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Microplastics (MP) are recognized as a major pollutant in terrestrial environments, prompting concerns about their effects on plant–soil dynamics. Despite evidence of MP altering soil physicochemical properties, impacts on belowground root traits and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi remain poorly explored. Existing research has mainly centred on a few model plant species, emphasizing root biomass, and often employs single polymer types and addition rates that surpass realistic scenarios.To investigate how environmentally relevant mixtures and concentrations of MPs impact plant growth, root trait expression and AM fungal colonization, we conducted a greenhouse experiment using six plant species chosen for their contrasting root life strategies; three species in the Amaryllidaceae family represented resource conservation root traits (Allium fistulosum (onion), Allium tuberosum (chive), Allium porrum (leek)), and three from the Solanaceae family, represented plants with resource acquisitive root traits (Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), Solanum melongena (eggplant), Capsicum annuum (pepper)). MP treatments consisted of control (0% MP), low (0.1% w/w) and high (1% w/w) MP additions, using an environmentally relevant MP mixture of weathered polymer types and shapes. We measured above and belowground biomass, average root trait expression (specific root length (SRL), average root diameter (D) and root tissue density (RTD)), AM fungal colonization, as well as intraspecific variability across MP addition treatments.We found that responses to environmentally relevant additions of MPs were species specific and not determined by root life‐strategy. MPs increased biomass in leek, eggplant and tomato, while decreasing AM fungal colonization in tomato. MP additions had no discernible impact on average root functional trait expression across species. However, the addition of MPs resulted in altered intraspecific variability in root traits and AM fungal colonization, indicating a mechanism for plant tolerance to MPs.To address the impacts of MPs on plant functioning, research needs to focus on environmentally relevant mixtures of MPs, considering various plant species' capacities to tolerate soil contamination and the potential for tipping points under real‐world conditions. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The AP2/ERF family constitutes one of the largest groups of transcription factors in the Solanaceae. AP2/ERF contributes to various plant biological processes, including growth, development, and responses to various stresses. The origins and functional diversification of AP2/ERF within the Solanaceae family remain poorly understood, primarily because of the complex interactions between whole-genome duplications (WGDs) and tandem duplications. In this study, a total of 1282 AP2/ERF proteins are identified from 7 Solanaceae genomes. The amplification of AP2/ERF genes was driven not only by WGDs but also by the presence of clusters of tandem duplicated genes. The conservation of synteny across different chromosomes provides compelling evidence for the impact of the WGD event on the distribution pattern of AP2/ERF genes. Distinct expression patterns suggest that the multiple copies of AP2/ERF genes evolved in different functional directions, catalyzing the diversification of roles among the duplicated genes, which was of great significance for the adaptability of Solanaceae. Gene silencing and overexpression assays suggest that ERF-1 members' role in regulating the timing of floral initiation in C. annuum. Our findings provide insights into the genomic origins, duplication events, and function divergence of the Solanaceae AP2/ERF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer remains a critical global health challenge, with limited progress in reducing mortality despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment. The growing resistance of tumors to existing chemotherapy exacerbates this burden. In response, the search for new anticancer compounds from plants has intensified, given their historical success in yielding effective treatments. This review focuses on α‐solanine, a glycoalkaloid primarily derived from potato tubers and nightshade family plants, recognized for its diverse biological activities, including anti‐allergic, antipyretic, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐diabetic, and antibiotic properties. Recently, α‐solanine has gained attention as a potential anticancer agent. Utilizing resources like PubMed/MedLine, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, the American Chemical Society, Google Scholar, Springer Link, Wiley, and various commercial websites, this review consolidates two decades of research on α‐solanine's anticancer effects and mechanisms against nine different cancers, highlighting its role in modulating various signaling pathways. It also discusses α‐solanine's potential as a lead compound in cancer therapy. The abundant availability of potato peel, often discarded as waste or sold cheaply, is suggested as a sustainable source for large‐scale α‐solanine extraction. The study concludes that α‐solanine holds promise as a standalone or adjunctive cancer treatment. However, further research is necessary to optimize this lead compound and mitigate its toxicity through various strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial wilt (BW) is caused by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) and can lead to severe losses in a wide range of crops, including many traditional African vegetables (TAV). Given the critical role of TAV in African food security, investigations of BW incidence, distribution, and effective breeding strategies are needed to support public and private TAV breeding programs. In this review, we address key questions related to the diversity of BW pathogens, susceptible TAV hosts, distribution, incidence, breeding strategies, sources of resistance, and gaps in the development of resistant TAV varieties in Africa. We also discuss the potential of multiomics integration to enhance our understanding of the host plant defense system against BW in Solanaceae crops. We curated BW strain databases obtained from several online platforms, representing a total of 948 BW strains. Using a refined database, we highlighted the diversity of RSSC and TAV crops affected by RSSC in different regions of Africa. Out of 29 species documented to be affected by BW in Africa, ten are TAV, including widely consumed TAV such as Amaranths and nightshades. In addition, phylotypes I and III are reported to affect TAV, and the incidence can reach up to 72.4% in farmers' fields. An overview of the first reports revealed that the disease has become a serious threat to TAV in the past decade. Finally, this review proposes a schematic map of possible avenues for successful breeding of BW-resistant TAV using Gboma eggplant as a case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Closely related and young species often show high morphological similarity, challenging their identification and correct assignment. Molecular markers and integrative approaches have contributed to solving many taxonomic uncertainties. In this study, we evaluated the genetic variability and ecological features of Petunia guarapuavensis and Petunia scheideana , over which there is a taxonomic debate. Both species are endemic and rare, distributed in the subtropical highland grasslands in southern South America. We based our analyses on nuclear microsatellite and plastid sequences, aiming to disentangle the taxonomic ambiguities that made some consider these entities synonymous despite occupying different clades in the genus phylogenetic tree. Our findings support that there is genetic differentiation between these species, suggesting that they are independent taxonomic entities despite sharing floral traits and a few molecular polymorphisms. The low genetic sharing between the species is likely due to a common ancestor and recent divergence time. In contrast, their morphological similarity can be attributed to the absence of selective pressure, as both grow under similar ecological conditions. This study emphasizes that adding more than one sequence per species, combining data with dissimilar inheritance patterns, and exploring data through different methodologies help to disentangle taxonomic incongruences and reveal diversity that might otherwise remain hidden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small, unspecialized flowers of Jaltomata antillana (Solanaceae), typical of island species, are likely allochthonous in origin given similar congeneric close relatives in the Andes. Floral nectar, produced continuously during the life of the flower, is yellowish in color and is UV absorptive, in contrast with the white UV reflecting corolla. The day the flower opens flowers are pistillate (anthers not yet presenting pollen) for only a few hours and then become functionally hermaphroditic (anthers dehisce). Within each flower there is length variation among the stamens, size variation among anthers, and staggered anther dehiscence, collectively an apparent pollen-dispensing mechanism. Flowers close each night both when the flower will be functional the next day and at floral senescence. In a pollinator-free greenhouse, 100% of the flowers that were manually self-pollinated set fruits; however, 29% of the tagged unmanipulated flowers set fruit. Autonomous self-pollination takes place at the end of the corolla's life and allows fruit and seed production in the absence of pollinators but results in fruits that are lighter and contain fewer seeds than fruits resulting from manual self-pollinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last 6 million years, the arid Australian Eremaean Zone (EZ) has remained as dry as it is today. A widely accepted hypothesis suggests that the flora and fauna of arid regions were more broadly distributed before aridification began. In Australia, this process started around 20 million years ago (Ma), leading to gradual speciation as the climate became increasingly arid. Here, we use genomic data to investigate the biogeography and timing of divergence of native allotetraploid tobaccos, Nicotiana section Suaveolentes (Solanaceae). The original allotetraploid migrants from South America were adapted to mesic areas of Australia and recently radiated in the EZ, including in sandy dune fields (only 1.2 Ma old), after developing drought adaptations. Coalescent and maximum likelihood analyses suggest that Nicotiana section Suaveolentes arrived on the continent around 6 Ma, with the ancestors of the Pilbara (Western Australian) lineages radiating there at the onset of extreme aridity 5 Ma by locally adapting to these various ancient, highly stable habitats. The Pilbara thus served as both a mesic refugium and cradle for adaptations to harsher conditions, due to its high topographical diversity, providing microhabitats with varying moisture levels and its proximity to the ocean, which buffers against extreme aridity. This enabled species like Nicotiana to survive in mesic refugia and subsequently adapt to more arid conditions. These results demonstrate that initially poorly adapted plant groups can develop novel adaptations in situ, permitting extensive and rapid dispersal despite the highly variable and unpredictable extreme conditions of the EZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Athenaea fasciculata, a Brazilian native species from the Solanaceae family, is recognized as a promising source of bioactive withanolides, particularly Aurelianolide A and B, which exhibit significant antitumoral activities. Despite its potential, research on the chemical constituents of this species remains limited. This study aimed to dereplicate extracts and partitions of A. fasciculata to streamline the discovery of bioactive withanolides. Methods: Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), various extracts—including n-hexane, methanol, and ethanol—were analyzed, and their mass spectrometry data were processed through the GNPS platform for the generation of molecular networking. The results indicated that crude extracts displayed comparable cytotoxicity against Jurkat cells, by treatment at 150 µg/mL, while alcoholic extracts achieved approximately 80% inhibition of K562 cells and K562-Lucena 1 at the same concentration. Notably, the dichloromethane partition exhibited the highest cytotoxicity across leukemia cell lines, particularly against Jurkat cells (IC50 = 14.34 µg/mL). A total of 22 compounds were annotated by manual inspection and different libraries, with six of them demonstrating significant cytotoxic effects. Conclusions: This research underscores the therapeutic potential of A. fasciculata and highlights the effectiveness of integrating advanced analytical methods in drug discovery, paving the way for further exploration of its bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MED (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is highly harmful to solanaceous crops. The use of essential oils (EOs) is promising for the management of several insect pests, promoting both lethal and sublethal effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sublethal concentrations of Pelargonium graveolens L'Her (Geraniaceae) EO on the feeding behavior of B. tabaci MED on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae). For this research, the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique was used to monitor whitefly stylet activities on their host plants. Two sets of plants were previously sprayed with two concentrations of EO (the LC25 and LC50, which were determined in a mortality test), a third set was treated with the insecticide cyantraniliprole, and a fourth set received a control treatment. Our results indicate that the insecticide cyantraniliprole and the EO could both reduce the stylet feeding activity of B. tabaci MED, as well as reduce the number and duration of phloem sap ingestion events (waveform E2), which could avoid or reduce the transmission of viruses. Thus, the application of sublethal concentrations of P. graveolens EO, as well as exposure to cyantraniliprole, negatively affected the feeding behavior of B. tabaci MED. This information may contribute to the management of this pest and the reduction of the incidence of viruses in tomato production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the major components in the leaves, the ashwagandha has been found to exist in several chemotypic forms in India. From the leaves of various accessions of Withania somnifera, which were maintained in our institute, three new steroids namely, 4-acetoxy-20β-hydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,5,24-trienolide (7), 24,25-dihydro-14α-hydroxy withanolide D (9), 5α,6β,17α,27-tetrahydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,24-dienolide (12) together with thirteen known withanolides were identified by spectroscopic methods. From the roots and stem of one accession and leaves of another, a new alkyl ester glucoside (4) has also been isolated. The new withanolides 7, 9 and 12 have been tentatively named as withanolide 135 A, withanolide 135B and withanolide 108, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symptoms caused by viroids differ, ranging from asymptomatic to mild-or-severe symptoms. Pepper plant symptoms caused by the Pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd) are mild compared to those affecting tomato plants; however, there is not much more known of the symptomatology on pepper plants. Symptoms that could be used for disease virulence assessment in pepper plants were elucidated from 31 commercial pepper cultivars belonging to Capsicum annuum and C. frutescens that had been purchased from agricultural shops. The plants were mechanically sap-inoculated at the seedling growth stage and observed weekly for symptom development, with disease virulence evaluations performed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post inoculation. Infection of all plants was verified based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, along with visual evidence of growth reduction, including leaf rugosity and leaf size reduction, a narrow canopy of the blocky and elongated fruit shapes for C. annuum and explicit apical stunting with small apical leaves of the elongated fruit type for C. frutescens. The disease virulence assessment was designed based on these symptoms to produce a score with 0–10 disease virulence levels (DVLs). The results showed that the pepper cultivars displayed responses to PCFVd with DVL scores of 1.00–8.00, with no PCFVd transmission being recorded from seeds to seedlings for the 3 test cultivars. This finding indicated that the genetic resources of pepper cultivars against PCFVd were as low as 1.00 DVL. However, the low DVL pepper cultivars could provide an inoculum source to other susceptible plants via mechanical transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural products received much attention as an environmentally beneficial solution for pest management. Therefore, the extracts of invasive silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.) weeds using their berries parts (seeds, peels and mucilage) supported by bioassay-guided fractionation were tested against both the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) and Erwinia carotovora pv. carotovora causes of the blackleg of potatoes. The seeds and peels of S. elaeagnifolium were successively extracted by maceration using dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and ethanol (EtOH), respectively. While, its mucilage was extracted using EtOAc. The successive EtOH extract of the plant seeds had promising inhibition efficacy and the best minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of 50 µg/ml against E. Carotovora amongst other extracts (DCM and EtOAc of the plant berries parts). Depending on dose response activity, EtOH extract had G. mellonella larval mortality and pupal duration rates (LC50; 198.30 and LC95; 1294.73 µg/ml), respectively. Additionally, this EtOH extract of seeds was fractionated using preparative TLC to three characteristic bands. The insecticidal and bacterial activities of these isolated bands (SEA, SEB, and SEC) were evaluated at a dose of 100 µg/ml, causing mortality by 48.48, 62.63 and 92.93% (G. mellonella larvae) and inhibition by 15.22, 0.00 and 31.66 mm (E. carotovora), respectively. Moreover, the separated major three bands were tentatively identified using LC-ESI-MS analysis revealing the presence of two phenolic acids; chlorogenic acid (SEA) and dicaffeoyl quinic acid (SEB) in addition to one steroidal saponin (SEC) annotated as borassoside E or yamoscin. Finally, the plant seeds' successive EtOH extract as well as its active constituents, exhibited potential broad-spectrum activity and the ability to participate in future pest management initiatives. A field study is also recommended to validate its bio-efficacy against selected pests and to develop its formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the food sources used by bees in agricultural landscapes is crucial to promote pollinator conservation measures in and around cultivated areas. This investigation aims to identify and quantify the pollen resources exploited by Schwarziana quadripunctata (Lepeletier 1836), assessing the trophic niche of this bee in agricultural areas with coffee plantations. Pollen analysis was conducted based on the pollen load of the corbiculae of 70 bees, sampled during the flowering period of two species of coffee trees in commercial plantations located in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo states, Brazil, in 2019 and 2021. A total of 78 pollen types from 23 botanical families were identified, with Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora comprising 92% of the samples. Cestrum sp. (2.3% – Solanaceae), Fabaceae sp. 1 (0.9%), Solanum sp. (0.75% – Solanaceae) and Chamaecrista sp. (0.71% – Fabaceae) were the next most prevalent. The dominance of the coffee tree pollen confirms the floral constancy of S. quadripunctata during periods of intense flowering. Excluding coffee pollen, the most represented families were Solanaceae (46.6% of the samples), Fabaceae (27.5%), Rubiaceae (8.51%), and Meliaceae (2.53%). The findings reveal that S. quadripunctata actively forages from sources other than coffee, even during the intense flowering of these plants, highlighting the importance of floral resources in the proximity of plantations. The use of pollen sources beyond the coffee tree highlights the importance of conserving nearby forest fragments and maintaining a diverse array of plants surrounding coffee trees even during coffee flowering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabiana punensis S. C. Arroyo is a subshrub or shrub that is indigenous to the arid and semiarid region of northern Argentina and is known to possess several medicinal properties. The objective of this study was to optimize the extraction conditions so as to maximize the yield of bioactive total phenolic compound (TPC) and flavonoids (F) of F. punensis' aerial parts by using non-conventional extraction methods, namely ultrasound-assisted extraction, UAE, and microwave-assisted extraction, MAE, and to compare the biological activities and toxicity of optimized extracts vs. conventional extracts, i.e., those gained by maceration. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to apply factorial designs to optimize the parameters of extraction: solid-to-liquid ratio, extraction time, ultrasound amplitude, and microwave power. The experimental values for TPC and F and antioxidant activity under the optimal extraction conditions were not significantly different from the predicted values, demonstrating the accuracy of the mathematical models. Similar HPLC-DAD patterns were found between conventional and UAE- and MAE-optimized extracts. The main constituents of the extracts correspond to phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids) and apigenin was identified. All extracts showed high scavenger capacity on ABTS•+, O2•− and H2O2, enabling the inhibition of the pro-inflammatory enzymes xanthine oxidase (XO) and lipoxygenase (LOX). They also showed an antimutagenic effect in Salmonella Typhimurium assay and cytotoxic/anti-proliferative activity on human melanoma cells (SKMEL-28). Toxicological evaluation indicates its safety. The results of this work are important in the development of efficient and sustainable methods for obtaining bioactive compounds from F. punensis for the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fast-growing agricultural world, early detection of plant diseases is crucial for maintaining crop health and ensuring successful harvests. Advancements in computer vision technology have led to the development of advanced methods for diagnosing plant diseases. However, factors like lighting, weather, and the number of diseases in a single image can make it difficult to detect plant diseases. Traditional deep learning-based algorithms have drawbacks, such as high hardware investment, inference speed, and generalization. This research article aims to raise awareness among farmers about cutting-edge technology for detecting plant leaf disease in nightshade crops. The Enhance-Nightshade-CNN model was used to enhance the quality of nightshade crop leaf disease samples, achieving good accuracy compared to existing algorithms. The model accurately identified healthy and unhealthy leaves in the real environment, with ground truth results showing a 95–100% accuracy rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tomato potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli Šulc, originating from North and Central America, poses a serious threat to Solanaceae crops in Australia. This study investigates the potential of the Australian native and commercially available green lacewing, Mallada signatus Schneider, as a biological control agent for B. cockerelli. The effect of feeding on B. cockerelli on the development rate and survival, of M. signatus were evaluated. Further, a greenhouse cage study was conducted to determine the optimal density of M. signatus larvae needed to effectively control an established B. cockerelli population. In our study, the third instar larvae of M. signatus consumed over 75 B. cockerelli nymphs in 24 h. Following the introduction of M. signatus larvae to caged tomato plants, eight M. signatus larvae per caged tomato plant decreased B. cockerelli population by 64% at the end of the sampling. These results indicated M. signatus, particularly at the larval stage, is an effective biological control option for B. cockerelli, especially in greenhouse tomato cultivation. This research offers valuable insights for the Australian horticultural industry, presenting a viable, eco‐friendly alternative to traditional, chemical pesticide‐reliant pest management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: The proportion of polyploid plants in a community increases with latitude, and different hypotheses have been proposed about which factors drive this pattern. Here, we aimed to understand the historical causes of the latitudinal polyploidy gradient using a combination of ancestral state reconstruction methods. Specifically, we assessed whether (1) polyploidization enables movement to higher latitudes (i.e., polyploidization precedes occurrences in higher latitudes) or (2) higher latitudes facilitate polyploidization (i.e., occurrence in higher latitudes precedes polyploidization). Methods: We reconstructed the ploidy states and ancestral niches of 1032 angiosperm species at four paleoclimatic time slices ranging from 3.3 million years ago to the present, comprising taxa from four well‐represented clades: Onagraceae, Primulaceae, Solanum (Solanaceae), and Pooideae (Poaceae). We used ancestral niche reconstruction models alongside a customized discrete character evolution model to allow reconstruction of states at specific time slices. Patterns of latitudinal movement were reconstructed and compared in relation to inferred ploidy shifts. Results: No single hypothesis applied equally well across all analyzed clades. While significant differences in median latitudinal occurrence were detected in the largest clade, Poaceae, no significant differences were detected in latitudinal movement in any clade. Conclusions: Our preliminary study is the first to attempt to connect ploidy changes to continuous latitudinal movement, but we cannot favor one hypothesis over another. Given that patterns seem to be clade‐specific, more clades must be analyzed in future studies for generalities to be drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Mutualisms between plants and fruit‐eating animals were key to the radiation of angiosperms. Still, phylogenetic uncertainties limit our understanding of fleshy‐fruit evolution, as in the case of Solanum, a genus with remarkable fleshy‐fruit diversity, but with unresolved phylogenetic relationships.We used 1786 nuclear genes from 247 species, including 122 newly generated transcriptomes/genomes, to reconstruct the Solanum phylogeny and examine the tempo and mode of the evolution of fruit color and size.Our analysis resolved the backbone phylogeny of Solanum, providing high support for its clades. Our results pushed back the origin of Solanum to 53.1 million years ago (Ma), with most major clades diverging between 35 and 27 Ma. Evolution of Solanum fruit color and size revealed high levels of trait conservatism, where medium‐sized berries that remain green when ripe are the likely ancestral form. Our analyses revealed that fruit size and color are evolutionary correlated, where dull‐colored fruits are two times larger than black/purple and red fruits.We conclude that the strong phylogenetic conservatism shown in the color and size of Solanum fruits could limit the influences of fruit‐eating animals on fleshy‐fruit evolution. Our findings highlight the importance of phylogenetic constraints on the diversification of fleshy‐fruit functional traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grafting facilitates the management of phytodiseases, especially of soils, but the growth and development of the grafted plant depend on the compatibility with rootstocks. The objective was to evaluate the graft union and survival, the growth characteristics, fruit biometrics, yield and physiological characteristics of the tomato plant 'Santa Clara' on five rootstocks. The study was conducted at the Pici Campus of the Federal University of Ceará in Fortaleza, Ceará state, Brazil. The seven treatments were tomato 'Santa Clara' ungrafted and self‐grafted, or grafted onto cherry tomato 'Vermelho', hybrid tomato 'Guardiao', eggplant 'Comprida Roxa', jiló 'Comprido Grande Rio' (Solanum gilo) and cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum). Cleft grafting was used. The growth characteristics evaluated were stem diameter (SD), plant height (PH), and number of commercial (NCF) and total (NTF) fruits. The biometric characteristics of the fruits (diameter‐FD, length‐FL and average mass‐AMF) and productive (commercial‐CFM and total‐TFM fruit mass) and yield of commercial (YCF) and total (YTF) fruits were estimated per hectare. Physiological evaluations were performed to obtain the internal concentration of CO2 (Ci), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (Gs), liquid photosynthesis (A), ratio between internal CO2 and the environment (Ci/Ca) and carboxylation efficiency (A/Ci). The graft union and survival of S. lycopersicum plants was 100% at 10 days after grafting. The number of commercial and total fruits were higher in non‐grafted tomato plants. The FD of the plants was higher with rootstocks of the 'Vermelho' cherry tomato and 'Guardião' hybrid, the CFM and TFM with ungrafted, the AMF and TFM with 'Vermelho' cherry tomato and the YCF and YTF with ungrafted and grafting on the 'Vermelho' cherry tomato. The tomato plant 'Santa Clara' completed its development in rootstocks and, therefore, they are compatible with this plant. The production of tomato fruits was higher with grafting on the 'Vermelho' cherry tomato with diameter and productivity similar to those of the ungrafted plants, indicating that this tomato cultivar can be used as rootstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new sesquiterpenoid glycosides, 8α (H)-eudesmane-1,3,11 (13)-triene-2-one -12-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and dmetelisproside B (2), together with ten known compounds (3–12) were isolated from calyces of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino (PAF). Their structures were unambiguously elucidated through HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR, and NMR spectral data. Compounds 1, 10, and 12 exhibited DPPH scavenging ability with IC50 values of 33.69 ± 6.65, 6.29 ± 0.06, and 25.66 ± 3.06 μM, respectively. Additionally, 10 and 12 demonstrated weak α-glucosidase inhibition activity with IC50 values of 250.9 ± 6.60 and 347.6 ± 2.48 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nicotine is the principal alkaloid contained in tobacco and is produced by plants of nightshade family. Nicotine has relatively high toxicity with varied effects on our body. The liver of albino rats resembles human liver both microscopically as well as microscopically. Aims and objectives: The aim of study was to study gross and histopathological changes induced by administration of graded doses of nicotine hydrogen tartrate in albino rats over a period. Material & methods: A total of 36 male albino rats were included in our study and after a period of acclimatization, were divided in to three groups of 12 rats each with one group serving as control while as other two groups received nicotine in concentration of 5mg/10ml and 7.5mg/10ml.The rats were sacrificed later to study for changes in liver anatomy. Results and observation: The most common changes were progressive decrease in weight of albino rats and pentad of microscopic changes including central venous congestion, portal venous congestion, sinusoidal congestion, fatty changes of hepatocytes and inflammation of portal triads. Conclusion: The findings of our study clearly revealed that changes induced in microanatomy of liver in male albino rats were directly related with dosage and duration of nicotine administration and considering the similarity between human liver and liver of male albino rats, the therapeutic administration of nicotine in human population should be rigorously studied by more experimental studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizoctonia solani, the causative agent of sheath blight disease in rice, poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity. Traditional management approaches involving chemical fungicides have been effective but come with detrimental consequences for the ecosystem. This study aimed to investigate sustainable alternatives in the form of antifungal peptides derived from Solanaceous plant species as potential agents against R. solani. Peptide extracts were obtained using an optimized antimicrobial peptide (AMP) extraction method and desalted using the solid-phase extraction technique. The antifungal potential of peptide-rich extracts from Solanum tuberosum and Capsicum annum was assessed through in vitro tests employing the agar well diffusion method. Furthermore, peptide-protein docking analysis was performed on HPEPDOCK and HDOCK server; and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) of 100 ns period were performed using the Gromacs 2020.4. The results demonstrated significant inhibition zones for both extracts at concentrations of 100 mg/mL. Additionally, the extracts of Solanum tuberosum and Capsicum annum had minimum inhibitory concentrations of 50 mg/mL and 25 mg/mL, respectively with minimum fungicidal concentrations of 25 mg/mL. Insights into the potential mechanisms of key peptides inhibiting R. solani targets were gleaned from in-silico studies. Notably, certain AMPs exhibited favorable free energy of binding against pathogenicity-related targets, including histone demethylase, sortin nexin, and squalene synthase, in protein-peptide docking simulations. Extended molecular dynamics simulations lasting 100 ns and MM-PBSA calculations were performed on select protein-peptide complexes. AMP10 displayed the most favorable binding free energy against all target proteins, with AMP3, AMP12b, AMP6, and AMP15 also exhibiting promising results against specific targets of R. solani. These findings underscore the potential of peptide extracts from S. tuberosum and C. annum as effective antifungal agents against rice sheath blight caused by R. solani. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proceeded in the spring of 2022 to assess the efficiency of Metribuzin herbicide alone and combined with some agricultural methods, such as mulching and hoeing, to control potato weeds. The effect of Metribuzin at a rate of 400 g ha-1 with mulching reduced the total weed density to 19.0 plants m-2, similar to Metribuzin at a rate of 800 g ha-1 (16.0 plants m-2 ). The efficiency of Metribuzin herbicide at 400 g ha-1 combined with one or two hoeings reduced the number of weed densities by 19.3 and 10.6 plants m-2 for one hoeing and two hoeings, respectively. The effect positively manifested in plant heights, the number of leaves, the foliage dry weight, and its reflection on the potato yield weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pectinolytic bacteria were isolated from potato plants and tubers showing blackleg and soft rot symptoms, collected from fields and storages in the province of Ain Defla, Algeria, in the period from 2016 to 2018. Twelve Gram-negative pectinolytic bacterial isolates were obtained from the crystal violet pectate medium growth. These strains induced a hypersensitive reaction and soft rot symptoms when inoculated in tobacco leaves and potato tuber slices, respectively. Biochemical characterisation has revealed that the isolates correspond to two distinct phenotypes. Molecular identification by PCR using specific Dickeya spp. ADE1/ADE2 primers proved that four isolates S441, B74, D14 and A13 were of the genus Dickeya. Subsequently, additional biochemical tests have allowed their classification to the Dickeya biovar 3, known as the Dickeya solani species. Pathogenicity tests performed on potato, tomato and eggplant plants confirmed their virulence in various Solanaceae. Finally, the effects of initial inoculum concentration and of various temperature and humidity regimes were investigated. Maceration assays performed on potato tuber discs revealed more severe damage at high concentrations and when increasing temperature and humidity. This first study of D. solani causing blackleg and soft rot on potato in Algeria highlights the potential risks associated with this disease in the next years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The false-root knot nematode (Nacobbus spp.) comprises polyphagous species, with pepper (Capsicum annuum) being one of the most affected crops. Due to the lack of resistant pepper genotypes, we compared the responses of different commercial cultivars to identify possible plant defence mechanisms against N. celatus. M&M: Nematodes from Río Cuarto (Córdoba Province) and Lisandro Olmos (Buenos Aires Province) were inoculated on pepper cultivars: California Wonder (control), Fyuco INTA, Yatasto, and Fenomeno RZ. Plants were grown under a greenhouse and galls were analysed by histopathological techniques. Results: The roots of the commercial cultivars showed the typical morpho-anatomical alterations induced by N. celatus: gall formation, hyperplasia reactions, development of syncytia in the central cylinder and disorganisation of vascular tissues. Syncytial cells in contact with females of nematodes from Lisandro Olmos showed a defence reaction by Fyuco INTA, whereas feeding sites in Fenomeno RZ did not denote high metabolic activity in nematodes of both origins. Conclusions: The different responses observed between populations and/or hosts demonstrate the importance of considering nematodes from different geographical origins when testing plant material for tolerance and/or resistance to N. celatus. Studies of this nature are necessary since they facilitate a more in-depth understanding of the parasite-plant interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Lycianthes (Dunal) Hassl. (Solanaceae) has in the past been treated as a section of the large genus Solanum L. but is more closely related to Capsicum L. Outside of the Americas, where the highest species diversity occurs, the genus is found in tropical and subtropical habitats from India to Japan and the Philippines, including the islands of Indonesia, New Guinea and the Solomons. The 19 species from Australia, New Guinea and the Pacific were treated in 'PhytoKeys 209'. Here I treat the remaining 10 species occurring across Asia; including two native species, L. biflora (Lour.) Bitter and L. oliveriana (Lauterb. & K.Schum) Bitter, and one cultivated species, L. rantonnetii (Carrière) Bitter that were also included in the earlier work. The Asian species treated here occupy a wide range of forested and disturbed habitats and are diverse in habit, ranging from epiphytic vines to small or medium sized trees, shrubs or creeping herbs. Many of the species are weedy plants of highly disturbed habitats and are best characterised as "ochlospecies", with complex polymorphic variation. Lycianthes rantonnetii, a species native to southern South America, is recorded as cultivated in India and Pakistan, but may be more widespread than collections indicate. The history of taxonomic treatments of Lycianthes in Asia is discussed, along with details of morphology found in all species. All species are treated in full, with complete morphological descriptions, including synonymy, lecto- or neotypifications, discussions of ecology and vernacular names, distribution maps and preliminary conservation assessments (for all except the cultivated L. rantonnetii). Searchable lists of all specimens examined are presented as Suppl. materials 1, 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonads produce a wide array of antimicrobial compounds including 2,4‐diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG), which possess a broad‐spectrum antagonistic effect against phytopathogens. Rhizospheric soil samples were collected from the Solanaceous crops for isolation of fluorescent pseudomonads (FPs). Out of the 32 fluorescent bacterial isolates, 21 showed antagonistic activity against Ralstonia solanacearum (NAIMCC‐B‐01630) with the highest zone of inhibition at 38.33 mm. Among them, 11 bacterial isolates depicted the production of DAPG in Kings' B medium. DAPG production was detected by TLC and quantified through HPLC analysis. Moreover, the bacterial isolate OD13 exhibited higher DAPG production. Further, the presence of the DAPG‐encoding phlD gene within the size of 629 bp and 725 bp was also validated through amplification. These bacterial isolates belonged to the genera Pseudomonas as confirmed by morpho‐physiological characterization using the VITEK 2 system. The higher DAPG‐producing bacterial isolate was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa by polyphasic approach with GenBank accession number OQ781265. Thus, the DAPG‐producing rhizospheric Pseudomonas strains can be used as biocontrol agents for bacterial wilt. However, field study is highly essential before its successful application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum (Rpsol) and R. solanacearum (Rsol), poses a significant challenge to solanaceous plant cultivation worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Even though Brazil is recognized as one of the centres of origin and diversity of Rsol, in certain regions of this large country there is an emerging prevalence of Rpsol in production fields. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively investigate the adaptive traits of Rpsol and Rsol using a polyphasic approach. A diverse collection of isolates from both species was assessed for their physiological, biochemical, ecological and pathogenic traits. Rsol isolates demonstrated greater adaptability to a broader range of temperature, salinity and pH. They also exhibited enhanced abilities in biofilm formation and bacteriocin production. Conversely, Rpsol isolates exhibited a broader utilization of carbon sources and displayed a wider spectrum of resistance to inhibitory substances. Moreover, they demonstrated higher infectivity towards different solanaceous hosts, showing a faster invasion and colonization process in the roots and stems of tomato plants compared to Rsol isolates. Based on our findings, we concluded that Rsol exhibited greater physiological and ecological adaptability, while Rpsol showed greater pathogenic and biochemical adaptability. These results suggest that the coexistence of both species is maintained through a balance of distinct traits within each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) is destroying tomato and pepper resistance all over the world, including Antalya (Türkiye). Two greenhouses that show infection of TSWV in the Serik (coastal) and Elmali (highland) areas were chosen for research between 2019 and 2021 to better understand the disease's life cycle. During the surveys, we focused on weed hosts to better understand TSWV disease's cycle. TSWV infection was determined in 58 peppers, 34 tomatoes, 270 weeds, and 20 other vegetable samples. Weed samples revealed essentially no symptoms, however, grown plants showed classic TSWV symptoms. The Asteraceae family had the highest infection rate among infected weeds, followed by weed species from the Poaceae and Solanaceae families. In addition, to determine the viral strain in the infected plant samples, qRT-PCR and Melt-curve analysis were done using a specially designed primer pair for the study. This primer identifies the point mutation on the NSm-movement protein in the viral genome's medium segment. The non-resistance breaking isolate of TSWV was included in the optimisation studies to evaluate differences between the two isolates at two thermal melting values established by this comparison. These findings demonstrated that the kits, procedures, and primers employed in this investigation can serve as a quick and reliable diagnostic tool for identifying TSWV isolates and that weeds are a key intermediate source for new TSWV infection, as confirmed by sequence data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neotropical physaloid genera Witheringia and Brachistus have long been subject to taxonomic confusion. We obtained tissue from well-documented species of these genera, including multiple accessions from widespread taxa, to generate a molecular systematic framework. We present Bayesian phylogenies based on sequences of one chloroplast (trnL-trnF) and two nuclear loci (ITS and waxy). The major findings are that: 1) Witheringia and Brachistus together form a well-supported monophyletic group, 2) Brachistus is nested within Witheringia, 3) two Mexican endemic species represent the earliest diverging lineages of the clade, 4) several proposed synonyms represent distinct species, and 5) sequenced accessions include several new species awaiting description. The four currently recognized species of Brachistus are transferred to Witheringia, necessitating the new combination Witheringia knappiae, and Athenaea affinis is lectotypified. A list is also provided for names now excluded from Brachistus and recognized as belonging to other genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homeologue expression bias occurs when one progenitor copy of a gene is expressed at a higher level than the other in allopolyploids. Morphological variation, including differences in flower colour, exists between natural and synthetic allopolyploids of Nicotiana tabacum and their progenitors. In this study, we use a comparative transcriptomic approach to investigate gene expression differences as well as homeologue bias in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway (FBP) in these accessions. We do not observe reciprocal homeologue bias between dark and light pink allopolyploids, but the production of light pink flowers is correlated with high FLAVONOL SYNTHASE:DIHYDROFLAVONOL-4-REDUCTASE (FLS:DFR) ratio at 60% of anthesis length due to delayed activation of DFR in these accessions. We do find that natural allopolyploids have stronger homeologue bias than synthetic allopolyploids in both FBP genes and across the transcriptome. While there is no overall subgenome dominance, there is a bias towards expression of N. tomentosiformis homeologues in FBP genes; however, the magnitude of this bias is reduced in allopolyploids compared to the progenitors, suggesting that N. sylvestris homeologues play an active role in the development of flower colour in N. tabacum allopolyploids. In addition, synthetic allopolyploids tend to exhibit trans regulation of homeologues whereas natural allopolyploids often have evolved cis -regulatory differences between homeologues since their origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to evaluate the probability of entry of pests (likelihood of pest freedom at entry), including both regulated and non‐regulated pests, associated with unrooted cuttings of the genera Petunia and Calibrachoa produced under physical isolation in Kenya. The relevance of any pest for this opinion was based on evidence following defined criteria, based on the methodology used for High‐Risk Plants adapted for the specificity of this assessment. Fourteen EU‐regulated pests (Bemisia tabaci, cowpea mild mottle virus, Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza sativae, Liriomyza trifolii, potato leafroll virus, potato spindle tuber viroid, Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, R. solanacearum, Scirtothrips dorsalis, tomato mild mottle virus, tomato spotted wilt virus, tomato yellow leaf curl virus and Xanthomonas vesicatoria) and six EU non‐regulated pests (Aleurodicus dispersus, pepper veinal mottle virus, Nipaecoccus viridis, Phenacoccus solenopsis, Tetranychus neocaledonicus and tomato yellow ring virus) fulfilled all relevant criteria and were selected for further evaluation. For these pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Kenya were evaluated, taking into account the possible limiting factors. Additionally, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom, taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. The estimated degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with T. neocaledonicus being the pest most frequently expected on the imported cuttings. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty, that between 9942 and 10,000 bags containing unrooted cuttings of Petunia spp. and Calibrachoa spp. per 10,000 would be free of T. neocaledonicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus is the main vector of two bacterial pathogens (Arsenophonus and stolbur phytoplasma) that cause a disease known as syndrome basses richesses (SBR) in sugar beet, reducing the yield and sugar content. In 2022, P. leporinus nymphs were also found to transmit Arsenophonus in potato fields, causing symptoms like wilting, yellow leaves, and rubbery tubers. We monitored both pathogens in Southwest Germany in 2022 and 2023, revealing that P. leporinus adults can transmit Arsenophonus and stolbur to potatoes. The broad prevalence of Arsenophonus was maintained, whereas the prevalence of stolbur increased in most regions in 2023. Neither of the pathogens influenced the germination rate of potato tubers, and no abnormal growth was observed after germination. Arsenophonus was not detected in germinated shoots, but stolbur was present, emphasizing the need for plant material testing to prevent outbreaks of disease. The planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus (Hempiptera: Cixiidae) is the main vector of two bacterial pathogens: the γ-proteobacterium 'Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus' and the stolbur phytoplasma 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani'. These pathogens cause the disease syndrome basses richesses (SBR) in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), which reduces the yields and sugar content. In 2022, potato (Solanum tuberosum) fields were found to be colonized by P. leporinus, and the transmission of Arsenophonus was confirmed, resulting in symptoms like wilting, yellow leaves, and rubbery tubers. We monitored both pathogens in Southwest Germany in 2022 and 2023. This revealed their widespread presence in potato tubers, although there were differences in regional prevalence. The broad prevalence of Arsenophonus was maintained in 2023, whereas the prevalence of stolbur increased in most locations. We confirmed that P. leporinus adults can transmit both pathogens to potatoes, but neither pathogen reduced the germination rate of tubers, and no plants showed abnormal growth after germination. Arsenophonus was not detected in germinated shoots, but 5.4% contained stolbur, emphasizing the need for plant material testing to maintain phytosanitary conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The B3 gene family, one of the largest plant-specific transcription factors, plays important roles in plant growth, seed development, and hormones. However, the B3 gene family, especially the REM subfamily, has not been systematically and functionally studied. Results: In this study, we performed genome-wide re-annotation of B3 genes in five Solanaceae plants, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa, and finally predicted 1,039 B3 genes, including 231 (22.2%) newly annotated genes. We found a striking abundance of REM genes in pepper species (Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, and Capsicum chinense). Comparative motif analysis revealed that REM and other subfamilies (ABI3/VP1, ARF, RAV, and HSI) consist of different amino acids. We verified that the large number of REM genes in pepper were included in the specific subgroup (G8) through the phylogenetic analysis. Chromosome location and evolutionary analyses suggested that the G8 subgroup genes evolved mainly via a pepper-specific recent tandem duplication on chromosomes 1 and 3 after speciation between pepper and other Solanaceae. RNA-seq analyses suggested the potential functions of REM genes under salt, heat, cold, and mannitol stress conditions in pepper (C. annuum). Conclusions: Our study provides evolutionary and functional insights into the REM gene family in pepper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop–pollinator interactions are essential for world food security. Studying crop pollination from a network approach allows identification of target pollinators for conservation and management, and gaps in our knowledge. Solanaceae represents the third highest ranked family based on economic value, and its production is highly improved by animal pollination. This study aimed to integrate global data on solanaceous crop pollination and analyse the interaction patterns using a meta‐network approach. Our questions were: (i) how are interactions structured and what are the structuring roles of species; and (ii) what are the main gaps in our knowledge?Data were obtained through a systematic review of the main scientific databases. The network structure was described using connectivity and modularity calculations, and the role of species using centrality metrics.The 251 pollinator species reported were in seven orders, mainly Hymenoptera (84.9%). The generalists Bombus and Apis species were the most common pollinators. The meta‐network was modular, and all modules mostly included bees. Most species were peripherals, around 12% were connectors, and there were no module hubs. Apis mellifera was the only network hub (supergeneralist).The most important pollinators are the most managed pollinators worldwide; however, many native species play a role in structuring the meta‐network. Main gaps include species of importance to pepper pollination, lack of species‐specific identification, and the need for more robust experimental studies evaluating the pollination efficiency of native, manageable bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assembly of genomes from pooled samples of genetically heterogenous samples of conspecifics remains challenging. In this study, we show that high‐quality genome assemblies can be produced from samples of multiple wild‐caught individuals. We sequenced DNA extracted from a pooled sample of conspecific herbivorous insects (Hemiptera: Miridae: Tupiocoris notatus) acquired from a greenhouse infestation in Tucson, Arizona (in the range of 30–100 individuals; 0.5 mL tissue by volume) using PacBio highly accurate long reads (HiFi). The initial assembly contained multiple haplotigs (>85% BUSCOs duplicated), but duplicate contigs could be easily purged to reveal a highly complete assembly (95.6% BUSCO, 4.4% duplicated) that is highly contiguous by short‐read assembly standards (N50 = 675 kb; Largest contig = 4.3 Mb). We then used our assembly as the basis for a genome‐guided differential expression study of host plant‐specific transcriptional responses. We found thousands of genes (N = 4982) to be differentially expressed between our new data from individuals feeding on Datura wrightii (Solanaceae) and existing RNA‐seq data from Nicotiana attenuata (Solanaceae)‐fed individuals. We identified many of these genes as previously documented detoxification genes such as glutathione‐S‐transferases, cytochrome P450s, and UDP‐glucosyltransferases. Together our results show that long‐read sequencing of pooled samples can provide a cost‐effective genome assembly option for small insects and can provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying interactions between plants and herbivorous pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternaria spp. cause different diseases in potato and tomato crops. Early blight caused by Alternaria solani and brown spot caused by Alternaria alternata are most common, but the disease complex is far more diverse. We first provide an overview of the Alternaria species infecting the two host plants to alleviate some of the confusion that arises from the taxonomic rearrangements in this fungal genus. Highlighting the diversity of Alternaria fungi on both solanaceous hosts, we review studies investigating the genetic diversity and genomes, before we present recent advances from studies elucidating host–pathogen interactions and fungicide resistances. Taxonomy: Kingdom Fungi, Phylum Ascomycota, Class Dothideomycetes, Order Pleosporales, Family Pleosporaceae, Genus Alternaria. Biology and host range: Alternaria spp. adopt diverse lifestyles. We specifically review Alternaria spp. that cause disease in the two solanaceous crops potato (Solanum tuberosum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). They are necrotrophic pathogens with no known sexual stage, despite some signatures of recombination. Disease symptoms: Symptoms of the early blight/brown spot disease complex include foliar lesions that first present as brown spots, depending on the species with characteristic concentric rings, which eventually lead to severe defoliation and considerable yield loss. Control: Good field hygiene can keep the disease pressure low. Some potato and tomato cultivars show differences in susceptibility, but there are no fully resistant varieties known. Therefore, the main control mechanism is treatment with fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is an emerging plant pathogen, fast spreading in Asian and Mediterranean regions, and is considered the most harmful geminivirus of cucurbits in the Mediterranean. ToLCNDV infects several plant and crop species from a range of families, including Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae and Euphorbiaceae. Up to now, protection from ToLCNDV infection has been achieved mainly by RNAi-mediated transgenic resistance, and non-transgenic fast-developing approaches are an urgent need. Plant protection by the delivery of dsRNAs homologous to a pathogen target sequence is an RNA interference-based biotechnological approach that avoids cultivating transgenic plants and has been already shown effective against RNA viruses and viroids. However, the efficacy of this approach against DNA viruses, particularly Geminiviridae family, is still under study. Here, the protection induced by exogenous application of a chimeric dsRNA targeting all the coding regions of the ToLCNDV DNA-A was evaluated in zucchini, an important crop strongly affected by this virus. A reduction in the number of infected plants and a delay in symptoms appearance, associated with a tendency of reduction in the viral titer, was observed in the plants treated with the chimeric dsRNA, indicating that the treatment is effective against geminiviruses but requires further optimization. Limits of RNAi-based vaccinations against geminiviruses and possible causes are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim An extensive survey was done to clarify the prevalent Stemphylium species on Solanaceae plants across Brazil, and their host ranges. Methods and Results Eighty nine (89) Stemphylium isolates were obtained from naturally infected tomatoes as well as S. paniculatum , potato, eggplant, scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum var. gilo), Physalis angulata , and Capsicum species. Phylogenetic analyses encompassing the ITS-5.8S rDNA and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genomic regions placed the isolates into two distinct groupings with either Stemphylium lycopersici or S. solani. Isolates of S. lycopersici (n  = 81) were obtained infecting tomato, potato, eggplant, S. paniculatum , and P. angulata. Isolates of S. solani (n  = 8) were detected in natural association with scarlet eggplant and tomato. Two isolates of S. lycopersici displayed a wide experimental host range in greenhouse bioassays, infecting accessions of 12 out of 18 species. Ocimum basilicum (Lamiaceae) was the only experimental host outside the Solanaceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects and plants have been living and relationship together for more million years. Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae families were esteemed as important vegetable production in Egypt and were infested by numerous piercing-sucking pests. Recently, climatic changes led to changes in the distribution of these pests. Therefore, the diversity of Bemisia tabaci, Aphis gossypii & Myzus persicae, Empoasca decipiens and Tetranychus urticae on Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae crops was studied during two summer seasons of 2022 and 2023 years. The obtained results show a susceptible and low resistance of whitefly and spider mite infestations, while, susceptible, moderate and low resistance were recorded with aphid and leafhopper infestations of tested hosts. Data emphasized that B. tabaci and T. urticae were the more dominant species infesting all plants. The tested piercing-sucking pests were recorded 1-3 peaks, concentrating through April-May during the two tested seasons. Data showed that the increasing of B. tabaci and T. urticae populations led to a decrease in GA3, IAA and KIN contents, and an increase in ABA contents, contrariwise, the reverse direction was found with aphids and E. decipiens populations. Moreover, a negative relationship was recorded between phenoloxidase and all tested pests except whitefly was detected a positive effect. A positive relation was reported between phytochemical components and these pests except spider mite was negative. Finally, these results offer useful and appealingly data to point out herein that the infestation rate of piercing-sucking insects must refer to the resistance degree of each cultivar to help in putting the IPM management strategy in the control programs of these pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dickeya solani, belonging to the Soft Rot Pectobacteriaceae, are aggressive necrotrophs, exhibiting both a wide geographic distribution and a wide host range that includes many angiosperm orders, both dicot and monocot plants, cultivated under all climatic conditions. Little is known about the infection strategies D. solani employs to infect hosts other than potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Our earlier study identified D. solani Tn5 mutants induced exclusively by the presence of the weed host S. dulcamara. The current study assessed the identity and virulence contribution of the selected genes mutated by the Tn5 insertions and induced by the presence of S. dulcamara. These genes encode proteins with functions linked to polyketide antibiotics and polysaccharide synthesis, membrane transport, stress response, and sugar and amino acid metabolism. Eight of these genes, encoding UvrY (GacA), tRNA guanosine transglycosylase Tgt, LPS-related WbeA, capsular biosynthesis protein VpsM, DltB alanine export protein, glycosyltransferase, putative transcription regulator YheO/PAS domain-containing protein, and a hypothetical protein, were required for virulence on S. dulcamara plants. The implications of D. solani interaction with a weed host, S. dulcamara, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Pungent capsaicinoid is synthesized only in chili pepper (Capsicum spp.). The production of vanillylamine from vanillin is a unique reaction in the capsaicinoid biosynthesis pathway. Although putative aminotransferase (pAMT) has been isolated as the vanillylamine synthase gene, it is unclear how Capsicum acquired pAMT. Here, we present a phylogenetic overview of pAMT and its homologs. The Capsicum genome contained 5 homologs, including pAMT, CaGABA‐T1, CaGABA‐T3, and two pseudogenes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that pAMT is a member of the Solanaceae cytoplasmic GABA‐Ts. Comparative genome analysis found that multiple copies of GABA‐T exist in a specific Solanaceae genomic region, and the cytoplasmic GABA‐Ts other than pAMT are located in the region. The cytoplasmic GABA‐T was phylogenetically close to pseudo‐GABA‐T harboring a plastid transit peptide (pseudo‐GABA‐T3). This suggested that Solanaceae cytoplasmic GABA‐Ts occurred via duplication of a chloroplastic GABA‐T ancestor and subsequent loss of the plastid transit signal. The cytoplasmic GABA‐T may have been translocated from the specific Solanaceae genomic region during Capsicum divergence, resulting in the current pAMT locus. A recombinant protein assay demonstrated that pAMT had higher vanillylamine synthase activity than those of other plant GABA‐Ts. pAMT was expressed exclusively in the placental septum of mature green fruit, whereas tomato orthologs SlGABA‐T2/4 exhibit a ubiquitous expression pattern in plants. These findings suggested that both the increased catalytic efficiency and transcriptional changes in pAMT may have contributed to establish vanillylamine synthesis in the capsaicinoid biosynthesis pathway. This study provides insights into the establishment of pungency in the evolution of chili peppers. Significance Statement: Chili pepper vanillylamine synthase (pAMT) in capsaicin biosynthesis pathway belongs to the Solanaceae cytoplasmic GABA‐Ts, which originated via duplication of a chloroplastic ancestor and exhibits higher catalytic efficiency and placenta‐specific expression, compared with other close‐related GABA‐Ts. This study presents an intriguing case of how a primary metabolism enzyme evolved into a key enzyme that contributes to lineage‐specific secondary metabolite biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During a field survey of urban flora in Alexandria city in 2019–2022, an interesting species belonging to the Solanaceae was collected from a newly archaeological excavation site and identified as Nicotiana glutinosa L. Many visits were made to the herbaria of Egypt to confirm the species records, but no single record was found. Reviewing the available literature revealed that this tropical American taxon was never recorded in the flora of Egypt. Aims: The present study was focused on N. glutinosa growth structure and plant macro- and micromorphology. Methods: Ten sampling sites were covered for N. glutinosa size structure. Plant samples were examined for stem anatomy, leaf, seed, and pollen morphology. Results: The species size structure reveals that the individual size index ranges from 1.33 to 150 cm, while its density ranges from 4 to 273 individuals /100 m−2. N. glutinosa has successfully established itself in one of the archaeological sites in Egypt, showing a "healthy" population with a high degree of size inequality, characterized by a relative majority of the juvenile individuals. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of Alexandria University (ALEX) Faculty of Science, another specimen is processed to make herbarium specimens at the Herbarium of the Botanic Garden (Heneidy et al. collection, deposition number. 5502). Conclusions: From our observations, N. glutinosa seems to have invasive potential, as it shows characteristics shared by most invasive species that are thought to help in their successful establishment in new habitats. This article emphasizes the importance of monitoring and regularly reporting the threats of alien invasive species to avoid any possible negative impacts on indigenous biodiversity in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calmodulin-binding transcription activator (CAMTA) is an important calmodulin-binding protein with a conserved structure in eukaryotes which is widely involved in plant stress response, growth and development, hormone signal transduction, and other biological processes. Although CAMTA genes have been identified and characterized in many plant species, a systematic and comprehensive analysis of CAMTA genes in the Solanaceae genome is performed for the first time in this study. A total of 28 CAMTA genes were identified using bioinformatics tools, and the biochemical/physicochemical properties of these proteins were investigated. CAMTA genes were categorized into three major groups according to phylogenetic analysis. Tissue-expression profiles indicated divergent spatiotemporal expression patterns of SmCAMTAs. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis of SmCAMTA genes showed that exposure to cold induced differential expression of many eggplant CAMTA genes. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescent complementary assays suggested an interaction between SmCAMTA2 and SmERF1, promoting the transcription of the cold key factor SmCBF2, which may be an important mechanism for plant cold resistance. In summary, our results provide essential information for further functional research on Solanaceae family genes, and possibly other plant families, in the determination of the development of plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing interest in tropical fruits has been observed worldwide, driven by their desirable sensory and nutritional characteristics. Lulo (Solanum quitoense L.), an exotic and native South American fruit, is predominantly used in beverage production and commercially marketed in Colombia and Ecuador. However, the perishable nature presents challenges for their commercialization to market. This has prompted food researchers to be interested in developing new Lulo-based products, that can have an agro-industrial impact in the countries of origin. Lately, a growing number of studies have aimed to uncover the nutritional and bioactive properties of Lulo. These studies have revealed that the fruit is rich in vitamin C, chlorogenic acids, phenolic compounds, and bioactive amines, making it an attractive raw material for the agri-food and pharmaceutical industries. This review summarizes the current understanding of the properties of Solanum quitoense L., including its physicochemical, nutritional, and bioactive properties. The fruit's high concentration of beneficial compounds has increased interest from industries and presents new opportunities for economic growth in the countries where it is grown. The growing demand for natural products underscores the need for further research on Lulo's potential applications and benefits, which could result in the development of new and economically viable products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant resistance refers to the heritable ability of plants to reduce damage caused by natural enemies, such as herbivores and pathogens, either through constitutive or induced traits like chemical compounds or trichomes. However, the genetic architecture—the number and genome location of genes that affect plant defense and the magnitude of their effects—of plant resistance to arthropod herbivores in natural populations remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to unveil the genetic architecture of plant resistance to insect herbivores in the annual herb Datura stramonium (Solanaceae) through quantitative trait loci mapping. We achieved this by assembling the species' genome and constructing a linkage map using an F2 progeny transplanted into natural habitats. Furthermore, we conducted differential gene expression analysis between undamaged and damaged plants caused by the primary folivore, Lema daturaphila larvae. Our genome assembly resulted in 6,109 scaffolds distributed across 12 haploid chromosomes. A single quantitative trait loci region on chromosome 3 was associated with plant resistance, spanning 0 to 5.17 cM. The explained variance by the quantitative trait loci was 8.44%. Our findings imply that the resistance mechanisms of D. stramonium are shaped by the complex interplay of multiple genes with minor effects. Protein–protein interaction networks involving genes within the quantitative trait loci region and overexpressed genes uncovered the key role of receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases in signaling and regulating tropane alkaloids and terpenoids, which serve as powerful chemical defenses against D. stramonium herbivores. The data generated in our study constitute important resources for delving into the evolution and ecology of secondary compounds mediating plant–insect interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]