Damilola Olofintuyi, Ayesha Siddika, Abdollah Monfared, Hong Zhang, Jennifer Smith^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079971 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of overlapping abiotic stresses, making cross-tolerance a critical component of plant resilience. While single stress responses have been extensively characterized, plants in natural and agricultural environments frequently encounter simultaneous or sequential stresses such as drought–heat, light–drought, and drought–salinity, which trigger nonadditive and often unpredictable physiological outcomes that vary with stress intensity, timing, and species. This review synthesizes current understanding of the mechanisms underlying cross-tolerance, emphasizing how contradictory signals, stress timing, and physiological integration shape plant responses under combined stress. We highlight how stomatal regulation, leaf energy balance,… More >

Haoran Li, Qi Sun, Haoran Sun, Ziyan Wu, Wenjin Wang, Fang Liu^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079359 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Soil salinization is an increasingly severe global issue, posing a significant threat to crop growth and food security. Although sorghum exhibits moderate tolerance to saline-alkali stress, it remains highly sensitive to such conditions during the seedling stage. This study investigates the mechanisms by which zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) alleviate saline-alkali stress in sorghum seedlings and determines their optimal application concentration, thereby providing a scientific basis for agricultural production in saline-alkali soils. Hydroponic experiments were conducted to simulate varying degrees of saline-alkali stress. Sorghum seedlings were treated with different concentrations of ZnO NPs (0, 50,… More >

Selma Kösa^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079055 - 28 April 2026

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ) application methods and dosages on the growth, leaf, flower, and color characteristics of Silene compacta Fisch., a natural species with high potential for use as a seasonal bedding and potted ornamental plant in landscape design. The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions, where potted plants received a single PBZ application during the vegetative stage. The study was arranged in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 3 factorial structure. PBZ was applied either as a foliar spray or as a soil drench at… More >

Yingying Xing, Rong Wei, Xiukang Wang^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078974 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Rhizosphere microorganisms, as crucial biological groups at the soil–plant interface, play a significant role in advancing sustainable agriculture. This review systematically synthesizes three decades of research to elucidate the mechanisms and applications of rhizosphere microbes—including nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms, and plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)—in enhancing soil health, improving crop stress tolerance, and optimizing ecosystem functioning. Key findings indicate that replacing 50% of synthetic nitrogen with organic fertilizer in maize–wheat rotation systems can reduce nitrous oxide emissions by up to 68% in loamy soils. Long-term no-till systems enhance carbon sequestration through microbial-driven soil organic matter accumulation.… More >

Yun-Jae Ahn^1,2,3, Moon-Seok Kang², Ki-Byung Lim^2,3,4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078884 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Artificial polyploidy induction is widely used in ornamental breeding but can yield aneuploidy derivatives that vary in developmental stability and breeding utility. In Hibiscus syriacus ‘Blue Bird’, in vivo colchicine and oryzalin treatments generated regenerated shoots in which genome-size shifts were detected by flow cytometry; among the candidate lines, a subset reached flowering maturity and was characterized in detail. These flowering aneuploids displayed diverse floral alterations, including reduced corolla size, altered pigmentation, and partial conversion of stamens into petaloid organs. Flow cytometry and somatic chromosome counts indicated aneuploid status (150–182 chromosomes). Pollen morphology was highly variable, with… More >

Tao Wang¹, Yangyang Wei¹, Pengtao Li¹, Yuling Liu¹, Hui Song^2,*, Renhai Peng^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078858 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are widely distributed across plant tissues. 3-Ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) is one of the most crucial enzymes in VLCFA synthesis and markedly influences fatty acid composition in plants. However, the relevant information on KCS proteins in foxtail millet remains poorly understood. In the current study, 30 KCS genes were found in foxtail millet using bioinformatics methods. Phylogenetic data indicated that these genes cluster into eight distinct groups, with members of each group sharing similar motif structures. Further analysis revealed that the cis-acting elements of SiKCS genes are mainly involved in growth and developmental More >

Ramtin Vamenani^#, Ethan Brister^#, Ling Li^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078683 - 28 April 2026

Abstract The potting substrate is an important determinant of post-germination growth in Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum under controlled laboratory conditions. We evaluated four commercially available soil substrates—Sta-Green potting mix plus fertilizer (SPM), Sta-Green flower & vegetable garden soil plus fertilizer (SGS), Miracle-Gro potting mix (MPM), and Miracle-Gro raised bed soil (MBS)—to assess their effects on seed germination and post-germination growth. Germination rates did not differ significantly among substrates for either species. In contrast, post-germination growth was strongly influenced by the substrate, with MPM consistently supporting greater biomass accumulation, stem elongation, and leaf production. Through integrated analysis of More >

Savindi Thathsarani¹, Ashan Lakshitha², Pasindu Pramodya², Praveen Perera², Rasanjali Samarakoon^1,*, Shagufta Henna³, Upaka Rathnayake^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078657 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Accurately determining the optimal post-harvest storage period is still a major challenge in mango processing, especially for the Tom EJC (TEJC) variety, due to reliance on subjective visual evaluations, leading to inconsistent product quality and increased post-harvest losses. This study presents an artificial intelligence-based framework combining computer vision and physicochemical analysis to objectively predict the optimal post-harvest storage period of TEJC mango before processing. TEJC mangoes of grade one were stored for eight days at 24–28°C temperature and 66.4–80% relative humidity. Daily measurements of pH, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), firmness, and peel color parameters (L*,… More > Graphic Abstract

Shengqun Chen^1,2,#, Lianwen Shen^1,2,#, Shuang Qu^1,2, Xia Jiang^1,2,3,*, Gang Wang^1,2,4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078590 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Acer truncatum is a significant woody oil-bearing tree species known for its ability to synthesize various unsaturated fatty acids. This study systematically analyzes the lipid metabolic pathways and the associated transcript abundance changes involved in the biosynthesis and accumulation of seed oil in A. truncatum. By integrating lipidomics and transcriptomics analyses across different developmental stages of A. truncatum seeds, we thoroughly investigate the dynamic characteristics of oil metabolism. The results show that triacylglycerols (TAGs) become the dominating lipid class throughout seed development and that their amount increases greatly as the seeds mature, whereas diacylglycerols (DAGs) show a significantly… More >

Dongmei Lian^#, Zhou Li^#, Bizhen Lin, Shaoping Zhang, Susu Yuan, Yunfa Yao, Yudong Ju, Zhengfeng Lai^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078378 - 28 April 2026

Abstract Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is highly susceptible to chilling stress, which severely constrains its growth and productivity. Although the eco-friendly biostimulant γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) has shown promise in enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, its specific role and underlying mechanisms in alleviating chilling injury in pepper remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which foliar application of 100 mg·L⁻¹ γ-PGA enhances chilling tolerance in pepper seedlings. Our results demonstrated that γ-PGA pretreatment significantly mitigated chilling-induced growth inhibition and promoted root development, evidenced by a 110.8% increase in the number of root… More >