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In plants, the BAX inhibitor-1 (BI-1) gene plays a crucial part in controlling cell death under stress conditions. This mechanism of Programmed Cell Death (PCD) is genetically regulated and is crucial for the elimination of unwanted or damaged cells in a controlled manner, which is essential for normal development and tissue maintenance. A study on cucumber identified and characterized five BI-1 genes: CsBI1, CsBI2, CsBI3, CsBI4, and CsBI5. These genes share conserved domains, indicating common evolutionary history and function. Physicochemical analysis revealed their molecular weights and isoelectric points, while subcellular localization showed their presence in different cellular compartments. The phylogenetic analysis highlighted evolutionary relationships with related crops. Chromosomal distribution and synteny analysis suggested segmental or tandem duplications within the gene family. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed extensive interactions with other cucumber proteins. Cis-regulatory elements in the promoter regions provided insights into potential functions and transcriptional regulation. miRNAs showed diverse regulatory mechanisms, including mRNA cleavage and translational inhibition. The CsBI3, CsBI4 and CsBI5 genes exhibit elevated expression levels during cold stress, suggesting their vital involvement in cucumber plant defense mechanisms. The application of chitosan oligosaccharides externally confirms their distinct expression patterns. The qRT-PCR confirms the upregulation of CsBI genes in ToLCNDV-infected plants, indicating their potential to mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses. The comprehensive genome-wide exploration provides opportunities for the development of cold-tolerant and virus-resistant cucumber variants by traditional breeding or gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unique species of pine, Cedrus deodara is known for its wood oil. Its traditional therapeutic use is mainly antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial properties of Cedrus deodara essential oil (CDEO) obtained from the crushed wood. The antimicrobial activity of CDEO was evaluated against Gram-negative (G-) bacteria which included Pseudomonas aeruginosa CCM 1595, Salmonella enterica subs. enterica CCM 3807 and Gram-positive (G+) bacteria Yersinia enterocolitica CCM 5671. Listeria monocytogenes CCM 4699, Staphylococcus aureus subs. aureus CCM 2461 and Streptococcus consellatus CCM 4043 in vitro and in situ. The best antimicrobial activity for the disc diffusion method ranged from 4.67 to 9.67 mm and the minimum inhibitory concentration ranged from 1.48 to 5.44 mg.mL-1. The most effective antimicrobial effect was found against S. aureus and L. monocytogenes. The vapour phase used showed the best antimicrobial effect against P. aeruginosa in the kiwifruit model and L. monocytogenes in the banana model at a lower CDEO concentration of 62.5 µg.L-1 and against P. aeruginosa in the potato model and Y. enterocolitica in the cucumber model at a higher CDEO concentration of 500 µg.L-1. CDEO showed good antimicrobial activity against bacteria on vegetable and fruit model and may be a new preservative for storage of vegetables and fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leachate generated from landfills contains many toxic contaminants, such as dissolved organics, inorganic salts, ammonia, and heavy metals, which impact the surrounding environmental systems. This study characterized the AL-Mufarrihat Sanitary Landfill (MSL) leachate in Al-Medinah Al-Munawwarh (MM) province, Saudi Arabia, by analyzing important physicochemical parameters. Phytotoxicity was assessed using various higher plant bioassays, namely, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.), cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.), and corn (Zea mays L.). The effective concentration of seed germination represented by EC50 was calculated using a USEPA computer program based on Finney's Probit analysis method. Selected phytotoxicity test endpoint parameters, namely relative seed germination (RSG), relative root elongation (RRE), and germination index (GI) were determined. The tested leachate exhibited low concentrations of heavy metals, whereas high levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) were recorded. The mean EC50 values for MSL leachate exposed to B. oleracea, L. esculentum, C. sativus, and Z. mays were 2.66%, 3.12%, 4.27%, and 5.22%, respectively. These values indicate that B. oleracea was the most sensitive bioassay, whereas Z. mays was the least sensitive. All tested bioassays showed severe phytotoxic responses to the exposed higher leachate concentrations, represented by complete inhibition for RSG, RRE, and GI. Lower leachate concentrations exhibited stimulatory effects on RSG, whereas RRE and GI were hindered, even at these lower concentrations. The results revealed that although RSG and RRE were effective and promising parameters in phytotoxicity evaluation, GI was the most responsive parameter for phytotoxicity assessment. The high levels of organic and inorganic compounds in the leachate are likely the primary cause of the phytotoxicity observed in the bioassays. The results of this study highlight the pollution potential of landfill leachate in Saudi Arabia and will furnish supplementary reference information for hazard assessment and future leachate management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated CO2 can affect the synthesis and distribution of photosynthetic assimilates. However, the carbohydrate metabolism molecular mechanism of cucumber leaves in response to CO2 enrichment is unclear. Therefore, it is of great significance to investigate the key functional regulatory genes in cucumber. In this study, the growth of cucumber leaves under different CO2 conditions was compared. The results showed that under CO2 enrichment, leaf area increased, the number of mesophyll cells increased, stomata enlarged, and more starch grains accumulated in the chloroplasts. Compared with the control, the starch and soluble sugar content of leaves were maximally increased by 194.1% and 55.94%, respectively; the activities of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), ADPG pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), starch synthase (SSS), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SS) and invertase (Inv) were maximally increased by 36.91%, 66.13%, 33.18%, 21.7%, 54.11%, and 46.01%, respectively. Through transcriptome analysis, a total of 1,582 differential expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, in which the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway was significantly enriched, and 23 genes of carbon metabolism were screened. Through metabolome analysis, a total of 22 differential accumulation metabolites (DAMs) were identified. Moreover, D-glucose and D(+)-glucose were significantly accumulated, showing upregulation 2.4-fold and 2.6-fold, respectively. Through combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolome, it was revealed that seven genes were highly related to D-glucose, and Csa6G153460 (AGPase), Csa5G612840 (β-glucosidase), and Csa4G420150 (4-α-glucanotransferase) were significantly correlated to the carbohydrate regulatory network. Furthermore, the mechanism of CO2 enrichment that promotes carbohydrate metabolism in leaves at the molecular level was revealed. This mechanism advances the development of the cell wall and leaf morphology by activating the expression of key genes and improving enzyme activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glyoxalase pathway, consisting of glyoxalase I (GLYI) and glyoxalase II (GLYII), is an enzymatic system that converts cytotoxic methylglyoxal to non-toxic S-D-lactoylglutathione. Although the GLY gene family has been analyzed in Arabidopsis, rice, grape, cabbage, and soybean, cucumber studies are lacking. Here, we analyzed the cucumber GLY gene family, identifying 13 CsGLYI and 2 CsGLYII genes. Furthermore, we investigated the physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal localization and colinearity, gene structure, conserved motifs, cis-regulatory elements, and protein–protein interaction networks of the CsGLY family. They were primarily localized in the cytoplasm, chloroplasts, and mitochondria, with a minor presence in the nucleus. The classification of CsGLYI and CsGLYII genes into five classes closely resembled the homologous genes in Arabidopsis and soybean. Additionally, hormone-responsive elements dominated the promoter region of GLY genes, alongside light- and stress-responsive elements. The predicted interaction proteins of CsGLYIs and CsGLYIIs exerted a significant role in cellular respiration, amino acid synthesis, and metabolism, as well as methylglyoxal catabolism. In addition, the expression profiles of GLY genes were distinct in different tissues of cucumber as well as under diverse abiotic stresses. This study is conducive to the further exploration of the functional diversity among glyoxalase genes and the mechanisms of stress responses in cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A peat substrate is made from peat from drained peatlands, which is a limited resource. A realistic estimate is that 50% of the world's wetlands have been lost. Peat is used in horticulture, especially for the cultivation of vegetables in greenhouses. The consequences of peatland exploitation are an increase in the greenhouse effect and a decrease in carbon stocks. Wood fiber can be used as an alternative to peat. The chemical properties of growing media interact and change continuously due to the small volume of growing media, which is limited by the growing container. This study aims to gain new knowledge on the impact of nutrient changes in the microbial degradation of carbon compounds in wood fiber and mixtures with a peat substrate on the content and uptake of nutrients required by plants. The cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) variety 'Dirigent H' developed in the Netherlands was cultivated in growing media of a peat substrate and wood fiber: (1) peat substrate (PS); (2) wood fiber (WF); (3) wood fiber and peat substrate 50/50 v/v (WF/PS 50/50); (4) wood fiber and peat substrate 25/75 v/v (WF/PS 25/75). The rates of fertilization were the following: (1) conventional fertilization (CF); (2) 13 g N per plant (N13); (3) 23 g N per plant (N23); (4) 30 g N per plant (N30). The experiment was carried out with three replications. As the amount of wood fiber increased, the humidity and pH of the growing media increased. The fertilization of the cucumbers with different quantities of nitrogen influenced the nutrient uptake. The plants grown in the 50/50 and 25/75 growing media had the best Cu uptake when fertilized with N23. When the plants grown in the wood fiber media and the 50/50 media were fertilized with N13, N23, and N30, the Mn content in the growing media at the end of the growing season was significantly lower than the Mn content in the media with conventional fertilization. Thus, nitrogen improved the uptake of Mn by the plants grown not only in the wood fiber, but also in the combinations with a peat substrate. Growing plants in wood fiber and fertilizing them with N13 can result in the optimum uptake of micronutrients. The number and biomass of cucumber fruits per plant were influenced by the amount of wood fiber in the growing media and the application of nitrogen fertilizer. The highest number of fruits and biomass of fruits per plant obtained were significantly higher when the cucumbers were grown in WF/PS 50/50 growing media with additional N13 fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers poses significant environmental and health concerns. Microbial-based biofertilizers are increasingly being promoted as safe alternatives. However, they have limitations such as gaining farmers' trust, the need for technical expertise, and the variable performance of microbes in the field. The development of nanobiofertilizers as agro-stimulants and agro-protective agents for climate-smart and sustainable agriculture could overcome these limitations. In the present study, auxin-producing Enterococcus sp. SR9, based on its plant growth-promoting traits, was selected for the microbe-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). These microbial-nanoparticles SR9AgNPs were characterized using UV/Vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, and a size analyzer. To test the efficacy of SR9AgNPs compared to treatment with the SR9 isolate alone, the germination rates of cucumber (Cucumis sativus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds were analyzed. The data revealed that seeds simultaneously treated with SR9AgNPs and SR9 showed better germination rates than untreated control plants. In the case of vigor, wheat showed the most positive response to the nanoparticle treatment, with a higher vigor index than the other crops analyzed. The toxicity assessment of SR9AgNPs demonstrated no apparent toxicity at a concentration of 100 ppm, resulting in the highest germination and biomass gain in wheat seedlings. This work represents the first step in the characterization of microbial-assisted SR9AgNPs and encourages future studies to extend these conclusions to other relevant crops under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed germination vigor is one of the important indexes reflecting the quality of seeds, and the level of its germination vigor directly affects the crop yield. The traditional manual determination of seed germination vigor is inefficient, subjective, prone to damage the seed structure, cumbersome and with large errors. We carried out a cucumber seed germination experiment under salt stress based on the seed germination phenotype acquisition platform. We obtained image data of cucumber seed germination under salt stress conditions. On the basis of the YOLOv8-n model, the original loss function CIoU_Loss was replaced by ECIOU_Loss, and the Coordinate Attention(CA) mechanism was added to the head network, which helped the model locate and identify the target. The small-target detection head was added, which enhanced the detection accuracy of the tiny target. The precision P, recall R, and mAP of detection of the model improved from the original values of 91.6%, 85.4%, and 91.8% to 96.9%, 97.3%, and 98.9%, respectively. Based on the improved YOLOv8-ECS model, cucumber seeds under different concentrations of salt stress were detected by target detection, cucumber seed germination rate, germination index and other parameters were calculated, the root length of cucumber seeds during germination was extracted and analyzed, and the change characteristics of root length during cucumber seed germination were obtained, and finally the germination activity of cucumber seeds under different concentrations of salt stress was evaluated. This work provides a simple and efficient method for the selection and breeding of salt-tolerant varieties of cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pedicel length is a crucial agronomic trait of cucumbers. Fruit deformation can occur When the pedicel is too long or too short. Moreover, an appropriate pedicel length is advantageous for mechanized harvesting. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying cucumber pedicel length. In the current study, we obtained a short pedicel mutant through EMS mutagenesis and discovered that the reduced cell number was the primary cause of the shortened pedicel. Upon analyzing the hormone content, we found that the level of trans zeatin in the long-pedicel material was significantly higher than that in the short-pedicel material. Further transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in cytokinin synthesis-related pathways. Based on these results, the present study concluded that cucumber pedicel length is regulated by genes related to the cytokinin synthesis pathway and that differences in length result from differences in zeatin content and cell number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of corn cob biochar (CCB) and rice husk biochar (RHB) additions (at 0%, 5%, and 10% w/w) on nitrogen and carbon dynamics during co-composting with poultry litter, rice straw, and domestic bio-waste. The study further assessed the temperature, moisture, pH, and nutrient contents of the mature biochar co-composts, and their potential phytotoxicity effects on amaranth, cucumber, cowpea, and tomato. Biochar additions decreased NH4+-N and NO3- contents, but bacteria and fungi populations increased during the composting process. The mature biochar co-composts showed higher pH (9.0–9.7), and increased total carbon (24.7–37.6%), nitrogen (1.8–2.4%), phosphorus (6.5–8.1 g kg−1), potassium (26.8–42.5 g kg−1), calcium (25.1–49.5 g kg−1), and magnesium (4.8–7.2 g kg−1) contents compared to the compost without biochar. Germination indices (GI) recorded in all the plants tested with the different composts were greater than 60%. Regardless of the biochar additions, all composts treatments showed no or very minimal phytotoxic effects on cucumber, amaranth and cowpea seeds. We conclude that rice husk and corn cob biochar co-composts are nutrient-rich and safe soil amendment for crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinnia elegans of Family Asteraceae is a flowering plant grown widely in gardens in Indonesia. The plant is also often integrated into pest management of different agricultural commodities as its colourful flowers may attract beneficial insects including natural enemies. A total of eight viral symptomatic and four non-symptomatic Z. elegans samples were collected from four districts in Kulon Progo and Sleman Regencies of Special Region of Yogyakarta. They were molecularly tested using two universal primer pairs for begomoviruses, and two specific primer pairs for cucumber mosaic virus (CMV, Cucumovirus) detections. The eight symptomatic samples were all positive for CMV but negative for begomoviruses infections. The four non-symptomatic samples were tested negative to begomoviruses and CMV. Partial RNA2 and RNA3 segments of four CMV isolates were sequenced to demonstrate that they are members of subgroup IB. 4Ze-Ngaglik isolate was shown to be mechanically transmitted to healthy Z. elegans and cucumber cv. Baresta (Cucumis sativus). To the best of our knowledge, this report confirmed the first CMV occurrence in Z. elegans in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a model crop to study cell biology, including the development of haploids and doubled haploids in vegetable crops. In plant breeding, haploid and doubled haploids are valuable tools for developing pure homozygous inbred lines and accelerating genetic progress by reducing the time required for breeding cycles. Besides, the haploids are also valuable in genomic studies. We are reporting the induction of haploids in cucumber involving gynoecious and parthenocarpic genotypes for the first time. This study aimed to assess the efficient induction of haploids through pollination with gamma-irradiated pollen in cucumber. The effect of gamma irradiation dose on pollen viability and germination, fruit setting percentage, seed development, and haploid embryo development in cucumber hybrid genotypes were studied in detail. The goal was to utilize this information to produce haploid plants for genomics and transformation works in this model vegetable crop. Results: Pollination was done on six cucumber genotypes using varying doses of gamma rays (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 Gy). Genotypes, doses of irradiation, and embryo developmental stage influenced the successful generation of in-vitro haploid plants. The optimal timeframe for embryo rescue was found to be 25 to 30 days after pollination. Haploid embryos were effectively induced using irradiated pollen at 400 to 500 Gy doses. Parthenogenetic plantlets were analyzed, and their ploidy level was confirmed through stomatal physiology, cytology (mitosis), and flow cytometry methods. Conclusion: Through parthenogenic embryo development, it is possible to induce a large number of haploids in cucumber. This technique's power lies in its ability to streamline the breeding process, enhance genetic gain, and produce superior cultivars that contribute to sustainable agriculture and food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of spent coffee grounds (SCG) into hydrochars has been the subject of extensive research in recent years, aimed at evaluating their potential for biofortifying foods and mitigating the plant toxicity linked to SCG. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical characterization and the impact of incorporating both activated (ASCG and AH160) and functionalized SCG (ASCG-Zn), as well as SCG-derived hydrochars (AH160-Zn), on cucumber yield and plant zinc content. The following physicochemical properties were analyzed: specific surface area, pH and electrical conductivity, polyphenols, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The by-products activated and functionalized with zinc were applied to cucumber crops grown in a greenhouse across multiple harvests. The activation of both SCG and H160 reduced the specific surface area of the particles. However, when these by-products were functionalized, their Zn content increased significantly, up to 7400 ppm. Concerning polyphenol content, the activated products showed levels ranging from 3.5 to 4.9 mg GAE/g. Regarding cumulative production, the treatments that showed the highest yields were the by-products activated and functionalized with Zn reaching 25 kg. Incorporating these by-products notably raised the Zn content in cucumbers, reaching 0.1 mg Zn per 100 g of fresh weight. The activated by-products demonstrated the highest Zn utilization efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr), was introduced into the United States from South America in the late 1800s. Since its establishment in California and the southeastern U.S., it has become an agricultural pest by interfering with citrus production in California, but it is widely known in most of its range as a major nuisance pest. It commonly establishes nest sites in mulch and leaf litter, where colonies may be populated by hundreds of thousands of worker ants (or more) with a large home range. When searching for food, ants may discover and recruit to sweet foods inside of structures. To alleviate ant pest problems, the structural pest control industry may incorporate EPA-approved baits and residual products that are designed to reduce the ant population. Homeowners experiencing nuisance pests are often motivated to solve their own problem, and they may be susceptible to outlandish, fact-free claims of do-it-yourself "secret" solutions that "they don't want you to know about". In this study, we evaluated several of these recommendations. In two trials designed to evaluate a product's ability to deter Argentine ants from a preferred nest site, we evaluated several common home remedies, namely the use of tansy plant leaves, cucumber peels, and soybean extract. None of these home remedies deterred ants from a preferred harborage. Fresh leaves from rosemary and spearmint plants, however, did deter ants, as do many commercially available essential oils. In two laboratory trials, natural products, including freshly picked leaves from spearmint, rosemary, and tansy plants, a water extract from soybean plants, peels from a common cucumber, and 1% peppermint oil in hexane, were placed in a moist harborage preferred by Argentine ants, Linepithema humile (Mayr), and the number of ants entering the harborage after two and four hours was counted. None of the recommended home remedies (tansy, cucumber, or soybean extract) deterred ants from an attractive, moist harborage in either trial, even when the quantity of these treatments was increased 4- to 10-fold. Freshly picked leaves from rosemary and spearmint plants deterred ants from harboring, and the 1% peppermint oil was the most deterrent of all treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetables are an essential component of a balanced diet. The consumption of ready-to-eat foods may lead to the risk of infections and illnesses due to microbial contamination. To mitigate the potential of microbial contamination risks, it is critical to promote safe handling practices among consumers. In this study, our research evaluated the efficacy of different vegetable washing methods, specifically with lettuce, tomato, and cucumber, to establish optimal practices for reducing microbial contamination. This study consisted of two phases. Initially, a survey was distributed to 150 volunteers using snowball sampling to assess everyday vegetable handling and washing methods. The survey's results identified four predominant methods: washing with a 5% vinegar solution for 3 min followed by tap water rinse (37.3% of participants), rinsing with tap water for 1 min (29.3%), washing with a 5% salt solution (vegetable soap) for 3 min followed by a tap water rinse (16.6%), and a 3 min tap water rinse (14%). A minor segment (3.33%) reported not washing their vegetables at all. The survey's findings guided the second phase, which tested the aforementioned washing protocols' effectiveness in reducing Escherichia coli (E. coli) levels on spiked contaminated salad vegetables. The tested vegetables were sterilized using UV light, inoculated with 0.5 McFarland E. coli, and then washed using the four identified methods. After that, E. coli enumeration after washing was performed using 3M™ Petrifilm and the comparison was analyzed via one-way ANOVA. During this study, it was revealed that the cucumbers had the highest E. coli contamination levels in comparison to the lettuce and tomato after washing. Interestingly, by comparing the three washing methods, it was found that washing the vegetables with vinegar proved to be the most effective solution for reducing microbial presence on both lettuce and cucumbers. Notably, the natural smoothness of tomato skin led to no significant differences in contamination levels across washing methods. In summary, vinegar washing effectively reduces microbial contamination from salad vegetables, highlighting the need for informed consumer practices to prevent foodborne outbreaks. This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring contamination sources and using safe washing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, an increase in the frequency of low-sunlight conditions due to climate change has resulted in a decline in the yield and quality of crops for greenhouse farmers, leading to significant challenges in maintaining optimal plant growth. The crop growth model can be used to predict changes in cucumber yield in response to variations in sunlight, which can help efficiently address sunlight shortages. The objective of this study was to improve and validate the model for predicting cucumber yield under different light environment conditions, including shading and supplemental lighting. The model comprises three steps: LAI prediction, daily assimilate yield prediction, and fruit yield prediction, each of which involves modifying the coefficients applied to suit the cucumber cultivar and environment condition. The improved model demonstrated a high degree of accuracy in predicting cucumber yields in the control and low-sunlight treatments (10, 20, and 30% shading), with a coefficient of determination (R2) > 0.98. When supplemental lighting was incorporated into the control and shading treatments, the accuracy of the improved model in predicting cucumber yield was also high, with a coefficient of determination (R2) > 0.99. The model also accurately predicted the decrease in cucumber fruit yield under low-sunlight conditions (shading treatments) and the increase in yield due to supplemental lighting. The findings of this study indicate that the improved cucumber yield prediction model can be applied to assess the efficacy of yield reduction in low-sunlight conditions and the potential for yield enhancement through supplemental lighting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant AT protein and zinc-binding protein (PLATZ) genes, a novel cluster of plant-specific zinc-finger-dependent DNA-binding proteins, play a crucial role in regulating stress response and plant development. However, there has been little study focus on the role of the cucumber PLATZ family in assimilating loading in leaves. (1) In this study, a total of 12 PLATZ genes were identified from the cucumber genome. The cucumber PLATZ genes were clustered into five groups, and unevenly distributed on five chromosomes. A single pair of cucumber PLATZ genes underwent segmental duplication. (2) The results of genome-wide expression analysis suggested that the cucumber PLATZ genes were widely expressed in a wide range of cucumber tissues, with three PLATZ (PLATZ2, PLATZ6, and PLATZ12) genes exhibiting high expression in the vascular tissues of cucumber leaves. PLATZ2, PLATZ6, and PLATZ12 proteins were primarily located in cytomembrane and nucleus. (3) In VIGS-PLATZ6 plants, the expression of Galactinol synthase 1 (GolS1) and STACHYOSE SYNTHASE (STS), two genes involved in the synthesis of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) were observed to be decreased in cucumber leaves. In conclusion, the comprehensive analysis of the cucumber PLATZ family and the preliminary functional verification of PLATZ6 lay the foundation for the molecular and physiological functions of cucumber PLATZ genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root-knot nematodes induce the formation of feeding sites within the host roots and the relocation of auxin into galls results in abnormal lateral root growth. Here, we analyzed the changes in cucumber root architecture under Meloidogyne incognita stress and the distribution of auxin in these morphological and molecular root changes. The number of root tips significantly decreased, and regression analysis showed a positive relationship between the size of root galls and the numbers of nematodes in galls compared with the lateral roots on galls, emphasizing the effect of nematode parasitism on root development. Data generated via a promoter-reporter system using the transgenic hairy root system first characterized the auxin distribution during nematode parasitism in cucumber. Using DR5:GUS staining of root galls, we further detected the expression of CsPIN1 and CsAUX1, which regulate polar auxin transport. The results showed that both CsPIN1 and CsAUX1 were induced in galls, and the relative expression of the two genes significantly increased at 21 DAI. The TIBA treatment, which can disrupt polar auxin transport inhibited the numbers of cucumber root tips and total length following increasing concentration gradients. Moreover, the numbers of galls were significantly affected by TIBA treatment, which showed the vital role of auxin during nematode parasitism. Our findings suggest that the transportation of auxin plays an important role during gall formation and induces cucumber lateral root development within nematode feeding sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are known for their high water content and nutritional value, making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical quality (color, moisture, water activity, and texture), and antioxidant/antiradical properties of freshly packed greenhouse-cultivated cucumbers over a 28-day storage period, utilizing a combination of high-throughput analytical techniques, including attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, instrumental analysis, image analysis, and chemometrics. The key findings indicated that the cucumbers underwent a significant loss of moisture during the storage period, with a concomitant decrease in firmness. Color analysis revealed an increase in the yellowness of both the peel and flesh, while image analysis demonstrated increasing dissimilarity and textural disorder, particularly evident by the 13th day of storage. The spectrophotometric and spectroscopic findings demonstrated that the quality of the cucumbers was maintained during the storage period. Meanwhile, regression and discriminant analyses were employed to interpret the collected data. Predictive models were developed with high accuracy to estimate the actual storage days and flesh quality attributes based on textural and color features derived from image analysis. Overall, this study highlights the importance of controlled storage conditions in maintaining cucumber quality and provides a comprehensive approach to monitoring post-harvest changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Low ground temperature is a major factor limiting overwintering in cucumber cultivation facilities in northern alpine regions. Lower temperatures in the root zone directly affect the physiological function of the root system, which in turn affects the normal physiological activity of plants. However, the importance of the ground temperature in facilities has not attracted sufficient attention. Methods: Therefore, this study tested the cucumber variety Jinyou 35 under three root zone temperatures (room temperature, 20-22°C; suboptimal temperature, 13-15°C; and low temperature, 8-10°C) to investigated possible cold resistance mechanisms in the root of cucumber seedlings through hormone, metabolomics, and transcriptomics analyses. Results and discussion: The results showed that cucumber roots were subjected to chilling stress at different temperatures. Hormone analysis indicated that auxin content was highest in the roots. Jasmonic acid and strigolactone participated in the low-temperature stress response. Auxin and jasmonate are key hormones that regulate the response of cucumber roots to low temperatures. Phenolic acid was the most abundant metabolite in cucumber roots under chilling stress. Additionally, triterpenes may play an important role in chilling resistance. Differentially expressed genes and metabolites were significantly enriched in benzoxazinoid biosynthesis in the room temperature vs. suboptimal temperature groups and the room temperature vs. low temperature groups. Most differentially expressed transcription factor genes in AP2/ERF were strongly induced in cucumber roots by both suboptimal and low-temperature stress conditions. These results provide guidance for the cultivation of cucumber in facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecballium elaterium, also known as squirting cucumber, is a plant which is widespread in temperate regions of Europe, Africa and Asia. The plant is considered to be one of the oldest used drugs. In the last decades, E. elaterium has been widely studied as a source of triterpene metabolites named cucurbitacins, often found as glycosylated derivatives, used by the plant as defensive agents. Such metabolites exhibit several biological activities, including cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer. Interestingly, the bioactive properties of E. elaterium extracts have been investigated in dozens of studies, especially by testing the apolar fractions, including the essential oils, extracted from leaves and fruits. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the chemical profile of different parts of the plants (leaves, flowers, and seeds) analyzing the methods used for structure elucidation and identification of single metabolites. The pharmacological studies on the isolated compounds are also reported, to highlight their potential as good candidates for drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myelocytomatosis (MYC) transcription factors are crucial mediators of the response of plants to environmental stresses through via binding to DNA regulatory regions. However, few systematic characterizations of MYC genes are available in Cucurbitaceae species. Results: In this study, we identified 10, 8, 12, and 10 MYC genes in Cucumis sativus, Cucumis melo, Citrullus lanatus, and Benincasa hispida, respectively. Characterization revealed that all of the MYC proteins contain a highly conserved H4-V5-E6-E8-R9-R11-R12 sequence, which is essential for the binding of DNA regulatory regions. Evolutionary analysis enabled us to categorize 40 predicted MYC proteins from seven species into five distinct groups and revealed that the expansion of the MYC genes occurred before the divergence of monocots and dicots. The upstream promoter regions of the MYC genes contain a variety of developmental, stress, and hormone-responsive regulatory elements. The expression of cucumber MYC genes varies significantly across organs, with particularly high expression of CsaV3_3G001710 observed across all organs. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that certain cucumber MYC genes undergo specific upregulation or downregulation in response to both biotic and abiotic stressors. In particular, under temperature stress, the cucumber genes CsaV3_3G007980 and CsaV3_3G001710 were significantly upregulated. Interestingly, the homologs of these two genes in C. lanatus presented a similar expression pattern to that in C. sativus, whereas in B. hispida, they presented the opposite pattern, i.e., significant downregulation. These findings indicated that these two genes indeed respond to temperature stress but with different expression patterns, highlighting the divergent functions of homologous genes across different species. Conclusions: This study analyzed the size and composition of the MYC gene family in four Cucurbitaceae species and investigated stress-responsive expression profiles, especially under temperature stress. All the results showed that MYC genes play important roles in development and stress responses, laying a theoretical foundation for further investigations of these response mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Viroids are pathogenic noncoding RNAs that completely rely on their host molecular machinery to accomplish their life cycle. Several interactions between viroids and their host molecular machinery have been identified, including interference with epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. Despite this, whether viroids influence changes in other epigenetic marks such as histone modifications remained unknown. Epigenetic regulation is particularly important during pathogenesis processes because it might be a key regulator of the dynamism of the defense response.Here we have analyzed the changes taking place in Cucumis sativus (cucumber) facultative and constitutive heterochromatin during hop stunt viroid (HSVd) infection using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of the two main heterochromatic marks: H3K9me2 and H3K27me3.We find that HSVd infection is associated with changes in both H3K27me3 and H3K9me2, with a tendency to decrease the levels of repressive epigenetic marks through infection progression. These epigenetic changes are connected to the transcriptional regulation of their expected targets, genes, and transposable elements. Indeed, several genes related to the defense response are targets of both epigenetic marks.Our results highlight another host regulatory mechanism affected by viroid infection, providing further information about the complexity of the multiple layers of interactions between pathogens/viroids and hosts/plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) is a pivotal enzyme in the phenylalanine metabolic pathway in plants and has a crucial role in the plant's response to environmental stress. Although the PAL family has been widely studied in many plant species, limited is known about its particular role in cucumbers under stress. We investigated the physicochemical properties, gene structure, gene duplication events, conserved motifs, cis-acting elements, protein interaction networks, stress-related transcriptome data, and quantitatively validated key stress-related genes. The main results indicated that 15 PAL genes were grouped into four clades: I, II, and III when arranged in a phylogenetic tree of PAL genes in angiosperms. The analysis of the promoter sequence revealed the presence of multiple cis-acting elements related to hormones and stress responses in the cucumber PAL genes (CsPALs). The analysis of protein interaction networks suggested that CsPAL1 interacts with eight other members of the PAL family through CsELI5 and CsHISNA, and directly interacts with multiple proteins in the 4CL family. Further investigation into the expression patterns of CsPAL genes in different tissues and under various stress treatments (NaCl, Cu2+, Zn2+, PEG6000, aphids) demonstrated significant differential expression of CsPALs across cucumber tissues. In summary, our characterization of the CsPAL family offers valuable insights and provides important clues regarding the molecular mechanisms of CsPALs in managing abiotic and biotic stress interactions in cucumbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a two-dimensional nano-sheet with electronic properties, which shows unique characteristics with high chemical and thermal stability in its structure. The functionalization of these compounds through covalent bonding is an important step towards significantly improving their properties and capabilities. To achieve this goal, a novel strategy for the covalent functionalization of Fe3O4@g-C3N4 with thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1) via cyanuric chloride (TCT), which is a divalent covalent linker, was presented. The efficiency of Fe3O4@gC3N4@Thiamine as a heterogeneous organic catalyst in the synthesis of spirooxindole-pyran derivatives and 2-amino-4H-pyran under solvent-free conditions was evaluated and the yields of high-purity products were presented. In addition, easy recycling and reuse for seven consecutive cycles without significant reduction in catalytic activity are other features of this catalyst. Moreover, the performance of the prepared sorbent in the microextraction technique (herein, magnetic solid phase extraction) was studied. The tebuconazole was selected as the target analyte. The target analyte was extracted and determined by HPLC–UV. Under the optimum condition, the linear range of the method (LDR) was estimated in the range of 0.2–100 μg L−1 (the coefficient of determination of 0.9962 for tebuconazole). The detection limit (LOD) of the method for tebuconazole was calculated to be 0.05 µg L−1. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method was also estimated to be 0.16 µg L−1. In order to check the precision of the proposed method, the intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSD%) were calculated, which were in the range of 1.5- 2.8%. The method was used for the successful extraction and determination of tebuconazole in tomato, cucumber, and carrot samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the development of a new method for producing seedless watermelons through gene editing. The researchers targeted a specific gene, ClSPL, which resulted in the production of fully diploid seedless fruits. The method was found to be more efficient and cost-effective than traditional breeding methods. The researchers suggest that this approach could be applied to other fruit crops to produce nontransgenic seedless varieties. The article provides detailed information on the methods used and presents the results of various analyses on pollen viability, chromosomal behavior, fruit firmness, and nutrient content. The document also includes acknowledgements, information about the authors' contributions, and references to other relevant studies. [Extracted from the article]

Existing seed germination detection technologies based on deep learning are typically optimized for hydroponic breeding environments, leading to a decrease in recognition accuracy in complex soil cultivation environments. On the other hand, traditional manual germination detection methods are associated with high labor costs, long processing times, and high error rates, with these issues becoming more pronounced in complex soil-based environments. To address these issues in the germination process of new cucumber varieties, this paper utilized a Seed Germination Phenotyping System to construct a cucumber germination soil-based experimental environment that is more closely aligned with actual production. This system captures images of cucumber germination under salt stress in a soil-based environment, constructs a cucumber germination dataset, and designs a lightweight real-time cucumber germination detection model based on Real-Time DEtection TRansformer (RT-DETR). By introducing online image enhancement, incorporating the Adown downsampling operator, replacing the backbone convolutional block with Generalized Efficient Lightweight Network, introducing the Online Convolutional Re-parameterization mechanism, and adding the Normalized Gaussian Wasserstein Distance loss function, the training effectiveness of the model is enhanced. This enhances the model's capability to capture profound semantic details, achieves significant lightweighting, and enhances the model's capability to capture embryonic root targets, ultimately completing the construction of the RT-DETR-SoilCuc model. The results show that, compared to the RT-DETR-R18 model, the RT-DETR-SoilCuc model exhibits a 61.2% reduction in Params, 61% reduction in FLOP, and 56.5% reduction in weight size. Its mAP@0.5, precision, and recall rates are 98.2%, 97.4%, and 96.9%, respectively, demonstrating certain advantages over the You Only Look Once series models of similar size. Germination tests of cucumbers under different concentrations of salt stress in a soil-based environment were conducted, validating the high accuracy of the RT-DETR-SoilCuc model for embryonic root target detection in the presence of soil background interference. This research reduces the manual workload in the monitoring of cucumber germination and provides a method for the selection and breeding of new cucumber varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address salinity stress in plants in an eco-friendly manner, this study investigated the potential effects of salinity-resistant bacteria isolated from saline agricultural soils on the growth of cucumber (Cucumis sativus, cv. Royal) seedlings. A greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors, salinity at four levels and five bacterial treatments, with three replications (n = 3). Initially, fifty bacterial isolates were screened for their salinity and drought tolerance, phosphate solubilization activity, along with production of auxin, siderophore and hydrogen cyanide. Isolates K4, K14, K15, and C8 exhibited the highest resistance to salinity and drought stresses in vitro. Isolates C8 and K15 demonstrated the highest auxin production capacity, generating 2.95 and 2.87 µg mL− 1, respectively, and also exhibited significant siderophore production capacities (by 14% and 11%). Additionally, isolates C8 and K14 displayed greater phosphate solubilization activities, by 184.64 and 122.11 µg mL− 1, respectively. The statistical analysis revealed that the selected four potent isolates significantly enhanced all growth parameters of cucumber plants grown under salinity stress conditions for six weeks. Plant height increased by 41%, fresh and dry weights by 35% and 7%, respectively, and the leaf area index by 85%. The most effective isolate, C8, was identified as Bacillus subtilis based on the 16 S rDNA amplicon sequencing. This study demonstrated that inoculating cucumber seedlings with halotolerant bacterial isolates, such as C8 (Bacillus subtilis), possessing substantial plant growth-promoting properties significantly alleviated salinity stress by enhancing plant growth parameters. These findings suggest a promising eco-friendly strategy for improving crop productivity in saline agricultural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the disease control in cucumber mainly depends on agrochemicals, which is not an environmentally benign strategy. Biocontrol bacteria not only resist plant pathogens but also promote plant growth, which is ecofriendly and sustainable option. A biocontrol bacterial strain BJ-5 was screened using Corynespora cassiicola as the target pathogen, and BJ-5 was determined to be Paenarthrobacter nitroguajacolicus by morphological and molecular methods. The effect of BJ-5 on C. cassiicola was studied, including the spore germination, cell membrane permeability and infected cucumbers. BJ-5 inhibited the germination of C. cassiicola spores in vitro and led to atrophy and deformation of the C. cassiicola budding tubes. BJ-5 caused the relative extracellular conductivity of C. cassiicola mycelia to increase compared with the control. Additionally, BJ-5 reduced the severity of cucumber corynespora leaf spot of cucumber infected with C. cassiicola. The inhibition efficacy of BJ-5 suspension as a foliar spray against cucumber corynespora leaf spot reached 63% inhibition, which is higher than a 5000-fold dilution of Luna-Son SC fungicide. In addition, BJ-5 was tested on the emergence of cucumber seedlings, recording the biomass and photosynthesis of cucumber during the growth period. BJ-5 at 1.5 x 105 CFU·mL-1 promoted the germination of cucumber seeds and increased biomass and photosynthesis at the adult plant stage. Also, the secondary metabolites of BJ-5 were determined. BJ-5 could produce chitinases, siderophore, cellulase, amylase and protease in the respective medium. Finally, adaptation assay of BJ-5 showed good salt tolerance and good adaptability in alkaline conditions, and that BJ-5 retains inhibition of fungi activity at higher temperatures. This is the first report of the biocontrol by P. nitroguajacolicus with antagonism to C. cassiicola and promote cucumber growth. This study indicates that P. nitroguajacolicus may serve as potential biocontrol agents against cucumber corynespora leaf spot fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of spent coffee grounds (SCGs) into hydrochars has been extensively studied in recent years to explore their potential in biofortifying foods and mitigating the plant toxicity associated with SCGs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding activated (ASCG and AH160) and functionalized SCGs, as well as SCG-derived hydrochars (ASCG-Fe and AH160-Fe), on cucumber production and plant iron content. To achieve this, SCGs and SCG-derived hydrochars activated and functionalized with Fe were incorporated into cucumber crops grown in a greenhouse over multiple harvests. Among the treatments, SCG-Fe proved to be the most promising for cucumber production, yielding an average of 25 kg of cumulative production per treatment across three harvests. Regarding iron content, the average results across all harvests showed that SCGs and functionalized SCG-hydrochars matched the performance of the commercial chelate (0.108 vs. 0.11 mg Fe/100 g fresh weight). However, in subsequent harvests, iron appeared to leach out, with the activated bio-products (ASCG and AH160) leaving the highest iron reserves in the soil. Additionally, the hydrochar activated at 160 °C demonstrated the highest utilization efficiency. In conclusion, the incorporation of SCG residues and second-generation residues (hydrochars) shows promise as agents for biofortifying cucumbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercial value of cucumbers is influenced by the presence of spines or trichomes on their fruit, while the trichomes found on other parts of the plant are essential for protecting the cucumber against a range of biotic and abiotic stresses. In our research, we identified a glabrous nwd mutant from EMS-induced cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) mutant lines. This mutant displays a consistent glabrous phenotype across all plant organs. Upon analysis, it was revealed that the nwd mutation is governed by a lone recessive nuclear gene. The nwd plants show a significant reduction in both their photosynthetic capacity and chlorophyll a content when compared to the wild-type. Furthermore, there are notable changes in the antioxidant enzyme activities, soluble protein levels, and malondialdehyde content of the nwd mutant. Genotyping and MutMap approaches identified the CsNWD gene, encoding a VPS protein, as a candidate responsible for the glabrous trait. Transcriptome analysis indicated that 15 trichome-related genes exhibit significant expression changes in the nwd mutant, implying that CsNWD may regulate trichome development through interactions with these genes. This study contributes to the understanding of VPS proteins in trichome initiation and the underlying mechanisms of trichome development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucumis sativus L. plants are subjected to stress during production, affecting their growth, development, and fruit quality due to abiotic factors. Thus, the aim of this research is to evaluate Pseudomonas paralactis, Sinorhizobium meliloti, and Acinetobacter radioresistens plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) effect on C. sativus plants under three substrate moisture levels (100, 75, and 50%). A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with an A x B arrangement: (1) factor A (inoculant) with four levels; (2) PGPR and control (without bacterium); (3) factor B (substrate moisture content) with three levels. Plant height, root length, and fresh weight increased by inoculating PGPR (121%, 135%, and 134%, respectively); likewise, these variables increased with higher moisture content (177%, 204%, and 234%, respectively), while the effect of the interactions of the PGPR and the moisture content in the substrate showed statistical differences in plant height increasing of 197% and root length of 267%. On the other hand, the content of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity was statistically different (p ≤ 0.05) in inoculated plants, with PGPR increasing by 117%, 126%, and 150% respectively. In the moisture content of the substrate, statistical differences were observed, with an increase in the flavonoid content (114%) and antioxidant capacity (116%). The assimilation of nitrogen was higher by 274% and phosphorus by 124% with the PGPR inoculation, the moisture content increased the nitrogen content in the plant (257%) and the phosphorus content in plant (135%), showing significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). However, the interaction of PGPR and moisture content only presented statistical differences in nitrogen assimilation. PGPR can be considered as an alternative to obtain vigorous cucumber seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fruit surface is a critical first line of defense against environmental stress. Overlaying the fruit epidermis is the cuticle, comprising a matrix of cutin monomers and waxes that provides protection and mechanical support throughout development. The epidermal layer of the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruit also contains prominent lipid droplets, which have recently been recognized as dynamic organelles involved in lipid storage and metabolism, stress response, and the accumulation of specialized metabolites. Our objective was to genetically characterize natural variations for traits associated with the cuticle and lipid droplets in cucumber fruit. Phenotypic characterization and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed using a resequenced cucumber core collection accounting for >96% of the allelic diversity present in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System collection. The collection was grown in the field, and fruit were harvested at 16–20 days post-anthesis, an age when the cuticle thickness and the number and size of lipid droplets have stabilized. Fresh fruit tissue sections were prepared to measure cuticle thickness and lipid droplet size and number. The collection showed extensive variation for the measured traits. GWAS identified several QTLs corresponding with genes previously implicated in cuticle or lipid biosynthesis, including the transcription factor SHINE1/WIN1, as well as suggesting new candidate genes, including a potential lipid-transfer domain containing protein found in association with isolated lipid droplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thigmotropism and thigmomorphogenesis are two related and pervasive processes that play crucial roles in plant adaptation to the environment. However, there have been few investigations into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of these phenomena. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) tendrils are ideal material for studying thigmotropism and thigmomorphogenesis because they display a combination of the two processes. Here, we generated the transcriptome profiles of cucumber tendrils at the young, stretch, and coiling stages. Genes related to receptor proteins, transmembrane transport, and ion transport were significantly enriched among those differentially expressed between stages. Pharmacological assays illustrated that three GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR (GLR) genes might play a vital function in perceiving or transducing touch stimulation signals. Comparing the transcriptomes of tendrils and roots after touch stimulation, we found that genes related to extracellular stimulus and xyloglucan metabolism might have conserved functions in the regulation of thigmomorphogenesis. The transcriptome atlas of thigmotropism and thigmomorphogenesis of cucumber tendrils constructed in this study will help further elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind these processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red and blue light have significant effects on plant growth; however, most of the current studies have focused on common horticultural crops such as cucumber and tomato, and there are fewer studies on how red and blue light affect the growth of melon seedlings. Therefore, in this study, we used melon (Cucumis melo L.) as the experimental material to investigate the effects of red and blue light ratios on the photomorphogenesis and photosynthesis of melon seedlings. Five red and blue light ratios were set at a fixed light intensity 200 μmol·m−2·s−1, including R:B = 1:9, R:B = 3:7, R:B = 1:1, R:B = 7:3, and R:B = 9:1. The results showed that with the increase in red light ratios, melon seedling height, stem diameter, total leaf area and stomatal pore size of melon seedlings increased, while the upper epidermis, palisade tissue, spongy tissue, leaf thickness, and stomatal density showed a decreasing trend. Under the R:B = 7:3 treatment, melon seedlings were optimized in all morphological indexes and had higher photosynthetic efficiency; these results indicated that the growth of melon seedlings could be regulated by adjusting the ratio of red to blue light, thus promoting the morphogenesis of melon seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellow sticky traps (YSTs) are common tools for monitoring the greenhouse whitefly (GWF), Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), which can cause significant yield reduction in different greenhouse crops such as cucumber and tomato. In recent years, sticky traps equipped with green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have also been (successfully) tested for catching GWFs. However, no study has observed GWF population dynamics at low population densities using such LED traps for early pest detection in crop stands. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was conducted aiming to investigate the correlation between GWF populations on tomato crops (Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae)) and the numbers caught on yellow sticky traps and green LED traps, respectively. A small number of whiteflies was released into two pest-free greenhouse cabins, and populations on plants and traps were monitored for the duration of two months. The results show that the GWFs caught on LED traps correlate significantly positive with the population density on the tomato crops. Such a correlation was not found for standard YSTs. Moreover, the results indicate the possibility of early pest detection using LED traps. The findings are discussed in the context of the whiteflies' ecology and population dynamics in greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a vital economic vegetable crop, and the TONNEAU1 Recruiting Motif (TRM) gene plays a key role in cucumber organ growth. However, the pan-genomic characteristics of the TRM gene family and their expression patterns under different stresses have not been reported in cucumber. In this study, we identified 29 CsTRMs from the pan-genomes of 13 cucumber accessions, with CsTRM29 existing only in PI183967. Most CsTRM proteins exhibited differences in sequence length, except five CsTRMs having consistent protein sequence lengths among the 13 accessions. All CsTRM proteins showed amino acid variations. An analysis of CsTRM gene expression patterns revealed that six CsTRM genes strongly changed in short-fruited lines compared with long-fruited lines. And four CsTRM genes strongly responded to salt and heat stress, while CsTRM14 showed responses to salt stress, powdery mildew, gray mold, and downy mildew. Some CsTRM genes were induced or suppressed at different treatment timepoints, suggesting that cucumber TRM genes may play different roles in responses to different stresses, with expression patterns varying with stress changes. Remarkably, the expression of CsTRM21 showed considerable change between long and short fruits and in responses to abiotic stresses (salt stress and heat stress), as well as biotic stresses (powdery mildew and gray mold), suggesting a dual role of CsTRM21 in both fruit shape determination and stress resistance. Collectively, this study provided a base for the further functional identification of CsTRM genes in cucumber plant growth and stress resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Momordica charantia is a climbing plant often used in traditional medicine to treat a large number of diseases, including diabetes. Salinity is one of the main stressors faced by plants, affecting almost half of irrigated agricultural land and constantly increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the resistance of some bitter cucumber genotypes to salt stress by means of dry matter analysis, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, malondialdehyde content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and potassium (K)/silicon (Si) and calcium (Ca)/silicon (Si) atomic ratios. Two varieties of bitter cucumber and three experimental lines were used for the experiment. Treatments with different saline solutions (100 mM of NaCl and 200 mM of NaCl) were applied and compared with an untreated control (0 mM of NaCl). The analyses revealed an increase in the dry matter content of the varieties subjected to salt stress. The Line 4 genotype showed an increase of up to 37.2% compared to the control when treated with 200 mM of NaCl. Following the analysis of the chlorophyll a content, a 38% decrease in its amount compared to the control was observed when treated with 100 mM of saline and 58.6% when treated with 200 mM of NaCl in genotype Line 4. Line 3 showed an increase in the chlorophyll a content compared to the control by 53% in the case of saline treatment with 200 mM. After the analysis of the chlorophyll b content, a 44% decrease was revealed in the case of Line 4 in the variant treated with 100 mM compared to the control and a 61% decrease in the 200 mM NaCl treatment. The highest increase in the concentration of malondialdehyde was recorded in the case of Line 4 in the variant treated with 200 mM of NaCl by 41% compared to the control. The maximum quantum yield of PS II decreased in the treated variants compared to the control plants. The most pronounced difference compared to the control was registered in the case of Line 4, where the treatment with 100 mM of NaCl caused a decrease of 16%, and the treatment with 200 mM caused a decrease of 25%. In the case of the atomic ratio, significant decreases in K and Ca were observed in the NaCl-treated variants. The observed differences between the values obtained for each studied genotype highlight the different degrees of their resistance to salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and celery (Apium graveolens L.) are among the most widely cultivated vegetable crops, belonging to the melon and leafy vegetable categories, respectively. This study aims to provide predictions for the quality formation of greenhouse cucumber and celery, as well as technical support for intelligent vegetable production management. Based on the light and temperature response characteristics of cucumber and celery growth and development and using the experimental varieties 'Jinsheng 206' for cucumber and 'Juventus' for celery, the observational data from a five-cropping season trial over 2 years were utilized. By analyzing the relationship between the growth and development of vegetables and key meteorological factors (radiation and temperature), simulation models for quality formation were constructed using the day–night temperature difference method (ATD) and the product of thermal effectiveness and the photosynthetically active method (TEP) as independent variables. The model parameters were determined and the model was validated using independent trial data. The results showed the following: (1) There exist quantifiable relationships between different quality indicators and ATD or TEP. These relationships are mainly presented through linear functions, exponential functions, logarithmic function, and logical functions. (2) The normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of the cucumber quality model ranges from 1.13% to 29.53%, and the NRMSE of the celery quality model ranges from 1.63% to 31.47%. (3) Based on two kinds of normalization methods, the average NRMSE of the VQSM model is 13.72%, demonstrating a relatively high level of accuracy in simulation. These results demonstrate that the proposed model can dynamically and accurately simulate the quality formation process of vegetables, providing a theoretical basis and data support for the research on productivity and the economic benefits of greenhouse crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate changes in flavor substances of lightly-pickled cucumbers during storage, volatile compounds were analyzed by electronic nose and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). The results showed that flavor characteristics of lightly-pickled cucumbers changed obviously during storage. A total of 56 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected by GC-IMS, including 10 alcohols, 30 aldehydes, 8 ketones, 5 esters, 1 furan, 1 acid, and 1 alkane. With the extension of storage period, the relative contents of aldehydes, alcohols and ketones decreased significantly, while the contents of esters increased significantly (P1), including cis-6-nonenal, nonenal, 1-penten-3-one, isobutyraldehyde, trans-2,cis-6-nonadienal, and trans-2-octenal. Among them, trans-2-octenal increased with the relative extension of storage time, which might be the main off-flavor compound for flavor deterioration. This study can provide a theoretical basis for flavor quality evaluation of lightly-pickled cucumbers during storage.

The article "Ovule initiation in crops characterized by multi-ovulate ovaries" explores the process of ovule initiation in plants with multi-ovulate ovaries, such as rapeseed, cucumber, soybean, and tomato. The study compares the morphology and pattern formation of ovules in these crops to Arabidopsis, highlighting similarities and differences in ovule initiation. The research identifies conserved regulatory mechanisms and genes involved in ovule initiation across these species, shedding light on the factors influencing ovule number and crop yield. The findings suggest that phytohormones play a crucial role in regulating ovule initiation and placenta development, impacting seed production in these crops. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The yield of major crops is generally limited by sink capacity and source strength. Cucumber is a typical raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs)–transporting crop. Non-coding RNAs and alternative polyadenylation (APA) play important roles in the regulation of growth process in plants. However, their roles on the sink‒source regulation have not been demonstrated in RFOs–translocating species. Results: Here, whole–transcriptome sequencing was applied to compare the leaves of cucumber under different sink strength, that is, no fruit-carrying leaves (NFNLs) and fruit-carrying leaves (FNLs) at 12th node from the bottom. The results show that 1101 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs, 79 DE long non–coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and 23 DE miRNAs were identified, which were enriched in photosynthesis, energy production and conversion, plant hormone signal transduction, starch and carbohydrate metabolism and protein synthesis pathways. Potential co–expression networks like, DE lncRNAs–DE mRNAs/ DE miRNAs–DE mRNAs, and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulation models (DE lncRNAs–DE miRNAs–DE mRNAs) associated with sink‒source allocation, were constructed. Furthermore, 37 and 48 DE genes, which enriched in MAPK signaling and plant hormone signal transduction pathway, exist differentially APA, and SPS (CsaV3_2G033300), GBSS1 (CsaV3_5G001560), ERS1 (CsaV3_7G029600), PNO1 (CsaV3_3G003950) and Myb (CsaV3_3G022290) may be regulated by both ncRNAs and APA between FNLs and NFNLs, speculating that ncRNAs and APA are involved in the regulation of gene expression of cucumber sink‒source carbon partitioning. Conclusions: These results reveal a comprehensive network among mRNAs, ncRNAs, and APA in cucumber sink–source relationships. Our findings also provide valuable information for further research on the molecular mechanism of ncRNA and APA to enhance cucumber yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fusarium wilt (FW) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (Foc) is a destructive soil-borne disease in cucumber (Cucumis sativus. L). However, there remains limited knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying FW resistance-mediated defense responses in cucumber. Methods: In this study, metabolome and transcriptome profiling were carried out for two FW resistant (NR) and susceptible (NS), near isogenic lines (NILs) before and after Foc inoculation. NILs have shown consistent and stable resistance in multiple resistance tests conducted in the greenhouse and in the laboratory. A widely targeted metabolomic analysis identified differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) with significantly greater NR accumulation in response to Foc infection, including many phenolic acid and flavonoid compounds from the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. Results: Transcriptome analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the NILs upon Foc inoculation including genes for secondary metabolite biosynthesis and transcription factor genes regulating the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. Joint analysis of the metabolomic and transcriptomic data identified DAMs and DEGs closely associated with the biosynthesis of phenolic acid and flavonoid DAMs. The association of these compounds with NRconferred FW resistance was exemplified by in vivo assays. These assays found two phenolic acid compounds, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and diisooctyl phthalate, as well as the flavonoid compound gallocatechin 3-O-gallate to have significant inhibitory effects on Foc growth. The antifungal effects of these three compounds represent a novel finding. Discussion: Therefore, phenolic acids and flavonoids play important roles in NR mediated FW resistance breeding in cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization severely limits the quality and productivity of economic crops, threatening global food security. Recent advancements have improved our understanding of how plants perceive, signal, and respond to salt stress. The discovery of the Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS) pathway has been crucial in revealing the molecular mechanisms behind plant salinity tolerance. Additionally, extensive research into various plant hormones, transcription factors, and signaling molecules has greatly enhanced our knowledge of plants' salinity tolerance mechanisms. Cucurbitaceae plants, cherished for their economic value as fruits and vegetables, display sensitivity to salt stress. Despite garnering some attention, research on the salinity tolerance of these plants remains somewhat scattered and disorganized. Consequently, this article offers a review centered on three aspects: the salt response of Cucurbitaceae under stress; physiological and biochemical responses to salt stress; and the current research status of their molecular mechanisms in economically significant crops, like cucumbers, watermelons, melon, and loofahs. Additionally, some measures to improve the salt tolerance of Cucurbitaceae crops are summarized. It aims to provide insights for the in-depth exploration of Cucurbitaceae's salt response mechanisms, uncovering the roles of salt-resistant genes and fostering the cultivation of novel varieties through molecular biology in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical fungicides can effectively prevent and control powdery mildew, but they can also leave pesticide residues in the environment and on cucumbers. In this study, we added sulfur powder to the soil where cucumbers were grown to see how it affected the occurrence of powdery mildew. The results showed that adding sulfur increased sulfur absorption by the cucumbers, improved plant immunity, and reduced the incidence of powdery mildew. Furthermore, adding sulfur to the soil increased soluble protein content in cucumber leaves, enhanced photosynthesis, and significantly increased fruit yield. Additionally, sulfur addition decreased soil dehydrogenase activity and increased sucrase activity, potentially impacting soil microbial activity. In conclusion, this study found that adding sulfur had a positive inhibitory effect on the occurrence of cucumber powdery mildew while not significantly impacting the soil environment. These findings provide valuable insights for developing new control methods that are easy to implement, cost-effective, reliable, and environmentally safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of Pseudomonas monteilii SX001 on various parameters of cucumber plants under salt stress, the salt-sensitive cucumber variety "Jinyou No. 4" was used as the test material, and coconut bran was used to simulate salt stress by applying NaCl solution. The results indicated that salt stress significantly reduced the morphological structure, relative growth rate, root morphology, and photosynthetic parameters of the cucumber plants. Leaf starch, soluble sugar, and sucrose contents significantly increased, whereas their levels in roots decreased. Cell membrane damage leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, with notable increases in the activities of major antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and POD. Nitrogen metabolism was disrupted, as evidenced by a significant decrease in nitrate nitrogen content and an increase in ammonium nitrogen content, as well as a significant reduction in the activity of NR enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism. The enzyme activity in the cucumber rhizosphere soil decreased. However, Pseudomonas monteilii SX001 significantly enhanced the growth of cucumber seedlings under salt stress, improved photosynthetic efficiency, and facilitated sugar transformation and transport via glucose metabolism. Additionally, Pseudomonas monteilii SX001 reduced the reactive oxygen content and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. It also increased the activity of substrate enzymes and decreased the diversity of rhizosphere soil microorganisms but also increased the abundance of Asticcacaulis, Acinetobacter, Brevundimonas, Pseudomonas, and Enterobacter. These findings demonstrate that Pseudomonas monteilii SX001 is a promising bioinoculant for alleviating salt stress in cucumber production and improving soil health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fusarium oxysporum is a significant soil-borne fungal pathogen that affects over 100 plant species, including crucial crops like tomatoes, bananas, cotton, cucumbers, and watermelons, leading to wilting, yellowing, growth inhibition, and ultimately plant death. The root rot disease of A. macrocephala, caused by F. oxysporum, is one of the most serious diseases in continuous cropping, which seriously affects its sustainable development. Methods: In this study, we explored the interaction between A. macrocephala and F. oxysporum through integrated small RNA (sRNA) and degradome sequencing to uncover the microRNA (miRNA)-mediated defense mechanisms. Results: We identified colonization of F. oxysporum in A. macrocephala roots on day 6. Nine sRNA samples were sequenced to examine the dynamic changes in miRNA expression in A. macrocephala infected by F. oxysporum at 0, 6, and 12 days after inoculation. Furthermore, we using degradome sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), validated four miRNA/target regulatory units involved in A. macrocephala-F. oxysporum interactions. Discussion: This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying A. macrocephala's early defense against F. oxysporum infection, suggesting directions for enhancing resistance against this pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucumber is one of the top ten vegetables globally and is widely cultivated worldwide. However, Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cucumerinum, is one of the most serious soil-borne diseases in cucumber cultivation, causing significant economic losses. Biological control has great potential in the prevention of cucumber wilt disease, but the mechanism involved still needs further research. In this study, biocontrol isolate Bacillus subtilis 1JN2, which was isolated in our previous work, was evaluated in field conditions against Fusarium wilt, and the rhizosphere fungal diversity was analyzed. The results indicated that the biocontrol efficacy of B. subtilis 1JN2 reached 58.5% compared with the blank control, and the population density of F. oxysporum in the rhizosphere decreased from 495 copies/g of soil before inoculation to 20 copies/g 14 days after treatment. High-throughput sequencing demonstrated that after an inoculation of 1JN2, the populations that decreased significantly include the genera of Olpidium and Pseudallescheria, from more than 20% to less than 8%. And the most increased population belonged to the family Chaetomiaceae, from 6.82% to 18.77%, 12.39%, 44.41%, and 19.41% at the four sample time points after treatment. In addition, soil-related enzyme activities, including catalase, soil dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and polyphenol oxidase, were analyzed before and after treatment with 1JN2. The results indicated that all the enzyme activities showed an upward trend following inoculation. These findings demonstrate the potential of using B. subtilis 1JN2 as a biocontrol agent for controlling Fusarium wilt in cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]