Scientia Horticulturae最新文献

{"title":"Integrated metabolome and transcriptome landscape of four rapeseed petal colors provides a candidate gene-metabolite roadmap for flower color breeding","authors":"Qiao Chen,&nbsp;Tong Li,&nbsp;Tao Zheng,&nbsp;Ying Li,&nbsp;Haitao Zeng","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115196","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115196","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rapeseed (<em>Brassica napus</em> L.) petals exhibit diverse colors with specific phenotypes and excellent ornamental value. However, the mechanisms underlying their coloration remain poorly understood. Here we performed an integrative metabolomic and transcriptomic of white, yellow, dark purple, and dark red rapeseed petals to systematically dissect the color-specific pigments and their associated regulatory networks. Yellow petals predominantly accumulated tamarixetin-3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside and 4′-hydroxy-2,4,6-trimethoxydihydrochalcone, coinciding with high expression of chalcone synthase (<em>CHS</em>). In dark-purple petals, the acylated anthocyanins cyanidin-3-O-(6′-O-caffeoyl)sophoroside-7-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-feruloylglucoside-5-O-glucoside were identified as the main pigments, and their accumulation was attributed to the coordinated activity of <em>ANS1, CCoAAT2</em>, and <em>CCoAOMT</em>. Dark-red coloration was associated with the glycosylated anthocyanin peonidin-3-O-glucoside, whose abundance was regulated by <em>ANS1, UGT79B2, MT1</em>, and <em>MT2</em>. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis defined five flavonoid-specific modules and pinpointed <em>MYB12, MYB114, MYB122, bHLH21</em> and <em>bHLH96</em> as candidate transcription factors. Collectively, this gene-to-pigment framework established color-specific metabolic and regulatory linkages across four contrasting petal phenotypes, providing breeders with candidate molecular markers and prospective CRISPR targets for accelerating the development of ornamental rapeseed cultivars.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115196"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149088017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic regulation of substrate type and irrigation lower limit optimizes root architecture, yield and water use efficiency of greenhouse tomato grown with biogas slurry in the Gobi region","authors":"Jingyi Li,&nbsp;Wenyi Dong,&nbsp;Haitao Wang,&nbsp;Xiaoyang Liang,&nbsp;Xiaokun Feng,&nbsp;Jiandong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115218","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115218","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of protected agriculture in the Gobi region is limited by severe water and soil shortages. Biogas slurry, which provides both water and nutrients, offers a promising recyclable resource. However, the interactive effects between substrate type and biogas slurry irrigation strategies in Gobi greenhouse systems remain poorly understood. In this study, tomato was selected as the experimental crop. Two substrate types—an organic substrate (coconut coir) and an inorganic substrate (washed sand)—were evaluated in combination with three lower irrigation thresholds of biogas slurry (30%, 50%, and 70% of field capacity, FC). The effects on root morphological traits, nutrient uptake, water use efficiency (WUE), and yield were systematically assessed. The results showed that, compared with washed sand, the coconut coir substrate significantly improved root architecture. In particular, under the moderate irrigation lower limit (50% FC), fine root length, root surface area, and root tip number increased by 130.19%, 113.32%, and 111.59%, respectively, relative to the washed sand treatment. Meanwhile, the coconut coir substrate enhanced the uptake of key nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, thereby achieving a synergistic improvement in both yield and WUE. Compared with washed sand, coconut coir increased yield by 39.62%-54.05%, and enhanced WUE by 28.86%-49.52%. However, neither yield nor WUE differed significantly between the 50% and 70% FC treatments under coconut coir. Correlation and Principal component analysis further indicated that root length and root tip number were the primary morphological drivers of yield and WUE enhancement. Overall, under the conditions tested in this study, considering its balanced performance in yield, improved WUE, and reduced irrigation input, the combination of coconut coir substrate with a 50% FC irrigation lower limit is recommended as the optimal management strategy for tomato production under biogas slurry reuse in the Gobi region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115218"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149150757","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multicultivar field evaluation of organic and inorganic fertilizer formulations for improving citrus productivity, fruit quality, root architecture, and soil fertility","authors":"Jiale Wang,&nbsp;Yu Zhang,&nbsp;Shangyan Hao,&nbsp;Furong Kang,&nbsp;Huaye Xiong,&nbsp;Yuheng Wang,&nbsp;Jie Wang,&nbsp;Jingkun Zhao,&nbsp;Xiaojun Shi,&nbsp;Yueqiang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115191","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115191","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Organic and inorganic fertilization (OIF) is a promising strategy for sustaining citrus productivity while improving soil fertility, but its integrated effects on citrus yield, fruit quality, root architecture, and soil quality remain insufficiently understood under field conditions, particularly across different citrus cultivars. To address this gap, this study established multi-nutrient OIF application protocols and evaluated their effects on three citrus cultivars, Ehime, Haruka, and Orah, under field conditions in Chongqing, China. Fruit, root, and soil responses were evaluated within an integrated framework. Four fertilization treatments were compared: conventional inorganic fertilization (T1), animal-derived OIF (T2), plant-derived OIF (T3), and animal-derived OIF with modified application timing and rate compared with T2 (T4). Results showed that OIF treatments enhanced citrus yield, with T2 and T4 showing relatively favorable responses in multiple tested orchard-year cases and increasing yield by 20.3%-26.7% and 16.9%-28.7%, respectively, compared with T1. T2 improved fruit quality, increasing vitamin C, total soluble solids, and total sugars by 8.4%-20.4%, 17.6%-22.3%, and 20.3%-27.1%, respectively, while reducing titratable acid by 6.6%-17.6%. OIF application increased citrus root length, root surface area, root volume, root tip number, and the proportion of fine roots. Soil analysis further showed that OIF increased soil organic matter by 17.0%-34.8% and increased soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm soil layers. Overall, the tested OIF formulations, especially T2 and T4, improved citrus performance alongside coordinated enhancements in fruit production, root development, and soil nutrient status, supporting their potential as promising fertilization options for sustainable citrus orchard management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115191"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149085413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exogenous plant growth regulators promote early tillering and enhance flowering potential in Iris sanguinea and I. ensata seedlings","authors":"Gongfa Shi,&nbsp;Zhaoqian Niu,&nbsp;Jiahao Zhang,&nbsp;Ying Guo,&nbsp;Linlin Fang,&nbsp;Hongjuan Hao,&nbsp;Jingnan Zhang,&nbsp;Lijuan Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115225","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115225","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Iris</em> species have high ornamental value and considerable potential for landscape use. However, the prolonged juvenile phase and slow early tillering of <em>Iris sanguinea</em> and <em>Iris ensata</em> seedlings limit their propagation efficiency and commercial seedling production. In this study, we systematically compared the effects of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), abscisic acid (ABA), the strigolactone analog GR24, and the strigolactone biosynthesis inhibitor TIS108 on seedling tillering, subsequent stem tiller formation, and flowering potential in <em>I. sanguinea</em> and <em>I. ensata</em>. The physiological basis of ABA-promoted tillering was further investigated in <em>I. sanguinea</em>. The results showed that 6-BA, ABA, and TIS108 promoted early tillering in both species to varying degrees, whereas GR24 significantly inhibited tillering. Among these treatments, 30 mg/L ABA advanced the onset of tillering in <em>I. sanguinea</em>, increased the number of stem tillers in two- and three-year-old plants, improved the subsequent flowering rate, and significantly promoted root development. Treatment with the ABA biosynthesis inhibitor fluridone (FD) suppressed tillering in <em>I. sanguinea</em>, and heterologous overexpression of <em>IsNCED3</em> in <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> promoted shoot branching, further supporting the involvement of ABA biosynthesis-related processes in tillering and branching regulation. Integrated hormone and transcriptome analyses showed that endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content rapidly decreased in <em>I. sanguinea</em> rhizomes after ABA treatment. This decrease was accompanied by time-dependent changes in the expression of the IAA biosynthesis-related genes <em>TAA/YUCCA</em>, including marked downregulation at later time points, together with downregulation of the IAA transport-related genes <em>PIN/PILS</em> and reduced expression of <em>D14, TB1</em>, and <em>D53</em>-related strigolactone signaling components. These results suggest that exogenous ABA may promote early tillering and seedling vigor in <em>I. sanguinea</em> by modulating IAA homeostasis, weakening auxin-mediated inhibitory effects, and reshaping tillering-related transcriptional networks. This study provides theoretical and practical references for improving propagation efficiency and flowering potential in ornamental <em>Iris</em> species using exogenous plant growth regulators.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115225"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149150755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From genome to plate and pharmacy: Unlocking the multifaceted potential of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)","authors":"Maedeh Setayeshnasab,&nbsp;Mohammad Mahdi Majidi","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115242","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115242","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Okra (<em>Abelmoschus esculentus</em> (L.) Moench) is a vegetable crop of significant economic and nutritional importance, commonly grown in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate areas. Despite its global significance, comprehensive syntheses integrating botanical, phytochemical, medicinal, genetic, breeding, and agronomic perspectives remain limited. This review provides a multi-dimensional overview of okra, beginning with its taxonomic classification, cytogenetic diversity, and morphological traits. The nutritional profile is comprehensively examined, highlighting okra as a rich source of dietary fiber, essential minerals, vitamins, and bioactive phytochemicals, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, and mucilage. The pharmacological potential is critically evaluated, covering antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, wound-healing, anticancer, and antibacterial activities, as well as new uses in food technology and regenerative medicine. We synthesize current knowledge on breeding objectives, including yield improvement, fruit quality, disease resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance, alongside classical genetics, conventional breeding approaches, and molecular tools such as marker-assisted selection, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Special emphasis is placed on physiological, genomic, and breeding strategies for mitigating biotic constraints and abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, and heat stress, as well as their combined interactions under climate change scenarios. Finally, we propose future research directions, including genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9), genomic selection, climate-smart breeding, and the exploitation of wild relatives' genetic resources, to unlock the full potential of okra for sustainable production, enhanced nutritional quality, and pharmaceutical applications under changing environmental conditions. This review serves as a comprehensive reference for researchers, breeders, and policymakers aiming to enhance okra productivity, nutritional value, and stress resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115242"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149202186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elevated rhizosphere CO2 impairs K+ uptake in oriental melon seedlings: physiological and transcriptomic evidence for CmCNGC2 and CmKUP6 involvement","authors":"Xinglin Wang,&nbsp;Xinyu Chen,&nbsp;Xiaoxue He,&nbsp;Shuai Pei,&nbsp;Ziqi Wang,&nbsp;Yiling Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115232","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Rhizosphere CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations constitute one of the critical gaseous environmental factors affecting the growth and development of oriental melon. In cultivation practices, soil compaction, improper irrigation management, and other factors have been frequently observed to result in elevated rhizosphere CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations, thereby exerting adverse impacts on both the structural architecture and physiological functionality of oriental melon roots. As a key macronutrient, potassium (K) significantly regulates physiological processes underlying plant growth, developmental plasticity, and harvest quality attributes. The acquisition of potassium is mechanistically governed by the integrative functionality of root systems. It has been corroborated that elevated rhizosphere CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations have a biphasic effect of short-term promotion and long-term inhibition on the homeostasis of macronutrients in oriental melon plants. However, it remains undefined about the intrinsic molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of elevated rhizosphere CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations on K⁺ uptake in oriental melon seedlings. In this study, oriental melon seedlings were selected as experimental materials and treated under three rhizosphere CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations: Control (greenhouse ambient CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; level, 0.037%), T1 (0.5% CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;), and T2 (1.0% CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;). The experimental results demonstrate that short-term (≤ 6 d) elevated rhizosphere CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; (T1, T2) can significantly promote the growth of oriental melon seedlings. The plant growth in both the T1 and T2 groups was significantly suppressed after 9d of exposure compared with the control group, manifested as reduced biomass accumulation, diminished root metabolic activity, and significant potassium depletion in root, stem, and leaf tissues. Concurrently, the activities of H⁺-ATPase, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, Ca&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;⁺-ATPase, and Mg&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;⁺-ATPase on root plasma membranes were inhibited at the protein level, implying a potential impairment in the transmembrane transport capacity of K⁺. Results from RT-qPCR and transcriptome analysis revealed that &lt;em&gt;CmCNGC2&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;CmKUP6&lt;/em&gt; were consistently upregulated on 0–9 d, followed by downregulation on 12–15 d This expression pattern may represent the primary mechanism underlying the potassium absorption response. &lt;em&gt;CmHAK5&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;CmAKT1&lt;/em&gt; were upregulated on 0–6 d, exhibited no significant difference from the control on the 9th day, and were subsequently significantly downregulated on 12–15 d In the context of long-term (≥9 d) elevated rhizosphere CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; leading to decreased ATPase activity and potassium loss, oriental melon seedlings may sustain potassium homeostasis through the persistent activation of &lt;em&gt;CmCNGC2&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;CmKUP6&lt;/em&gt;. These findings are expected to provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the regulatory mechanisms governing the growth, macro","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115232"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149202194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Overexpression of apple MdIAA8 in tomato alters plant growth and fruit shape and induces parthenocarpy","authors":"Hussain Ahmed,&nbsp;Zhiyong Wu,&nbsp;Md Marufur Rahman,&nbsp;Zhe Zhou,&nbsp;Yarong Wang,&nbsp;Chunyan Wang,&nbsp;Zhenli Yan,&nbsp;Qiming Gao,&nbsp;Zhenzhen Liu,&nbsp;Yaru Zhang,&nbsp;Xiangpeng Meng,&nbsp;Yiru Yang,&nbsp;Xiuhua Gao,&nbsp;Tianyu Wu,&nbsp;Hengtao Zhang,&nbsp;Jia-Long Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115224","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115224","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID (Aux/IAA) proteins are short-lived transcriptional regulators that play central roles in auxin signaling and plant development. However, the function of <em>MdIAA8</em> in apple (<em>Malus domestica</em>) remains poorly understood. In the present study, we identified allele-specific expression (ASE) of <em>MdIAA8</em> and characterized its expression during apple flower and fruit development. <em>MdIAA8</em> was expressed at higher levels in balloon stage flowers than in open stage flowers. During early fruit growth, its expression levels in the flesh tissue were elevated compared with those in the skin, core. To investigate its function, <em>MdIAA8</em> was ectopically expressed in transgenic tomato (<em>Solanum lycopersicum</em>). <em>MdIAA8</em> overexpression reduced plant height, increased root length, altered floral organ development, and induced parthenocarpic fruit set. The transgenic plants also produced smaller fruits with elongated distal tips. Histological analysis revealed that <em>MdIAA8</em>-overexpressing fruits contained smaller, more densely packed cells than wild-type fruits, indicating reduced cell expansion. Molecular analyses showed altered expression of auxin-responsive genes in the transgenic lines, suggesting that the observed phenotypes are associated with changes in auxin-responsive transcription. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that MdIAA8 influences vegetative and reproductive development and provide new insights into the role of Aux/IAA-mediated auxin signaling in flower and fruit development</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115224"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149150759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Population genetic analysis and SNP fingerprinting of zoysiagrass germplasm resources using SLAF-seq","authors":"Mengjiao Liu,&nbsp;Tian Liu,&nbsp;Ling Zhang,&nbsp;Jingbo Chen,&nbsp;Daojin Sun,&nbsp;Dongli Hao,&nbsp;Weiyi Kong,&nbsp;Hailin Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115239","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115239","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Zoysiagrasses (<em>Zoysia</em> spp.) are important warm-season turfgrasses; however, no standardized SNP fingerprinting system has yet been established for their germplasm identification and cultivar discrimination. In this study, 206 zoysiagrass accessions were subjected to SLAF-based genome sequencing and SNP genotyping. A total of 709.45 million high-quality reads were generated, with a mean Q30 of 95.76%, yielding 4,947,292 population-level SNPs. After filtering, high-confidence SNPs were used for population analyses, which revealed nine genetic clusters and extensive interspecific admixture. A set of 426 high-confidence candidate SNPs was subsequently screened, from which 90 loci were selected for KASP assay development. Eight assays failed, and 82 robust KASP markers with call rates ≥95% were retained. Validation in a genetically and phenotypically representative core panel of 46 accessions revealed PIC values ranging from 0.042 to 0.375, with a mean of 0.313. Finally, 30 highly informative KASP markers were used to construct DNA fingerprints for 19 domestic and introduced cultivars. All 19 cultivars were uniquely distinguished, and combinatorial analysis revealed that a minimum set of four SNP markers was sufficient for complete discrimination of the tested cultivars. These results establish a scalable SNP-based molecular system for zoysiagrass germplasm characterization, cultivar authentication, variety-right protection, and molecular breeding.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115239"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physiology-driven precision irrigation for almond nut quality and profitability under contrasting Mediterranean environments","authors":"S. Gutiérrez-Gordillo,&nbsp;I.F. García-Tejero,&nbsp;V.H. Durán-Zuazo,&nbsp;V. Hernandez-Santana,&nbsp;María M. Borrego-Marín","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115261","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article evaluates the physiological, quality, and economic performance of three commercial almond cultivars (Guara, Marta, and Lauranne) subjected to regulated and sustained deficit irrigation strategies in two orchards with contrasting agroeconomic conditions. Moving beyond conventional agronomic assessments, the study integrates physiological indicators commonly used in precision irrigation scheduling, including leaf water potential and stomatal conductance, to interpret cultivar-specific responses and assess these strategies within a data-informed irrigation management framework. Results indicate that deficit irrigation can enhance resource-use efficiency by achieving water savings greater than the proportional reduction in yield, without compromising kernel quality and even improving attributes linked to sensory quality and potential market value. These gains in quality and efficiency improve irrigation water productivity and profitability, providing a mechanism to ensure economic performance at the orchard level and supporting deficit irrigation as a viable precision-irrigation strategy under water scarcity conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115261"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149254396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimal nitrogen fertilization reduces disease and pest susceptibility and postharvest disorders in mango","authors":"Mery Dafny Yelin,&nbsp;Nativ Rotbart,&nbsp;Eyal Nevo,&nbsp;Dalia Maurer,&nbsp;Oleg Feygenberg,&nbsp;Liora Shaltiel Harpaz,&nbsp;Carmit Sofer Arad,&nbsp;Noam Alkan","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115220","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115220","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High nitrogen (N) fertilization is widely used to increase mango productivity, but excessive N may increase plant susceptibility to diseases and pests. The effects of N rate, source, and application regime on disease development were evaluated in a commercial ‘Shelly’ mango orchard over three consecutive seasons (2022–2024). Their impact on postharvest fruit quality and pest incidence was also investigated throughout the study period. Seven fertilization regimes were tested, including 0, 50, 120, and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, and different N forms (NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻) or application strategies. Increasing N application rate was consistently associated with higher susceptibility to powdery mildew (caused by <em>Pseudoidium anacardii</em>) and Botryosphaeria dieback (caused mainly by <em>Neofusicoccum parvum</em>). Postharvest decay, including stem-end rot caused by Botryosphaeria and side rot (caused mainly by <em>Alternaria alternata</em>), significantly increased at high N levels, with a lowest decay incidence observed at 50 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Excessive N (200 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) also markedly increased jelly seed disorder incidence (up to 53%), whereas lower N rates showed minimal disorder development. N source and application timing had minor or inconsistent effects compared to the total N rate. Pest pressure was generally low; however, fruit cleanliness was highest under 0 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ fertilization. Overall, moderate N fertilization optimized fruit health and postharvest performance, whereas excessive N increased disease susceptibility and physiological disorders. Moreover, complementary agronomic results from the same orchard indicated that a N-application rate of 50 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ is optimal for maximizing yield.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115220"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149202190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}