Chen Lin^1,*, Zidan Zhang¹, Zhao Zhang¹, Yuxiang Long¹, Xuwen Shen¹, Jinghao Zhang¹, Youping Wang^1,2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 583-601, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063086 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) represent a large and diverse enzyme family ubiquitously distributed across the plant kingdom. These proteins catalyze the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) with electrophilic substrates in response to various stress conditions. Beyond their role in stress adaptation, certain GSTs are integral regulators of plant growth and development, contributing to a range of physiological processes. Most GST proteins exhibit dual enzymatic activities, functioning as both transferases and peroxidases, which enables their involvement in diverse cellular processes, including detoxification and stress responses. Recent advancements, particularly in X-ray crystallography, have enabled detailed structural analysis of GST More >

Chengyi Zou¹, Sara Zafar^2,*, Umbreen Bibi², Manzar Abbas³, Zuhair Hasnain^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 603-621, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.062560 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Soil metal pollution is a global issue due to its toxic nature affecting ecosystems and human health. This has become a concern since metals are non-biodegradable and toxic. Most of the reclamation methods currently used for soils rely on the use of physical and chemical means, which tend to be very expensive and result in secondary environmental damage. However, microbe-aided phytoremediation is gaining attention as it is an eco-friendly, affordable, and technically advanced method to restore the ecosystem. It is essential to understand the complex interaction between plants and microbes. The primary function of plant… More > Graphic Abstract

Antonio Rodrigues da Cunha Neto¹, Alexandra dos Santos Ambrósio¹, Arlinda de Jesus Rodrigues Resende¹, Breno Régis Santos¹, Michele Carla Nadal^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 539-560, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.061776 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Cytokinins are plant hormones that are essential for plant growth and development and are involved in a variety of processes. They are synthesized by the modification of adenine with an isoprenoid chain, resulting in cytokinins such as isopentenyladenine and zeatin. The levels of these hormones are regulated by conjugation, degradation and oxidation processes that modulate their activity. Cytokinins are perceived by cells through specific receptors that, when activated, trigger signaling cascades responsible for regulating the expression of genes critical for development. In addition, cytokinins interact with other hormones, such as auxins, to coordinate plant growth… More >

Ran Li^1,#, Liuhong Chen^1,#, Yu Liu¹, Chunlei Zhao^1,2, Yanli Li^1,2, Guangzhou Ding^1,2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 875-895, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.061550 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Mildew resistance locus O (MLO) proteins are extensively found in various plant species and are essential for multiple biological functions. The characterization and analysis of MLO genes have been conducted across numerous species. However, the functions and features of MLO genes inside sugar beet remain poorly understood. In the present research, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the structural features of MLO genes, physicochemical characteristics of proteins, evolutionary connections, and expression profiles in sugar beet. A total of 13 BvMLO genes containing MLO structural domains were detected and renamed based on their locations on chromosomes within the sugar… More >

Hira Akhtar¹, Akhtar Hameed^1,*, Rana Binyamin¹, Kashif Riaz², Hafiz Muhammad Usman Aslam^1,3, Faizan Ali⁴, Subhan Ali¹, Zuniara Akash⁵, Muhammad Saqlain Zaheer^6,*, Kamran Ikram⁶, Yasir Niaz⁶, Hafiz Haider Ali^7,8

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 561-581, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.061262 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) is well known among consumers because of its attractive color, delicious taste, and nutritional benefits. It is widely grown worldwide, but its production has become a significant challenge due to changing climatic conditions that lead to abiotic stresses in plants, which results in poor root development, nutrient deficiency, and poor plant health. In this context, the major abiotic stresses are temperature fluctuations, water shortages, and high levels of soil salinity. The accumulation of salts in excessive amounts disrupts the osmotic balance and impairs physiological processes. However, drought reduces fruit size, yield, and quality.… More >

Jalil Ahmad^1,*, Muhammad Munir^2,*, Nashi Alqahtani^2,3, Tahira Alyas⁴, Muhammad Ahmad⁵, Sadia Bashir⁶, Fasiha Qurashi⁷, Abdul Ghafoor⁸, Hassan Ali–Dinar²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.2, pp. 281-302, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.061534 - 06 March 2025

Abstract A steady rise in the overall population is creating an overburden on crops due to their global demand. On the other hand, given the current climate change and population growth, agricultural practices established during the Green Revolution are no longer viable. Consequently, innovative practices are the prerequisite of the time struggle with the rising global food demand. The potential of nanotechnology to reduce the phytotoxic effects of these ecological restrictions has shown significant promise. Nanoparticles (NPs) typically enhance plant resilience to stressors by fortifying the physical barrier, optimizing photosynthesis, stimulating enzymatic activity for defense, elevating More >

Mengjie Xu, Anbin Wang, Tonghong Zuo, Hecui Zhang, Zhihao Hu, Liquan Zhu^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.1, pp. 157-179, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.060566 - 24 January 2025

Abstract Calmodulin-like (CMLs) proteins are critical in calcium signaling and essential for plant growth, development, and stress responses. In many species, the CMLs families have been identified and described. However, the characterization and expression profiling of CMLs genes in tobacco is retrievable. In this study, a comprehensive whole-genome identification and analysis, and 75 NtCML genes were identified in tobacco, each containing two to four EF-hand domains. Most NtCML proteins exhibited conserved gene structures and motifs. Notably, most NtCML proteins were intron-less and distributed across 18 chromosomes. Two pairs of tandemly duplicated genes and seven pairs of segmentally More >

Su-Ee Lau^1,2,*, Lucas Wei Tze Lim³, Mohd Fadhli Hamdan⁴, Colin Chan⁵, Noor Baity Saidi⁶, Janna Ong-Abdullah⁶, Boon Chin Tan^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.1, pp. 1-31, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.059930 - 24 January 2025

Abstract Abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, salinity, and heavy metal contamination severely affect global agricultural productivity. Between 2005 and 2015, droughts caused losses of approximately USD 29 billion in developing countries, and from 2008 to 2018, droughts accounted for over 34% of crop and livestock yield losses, totaling about USD 37 billion. To support the growing human population, agricultural output must increase substantially, necessitating a 60%–100% rise in crop productivity to meet the escalating demand. To address environmental challenges, organic, inorganic, and microbial biostimulants are increasingly employed to enhance plant resilience through various morphological, physiological,… More >

Ragini Singh¹, Noushina Iqbal^1,*, Shahid Umar^1,*, Sayeed Ahmad²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.12, pp. 3237-3271, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057189 - 31 December 2024

Abstract Lignans are a prominent group of phenolic compounds ubiquitously present in the plant kingdom, playing a critical role in both plant physiology and human health. Structurally they are characterized by the dimerization of two phenylpropane units to attain diverse chemical configurations that contribute to their wide range of biological activities. In plants, lignans function primarily as defense molecules, protecting against pathogens, herbivores, and environmental stressors. These compounds also participate in plant growth regulation and lignification processes. From a nutritional and medicinal perspective, lignans are valued for their significant health benefits. They act as phytoestrogens,… More >

Ivan Couée^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 2707-2714, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.058101 - 30 November 2024

Abstract The 15-carbon terpenoid abscisic acid (ABA) acts in vascular plants as a versatile hormone playing essential roles in reproductive development, vegetative development and growth, stress-development interactions, and physiological responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. Over the past 60 years, ABA dynamics, regulation, and responses have been progressively characterized: synthesis, transport and translocation, conjugation and deconjugation, metabolism, sensing, signal transduction, and downstream responses. In this context, the discovery of ABA exporters and importers has added novel dimensions to the understanding of ABA regulation. Moreover, since the initial discovery of the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) AtABCG25 exporter… More >