Bizhen Lin^1,#, Wenzhong Lin^2,#, Dongmei Lian¹, Susu Yuan¹, Weiying Wang^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.082698 - 27 May 2026

Abstract Grafting is a common strategy to control bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) in susceptible crops, including pepper. However, the contribution of resistant rootstocks to scion immunity, beyond physical pathogen exclusion, requires further elucidation. In this study, susceptible ‘HF8’ scions were grafted onto six rootstock genotypes, and their resistance was evaluated via leaf-clip inoculation, which bypasses root-mediated physical barriers. Scions grafted onto resistant rootstocks exhibited restricted pathogen spread and higher survival rates; specifically, the NK4-HF8 combination demonstrated a 100% survival rate, compared to 11% in susceptible-rootstock combinations and 46% in self-grafted controls. Comparative transcriptomic profiling revealed distinct transcriptional… More >

Emerson de Medeiros de Sousa^1,#, Salvador Barros Torres^2,#, Marciana Bizerra de Morais^3,#, Clarisse Pereira Benedito², Kleane Targino Oliveira Pereira², Moadir de Sousa Leite², Maria Valdiglezia de Mesquita Arruda², Jéssica Christie Dantas de Oliveira Costa², Roseane Rodrigues de Oliveira², Giovanna Dias de Sousa², Cynthia Cavalcanti de Albuquerque³, Marco Porceddu⁴, Gianluigi Bacchetta⁴, Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá^5,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078410 - 27 May 2026

Abstract Semiarid regions are frequently affected by low water availability, which hinders the development of horticultural species such as melon (Cucumis melo L.). In this context, techniques that enhance drought tolerance are essential for more effective crop management. This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance and antioxidant activity of different melon cultivars using seed pre-treatment with stress-attenuating agents. The experiment was conducted in two stages, both arranged in a completely randomized design with four replicates of 50 seeds. In the first stage, a 3 × 5 factorial scheme was used, combining three levels of water deficit (0.0,… More >

Wessam M. Serag El-Din^1,*, Kamal E. Attia¹, Taghreed E. Eissa^2,*, Tarek M. Noor El-Deen², Hadeer Darwish^1,3, Ghadah H. Al Hawas^4,5, Modhi O. Alotaibi^6,7

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.078357 - 27 May 2026

Abstract Water salinity is a growing environmental concern that significantly impacts soil health, agricultural productivity, and freshwater sustainability, especially in arid regions. This study evaluated the comparative effects of foliar-applied glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on growth, flower yield, essential oil composition, and physiological responses of Matricaria chamomilla L. under water salinity levels. The experiment was conducted during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons at the Experimental Farm of El-Quassassin, Ismailia, Egypt, using a factorial randomized complete block design with three replicates. Foliar applications of GSH (1, 2, and 3 mM) and H₂O₂ (5, 10, and 20 mM)… More >

Elizeu Monteiro Pereira Júnior, Lorena de Souza Cunha, Andreza Sousa Carmo, Ana Clara Lucarini, Ynglety Cascaes Pereira Matos, Allan Klynger da Silva Lobato, Elaine Maria Silva Guedes Lobato^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.072138 - 27 May 2026

Abstract Nickel (Ni) is an essential metallic micronutrient for optimal plant growth and development, regulator of essential metabolic processes, but its interaction with other essential nutrients can result in differences in the absorption of these nutrients, which can disrupt the ionic balance. The objective of this research was to evaluate the physiological performance and growth of soybean plants subjected to Ni levels applied via soil under Fe (iron) excess, determining the behavior of redox metabolism, gas exchange, and photosynthetic pigments. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with a factorial 2 × 3, with… 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 >

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

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 >

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

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 >

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

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 >

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 >

Shaimaa R. Ahmed^1,*, Omnia M. Hendawy², Sumera Qasim², Hanan Khojah³, Ambreen Malik Uttra⁴

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.075718 - 28 February 2026

Abstract The study evaluated the skin anti-aging activity of Astragalus sarcocolla leaves extract (ASE) by assessing its antioxidant and inhibitory effect activity on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase in relation to its chemical composition. Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS) identified 27 metabolites (15 flavonoids, 8 phenolic acids and their derivatives, and 4 coumarins). ASE showed strong antioxidant capacity in DPPH (IC₅₀ value of 26.05 µg/mL) and FRAP (2433 µM FeSO₄/g extract) assays. The extract inhibited MMP-1 and MMP-9 in a concentration-dependent manner and suppressed collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase activities (IC₅₀ = 35.038, 40.748, 61.389,… More > Graphic Abstract