Plants-Basel最新文献

{"title":"Full-Length Transcriptome Sequencing of <i>Pinus massoniana</i> Under Simulated <i>Monochamus alternatus</i> Feeding Highlights bHLH Transcription Factor Involved in Defense Response.","authors":"Quanmin Wen, Yajie Cui, Tian Xu, Yadi Deng, Dejun Hao, Ruixu Chen","doi":"10.3390/plants14132038","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14132038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Pinus massoniana</i> is a significant lipid-producing tree species in China and a susceptible host for both the pine wood nematode and its insect vector, <i>Monochamus alternatus</i>. The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors play a crucial role in responding to both biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the role of bHLH in terpene-induced defense in <i>P. massoniana</i> remains poorly studied.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Transcriptome sequencing using DNA Nanoball Sequencing (DNBSEQ) and PacBio Sequel platforms was performed, revealing differences in gene expression in <i>P</i>. <i>massoniana</i> branch under the simulated feeding treatment of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) spraying. Fifteen <i>bHLH</i> genes were cloned and analyzed, among which eight highly upregulated <i>PmbHLH</i> genes showed similar temporal expression after MeJA treatment and <i>M</i>. <i>alternatus</i> adult feeding. Five highly upregulated <i>bHLH</i> genes with nuclear localization were highly expressed in <i>P. massoniana</i> after <i>M. alternatus</i> feeding and interacted with the promoter of the terpene synthase gene <i>Pm TPS (-)-α-pinene</i>, confirming their involvement in the defense response of <i>P. massoniana</i> against the <i>M. alternatus</i> adult feeding.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results unveil the temporal changes and the regulation of the induced defense system in <i>P. massoniana</i> mediated by both MeJA signaling and <i>M. alternatus</i> feeding treatment. The potential application for transgenic experiments and the breeding of resistant species in the future were discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12251683/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification and Quantification of Anthocyanins in Various Organs of Potato Varieties (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) as Potential Visual Selection Markers During Breeding.","authors":"Irina V Kim, Muhammad A Nawaz, Dmitry I Volkov, Aleksey G Klykov, Mayya P Razgonova, Kirill S Golokhvast","doi":"10.3390/plants14132042","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14132042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Phenolic compounds, which are a large group of plant pigments, are recognized as important antioxidants. The potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.), particularly the pigmented varieties, could be a source of natural anthocyanins for producing dietary foods. In this study, we analyzed forty potato specimens from our germplasm collection and breeding nurseries using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and second-order mass spectrometry to identify anthocyanins. We found seven main anthocyanins in potato tubers: delphinidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-rhamnosyl-5-glucoside, petunidin-3-glucoside, malvidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rhamnosyl-5-glucoside, and pelargonidin-3-glucoside. Two anthocyanins were found in potato inflorescences: peonidin-3-coumaroyl glucoside and cyanidin-3-coumaroyl glucoside. On average, varieties from the group with red-purple inflorescences contained 187.6 mg/kg of anthocyanins. Genotypes with white corollas had an anthocyanin content below 0.5 mg/kg or between 1.3 and 3.6 mg/kg. Two potato varieties, Vasilek (605.2 mg/kg) and Fioletovyi (501.1 mg/kg), with blue-purple corollas, had the highest total anthocyanin content. Studying the anthocyanin profile of leaves allowed us to identify eleven anthocyanins. The highest anthocyanin content (331.3 mg/kg) was found in varieties with purple or blue-purple tubers, while the lowest content (an average of 15.1 mg/kg) was found in varieties with yellow or cream tubers. Genotypes with purple and blue-purple tuber skin had an average anthocyanin content of 190.7 mg/kg. The group with yellow and cream tubers had an insignificant anthocyanin content (1.2 mg/kg). Varieties from the group with pink tubers had an average anthocyanin content of 43.2 mg/kg. Thus, this study identified diagnostic traits that could be used to assess the morphological characteristics of potato genotypes.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12251925/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Soil Drenching with Wood Distillate Modifies the Nutritional Properties of Chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum</i> L.) Seeds by Increasing the Protein Content and Inducing Targeted Changes in the Proteomic Profile.","authors":"Rossana De Salvo, Riccardo Fedeli, Alfonso Carleo, Luca Bini, Stefano Loppi, Laura Bianchi","doi":"10.3390/plants14132046","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14132046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The production of food with a naturally enriched protein content is a strategic response to the growing global demand for sustainable protein sources. Wood distillate (WD), a by-product of the pyrolysis of woody biomass, has previously been shown to increase the protein concentration and bioavailability in chickpea seeds. Here, we evaluated the effect of 0.5% (<i>v/v</i>) WD soil drenching on chickpea productivity, nutritional profile, and proteomic pattern. WD treatment significantly improved the yield by increasing plant biomass (+144%), number of pods and seeds (+148% and +147%), and seed size (diameter: +6%; weight: +25%). Nutritional analyses revealed elevated levels of soluble proteins (+15%), starch (+11%), fructose (+135%), and polyphenols (+14%) and a greater antioxidant capacity (25%), alongside a reduction in glucose content, albeit not statistically significant, suggesting an unchanged or even lowered glycemic index. Although their concentration decreased, Ca (-31%), K (-12%), P (-5%), and Zn (-14%) in WD-treated plants remained within normal ranges. To preliminary assess the quality and safety of the protein enrichment, a differential proteomic analysis was performed on coarse flours from individual seeds. Despite the higher protein content, the overall protein profiles of the WD-treated seeds showed limited variation, with only a few storage proteins, identified as legumin and vicilin-like isoforms, being differentially abundant. These findings indicate a general protein concentration increase without a major alteration in the proteoform composition or differential protein synthesis. Overall, WD emerged as a promising and sustainable biostimulant for chickpea cultivation, capable of enhancing both yield and nutritional value, while maintaining the proteomic integrity and, bona fide, food safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12252005/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimized Extraction, Comprehensive Chemical Profiling, and Antioxidant Evaluation of Volatile Oils from <i>Wurfbainia villosa</i> (Lour.) Škorničk. & A.D.Poulsen Leaves.","authors":"Yuancong Gu, Bangyu Lv, Xingrui Nian, Xinrui Xie, Xinhe Yang","doi":"10.3390/plants14132041","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14132041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study employed cellulase-assisted hydrodistillation (cellulase-HD) to extract volatile oils from <i>Wurfbainia villosa</i> (Lour.) Škorničk. & A.D.Poulsen <i>(W. villosa)</i> leaves, with process optimization conducted via the response surface methodology (RSM). The optimized extraction parameters were as follows: enzyme dosage 2.2%, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature 49 °C, hydrolysis duration 73 min, and material/liquid ratio (1:10.7 mg/mL). Under these optimal conditions, the volatile oil yield reached 0.772%, representing a 31.29% increase compared to conventional hydrodistillation (HD). GC-MS analysis identified 54 and 49 volatile compounds in cellulase-HD and HD extracts, respectively, with 39 shared components. The cellulase-HD extract was predominantly composed of γ-terpinene (14.981%), limonene (13.352%), β-phellandrene (10.634%), 4-terpineol (10.145%), and α-terpineol (8.085%). In contrast, the HD extract showed higher contents of β-phellandrene (41.881%), followed by β-myrcene (8.656%) and limonene (8.444%). Notably, cellulase pretreatment significantly increased the yield of oxygenated compounds. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed substantial compositional differences between the two extraction methods, with key differential components including fenchol, borneol, and γ-elemene. Antioxidant activity assessment demonstrated superior free radical scavenging capacity in cellulase-HD extracts. Structure-activity relationship analysis identified seven compounds with DPPH radical scavenging rates >50%, particularly, epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene (71.51%) and γ-elemene (78.91%). Furthermore, thirteen components, including isopinocamphone (66.58%) and α-terpineol (66.95%), exhibited ABTS radical scavenging rates above 50%. This study provides theoretical and technical foundations for the extraction and functional development of volatile oils from <i>W. villosa</i> leaves.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12252344/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phosphorylation of Plant Ferredoxin-like Protein Is Required for Intensifying PAMP-Triggered Immunity in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>.","authors":"Tzu-Yi Chen, Rui-Wen Gong, Bo-Wei Chen, Yi-Hsien Lin","doi":"10.3390/plants14132044","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14132044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The immune response triggered when plant cell surface receptors recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) is known as PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI). Several studies have demonstrated that extracellular plant ferredoxin-like protein (PFLP) can enhance PTI signaling, thereby conferring resistance to bacterial diseases in various plants. The C-terminal casein kinase II (CK2) phosphorylation region of PFLP is essential for strengthening PTI. However, whether phosphorylation at this site directly enhances PTI signaling and consequently increases plant disease resistance remains unclear. To investigate this, site-directed mutagenesis was used to generate PFLPT90A, a non-phosphorylatable mutant, and PFLPT90D, a phospho-mimetic mutant, for functional analysis. Based on the experimental results, none of the recombinant proteins were able to enhance the hypersensitive response induced by the HrpN protein or increase resistance to the soft rot pathogen <i>Pectobacterium carotovorum</i> subsp. <i>carotovorum</i> ECC17. These findings suggest that phosphorylation at the T90 residue might be essential for PFLP-mediated enhancement of plant immune responses, implying that this post-translational modification is likely required for its disease resistance function in planta. To further explore the relationship between PFLP phosphorylation and endogenous CK2, the <i>Arabidopsis</i> insertion mutant <i>cka2</i> and the complemented line <i>CKA2R</i> were analyzed under treatment with flg22_Pst from <i>Pseudomonas syringae</i> pv. <i>tomato</i>. The effects of PFLP on the hypersensitive response, rapid oxidative burst, callose deposition, and susceptibility to soft rot confirmed that CK2 is required for these immune responses. Furthermore, expression analysis of PTI-related genes <i>FRK1</i> and <i>WRKY22/29</i> in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway demonstrated that CK2 is necessary for PFLP to enhance flg22_Pst-induced immune signaling. Taken together, these findings suggest that PFLP enhances <i>A. thaliana</i> resistance to bacterial soft rot primarily by promoting the MAPK signaling pathway triggered by PAMP recognition, with CK2-mediated phosphorylation being essential for its function.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12251578/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the Pharmacognostic Potential of <i>Peucedanum ostruthium</i> (L.) W.D.J. Koch: A Comparative Study of Rhizome and Leaf Essential Oils.","authors":"Cristina Danna, Andrea Mainetti, Souda Belaid, Erminia La Camera, Domenico Trombetta, Laura Cornara, Antonella Smeriglio","doi":"10.3390/plants14132047","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14132047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Peucedanum ostruthium</i> (L.) W.D.J. Koch (Apiaceae) is a perennial herb native to alpine regions that is renowned in traditional medicine. This study provided a pharmacognostic evaluation, comparing the EOs obtained from its rhizomes and leaves (REO and LEO, respectively). A micromorphological analysis, which was carried out using fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, revealed terpenoid-rich secretory ducts in both organs. The EOs were extracted by hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography, coupled with flame ionization detection and mass spectrometry (GC-FID and GC-MS), revealing distinct chemical profiles. REO was dominated by monoterpenes (80.08%), especially D-limonene (29.13%), sabinene (19.77%), and α-phellandrene (12.02%), while LEO was sesquiterpene-rich (81.15%), with β-caryophyllene (21.78%), β-selinene (14.09%), and germacrene D (10.43%) as the major compounds. The in vitro assays demonstrated that both EOs exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with LEO consistently outperforming REO across all tests. However, neither EO showed antimicrobial effects against common bacterial or fungal strains. This may have been due to the absence of polar antimicrobial constituents, such as coumarins, which are poorly recovered by hydrodistillation. To fully exploit the therapeutic potential of <i>P. ostruthium</i>, especially its antimicrobial properties, future studies should aim to develop integrated formulations combining volatile and non-volatile fractions, preserving the complete plant complex and broadening bioactivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12251961/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental Drivers of Trace Element Variability in <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw.: A Cross-Regional Moss Biomonitoring Study in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova.","authors":"Omari Chaligava, Inga Zinicovscaia, Liliana Cepoi","doi":"10.3390/plants14132040","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14132040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the influence of environmental variables on the elemental composition of <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i> Hedw. mosses in Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, within moss biomonitoring studies aimed at analyzing atmospheric deposition patterns. Moss samples of <i>Hypnum cupressiforme</i>, characterized by a cosmopolitan distribution and a wide range of habitats, were collected from diverse geographical and climatic zones and analyzed for Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn. Statistical methods (Spearman correlations, PCA, Kruskal-Wallis tests) were applied to evaluate interactions between elemental concentrations and factors such as topography, climate, land cover, etc. Results revealed strong correlations among lithogenic elements (Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, and V), indicating natural weathering sources, while Cu exhibited potential anthropogenic origins in the Republic of Moldova. Elevated Cd and Pb levels in Georgian high-altitude regions were linked to wet deposition and steep slopes, whereas Moldovan samples showed higher Sr and Zn concentrations, likely driven by soil erosion in carbonate chernozems. The study highlights geogenic and climatic influences on element accumulation by moss, offering insights into the effectiveness of moss biomonitoring across heterogeneous landscapes.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12252356/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Novel Transcription Factor BnaA01.KAN3 Is Involved in the Regulation of Anthocyanin Accumulation Under Phosphorus Starvation.","authors":"Li He, Shan Peng, Ruihua Lin, Jiahui Zhang, Peng Cui, Yi Gan, Hongbo Liu","doi":"10.3390/plants14132036","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14132036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The investigation of phosphorus metabolism and regulatory mechanisms is conducive to maintaining stable production of crops within a low-phosphorus environment. In phosphorus signal transduction, a few phosphorus starvation response (PHR) transcription factors were identified to bind to the characteristic <i>cis</i>-element, namely the PHR1 binding sequence (P1BS). While the molecular function of the PHR transcription factor has been intensively elucidated, here, we explore a novel transcription factor, BnaA01.KAN3, that undergoes specific binding to the P1BS by yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and its expression is induced with low-phosphorus stress. BnaA01.KAN3 possessed transcriptional activation and was located in the nucleus. The spatiotemporal expression pattern of <i>BnaA01.KAN3</i> exhibited tissue specificity in developmental seed, and its expression level was especially high 25-30 days after pollination. Regarding the phenotype analysis, the independent heterologous overexpression lines of <i>BnaA01.KAN3</i> in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> exhibited not only significantly longer taproots but also an increased number of lateral roots compared to that of the wild type undergoing low-phosphorus treatment, while no differences were seen under normal phosphorus conditions. Furthermore, these lines showed higher anthocyanin and inorganic phosphorus contents with normal and low-phosphorus treatment, suggesting that <i>BnaA01.KAN3</i> could enhance phosphorus uptake or remobilization to cope with low-phosphorus stress. In summary, this study characterized the transcription factor <i>BnaA01.KAN3</i> that modulates low-phosphate adaptation and seed development, providing insights for improving phosphorus use efficiency and yield traits in <i>Brassica napus</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12251713/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621350","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Species Interactions Shape Nitrogen Utilization Characteristics and Influence Soil Quality in Jujube-Alfalfa Intercropping System.","authors":"Hang Qiao, Hui Cheng, Tiantian Li, Wenxia Fan, Yaru Zhao, Zhengjun Cui, Jinbin Wang, Qingqing Yang, Chengze Jia, Wei Zhang, Guodong Chen, Sumei Wan","doi":"10.3390/plants14132048","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14132048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intercropping legumes offers a sustainable approach to enhance resource efficiency and yields, yet the effects of different legume densities and nitrogen addition levels on soil quality within such systems remain unclear. We conducted a comparative analysis of crop yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and soil quality between intercropping and monoculture systems, and further examined the effects of four planting densities (D1: 210 kg ha^-1, six rows; D2: 280 kg ha^-1, eight rows; D3: 350 kg ha^-1, ten rows) and four nitrogen application levels (N0: 0 kg ha^-1; N1: 80 kg ha^-1; N2: 160 kg ha^-1; N3: 240 kg ha^-1) within a jujube-alfalfa (<i>Ziziphus jujuba</i> Mill. and <i>Medicago sativa</i> L. respectively) intercropping system. The results showed that intercropping significantly enhanced land productivity within the agricultural system, with the highest yields (alfalfa: 13790 kg ha^-1; jujube: 3825 kg ha^-1) achieved at an alfalfa planting density of 280 kg ha^-1. While the intercropping systems generally improved productivity, an alfalfa planting density of 350 kg ha^-1 resulted in an actual yield loss due to excessive nutrient competition at higher densities. As the planting density of alfalfa increased, its competitive ratio declined, whereas the competitive ratio of jujube trees increased. Compared to monocropping systems, intercropping systems demonstrated a clear trend of enhanced nitrogen utilization efficiency and improved soil quality, particularly at an alfalfa planting density of 280 kg ha^-1. At an alfalfa density of 280 kg ha^-1, the intercropping system exhibited increases of 15.13% in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), 46.60% in nitrogen partial factor productivity (NPFP), and 32.74% in nitrogen nutrition index (NNI), as well as improvements in soil quality of 19.53% at a depth of 0-20 cm and 15.59% at a depth of 20-40 cm, compared to the monoculture system. Further analysis revealed that nitrogen utilization efficiency initially increased and then decreased with a rising competitive ratio of alfalfa. Accordingly, soil quality was improved along with the enhanced nitrogen utilization efficiency. Thus, at an alfalfa planting density of 280 kg ha^-1, resource use efficiency and soil quality were maximized as a result of optimal interspecific competitiveness and the highest nitrogen use efficiency, with minimal influence from the application of nitrogen fertilizer.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12251689/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of the Status of <i>Cephalanthera longifolia</i> Populations in Lithuania Derived from a Single-Census Study.","authors":"Laurynas Taura, Zigmantas Gudžinskas","doi":"10.3390/plants14132039","DOIUrl":"10.3390/plants14132039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study of plant demography is important for identifying ongoing population processes and trends. While single-census studies have limited ability to capture long-term dynamics, they are crucial for establishing baseline data on the status of plant populations. In 2022, four populations of <i>Cephalanthera longifolia</i> (Orchidaceae) in Lithuania were studied using a standardised sampling plot method. Within each population, 20 plots were established along a transect. All plant species within each plot were recorded, and their coverage was estimated. Additionally, the height of the plants, the cover of plant debris, and the amount of bare soil in the sampling plot were assessed. Vegetative individuals of <i>C. longifolia</i> were dominant across all populations, comprising between 58.7% and 85.1% of all individuals. Combining data from all populations revealed that vegetative individuals accounted for 71.8% of the total population, while generative individuals accounted for the remaining 28.2%. The mean density of individuals in the studied populations ranged from 3.8 ± 2.3 to 11.1 ± 4.3 individuals per square metre. A comparison of plant traits (plant height, inflorescence length, number of flowers in inflorescence, number of fruits set, and number of leaves) was performed between populations. Increased cover of plant debris was found to have the strongest negative effect on the number of individuals. We believe that the demographic type of a population (dynamic, normal or regressive) should be assessed in the context of the life cycle of certain species and their ecological traits, rather than mechanistically. Under reduced light availability, most individuals remained in a vegetative state. Therefore, the ratio of generative to vegetative individuals reflects current habitat conditions rather than long-term population trends.</p>","PeriodicalId":56267,"journal":{"name":"Plants-Basel","volume":"14 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12251907/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144621301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}