Nada Zaari Jabri¹, Mohamed Ait-El-Mokhtar^1,*, Fadoua Mekkaoui¹, Najwa Rabah¹, Ilham Amghar¹, Ghizlane Diria², Abdelaziz Hmyene¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.11, pp. 3687-3701, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.071634 - 01 December 2025

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) contamination is a major environmental stressor that adversely affects crop germination and early development. This study assessed the impact of increasing Cd concentrations (0.125 to 1 g/L) on seed germination and early seedling growth in three bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars: Achtar, Lina, and Snina. The results revealed a clear dose-dependent inhibitory effect of Cd. Germination percentage (GP) significantly declined with increasing Cd levels, while mean germination time was progressively delayed, particularly at higher concentrations. Vigor index (VI) also showed significant reductions, reflecting compromised seedling establishment. Morphological traits, especially shoot and root lengths,… More >

Tetiana O. Yastreb^1,2, Mykola V. Shevchenko², Liubov N. Kobyzeva^1,3, Alexander I. Oboznyi¹, Yuriy E. Kolupaev^1,2,4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.10, pp. 3125-3143, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.071822 - 29 October 2025

Abstract β-Aminobutyric acid (BABA) is a physiologically active plant compound that has not been extensively studied. It has been shown to increase resistance to biotic and abiotic stress factors and enhance seed germination in certain plant species. However, its effects on cereal grains with low germination rates have not yet been studied. This study investigated the effects of BABA on the germination of aged triticale seeds, the metabolite content of seedlings, and the state of their antioxidant systems. The study found that a three-hour treatment of seeds in BABA solutions at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to… More > Graphic Abstract

Muhammad Zaid Jawaid, Muhammad Fasih Khalid, Ahmed Abou Elezz, Talaat Ahmed^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.8, pp. 2423-2439, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.068303 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Salt stress is a major threat to crop agricultural productivity. Salinity affects plants’ physiological and biochemical functions by hampering metabolic functions and decreasing photosynthetic rates. Salinity causes hyperosmotic and hyperionic stress, directly impairing plant growth. In this study, eggplant seeds primed with moringa leaf extract (5%, 10%, and 15%), nano-titanium dioxide (0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.06%), and ascorbic acid (0.5, 1, and 2 mM) at different NaCl salt (0, 75, and 150 mM) concentration were grown. The germination attributes (final germination percentage, germination index, mean germination time, and mean germination rate) and growth (root length, shoot… More >

Xinghuan Li¹, Binxi Hao¹, Shimin Cheng¹, Ju Zhang¹, Yuan Song^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.8, pp. 2499-2513, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.067104 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Pinus koraiensis is the dominant and constructive species of the zonal vegetation in Northeast China, known as the mixed broadleaf-Korean pine forest. Although carbohydrate metabolism pathways in the seed embryo are known to play crucial roles during seed dormancy and germination in P. koraiensis, it remains unclear whether these metabolic pathways function differentially across tissues. P. koraiensis seeds that had undergone different durations of moist chilling in their natural environment, yielding seeds with relatively deeper primary physiological dormancy (DDS) and seeds with released primary physiological dormancy (RDS). A non-targeted metabolomic analysis was conducted on the radicle and hypocotyl-cotyledon… More >

Shiyang Li^1,#, Jia Song^1,#, Bingxuan Fan¹, Yunshu Tang², Yamin Xing¹, Yuqi Gao¹, Nianwei Qiu^1,*, Hongxia Zhang^1,3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.6, pp. 1811-1826, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.065751 - 27 June 2025

Abstract Strontium has similar chemical properties to calcium and has recently been recognized as a non-essential beneficial element for plants. In order to compare the effects of strontium and calcium on improving salt tolerance of Chinese cabbage during the germination stage, 2, 4, and 8 mmol/L of SrCl₂, CaCl₂ or an equimolar mixture of both were added separately to a 150 mmol/L NaCl solution. The results showed that Ca-Sr addition significantly increased seed viability, seed vigor, seed germination rate and seed germination uniformity of Chinese cabbage compared with the salt-control group. The differences in germination percentage (GP)… More >

Gülay Zulkadir^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.6, pp. 1879-1896, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064144 - 27 June 2025

Abstract Soil salinization is a prominent global environmental issue that considerably affects the sustainable development of agriculture worldwide. Maize, a key crop integral to the global agricultural economy, is especially susceptible to the detrimental impacts of salt stress, which can impede its growth and development from the germination phase through to the seedling stage. Soil salinity tends to escalate due to improper irrigation methods, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. Consequently, it is essential to evaluate potential genotypes and select those with high salt tolerance. In this study, 39 popcorn kernel genotypes were examined under varying… More >

Wenqi Shi^1,#, Binyameen Bin Shafqat^2,#, Muhammad Arif¹, Ayesha Fazal Nawaz³, Muhammad Amir Zia⁴, Xu Ling¹, Dingli Hong¹, Ruhong Xu^1,*, Luhua Li^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.1, pp. 229-241, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.059315 - 24 January 2025

Abstract Seed priming is an effective seed pretreatment technology that enhances germination and overall crop performance by optimizing seed hydration and metabolic processes before planting. Seed quality is a critical determinant of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) crop performance, influencing germination, plant vigor, and yield. This study evaluates the effects of seed priming with potassium salts (1% and 2% KCl and K₂SO₄) on germination, morphological traits, and Cry1Ac gene expression in three Bt cotton cultivars (IUB-2013, NIAB-878B, FH-142) as Cry1Ac enhance the pest resistance in Bt cotton and reduce the plant’s dependence on chemical insecticides. Seeds were primed for six hours, air-dried,… More >

Md. Tahjib-Ul-Arif^1,2,*, Md Asaduzzaman³, Bir Jahangir Shirazy^2,4, Md. Shihab Uddine Khan⁵, A. M. Sajedur Rahman^2,6, Yoshiyuki Murata², Sozan Abdel Hamed⁷, Arafat Abdel Hamed Abdel Latef^8,9,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 3013-3027, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.058710 - 30 November 2024

Abstract Chilling is one of the major abiotic stresses for plants, especially for rice cultivation. Many essential metabolic processes for growth and development are temperature-dependent. In that case, reducing the negative effects of cold stress using exogenous chemicals is a possible option. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of pre-sowing seed treatment with different chemicals, viz. hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), salicylic acid (SA), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), thiourea (TU), and citric acid (CA) on the germination of rice seeds (cv. BRRI dhan28) under chilling environments. Rice seeds were soaked in distilled water (control), 10 mM CA, 2 mM SA,… More >

Djordje P. Božović^1,2, Anja Rimac³, Milorad M. Vujičić^1,4, Pragya Singh⁵, Michal Goga⁵, Mingai Li^2,6, Claudio Varotto^2,6, Aneta D. Sabovljević^1,4, Marko S. Sabovljević^1,4,5,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 2949-2961, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057995 - 30 November 2024

Abstract Physcomitrium eurystomum Sendtn. is a very rare European ephemeral funaroid moss. The entire European population of this species is considered threatened and it is red-listed in many regions and countries. In addition to being recognized as threatened and included in nature conservation legislation, it also requires active protection measures. This study aims to contribute to effective conservation practices for P. eurystomum. Different conservation physiology tests were carried out to propagate this species to achieve a reliable procedure for biomass production and the potential reintroduction of germplasm. Ex situ tests, both in vitro and ex vitro, were carried out to determine… More >

Chao Meng^1,#, Ikram Ullah^2,#, Wenjin Wu³, Yiping Zhang¹, Ruixue Shi¹, Shaodan Luo³, Cuixia Luo³, Satyabrata Nanda⁴, Mahmoud F. Seleiman⁵, Yalian Jiang^1,*, Wangqi Huang^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 3029-3038, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057857 - 30 November 2024

Abstract Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are popular horticultural plants worldwide. The current study aimed to investigate the optimal mutagenic conditions for marigold seeds using EMS (ethyl methanesulfonate) mutagenesis. Different concentrations and treatment times of EMS were applied to investigate their effects on the marigold seed germination rate, growth traits, antioxidant enzyme activities (i.e., SOD and POD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Results indicated that with increasing the EMS treatment duration and concentration, the seed germination rate and growth treatments were reduced, accompanied by elevated MDA content. In addition, SOD and POD activities initially correlated positively with the growth tratis at More >