Sameera V Mohd Sagheer¹, Orwel P V², P M Ameer³, Amal BaQais⁴, Shaeen Kalathil^5,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 1329-1349, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.063961 - 09 June 2025

Abstract The precise identification of date palm tree diseases is essential for maintaining agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable farming methods. Conventional approaches rely on visual examination by experts to detect infected palm leaves, which is time intensive and susceptible to mistakes. This study proposes an automated leaf classification system that uses deep learning algorithms to identify and categorize diseases in date palm tree leaves with high precision and dependability. The system leverages pretrained convolutional neural network architectures (InceptionV3, DenseNet, and MobileNet) to extract and examine leaf characteristics for classification purposes. A publicly accessible dataset comprising multiple… More >

Hua Zhang, Ganghua Li^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.5, pp. 1367-1399, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064632 - 29 May 2025

Abstract Soil naturally contains various heavy metals, however, their concentrations have reached toxic levels due to excessive agrochemical use and industrial activities. Heavy metals are persistent and non-biodegradable, causing environmental disruption and posing significant health hazards. Microbial-mediated remediation is a promising strategy to prevent heavy metal leaching and mobilization, facilitating their extraction and detoxification. Nickel (Ni), being a prevalent heavy metal pollutant, requires specific attention in remediation efforts. Plants have evolved defense mechanisms to cope with environmental stresses, including heavy metal toxicity, but such stress significantly reduces crop productivity. Beneficial microorganisms play a crucial role in… More > Graphic Abstract

Oumaima Benaissa^1,2,3, Mohammed Taoussi^1,4, Ikram Legrifi^1,2, Zineb Belabess³, Abderrahim Lazraq², Rachid Lahlali^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.5, pp. 1453-1495, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064598 - 29 May 2025

Abstract Tomato cultivation faces formidable challenges from both biotic and abiotic stressors, necessitating innovative and sustainable strategies to ensure crop resilience and yield stability. This comprehensive review delves into the evolving landscape of employing microbial consortia as a dynamic tool for the integrated management of biotic and abiotic stresses in tomato plants. The microbial consortium, comprising an intricate network of bacteria, fungi, and other beneficial microorganisms, plays a pivotal role in promoting plant health and bolstering defense mechanisms. Against biotic stressors, the consortium exhibits multifaceted actions, including the suppression of pathogenic organisms through antagonistic interactions and… More >

Sajid Ali^*, Yong-Sun Moon^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.5, pp. 1419-1451, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064284 - 29 May 2025

Abstract This review focused on the role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in enhancing plant growth and protecting against pathogens, highlighting their mechanisms of action, ecological benefits, and challenges. PGPR mediate plant growth through several mechanisms, including nutrient acquisition, production of antimicrobial compounds and induction of systemic resistance. These mechanisms are critical in improving crop yields, especially under stressful conditions. This review examines the molecular mechanisms of PGPR-mediated plant pathogen control, cellular mechanisms of PGPR in plant pathogen control, ecological and environmental benefits of PGPR application. Despite their potential, PGPR application is limited by environmental variability,… More >

Vicky Anand¹, Priyadarshani Rajput¹, Tatiana Minkina¹, Saglara Mandzhieva¹, Santosh Kumar², Avnish Chauhan³, Vishnu D. Rajput^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.5, pp. 1339-1365, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063927 - 29 May 2025

Abstract The digital revolution in agriculture has introduced data-driven decision-making, where artificial intelligence, especially machine learning (ML), helps analyze large and varied data sources to improve soil quality and crop growth indices. Thus, a thorough evaluation of scientific publications from 2007 to 2024 was conducted via the Scopus and Web of Science databases with the PRISMA guidelines to determine the realistic role of ML in soil health and crop improvement under the SDGs. In addition, the present review focused to identify and analyze the trends, challenges, and opportunities associated with the successful implementation of ML in… More >

Shahin Imran^1,2,#,*, Mousumi Jahan Sumi^3,#, Israt Jahan Harine⁴, Newton Chandra Paul¹, Md. Asif Mahamud⁵, Rakibul Hasan Md. Rabbi⁵, Marian Brestic⁶, Mohammad Saidur Rhaman^7,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1073-1109, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064046 - 30 April 2025

Abstract Heavy metal (HM) accumulation in soil poses a major hazard to both ecological health and plant growth progressions. Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) are examples of HMs that negatively impact the growth and development of plants, resulting in lower agricultural output and food safety concerns. Biochar (BC), a substance rich in carbon that is formed by pyrolyzing natural biomass, has demonstrated remarkable promise in reducing HM stress in polluted soils. Research has shown that BC effectively lowers plant uptake of metals, and enhances soil qualities,… More >

Muhammad Nazim^1,2,*, Abdul Ghafoor^3,*, Abida Hussain⁴, Mehwish Tabassum⁵, Aamir Nawaz⁶, Muhammad Ahmad⁷, Murad Muhammad^1,2, Muqarrab Ali⁴

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.1, pp. 65-99, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.058970 - 24 January 2025

Abstract In recent years, the world has faced rising global temperatures, accumulative pollution, and energy crises, stimulating scientists worldwide to strive for eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions. Biochar has materialized as a favorable tool for environmental remediation, indicating efficacy as an efficient sorbent substance for both inorganic and organic pollutants in environmental field. These unique properties exclude improved surface functionality, porous morphology, large specific surface area (SSA), cation exchange capacity (CEC), robust adsorption capabilities, environmental stability, and embedded micronutrients. Biochar exhibited potential characteristics for environmental oversight, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, and soil fertility improvement. This review… More >

Mohamed M. Kamara^1,*, Nora M. Al Aboud², Hameed Alsamadany³, Abeer M. Kutby⁴, Imen Ben Abdelmalek⁵, Diaa Abd El-Moneim⁶, Motrih Al-Mutiry⁷

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.1, pp. 101-122, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.058033 - 24 January 2025

Abstract Nitrogen (N) is a crucial nutrient vital for the growth and productivity of maize. However, excessive nitrogen application can result in numerous environmental and ecological problems, such as water pollution, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, breeding maize hybrids resilient to low nitrogen conditions is crucial for sustainable agriculture, especially under low nitrogen conditions. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the combining ability and heterosis of maize lines, recognize promising hybrids, and study gene action controlling key traits under low and recommended N stress conditions. The half-diallel mating design hybridized seven maize inbreds, resulting… More >

Pratyush Kumar Das¹, Satyabrata Nanda^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.12, pp. 3217-3235, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057956 - 31 December 2024

Abstract Insect pests cause severe crop damage, resulting in substantial economic losses and threats to global food security. Conventional insecticides are low-cost chemical agents that kill the target insects and some non-specific beneficial organisms. Due to their toxic and non-biodegradable nature, these conventional insecticides persist in the environment, thus causing pollution and accumulating in the food chain. The development of novel insecticidal products based on double-stranded (dsRNA)-based RNA interference (RNAi) technology is a sustainable tool to effectively control insect pests. The dsRNA-based insecticides are known for their specificity, non-toxicity, and biodegradability. The current review introduces the… More >

Fatima-Ezzahra Soussani^1,2,3, Youssef Ait Rahou^1,2,4, Chayma Ikan^1,2, Allal Douira³, Rachid Benkirane³, Essaid Ait Barka⁵, Rachid Lahlali^6,*, Abdelilah Meddich^1,2,7,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.9, pp. 2415-2438, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.055050 - 30 September 2024

Abstract This study assesses the effectiveness of using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (M) and compost applied alone or in combination (vs. conventional chemical fertilizer application (NPK)) on tomato resistance to vascular wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae. In this study, ten treatments were applied: (1) Control (2) M: Rhizophagus irregularis (3) C: Compost (4) MC: The combination of M and compost (5) NPK: conventional chemical fertilizer (6) V: plants infected with V. dahliae (7) MV: plants infected with a conidial suspension of V. dahliae and M, (8) CV: The combination of compost and V. dahliae, (9) MCV: The combination of M, compost and V. dahliae,… More >