Abd Al Karim Jaafar¹, Suleiman Salim¹, Dema Altheb¹, Mukhtar Iderawumi Abdulraheem^2,3, Andrés Rodríguez-Seijo^4,5,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.12, pp. 3945-3960, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.072520 - 29 December 2025

Abstract The use of organic fertilizers can be an opportunity to increase crop yield and improve soil fertility in semi-arid regions, since soils from these regions usually have unfavourable conditions for plant growth. This research investigates the effects of organic and mineral fertilization on the impact of soil properties (pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter), availability of macro- (N, P and K), micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) and the accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr) in soil and potato tubers grown under semiarid conditions. A field experiment was conducted in Raqqa Governorate (Syria) using… More >

Chen Xu^1,#, Tianhao Luan^1,#, Zexin Qi², Xiaolong Liu³, Yaliang Liu⁴, Hui Sun⁵, Yueqiao Li¹, Ning Sun¹, Qian Li¹, Shaofeng Bian¹, Lihua Zhang^1,*, Hongxiang Zhao^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.11, pp. 3703-3719, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.071324 - 01 December 2025

Abstract Optimizing drip irrigation with straw mulch return represents a promising sustainable intensification strategy for revolutionizing regional water management. This 2-year controlled field experiment examined straw incorporation effects (removal and return) and drip irrigation levels (200, 350, 500 mm) on maize carbon-nitrogen metabolism, root bleeding sap characteristics, dry matter accumulation, and yield. Dry matter and yield increased with irrigation amount. Under 200–350 mm irrigation, straw return enhanced root bleeding intensity; elevated nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in bleeding sap; and promoted soluble sugar and hydrolyzed amino acid contents, establishing material foundations for yield formation. More >

Mutong Li^1,#, Xiaolian Yang^1,#, Zhishun Yu¹, Tingting Yuan¹, Wenjie Wang¹, Suqin Zhang^1,2,*, Guangdong Geng^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.10, pp. 3175-3188, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.070731 - 29 October 2025

Abstract Wheat yield mainly depends on leaf photosynthesis and grain carbohydrate accumulation. The aux/indole-3-acetic acid 13-like (Aux/IAA13L) gene was successfully cloned from Tritipyrum ‘Y1805’ and transformed into common wheat. A bioinformatics analysis showed that the TtAux/IAA13L protein, encoding 232 amino acids, was hydrophilic and unstable. TtAux/IAA13L and Tel5E01G609500 were grouped together in a phylogenetic tree. The TtAux/IAA13L expression levels in the overexpression lines were higher than in the wild-type (WT) plants at five developmental stages: tillering, elongation, heading, flowering, and grain-filling. The expression levels in the overexpression lines first increased, peaked at the flowering stage, and then decreased.… More >

Ivica Delic¹, Goran Jukic², Ivan Varnica², Valentina Spanic^3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.10, pp. 3189-3203, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.070489 - 29 October 2025

Abstract This study evaluated agro-morphological traits, grain quality traits, and phenotypic stability of nine soybean genotypes across four environments over two growing seasons (2022–2023). Traits such as days to flowering, days to maturity, and disease symptoms were monitored throughout the season. At maturity, parameters including grain yield, grain oil and protein content, 1000-seed weight, test weight, scores of lodgings, shattering, plant height, and first pod height were evaluated. In addition, 18 morphological traits were scored, of which eight were sufficiently variable for further analysis. In terms of environmental stability, genotypes 2 and 13 excelled, while genotypes… More >

Fida Hussain^1,*, Farooq Khan², Javed Ahmad¹, Heqiang Huo³, Tao Jiang³, Iqrar Rana⁴, Sajida Habib⁵, Muhammad Umer Farooq^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.10, pp. 3231-3249, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.069654 - 29 October 2025

Abstract The analysis of combining ability and heterosis is very important in enhancing the yield and oil quality of sunflowers under adverse conditions, and it reveals the potential of the parents and the mechanism of gene action. In this study, twenty-one hybrids were developed by crossing seven cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines with three restorer lines and evaluated for agronomic and quality traits. Highly significant general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were observed, confirming the role of both additive and non-additive gene actions. Among the tested crosses, A-42 × R-86, A-92 ×… More >

Guiling Xu^1,#, Xiaoxuan You^1,#, Yuehua Feng^1,2,*, Xiaoke Wang¹, Yuqi Gao¹, Hongjun Ren¹, Zhili Han¹, Jiale Li¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.10, pp. 3251-3268, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.067997 - 29 October 2025

Abstract Nitrogen (N) reduction combined with organic fertilizer has become a highly popular fertilization method, meeting the sustainable development of agriculture. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of N reduction (NR) and combined application of organic fertilizer (OF) on N utilization, yield, and quality of hybrid indica rice in the karst area. Using rice ‘Yixiangyou2115’ as the material, a split-plot design experiment was carried out with OF application rate as the main plots and NR rate as the subplots. The OF application rate had three levels: M0 (0 kg/ha), M1 (low OF, 1673… More >

Ahmed Mahmoud Ismail^1,*, Eman Said Elshewy², Ayman Y. Ahmed³, Hossam M. Darrag⁴

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.10, pp. 3023-3045, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.067444 - 29 October 2025

Abstract Powdery mildew of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a destructive disease caused by Podosphaera xanthii (Castagne) U.Braun & Shishkoff. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal effect of extracts of Ulva lactuca, Spirulina platensis, and Nostoc muscorum against P. xanthii and to improve the physiological and morphological traits of cucumber under commercial greenhouse conditions. The chemical composition of the individual extracts from U. lactuca, S. platensis, and N. muscorum was analyzed utilizing High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography/Mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Cucumber plants were sprayed twice with 5% of the crude extracts of U. lactuca, S. platensis, and N. muscorum and their mixture (U. lactuca, S. platensis, and N. muscorum).… More >

Hafiza Muniba Din Muhammad¹, Safina Naz¹, Zarina Bibi², Mohamed A. A. Ahmed³, Alina-Stefania Stanciu⁴, Riaz Ahmad^5,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.9, pp. 2631-2648, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.069474 - 30 September 2025

Abstract The production of crops is badly affected by climate change globally. Mitigation of adverse effects of climate change is in need of time through different management practices such as developing tolerant genetic resources, hormonal applications to boost defense systems, nanoparticles, and balanced fertilization. The nano-hormonal synergy had the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change by modulation of morpho-physiological and biochemical activities. Plant growth, yield, and quality can be enhanced with the supplementation of nano-hormonal interactions. Therefore, the current study explores the synergy between nanoparticles and phytohormonal use. The nanoparticles, even in low… More >

Ni Tang^1,2,3,*, Chenchun Hao^1,2, Rong Qiu^1,2

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.8, pp. 2551-2562, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.070556 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Supplemental lighting has emerged as a widely adopted technique in greenhouse cultivation to enhance product visibility and improve the flavor characteristics of Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra) in the international market. While studies on lighting have predominantly focused on colorimetry, limited research has addressed the precise control of chromatic parameters and their effect on fruit quality. This study examined the effects of varying lighting conditions, specifically correlated color temperatures and illuminance, on the growth and quality of Chinese bayberry varieties “Black Charcoal” and “Dongkui” using a precision control system. The bayberry plants were exposed to a constant… More >

Đorđe Vojnović¹, Robert Pokluda², Ivana Maksimović¹, Janko Červenski³, Sonja Ilin³, Boris Adamović¹, Jelena Popović-Đorđević^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.7, pp. 1997-2013, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.065535 - 31 July 2025

Abstract Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a widely cultivated vegetable valued for its taste, aroma, and nutritional content. Biostimulants (BTs) are substances that stimulate plant growth and development. This study explores the impact of BTs and nitrogen (N) fertilization on the yield and nutrient use efficiency of directly seeded onions, addressing the challenges of excessive N application and promoting sustainable practices. A two-year field experiment was conducted using a split-plot design with three replications. Treatments included a control (C), a seaweed extract-based BT (T1), humic and fulvic acids (T2), and Trichoderma spp. (T3). N rates applied were 64… More > Graphic Abstract