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Marino B. Arnao^1,*, Manuela Giraldo-Acosta¹, Soundouss Kaabi¹, Giuseppe Mannino², Leyla Parra-Almuna³, Josefa Hernández-Ruiz¹, Antonio Cano¹
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.077309 - 31 March 2026
Abstract Phytomelatonin is a versatile compound with important roles in plants, spanning from promoting germination and plant growth to defending against abiotic and biotic stresses. Its natural origin as biostimulator aligns with sustainable agricultural practices that aim to reduce reliance on synthetic agrochemicals while supporting crop productivity. As research progresses and reveals its full potential across various sectors of agriculture and food production systems, phytomelatonin emerges as a promising candidate for integrated crop management, with the goal of achieving more resilient and sustainable food systems worldwide. More agronomic data will be essential to decide whether the More >

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Ana Luisa Arantes Chaves^1,*, Marco Tulio Mendes Ferreira²
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.077185 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Karyotypic Shifts: Shaping Plant Diversity and Driving Evolutionary Processes)
Abstract Holocentric chromosomes, characterized by kinetochore activity distributed along almost their entire length, have attracted growing interest in cytogenetics and evolutionary biology, particularly because of their adaptive significance. This review provides a historical overview of research on holocentricity, from the earliest microscopic observations to recent advances made possible by modern molecular and cytogenetic techniques. We discuss the main hypotheses concerning the origin and evolution of holocentric chromosomes, emphasizing their multiple independent origins across diverse lineages, as well as the potential selective pressures underlying their maintenance and diversification. In addition, we examine the principal methods used for More >

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Hualiang Zhang¹, Honglong Zhao², Tianru Qu², Hao Jiang², Shuqin Gao^2,*, Yucheng Zhang², Congcong Zheng^2,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.076579 - 31 March 2026
Abstract Global climate change has intensified drought and soil salinization, posing serious threats to crop productivity and ecosystem stability. Traditional physical and chemical reclamation methods are often expensive, energy-intensive, and unsustainable. In contrast, halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (HT-PGPR) have emerged as a promising, eco-friendly strategy to address extreme climate change-induced land salinization. HT-PGPR enhance plant tolerance by regulating osmotic balance, ion homeostasis, antioxidant defense, and phytohormone signaling. Current evidence for these effects is largely based on greenhouse pot and microcosm studies, while their validation in field experiments remain limited. In addition, HT-PGPR can improve nutrient availability… More >

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REVIEW

Ivica Delic¹, Maja Matosa Kocar², Goran Jukic³, Ivan Varnica³, Valentina Spanic^4,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.077597 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: The Biological Activity of Essential Oils, Volume II)
Abstract Soybean oil is one of the most widely consumed vegetable oils globally, valued not only for its affordability and functional properties but also for its rich profile of bioactive compounds. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge on the non-volatile bioactive constituents of crude and refined soybean oil, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, phytosterols, phospholipids, and saponins, as well as volatile bioactives present in soybean essential oil. Emphasis is placed on their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, metabolic, antimicrobial, and dermatological activities, alongside their relevance for functional foods, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and pharmaceutical applications. The review examines how oil… More >

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REVIEW

Ioana Crișan^*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078943 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: The Biological Activity of Essential Oils, Volume II)
Abstract Citrus is a genus of great economic importance and a complex history of hybridization. The aim of this work is to present the trajectory of essential oil (EO) from the citrus fruit peel to their main uses. The flavedo is a morpho-functional region of the citrus fruit peel where EO-producing cavity glands are located. The EO produced is the source of the characteristic citrus aroma relevant for flavor (food and beverage industry) and fragrance applications (perfumery). The citrus EO is dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons. Out of these, D-limonene is the major compound in the peel EO… More >

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Hajiba Benteima^1,2, Mohamed Ezzaitouni^2,*, Tarik Chileh-Chelh², Carlos Galindo³, José Luis Guil-Guerrero²
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079255 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant Responses to Stress Factors)
Abstract Wild edible plants have evolved in response to persistent and often severe environmental pressures, including salinity, drought, extreme temperatures, high light intensity and nutrient-poor soils. Despite the considerable physiological flexibility and adaptive capacity exhibited by these species, they remain underrepresented in contemporary plant stress research, which has traditionally focused on a limited number of model species and major crops. The present review proposes a conceptual framework that positions wild edible plants as physiological and ecological reference systems for studying naturally evolved plant stress tolerance, rather than as alternative genetic model species. The synthesis of current… More >

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Cheng Song^*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.076582 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant Hormone Signaling and Environmental Cue Integration: Mechanisms and Regulatory Networks)
Abstract Coumarin, a significant secondary metabolite derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway, exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities and medicinal properties. Structurally, coumarins are categorized into simple and angular types based on variations in the core structure of the parent skeleton, with further classifications as furanocoumarins and pyranocoumarins depending on their carbon atom count. In nature, coumarins are predominantly found in plants within families such as Apiaceae, Asteraceae, and Thymelaeaceae. The structural diversity observed among coumarins in higher plants is largely driven by coevolutionary interactions between herbivorous insects and their host plants. With recent advancements in More >

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Tingting Yuan^1,#, Mutong Li^1,#, Zhishun Yu¹, Jiangyun Huang¹, Qingqin Zhang¹, Suqin Zhang^1,2,*, Guangdong Geng^1,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.075984 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant Responses to Abiotic Stress)
Abstract HVA22 is a gene induced by abscisic acid (ABA) and abiotic stress. Previous transcriptome data of salt-tolerant Tritipyrum “Y1805” revealed that HVA22 was significantly upregulated under salt stress. Gene TtHVA22 was successfully amplified from “Y1805”, with an open reading frame of 468 bp and encoding a protein of 156 amino acids. Gene TtHVA22 was transformed into bread wheat “1718” via coleoptile method. The relative expression level of TtHVA22 in roots was remarkably higher than in stems and leaves under salt stress. During the seedling stage, the TtHVA22 overexpression (OE) line exhibited less leaf wilting under salt stress than wild-type… More >

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Bo Li^*, Yuying Liang, Muqing He, Xiuhe Fan, Honghong Jiao
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.076367 - 31 March 2026
Abstract This study aims to clarify the codon usage bias and influencing factors of protein-coding genes in the chloroplast genome of the medicinal plant Corydalis yanhusuo. The chloroplast genome sequence of C. yanhusuo was obtained by resequencing, approximately 50 protein-coding genes were screened, and the nucleotide composition and codon usage patterns were calculated and analyzed using CodonW 1.4.2 and EMBOSS software. The results showed that the total guanine and cytosine (GC) content of codons in the chloroplast genome of C. yanhusuo was 40.06%, and the GC contents at the third, second, and first codon positions (GC₃, GC₂, and GC₁) were 32.12%,… More >

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Fen Liu^1,2, Cheng Qu^1,3,*, Hongliang Yuan³, Xinpeng Xiang³, Yingbo Chen³, Yuxuan Cai³, Yue Wang^4,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.077734 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant Responses to Abiotic Stress Mechanisms)
Abstract To explore the physiological mechanism of rice seeds’ tolerance to cold damage stress, the hybrid rice variety H-You 518 and the conventional rice variety Zhongjiazao 17 were used as experimental materials. A low-temperature cold damage treatment (4°C) and a normal germination treatment (25°C) were used to measure seed vitality, antioxidant enzyme activity, soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, α-amylase activity, endopeptidase, and related gene expression levels. The results showed that low temperature inhibited seed vitality and germination ability, and after restoring normal growth conditions, the activities of POD and CAT, as well as the content… More >

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Xiangnan He¹, Xinyu Gao¹, Kaiyue Zhang², Dongfeng Wei³, Yuying Li¹, Chunling He², Xiaogai Hou^1,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078506 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrated Approaches to Crop Yield Enhancement)
Abstract This study investigated the association between floral and fruiting traits in oil tree peony to inform elite breeding and hybrid programmes. Floral and fruiting metrics of Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdanbai’ and Paeonia rockii ‘Zibanbai’ were recorded under natural conditions; data were analysed using independent-samples t-tests, Pearson correlations, stepwise multiple linear regression and membership functions. Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdanbai’ produced more pollen number per flower, but fewer ovules and seeds per fruit than Paeonia rockii ‘Zibanbai’ (p < 0.05). Pollen viability and stigma receptivity followed similar unimodal temporal curves in both taxa. Peak pollen viability occurred on day 3 after anthesis in P. ostii… More >

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Hengdong Zhang^1,2,*, Rongji Wang^1,2, Jianchong Zhang^1,2, Fali Zhang^1,2, Zhiwang He^1,2
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.077976 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Crop Genetics and Breeding for Sustainable Agriculture)
Abstract Spent mushroom substrate (SMS), the residual byproduct of mushroom cultivation, represents a nutrient-rich agro-residues with potential for paddy field application. This study evaluated the effect of direct SMS application on rice yield, yield components, biomass production, and nitrogen uptake (NU), aiming to provide useful information for fresh SMS utilization in paddy. Field experiments were conducted using a split-plot design with three replications, three SMS rates (0, 9, and 18 t ha⁻¹ dry matter) as the main plots and three nitrogen (N) (0, 90, 180 kg ha⁻¹) as subplots in 2023 and 2024. Each plot was planted… More >

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Rosalba Lira-Ortiz^1,2, Juan Esteban Bello-Lara³, Verónica Alhelí Ochoa-Jiménez³, José Orlando Jiménez-Zurita⁴, Rosendo Balois-Morales^1,4,*, Guillermo Berumen-Varela^1,5,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.077481 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in the Physiological, Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Fruit Ripening in Tropical Fruits)
Abstract Genetic diversity is essential for the conservation and genetic improvement of perennial fruit crops such as soursop (Annona muricata L.), an economically important species in tropical and subtropical regions. However, information on the genetic variability of soursop across different producing regions remains limited. In this study, we evaluated the genetic diversity and population structure of soursop accessions from two geographically distant producing regions: the Pacific–Occident region of Mexico (R1) and Valle del Cauca, Colombia (R2). A total of 11 accessions, collected from seven orchards in R1 and four orchards in R2, were analyzed using three simple… More >

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Sugey Vásquez-Hernández, Joaquín Adolfo Montes-Molina^*, Federico Antonio Gutierrez-Miceli, Nancy Ruiz-Lau, Victor Manuel Ruiz-Valdiviezo, Carlos Alberto Lecona-Guzmán^*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.076451 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Ornamental Plants: Micropropagation, Plant Biotechnology, Chromosome Doubling, Mutagenesis, Plant Breeding, Environmental Stress Tolerance, and Postharvest Physiology)
Abstract Agave americana L. is potentially a source of functional and nutritive compounds. However, its yield has been compromised by vascular wilt, which is associated with the presence of the Fusarium oxysporum. In response to this phytosanitary problem, the implementation of efficient methods to mitigate the damage. Biotechnological techniques offer a viable alternative to improve and increase the production of species of interest via genetic improvement. By use of mutagenic chemical agents, these techniques have been consolidated as a powerful tool to induce genetic variability and select genotypes with greater tolerance to pathogens. In this study, we evaluated… More >

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Flavia Angélica Pérez-Flores¹, José Orlando Jiménez-Zurita^2,*, Pedro Ulises Bautista-Rosales^3,*, Rosendo Balois-Morales², Graciela Guadalupe López-Guzmán², Andrés Eloy León-Fernández⁴, Juan Esteban Bello-Lara⁴, Carlos Azhael Rodríguez-Guzmán⁴, Guillermo Berumen-Varela³
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.077078 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in the Physiological, Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Fruit Ripening in Tropical Fruits)
Abstract The custard apple fruit (Annona reticulata L.) is distinguished not only by its pleasant flavor and high nutritional value, but also by the presence of bioactive compounds in its pulp, particularly antioxidants, which may provide health benefits when consumed. However, in Nayarit this plant material is found in the wild, without agronomic management or conservation programs. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to evaluate several antioxidants in the pulp of custard apple fruits. Fruits were collected from four localities in Tepic, Nayarit (Jicote, Trapichillo, 14 de Marzo, and Tepic). Total phenolics, flavonoids, vitamin C, carotenoids,… More >

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Jianghan Ouyang^1,#, Yuxin Zhang^1,#, Xiaotong Ma^1,2, Xiangjian Tu^1,2, Pengxin Hou^1,2, Wei Cao³, Shangzhi Zhong^1,2,*, Lulu Sun^4,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079919 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant Responses to Stress Factors)
Abstract Salt stress has been demonstrated to trigger the overaccumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within plant tissues. This process, in turn, has been shown to induce oxidative damage and further impair the physiological and metabolic processes. As a promising organic soil conditioner, biochar has proven effective in mitigating the adverse effects of salt stress in crops. Nevertheless, the synergistic and interactive effects of salt stress and biochar application on the osmotic adjustment system and antioxidant defense system of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) have not been fully elucidated. This study employed a completely randomized design, comprising four… More >

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Yiming Chen^1,2, Qiong Luo^1,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.077896 - 31 March 2026
Abstract Lycium ruthenicum Murray (black goji berry) is an economically important crop rich in anthocyanins, however, the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying anthocyanin accumulation in its fruits are unknown. Here, we used whole-transcriptome sequencing to identify differentially expressed circRNAs and lncRNAs in black goji (BS4) and white goji (WS4). Furthermore, we analyzed the regulatory networks of the key ncRNAs and their target genes by combining targeted phytohormone metabolomics with molecular docking technology. We found that the circRNA plantcirc_001165 synergistically upregulated the flavonoid biosynthesis gene LrHCT with the lncRNA MSTRG.28703 to promote anthocyanin accumulation. However, MSTRG.28703 repressed LrZOX1 expression, leading More >

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Tetiana O. Yastreb¹, Pavel Vítámvás², Ilja T. Prášil², Zdeněk Cit², Ivan V. Shakhov¹, Yuriy E. Kolupaev^1,3,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079882 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant Responses to Stress Factors)
Abstract Low temperature is a major abiotic stress factor inducing the accumulation of dehydrins in plants. Dehydrins are hydrophilic, heat-stable proteins implicated in plant stress responses; however, their synthesis under cold conditions during the early stages of wheat development has not been sufficiently studied. This study investigated the relationship between cold-induced dehydrin accumulation in etiolated seedlings and frost tolerance in wheat cultivars differing in their level of frost tolerance. Three-day-old seedlings of high frost-tolerant (high-FT) cultivars (Antonivka, Doskonala, and Nordika) and low frost-tolerant (low-FT) cultivars (Tobak, Tonnage, and Altigo) of Triticum aestivum L. were hardened at +3°C… More >

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Juan José Reyes-Pérez¹, Luis Tarquino Llerena-Ramos¹, Mercedes Susana Carranza-Patiño¹, Juan Antonio Torres-Rodríguez¹, Roger Alexander Pincay-Ganchozo², Pablo Preciado-Rangel³, Bernardo Espinosa-Palomeque^4,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.076459 - 31 March 2026
Abstract The agricultural use of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) has the potential to improve the yield, sensory quality, and nutraceutical properties of various plant species. The objective of this study was to evaluate different concentrations of SiO₂ NPs (0, 5, 7, and 9 mg L⁻¹) on the growth, yield, and nutraceutical quality of peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Quetzal grown under greenhouse conditions. A completely randomized experimental design was established with four treatments and three replicates. SiO₂ NP solutions were applied via drenching at specific phenological stages. Agronomic variables (plant height, stem diameter, and dry biomass), productive variables… More >

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Xiao Wang^*, E Liang, Xiaohui Song, Deyan Li
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.075656 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant Responses and Adaptations to Environmental Stresses)
Abstract Three-year-old Panax japonicus was exposed to elevated CO₂ concentrations using open-top chambers: ambient CO₂ (aCO₂), moderately elevated (e1CO₂, 550 μmol/mol), and highly elevated (e2CO₂, 750 μmol/mol). Gas exchange parameters, photosynthetic pigments, sugar accumulation, and total saponin content were measured to assess the effects of CO₂ enrichment on photosynthesis, sugar metabolism, and saponin biosynthesis. The e1CO₂ treatment significantly increased net photosynthetic rate (by 17.22% at 36 days and 69.62% at 92 days), chlorophyll a content, and soluble sugar, sucrose, and starch accumulation. Key sugar metabolism enzymes, including sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), also showed enhanced activity. Consequently, underground rhizome total saponins rose More >

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Yue Jin¹, Xiaoying Tang¹, Bingke Wei¹, Lulu Zhi¹, Yan Mao¹, García-Caparrós Pedro^2,*, Xiangyang Hu^1,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.067796 - 31 March 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant Secondary Metabolism and Functional Biology Volume II)
Abstract Plants perceive rhythmic photoperiodic signals to modulate flowering time. In Arabidopsis thaliana, long-day light conditions accelerate flowering through CONSTANS (CO)-activated FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) signal pathway. The CO protein abundance presents circadian oscillation, enabling precise regulation of FT transcription. NTL8 belongs to the NAC transcription factor family and is reported to control leaf trichome development. Here, we reported that NTL8 regulated flowering time in Arabidopsis, because overexpressing NTL8 significantly delayed flowering time, whereas loss-of-function mutant of NTL8 accelerated flowering time. NTL8 also presented circadian expression, maintaining elevated transcript levels during the daytime. Biochemical and genetic analyses revealed that More >

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