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Hossam S. El-Beltagi^1,*, Tarek A. Shalaby², Nagwa Khedr³, Emad H. Khedr^3,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.084404 - 30 July 2026
Abstract Drought stress stands out as a main abiotic factor that adversely influences the development, yield, and quality of plants. With the increasing prevalence of water scarcity driven by climate change, urban expansion, and industrial activities, understanding plant responses to limited water availability has become critically important. Among stress-related molecules, melatonin has gained recognition as a multipurpose regulator with a central role in strengthening plant tolerance to drought. The synthesis and accumulation of melatonin are influenced by environmental stressors and vary across plant species and tissue types. Whether synthesized internally or applied externally, melatonin contributes to… More >

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Syadza Ghaidha Ramadhan¹, Nia Rossiana^1,*, Dedat Prismantoro², Thomas Argyarich Jefferson¹, Malvin Albert¹, Irvan Satria¹, Mia Miranti¹, Mehrdad Alizadeh³, Kumudini Belur Satyan⁴, Febri Doni^1,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.083440 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant-Environment Interactions under Climate Change)
Abstract Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is central to global food security, yet its production systems remain highly vulnerable to environmental pressures. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, flooding, and heavy metal toxicity, which significantly reduce global rice productivity. Conventional strategies, including breeding and genetic engineering, have improved stress tolerance; however, their effectiveness is often constrained by long development timelines, complex genetic regulation, and limited performance under multiple concurrent stresses. In this context, plant-associated microorganisms have emerged as a sustainable and promising approach to enhancing rice plant resilience.… More >

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REVIEW

Kallol Das^1,*, Aniruddha Sarker², Deen Mohammad Deepo³, F. M. Aminuzzaman⁴, Abu Bakar Siddique⁵, Saifullah Omar Nasif⁶, Ramadan A. Arafa⁷
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079822 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Technological Advances for Sustainable Management and Biological Control of Plant Pests and Diseases)
Abstract Plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) are a diverse group of non-pathogenic fungi that benefit host plants through multiple mechanisms. With the growing global emphasis on sustainable agriculture, research has increasingly focused on understanding fungal ecology and its role in enhancing plant growth and development. PGPF contributes significantly by facilitating nutrient acquisition, solubilizing minerals, producing growth hormones, and transferring essential elements from the soil to plants. PGPF have been proposed as biofertilizers, bio-stimulants, and/or biocontrol agents for a variety of plant species in earlier research findings. Modern biotechnological tools can help uncover plant-PGPF interactions, facilitating the development… More >

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111

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REVIEW

Shi Xu¹, Jingjing Sun¹, Jiayi Ji¹, Junhao Huang¹, Yiyong Zhu², Haidong Ding¹, Ming Ding^1,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.086430 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Membrane Transporters in Plant Stress Adaptation)
Abstract Heavy metal-associated isoprenylated plant proteins (HIPPs) are a class of vascular plant specific metallochaperones, characterized by the presence of one or two N-terminal heavy metal-associated (HMA) domains and a C-terminal isoprenylation motif (CaaX). The HMA domain contains a conserved CysXXCys motif that is responsible for binding transition metals such as Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The CaaX motif modulates post-translational prenylation that anchors HIPPs to membranes and facilitates protein-protein interactions. This review systematically summarizes the structural features and multifaceted functions of HIPPs in plants. Beyond their well known function in heavy metal detoxification, HIPPs are more recently More >

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REVIEW

Gian Marco Ludovici^1,2,*, Paola Amelia Tassi², Alba Iannotti^2,3, Colomba Russo^2,3, Francesco Gargallo di Castel Lentini⁴, Timothy Alexander Mousseau⁵, Andrea Malizia^1,2
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.083056 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Multi-Omics Insights into Plant Acclimation to Environmental Stress)
Abstract The detonation of nuclear weapons, beginning with the Trinity test in New Mexico and followed by the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, created distinct environments of ionizing radiation exposure. While the ecological consequences of reactor accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima have been extensively investigated, the potential evolutionary implications of historical weapons testing for plant communities remain comparatively underexplored, particularly in arid ecosystems. This review synthesizes available, yet fragmented, evidence to examine the hypothesis that residual radionuclides in arid test-site environments may have acted as potential selective pressures influencing plant persistence and stress-associated traits in native… More >

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Cheng Qu^1,2, Fen Liu³, Dongping Yao¹, Zhijun Li¹, Yuanhuan Li¹, Tangxing Liu¹, Yue Wang², Lili Yang^1,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.082659 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Crop Stress Mitigation for Enhanced Productivity and Quality)
Abstract To clarify the remediation effect of microbial inoculant fertilizer on cadmium (Cd) pollution following the application of pig manure organic fertilizer, a field experiment was conducted. No fertilization (CK1) and conventional fertilization (CK2) were used as controls. The treatments included conventional fertilization + pig manure organic fertilizer (PM, 2800 kg/hm²) and four levels of microbial inoculant fertilizer (7.5, 15, 22.5, 30 L/hm²) combined with the PM treatment. The study compared the effects of different treatments on rice economic traits, yield, Cd content in grains and plants, soil available Cd, total Cd, soil pH, and soil enzyme… More >

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Siyi Fang¹, Bin Zheng¹, Jiao Ma², Shengwen Tang², Lanying Chen^3,4,#,*, Qiumei Quan^1,#,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.083644 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Flowering Plants: Their History, Cultivation Methods, Biology, and Impact on Well-being)
Abstract Pollen viability plays a pivotal role in determining fertilization success, directly influencing fruit and seed production, as well as the genetic improvement and conservation of flowering plants. This study sought to establish the optimal culture medium and environmental conditions for in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth in Hibiscus mutabilis Linn., a species of notable ornamental and ecological significance. We employed Brewbaker and Kwack medium(BK) supplemented with varying concentrations of sucrose, H₃BO₃, CaCl₂, MgSO₄·7H₂O, and KNO₂ to systematically evaluate the effects of these components on pollen viability. Additionally, we investigated the impact of environmental factors including temperature, light… More >

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237

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Sonia Mansouri^1,*, Yassmine Abidi^1,2, Leila Riahi³, Ali Ltifi²
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.083697 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Genetic Resources and Breeding Strategies for Sustainable Crop Yield Enhancement)
Abstract Doubled haploid technology is an important tool for accelerating barley breeding by enabling the rapid development of fully homozygous lines. However, the efficiency of androgenesis in barley remains highly genotype-dependent and is strongly influenced by pretreatment conditions, particularly cold exposure. Despite advances in barley anther culture protocols, the optimal duration of cold pretreatment to enhance androgenic response and green plant regeneration remains poorly understood for many breeding materials. This study therefore aimed to examine the effects of genotype and cold pretreatment duration on androgen induction and regeneration efficiency in spring barley lines. Fifteen barley lines,… More >

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153

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Abel Bala¹, Monica Hârţa^1,*, Doina Clapa¹, Floricuţa Ranga², Doina Angela Pui³, Mirela Irina Cordea^1,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.083046 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Flowering Plants: Their History, Cultivation Methods, Biology, and Impact on Well-being)
Abstract This study presents an interdisciplinary approach to the chromatic diversity of the genus Paeonia, combining quantitative colorimetric analysis (CIELab and RHS systems) with biochemical profiling of anthocyanins across 14 genotypes. The results indicate a correlation between the biochemical composition of the petals and their visual appearance, suggesting that the intensity and distribution of certain pigments—mainly cyanidin and peonidin derivatives—determine the hue and saturation of the flowers. HPLC analysis revealed quantitative variation in pigmentation: dark-red genotypes showed high levels of anthocyanins (e.g., P. tenuifolia ‘Flore-Plena’), whereas these compounds were not detected in yellow genotypes. In parallel, More >

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194

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Ronglin Liu¹, Yizhuo Feng¹, Zezhong Lin², Daiquan Ye³, Hui Xiao², Jinhua Huang³, Kehui Zheng⁴, Guangqiu Cao¹, Shijiang Cao^1,*, Renhua Zheng^2,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.083495 - 30 July 2026
Abstract Space-induced mutagenesis, as a tool for generating genetic variation, has been widely exploited in crop improvement. However, its mutagenic impact on long-lived forest trees—especially the long-term effects on traits expressed at reproductive maturity—remains systematically unassessed. In this study, we used Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), a key timber species in China, to evaluate the influence of the space environment on mature-phase traits. We compared growth and cone characters between a 14-year-old space-mutated plantation derived from seeds flown aboard the Shijian-8 recoverable satellite and a contemporaneously planted ground control stand. Mean diameter at breast height and individual stem… More >

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220

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Chayanee Chairattanawat¹, Junghwa Kang², Jaewook Kim^1,*, Bae Young Choi^3,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.084482 - 30 July 2026
Abstract Pyrola japonica, a member of the Ericaceae family, is a significant medicinal herb and a key model organism in mycorrhizal research, yet its chloroplast (cp) genome has not been fully characterized. Therefore, this study aims to sequence and analyze the complete plastid genome of P. japonica. The complete cp genome of P. japonica was determined to be 168,146 bp in length, exhibiting a characteristic quadripartite structure with a total GC content of 35.1%. A total of 136 genes were annotated, comprising 65 protein-coding genes, 45 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 18 pseudogenes. Amino… More >

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Jurica Duvnjak¹, Daniel Kujundzic², Katarina Sunic Budimir¹, John C. D’Auria², Valentina Spanic^1,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.082576 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in the Breeding of High-Yielding and High-Quality Seeds)
Abstract In this study, metabolomic profiling using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed clear distinctions between Fusarium-infected and control wheat spikes, as shown by the separate clustering of infected samples. Out of 222 detected features, eight were found to be significantly altered in infected spikes compared to controls, highlighting specific metabolic changes associated with the plant’s response to Fusarium head blight (FHB) stress. In response to Fusarium infection, wheat exhibited significant metabolic reprogramming, with both reductions and accumulations of key metabolites. A decrease in 3-methoxytyramine (28.9–85.3%), octylamine, malic acid, and homonojirimycin suggests their early involvement in defence-related pathways… More >

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181

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Aygül Dayan^*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.083460 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Plant Nutrition-Mechanisms, Regulation, and Sustainable Applications)
Abstract Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) is valued for its nutritional quality, and production practices increasingly focus on improving quality as well as yield. This study evaluated the effects of colored plastic mulches (red, black, grey, and brown) on yield, antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), and mineral composition under open-field conditions. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four mulch treatments and three replications under open-field conditions. Mulch color did not significantly affect total yield, indicating stable biomass production across treatments. In contrast, antioxidant activity and Vitamin C content were significantly More >

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Xuebing Zhu^1,2, Yongqiang Jiang^1,2, Wei Li^1,2, Lihui Wang^1,2, Xuemei Sun^1,2,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.083772 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Plant Breeding and Genetic Improvement: Leveraging Molecular Markers and Novel Genetic Strategies)
Abstract Although transcriptional regulators of anthocyanin biosynthesis have been studied in many crops, the regulatory network controlling the purple leaf trait in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) remains incompletely understood. Our previous transcriptome analysis identified LsMYB1. This study further carried out the cloning and structural feature analysis of the LsMYB1 gene, and systematically verified its function using the tobacco heterologous overexpression system and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. Sequence analysis revealed a structural difference between the two alleles: the LsMYB1 allele in the purplecultivar contains two introns and three exons, whereas the allele in the greencultivar comprises only a single exon. More >

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Xinyao Li¹, Dongyang Sun¹, Yunong Zhou², Yong Li³, Jie Ma⁴, Xuena Yu¹, Zhi Huang¹, Fen Zhang^1,*, Bo Sun^1,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.082599 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Plant Nutrition-Mechanisms, Regulation, and Sustainable Applications)
Abstract Baby mustard is rich in nutrients; however, it is prone to postharvest yellowing and wilting, which leads to the loss of nutritional components. Folic acid, an important water-soluble vitamin, exhibits substantial physiological antioxidant activity. This study explored the impact of folic acid immersion treatments on the visual quality and health-promoting compounds of baby mustard stored at 20°C. The results showed that, compared with other concentrations, 5 mg L⁻¹ folic acid treatment (F5) was the most effective in improving baby mustard storability. In terms of appearance and sensory acceptability, the F5 treatment was more effective than 0… More >

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225

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Dilek Killi^1,2,#,*, Hüsna Dolu^1,2, Masud Omar Barre³, Gamze Kaya^4,5, Deniz Sezlev Bilecen⁴
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.082888 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) and Plant Stress)
Abstract Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important food, oil and bioenergy crop frequently affected by drought stress. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can enhance plant growth and resilience to water deficit. However, their efficiency often diminishes over time under prolonged stress due to reduced bacterial survival. This study investigated whether encapsulated forms of Bacillus subtilis, with and without humic acid supplementation, improves bacterial viability and photosynthetic performance of a drought-sensitive sunflower variety under water deficiency. Seedlings were grown in a greenhouse, with water deficit imposed at 30% field capacity for 29 days. Treatments included solution (B) or encapsulated… More >

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Rayane Amaral de Andrade¹, Tayd Dayvison Custódio Peixoto², Miguel Ferreira Neto¹, Antônio Sávio dos Santos¹, Joyce Fernandes de Medeiros¹, Clara Araújo da Silva¹, Mirna Candace Oliveira de Almeida¹, Kariolania Fortunato de Paiva Araújo¹, Ricardo André Rodrigues Filho¹, Kleane Targino Oliveira Pereira¹, Antônio Gustavo de Luna Souto¹, Salvador Barros Torres¹, Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá^3,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.081266 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Abiotic and Biotic Stress Tolerance in Crop)
Abstract Managing salinity in irrigation water is essential to ensure water supply for plants, especially in semi-arid regions, where the most readily available water often has high salt content. In this context, the tolerance of traditional maize varieties to salt stress was evaluated using morphological and biochemical parameters at the initial developmental stage. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using polyethylene trays with 200 cells filled with inert coconut fiber-based substrate. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 15 × 2 factorial scheme, with four replicates and 50 seeds per plot, for a total… More >

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Jolyon Dodgson^*, Anna K. Marks, David J. Marks
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.082701 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Abiotic and Biotic Stress Tolerance in Crop)
Abstract Stress can result in up to 70% losses during crop production. Plants are exposed to abiotic stresses, such as drought or salt, or biotic stresses, such as fungal pathogens like powdery mildew or septoria. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling is a part of a common response to plant stresses, but excessive ROS can be damaging. Plants produce antioxidants to reduce ROS. Wheat plants were exposed to drought stress, salt stress, and biotic stress from powdery mildew and septoria. In a glasshouse, wheat plants were treated with a functional fertiliser (Indra containing Oxygon chemistry, Levity Crop… More >

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Fujian Shan^1,2,#, Yi Yang^2,3,#, Liangliang Li^3,4, Tao Li^2,5, Wenwen Su⁴, Zhencheng Han^2,*, Yuanxun Tao^2,*, Xiaopeng Wen^1,*, Weijie Li^2,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.084154 - 30 July 2026
Abstract Rootstock plays an important role in commercial horticultural production by influencing scion growth, physiology, and fruit quality. However, information on the effects of different rootstocks on kiwifruit growth and fruit quality remains limited. In this study, Actinidia valvata was evaluated as an experimental rootstock and compared with the commonly used A. deliciosa rootstock to investigate their effects on photosynthetic characteristics, carbohydrate metabolism, and fruit quality of A. deliciosa cv. ‘Guichang’. Leaf photosynthetic parameters, fruit quality attributes, carbohydrate contents, and the activities of enzymes related to sucrose and starch metabolism were investigated during fruit development and postharvest ripening. The… More >

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Alberto Sandoval-Rangel¹, Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza¹, Rebeca Betancourt-Galindo², Eneida Adilene Pérez-Velasco^2,*, Bertha Alicia Puente-Urbina²
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.083195 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Application of Nanomaterials in Plants)
Abstract In soils and substrates, the bioavailability of Zn²⁺ is generally low. The use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) has emerged as a promising strategy in agriculture to improve zinc availability and stimulate plant growth. Their physicochemical properties and biocompatibility promote greater micronutrient uptake and the regulation of physiological processes in plants. In this study, the effects of five concentrations of ZnO-NPs (0, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 mg L⁻¹) and two application methods (foliar or drench) on the growth, gas exchange, and flowering quality of marigold were evaluated. ZnO-NPs significantly influenced plant growth; plant height and… More >

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Panpan Wang¹, Yanjing Liu¹, Haiyan Kong¹, Ye Li^2,*, Shuang Chen^3,*, Nong Zhou^1,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.084444 - 30 July 2026
Abstract Mulberry leaf is a widely used medicinal and edible homologous plant, and its quality is closely related to the contents of secondary metabolites. In this study, 17 batches of mulberry leaves from 3 cultivars and 7 geographical origins in Chongqing were used as materials. An HPLC method was established for the simultaneous determination of mulberroside A, chlorogenic acid, rutin, isoquercitrin, and astragalin, and the effects of cultivar and origin on the accumulation of these components were systematically compared. The established method exhibited satisfactory linearity (R² ≥ 0.9998), together with good precision, stability, repeatability, and accuracy, which… More >

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Nan Zhao^1,2,*, Qianru Zhao¹, Xiangyu Wu¹, Jiawei Hong¹, Luanmei Lu¹
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.083994 - 30 July 2026
Abstract The growth and landscape application of Bougainvillea, a widely cultivated ornamental plant, are often influenced by light conditions. The effects of shade on two Bougainvillea cultivars, ‘Imperial Delight (ID)’ and ‘San Diego Red (SDR)’, cultivated under full sunlight (CK) and 50% shade (S) were investigated. Under shading, both cultivars presented decreased leaf thickness; increased chlorophyll a, b and total contents; and reduced light compensation points (LCPs) and dark respiration rates (R_ds), reflecting morphological and photosynthetic acclimatization. Decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents indicated attenuated membrane lipid peroxidation. In ‘ID’, shading significantly reduced the leaf,… More >

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Diana Dragan¹, Vasile Florian^1,*, Horia Bunescu¹, Rodica Sima², Alexandru Apahidean², Ximena Rau¹, Arnilva Mara¹, Mihaela Chertes¹, Ionut-Bogdan Hulujan¹, Teodora Florian¹
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.075836 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Technological Advances for Sustainable Management and Biological Control of Plant Pests and Diseases)
Abstract The research examined the effects of predators and parasitoids on Trialeurodes vaporariorum (TV) and Frankliniella occidentalis (FO) through their introduction into the cucumber pest management. Parasitoids and predators from the genus Encarsia, Orius, and Amblyseius were used to manage TV and FO. The study was performed at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania, from August to October 2023. The research investigates the influence of zoophagous species on TV and FO, utilizing data collected on six distinct dates throughout the cucumber growing season. The findings indicate that biocontrol agents positively influence flight and negatively affect the… More >

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Milica Aćimović¹, Milena Popov², Nataša Mandić², Ana Tomić³, Biljana Lončar⁴, Lato Pezo⁵, Mirjana Cvetković⁶, Jovana Stanković Jeremić⁶, Olja Šovljanski^3,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079695 - 30 July 2026
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant-Derived Antimicrobials: Phytochemical Defense, Plant Metabolism, and Ecological Roles)
Abstract (1) Background: Plant hydrolates are widely generated as by-products of essential oil distillation, yet their potential biological properties remain insufficiently explored. This study evaluated whether that lemon catnip (Nepeta cataria var. citriodora) hydrolate exhibits allelopathic and antimicrobial effects in preliminary in vitro assays, contributing to the valorization of distillation residues within circular bioeconomy approaches. (2) Methods: Phytotoxic effects on germination and early seedling growth of crops (maize, soybean, and white clover) and weeds (common lambsquarters, amaranth, and wild carrot) were evaluated under in vitro conditions using hydrolate solutions (10%, 20%, 50%, and 100%). Germination kinetics were modelled using first-order,… More >

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Jinxiu Song¹, Zhixin Li², Wenwen Di², Qiaoshuo Hou², Xiaoming Song¹, Long Wang³, Qi Liu², Zejin Zhang⁴, Zhengnan Yan^2,*
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.086028 - 30 July 2026
Abstract Blue light and ultraviolet-A (UV-A) radiation are critical light-quality regulators that coordinately modulate plant growth and quality in protected horticulture. However, their interactive effects on celery (Apium graveolens L.) remain inadequately characterized. In the present study, we quantified the individual and combined impacts of supplemental UV-A and blue light on the growth, biomass accumulation, photosynthetic performance, and nutritional quality of celery (cv. Dayehuang) in a plant factory with artificial lighting. Our results demonstrated that sole UV-A or blue light application significantly increased biomass, nutritional quality, and light use efficiency (LUE) of celery. Notably, combined supplementation with… More >

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