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Pythium sensu lato (s.l.) is a pathogenic oomycete. The present study was conducted to isolate and identify Pythium s.l. species associated with the rhizosphere and roots of greenhouse-growing cucumbers showing damping-off symptoms in 10 Omani governorates (provinces). A total of 166 isolates were recovered from 276 rhizosphere soil and root samples and were identified based on the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX I) gene region. Pythium aphanidermatum, P. myriotylum, Globisporangium spinosum, Globisporangium sp.1 (isolates Kb003/PySyCu-1 and Kb004/PySyCu-2), and Globisporangium sp.2 (isolate Ib002R) were identified. Among these species, P. aphanidermatum was the most abundant species, represented by 143 isolates (86.1%), followed by G. spinosum with 18 isolates (10.8%), Globisporangium sp.1 and P. myriotylum each with 2 isolates (2.4%), and Globisporangium sp.2 with 1 isolate (0.6%). Pathogenicity tests were also conducted for 38 isolates, including P. aphanidermatum (25), P. myriotylum (2), Globisporangium sp.2 (1), G. spinosum (8), and Globisporangium sp.1 (2). Among the tested isolates, only Globisporangium sp.2 isolate was avirulent, and none of the seeds were rotted at the end of the treatment. However, the other species induced the symptoms of seed decay with the incidence ranged from 86.7 to 100%. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on 222 ITS and 53 COX I sequences, and confirmed morphological identification. In addition, the genetic diversity of 93 P. aphanidermatum isolates was assessed via the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) method. The analysis produced 93 genotypes and 449 polymorphic loci. Pythium aphanidermatum populations were found to have moderate levels of genetic diversity (H = 0.2) and a moderate Shannon information index (I = 0.3793). Analysis of molecular variance (FST = 0.1, P = 0.0) revealed a moderate level of genetic differentiation among P. aphanidermatum isolates between Oman governorates. The sensitivity of 15 P. aphanidermatum isolates was evaluated against hymexazol at different concentrations (10, 100, and 1000 ppm). The results revealed that P. aphanidermatum could grow well at concentrations of up to 100 ppm hymexazol. However, hymexazol at 1000 ppm retarded the growth of P. aphanidermatum. This study showed that P. aphanidermatum is the most prevalent species in greenhouses in Oman and exhibited a moderate level of genetic diversity. Most of the isolates exhibited differences in tolerance to hymexazol but showed no resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) is a widely studied enzyme in plant biology due to its role in connecting primary metabolism to secondary phenylpropanoid metabolism, significantly influencing plant growth, development, and stress response. Although PAL genes have been extensively studied in various plant species but their exploration in cucumber has been limited. This study successfully identified 11 CsPAL genes in Cucumis sativus (cucumber). These CsPAL genes were categorized based on their conserved sequences revealing patterns through MEME analysis and multiple sequence alignment. Interestingly, cis-elements related to stress were found in the promoter regions of CsPAL genes, indicating their involvement in responding to abiotic stress. Furthermore, these gene's promoters contained components associated with light, development and hormone responsiveness. This suggests that they may have roles in hormone developmental processes. MicroRNAs were identified as a key regulators for the CsPAL genes, playing a crucial role in modulating their expression. This discovery underscores the complex regulatory network involved in the plant's response to various stress conditions. The influence of these microRNAs further highlights the complicated mechanisms that plants use to manage stress. Gene expression patterns were analyzed using RNA-seq data. The significant upregulation of CsPAL9 during HT3h (heat stress for 3 h) and the heightened upregulation of both CsPAL9 and CsPAL7 under HT6h (heat stress for 6 h) in the transcriptome study suggest a potential role for these genes in cucumber's tolerance to heat stress. This comprehensive investigation aims to enhance our understanding of the PAL gene family's versatility, offering valuable insights for advancements in cucumber genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthracnose, caused by species in the Colletotrichum orbiculare complex, is a major foliar disease in open‐field cucumber farming worldwide. This study aimed to develop and validate a standard area diagram (SAD) set to estimate the severity of anthracnose on cucumber leaves. For this purpose, a SAD set with nine levels of severity (1; 3; 5; 10; 20; 30; 40; 50 and 60%) is proposed. The SAD set was validated by 16 raters with no experience in evaluating plant diseases. Both accuracy and precision improved when the proposed SAD set was employed. The statistical parameters were bias coefficient factor‐Cb (no SAD set = 0.891, with SAD set = 0.982); correlation coefficient‐r (no SAD set = 0.851, with SAD set = 0.941); and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient‐ρc (no SAD set = 0.755, with SAD set = 0.924). In addition, estimates were more reliable: intra‐class correlation coefficient‐ρ (no SAD set = 0.646, with SAD set = 0.887). The SAD set proposed here is a useful tool for improving visual assessments of anthracnose severity on cucumber leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucurbitaceae, the gourd family of flowering plants, is a very large and diverse family, the order Cucurbitales, contains 95 genera and 950–980 species of food and ornamental plants, and wild and weedy species mostly with high genetic diversity. This review is focused on the most important cucurbit crops (Cucumis sativus, Cucumis melo, Cucurbita spp., Citrullus lanatus, Momordica charantia, Lagenaria siceraria, and Luffa acutangula) and some their wild relatives as hosts of cucurbit powdery mildews (CPM). Powdery mildews (PM) (Ascomycota, Erysiphales) are one of the most frequently encountered and easily visible groups of plant pathogenic fungi with > 900 species. They are obligate biotrophs, they colonize above-ground plant tissues, mostly leaves, though they may also colonize stems, petioles, flowers and fruits, and they are usually debilitators, not killers. These parasitic fungi have been problematic on cucurbits for a long time world-wide, causing serious economic losses in yield and quality. All economically important cucurbit crops host CPM. Seven PM species with different taxonomic positions, host ranges, geographic distributions and ecological requirements are known on cucurbits. CPM species taxonomy and denomination rapidly changed during last few decades through detailed analyses and clarifications. At least three PM species frequently parasitize cucurbits: the endoparasite Leveillula taurica (Lt) with marginal economic importance; and two ectoparasitic species, Golovinomyces orontii (Go), and Podosphaera xanthii (Px), which are economically important world-wide. The two pathogens differ in ecological requirements and distribution, though they may occur together in mixed infections. They are highly variable at the population level for virulence, race identities, and fast adaptation of pathogens. Cucurbit-CPM species interactions are diverse and complicated, and differ between hosts and their respective pathogen genera and species. Here we present a critical overview of obstacles, gaps and recent progress in these matters for six cucurbit genera with respect to resistance resources, genetics of resistance, genetic mapping and development of molecular markers, physiology and mechanisms of resistance, developments in mlo-mediated resistance, patents, and CPM resistance breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the rising demand for cost-effective herbal medicines as alternatives to expensive synthetic drugs, investigations into the pharmacological properties of medicinal plants have witnessed a remarkable surge. Cucumis sativus, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is a popular vegetable crop that possesses a wealth of phytoconstituents linked to various therapeutic applications. Accordingly, this review explores the recent phytochemical and pharmacological information on Cucumis sativus aimed at providing an updated template for its possible development as a therapeutic agent for various disorders. In this study, several databases were searched to ascertain the active compounds in Cucumis sativus and to identify the reported pharmacological activities in In-vitro and In-vivo studies. Findings from this review highlight the diverse pharmacological actions of Cucumis sativus, including anti-microbial, anti-cancer, cytotoxic, wound healing, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, analgesic, and hepatoprotective effects. Also, this study noted a paucity of literature information on the neuroprotective and reproductive activities of Cucumis sativus in experimental models. Altogether, this review provides updated information and highlights the potential of Cucumis sativus for future pharmaceutical investigations and the possible development of drugs that can be useful in the management of various disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) is a widely studied enzyme in plant biology due to its role in connecting primary metabolism to secondary phenylpropanoid metabolism, significantly influencing plant growth, development, and stress response. Although PAL genes have been extensively studied in various plant species but their exploration in cucumber has been limited. This study successfully identified 11 CsPAL genes in Cucumis sativus (cucumber). These CsPAL genes were categorized based on their conserved sequences revealing patterns through MEME analysis and multiple sequence alignment. Interestingly, cis-elements related to stress were found in the promoter regions of CsPAL genes, indicating their involvement in responding to abiotic stress. Furthermore, these gene’s promoters contained components associated with light, development and hormone responsiveness. This suggests that they may have roles in hormone developmental processes. MicroRNAs were identified as a key regulators for the CsPAL genes, playing a crucial role in modulating their expression. This discovery underscores the complex regulatory network involved in the plant’s response to various stress conditions. The influence of these microRNAs further highlights the complicated mechanisms that plants use to manage stress. Gene expression patterns were analyzed using RNA-seq data. The significant upregulation of CsPAL9 during HT3h (heat stress for 3 h) and the heightened upregulation of both CsPAL9 and CsPAL7 under HT6h (heat stress for 6 h) in the transcriptome study suggest a potential role for these genes in cucumber’s tolerance to heat stress. This comprehensive investigation aims to enhance our understanding of the PAL gene family’s versatility, offering valuable insights for advancements in cucumber genetics.

Pythium-induced damping-off of cucumber is a major constraint to cucumber production in different parts of the world. Although chemical fungicides are used for managing this disease, they have many drawbacks to the environment. The ability of the antagonistic fungi isolated from the rhizosphere and endosphere of Dactyloctenium robecchii and Moraea sisyrinchium in the control of soilborne pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum was inspected. Native Trichoderma isolates, Trichoderma ghanense and Trichoderma citrinoviride, were isolated from plant stem and soil samples collected from Al-Seeb, Oman. Using a dual culture technique, the antagonistic activity of the fungal isolates against P. aphanidermatum was examined in vitro. Among Trichoderma isolates, T. ghanense was more efficient in restraining the mycelial growth of P. aphanidermatum, causing an inhibition percentage of 44.6%. Further, T. citrinoviride induced significantly lower cessation of P. aphanidermatum mycelial growth (31.3%). Microscopic and electrolyte leakage inspection of the pathogen mycelia depicted extreme morphological malformations in their mycelium, which can be attributed to the antifungal metabolites of antagonists. Greenhouse studies demonstrated the effectivity of T. ghanense in controlling Pythium damping-off of cucumber plants, where the number of surviving plants was over 90% when the biocontrol agents were used compared to 0 in the control plants. Furthermore, treatment of the plants with the antagonists promoted growth characteristics of plants compared to uninoculated plants. This included improvements in shoot and root lengths, leaf length and width, and dry weight. These findings suggest that T. ghanense and T. citrinoviride can be developed as alternatives to synthetic chemical fungicides to manage soilborne pathogens of cucumber. This research is also the first to clarify the biocontrol ability of T. citrinoviride and T. ghanense against cucumber damping-off caused by P. aphanidermatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic vegetable growers are interested in using the “soil block” method for transplant production as an alternative to plastic flats. The soil block method compresses growing media into a freestanding block in contrast to the cells of a plastic flat. Anecdotal evidence of soil block–grown transplants with increased vigor and root development exists, but limited research has been conducted to evaluate these claims. Furthermore, identifying commercial growing medium for certified organic transplant production is needed. The objective of this study was to compare growth parameters and root development of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and pepper (Capsicum annum) transplants grown in soil blocks and plastic flats, in combination with four commercially available certified organic media (Beautiful Land Products “Soil Blocking Mix,” Purple Cow Organics “Seed Starter Mix,” Cowsmo “Green Potting Soil,” and Vermont Compost Company “Fort Vee”). A volume-based 50% peat, 25% compost, 12.5% perlite, and 12.5% vermiculite growing medium was also evaluated. A split-plot randomized complete block design with four replications was used with growing method as the whole plot factor and medium as the subplot factor. ‘Marketmore 76’ cucumbers and ‘Yankee Bell’ peppers were seeded in 50-cell flats and soil blocks made with Johnny’s Selected Seeds Stand-up 12 Soil Blocker. Data were collected on growth parameters by destructively sampling cucumbers 3 weeks after seeding, and peppers 5, 6, and 7 weeks after seeding. Root development was evaluated using WinRHIZOTM at the last sampling. Cucumber and pepper transplants performed differently in soil blocks and flats. Cucumbers grown in flats had a significantly greater dry weight than those grown in soil blocks, by 20% in 2022 and by 38% in 2023. In contrast, pepper transplants grown with the soil block method had between 50% and 130% greater dry weight in the final sampling in 2022. Cucumber and pepper transplants grown with Cowsmo “Green Potting Soil” performed poorly, with an up to 144% lower dry weight and up to 167% lower root surface area than transplants grown with the other media. Root development correlated with shoot development, without a specific advantage in soil blocks, although differences in root system architecture should be investigated. The evaluated Beautiful Land Products, Purple Cow Organics, and Vermont Compost Company media can all be considered suitable for growing certified organic vegetable transplants in both soil blocks and flats. Further research is warranted to better optimize the soil block technique, investigate optimum soil block bulk density, and inform growers of appropriate commercially available certified organic growing media for organic vegetable transplant production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granules of a chitosan–titanium dioxide composite material with different concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles for agricultural use are obtained. The average diameter of the granules is 35 mm. It is shown that varying the concentration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the composite material within the studied limits does not affect the structure of its surface. Experiments are carried out in situ on the seeds of cucumber (Cucumis sativus). It is noted that, during the first three weeks, the composite material has an inhibitory effect on plant growth, and then, after the onset of dissolution of the granules, it has a growth-stimulating effect. The best growth rates are observed when two granules of a composite material with a ratio of chitosan to titanium dioxide of 3 to 1 are added to the soil. It is concluded that the obtained granules of a chitosan–titanium dioxide composite material can have a positive effect on the processes of plant growth and formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local variety trial data are necessary for informing growers how a specific variety might perform on their farm but there is a growing deficiency in these data, particularly for specialty crops. To address this issue, an online decision-support tool named the Vegetable Variety Navigator (VVN) was developed in 2020 to compile, analyze, and visually communicate publicly available broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) variety trial data. To validate the accuracy and predictive potential of the VVN, we conducted 16 on-farm variety trials for broccoli, cucumber, and sweet pepper between 2020 and 2022. Yield of each variety in a trial was compared with the mean of all other varieties in the same trial to calculate a mean relative yield (MRY). The difference between observed relative yield in the field and predicted relative yield from the VVN (ΔMRY) was used to assess the accuracy of three different VVN prediction strategies. Strategies included using data from the following: 1) the single geographically nearest trial, 2) the mean of the three geographically nearest trials, or 3) the mean of all available trial data regardless of location. Compared with random predictions of MRY for each variety (from within a normal distribution of MRY values in the VVN database), the VVN predictions reduced ΔMRY and improved the accuracy of relative yield predictions across varieties by up to 21% in broccoli, 51% in cucumber (depending on strategy), and 51% in sweet pepper. Results confirm the value of the VVN as a decision-support tool for growers facing an ever-increasing number of crop variety options with less variety trial data. Future research and development are needed to improve the accuracy of the VVN by accounting for possible effects of crop types, management, and location on relative yield and quality.

AbstractThe low production of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Nepal is associated with the lack of high-yielding gynoecious hybrids, the long gestation period and low yields of open-pollinated varieties and cold stress in open field conditions during the off-season. An experiment was conducted at the National Horticulture Research Centre, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal, from February to July 2019 to evaluate the performance of cucumber genotypes under open field and plastic house conditions. The experiment was laid out in a two-factor randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven genotypes (Bhaktapur Local, HRDCUC-004 × HRDCUC-001, HRDCUC-004 × HRDCUC-003, HRDCUC-006 × HRDCUC-001, HRDCUC-006 × HRDCUC-003, HRDCUC-009 × HRDCUC-001, and HRDCUC-009 × HRDCUC-003) and two growing conditions (open field and plastic house). Genotypes and growing conditions affected yield and yield attributing characters. Genotype HRDCUC-004 × HRDCUC-001 grown under the plastic house was superior in terms of the number of fruits plant−1 (28.33), yield plant−1 (12.43 kg), and adjusted yield hectare−1 (117 t ha−1). The highest benefit-cost ratio (2.99:1) was also observed for the genotype HRDCUC-004 × HRDCUC-001 grown under plastic house conditions. Overall acceptability of consumers was higher in genotype Bhaktapur Local (7.6) followed by HRDCUC-004 × HRDCUC-001 (7.2). Cucumber genotype HRDCUC-004 × HRDCUC-001 was promising for yield and yield attributing characters under both growing conditions.PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENTCucumber, a globally popular vegetable crop, holds significant economic importance and is widely used in kitchens as a salad. Despite the availability of many exotic hybrid varieties, Nepal struggles with low cucumber production. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the performance of gynoecious hybrid cucumber varieties in terms of yield, quality, and maturity to meet the national demand. Additionally, ensuring year-round cucumber production is essential to guarantee its availability in the market. The production of high yielding gynoecious cucumber hybrids within protected structures such as plastic houses could be a feasible option to fulfill the domestic demand and ensure year-round availability in the market..

Seven new acylated C,O-glycosylflavones were isolated from leaves of Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitaceae) variety Gele Tros. The new compounds were isovitexin 4′-O-glucoside-2′′-O-(6′′′′-O-caffeyl)-glucoside (cucumoside A), isovitexin 4′-O-glucoside-2′′-O-(2′′′′-O-caffeyl)-glucoside (cucumoside B), isovitexin 4′-O-(2′′′-O-caffeyl)-glucoside-2′′-O-glucoside (cucumoside C), isovitexin 4′-O-glucoside-2′′-O-(6′′′′-O-sinapoyl)-glucoside (cucumoside D), isovitexin 4′-O-glucoside-2′′-O-(2′′′′-O-sinapoyl)-glucoside (cucumoside E), isovitexin 4′-O-glucoside-2′′-O-(2′′′′-O-feruloyl)-glucoside (cucumoside F), and isovitexin 4′-O-glucoside-2′′-O-(2′′′′-O-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside (cucumoside G). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The architecture of the root system is fundamental to plant productivity. The rate of root growth, the density of lateral roots, and the spatial structure of lateral and adventitious roots determine the developmental plasticity of the root system in response to changes in environmental conditions. One of the genes involved in the regulation of the slope angle of lateral roots is DEEPER ROOTING 1 (DRO1). Its orthologs and paralogs have been identified in rice, Arabidopsis, and several other species. However, nothing is known about the formation of the slope angle of lateral roots in species with the initiation of lateral root primordia within the parental root meristem. To address this knowledge gap, we identified orthologs and paralogs of the DRO1 gene in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) using a phylogenetic analysis of IGT protein family members. Differences in the transcriptional response of CsDRO1, CsDRO1-LIKE1 (CsDRO1L1), and CsDRO1-LIKE2 (CsDRO1L2) to exogenous auxin were analyzed. The results showed that only CsDRO1L1 is auxin-responsive. An analysis of promoter–reporter fusions demonstrated that the CsDRO1, CsDRO1L1, and CsDRO1L2 genes were expressed in the meristem in cell files of the central cylinder, endodermis, and cortex; the three genes displayed different expression patterns in cucumber roots with only partial overlap. A knockout of individual CsDRO1, CsDRO1L1, and CsDRO1L2 genes was performed via CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Our study suggests that the knockout of individual genes does not affect the slope angle formation during lateral root primordia development in the cucumber parental root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of essential oil extracted from celery (Apium graveolens) seeds (CSEO) for the control of powdery mildew of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) incited by Podosphaera fusca and to investigate the metabolic and genetic defense mechanisms triggered by the treatment with this essential oil in cucumber seedlings. The main compounds in the CSEO as determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis were d-limonene, 3-butyl phthalide, β-selinene, and mandelic acid. The treatment with CSEO led to an increase in the content of both chlorophyll and phenolic/flavonoid compounds in cucumber leaves. In greenhouse tests, the application of CSEO reduced by 60% the disease severity on leaves of cucumber plants and stimulated the activity of defense-related enzymes such as β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase. Moreover, treatment with CSEO induced overexpression of β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase genes. A highly significant correlation was found between the β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzymatic activities and the relative expression of the corresponding encoding genes in both inoculated and non-inoculated cucumber seedlings treated with the essential oil. Overall, this study showed that CSEO is a promising eco-friendly candidate fungicide that can be exploited to control cucumber powdery mildew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ZRT/IRT-like proteins (ZIPs) play critical roles in the absorption, transport, and intracellular balance of metal ions essential for various physiological processes in plants. However, little is known about the pan-genomic characteristics and properties of ZIP genes in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). In this study, we identified 10 CsZIP genes from the pan-genome of 13 C. sativus accessions. Among them, only CsZIP10 showed no variation in protein sequence length. We analyzed the gene structure, conserved domains, promoter cis-elements, and phylogenetic relationships of these 10 CsZIP genes derived from "9930". Based on phylogenetic analysis, the CsZIP genes were classified into three branches. Amino acid sequence comparison revealed the presence of conserved histidine residues in the ZIP proteins. Analysis of promoter cis-elements showed that most promoters contained elements responsive to plant hormones. Expression profiling in different tissues showed that most CsZIP genes were expressed at relatively low levels in C. sativus leaves, stems, and tendrils, and CsZIP7 and CsZIP10 were specifically expressed in roots, indicating their potential involvement in the absorption and transport of metal ions. Transcriptomic data indicated that these 10 ZIP genes displayed responses to both downy mildew and powdery mildew, and CsZIP1 was significantly downregulated after both salt and heat treatments. In conclusion, this study deepens our understanding of the ZIP gene family and enhances our knowledge of the biological functions of CsZIP genes in C. sativus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Los hongos endófitos son microorganismos simbiontes de plantas, diversos y abundantes en regiones tropicales, con gran potencial como agentes biocontroladores de enfermedades fúngicas agrícolas. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la actividad antifúngica in vitro de los hongos endófitos asociados con cultivares criollos de Cucumis sativus y Lagenaria siceraria de Yucatán. Las cepas endófitas fueron aisladas e identificadas de diferentes órganos de las plantas, para posteriormente ser sometidas a enfrentamientos duales y pruebas de antibiosis. Se identificaron 20 especies de hongos endófitos con efectos antifúngicos contra Corynespora cassiicola, Colletotrichum truncatum y Fusarium equiseti, obteniendo rangos de inhibición de 17.72–100%, 16.51–91.55% y 4.64–91.89%, respectivamente. Aspergillus flavus, Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae y Trichoderma longibrachiatum exhibieron los mayores porcentajes de inhibición contra los tres fitopatógenos. Así mismo, estas tres especies de endófitos demostraron un efecto antibiótico en sus extractos, al inhibir principalmente el crecimiento de F. equiseti hasta en un 46.46%. La cepa de L. pseudotheobromae tiene características que le confieren un potencial como agente antifúngico, por lo que se deberán seguir explorando sus aplicaciones y condiciones de crecimiento. Este trabajo representa un primer esfuerzo por conocer la diversidad de hogos endófitos en los cultivos criollos de la región.

Sewage sludge (biosolids) management represents a worldwide issue. Due to its valuable properties, approximately one half of the EU production is recovered in agriculture. Nevertheless, growing attention is given to potential negative effects deriving from the presence of harmful pollutants. It is recognized that a (even very detailed) chemical characterization is not able to predict ecotoxicity of a mixture. However, this can be directly measured by bioassays. Actually, the choice of the most suitable tests is still under debate. This paper presents a multilevel characterization protocol of sewage sludge and other organic residues, based on bioassays and chemical-physical-microbiological analyses. The detailed description of the experimental procedure includes all the involved steps: the criteria for selecting the organic matrices to be tested and compared; the sample pre-treatment required before the analyses execution; the chemical, physical and microbiological characterisation; the bioassays, grouped in three classes (baseline toxicity; specific mode of action; reactive mode of action); data processing. The novelty of this paper lies in the integrated use of advanced tools, and is based on three pillars: • the direct ecosafety assessment of the matrices to be reused. • the adoption of innovative bioassays and analytical procedures. • the original criteria for data normalization and processing.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) belongs to the cucumber genus of the Cucurbitaceae family, and the selection of cultivars with minimal or no lateral branches can enhance the cultivation management efficiency. The growth of lateral branches is inhibited by strigolactone. To investigate the regulatory mechanism of strigolactone on the lateral branch development in cucumber, the cultivar LZ1 exhibiting multiple lateral branches was selected as the experimental material. The axillae of the plants were infiltrated with 1, 5, and 10 μmol·L−1 germination releaser 24 (GR24) at the four- to five-leaf stage. It was identified that 1 μmol·L−1 GR24 exhibited the most potent inhibitory effect on cucumber lateral branches. Additionally, exogenous strigolactone decreased the auxin content in the apical bud and axillae and increased the auxin content in the stem. This inhibited polar auxin transport in the axillary bud and promoted polar auxin transport in the apical bud. The content of strigolactone in the axilla region of cucumbers was elevated, whereas the synthesis and expression of cytokinin in the same area were reduced. A low concentration of GR24 induced the expression of cucumber branched 1 (csbrc1), whereas a high concentration of GR24 downregulated the expression of cucumber lateral suppressor (cscls) and blind (csblind), which inhibited the growth of cucumber lateral branches.

Cucurbit crops comprise ∼25% of the vegetable acreage in the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States. However, options for postemergence weed control in these crops are limited. Overlapping herbicides is a technique that involves sequential applications of soil-applied residual herbicides to lengthen herbicidal activity before the first herbicide dissipates. Residual herbicides such as S-metolachlor will not control emerged weeds, but weed control efficacy may be extended if these herbicides are applied after crop emergence, but before weed emergence occurs. Currently S-metolachlor is not labeled for broadcast applications over cucurbit crops. Greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate pumpkin, cucumber, and summer squash variety response to varying S-metolachlor rates. S-metolachlor was applied at 1.42 and 2.85 lb/acre at the two-leaf stage of pumpkin and 0.71, 1.42, 2.85, and 5.7 lb/acre at the two-leaf stage of cucumber and summer squash. Cucumber showed a greater response to S-metolachlor with up to 67% injury observed at 5.70 lb/acre. S-metolachlor applications to pumpkin and summer squash resulted in less than 6% injury, regardless of application rate or crop variety. S-metolachlor applied at 2.85 lb/acre reduced pumpkin and cucumber dry weight 6% and 19%, respectively, but did not reduce squash dry weight. S-metolachlor reduced cucumber dry weight 78% for all varieties. Pumpkin varieties ‘Munchkin’ and ‘Baby Bear’ exhibited a 23% difference in dry weight, but no other differences were observed among other varieties because of S-metolachlor applications. Summer squash varieties ‘Respect’ and ‘Golden Glory’ exhibited a 31% difference in dry weight, but no other differences were observed among other varieties. Results show that pumpkin and summer squash demonstrated good crop safety when S-metolachlor was applied as a broadcast treatment after crop emergence. However, caution should be urged when applying this herbicide to cucumber.

The production of Beit Alpha cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in hydroponic systems has increased in popularity since the early 2000s, along with the use of high-wire trellising systems. Some farmers claim the high-wire trellising systems, also known as drop-and-lean trellising, result in a more consistent weekly yield than umbrella or modified-umbrella systems. This study compared the high-wire and modified-umbrella trellising systems both using a 7 ft top wire and 4 plants/m2 plant density. The fruit weight and number of fruit per plant were significantly greater using the modified-umbrella trellising system, with the number of fruit being about twice as high as the high-wire trellising system. Consistency of yields was also measured for both systems and found to peak at ∼5 to 7 weeks after the start of harvest using both trellising systems. However, peak yields using the modified-umbrella trellising system followed a quadratic curve, implying that the high-wire trellising system results in more consistent yields. Differences in yield and harvest consistency were likely related to light penetration of the plant canopy. Growers using low-profile greenhouses can expect lower yields and more consistent harvests using the high-wire trellising system. Yields may be improved using a higher plant density. Alternatively, succession planting on a 5- to 7-week interval can improve harvest consistency using a modified-umbrella trellising system.

Cucumber is an essential vegetable crop throughout the world. Cucumber development is vital for accomplishing both quality and productivity requirements. Meanwhile, numerous factors have resulted in substantial cucumber losses. However, the calreticulin domain-encoding genes (CDEGs) in cucumber were not well-characterized and had little function. In the genome-wide association study (GWAS), we recognized and characterized the CDEGs in Cucumis sativus (cucumber). Through a comprehensive study of C. sativus, our research has unveiled the presence of three unique genes, denoted as CsCRTb, CsCRT3, and CsCNX1, unevenly distributed on three chromosomes in the genome of C. sativus. In accordance to the phylogenetic investigation, these genes may be categorized into three subfamilies. Based on the resemblance with AtCDE genes, we reorganized the all CsCDE genes in accordance with international nomenclature. The expression analysis and cis-acting components revealed that each of CsCDE gene promoter region enclosed number of cis-elements connected with hormone and stress response. According to subcellular localization studies demonstrated that, they were found in deferent locations of the cell such as endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane, golgi apparatus, and vacuole, according to subcellular localization studies. Chromosomal distribution analysis and synteny analysis demonstrated the probability of segmental or tandem duplications within the cucumber CDEG gene family. Additionally, miRNAs displayed diverse modes of action, including mRNA cleavage and translational inhibition. We used the RNA seq data to analyze the expression of CDEG genes in response to cold stress and also improved cold tolerance, which was brought on by treating cucumber plants to an exogenous chitosan oligosaccharide spray. Our investigation revealed that these genes responded to this stress in a variety of ways, demonstrating that they may adapt quickly to environmental changes in cucumber plants. This study provides a base for further understanding in reference to CDE gene family and reveals that genes play significant functions in cucumber stress responses.

Key messageThe CsGAI gene, identified by map-based, was involved in regulating seed germination in low temperature via the GA and ABA signaling pathways. Low temperature reduces the percentage of seeds germinating and delays seed germinating time, thus posing a threat to cucumber production. However, the molecular mechanism regulating low temperature germination in cucumber is unknown. We here dissected a major quantitative trait locus qLTG1.1 that controls seed germination at low temperature in cucumber. First, we fine-mapped qLTG1.1 to a 46.3-kb interval, containing three candidate genes. Sequence alignment and gene expression analysis identified Csa1G408720 as the gene of interest that was highly expressed in seeds, and encoded a highly conserved, low temperature-regulated DELLA family protein CsGAI. GUS expression analysis indicated that higher promoter activity underscored higher transcriptional expression of the CsGAI gene. Consistent with the known roles of GAI in ABA and GA signaling during germination, genes involved in the GA (CsGA2ox, CsGA3ox) and ABA biosynthetic pathways (CsABA1, CsABA2, CsAAO3 and CsNCED) were found to be differently regulated in the tolerant and sensitive genotypes under low temperatures, and this was reflected in differences in their ratio of GA-to-ABA. Based on these data, we proposed a working model explaining how CsGAI integrates the GA and ABA signaling pathways, to regulate cucumber seed germination at low temperature, thus providing new insights into this mechanism.

This article reports the first case of cucumber damping-off caused by Globisporangium ultimum var. ultimum in Japan. The study found that the disease was observed in a vegetable garden in Osaka in May 2022, with affected seedlings showing symptoms such as softened and darkly browned tissues with a fluffy white cobweb-like growth. Three isolates of Globisporangium-like organisms were obtained from the affected tissues and identified as G. ultimum var. ultimum based on morphological characteristics and genetic sequencing. A pathogenicity test confirmed that the isolate caused damping-off symptoms in cucumber seedlings. This finding highlights the importance of implementing preventative measures throughout the entire cucumber nursery stage. [Extracted from the article]

The present research aimed to investigate the impact of both organic and inorganic fertilizers on cucumber growth and yield. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications, involving seven treatment combinations: T1 (control), T2 (FYM), T3 (Vermicompost), T4 (NPK), T5 (NPK + 0.5% B), T6 (NPK + 0.5% Ca), and T7 (NPK + 0.5% Calbomin). The results revealed significant differences among the treatments. Treatment T2 (FYM) exhibited notable effects on various growth parameters, including the number of true leaves (35.91), leaf size (97.81 cm²), number of flowers (4.12), and number of fruits (4.37). On the other hand, T3 (vermicompost) significantly influenced plant height (156.9 cm), fruit size (34.902 cm²), and cucumber yield (17.53 Mt/ha). Conversely, the control group (T1) displayed the lowest response in terms of cucumber growth and yield parameters. Based on the findings, it is recommended that in inner Terai regions, such as Tulsipur, Dang in the Nepal, the application of the recommended dose of vermicompost be considered to achieve maximum yield, specifically in the range of 2-3 tons per hectare.

A field experiment was carried out to determine the performance of different cucumber varieties. The research was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 treatments and 6 replications. The varieties used are Bhaktapur local, Kamini, Ragini, and Ranjha. Data were collected on the following parameters such as stem length, plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, number of male flowers, number of female flowers, days to first flowering, male to female flower ratio, days to first male flowering, days to first female flowering, fruit weight, fruit length, number of fruits per plant and yield. It is found that among the performance of different varieties, Kamini was the best high yielding variety for this locality with a yield of 58.93 ton ha-1 followed by Ranjha. Kamini exhibited a greater count of female flowers and fruits. In comparison, Bhaktapur local outperformed other varieties in various aspects such as plant height (193.37 cm), number of leaves (42.39), number of branches (7.13), and male to female ratio (2.63). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: CsCSE genes might be involved in the tolerance of cucumber to pathogens. Silencing of the CsCSE5 gene resulted in attenuated resistance of cucumber to Podosphaera xanthii and Corynespora cassiicola. Caffeoyl shikimate esterase (CSE), a key enzyme in the lignin biosynthetic pathway, has recently been characterized to play a key role in defense against pathogenic infection in plants. However, a systematic analysis of the CSE gene family in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) has not yet been conducted. Here, we identified eight CsCSE genes from the cucumber genome via bioinformatic analyses, and these genes were unevenly distributed on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, and 5. Results from multiple sequence alignment indicated that the CsCSE proteins had domains required for CSE activity. Phylogenetic analysis of gene structure and protein motifs revealed the conservation and diversity of the CsCSE gene family. Collinearity analysis showed that CsCSE genes had high homology with CSE genes in wax gourd (Benincasa hispida). Cis-acting element analysis of the promoters suggested that CsCSE genes might play important roles in growth, development, and stress tolerance. Expression pattern analysis indicated that CsCSE5 might be involved in regulating the resistance of cucumber to pathogens. Functional verification data confirmed that CsCSE5 positively regulates the resistance of cucumber to powdery mildew pathogen Podosphaera xanthii and target leaf spot pathogen Corynespora cassiicola. The results of our study provide information that will aid the genetic improvement of resistant cucumber varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of using lignosulfonates (LSs) to improve soil fertility is currently under discussion. The effect of the sodium LS application on the accumulation of biomass, photosynthesis, respiration, and their ratio in cucumber plants was studied. The application of LS at 10–25 g/kg did not have any significant effect on the studied parameters of the physiological state of plants. However, the growth rate and activity of the photosynthetic apparatus decreased at a high content of LS in the soil (50–100 g/kg) and the rate of respiration increased resulting in an increased ratio of respiration to photosynthesis. High concentrations of LS in the soil negatively affected the physiological state of the cucumber and its resistance to cold, which is explained presumably by sodium salinization of the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aqueous extract of the aerial parts of commonly available plants in Nagpur (India) was screened for their ability to induce the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in cucumber and chilli. C. collinus induced PAL activity in both crop species effectively after 55 hours of elicitation. Later, the C. collinus extract was fractionated over a silica gel column. The fraction collected with 90% methanol also induced the activity of PAL in the seedlings. However, the fractions eluted with 45 and 0% aqueous methanol failed to induce PAL activity. These findings indicate the efficacy of the extract to trigger active defence responses in cucumber and chilli seedlings. Therefore, C. collinus can be useful in developing an organic formulation for crop protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the synthesis of organic@inorganic hybrid nanoflowers (hNFS), instead of expensive biomolecules such as DNA, enzyme, and protein, the Cucumis sativus (cucumber) leaf extract was used as an organic component in this study. In the PBS buffer with different pH (5, 7.4, and 9), hNFs were synthesized using extract with different volumes, but these parameters (concentration and pH) significantly affected the morphological characteristics of hNFs. Morphologies, elemental compositions, and organic groups that play key role in the synthesis of hNFs were detailed using FE-SEM, EDX, and FT-IR analyses, respectively. hNFs with ideal flower morphology (synthesized at pH 7.4 with 1 ml extract) showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains. Antimicrobial activity against strains and peroxidase-like activity against guaiacol of hNFs are explained by Fenton mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of rock powder in the phytoremediation of Inceptisol (sandy loam) and Oxisol (clay) contaminated with diuron. Canavalia ensiformis plants were grown in pots containing 7.5 kg of both soils, with doses of 0, 4, and 8 t ha−1 of rock powder. Diuron was applied in doses ranging from 875 to 3500 g of a.i. ha−1. The injury level was assessed at 42 days after emergence (DAE), and the morphological characteristics were assessed at 120 DAE. After phytoremediation, the soil was analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and by bioassay with cucumber (Cucumis sativus) to detect diuron. In Oxisol, no injury was observed, and the rock powder (4 t ha−1) benefited the growth of C. ensiformis regardless of the dose of diuron. In Inceptisol, the greatest reduction in growth occurred with 3500 g a.i. ha−1 of diuron and 8 t ha−1 of rock powder. Diuron was detected after 120 days in Inceptisol with 2625 g a.i. ha−1 without rock powder and 3500 g a.i. ha−1 with and without rock powder. The cucumber bioindicator in Inceptisol showed an increase in the level of injury as the dose of diuron increased. The rock powder favored the growth of C. ensiformis and was able to phytoremediate high concentrations of diuron, which supports the safe use of this herbicide for weed control, minimizing environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eichhornia crassipes is an aquatic plant present in bodies of water with excess nutrients, which favors its growth and causes negative environmental and social impacts, a situation that promotes the search for alternatives for its use. The objective was to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of E. crassipes as a substrate for germination in vegetables and in the form of bocashi for radish development. As a germinative substrate, dry and ground E. crassipes was mixed in four different proportions with compost and agrolite, considering a control treatment of 100 % E. crassipes. Under a completely randomized design, seeds of Solanum lycopersicum, Cucurbita pepo and Cucumis sativus were germinated. In another trial, a bochashi was carried out with fresh E. crassipes, which was applied at doses of 0 %, 15 %, 30 % and 45 % in Raphanus sativus. Germination varied in the treatments with E. crassipes from 0-99 %. Amounts of 25 % and 50 % of E. crassipes showed the best physical and chemical characteristics as substrates. Bocashi made with E. crassipes showed advantages in radish bulb quality, indicating a dose of 15 % as recommended for its production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downy mildew of cucurbits is a disease caused by the Oomycete Pseudoperonospora cubensis. It can cause considerable losses in cucurbit crops. Phylogenetic studies point to the existence of cryptic species of Pseudoperonospora. The objective of this study was to determine, the phylogeny of Pseudoperonospora species affecting cucurbits in different regions of Brazil. For this, leaves with symptoms of downy mildew were collected in areas of cucurbits production in the states of Pernambuco, Minas Gerais, Ceará, and the Distrito Federal. For phylogenetic analyses, DNA extraction was performed, and PCR reactions were carried out using primers DC-6 and LR-0, Cox2-F and Cox2-RC4, OomCox1-levup and OomCox1-levlo, FM79-C1 and FMPHY-10b, for amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (cox2), the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and cox2-cox1 intergenic spacer respectively. The nucleotide sequences were analyzed, edited, and aligned to perform Bayesian Inference analysis. The results of the phylogenetic analyses presented in the cox2-cox1-cox2_1-ITS concatenated tree indicate that in Brazil, the downy mildew of cucurbits is caused by phylogenetically distinct lineages of P. cubensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a marker of vascular damage and a precursor of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, which involve inflammation and organ damage. Nitric oxide (NO), produced by eNOS, which is induced by pAKT, plays a crucial role in the function of a healthy endothelium. Methods: A combination of subfractions SF1 and SF3 (C4) of the aqueous fraction from Cucumis sativus (Cs-Aq) was evaluated to control endothelial dysfunction in vivo and on HMEC-1 cells to assess the involvement of pAkt in vitro. C57BL/6J mice were injected daily with angiotensin II (Ang-II) for 10 weeks. Once hypertension was established, either Cs-AqC4 or losartan was orally administered along with Ang-II for a further 10 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) was measured at weeks 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20. In addition, serum creatinine, inflammatory status (in the kidney), tissue damage, and vascular remodeling (in the liver and aorta) were evaluated. Cs-AqC4 was also tested in vitro on HMEC-1 cells stimulated by Ang-II to assess the involvement of Akt phosphorylation. Results: Cs-AqC4 decreased systolic and diastolic BP, reversed vascular remodeling, decreased IL-1β and TGF-β, increased IL-10, and decreased kidney and liver damage. In HMEC-1 cells, AKT phosphorylation and NO production were increased. Conclusions: Cs-AqC4 controlled inflammation and vascular remodeling, alleviating hypertension; it also improved tissue damage associated with ED, probably via Akt activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several reports have shown that about 25% of harvested fruits globally are lost to spoilage by microorganisms. The study determined the quantitative metabolites and bioactivities of Aspilia africana extracts on fungi from spoiled Cucumis sativus and Carica papaya fruits. The fungi from spoiled C. sativus and C. papaya fruits were obtained using mycological techniques. The quantitative metabolites and bioactivities of the aqueous (ALEAA) and ethanol (ELEAA) extracts of A. africana were determined using the standard protocol and disc diffusion technique, respectively. The fungal genera obtained were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, Fusarium, and Rhizopus. There were variations in percentage yields, physical appearances, and pH of the extracts. The results of quantitative estimation of metabolites showed that ALEAA had mean protein, carbohydrate, and lipid contents of 15.36 ± 0.32%, 60.97 ± 1.14%, and 6.66 ± 0.04%, respectively. Alkaloids showed a positive correlation with protein (r = 0.2028) and carbohydrate (r = 0.421), and a negative correlation with lipid (r = -0.6556) at p < 0.05. The ELEAA exhibited more inhibitory effects on test fungal isolates, with mean zones of inhibition (IZs) ranging from 9.3 ± 0.1 to 18.8 ± 0.3 mm, than the ALEAA, with mean IZs ranging between 9.4 ± 0.4 and 16.0 ± 1.0 mm. The R coefficients of the extracts and IZs as exhibited by the fungi ranged from 0.5985 to 0.9936. The results have revealed quantitative metabolites and antifungal activities of the extract and also provided rationale for its utilization as a preservative for fruits against spoilage by fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential impact of concrete mixtures containing steel slag (SS) as a partial replacement of natural aggregates (NA) on the terrestrial ecosystem was assessed using a battery of plant‐based bioassays. Leaching tests were conducted on four concrete mixtures and one mixture containing only NA (reference concrete). Leachates were tested for phytotoxicity using seeds of Lepidium sativum, Cucumis sativus, and Allium cepa. Emerging seedlings of L. sativum and A. cepa were used to assess DNA damage (comet test). The genotoxicity of the leachates was also analyzed with bulbs of A. cepa using the comet and chromosome aberration tests. None of the samples caused phytotoxic effects. On the contrary, almost all the samples supported the seedlings; and two leachates, one from the SS‐containing concrete and the other from the reference concrete, promoted the growth of C. sativus and A. cepa. The DNA damage of L. sativum and A. cepa seedlings was significantly increased only by the reference concrete sample. In contrast, the DNA damage in A. cepa bulbs was significantly enhanced by the reference concrete but also by that of a concrete sample with SS. Furthermore, all leachates caused an increase in chromosomal aberrations in A. cepa bulbs. Despite some genotoxic effects of the concrete on plant cells, the partial replacement of SS does not seem to make the concrete more hazardous than the reference concrete, suggesting the potential use of SS as a reliable recycled material. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2193–2200. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main UN Millennium Development Goals is eradication of poverty and hunger through food security. Unfortunately, this goal is difficult to achieve in Nigeria due to soil degradation, low soil fertility, and other agricultural challenges. The current research on food security in Nigeria is focused on improving soil fertility using low-cost organic amendments. Thus, in 2019, the study investigated the residual effects of the repeated animal manure application on the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) yield, the nutrient uptake, and the soil nutrient status of a coarse-textured Ultisol in a greenhouse at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomised design with four treatments: poultry manure (PM30), cow manure (CM30), and pig manure (PgM30) applied at 30 t ha-1, and untreated control with five replicates. The experiment was performed (repeated) three times. The results showed that the soil pH increased (p < 0.05) by 33.3% for the PM30 treatment, 13% for the PgM30 treatment, and 11.1% for the CM30 treatment and decreased by -7.4% for the control treatment compared to the initial amount of the soil pH (5.4). The total nitrogen (Ntot) increased by 99.4% (CM30), 63.3% (PgM30), and 56.3% (PM30) compared to the initial Ntot (4.8 g kg-1). The available phosphorus (Pavail) in the PM30, PgM30, and CM30 treatments increased by 1204%, 171%, and 164%, respectively, while in the control treatment, it decreased by -59.6% compared to the initial Pavail (7.57 mg kg-1). The soil organic carbon (SOC) increased by 13.3% (CM30), 3.9% (PM30), and 3.9% (PgM30) compared to the initial SOC content (1.28%) and decreased by -18.8% in the control treatment. Cucumber growth parameters: the number of fruits, fruit weight, and biomass (fresh and dry), were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the amended treatments compared to the control treatment. There was a significant correlation between the cucumber yield, N-uptake, P-uptake, and soil nutrients. The results of regression analysis showed that the cucumber yield was increased by 91, 61, 56.4, and 86.4 % due to SOC, Ntot, N-uptake, and P-uptake, respectively. This study indicates that the repeated animal manure application has a positive residual effect on the properties of coarse-textured Ultisol and cucumber yield performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the impact of diverse organic fertilizers, including a non-traditional cyanobacteria-based alternative, on soil microbial communities in varying soil types and depths. The research aims to elucidate the effects of these fertilizers on soil microorganisms in certified organic cucumber (Cucumis sativus) field and peach (Prunus persica) orchard settings. Fertilizers were applied either on the soil surface or banded 5 cm below the soil surface, and microbial ester-linked fatty acids (EL-FAMEs) were analyzed in collected soils. Notably, cyanobacteria and Neptune hydrolyzed fish emulsion fertilizers induced significant alterations in the microbial communities of cucumber plots, enhancing microbial biomass and favoring the proliferation of Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and actinomycetes compared to other treatments. In the peach orchard, fertilizer choice differentially impacted microbial communities, especially in the first year and at greater soil depths. Notably, the supplementation of poultry manure with cyanobacteria fertilizer resulted in augmented microbial biomass and relative fungal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal abundances compared to poultry manure alone. These shifts have promising implications for organic vegetable and fruit cultivation. The study further underscores the potential of cyanobacteria-based fertilizers to reduce reliance on traditional options and minimize manure application, promoting self-sufficiency and benefiting soil microorganisms, plant growth, and the ecosystem. Thus, the research emphasizes the importance of exploring and adopting cyanobacteria-based fertilizers to bolster sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wilted and water-soaked lesion symptoms were observed on cucumbers in greenhouses located in Daejeon, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea, in June 2021. A bacterial strain, designated KNUB-04-21, was isolated from the cucumbers, which was subsequently identified as Pectobacterium brasiliense through a phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the 16S rRNA region, dnaX, leuS, and recA genes. The biochemical characteristics of KNUB-04-21 were also similar to those of P. brasiliense through investigation using the API ID 32 GN system. The pathogenicity of KNUB-04-21 was confirmed by inoculating it into healthy cucumber plants. The reisolated strains were also found to be same to the original strain. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. brasiliense being identified as the causative agent of cucumber soft rot in Korea.

Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), as a typical seed-borne virus, causes costly and devastating diseases in the vegetable trade worldwide. Genetic sources for resistance to CGMMV in cucurbits are limited, and environmentally safe approaches for curbing the accumulation and spread of seed-transmitted viruses and cultivating completely resistant plants are needed. Here, we describe the design and application of RNA interference-based technologies, containing artificial microRNA (amiRNA) and synthetic trans-acting small interfering RNA (syn-tasiRNA), against conserved regions of different strains of the CGMMV genome. We used a rapid transient sensor system to identify effective anti-CGMMV amiRNAs. A virus seed transmission assay was developed, showing that the externally added polycistronic amiRNA and syn-tasiRNA can successfully block the accumulation of CGMMV in cucumber, but different virulent strains exhibited distinct influences on the expression of amiRNA due to the activity of the RNA-silencing suppressor. We also established stable transgenic cucumber plants expressing polycistronic amiRNA, which conferred disease resistance against CGMMV, and no sequence mutation was observed in CGMMV. This study demonstrates that RNA interference-based technologies can effectively prevent the occurrence and accumulation of CGMMV. The results provide a basis to establish and fine-tune approaches to prevent and treat seed-based transmission viral infections.

RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs) regulate important aspects of plant development and resistance to pathogens. The role of RDRs in virus resistance has been demonstrated using siRNA signal amplification and through the methylation of viral genomes. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) has four RDR1 genes that are differentially induced during virus infection: CsRDR1a, CsRDR1b, and duplicated CsRDR1c1/c2. The mode of action of CsRDR1s during viral infection is unknown. Transient expression of the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-2b protein (the viral suppressor of RNA silencing) in cucumber protoplasts induced the expression of CsRDR1c, but not of CsRDR1a/1b. Results from the yeast two-hybrid system showed that CsRDR1 proteins interacted with CMV-2b and this was confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. In protoplasts, CsRDR1s localized in the cytoplasm as punctate spots. Colocalization experiments revealed that CsRDR1s and CMV-2b were uniformly dispersed throughout the cytoplasm, suggesting that CsRDR1s are redistributed as a result of interactions. Transient overexpression of individual CsRDR1a/1b genes in protoplasts reduced CMV accumulation, indicating their antiviral role. However, overexpression of CsRDR1c in protoplasts resulted in relatively higher accumulation of CMV and CMVΔ2b. In single cells, CsRDR1c enhances viral replication, leading to CMV accumulation and blocking secondary siRNA amplification of CsRDR1c by CMV-2b protein. This suggests that CMV-2b acts as both a transcription factor that induces CsRDR1c (controlling virus accumulation) and a suppressor of CsRDR1c activity.

Pythium-induced damping-off of cucumber is a major constraint to cucumber production in different parts of the world. Although chemical fungicides are used for managing this disease, they have many drawbacks to the environment. The ability of the antagonistic fungi isolated from the rhizosphere and endosphere of Dactyloctenium robecchii and Moraea sisyrinchium in the control of soilborne pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum was inspected. Native Trichoderma isolates, Trichoderma ghanense and Trichoderma citrinoviride, were isolated from plant stem and soil samples collected from Al-Seeb, Oman. Using a dual culture technique, the antagonistic activity of the fungal isolates against P. aphanidermatum was examined in vitro. Among Trichoderma isolates, T. ghanense was more efficient in restraining the mycelial growth of P. aphanidermatum, causing an inhibition percentage of 44.6%. Further, T. citrinoviride induced significantly lower cessation of P. aphanidermatum mycelial growth (31.3%). Microscopic and electrolyte leakage inspection of the pathogen mycelia depicted extreme morphological malformations in their mycelium, which can be attributed to the antifungal metabolites of antagonists. Greenhouse studies demonstrated the effectivity of T. ghanense in controlling Pythium damping-off of cucumber plants, where the number of surviving plants was over 90% when the biocontrol agents were used compared to 0 in the control plants. Furthermore, treatment of the plants with the antagonists promoted growth characteristics of plants compared to uninoculated plants. This included improvements in shoot and root lengths, leaf length and width, and dry weight. These findings suggest that T. ghanense and T. citrinoviride can be developed as alternatives to synthetic chemical fungicides to manage soilborne pathogens of cucumber. This research is also the first to clarify the biocontrol ability of T. citrinoviride and T. ghanense against cucumber damping-off caused by P. aphanidermatum.