Environmental and Experimental Botany最新文献

{"title":"Physiological responses of reproductive Sargassum horneri to increased light and nitrogen levels","authors":"Baoqi Li ,&nbsp;Xiaoxi Guo ,&nbsp;Xiaoyu Jiang ,&nbsp;Ning Wang ,&nbsp;Menglin Bao ,&nbsp;Fang Yan ,&nbsp;Shasha Zang ,&nbsp;Hongyan Wu ,&nbsp;Zhiguang Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106195","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106195","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The <em>Sargassum</em> golden tide has resulted in severe ecological impacts, and the eutrophication of seawater is considered as a major trigger for it. To explore the physiological responses of reproductive <em>S. horneri</em>, a golden tide species, to increased light and nitrogen levels, two light intensities (LL and HL) and two nitrate concentrations (LN and HN) were set in this study. The results of two-factor interaction experiment showed that light and nitrate interactively influenced the photosynthesis of reproductive <em>S. horneri</em>. In LN treatment, a significant photoinhibition caused by high light was found, reflected by decreased maximum photochemical quantum yield (<em>F</em>_<em>v</em><em>/F</em>_<em>m</em>) and photosynthetic rate, enhanced non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and reduced Chl<em>a</em> and Chl<em>c</em> contents. However, the HN culture remarkably alleviated such photoinhibition, even exhibited a higher photosynthetic rate in HL treatment, with the elevated Chl<em>a</em> and Chl<em>c</em> contents. The increments of Car and ultraviolet-absorbing compounds (UVACs) contents, electron transport efficiency (α), and dark respiration rate in HN treatment may contribute to protecting and repairing the photodamage. Additionally, HL and HN treatments significantly increased the C and N contents in the branches and receptacles of alga. The HLHN treatment significantly enhanced the relative growth rate (RGR) at initial culture, and increased the number of reproductive receptacle and reproductive effort. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that under eutrophic conditions, reproductive <em>S. horneri</em>, after detachment and floating to the sea surface, is more likely to maintain rapid growth and reproduction and form golden tide after adapting to high light conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106195"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144579548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Induced post-invasive defenses in the nonhost plant Parthenium hysterophorus L. prevent root cortical colonization by Macrophomina phaseolina and impart resistance to dry root rot","authors":"Rishabh Mirchandani,&nbsp;Manu Kandpal,&nbsp;Aashish Ranjan,&nbsp;Senjuti Sinharoy,&nbsp;Muthappa Senthil-Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106197","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106197","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dry root rot (DRR) of chickpea is caused by the broad-range necrotrophic fungus <em>Macrophomina phaseolina.</em> Chickpea germplasm does not provide durable resistance to DRR, which is particularly devastating under drought. Even moderately resistant chickpea varieties become susceptible under combined stress. We hypothesized that nonhost resistance (NHR) is durable even under combined stress. Using the blotter paper assay and stereomicroscopic observations, we identified the asterid weed <em>Parthenium hysterophorus</em> as a potential nonhost of <em>M. phaseolina</em> among 82 potential nonhosts. Epidermal necrotic lesions were prevented in <em>P. hysterophorus</em>. <em>In planta</em> fungal load was 0.195 and 0.007 ng/ng total DNA in chickpea and <em>P. hysterophorus</em>, respectively. <em>M. phaseolina</em> could not colonize the <em>P. hysterophorus</em> root while up to 6 cortical cell layers were colonized in chickpea. Further, NHR was durable under combined stress. Dual RNA sequencing revealed that <em>M. phaseolina</em> actively attempted to infect the nonhost and activated specific genes in the xenobiotics degradation pathway. <em>P. hysterophorus</em> also showed an active defense response with1958 and 2294 differentially expressed genes at 2 and 4 DAI, respectively, with 363 upregulated at both time points. Differential expression of cell wall synthesis, phytohormone signaling, and other defense response pathways likely contributes to NHR. Few genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways in <em>P. hysterophorus</em> were also upregulated, possibly because these metabolites are linked to the distinct changes in the fungus during nonhost infection. We therefore conclude that <em>P. hysterophorus</em> exhibits post-invasive NHR to <em>M. phaseolina</em> and that general defense, phytohormone signaling and secondary metabolic pathways contribute to NHR.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106197"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144596429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular mechanisms of wheat acclimation to soil degradation: Insights into salt stress, heavy metal contamination, and nutrient deficiency","authors":"Jiahong Guo ,&nbsp;Yiping Chen ,&nbsp;Yan Zhao ,&nbsp;Hanwen Tian ,&nbsp;Yao Jiang ,&nbsp;Yuchen Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106193","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106193","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wheat is the world’s second-largest crop, feeding over 30 % of the global population. To meet increasing food demand, substantial amounts of fertilizers have been used to boost yields. However, excessive fertilization has led to severe soil degradation, including salinization, heavy metal contamination, and nutrient depletion, which negatively impact wheat yield and quality over time. This review highlights recent advances in understanding wheat acclimation thresholds and the molecular mechanisms involved in responding to adverse soil environments. Key molecular responses include: (1) enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and the accumulation of protective compounds that mitigate reactive oxygen species and stabilize cellular structures; (2) activation of transporter and ion channel-related genes to promote Na⁺ efflux and reduce salt toxicity; (3) coordinated action of chelation and transport genes that bind, compartmentalize, and expel toxic metal ions, thereby reducing heavy metal toxicity; and (4) upregulation of root architecture and high-affinity nutrient transporter genes to improve nutrient acquisition under deficiency stress. Acclimation thresholds to salinity, heavy metals, and nutrient limitations vary among wheat varieties due to underlying genetic differences. Understanding plant responses to combined soil stresses and leveraging these traits through advanced breeding strategies will be key to developing resilient varieties for sustainable agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106193"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144595673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Current understanding of heat shock protein-mediated responses to heat stress in rice","authors":"Md. Atik Mas-ud ,&nbsp;Sadiya Arefin Juthee ,&nbsp;Md. Hosenuzzaman ,&nbsp;Md. Shoffikul Islam ,&nbsp;Md. Enamul Haque ,&nbsp;Mohammad Nurul Matin","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106192","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106192","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global warming significantly impacts crop production and poses a major threat to food security. Indeed, as one of the world’s most important food crops, the yield and quality of rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em> L.) are frequently affected by heat stress (HS). Therefore, clarifying the molecular mechanism of HS and cultivating heat-tolerant rice varieties is of critical importance. To gain insight into the heat shock proteins (HSPs) regulated functions, molecular mechanisms have been explored in rice response to HS. This study synthesizes current research on HSPs and their roles in improving rice tolerance to HS. It also explores the cross-talk between HSPs and phytohormones through cis-acting elements. Additionally, a total of 20 HSPs were identified in the rice genome as playing key roles in the development of heat-tolerant rice varieties. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) network analysis proposed 15 key HSPs as a model for adaptation strategies. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that these key HSPs played important roles in rice response to HS. Together, these strategies have the potential to increase rice's resistance to HS, offering fresh concepts and perspectives for further study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106192"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144588020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses reveal the adaptation mechanism of Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui under long-term salt stress","authors":"Feng Li ,&nbsp;Yongqiu Deng ,&nbsp;Jihong Chen ,&nbsp;Linwen He","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106189","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106189","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Salinity is a critical ecological factor influencing the composition, growth, and reproduction of macroalgae. <em>Gracilaria tenuistipitata</em> var. <em>liui</em> is a key cultivated species of <em>Gracilaria</em> in southern China, with both economic and ecological significance. It inhabits in intertidal zones, estuaries, brackish ponds, and lagoons, with an optimal growth salinity range of 15–30 psu and long-term tolerance to salinities of 5–75 psu. Although <em>G. tenuistipitata</em> demonstrates long-term adaptability to a broad range of salinities, the molecular mechanisms underlying its salinity tolerance remain poorly understood.To explore these mechanisms, we investigated the physiological responses of <em>G. tenuistipitata</em> to varying salinities (5–70 psu) and analyzed its transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles at salinities of 5 psu (S5), 60 psu (S60), and 30 psu (S30, control). Physiological data indicated that growth, photosynthesis, and total soluble protein content were significantly affected by salinity levels. Transcriptome sequencing generated a total of 85,894 unigenes, with 42,503 successfully annotated. Comparative analysis revealed 1480 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the S30 vs S5 group (759 upregulated; 721 downregulated) and 2451 DEGs in the S30 vs S60 group (1255 upregulated; 1196 downregulated). Nitrogen metabolism, Betalain biosynthesis, Biosynthesis of amino acids and Carotenoid biosynthesis pathways were significantly enriched in the S5. In the S60, ABC transporters pathway enrichment was relatively significant. A total of 25 metabolites were detected, the metabolite profiles of S5 were more similar to those of S30. Salinity variation had a significant impact on the regulation of energy metabolism, photosynthesis, and antioxidant systems in <em>G. tenuistipitata</em>. Overall, <em>G. tenuistipitata</em> exhibited stronger tolerance to hypo-saline conditions. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of salinity adaptation in <em>G. tenuistipitata</em>, contributing to a better understanding of its ecological and economic potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106189"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144549646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unraveling genotype-dependent metabolic and transcriptional differences between yellow and orange senescent leaves of Pistacia chinensis via multi-omics analysis","authors":"Man Lv ,&nbsp;Chao Li ,&nbsp;Qian Bai ,&nbsp;Yulei Feng ,&nbsp;Shanshan Chen ,&nbsp;Yani Niu ,&nbsp;Li Xu ,&nbsp;Yu Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiaohui Jiang ,&nbsp;Shuchai Su ,&nbsp;Xiehai Song","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106191","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106191","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Leaf color differentiation during plant senescence is a phenotypic hallmark of metabolic reprogramming and adaptive strategy integration. However, the metabolic and transcriptomic changes in senescent leaves of different colors have not been systematically elucidated. This study investigated yellow and orange senescent leaves of <em>Pistacia chinensis</em> using integrated transcriptomics, targeted metabolomics, and bioinformatics analyses to reveal the core mechanisms underlying phenotypic divergence. Leaves from yellow-senescing trees are characterized by the activation of WRKY and NAC transcription factor. In contrast, leaves from orange-senescing trees relied on R2R3-MYB-regulated flavonoid biosynthesis. The genes involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of carotenoid precursors were upregulated, suggesting that the balance of these processes was maintained through a potential feedback regulatory mechanism. Metabolomic profiling indicated significantly higher levels of flavonoids in orange leaves compared to their yellow counterparts, while yellow leaves exhibited lutein-dominated metabolic patterns. These findings offer data-supported insights into the adaptive evolution theory concerning leaf color diversity during plant senescence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106191"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144549648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dual dialect of herbivore-induced chickpea plant volatile organic compounds: Roles in threat to pod borer and egg parasitoid attraction","authors":"Malawanthkar Rani,&nbsp;Ramasamy Kanagaraj Murali-Baskaran","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106190","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106190","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by crop plants in response to herbivore attack—known as herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HI-pVOCs)—play a key role in indirect inducible resistance. These volatiles are utilized by plants either to repel herbivores or to attract their natural enemies. However, a limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying HI-pVOCs has hindered further research and application of plant volatiles in pest management strategies. In the present study, volatile profiles induced by the pod borer <em>Helicoverpa armigera</em> were analyzed in both infested and uninfested chickpea seedlings. A total of 27 volatile compounds, including 11 hydrocarbons, were detected in infested seedlings, whereas only 16 compounds with three hydrocarbons were identified in healthy seedlings. Eight volatiles from the infested chickpea profile were selected and evaluated under field conditions against the pod borer during the winter season of 2021–22. Foliar application of synthetic eicosane and azulene at 500 ppm on the 35^th and 45^th days after sowing significantly reduced larval populations by 41.18–44.11 %, and pod damage by 26.37–26.89 %. Additionally, eicosane and octadecane at 500 ppm enhanced the foraging activity of the egg parasitoid <em>Trichogramma chilonis</em> under laboratory conditions. These findings suggest that eicosane, in particular, is a promising volatile compound for the management of chickpea pod borer, while also supporting the activity of its natural egg parasitoid.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106190"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144579544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of modified light spectra on cadmium uptake and root exudation of tomato and mustard plants","authors":"Juliet Ochola ,&nbsp;Pablo Delgado-Sánchez ,&nbsp;Ricardo Hernandez ,&nbsp;Oliver Baars","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106188","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106188","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phytoremediation is a widely used and effective method for removing cadmium (Cd) from contaminated soils. Recent studies suggest that modifying the light spectrum during plant growth can improve their heavy metal uptake and tolerance. However, further research is needed to understand the variations among plant species and their biochemical responses to Cd stress under different light spectra. This study examined the impact of high blue/red photon flux ratio (B light) compared to full-spectrum white light (FS-light) on cadmium uptake, plant physiology, and root exudation in tomato (<em>Solanum lycopersicum</em>) and Indian mustard (<em>Brassica juncea</em>). Tomato plants exhibited significant physiological changes under different light treatments, with B light resulting in greater Cd accumulation in roots and reduced biomass. A detailed analysis of root exudates showed that Cd-induced metabolites were produced under both FS and B light conditions. Cadmium-induced exudates included steroidal saponin, tomatine, and predicted spirostane triterpenoids. Light spectrum-specific exudates comprised amino acids, terpenes, peptides, fatty acids, and phenylpropanoids. These metabolites were significantly upregulated under FS light conditions but diminished or absent under B light. Mustard was less affected by light spectrum changes. While it showed reduced plant height under B light, biomass and root exudation remained relatively unaffected. This study revealed a plant species-specific response to B light and Cd stress and underscores the potential application of tailored light spectra to optimize Cd phytoremediation and to manipulate root metabolite exudation profiles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106188"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144549647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microcystis aeruginosa exudate alters root development by impacting plant hormone accumulation and auxin signal transduction","authors":"Weiguang Wang ,&nbsp;Baozhu Zhang ,&nbsp;Fanyi Wang ,&nbsp;Jie Shi ,&nbsp;Xiaolan Chen ,&nbsp;Xuexiu Chang ,&nbsp;Marek Kolenčík ,&nbsp;Lijuan Zhou ,&nbsp;Yu Qian","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106187","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106187","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Microcystis aeruginosa</em>, a typical cyanobacterial species, can alter the root development of aquatic plants. To explore how <em>M. aeruginosa</em> affects plant root development, we exposed <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> to <em>M. aeruginosa</em> exudate (MaE) and investigated the responses of plant hormone synthesis and auxin signal transduction. Results showed that MaE significantly advanced lateral root primordium development, increased lateral root number, and reduced primary root length. On the 7th day of MaE exposure, the level of cytokinin in the total roots of <em>A. thaliana</em> decreased, consistent with the decreased expression of cytokinin synthesis and metabolism genes on Day 5 and Day 7. The pathogen defense hormones salicylic acid (SA) and N-(jasmonate)-S-JA-Ile(JA-Ile) concentration significantly increased in MaE-treated roots, although their synthesis and metabolism genes expression level were down-regulated. Similarly, although auxin compounds concentration in roots showed no significant difference, their synthesis and metabolism genes expression level were down-regulated. In the auxin signal transduction pathway, auxin signal input remained unchanged between MaE and the control group, as indicated by DII expression levels, while auxin signal output was amplified by MaE, as shown by increased DR5 expression levels. The transcription factor ARF7, which controls lateral root development and is downstream in the auxin signal transduction pathway, was significantly activated by MaE. These results indicate that MaE affects plant root system architecture by altering plant hormone balance and auxin signal transduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106187"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Different altitudinal distributions of the two chemical varieties of Pseudevernia furfuracea collide with the conserved physiological response of transplanted lichens","authors":"Elva Cecconi ,&nbsp;Elisa Pellegrini ,&nbsp;Giulia Micai ,&nbsp;Silvia Ongaro ,&nbsp;Mazari Ait Kaci ,&nbsp;Claudia Pisuttu ,&nbsp;Fabio Candotto Carniel ,&nbsp;Cristina Nali ,&nbsp;Mauro Tretiach","doi":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The lichen <em>Pseudevernia furfuracea</em> consists of two varieties, <em>furfuracea</em> and <em>ceratea</em>, which differ in secondary metabolites and geographical distribution. The aim of this work is to test the hypothesis that they also differ in altitudinal distribution possibly because they differ in some physiological responses to climatic factors. An extensive sampling was carried out in the South-eastern Alps, from 760 to 2100 m above sea level (a.s.l.), which showed that var. <em>ceratea</em> (with olivetoric acid, OA, as major and physodic acid, PA, as minor) is restricted to the highest altitudes, between 1500 and 2100 m, while var. <em>furfuracea</em> (with PA) is still widespread at the lowest altitudes. Subsequently, three areas (A-C) with different precipitation levels (A&lt;B&lt;C) were selected. In each area, thalli were sampled at the tree line and transplanted <em>in situ</em> and at four <em>ex situ</em> sites at 960–1090 m a.s.l. on northern and southern slopes, near and far from lakes. Chlorophyll fluorescence, malondialdehyde, and ergosterol were quantified before and after transplantation, while microclimatic conditions were monitored during exposure. After six months, the three parameters generally decreased, with no significant intervarietal difference, except for ergosterol, which was lower in var. <em>ceratea</em> in A,B. As these differences are negligible overall, the adaptive significance of the different chemistry of the two varieties must be interpreted as a result of different defence capabilities against herbivory, if not as a mere consequence of the accumulation of OA (a precursor of PA) caused by the climatic conditions prevailing at higher altitudes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11758,"journal":{"name":"Environmental and Experimental Botany","volume":"237 ","pages":"Article 106186"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144330679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}