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This paper documents new country records of five alien armoured scale insect species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae), in India, their possible spread and probable threat to crops and ornamental plants grown indoors and outdoors. The insects were mostly collected in open fields, and on indoor plants grown in residential and office areas. The following alien species are recorded from India for the first time: Duplaspidiotus claviger (Cockerell), Lepidosaphes laterochitinosa Green, Kuwanaspis howardi (Cooley), Rutherfordia malloti (Rutherford) and Aulacaspis alisiana Takagi. Each of the five species is diagnosed using a combination of unique field and slide-mounted identification characters. Ecological information on host-plants, distribution, and economic importance is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solanum pseudocapsicum Linnaeus 1753, a popular indoor potted plant known for its ornamental fruits, had its chloroplast genome sequenced in this study to determine its phylogenetic relationship with other related species and to construct a phylogenetic analysis tree. The research findings are as follows: 1. The chloroplast genome of S. pseudocapsicum comprises a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,260 base pairs, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,325 base pairs, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions, each measuring 25,390 base pairs in length. 2. The G + C content of the entire chloroplast genome is 37.59%, with the highest G + C content found in the IR regions, reaching 43.03%; followed by the LSC region, which has a G + C content of 35.68%; and the lowest in the SSC region, with a G + C content of 31.53%. 3. The genome contains 127 genes, including 82 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes, with 18 genes duplicated in the IR regions. 4. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. pseudocapsicum, Solanum betaceum, Solanum laciniatum, and Solanum nitidum are genetically closely related and are located on the same branch of the phylogenetic tree, indicating a close relationship among them. This study provides a foundation for the identification, classification, and exploration of genetic diversity within the Solanum genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-throughput plant phenotype collection is of great significance for crop improvement breeding and cultivation management. As a place that can control the growth environment of plants, indoor is an important place for studying plant phenotypes. There are many platforms based on the greenhouse environment for the collection and analysis of phenotypic information. This paper describes the construction of four indoor plant phenotype collection platform, summarizes the data analysis and management methods, introduces the practical application of the indoor plant phenotype collection platform in plant research, and puts forward the prospect of the future development of the indoor plant phenotype collection platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants enhance a space's aesthetics and benefit numerous human health and well-being. Indoor plants improve air quality around residential areas by reducing pollutants, increasing humidity levels, and regulating temperature. These plants also reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and boost work productivity. Hydroponics, a soilless technique for indoor gardening, can further enhance the transpiration and photosynthesis rates, improving air temperature and humidity. These plants serve as organic air filters that efficiently remove contaminants, including those that can spread viruses like SARS-CoV-2. The presence of indoor plants in indoor environments is linked to improved mental and physical health, making it cost-effective for improving indoor environmental quality. The present review discusses the benefits of incorporating indoor and gardening plants in available indoor or residential spaces, which have been discussed for human well-being and environmental sustainability using previous supporting studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formaldehyde is an organic volatile compound and a commonly used chemical in various construction materials thus causing dwellers to be exposed to it inside a building. Its remediation from indoor air has been carried out through various techniques where potted plants and living walls are at the front foot. It is necessary to study plants under various conditions for their efficiency. We selected three plant species Epipremnum aureum, Chlorophytum comosum, and Spathiphyllum wallisii non-native of Bahrain. These plants were tested under normal conditions in a sealed fumigation box where formaldehyde concentration was kept ∼3 ppm, CO2 ∼ 450 ppm, light intensity 1000 Lx (equal to 13.5 µmol.m−2.s−1), irrigated with tap water. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical method was performed to test the significant differences of purification efficiencies of the tested indoor plants against HCHO. In addition, the statistical method was used to test the significant difference, if any, of the plants to CO2 emission because of absorbing HCHO. The physical health of plants and their short-term remediation ability reveals that all plants exhibited up to 70% remediation potential and tolerance to remediate the target chemical. It is evident that the impact of local environmental factors on the plants is negligible. NOVELTY STATEMENT: Epipremnum aureum, Chlorophytum comosum, and Spathiphyllum wallisii are non-native plants available in Bahrain for decorative purposes. Their efficiency against formaldehyde under local indoor environment was studied for the first time. Under normal conditions the plant proved to be sufficiently tolerant toward normal conditions. The efficiency in normal soil system is very good. The efficiency of the three species was mutually compared, statistical modeling reveal that they are significantly close to each other in terms of formaldehyde remediation to purify ambient air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Begonia rex cv. DS-EYWA is an important plant for indoor and outdoor cultivation, and cv. DS-EYWA is a rare unique cultivar with curly, colorful leaves. Due to their importance, applying plant tissue culture techniques for mass and healthy production in a short period of time without seasonal limitation is of immense economic value. Applying several concentrations of silver nitrate (AgNO3) in combination with varied concentrations of cytokinins including 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), thidiazuron (TDZ) (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 mgL−1), and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) auxin (0, 0.5, 1 mgL−1) via focusing on transverse thin cell layer (tTCL) petiole explants for high-scale production was used to establish an efficient in vitro propagation protocol. Our results showed that even low concentrations (25 mgL−1) can control internal bacterial infection and increase shoot direct regeneration efficiency. A combination of 1.5 mgL−1 BAP, 0.5 mgL−1 NAA, and 25 mgL−1 AgNO3 was the best treatment to increase the number of direct regenerated shoots, and a lower concentration of BAP (0.5 mgL−1) can be suggested for shoot elongation. Elongated shoots were successfully rooted in MS basal medium and acclimatized in a 1:1 peat moss/perlite sterilized pot mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing interest in indoor greenery and its positive effects on occupants' well-being, there is limited knowledge on the optimal light levels for indoor plants that ensure energy efficiency and sustainable growth. This study explored the survival of ornamental plants under low-light conditions typical of indoor workplaces without daylight and investigated the impact of increased light intensity or extended day length on their growth. Three species of foliage plants (Epipremnum aureum, Pachira aquatica, and Rhaphidophora tetrasperma) were cultivated in growth chambers with three different lighting schemes. The results showed that plants sustained growth with 6.8 μmol m−2 s−1 white LED light for 9 h/day, suggesting that extra lighting might not be necessary for shade-tolerant species in offices. In this environment, plants maintained efficient photosynthesis under low illumination by increasing their specific leaf area. Elevating the light to 20.1 μmol m−2 s−1 and extending the day length to 18 h/day enhanced the plants' relative growth rate. Climbing plants allocated more biomass to stems, resulting in a lower leaf weight ratio and noticeably altering their appearance. This study demonstrates that customized lighting strategies effectively support indoor greening goals, like adjusting intensity for energy savings or adding light for greening large spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental study investigates the influence of indoor plants on three aspects of air quality in office spaces: relative humidity, indoor air temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration. Employing a Latin square design, we rotated three different treatments across three offices over six time periods. These treatments included a control (no plants), a low-volume treatment (five plants), and a high-volume treatment (eighteen plants) of Nephrolepis exaltata (Boston fern). Air quality parameters were continuously monitored at five-minute intervals using Trace Gas Analyzers. Generalised linear mixed modelling (GLMM) was employed to examine the effect of each treatment on relative humidity, indoor air temperature and CO2 concentration. We observed a significant positive correlation between the number of indoor plants and relative humidity levels. In offices without any plants, the median relative humidity was 29.1%. This increased to 38.9% in offices with 5 plants and further to 49.2% in offices with 18 plants. However, we did not find significant associations between the number of indoor plants and indoor air temperature or corrected CO2 concentration. Our research provides support for the use of indoor plants to increase relative humidity, which can have health benefits in dry climates, but does not provide support for using indoor plants to regulate indoor air temperatures or CO2 concentration in office environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor production of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is influenced by light spectrum, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), and the photoperiod. To investigate the effects of different lighting on growth, chlorophyll content, and secondary metabolism, basil plants were grown from seedlings to fully expanded plants in microcosm devices under different light conditions: (a) white light at 250 and 380 μmol·m−2·s−1 under 16/8 h light/dark and (b) white light at 380 μmol·m−2·s−1 under 16/8 and 24/0 h light/dark. A higher yield was recorded under 380 μmol·m−2·s−1 compared to 250 μmol·m−2·s−1 (fresh and dry biomasses 260.6 ± 11.3 g vs. 144.9 ± 14.6 g and 34.1 ± 2.6 g vs. 13.2 ± 1.4 g, respectively), but not under longer photoperiods. No differences in plant height and chlorophyll content index were recorded, regardless of the PPFD level and photoperiod length. Almost the same volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected under the different lighting treatments, belonging to terpenes, aldehydes, alcohols, esters, and ketones. Linalool, eucalyptol, and eugenol were the main VOCs regardless of the lighting conditions. The multivariate data analysis showed a sharp separation of non-volatile metabolites in apical and middle leaves, but this was not related to different PPFD levels. Higher levels of sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes were detected in plants grown under 250 μmol·m−2·s−1 and 380 μmol·m−2·s−1, respectively. A low separation of non-volatile metabolites based on the photoperiod length and VOC overexpression under longer photoperiods were also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of indoor plants to purify benzene pollution is the basic basis for the selection of plants for ecological remediation of indoor benzene pollution. In this study, the purification rate and the purification amount per unit leaf area of 13 test plants at three benzene concentrations were determined by indoor fumigation experiments, and the benzene absorption and purification abilityability of indoor plants were comprehensively evaluated. The results showed that (1) there was a significant correlation between benzene concentration and purification rate and purification amount per unit leaf area. (2) At the three concentrations, Spathiphyllum floribundum showed the highest purification rate and Sansevieria trifasciata var. laurentii showed the highest purification per unit leaf area. (3) The combined results showed that Sansevieria trifasciata var. laurentii, Spathiphyllum floribundum and Aloe arborescens were the strongest absorbers and purifiers, while Podocarpus nagi and Anthurium andraeanum 'Pink champin' had the weakest absorption and purification capacity. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and reference for the selection of plants with strong capacities to adsorb and purify benzene pollution in indoor air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duponchelia fovealis (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a polyphagous pest that feeds on a variety of ornamental and crop plants. At least 47 plant families have been identified as hosts for D. fovealis in literature based on empirical data and observations. This list is surely incomplete based on the broad feeding habits of D. fovealis. We sought to expand the list of known D. fovealis host plants and to identify species that may be less preferred or not fed upon by D. fovealis. We used laboratory feeding assays to measure D. fovealis consumption rate of leaf disks from 32 herbaceous plant species and 32 woody species grown outdoors throughout the Southeastern United States, and 24 tropical species typically grown as house plants. These plants were from 65 genera and 36 families. Between the 3 ornamental plant groups, we tested (herbaceous, woody, and tropical) that, after 24 h, plants in the tropical group were the least consumed by D. fovealis. After 24 h, the average proportion of leaf disks eaten by D. fovealis was 0.80 or higher for 5 herbaceous and 12 woody species. Proportions of leaf disks eaten varied at the family and genus level in many cases. Our research can improve integrated pest management of D. fovealis by informing growers that plants may be at more or less risk of infestation and damage by larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mushrooms growing in potting soil are a common problem reported in nursery production and in potted plants in the indoor and outdoor home landscape. Many of these fungi are saprotrophic and feed on the organic matter contained in the potting soil itself and/or in the mulch, which varies in composition but often contains tree bark, wood chips, pine straw, moss, or leaves. These fungi are not necessarily harmful to the plants, but fungal fruiting bodies can make plants unmarketable. Unknown fungi can also be concerning to retailers and homeowners because of potential toxicity to pets and children. The purpose of this publication is to provide homeowners and retail nursery growers with an overview of some of the most common mushroom-forming fungi found in potted plants and potting soils in Florida. We also provide cultural control recommendations to help prevent or reduce mushroom growth.

In this article we highlight research and monitoring efforts focused on pests and diseases impacting nectariferous plants in the butterfly house at the Botanical Garden of Medellin, Colombia. The study involved the identification of phytopathogens affecting two native species (Hamelia patens and Stachytarpheta cayennensis) and one introduced species (Tithonia rotundifolia). We recorded symptoms and sampled affected plant parts to isolate and identify symptom-associated microorganisms, detecting pathogenic fungi and oomycetes. These findings are crucial as they represent the first step in developing biological manag [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) in the Asir region has gained momentum, prompting a shift towards sustainable agricultural techniques. This research delves into the intricate relationship between lighting systems and plant growth parameters, specifically, shoot length and the number of branches, spanning from September 2022 to April 2023. Through rigorous analysis of variance, significant treatment effects were discerned across different months. During the initial phase (September to December 2022), variations in lighting systems markedly influenced the number of branches. Notably, October emerged as a pivotal month, eliciting a substantial increase in branch development. However, the effects witnessed in November and December were relatively subdued, possibly attributed to nuanced environmental factors. The subsequent period (January to April 2023) focused on shoot length. January and February exhibited conspicuous impacts, shaping shoot growth significantly. March maintained a consistent influence, while April witnessed a decline in the observed effects. This study underscores the paramount importance of comprehending both seasonal fluctuations and lighting conditions in the quest to optimize plant growth. The findings offer pivotal insights into agricultural practices and indoor cultivation methodologies, serving as a cornerstone for future research endeavors in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tolerance against air pollution in plants depends on the nature of air particles and gases. This study was carried out to determine chemical composition of indoor dust and to assess its impact on the biochemical properties of foliage of Ficus elastica in two households with different characteristics of Delhi (India). The dustfall fluxe data of major cations and anions were analyzed to understand the spatial variations in the chemical composition and sources of the deposited particles onto the foliage. The fluxes of anionic species (SO42− + NO3−) were higher at MH (industrial) site as compared to the DH (residential) site. The physiological response of F. elastica was investigated by studying the biochemical constituents, i.e., ascorbic acid, soluble sugars, carotenoids, and chlorophyll a and b, in foliage and variations with respect to dustfall fluxes of anionic species (SO42− + NO3−) in the households. Higher (SO42− + NO3−) fluxes had noticeable impacts on biochemical constituents of F. elastica indicating indoor air pollution stress. Chemistry of dust particles showed influences from indoor and outdoor anthropogenic activities. The morphological effects of dustfall deposition on the foliage were also studied using SEM–EDX. Indoor plants can serve as a platform to capture dust particles and plant responses are influenced by the chemical composition of deposited dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of artificial lighting with different light spectra and photoperiods/daily light integrals (DLIs) on the yield, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of the common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) was studied. Four-week-old seedlings were selected and subjected to four different light spectra made up of different combinations of blue (400–500 nm), green (500–600 nm) and red light (600–700 nm), with a total photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 180 µmol.m−2.s−1. Concurrently, the effect of the daily light integral (DLI) was also studied, with the light treatment photoperiod set at 18 h and 21 h. Biometric parameters such as fresh mass weight, leaf area, leaf width, and dry mass, together with plant metabolite contents such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), vitamin C, chlorophyll a and b content, and total carotenoids and nitrates, were investigated. It was found that the plants grew better when exposed to light with a higher proportion of the red and blue spectrum, with the highest fresh mass of 68 g observed at a photoperiod of 18 h. On the other hand, green spectrum light was not found to yield any significant improvement in shoot weight, leaf area, or leaf size. It was also found that dry mass, chlorophyll b and nitrates were not influenced by the light spectrum but were influenced by the photoperiod duration. While both the dry mass and nitrate content increase as the photoperiod increases, a longer photoperiod had a negative effect on chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total carotenoids, with their content decreasing by as much 29% for chlorophyll a, 59% for chlorophyll b and 29% for total carotenoids. TAC content was seen to increase by more than 24% under the influence of 66% more green light, and 38% more under the 21 h photoperiod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In controlled environment agriculture spaces, the conditions fluctuate between photoperiod and dark period, with crops growing continuously. As crops grow, their impact on the energy demand and energy use, often estimated using a building performance simulation tool, becomes more prominent. In this paper, a dynamic crop model integrated into a building performance simulation tool is proposed to estimate the yield and heat gain/loss from crops by combining a growth model and an energy balance model of the crops. The developed growth model is an adjusted version of a greenhouse lettuce growth model modified for high-density controlled environment agriculture applications by calibrating the sensitive parameters for several indoor environment conditions (temperature, lighting, etc.) using an experimental growth dataset. The yield, the energy demand and the energy use were assessed for a case study modelled in TRNSYS. The results obtained using the greenhouse and developed growth models were compared to those generated with the experimental growth dataset. Depending on the indoor environment conditions, the difference in specific energy use estimated using the experimental growth dataset and the developed model varied between 0.1% and 3.5%, indicating that the model led to an acceptable level of accuracy. The dynamic crop model estimates yield and heat gain/loss from crops for various indoor environment conditions, which are essential for carrying out energy, financial, and environmental analyses. • Existing crop growth model overestimates growth in controlled agriculture spaces. • A calibrated grey-box mechanistic crop model is proposed. • Crop growth and dynamic heat exchanges are integrated to a building simulation tool. • The model is applicable to various indoor environment conditions. • This approach supports analyses that balance both yield and energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel deep-red phosphor with Mn4+-doped double perovskites SrLaNaTeO 6 (SLNTO) was synthesized by the conventional high-temperature solid-state method. SLNTO contains both [NaO 6 ] and [TeO 6 ] octahedra. The octahedral structure of double perovskites facilitates the doping of Mn4+. The band gap (E g) of the direct semiconductor SLNTO is 2.88 eV. With an excitation wavelength of 322 nm, SLNTO:Mn4+ has a 700 nm deep-red wavelength emission assigned to the energy level transition from 2E 1g to 4A 2g of Mn4+ ions. Photoluminescence (PL) of the sample and phytochrome far-red light (P FR) absorption are satisfactory matches. According to the Tanabe-Sugano diagram, Mn4+ is located in the strong crystalline field for 2E 1g. A 2.0 mol% concentration of Mn4+ is optimal; further high doping results in concentration quenching, ascribed to the neighbour ion interaction and dipole‒dipole (d-d) interactions. The internal quantum efficiency (IQE) is 87.84 %. Additionally, the electroluminescent (EL) spectrum of the encapsulated plant growth lamp overlaps with the chlorophyll a and b absorption spectra. Its Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of SLNTO:2.0 mol%Mn4+ phosphor with a near-ultraviolet (n-UV) chip are located in (0.720, 0.280). The phosphor-converted white light-emitting diode (pc-WLED) has a high colour rendering index (R a = 96) with a suitable correlated colour temperature (CCT = 6240 K). The results are satisfactory for white light-emitting diodes (w-LEDs) and plant growth lamps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The WA Herbarium at the University of Warsaw houses a collection of plants created in 1717 by Matthew Ernest Boretius. They were gathered in former East Prussia, near Angerburg, now Węgorzewo (Poland). It is the oldest plant collection from this part of Europe. Boretius compiled the herbarium as a collection of all the surrounding plants, but their folk names (Polish and German) recorded in the herbarium confirm the ethnobiological or ethnopharmaceutical importance of some species. We identified bryophyte species and checked the accuracy of their original identifications recorded in the herbarium. We provided their Latin (scientific, pre-Linnaean) nomenclature together with German and Polish vernacular names. We contextualised this information within the history of the medicinal use of bryophytes around 1717, when the plant collection was created. We also investigated whether the specimens could have come from Northeastern Poland. Mosses and liverworts from the herbarium were identified nomenclaturally (by means of their original scientific polynomial names written on herbarium sheets) and taxonomically. The herbarium holds two species and one subspecies of liverwort and 27 species and one variety of moss. The accuracy of the original identifications was assessed, with a particular focus on the species considered medicinal at the time. We found that bryophytes were poorly known in the time of Boretius, which was the last period in bryology before the introduction of magnifying devices into this science (this crucial step was made by Dillenius in 1741). The vernacular names used in the herbarium were recorded for Marchantia polymorpha and Polytrichum commune—the only two species with confirmed medicinal use by the year 1717. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted by Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) trees, housed in a plant growth chamber, were characterised by a combination of on-line (time-of-flight chemical ionisation mass spectrometry) and off-line (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) techniques. In total, 74 BVOCs were identified in the Sitka spruce emissions, 52 of which were oxygenated compounds, with piperitone (C10H16O), an oxygenated monoterpene, being the dominant emission. Other prevalent emissions included isoprene and five monoterpenes (myrcene, β-phellandrene, δ-limonene, α-pinene, and camphene). Temperature, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and stress were all found to alter the emission profiles, with different BVOCs exhibiting different responses. Three different plant growth cycles were used to identify the emission pathways (pooled or biosynthetic) for each BVOC, through determination of the relationships of the emission flux with temperature and with PPFD. The majority of the BVOCs emitted by Sitka spruce were found to originate from biosynthetic and pooled pathways simultaneously, with those from a stressed tree having a much lower contribution from the biosynthetic pathway than a healthy tree. Standardised emission fluxes (temperature 30 °C and PPFD 1000 µmol m-2 s-1) were calculated for all BVOCs using the appropriate standardisation model (pooled, biosynthetic or combined). Annual emission fluxes for all Stika spruce plantations in Ireland were determined for piperitone (8,200 tonne year-1), isoprene (13,000 tonne year-1) and monoterpenes (1,600 tonne year-1). At the current conditions of the Irish climate the annual BVOC flux for isoprene was found to exceed that for piperitone, although this is expected to change in a warming climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor air pollution is a global problem and one of the main stress factors that has negative effects on plant and human health. 3-methyl-1-butanol (3MB), an indoor air pollutant, is a microbial volatile organic compound (mVOC) commonly found in damp indoor dwellings. In this study, we reported that 1 mg/L of 3MB can elicit a significant reduction in the stomatal aperture ratio in Arabidopsis and tobacco. Our results also showed that 3MB enhances the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in guard cells of wild-type Arabidopsis after 24 h exposure. Further investigation of 24 h 3MB fumigation of rbohD, the1-1, mkk1, mkk3, and nced3 mutants revealed that ROS production, cell wall integrity, MAPK kinases cascade, and phytohormone abscisic acid are all involved in the process of 3MB-induced stomatal. Our findings proposed a mechanism by which 3MB regulates stomatal closure in Arabidopsis. Understanding the mechanisms by which microbial indoor air pollutant induces stomatal closure is critical for modulating the intake of harmful gases from indoor environments into leaves. Investigations into how stomata respond to the indoor mVOC 3MB will shed light on the plant's "self-defense" system responding to indoor air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor low-concentration carbon monoxide (CO) exposure is widespread worldwide, and potted plants may be a potential means for CO purification. The objective is to evaluate common indoor plants' CO purification and tolerance capacities. Epipremnum aureum (Linden ex André) G.S.Bunting, Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacques, Spathiphyllum kochii Engl. & K.Krause, and Sansevieria trifasciata Hort. ex Prain with similar sizes were tested in the glass chamber with initial CO concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ppm, respectively. (1) The CO purification capacity of the four potted plants is ranked as Epipremnum aureum (Linden ex André) G.S.Bunting > Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacques > Spathiphyllum kochii Engl. & K.Krause > Sansevieria trifasciata Hort. ex Prain. Under the purification effect of each plant, the CO concentration in the chamber decreases linearly and significantly (p < 0.05), and within a specific time period, the time-weighted average (TWA) CO concentrations can be reduced to below the corresponding permissible exposure limits specified by some countries and organizations. (2) With the increase of the stomatal number of each plant and the increase in CO concentration, the hourly and cumulative absorbed CO of each plant increase linearly and significantly (p < 0.05). (3) With the increase in CO concentration, the CO purification efficiency of each plant decreases exponentially and significantly (p < 0.05). (4) When the CO concentration was ≤ 50 ppm, all plants could effectively purify CO without damage. When the CO concentration was in the range of 100 ~ 400 ppm, within 2 weeks after the 48-h experiment, the leaf tips of Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacques and Epipremnum aureum (Linden ex André) G.S.Bunting were damaged one after another, and the damaged leaf area increased with the increase of CO concentration. However, each plant as a whole still survived. This study demonstrated that different species of potted plants can effectively absorb low concentrations of CO to varying degrees, but higher concentrations of CO will damage the survival of specific species of potted plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caulerpa racemosa belongs to a group of green algae commonly called sea grapes. The green color as a characteristic of C. racemosa is closely related to the chlorophyll pigment it contains. The concentration of chlorophyll in algae is influenced by the addition of nutrients to the rearing medium, such as nitrate (N) and phosphate (P) nutrients. To figure out the effect of adding N and P using urea and SP36 fertilizers with different concentrations on the chlorophyll content of C.racemosa was the main target of the current study. The research was conducted indoors, using a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 5 treatments and 3 replications. The treatment was a comparison of urea and SP36 as follows: A (100 : 0 %), B (75 25 %), C (50 : 50 %), D (25 : 75 %), and E (0 : 100 % ). The addition of N and P into the media using urea and SP 36 fertilizers in a ratio (50: 50%) resulted in the highest concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll. The lowest chlorophyll was found in treatment E, namely the addition of P without N (Urea 0 : SP 36 100 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light is a critical component of indoor plant cultivation, as different wavelengths can influence both the physiology and morphology of plants. Furthermore, fertilization and seeding density can also potentially interact with the light recipe to affect production outcomes. However, maximizing production is an ongoing research topic, and it is often divested from resource use efficiencies. In this study, three species of microgreens—kohlrabi; mustard; and radish—were grown under five light recipes; with and without fertilizer; and at two seeding densities. We found that the different light recipes had significant effects on biomass accumulation. More specifically, we found that Far-Red light was significantly positively associated with biomass accumulation, as well as improvements in height, leaf area, and leaf weight. We also found a less strong but positive correlation with increasing amounts of Green light and biomass. Red light was negatively associated with biomass accumulation, and Blue light showed a concave downward response. We found that fertilizer improved biomass by a factor of 1.60 across species and that using a high seeding density was 37% more spatially productive. Overall, we found that it was primarily the main effects that explained microgreen production variation, and there were very few instances of significant interactions between light recipe, fertilization, and seeding density. To contextualize the cost of producing these microgreens, we also measured resource use efficiencies and found that the cheaper 24-volt LEDs at a high seeding density with fertilizer were the most efficient production environment for biomass. Therefore, this study has shown that, even with a short growing period of only four days, there was a significant influence of light recipe, fertilization, and seeding density that can change morphology, biomass accumulation, and resource input costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aiman Hamdi31Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 3Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Gassem Gohal, Email [email protected] Background: The prevalence of asthma among children has been on the rise worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Our study was conducted to determine the prevalence of asthma and its related risk factors among school-age children in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.Materials and Method: The study was a cross-sectional prospective study that used Phase I ISAAC protocol and was conducted from March to June 2023. The sample size was calculated to be 1600 among school-age children in the Jazan Region Saudi Arabia. This study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, Descriptive statistics were calculated for study variables, and appropriate tests of significance were performed to determine statistical significance.Results: The total study population was 1368 the majority of them, 96.6% (n=1321), were Saudi nationals, and most of them lived in rural areas (70.6%, n=966). The prevalence of life-long wheezing, wheezing in the last 12 months, and exercise-induced wheezing was 28.0%, 29.2%, and 30.9%, respectively. Risk factors such as having indoor plants, having a pet, and a smoker in the household were reported by 48.0%, 24.6%, and 36.4% of participants, respectively. Living near an industrial area was determined as a risk factor in 98 (7.2%) of the children. Asthma-related symptoms were strongly correlated with all risk factors based on the chi-square test, and some risk factors based on multivariate linear regression.Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma among children in the Jazan Region is higher than previously reported, and the reported risk factors are significantly correlated with symptoms of asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae-based photobioreactors (PBRs) have gained attention as a sustainable solution for indoor air quality (IAQ) control. This study investigates indoor CO2 absorption performance of Spirulina maxima (S. maxima) in NaHCO3-limited cultivation (standard: NaHCO3-free medium = 1:1 v/v%) of a lab-scale PBR system. Cultivation performance of three medium amendments (standard, 50% NaHCO3, and NaHCO3-free) was compared by observing cell growth for 30 days in a controlled environment. Empirical examinations were conducted to evaluate the algal CO2 uptake, and overall system performance in the culture volumes of 2, 4, and 7 L and natural indoor CO2 concentration of ~1100 ppm. We found CO2 was reduced by ~55%, in an air chamber of 0.064 m3, showing the greatest mitigation rate (~20%) on Day 4. Under a high concentration of CO2 (10,000 ppm), the CO2 levels were decreased up to ~90% before saturation. This research provides valuable insights into the development of S. maxima-activated IAQ control systems for airtight buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rose flowers have been cultivated for their fragrance and their garden value since ancient times. Very ancient cultivars became famous locally for their specific use, and competitive horticultural activities progressively established, leading, with time, to landraces with limited polymorphism. The most famous examples are the oil-bearing Damask roses from Iran and the Yueyue Fen garden strain from China. In 1817, a new rose, allegedly a hybrid from the two previous lineages, was discovered at Reunion. From this plant, as early as the 1820s, a new founder group, the Bourbon roses, was developed in France, which immediately stirred up deep passions among botanists and skilled enthusiasts. Today, more than 30,000 named cultivars have been raised either as garden and landscape plants for the cut rose market or as indoor pot plants. The market handles billions of euros a year, making the rose the most economically important crop worldwide. Following the inheritance of SSR DNA markers, we here propose a reconstitution of the very early lineage of Bourbon roses, clarifying one of the major steps, if not the major one, that links these very ancient heritage roses to modern roses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf Soil-Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) prediction is a crucial measure of plant health and is essential for optimizing indoor plant management. The deep learning methods offer advanced tools for precise evaluations but their adaptation to the heterogeneous indoor plant ecosystem presents distinct challenges. This study assesses how accurately deep neural network (DNN) predicts SPAD values in leaves on indoor plants when compared to well-established machine learning techniques, including Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB). The covariates for prediction were based on low-cost multispectral and soil electro-conductivity (EC) sensors, enabling a non-destructive sensing approach. The study also strongly emphasized multicollinearity analysis quantified by the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) and two independent indices, as well as its effect on prediction accuracy using deep and machine learning methods. DNN resulted in higher accuracy to RF and XGB, also performing better using filtered data after multicollinearity analysis based on the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) (R2 = 0.589, RMSE = 11.68, MAE = 9.52) in comparison to using all input covariates (R2 = 0.476, RMSE = 12.90, MAE = 10.94). Overall, DNN was proven as a more accurate prediction method than the conventional machine learning approach for the prediction of leaf SPAD values in indoor plants, despite using heterogenous plant types and input covariates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The herbal drink in Indonesia has a fast development for its easy usage and minimum side effect. Some house plants have metabolite compounds with an important role as antiviral such as rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Curcuma domestica Val, Zingiber officinale, Cymbopogon citratus, and Pandanus amaryllifolius R. The purpose of our community empowerment activities was to introduce the benefits of house plants for supporting health, particularly as an antiviral during a pandemic. The method of community empowerment activities was carried out by explaining the example of home plants, their bioactive compound content, and their health benefits. The community was also taught to make simple and practical healthy drinks. The results showed that the community became more aware of the benefits of roselle and turmeric so that they did not doubt making a healthy drink to be consumed regularly during the pandemic. The results showed that about 85% of the community understood the benefits, and 90% were able to make herbal drinks. The conclusions of these community empowerment activities were going well. The community understood the benefits of house plants as an antiviral during a pandemic and succeeded in making simple healthy drinks from house plants.