Scientia Horticulturae最新文献

{"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}

{"title":"The transcription factor VvMYB308 positively regulates salt stress tolerance in Vitis vinifera","authors":"Man Zhang,&nbsp;Ling Su,&nbsp;Yingchun Chen,&nbsp;Zhihua Song,&nbsp;Tingting Du,&nbsp;Na Li,&nbsp;Xinbin Jiang,&nbsp;Hongyan Cao,&nbsp;Dong Meng,&nbsp;Qing Yang,&nbsp;Bo Li,&nbsp;Lei Gong","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115234","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115234","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil salinization significantly limits agricultural yields. The results indicated that ‘Kyoho’ as the most salt-tolerant cultivar among four tested grape varieties. Moreover, transcriptome analysis showed that <em>VvMYB308</em> and <em>VvCHI2</em>(chalcone isomerase 2) were key genes associated with flavonoid synthesis and respond to salt stress in grapes. The physiological analysis indicated substantially increased quercitrin levels in the salt-tolerant ‘Kyoho’ variety under salt stress. Subcellular localization analysis showed that VvMYB308 resided in the nucleus and interacted with the <em>VvCHI2</em> promoter. Similarly, transient transformation assays revealed that <em>VvMYB308</em> positively modulated salt tolerance in grape tissue-cultured seedlings. This study indicated that the VvMYB308-<em>VvCHI2</em> pathway modulated grape salt tolerance by promoting quercitrin synthesis. These findings provide theoretical evidence for the breeding of salt-tolerant grape varieties and their cultivation in saline‒alkali soils.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115234"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149202191","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":"Flowering-associated organ divergence of rhizome storage traits and leaf antioxidant flavonol glycosides in Houttuynia cordata","authors":"Chunpeng Fei,&nbsp;Fayin He,&nbsp;Zhongyan Yan,&nbsp;Tianqi Fu,&nbsp;Guishuang Tian,&nbsp;Guixiong Zhou,&nbsp;Xiaolan Li,&nbsp;Kun Li,&nbsp;Ming Tang,&nbsp;Guoqiang Zhang,&nbsp;Zhengting Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115235","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115235","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rhizome-storage food–medicine perennials must balance underground reserves with reproductive development and specialized metabolism during flowering, yet how this transition shapes organ-specific quality traits remains poorly resolved. Therefore, <em>Houttuynia cordata</em>, a representative edible and medicinal rhizomatous herb, was used to examine whether flowering is associated with coordinated divergence between rhizome storage traits and leaf bioactive phytochemical accumulation. Leaves and rhizomes collected at the pre-flowering and flowering stages were profiled using biochemical assays, LC–MS-based metabolomics, transcriptomics, and qRT-PCR. Flowering was associated with reduced rhizome polysaccharide content but increased total flavonoid content in both organs, whereas DPPH-based antioxidant capacity was enhanced mainly in flowering leaves. Transcriptomic and module-level analyses identified <em>HcSUC1</em> and related sugar transport genes as candidate genes associated with quality-related carbohydrate metabolic changes during flowering. NAGS- and AO-related genes, together with L-arginine, L-citrulline, and N-acetylornithine, revealed organ-stage divergence of arginine-related metabolism between rhizomes and leaves. A leaf-biased flavonol glycoside profile, marked by quercitrin, rutin, kaempferin, isoquercitrin, and hyperoside, was associated with the enhanced antioxidant capacity of flowering leaves. Although direct physiological validation of inter-organ resource allocation and the functional roles of these candidate genes is still required, this study supports a working model in which flowering is associated with reduced rhizome storage traits and leaf flavonol-rich antioxidant characteristics. These findings provide an organ-by-stage framework for harvest-stage optimization and quality evaluation of rhizome-storage food–medicine herbs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115235"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149202220","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":"Phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolism are closely associated with callus proliferation and somatic embryogenesis in litchi","authors":"Qiurong Sun,&nbsp;Guo Wang,&nbsp;Chengjie Chen,&nbsp;Shujun Wang,&nbsp;Fang Li,&nbsp;Huanling Li,&nbsp;Xiaoxu Li,&nbsp;Jiabao Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115216","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115216","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Somatic embryogenesis (SE) in litchi (<em>Litchi chinensis</em> Sonn.) is limited by low efficiency and progressive loss of embryogenic potential during long-term subculture, yet the underlying metabolic basis remains unclear. Comparison of callus proliferation and SE between 21J26 and 15J90, two lines are Feizixiao’ embryogenic callus representing different subculture histories, revealed that 21J26 exhibited significantly greater proliferative capacity and embryogenic competence than 15J90. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed to elucidate the metabolic differences between 21J26 and 15J90 during callus proliferation and SE. Flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways were significantly enriched at both developmental stages. A total of 16 differentially accumulated metabolites were identified, including the compounds exogenously applied in the supplementation experiments, namely (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and syringin. Within an optimal concentration range, all three compounds promoted the proliferation in 21J26. Among these, (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin significantly enhanced SE induction in 21J26, whereas syringin exerted a significant inhibitory effect on this process. (+)-Catechin and syringin promoted callus proliferation at specific concentrations but did not significantly affect SE in 15J90. (−)-Epicatechin at concentrations exceeding 25 μg/mL significantly inhibited both callus proliferation and SE in 15J90. Collectively, our findings suggest that phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolism contribute to the regulation of callus proliferation and SE in litchi, providing potential metabolic targets for improving regeneration efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"368 ","pages":"Article 115216"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149150754","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}