Totan Kumar Ghosh¹, Md. Roushonuzzaman Rakib¹, Munna¹, S. M. Zubair AL-Meraj¹, Md. Moshiul Islam², Anika Nazran¹, Mohammad Golam Mostofa^3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.12, pp. 3925-3943, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.073382 - 29 December 2025

Abstract The productivity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), an economically important legume, is severely hindered by drought stress. While melatonin (Mel) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) are known to alleviate abiotic stresses, their combined effects in mitigating drought-induced oxidative stress are unknown. Here, we examined the synergistic effects of Mel and MeJA in alleviating drought-associated oxidative damage in common bean. Compared with well-watered controls, drought stress caused a significant decline in plant biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and photosystem II efficiency (F_v/F_m). Drought also significantly increased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, which likely contributed to membrane lipid peroxidation, as indicated by… More >

Xiaoqin Zheng¹, Yuqing Wan¹, Qian Zhang², Liqin He², Shihao Tang¹, Qiguo Zhuang², Lihua Wang^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.12, pp. 3879-3892, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.073229 - 29 December 2025

Abstract To investigate endogenous hormone changes in “Hongyang” kiwifruit from overwintering buds to floral morphogenesis (bell-shaped flowering stage), systematic observations were conducted during the undifferentiated stage, axillary bud differentiation stage, and floral morphogenesis stage from late November 2023 to early April 2024. Paraffin sectioning was employed to examine floral bud morphology, while LC-MS targeted metabolomics quantified changes in 15 endogenous hormones across 8 classes. Results indicated floral bud differentiation commenced from late January to early February and concluded by mid-April, spanning approximately 70 days. Approximately 33 days after axillary bud initiation marked the axillary bud primordium… More >

Hongjuan Xu¹, Lan Yang¹, Lejuan Shi¹, Weize Wang¹, Yiwen Guan¹, Ye Liu¹, Panpan Yang^2,3,*, Zhilin Chen^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.10, pp. 3157-3173, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.071147 - 29 October 2025

Abstract Vivipary in plants evolved under long-term adaptation to harsh environments and is an important reproduction pathway. However, the mechanisms driving vegetative vivipary are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the anatomy of viviparous inflorescences of Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ using stereomicroscopy and paraffin section anatomical observation. We also determined the contents of endogenous hormones in normal and viviparous inflorescences using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In viviparous inflorescences, typical upper and lower epidermal tissues, spongy tissue, and palisade tissue of leaves appeared in developmental stages 2 and 3 (20 and 45 days after emergence), indicating vegetative… More >

Alejandro Borrego-Ruiz^1,*, Juan J. Borrego²

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.8, pp. 1311-1338, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.066108 - 29 August 2025

Abstract The vaginal microbiome plays a pivotal role in maintaining vaginal health and protecting the host from various diseases. There is a broad agreement within the scientific community that the vaginal microbiome exhibits stable bacterial diversity, influenced by age and gonadal hormone levels, and is classified into distinct Community-State Types. A healthy vaginal microbiome is typically characterized by a predominance of Lactobacillus spp., which acidifies the vaginal environment and is essential in defending against invading microbial pathogens. This review examines the evolution of the vaginal microbiome’s composition throughout a woman’s life. It also explores how exogenous factors More >

Lesya Voytenko^1,*, Mykola Shcherbatiuk¹, Valentyna Vasyuk¹, Kateryna Romanenko¹, Lidiya Babenko¹, Oleksandr Smirnov^2,3, Iryna Kosakivska¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.7, pp. 2195-2214, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.067772 - 31 July 2025

Abstract Prolonged lack of rain and high-temperature lead to soil water deficits, inhibiting cereal crop growth in early ontogenesis and reducing grain quality and yield. Rye (Secale cereale L.) is a key grain crop, particularly in regions where wheat cultivation is challenging or unfeasible. To clarify its drought adaptation mechanisms, we analyzed the effects of moderate soil drought on growth, hormonal homeostasis, and the dynamics and distribution of free amino acids and phenolic compounds in rye at early vegetative stages and post-recovery. Drought triggered both general and organ-specific changes in endogenous phytohormones. A nonspecific response involved the… More >

JUN-JIE YU, WAN-XI YANG^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.1, pp. 93-107, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.058299 - 24 January 2025

Abstract Hedgehog (HH) signaling has been researched for decades and Hedgehog has 3 homologs: Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Indian Hedgehog (Ihh), and Desert Hedgehog (Dhh). Dhh is the one involved in male gonad and germ cell development. The distribution of molecules in Hedgehog signaling in testis indicated that Hedgehog signaling executes important functions during testis development. The patients with Dhh signaling deficiency develop dysgenesis of gonads and hormone production which demands further exploration of gonad HH signaling. Some results proved the indispensable roles of HH signaling in gonad and germ cell development and the interaction with More > Graphic Abstract

Lili Guo¹, Huiwen Yu^2,3,*, Chenxi Zhang¹, Mourad Kharbach⁴

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.12, pp. 3131-3149, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.058622 - 31 December 2024

Abstract Rice is a crucial food crop globally. Soil salt stress has adverse effects on the physiology and biochemistry of rice, leading to ionic toxicity and disrupted metabolism. Research aimed at improving salt tolerance and understanding its underlying mechanisms in rice is becoming increasingly important. Phytohormones are crucial in managing rice’s reaction to salt stress by controlling its physiological and biochemical functions. Some phytohormones can improve salt tolerance in rice by affecting gene programming, protein expression, and salt stress signaling, thereby helping rice adapt to salt-stressed environments. This review highlights recent advancements in understanding how various 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 >

Qinghao Zhang¹, Yijie Yang¹, Jiong Wu¹, Hongru Li¹, Yuan Li¹, Zuran Li^2,*, Yongmei He^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.10, pp. 2613-2628, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.056014 - 30 October 2024

Abstract In the present study, an indoor potting experiment was conducted to study the effects of enhanced UV-B radiation and Magnaporthe oryzae on the growth, stomatal structure, photosynthesis, and endogenous hormone contents of a traditional rice cultivar Baijiaolaojing in the Yuanyang terraces of Yunnan Province. In addition, the relationships between these parameters and disease indices were analyzed. We aimed to clarify the response of the photosynthetic physiology of rice under the combined stress of UV-B radiation and M. oryzae. Compared with the M. oryzae infection treatment, all the treatments, including M. oryzae infection before (MBR), simultaneously with (MSR), and after… More >

Shugufta Parveen¹, Fayaz A. Mohiddin^2,*, M. Ashraf Bhat³, Zahoor Ahmed Baba⁴, Fehim Jeelani⁵, M. Anwar Bhat⁶, Sajad Un Nabi⁷, Burhan Hamid², Saba Bandey⁸, Farhanaz Rasool⁹, Zakir Amin¹, Ibrahim Al-Ashkar^10,*, Muhammad Adnan¹¹, Ayman El Sabagh¹²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.11, pp. 3021-3041, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2023.030921 - 24 October 2023

Abstract One hundred twenty-five endophytic microorganisms were isolated from the roots, stems, and leaves of four prominent rice cultivars growing in temperate regions. Their potential to combat rice blast disease and promote plant growth was investigated. The dual culture tests highlighted the strong antagonistic activity of five fungal (ranging from 89%–70%) and five bacterial (72%–61%) endophytes. Subsequent examination focused on volatile compounds produced by selected isolates to counter the blast pathogen. Among these, the highest chitinase (13.76 µg mL⁻¹) and siderophore (56.64%), was exhibited by Aspergillus flavus, and the highest HCN production was shown by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (36.15 µM… More >