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BACKGROUND: Sclerotinia spp. are generalist fungal pathogens, infecting over 700 plant hosts worldwide, including major crops. While host resistance is the most sustainable and cost-effective method for disease management, complete resistance to Sclerotinia diseases is rare. We recently identified soft basal stem as a potential susceptibility factor to Sclerotinia minor infection in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under greenhouse conditions. RESULTS: Analysis of stem and root cell wall composition in five L. sativa and one L. serriola accessions with varying growth habits and S. minor resistance levels revealed strong association between hemicellulose constituents, lignin polymers, disease phenotypes, and basal stem mechanical strength. Accessions resistant to basal stem degradation consistently exhibited higher levels of syringyl, guaiacyl, and xylose, but lower levels of fucose in stems. These findings suggest that stem cell wall polymers recalcitrant to breakdown by lignocellulolytic enzymes may contribute to stem strength-mediated resistance against S. minor. CONCLUSIONS: The lignin content, particularly guaiacyl and syringyl, along with xylose could potentially serve as biomarkers for identifying more resistant lettuce accessions and breeding lines. Basal stem degradation by S. minor was influenced by localized microenvironment conditions around the stem base of the plants.

Wheat exhibits complex characteristics during its growth, such as extensive tillering, slender and soft leaves, and severe organ cross-obscuration, posing a considerable challenge in full-cycle phenotypic monitoring. To address this, this study presents a synthesized method based on SFM-MVS (Structure-from- Motion, Multi-View Stereo) processing for handling and segmenting wheat point clouds, covering the entire growth cycle from seedling to grain filling stages. First, a multi-view image acquisition platform was constructed to capture image sequences of wheat plants, and dense point clouds were generated using SFM-MVS technology. High-quality dense point clouds were produced by implementing improved Euclidean clustering combined with centroids, color filtering, and statistical filtering methods. Subsequently, the segmentation of wheat plant stems and leaves was performed using the region growth segmentation algorithm. Although segmentation performance was suboptimal during the tillering, jointing, and booting stages due to the glut leaves and severe overlap, there was a salient improvement in wheat leaf segmentation efficiency over the entire growth cycle. Finally, phenotypic parameters were analyzed across different growth stages, comparing automated measurements of plant height, leaf length, and leaf width with actual measurements. The results demonstrated coefficients of determination (R²) of 0.9979, 0.9977, and 0.995; root mean square errors (RMSE) of 1.0773 cm, 0.2612 cm, and 0.0335 cm; and relative root mean square errors (RRMSE) of 2.1858%, 1.7483%, and 2.8462%, respectively. These results validate the reliability and accuracy of our proposed workflow in processing wheat point clouds and automatically extracting plant height, leaf length, and leaf width, indicating that our 3D reconstructed wheat model achieves high precision and can quickly, accurately, and non-destructively extract phenotypic parameters. Additionally, plant height, convex hull volume, plant surface area, and Crown area were extracted, providing a detailed analysis of dynamic changes in wheat throughout its growth cycle. ANOVA was conducted across different cultivars, accurately revealing significant differences at various growth stages. This study proposes a convenient, rapid, and quantitative analysis method, offering crucial technical support for wheat plant phenotypic analysis and growth dynamics monitoring, applicable for precise fullcycle phenotypic monitoring of wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using various chromatographic separations, six glycoside derivatives (1–6), including one new ent-labdane glucoside named cayratioside (1), were isolated from the methanol extract of Cayratia geniculata stems and leaves. Their structures were elucidated by detailed analysis of the 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIQTOF mass spectra. The inhibitory effect of 1–6 on LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells was also evaluated. Among isolated compounds, 1 exhibited moderate activity with an IC50 value of 59.65 ± 1.85 µM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the major components in the leaves, the ashwagandha has been found to exist in several chemotypic forms in India. From the leaves of various accessions of Withania somnifera, which were maintained in our institute, three new steroids namely, 4-acetoxy-20β-hydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,5,24-trienolide (7), 24,25-dihydro-14α-hydroxy withanolide D (9), 5α,6β,17α,27-tetrahydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,24-dienolide (12) together with thirteen known withanolides were identified by spectroscopic methods. From the roots and stem of one accession and leaves of another, a new alkyl ester glucoside (4) has also been isolated. The new withanolides 7, 9 and 12 have been tentatively named as withanolide 135 A, withanolide 135B and withanolide 108, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Based on the major components in the leaves, the ashwagandha has been found to exist in several chemotypic forms in India. From the leaves of various accessions of Withania somnifera, which were maintained in our institute, three new steroids namely, 4-acetoxy-20β-hydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,5,24-trienolide (7), 24,25-dihydro-14α-hydroxy withanolide D (9), 5α,6β,17α,27-tetrahydroxy-1-oxo-witha-2,24-dienolide (12) together with thirteen known withanolides were identified by spectroscopic methods. From the roots and stem of one accession and leaves of another, a new alkyl ester glucoside (4) has also been isolated. The new withanolides 7, 9 and 12 have been tentatively named as withanolide 135 A, withanolide 135B and withanolide 108, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseno y Comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Stalk lodging (the premature breaking of plant stalks or stems prior to harvest) is a persistent agricultural problem that causes billions of dollars in lost yield every year. Three-point bending tests, and rind puncture tests are common biomechanical measurements utilized to investigate crops susceptibility to lodging. However, the effect of testing rate on these biomechanical measurements is not well understood. In general, biological specimens (including plant stems) are well known to exhibit viscoelastic mechanical properties, thus their mechanical response is dependent upon the rate at which they are deflected. However, there is very little information in the literature regarding the effect of testing rate (aka displacement rate) on flexural stiffness, bending strength and rind puncture measurements of plant stems. Results: Fully mature and senesced maize stems and wheat stems were tested in three-point bending at various rates. Maize stems were also subjected to rind penetration tests at various rates. Testing rate had a small effect on flexural stiffness and bending strength calculations obtained from three-point bending tests. Rind puncture measurements exhibited strong rate dependent effects. As puncture rate increased, puncture force decreased. This was unexpected as viscoelastic materials typically show an increase in resistive force when rate is increased. Conclusions: Testing rate influenced three-point bending test results and rind puncture measurements of fully mature and dry plant stems. In green stems these effects are expected to be even larger. When conducting biomechanical tests of plant stems it is important to utilize consistent span lengths and displacement rates within a study. Ideally samples should be tested at a rate similar to what they would experience in-vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress represses the growth and development of plants that mainly depend on the continual propagation and differentiation of stem cells. WUSCHEL (WUS)/WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) family proteins determine stem cell fate in plants under ever-changing environments. It is not yet known how plant stem cell homeostasis is regulated under salt stress. Methionine synthase catalyzes the formation of methionine by methylating homocysteine in the one-carbon metabolism pathway. In this work, we investigated the role of Arabidopsis METHIONINE SYNTHASE 2 (AtMS2) in stem cell homeostasis under salt stress. The results showed that AtMS2 represses the stem cell maintenance of Arabidopsis in response to salt stress. Under normal growth conditions, AtMS2 is mainly localized in the cytoplasm. However, under salt stress, it exhibits significant accumulation in the nucleus. AtMS2 interacts with the WUS/WOX protein, and, together, they repress WUS/WOX expression by binding to its promoter. The mutation in AtMS2 resulted in enhanced salt tolerance. Therefore, AtMS2 might act as a key negative regulator to repress the stem cell maintenance and growth of Arabidopsis under salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, cellular senescence has been of great interest due to its pleiotropic nature and association with both physiological (e.g., aging) and pathological conditions. Excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce inflammation, which accelerates skin aging (also premature aging) and may cause several dermatoses. It has been postulated that plant-derived antioxidants, especially plant stem cells, may prevent cell damage by preserving stemness and reducing cellular senescence by ROS targeting. Therefore, this paper aims to review and summarize recent developments and innovative techniques associated with plant-derived stem cells in relation to skin senescence. This review also presents the possible pathways involved in this process. Particular attention was paid to the potential applications of plant stem cells as senostatics/senomorphics produced by modern plant biotechnology methods. Furthermore, the advantages, limitations, and future directions of this technology are also discussed. This knowledge allows the development of personalized strategies to create a healthy balance in skin care. Plant stem cells could be a more feasible and practical approach to combating the adverse effects of skin senescence processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cymbopogon is a member of the family Poaceae and has been explored for its phytochemicals and bioactivities. Although the antimicrobial activities of Cymbopogon spp. extracts have been extensively studied, comprehensive analyses are required to identify promising compounds for the treatment of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, this study investigated the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Cymbopogon spp. ethanolic extracts in every single organ. Methods: Ethanolic extracts were obtained from three Indonesian commercial species of Cymbopogon spp., namely Cymbopogon citratus (L.) Rendle, Cymbopogon nardus (DC.) Spatf., and Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt. The leaf, stem, and root extracts were evaluated via metabolite profiling using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In silico and in vitro analyses were used to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the Cymbopogon spp. ethanolic extracts. In addition, bioactivity was measured using cytotoxicity assays. Antioxidant assays were performed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) to determine toxicity to Huh7it-1 cells using a tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of these extracts was evaluated against Candida albicans, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli using a well diffusion assay. Results: GC–MS analysis revealed 53 metabolites. Of these, 2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)- phenol (27.87%), alpha-cadinol (26.76%), and 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(1-propenyl)-benzene (20.56%) were the predominant compounds. C. winterianus and C. nardus leaves exhibited the highest antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS, respectively. Contrastingly, the MTT assay showed low cytotoxicity. C. nardus leaf extract exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, whereas C. winterianus stem extract showed the highest activity against B. substilis. Furthermore, computational pathway analysis predicted that antimicrobial activity mechanisms were related to antioxidant activity. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the leaves had strong antioxidant activity, whereas both the leaves and stems showed great antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, all Cymbopogon spp. ethanolic extracts showed low toxicity. These findings provide a foundation for future studies that assess the clinical safety of Cymbopogon spp. as novel drug candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) planting density is the most effective production management method for increasing yields; however, excessive crop populations under high planting densities may experience elevated risk of stem lodging. We conducted this study to assess the relationship between reduced lodging and increased yield, investigate the effects of planting density on wheat population structure, stem strength, and material transport, and provide a basis for rationale planting densities. The experiments were carried out using a split-plot design with three replicates. The main plots contained two wheat varieties: Bainong 5819 (BN5819) and Bainong 4199 (BN4199), and the sub-plots contained four planting density treatments: 90 × 104 plants/ha (D1), 180 × 104 plants/ha (D2), 270 × 104 plants/ha (D3), and 360 × 104 plants/ha (D4). A two-year field trial was conducted in 2021–2023. The relationships between population structure characteristics, changes in stem strength, activation, and retransport of stem material after anthesis, and achievement of high and stable yields were investigated at the different planting densities. When the planting density of wheat increased from D1 to D4 treatment, the activity of fructan hydrolase was significantly increased. Compared with D1 treatment, the highest activity of fructan hydrolase was increased by 457.47 μg/h/g under D4 treatment. At the same time, the increase of density also increased the contribution rate of dry matter accumulation (CDMA) to grain after anthesis increased, with the highest increase in CDMA at 33.67%, which significantly reduced stem strength. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative association between CDMA and stem strength. Specifically, CDMA levels were significantly lower with the D3 treatment than the D4 treatment, while stem strength remained higher after anthesis as an adaptive response to mitigate lodging risk. Stem storage compounds can promote grain filling and a weight increase in inferior grains. The number of spikes per unit area increased significantly with increasing planting density, but the number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight decreased significantly. In two years, the number of spikes in D3 treatment increased by a maximum of 211.67 × 104 ha−1 and 99.17 × 104 ha−1, respectively, compared to D1 and D2 treatments. The number of grains per spike was significantly higher than that of D4 treatment, the highest being 3.68 grains. Therefore, in the North China Plain with suitable water, fertilizer, and temperature, the sowing density of 270 × 104 plants/ha established population structure, significantly reduced CDMA, maintained post-anthesis stem strength, enhanced resilience of stems against post-anthesis lodging, and resulted in high yields by stabilizing the number of grains per spike and increasing the number of wheat spikes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substrate‐borne vibrations are ubiquitous in nature and are used by diverse taxa to communicate and to obtain information about their environments. However, substrate‐borne vibrations remain understudied compared with other sensory and signaling modalities, in part due to human sensory biases. In addition, understanding and quantifying the transmission of vibrations remains a challenging task due to it being dependent on both signal properties and properties of the substrates that the signals transmit through. Here, we provide methods for playing back and measuring the transmission of vibrations throughout a substrate. Using linear resonant actuators, we conducted playbacks of pure tones and frequency sweeps on wooden dowels and on the stems of potted Ptelea trifoliata L. (Rutaceae) plants. We used scanning laser Doppler vibrometry to measure the signals at multiple locations along the length of the dowels and plant stems. We demonstrate that playback of a frequency sweep yields more data in a shorter amount of time than multiple playbacks and measurements of pure tone signals. Our results are also consistent with previous findings showing that signals produce frequency and location specific minima and maxima (nodes and antinodes) throughout the substrates, rather than simply attenuating with distance. This results in filtering of signals, such that their spectra are unique at any given measurement location—illustrating the importance of measuring vibrations at multiple locations. We discuss the implications of such filtering phenomena for vibrationally signaling animals and the biotremologists that study them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new tirucallane-type triterpenoids, polystanins H–K (1–4), were obtained from the stems and leaves of Aphanamixis polystachya. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of the spectroscopic data and comparison with literature data. Compounds 1 and 2 showed week inhibitory effects against NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. All the isolates were investigated for their antifungal activities against drug-resistant Candida albicans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Plant stems constitute the most abundant renewable resource on earth. The function of lysine (K)‐2‐hydroxyisobutyrylation (Khib), a novel post‐translational modification (PTM), has not yet been elucidated in plant stem development. Here, by assessing typical pepper genotypes with straight stem (SS) and prostrate stem (PS), we report the first large‐scale proteomics analysis for protein Khib to date. Khib‐modifications influenced central metabolic processes involved in stem development, such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and protein translation. The high Khib level regulated gene expression and protein accumulation associated with cell wall formation in the pepper stem. Specially, we found that CaMYB61 knockdown lines that exhibited prostrate stem phenotypes had high Khib levels. Most histone deacetylases (HDACs, e.g., switch‐independent 3 associated polypeptide function related 1, AFR1) potentially function as the "erasing enzymes" involved in reversing Khib level. CaMYB61 positively regulated CaAFR1 expression to erase Khib and promote cellulose and hemicellulose accumulation in the stem. Therefore, we propose a bidirectional regulation hypothesis of "Khib modifications" and "Khib erasing" in stem development, and reveal a novel epigenetic regulatory network in which the CaMYB61‐CaAFR1 molecular module participating in the regulation of Khib levels and biosynthesis of cellulose and hemicellulose for the first time. Significance Statement: Plant stems constitute the most abundant renewable resource on earth. The function of lysine (K)‐2‐hydroxyisobutyrylation (Khib), a novel post‐translational modification (PTM), has not yet been elucidated in plant stem development. Here, we report the largest‐scale proteomics analysis for protein Khib to date, and reveal a novel epigenetic regulatory network in which the CaMYB61‐CaAFR1 molecular module participating in the regulation of Khib levels and biosynthesis of cellulose and hemicellulose for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron is one of the necessary trace elements for plant growth and the human body. The 'hidden hunger' phenomenon in the human body caused by an imbalance of iron in soil is increasingly prominent. Addressing this issue and optimizing soil through regulatory measures to improve the absorption and utilization of iron by crops has become an urgent priority in agricultural development. This study carries out pot experiments to observe the growth process of Triticum aestivum L. under various soil iron environments. Combined with previous research results, the transport mechanism of iron in the soil—Triticum aestivum L. system was systematically explored. The results indicate that during the jointing and maturity stages of Triticum aestivum L., iron was preferentially enriched in the underground parts; at the maturity stage, the iron content in various organs of Triticum aestivum L. shows a trend of increase followed by a decrease with the soil iron content varying in the following sequence: deficient, moderately deficient, medium, moderately adequate, and adequate. The iron-deficient stress environment causes an increase in the effectiveness of rhizosphere iron, resulting in a higher level of iron in the plant stems, leaves, and seeds. Conversely, when the soil iron content is medium or adequate, the effectiveness of rhizosphere iron decreases, leading to a reduction in the iron content in each part of the plant. A concentration gradient of 7.2 mg/kg in the experimental setup is found to be the most favorable to the enrichment of iron in the shoots of Triticum aestivum L. plants. The findings of this experiment provide guidance for the fertilization strategy to mitigate iron deficiency symptoms in plants under similar acidic-alkaline conditions of soil, as well as a systematic mechanism reference and basis for studying the soil-plant-human health relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the current inefficiencies and subjective nature of manual observation in maize cultivation, with the aim of achieving high efficiency and productivity, this study focused on the DeMaya D3 maize variety. It proposes a maize growth stage recognition method based on the MobileNet model, which is a lightweight convolutional neural network architecture. The method was tested and achieved recognition accuracies of 0.98, 0.96, 0.92, 0.85, and 0.97 for different growth stages, respectively. Additionally, a maize growth prediction model was developed. Based on data collected from experimental plots regarding maize plant height and stem diameter, the Prophet model and an optimized version of the Prophet model were used to forecast maize growth trends. The Prophet model is an open-source tool for time series forecasting. Comparative analysis was conducted between the predictions of the original Prophet model and the optimized version. The relative errors of the Prophet model predictions were 0.85%, 2.11%, and 0.79%, while those of the optimized Prophet model were 0.76%, 0.47%, and 0.71%. Compared to the Prophet model, the optimized model reduced errors by 0.09%, 1.64%, and 0.08%, respectively. The maize plant growth control system was designed to obtain the information through the collection layer. The decision-making layer judged the soil nutrient absorption and growth status. Finally, the management layer controlled water and fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of species and taxa of Drosophilidae (Diptera) are used as model clades in various fields of biology, but our knowledge on their ecology and co-evolution (e.g. how their populations are regulated and how they interact with host organisms, enemies, and competitors) is still limited. According to studies on their host use, their primary larval resources are fruits, flowers, plant leaves and stems, tree sap, and fungal fruiting bodies, and most species are specialized to one of these resources. Among these species, those exploiting fungal fruiting bodies (i.e. mycophagous species) have been relatively well studied for their ecology, because their resources are commonly found in the field, hence their interactions with enemies and competitors can be assessed rather easily. So far, a review article has been published on their ecology in 1990. Since then, remarkable advances have been achieved on their taxonomy, phylogeny, diversity, and interactions with parasites, parasitoids, and competitors. This article reviews literature mainly published since 1990 to provide a basis for the future study of their ecology and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new triterpenes mayteneri A (1), mayteneri B (2), and seven known compounds (3-9) were isolated from stems of Maytenus hookeri Loes. The chemical structures of compounds 1 and 2 were established by 1D, 2D NMR, HRESIMS analysis, and calculating electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The structures of known compounds 3-9 were determined by comparison of their spectral with those reported. Compounds 4-7 showed significant inhibitory activity for NLRP3 inflammasome, with the IC50 values of 2.36–3.44 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Nature / Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım & Doğa Dergisi is the property of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study investigates the depressive effects of diode laser radiation on commonly found weed species in the Northwest Anatolian conditions. Unlike previous laboratory-based experiments, this pilot study conducted in natural environments aims to understand weed reactions to laser application under field conditions. Cleavers (Galium aparine), small scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), and sun spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia) were selected for observation. A diode laser (5500 mW power, 450 nm wavelength) was applied to plant apical meristems and stems at four doses for each species. Regression analyses using dry-based remaining biomass and laser doses were performed with the logistic growth model. The ED90 values, indicating a 90% reduction in plant growth on the stem, were determined as 14.42 J for cleavers, 11.04 J for scabious, and 18.04 J for sun spurge. For apical meristem applications, plant growth reduction was less than 90% at maximum energy doses, with rates of 72.18% for cleavers and 41.64% for scabious. These results support the thesis that laser application to the apical meristem region of the weed may not be sufficiently effective beyond the cotyledon period. However, the study concludes that laser application to the plant stem can successfully control all three weed species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most devastating pest besides bollworm in cotton is stem weevil, Pempherulus affinis which decreases the cotton productivity as it affects the plant survival, boll production and seed cotton yield. The purpose of the investigation was to understand the infestation stage of the crop prone to heavy yield loss. The field experiment was carried out at Bannari, Erode district, India during summer 2021 to assess the yield loss caused by P. affinis in protected condition namely IPM module 1, IPM module 2 farmers' practice and unprotected condition. The results revealed that among the infested plants the mean survival of plants, boll production and yield was maximum in IPM module 2 of 90.10%, 20.90 bolls/plant and 29.93 g/plant respectively followed by farmers' practice with 89.25%, 11.37 bolls/plant and 29.17 g/plant respectively and the unprotected condition recorded the least mean survival of plants (82.25%), boll production (9.34 bolls/plant) and yield (23.87 g/plant). There was no significant difference among the treatments pertaining to mean survival of plants in healthy plants which recorded 100% survival. The mean number of bolls produced from healthy plants (at harvest) were high in IPM module 2 (20.90 bolls/plant) followed by farmers' practice which registered 19.87 bolls/plant while untreated plot recorded only 15.60 bolls/plant. The mean yield recorded from the healthy plants (at harvest) was 57.64 g/plant followed by farmers' practice (55.88 g/plant). The minimum yield of 39.24 g/plant was obtained in unprotected condition from healthy plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The research investigated the vegetative propagation of Bagoadlau (Xanthosthemon philippinensis Merr.) stem cuttings using different concentrations of indolebutyric acid (IBA). Pretreated cuttings were planted in polyethylene bags and observed in a fully covered chamber for 45 days. The study employed a single trial of completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments (500 ppm, 1,000 ppm, 1,500 ppm, and 2,000 ppm), each replicated four times. Results indicated significant variations among treatment means in terms of percent shooting, shoot length, percent rooting, number and length of adventitious roots, and percent callusing. Notably, 500 ppm and 1,500 ppm demonstrated the highest outcomes in percent shooting, shoot length, percent survival, measurement of adventitious roots, count of roots, and percentage of rooting. In contrast, the survival percentage of T2 (500 ppm) displayed the highest rate and consistent performance compared to other treatments. Hence, the study recommends using 500 ppm and 1,500 ppm for effective rooting of Bagoadlau (Xanthosthemon philippinensis Merr.) stem cuttings. The successful propagation of native species like Bagoadlau is particularly relevant to ecosystem restoration efforts in regions marked by land degradation and mining activities. The study addresses several crucial aspects by successfully establishing Bagoadlau on such lands. This includes the restoration of native biodiversity, improved soil, and water quality through stabilizing soil, preventing erosion, and acting as a natural filtration system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new compound, named coniferin B (1), and fourteen known compounds were purified and identified from the leaves and branches of Wikstroemia chamaedaphne Meisn. Their chemical structures were elucidated through analyzing spectroscopic and HRESIMS data. Compounds 2, 3, 5, 7–9, 11, and 13 were isolated from this plant for the first time. All compounds were assayed for cytotoxicity and activation of latent HIV activity on NH2 cells. The results showed that all compounds did not produce cytotoxicity at 10.0 μM and compounds 1, 9–11 showed weak activating activity with activation folds of 4.88, 7.14, 5.3, and 6.97, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant stems comprise nodes and internodes that specialize in solute exchange and elongation. However, their boundaries are not well defined, and how these basic units arise remains elusive. In rice with clear nodes and internodes, we found that one subclade of class I knotted1-like homeobox (KNOX1) genes for shoot meristem indeterminacy restricts node differentiation and allows internode formation by repressing YABBY genes for leaf development and genes from another node-specific KNOX1 subclade. YABBYs promote nodal vascular differentiation and limit stem elongation. YABBY and node-specific KNOX1 genes specify the pulvinus, which further elaborates the nodal structure for gravitropism. Notably, this KNOX1 subclade organization is specific to seed plants. We propose that nodes and internodes are distinct domains specified by YABBY-KNOX1 cross-regulation that diverged in early seed plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical imaging is crucial for cell examination, but its instruments' bulky optics limit their flexibility, and a single wavelength provides limited sample information. This paper presents a fibre cantilever-based endoscopic scanner for multiwavelength reflectance confocal microscopy. The scanner utilises the dual-core fibre cantilever to produce Lissajous scans while accommodating two distinct wavelengths. Coloured surfaces were imaged at wavelengths of 520 nm, 635 nm and 850 nm, and verified with a colour chart and reflectance spectroscopy. Blue ink-stained plant stem cross-section samples were also imaged and compared. Furthermore, the scanner performed structure morphology imaging on cellular samples. The 520 nm and 635 nm wavelengths create low- and high-contrast images respectively, while the 850 nm wavelength delivers a sharper image while also capturing the surface profile of the target sample. The findings demonstrated the endoscopic scanner's capability to extract information based on different wavelengths, providing a more diverse view of the sample and enhancing the surface profile. Using 635 nm and 850 nm, the reconstructed images have a contrast enhancement of 67.9% and 90.8% respectively from 520 nm. The smallest feature size measured on the cellular sample is 5 µm. The endoscopic scanner has the potential to study microfluidic and cell morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic stresses are the major constraint that limits the productivity of potatoes. Among all the major abiotic stresses, drought is the main stress that is increasing on a yearly basis. Therefore, the current field study was conducted to evaluate the morphological and yield characteristics of 29 potato genotypes. Plants were divided into control and drought stress groups, and plants were acclimatized to drought stress 45 days after sowing (DAS). The irrigation regime was maintained at 3-day interval for control group plants, while for the drought stress treatment, the field was irrigated at 6-day interval. Performance of potato plants was observed by measuring morpho-physiological and yield traits that included canopy temperature, chlorophyll contents, growth duration, plant height, stand establishment, and number of stems per plant. Finally, potato tuber traits were measured (number of tubers, tuber weight, and marketable tuber weight). All potato breeding lines showed contrasting behaviour in response to drought stress. Results showed that potato breeding lines 7, 9, 11, 20, 12, 16, 22, 21, 10, and 18 suggested tolerance as they showed the least reduction in yield characteristics, whereas genotypes 1, 26, 24, 4, 27, 6, 8, 29, 23, 26, 3, and 5 showed poor performance as they failed to cope with stress conditions. Broad sense heritability showed 77% variability that suggested decreased effect of environment on potato genotypes for the selection of high-yielding tubers. The resilient potato breeding lines showed the potential to be stably used as potato breeding material for stress tolerance. These tolerant lines can be used by future breeding programmes to develop resilient cultivars to cope with drought stress problems and to ensure food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tamarix gallica L. is a halophytic medicinal shrub traditionally used in the treatment of liver disorders. Leaf and flower infusions are widely used for anti-diarrheic and anti-inflammatory preparations. In this work, we have explored the combined effect of method (Maceration and Decoction) and solvent extraction (70% Methanol, 70% Ethanol, 70% Acetone, and Water) on phenolic composition and biological activities (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) of different T. gallica organ extracts (Leaves, Flowers, Stems, and Fruits). Obtained results showed that Tamarix leaves reveal more potent antioxidant activity. Methanol (70%) was the best maceration solvent for the extraction of leaves and flowers with high total antioxidant and anti-radical capacities. HPLC analysis showed that catechin, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, isoquercetin were the major phenolics in 70% methanolic extract. Furthermore, this extract showed considerable anti-inflammatory activity. This prospect could be of great importance in the valuation of this halophyte as a source of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental factors, such as drought stress, significantly impact maize growth and productivity worldwide. To improve yield and quality, effective strategies for early detection and mitigation of drought stress in maize are essential. This paper presents a detailed analysis of three imaging trials conducted to detect drought stress in maize plants using an existing, custom-developed, low-cost, high-throughput phenotyping platform. A pipeline is proposed for early detection of water stress in maize plants using a Vision Transformer classifier and analysis of distributions of near-infrared (NIR) reflectance from the plants. A classification accuracy of 85% was achieved in one of our trials, using hold-out trials for testing. Suitable regions on the plant that are more sensitive to drought stress were explored, and it was shown that the region surrounding the youngest expanding leaf (YEL) and the stem can be used as a more consistent alternative to analysis involving just the YEL. Experiments in search of an ideal window size showed that small bounding boxes surrounding the YEL and the stem area of the plant perform better in separating drought-stressed and well-watered plants than larger window sizes enclosing most of the plant. The results presented in this work show good separation between well-watered and drought-stressed categories for two out of the three imaging trials, both in terms of classification accuracy from data-driven features as well as through analysis of histograms of NIR reflectance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unprescribed nortriterpenoid with an aromatic E ring, uncanortriterpenoid A (1), together with fourteen known triterpenoids (2–15), were isolated from the hook-bearing stems of Uncaria rhynchophylla Miq. Based on extensive spectroscopic analyses, the NMR data of 2, 5, and 10 in CD3OD were assigned for the first time, and the wrongly assigned δC of C-27 and C-29 of 2 were revised. Among the known compounds, 7, 13, and 15 were isolated from this species for the first time, and 15 represents the first lanostane triterpenoid bearing an extra methylidene at C-24 for the Rubiaceae family. Additionally, compounds 6 and 14 exhibited moderate ferroptosis inhibitory activity, with an EC50 value of 14.74 ± 0.20 μM for 6 and 23.11 ± 1.31 μM for 14. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stictidaceae is characterised by a wide geographic distribution and diverse ecological roles. It has recently been the focus of taxonomic research in China. In this study, we describe two new asexual Stictidaceae species that we presume to be saprobes: Glomerobolus poacearum and Ostropomyces yunnanensis. The specimens were collected from decaying stems of unidentified herbaceous and Poaceae hosts in the Yunnan Dashanbao Black-necked Crane National Nature Reserve, China. Our approach combines morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analysis, utilising LSU, ITS, mtSSU and rpb2 markers. Glomerobolus poacearum sp. nov., was collected on decayed aquatic grass stems. In our phylogeny, it forms a well-supported clade with G. gelineus, the type of the genus. The species differs from G. gelineus in having comparatively smaller hyphoma, lobes and ballistic propagules that are spherical or fan-shaped when swollen. The discovery of Glomerobolus poacearum on Poaceae species within China are new observations of plant associates and geographical distribution in the genus. Ostropomyces yunnanensis sp. nov., was collected on a stem of a herbaceous plant. In our phylogenetic analysis, it forms a well-supported clade with G. gelineus, the type species of the genus and is characterised by the production of conidiomata with forcible discharge. Ostropomyces yunnanensis is distinguishable from the asexual morph of O. pruinosellus by possessing larger pycnidial conidiomata, which feature multiple locules of conical or irregular shapes and by having larger conidia that are 0–4-septate. These taxonomic contributions enrich our understanding of the diversity, evolutionary relationships and ecological interactions within Stictidaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at the identification and characterization of five actinobacterial strains with presumed belonging to the species Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens isolated from tomato and pepper plants, and establishing the potential role of both plants as natural reservoirs of this phytopathogen. Species identification was performed via MALDI-ToF MS, 16S rDNA sequencing and PCR. The strains were Gram-positive with a coryneform cell shape having yellow/orange-pigmented colonies; positive for catalase and esculin, and starch and casein hydrolysis; oxidase-, urease-, indole- and nitrate-reduction-negative and were strictly aerobic. All isolates produced antimicrobial substances against various phytopathogenic bacteria. Tomato and pepper plants were artificially infected with newly isolated strains in order to establish their role as natural reservoirs of the bacteria. Morphological alterations were observed only in the tomato plants, with defoliation of the first two to four leaves at the 28th day. Then, viable coryneform bacterial isolates (n = 73) were successfully re-isolated only from the stems of the infected plants. The similarity between the re-isolates and the respective initial isolates was confirmed phenotypically and genotypically by RAPD-PCR, confirming that solanaceous vegetables can act as reservoirs of C. flaccumfaciens. This is the first report of C. flaccumfaciens in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The surge in global pineapple production has led to an excess of waste, demanding a sustainable approach for bioconversion. Despite its substantial volume, pineapple plant stems remain largely neglected, often discarded as on-farm waste. These stems, composed of intricate structures, necessitate a multi-step process for effective bioconversion. A promising alternative involves a single-step approach using microorganisms to combine hydrolysis and fermentation processes, yielding significant amino acid production from pineapple plant stems. This is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 13 in reducing carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions from traditional waste disposal methods. Results: The utilisation of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051 for amino acid production demonstrated success, yielding 1.28 mg/mL of total free amino acids with a remarkable 67.13 mg/g yield. This represents a 13% increase in concentration and a 12% boost in yield compared to commercial starch. The study underscores the pivotal role of medium composition, highlighting the significance of pineapple plant stems as a substrate and other key components to enhance amino acid production. Conclusion: Notably, the study achieved a substantial improvement in total amino acids production, reaching 9.57 mg/mL with a yield of 423.97 mg/g—an impressive 6.32-fold increment. This emphasises the enhanced potential of pineapple plant stems as a valuable resource for amino acid production, shedding light on the importance of optimising medium composition for maximum yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia yield substantial waste, necessitating proper disposal to address environmental concerns. Yet, these wastes, rich in starch and lignocellulosic content, offer an opportunity for value-added product development, particularly amino acid production. Traditional methods often rely on costly commercial enzymes to convert biomass into fermentable sugars for amino acid production. An alternative, consolidated bioprocessing, enables the direct conversion of agricultural biomass into amino acids using selected microorganisms. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the potential of agricultural biomass in Indonesia and Malaysia for amino acid production through consolidated bioprocessing. It explores suitable microorganisms and presents a case study on using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051 to produce 9.56 mg/mL of amino acids directly from pineapple plant stems. These findings contribute to the advancement of sustainable amino acid production methods using agricultural biomass especially in Indonesia and Malaysia through consolidated bioprocessing, reducing waste and enhancing environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are 22 species of the genus Globularia L. (Plantaginaceae) in the world. This genus is represented by 11 taxa in Flora of Turkey. Five of these 11 taxa are endemic to Türkiye. The aim of this study is to examine stem and leaf anatomy of four taxa of Globularia (Globularia davisiana O. Schwarz, G. aphyllantes Crantz, G. alypum L. ve G. orientalis L.) in Türkiye. Stem and leaf sections of the taxa were taken with a Leica slide microtome. The anatomical features of plants were examined under a light microscope and their photographs were taken with a Leica DFC 290 digital camera attached to the microscope. According to the study results, the studied taxa has the equifacial leaves and anomocytic type of stomas. The stem and leaves of them have covering secretion trichomes. The related anatomic characters on stem and leaf were discussed and the anatomical features of the species were compared with each other according to these characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The use of sound wave technology on different plant species has revealed that variations in the Hz, sound pressure intensity, treatment time, and type of setup of the sound source significantly impact the plant performance. For example, a study conducted on cotton plants treated by Plant Acoustic Frequency Technology (PAFT) highlighted improvements across various growth parameters. In particular, the treated samples showed increases in the height, leaf area, and number of boll-bearing branches, as well as other plant anatomical parts. In other cases, such as in transgenic rice plants, GUS expression was upregulated or downregulated concerning the Hz employed. This paper presents a complete, rationalized and updated review of the literature on the effects of sound waves on the physiology and growth parameters of sound-treated plants. The application of sound wave technology to different plant species has revealed that variations in the Hz, sound pressure intensity, treatment duration, and type of setup of the sound source significantly impact the plant performance. A study conducted on cotton plants treated with Plant Acoustic Frequency Technology (PAFT) highlighted improvements across various growth metrics. In particular, the treated samples showed increases in the height, size of the fourth expanded leaf from the final one, count of branches carrying bolls, quantity of bolls, and weight of individual bolls. Another study showed how the impact of a 4 kHz sound stimulus positively promoted plant drought tolerance. In other cases, such as in transgenic rice plants, GUS expression was upregulated at 250 Hz but downregulated at 50 Hz. In the same way, sound frequencies have been found to enhance the osmotic potential, with the highest observed in samples treated with frequencies of 0.5 and 0.8 kHz compared to the control. Furthermore, a sound treatment with a frequency of 0.4 kHz and a sound pressure level (SPL) of 106 dB significantly increased the paddy rice germination index, as evidenced by an increase in the stem height and relative fresh weight. This paper presents a complete, rationalized and updated review of the literature on the effects of sound waves on the physiology and growth parameters of sound-treated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean (Glycine max) is a vital food crop, serving as a major source of high-quality protein for human and animal consumption. Stem diameter is one of the primary determinants of the stem lodging resistance of a given plant, but there has been relatively little research to date focused on genes associated with this trait. To address this gap in the literature, 207 chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) were generated in the present study through the crossing and backcrossing of the improved Suinong14 and the wild ZYD00006 soybean varieties. These CSSLs were then used for the mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with stem diameter in two-year field planting materials, leading to the identification of nine QTLs. Whole genome resequencing, RNA-seq, and qPCR were then used to evaluate candidate genes associated with stem diameter within these QTL intervals, ultimately leading to the selection of Glyma.04G004100 as a stem diameter-related gene. Subsequent qPCR analyses revealed that Glyma.04g004100 was upregulated in soybean plants with larger stem diameters, and haplotype analyses yielded results consistent with these stem diameter data in the population used to conduct this study. In summary, a series of QTLs associated with stem diameter were identified in the present study, resulting in the establishment of Glyma.04g004100 as a stem diameter-related gene. Together, these results offer a theoretical foundation for the future molecular-assisted breeding of lodging-resistant soybean varieties, and future functional research focused on Glyma.04g004100 may elucidate the molecular mechanisms and key signaling networks involved in soybean stem development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Nature is a valuable resource, supplying remedies for the treatment of all diseases. Plant kingdom stands for a plethora of natural compounds that are well known for their utilization in therapeutic applications. They may pave the way for the development of new mediators with appropriate efficacy in many pathological disorders in the future. In India and throughout the world, herbs have become a principle and popular medicine. Recognized green medicines are better than synthetic ones and have fewer side effects. Since ancient times, plants have been intended for their medicinal properties for treating various diseases owing to their fewer side effects, availability of the agent, cost-efficiency, and potential effectiveness. The medicinal value of plants stems from various vegetative parts of the plant, including flowers, fruit, bark, roots, leaves, seeds, and its modified parts. The Indian forests are the major repository of remedial and aromatic medicinal plants, which can be used for the production of a plethora of remedies against various diseases. Butea monosperma is one of the traditional Ayurvedic medicinal plants considered a rich source of ingredients that can be used in drug development as home remedies to treat various diseases, such as diarrhea, constipation, hypertension, dehydration, bronchial asthma, leucorrhea, cancer, infection, as well as liver and stomach disorders. The seed powder is known for its notable medicinal, pharmaceutical, and insecticidal activities. This study highlights the traditional Ayurvedic importance of an eminent medicinal plant, B. monosperma, with its active chemical constituents, as well as pharmacological, environmental, ecological, economical, and agricultural significance. This plant can be planted everywhere to take advantage of its versatile applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many different herbal extracts have historically been utilized to treat microbe-induced infections, injuries, cancer, thrombosis, and arthritis. The purpose of this study was to determine the antibacterial, cytotoxic, in vitro thrombolytic, and in vitro antiarthritic properties of ethanolic extracts of stem and seed of Bari orchid 1 (BO) plant. This orchid plant was developed by the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) in Gazipur. Fourteen microbes were employed in the antimicrobial investigation, and samples of orchids were compared to ciprofloxacin as a reference. The BO/seed extract was found to possess more antibacterial activity. The lethality test of brine shrimps was used to assess the LC50 values. The BO/stem extract exhibited a higher cytotoxicity potential, in comparison to the BO/seed extract. Two concentrations (1000 and 100 ppm) and two incubation times (24 hours and 1.5 hours) were used to assess the thrombolytic activity of the extracts. Regarding the thrombolytic effect, the BO/stem extract has demonstrated greater promise. Furthermore, the herbal extract's antiarthritic activity was investigated at four different concentrations, and the results were evaluated in comparison with those of diclofenac sodium. When comparing BO/stem extract to other extracts, the greatest values for protein denaturation were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulbil is an important asexual reproductive structure of bulbil plants. It mainly grows in leaf axils, leaf forks, tubers and the upper and near ground ends of flower stems of plants. They play a significant role in the reproduction of numerous herbaceous plant species by serving as agents of plant propagation, energy reserves, and survival mechanisms in adverse environmental conditions. Despite extensive research on bulbil-plants regarding their resources, development mechanisms, and utilisation, a comprehensive review of bulbil is lacking, hindering progress in exploiting bulbil resources. This paper provides a systematic overview of bulbil research, including bulbil-plant resources, identification of development stages and maturity of bulbils, cellular and molecular mechanisms of bulbil development, factors influencing bulbil development, gene research related to bulbil development, multi-bulbil phenomenon and its significance, medicinal value of bulbils, breeding value of bulbils, and the application of plant tissue culture technology in bulbil production. The application value of the Temporary Immersion Bioreactor System (TIBS) and Terahertz (THz) in bulbil breeding is also discussed, offering a comprehensive blueprint for further bulbil resource development. Additionally, additive, seven areas that require attention are proposed: (1) Utilization of modern network technologies, such as plant recognition apps or websites, to collect and identify bulbous plant resources efficiently and extensively; (2) Further research on cell and tissue structures that influence bulb cell development; (3) Investigation of the network regulatory relationship between genes, proteins, metabolites, and epigenetics in bulbil development; (4) Exploration of the potential utilization value of multiple sprouts, including medicinal, ecological, and horticultural applications; (5) Innovation and optimization of the plant tissue culture system for bulbils; (6) Comprehensive application research of TIBS for large-scale expansion of bulbil production; (7) To find out the common share genetics between bulbils and flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tanacetum falconeri is a significant flowering plant that possesses cytotoxic, insecticidal, antibacterial, and phytotoxic properties. Its chemodiversity and bioactivities, however, have not been thoroughly investigated. In this work, several extracts from various parts of T. falconeri were assessed for their chemical profile, antioxidant activity, and potential for enzyme inhibition. The total phenolic contents of T. falconeri varied from 40.28 ± 0.47 mg GAE/g to 11.92 ± 0.22 mg GAE/g in various extracts, while flavonoid contents were found highest in TFFM (36.79 ± 0.36 mg QE/g extract) and lowest (11.08 ± 0.22 mg QE/g extract) in TFSC (chloroform extract of stem) in similar pattern as found in total phenolic contents. Highest DPPH inhibition was observed for TFFC (49.58 ± 0.11 mg TE/g extract) and TFSM (46.33 ± 0.10 mg TE/g extract), whereas, TFSM was also potentially active against (98.95 ± 0.57 mg TE/g) ABTS radical. In addition, TFSM was also most active in metal reducing assays: CUPRAC (151.76 ± 1.59 mg TE/g extract) and FRAP (101.30 ± 0.32 mg TE/g extract). In phosphomolybdenum assay, the highest activity was found for TFFE (1.71 ± 0.03 mg TE/g extract), TFSM (1.64 ± 0.035 mg TE/g extract), TFSH (1.60 ± 0.033 mg TE/g extract) and TFFH (1.58 ± 0.08 mg TE/g extract), while highest metal chelating activity was recorded for TFSH (25.93 ± 0.79 mg EDTAE/g extract), TFSE (22.90 ± 1.12 mg EDTAE/g extract) and TFSC (19.31 ± 0.50 mg EDTAE/g extract). In biological screening, all extracts had stronger inhibitory capacity against AChE while in case of BChE the chloroform extract of flower (TFFC) and stem (TFSC) showed the highest activities with inhibitory values of 2.57 ± 0.24 and 2.10 ± 0.18 respectively. Similarly, TFFC and TFSC had stronger inhibitory capacity (1.09 ± 0.015 and 1.08 ± 0.002 mmol ACAE/g extract) against α-Amylase and (0.50 ± 0.02 and 0.55 ± 0.02 mmol ACAE/g extract) α-Glucosidase. UHPLC-MS study of methanolic extract revealed the presence of 133 components including sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, and coumarins. The total phenolic contents were substantially linked with all antioxidant assays in multivariate analysis. These findings were validated by docking investigations, which revealed that the selected compounds exhibited high binding free energy with the enzymes tested. Finally, it was found that T. falconeri is a viable industrial crop with potential use in the production of functional goods and nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction of bast fibres such as jute from plant stems involves the removal of pectin, hemicellulose, and other noncellulosic materials through a complex microbial community. A consortium of pectinolytic bacterial strains has been developed and commercialized to reduce the retting time and enhance fibre quality. However, there are currently no studies on jute that describe the structural changes and sequential microbial colonization and pectin loss that occur during microbe-assisted water retting. This study investigated the stages of microbial colonization, microbial interactions, and sequential degradation of pectic substances from jute bark under controlled and conventional water retting. The primary occurrence during water retting of bast fibres is the bacterially induced sequential breakdown of pectin surrounding the fibre bundles. The study also revealed that the pectin content of the jute stem significantly decreases during the retting process. These findings provide a strong foundation for improving microbial strains for improved pectinolysis with immense industrial significance, leading to a sustainable jute-based "green" economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and is an important cereal for Mexico. However, it is affected by different pests, especially the yellow aphid. The objective of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of biological, botanical and chemical insecticides in reducing Melanaphis sacchari populations in sorghum plants under greenhouse conditions. Planting was conducted in a greenhouse, using the sorghum hybrid 945-M. Pests, diseases and weeds management were implemented. The incidence of the yellow aphid was induced artificially. A total of 13 treatments were applied. The following variables were assessed: the number of aphids per leaf, the biological effectiveness of the treatments, plant height, diameter of the plant stem, number of leaves, and the weight of fresh and dry plants. An analysis of variance was conducted for each variable under study, as along with a comparison of means using the Tukey method (a=0.05) and correlation analysis using the SAS® 9.4 software. The chemical, biological and organic insecticide that exhibited the greatest control of the yellow aphid (more than 95%) were: Toretto® (sulfoxaflor), PHC® Meta Tron® (M. anisopliae), Bio-Die® (Argemonin, Berberine, Ricinin and a-Terthienyl). Adequate management strategies are needed to avoid health problems in people, environmental contamination and resistance or multiple resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Ganoderma is a fungal pathogen that can cause rot disease at the base of plant stems. This disease threatens oil palm production, especially in Southeast Asia. Trichoderma sp. fungi can control Basal Stem Rot disease in Ganoderma boninense but are ineffective. One solution that can be done to inhibit the growth of Ganoderma sp. is by using Dark Septate Endophyte (DSE) fungi. Research on DSE isolated from sugar palm (Arenga pinnata Merr.) has not been widely studied. The sugar palm plant is related to the oil palm plant in the Arecaceae family. This study aims to analyze the potential of DSE fungi from the roots of the sugar palm plant in inhibiting the pathogenic fungi Ganoderma sp. The stages of this research were isolation and purification of DSE fungi from sugar palm roots, DSE antagonists against Ganoderma sp., and DSE volatile compounds against Ganoderma sp. The results of isolation and purification showed that there were 18 DSE isolates grouped based on morphological similarities in the form of DSE fungi colony colors, where there were ten fungi isolates representing ten different colony colors, namely, isolate A.3.1 (1); A.3.2 (2); A.4.1 (2); A.4.1 (3); A.4.2; A.5.2; A.5.3; A.6.1(a); A.6.2(a); A.6.4(a). A total of 8 fungi isolates were tested for antagonists and volatile compound testing on Ganoderma sp. The results of the antagonist test showed that DSE A4.1(2) had the highest percentage of inhibition with a value of 36.12%, and isolated A6.2 had the highest percentage of inhibition and the lowest with a value of 15.65%. The testing results for volatile compounds showed that the isolate of DSE A4.2 had the highest percentage of inhibition against Ganoderma sp. at 18.25%. In comparison, the lowest inhibition percentage was obtained from DSE A5.2 fungi isolate with a value of 0.43%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]