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• We first report a new pathway model, including the Ca2+/CaM pathway, the ROS pathway, and the ABA pathway, for the response of the Hsf gene family in sweet orange to abiotic and biotic stresses. • Heat shock transcription factors family were identified for the first time in sweet orange, all with typical DBD and HR-A/B structural domains. • A total of 17 CsHsf genes were identified in sweet orange. • Phylogenetic analyses showed close affinity to Citrus clementina, CsHsf can be divided into three families and 14 subfamilies, gene structure, and protein motif analyses supported the results of phylogenetic analyses. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) is the most widely planted and productive citrus fruit, but its growth and yield are susceptible to abiotic and biotic stresses. Heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) play important roles in regulating plant growth and development and resistance to pests and diseases. However, a systematic study of the CsHsf gene family has not been reported. In this study, we used bioinformatics methods to identify the genome-wide Hsf gene family in sweet orange and then systematically analyzed its gene features, subcellular localization, phylogeny, promoter cis-acting elements, protein interactions, and expression profiles. Seventeen CsHsf gene family members were identified; these genes were randomly distributed on eight chromosomes, and most of the CsHsfs were located in the nucleus. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that CsHsf is closely related to Citrus clementina , and CsHsf can be divided into three clades and 14 subclades. Gene subclades structure and motif analyses supported the results of phylogenetic analyses, and most of the promoter regions of CsHsf gene family members contained cis-responsive elements related to adverse stresses, hormones, and growth and development. GO analyses indicated that the CsHsf gene family plays a role in resistance to environmental stresses and the regulation of metabolism, and the 3D structure revealed a conserved CsHsf protein structure. RNA-Seq data analysis suggested that the CsHsf4 gene has an anti- Penicillium digitatum function. In addition, we first report a new pathway model, including the Ca2+/CaM pathway, the ROS pathway, and the ABA pathway, for the response of the Hsf gene family in sweet orange to abiotic and biotic stresses. This study lays a foundation for abiotic and biotic stress-resistance gene selection and disease-resistance breeding in sweet orange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Secondary metabolites are compounds that play an important role in a wide range of fields, from medicine to agriculture. • For the first time, a detailed investigation of the secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene cluster was conducted in citrus sinensis. • The analyses indicated the presence of medically valuable compounds such as alkaloids, terpenes, lignans, polyketides, etc. in C. sinensis. • Terpene synthases (TPS) in C. sinensis are predominantly found in the TPS-a subfamily. Plants synthesize primary and secondary metabolites through their biochemical processes. Secondary metabolites are substances with diverse functions, ranging from stress response to pharmaceutical production. Terpenes belong to the category of secondary metabolites. The purpose of this article is to predict the biosynthetic gene clusters of secondary metabolites in the Citrus sinensis , to identify the terpene synthases present in terpene clusters, and to elucidate their functions. Additionally, another goal is to identify the enzymes in orthologous species that are counterparts to these enzymes. The plantiSMASH tool was utilized for the prediction of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. Later, enzymes with defined functions in the terpene synthase category were selected, ID numbers were assigned to them, and they were listed as CsTS1-CsTS23. The phylogenetic tree of enzymes belonging to the terpene synthase category was generated using the MEGA11 program and the Interactive Tree Of Life v6.7.3 software. For ortholog analysis, the OrthoDB v11 software was utilized. Following the conducted analyses, a total of 11 putative, 3 alkaloid, 3 lignan, 12 saccharide, 6 terpene, 1 terpene-alkaloid, 2 polyketide, 1 saccharide-terpene, and 1 terpene-saccharide-polyketide gene cluster was identified in the C. sinensis. Furthermore, within the phylogenetic tree of terpene synthases, 3 distinct groups were observed. It was determined that the first group had the highest number of members. In addition, orthologs for CsTS9, CsTS10, CsTS12, CsTS19 , and CsTS22 could not be identified in the example species. In conclusion, the determination of gene clusters for secondary metabolites will contribute to studies in diverse fields such as medicine, pharmacy, and agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus black spot (CBS) caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa was reported for the first time in Tunisia in 2019. This was also the first reported occurrence of the disease in a Mediterranean climate. In Tunisia, CBS is mainly found in lemon (Citrus limon) orchards, and is seldom observed on sweet orange (Citrus × sinensis). This recent finding in North Africa raises questions about how the disease has been able to spread under Mediterranean climatic conditions. In this work, 216 Phyllosticta strains collected from lemon orchards in 2021, 2022 and 2023 throughout the country's main citrus-growing provinces were characterised by species morphological and molecular identification, mating type and Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) microsatellite genotyping (MLG). P. citricarpa was the only species found to be associated with CBS in Tunisia. Although P. citricarpa is a heterothallic fungal species, potentially able to reproduce both sexually and asexually, a single mating type (MAT 1-1-1) idiomorph was found in the population. In addition, three MLGs were observed, across ten microsatellite loci, one of which was massively represented (93 %), indicating a clonal population. The clonality observed suggests a single recent introduction of the pathogen into the country. These findings support the idea that in Tunisia, P. citricarpa only reproduces asexually by pycniospores, with a relatively limited dispersal potential. This is consistent with the absence of pseudothecia on the leaf litter. These results show that CBS is able to thrive under Mediterranean conditions, even in the absence of sexual reproduction. This should be taken into consideration for CBS risk assessment and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the Bi3+ doped LuBaZn 3 GaO 7 fluorescent powder was produced using a high-temperature solid-state technique, and its long afterglow luminescence and dynamic anti-counterfeiting capabilities were thoroughly examined. Under the ultraviolet (UV) light excitation, the LuBaZn 3 GaO 7 host exhibits broadband self-activated emission band peak at 594 nm, attributed to the O-vacancies. Upon Bi3+ doping, the phosphor produces a narrow emission band in the 350–450 nm wavelength range, which is caused by the 3P 1 –1S 0 transition of the Bi3+ ions in the Ba2+ site. Remarkably, oxygen vacancy-induced electronic localization around the Bi3+ ions increases the emission intensity of LuBaZn 3 GaO 7 :0.01Bi3+ around ten times that of LuBaZn 3 GaO 7 between 450 and 850 nm wavelength. With the variation in excitation light wavelength, the intensity of the two emission bands of LuBaZn 3 GaO 7 : Bi3+ changed accordingly, exhibiting multi-color luminescence. While the excitation was removed after 3-min irradiation, LuBaZn 3 GaO 7 : Bi3+ phosphors continued to emit for 10 min. Moreover, the phosphor emission has good temperature-sensitive characteristics based on the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) of the emission bands of Bi3+ ions and host. Hence, an optical thermometry with high-temperature sensitivity was constructed. Consequently, it can be concluded that fluorescent powder has the potential to be applied in the fields of fluorescence temperature measurement and anti-counterfeiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biogenic synthesis of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles was boosted by the use of a recently found organic acid produced from Citrus sinensis. Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were synthesized at 350 °C and 450 °C, and their physical and chemical properties were studied using a number of different characterisation techniques. Crystalline structure and phase were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of as-synthesized and annealed Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. This finding demonstrates that the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles have a unique, cubic spinel structure with only one phase. With the use of well-established formulae, we were able to calculate the crystallite size and lattice parameter of the synthesized Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, and found that their size increased as a function of the annealing temperature, from 11 nm to 34 nm. The FTIR method was used to analyse the as-synthesized and annealed Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles for functional groups, molecular structure, and chemical bonding. Metallic components at 465, 551 and 1628 cm−1 were found after analysing the three samples. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) was used to analyse the surface morphology and grain size fluctuations of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, while Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) was used to study the elemental composition. Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles' thermal characteristics change depending on the annealing temperature. The antibacterial efficacy of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, manufactured using green methods, was assessed against two different types of bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The use of two rootstocks in common pots favors the increase of all levels of A, E and gs even in full irrigation. • The association between genotypes in the same pot caused different physiological responses. • The use of two rootstocks in common pots is more effective tool for analyses of citrus plants under drought stress conditions. Brazil is a country focused on agribusiness and is the world's largest producer of orange juice. However, citrus production in certain regions of the world is affected by irregular rainfall, which imposes drought stress conditions and causes behavioral changes in plant survival, growth, and productivity. In this context, the objective of this work was to assess a methodology for the selection of citrus rootstocks tolerant to drought when exposed to water deficit regimes. This work was conceived with prior knowledge of the responses to drought tolerance of three rootstocks: Rangpur Lime (RL), Sunki Tropical (ST) and Sunki Maravilha (SM). The study was carried out with Valencia Orange (VO) scion varieties grafted on these three rootstocks. Two plants were conditioned per pot, forcing competition for available water in the soil, and all combinations were exposed to three different water regimes (irrigated, water deficit, and rehydrated). The hydric and physiological relationships were then evaluated. The results showed that in addition to the availability of water, the association between genotypes in the same pot caused different physiological responses. In view of the contrasting strategies of survival/tolerance adopted by these genotypes in response to water deficit, the combination with RL allowed a higher tolerance, showing less water extraction, lower leaf water potential, and relative water content, as well as an increase in the photosynthetic parameters when combined mainly with SM. The methodology used is a promising and more effective tool for analyses of citrus plants under drought stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Chloroplast genome of 'Zangju' had one less protein-coding gene (rpl22) than 'Tuju'. • There were high commonality of codons and a significant AT preference in chloroplast genomes of the two citrus varieties. • The chloroplast genomes of different citrus species could share one haplotype. • Citrus species had complex lineage relationships and extensive hybridization. Citrus plants, comprising some of the most widely cultivated fruit crops worldwide, have great research value. We assembled and annotated the chloroplast genomes of two local important citrus varieties of China, 'Tuju' and 'Zangju', and comparatively analyzed their sequences. The full lengths chloroplast genomes of 'Tuju' and 'Zangju' were 160,121 and 160,694 bp, respectively. Both featured a quadripartite structure with two copies of a large inverted repeat (IR) separated by small (SSC) and large (LSC) single-copy regions. 'Tuju' chloroplast genome contained 134 genes. 'Zangju' had one less protein-coding gene (rpl22) than 'Tuju'. We also found 27 and 21 optimal codons, all of which ended with A or U, for chloroplast protein-coding genes of 'Tuju' and 'Zangju', respectively. There were 32 haplotypes obtained from 43 citrus chloroplast genomes, some different species or cultivars could share one haplotype. Of them, 'Tuju', one individual of Citrus limon , one individual of Citrus maxima and Citrus platymamma shared one haplotype, which implied they had the same maternal origin. The phylogenetic trees supported that all haplotypes could be divided five groups, while haplotype network analysis tended to get three groups. Our study reveals the complex lineage relationship of citrus plants at a certain level, and provides a valuable reference tool for future research on citrus plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Active edible packaging for fresh/fresh-cut fruit based on pectin and oregano oil was developed. • High antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activity of films with 0.5% and 1% oil. • Extended freshness of cut apples coated with low oil content (0.05% and 0.1%). • Surface browning on fresh-cut apples coated with formulations containing 0.5% and 1% oil. Edible coatings based on plant components – citrus pectin and oregano essential oil were developed for an active fresh/fresh-cut fruits packaging. Films having relatively homogeneous microstructures were prepared with variations in porosity depending on oil concentration. The increase in oil content did not reduce the water vapor permeability of films, but the water contact angle indicated a greater hydrophobicity of the film's surface with the addition of 0.5% and 1% essential oil. The antioxidant activity of pectin-based films significantly increased with increasing in oil content, while films with 0.5% and 1% oil showed great inhibition against all tested bacterial and fungal strains. Fresh-cut apples coated with pectin-oil formulations remained fresher compared to the uncoated ones during storage. The slices with coatings containing 0.05% and 0.1% oregano oil showed the best retention of freshness and color. Results indicated great potential of coatings based on pectin and oregano oil as components from plants to be used as an edible active packaging material for fresh/fresh-cut fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While mammals require the essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) in their diet, plants and microorganisms synthesize Trp de novo. The five-step Trp pathway starts with the shikimate pathway product, chorismate. Chorismate is converted to the aromatic compound anthranilate, which is then conjugated to a phosphoribosyl sugar in the second step by anthranilate phosphoribosyltransferase (PAT1). As a single-copy gene in plants, all fixed carbon flux to indole and Trp for protein synthesis, specialized metabolism, and auxin hormone biosynthesis proceeds through PAT1. While bacterial PAT1s have been studied extensively, plant PAT1s have escaped biochemical characterization. Using a structure model, we identified putative active site residues that were variable across plants and kinetically characterized six PAT1s (Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress), Citrus sinensis (sweet orange), Pistacia vera (pistachio), Juglans regia (English walnut), Selaginella moellendorffii (spike moss), and Physcomitrium patens (spreading earth-moss)). We probed the catalytic efficiency, substrate promiscuity, and regulation of these six enzymes and found that the C. sinensis PAT1 is highly specific for its cognate substrate, anthranilate. Investigations of site-directed mutants of the A. thaliana PAT1 uncovered an active site residue that contributes to promiscuity. While Trp inhibits bacterial PAT1 enzymes, the six plant PAT1s that we tested were not modulated by Trp. Instead, the P. patens PAT1 was inhibited by tyrosine, and the S. moellendorffii PAT1 was inhibited by phenylalanine. This structure-informed biochemical examination identified variations in activity, efficiency, specificity, and enzyme-level regulation across PAT1s from evolutionarily diverse plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tunable 5 d-4f luminescence of Eu2+ is of great application value, but it is still full of challenges in terms of luminescence efficiency, thermal stability and precise tuning of luminescence colors. In this work, we synthesized a series of Rb 2-x Cs x CaP 2 O 7 :0.015Eu2+ phosphors based on the equivalent substitution strategy, allowing a certain proportion of Cs+ to replace Rb+ sites. By optimizing the Rb/Cs ratio, the structural symmetry of the [CaO 6 ] octahedra can be enhanced, providing a high-stability and high-symmetry localized crystal field environment for the high efficiency luminescence of Eu2+. The experimental results confirmed that the broad-spectrum orange light emission could be achieved in Rb 0·5 Cs 1·5 CaP 2 O 7 :0.015Eu2+, and the integrated luminescence intensity was 6.9 times higher than that of Rb 2 CaP 2 O 7 :0.015Eu2+. Moreover, the luminescence intensity at 150 °C reached 93.3% of its room-temperature value. Using the synthesized phosphor as orange component, a white LED was assembled and a high-quality white light emission with Ra = 87.8 was achieved. These results suggest that rationally tuning the local structural symmetry around Eu2+ is an effective strategy to develop high-performance Eu2+-activated phosphors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anomalous thermal quenching of phosphors maintains good luminescence properties at higher temperatures, which is great significant in the application of phosphors. Here, Ca 2-x Ge 7 O 16 :xMn2+ phosphor has been synthesized by a solid sintering method. The luminescence properties of Ca 2-x Ge 7 O 16 :xMn2+ is studied systematically It produce a broad spectrum emission around 600 nm under 222-nm ultraviolet excitation, with a maximum emission intensity as the concentration x = 0.015. The fluorescence lifetime decreased from 9.4 to 8.0 ms, with Mn2+ increasing from 0.005 to 0.03. The most interesting phenomenon is that the emission increases first and then decreases with temperature growing up. The maximum emission is 113% at 100 °C of that at room temperatures. The intensity is 101% as the temperature is 150 °C. The excellent thermal stability is very useful in the application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter spp., the bacteria associated with huanglongbing (HLB), the most devastating disease of citrus worldwide. HLB management has heavily relied on insecticide applications to control the ACP, although there are efforts towards more sustainable alternatives. In previous work, our group assessed the potential bioactivity of different strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (Eubacteriales: Bacillaceae) (Bt) containing cry/cyt genes as feasible tools to control ACP nymphs. Here, we report an attempt to use the cry11A gene from Bt to produce transgenic sweet orange plants using two promoters. For the genetic transformation, 'Hamlin' and 'Valencia' sweet orange seedlings were used as sources of explants. Transgenic plants were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers, and the transgene copy number was confirmed by Southern blot analyses. Transcript expression levels were determined by qPCR. Mortality assays of D. citri nymphs were carried out in a greenhouse, and the effect of the events tested ranged from 22% to 43% at the end of the five-day exposure period. To our knowledge, this is the first manuscript reporting the production of citrus plants expressing the Bt cry11A gene for the management of D. citri nymphs. [Display omitted] • Transgenic citrus plants express the cry11A gene constitutively in their phloem tissues. • Moderate level of Asian citrus psyllid mortality is obtained by the Bt citrus plants. • Citrus Bt can be a tool for Asian citrus psyllid management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interveinal chlorosis in old leaves is a common occurrence in citrus orchards in southern China. The present study investigates the 'Langfeng' navel orange (LF, Citrus sinensis) grafted onto a Trifoliate orange (TO, Poncirus trifoliata) rootstock, which exhibits healthy green leaves, and the 'Newhall' navel orange (NHE, C. sinensis) grafted onto TO, which has typical magnesium (Mg) deficiency-induced chlorosis. Chemical analysis of the rhizosphere soil revealed that the pH values were around 3.92 and that both Mg and calcium (Ca) were significantly deficient in the rhizosphere soil of both grafting combinations (LF/TO and NHE/TO). Furthermore, the chlorotic leaves of NHE/TO had significantly lower levels of Mg, Ca, and phosphorus (P), and the green leaves of NHE/TO had significantly lower levels of Mg and Ca compared to the green leaves of the LF/TO. This suggests that Mg deficiency may be the primary cause of chlorosis in NHE/TO. A greenhouse study using the same graft combinations showed that the LF/TO plants had better growth than the NHE/TO, possibly by promoting Mg uptake and/or improving Mg distribution to leaves, thereby increasing carbon dioxide (CO 2) assimilation and photosynthesis, optimizing carbohydrate distribution, and increasing plant biomass. This results in a phenotype that is tolerant to Mg deficiency. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the LF navel orange could be utilized in the development of new citrus varieties with improved Mg-use efficiency. • Interveinal chlorosis is common in southern China citrus orchards. • Study compares "Langfeng" navel orange (LF) on Trifoliate orange rootstock (TO) to "Newhall" navel orange (NHE) on TO. • Soil analysis showed Mg and Ca deficiencies and NHE/TO had lower levels of Mg, Ca, and P in chlorotic leaves. • Greenhouse study showed better growth in LF/TO plants, indicating improved Mg uptake and tolerance to Mg deficiency. • Findings suggest LF navel orange can be used in new citrus varieties with improved Mg-use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus bacterial canker (CBC) is a serious bacterial disease affecting citrus plantations and the citrus industry all over the world. We have previously shown that an apetala 2/ethylene response factor in Citrus sinensis , CsAP2-09, positively regulated resistance to CBC, although the regulatory mechanisms remained undetermined. Here, we demonstrated that CsAP2-09 positively and sustainably controlled resistance to CBC in three-year transgenic plants. CsAP2-09 was found to be a transcriptional activator, and qRT-PCR and dual luciferase assays showed that it controlled the expression CsGH3.1L. CsAP2-09 bound directly to the promotor of CsGH3.1L, shown by yeast one-hybrid assay, with the binding site confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Biochemical assays showed that CsAP2-09 negatively regulated the biosynthesis of indole acetic acid (IAA) and positively regulated that of salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene, verified with transient overexpression of CsGH3.1L. The combination of these results with those of previous reports indicated that SA, ethylene, and IAA can directly regulate CBC resistance. Overall, we revealed a pathway whereby CsAP2-09 conferred CBC resistance by direct binding to the CsGH3.1L promoter, activating its expression and modulating IAA, SA, and ethylene biosynthesis. Our study indicates the potential value of manipulating CsAP2-09 and CsGH3.1L in the breeding of CBC-resistant citrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulated evidences have revealed the critical roles of calcium binding protein (CaBP) in growth and stress responses of plants. However, its function in woody plants is poorly understood. In this study, we cloned the CDS, gDNA and promoter sequences of three tandem-duplicated CaBPs (CsCaBP1 , CsCaBP2 and CsCaBP3) from Citrus sinensis , analyzed their sequence characteristics, and investigated their gene expression patterns and promoter activities under treatments of CaCl 2 , several phytohormones and wounding. Results showed that the three CsCaBPs have high sequence similarity. Their expression was strongly induced by CaCl 2 , ethylene, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and wounding, and the promoting effect of wounding on their expression was found to be partially ethylene-dependent. Consistently, we identified many phytohormone-related cis -acting elements in their promoters, and their promoter activity could be induced significantly by ethylene, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and wounding. All the three CsCaBPs can interact with WRKY40, whose encoding gene showed a similar expression pattern to CsCaBPs under phytohormone and wounding treatments. In addition, CsERF14, CsERF21, CsERF3 and CsERF2 could bind to their promoters. The results obtained in this study indicated that the three duplicated CsCaBPs were functionally redundant and played similar roles in the phytohormone and wounding responses of C. sinensis. • The expression of three duplicated CsCaBPs was strongly induced by CaCl 2 , ethylene, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid and wounding, and the promoting effect of wounding on their expression was partially ethylene-dependent. • CsCaBPs interact with WRKY40, whose encoding gene showed a similar expression pattern to CsCaBPs under phytohormone and wounding treatments. • CsERF14, CsERF21, CsERF3 and CsERF2 can bind to CsCaBPs promoters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus is one of the most commonly farmed and popular fruit crops globally. Citrus fruits are high in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre, which are essential for overall health. Oranges are the most widely traded citrus fruit, accounting for more than half of global citrus production. Tangerines, lemons, and mandarins are the next most commonly farmed varieties. Citrus production and export have steadily expanded over the previous three decades, though slower than competing items like mangoes, avocados, and melons. The production of citrus fruit is heavily hampered due to diseases in its growth stages. Again, the diseases not only appear in leaves but also in fruits. So, the quality of fruits is degraded due to the appearance of flaws. The citrus fruits are graded in two ways: first based on their skin tone and second on their size. So, there is a requirement to assess citrus diseases to avoid the degradation of production. Further, there is a need to grade citrus fruit to make easy packaging concerning its quality; so that the proper values of Citrus fruits be generated. This article studied and analysed different methodologies reported for citrus disease prediction and grading of citrus fruit in the postharvest stage based on machine vision between 2010 and 2021. This paper outlines the current achievements, limitations, and suggestions for future research on citrus diseases and their fruit grading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic entomopathogenic species are known to systematically colonize host plants and form symbiotic associations that benefit the plants they live with. The actin-depolymerizing factors (ADFs) are a group of gene family that regulate growth, development, and defense-related functions in plants. Systematic studies of ADF family at the genome-wide level and their expression in response to endophytic colonization are essential to understand its functions but are currently lacking in this field. 14 ADF genes were identified and characterized in the Citrus sinensis genome. The ADF genes of C. sinensis were classified into five groups according to the phylogenetic analysis of plant ADFs. Additionally, the cis -acting analysis revealed that these genes play essential role in plant growth/development, phytohormone, and biotic and abiotic responses; and the expression analysis showed that the symbiotic interactions generate a significant expression regulation level of ADF genes in leaves, stems and roots, compared to controls; thus enhancing seedlings' growth. Additionally, the 3D structures of the ADF domain were highly conserved during evolution. These results will be helpful for further functional validation of ADFs candidate genes and provide important insights into the vegetative growth, development and stress tolerance of C. sinensis in responses to endophytic colonization by B. bassiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The PUL/SA/Sodium silicate/EDTA-2Na system showed good compatibility. • PUL and SA were assembled through entanglement to form a network structure. • The WVP, TS, EAB, and WCA of the P 3 SA 2 -SE films were improved. • Sodium silicate and EDTA-2Na addition significantly increased the antimicrobial activity. • The P 3 SA 2 -SE coating showed a significant effect on controlling citrus green mold. Citrus has suffered great losses from postharvest fungal diseases. The strategy of polysaccharide-based coating combined with antimicrobial salts was introduced to preserve citrus and control green mold. Sodium silicate and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid-2Na (EDTA-2Na) (SE) were incorporated with pullulan (PUL)/sodium alginate (SA) solutions to fabricate PSA-SE systems. The results indicated that the PSA-SE films had good biocompatibility based on hydrogen bonds and showed uniform and dense. The molecular of PUL and SA were assembled through entanglement to form a network structure and the surface roughness of the PSA-SE films increased with the addition of SA. The P 3 SA 2 -SE film indicated appropriate tensile strength and elongation at break, as well as the lowest water vapor permeability. The carbon dioxide and oxygen permeability and dissolution of P 3 SA 2 -SE film were at low values. The P 3 SA 2 -SE film had the highest water contact angle (66°). With the addition of SA, the absorbance of the PSA-SE films increased, which was conducive to light blocking. The antifungal experiments revealed that the P 3 SA 2 -SE coating showed a significant effect on controlling citrus green mold, especially in Citrus sinensis Osbeck 'Lane Late' almost completely inhibited Penicillium digitatum (P44). This study will promote the development of citrus postharvest disease control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The quality of citrus fruit is influenced by macroclimatic and microclimatic conditions. • In the arid climate, heat stress (t > 35 °C) in early summer increases fruit acidity and reduces sugar content. • In the Mediterranean climate, 27 °C-33 °C in late summer significantly reduced fruit acidity. • Microclimate did not determine sucrose, fructose and glucose concentrations. High temperatures alter the ripening process of citrus fruit, affecting quality, flavor, harvest time and marketing period. For example, citrus fruits ripen faster and are sweeter in tropical hot-humid climates than in Mediterranean warm-dry climates due to higher sugar accumulation and organic acid catabolism. Considering that: 1) over 60 % of the world's citrus exports come from countries with warm Mediterranean climates, and 2) the Mediterranean region is warming 20 % faster than the global average, the citrus industry will face significant challenges in the coming years. The range of high temperatures and the timing at which they determine sugar and acid content in dry climates have not been studied under field conditions. Therefore, a study was undertaken over 6 years to determine the relationship between high temperature and citrus ripening in two dry macroclimates, hot (Arid, in Morocco) and warm (Mediterranean, in Spain), and 5 microclimates of the Mediterranean region. Heat stress in these dry climates correlates with changes in fruit quality (lower juice and sugar content, and higher organic acids), depending on the maximum temperature threshold and the time of onset and duration of heat. In the arid climate, the heat stress threshold was found to be a significant number of days above 35 °C. This was particularly important at the beginning of summer (July in the northern hemisphere). However, in the current Mediterranean climate of Spain, the percentage of summer days above 35 °C is still low indicating that other microclimatic conditions are involved in determining fruit quality. In particular, an increase in the number of days with temperatures between 27 °C and 33 °C in late summer and early autumn was found to correlate with reduced citric acid concentration. Microclimate did not determine sucrose, fructose, and glucose concentrations. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal rot is the most serious defect in post-harvest citrus, and the timely detection and removal of early rotten citrus are particularly crucial in reducing economic losses. Imaging technology under structured illumination is a promising method to fruit surface defects. This study aims to assess the feasibility of combining the structured-illumination reflectance imaging (SIRI) system with deep learning technology for the identification and segmentation of early rot in citrus. Phase-shifted images of oranges were acquired at four spatial frequencies and demodulated to obtain direct component (DC) and amplitude component (AC) images. The optimal spatial frequency for detecting rot was determined to be 0.20 cycles mm−1 based on the contrast index between the decay and sound areas in the images. Then, the AC images are subjected to brightness correction and augmentation. Three segmentation methods, global thresholding, watershed segmentation and Unet were used to segment the rotten areas in the images. Unet achieved optimal results on AC images, with an overall accuracy of 99.4 % and an IoU of 0.903. The gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) was used to visualize the areas recognized by Unet for orange rot, yielding satisfactory results. This study effectively demonstrated the defect recognition capability of SIRI combined with deep learning and providing a reliable solution for early decayed detection in oranges. • Detected early decayed oranges by structured-illumination reflectance imaging. • Three methods were employed to segment the decayed areas in the images. • Unet achieved optimal results on amplitude component images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) is an important source of essential oils with high antimicrobial activities, however the composition and antifungal potential of the decoction peels is little explored. This study assessed the peel decoction's chemical profile at the secondary metabolism level and its antifungal activity against the melon phytopathogen Fusarium jinanense. The decoction's antifungal potential was investigated using a bioassay-guided fractionation approach based on Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) and LC-HRMS/MS analysis. Coumarins and flavones were the most abundant classes of compounds in the high-value fractions responsible for up to 61% of the mycelial inhibition of F. jinanense. Overall, this study has presented for the first time the chemical composition, the antifungal potential of the decoction of C. aurantium peels and the compounds associated with these results. This strategy can guide the exploration of under-explored food sources and add value to compounds or fractions enriched with bioactive compounds. [Display omitted] • C. aurantium peel decoction showed antifungal activity against Fusarium jinanense. • Antifungal activity increased after the SPE fractionation strategy. • LC-MS/MS dereplication annotated 65 compounds of different chemical classes. • The coumarin and polymethoxyflavone fractions showed high antifungal activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine mastitis, a condition primarily caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus , poses substantial challenges to milk production, underscoring the pressing need to explore novel therapeutic approaches for its treatment, particularly through the utilization of natural products. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of pyroligneous extract (PE) derived from Citrus sinensis waste wood against mastitis-causing S. aureus. The wood samples were subjected to pyrolysis to obtain PE, which was further processed to obtain purified pyroligneous extract (PPE). Subsequently, the physical, chemical, antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of PPE were determined. The predominant compounds identified in the samples were acetic acid, furfural and 2-methoxyphenol. Monophenols and the hydroxyl (-OH) functional groups were present in the PPE, which had bactericidal effects at a concentration of 2.5 % against both sensitive and resistant S. aureus strains, as well as the ability to disarticulate mature biofilm by 42 % within 1 hour, action which is crucial to prevent the establishment and persistence of chronic infections. These findings indicate the potential of this PPE as a sustainable and effective therapeutic agent to treat bovine mastitis, besides adding value to waste material within the broader context of the bioeconomy. [Display omitted] • PPE from Citrus sinensis wood contains a high concentration of bioactive compounds. • Low concentrations of PPE have strong bactericidal activity. • PPE effectively disrupts both initial cell adhesion and mature S. aureus biofilms, demonstrating antibiofilm activity. • The exposure time to PPE does not interfere with the mature biofilm reduction rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A total of 56 bZIP TFs and 12 ZIPs containing ZDRE members were identified in C. sinensis. • Two bZIP F-group members, CsbZIP23 and CsbZIP24 were identified as potential zinc sensors. • CsbZIP24 transcriptionally activates the expression of CsZIP3 containing ZDRE. • Both CsbZIP24 and CsZIP3 were upregulated in response to C Las infection. Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the most destructive citrus diseases worldwide, mainly caused by ' Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (C Las). HLB plants commonly present zinc deficiency chlorosis, which is evidenced with decreased zinc content and upregulation of genes encoding zinc transport proteins (ZIPs). However, the mechanism of how ZIPs are activated in response to C Las infection is unknown. Herein, the phylogenetic analysis was done for ZIPs and its potential upstream regulator bZIPs on the genome-wide level. Fifty-six bZIP transcription factor members classified into thirteen groups and twelve ZIP members were identified from C. sinensis. CsbZIP23 and CsbZIP24 harboring Zinc-sensor motif (ZSM) were characterized as the homologues of Arabidopsis thaliana bZIP19/23 in regulation of zinc homeostasis, and both were highly expressed in leaves compared to stems and roots. CsbZIP24 was further demonstrated in activation of CsZIP3 gene expression by binding to its promoter containing Zinc Deficiency Response Elements (ZDRE) rather than CsbZIP23. Additionally, the induction of both CsbZIP24 and CsZIP3 was observed in HLB diseased plants. Taken together, zinc sensor members were firstly identified in citrus and CsbZIP24 was proposed as the key factor in regulation of CsZIP3 gene expression to accommodate zinc-deficient conditions that caused by C Las colonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• AMF promoted root hair growth in trifoliate orange. • Metabolisms of hormone, amino acid, penylpropanoids, fat and carbohydrate mediated citrus root hair growth under AMF. • Pectinesterase, ROP1, YUCCA2, Amidase, ABCB10, IAA17, PIN1b, GH3, ARF1 may be participated in the citrus root hair growth under AMF. Trifoliate orange (Pocirus trifoliata) as an excellent stock for citrus, but it has few root hairs and relies on mycorrhiza (AM) formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to absorb soil nutrients and water, and there are few studies on the relationship between trifoliate orange root hair and AMF. This experiment analyzed the conditioning of AMF in trifoliate orange root hair growth from multiple perspectives. The results showed that AMF inoculation promoted root hair in citrus (eg: density and length) and the AMF mycorrhizal infection rate was 49.12 %. Metabolic and transcriptomic data of root also show that AMF promotes the development of root hair mainly by influencing hormone transduction and biosynthesis. The analysis of hormone synthesis signal transduction expression profile showed that AMF infection significantly up-regulated auxin, gibberellin, ethylene and cytokinin synthesis and signal transduction pathway, and also up-regulated auxin transport and jasmonic acid transduction. Analysis of root hair growth-related genes showed that AMF infection the up-regulated genes correlate with cell wall loosening, Ca2+ gradient and cell cycle, thereby facilitate the formation and elongation of root hair. In summary, AMF regulates trifoliate orange root hair growth through plant hormone metabolism and related key genes, thus increases the root surface area and further promotes the infection of AMF. In order to provide theory foundation for exploring the mechanism of AMF regulating trifoliate orange root hair growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green mold is a common postharvest disease infected by Penicillium digitatum that causes citrus fruit decay, and severely affects fruit storage quality. This work aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of Sanxiapeptin against P. digitatum , and elucidate the possible mechanisms involved. Sanxiapeptin was capable of inhibiting spore germination, germ tube length and mycelial growth. The SYTOX green staining assay revealed that Sanxiapeptin targeted the fungal membrane, and changed the membrane permeability, leading to the leakage of cell constituents. Meanwhile, Sanxiapeptin could influence the cell wall permeability and integrity by increasing the activities of chitinase and glucanase, resulting in abnormal chitin consumption and the decrease of glucan. Intriguingly, Sanxiapeptin could effectively control postharvest decay in citrus fruits, and activate the host resistance responses by regulating the phenylpropanoid pathway. In conclusion, Sanxiapeptin exhibits multiphasic antifungal mechanisms of action to control green mold in citrus fruits, shows great potential as novel food preservatives. [Display omitted] • Antimicrobial peptide Sanxiapeptin inhibited the growth of P. digitatum in vitro. • Sanxiapeptin treatment disrupted the cell membrane and wall integrity of P. digitatum. • Sanxiapeptin reduced the green mold incidence of citrus fruit in vivo. • Sanxiapeptin could induce resistance against green mold in citrus fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous inoculation of non- Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the alcoholic fermentation process has been found to be an effective strategy for enhancing wine flavor. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Torulaspora delbrueckii NCUF305.2 on the flavor of navel orange original brandy (NOOB) using E–nose combined with HS–SPME–GC–MS. The results showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the sensitivity of NOOB to W5C, W3C, W1S, and W3S sensors by mixed fermentation (MF). Esters in NOOB increased by 4.13%, while higher alcohols increased by 21.93% (p < 0.001), terpenes and others increased by 52.07% and 40.99% (p < 0.01), respectively. Notably, several important volatile compounds with relative odor activity values above 10 showed an increase. Sensory analysis revealed that a more pronounced citrus-like flavor and higher overall appearance scores were found in MF than in pure fermentation (PF). These findings offer valuable theoretical guidance for enhancing the quality of fruit brandies. [Display omitted] • Inoculation of T. delbrueckii enhanced navel orange original brandy (NOOB) flavor. • The production of NOOB was carried out using Charentais Distillation. • The volatile flavor of NOOB was evaluated by an E–nose and HS–SPME–GC–MS. • Important volatile compounds (rOAV ≥ 10) of NOOB were enhanced by mixed fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Leishmaniases, a group of neglected tropical diseases caused by an intracellular parasite of the genus Leishmania , have significant impacts on global health. Current treatment options are limited due to drug resistance, toxicity, and high cost. This study aimed to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for delivering Citrus sinensi s essential oil (CSEO) and its main constituent, R-limonene, against leishmaniasis. The influence of surface-modified NLCs using chitosan was also examined. The NLCs were prepared using a warm microemulsion method, and surface modification with chitosan was achieved through electrostatic interaction. These nanocarriers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed in L929 and RAW 264.7 cells, and leishmanicidal activity was evaluated against promastigote and amastigote forms. The NLCs were spherical, with particle sizes ranging from 97.9 nm to 111.3 nm. Chitosan-coated NLCs had a positive surface charge, with zeta potential values ranging from 45.8 mV to 59.0 mV. Exposure of L929 cells to NLCs resulted in over 70 % cell viability. Conversely, surface modification significantly reduced the viability of promastigotes (93 %) compared to free compounds. Moreover, chitosan-coated NLCs presented a better IC 50 against the amastigote forms than uncoated NLCs. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the feasibility of using NLCs to overcome the limitations of current leishmaniasis treatments, warranting further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effect of different orange essential oil (OEO) inclusion rates on live weight gain, eating behavior, carcass characteristics, morphology of the ruminal epithelium, and fatty acid profile in the meat of feedlot lambs. Forty uncastrated Dorper × Santa Inês ram lambs with an initial average body weight of 21.8 ± 4.7 kg and average age of 86 ± 15 days were allocated to one of five dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. Dietary treatments consisted of a 90:10 concentrate-to-forage ratio total mixed ration supplemented as follows: 1. non-additive supplementation (Control), and 2. additive supplementation with 100, 500, and 1000 mg OEO/kg diet DM (OEO100 , OEO500 , and OEO1000) or with 25 mg sodium monensin/kg diet DM (MON). The feeding lasted 84 d. Supplementation with OEO increased linearly dry matter intake (DMI), growth rate and feed efficiency (FE). Because of the linear increases in growth rate and the efficiency of energy utilization of the diet, lambs receiving OEO exhibited a greater (increasing linear effect) hot carcass weight (HCW), Longissimus muscle area (LMA), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), and body wall thickness (BWT) than lambs fed with Control. Lambs fed MON had lower DMI, growth rate and FE than Control and OEO. Compared to Control and OEO supplemented, lambs that received MON showed lower HCW, LMA, SFT, and BWT. Lambs fed with MON had lower oocyst counts than lambs fed with all other treatments. Lambs fed with MON spent more time eating and ruminating, with higher chewing rates than lambs fed all other diets. Rumen morphometry was unaffected by dietary treatment. The OEO supplementation increased the sum of monounsaturated fatty acids, improved the human health promotion index (HP index), and reduced the thrombogenicity index in the meat relative to lambs fed the MON treatment. Under the conditions in which the experiment was conducted, the inclusion of up to 1000 g/kg diet DM in high-energy finishing diets promotes DMI and improved growth performance and FE. Improvements in the carcass (HCW, LMA, and BTF) with OEO supplementation were mainly due to improvements in growth rate rather than effects on gain composition. Based on growth performance and carcass characteristics, OEO was a superior feed additive to sodium monensin. The OEO supplementation has a discreet effect on the fatty acid profile of the meat, but it is sufficient to improve the HP index. These findings highlight its potential as an effective additive for enhancing lamb productivity. • This study pioneered using orange essential oil as a feed additive for feedlot lambs. • Orange essential oil was used as a feed additive in high-energy diets. • Orange essential oil positively impacted the productive performance of lambs. • Levels greater than 1000 mg/kg DM of D-limonene should be evaluated based on performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as a novel class of fluorescent nanomaterials with superior optical properties and biocompatibility compared to traditional quantum dots. This study demonstrates a facile approach for synthesizing high quantum yield tricolor CDs from the natural precursor dandelion via a one-step solvothermal treatment. Chromatographic separation successfully yielded blue, green, and orange emissive CDs with emission peaks at 481 nm, 530 nm, and 587 nm respectively. Structural and optical characterization revealed the CDs possess excellent photostability, salt resistance, and thermal stability, alongside high quantum yields, measured at 43.8 %, 32.9 %, and 48.1 % for B-CDs, G-CDs, and O-CDs, respectively. Taking advantage of the unique properties of the tricolor CDs, their application in analytical sensing was explored using metal ion detection. The CDs displayed selective quenching responses towards Fe3+, Pb2+, and Sn4+ respectively, with strong anti-interference capabilities. This work provides a sustainable and efficient strategy for producing high-performance multicolor CDs, holding significant implications for reducing the synthesis cost of carbon dots and expanding their application spectrum. • Synthesized blue, green, and orange emissive carbon dots with high quantum yields of 43.8%, 32.9%, and 48.1% from Taraxacum. • Chromatographically isolated carbon dots exhibited excellent photostability, salt tolerance, and thermal stability. • Carbon dots displayed selective quenching responses towards Fe3+, Pb2+, and Sn4+ with low detection limits. • Sustainable synthesis strategy for high-performance multicolor carbon dots with implications for reduced production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, chitosan/guar gum/polyvinyl alcohol (CGP) matrix (CGPC) films with different concentrations of polymethoxyflavone (PMF)-rich citrus extracts were developed. The results showed that these films had 11.90–16.77 μm of thickness, 32.53 %–41.53 % of moisture content, 33.16 %–121.64 % of water solubility, 2.14–3.18 × 10−10 g m−1 s−1 Pa−1 of water vapor permeability, 65.57 %–148.74 % degree of swelling, 6.08–16.05 MPa of tensile strength and 28.25 %–62.82 % of elongation at break. SEM and TEM observations indicated that the content of PMF-rich extracts affected the distribution and structure of the film matrix, which were confirmed by FT-IR and XPS outcomes. TGA-DTG and DMTA analysis revealed that the presence of 0.02 % PMF-rich extracts enhanced the thermal stability and cross-linking density of the film. Moreover, the incorporation of the PMF-rich citrus extract significantly improved the DPPH radical scavenging rate (increased from 26.22 % to 94.19 %) and antifungal property (against Rhizopus stolonifera in vitro). Furthermore, the inclusion of citrus extracts in the CGP matrix effectively inhibited the deterioration and weight loss of strawberry fruits. Thus, the CGP film incorporated with PMF-rich citrus extract has significant potential as an active packaging material for preserving fresh fruit. [Display omitted] • Chitosan/guar gum/polyvinyl alcohol films combined with PMF-rich citrus extracts were prepared. • The CGPC films showed excellent mechanical and UV–Vis light barrier properties. • The CGPC films exhibited decreased water vapor permeability and water solubility. • The CGPC films improved antifungal activity and extended shelf-life of strawberry fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, sweet orange crop forecasting has involved manually counting fruits from numerous trees, which is a labor-intensive process. Automatic fruit counting systems, based on proximal imaging, computer vision, and machine learning, have been considered a promising alternative or complement to manual counting. These systems require data association components that prevent multiple counting of the same fruit observed in different images. However, there is a lack of work evaluating the accuracy of multiple fruit counting, especially considering (i) occluded and re-entering green fruits on leafy trees, and (ii) counting ground-truth data measured in the crop field. Here, we propose a non-invasive alternative that utilizes fruit counting from videos, implemented as a pipeline. Firstly, we employ convolutional neural networks for the detection of visible fruits. Inter-frame association techniques are then applied to track the fruits across frames. To handle occluded and re-appeared fruit, we introduce a relocalization component that employs 3-D estimation of fruit locations. Finally, a neural network regressor is utilized to estimate the total number of fruits, integrating image-based fruit counting with other tree data such as crop variety and tree size. The results demonstrate that the performance of our approach is closely tied to the quality of the field-collected videos. By ensuring that at least 30% of the fruit is accurately detected, tracked, and counted, our yield regressor achieves an impressive determination coefficient of 0.85. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents one of the few efforts in fruit estimation that incorporates manual fruit counting as a reference point for evaluation. We also introduce annotated datasets for multiple orange tracking (MOrangeT) and orange detection (OranDet), the former annotated using a novel method that employs camera's ego-motion to enable faster and more reliable track annotation. Both datasets are publicly available and aim to foster the development of new methods for image-based fruit counting. [Display omitted] • MOrangeT, a public multi-object tracking dataset for sweet oranges, is introduced. • Methods for occlusion handling and re-entry were developed to prevent overcounting. • A novel 3-D fruit relocalization was implemented to enhance tracking accuracy. • The yield estimation model for commercial sweet orange orchards reached an R 2 = 0.85. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the industrial processing of agricultural products, the steps to be followed are more numerous and lead to the appearance of a varied range of waste, a source of pollution in the environment. However, this waste is an important source of energy for ruminants, which greatly benefit from it. This work is an experimental and thermodynamic study of the solar drying of apple and orange waste. In this work, we present a new approach for the thermodynamics study of drying apple and orange waste, as well as the evaluation of this waste as a complement in the feeding of ruminants. This evaluation has led to the study of the properties of four powders obtained by drying apple and orange waste with two methods, namely thin-film drying under the sun, and thin-film drying in the greenhouse solar dryer. Several experiments were carried out on the powders obtained, to study the effect of drying on their physical, physicochemical, microbiological, and microscopic properties. The goal is to know and determine the optimal drying method that provides us with dry, healthy, nutritious, and better quality food waste to be included in ruminant rations. According to the obtained results from this comparative study, it was found that the waste dried inside the greenhouse dryer is of better quality. The thermodynamic parameters derived from the proposed new approach are discussed and compared with literature results. The negative values of Gibbs free energy indicate that solar drying of apple and orange waste is a spontaneous process. • Apple and orange waste were dried in greenhouse and in the open air. • Solar drying is a necessary intermediate step in the treatment of agro-food waste. • Dried apple and orange waste obtained are of appreciable nutritional quality. • A new thermodynamic approach was evaluated and compared with literature results. • In the present study conditions, it was found that the drying process is spontaneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Phenotypic variation of Ficus benghalensis L. was evaluated. • The characters recorded were significantly different among the accessions studied. • Leaf length ranged from 10.23 to 18.63 cm. • Fruit skin ground color was highly variable and ranged from light orange to dark crimson. • The accessions studied could be served as raw materials for further genetic improvement. Ficus benghalensis L. (banyan) has been widely introduced across tropical and subtropical areas of the world and is used as a traditional medicine. Phenotypic variation of 38 accessions of this species was evaluated. The characteristics recorded were significantly different among the accessions studied. Leaf length ranged from 10.23 to 18.63 cm, and leaf width varied from 7.18 to 12.17 cm. Fruit skin ground color was highly variable and included light orange (10 accessions), orange (7), crimson (14), and dark crimson (7). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed 13 independent components that could explain 84.14% of total variance. Ward dendrogram created according to the data obtained revealed the variation among the accessions and showed two major clusters, indicating considerable diversity among the accessions studied. The accessions studied could be served as raw materials for further genetic improvement of different characteristics of F. benghalensis. The findings provided a foundation for future studies on phenotypic characterizations within the species, the identification of accessions, and breeding strategies by which to enhance its economic values. Ecological management of F. benghalensis sites will be necessary to preserve populations in situ. Also, ex situ efforts should also be undertaken to preserve this valuable germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High rate of water loss and rapid respiration cause significant decrease in firmness, turgor, crunchiness, and weight loss resulting in rapid postharvest quality deterioration and shorter shelf-life of fruits and vegetables. Wax-based coatings can effectively maintain postharvest quality of these perishables, and enhance their shelf life. However, petroleum-based synthetic waxes are harmful for consumers' health and environment. Carnauba wax is a plant-based natural wax, extracted from the leaves of the Brazilian palm tree (Copernicia prunifera). Carnauba wax is a GRAS substance, and recognized as a food additive (E 903), which is highly hydrophobic in nature. This review is a comprehensive account of extraction of carnauba wax, its composition, functional properties, and application in fabrication of films and coatings for packaging/preservation of fruits and vegetables. Coating formulation and film fabrication techniques are also elaborated. Moreover, safety aspects of carnauba wax for food applications are also discussed. Carnauba wax coatings effectively enhance postharvest shelf life by reducing water loss, respiration rate, and maintaining firmness, crunchiness and consumer acceptability for longer duration of numerous fruits like orange, guava, apple, pomegranate, tomato and egg plant. Incorporated of the wax in biopolymer (e.g., starch, chitosan, gelatin, fish protein, glucomannan, etc.) based composite films exhibit excellent moisture, gas and light barrier properties, improve mechanical and thermal stability. This review highlights potential uses of carnauba wax as a natural coating or in biopolymer based composite films for sustainable preservation and packaging of postharvest fruits and vegetables. • Fruits and vegetables are perishable foods with shorter shelf-life. • Wax coating is an effective way to improve their postharvest life. • Carnauba wax-based coating is a natural alternative with high hydrophobicity. • The wax coating reduces water loss and respiration rate in postharvest produce. • Carnauba wax in biopolymer based composite films improves their barrier properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of agroforest systems in pathogen regulation through structural characteristics such as shade and tree diversity is recognized. However, few studies have examined the importance of these factors on the spread of diseases of associated fruit trees in agroforestry systems, especially cocoa-based agroforestry systems (CBAS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of associated tree diversity and shade rate into CBAS on citrus Phytophthora foot rot disease (PFRD) intensity. The study was carried out in five citrus production basins of Cameroon, contrasted by ecology and rainfall regimes. A set of 33 CBAS plots was mapped and their species composition and vertical structure were determined. Field data were used to reconstruct CBAS in 3D with Shademotion 5.1.47 software. Using static simulations with shadow overlays, shade rate received by each citrus tree was calculated. Subsequently, citrus trees were grouped into three categories according to the shade rate they received: (i) full sun, with shade rate <30%; (ii) light shade with shade rate 30–70% and, (iii) dense shade, with shade rate >70%. PFRD intensity was determined by measuring the canker extent relatively to the citrus crown circumference. A significant difference in PFRD intensity was observed between the different shade rates. Citrus trees receiving no shade were significantly more attacked by PFRD than those receiving little shade or dense shade. The antagonistic effect of shade was demonstrated. At the expense of factors related to the specific composition of the CBAS, shade, temperature, relative humidity and rainfall were found to be the main factors explaining PFRD intensity in CBAS. This study shows that microclimatic alterations due to the biodiversity in tropical agroforestry systems contribute to sustainable pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The coated fabrics by NIR pigment Fe3+-doped La 2 Zr 2 O 7 were the first study. • The synthesized Fe3+-doped La 2 Zr 2 O 7 -coated fabrics present orange color, also have high NIR solar reflectance. • Simulated experiments show that the designed coated fabrics has lower heat flux than other fabrics. • The coated fabrics could be used in the fields of thermal insulation and energy saving. Novel orange thermal insulation coated fabrics were prepared by applying La 2 Zr 2-x Fe x O 7-δ (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) pigments. The formation of Fe3+-doped La 2 Zr 2 O 7 pigment was ensured by analyzing XRD and XPS patterns. The pigment samples have near-spherical particles with particle sizes between 30 and 70 nm. The NIR solar reflectance of the pigments is very high, ranging from 75.97 % to 96.18 %, and its change is caused by the variation in free charge carrier concentration. Doping with Fe3+ ions makes the color of the pigment appear orange and reduces the band gap vaule from 5.17 eV to 2.32 eV, mainly attributed to the charge transfer transition of La 5d ↔ Fe 3d. The La 2 Zr 2-x Fe x O 7-δ -coated fabrics exhibit excellent orange color and outstanding NIR solar reflectance (R* = 51.08 % − 64.47 %). Experimental simulations revealed that the designed coated fabrics have lower internal surface temperatures, with a temperature difference of 7.9–14.7 ℃ compared to conventional orange coated fabric, which shows superb thermal insulation performance. The fastness of washing, acids, and alkalis was excellent for fabric. In conclusion, the La 2 Zr 2-x Fe x O 7-δ -coated fabrics can achieve thermal insulation and energy savings by means of NIR solar reflectivity pigments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the potential environmental impact of the integrated extraction process of byproducts from orange processing, i.e., essential oil and pectin. A cradle-to-gate attributional Life Cycle Assessment was performed, considering 1 kg of pectin as the functional unit, following the ISO 14040/44 standards, The product system includes from the raw material (orange) to the stages to obtain the essential oil and pectin. The impact assessment considered eight categories from the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) v.1.02 method, using SimaPro® software as a supporting tool for modeling the product system. In addition, mathematical modeling was developed using Scilab 6.0.1 software seeking to discuss performance trade-offs versus environmental impact and process improvements. The impact assessment found that pectin production is the main hotspot, most attributed to the hydrolysis operating unit. Electricity, hydrochloric acid, and water consumption contributed most to negative environmental impacts. From the perspective of process modeling, the conventional temperature (373 K), the reduction of pH (pH=1.5), and the greater volume of water in the tank corresponded to the best effects in terms of yield, which is not necessarily related to the best environmental performance. The sensitivity analysis showed the best scenarios regarding environmental impacts correlating temperature with the energy source (SAl) and the pH with the acid used for the extraction SA2). The analysis revealed that natural gas is the best alternative as an energy source, reducing emissions in six of the eight impact categories compared to the standard scenario. Citric acid increases emissions in all impact categories assessed due to the greater amount needed to achieve the simulated optimal extraction pH (1 5). The conventional scenario (hydrochloric acid) becomes the best alternative in this condition. These results bring a combined approach to life cycle sustainability with process modeling, identifying opportunities to improve the environmental performance of products based on cit:rus residues, contributing to the achievement of the 12th and 13th Sustainable Development Goals, and providing strategies to implement the Circular Economy in the citrus chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constant selection of common ornamental geophytes increases activity in the field of traditional crop improvement by breeding and commercialisation of new cultivars. In this paper, the morphological and botanical attributes (inflorescence stem height, inflorescence length, stem diameter, flower number, pedicel length and distance, fullness ratio, inflorescence type, leaf characteristics, perianth shape and colour and filament orientation as well as tepal, filament, anther and ovary dimensions) as well as growth and flowering patterns (number of days from potting date to the beginning of flowering) of seven Lachenalia cultivars ('Aqua Lady', 'Josephine', 'Radient', 'Rainbow Bells', 'Riana', 'Romaud' and 'Ronina') possessing high ornamental value were described in detail. The obtained results indicate differences of the studied cultivars both in terms of the dimensions of individual plant elements, as well as in the colours of flowers and flowering time. More compact cultivars, as 'Josephine', 'Radient', 'Riana' and 'Romaud' are recommended for potted cultivation. 'Rainbow Bells', 'Aqua Lady' and 'Ronina' should rather be considered as cut flowers. Principal components analysis identified four principal components that accounted for 83.4% of the total variability. [Display omitted] • Seven tested Lachenalia cultivars possess high ornamental value. • They differ in terms of the dimensions of individual plant elements. • The beginning of flowering was noted after 76–100 days (depending on cultivar). • Flower colors presented by cultivars: blue, pink, purple, yellow and orange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present work, the recombinant cytoplasmic 2-Cys peroxiredoxin from Citrus sinensis (CsPrx) was purified and characterized. The peroxidase activity was examined with different substrates using DTT, a non-physiological electron donor. The conformational studies, in oxidized and reduced states, were performed using circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence measurement. The CD analysis showed higher α-helical content for reduced state of the protein. The thermal stability studies of CsPrx by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) showed that oxidized state is more stable as compared to the reduced state of CsPrx. In vitro studies showed that the CsPrx provides a protective shield against ROS and free radicals that participate in the degradation of plasmid DNA. The pre-treatment of 10 μM CsPrx provide almost 100% protection against peroxide-mediated cell killing in the Vero cells. CsPrx showed significant cell proliferation and wound healing properties. The superior morphology of viable cells and wound closure was found at 20 μM CsPrx treated for 12 h. The results demonstrated that CsPrx is a multifaceted protein with a significant role in cell proliferation, wound healing and protection against hydrogen peroxide-induced cellular damage. This could be the first report of a plant peroxiredoxin being characterized for biomedical applications. • An atypical cytoplasmic 2-Cys peroxiredoxin was characterized from Citrus sinensis. • The peroxide reduction activity was established using DTT with varied substrates. • Biophysical analysis showed conformational changes in oxidized and reduced states. • The protein showed DNA protection, cell proliferation, and wound healing activities. • The protein could have potential therapeutic application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The influence of sweet orange peel oil additive on the physicochemical properties of low-octane gasoline was investigated using additive–gasoline blends. • The molecular behavior of the additive changed the chemical properties of gasoline, which resulted in changes in the physical properties. • The additive was proven to be an octane booster that was able to significantly increase RON. • A number of physical properties, including viscosity, density, and heating value, fluctuated in an increasing trend but remained within fuel standard ranges, and thus the additive can be used directly with gasoline. The effect of a sweet orange peel oil additive on fuel blends of low-octane gasoline was investigated. The additive contains limonene, β-myrcene, eugenol, and triacetin, which have characteristics resembling gasoline but with advantages in terms of molecular structure that can increase RON and produce a homogeneous mixture. The additive changed the molecular behaviors influencing the physicochemical properties of the fuel blends. The experiments were conducted using fuel blends with additive fractions of 0%–75% (v/v). The fuel blends were mixed manually in 50-ml volumes in closed beaker glasses under STP conditions. The physicochemical properties were then measured to evaluate the chemical molecular structure compositions, viscosities, densities, heating values, and RONs of the blends, to determine the effect of the fuel additive on engines. The results show that the additive compounds were able to change the molecular behaviors of the fuel blends. The fuel blends produced 50 hydrocarbon compounds from 32 pure gasoline hydrocarbon compounds, which influenced the physical properties of the blends. The viscosities, beyond the lowest value at approximately 1.8 cSt, exhibited an increasing pattern compared to the viscosity of base gasoline fuel. The density and heating values tended to increase, even though there were fluctuating values due to intramolecular force movement and differences in molecular dipoles in the fuel blends. The RONs of the fuel blends, with additive fractions of 1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, and 75%, increased to 88.2, 91.5, 92.1, 95.7, 103.9, and 120.45, respectively. The increase in RON was also affected by the additive components among the fuel-blend molecules, which reacted to form highly stable hydrocarbon molecules, particularly aromatic and branched hydrocarbons, that inhibited combustion at low temperatures. Therefore, sweet orange peel oil as an additive can improve the physicochemical properties of gasoline, and thus can be mixed with any commercial fuel, especially those with a low octane number. It can be used for engines that require standard physical and high-octane properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus peels are rich in polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs), which have beneficial health and pharmacological properties. In this study, the profiles, variations, and biological activities of PMFs in the peel extracts of 27 Citrus varieties (eight species) native to China were investigated. UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis revealed that mandarin accumulated more diversity and higher detectable PMF contents. Wangcangzhoupigan (ZPG) possessed the highest antioxidant capacity. Gailiangcheng (GLC) and Bingtangcheng (BTC), sweet oranges showed excellent inhibitory effects against pancreatic lipase and α- glucosidase, respectively. Most citrus extracts effectively inhibited the production of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines, while increasing the accumulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, Limeng (LM), Cupig-oushigan (GSG), and Yanxiwanlu (YXWL) showed anti-proliferative effects against DU145 and PC3 cancer cells. This study provides a comprehensive PMF profile and biological activities of various citrus species and will benefit future functional citrus breeding practices aimed at designing plants rich in total or specific PMFs for health benefits. • PMF profiling in the peel extracts of 27 citrus varieties native to China was analyzed. • Mandarin and their hybrids contained large amounts of total or specific PMFs. • Bioactivity comparison was conducted on extracts of 27 citrus varieties. • PMF-rich extracts exhibited potent anti-proliferative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristic aroma compounds of five-fold sweet orange oil were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with the odor aroma value (OAV) method. The results indicated that limonene, linalool, dodecanol, (E, E)-2,4-decadienal, (E)-citral, linalool, (E)-2-decenal, and geraniol are important contributors. The sweetening effects of key compounds on sucrose solutions were experimentally investigated. The results showed that the sweetness effects of five compounds (limonene, citronellal, geraniol, β-sinensal and β-caryophyllene) were better than those of (E)-citral, linalool and octanal. Molecular dynamics implied that the hydrogen bonding residues of the T1R2/T1R3-sucrose system were converted from LYS65, GLU302, ASP278, and SER144 to ASP278, SER144, ASP142, and ASP213 after the addition of limonene. Meanwhile, the hydrophobic interaction forces of the system are significantly enhanced. The total energy of the T1R2/T1R3-sucrose system decreased from −32.08 kcal/mol to −63.57 kcal/mol. The synergistic sweetening mechanism of characteristic aroma compounds of sweet orange oil on sucrose was revealed. • Odor compounds were used to enhance the perception of sucrose sweetness. • Sensory and theoretical calculations were combined to study the sweetener effect. • Molecular dynamics simulation reveals the mechanism of sweetening effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • AgNPs@OPE nanoparticles was used as selective colorimetric sensor for Cd2+ and Pb2+. • The assay was based on the metal-induced aggregation of AgNPs@OPE. • PLS allowed to quantify Cd2+ and Pb2+ in the concentration range 2.49–––47.62 µM. • PCA and LDA were used for the classification and distinction of Cd2+ and Pb2+. Green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@OPE) were obtained by using orange (citrus sinensis) peel water extract (OPE) that acts as a reducing and capping agent. This procedure permits the valorisation of waste as orange peel, and lowers the environmental impact of the process, with respect to the conventional synthetic procedure. The OPE extract reduced Ag(I) to Ag(0) in alkaline conditions, and stabilised the produced nanoparticles as a capping agent. The AgNPs@OPE were deeply characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, SEM analysis and DLS analysis and successively used as colorimetric sensors for different metals in aqueous solution. The colourimetric assay showed that AgNPs@OPE were able to detect Pb2+ and Cd2+, as demonstrated by the splits of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band accompanied by the formation of a second new band; these spectral modification resulted in a colour change, from pristine nanoparticles' yellow to brown, due to the aggregation process. For the quantification of each of the two target cations, a calibration was performed by using the univariate linear regression, within the linearity ranges, exploiting the absorbance ratio between the main SPR band and the new band relative to the aggregate formation. Then a multivariate approach was followed to perform both Cd2+ and Pb2+ quantification by means of Partial Least Square regression (PLS) and target cations distinction by Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) applied on Principal Components Analysis (PCA) outputs, in both cases using the entire UV–Vis spectra (350–800 nm) as input data. Finally, the ability to quantify and distinguish between Cd2+ and Pb2+ was tested in tap water samples spiked with the two cations in order to confirm the application of the AgNPs@OPE as selective sensor in real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) by chemical as well as biological approaches. • Ag NPs have been synthesized using different plant extracts such as aloe vera, Syzygium aromaticum, Piper nigrum, Musa, citrus X Sinensis, and Camellia Sinensis and examined the effect of reducing agents on the shape and morphology of synthesized Ag NPs. • The number of plant extracts affects the size and morphology of the Ag NPs. Synthesized Ag NPs were characterized using UV–visible spectrophotometer, Dynamic Light Scattering, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The present work reports the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) by chemical as well as biological approaches. Ag NPs have been synthesized using different plant extracts such as Aloe vera , Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Musa (banana leaf), and Citrus X Sinensis (orange peel). The effect of various reducing agents has been examined on the shape and morphology of the synthesized Ag NPs. The synthesized Ag NPs have been characterized using UV–visible spectrophotometer, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The average size of the synthesized Ag NPs has been confirmed by DLS characterization as 64 ± 11 nm, 106 ± 8 nm, 500 ± 14 nm, 281 ± 9 nm and 105 ± 7 nm, respectively. when synthesized using Aloe vera , Syzygium aromaticum, Musa, Citrus X Sinensis , and trisodium citrate (TSC), respectively. The synthesized Ag NPs have been used for screening antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The synthesized Ag NPs have also been evaluated for their bactericidal property against wastewater from polluted rivers and other water sources and have been found appropriate for use in bacteriological and wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary approaches to agriculture must be reimaged to include ecological techniques that maximise ecosystem services, so that food can be produced sustainably whilst simultaneously meeting yield demands. Pest regulation services, harnessed through the conservation of natural enemies in the agri-environment are an economically important service degraded by conventional citrus production practices. For the first time, a sown wildflower strip composed of native forbs and tussock-forming grasses has been investigated for its influence on natural enemies and their pest regulation services in citrus orchards. A novel management strategy was applied, using the predicted generation times of Aonidiella aurantii Maskell (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) , a key pest in citrus, to determine whether cutting the wildflower strips could force spill-over of natural enemies onto the adjacent crop, enhancing pest regulation services. Three treatments applied to orange orchard alleyways were compared: i) a control treatment, the standard orchard practice of regular cutting to 5 cm throughout the year, ii) a sown wildflower treatment managed with cutting once a year in February to a height of 10 cm (standard management wildflower treatment, SMWT), and iii) the same sown wildflower treatment but managed with two additional cuts in May and June (active management wildflower treatment, AMWT). Orange tree canopies were sampled for natural enemies, and pest regulation services were quantified using sentinel prey cards baited with Ephestia kuehniella eggs. Natural enemy richness was greatest in canopies with SMWT, supporting a greater relative abundance of primary parasitoids and lower relative abundances of antagonists (ants) compared to the control. This was associated with enhanced pest regulation services (depletion of sentinel prey from baited cards), especially during the early summer months, which coincides with a critical period to control A. aurantii and other key citrus pests. In contrast, AMWT did not enhance natural enemy richness, and pest regulation services were diminished. This study suggests that leaving wildflower strips uncut throughout the season, as in SMWT, may help to mitigate pest incidence through enhanced pest regulation services. Further studies are now required to determine how this would influence populations of target pests. • A sown wildflower strip composed of native forbs and tussock-forming grasses is investigated for its influence on natural enemies and associated pest regulation services in citrus orchards. • Different management practices were compared, including a novel strategy to determine whether cutting the wildflower strips (active management) could force spill-over of natural enemies onto the adjacent crop. • Wildflower strips supported greater relative abundance of primary parasitoids and lower relative abundances of antagonists compared to the control. • There was no evidence of forced spill-over by cutting the wildflower strips. Natural enemy richness and pest regulation services were similar in the crop adjacent to active management wildflower strips as in the control. • Natural enemy richness was greatest in the citrus crop adjacent to wildflower strips that were left uncut throughout the season and this translated to enhanced pest regulation services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CitMYC3 activates CsTPS1 transcription to enhance valencene synthesis. • Ethylene modulates CitMYC3 and CsTPS1 transcript abundance in sweet orange. • CitMYC3 modulates CitAP2.10 and CitMYC3 transcription. CsTPS1 (Cs5g12900) is a gene encoding a sesquiterpene synthase involved in generating valencene, a key volatile compound in sweet orange fruit. Here, a citrus basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor (CitMYC3), is characterized as a positive regulator of CsTPS1. Dual-luciferase assays showed that CitMYC3 transcriptionally activates its own promoter, also the CsTPS1 promoter and, in addition, the promoter of a second transcription factor, CitAP2.10 , which in turn positively regulates the CsTPS1 expression. During the developmental period, CitMYC3 transcripts were detectable at 60 days after full bloom (DAFB) and increased gradually to 120 DAFB, while CsTPS1 mRNA rapidly increased from 90 to 150 DAFB. Exogenous ethylene accelerated the expression of CitMYC3 (peaking at 4 h) before CsTPS1 expression (at 24 h). Furthermore, CitMYC3 and CitAP2.10 were also shown to activate the promoter of Arabidopsis AtTPS11 , a homolog of CsTPS1 , which is in charge of the synthesis of over fifteen different sesquiterpenes, indicating that CitMYC3 and CitAP2.10 have a likely conserved function in the regulation of sesquiterpene genes across a variety of plant species. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Aluminum (Al) affected the contents of N-containing compounds in Citrus. • Al affected the activities of N metabolism–related enzymes in Citrus. • Al differentially affected N metabolism between Citrus sinensis and C. grandis. • Increased leaf GOGAT might be an index of Al–tolerance in Citrus plants. Citrus are mostly planted in tropical/subtropical acidic soil areas, and are susceptible to aluminum (Al) toxicity, which affects tree growth and fruit quality. However, the effects of Al stress on the nitrogen (N) metabolism in different Al-tolerant Citrus varieties, and whether N metabolism is related to Al-tolerance in different Citrus varieties, were remained unveiled. In the current study, Al-tolerant "Xuegan" (Citrus sinensis) and Al-sensitive "Sour pummelo" (C. grandis), were irrigated with different nutrient solutions with or without Al. Al decreased the dry weights (DW) of leaves, stems and roots, as well as the N content, the N accumulation, total soluble proteins (TSPs) and total free amino acids (TFAAs) of different tissues of C. grandis , but it increased the ratio of root DW to shoot DW. In contrast, Al did not change the parameters mentioned above, except for decreasing the content and accumulation of N in C. sinensis roots. Al did not change the content of NO 3 – in different position leaves and roots, but decreased the content of NH 4 + in C. grandis. Al decreased the content of NO 3 – in different position leaves and roots, but except for the lower leaf, Al did not change that of NH 4 + in C. sinensis. Although Al affected the activities and gene expression levels of N metabolism–related enzymes in the leaves and roots of these two Citrus species, the effects of Al on these parameters were more pronounced in C. grandis than in C. sinensis. Results from correlation analysis (CoA) and principal components analysis (PCA) indicated that the increased root DW/shoot DW and NO 3 --N content in the roots and middle/upper leaves might be the related indicators of Al toxicity, whereas the enhanced activity of leaf GOGAT might be related to the Al–tolerance in Citrus plants. In conclusion, this study preliminarily revealed that the impact of Al on N metabolism and the response of N metabolism–related indicators to Al stress in Citrus , providing scientific reference for high-yield and high-quality cultivation of Citrus grown in acidic soil areas. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Root traits such as root diameter, root number, root length differ among rootstocks. • The seasonal change of fine roots in Trifoliate differs from the other 3 rootstocks. • Citrus fine roots distributed 28–68 cm and −45∼−20 cm horizontally and vertically. • Fine roots' spatial distribution differs among rootstocks in different seasons. Understanding fine roots' spatial distribution and dynamics in citrus can enable proper site and time of fertilizing to improve the nutrient uptake efficiency below the root zone, reduce agricultural non-point source pollution and improve the performances. However, the seasonal changes and spatial distribution of citrus fine roots remain unclear. Here we investigated the dynamical changes and spatial distribution of fine roots in four rootstocks by 30° angle tube instillation and monthly capturing within a year with minirhizotrons. The results indicated that in the whole investigation, root diameter of Trifoliate (Poncirus trifoliata) was smallest, while root diameter and root number of Carrizo (Citrus sinensis × P. trifoliata) was biggest. In winter under water scarcity condition, root diameter, root length and root surface area of Trifoliate changed rapidly, then moderately in other seasons. However, the change pattern of Trifoliate differed obviously from that of the other three rootstocks. Fine roots of Trifoliate distributed nearest to the trunk and deepest belowground, while that of Rusk (C. sinensis × P. trifoliata) and Xiangcheng (C. junos) distributed the longest distance and the shallowest depth, respectively. Root length of Trifoliate and Rusk distributed mainly in depth of -45∼-30 cm, that of Xiangcheng distributed mostly in depth of -30∼-15 cm. However, root length of Carrizo distributed mostly in different depths in varied seasons. This research not only uncovered the differences in root traits and their changes of different rootstocks, which indicates the differences root phenology and probably contribute the differences in performances, but also revealed their root space distribution, which is very essential for citrus precise cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There is a need for foliar application of boron and molybdenum on navel orange trees under Egyptian conditions due to the alkaline pH of its soil. • Treating navel orange trees with boron and molybdenum improved the productivity and fruit quality. • Foliar application by a combination of 4 % boric acid and 6 % ammonium molybdate improved productivity and fruit quality of navel orange. The majority of Egyptian soil has an alkaline pH of up to 8. As a result, plants have trouble absorbing certain nutrients, and it is necessary to add them via another method. Thus, the current study's objective was to find the ideal combination of molybdenum and boron to produce the highest possible levels of both quantitative and qualitative fruit yield. Molybdenum (ammonium molybdate) concentrations of 2 %, 4 %, and 6 %, were combined with boron in the form of boric acid, with 2 % and 4 %, concentrations of treated foliar applied to navel orange trees. In comparison to the control treatment, which involved spraying the trees with clean water, and other treatments, the results of the study during the two seasons indicated that treating the trees with 6 % ammonium molybdate and 4 % boric acid (T7) resulted in the highest statistical increases in shoot length, canopy volume, leaf intensity of staining green, leaf area, and leaf content of necessary mineral elements. Additionally, the same treatment resulted in a better fruit set and decreased fruit loss, which raised the yield factor as well as the number and weight of fruits produced by each tree. Furthermore, the impact also included enhancing the crop's quality (fruit weight and size), yield efficiency, vitamin C and SSC content, acidity reduction, and improved fruit peel color quality through an increase in carotene and chlorophyll A. In comparison to the control and other treatments, T7 also led to a decrease in the fruits' nitrate and nitrite content. In the current investigation, ammonium molybdate and boric acid were combined with boron in the form of boric acid were enhanced productivity and fruit quality of Navel orange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The orange peel extract used for producing Ag-Fe-Ni trimetallic nanoparticles. • The nanoparticles demonstrated a good antioxidant activity of 89.94 % at 1000 µg/ml. • Ag-Fe-Ni degraded the various dyes, 97.67% of methyl red, 67.40% of phenol red, 64.07% of eosin yellow, and 73.20% in the case of a mixture of dyes in 60mins. • The synthesized compounds exhibited the lowest binding energy of −15.55 Kcal/mol. Nanotechnology has the potential to govern matter at the nanoscale and revolutionise a number of industries, including materials science, hardware, pharmaceuticals, and energy, by facilitating the production of novel materials, technologies, and ideas with exciting properties and uses. This work presents a sustainable process of synthesising Ag-Fe-Ni trimetallic nanoparticles from orange peel extract (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck), which functions as a reducing and capping agent. The nanoparticles were effectively synthesised and characterised using a number of methods, including UV–Vis, Zeta potential, FESEM, EDX, and XRD. The effectiveness of the anti-cancer, catalytic, and antioxidant properties were assessed. Molecular docking was conducted on the synthesised compounds to examine their potential in relation to the complex of ERK2 and catechol. According to the results, the molecules with the least binding energy was 15.55 kcal/mol. Also the synthesied nanoparticles showed increased antioxidant activity and the degradation of methyl red, phenol red, and eosin yellow. Ag-Fe-Ni trimetallic nanoparticles showed antioxidant activity of 89.94 % at 1000 µg/mL. In 60 min, methyl red degraded to 97.67 %. The synthesised compounds have the potential to serve as lead compounds through further optimisation and have anti-cancer activities, as demonstrated by the results of molecular docking study. Thus, Ag-Fe-Ni trimetallic nanoparticles generated from orange peel may serve as a novel antioxidant, catalytic, and anti-cancerous agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]