Maryam¹, Mohamed M. El-Mogy², Muhammad Faheem Jan³, Iram Naz¹, Ishtiaq Ahmad^4,*, Riaz Ahmad⁵, Muhammad Tanveer Altaf⁶

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 623-640, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063763 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Various environmental stressors, such as salinity, heat, drought, and metals, present significant obstacles to crop productivity. This study delves into the adverse effects of metals, specifically focusing on cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) on plants. It explores the sources of these metals, examining both natural occurrences and human-induced activities, and investigates the mechanisms through which plants absorb them. Metal pollution, in particular, negatively affects plant and microbiome well-being, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) that harm essential macromolecules. Traditional stress-resistant plant varieties necessitate substantial development, leading… More >

Chen Chen^#,*, Chunli Li^#, Tengfei Li, Qianhong Li, Luyao Li, Fengqin Liu

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 793-807, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063549 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Lycium ruthenicum Murray, a plant widely cultivated in northwestern China, is integral to traditional Chinese medicine, with applications in treating menstrual disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and menopausal symptoms. Despite its recognized medicinal value and use as a functional food, comprehensive knowledge of its metabolites and their pharmacological effects remains limited. This study presents an innovative approach using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–QTOF/MS) to conduct a detailed analysis of both wild and cultivated L. ruthenicum samples. A total of 62 peaks were detected in the total ion current profile, with 59 metabolites identified based… More >

Hamada Imtara^1,2,*, Feras Abujaber¹, Faady Siouri¹, Aziz Tumeh¹, Bashar Saad²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 723-737, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063403 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Traditional Palestinian medicine uses Thymus capitatus (T. capitatus), a plant recognized for its therapeutic properties due to its high concentration of essential oils such as thymol and carvacrol, to treat skin diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and respiratory infections. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and anticancer activities of T. capitatus essential oil (EO). Moreover, this study employed computational methods including ADMET analysis and molecular docking. Using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, the phytochemical composition of T. capitatus essential oil was identified. The DPPH scavenging method was used to assess antioxidant activity. The Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) and… More >

Muhammad Zaman¹, Mahmoud A. Amer¹, Muhammad Amir¹, Zaheer Khalid¹, Muhammad Taimoor Shakeel², Ibrahim M. Al-Shahwan¹, Mohammed A. Al-Saleh^1,3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 897-910, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063093 - 31 March 2025

Abstract The common fig (Ficus carica L.), Moraceae family, is a commonly grown fruit tree in the Mediterranean region. Fig mosaic disease (FMD) poses a substantial threat to Saudi Arabia’s fig-producing economy. A survey was conducted during the two seasons of 2021 and 2022 on fig trees, displaying various fig mosaic disease symptoms. A total of 200 fig leaves and fruit samples were collected from various governorates in several Regions of Saudi Arabia including Riyadh, Tabuk, Hail, Qassim, Al-Jouf, Makkah, Jazan, Al-Madinah, Asir, and Northern Borders. These samples were tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with… More >

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 >

Bingbing Zhang¹, Minghao Li¹, Xiaoli Huang¹, Siqi Zheng¹, Guorong Lai¹, Quan Yang^1,2,3,4,*, Xiaomin Tang^1,2,3,4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 843-860, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063062 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Fertilization is essential for high yield and quality in Chinese herbs. Grona styracifolia (Osbeck) H. Ohashi, a distinctive medicinal plant in the Lingnan region, currently encounters cultivation issues stemming from the overuse of chemical fertilizers. Adopting organic and microbial fertilizers presents a sustainable solution for its cultivation management. This study compared a no-fertilization control group with eight treatment groups using various concentrations of compound, organic, compound microbial, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens fertilizers to evaluate their effects on G. styracifolia and soil microbial communities. The results demonstrated that the different fertilization treatments significantly enhanced plant growth and quality of G. styracifolia,… More > Graphic Abstract

Alexis Salazar-Navarro¹, Víctor Ruíz-Valdiviezo², José Joya-Dávila¹, Daniel González-Mendoza^1,*, Olivia Tzintzun-Camacho¹, Ulin Basilio-Cortes¹, Dagoberto Duran-Hernández¹, Henry López-Lopez¹, Onecimo Grimaldo-Juárez¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 641-655, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.062871 - 31 March 2025

Abstract The biochemical response of Coffea arabica var. Borbon to chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) was evaluated in one-year-old plants under greenhouse conditions. COS solutions were synthesized through chemical and physical hydrolysis using acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and microwave irradiation. The obtained COS had an average molecular weight (Mw) of 3549.90 ± 0.33 Daltons (Da), a deacetylation degree (DD) of 76.64 ± 1.12%, and a polymerization degree (PD) of 18.91 ± 0.0018. Solutions of chitosan and COS were applied to C. arabica var. Borbon at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, and 1 wt%. The experimental design was conducted using… More >

Dristy Roy¹, Md. Zakarya Ibne Sayed², Durjay Mondal², Banosree Saha Bandhan³, Md. Maniruzzaman Bahadur¹, Md. Rabiul Islam¹, Ahmed Gaber⁴, Md. Parvez Kabir⁵, Akbar Hossain^5,*, Subrota Kumer Pramanik^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 763-779, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.062717 - 31 March 2025

Abstract The increasing frequency and intensity of drought caused by climate change necessitate the implementation of effective ways to increase the ability of wheat to withstand drought, with humic acid being a promising approach. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to determine the efficacy of exogenous humic acid on wheat under water deficit stress via a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The impacts of four growing conditions, i.e., well water (65% field capacity), water deficit stress (35% field capacity), soil application of humic acid (44 mg kg⁻¹ soil) under water deficit stress and foliar feeding… More >

Ahmed Qasem^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 809-824, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.062683 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Pimpinella anisum, commonly known as anise, is generally used in both folk medicine and the culinary world. In traditional medicine, it is valued for its digestive, respiratory, and antispasmodic properties. This study aims to examine the volatile compounds and antibacterial effect of P. anisum essential oil (PAEO) as well as for the first time its genotoxicity employing both in vitro and computational approaches. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified anethole as the principal compound, which comprises 92.47% of PAEO. PAEO was tested for its potential antibacterial properties against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Listeria innocua ATCC 33090, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Klebsiella aerogenes… 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