Scientia Horticulturae最新文献

{"title":"The impact of Rhamnolipid on the Physiological characteristics and metabolic pathways of Potato","authors":"Chenxu Gao ,&nbsp;Shuqun Deng ,&nbsp;Dong Zhao ,&nbsp;Junlong Feng ,&nbsp;Jiali Ning ,&nbsp;Zhuofei Zhang ,&nbsp;Weiying Zhang ,&nbsp;Haimei An ,&nbsp;Shuo Shen ,&nbsp;Hongyu Chen ,&nbsp;Yang Zhang ,&nbsp;Wei Li","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114859","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114859","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The potato serves as a crucial food crop and a significant industrial and economic mainstay in Qinghai. The impact of rhamnolipid, a typical biological fertilizer, on potato yield in Qinghai requires further investigation. This study employed transcriptome sequencing to examine the impact of rhamnolipid on potato yield in alpine locations. We adopted the Illumina platform for sequencing and examined the transcriptome of 18 potato leaf specimens. A total of 36,720 genes were functionally annotated using the GO, KEGG, NR, Swiss-Prot, Pfam, and KOG databases. Combined with physiological indices, including total chlorophyll content, total flavonoid content, and auxin content of potato leaves following rhamnolipid application. The findings indicated that rhamnolipid application enhanced the expression of differential genes regulating essential enzymes, including auxin, flavonoids, and starch in potato foliage, elucidating the molecular mechanism by which rhamnolipid increases potato yield. The findings facilitated the advancement of biological pesticides, established a theoretical foundation for the utilization of rhamnolipid in potato cultivation, offered technical assistance for achieving high and steady potato yields in Qinghai, and promoted the progression of sustainable agriculture in the plateau region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 114859"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147854404","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":"Mitigating salinity stress in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) with Methyl Jasmonate: physiological and biochemical responses under in vitro conditions","authors":"Nasrin Farhadi ,&nbsp;Reza Azadi Gonbad ,&nbsp;Omid Lotfifar ,&nbsp;Mojgan Abdeshahian ,&nbsp;Samane Mottaghi","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114850","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114850","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Salinity is a major constraint affecting the growth and productivity of sweet basil (<em>Ocimum basilicum</em> L.), a valuable glycophytic crop. The present study investigated the potential of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to alleviate salinity stress in basil under controlled in vitro conditions, providing a foundation for understanding MeJA-mediated stress responses prior to field applications. Basil plantlets were exposed to NaCl concentrations of 0, 4, 7, and 10 dS/m and treated with MeJA at 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 mM. The results showed that 0.5 mM MeJA was most effective in mitigating salt stress under the tested conditions, as indicated by reduced Na⁺ accumulation by 30–56% and higher K⁺ content, which maintained the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio above the critical threshold of 6.0 under severe salinity. MeJA application was associated with reduced oxidative stress, with malondialdehyde and H₂O₂ levels lowered by 18–58% and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) and non-enzymatic defenses (total phenol, flavonoids). Photosynthetic function was preserved as evidenced by increased chlorophyll (18–31%) and carotenoid content, alongside 12–16% higher Rubisco activity compared to untreated controls. A dose-dependent response to MeJA was observed, with 0.75 mM showing reduced efficacy under extreme stress, indicating that 0.5 mM was the most effective concentration under the tested in vitro conditions. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed patterns of coordinated regulation of key traits, with 78.6% of total variance explained by photosynthetic integrity (PC₁) and osmotic adjustment (PC₂). Overall, these findings suggest that MeJA treatment was associated with improved ion homeostasis, enhanced ROS scavenging capacity, and protection of the photosynthetic apparatus in <em>O. basilicum</em> under salinity stress. This in vitro study provides a comprehensive physiological basis for further investigations into MeJA-mediated stress resilience, noting that field validation will be necessary before any agricultural applications can be considered.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 114850"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147854418","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":"Long-term evaluation of GF-677 and rootpac series rootstocks on growth, yield, and fruit quality of peach cultivars","authors":"Melike Çetinbaş,&nbsp;Sinan Butar,&nbsp;Hakkı Koçal,&nbsp;Dilek Karamürsel,&nbsp;Yadigar Kaşık,&nbsp;Figen Akyüz,&nbsp;Mehmet Sedat Sevinç,&nbsp;Yılmaz Sesli,&nbsp;Yusuf Öztürk,&nbsp;Hasan Cumhur Sarısu","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114849","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114849","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In high-density peach orchards, strategic rootstock selection is critical for optimizing tree performance, yield, and fruit quality. This study evaluated the long-term effects of four clonal rootstocks across two peach cultivars (Elegant Lady and Venus) over a ten-year period. Field trials were conducted using two experimental designs, comparing vigorous (GF-677, Rootpac-R) and dwarfing rootstocks (Rootpac-40, Rootpac-20). Vegetative growth, trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), yield per tree and per unit area, and fruit quality traits such as weight, firmness, color, and soluble solids content were assessed. Additionally, cultivar-specific fruit quality classifications, total and unit production costs, and fertilizer, pesticide, and water use efficiency were determined. Results indicated that rootstock–cultivar interactions significantly influenced orchard performance. Rootpac-R exhibited the most vigorous growth, whereas Rootpac-20 and Rootpac-40 displayed dwarfing characteristics, lower vegetative growth, and higher yield efficiency per unit area. Rootpac-40 achieved the highest cumulative yield per TCSA, while Rootpac-R provided superior yield per tree. Rootstocks affected fruit weight and firmness, whereas fruit color and soluble solids content were largely cultivar-dependent. Resource use efficiency analyses revealed that Rootpac-20 and Rootpac-40 produced higher yields from the same inputs, enhancing fertilizer, pesticide, and water efficiency. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate rootstock–cultivar combinations to balance vegetative growth, yield efficiency, fruit quality, and resource utilization. Rootpac-R is recommended for vigorous growth, Rootpac-40 for high yield efficiency in both open-field and protected cultivation systems, and Rootpac-20 for ultra-high-density and industrial processing-oriented production. This study provides practical guidance for sustainable and resilient peach production under Mediterranean climatic conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 114849"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827555","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":"Precise prediction of apple tree first flowering date by driving the PhenoFlex model with high–resolution meteorological data","authors":"Xiaohong Liu ,&nbsp;Miao Liu ,&nbsp;Meiling Gao ,&nbsp;Yun Yang ,&nbsp;Riqiang Chen ,&nbsp;Wenjie Zhang ,&nbsp;Haikuan Feng ,&nbsp;Yang Meng ,&nbsp;Guijun Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114861","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114861","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The first flowering date of apple trees is closely related to yield, making accurate prediction essential for orchard management. Many phenological models rely on overly simplified temperature assumptions that do not fully reflect the physiological processes of apple growth. The PhenoFlex model addresses this limitation by using an S-shaped transition to describe the shift from chill to heat accumulation. In this study, we coupled three years of phenology data (2020–2022) for \"Red Fuji\" apples with hourly 0.01° gridded meteorological data from two Loess Plateau counties (Luochuan and Linyi). We evaluated the impact of data partitioning strategies (single-region, combined-region, individual-year, and combined-year) and partitioning based on average seasonal temperature gradients on the predictive capability of the PhenoFlex model. Results show that temperature gradients partitioning with single-region and combined-year calibration achieved the highest accuracy, with root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.19 days for Luochuan, 2.32 days for Linyi. Joint calibration across regions resulted in physiologically inconsistent representations of chill and heat interactions. In colder regions, flowering responses were primarily associated with reduced chill efficiency, an expanded overlap between chilling and forcing phases, and a pronounced increase in the duration of effective heat accumulation. In warmer regions, flowering advancement was primarily associated with an increased duration of effective heat accumulation. These results underscore the importance of incorporating temperature gradients into region-specific and multi-year calibration for the reliable application of PhenoFlex across heterogeneous climatic conditions, which is crucial for frost damage prevention and overall orchard management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 114861"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827592","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":"PoSPX1 enhances phosphorus deficiency tolerance by improving root growth in tree peony (Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdan’) with dual medicinal and ornamental value","authors":"Qi Xin ,&nbsp;Xiaoning Liu ,&nbsp;Ziyue Li ,&nbsp;Shunli Wang ,&nbsp;Caihuan Tian ,&nbsp;Xiuxia Ren ,&nbsp;Jingqi Xue ,&nbsp;Xiuxin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114874","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114874","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tree peony (<em>Paeonia ostii</em> ‘Fengdan’) is an economically important medicinal plant. The bark of its root, which is commonly known as Danpi, is rich in bioactive compounds. Phosphorus is essential for plant growth, and its availability can constrain plant development and metabolism. In this study, we examined the phenotypic, physiological, and molecular responses of ‘Fengdan’ seedlings to a gradient of phosphate (Pi) concentrations: deficiency (P0, 0 mM), sufficiency (P1, 1.25 mM), and high (P2, 2.00 mM). Pi deficiency reduced leaf area and root biomass initially, followed by a significant increase in both total and lateral root lengths and an elevated leaf anthocyanin content at a later stage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with Pi starvation response, transport, and metabolism. Five key candidate genes, <em>PoSPX1, PoPHT1;7, PoPAP8, PoPAP22</em>, and <em>PoGlpT</em> were identified and their expression patterns were validated. <em>PoSPX1</em> showed the highest overall responsiveness. <em>PoGlpT</em>, an organic phosphorus transporter poorly characterized in plants, was also highly responsive to Pi starvation. Notably, overexpression of <em>PoSPX1</em> in <em>Arabidopsis</em> promoted root and shoot growth and stimulated anthocyanin accumulation under low-Pi conditions. These results suggest the adaptive mechanisms to phosphate deficiency in tree peony and indicate that <em>PoSPX1</em> may play an important regulatory role. It may also provide insights for optimizing phosphorus fertilization strategies to improve Danpi yield and quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 114874"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147854483","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 transcription factor CcMYB1R1 regulates capsaicinoids biosynthesis in pepper fruits","authors":"Hong Cheng ,&nbsp;Zhengcong Luo ,&nbsp;Yuping Bai ,&nbsp;Mengjuan Li ,&nbsp;Guining Fang ,&nbsp;Xuewen Chen ,&nbsp;Qiaoli Xie ,&nbsp;Zhoubin Liu ,&nbsp;Yanyan Wang ,&nbsp;Minghua Deng ,&nbsp;Junheng Lv","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114865","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114865","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pepper is an important type of vegetable, it was widely cultivated all over the world. The MYB transcription factor family is a key member among them, playing extensive roles in various biological processes such as cell differentiation and stress response in plants. In this study, a MYB family member, <em>CcMYB1R1</em>, was successfully cloned from the 'Shuanla' pepper. Subcellular localization confirmed that CcMYB1R1 is localized in the nucleus. Expression pattern analysis revealed that the level of <em>CcMYB1R1</em> gradually increased during fruit development. Functional analysis demonstrated that silencing CcMYB1R1 led to a significant decrease in both capsaicinoids content and the expression of key biosynthetic genes, whereas its transient overexpression exhibited the opposite effect. Y1H and EMSA assays revealed that CcMYB1R1 binds to the promoters of CcCOMT and CcHCT, while LUC assays further demonstrated that CcMYB1R1 activates CcCOMT transcription. In summary, CcMYB1R1 functions as a regulatory factor in the capsaicinoids biosynthetic pathway by directly targeting downstream structural genes, thereby playing a crucial role in regulating capsaicinoids accumulation. This study provides a foundational theory for the molecular breeding and regulation of capsaicinoids content in pepper fruits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 114865"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827591","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":"Genome-wide association analysis reveals genetic loci and candidate genes for fruit quality traits in watermelon","authors":"Man Zhang,&nbsp;Yifan Chen,&nbsp;Jinqiu Liu,&nbsp;Lina Lou,&nbsp;Jian Xu,&nbsp;Guang Liu,&nbsp;Xiefeng Yao,&nbsp;Jinhua Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114868","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114868","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fruit phenotypic traits are crucial determinants of watermelon marketability and consumer preferences. To understand the genetic basis, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 143 diverse watermelon accessions. We evaluated seven important traits: fruit shape, fruit weight, rind color, rind hardness, stripe pattern, waxiness, and glossiness. GWAS identified 31 significant loci. Sequence variation analysis revealed several key candidate genes, <em>Cla97C03G066300</em> (NAC domain-containing protein) for fruit shape, <em>Cla97C01G020050</em> (CSC1-like protein) for waxiness, <em>Cla97C02G044160</em> (MADS-box transcription factor) for fruit weight, <em>Cla97C08G161580</em> (Homeobox protein knotted-1-like) for rind color, <em>Cla97C06G127280</em> (WD_REPEATS_REGION domain-containing protein) for stripe pattern, and <em>Cla97C10G187120</em> (ethylene-responsive transcription factor) for rind hardness. We then focused specifically on glossiness, a less-studied trait, and identified a major-effect locus on Chromosome 8. Integrated transcriptome analysis of glossy and non-glossy rinds showed enrichment for protein serine/threonine kinase activity and MAPK signaling pathways. The strongest candidate gene, <em>Cla97C08G161550</em> (encoding a cysteine-rich receptor-like protein kinase), was consistently associated with glossiness in the GWAS, showed differential expression in RNA-seq, and was further validated by qRT-PCR. Finally, a Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) marker was developed based on a causal SNP (Chr08_27993083). This marker perfectly cosegregated with the glossy phenotype. Overall, this study provides new genetic insights and functional markers for improving watermelon fruit quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 114868"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147854415","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":"Spatial distribution of trichomes in tea plants (Camellia sinensis) and their adaptation to drought and shading","authors":"Lei Tang,&nbsp;Xiaoyan Zhang,&nbsp;Wanping Chen,&nbsp;Yiduo Fan,&nbsp;Xiaofei Li,&nbsp;Jiayang Li,&nbsp;Jiejie Ren,&nbsp;Qiqi Zhang,&nbsp;Manping Yang,&nbsp;Jiahui Bai,&nbsp;Juan Bai,&nbsp;Chunmei Gong","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114870","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114870","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Trichomes in plants serve not only to secrete secondary metabolites and defend against biotic and abiotic stresses, but also influence the quality of processed products in species such as tea plants (<em>Camellia sinensis</em>). However, the distribution patterns of plant trichomes and the environmental adaptability of tea plant trichomes remain poorly characterized. This study reveals a distinct polar distribution of trichomes along the adaxial-abaxial, proximal-distal, and medial-lateral axes of tea plant leaves. Trichome density on both leaves and stems decreases with developmental maturation, while trichomes on leaves exhibit greater length but lower density compared to those on stems. The broad-sense heritability of trichome diameter, length, and density is remarkably high, although their coefficients of variation differ significantly. Tea plant cultivars can be classified into three categories: low trichome abundance, moderate abundance, and high abundance. Long-term drought significantly increased trichome length and density, whereas long-term shading exposure produced the opposite effect. Key trichome development genes exhibited differential responsiveness to tissue type, drought, and shade treatments in tea plants. These findings provide insights into the distributional principles of plant trichomes and facilitate the scientific utilization and genetic improvement of trichomes in tea plants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 114870"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147854484","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":"Assessing the effect of treated wastewater used in combination with inorganic nutrients on the quality and nutritional attributes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)","authors":"Emmanuel Ojochegbe Valentine ,&nbsp;Barnabas Oluoch ,&nbsp;Takudzwa Mandizvo ,&nbsp;William Musazura ,&nbsp;Alfred Odindo","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114869","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114869","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Addressing nutrient variability in wastewater through fertilizer supplementation has proven to enhance hydroponic crop growth, reduce fertilizer use, and ensure efficient wastewater reuse. However, the effect of such practice on crop quality and nutritional attributes remains unexplored. A study was conducted in a greenhouse to investigate the effect of wastewater supplementation on the quality and nutritional attributes of tomatoes (<em>Solanum lycopersicum</em> L. cv. Star. 9001). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments included anaerobic filter effluent (AF), AF supplemented with 50% of the recommended application rate of hydroponic fertilizer mix (CHFM₅₀), and 100% application rate of the hydroponic fertilizer mix dissolved in tap water (CHFM_T). Data was collected on crop quality, fruit nutrient content, and physicochemical attributes. Results showed significant differences (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) among the crop quality traits evaluated. The CHFM₅₀ and CHFM_T recorded higher and comparable fruit nutrient content, better crop quality (color index, firmness, and size), and physicochemical attributes (total soluble solids, total phenolic content, ascorbic acid content, and BrimA). In contrast, the AF-treated plants recorded lower values for the evaluated traits. This study demonstrates that the sole reuse of wastewater for crop fertigation results in suboptimal tomato quality and nutritional attributes. However, half the recommended rate of commercial hydroponic fertilizer mix (CHFM₅₀) can sufficiently supplement AF without compromising crop quality, nutrient content, and physicochemical properties. This approach can reduce the dependency on commercial fertilizers, lower the demand for freshwater use, and contribute to safe wastewater reuse in non-circulating hydroponic systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 114869"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147827554","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":"Flowering response of Vanilla planifolia and a Vanilla planifolia x Vanilla pompona hybrid to apex decapitation, in intensive crop management system","authors":"Charlotte Daguenet ,&nbsp;Frédéric Chiroleu ,&nbsp;Michel Grisoni ,&nbsp;Amaury Dedours ,&nbsp;Félicien Favre ,&nbsp;Sabine Merion ,&nbsp;Michel Dron ,&nbsp;Isabelle Fock-Bastide","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114866","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114866","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this work, we monitored the flowering phenology of two vanilla varieties (Ordinary V. planifolia and a V. planifolia X V. pompona hybrid) cultivated under intensive conditions in Mauritius. Thirty-three vine and stem development parameters were monitored during the first three flowering cycles. Data analyses at the plot, plant and stem scales, shed light on the vanilla development parameters influencing flowering probability and intensity. Thus, the effectiveness of manual decapitation to promote flowering, a practice commonly adopted empirically by vanilla growers, was formally confirmed. Flowering was hastened by one year (∼46 % increase in plant flowering probability in the cycle 2 for both varieties), and the quantity of inflorescences increased by 5 to 178 % at plot scale, fluctuating notably with the flowering year and stem rot prevalence caused by a fungus of the genus Fusarium. The high beneficial impact of apex decapitation on flowering intensity the year following the decapitation was highlighted, with decapitated stems aged 16–20 months showing the greatest flowering rates compared to decapitated stems aged 4–8 months or 28–32 months. Thus, practicing manual decapitation starting from the second year after planting should be recommended, as it reduces the time to first flowering and increases the number of inflorescences. Additionally, May was identified as the month during which apex decapitation was most effective in inducing flowering. However, given the complex interactions observed between the parameters studied, further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of apex decapitation in different environmental and agronomic conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 114866"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147854419","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}