Ceren Ayşe Bayram^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.10, pp. 3283-3295, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.073047 - 29 October 2025

Abstract In semi-arid regions where climatic limitations hinder open-field vegetable production, greenhouse-based lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivation plays a vital role in ensuring off-season supply. In this study, the potential of sustainable input combinations was evaluated to enhance lettuce productivity, quality, and profitability under unheated greenhouse conditions in Southeastern Türkiye. Treatments included farmer practice and a mycorrhizal biofertilizer (ERS, a water-soluble arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus product) applied alone or in combination with organic-based biostimulants (IS and NM). Evaluated parameters were plant height, leaf pigmentation (a*, h°), SPAD values, vitamin C, nitrogen and phosphorus content, and gross margin. The More >

CHIOMA C. EZEUKO^#, SANDANI V. T. WIJERATHNE^#, QIANA L. MATTHEWS^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.9, pp. 1605-1629, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.065474 - 25 September 2025

Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have arisen as potential therapeutic tools in managing infectious diseases because EVs can regulate cell-to-cell signaling, function as drug transport mechanisms, and influence immune reactions. They are obtained from a myriad of sources, such as plants, humans, and animal cells. EVs like exosomes and ectosomes can be utilized in their native form as therapeutics or engineered to encompass antimicrobials, vaccines, and oligonucleotides of interest with a targeted delivery strategy. An in-depth understanding of host-pathogen dynamics provides a solid foundation for exploiting its full potential in therapeutics against infectious diseases. This review mainly More >

Muhammad Shahzaib^1,2, Shenzhen Wang^1,3, Rundong Yao¹, Sezai Ercisli⁴, Rongxiang Wang¹, Xiaona Fu¹, Hanqing Cong¹, Pingyin Guan³, Xuefei Jiang², Mahmoud F. Seleiman⁵, Yuandi Zhu³, Muhammad Mubashar Zafar^1,2,6,7,*, Fei Qiao^1,6,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.7, pp. 2167-2181, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.065068 - 31 July 2025

Abstract Mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. ‘Keitt’) is one of the core fruit delicacies produced by China. During the post-harvest storage span, the fungal pathogen colletotrichum gloeosporioides readily invades the fruits and leads to a significant overall yield loss. In recent years of development, the exploitation of naturally occurring fungitoxic compounds such as Sandalwood Essential Oil (SEO) has been useful in tackling various fungal species. This study demonstrates the potential of SEO as part of a storage protection strategy against C. gloeosporioides-induced post-harvest anthracnose. SEO displayed a relatively higher mycelial growth inhibition rate when compared to various other essential More >

Pamela Lippi¹, Aleš Eichmeier², Sergio Puccioni³, Giovan Battista Mattii¹, Eleonora Cataldo^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1047-1072, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064272 - 30 April 2025

Abstract The search for environmentally friendly approaches in viticulture is increasing, driven by the need to minimize the ecological footprint of conventional methods while ensuring high grape quality and stable yields. Among the various alternatives explored, essential oils (EOs) have drawn attention due to their natural origin and bioactive properties, including antimicrobial, antifungal, and insect-repellent effects. They are characterized by numerous utilisations, from managing diseases and pests in vineyards to post-harvest applications to preserve and prolong storage duration. This innovative review examines, for the first time, the topic of EOs on viticulture, embracing their multiple uses… More >

Nur Azreena Idris^1,*, Madihah Ahmad Zairun², Aisyah Humaira Alias¹, Zawawi Ibrahim¹, Noorshamsiana Abdul Wahab¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 163-180, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.053388 - 20 January 2025

Abstract The utilization of oil palm biomass in the production of high-value products has increased substantially. Due to the presence of sugars and starches in their tissues, oil palms have an exceptionally low natural resistance to fungi, making them susceptible to contamination. In this study, the properties of particleboard made from oil palm fibers, namely empty fruit bunches (EFB), oil palm trunks (OPT), and oil palm fronds (OPF) fibers and its potential for fungal attack were evaluated. The chemical composition, spectroscopic characterization, morphological features, and elemental analysis of oil palm biomass fibers were identified and thoroughly… More > Graphic Abstract

Mohsen Mohamed Elsharkawy^1,*, Mari Sumayli², Faisal Ay Alzahrani³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.12, pp. 3373-3385, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.058875 - 31 December 2024

Abstract Endophytes associated with plants are recognized as bio-reservoirs of natural products and denote a significant symbiotic interaction in nature. Endophytes penetrate the plant’s interior tissues without showing any indications of disease or obvious alterations. In this study, the potential of a novel and new isolated plant growth-stimulating fungus, Coniothyrium aleuritis, was evaluated against PVY (the pathogen potato virus Y) on potato plants. Many parameters, including disease severity, PVY titer, enzymatic profiling, defense-related biochemical marker (carotenoid), phenolic compounds, proline content, as well as growth and yield parameters, have been investigated to clarify the role of C. aleuritis isolate… More > Graphic Abstract

Abderrahim Boutasknit^1,2,3,*, Wissal Benaffari^2,3, Mohamed Anli^2,3, Abdoussadeq Ouamnina^2,3, Amine Assouguem⁴, Rachid Lahlali^4,*, Abdelilah Meddich^2,3,5

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.12, pp. 3589-3616, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057881 - 31 December 2024

Abstract Drought stress (DS) and overuse of chemical fertilizers cause considerable losses in the agro-physiological as well as biochemical performance of plants. In this context, considerable effort will be required to replace chemical fertilizers (NPK) with biostimulants as an important approach to enhance the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. Here, we evaluated the effect of separating and/or combining arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with compost (C) in comparison to the use of NPK on the growth, physiological and biochemical of tomatoes under DS. The findings showed that DS significantly reduced the growth and physiological attributes of tomatoes.… More >

Chen Hao, Chunfeng Mu, Xinyan Yu, Xiaoran Chen, Mengmeng Zhu, Jianrui Wang^*, Yu Liu^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.12, pp. 3549-3572, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.056114 - 31 December 2024

Abstract Entoloma clypeatum, a kind of edible ectomycorrhizal fungus, can be usually symbiotic with Rosaceae fruit trees. Fruit trees have become an important part of China’s agriculture. The present work focused on exploring how E. clypeatum affected symbiotic Rosaceae plants and establishing a symbiotic culture with Malus robusta, Pyrus betulifolia and Prunus armeniaca rootstocks. The results showed that E. clypeatum and three Rosaceae plants can generate cylindrical or clavate mycorrhizae. The inoculation treatment had different degrees of positive effects on the three plants. Relative to the non-inoculated group, biomass in symbiotic plants increased (32.8%–191.1%), and photosynthesis enhanced. In the level of… More >

Abdelhak Rhouma¹, Lobna Hajji-Hedfi^1,*, Nahla Alsayd Bouqellah^2,*, Pravin Babasaheb Khaire³, Samar Dali¹, Omaima Bargougui¹, Amira Khlif¹, Laith Khalil Tawfeeq Al-Ani⁴

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 2857-2881, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057591 - 30 November 2024

Abstract Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium spp. are entomopathogenic fungi with potential applications beyond insect pest control, including plant disease suppression, plant growth promotion, and rhizosphere colonization. This study investigated the plant growth-promoting characteristics and extracellular enzyme activities of Metarhizium spp. and B. bassiana in relation to phytopathogen interactions and plant growth. Additionally, the efficacy of these fungi in mitigating damping-off and root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani on cucumber plants was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results indicate that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae produce indole-3-acetic acid, hydrocyanic acid, and hydrolytic enzymes. Seed treatment with these fungi significantly reduced disease severity (3.85%–1.86%, respectively)… More >

Wissal Benaffari^1,2,3, Fatima-Ezzahra Soussani^1,2,4, Abderrahim Boutasknit^1,2,5, Salma Toubali^1,2,3, Abir Ben Hassine³, Hala Ben Ahmed³, Rachid Lahlali^7,*, Abdelilah Meddich^1,2,6,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.9, pp. 2285-2302, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.055052 - 30 September 2024

Abstract Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) has recently gained popularity as a pseudo-cereal cultivated in various countries due to the nutritional and antioxidant benefits of its seeds, and its capacity to persist in water-stressed environments. Our study aimed to assess the effects of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and local organic amendments on the metabolic responses and antioxidant activity of quinoa seeds under water-stressed conditions. To this end, quinoa plants were grown in soils inoculated with an indigenous mycorrhizal consortium AMF and amended with two types of compost from horse manure (HM) and green waste (GW) under two water… More >