Scientia Horticulturae最新文献

{"title":"Comprehensive analysis of emitted and endogenous floral volatiles and aroma characteristics in 23 hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) cultivars","authors":"Peng Zhang,&nbsp;Tinghao Liu,&nbsp;Hualong Li,&nbsp;Fang Xu,&nbsp;Yirui Chen,&nbsp;Kun Yang,&nbsp;Ming Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hyacinth (<em>Hyacinthus orientalis</em>) is a globally important bulbous ornamental plant with high ornamental and commercial value. However, the chemical characteristics of its floral fragrance remain poorly understood, which limits the targeted breeding of fragrant hyacinth cultivars and the industrial production of hyacinth essential oil. This study adopted HS-SPME and OSE coupled with GC–MS to characterize the emitted and endogenous VOCs in 23 hyacinth cultivars at the full-blooming stage. Correlation analysis between petal color parameters and VOC contents (emitted and endogenous), multivariate statistical analyses (PCA, PLS-DA), and linear regression analysis were conducted to assess VOC emission patterns, and ROAVs were calculated to screen the key aroma-contributing compounds. A total of 74 emitted VOCs (34–48 per cultivar) and 42 endogenous VOCs (24–32 per cultivar) were identified. Phenylpropanoids/benzenoids and terpenes dominated emitted VOCs. Notably, endogenous VOCs mainly covered phenylpropanoids/benzenoids. VOC emission ratios were negatively correlated with boiling points and molecular weights, but positively correlated with vapor pressures. Phenylpropanoids/benzenoids and several terpenes exhibited significant correlations with color parameters (e.g., <em>L*, a*, b*</em>, and <em>C*</em>). PLS-DA identified 29 characteristic emitted and 14 characteristic endogenous VOCs. Based on the ROAV results, the cultivars were classified into five fragrance types: “Floral”, “Floral and Chemical”, “Green/Leafy”, “Green/Leafy and Fruity”, and “Spicy”. Hierarchical cluster analysis based on the integrated traits further validated the cultivar grouping patterns. This study systematically elucidates the VOC composition, release dynamics, and fragrance classification of hyacinth, providing a theoretical foundation for fragrance-oriented breeding and essential oil production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"367 ","pages":"Article 115166"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148980286","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":"Molecular insights into heat stress tolerance in citrus: Roles of antioxidant systems, carotenoids, cytochrome P450, and genome editing","authors":"Arfa Tanveer,&nbsp;Muhammad Hassaan Khan,&nbsp;Rana Muhammad Atif,&nbsp;Muhammad Tehseen Azhar,&nbsp;Muhammad Usman,&nbsp;Zulfiqar Ali,&nbsp;Iqrar Ahmad Rana","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115154","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115154","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate changes have intensified the impact of heat stress and posing a significant threat to citrus production by affecting plant growth, fruit quality and yield. Citrus is a perennial fruit crop with a long juvenile phase and is especially sensitive to prolonged high temperature, which emphasis the need of development of heat resilience citrus cultivars with an urgency. Heat stress induces a network of physiological, biochemical and molecular processes in plants that operate to maintain cellular homeostasis and promote thermotolerance. Here, we reviewed the major possible physiological changes caused by heat stress in citrus, which leads to reduced photosynthesis, severe oxidative damage, membrane instability and water relations disturbance. Further, we discussed the molecular pathways involved in heat tolerance, such as abscisic acid (ABA) signal transduction, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their detoxification, heat shock proteins (HSPs), heat shock factors (HSFs), and other stress response pathways. Particular attention is given to the roles of the metabolism of carotenoids and the gene family of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) in the antioxidant system, signaling stress, and maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. In the recent years, information resources on thermotolerance have been advanced by the identification of various candidate genes through genomics and functional studies, which are useful targets for crop improvement. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing is also presented as a promising approach to modifying stress-induced genes with precision and efficiency to meet the urgent need to develop climate resilience in citrus cultivars, which also address the unturned stones of conventional breeding. Future integration of multi-omics, functional genomics and precision genome editing approaches will provide a powerful framework for developing the next-generation of citrus varieties that will be able to ensure sustainable citrus production under a changing climate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"367 ","pages":"Article 115154"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148932672","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":"Halotolerant Pseudomonas cedrina strains enhance salinity tolerance and fruit yield in strawberry through physiological responses and improved ion homeostasis","authors":"Shahriyar Einizadeh,&nbsp;Ali Akbar Shokouhian,&nbsp;Rasoul Azarmi","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Salinity stress critically constrains strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa</em> Duch.) production, particularly in regions affected by secondary salinization. This study evaluated the efficacy of two halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), <em>Pseudomonas cedrina</em> SH_EI23 (SHA) and SH_EI24 (SHB), isolated from native halophyte rhizospheres in the Lake Urmia basin, Iran, in mitigating salinity effects on strawberry cv. Albion. Plants were grown under soil and soilless systems and exposed to 0, 30, and 60 mM NaCl. Salinity severely reduced vegetative growth, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), and fruit yield, while increasing oxidative stress markers (MDA, electrolyte leakage) and Na⁺ accumulation. However, PGPR inoculation, particularly SHA, significantly ameliorated these adverse effects. Under 60 mM NaCl, SHA inoculation substantially increased fruit yield compared to non-inoculated controls, with a greater response observed in the soilless system. Inoculated plants maintained higher relative water content, stomatal conductance, and Fv/Fm, alongside enhanced proline and soluble carbohydrate accumulation. Antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, POD) were significantly increased, while MDA content and electrolyte leakage decreased. PGPR also improved ionic homeostasis by increasing K⁺/Na⁺ ratios and increasing leaf N, P, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ concentrations. Three-way ANOVA revealed that cultivation system did not significantly affect vegetative growth; however, the significant System × Inoculation interactions for key traits confirmed that PGPR efficacy was more pronounced in the soilless system. These findings indicate that halophyte-derived <em>P. cedrina</em> strains, particularly SHA, can enhance strawberry salinity tolerance through coordinated improvements in photosynthetic performance, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense, and ion homeostasis. Overall, the results suggest that native PGPR strains have strong potential as sustainable bio-inoculants for strawberry production in salt-affected regions. However, field validation across multiple cultivars and environments remains necessary before commercial application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"367 ","pages":"Article 115186"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149021093","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":"Effects of reduced winter chill and elevated pre-bloom temperatures on dormancy release and reproductive performance in apricot","authors":"Alvaro Delgado,&nbsp;David Ruiz,&nbsp;Jose A. Egea,&nbsp;Tudor I. Gheban,&nbsp;Javier Rodrigo,&nbsp;Ana M. Muñoz-Morales,&nbsp;Jesús Lopez-Alcolea,&nbsp;Erica Fadón","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115161","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115161","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The reproductive success and yield of temperate fruit trees rely on adequate dormancy release and synchronized flowering, but warmer winters and early heat events are increasingly disrupting these processes across many growing regions. However, field studies integrating the effects of chilling deficiency and elevated pre-blossom temperatures on reproductive physiology in fruit trees are still scarce. In this study, adult apricot trees (cv. ‘Ladycot’) were exposed to two plastic-cover warming treatments, a shading-net treatment, and an uncovered control to evaluate the effects of different temperature and chill accumulation regimes. Twelve phenotypic traits related to flowering phenology and reproductive performance were monitored. The long-term and short-term warming treatments increased maximum temperature by 4.9 and 1.3°C, respectively, resulting in distinct chill accumulation patterns. Severe chill deprivation (34% lower than the control) disrupted endodormancy release, increased flowering asynchrony, and reduced flowering percentage to 17.7%. Short-term warming also reduced flowering percentage to 29.4% while advancing bloom, likely due to the chill-heat interaction in late stages of dormancy. In contrast, among flowers reaching anthesis, pollen viability and germination, pistil starch concentration, pollination success, and ovule degeneration showed only minor differences among treatments. These results indicate that insufficient chill mainly reduced flowering percentage rather than markedly altering the physiological quality of the surviving flowers. Overall, this field-based exploratory study integrates dormancy progression, phenological synchronization, floral morphology, and reproductive performance under contrasting temperature scenarios. The results show that climate warming threatens apricot productivity primarily by disrupting dormancy release and reducing the number of functional flowers, while having limited effects on individual flower quality. These findings provide new insights into the reproductive consequences of insufficient chilling and pre-bloom warming, offering valuable guidance for breeding, cultivar selection, and orchard management under future climate scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"367 ","pages":"Article 115161"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148998573","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":"Integration of robotic harvesting platforms with canopy and crop-load management for improved orchard performance","authors":"Michele Consolini,&nbsp;Giacomo Tolomelli,&nbsp;Simone Pollano,&nbsp;Nir Hazout,&nbsp;Yaniv Maor,&nbsp;Andrea Strano,&nbsp;Tommaso Magoni,&nbsp;Adebayo Ebenezer Obafemi,&nbsp;Giovanni Fiori,&nbsp;Francesco Spinelli","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115107","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115107","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Apple is one of the earliest domesticated perennial fruit crops and remains among the most widely cultivated species worldwide, accounting for more than one third of European fruit plantation acreage. In recent decades, high-density orchards, specialized training systems, and high-input management have reshaped apple production. Although these systems increase productivity, high investment costs and market expectations can compromise profitability. Technological innovation represents a key strategy to reduce labour costs, improve efficiency, and support sustainability, yet adoption remains limited by uncertainty about performance and structural constraints. This study evaluated the potential of a robotic harvester, Flying Autonomous Robots™, to automate apple harvesting, one of the most labour-intensive and costly operations in apple production. The platform was tested in an orchard not specifically designed for robotic use. The effects of canopy management, namely summer pruning and fruit thinning, were investigated on harvesting efficiency and fruit quality during selective and total picking. Harvesting efficiency ranged from 73–78% in control trees, increased to 81–91% in summer-pruned trees (Trial A), and to 91–95% in trees subjected to both summer pruning and thinning (Trial B). These practices significantly reduced unintended fruit drop. Improved performance was linked to changes in fruit colour intensity, while pruning and thinning also enhanced quality parameters. Overall, the results highlight the interaction between orchard management and robotic harvesting performance, showing targeted canopy management can substantially improve automated harvesting in orchards.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"367 ","pages":"Article 115107"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148949418","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":"Dynamic coordination between pigmentation and bitterness in Prunus cerasoides Don. Fruit: A metabolomics-based insight","authors":"Yuerong Wang,&nbsp;Pan Xia,&nbsp;Liang Yang,&nbsp;Meng Yang,&nbsp;Yan Hua,&nbsp;Jinrun Dong,&nbsp;Xuan Li,&nbsp;Shiyong Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Prunus cerasoides</em> Don., a winter-flowering cherry with spring fruit ripening, has poorly understood metabolic coordination between pigmentation and bitterness. Herein, we combined electronic tongue (E-tongue) and metabolomics to analyze anthocyanin and bitter compound dynamics across three stages: DAA40 (young fruit stage), DAA60 (color transition stage), and DAA80 (ripening stage).Our findings revealed that Anthocyanins shifted from pelargonidin-based at DAA40 to delphinidin-dominated at DAA80; cyanidin-common in cultivated cherries-was nearly absent. Bitterness persisted throughout development but decreased with maturation, and metabolomics identified 37 bitter compounds, predominantly flavonoids (29.73%). KEGG pathway analysis revealed that both anthocyanins and bitter compounds were significantly enriched in the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, sharing common upstream metabolic routes. Furthermore, correlation analysis demonstrated that pelargonidin at DAA40 exhibited a synergistic accumulation pattern with most bitter compounds, whereas delphinidin at DAA80 showed a divergent accumulation relationship with some bitter compounds. This study reveals that <em>P. cerasoides</em> balances defense (bitterness) and attraction (pigmentation) via temporal partitioning of precursor flux in shared pathways and offering a conceptual framework for understanding ecological adaptation in wild fruit trees and supporting germplasm utilization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"367 ","pages":"Article 115170"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148980314","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":"Integrated regulation of fruit development in Solanum melongena L.: From cellular dynamics to genomic control","authors":"Rimi Nandy,&nbsp;Nikhil Kumar Ramesha,&nbsp;Pawas Kumar,&nbsp;Manoj Kumar,&nbsp;Srivatsa Udupa,&nbsp;Laura Toppino,&nbsp;Yu-Chung Chiang,&nbsp;Annamalai Muthusamy","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115164","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115164","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fruit development is a key biological process that influences yield, fruit quality, and reproductive success. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in this process remain poorly understood in eggplant (<em>Solanum melongena</em> L.) compared with other Solanaceae species, particularly tomato. The interactions between cellular changes, hormone signalling, and genetic regulation during eggplant fruit development have also received limited attention. This review summarizes research to date on the main stages of eggplant fruit development, namely fruit set, cell division, cell expansion, and maturation. At each stage, we discuss cellular changes, changes in endogenous hormone levels, transcriptional regulation, and the roles of genes associated with fruit shape. The review also examines the effects of phytohormones on cellular processes at different stages and the involvement of transcription factor families, such as MADS-box, TCP, MYB, and bHLH, in hormone responses and gene expression. Fruit-shape genes identified through quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and genome-wide association studies are also discussed in relation to the cellular and hormonal processes that affect fruit shape. By considering cellular, hormonal, transcriptional, and genetic regulation together across fruit development, this review brings these aspects together to improve our understanding of eggplant-specific developmental processes and may help guide future breeding efforts aimed at improving yield, fruit uniformity, and quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"367 ","pages":"Article 115164"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148979751","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":"Genome-wide characterization of the AHL gene family and functional analysis of FaAHL6A-2 during fruit ripening in cultivated strawberry","authors":"Juan Xie,&nbsp;Hongkun Wang,&nbsp;Jiahui Liang,&nbsp;Xu Zhou,&nbsp;Kaifu Xiao,&nbsp;Huazhao Yuan,&nbsp;Linlin Xu,&nbsp;Ejiao Wu,&nbsp;Chengwen Zong,&nbsp;Yushan Qiao,&nbsp;Li Cao","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115098","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115098","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The <em>AT-HOOK MOTIF NUCLEAR-LOCALIZED</em> (<em>AHL</em>) gene family plays crucial roles in plant growth and development, environmental stress responses, and hormone signaling. Octoploid cultivated strawberry (<em>Fragaria × ananassa</em> Duch.) is an economically significant fruit crop; however, the <em>AHL</em> gene family in this species remains unclear. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of this family through whole-genome identification, expression profiling, and functional validation. After correction, 69 <em>FaAHL</em> genes were identified from the 'Benihoppe' genome, distributed across the 19 chromosomes. Based on variations in AT-hook motifs, PPC/DUF296 domains, and phylogenetic analysis, <em>FaAHLs</em> were classified into two primary clades: Clade A and Clade B. Promoter analysis revealed that many <em>FaAHL</em> genes contain <em>cis</em>-elements associated with hormone responses, stress responses, and light signaling, implying that <em>FaAHLs</em> may respond to multiple developmental and environmental cues. Transcriptome profiling across fruit developmental stages further indicated that some <em>FaAHLs</em> may participate in strawberry fruit ripening. Among these, the candidate gene <em>FaAHL6A-2</em> exhibited progressively declining expression during strawberry fruit ripening. Functional studies <em>via</em> silencing suggested that <em>FaAHL6A-2</em> acts as a negative regulator of ripening by inhibiting the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes (<em>CHALCONE SYNTHASE</em> and <em>MYB10</em>) and sucrose transporter genes (<em>SUCROSE TRANSPORTER 1</em> and <em>SWEET 9</em>), consequently reducing anthocyanin accumulation and soluble sugar content. Collectively, this work conducted the first whole-genome profiling and functional investigation of <em>FaAHLs</em> in cultivated strawberry, establishing a foundation for understanding their roles in growth and development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"367 ","pages":"Article 115098"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148979752","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":"Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling reveals carbon nanoparticles regulation of glucosinolate biosynthesis in radish microgreens (Raphanus sativus L.)","authors":"Lijuan Chen,&nbsp;Yanran Wang,&nbsp;Zhenjie Zhao,&nbsp;Chen Yang,&nbsp;Yingying Zhao,&nbsp;Mingming Jia,&nbsp;Mengke Lun","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115162","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115162","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) promoted the biosynthesis of glucosinolates (GSLs) in radish microgreens (<em>Raphanus sativus</em> L.), but the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the effects of CNPs treatment on the regulation of GSL biosynthesis were investigated through multi-omics analyses. The results showed that the nitrogen and potassium contents increased with increasing concentration of CNPs. Amino acid contents involved in the biosynthesis of GSLs decreased at a lower concentration of CNPs with range from 25-50 mg/L, while the total content of GSLs increased at a higher concentration of CNPs with range from 100-200 mg/L. Integrated analysis revealed the differentially expressed genes and differentially expressed proteins in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment pathways of amino acid metabolism, GSL biosynthesis, and glutathione metabolism. The structural genes in GSL biosynthesis, including BATC4, MAM1, IMDH1, SUR1, CYP79F1 and UGT74B1, were modulated in a concentration‑specific manner. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that the transcription factors MYB44, C2H2, MYC2 and ERF105 from modules of MEpink, MEdarkgreen and MEdarkmagenta were significantly correlated with GSLs. The results of this study elucidated the new regulatory network of GSL biosynthesis in radish microgreens treated with CNPs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"367 ","pages":"Article 115162"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148980283","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":"Agro-industrial compost teas induce metabolic priming and hormonal crosstalk in lettuce diseased by Pythium irregulare","authors":"Alicia Hernández-Lara,&nbsp;Margarita Ros,&nbsp;Cinthia Nájera,&nbsp;Angel Gil-Izquierdo,&nbsp;María Hurtado-Navarro,&nbsp;José Antonio Pascual","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115143","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115143","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sustainable lettuce production faces significant challenges due to soilborne pathogens such as <em>Pythium irregulare</em>, necessitating the development of effective biological control strategies. This study evaluates the potential of two agro-industrial waste-derived compost teas (CT1 and CT2) to suppress pathogen pressure. By integrating rhizosphere pathogen quantification (qPCR) with plant biomass assessment, defense-related gene expression, and phytohormones, we characterized the distinct physiological and molecular mechanisms through which these organic amendments enhance systemic resistance. Both compost teas enhanced disease suppressiveness compared to peat, with CT1 showing the highest suppressiveness index, while CT2 more effectively reduced pathogen abundance over time. These effects were associated with distinct physiological and molecular responses. CT1 primarily promoted plant growth, increasing cytokinin and gibberellin levels, whereas CT2 induced higher levels of stress-related hormones, including jasmonic acid (JA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Gene expression and hormone profiling revealed the activation of both induced systemic resistance (ISR) and systemic acquired resistance (SAR) pathways, although ISR-related responses were more pronounced, particularly in CT2-treated plants. Temporal analysis indicated that defense responses peaked at 48–72 h after pathogen inoculation, underscoring the dynamic plant–pathogen interactions. The results suggest that compost teas suppress <em>P. irregulare</em> through a dual mechanism involving direct pathogen suppression and plant defense priming. These findings highlight that compost feedstock composition is a critical factor in determining both soil suppressiveness and the architecture of the plant immune response.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"367 ","pages":"Article 115143"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148894528","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}