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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 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]

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]

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]

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]

The article provides ten tips for authors to expedite the peer-review process and increase the chances of swift publication in the journal Economic Botany. The tips include ensuring that the paper aligns with the journal's mission, following the guidelines for authors, justifying the novelty and innovation of the research, formulating clear research questions or hypotheses, providing thorough materials and methods, using sensitive language, going beyond plant lists, critically evaluating the use of ethnobotanical indices, practicing good scientific writing, and writing for a broad audience. The article emphasizes the importance of adhering to these recommendations to avoid delays in the publication process. [Extracted from the article]

This paper presents new Skepi Creole Dutch data from the late-18th century, found in the work of the German scholar Ernst Karl Rodschied. The creole data include pronominal and verbal paradigms, a short 60-word excerpt from a private letter, and around two dozen names for local flora. After briefly introducing Rodschied, we present the data and compare them to the existing Skepi corpus. [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.

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.

• 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]

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.

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]

Copyright of Diversitas Journal is the property of Diversitas Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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]

With the benefits of low cost, energy efficiency, and environmental protection, photocatalytic hydrogen production is considered to be the most promising technology for the development of a clean and sustainable society. However, the utilization of photocatalytically generated hydrogen is not very common yet. Therefore, tertiary education urgently needs to guide undergraduate/graduate students to realize that the hydrogen generated by photocatalysis can be feasibly utilized. Herein, we report an experiment demonstrating the generation, storage, conversion, and utilization of photocatalytic hydrogen. In this paper, TiO[subscript 2], Pt, and lactic acid are respectively used as the photocatalyst, cocatalyst, and sacrificial reagent to generate hydrogen fuel from water. Upon light illumination, hydrogen is photocatalytically produced in the TiO[subscript 2]-Pt-lactic acid-water system. Then, through a drainage method, the hydrogen gas is stored in a U-shaped manifold. Subsequently, the produced hydrogen is directly circulated without purification into a hydrogen fuel cell. The electricity obtained from this fuel cell is used to drive an electric fan. The total lab time is about 3 h. Upon the completion of the experiment, students can master several basic operational skills and can experience how interdisciplinary knowledge of the chemistry and physics of materials can be utilized to solve some energy and environmental problems.

Summary: Systematic monographs are an important tool for understanding biodiversity. However, while papers that outline systematic methods for biogeography, phylogenetics and diversification are commonplace, papers that cover methods for monographic and taxonomic research are rare. In this paper, we describe how we conducted a monographic study of Ipomoea, drawing attention to the resources we made use of and the practical steps we took, with a particular focus on how we integrated results from molecular and morphological analyses. The monograph provided a framework for a range of subsequent research, including studies on the origin of the important crop sweet potato. It is hoped that our experience will provide a blueprint for others embarking on the preparation of a systematic monograph. [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]

Copyright of Agronomy Journal is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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]

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]

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]

This study explores how European botanical science, introduced by foreign missionaries, transformed the intellectual and environmental landscape of premodern China. By examining the transnational exchange of scientific ideas, the paper highlights the role of missionaries, particularly Jesuits and Protestants, in promoting Western botany within a highly sophisticated Chinese intellectual framework. Despite cultural barriers, missionaries sought to integrate a Christian understanding of nature into Chinese episteme, using botanical studies as a conduit for proselytization. The research focuses on key historical moments, including the Treaty of Nanking, which opened China to Western religious and scientific influences. Findings show that missionaries' botanical studies, driven by both religious and scientific interests, contributed to cross-cultural intellectual collaboration, leading to ideological–environmental changes. The research reveals that botanical exchange was not limited to science but also intertwined with political, economic, and religious interests. Furthermore, the introduction of experimental science reshaped Chinese approaches to nature, blending European and Chinese intellect systems. Ultimately, this paper argues that foreign missionaries played a crucial role in shaping both modern Chinese botany and global episteme, illustrating how scientific ideas transcended cultural boundaries to create lasting environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal and edible homologous (MEHs) plants are valuable in medicine and food science as edible plants. Saponins, one of the major chemical components isolated from MEHs plants, have significant antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral biological activities. This paper provides an overview of the basic structure, properties, and bioactivity of saponins, the development of novel delivery systems for their enhanced bioavailability, and their applications in various fields. It also highlights the innovations and challenges of current trends in saponin research and provides a basis for the development of a safe and effective natural active ingredient based on MEHs plants. Through comprehensive analysis, this paper aims to provide a theoretical basis and technical support for further research and application of saponins in food science. [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]

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]

Impatiens L. plants have a variety of flower colors, abundant flowers, and unique flower types, which have high ornamental and medicinal value. This paper utilized CiteSpace (version 6.2.R4) and VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) software to analyze documents related to Impatiens L. research from 1987 to 2023, sourced from the Web of Science database (WOS) and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Bibliometric analyses were conducted to explore the literature potential of Impatiens L. research, revealing publication volume, discipline distribution, major research institutions and researchers, research hotspots, and research trends. The results indicated a consistent increase in articles published on Impatiens L., with the United States, China, and India as the primary research countries. The research direction predominantly focused on plant science, ecology, and horticulture, with universities and research institutes being the main contributors. The Chinese Academy of Sciences and Florida State University were identified as having the most published articles and a strong influence. Research on Impatiens L. primarily focused on investigating new species, phenotypic plasticity, biodiversity, and systematic classification. Future efforts should emphasize the investigation and protection of Impatiens L. resources, conduct in-depth research on the plant's active components, innovate breeding technology, and explore the biological characteristics and ecological role of Impatiens L. through interdisciplinary collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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]

With the publishing of the 2012 Flora of Virginia by the Foundation of the Flora of Virginia Project, the dream of modern flora for Virginia was realized. This was a goal of the Virginia Flora Committee of the Virginia Academy of Science as well as other groups such as the Virginia Botanical Associates and the Virginia Native Plant Society. The Flora of Virginia and the 2017 Flora of Virginia App were realized with the work, support, and encouragement of many individuals and organizations. This paper focuses on the lives, contributions, and work of six women botanists in the Academy who played important roles in developing the Flora of Virginia as well as continuing its future evolution: Miss Lena Clemmons Artz, Dr. Martha Kotila Roane, Dr. Dorothy Cranford Bliss, Dr. Donna M.E. Ware, Dr. Andrea Weeks, and Ms. Marion Blois Lobstein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]