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Vegetative propagation provides the opportunity to scale up valuable plant material in the shortest possible time. It acquires particular importance in the cultivation of tree crops while preserving valuable biological and morphological varietal characteristics of individual specimens. The use of this approach allows for the rapid propagation of particularly valuable plants growing in parks and forests, while seed reproduction does not preserve their valuable hereditary traits. In this regard, the creation and improvement of reliable methods of vegetative propagation of woody species does not lose its relevance. As is known, vegetative propagation of trees is achieved in the juvenile phase of development and not at the maturity stage, which greatly limits the use of this approach. This situation can be overcome by using technologies based on the active use of rejuvenation, a phenomenon whose biological nature remains insufficiently studied to date. Nevertheless, considerable research experience has been accumulated in initiating rejuvenation, i.e., carrying out procedures for the artificial return of adult plants or their individual parts to a young state. This article provides an overview of technologies that allow the implementation of the process of switching the plant-development strategy from the maturity phase to the juvenile state. These include meristem cultivation, chemical treatment of plant material, severe pruning and hedging, use of root suckers and coppicing, initiation of axillary and epicormic bud development, grafting and micrografting, repeated subculturing, and somatic embryogenesis. For further successful development of this area, it is necessary to use an integrated approach based on a combination of omics technologies and methods of molecular genetics and molecular and cellular biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucheuma denticulatum and Kappaphycus alvarezii are two of the most commercially important, cultivated carrageenophytes in Southeast Asia. Their large-scale farming through repeated vegetative propagation and virtual monocropping has resulted in a variety of phyconomic issues. The efficacy of two European, commercial liquid extracts from the brown seaweeds, i.e., Ascophyllum nodosum (ANE), a fucoid, and Laminaria digitata (LDE), a kelp, on the direct formation of axes and survival of these two eucheumatoids was examined using tissue culture techniques. Seaweed apical sections (2–3 mm long) were cultured for 45 days, with different concentrations of ANE and LDE (i.e., 0.005, 0.05, 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 mL L−1) and compared with a control (UV-filtered seawater). Lower concentrations (< 1.5 mL L−1) of both liquid extracts promoted morphogenesis and growth of E. denticulatum and K. alvarezii in tissue culture, with the dilution rate of 0.05 mL LDE L−1 resulting in a high percentage survival (i.e., 95.3 ± 0.9%), formation of direct axes (i.e., 95.3 ± 0.9%), and the longest length (i.e., 10.0 ± 0.3 mm) for E. denticulatum after a typical 45-day culture period. A 0.5 mL ANE L−1 concentration was found to be beneficial for the tissue culture of K. alvarezii, given the relatively high final survival and direct axes formation (i.e., 96.2 ± 2.2%) and axes length (i.e., 8.2 ± 0.1 mm). This study supports the application of these temperate, brown seaweed-derived extracts as a phycobiostimulant enrichment in eucheumatoid micropropagation for mass production of plantlets for out-planting purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Root rot, wilt diseases, and rooting processes have been the major factors that constrain schefflera production. This study focuses on the impact of innovative applications of eco-friendly materials like chitosan nanoparticles loaded with l-proline or indole butyric acid to replace traditional chemical fungicides in controlling root rot and wilt diseases, as well as the vegetative propagation success of leafy stem schefflera cuttings. Results: Fusarium foeten (strain 1) and Fusarium falciforme (strains 2 and 4) were first identified as root rot and wilt pathogens of schefflera in Egypt based on morphological features and confirmed with molecular analyses. Fusarium foetens (strain 1) and F. falciforme (strain 2) have the most aggressive action, as the infection percentages significantly increased in the pathogenicity test. The disease incidence reached 38.88 and 44.44%, respectively, whereas the disease severity was 18.51 and 26.84%, respectively. Chitosan nanoparticles at a concentration of 25 mg/L were the most effective dose, leading to a significant reduction in disease incidence to 25.00%, disease severity to 4.17%, and playing a vital role in activating plant defense, which correlates well with improved growth characteristics. The novel strategy of L-proline loaded on chitosan nanoparticles (LP-CSNPs) application occupied the first rank at protective influence against root rot and wilt disease-induced oxidative stress, signaling a defensive function that was freelance verified. L-proline loaded on chitosan nanoparticles (LP-CSNPs) at 0.125–0.25 g/L had a significant impact on reducing the incidence and severity of root rot and wilt diseases, as well as improving photosynthetic pigments and free radical scavenging activities, which included strengthening plant defense and further validating the findings from the biochemical trait analysis. The TT biplot graph was an influential statistical tool to study the impacts of treatments on schefflera production and its attributes and to discover the interrelationships among them. Conclusions: Applying LP-CSNPs is one of the best techniques to manage schefflera root rot and wilt diseases, since it can be utilized as a growth stimulator and defense activator with sustainable increased efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboos are perennial woody grasses that display an enigmatic mix of traits. Bamboo is highly shade intolerant like early‐successional trees. Without secondary xylem, bamboos cannot continue to grow once they reach a maximum height or replace xylem damaged by hydraulic stress and must instead replace each stem after a few years using vegetative propagation via rhizomes. These traits of bamboo would appear to make them inferior to trees in competition for both light and water in all but early‐successional wet locations. However, some species competitively exclude trees and form persistent monodominant stands across large areas in tropical and temperate forests, including areas that are not mesic. Moreover, bamboo paradoxically postpones seed production for decades to over a century, and then flowers semelparously and dies synchronously. The delayed reproduction appears to be inconsistent with an early‐successional strategy to colonize disturbed areas as soon as they form, while the simultaneous death over large areas appears to be inconsistent with a late‐successional strategy to gain and hold space. Bamboo exhibits great diversity in its growth form and life histories along the tropical‐temperate geographical cline, with tropical bamboo being taller with shorter rhizome lengths and flowering interval lengths than temperate bamboo. We hypothesize that all of the above characteristics of bamboo are essential elements of competitive strategies to arrest succession in a lineage that lacks secondary xylem. To develop this Arrested Succession Hypothesis, we construct mathematical models of competition for recently disturbed areas between a tree species and a species with bamboo's enigmatic characteristics. We modeled the growth of bamboo genetic individuals from seedlings after seed germination to clonal culms at mass flowering and then placed these individuals in competition with one another and with trees in simple models of competition for light. Results explain how bamboo's traits allow it to persist in forests late in succession despite its hydraulic disadvantages, and form monodominant stands in the temperate zone, but not in tropical forests. They explain why bamboo is semelparous with synchronized reproduction, and why maximum culm size and age, reproductive interval, and rhizome length differ between the tropics and the temperate zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 2,4-D pulse at 20 µM and 30 µM induces direct somatic embryogenesis on the embryonic axis of Plinia peruviana. • 26.7 % of the induction rate of direct somatic embryogenesis was obtained using 20 µM of 2,4-D for 5 days. • Germination of embryonic axes is inversely proportional to the auxin concentration in Plinia peruviana. • Additional improvements to the protocol are still needed to improve embryo conversion into plantlets. Plinia peruviana (Myrtaceae) is a fruit tree species endemic to Brazil with high importance to the food and pharmacological industries. Despite the need for vegetative propagation of selected genotypes for genetic breeding or fruit production, efficient propagation methods for the species have not yet been determined. This study aimed to advance the establishment of a protocol for inducing somatic embryogenesis from mature P. peruviana seeds. Three concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (10, 20, and 30 µM) in four auxinic pulses (1, 3, 5, and 7 days of exposure times) were tested. 20 µM and 30 µM of 2,4-D promoted the highest callogenesis (20–40 %), regardless of the exposure period, but calli did not present embryogenic potential. The formation of somatic embryos occurred asynchronously directly on the embryonic axes and was dependent on adding 2,4-D to the culture medium. The highest induction rate of direct somatic embryogenesis (26.7 %) was obtained using 20 µM of 2,4-D for 5 days of exposure. The light and electronic microscopic analyses allowed the characterization of the embryos at different stages of development and identified some abnormalities. Additional improvements to the protocol are still needed, including testing different culture media since no conversion and formation of complete plantlets was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is a causal agent of diseases that have challenged the global citrus production for more than a century. The disease named 'tristeza', which means 'sadness' in Portuguese and Spanish, has spread by aphids and vegetative propagation, resulting in costly pandemics that reshaped the world citrus production by forcing the adaption of disease‐tolerant rootstocks. Furthermore, management of the second major CTV‐induced disease, stem pitting, became a unique example of the use of cross‐protection on a large nationwide scale, allowing many citrus growing regions to control the disease that could not be managed through horticultural practices. The information gathered in this review commemorates a hundred years of research on the virus and the respective diseases, which began with classical horticultural approaches and advanced toward the cutting‐edge molecular biology studies. In this regard, it is proper to mention that CTV research greatly benefited from close international collaboration between research institutions and scientists from the affected and nonaffected citrus areas. Moreover, despite the considerable initial losses caused by tristeza, the world's fresh fruit and juice concentrate citrus industries reemerged as highly productive following the research advancements, a situation that changed throughout Florida and Brazil in the past two decades or so with the outbreak of the devastating citrus greening (Huanglongbing) bacterial disease. This review encompasses past and recent advances in the CTV research positioning the citrus‐CTV pathosystem as a pivotal model system for investigating virus interactions with perennial woody hosts. The review will also serve as an updated version of the respective section on CTV in the Description of Plant Viruses that the Association of Applied Biologists manages. We dedicated this review to the 85th Birthday celebration of Prof. Moshe Bar‐Joseph, a world‐renowned plant pathologist whose half‐a‐century‐long career devoted to citrus diseases yielded many important, pioneering discoveries on CTV and other closteroviruses. Many of those are highlighted in this review. Prof. Bar‐Joseph retired from the Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization in Israel several years ago, yet he continues to be actively engaged in research and provides his expertise to citrus pathologists around the world in the present days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementation of coral restoration practices within reef management strategies is accelerating globally to support reef resilience and recovery. However, full costs underpinning restoration project feasibility have historically been underreported yet are critical to informing restoration cost-benefit decision-making. Such knowledge is especially lacking for Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR), where a coral restoration program led by reef tourism operators, Coral Nurture Program (CNP), was initiated in 2018 (northern GBR) and continues to scale. Here we describe the early outcomes and costs of implementing similar tourism-led asexual coral propagation and outplanting practices in a new region, the Whitsundays (central GBR) through the CNP. Specifically, we detail the local operational and environmental context of CNP Whitsundays, describe the costs of implementation and continuation of restoration activities, as well as evaluate survivorship of coral outplants across three restoration sites for nine months after project establishment (August 2022 to June 2023). Baseline benthic surveys revealed relatively low hard coral cover at restoration sites (ranging from 3.22-8.67%), which significantly differed in benthic composition from coral collection sites (ranging 16.67-38.06%), supporting strong motivation by tourism operators to undertake restoration activities. Mean coral survivorship of coral outplants in fate-tracked plots differed between the three restoration sites after 267 days (ranging 23.33-47.58%), with declines largely driven by coral detachment. Early-stage cost-effectiveness (costs relative to outplant survival) associated with implementation of restoration activity varied widely from US$33.04-178.55 per surviving coral (n = 4,425 outplants) depending on whether 'in-kind' costs, restoration activity (outplanting only vs. total costs encompassing planning through to monitoring), site-based survivorship, or a combination of these factors, were considered. As coral reef restoration projects continue to be established globally, our results highlight the need for ongoing, long-term monitoring that can inform adaptive practice, and fully transparent costreporting to understand and improve feasibility for any given project. We further highlight the inherent context-dependency of restoration costs, and the importance of considering local social-environmental contexts and their associated cost-benefits in economic rationale for reef restoration projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment accretion (burial) and nutrient enrichment may exert a synergistic influence on the growth and distribution of macrophytes in floodplain wetlands; however, this phenomenon has rarely been examined. In this study, we investigated the effects of sediment accretion and nutrient enrichment on the growth and vegetative propagation of Phalaris arundinacea within a Carex thunbergii stand (one P. arundinacea ramet within 25 C. thunbergii ramets) using a factorial sediment burial (0, 3, and 6 cm) and nutrient addition (low, medium, and high) experimental design. High sediment burial (6 cm) without nutrient addition decreased the aboveground and total biomass of C. thunbergii but did not affect P. arundinacea, indicating that P. arundinacea is more tolerant to sediment burial than C. thunbergii. Moderate sediment burial (3 cm) with nutrient addition enhanced the aboveground and total biomass of P. arundinacea but did not affect C. thunbergii, indicating that P. arundinacea may gain a growth advantage over C. thunbergii under moderate sedimentation. High sediment burial with nutrient addition increased the number of rhizomes and ramets produced by P. arundinacea but did not affect C. thunbergii, indicating that the relative abundance of P. arundinacea may increase within the Carex community under high sedimentation conditions. Based on these results, it can be concluded that an increased sedimentation rate facilitates the invasion of P. arundinacea into Carex grasslands, and this invasion is further enhanced by nutrient enrichment. Therefore, management measures should be taken to reduce the sediment load and nutrient input to prevent Carex grasslands invasion by P. arundinacea and maintain the ecological function of floodplain wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regeneration varies largely among metazoans. Aside molecular processes, this epiphenomenon depends on the biological complexity and evolutive history of each species during the adaptation to their specific environment. While most species adapted to marine or freshwater conditions can extensively regenerate, those adapted to terrestrial conditions and parasitism lost the ability to regenerate. They are mainly represented from ascelmintes evolving eutely and numerous arthropods and amniotes. High regeneration can only occur in water‐adapted species and requires high tissue hydration, indirect development through metamorphosis and often also presence of asexual propagation. Metamorphosis allows the anatomical‐physiological transformation of a larva in an adult through an initial destructive phase followed by a constructive (regenerative) phase. Invertebrates and vertebrates that possess genomes including metamorphic genes can re‐utilize in part or largely similar genes for the regeneration of lost organs. I submit that during land adaptation in both invertebrates and vertebrates the initial larval stages and metamorphosis were lost or altered as some key genes, including those for telomerases, could no longer be expressed in the dry environment. Consequently, also the initial regenerative ability was lost while other epiphenomena were gained, including complex immunity and behaviour but also an evident process of ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various rapid propagation strategies have been discovered, which has facilitated large-scale plant reproduction and cultivar development. These methods, in many plant species, are used to rapidly generate large quantities (900 mini-tubers/m2) of high-quality propagule (free from contamination) at a relatively low cost in a small space. They are also used for plant preservation. This review article aims to provide potential applications for regeneration and clonal propagation. Plant propagation using advanced agrotechnology, such as aeroponics, is becoming increasingly popular among academics and industrialists. The advancement of asexual aeroponic propagation has been achieved through advancements in monitoring and control systems using IoT and smart sensor technology. New sensor technology systems have gained substantial interest in agriculture in recent years. It is used in agriculture to precisely arrange various operations and objectives while harnessing limited resources with minimal human intervention. Modern intelligent technologies and control systems simplify sensor data collection, making it more efficient than manual data collection, which can be slow and prone to errors. Specific ambient variables like temperature, humidity, light intensity, stock solution concentrations (nutrient water), EC (electrical conductivity), pH values, CO2 content, and atomization parameters (frequency and interval) are collected more effectively through these systems. The use of intelligent technologies provides complete control over the system. When combined with IoT, it aids in boosting crop quality and yield while also lowering production costs and providing data directly to tablets and smartphones in aeroponic propagation systems. It can potentially increase the system's productivity and usefulness compared to the older manual monitoring and operating methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The water primrose (Ludwigia peploides) is believed to have been planted as an ornamental aquatic plant in South Korea. It spread to natural ecosystems through rivers, and its distribution is gradually expanding in Suwon, Hwaseong, Busan, and Jeju. However, there has been no specific study on the ecological risk of L. peploides introduced into South Korea. This study, therefore, investigates the distribution status and ecological risks of L. peploides in South Korea through field surveys and allelopathic material analysis, as well as assessing abiotic risk factors. The distribution was confirmed at a total of 19 sites. The species was observed to primarily inhabit aquatic environments but were also observed to inhabit moist terrestrial areas such as riverbanks or wet grasslands. The results of this study are expected to aid in the identification of the current distribution and potential ecological risks of L. peploides in South Korea, providing vital information for the development of effective management strategies. The number of alien species introduced into South Korea continues to increase over the years. In particular, several plants have been introduced as ornamentals. Ludwigia peploides, which is native to the Americas and Australia, is believed to have been planted as an ornamental aquatic plant called "water primrose" and "primrose". It spread to natural ecosystems through rivers, and its distribution is gradually expanding in Suwon, Hwaseong, Busan, and Jeju. However, there has been no specific study on the ecological risk of L. peploides introduced into South Korea. This study, therefore, investigates the distribution status and ecological risks of L. peploides in South Korea through field surveys and allelopathic material analysis, as well as assessing abiotic risk factors. The distribution was confirmed at a total of 19 sites, with high-density mats of a single species forming along the water's edge and on the water surface. The maximum distribution area was 13,922 m2 in Chilgok Reservoir in Anseong. Stems and plant fragments transported along waterways were continuously forming colonies through vegetative propagation. When evaluating the overall risk, it is determined that L. peploides has a high potential to cause significant damage to the ecosystem if not managed promptly. Therefore, continuous monitoring is necessary to effectively manage and prevent the habitat expansion of L. peploides. The results of this study are expected to aid in the identification of the current distribution and potential ecological risks of L. peploides in South Korea, providing essential data for ecological risk assessment and the development of effective management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Clonality is characterized by the formation of independent individuals of the same genotype that are capable of reproducing and propagating vegetatively. Although clonality is an important mechanism that facilitates the persistence of a population, its extensive use can lead to negative impacts on sexual reproduction due to trade-offs in the investment of resources. Therefore, studies on the sexual reproduction of species that exhibit clonality can provide information about resilience to environmental changes, information about fecundity, the risk of the absence of pollinators and the ability to persist in unfavourable conditions and to successfully occupy new areas. Here, we investigated the role of clonal propagation and sexual reproduction in Daphnopsis filipedunculata (Thymelaeaceae), a dioecious species distributed only in Serra dos Carajás. Methods: We evaluated the extent of clonality in this species using molecular tools and anatomical analyses of the underground system responsible for developing new ramets. Furthermore, we analysed the sexual system and its contribution to reproductive success through morphometric analyses of floral types and pollination experiments in the field. Key Results: Overall, we found that clonal propagation plays an important role in maintaining the population of D. filipedunculata. Specifically, we demonstrated that this species presents functional male and female plants, indicating that D. filipedunculata is an obligate xenogamous species but has low reproductive success. We also showed that clonal vegetative propagation is the main form of asexual reproduction in this species, with roots responsible for clonal growth. Finally, our results indicated that this species presents an intermediate phalanx–guerrilla clonal architecture. Conclusions: Our study provides the first insights into sexual reproduction and clonal propagation in D. filipedunculata and can inform management practices, conservation and the restoration of endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted in Idlib Governorate, located in northwestern Syria, during the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. The two types of wild hawthorn, Monogyna hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), and Aronia hawthorn (Crataegus azarolus var. aronia) were propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Two types of treatments were used for sexual propagation by seeds, namely soaking with gibberellin at concentrations of 1000 and 2000 ppm and intervals of 24 and 48 hours, and soaking with sulfuric acid at concentrations of 50% and 98% and intervals of one and two hours. The two treatments were followed by warm stratification for two months, followed by cold stratification for 3 months, while the control treatment was subjected to stratification only. Vegetative propagation was done by cuttings that were dipped in several concentrations of IBA, where concentrations of 4000, 6000, and 8000 ppm were used. The results showed that seed propagation achieved better results than vegetative propagation. The treatment of Monogyna seeds with gibberellin at a concentration of 2000 ppm and during the 48-hour soaking period significantly outperformed all other treatments, with a germination rate of 73.33%. The treatment of Monogyna cuttings at a concentration of 8000 ppm of IBA significantly outperformed the rest of the experimental treatments, with a rooting rate of 16.67%. The Monogyna type significantly outperformed the Aronia type in seed germination rate and rooting rate of cuttings, with values of 40 and 20.42% for seed germination and 8.42 and 5.17% for rooting of cuttings for the two types, respectively. Finally, alternating (warm and cold) seed stratification, treatment with gibberellin or sulfuric acid, and the use of seeds stored in the refrigerator for a full year, played an important role in increasing the germination rate of hawthorn seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The palm Euterpe precatoria holds great social, cultural, and environmental importance. The heart of palm and the fruit are the main products used for industrialization due to their energetic properties. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish a suspension cultivation protocol for the species using different explant sources. For this, eight lineages of E. precatoria embryogenic calluses were tested, with five in liquid medium Murashige and Skoog (MS) with 5 μM Picloram and three for comparison in semisolid medium MS with 20 μM Picloram and 5 μM 2iP. The growth curve was obtained by weighing the calli from 60 to 180 days of cultivation. The Gompertz model was applied, and growth kinetics were evaluated. At 100 days, the contents of total soluble sugars (TSSs) and total soluble proteins (TSPs) were determined. Principal components (PCA) were measured. According to the analysis of the data, the cultivation of E. precatoria lineages in liquid medium was successfully carried out, and the establishment was achieved. The model can be considered adequate since the R2 values found describe more than 90% of the growth kinetics of the lineages. In the liquid system, lineages L1 (from leaf explants and multiplied in semisolid medium—SM), L2 (from leaf explants and multiplied in SM), and L6 (from zygotic embryo explants and multiplied in liquid medium—LM) showed the shortest time to double the biomass accumulation. Multivariate analysis reveals a significant increase in masses in liquid cultures, represented by lineages L6 and L2. There was statistical difference in the amount of TSSs extracted; the highest TSS levels were observed in lineages cultivated in LM. The protein content found was very low, showing statistical differences among the lineages. In this work, the establishment and multiplication of embryogenic calli of E. precatoria are described for the first time, and they emerge as viable alternatives for the vegetative propagation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of the root system of the conilon coffee tree has improved over the years through propagation, genetic, and agronomic studies in response to demands for improvements in plant development, production, and survival of the species. Scientific research plays an important role in generating technologies and the security of applications. However, there is a need to refine the content generated to analyze discoveries and trends on the subject. Therefore, the present study conduct a bibliometric review and analysis on the main contributions of relevant studies, researchers, organizations, and countries in academic research on the rooting of Coffea canephora in the Web of Science (WOS) database. Data from the WOS database published between 1982 and 2021 and systematized in the VOSviewer software showed a set of 92 articles, the majority of which originated in Brazil and France, with the main groups being the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, the Federal University of Viçosa, and CIRAD. The study was divided into five areas: genetic diversity, asexual propagation, nematology, tolerance to water stress, and micropropagation. However, in the context of climate changes and its impact on the production and longevity of Brazilian coffee farming, research focused on the root system has increased significantly, integrating it into lines that explore and integrate topics such as climate risk, water management, drought tolerance, and drip irrigation, including reflections on the performance of coffee agronomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minicutting has been used for several woody species, presenting greater efficiency than propagation by conventional cutting due to its high yield of propagative material and higher percentage of rooting in minicuttings. This work was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of minicutting techniques for the ‘Bluegem’ blueberry and find the best concentration of IBA for rooting the minicuttings. The minigarden was installed in pots using micropropagated plants. Four collections of minicuttings were carried out between 27 October 2020 and 12 April 2021, and received the following treatments: 0; 2000; 4000; 6000; and 8000 mg L−1 of IBA. The minicutting was carried out in a mist chamber and evaluated after 60 days. The yield of minicuttings increased from the first to the third collection, decreasing in the fourth collection when the plants began to enter dormancy. The rooting of the minicuttings was influenced by the collection time and the application of IBA. Increasing IBA concentration increased the percentage of rooted minicuttings and root dry mass to concentrations close to 5000 mg L−1 on almost all collection dates. High concentrations of IBA reduced the percentage of sprouted minicuttings and leaf retention and increased mortality. It is recommended for the ‘Bluegem’ blueberry minicutting to apply 5000 mg L−1 of IBA.

Background: Greater yam is a key staple crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions, while its asexual propagation mode had led to non-flowering mutations. How transposable elements contribute to its genetic variations is rarely analyzed. We used transcriptome and whole genome sequencing data to identify active transposable elements (TEs) and genetic variation caused by these active TEs. Our aim was to shed light on which TEs would lead to its intraspecies variation. Results: Annotation of de novo assembly transcripts indicated that 0.8 − 0.9% of transcripts were TE related, with LTR retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) accounted for 65% TE transcripts. A large portion of these transcripts were non-autonomous TEs, which had incomplete functional domains. The majority of mapped transcripts were distributed in genic deficient regions, with 9% of TEs overlapping with genic regions. Moreover, over 90% TE transcripts exhibited low expression levels and insufficient reads coverage to support full-length structure assembly. Subfamily analysis of Copia and Gypsy, the two LTR-RTs revealed that a small number of subfamilies contained a significantly larger number of members, which play a key role in generating TE transcript. Based on resequencing data, 15,002 L-RT insertion loci were detected for active LTR-RT members. The insertion loci of LTR-RTs were highly divergent among greater yam accessions. Conclusions: This study showed the ongoing transcription and transpositions of TEs in greater yam, despite low transcription levels and incomplete proteins insufficient for autonomous transposition. While our research did not directly link these TEs to specific yam traits such as tuber yield and propagation mode, it lays a crucial foundation for further research on how these TE insertion polymorphisms (TIPs) might be related to variations in greater yam traits and its tuber propagation mode. Future research may explore the potential roles of TEs in trait variations, such as tuber yield and stress resistance, in greater yam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The floral biology of Calamus is relatively unknown except for several species. In this study, Calamus lobbianus and Calamus pygmaeus were selected to represent the non-climbing rattan of the Sundaland's flagellate group. Observations on phenology, floral rewards and floral visitors as well as experiments on the breeding mechanism and operational sex ratio were performed for both species. For both species, anthesis started in the early morning for pistillate and staminate plants, ended by late noon (staminate plants) but lasted till the next day in pistillate plants for both species. Although both species appeared to be aseasonal in flowering, C. lobbianus exhibited a male-biased population while C. pygmaeus did not exhibit any sex bias. Nectar was observed to be extruded from the base of the petals of C. lobbianus of the staminate flowers and sterile staminate flowers of the pistillate plants. The concentration and volume of the nectar of the staminate flower and sterile staminate flower of C. lobbianus peaked at c. 11% and 9 pL around 1100 (Day 1) and c. 13% and 8 pL around 0930 (Day 1), respectively, but only appeared as a layer of glistening exudate in C. pygmaeus. Floral scent was not detected in any of the inflorescences of both species. Several insect visitors were observed to be the primary visitors of both Calamus species which include two species of Tetragonula, a species of Liostenogaster sp., and Stenodyneriellus sp. Experiments on breeding mechanism of C. lobbianus and C. pygmaeus indicate that both species are most likely apomictic. C. pygmaeus is capable of vegetative propagation through the rooting at the tip of inflorescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minicutting has been used for several woody species, presenting greater efficiency than propagation by conventional cutting due to its high yield of propagative material and higher percentage of rooting in minicuttings. This work was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of minicutting techniques for the 'Bluegem' blueberry and find the best concentration of IBA for rooting the minicuttings. The minigarden was installed in pots using micropropagated plants. Four collections of minicuttings were carried out between 27 October 2020 and 12 April 2021, and received the following treatments: 0; 2000; 4000; 6000; and 8000 mg L−1 of IBA. The minicutting was carried out in a mist chamber and evaluated after 60 days. The yield of minicuttings increased from the first to the third collection, decreasing in the fourth collection when the plants began to enter dormancy. The rooting of the minicuttings was influenced by the collection time and the application of IBA. Increasing IBA concentration increased the percentage of rooted minicuttings and root dry mass to concentrations close to 5000 mg L−1 on almost all collection dates. High concentrations of IBA reduced the percentage of sprouted minicuttings and leaf retention and increased mortality. It is recommended for the 'Bluegem' blueberry minicutting to apply 5000 mg L−1 of IBA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pursuing efficient guava (Psidium guajava) cultivation, clonal propagation stands out for maintaining fruit quality and genetic uniformity. However, traditional methods like air layering could be more practical for mass production. The present study aimed to address the challenge of enhancing the rooting ability of guava stem cuttings without relying on labour-intensive auxin treatments under shade net environments in North Indian conditions. The study explores the natural augmentation of auxin levels through zinc application, considering zinc's pivotal role in auxin synthesis. The experiment involved foliar and basal zinc application on stem cuttings, evaluating various zinc sulphate concentrations. Notably, basal application of 75g zinc sulphate/tree significantly improved rooting and survival percentages, increasing by 52.13% and 79.92%, respectively. Root initiation was expedited to 22.25 days. Additionally, treated samples exhibited a 7.66 cm increase in average root length and a 1.52 g increase in root fresh weight compared to the control. Intriguingly, the most favourable results occurred when untreated stem cuttings were subsequently treated with IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) at 5000 ppm. These findings highlight the potential of zinc application for naturally enhancing auxin levels, providing valuable insights for optimizing guava propagation efficiency. Moreover, zinc was reported to enhance the efficiency of auxin transport within plants. Specialized carrier proteins mediate auxin transport, and zinc was shown to influence the expression and activity of these transport proteins. Zinc can distribute auxin throughout the plant by promoting auxin transport from source to sink tissues, enhancing root growth and overall development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to compare two methods of avocado graft development to determine levels of indirect resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi. It was found that the etiolated graft method presented faster growth and greater uniformity in the lesions generated by the pathogen, which allowed for discrimination of resistance levels among genotypes. Additionally, the process of seed conditioning and production of West Indian avocado rootstocks in Colombia is described, as well as the vegetative propagation method of two avocado genotypes. A study on the development of Hass and Duke-7 avocado shoots using different methods is also presented, as well as another study on the development of the disease caused by the P. cinnamomi pathogen in avocado grafts. Finally, the potential use of avocado germplasm as rootstocks for soil stress conditions is mentioned, and other aspects related to avocado cultivation are discussed. [Extracted from the article]

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Adventitious root (AR) formation is one of the most important developmental processes in vegetative propagation. Although genotypic differences in rose rooting ability are well known, the causal factors are not well understood. The rooting of two contrasting genotypes, 'Herzogin Friederike' and 'Mariatheresia', was compared following a multiscale approach. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we non-invasively monitored the inner structure of stem cuttings during initiation and progression of AR formation for the first time. Spatially resolved Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy characterized the chemical composition of the tissues involved in AR formation. The results were validated through light microscopy and complemented by immunolabelling. The outcome demonstrated similarity of both genotypes in root primordia formation, which did not result in root protrusion through the shoot cortex in the difficult-to-root genotype 'Mariatheresia'. The biochemical composition of the contrasting genotypes highlighted main differences in cell wall-associated components. Further spectroscopic analysis of 15 contrasting rose genotypes confirmed the biochemical differences between easy- and difficult-to-root groups. Collectively, our data indicate that it is not the lack of root primordia limiting AR formation in these rose genotypes, but the firmness of the outer stem tissue and/or cell wall modifications that pose a mechanical barrier and prevent root extension and protrusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelargoniums cultivated for ornamental purposes rely on efficient vegetative propagation. This study researched applicability of chlorophyll fluorescence for validating the physiological conditions of pelargonium cuttings. Results indicated a correlation between the chlorophyll fluorescence and rooting potential. The ET0/RC values were negatively correlated with the rooting efficiency between the varieties and the duration of cold storage. A negative correlation was observed between OJIP parameters, representing energy flow in thylakoids, and chlorophyll content in cuttings with lower nutritional status. The phenomenological energy fluxes for leaf cross-sections and the number of active PSII reaction centers in the not-excited state (RC/CS0) increase with raised chlorophyll concentration. This imply the influence of rooting ability on the demand for photoassimilates in pelargonium cuttings, which can be detected early on through chlorophyll fluorescence analysis but not chlorophyll content measurements. Chlorophyll fluorescence evaluation, along with specific OJIP test parameters such as the performance indices PIABS and PItotal, prove useful for predicting rooting efficiency in relation to the nutritional status of cuttings, suggesting the effects of cuttings cold storage and discerning varietal differences in rooting. This study establishes the pragmatic application of chlorophyll fluorescence assessment for elucidating the physiological intricacies of pelargonium cuttings and factors influencing rooting efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a key crop within the Solanaceae family and ranks as the most significant non-cereal crop globally following major staples such as wheat, rice, and corn. Potatoes can reproduce sexually and asexually via tubers, and plant tissue culture is emerging as an effective method for vegetative propagation, addressing the increasing global demand for agricultural products. Ethylene, a critical plant growth regulator, influences various physiological processes including growth and development. During in vitro culture and due to the wounding of explants, ethylene accumulation can lead to abnormal biological responses, with potato seedlings being susceptible. Thus, investigating the effects of ethylene biosynthesis inhibitors such as pyrazinamide (PZA) and AgNO3 on potato growth in vitro is essential. Material and Methods: In this study, potato seedlings were cultivated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, with concentrations of PZA ranging from 0 to 6 mg L-1 and AgNO3 at 2 mg L-1. After four weeks, the seedlings were harvested and stored at -70°C for later analysis. The growth parameters measured included fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), stem and root lengths, leaf area, and leaf and root number. In addition, biochemical parameters, such as photosynthetic pigment levels, total phenol content (TPC), total reactive oxygen species (ROS), and proline concentration were analyzed. Statistical evaluations were conducted using SPSS and PAST software Results: The results showed that the 2 mg L-1 PZA treatment led to the highest FW and DW and increased leaf numbers; however, it was also correlated with a lower number of rooted plants. Conversely, treatments with 6 mg L-1 PZA promoted longer stem growth, whereas control plants exhibited the largest leaf area, and AgNO3-treated plants produced the longest roots. The accumulation of H2O2 in plants treated with ethylene inhibitors was like controls, but total ROS levels soared by 36% in those treated with 6 mg L-1 PZA compared to controls. This suggests a link between reduced ethylene production, oxidative stress mitigation, and enhanced potato growth. Additionally, total ROS was positively correlated with stem length, but negatively correlated with root length. Plants use several strategies to combat the damaging effects of ROS, such as the production of antioxidant compounds such as phenolics. Although PZA did not significantly alter TPC compared to controls, treatment with AgNO3 caused a 61% reduction in TPC. Therefore, PZA did not appear to significantly affect phenolics production in the potato seedlings. Proline, another critical antioxidant in plants, was found to accumulate significantly in the leaves of plants treated with 6 mg L-1 PZA, which was more than 2.3 times higher than that in controls. This accumulation correlated positively with ROS levels at higher PZA concentrations but showed an inverse relationship with photosynthetic pigment levels. The PCA revealed the relationships between the measured parameters and the applied elicitors. The samples were categorized into four distinct groups: 1. Control group: This group primarily exhibited higher FW, DW, and longer roots compared to the treated plants. 2. Low PZA dose group: These plants displayed elevated levels of photosynthetic pigments, TPC, and leaf area. 3. Medium PZA dose group: Correlations were observed with an increased number of roots. 4. 6 mg L-1 PZA and AgNO3 group: These samples contained elevated levels of total ROS and proline. Conclusion: The study concludes that low concentrations of PZA can stimulate growth while inhibiting ethylene production, resulting in fewer growth abnormalities compared to control plants. However, at elevated PZA concentrations, increased ROS levels may lead to oxidative stress, emphasizing the delicate balance in ethylene's role in plant growth and the necessity for further research to optimize conditions for potato cultivation in vitro. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how ethylene inhibitors can enhance potato propagation and possibly other crops in controlled agricultural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lilium (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.) belongs to the family Liliaceae and is a native of Northern Hemisphere (up to South Canada and Siberia). Conventionally, lilium can easily be propagated by sexual and asexual methods of propagation but these prevalent methods are not capable of meeting the increasing demand in domestic and global market. Generally, lilium is propagated through bulbs which has bottlenecks like high cost of planting material, infected from seed borne and other diseases like mosaic, grey mould, etc. So, in vitro multiplication of lilium is utmost important. Lily can be easily regenerated from explants The objective of present study was to identify the best media and the explant among scales and nodal segments belonging to the three different cultivars viz., Elite, Brunello, Cordelia where maximum number of shoots could be regenerated. Methods: The present investigation was carried out in the Tissue Culture Laboratory of the Centre for Research and Application in Plant Tissue Culture. Twenty-five media combinations were used to study their effect on in vitro shoot regeneration from various explants of Lilium longiflorum cultivars. Two type of explants viz. scales and nodal segments were aseptically excised from Elite, Brunello, Cordelia cultivars of Lilum and cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentrations and combinations of 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP), kinetin and Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA). Result: In cultivars Elite and Brunello, the maximum number of shoots were observed when nodal segments were used on media combination i.e., LM-8 (MS+BAP 3.0 mg/l+NAA0.1 mg/l). In cultivar Cordelia, scales showed the maximum response on media LM-24 (MS+Kinetin 2.0 mg/l+NAA 0.1 mg/l). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pogostemon cablin, an oil-producing plant, proceeded vegetative propagation due to limited natural pollination, leading to lower genetic variations. The presented study investigated the morphological diversity and productivity, specifically the ninth mutant vegetative (MV9) generation resulting from polyploid mutation induced by colchicine in the P. cablin var. Sidikalang. The study transpired between August 2022 and April 2023 at the Tissue Culture Laboratory, the Cikabayan Experimental Station, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia. The experiment had a randomized complete block design (RCBD) arrangement with eight genotypes, including control as the single factor and three replications. Various characteristic measurements included essential oil yield growth and potential. The findings revealed that aneuploid mutants exhibited more leaves, primary, and secondary branches than the control plants and polyploid mutants (P < 0.05). Polyploid mutants (tetraploid and mixoploid) displayed longer and broader leaves, larger leaf surfaces, thicker leaves, and greater stem diameter (P < 0.05). Accumulation of leaves, primary, and secondary branches caused an increase in the patchouli plant's fresh weight. Patchouli oil production per hectare indicated a correlation to leaf number (r = 0.48), primary branches (r = 0.41), secondary branches (r = 0.48), and essential oil yield (r = 0.87). The study also revealed the considerable genetic diversity among the patchouli mutants, paving the way to develop promising new plant lines, specifically to obtain superior patchouli with the highest biomass and oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (E. ulmoides) is rich in a variety of medicinally active compounds which have a very high economic value. Various types of explants (stem, stem with axillary bud, terminal bud, and leaves) were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different types and concentrations of growth regulators. The present study found that the cultured stem explants induced callus. Terminal bud and the stem with axillary bud–cultured explants induced clustered regenerated plantlets. The terminal bud was designated as clustered regenerated plantlets I after culture, while the stem with axillary bud was labeled as clustered regenerated plantlets II after culture. The highest induction rate of clustered regenerated plantlets was 66.67% after culture on medium supplemented with 0.5 mg ּL−1 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) and 0.01 mg ּL−1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest induction rate of callus tissue was 80.66% following culture on medium containing 0.09 mg ּL−1 NAA and 0.5 mg ּL−1 6-BA. The medicinal active ingredients of clustered regenerated plantlets and callus tissue were compared with those in natural seedlings and demonstrated that there was little difference in the types of compounds between clustered regenerated plantlets and natural seedlings. The contents of phenylpropanoids, phenols, flavonoids, lignin, and iridoids in different induced tissues were determined and showed that the best material for obtaining lignin compounds was clustered regenerated plantlets induced by terminal bud, and the best material for obtaining phenylpropanoids, phenols, and iridoids was clustered regenerated plantlets induced by stems with axillary bud. The theoretical basis and technical support provided in this study are essential for the establishment of an asexual propagation system for E. ulmoides and the commercial regeneration of plants. Furthermore, in vitro culture can efficiently produce a significant amount of medicinally active components, thereby decreasing reliance on wild resources. Research on the variations of medicinal components in E. ulmoides not only offers a theoretical foundation but also supplies experimental materials for the development of novel drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost all pineapple crops in Brazil are grown using the cultivar Perola. This scenario can be changed through the development of new cultivars with better fruit quality and resistance. The novel approach of the present study was to select pineapple clones that combine both resistance to fusariosis and characteristics related to plant and fruit quality as alternatives to the traditional cultivar Perola. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to estimate genetic parameters and select clones through the REML/BLUP methodology, based on morpho-agronomic characteristics and resistance to fusariosis. Thus, a selection index was used for quantitative characteristics and, later, for qualitative characteristics, such as fruit quality, presence or absence of leaf spines, and resistance to fusariosis. Significant differences were found for most variables, denoting genetic variability among the evaluated clones. Fruit weight with and without crown and D-leaf length presented the highest heritability estimates (above 50%); however, fruit length, mean fruit diameter, soluble solids, titratable acidity, plant height, and number of active leaves presented the lowest heritability estimates due to greater residual variances. Characteristics related to plant and fruit development are strongly affected by the environment and may result in phenotypic changes. Dominance variance was higher than additive variance, which enables the obtaining of heterosis through vegetative propagation. Eleven out of the 20 superior selected clones presented absence of leaf spines and multiple crowns, higher fruit weight and soluble solids content, and desirable fruit shape and pulp color; seven of them showed resistance to fusariosis, making them suitable for final testing for release as new cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful invasion of biological entities does not merely depend on the rigorous habitat attributes of invaded regions, besides, the intrinsic traits of the invader species also play a significant role in the process of invasion. Evaluation of plants' functioning across habitats helps in understanding which traits are contributing to invasion success in response to changing environmental factors as well as the habitat preference and vulnerability of invasive plants. This study analyzed the effects of forest types on the growth and reproduction capacity of a dreadful invasive alien weed Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) King and Rob. Different forest types selected for the present study were Sal, Sal-mixed, Chir-Pine, Banj-Oak, Cypress, and Kharsu-Oak forests in Kumaun Himalaya, India. At each forest site, twenty-four 1 × 1 m size quadrats were randomly laid during the peak growth period of A. adenophora (mid-March–April). The numbers of A. adenophora individuals/quadrats were also counted to compute the density of this weed in each forest type. Three plants were chosen at random from each quadrat and uprooted carefully followed by their morphological and reproductive traits assessment in each forest type following standard methods. To check the variability in soil physicochemical properties, the soil was collected from the surface layer (0–15 cm depth) of each forest type in replicates of three using soil corer. Other environmental variables like aspect, elevation, and solar irradiance were also recorded for selected forest types. ANOVA results showed a significant effect of forest types on all the measured plant traits except root length (p = 0.427), root/shoot ratio (p = 0.201), and root weight ratio (p = 0.225). Soil physicochemical properties also showed considerable variations across forest types except for soil pH. The maximum density (109 individuals/m2), plant height, (149.6 cm/plant), aboveground biomass (19.59 g/plant), and belowground biomass (2.82 g/plant) were recorded in the Cypress forest population, while the lowest growth was recorded in the Kharsu-Oak forest population with 10 individuals/m2 density, 57.94 cm plant height, 3.36 g aboveground biomass, and 0.30 g belowground biomass/plant. Generally, A. adenophora allocated maximum biomass to shoots (57–81%), thus increasing carbon assimilation, while minimum biomass was allocated to reproductive parts (0–17%) indicating higher growth through vegetative propagation. Leaf area was highest in the Banj-Oak forest (2266.04 cm2), while reproductive performance in terms of seed numbers (13,646 seeds/plant), seed weight (0.54 g/plant), and reproductive index (119.26) was highest in the Sal-mixed forest. This study concluded that A. adenophora acclimates to heterogeneous environments in different forest ecosystems through higher plasticity in most of the observed traits. The maximum growth performance of A. adenophora recorded in open-canopied Cypress forest suggested some kind of shade treatment before the emergence of the invader as a control measure to check the invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between Castanea sativa Mill. and Castanea crenata Siebold & Zucc. × Castanea sativa Mill. in rooting ability in relation to endogenous levels of auxin, auxin cofactors and inhibitors that influence rooting success. Leafy cuttings of the two commercial cultivars 'Marsol' and 'Maraval' (Castanea crenata × Castanea sativa) and the native accession 'Kozjak' (Castanea sativa) were analyzed. Endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentration was assessed at the beginning of propagation (day 0); in addition, strigolactones, flavonoids, rooting ability and quality were assessed 120 days after. The concentration of endogenous IAA in 'Maraval' (324.34 ± 28.66 ng g−1) and 'Marsol' (251.60 ± 35.44 ng g−1) was significantly higher than in 'Kozjak' (112.87 ± 35.44 ng g−1). The best rooting result was observed with the genotypes 'Maraval' (100.00 ± 0.00%) and 'Marsol' (90.48 ± 6.15%). A significantly lower strigol concentration was observed in the roots of 'Maraval' (75.54 ± 17.93 ng g−1) compared with other genotypes. The total flavonoid concentration in 'Maraval' was significantly higher (2794.99 ± 187.13 μg g−1) than in 'Kozjak' (1057.38 ± 61.05 μg g−1). Our results indicate that the concentration of endogenous IAA has a significant influence on rooting success. The results further indicate that in the case of flavonoids and strigolactones, not only the individual compounds but also their ratio is important for rooting success. Correlation coefficients calculated between analyzed compounds and rooting success point toward specific functions of flavonoids and strigolactones in the rooting of Castanea that need to be functionally analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hesperis isatidea (Boiss.) D.A.German & Al-Shehbaz, a member of the Brassicaceae family, represents a distinctive natural species characterized by its fragrant, conspicuous inflorescences, unique flower coloration, and distinct feather-like foliage. The Turkish name of the species is known as 'Allı Gelin'. This species is native, exhibiting resilience to drought conditions and requiring minimal care. Cultivation studies on this species were carried out at Erzincan Horticultural Research Institute (Türkiye) with project number 106G022 within the scope of TÜBİTAK (Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council). The research aimed to determine optimal production techniques through generative and vegetative propagation methods. The project, initiated in 2013 and concluded in 2022, focused on developing a cultivar of the 'Allı Gelin' plant using single selection breeding techniques. Thirteen populations of 'Allı Gelin' from institute's gene pool were utilized. Employing the single selection method, four distinct lines were identified: compact, tightly spread compact, pyramid-1 and pyramid-2 shaped. Subsequent baby plant tests revealed stability in the tightly spread compact and pyramid-1 lines, leading to their selection for further breeding. Although breeding efforts continued on the compact line, the pyramid-2 line was discontinued due to an inability to attain the desired stability. The successfully tested variants, namely the pyramid-1 and tightly spread compact forms, have been earmarked as candidates for outdoor ornamental plant varieties. Registration procedures for these candidates are underway. These new varieties promise to enrich diversity within the ornamental plants sector, potentially enhancing competitiveness in foreign markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most wild rose species in the Netherlands belong to Rosa section Caninae (dogroses), with Rosa arvensis (section Synstylae) and Rosa spinosissima (section Pimpinellifoliae) as other indigenous species. All species are rare, often found in small populations or as scattered individuals, except for Rosa canina and Rosa corymbifera. Conservation strategies have been developed for these roses, with a focus on ex situ methods, including clonal archives and seed orchards, using vegetative propagation from the original shrubs. Efficient collection management aims at preservation of maximum genetic diversity with a minimum of duplicated genotypes. However, dogrose taxonomy is complex because of species hybridization, different ploidy levels, and their matroclinal inheritance due to Canina meiosis. They can also reproduce vegetatively through root suckers. In order to assess the genetic structure and the levels of genetic diversity and clonality within and among the wild rose populations in the Netherlands, we genotyped individuals in wild populations and accessions in the ex situ gene bank with 10 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. The analysis revealed 337 distinct multilocus genotypes (MLGs) from 511 sampled individuals, with some MLGs shared across different species and sites. The genetic structure analysis showed distinct clusters separating non-dogrose species from the Caninae section. Geographic distribution of MLGs indicated both local and widespread occurrences. Redundancy analysis identified 152 distinct MLGs from 244 gene bank accessions, suggesting a 38% redundancy rate. Core collections were optimized to retain genetic diversity with minimal redundancy, selecting subsets of 20–40 individuals from different species groups. The study highlights the value of genetic characterization in guiding sampling strategies for dogroses. We propose a two-step approach that may be used to reveal clonality and redundancy and to optimize core collections of species that combine sexual and vegetative reproduction, to maximize genetic capture in ex situ gene banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: The pyroligneous acid of Acacia mearnsii enhanced the rooting, promoted higher carbon allocation and quality of rooted cuttings representing a novel, natural input for subtropical Eucalyptus clone production. The development of strategies aimed at optimizing the clonal propagation of Eucalyptus species, especially those that are difficult to root, is of great importance. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of applying different concentrations of the pyroligneous acid (PA) of Acacia mearnsii De Wild, through foliar spraying, on mini-cuttings of E. benthamii, E. dunnii, and the hybrid, E. urophylla × E. dunnii, during the summer and winter periods in southern Brazil. The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse in a factorial scheme, testing four PA concentrations (0 [control], 2%, 4%, and 6%) and five clones, E. benthamii (B1 and B2), E. dunnii (D1 and D2), and E. urophylla × E. dunnii (UD). Thirty days after staking, the percentage survival of the mini-cuttings was evaluated, and at 50 days, adventitious rooting and callogenesis, as well as the morphological attributes of the mini-cuttings were evaluated. Chemical analysis of the PA revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, primarily syringol, pyrocatechol, and guaiacol derivatives. The PA of A. mearnsii was shown to be a potential alternative input for maximizing the rooting percentages of subtropical Eucalyptus clones that are difficult to propagate. PA contributed to greater allocation of dry matter and quality (Dickson Quality Index) of clonal seedlings, except for clone D2. Spraying concentrations between 2 and 4% PA, applied twice a week, optimized the subtropical eucalyptus mini-cuttings, with the dose of maximum technical efficiency being (DMTE) estimated between 3.5 and 4.5% PA. PA represents a novel, natural input for the production of clones of E. benthamii, E. dunnii, and the hybrid, E. urophylla × E. dunnii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rejuvenation refers to the transition from the state of mature to juvenile. Many ancient Cinnamomum camphora have aged and died due to climatic and anthropic factors. Vegetative propagation can protect valuable germplasm resources. In this study, a 2000-year-old ancient C. camphora and its 2-year-old cutting plantlets were selected as experimental materials. The results indicated that the number of leaves with palisade tissue (Pal) cell layers was different between samples, with two layers in the rejuvenated leaves (RLs) and one layer in the mature leaves (MLs) and young leaves (YLs). Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), isopentenyladenine (iP) and isopentenyladenosine (iPR) concentrations were significantly higher in RLs than in MLs and YLs, but the abscisic acid (ABA) concentration was lower. Targeted metabolome analysis identified 293 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs). Meanwhile, a total of 5241 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by transcriptome sequencing. According to the KEGG analysis, there were seven important enriched pathways in the MLs, RLs and YLs, including plant hormone signal transduction (57 DEGs), plant–pathogen interaction (56 DEGs) and MAPK signaling pathway–plant (36 DEGs). KEGG enrichment conjoint analyses of DEGs and DAMs identified 16 common pathways. Integrated analyses of cytological, hormone, metabolome and transcriptome elements can provide a research basis in regard to the rejuvenation regulatory mechanism of ancient C. camphora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive research has been conducted on the in vitro mass propagation of pear (Pyrus spp.) trees through vegetative propagation, demonstrating high efficiency in shoot multiplication across various pear species. However, the low in vitro rooting rates remain a significant barrier to the practical application and commercialization of mass propagation. This study aims to determine the favorable conditions for inducing root formation in the in vitro microshoots of Pyrus genotypes. The base of the microshoots was exposed to a high concentration (2 mg L−1) of auxins (a combination of IBA and NAA) for initial root induction at the moment when callus formation begins. The microshoots were then transferred to an R1 medium (1/2 MS with 30 g L−1 sucrose without PGRs) to promote root development. This method successfully induced rooting in three European pear varieties, one Asian pear variety, and a European–Asian hybrid, resulting in rooting rates of 66.7%, 87.2%, and 100% for the European pear (P. communis), 60% for the Asian pear (P. pyrifolia), and 83.3% for the hybrid pear (P. pyrifolia × P. communis) with an average of 25 days. In contrast, the control group (MS medium) exhibited rooting rates of 0–13.3% after 60 days of culture. These findings will enhance in vitro root induction for various pear varieties and support the mass propagation and acclimatization of pear. The in vitro root induction method developed in this study has the potential for global commercial application in pear cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The predominance of sex in eukaryotes, despite the high costs of meiosis and mating, remains an evolutionary enigma. Many theories have been proposed, none of them being conclusive on its own, and they are, in part, not well applicable to land plants. Sexual reproduction is obligate in embryophytes for the great majority of species. Scope This review compares the main forms of sexual and asexual reproduction in ferns and angiosperms, based on the generation cycling of sporophyte and gametophyte (leaving vegetative propagation aside). The benefits of sexual reproduction for maintenance of genomic integrity in comparison to asexuality are discussed in the light of developmental, evolutionary, genetic and phylogenetic studies. Conclusions Asexual reproduction represents modifications of the sexual pathway, with various forms of facultative sexuality. For sexual land plants, meiosis provides direct DNA repair mechanisms for oxidative damage in reproductive tissues. The ploidy alternations of meiosis–syngamy cycles and prolonged multicellular stages in the haploid phase in the gametophytes provide a high efficiency of purifying selection against recessive deleterious mutations. Asexual lineages might buffer effects of such mutations via polyploidy and can purge the mutational load via facultative sexuality. The role of organelle–nuclear genome compatibility for maintenance of genome integrity is not well understood. In plants in general, the costs of mating are low because of predominant hermaphroditism. Phylogenetic patterns in the archaeplastid clade suggest that high frequencies of sexuality in land plants are concomitant with a stepwise increase of intrinsic and extrinsic stress factors. Furthermore, expansion of genome size in land plants would increase the potential mutational load. Sexual reproduction appears to be essential for keeping long-term genomic integrity, and only rare combinations of extrinsic and intrinsic factors allow for shifts to asexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cinnamomum zeylanicum provides numerous health benefits linked to its phytochemical composition, which varies by maturity, storage conditions, and genotypes. As previous studies have not examined how these factors affect the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties of C. zeylanicum, this study aims to address this gap and explore its broader applications. Both leaves and bark of seed-propagated (N) and vegetatively propagated varieties, Sri Gemunu (G) and Sri Vijaya (V) were used in the study. Three maturity stages, i.e.: 1-3 years (M3), 3-5 years (M2), and >5 years (M1) were subjected to the analysis in each case. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays, considering storage conditions (room temperature, 4°C) and storage duration of 1 week to 12 months. The most promising samples were then evaluated for antimicrobial and anticancer activity against MCF-7 and Hep-G2 cells. The results showed that NM1 leaves displayed heightened RSA [IC50 : 0.27 ± 0.04 mgmL-1] whereas NM1 bark gave varied radical scavenging activity (RSA) values exhibiting the highest RSA (0.60 ± 0.09 mgmL-1). Maturity-influenced antioxidant activity of GM1 leaves exhibited the highest FRAP values at 2358.8 µmol FeSO4/g dry weight (DW). Bark of GM1 recorded FRAP value of 2770.0 ± 3.19 µmol FeSO4/g DW. Enhanced methanolic extracts (MeOH-Ex) from NM1 leaves and the bark demonstrated potent antimicrobial effects, inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 2.5 mgmL-1) and displaying robust anti-fungal activity against Candida albicans (MIC: 0.078 µgmL-1). In addition, MeOH-Ex of leaves showed the most potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells, Hep-G2 (cell viability: 11.53 ± 0.63%) after 48 hours. The research underscores the remarkable antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties in C. zeylanicum leaves and bark, in NM1. This highlights the health benefits of seed-propagated C. zeylanicum over G and V varieties, offering valuable insights for future research and product development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is devoted to analysing the impact of modern breeding measures in forestry on the level of genetic diversity of forest tree species. It has been found that the main source of improved seed material for the genetic restoration of forests is base forest seed orchards. Aspects of the influence of determining factors - background pollination and the number of clones - on the indicators of genetic variability of progeny have been analysed in detail. The potential of background pollination in forest seed orchards in the context of a significant decrease in the effectiveness of breeding measures and a parallel increase in the level of genetic variability of progeny has been studied. An analysis of data on the minimum number of clones in seed orchards has been carried out based on the practical experience of other developed countries. The dynamics of clone variability in terms of fertility have been investigated. The potential impact of clonal selection on the genetic diversity of tree species, particularly in reducing it, has been identified. It has been confirmed that integrating the concept of family forestry, which involves the use of vegetative propagation techniques, into the breeding strategy significantly increases the level of genetic variability in progeny. The study has demonstrated that the multiple-population breeding system provides the optimal preconditions for synergising the process of long-term intensive breeding and preserving the gene pool of tree species. It has been determined that there is no negative impact on genetic diversity from implementing a complex of optimally planned breeding programs. At the same time, the potential for intensifying the quality of gene pool conservation in the process of forest ecosystem restoration through the use of improved seed material and clones in artificial orchards has been established. Special attention is given to the maintenance of ex situ - valuable genetic material in forest seed production facilities, including forest seed orchards, trial cultures, and clone archives of plus trees. Research has shown that the implementation of modern innovative solutions and scientific recommendations can minimise the loss of genetic diversity in forest tree species. The results can be applied in contemporary forestry breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal areas are among the planet's most dynamic yet vulnerable environments, the shape of sand dunes being typically modeled by two sets of forces: the relatively constant action of wind and waves and the disturbances caused by infrequent but powerful storms. These meteorological events affect the plant communities, but can also play an important role in the long-distance dispersal of some psammophytes. Plants can be exposed, uprooted, broke apart and spread by wind and waves. Then, depending on the resilience of the plant to seawater temperature, the duration of immersion, the type of fragment transported and the suitability of the new habitat, new population can be established. This study aimed to assess the resilience to seawater immersion and the ability of long-distance dispersal of three psammophytes: Convolvulus persicus, Alyssum borzaeanum, and Silene thymifolia. The experiments tested the viability of vegetative fragments and the reproductive capacity of seeds under different exposure periods (5, 10, and 15 days) and temperature conditions: 4 °C (average surface seawater temperature during winter and early spring when storms on the Black Sea Coast occur), 13 °C (average surface seawater temperature), and 23 °C (average summer surface seawater temperature). The increase of both seawater temperature and the exposure time had a significant negative influence on the viability of the vegetative fragments and on germination capacity. After exposure to seawater, Convolvulus persicus, and Silene thymifolia are able to establish new populations through vegetative fragments or seeds, whilst in case of Alyssum borzaeanum, no vegetative regeneration was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustained higher profitability of a pomegranate orchard relies heavily on the production of a greater proportion of high-quality fruits, a goal achievable through the implementation of effective management practices. The objective of this study is to provide site-specific supplementary knowledge regarding the response of pomegranate plants to various management practices under arid conditions. With the aim of enhancing both marketable fruit yield and quality of pomegranate in arid regions, four separate and simultaneous experiments were conducted in the same orchard to evaluate (i) the response of planting materials derived from tissue culture, air layering, and cutting; (ii) the impact of crop (fruit) load; (iii) the response of crop regulation; and (iv) the application response of organo-mineral fertilizers containing potassium (OMF-K) and phosphorus (OMF-P). The results obtained for plant growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality did not exhibit significant differences among pomegranate plants raised through the three different methods of vegetative propagation. Striking results in terms of producing superior-grade fruits, higher marketable yield, and overall fruit quality were achieved with crop loads of 80 fruits per plant. Staggering the crop regulation from June to September effectively extended the harvesting season to four months, from the last week of November to March, with eventual benefit of reduced fruit cracking compared to the standard two-month harvesting period obtained from normal regulation. Soil application of the indigenously developed OMF-K in two equal splits, along with the recommended N and P through inorganic sources, significantly reduced fruit cracking (only 6.23%) compared to the recommended NPK through inorganic sources (26.9%), while maintaining similar physicochemical quality attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virus infection is one of the major constraints in garlic production since the viruses are readily accumulated on vegetative propagation material (bulbs). This research aimed to detect garlic common latent virus (GCLV), shallot latent virus (SLV), onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV), and leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV) infecting local garlic as seed bulb and imported garlic as consumption bulb. Seed bulb samples were obtained from seed breeders in several garlic growing centers in Indonesia. In contrast, consumption bulb samples were obtained from plant quarantine warehouses and three local markets in Bogor. Some bulb samples were used for morphological observations, and some were germinated in the laboratory until the leaves emerged. Leaves were collected for virus detection by RT-PCR using specific primers for GCLV, SLV, OYDV, and LYSV. Seed and consumption bulbs have differences in their morphological characteristics, especially in the type of neck hardness and the size of the bulb diameter. OYDV and LYSV infections were successfully detected in seed and consumption bulbs, while SLV was only found in consumption bulbs. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that SLV from consumption bulbs formed one group, GCLV from seed bulbs formed one group, while OYDV and LYSV from seed and consumption bulbs were in different groups, indicating that the viruses came from different strains. Further research through high-throughput detection methods and providing virus-free planting material are needed to anticipate the spread of new strains of garlic viruses in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of pineapple (Ananas comosus) is threatened worldwide by mealybug wilt disease of pineapple (MWP), whose etiology is not yet fully elucidated. In this study, we characterized pineapple mealybug wilt-associated ampeloviruses (PMWaVs, family Closteroviridae) from a diseased pineapple plant collected from Reunion Island, using a high-throughput sequencing approach combining Illumina short reads and Nanopore long reads. Reads co-assembly resulted in complete or near-complete genomes for six distinct ampeloviruses, including the first complete genome of pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 5 (PMWaV5) and that of a new species tentatively named pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 7 (PMWaV7). Short reads data provided high genome coverage and sequencing depths for all six viral genomes, contrary to long reads data. The 5′ and 3′ ends of the genome for most of the six ampeloviruses could be recovered from long reads, providing an alternative to RACE-PCRs. Phylogenetic analyses did not unveil any geographic structuring of the diversity of PMWaV1, PMWaV2 and PMWaV3 isolates, supporting the current hypothesis that PMWaVs were mainly spread by human activity and vegetative propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nickel hyperaccumulator Bornmuellera tymphaea has been evaluated for use in agromining in Greece with very promising results. This study examines propagation of this species based on cuttings, which provides rapid multiplication and clonal propagation of genotypes with useful genetic traits and offers obvious advantages over propagation by seed. Apical cuttings, 10 cm long, obtained from plants in the field, were propagated on mist benches under greenhouse conditions. Four treatments based on the rooting medium were evaluated: (a) perlite, (b) perlite + peat 1:1 (v/v), (c) ultramafic soil, and (d) ultramafic soil + perlite 1:1 (v/v). Completely randomized blocks were used in a 4 × 2 factorial design, using 4 different propagation rooting media and 2 levels of auxins (with or without the use of indole‐3‐butyric acid [IBA]), with 3 replicates of 28 cuttings. The response to perlite medium was best in terms of rooting: 75% without IBA and 71.33% with IBA, and the dry weight of roots was 0.18 g and of shoots 0.34 g. Perlite + peat 1:1 (v/v) medium also resulted in rooting in more than 55% of cuttings whereas cuttings grown in ultramafic soil showed very low rooting (<27%). Based on the findings, B. tymphaea has an aptitude for vegetative propagation by cuttings with survival values and rooting greater than 70%. Perlite combined with the application of auxin (ΙΒΑ) is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of seed and vegetative propagation for the spontaneous expansion of black locust on abandoned agricultural land was evaluated in the present study. The dynamics of expansion was reconstructed on the basis of spatial distribution data on the age of individuals of this species. A non-homogeneous Poisson process with a linear trend and a Widom-Rowlinson model were the most appropriate in explaining the spatial distribution of R. pseudoacacia individuals. The negative linear trend was statistically significant for the vast majority of polygons in the area of spontaneous expansion of R. pseudoacacia, but insignificant in the artificial plantation. The model parameter η indicates the aggregated spatial distribution of R. pseudoacacia in the zone of spontaneous spread due to the vegetative mechanism of spread. The distribution of R. pseudoacacia in the artificial tree plantation was close to regular, or either random or aggregated. In the early stages, the seed reproduction is the most likely process of R. pseudoacacia spreading. The seed mechanism of spreading follows a spatial pattern, which is explained by a linear trend. The next stage is a combination of both seed and vegetative mechanisms of spread, which also lasts about 4–5 years. At the last stage, the spread occurs mainly through the vegetative mechanism, and the rate of spread of the community slows down significantly. The trigger for the spread is anthropogenic impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a valuable geophyte plant and one of the most expensive spices in the world. In this study, two propagation techniques are used: plant tissue culture and hydroponics for vegetative propagation of Crocus sativus (Corms used) under controlled conditions. The study's purpose is to compare and identify which propagation method will cover current and future demand with good yield, low cost and time. In plant tissue culture method, corm segments were cultured on MS media supplemented with various concentration of plant growth regulators. 60 tubes were inoculated and maintained at 20 °C with 16h light and 8h dark period. In hydroponics methods, saffron corm was inoculated in cocopeat and placed inside the plant tissue culture room at 19.5°C 16h light and 8h dark and at 47% room temperature. Using both techniques, the plant tissue culture approach revealed 15 (25%) tubes out of 60 showed germination and via the hydroponics method 11 corms (91.66%) showed single shoot germination with flowering (8.33%) after 7 weeks. It was concluded that hydroponic method is more practical for the saffron production in term of production, labor work, cost and time when compared to plant tissue culture technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]