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The newly released 'Snow White' (SW), a white-fleshed loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) cultivar, holds promise for commercial production. However, the specifics of the phenolic composition in white-fleshed loquats, along with the antioxidant substances and their regulatory mechanisms, are not yet fully understood. In this study, we examined the dynamic changes in the phenolic compounds, enzyme activities, antioxidant capacity, and gene expression patterns of SW during the key stages of fruit development and ripening. A total of 18 phenolic compounds were identified in SW, with chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, and coniferyl alcohol being the most predominant. SW demonstrated a stronger antioxidant capacity in the early stages of development, largely due to total phenolics and flavonoids. Neochlorogenic acid may be the most significant antioxidant contributor in loquat. A decline in enzyme activities corresponded with fruit softening. Different genes within a multigene family played distinct roles in the synthesis of phenolics. C4H1, 4CL2, 4CL9, HCT, CCoAOMT5, F5H, COMT1, CAD6, and POD42 were implicated in the regulation of neochlorogenic acid synthesis and accumulation. Consequently, these findings enhance our understanding of phenolic metabolism and offer fresh perspectives on the development of germplasm resources for white-fleshed loquats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the selenium (Se) absorption of grape, in this study, a pot experiment was carried out to study the effects of intercropping with four Solanum sect. Solanum (Solanaceae), including Solanum nigrum var. humile, Solanum diphyllum, Solanum nigrum, and Solanum alatum, on the Se absorption of 'Summer Black' grapevine. Intercropping increased the malondialdehyde contents in 'Summer Black' grapevine, which in turn reduced the biomass, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid) contents, and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase) activities of 'Summer Black' grapevine. Except S. alatum, intercropping with S. nigrum var. humile, S. diphyllum, and S. nigrum increased the Se content in 'Summer Black' grapevine, which increased the shoot Se content of 'Summer Black' grapevine by 56.2%, 18.1%, and 45.1%, respectively, compared with the monoculture. Additionally, correlation and grey relational analyses revealed that the root Se content was the most closely associated with the shoot Se content. In conclusion, intercropping with S. nigrum var. humile, S. diphyllum, and S. nigrum promote the Se accumulation in 'Summer Black' grapevine but inhibit its growth, and intercropping with S. nigrum var. humile has the best effect on the improvement of Se level in 'Summer Black' grapevine, which can be used for Se‐enriched grape production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of straw from cadmium (Cd)-accumulator plant species on the growth and Cd uptake of Ziziphus acidojujuba seedlings grown in Cd-containing soil. The treatments were independent applications of straw from seven Cd-accumulator plant species (Cardamine hirsuta, Gnaphalium polycaulon, Pterocypsela laciniata, Malachium aquaticum, Galium aparine, Conyza canadensis, and Stellaria media) and a no-straw control. The whole-plant biomass, total chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents, and antioxidant enzymes activities in Z. acidojujuba seedlings under the different straw treatments showed the following trend: P. laciniata > M. aquaticum > S. media > C. canadensis > G. polycaulon > control > G. aparine > C. hirsuta. Compared with the control, the Cd contents in roots of Z. acidojujuba seedlings after any straw application significantly decreased by 19.05%-43.76%, and the Cd contents in shoots decreased by 31.58%-54.39%, except after G. aparine, G. polycaulon, and C. hirsuta straws applications. Therefore, the application of P. laciniata, M. aquaticum, and S. media straws promoted the growth and reduced the Cd uptake of Z. acidojujuba seedlings most significantly, making them ideal remediation materials for Cd-contaminated jujuba orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we prepared a pot experiment to explore the potential effects of cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator Solanum photeinocarpum and its post grafting generations straw on Cd accumulation in loquat seedlings. Two varieties ('Dawuxing' and 'Chuanzao') of loquat seedlings were planted in Cd-contaminated soil together with the straw of S. photeinocarpum (UG) and its post grafting generations with self-rooted grafting involving one S. photeinocarpum seedling (SG), self-rooted grafting involving two S. photeinocarpum seedling developmental stages (DG), and grafting on wild potato rootstock (PG). With the application of DG and PG straw, biomass of the root, stem, leaf, and shoot of loquat seedlings were slightly higher, whereas UG and SG straw had no apparent effects. DG and PG straw increased the Cd contents in various organs of loquat seedlings and elevated the Cd extractions in various organs of loquat seedlings to some extent while UG and SG had no apparent effects on that. These findings demonstrate that the straw of DG and PG can promote growth and increase the phytoremediation ability of loquat seedlings (not suitable for the resulting loquat tree), with PG as the best choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of living plants and straws of four hyperaccumulator plant species (Siegesbeckia orientalisL., Crassocephalum crepidioides, Galinsoga parviflora and Solanum nigrumL.) on the growth and cadmium (Cd) content of Ziziphus acidojujuba seedlings were studied through intercropping and straw-applying experiments. Compared to the control, the four hyperaccumulator plant species and their straws increased the biomass, photosynthetic pigment contents, antioxidant enzyme activities and soluble protein content of Z. acidojujuba seedlings. The growth of Z. acidojujuba seedlings was increased most significantly by intercropping with G. parviflora and applying S. orientalis straw. Two experiments both reduced Cd content in roots of Z. acidojujuba seedlings, while increased the Cd content in shoots of Z. acidojujuba seedlings. The Cd content in shoots of Z. acidojujuba seedlings increased most significantly when intercropping with G. parviflora and applying C. crepidioides straw. In summary, four living hyperaccumulator plant species and their straws promoted the growth of Z. acidojujuba seedlings while increased the Cd content of the shoots, an outcome not conducive to the remediation of Cd-contamination jujube orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]