Acta Physiologiae Plantarum最新文献

{"title":"Study of Lanthanum mitigation effects on oriental melon seedlings under NaHCO3 stress","authors":"Yuhan Zhao,&nbsp;Ritu Wu,&nbsp;Fengyi Zhang,&nbsp;Yulu Qin,&nbsp;Shuhan Xing,&nbsp;Qingqing Su,&nbsp;Haiyan Lv","doi":"10.1007/s11738-026-03972-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11738-026-03972-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Soil salinisation is a growing concern, with NaHCO₃ stress being identified as a primary abiotic factor influencing plant growth and development. This stress manifests as sodium ion accumulation in the soil, which disrupts water uptake and nutrient absorption in plants, resulting in stunted growth and reduced yields. In our study, Lanthanum (La), as a representative of the rare earth elements, was used to explore its capacity to mitigate NaHCO₃ stress effect on oriental melon seedlings. The oriental melon seedlings grew to two leaves of one mind period, treated with NaHCO₃ (30 mM), then sprayed with lanthanum chloride (LaCl₃) every three days at 0.0, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.4 mmol/L. After spraying four times, oriental melon seedlings were sampled to measure indices. The findings revealed that a LaCl₃ optimal concentration exerts a significant mitigating effect on the detrimental impacts induced by NaHCO₃ stress in oriental melon seedlings, with the 0.8 mmol/L LaCl₃ treatment exhibiting the most pronounced alleviating efficacy. The results highlight the importance of lanthanum as a bio-stimulant in agricultural practices aimed at mitigating soil salinity.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6973,"journal":{"name":"Acta Physiologiae Plantarum","volume":"48 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149035317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of key metabolic pathways and biomarkers underlying flowering time in Chinese cabbage via integrated transcriptome-metabolome analysis","authors":"Xinjie Zhang,&nbsp;Jingwen Li,&nbsp;Weiqiang Fan,&nbsp;Lisi Jiang,&nbsp;Yang Zhou,&nbsp;Wei Fu","doi":"10.1007/s11738-026-03975-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11738-026-03975-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Chinese cabbage is an economically important leafy vegetable whose yield is significantly compromised by premature bolting and flowering, making it crucial to understand the underlying regulatory mechanisms. This study systematically investigated the transcriptomic and metabolomic differences between the early-bolting mutant <i>ebm5</i>, previously generated in our laboratory through EMS mutagenesis, and the wild-type ‘FT’ under intermediate-day conditions, integrating multi-omics approaches to elucidate key pathways and biomarkers associated with flowering. A total of 30,536 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 11,775 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified. Transcriptome enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were predominantly enriched in pathways related to metabolism and environmental information processing, with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis being particularly prominent. Metabolomic profiling further indicated that flavonoids, a subclass of phenylpropanoids, represented the major DAMs and were correlated with plant growth and flowering time. Integrated analysis of both datasets demonstrated that flavonoid biosynthesis was regulated by the expression of 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (<i>4CL</i>) and cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (<i>C4H</i>). These findings enhance our understanding of how flavonoids modulate flowering time in Chinese cabbage, highlight the metabolic strategies of early-bolting mutants, and reveal potential regulatory networks underlying this trait, thereby providing a foundation for future breeding and cultivation strategies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6973,"journal":{"name":"Acta Physiologiae Plantarum","volume":"48 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149035316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined supplementation of exogenous boron and arginine relieves the copper-inhibitory effect on wheat seed germination and seedling early growth","authors":"Yiwei Mo,&nbsp;Dandan Liang,&nbsp;Tianrong Guo,&nbsp;Hai Wang,&nbsp;Jianping Ye,&nbsp;Fangping Tang,&nbsp;Guobin Liang","doi":"10.1007/s11738-026-03968-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11738-026-03968-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>We investigated the potential role of H₃BO₃ and arginine (Arg) in promoting tolerance to copper (Cu) toxicity during seed germination and early seedling growth stages of wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.). The effects of various treatments, including CuSO₄, CuSO₄ + H₃BO₃, CuSO₄ + Arg, and CuSO₄ + H₃BO₃ + Arg, on seed germination and seedling growth were assessed. Cu stress significantly reduced amylase activity and starch degradation, lowered sucrose and total soluble sugar levels in germinating seeds, and decreased the activities of SOD, CAT, and POD. This stress led to increased ROS and Cu accumulation in the seedling root tips, inhibiting root tip mitosis and early seedling growth. The combined application of H₃BO₃ and Arg exhibited superior efficacy in enhancing resistance to the toxic effects of Cu on wheat seedlings, significantly increasing amylase activity and the levels of total soluble sugars and sucrose in germinating seeds as well as promoting starch degradation. This treatment improved SOD, CAT, and POD activities and gene expression, reducing ROS and Cu accumulation in wheat seedlings. The oxidative damage induced by excess Cu was attenuated via co‑application of H₃BO₃ and Arg, which increased the concentrations of soluble sugars and sucrose, ensuring that seedlings obtained adequate nutrients from seeds. Consequently, the recovery of cell division capabilities in the root tip meristem was facilitated, ultimately promoting seedling growth under Cu stress conditions. These findings indicate that co‑application of H₃BO₃ and Arg could be an effective strategy for mitigating Cu toxicity in crops.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6973,"journal":{"name":"Acta Physiologiae Plantarum","volume":"48 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149011482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Early defoliation and nitrogen fertilization: effects on maize morphophysiology and production","authors":"Antônio Carlos de Oliveira Jr.,&nbsp;Daniele Maria Marques,&nbsp;Yago Afonso de Castro,&nbsp;Nayara Clarete da Penha,&nbsp;Plínio Rodrigues dos Santos Filho,&nbsp;Décio Karam,&nbsp;Émerson Borghi,&nbsp;Paulo César Magalhães,&nbsp;Marco Aurélio Takita,&nbsp;Thiago Corrêa de Souza","doi":"10.1007/s11738-026-03963-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11738-026-03963-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Early-stage defoliation represents a mechanical stress with increasing relevance in intensive cropping systems. This study investigated the morphophysiological responses and compensatory capacity of maize subjected to early defoliation and nitrogen (N) top-dressing management. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions using the hybrid KWS 9668 VIP 3 grown in pots. Plants were subjected to a 5-cm shoot removal at the V4 stage, combined with N top-dressing (80 kg ha⁻¹) applied at the V4 or V6 stages, alongside non-defoliated controls. Under the evaluated conditions, defoliation at V4 transiently modified biomass accumulation and root architecture but did not impair final grain weight. These physiological adjustments were characterized by increased nitrate reductase activity and stomatal conductance, which supported recovery despite reduced water-use efficiency and biochemical limitations to photosynthesis. Nitrogen top-dressing increased final shoot and root biomass, the percentage of biomass allocated to the roots, and enhanced root surface area and volume. Furthermore, N fertilization led to higher grain weight and grain nitrogen content. These results indicate that N top-dressing is essential for optimizing morphophysiological performance and enhancing yield, acting as a primary factor in plant recovery. However, these findings are restricted to the controlled greenhouse environment and the single hybrid studied. Field-scale studies are necessary to validate these responses across diverse edaphoclimatic scenarios.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6973,"journal":{"name":"Acta Physiologiae Plantarum","volume":"48 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11738-026-03963-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149011496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genome editing frontiers for developing abiotic stress tolerant and climate resilient crops","authors":"S. D. Pradeep,&nbsp;C. V. Babu,&nbsp;K. R. Aishwarya,&nbsp;B. V. Uday Kumar,&nbsp;Purbali Mukherjee,&nbsp; Pankaj,&nbsp;M. D. Prathibha","doi":"10.1007/s11738-026-03966-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11738-026-03966-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, heat, cold, and heavy metal toxicity are major constraints limiting global agricultural productivity under changing climatic conditions. These stresses disrupt plant growth and metabolism through osmotic imbalance, oxidative damage, ionic toxicity, and altered cellular signaling, ultimately resulting in severe yield losses. Conventional breeding approaches have achieved limited success in improving abiotic stress tolerance due to the complex polygenic nature of stress-responsive traits and long breeding cycles. In recent years, genome editing technologies have emerged as powerful tools for precise and targeted crop improvement. This review comprehensively discusses major genome editing platforms including zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), CRISPR/Cas systems, base editing, prime editing, and epigenome editing for developing abiotic stress-tolerant crops. Particular emphasis is placed on the editing of stress-responsive genes and regulatory networks involved in ion homeostasis, osmoprotection, antioxidant defense, hormonal signaling, and transcriptional regulation under drought, salinity, heat, cold, and heavy metal stress conditions. The review further highlights recent advances in multiplex genome editing, AI-assisted guide RNA design, multi-omics integration, and the incorporation of genome editing into marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and speed breeding pipelines for precision crop improvement. In addition, emerging technologies such as RNA-guided editors, recombinase-based systems, and nanotechnology-mediated delivery approaches are discussed in the context of next-generation plant genome engineering. The manuscript also critically evaluates current limitations including transformation barriers, off-target effects, field-level validation, regulatory uncertainty, intellectual property concerns, and socio-economic accessibility. Collectively, genome editing represents a transformative strategy for developing climate-resilient and high-yielding crops capable of supporting sustainable agriculture and future food security.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6973,"journal":{"name":"Acta Physiologiae Plantarum","volume":"48 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149011500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"qaGenome-wide identification of TCP transcription factors in Camellia sinensis and their expression response to light and dark conditions","authors":"Huanzhu He,&nbsp;Qiaohong Fan,&nbsp;Meichun Chen,&nbsp;Wenxiong Lin,&nbsp;Yuhang Jiang","doi":"10.1007/s11738-026-03967-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11738-026-03967-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><i>Camellia sinensis</i> is a major economic crop widely cultivated in Asia and of global importance as the source of tea, one of the most consumed beverages worldwide, and TCP transcription factors are known to participate in plant growth and development. However, a systematic characterization of the TCP gene family in tea plant remains limited. In this study, 37 TCP genes were identified in the <i>C. sinensis</i> genome and designated <i>Cs</i>TCP1–<i>Cs</i>TCP37. Their physicochemical properties, predicted subcellular localizations, chromosomal distributions, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, and promoter cis-elements were comprehensively analyzed. Expression profiles under light and dark treatments were also examined. The 37 <i>Cs</i>TCP proteins varied in amino acid length, molecular weight, and isoelectric point. Most <i>Cs</i>TCP proteins were predicted to be localized in the nucleus, whereas <i>Cs</i>TCP14 was additionally predicted to be chloroplast-associated. Phylogenetic analysis classified the <i>Cs</i>TCP proteins into three subgroups: PCF, CIN, and CYC/TB1. The <i>Cs</i>TCP genes were unevenly distributed across 13 chromosomes, and duplication analysis suggested that gene duplication contributed to the expansion of this family in tea plant. Promoter analysis revealed the presence of multiple cis-elements related to light responsiveness and hormone signaling. These results provide a useful framework for further studies on the evolution and potential functions of TCP genes in <i>C. sinensis</i>.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":6973,"journal":{"name":"Acta Physiologiae Plantarum","volume":"48 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149011499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physiological and transcriptome analysis reveal the mechanism underlying change of fatty acids composition in seed of Brassica napus under drought stress","authors":"Bo Zhu,&nbsp;Kexin Yue,&nbsp;Yuxin You,&nbsp;Liqiong Shen,&nbsp;Junxing Lu,&nbsp;Tao Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s11738-026-03965-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11738-026-03965-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Drought is the primary abiotic stress which generally leads to substantial losses both in <i>Brassica napus</i> (rapeseed) yield and quality. In this study, pot experiments were conducted with a 14-d drought stress (DS) imposed during rapeseed pod development. Well watered plants were designated as the control (CK). Seed fatty acids (FAs) composition was analyzed at 3, 6, 9, 14, 28 d after drought stress (DAS). Drought stress drastically reduced seed yield and oil content, and induced a large decrease in oleic acid content. Transcriptomic analysis identified 2095 up-regulated and 250 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in seeds between DS and CK. A large number of DEGs related to triacylglycerol hydrolysis, as well as linoleic and linolenic acid oxidation, were significantly up-regulated under drought stress, including three <i>triacylglycerol lipase SDP1</i>, seven <i>lipoxygenase,</i> two <i>linoleate-9s-lioxygenase,</i> one <i>α-dioxygenase</i>. Meanwhile, genes involved in jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis were up-regulated under drought stress. The elevated oxidation of linolenic acid facilitated JA biosynthesis. Consequently, the contents of both linoleic and linolenic acid decreased markedly under 14-d drought stress. This study highlighted a set of drought-responsive genes involved in FAs metabolism where cultivating and breeding efforts can utilize to improve rapeseed oil quality under drought stress.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6973,"journal":{"name":"Acta Physiologiae Plantarum","volume":"48 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149011497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"XRF-based element accumulation analysis of the populations of the hyperaccumulator Noccaea aucheri (Brassicaceae) species complex throughout its distribution range in Türkiye","authors":"Ilgın Deniz Can,&nbsp;Gizem İmrak,&nbsp;Boğaç Kılıçarslan,&nbsp;Cagatay Karaaslan,&nbsp;Barış Özüdoğru","doi":"10.1007/s11738-026-03960-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11738-026-03960-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Plant-based approaches such as biomonitoring, bioremediation and phytoremediation offer sustainable tools for assessing ecosystem health and restoring polluted habitats through natural interactions between organisms and environmental contaminants. The ability of plants to selectively accumulate trace elements and metals makes them useful for environmental monitoring in geochemically challenging landscapes. In this study, elemental accumulation patterns in the <i>Noccaea aucheri</i> species complex were investigated by integrating multi-element X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements with bioclimatic variables. Seventeen elements were analysed from basal and stem leaves collected from 12 wild populations across Türkiye. Principal component analysis (PCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) were used to characterise major axes of elemental variation and to quantify relationships between elemental profiles and environmental predictors. Coordinated multielement variation was revealed by PCA in both leaf types, whereas RDA indicated that elemental composition was associated mainly with altitude and taxon-associated grouping. Nickel (Ni) concentrations were high across all taxa and populations, supporting the hyperaccumulation capacity of the complex in ultramafic and related edaphic habitats. Differences between basal and stem leaves suggest tissue-level variation in elemental allocation, but these patterns should be interpreted as indicative rather than as direct evidence of specific physiological mechanisms. Overall, the <i>N. aucheri</i> species complex provides a useful model for investigating multielement accumulation in serpentine-associated Anatolian plants. Given the absence of paired soil data and unbalanced taxonomic sampling, the results are best interpreted as a comparative, hypothesis-generating framework for future plant-soil ionomic, physiological and biomonitoring studies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6973,"journal":{"name":"Acta Physiologiae Plantarum","volume":"48 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149011483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptive strategies of Aesculus against Cameraria ohridella: implications for urban green space management","authors":"Olena Vasheka,&nbsp;Kristina Pryshchepna,&nbsp;Lidia Babenko,&nbsp;Ewa Skwarek,&nbsp;Małgorzata Wiśniewska","doi":"10.1007/s11738-026-03969-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11738-026-03969-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The horse-chestnut leaf miner (<i>Cameraria ohridella</i> Deschka &amp; Dimič) is one of the most destructive invasive pests of horse-chestnut (<i>Aesculus hippocastanum</i> L.), causing widespread damage to urban trees throughout Europe and reducing essential ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, evapotranspiration, and microclimate regulation. Although numerous studies have investigated the biology, invasion dynamics, and control of <i>C. ohridella</i>, an integrative understanding of host physiological responses and their implications for sustainable urban management remains lacking. The principal aim of this review is to develop an integrative understanding of the host–herbivore–urban environment system by synthesizing current knowledge from plant physiology, biochemistry, ecology, and urban forestry. The review synthesizes current evidence on the structural, physiological, biochemical, and ecological responses of <i>Aesculus</i> species to <i>C. ohridella</i> infestation, including alterations in leaf anatomy, photosynthesis, transpiration, oxidative metabolism, volatile organic compound (VOC)-mediated signaling, phenology, and interactions with phytopathogens and environmental stressors. We further evaluate interspecific variation in susceptibility among <i>Aesculus</i> species, identify anatomical and biochemical traits associated with resistance, and critically examine how urban microclimate, landscape structure, and climate-related factors influence pest development and infestation severity. By integrating these diverse lines of evidence, the review provides a system-level understanding of the interactions among <i>Aesculus</i> species, <i>C. ohridella</i>, and the urban environment. It also critically evaluates current urban management approaches, including sanitation measures, biodiversity-based strategies, biological control, and the selection of resistant taxa for sustainable urban planting. This integrative synthesis provides a scientific foundation for understanding host resistance, predicting pest dynamics, identifying resistance-associated traits, and developing sustainable strategies to enhance the resilience of urban tree populations under increasing biotic and climatic pressures.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6973,"journal":{"name":"Acta Physiologiae Plantarum","volume":"48 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11738-026-03969-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149011498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Coordinated regulation of water relations and leaf succulence in beet (Beta vulgaris L.) under interacting salinity and soil moisture stress","authors":"Lucas Yago de Carvalho Leal,&nbsp;Martha Katharinne Silva Souza Paulino,&nbsp;Ênio Farias de França e Silva,&nbsp;Bruce Schaffer,&nbsp;Edivan Rodrigues de Souza","doi":"10.1007/s11738-026-03959-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11738-026-03959-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Salinity and soil water limitation frequently co-occur in semi-arid environments, yet their combined effects on plant water regulation remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we examined how soil moisture influences the physiological responses of beet (<i>Beta vulgaris</i> L.) to increasing salinity, focusing on water relations, osmotic adjustment, and leaf succulence. Beet (<i>B. vulgaris</i> L.) plants were grown in a controlled soil system under a 5 × 3 factorial arrangement with four replicates, combining five irrigation water salinity levels (0–8 dS m⁻¹) and three soil moisture conditions (100%, 90%, and 80% of field capacity). Soil electrical conductivity and osmotic potential were monitored, and plant responses were assessed through biomass production, relative water content, leaf succulence, electrolyte leakage, plant water potential, and osmotic adjustment. Salinity increased osmotic adjustment and leaf succulence while progressively reducing relative water content and plant water potential. However, these responses depended on soil moisture level, indicating an interaction between osmotic and matric constraints. Moderate salinity (4 dS m⁻¹) combined with 90% field capacity promoted the highest biomass accumulation and was associated with enhanced osmotic adjustment and succulence. These findings indicate that osmotic adjustment and leaf succulence function as complementary mechanisms contributing to the maintenance of plant water status under interacting salinity and soil moisture stress.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":6973,"journal":{"name":"Acta Physiologiae Plantarum","volume":"48 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11738-026-03959-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148926339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}