Scientia Horticulturae最新文献

{"title":"Prolonged high drought stress reduces starch concentration in tomato pistils and leaves without activating degradation pathways","authors":"Mohamad al Hassan ,&nbsp;Trisha Pereira ,&nbsp;Helen Boldingh ,&nbsp;Andrew Allan ,&nbsp;Annette Richardson ,&nbsp;Simona Nardozza","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114256","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114256","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Drought stress and yield loss in crops will become more common due to climate change. Starch turnover is one mechanism plants use to mitigate drought stress and has been studied in leaves of various plant species. We compared the effect of drought treatment on starch turnover in flowers and leaves of tomato, a model plant and major crop. Applying a prolonged high drought treatment to tomato plants led to a significant reduction in plant growth and increased flower abortion, with a large reduction in starch concentrations in flower pistils (60 %) and mature leaves (75 %), but not sucrose. However, genes from the starch degradation pathway were not induced. <em>SIBAM3.2</em> and <em>SlBAM9</em> were down-regulated in pistils and young leaves. In contrast, <em>SIBAM3.1</em> was significantly down-regulated in mature leaves, suggesting a different starch degradation response between source and sink tissues. <em>SlESV1</em>, encoding for a protein involved in restricting starch degradation, was also significantly down-regulated in pistils. To explore carbon changes during flower development and put drought stress into context, we investigated metabolite and transcriptional variations in all flower tissues from control plants. In pistils, starch concentrations were lower than in other floral tissues and lower than sucrose in pistils. Transcriptional profiles showed <em>SlBAM3.2</em> and <em>SlBAM9</em> were up-regulated and <em>SlESV1</em> was down-regulated during pistil development. From this we concluded that lower starch concentrations in drought treated pistils were caused by decreased <em>SIESV1</em> transcription allowing higher starch degradation rates, and that pistil starch turnover is critical for flowering success, fruit development and yield serving as a buffer to maintain stable sucrose concentrations during drought.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"349 ","pages":"Article 114256"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144511137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nitrogen enhances seed oil, tocopherols, seed yield, and seed quality in onion","authors":"Indrajitsingh Pravinsingh Girase ,&nbsp;Prashant Kumar Rai ,&nbsp;Vaidurya Pratap Sahi ,&nbsp;Arunachalam Thangasamy ,&nbsp;T.P. Shabeer Ahammed ,&nbsp;Vishwanath Rohidas Yalamalle","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114225","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114225","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nitrogen is an important nutrient known for enhancing biomass and grain yield. Nevertheless, the effect of varying nitrogen treatment rates on the tocopherol levels in onion seeds remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how the different rates of nitrogen fertilization affected the seed yield, seed quality, oil content, and tocopherol content in onion seed. A field experiment was carried out for two years, i.e., 2020–21 and 2021–22. The onion seeds crop was fertilized with different nitrogen levels, i.e., 0 kg/ha, 50 kg/ha, 100 kg/ha, and 150 kg/ha. Nitrogen application had a significant effect on seed oil content and quality parameters like α, β, γ, δ and total tocopherol content. Further nitrogen applied at 100 kg/ha had a favourable effect on the seed yield and seed quality parameters. These results demonstrate that nitrogen fertilization improves both the quantity and seed oil and quality of onion seeds, highlighting its significance in enhancing onion seed yield and quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"349 ","pages":"Article 114225"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Verticillium wilt resistance screening and early disease detection in eggplant using leaf injection inoculation and chlorophyll fluorescence","authors":"Fengqing Cheng ,&nbsp;Tao Zhou ,&nbsp;Wenchao Du ,&nbsp;Yumeng Xiao ,&nbsp;Yunpeng Li ,&nbsp;Shuangxia Luo ,&nbsp;Shuxing Shen ,&nbsp;Xueping Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114257","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114257","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Verticillium</em> wilt is a major threat to eggplant production, and there is an urgent need for the rapid and accurate screening of resistant varieties to enhance breeding efficiency. Owing to the long incubation period of <em>Verticillium</em> wilt before visible symptoms appear, early disease detection remains challenging. In this study, a simple and efficient leaf injection method was established and optimized by evaluating key factors, such as seedling age and inoculum concentration. The results showed that the two-leaf-one-heart stage, combined with a spore concentration of 1 × 10⁷ spores/mL, provided optimal conditions for inoculation. Chlorophyll fluorescence (Chl-F) was used to monitor the early physiological changes in plants under pathogen stress. After pathogen inoculation, changes in Chl-F parameters, such as the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (Φ_PSII) and the relative electron transport rate (rETR), were negatively correlated with the genotype’s resistance. These parameters served as early indicators for resistance screening and grading. Furthermore, our findings confirmed the high correlation (<em>R</em> = 0.92, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) between the leaf injection and root-dipping inoculation methods in a resistance-segregating population, validating the reliability of the leaf injection method for resistance screening. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of combining the leaf injection method with Chl-F analysis for precise and early disease detection and offered valuable insights into enhancing eggplant breeding strategies for <em>Verticillium</em> wilt resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"349 ","pages":"Article 114257"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144489900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing antioxidant capacity and regulating aquaporin genes expression for better water absorption by nano-silicon","authors":"Yuquan Peng ,&nbsp;Rong Yang ,&nbsp;Peihua Yang ,&nbsp;Tingqian Yang ,&nbsp;Yuan Liu ,&nbsp;Yiqing Liu ,&nbsp;Sun Chong ,&nbsp;Yongxing Zhu ,&nbsp;Huihui Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114234","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114234","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To clarify the mitigation mechanism of silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) on Jerusalem artichoke (<em>Helianthus tuberosus</em> L.) under drought stress, we used the 'Qingyu' variety of Jerusalem artichoke as the research material. We conducted a greenhouse pot experiment to explore the effects of foliar spraying with a 100 mg·L⁻¹ nano-silicon (SiNP100) solution on the growth and physiological processes of Jerusalem artichoke seedlings subjected to drought stress, with the soil's relative water holding capacity controlled between 40 % and 45 %. The results indicated that, compared to drought stress alone, the application of SiNP100 (DS+SiNP100) significantly alleviated the growth inhibition of Jerusalem artichoke, while enhancing photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chlorophyll content in the leaf. Additionally, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and superoxide radicals (O₂∙⁻) were reduced. Conversely, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), were markedly increased. Under the DS+SiNP100 treatment, the bound water content, total water content, and relative water content increased by 44.29 %, 12.09 %, and 5.42 %, respectively. In addition, the DS+SiNP100 treatment mitigated the increase of <em>TIP1–5</em> and <em>TIP2–2</em> induced by drought stress at 35 days, and improved the drought stress-induced inhibition of the expression levels of <em>PIP2–7</em> and <em>TIP2–7</em> genes. This may be attributed to the enhanced water status of the plants due to the DS+SiNP100 treatment. It is speculated that the <em>AQP</em> gene may play a role in regulating plant water status in response to SiNP100. In summary, foliar spraying of SiNPs significantly improves the drought resistance of Jerusalem artichokes. This study offers a theoretical foundation for utilizing SiNPs in the drought-resistant cultivation of Jerusalem artichokes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"349 ","pages":"Article 114234"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144489902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insights into water absorption pathways and structural barriers of Ormosia henryi prain revealed by multimodal imaging techniques","authors":"Nianjie Shang ,&nbsp;Yan He ,&nbsp;Li Su ,&nbsp;Xiaoli Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114237","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114237","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The hard seed coat of <em>Ormosia henryi</em> Prain imposes a critical constraint on seed germination. While extensive research has been conducted on the propagation of this tree species, there exists a paucity of studies elucidating the mechanistic basis of physical dormancy in <em>O. henryi</em> seeds. Here we integrated scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dye-tracking assays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to delineate the structural impediments to water absorption and the subsequent pathways of water transport within the seed. SEM analysis revealed a complex seed coat architecture that effectively precludes water entry. Dye-tracking experiments demonstrated that the hilar region constitutes the initial site of dye penetration. MRI further demonstrated that water imbibition commences at a fissure within the hilar region, subsequently migrating towards the micropyle, where it accumulates and facilitates the internal opening of the micropyle. Two dominant water migration routes were identified: one rapid movement along vascular bundles and another traversing the interstitial space between the seed coat and cotyledon. Water mobility was continuously enhanced and transformed in the process of seed swelling absorption provide preliminary preparation for seed germination. This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of early-stage water absorption in <em>O. henryi</em>, offering critical insights for large-scale seedling cultivation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"349 ","pages":"Article 114237"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144489914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Brassinolide-induced resistance enhances antioxidant defense and metabolic pathways against anthracnose in Camellia sinensis ‘Fuding Dabaicha’","authors":"Wei Liu ,&nbsp;Xiyong Guo ,&nbsp;Qiang Chen ,&nbsp;Lijuan Fu ,&nbsp;Rifeng Wei ,&nbsp;Muhammad Moaaz Ali ,&nbsp;Muhammad Suliman Shah","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114258","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114258","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the effect of exogenous brassinolide (BR) treatment on managing anthracnose in Fuding Dabaicha tea (FDT) plants following inoculation with <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em> (<em>Cg</em>). By analyzing changes in antioxidant enzyme activities, transcriptomic profiles, and metabolomic alterations, we evaluated the induced resistance of FDT to anthracnose after BR treatment and the associated physiological and biochemical responses. The results demonstrated that BR pretreatment before <em>Cg</em> inoculation effectively delayed disease progression and enhanced the activities of peroxidase (POD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the comparison between <em>Cg</em>-inoculated control and BR-treated plants (CK-Cg vs. BR-Cg) showed significant enrichment in glutathione metabolism, plant hormone signaling, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were particularly associated with phenylalanine metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis. Metabolomic analysis further indicated that BR treatment may strengthen plant defense mechanisms by promoting the synthesis of flavonoids, flavonols, and diterpenoids. KEGG enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes and metabolites highlighted significant enrichment in glutathione metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and various secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways in both CK vs BR and CK-Cg vs BR-Cg comparisons.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"349 ","pages":"Article 114258"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144489899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The resistance of litchi fruit to Peronophythora litchii is associated with lignin biosynthesis and reactive oxygen species metabolism","authors":"Xiaoxu Li ,&nbsp;Fang Li ,&nbsp;Pengfei Wang ,&nbsp;Huanling Li ,&nbsp;Guo Wang ,&nbsp;Shujun Wang ,&nbsp;Xueren Cao ,&nbsp;Jinhua Sun ,&nbsp;Lulu Cao ,&nbsp;Lei Zhang ,&nbsp;Jiabao Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114254","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114254","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Litchi downy blight is a destructive disease that severely reduces yield and causes postharvest losses in litchi fruit. The varieties ‘Heiye’ (HY) and ‘Guiwei’ (GW) were identified as highly resistant and susceptible to <em>Peronophythora litchii</em> infection, respectively. We further investigated the differences between resistant and susceptible varieties through transcriptomic and biochemical analyses to uncover the mechanisms underlying postharvest resistance to litchi downy blight in litchi fruit. RNA-seq analysis of postharvest litchi fruit infected with <em>P. litchii</em> revealed that differentially expressed genes between HY and GW were primarily associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related pathways. The analysis of key metabolites in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis showed a significant difference in lignin content between the two varieties. Fifteen upregulated genes (<em>C4H</em>-1, <em>COMT</em>-1, <em>CAD</em>-6, and <em>POD</em>-7) were identified by RNA-seq and qRT-PCR. These genes correspond to highly active enzymes of C4H, CAD and POD involved in lignin biosynthesis, which were detected in <em>P. litchii</em>-inoculated HY fruit compared to GW. These factors contributed to the higher lignin content in HY fruit. Additionally, the ROS scavenging ability of HY pericarp was superior to that of GW, as evidenced by reduced ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and increased expression of two <em>SOD</em> genes and two <em>CAT</em> genes following <em>P. litchii</em> infection. These findings suggest that lignin biosynthesis and ROS metabolism play crucial roles in maintaining litchi fruit resistance to <em>P. litchii</em>, providing valuable insights for breeding and developing resistant varieties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"349 ","pages":"Article 114254"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144489901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chabazite and seaweed extract effects on lettuce water relations and growth","authors":"A. Satriani ,&nbsp;D. Castronuovo ,&nbsp;A. Comegna ,&nbsp;L. Cardone ,&nbsp;V. Candido ,&nbsp;S. Lovelli","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114260","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114260","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biostimulants and soil amendments play essential roles in sustainable agriculture. This research aims to highlight the potential benefit deriving from the use of a seaweed extract biostimulant (<em>Ascophyllum nodosum</em>-based biostimulant, Acadian) combined with chabazite as amendment in the sustainable management of lettuce. In particular, the effects of chabazite and seaweed extract on the lettuce water relations and growth were studied under controlled conditions. The lettuce plants were cultivated in pots filled with a sandy-loam soil mixed with chabazite, a commercial zeolite, and seaweed extract, applied to the soil by irrigation water at a concentration of 0.08 % (w/v) in two applications, to create four experimental treatments: (1) soil with 2 % chabazite; (2) soil with seaweed extract (Acadian); (3) soil with both 2 % chabazite and seaweed extract (chabazite + Acadian), and (4) soil as a control. The chabazite treatment was characterized by measuring soil water retention curves (SWRCs). Soil moisture, gas exchange parameters, leaf water potential, and growth parameters were measured. Both seaweed extract and chabazite improved photosynthesis and leaf water use efficiency. A positive effect on plant growth of lettuce plants by measuring the higher fresh weight and leaf area in the chabazite + Acadian treatment was recorded. Results carried out on lettuce plant growth suggest the possibility to obtain benefits deriving from the combined application of chabazite and seaweed extract biostimulant. The latter helps to mitigate the negative impact of chabazite in the water uptake by improving the physiological responses of lettuce plants. However, chabazite supports water retention, which could collectively enhance crop resilience and gas exchange efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"349 ","pages":"Article 114260"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144489913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unraveling phenotypic diversity and genetic structure of mulberry germplasm via GWAS: Key candidate genes and their molecular breeding potential","authors":"Changrui Zhu ,&nbsp;Yingting Qin ,&nbsp;Chengyu Liu ,&nbsp;Zhiwei Hou ,&nbsp;Jianmei He ,&nbsp;Pei Wang ,&nbsp;Die Hu ,&nbsp;Xiling Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114226","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114226","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mulberry (<em>Morus</em> spp.) is an economically important tree species with significant value in sericulture, traditional medicine, and ecological restoration. Mulberry germplasm exhibits rich phenotypic diversity in traits such as branches, leaves, and buds. In this study, we analyzed 16 phenotypic traits across 179 mulberry accessions, including both cultivated and wild resources. Simplified genome sequencing was conducted to assess genetic structure and perform genome-wide association analysis (GWAS). The results revealed a high diversity index (<em>H</em> = 1.69) for branch color, while leaf weight exhibited a substantial coefficient of variation (35.39 %). Population genetic structure analysis of 216 accessions classified them into two major groups: cultivated mulberry (G2), represented by <em>\"Heyebai\"</em> (2n=28), and wild mulberry (G1), represented by <em>M. notabilis</em> (2n=14). GWAS using 32,120 valid markers identified 52 significant marker-trait associations (MTAs), with loci <em>pos18665657</em> (Chr8) and <em>pos7501771</em> (Chr10) strongly linked to leaf area and leaf weight, respectively. Selective sweep analysis further uncovered 102 candidate genes potentially underlying the divergence between wild and cultivated mulberry. Additionally, 20 candidate genes associated with leaf area and 10 associated with internode length were prioritized. These findings enhance our understanding of mulberry evolution and provide valuable insights for molecular breeding programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"349 ","pages":"Article 114226"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144489898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of morphological characteristics and light environment strategies to mitigate intumescence in water spinach cultivated in a plant factory with artificial lighting","authors":"Seohyun Choi ,&nbsp;Meiyan Cui ,&nbsp;Jeesang Myung ,&nbsp;Jaewook Shin ,&nbsp;Byungkwan Lee ,&nbsp;Hyein Lee ,&nbsp;Changhoo Chun","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114250","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114250","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Water spinach (<em>Ipomoea aquatica</em> Forrsk.) is a productive aquatic plant extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas; nonetheless, it is susceptible to intumescence, a physiological condition that reduces growth and commercial value, particularly in plant factories employing artificial lighting. This study investigated the characteristics of intumescence and explored light strategies to mitigate its incidence. Seedlings were grown under white LEDs with a light intensity of 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for seven days during seedling production. Air temperature and relative humidity were maintained at 24/20 °C and 65/85 % (photo-/dark periods), respectively, and the CO₂ concentration was maintained at 800 μmol mol⁻¹. Seedlings were transplanted at planting densities of 105.8, 211.6, and 846.6 plants/m² and exposed to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) levels of 100, 200, and 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for 21 days. Another experiment maintained the same daily light integral (DLI) of 11.52 mol m⁻² d⁻¹ across all treatments, which consisted of three combinations of PPFD (320, 200, and 160 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and photoperiod (10, 16, and 20 h d⁻¹). The third experiment used high-density planting (846.6 plants/m²) under a PPFD of 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ with supplementary UV-B radiation (0.0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 W m⁻²) for four hours daily. In water spinach, intumescence symptoms under these conditions involved hypertrophy of spongy parenchyma cells in leaves and hyperplasia of collenchyma cells in stems, accompanied by cuticular abnormalities that are likely to impair photosynthesis and reduce the commercial value of the crop. Higher PPFD increased biomass at lower densities, whereas mutual shading at denser planting reduced the light availability. Longer photoperiods with lower light intensities reduced intumescence severity while maintaining yield at the same DLI. UV-B supplementation at 1.0 W m⁻² effectively mitigated intumescence without reducing growth, while higher UV-B intensities negatively impacted growth. Cultivating water spinach at 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPFD with high planting density and 1.0 W m⁻² UV-B radiation minimizes intumescence while ensuring high yield and quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"349 ","pages":"Article 114250"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144480693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}