-up and evaluated the cold resistance of the accession through membership functions and cluster analysis. Significant differences in the cold resistance were found with the assignment of breeding lines to four categories. The weak correlation (R² = 0.1682) between leaf colour during the fall dormancy and coverage during the spring green-up indicates that using the performance of a single period to represent the cold resistance of accessions is not appropriate. To test whether using the laboratory-based LT50 and stolon regrowth rating analysis can replace the above-improved method, we conducted a related analysis and found that the fit between these two methods is very poor. This phenomenon is attributed to the poor correlation between the laboratory-based parameters and the pot-investigated data. Therefore, this study presents a cold resistance evaluation method for Stenotaphrum that integrates performance in both the fall dormancy and spring green-up periods. This improved evaluation method cannot be simplified by the growth performance of a single period or replaced by using laboratory-based LT50 and stolon regrowth tests. With the help of this improved method, several excellent cold tolerance accessions (ST003, S13, and S12) were identified for temperate regions of East China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tolerance and Response of Ornamental Plants to Abiotic Stress)

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1 pages, 132 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Sharma et al. Estimation of Heterosis and the Combining Ability Effect for Yield and Its Attributes in Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Using PCA and GGE Biplots. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 256

by Amit Sharma, Rajesh Yadav, Ravika Sheoran, Deepak Kaushik, Tapan Kumar Mohanta, Kartik Sharma, Alpa Yadav, Parmdeep Singh Dhanda and Prashant Kaushik

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070760 - 18 Jul 2024

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Abstract

The Horticulturae Editorial Office wishes to make the following changes to the author’s paper [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advance in Germplasm Resources, Biotechnology and Genetic Breeding of Vegetable Crops)

9 pages, 2200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reference Gene Selection and Gene Expression Analysis during Gall Development of Zizania latifolia

by Yipeng Li, Huan Yi, Qing Gu, Zhaisheng Zheng, Mingxing Zhu, Xiaojun Zha, Shangfa Zhang and Mengfei Yang

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 759; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070759 - 18 Jul 2024

Viewed by 289

Abstract

The stem tips of Zizania latifolia at different development stages were used as research materials. The expression stability of nine candidate reference genes (ACT1, H2B, UBI, EF-1α, GAPDH, β-actin, 60S, SKIP and AQP) were [...] Read more.

The stem tips of Zizania latifolia at different development stages were used as research materials. The expression stability of nine candidate reference genes (ACT1, H2B, UBI, EF-1α, GAPDH, β-actin, 60S, SKIP and AQP) were evaluated using qRT-PCR. The data were analyzed with GeNorm and NormFinder software. Present results indicated that the expression of ACT1 was stable and that it could be used as the optimal reference gene for studying the development stage of gall formation. ACT1 was selected as the reference gene to verify the expression level of the correlative genes in the gall formation stage of Z. latifolia. Our results were consistent with the previous transcriptome sequencing results. This study revealed that ACT1 was the classic reference gene for the analysis of correlative genes in all of the gall development stages of Z. latifolia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Developmental Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology)

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13 pages, 1567 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Escherichia coli Inoculation Decreases the Photosynthetic Performance on Tomato Plants: Clarifying the Impact of Human Commensal Bacteria on Transient Plant Hosts

by Anicia Gomes, Conceição Santos, Lia-Tânia Dinis and Rafael J. Mendes

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 758; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070758 - 17 Jul 2024

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Abstract

The commensal/pathogenic Escherichia coli affects humans and animals, being present in diverse environmental niches, possibly surviving due to its adaptation to transient plant hosts like crops, increasing the risk of foodborne diseases. E. coli interaction with the plant host remains unknown, particularly the [...] Read more.

The commensal/pathogenic Escherichia coli affects humans and animals, being present in diverse environmental niches, possibly surviving due to its adaptation to transient plant hosts like crops, increasing the risk of foodborne diseases. E. coli interaction with the plant host remains unknown, particularly the impacts on photosynthesis. We hypothesize that E. coli influences the tomato transient host’s photosynthetic capacity. To validate this hypothesis, we exposed 57-day-old tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) to different inoculation conditions, namely, non-inoculated plants (negative control, C−); plants directly injected with E. coli SL6.1 (10⁷ CFU/mL) (positive control, C+); plants irrigated one time with E. coli SL6.1 (10⁷ CFU/mL); and plants chronically irrigated with E. coli SL6.1 (10⁴ CFU/mL). No significant changes were observed in chlorophyll fluorescence, pigments’ contents, morphological aspects, and fruiting in all conditions. However, irrigated plants (chronically and one-time contaminated) had decreased stomatal conductance (gs, 31.07 and 34.42 mol m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively, vs. 53.43 and 48.08 mol m⁻² s⁻¹ in C− and C+, respectively), transpiration rate (E, 0.32 and 0.35 mol m⁻² s⁻¹ in chronically and one-time contaminated conditions vs. 0.57 and 0.48 mol m⁻² s⁻¹ in C− and C+, respectively), and a trend of increased intrinsic carboxylation (Ci, 384 and 361 ppm in chronically and one-time irrigated plants vs. 321 and 313 ppm in C− and C+, respectively). The one-time inoculated plants presented more severe effects than the remaining conditions, with lower net photosynthetic rate (P_N, 0.93 vs. 3.94–5.96 μmol (CO₂) m⁻² s⁻¹ in the other conditions), intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE, 33.1 vs. 74.51–184.40 μmol (CO₂)/mmol (H₂O) in the chronically irrigated and the control plants), and intrinsic carboxylation efficiency (iCE, 0.003 vs. 0.012–0.022 μmol (CO₂)/ppm in the remaining conditions). Our data support that some observed effects are similar to those associated with phytopathogenic bacteria. Lastly, we propose that the decrease in some parameters of gas exchange requires direct contact with the leaf/stomata, and is mainly observed for high concentrations of E. coli. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Pathology and Disease Management (PPDM))

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14 pages, 2596 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occurrence of Wetness on the Fruit Surface Modeled Using Spatio-Temporal Temperature Data from Sweet Cherry Tree Canopies

by Nicolas Tapia-Zapata, Andreas Winkler and Manuela Zude-Sasse

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 757; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070757 - 17 Jul 2024

Viewed by 492

Abstract

Typically, fruit cracking in sweet cherry is associated with the occurrence of free water at the fruit surface level due to direct (rain and fog) and indirect (cold exposure and dew) mechanisms. Recent advances in close range remote sensing have enabled the monitoring [...] Read more.

Typically, fruit cracking in sweet cherry is associated with the occurrence of free water at the fruit surface level due to direct (rain and fog) and indirect (cold exposure and dew) mechanisms. Recent advances in close range remote sensing have enabled the monitoring of the temperature distribution with high spatial resolution based on light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and thermal imaging. The fusion of LiDAR-derived geometric 3D point clouds and merged thermal data provides spatially resolved temperature data at the fruit level as LiDAR 4D point clouds. This paper aimed to investigate the thermal behavior of sweet cherry canopies using this new method with emphasis on the surface temperature of fruit around the dew point. Sweet cherry trees were stored in a cold chamber (6 °C) and subsequently scanned at different time intervals at room temperature. A total of 62 sweet cherry LiDAR 4D point clouds were identified. The estimated temperature distribution was validated by means of manual reference readings (n = 40), where average

R^{2}

values of 0.70 and 0.94 were found for ideal and real scenarios, respectively. The canopy density was estimated using the ratio of the number of LiDAR points of fruit related to the canopy. The occurrence of wetness on the surface of sweet cherry was visually assessed and compared to an estimated dew point (

Y_{d e w}

) index. At mean

Y_{d e w}

of 1.17, no wetness was observed on the fruit surface. The canopy density ratio had a marginal impact on the thermal kinetics and the occurrence of wetness on the surface of sweet cherry in the slender spindle tree architecture. The modelling of fruit surface wetness based on estimated fruit temperature distribution can support ecophysiological studies on tree architectures considering resilience against climate change and in studies on physiological disorders of fruit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based, Proximal and Remote Sensing in Orchards and Vineyards — State of the Art, Challenges, Data Fusion and Integration)

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22 pages, 4568 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Shelf Life of Yellow Passion Fruit with an Edible Biocomposite Coating Based on Chitosan, Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles, and Beeswax

by Wedson Aleff Oliveira da Silva, Edna Maria Mendes Aroucha, Nícolas Oliveira de Araújo, Francisco Klebson Gomes dos Santos, José Francismar de Medeiros, Arthur Lira Vasconcelos de Sousa, Luiz Paulo de Oliveira Queiroz and Ricardo Henrique de Lima Leite

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 756; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070756 - 17 Jul 2024

Viewed by 456

Abstract

Yellow or sour passion fruit is a climacteric fruit with a high rate of respiration and ethylene production, and postharvest technology is needed to extend its shelf life. This study investigated the properties of a biocomposite film with chitosan (CH) incorporated with beeswax [...] Read more.

Yellow or sour passion fruit is a climacteric fruit with a high rate of respiration and ethylene production, and postharvest technology is needed to extend its shelf life. This study investigated the properties of a biocomposite film with chitosan (CH) incorporated with beeswax (BW) and graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles for use as an edible coating to extend the shelf life of yellow passion fruit at 22 °C and 70% RH for eight days. CH films associated with BW showed lower water vapor permeability (WVP) than films with CH alone. However, adding GO to the CH + BW biopolymer matrix improved the WVP, decreased the solubility (12.8%), and increased the opacity of the film by 9% compared to those of the CH film. Fruits coated with CH + BW or CH + BW + GO exhibited a reduction in respiration rate, a slower ripening process by approximately 3 days, and a significant decrease in weight loss. This also resulted in a higher soluble solids content and increased antioxidative capacity of the pulp. The incorporation of GO into the CH + BW matrix resulted in a more pronounced delay of fruit ripening, as evidenced by the lower depigmentation of the peel at eight days, with a lightness approximately 10.7% lower at 54.92, a chroma value 16.5% lower at 49.33, a hue angle 7.2% higher at 92.56, a soluble solid (SS) content 16.7% higher at 11.32°Brix, and an acidity 31.9% higher at 4.18% compared to the control. Furthermore, the biopolymer packaging led to a higher consumer acceptance score for the fruit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Application of Edible Coatings on Fruits and Vegetables)

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17 pages, 13038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of the Nuclear Factor Y Gene Family in the Woodland Strawberry Fragaria vesca

by Yang Zhou, Feiyan Gao, Wenjie Zhao, Tianjia Liu and Mengzhao Wang

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 755; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070755 - 17 Jul 2024

Viewed by 479

Abstract

Nuclear factor Ys (NF-Ys) are heterotrimeric transcription factors that specifically bind to CCAAT boxes present in numerous eukaryotic promoters. In plants, NF-Y proteins consist of the following three subunits: NF-YA, NF-YB, and NF-YC, each encoded by a gene family. Accumulating [...] Read more.

Nuclear factor Ys (NF-Ys) are heterotrimeric transcription factors that specifically bind to CCAAT boxes present in numerous eukaryotic promoters. In plants, NF-Y proteins consist of the following three subunits: NF-YA, NF-YB, and NF-YC, each encoded by a gene family. Accumulating evidence underscores the crucial roles of NF-Y proteins in various plant development processes and stress responses, such as embryogenesis, flowering time control, drought tolerance, and heat tolerance. Despite this, a comprehensive genome-wide overview of the NF-Y gene family in strawberries is lacking. To bridge this gap, this study was conducted to identify and characterize the NF-Ys in Fragaria vesca. The investigation revealed the presence of six NF-YA, twelve NF-YB, and five NF-YC members in F. vesca. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the FveNF-Ys was performed, including their phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, chromosomal locations, and conserved domains. MiRNA target site prediction found that there were 30 miRNA target sites in 12 (52.2%) FveNF-Y genes. Additionally, the expression profiles of different tissues and developmental stages demonstrated tissue-specific expression patterns among certain members of each NF-Y subfamily. This observation suggests that specific NF-Y subfamily members may play unique roles in different tissues or stages of development. Furthermore, the transient expression assay demonstrated that three selected FveNF-Ys were localized in the nucleus. Our study represents a pioneering effort in the systemic analyses of FveNF-Y genes and will be useful in understanding the functional characterization of NF-Y genes in Fragaria species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Recent Scientific Developments in Genetics, Genomics, and Breeding of Fruit Trees)

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14 pages, 973 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

An Overview of N₂O Emissions from Cropping Systems and Current Strategies to Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency

by Antonio Manco, Matteo Giaccone, Terenzio Zenone, Andrea Onofri, Francesco Tei, Michela Farneselli, Mara Gabbrielli, Marina Allegrezza, Alessia Perego, Vincenzo Magliulo and Luca Vitale

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070754 - 17 Jul 2024

Viewed by 604

Abstract

Arable soils significantly contribute to atmosphere pollution through N₂O emissions due to the massive use of N-based fertilizers and soil managements. N₂O formation in the soil occurs mainly through nitrification and denitrification processes, which are influenced by soil moisture, [...] Read more.

Arable soils significantly contribute to atmosphere pollution through N₂O emissions due to the massive use of N-based fertilizers and soil managements. N₂O formation in the soil occurs mainly through nitrification and denitrification processes, which are influenced by soil moisture, temperature, oxygen concentration, pH, and the amount of available organic carbon and nitrogen. This review synthetically presents the mechanisms of N₂O formation and emission in arable land and some of the current strategies to improve crop nutrient use efficiency. Biological nitrification inhibitor-based agronomic strategies are also presented as future prospects for the sustainable management of crops, which is missing in most of the reviews. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Strategies and Practices for Soil Fertility Management)

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20 pages, 5198 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Impact of Soil Management Practices on Soil Culturable Bacteriota and Species Diversity in Central European a Productive Vineyard under Warm and Dry Conditions

by Vladimír Šimanský, Miroslava Kačániová, Martin Juriga, Natália Čmiková, Petra Borotová, Elena Aydın and Elzbieta Wójcik-Gront

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 753; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070753 - 16 Jul 2024

Viewed by 525

Abstract

Sustainable management practices are crucial for the longevity of a monoculture vineyard, especially in the context of a changing climate. Therefore, soil management practices in a vineyard (T: tillage, T+FYM: tillage + farmyard manure, G: grass strips, G+NPK1: grass strips + rational rates [...] Read more.

Sustainable management practices are crucial for the longevity of a monoculture vineyard, especially in the context of a changing climate. Therefore, soil management practices in a vineyard (T: tillage, T+FYM: tillage + farmyard manure, G: grass strips, G+NPK1: grass strips + rational rates of NPK, and G+NPK2: grass strips + higher rates of NPK) were tested in a temperate climate of Slovakia (Central Europe) under specific soil conditions (Rendzic Leptosol). We investigated the influence of continuous cropping on soil chemical properties and microbial communities during the dry and warm year of 2022. The results showed that the soil pH was higher by 19%, 21%, 24% and 13% in T, T+FYM, G and G+NPK1, respectively, compared to G+NPK2. The lowest soil organic matter (SOM) content was found in T, and it increased in the following order: T < T+FYM < G+NPK2 < G+NPK1 < G. Similarly, the lowest abundance of soil culturable bacteriota was found in T and it increased in the following order: T < T+FYM = G+NPK2 < G+NPK1< G. Culturable bacteriota was identified using mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper). The most numerous species group was Bacillus, followed by Lactobacillus > Staphylococcus > Pseudomonas. The most frequently isolated species were Bacillus megaterium (16.55%), Bacillus cereus (5.80%), Bacillus thuringiensis (4.87%), and Bacillus simplex (4.37%). Positive relationships between SOM and soil culturable bacteriota were found in the G and G+NPK1 treatments. Temperature also affected soil culturable bacteriota in all soil management practices, most significantly in G+NPK1. Overall, the best scenario for the sustainable management of a productive vineyard is the use of grass strips. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops)

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11 pages, 1462 KiB

Open AccessArticle

NGS-Based Multi-Allelic InDel Genotyping and Fingerprinting Facilitate Genetic Discrimination in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

by Guiying Jia, Na Zhang, Yingxia Yang, Qingdong Jin, Jianfu Jiang, Hong Zhang, Yutong Guo, Qian Wang, He Zhang, Jianjin Wu, Rui Chen, Jianquan Huang and Mingjie Lyu

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 752; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070752 - 16 Jul 2024

Viewed by 402

Abstract

Molecular markers play a crucial role in marker-assisted breeding and varietal identification. However, the application of insertion/deletion markers (InDels) in grapevines has been limited by the low throughput and separability of gel electrophoresis. To developed effective InDel markers for grapevines, this study reports [...] Read more.

Molecular markers play a crucial role in marker-assisted breeding and varietal identification. However, the application of insertion/deletion markers (InDels) in grapevines has been limited by the low throughput and separability of gel electrophoresis. To developed effective InDel markers for grapevines, this study reports a novel, effective and high-throughput pipeline for InDel marker development and identification. After rigorous filtering, 11 polymorphic multi-allelic InDel markers were selected. These markers were then used to perform genetic identification of 123 elite grape cultivars using agarose gel electrophoresis and next-generation sequencing (NGS). The polymorphism rate of the InDel markers identified by gels was 37.92%, while the NGS-based results demonstrated a higher polymorphism rate of 61.12%. Finally, the NGS-based fingerprints successfully distinguished 122 grape varieties (99.19%), surpassing the gels, which could distinguish 116 grape varieties (94.31%). Specifically, we constructed phylogenetic trees based on the genotyping results from both gels and NGS. The population structure revealed by the NGS-based markers displayed three primary clusters, consisting of the patterns of the evolutionary divergence and geographical origin of the grapevines. Our work provides an efficient workflow for multi-allelic InDel marker development and practical tools for the genetic discrimination of grape cultivars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Molecular Breeding of Fruit Tree Species)

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17 pages, 978 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resistances and Physiological Responses of Impatiens uliginosa to Copper Stress

by Jiapeng Zhu, Xinyi Li, Haiquan Huang and Meijuan Huang

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070751 - 16 Jul 2024

Viewed by 432

Abstract

The phytoremediation of soil and water that has been significantly contaminated with metals has potential ecological and economical ramifications, as well as the advantages of high efficiency, and is an environmentally friendly method of ecological pollution control. This study aimed to examine the [...] Read more.

The phytoremediation of soil and water that has been significantly contaminated with metals has potential ecological and economical ramifications, as well as the advantages of high efficiency, and is an environmentally friendly method of ecological pollution control. This study aimed to examine the impact of varying concentrations of Copper (Cu²⁺) (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg·L⁻¹) on the growth, development, physiology, biochemistry, mineral elements, and features of Cu²⁺ enrichment of Impatiens uliginosa. This plant is endemic to Yunnan Province in China and is a wetland species. The results showed that the root lengths, stem diameters, plant height, and stem and leaf biomass of I. uliginosa showed a phenomenon of “low promotion and high inhibition,” while the root biomass showed a trend of gradual decreasing. At the early stage of Cu²⁺ stress (day 6), the activities of peroxidase and catalase and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) of I. uliginosa were directly proportional to the concentration of Cu²⁺. As the treatment time increased, the activation of a defense mechanism in vivo enabled I. uliginosa to adapt to the high Cu²⁺ environment, and the content of MDA gradually decreased. As the concentration of Cu²⁺ increased, its contents in the roots, stems, and leaves also gradually increased. In particular, when the concentration of Cu²⁺ reached 25 mg·L⁻¹, its contents in the roots of I. uliginosa increased by 39.16-fold compared with that of the control group (CK). The concentration-dependent influence of the contents of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in the roots and leaves were observed. Low concentrations of Cu²⁺ promoted iron content in roots and leaves, and vice versa, while Zn content decreased with the increasing concentration of Cu²⁺. It was conclusively shown that I. uliginosa has the potential to remediate low concentrations of Cu²⁺ pollution in water and is a textbook ornamental plant to remediate bodies of water that are polluted with Cu²⁺. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physiological and Molecular Biology of Ornamental Plants—2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 2264 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Xylem Vessel Size Is Related to Grapevine Susceptibility to Phaeomoniella chlamydospora

by Donato Gerin, Nicola Chimienti, Angelo Agnusdei, Francesco Mannerucci, Rita Milvia De Miccolis Angelini, Francesco Faretra and Stefania Pollastro

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070750 - 16 Jul 2024

Viewed by 419

Abstract

Grapevine trunk diseases are a threat to table- and grape-wine cultivation worldwide. Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch) is a vascular fungus recognized as one of the most important pathogens associated with grapevine trunk diseases. The relationships between xylem vessel features and Pch susceptibility of 10 [...] Read more.

Grapevine trunk diseases are a threat to table- and grape-wine cultivation worldwide. Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch) is a vascular fungus recognized as one of the most important pathogens associated with grapevine trunk diseases. The relationships between xylem vessel features and Pch susceptibility of 10 table- and 17 wine-grape genotypes, as well as 3 rootstocks, were investigated by image analysis of 50 µm cross-sections and artificial Pch inoculation on one-year-old vine cuttings. Vessels were grouped in the diameter classes 1–30, 31–60, 61–90, 91–120, and >120 µm. Among the table-grape varieties, ‘Sable’, ‘Timco’, and ‘Red Globe’ showed higher densities of large vessels (>120 μm) than ‘Italia’, ‘Sugar Crisp’, and ‘Sugraone’. Among the wine-grape varieties, ‘Minutolo’, ‘Montepulciano’, ‘Primitivo’ CDTa19, and ‘Verdeca’ showed higher densities of large vessels than ‘Aglianico’, ‘Nero di Troia’, ‘Sangiovese’, and ‘Susumaniello’. In the rootstocks, the vessel diameters were 50.8, 54.0, and 60.9 μm for ‘34 E.M.’, ‘140 Ruggieri’, and ‘1103 Paulsen’, in that order. For table-grape varieties, Pch was re-isolated from 13.3% for ‘Sugar Crisp’ and ‘Sugraone’ cuttings up to 93.3% for ‘Timco’. For wine-grape varieties, Pch re-isolation ranged from 51.1% (‘Bombino nero’, ‘Negroamaro’ D15, and ‘Sangiovese’) to 81.1% (‘Montepulciano’), while for the rootstocks, the values were from 33 to 51%. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a positive correlation between the frequencies of large vessels and Pch re-isolation. In addition, in wine grapes and rootstocks, higher Pch re-isolation frequencies in the lateral parts of cuttings were correlated (r = 0.79) to a higher frequency of large vessels. The results highlight relationships between grapevine xylem vessel sizes and susceptibility to P. chlamydospora that are worthy of further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Pathology and Disease Management (PPDM))

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1 pages, 131 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Yadav et al. Assessment of Gene Action and Identification of Heterotic Hybrids for Enhancing Yield in Field Pea. Horticulturae 2023, 9, 997

by Indu Yadav, Vijay Sharma, Mukul Kumar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Anuj Mishra, Vivek Singh, Parmdeep Singh Dhanda, Alpa Yadav, Manisha Yadav, Shalesh Kumar Singh, Kamaluddin, Pawan Kumar Prajapati, Prashant Kaushik and Vaishali Gangwar

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 749; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070749 - 16 Jul 2024

Viewed by 157

Abstract

The Horticulturae Editorial Office wishes to make the following changes to the author’s paper [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding by Design: Advances in Vegetables)

19 pages, 5408 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Can Multi-Temporal Vegetation Indices and Machine Learning Algorithms Be Used for Estimation of Groundnut Canopy State Variables?

by Shaikh Yassir Yousouf Jewan, Ajit Singh, Lawal Billa, Debbie Sparkes, Erik Murchie, Deepak Gautam, Alessia Cogato and Vinay Pagay

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 748; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070748 - 16 Jul 2024

Viewed by 525

Abstract

The objective of this research was to assess the feasibility of remote sensing (RS) technology, specifically an unmanned aerial system (UAS), to estimate Bambara groundnut canopy state variables including leaf area index (LAI), canopy chlorophyll content (CCC), aboveground biomass (AGB), and fractional vegetation [...] Read more.

The objective of this research was to assess the feasibility of remote sensing (RS) technology, specifically an unmanned aerial system (UAS), to estimate Bambara groundnut canopy state variables including leaf area index (LAI), canopy chlorophyll content (CCC), aboveground biomass (AGB), and fractional vegetation cover (FVC). RS and ground data were acquired during Malaysia’s 2018/2019 Bambara groundnut growing season at six phenological stages; vegetative, flowering, podding, podfilling, maturity, and senescence. Five vegetation indices (VIs) were determined from the RS data, resulting in single-stage VIs and cumulative VIs (∑VIs). Pearson’s correlation was used to investigate the relationship between canopy state variables and single stage VIs and ∑VIs over several stages. Linear parametric and non-linear non-parametric machine learning (ML) regressions including CatBoost Regressor (CBR), Random Forest Regressor (RFR), AdaBoost Regressor (ABR), Huber Regressor (HR), Multiple Linear Regressor (MLR), Theil-Sen Regressor (TSR), Partial Least Squares Regressor (PLSR), and Ridge Regressor (RR) were used to estimate canopy state variables using VIs/∑VIs as input. The best single-stage correlations between canopy state variables and VIs were observed at flowering (r > 0.50 in most cases). Moreover, ∑VIs acquired from vegetative to senescence stage had the strongest correlation with all measured canopy state variables (r > 0.70 in most cases). In estimating AGB, MLR achieved the best testing performance (R² = 0.77, RMSE = 0.30). For CCC, RFR excelled with R² of 0.85 and RMSE of 2.88. Most models performed well in FVC estimation with testing R² of 0.98–0.99 and low RMSE. For LAI, MLR stood out in testing with R² of 0.74, and RMSE of 0.63. Results demonstrate the UAS-based RS technology potential for estimating Bambara groundnut canopy variables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Horticulture: Latest Advances and Prospects)

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6 pages, 185 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Advancement in Propagation, Breeding, Cultivation, and Marketing of Ornamentals

by Margherita Beruto, Emmy Dhooghe and Bruce Dunn

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 747; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070747 - 16 Jul 2024

Viewed by 343

Abstract

Ornamental horticulture is an important branch of horticulture addressed to grow and market plants or cut flowers used for decorative purposes and landscape design [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancement in Propagation, Breeding, Cultivation and Marketing of Ornamentals)

13 pages, 2036 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Potential of Crotalaria juncea L. for Phytoremediation: Insights from Gas Exchange, Pigment Quantification, and Growth Measurements under Copper Stress

by Beatriz Silvério dos Santos, Gabriel Wanderley Mendonça, Tassia Caroline Ferreira, Nayane Cristina Pires Bomfim, Isabella Fiorini de Carvalho, Jailson Vieira Aguilar and Liliane Santos Camargos

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070746 - 15 Jul 2024

Viewed by 392

Abstract

Soil contamination by trace elements is a worldwide concern that can result from several sources, such as mining, smelting, car traffic exhaust, agriculture plant protection products such as fungicides, and fertilizers. Among the metals involved, copper can cause alterations in the photosynthetic, respiratory, [...] Read more.

Soil contamination by trace elements is a worldwide concern that can result from several sources, such as mining, smelting, car traffic exhaust, agriculture plant protection products such as fungicides, and fertilizers. Among the metals involved, copper can cause alterations in the photosynthetic, respiratory, and enzymatic processes of plants, leading to reduced growth of roots and shoots. An alternative to dealing with metals present in the soil is phytoremediation, which consists of using plants to extract or stabilize these elements. The leguminous Crotalaria juncea is widely used as a green manure and may be advantageous due to its capacity for biological nitrogen fixation and biomass accumulation. This research aimed to evaluate the growth and physiological behaviour of C. juncea in copper-contaminated soil and its potential use as a phytoremediation plant. For the fresh and dry mass of shoots and roots, compared with 30 mg.dm⁻³ of Cu, there was a decrease in values with the increase in concentrations up to a dose of 480 mg.dm⁻³. The roots were less sensitive to increased Cu concentrations than the shoots. The tolerance index decreased as copper concentrations in the soil increased. From 60 mg.dm⁻³, its vegetative growth decreased, but C. Juncea was able to tolerate and accumulate copper in the root system, presenting high potential as a phytostabilizing species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Stress Physiology and Resistance Regulation in Horticultural Plants)

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18 pages, 9936 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Transcriptome and Metabolome to Elucidate the Mechanism of Aluminum-Induced Blue-Turning of Hydrangea Sepals

by Wenfang Li, Penghu Lei, Tingting Zhu, Huijun Zhang, Hui Jiang and Haixia Chen

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070745 - 15 Jul 2024

Viewed by 377

Abstract

Hydrangea macrophylla is an ornamental plant with varied calyx colors. Interestingly, from red, to purple, to blue, the colors of all Hydrangea macrophylla are formed by unique delphinidin-3-O-glucoside and aluminum ions (Al³⁺) and 5-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid. The sepals of ‘Blue Mama’ changed [...] Read more.

Hydrangea macrophylla is an ornamental plant with varied calyx colors. Interestingly, from red, to purple, to blue, the colors of all Hydrangea macrophylla are formed by unique delphinidin-3-O-glucoside and aluminum ions (Al³⁺) and 5-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid. The sepals of ‘Blue Mama’ changed from pink to blue, and the contents of delphinidin-3-O-glucoside and aluminum ions increased under 3 g/L aluminum sulfate treatment. However, the mechanism of the effect of aluminum ions on the synthesis and metabolism of anthocyanins in Hydrangea macrophylla is still unclear. In this project, transcriptome sequencing and anthocyanin metabolome analysis were performed on the sepals of ‘Blue Mama’ during flower development at the bud stage (S1), discoloration stage (S2) and full-bloom stage (S3) under aluminum treatment. It was found that delphinidin, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside and delphinidin-3-O-galactoside were the main differential metabolites. The structural genes CHS, F3H, ANS, DFR and BZI in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway were up-regulated with the deepening in sepal color. There was no significant difference between the aluminum treatment and the non-aluminum treatment groups. However, seven transcription factors were up-regulated and expressed to regulate anthocyanin synthesis genes CHS, F3H, BZI and 4CL, promoting the sepals to turn blue. The KEGG enrichment pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that the glutathione metabolism and the ABC transporter pathway were closely related to anthocyanin synthesis and aluminum-ion transport. GST (Hma1.2p1_0158F.1_g069560.gene) may be involved in the vacuolar transport of anthocyanins. The expression of anthocyanin transporter genes ABCC1 (Hma1.2p1_0021F.1_g014400.gene), ABCC2 (Hma1.2p1_0491F.1_g164450.gene) and aluminum transporter gene ALS3 (Hma1.2p1_0111F.1_g053440.gene) were significantly up-regulated in the aluminum treatment group, which may be an important reason for promoting the transport of anthocyanin and aluminum ions to vacuoles and making the sepals blue. These results preliminarily clarified the mechanism of aluminum ion in the synthesis and transport of anthocyanin in Hydrangea macrophylla, laying a foundation for the further study of the formation mechanism of ‘blue complex’ in Hydrangea macrophylla. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress Responses in Ornamental Crops: The State of the Art 2024)

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14 pages, 3000 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chloroplast Genome Profiling and Phylogenetic Insights of the “Qixiadaxiangshui” Pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.1)

by Huijun Jiao, Qiming Chen, Chi Xiong, Hongwei Wang, Kun Ran, Ran Dong, Xiaochang Dong, Qiuzhu Guan and Shuwei Wei

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070744 - 15 Jul 2024

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Abstract

The “Qixiadaxiangshui” pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.1) is a highly valued cultivar known for its crisp texture, abundant juice, and rich aroma. In this study, we reported the first complete chloroplast genome sequence of the “Qixiadaxiangshui” pear, which is 159,885 bp in length [...] Read more.

The “Qixiadaxiangshui” pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.1) is a highly valued cultivar known for its crisp texture, abundant juice, and rich aroma. In this study, we reported the first complete chloroplast genome sequence of the “Qixiadaxiangshui” pear, which is 159,885 bp in length with a GC content of 36.58%. The genome exhibits a typical circular quadripartite structure, comprising a large single-copy region (LSC), a small single-copy region (SSC), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs). A total of 131 genes were identified, including 84 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 37 tRNA genes. We also identified 209 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and several mutation hotspots, such as ndhC-trnM-CAU and trnR-UCU-atpA, which can be applied in molecular identification and phylogenetic studies of Pyrus. Comparative genomic analysis showed high conservation among ten pear cultivars. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the “Qixiadaxiangshui” pear is closely related to germplasm Dangshansuli, Wonwhang, and Yali, suggesting a recent common ancestor. These findings provided valuable insights into the genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of the Pyrus species and contribute to the conservation and breeding of pear germplasm resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops)

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Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Extraction Method of Bioactive Compounds from Elderberries (Sambucus nigra L.) and Testing Extract Stability

by Oana-Elena Pascariu, Luís Guimarães Dias and Florentina Israel-Roming

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 743; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070743 - 15 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Phenolic compounds from elderberries (Sambucus nigra L.) have attracted attention due to their potential health benefits. This paper examines different extraction methods used to obtain phenolic compounds from these fruits and the stability of the extracts. Several extraction techniques (extraction with continuous [...] Read more.

Phenolic compounds from elderberries (Sambucus nigra L.) have attracted attention due to their potential health benefits. This paper examines different extraction methods used to obtain phenolic compounds from these fruits and the stability of the extracts. Several extraction techniques (extraction with continuous agitation, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, maceration, and enzyme-assisted extraction) were tested and compared to evaluate the yield and the quality of the extracts. The stability of the extracts with various storage parameters (time and temperature) and processing conditions (concentration and lyophilization) was also investigated. The results showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) provided the highest yield of total phenolic compounds (74.89 mg GAE/g), of which 71.23% were represented by total anthocyanins and 62.50% by monomeric anthocyanins, with total flavonoids of 8.11–9.41 mg RUE/g. The analysis of individual phenolic compounds reconfirms the efficiency of UAE, obtaining 0.42–0.09 mg/g gallic acid, 0.59–0.01 mg/g chlorogenic acid, 0.17–0.03 mg/g 4-coumaric acid, and 2.43–0.01 mg/g rutin. The optimization of the extraction conditions led to the conclusion that the best solvent is 45% ethanol (v/v), and the optimal parameters are 40 °C for 40 min. It was also found that the stability of the extracts can be high during long periods of time (even after 180 days). These findings contribute to the understanding of the optimization of extraction processes and storage conditions to obtain extracts rich in phenolic compounds from elderberries, with potential uses in pharmaceutical and food applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds in Horticultural Plants—2nd Edition)

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Horticulturae, Volume 10, Issue 7 (July 2024) – 112 articles

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