Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany is an international journal that publishes research on all aspects of plant science. This journal welcomes original and exciting submissions that provide new and key insights into the origins, growth and development of plants from the molecular to the whole organism and its interactions with the biotic and abiotic environments.
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Open Access
REVIEW
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1029-1045, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064608 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Metabolic Mechanisms of Plant Responses to Stress)
Abstract Nitrogen (N) assimilation is crucial for the growth and development of C3 plants, as it converts inorganic N into organic forms, important for protein synthesis, nucleic acids and other vital biomolecules. However, abiotic stressors such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures and others significantly impact N uptake and utilization, thereby hindering plant growth and development. Recent advances in molecular biology have illuminated the complex networks that govern N assimilation under these stressful conditions, emphasizing the role of transcription factors, regulatory genes, and stress-responsive pathways. This review provides an integrated perspective on the latest research in nitrogen metabolism… More >
Open Access
REVIEW
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1047-1072, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064272 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Adaptation Mechanisms of Grapevines to Growing Environments and Agricultural Strategies)
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 >
Open Access
REVIEW
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1073-1109, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064046 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Plant Responses to Biological and Abiotic Stresses)
Abstract Heavy metal (HM) accumulation in soil poses a major hazard to both ecological health and plant growth progressions. Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) are examples of HMs that negatively impact the growth and development of plants, resulting in lower agricultural output and food safety concerns. Biochar (BC), a substance rich in carbon that is formed by pyrolyzing natural biomass, has demonstrated remarkable promise in reducing HM stress in polluted soils. Research has shown that BC effectively lowers plant uptake of metals, and enhances soil qualities,… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1111-1135, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.059812 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crop Plants: Physio-biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms)
Abstract Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple crop critical for global food security, yet its productivity is significantly affected by abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and waterlogging, which are exacerbated by climate change. This study evaluated the effects of these stresses on vegetative growth, physiological responses, and yield. Field experiments were conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) at the Mona Reclamation Experimental Project (MREP), WAPDA, Bhalwal, Sargodha, Punjab Pakistan. Stress treatments included three levels of drought (25%, 50%, and 75% field capacity), salinity (4, 8, and 12 dS/m), and waterlogging (24, 48, and… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1137-1158, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063894 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Molecular Insights of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Biosynthesis, Regulation, and Applications)
Abstract Taxus cuspidata, a rare species of the Taxus genus, and its wild resources are under severe threat. The development of cultivated species has become an important strategy to replace wild species. The objective of this work was to elucidate the differences in secondary metabolite accumulation, particularly in the paclitaxel biosynthesis pathway, between wild and cultivated species. This study employed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technologies to conduct integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of wild and cultivated species of T. cuspidata. The results showed that the content of paclitaxel in cultivated species was significantly higher… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1159-1176, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063737 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Ornamental Plants: Traits, Flowering, Aroma, Molecular Mechanisms, Postharvest Handling, and Application)
Abstract Receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs) play a crucial role in the physiological processes of plant growth and development and stress response. To elucidate the characteristics and functions of the PBL gene family in tree peonies, the whole genome identification of PBL family members in tree peonies was conducted using a bioinformatics approach based on the published Arabidopsis thaliana PBL protein sequence. A total of 51 PoPBL members were identified, which were distributed unevenly on five chromosomes in the tree peony. PoPBL proteins were localized in the nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, and mitochondria, with most members of the same clade… More >
Open Access
REVIEW
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1177-1210, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063675 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Soil Microbes and Abiotic Stress Factors: Impacts on Root Physiology, Crop Growth, and Hormonal Dynamics)
Abstract Global warming is making plants more susceptible to heat stress. Hence, adjustments to crop production systems are required for global food security. Heat stress (HS) poses a threat to the quality of ecosystems and global food security due to its adverse effects on plant development. The degree to which HS affects physiological disruptions, physical harm, and biochemical changes at various growth stages directly correlates with its effects on physiological functions, plant growth, and crop production. One promising approach is soil modification using biochar, which enhances soil health and promotes the development of microbial communities, ultimately… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1211-1223, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063647 - 30 April 2025
Abstract bHLH transcription factors, widely exist in various plants, and are vital for the growth and development of these plants. Among them, many have been implicated in anthocyanin biosynthesis across various plants. In the present study, a PdbHLH57 gene, belonging to the bHLH IIIf group, was characterized, which was isolated and cloned from the colored-leaf poplar ‘Zhongshancaiyun’ (ZSCY). The cDNA sequence of PdbHLH57 was 1887 base pairs, and the protein encoded by PdbHLH57 had 628 amino acids, the isoelectric point and molecular weight of which were 6.26 and 69.75 kDa, respectively. Through bioinformatics analysis, PdbHLH57 has been classified… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1225-1237, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063207 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Innovative Approaches in Experimental Botany: Essential Oils as Natural Therapeutics)
Abstract Artemisia dracunculus L., or tarragon, is a perennial herb from the Asteraceae family that is extensively cultivated for its aromatic leaves, which are valued for its preventative and therapeutic properties in both cookery and traditional medicine. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of A. dracunculus (tarragon) essential oil (ADEO), with estragole (57.23%) identified as the major compound through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. ADEO exhibited varying degrees of antibacterial activity, with Escherichia coli showing higher resistance (inhibition zone (IZ) = 14.7 ± 0.58 mm, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 2% and minimum bactericidal… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1239-1251, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063021 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Biological Activities of Essential Oils)
Abstract This work uses GC-MS to analyze the bioactive compounds of Salvia rosmarinus essential oils (SREO) and evaluates their antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal effects, as well as the major component, 1,8-cineole. Chemical analysis identified 16 compounds accounting for 99.19% of the oil’s total content, with 1,8-cineole (33.17%), camphor (16.53%), α-pinene (14.46%), and camphene (8.14%) as the major constituents. Antimicrobial activities were assessed against pathogenic strains using minimal inhibit concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. SREO exhibited a minimum MIC of 0.128% against P. aeruginosa, while 1,8-cineole showed a minimum MIC of 2.06% against the same strain,… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1253-1267, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.062507 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Molecular Insights of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Biosynthesis, Regulation, and Applications)
Abstract Agastache rugosa, a medicinal plant known for its bioactive compounds, has gained attention for its pharmacological and commercial potential. This study aimed to optimize ethanol concentration to enhance growth and bioactive compound production in A. rugosa cultivated in a controlled plant factory system. Ethanol treatments at 40 and 80 mM significantly promoted both vegetative and reproductive growth. Plants treated with these concentrations exhibited higher net photosynthetic rates (A) and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) compared to the untreated control, whereas stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (E) remained unaffected. Chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations, and SPAD values, significantly increased with ethanol… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1269-1286, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.062392 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Molecular Insights of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Biosynthesis, Regulation, and Applications)
Abstract Centella asiatica L., a medicinal herb, has attracted substantial interest in research as well as commercial domains due to its bioactive compounds which include the pentacyclic triterpenoid centellosides, and in addition, hydroxy. In addition, hydroxycinnamic acid conjugates as well as flavonoids. The latter is the major class of secondary plant metabolites and comprises various subclasses, including anthocyanidins. Anthocyanins are rarely reported in extracts from C. asiatica and differ structurally due to a flavylium (2-phenylchromenylium) ion that carries a positive charge at the oxygen atom of the C-ring of the basic flavonoid structure. Callus of C. asiatica was initiated… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1287-1298, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.062385 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Abiotic Stress in Agricultural Crops)
Abstract To systematically examine the tolerance of flue-cured tobacco K326 to soil drought stress, this study set up different water content trials for K326 at 60%, 40%, and 20% levels during the vigorous growing period by greenhouse pot planting. Pigment content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, antioxidant enzyme activity, and SPS and GS activities associated with carbon and nitrogen metabolism were investigated in the K326 tobacco leaves. The results showed that chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents decreased, non-photochemical quenching coefficient Y(NPQ) decreased in the later stage of vigorous growth, and energy dissipation quantum yield Y(NO) levels increased… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1299-1318, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.062323 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Enhancing Grain Yield: From Molecular Mechanisms to Sustainable Agriculture)
Abstract The agricultural sector is notably affected by climate change, especially soybeans, which may face diminished yields because of severe water shortages. The evaluation of germplasm at morphological and molecular levels is an important pre-breeding step for crop improvement. This study employed 10 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to examine 60 soybean genotypes in the quest for drought-resistant lines during 2022–23. The results of the screening experiment (PEG-6000) revealed that the soybean genotypes SPS13, SPS195, PGRB83, and 39982 exhibited significant correlations in growth parameters. The results of molecular characterization indicated that five out of ten molecular… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1319-1337, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.061918 - 30 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Abiotic Stress in Agricultural Crops)
Abstract Salinity stress is a major constraint on agricultural productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. This study evaluated the potential of Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE) in mitigating salinity-induced stress and enhancing the growth and physiological performance of Portulaca oleracea L. under NaCl concentrations of 0, 50, 70, and 100 mM for 50 days. A two-way ANOVA assessed the effects of NaCl concentration, ANE treatment, and their interaction. The results showed that ANE significantly increased plant height at 50 mM NaCl (p = 0.0011) but had no effect at higher salinity levels (p > 0.05). Shoot dry weight was… More >