Michaela Jungová, Martina Kadlecová, Vilém Pavlů, Leona Leišová-Svobodová, Pavel Svoboda, Zdenka Martinková
{"title":"Ecological Implications of Germination Temperature on Native and Invasive <i>Rumex</i> Spp.","authors":"Michaela Jungová, Martina Kadlecová, Vilém Pavlů, Leona Leišová-Svobodová, Pavel Svoboda, Zdenka Martinková","doi":"10.1002/pei3.70045","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pei3.70045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Rumex alpinus</i> L. (<i>R. alpinus</i>) is a non-native invasive plant in Czech mountain regions, altering ecosystem structure and function in protected areas. <i>Rumex obtusifolius</i> L. (<i>R. obtusifolius</i>) is a native species and a problematic weed in Czech meadows, while <i>Rumex longifolius</i> DC. (<i>R. longifolius</i>) is characteristic of Fennoscandia and widespread in northern and central Europe. This study explores temperature-driven germination patterns in <i>R. alpinus</i>, <i>R. obtusifolius</i>, and <i>R. longifolius</i> and also focuses on potential differences across populations of <i>R. alpinus</i>. The hypothesis suggests that <i>R. alpinus</i> is not established in lowland areas due to temperature limitations during germination. A second experiment evaluates the influence of native and non-native localities on <i>R. alpinus</i> seed germination. The primary experiment was conducted at 6°C, 12°C, 18°C, 24°C, 29°C, and 35°C in a climate chamber, while the second experiment was performed at 24°C for 14 days. Contrary to expectations, <i>R. alpinus</i> exhibited the highest germination rate across all temperatures. In the second experiment, germination rates varied significantly, with a positive correlation between germination success and transition from Alpine to Czech localities. The highest and fastest germination was observed in seeds from the Krkonoše Mountains, where <i>R. alpinus</i> is an invasive plant species.</p>","PeriodicalId":74457,"journal":{"name":"Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)","volume":"6 2","pages":"e70045"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11949848/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143755734","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Flóra Kolman, Zoltán Kolláth, Péter Molnár, Anna Skribanek
{"title":"The Effect of 3000 K LED Lamps on the Photosynthesis and Morphology of Deciduous Tree Species.","authors":"Flóra Kolman, Zoltán Kolláth, Péter Molnár, Anna Skribanek","doi":"10.1002/pei3.70032","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pei3.70032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The effect of artificial light at night (ALAN) on plants is a less explored area within light pollution research. This is especially true for the physiological parameters of photosynthesis of woody plants. The physiological and morphological values of nineteen deciduous urban tree species illuminated by street lamps with a color temperature of 3000 K were examined for light-polluted and non-light-polluted leaves. The morphological studies covered leaf macromorphology (leaf length, leaf width, and biomass production) and histological development (height of the dorsal epidermis and palisade parenchyma, width of photosynthesizing ground tissue and the leaf). The fluorescence yield of the photochemical system II and the net photosynthesis and transpiration of the leaves exposed to different light conditions were determined in the photosynthetic physiology studies. The species included in the research react differently to artificial light, some are able to utilize the extra lighting at night, while others are negatively affected. In this way, the species can be grouped according to their sensitivity to light pollution. The impact of street lights on vegetation can be easily detected by the combined treatment of micromorphological and photosynthetic physiology tests, macromorphological values are not suitable parameters.</p>","PeriodicalId":74457,"journal":{"name":"Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"e70032"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11835768/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143461046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Asa Budnick, Eric Butoto, Nick Loschin, Amanda Mainello-Land, Jill Furgurson, Rebekah Brown, Greg Ferraro, Rex Alirigia, Modesta Abugu, Ruthie Stokes, Christopher Gillespie, Nolan Speicher
{"title":"Questions and Consequences of Omics in Genetically Engineered Crop Regulation.","authors":"Asa Budnick, Eric Butoto, Nick Loschin, Amanda Mainello-Land, Jill Furgurson, Rebekah Brown, Greg Ferraro, Rex Alirigia, Modesta Abugu, Ruthie Stokes, Christopher Gillespie, Nolan Speicher","doi":"10.1002/pei3.70033","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pei3.70033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In 2016, a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine advisory committee proposed omics technologies as one possible adequate response to the regulatory challenges posed by gene editing and synthetic biology. This paper presents a set of questions that would need to be answered to integrate omics experiments and data into crop regulatory systems. These questions concern both experimental practice and how omics-experimental and regulatory systems intersect. We anticipate that the chosen answers to these questions will impact the scientific validity, regulatory burden, and usefulness for forecasting risk in nuanced ways. In doing so, we conclude that the integration of omics technologies into regulatory systems poses an array of more-than-technical dilemmas whose management will require cross-sector collaboration and innovative approaches to socio-technical decision-making.</p>","PeriodicalId":74457,"journal":{"name":"Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"e70033"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11832586/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143451170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pengfei Liu, Jiannan Ma, Juan Yu, Meixi Zhang, E Qiao, Yang Cao, Ying Zhang, Xiaoqin Wang, Xin Jia
{"title":"Optimization of Intercropping Modes in <i>Placodon grandiflorus</i>.","authors":"Pengfei Liu, Jiannan Ma, Juan Yu, Meixi Zhang, E Qiao, Yang Cao, Ying Zhang, Xiaoqin Wang, Xin Jia","doi":"10.1002/pei3.70036","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pei3.70036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intercropping enhances plant growth, increases yield, and boosts the accumulation of secondary metabolites. <i>Platycodon grandiflorus</i> (<i>P. grandiflorus</i>), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has limited research available regarding its intercropping practices. We aimed to (1) examine the changes in the physiological and biochemical indicators of plant growth during the intercropping process of <i>P. grandiflorus</i>, (2) assess the quality of <i>P. grandiflorus</i> when intercropped with different crops, and (3) evaluate the optimal intercropping mode for <i>P. grandiflorus.</i> This study utilized the two-year seedlings of <i>P. grandiflorus</i> as the test material in a field study. The intercropping treatments included <i>P. grandiflorus</i> monoculture (JG-JG), intercropping with <i>Achyranthes bidentata</i> (JG-NX), <i>Saposhnikovia divaricata</i> (JG-FF), <i>Adenophora stricta</i> (JG-SS), <i>Zea mays</i> (JG-YM), <i>Setaria italica</i> (JG-GZ), and <i>Glycine max</i> (JG-DD). We investigated the effects of these different intercropping modes on the growth, physiological and biochemical indicators, and the accumulation of five saponins in <i>P. grandiflorus</i> at various growth and development stages. Compared with JG-JG, the chlorophyll and the MDA contents significantly increased and decreased, respectively, in the JG-YM, JG-DD, and JG-NX treatments. All the three treatments enhanced the biomass and exhibited the higher levels of antioxidant enzyme activity and osmoregulatory substance content. JG-YM and JG-SS significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) improved the quality of <i>P. grandiflorus</i>, with JG-SS intercropping notably maintaining a high content of platycodin D. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for optimizing intercropping planting systems and advancing the sustainable development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry.</p>","PeriodicalId":74457,"journal":{"name":"Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"e70036"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11830396/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143434562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Deepak Kumar Mahanta, J Komal, Ipsita Samal, Tanmaya Kumar Bhoi, P V Dinesh Kumar, Swapnalisha Mohapatra, R Athulya, Prasanta Kumar Majhi, Andrea Mastinu
{"title":"Plant Defense Responses to Insect Herbivores Through Molecular Signaling, Secondary Metabolites, and Associated Epigenetic Regulation.","authors":"Deepak Kumar Mahanta, J Komal, Ipsita Samal, Tanmaya Kumar Bhoi, P V Dinesh Kumar, Swapnalisha Mohapatra, R Athulya, Prasanta Kumar Majhi, Andrea Mastinu","doi":"10.1002/pei3.70035","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pei3.70035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over millions of years of interactions, plants have developed complex defense mechanisms to counteract diverse insect herbivory strategies. These defenses encompass morphological, biochemical, and molecular adaptations that mitigate the impacts of herbivore attacks. Physical barriers, such as spines, trichomes, and cuticle layers, deter herbivores, while biochemical defenses include the production of secondary metabolites and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The initial step in the plant's defense involves sensing mechanical damage and chemical cues, including herbivore oral secretions and herbivore-induced VOCs. This triggers changes in plasma membrane potential driven by ion fluxes across plant cell membranes, activating complex signal transduction pathways. Key hormonal mediators, such as jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and ethylene, orchestrate downstream defense responses, including VOC release and secondary metabolites biosynthesis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of plant responses to herbivory, emphasizing early and late defense mechanisms, encompassing physical barriers, signal transduction cascades, secondary metabolites synthesis, phytohormone signaling, and epigenetic regulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":74457,"journal":{"name":"Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"e70035"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11830398/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143434563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yonnelle Dea Moukoumbi, Raafat El-Namaky, Mouritala Sikirou, Roland Bocco, Daouda Mbodj, Esther Pegalepo, Adoté Hervé Gildas Akueson, Baboucarr Manneh
{"title":"Field Evaluation of Advanced Rice Lines for Adaptability to Drought and Heat in the Senegal River Valley.","authors":"Yonnelle Dea Moukoumbi, Raafat El-Namaky, Mouritala Sikirou, Roland Bocco, Daouda Mbodj, Esther Pegalepo, Adoté Hervé Gildas Akueson, Baboucarr Manneh","doi":"10.1002/pei3.70034","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pei3.70034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In Senegal, the average rice consumed is 100 kg per capita per year. The objective was to evaluate and select the well-adapted high-yielding lines in Ndiaye and Fanaye growth conditions in Senegal River Valley. One hundred and twelve advanced lines were evaluated in consecutive wet and dry seasons at AfricaRice Fanaye and Ndiaye sites challenged by drought and high temperatures. Unlike Fanaye, Ndiaye faces severe water scarcity and extreme heat. An alpha-lattice design was used with three replications. The number of tillers and plant height at 30 days after sowing, plant height at maturity, days to 50% heading, and grain yield; physiological: leaves chlorophyll content at 50% heading stage, yield grain, thousand grain weight, and number of panicles per plant were recorded to evaluate the increasing of rice productivity. Results showed significant variation among the advanced lines and the test \"Kruskal-Wallis medians\" was used for the mean comparison for the five descriptors during growth and development stages. Path analysis revealed that Ndiaye's harsh conditions negatively impacted NT30, PH30, PHmat, PNP, Dmat, and GY, with negative effects on NT30 (<i>ρ</i> = -0.63), PH30 (<i>ρ</i> = -0.67), and PNP (<i>ρ</i> = -0.15). However, SH (<i>ρ</i> = 0.71) and TGW (<i>ρ</i> = 0.37) had positive direct effects. Cluster analysis generated four groups showing the characteristics of 112 advanced lines. Most of the advanced lines were outperforming local elite varieties. The lines WAC 18-WAT15-3-1, WAC 18-WAT65-1-1, WAC 13-WAT32-2-1, and WAB 2150-TGR1-WAT3-1 produced the highest yields for Ndiaye, with 4752, 5589, 5589, 5644, and 6943 kg/ha. For Fanaye, the best genotypes were IR 09 N523, CT18919-4-2-2-2SR-1P, CT18494-4-4-3-3-1SR, WAB 2125-WACB-1-TGR1-WAT1-1, and CT19541-13-3-1-2P-3P, with 8824, 8984, 9014, 9639, and 8496 kg/ha, respectively. The authors recommend that these lines be released or used as donors in breeding programs, and further studies can consider stability analysis using the best adapted varieties.</p>","PeriodicalId":74457,"journal":{"name":"Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"e70034"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11830397/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143434561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pulsating Drought and Insect Herbivory Cause Differential Effects on Soybean (<i>Glycine max</i>) Genotypes That Vary in Canopy Wilting Speed.","authors":"Jessica Ayala, Manish Gautam, Adriana Peissel, Justin George, Rupesh Kariyat","doi":"10.1002/pei3.70028","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pei3.70028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As a result of climate change, global temperatures are increasing, and water scarcity is on the rise. Soybean [<i>Glycine max</i> (<i>L.</i>) Merr] is one of the most important crops in the world due to its importance as food and feed. One of the major limiting factors for soybean production is drought, which can cause up to 80% reduction in yield. Therefore, growers and plant breeders are turning to soybean accessions that demonstrate better water use efficiency (WUE). However, in addition to drought, insect herbivory by soybean looper (<i>Chrysodeixis includens,</i> SBL) and fall armyworm (<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>, FAW) can also reduce soybean yield by feeding on foliar and floral organs. Using soybean accessions that differ in their wilting speed, we examined the relationship between physiological traits associated with WUE, and how they affect both herbivore and host plant growth and development. Results showed that both fast- and slow-wilting genotypes displayed strong overcompensation in terms of growth and development, but slow-wilting genotypes produced higher-quality pods and seeds. Regardless of treatment effects, FAW fed at a significantly higher rate than SBL despite being less specialized to feed on soybeans. While fast-wilting plants produced more pods than slow-wilting plants regardless of treatment, slow-wilting plants produced heavier pods with larger and heavier seeds. Collectively, we show that despite fast-wilting plants overcompensating in pod production and growth traits, slow-wilting plants may still be better fit through seed functions.</p>","PeriodicalId":74457,"journal":{"name":"Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"e70028"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11781298/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143070160","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quaternary Radiation of Spring Ephemerals.","authors":"Soichi Osozawa, Cunio Nackejima","doi":"10.1002/pei3.70021","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pei3.70021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The emergence of East Asian spring ephemerals and the unique ecosystem can be attributed primarily to vicariance, brought about by the Quaternary rifting of the Okinawa Trough, the formation of the East China Sea, and the isolation of the island chains of Ryukyu, Japan, and Taiwan from the Asian continent. The northern forests of Japan, dominated by <i>Fagus crenata</i> and the associated <i>Quercus crispula</i>, present a captivating display of spring-flowering ephemerals, including <i>Erythronium japonicum</i>, <i>Viola bissetii</i>, <i>Anemone pseudoaltaica</i>, and <i>Corydalis fukuharae</i>. Among these, <i>Asarum</i> is also considered part of the spring ephemerals. Our primary focus for phylogenetic analyses, which included constructing a haplotype network using PopART version 1.7 and molecular dating with BEAST v1.10.4, was on the genus <i>Asarum</i>. In the BEAST analysis, we set the Quaternary geological event calibration at 1.55 ± 0.15 Ma and applied pre-Quaternary fossil calibrations. When we input 1.55 Ma into BEAST, the analysis suggested that spring ephemerals underwent a simultaneous splitting and diversification event around that time, approximately 1.55 Ma, during the Quaternary period. The differentiation of these species is more likely a result of adaptive radiation rather than vicariance, particularly given their partially sympatric distribution and occurrence across islands. This radiation likely originated from the most recent common ancestor of the ingroup species of spring ephemerals and can be seen as a response to significant environmental changes associated with the formation of the East China Sea around 1.55 Ma. Notably, species such as <i>Asarum megacalyx</i> and <i>Fagus crenata</i> exhibit adaptations to heavy snowfall, further supporting this idea. The spring ephemerals in beech or oak forests in North America and Europe may have radiated and diversified as a result of Quaternary global climatic changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":74457,"journal":{"name":"Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"e70021"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11760999/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143048984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anastasia Kolesnikova, John Hammond, Mark A Chapman
{"title":"Drought Response in the Transcriptome and Ionome of Wild and Domesticated <i>Lablab purpureus</i> L. Sweet, an Underutilized Legume.","authors":"Anastasia Kolesnikova, John Hammond, Mark A Chapman","doi":"10.1002/pei3.70027","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pei3.70027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hunger remains a prevalent issue worldwide, and with a changing climate, it is expected to become an even greater problem that our food systems are not adapted to. There is therefore a need to investigate strategies to fortify our foods and food systems. Underutilized crops are farmed regionally, are often adapted to stresses, including droughts, and have great nutritional profiles, potentially being key for food security. One of these crops, <i>Lablab purpureus</i> L Sweet, or lablab, is a legume grown for humans or as fodder and shows remarkable drought tolerance. Understanding of lablab's molecular responses to drought and drought's effects on its nutritional qualities is limited and affects breeding potential. Using transcriptomics at three time points, changes in gene expression in response to drought were investigated in wild and domesticated lablab. The effect of drought on the elemental profile of lablab leaves was investigated using ionomics to assess drought's impact on nutritional quality. Differences in drought response between wild and domesticated lablab accessions were revealed, which were mainly due to differences in the expression of genes related to phosphorus metabolic response, cell wall organization, and cellular signaling. The leaves of wild and domesticated lablab accessions differed significantly in their elemental concentrations, with wild accessions having higher protein, zinc, and iron concentrations. Drought affected the concentration of some elements, with potential implications for the use of lablab under different environments. Overall, this study is an important first step in understanding drought response in lablab with implications for breeding and improvement of drought-tolerant lablab.</p>","PeriodicalId":74457,"journal":{"name":"Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)","volume":"6 1","pages":"e70027"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11742185/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143017881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring the Indoor Plant-People Relationship Through Qualitative Responses.","authors":"B Le Busque, C Litchfield, C L Shaw","doi":"10.1002/pei3.70025","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pei3.70025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Humans have a long-standing relationship with the natural world, particularly in how they engage with plants-referred to as people-plant relationships. While plants naturally live outdoors, people have been including them inside built environments for centuries. Although the benefits of indoor plants are well documented in research, there is limited exploration of individuals' subjective relationships with their indoor plants. To address this gap, we examined the perceived benefits of owning indoor plants and how people describe their relationships with them through open-ended qualitative survey items. Data were collected from 115 indoor plant owners in Australia, and the qualitative responses were analyzed using a combination of thematic analysis and qualitative segmentation. On average, participants owned 15 indoor plants and in total participants identified 11 benefits. The most common being decorative and aesthetic value, improved air quality, and calming effects. Participants fell into one of four types of relationships with their indoor plants: highly connected, engaged, limited engagement, and no relationship. This qualitative segmentation approach allowed us to achieve a key goal of exploratory qualitative research-providing new insights to inform future quantitative studies. Given that we found that not all indoor plant-people relationships are equal, and that people have varying levels of connection to their plants, future research should explore these relationship types using quantitative methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":74457,"journal":{"name":"Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)","volume":"5 6","pages":"e70025"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11683047/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142908079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}