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To eliminate the negative effect of soil contamination with heavy metals on plant growth and crop yield, different methods and techniques are the subject of discussion and study. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of secondary pulp and paper-mill sludge application to soil on the response of the main physiological processes such as the growth, photosynthesis, and respiration of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants to soil contamination with Pb. For the pot experiment, Pb was added to sandy loam soil at concentrations of 0, 50, and 250 mg Pb(NO3)2 per kg of the soil, and secondary sludge was added to a 0, 20, or 40% sludge solution during each plant watering. The Pb-mediated change in plant biomass allocation, decrease in the photosynthetic rate, increase in leaf respiration rate, and the degree of light inhibition of respiration were closely associated with increases in both root and shoot Pb content. For the Pb-free soil condition, secondary sludge application contributed to the allocation of plant biomass towards a greater accumulation in the shoots than in the roots. Although stomatal opening was not affected by either Pb or sludge, sludge application increased photosynthetic CO2 assimilation regardless of soil Pb content, which was associated with an increase in the electron-transport rate and carboxylase activity of Rubisco. Soil contamination with Pb significantly increased the ratio of respiration to photosynthesis, reflecting a shift in the carbon balance toward carbon losses in the leaves, but sludge application modified the coupling between the processes with a decrease in the proportion of respiratory carbon losses. The sludge-mediated recovery of the physiological processes of L. sativa reflected an increase in plant tolerance to soil contamination with heavy metals, the formation of which is associated with plant and soil adjustments initiated by secondary sludge application.

The paper mulberry is a commonly found tree species with a long history of cultivation. It also serves as a crucial case study for understanding how woody plants adapt to low temperatures. Under cold treatment, we observed a substantial number of alternative splicing (AS) genes, showcasing the intricate landscape of AS events. We have detected all seven types of AS events, with the alternative 3′ splice site (A3) having the most. We observed that many genes that underwent differential AS were significantly enriched in starch and sucrose metabolism and circadian rhythm pathways. Moreover, a considerable proportion of differentially spliced genes (DSGs) also showed differential expression, with 20.38% and 25.65% under 12 h and 24 h cold treatments, respectively. This suggests a coordinated regulation between gene AS and expression, playing a pivotal role in the paper mulberry’s adaptation to cold stress. We further investigated the regulatory mechanisms of AS, identifying 41 serine/arginine-rich (SR) splicing factors, among which 11 showed differential expression under cold treatment, while 29 underwent alternative splicing. Additionally, genes undergoing AS displayed significantly higher DNA methylation levels under cold stress, while normal splicing (non-AS) genes exhibited relatively lower methylation levels. These findings suggest that methylation may play an important role in governing gene AS. Finally, our research will provide useful information on the role of AS in the cold acclimation tolerance of the paper mulberry.

Abstract Background Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Hér. ex Vent. has the characteristics of strong stress resistance, high crude protein content, and pruning tolerance. It is an ecological, economic, and medicinal plant. Polyploid plants usually perform better than their corresponding diploid plants in terms of nutrients, active substances, and stress resistance. Results In this study, the leaves, calli, and seeds of diploid B. papyrifera were used for tetraploid induction by colchicine. The induction effect of colchicine on B. papyrifera was summarized through the early morphology, chromosome count and flow cytometry. It was concluded that the best induction effect (18.6%) was obtained when the leaves of B. papyrifera were treated in liquid MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium containing 450 mg·L-1 colchicine for 3 d. The comparative analysis of the growth characteristics of diploid and tetraploid B. papyrifera showed that tetraploid B. papyrifera has larger ground diameter, larger stomata, thicker palisade tissue and thicker sponge tissue than diploid B. papyrifera. In addition, the measurement of photosynthetic features also showed that tetraploids had higher chlorophyll content and higher photosynthetic rates. Conclusion This study showed that tetraploid B. papyrifera could be obtained by treating leaves, callus and seeds with liquid and solid colchicine, but the induction efficiency was different. Moreover, there were differences in stomata, leaf cell structure and photosynthetic features between tetraploid B. papyrifera and its corresponding diploid. The induced tetraploid B. papyrifera can provide a technical basis and breeding material for the creation of B. papyrifera germplasm resources in the future.

The article discusses the importance of molecular plant sciences in sustaining food security in the face of global climate change. It emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between plant science, physics, mathematics, and computer sciences to collect reliable information about plant biology and develop models that can predict interactions between genotype and environment. The article highlights the impact of abiotic and biotic stress on plants and the role of molecular biology in understanding stress resilience. It also discusses advancements in omics technologies, such as genomics and proteomics, for identifying genetic markers associated with stress tolerance. The article includes review papers on various topics, including plant responses to abiotic and biotic stress, methodology, and the detection and identification of specific plant species. Overall, the article provides valuable information for researchers in the field of molecular plant sciences and its applications in improving crop yields and food security. [Extracted from the article]

The separately stored type herbarium of the Herbarium Greuter in Palermo is comprised of 339 sheets, corresponding to 336 specimens pertaining to 328 different names. Material from the Mediterranean area, especially Greece, predominates, followed by that from the Caribbean (Cuba) and Australia. The list includes transcribed label data and links to the digital specimen images and to the protologue texts. A new type of terminology is introduced, with the terms “first-step holotype” and “second-step holotype” designating type categories parallel to the similar terms already in use for lectotypes, and the phrase “detailed here” is used as an equivalent to “designated here” in second-step typification.

Introduction: The knowledge of British and Irish bryophytes has been summarised at intervals since 1690 in national floras and checklists. The number of species and varieties recognised in these works can be used to track the discovery of British and Irish bryophytes. Methods: The main floras and checklists were identified, and the taxa recognised in twenty of them counted and their identity assessed in relation to the current (2021) checklist. Key results: The number of known bryophytes increased rapidly after the publication of Ray's Synopsis (1690). Dillenius's (1741) Historia muscorum brought together all previous reports. His polynomials were the main source for Linnaeus's binomial names in Species plantarum (1753). Linnaeus cut the number of British and Irish species from 179 to 119, omitting those that seemed to him obscure. It was clumsily done, and William Hudson (1762), in Flora Anglica, increased the number to 139, with 51 varieties, of which 37 are now treated as species. His contemporary Richard Pulteney made an early attempt to trace first records in a manuscript compiled ca. 1789. We agree with 134 of Pulteney's first records, but disagree with 88. All the historic lists contain redundancies – species that were then thought distinct but are now lumped together, the maximum being Smith's (1804) Flora Britannica, with 62. From 1855 to 1930 numerous varieties were recognised. These peaked at 309 moss varieties in Duncan's (1926) checklist and 117 liverworts in Wilson's (1930) checklist. In 2021 they have shrunk to 33 moss varieties and 9 liverworts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides evidence gathered from two suites of non-formal science activities that were intended to increase engagement in science by culturally diverse groups. Both studies involved the delivery of science activities that were designed, implemented and evaluated to show culturally contextualised science. The activities were run in two very different contexts (urban and very rural areas) and were designed to be of relevance to two distinctive cultural groups (those with links to South Asia, and those being educated through the medium of Gaelic, an indigenous minority language in Scotland), while also actively engaging with those beyond the target group. The link between language identity and culture was incorporated into the design of both sets of activities as well as the qualitative evaluation. The latter considers how the participants' assessment of the interventions, implemented by writing or drawing on a blank postcard, was designed to provide unstructured responses and explores what the resulting data revealed about the impact of the interventions. The findings suggest that the set of activities that most strongly engaged participants on the value of diversity in the creation of scientific knowledge, as well as increasing their focus on the consequences of scientific activity, were those that facilitated a more exploratory approach to the subject matter. By contrast, activities that had to be done according to a standard scientific protocol produced growth in subject-specific knowledge. The present paper explores the principles of the inclusive pedagogies that informed the design of the activities and discusses how these were operationalised in two very contrasting cultural contexts. The key finding was that presenting science as social practice, rather than as being socially neutral, is key to promoting engagement, along with the benefits of explicitly demonstrating the relevance of science to participants' daily lives.

Although formulating a broadly accepted definition of scientific literacy may be challenging, it is widely recognized that Nature of Science (NOS) is an essential component of it. There are different ways to define NOS. In some cases, NOS can be conceptualized through a number of general NOS aspects like for instance science's empirical basis or tentativeness. This approach in NOS teaching and learning is considered to be helpful for advancing students' understanding about NOS. Moreover, it has been suggested that history of science, and more specifically narratives informed by the history of science, can be very well used to explicitly and systematically highlight general NOS aspects. Thus, this paper reports on two "fiction talk stories" that we created considering the history of the super-organismic-plant-community concept and the critique against it. Our stories, "Inspiration cannot wait" and "Panta rhei," set focus on the creativity involved in scientists' work, the distinction between observation and inference, and the tentativeness of science. In this paper, we (a) discuss fiction talk stories as a type of narratives used in educational contexts, (b) highlight the historical background of "Inspiration cannot wait" and "Panta rhei" and present the narratives themselves, (c) discuss them in terms of their essential features and the strategies we considered, and (d) we make some final remarks.

The 16th Congress of the Mediterranean Phytopathological Union (MPU2022) took place in Limassol, Cyprus from 4–8 April, 2022. Plant pathologists from the region and beyond celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Union and the 62 years of publication of Phytopathologia Mediterranea as a top level plant pathology journal. MPU2022 entitled “Safeguarding Mediterranean Plant Health” promoted dissemination of the latest scientific advances, and facilitated dialogue and collaboration between researchers interested in all aspects of Phytopathology. This conference also addressed wider perspectives in scientific fields not previously explored at MPU Congresses, including abiotic stresses, biopesticides, forest pathology, smart agriculture and gender equality in research, funding, teaching and professional development. Papers presented at the Congress included 83 oral presentations, including 15 keynote presentations from leading scientists, and 63 poster presentations, covering all areas of plant pathology and plant stress research, from 130 participants. Five special sessions in cutting edge subjects were organised. A special session was organised jointly with the Arab Society of Plant Protection. All these scientific contributions are part of this issue.

Plants is instituting the Best Paper Awards to recognize the outstanding papers published in the journal [...]

The article discusses a study by Adrienne Roeder and colleagues on the robustness of morphogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana sepals. The research found that robust development is not affected by changes in cell division but is dependent on uncorrelated or anticorrelated variability in cellular growth rates. The study highlights the use of stochasticity in plants to produce reproducible organ size and shape. The authors, Isabella Burda and Adrienne Roeder, provide insights into their research motivations and future directions in understanding the principles of robustness in plant development. [Extracted from the article]

Bagging regulates the fruit microenvironment and improves the quality and market value of fruits. It is a safe and ecofriendly technique to protect fruits from insect/pest infestation and multiple biotic and abiotic stresses. In the current study, the influence of fruit bagging was evaluated on the development and quality of loquat fruits. Fruits from a healthy loquat orchard (Cv. Zaozhong No.6), located in Fujian, China, were enveloped in paper (T1), aluminum (T2), and aluminum–polyethylene bags (T3), while unbagged fruits were maintained as control (T0). In general, fruit bagging improved fruit quality in terms of fruit physiological and biochemical attributes and protected fruits from physical damage. In particular, aluminum–polyethylene bagging enhanced fruit weight, length, and width by 1.37-, 1.18-, and 1.13-fold, respectively. Loquat fruits bagged with paper bags exhibited the maximum soluble sugar and lowest titratable acid content. Fruits treated with paper and aluminum–ethylene bags showed twofold higher sugar–acid ratio as compared to control. Aluminum–polyethylene bagging caused 66.67%, 55.56%, and 33.33% reductions in skin burn, fruit rotting, and black spot of loquat. The fruits bagged in aluminum and aluminum–polyethylene did not show insect or bird damage, while unbagged fruits had 14.70% and 17.65% insect and bird damage, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that paper, aluminum, and aluminum–polyethylene bagging improved fruit health by 75%, 131%, and 144%, respectively, as compared to control. To delineate bagging type-dependent effects, principal component analysis was performed. Paper bagging was positively correlated with fruit firmness, rotting, soluble sugars, sugar–acid ratio, and proline content. Aluminum bagging was highly associated with improvements in titratable acids, cystine, and methionine. Aluminum–polyethylene bags were correlated with fruit weight, size, peel thickness, edible rate, and certain amino acids.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the existing Student Inquiry and Research program at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy transitioned to a remote-only format. This paper describes the mentoring of 12 high school juniors and seniors in yearlong remote research projects involving plant biology and protein engineering. Working in groups of two or three, students read scientific articles and proposed experiments. An experienced researcher then carried out the experiments and gave the students the data. Students analyzed data, drew conclusions, and shared their results in an oral presentation and in a written paper. Despite the online-only format, all anonymously surveyed students agreed that the experience improved their confidence in both conducting and communicating scientific research, and 90% agreed that because of the experience, they are more likely to pursue a career in STEMM. These results are similar to those seen from in-person research experiences. Given the positive outcomes from this program, further development and use of remote research experiences may be beneficial, particularly for students who would not otherwise have access to any research opportunities. Remote learning technology thus enables existing resources of time and funding to be allocated differently to provide more students with authentic research experiences.

The JK Paper industry located at Rayagada discharges biologically untreated effluent more than the permissible limit prescribed by Pollution Control Board, Odisha in to the environment. The industry is seriously polluting the surrounding aquatic and terrestrial environment. No detailed intensive study was carried out by previous workers on this industry earlier. The present study aims at finding out the impact of effluent on the flora at the contaminated site. The chemically treated effluent (TE) contained significant amount of mercury and cadmium. The TE has high BOD, COD, dissolved solids and suspended solids when compared to normal river water at the site of discharge. The TE deteriorated the natural water bodies changing the physico-chemical properties of natural river water. After meeting the river water the TE was diluted after 1 km distance from the meeting point of the river. Crop plants collected from the contaminated site showed higher level of residual Hg and Cd and significant depletion in pigment was observed. Plants collected from both the sides of the treated effluent canal showed significant amount residue mercury and cadmium in the plant leaves. The plants exposed to the TE, showed variation in chlorophyll and Phaeophytin pigment content when compared to their respective control values in all terrestrial plants collected from the contaminated site. In some plant leaves little increment in the pigment level was noted but the values were not significant. The changes observed in the plant pigment might be due to heavy metal accumulation. The presence of residual Hg and Cd in crop plants and plant leaves grazed by grazing animals after absorption, accumulation and enrichment may lead to a possible biological magnification, warrants attention. Proper biological treatment, treatment of effluent by modern methods and removal of heavy metals from the effluent before discharge by the industry is suggested. • Biological treatment of the effluent was not carried out by the industry & chemicals present in the effluent were significantly high.. • The water quality of the river water deteriorated due to the discharge of effluent of the paper mill. • Plants collected from the contaminated site showed significant accumulation of cadmium and mercury in leaf tissues • Significant depletion in pigment content of exposed plant leaves was noticed. • Depletion in plant pigment was due to accumulation of cadmium and mercury in plant tissues absorbed from the effluent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worksheets are often used during field trips and utilize a learning cycle with three stages (exploration, concept introduction and concept application) to engage learners in the learning activities of observation and exploration. However, traditional paper worksheets do not provide multimedia and interactive presentations with physical objects, which made learners losing interaction with the physical context during field trips and failing to implement all the stages completely. This study designed an augmented reality worksheet with a three-stage learning cycle and applied it to learning about plants, specifically assisting learners in observing and classifying plants. A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used to show the effect of learning when learners used augmented reality worksheets. Lag sequence analysis was used to identify learning behavioral patterns. The findings indicate that the learning effect of using augmented reality worksheets is much better than that of paper worksheets and improves the learners' interaction with plants.

• The study of plant–plant parasitism has experienced remarkable growth in the scientific literature. • Research on plant parasites has predominantly focused on ecological and physiological aspects in the last 20 yeras. • Aspects of evolution and host-parasite interactions needs further and deeper investigations. • We hope this special issue will serve as a catalyst for further advancements in the investigation of plant-plant parasitism. The study of plant–plant parasitism has experienced remarkable growth in the scientific literature, particularly over the past two decades. Hemi- and holoparasites, in particular, have been recognized as pivotal components within plant communities, capable of upscale effects to the ecosystem. Research on plant parasites has predominantly focused on ecological and physiological aspects of parasites and hosts, with a global distribution pattern. However, some fields remain relatively unexplored, and specific regions of Asia and the Global South (with exception of Australia and Brazil) have yet to receive comprehensive attention. Here, we introduce the theme on plant hemi- and holoparasites and explore publication trends on plant–plant parasitism over the past half-century, with a particular emphasis on papers published within the last two decades. We explore our findings to extend an invitation to researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to contribute their expertise to a forthcoming Virtual Special Issue of Flora – Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants on "Plant Parasitism: Ecology, Evolution and Functional Aspects", with contributions expected from a wide range of topics related to ecology, physiology, morphology, systematics, and reproductive biology. We believe that this special issue will help in advancing our knowledge in plant-plant parasitism, fostering collaboration and facilitating the growth of this exciting area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the master course design process at the largest institution of higher education in Colorado, USA. The master course design process demonstrated principles of backwards design and employed a team-based approach to course development. The course map was the primary vehicle for communicating the design of the course during development and later for accountability. This case study presented the redesign of General College Botany. The General College Botany curriculum employed authentic assessment and provided an andragogical learning environment. The central authentic assessment in the course was a term-long research project. Other assignments included wiki-building discussions, traditional quizzes, and at-home labs. The accounting of this process and the assignments described for an online science course provide a template for other institutions to follow when considering the implementation of master courses in higher education settings. As botanical curricula continue to be cut from degree programs and the need for remote learning becomes imminent in the modern world, the scaling of educational resources is facilitated by master course design. Master course design promotes accountability and standardization while also affording a well-researched, constructive, and blended learning environment. Evaluative results showed that the master course increased student success and retention in the course.

For plant identification in school biology, many digital and analogue identification methods have been developed to make this demanding and little motivating process more student-orientated. In this experimental field study, we examine two empirically developed tools: the digital identification app "ID-Logics' and the paper-based key, generated by the online platform 'Eikes Baumschule'. In line with Self-Determination Theory (SDT), an evaluation study with 251 students was conducted to investigate the effect of both tools on students' intrinsic motivation. The results of the study were unexpected, as the different media regarding the SDT did not present themselves as projected: While both tools influence students' intrinsic motivation positively, each displays specific effects regarding enjoyment, perceived competence, and perceived autonomy. Taking these effects into account, each tool under investigation offers different advantages and disadvantages for plant identification in the field. The resulting opportunities and challenges, for plant identification, of both tools are discussed critically against the background of SDT, and future directions for research on intrinsic motivation in the context of species identification are mapped. Furthermore, this study shed light on the process of species identification and thus indicates recommendations for practical use in biology lessons.

This article explores the applications of fast breeding technologies in crop improvement and functional genomics studies. These technologies, including molecular selection, gene mapping, haploid induction, and genome editing, have greatly expedited the process of modifying crop traits and mapping genes. Examples of these technologies being used include the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to modify crop traits and the development of new haploid inducer lines in various plants. The article also highlights specific research papers on genetic improvement in melon, potato, wheat, rice, and tomato crops using these technologies. Additionally, the document discusses various research papers in the field of plant science, covering topics such as stress tolerance in tomatoes, doubled haploid plants in maize and wheat, and gene exploration in different crops. These papers provide valuable insights into breeding materials, marker development, and the cloning of new genes, contributing to the development of new germplasms and varieties in crops. [Extracted from the article]

A framework infrageneric classification of I Carex i (Cyperaceae) and its organizing principles b The genus I Carex i L. (Cyperaceae) is widely distributed across continents and represents one of the largest genera in angiosperms, including about 2000 species. By sampling 361 accessions of Cyperaceae species and 21 accessions representing other families in the order Poales, Larridon et al. ([6]) presented the first family-wide phylogenomic study of Cyperaceae based on targeted sequencing using the Angiosperms probe kit. Phylogeny and biogeography of the hollies ( b I B Ilex b i B L., Aquifoliaceae) b The holly genus ( I Ilex i , Aquifoliaceae) is a large woody dioecious genus and consists of over 664 species, with many of them being economically important. [Extracted from the article]

Students in environmental sciences, ecology, or wildlife management are often reluctant to acquire training in basic laboratory techniques. To advocate the importance of this training, we reviewed literature in the fields of biological and environmental science for one frequently used technique--centrifugation--and evaluated whether centrifugation parameters are properly expressed. Centrifugation is used to extract and purify different types of biomolecules for further characterization or quantification. The repeatability of the procedure depends on the proper identification of parameters defining the gravitational force applied to a solution, for example the duration, distance from central axis, and angular velocity. Correctly expressing rotation velocity--the "speed"--is therefore crucial to ensuring repeatability and the possibility of using the same protocols in different laboratories. When scrutinizing the materials and methods sections of publications in ecology, zoology, botany, or general biology journals, we noticed that velocity is expressed in different ways and essential information is often missing. We sampled 2000 articles in different fields of biological sciences that recorded centrifugation as a technique in the materials and methods section. We found centrifugation velocity to be properly expressed in gravitational force "g" in only 47.8% of the papers. The score dropped to 40.4% in journals specialized in ecology. We use this analysis to advocate for a minimum of training in the techniques of biochemistry that are of common use in environmental sciences. Better training would allow higher reproducibility of results in scientific publications.

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In this paper we have designed an interactive device of bionic flower based on linkage mechanism by studying the shape and structure of flowers. Firstly, in order to solve the problem of variable morphology of the bionic flower, we have built the internal skeletal structure of the bionic flower in accordance with the working principle of the hinge linkage mechanism; secondly, based on the internal skeletal structure, we have tested a variety of ductile materials, and identified the multifunctional paper material that can be shape-shifting and color-changing; thirdly, we have used the key technology of Arduino to build the intelligent sensors and hardware, and solved the opening and closing sequence and response range of multiplecluster interactive objects. This article research provides new ideas for the display of flower and plant science to the public from the perspective of bionics, and gives new application areas and cultural values to the interactive bionic design of plants and flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sitophilus zeamais is a primary pest of maize. Our aim was to perform a qualitative review and meta-analyses with 56 scientific articles published from 1 January 2000 to 1 October 2022 dealing with direct (topical application) and indirect (impregnation of essential oils, EOs, onto filter paper or maize grains) contact toxicity of EOs against S. zeamais. Three independent meta-analyses of single means of LD50 (direct contact) and LC50 (indirect contact) were conducted using a random effect model. Essential oils more frequently evaluated were those belonging to Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Piperaceae, and Rutaceae. The LC50 global mean values were 33.19 µg/insect (CI95 29.81–36.95) for topical application; 0.40 µL/cm2 (CI95 0.25–0.65) for filter paper indirect contact; and 0.50 µL/g maize (CI95 0.27–0.90) for maize grains indirect contact. The species Carum carvi, Salvia umbratica, Ilicium difengpi, Periploca sepium, Cephalotaxus sinensis, Murraya exotica, Rhododendron anthopogonoides, Ruta graveolens, Eucalyptus viminalis, Ocotea odorifera, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus dunnii, Anethum graveolens, Ilicium verum, Cryptocarya alba, Azadirachta indica, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Cupressus semperivens, Schinus molle, Piper hispidinervum, Mentha longifolia, and Croton pulegiodorus showed LC50 or LD50 values lower than the global means, indicating good insecticidal properties. Our results showed that EOs have great potential to be used as bioinsecticides against S. zeamais.

Bibliometric analysis is a quantitative evaluation method for scientific research aimed at measuring knowledge expressed as scientific publications in a given field. Based on the Essential Science Indicators database, 1136 top papers on cultivated wheat (Triticum species) were researched from 2010 to 2020, including 1132 highly cited papers and 20 'hot' papers. All papers written in English were from 5563 authors, 1668 organizations and 91 countries/territories, published in 317 journals and book series. The top five journals were Frontiers in Plant Science (50, 4.4%), Journal of Experimental Botany (38, 3.3%), New Phytologist (26, 2.3%), Bioresource Technology (25, 2.2%) and Field Crops Research (24, 2.1%), each publishing more than 24 papers. The five countries publishing the most papers were USA, People's R China, Australia, England and Germany. The top five organizations were Chinese Academy of Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science (CAAS), USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), CIMMYT, and CSIRO Agriculture and Food which each contributed more than 22 papers. Among authors, the top six were Rizwan, Muhammad; Ali, Shafaqat; Reynolds, Matthew; Gao, Caixia; Wang, Yanpeng; and Uauy, Cristobal, with each publishing more than eight papers. All keywords were separated into seven clusters representing different research topics. Visualizations offer exploratory information on current status in a scientific field or discipline as well as indicate possible future directions. This work will be useful for students in identifying graduate schools and researchers in selecting journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finding ways to utilize technology to engage the digital generation with the outdoors is important for many reasons. Spending time outside is associated with improvement in mental and physical health which has been demonstrated to decline with high users of technology. Positive outdoor experiences help shape conservation behavior which is essential as we face the challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. This paper reviews the implications of high technology use and the effects on time spent engaged with the natural world. It also explores the possibilities of utilizing technology to increase outdoor engagement. Drawing on the experience of Pokémon Go, a native plants tour was created utilizing an app that mimicked the same technology. A group of teens aged 12-18 field tested the tour to see how this technology engaged them in learning about native plants with the ultimate goal of increasing environmental stewardship and community engagement.

The article is an editorial discussing the importance of plant phenotyping research for addressing challenges related to food, feed, materials, chemicals, energy, agroecology, and climate change. The editorial highlights the development of technologies and processes in plant phenotyping research and the need for innovative approaches to identify and quantify key traits and processes in plants. The article also mentions the IPPS 2022 conference, which brought together a diverse community of researchers in the field. The editorial categorizes the research papers in the collection into those focused on data collection, data analysis and modeling, and policy and governance. The papers cover a range of topics, including the phenotyping of field crops, the use of data analysis and modeling for trait estimation, and the connection between phenomics data and genetics. The authors hope that readers will find valuable knowledge in the articles. [Extracted from the article]

Cotton is an important economic crop; therefore, enhancing cotton yield and cultivating superior varieties are key research priorities. The seedling stage, a critical phase in cotton production, significantly influences the subsequent growth and yield of the crop. Therefore, breeding experts often choose to measure phenotypic parameters during this period to make breeding decisions. Traditional methods of phenotypic parameter measurement require manual processes, which are not only tedious and inefficient but can also damage the plants. To effectively, rapidly, and accurately extract three-dimensional phenotypic parameters of cotton seedlings, precise segmentation of phenotypic organs must first be achieved. This paper proposes a neural network-based segmentation algorithm for cotton seedling organs, which, compared to the average precision of 75.4% in traditional unsupervised learning, achieves an average precision of 96.67%, demonstrating excellent segmentation performance. The segmented leaf and stem point clouds are used for the calculation of phenotypic parameters such as stem length, leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area. Comparisons with actual measurements yield coefficients of determination R 2 of 91.97%, 90.97%, 92.72%, and 95.44%, respectively. The results indicate that the algorithm proposed in this paper can achieve precise segmentation of stem and leaf organs, and can efficiently and accurately extract three-dimensional phenotypic structural information of cotton seedlings. In summary, this study not only made significant progress in the precise segmentation of cotton seedling organs and the extraction of three-dimensional phenotypic structural information, but the algorithm also demonstrates strong applicability to different varieties of cotton seedlings. This provides new perspectives and methods for plant researchers and breeding experts, contributing to the advancement of the plant phenotypic computation field and bringing new breakthroughs and opportunities to the field of plant science research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root traits have an important impact on plant growth, which reflects the adaptation of plants to nutrients. This paper describes the focus and progress of root traits research and provides references for future research. Based on the Web of Science online database, articles related to root traits from 2000–2021 were evaluated using bibliometric methods. The results showed that the study of root traits has been growing steadily in the last two decades. Wang Yan is the author with the highest number of published papers, the most citations and the highest H-index. The top three published countries are the USA, China and India. The top three institutions are the University of Western Australia, China Agricultural University and Nanjing Agricultural University. Plant and Soil, Frontiers in Plant Science and PLoS One have the highest number of published articles. In terms of co-occurrence of keyword analysis, growth, soil and plant diversity are highly correlated with root traits. It was found that cooperation between authors, institutions and countries are not close enough and that z global network of cooperation has not yet been formed. Therefore, worldwide cooperation should be strengthened to promote resource sharing and the openness of relevant mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments contained in numerous food plants. This study provides an overall quantitative literature analysis on anthocyanins. Bibliometric data were collected through the search string TOPIC = anthocyan*, which yielded 44,121 publications indexed within the Web of Science Core Collection. Term maps were generated using VOSviewer software to visualize frequently mentioned terms alongside their citation data. The literature has been growing fast since the 2000s and predominantly consists of original articles, with a ratio of 13.8:1 compared to reviews. The most productive author was Professor Victor de Freitas from the University of Porto, whereas the most productive countries were China and the United States. Many publications were published in food science & technology and plant sciences journals. Frequently mentioned chemicals/chemical classes included anthocyanin, flavonoid, cyanidin, phenolic compound, and polyphenol. Recurring food items of the anthocyanin papers were grapes, many berries, and specific varieties of rice, maize, potato, and tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on Paulownia spp. has increased in the last twenty years thanks to the growing interest in the application modalities of this plant in various sectors such as wood, phytoremediation, environmental protection, paper, biofuel, chemistry and medicine. For the first time, this study analyzed the papers present in the Web of Science Core Collection on "Paulownia" to obtain a set of characteristics in the work carried out from 1971 to 2021. This analysis selected and took into account 820 articles and provided evidence of the scientific production of authors, institutions, and countries. This work showed that the most studied species was Paulownia tomentosa, followed by P. fortunei and P. elongate. The JCR category and research area with the most publications was plant science, with 20.4% of the total. The papers were published in 460 journals and in a book series. The journals with the most publications were Bioresources, Advanced Material Research, Agroforestry Systems, Journal of Wood Science and Industrial Crops and Products. The institutions with the most prolific affiliation with the field of Paulownia spp. research were Henan University, the US Department of Agriculture, Belgrade University, the Chinese Academy, and Georgia University. Finally, the 3842 keywords were divided into nine different clusters and the trends of interest in the last fifteen years were highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Bibliometric analysis; cotton; plant sciences category; VOSviewer; Web of Science; ; ; ; EN Bibliometric analysis cotton plant sciences category VOSviewer Web of Science ZH 7579 7593 15 11/21/22 20221220 NES 221220 Introduction Cotton ( I Gossypium spp i .) Cotton fibers are natural hollow fibers; they are soft, cool, known as breathable fibers and absorbent. VOSviewer co-occurrence Network visualization mapping of most frequent all keywords (minimum of 5 occurrences) in cotton research from Plant Sciences category during 1990 to 2021 The same data were then arranged by a period of cotton research from Plant Sciences category as overlay map (Figure 6). [Extracted from the article]

In recent years, with the rapid development of omics technologies, researchers have shown that interactions between the intestinal flora and bile acids are closely related to the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). By regulating bile acid metabolism and receptor expression, the intestinal flora affects host metabolism, impacts the immune system, and exacerbates kidney injury in DKD patients. To explore interactions among the gut flora, bile acids and DKD, as well as the related mechanisms, in depth, in this paper, we review the existing literature on correlations among the gut flora, bile acids and DKD. This review also summarizes the efficacy of bile acids and their receptors as well as traditional Chinese medicines in the treatment of DKD and highlights the unique advantages of bile acid receptors in DKD treatment. This paper is expected to reveal a new and important potential strategy for the clinical treatment of DKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nomenclatural status and typification of the names Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, Salicornia fruticosa, S. fruticosa var. deflexa, S. fruticosa var. glaucescens, S. fruticosa var. intermedia, S. fruticosa var. humilis, S. fruticosa var. pachystachya, S. fruticulosa, S. glauca, S. lignosa, S. macrostachya var. virescens, S. macrostachya var. glaucescens, S. perennis, S. radicans, S. radicans var. caespitosa, S. sarmentosa, S. sempervirens, and S. virginica, as well as an unnamed β-variety of S. fruticosa proposed by A. Bertoloni, are investigated. Concerning A. macrostachyum, we document that the type indicated in literature (G00177362) is not a holotype, and that lectotypification is necessary. A specimen from G (G00687638) is here designated as a lectotype. On the level of variety, Arthrocnemum fruticosum var. macrostachyum is an earlier legitimate name for Salicornia fruticosa var. pachystachya. Furthermore, Piirainen et al. are incorrect when citing Forsskål's "Salicornia" from Alexandria as "S. virginica Forssk."; it is not a new name and should be cited as S. virginica auct. non L., as published in Forsskål's Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica. Like with numerous other parallel cases in Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica, Forsskål's designation of "Salicornia virginica" for an Arabian plant is to be considered a misapplication of the earlier Linnaean name for an American plant. Arthrocnemum glaucum (a nomen illegitimum of Ungern-Sternberg), was listed as type species of Arthrocnemum by the Names in Current Use project; the basionym, Salicornia glauca Delile, is here lectotypified and identified as Arthrocaulon meridionale, published by Ramirez et al. Updated synonymies of Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, A. meridionale, Salicornia fruticosa, and S. perennis are proposed. Salicornia sempervirens is an invalid name according to Art. 36.1a of ICN. No original material was found for S. radicans var. caespitosa. This paper also refer to lecto- or neotypifications on specimens deposited at BM, G, LINN-HS, LY, MPU, NAP, and PAL, and their current taxonomic positions are suggested in a taxonomic part of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Three naming systems have been applied to the flora of Aotearoa New Zealand, but differences in their use are poorly understood. Analyses of 45 sets of Māori and settlers' vernacular plant names and botanical names in Papers Past between 1839 and 1948 shows that Māori plant names were well-used in referring to the flora. Māori plant names (2,242,201; 82.6%) are mentioned more than settlers' names (465,155; 17.1%) or botanical nomenclature (8,193; 0.3%). Māori name usage was dominant from 1839 to 1858, declined during 1859–1868 when settlers' names were featured, and increased from 53.15% in 1869 to 90.89% in 1948. In Papers Past, 32 (71.0%) of the 45 Māori plant name(s) are mentioned most often, followed by 11 (24.5%) settlers' and two (4.5%) botanical names. Analysis of the 45 sets of names in four New Zealand science journals (1863–2020) shows the number of name mentions to be: botanical nomenclature 10,827 (54.4%), Māori 6,731 (33.8%) and settlers' 2,341 (11.8%). Botanical nomenclature (35 names) and Māori names (10 names) were the most mentioned of the 45 sets of names in the science journals. Analysis of the 45 sets of names in a Google Search undertaken in 2021 confirmed the prevalence of Māori names (92.5%) over botanical nomenclature (7.5%). The most mentioned Māori names refer to plants of economic importance such as rimu, mānuka and mataī. The overall dominance of Māori plant name mentions does not support recent contentions that botanical nomenclature has 'set aside' and 'replaced' these. Further, the low number of total mentions of botanical nomenclature in Papers Past and the science journals suggests little is to be gained from promoting the use of Māori epithets in botanical nomenclature for newly named taxa, and a strategy for the promotion of Māori plant names in the context of indigenous ecological knowledge is perhaps desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial that discusses the challenges faced by plants in the Anthropocene, such as climate change and land use. It focuses on clonal plants, which can reproduce both sexually and asexually, and their ability to adapt quickly to environmental changes. The document compiles research papers that explore various aspects of clonal plants, including their growth patterns, invasive capabilities, and role in ecosystem functions. The findings suggest that clonal plants have unique traits that allow them to successfully invade and thrive in different environments. The research aims to expand our understanding of clonal plants and their adaptation, evolution, and functioning. [Extracted from the article]