Review
Chemistry, Physical
Lu Liu, Lijie Xuan, Yupeng Jiang, Hao Yu
Summary: The transition from vegetative to inflorescence shoot apical meristem is a key developmental switch in flowering plants, modulated by various stimuli and controlled by regulatory networks. FT and TFL1, as major components of florigen, play universal and multifaceted roles in plant development, with modulations of their pathways having a considerable impact on plant reproductive success. Their functional conservation and divergence in various plant species are discussed, highlighting their important roles in plant development and crop domestication.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bruno Silvestre Lira, Maria Jose Oliveira, Lumi Shiose, Mateus Henrique Vicente, Gabriel Ponciano Carvalho Souza, Eny Iochevet Segal Floh, Eduardo Purgatto, Fabio Tebaldi Silveira Nogueira, Luciano Freschi, Magdalena Rossi
Summary: SlBBX28 is a positive regulator of auxin metabolism and signaling, affecting plant growth and flower number in tomato. It promotes auxin production and signaling, ultimately leading to proper hypocotyl elongation, leaf expansion, and inflorescence development, which are crucial traits determining tomato yield.
PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Cristopher Albor, Tia-Lynn Ashman, Amber Stanley, Carlos Martel, Gerardo Arceo-Gomez
Summary: This study uncovers the role of competition and facilitation in community assembly and shows that plant-plant interactions can be structured along multiple traits. Different trait assembly patterns exist within the same co-flowering community, suggesting that a single trait cannot fully explain assembly patterns.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhebin Shen, Junwei Chen, Jieli Zhu, Haixia Yu
Summary: In this study, it was found that the concentration of active components in loquat flowers increased from the floral buds to initial flowers along with flower development. The bioactives of initial flowers were the richest among the four flowering stages. Loquat flowers contained major volatile components such as alcohols, aldehydes, and esters, which contribute to their fragrance. The most efficient method for extraction with hot water was 80 degrees C for 30 min or boiling water within 2 h. For Baijiu (56% Vol), the best solid-to-liquid ratio was 3:100 (Dry flower: Baijiu) in 6-12 h, and it achieved higher bioactive content than water extraction, with an amygdalin concentration of 0.3 mg/mL.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ajay Kumar Singh, Rakesh Kumar, K. S. Tomar, Arbind Kumar Gupta, Hitesh Kumar, Rahul Patel
Summary: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different growing media compositions on the growth and flowering of petunia plants. The results showed that the media composition T5 (Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Vermiculite) promoted root growth and spread, while media composition T4 (Cocopeat + Perlite + Vermicompost) promoted vegetative growth and branching.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yunshu Wang, Liujun Chen, Qingling Yang, Zongli Hu, Pengyu Guo, Qiaoli Xie, Guoping Chen
Summary: This study conducted integrative analyses of pigment components and transcriptome profiles on different tulip cultivars to understand the molecular basis of petal coloration. The results identified major anthocyanins and carotenoids and linked the pigment accumulation to the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis pathways. The study also revealed the interaction between different regulator factors in tulip MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) complexes and provided a basis for the discovery of color regulatory factors. The findings shed light on anthocyanin and carotenoid synthesis pathways and have potential applications in flower breeding or pigments engineering in tulips.
Article
Agronomy
Jolanta Kowalska, Malgorzata Antkowiak, Alicja Tymoszuk
Summary: In order to increase biodiversity in cultivated areas, agri-environmental programs are proposed, including interventions and eco-schemes. Flower strips are one such proposal. The selection of the appropriate plant species for flower strips is crucial.
Article
Ecology
Gaku Kudo, Tetsuo I. Kohyama, Kai-Hsiu Chen, Tsai-Wen Hsu, Chun-Neng Wang
Summary: The flowering phenology and flower-visiting insects of an alpine site in central Taiwan were investigated. The results showed that bees, flies, and other insects were the main flower visitors, with bees being more associated with seasonal patterns of flowering. The abundance of bumble bees consistently increased as the season progressed, reflecting colony development.
ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Nelson Ramirez, Herbert Briceno
Summary: This study assessed the composition, richness, and diversity of fruit types and colors in different plant communities in Venezuela, and examined their relationships with the structural and climatic characteristics of these communities. The findings suggest that fruit types and colors have predictable values and play important roles in the organization and interactions of plant communities.
ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martin Freitag, Johannes Kamp, Andrey Dara, Tobias Kuemmerle, Tatyana V. Sidorova, Ingrid A. Stirnemann, Frederike Velbert, Norbert Hoelzel
Summary: After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, decreased grazing pressure and increased fire frequency in Kazakhstan's dry steppe region led to changes in plant functional composition. Areas with high cover of grasses with high leaf dry matter content were more prone to fires, while higher grazing pressure favored the growth of woody forbs and ruderal plants with high specific leaf area.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
J. Boone Kauffman, Dian Lyn Cummings, Cimarron Kauffman, Robert L. L. Beschta, Jeremy Brooks, Keeley MacNeill, William J. J. Ripple
Summary: Bison in Yellowstone National Park have negative impacts on plant species composition and diversity, as well as exacerbating climate change effects. However, the resilience of native riparian vegetation suggests potential for recovery with reduced bison pressure.
Article
Agronomy
Natale Badalamenti, Vincenzo Ilardi, Maurizio Bruno, Roman Pavela, Maria C. Boukouvala, Nickolas G. Kavallieratos, Filippo Maggi, Angelo Canale, Giovanni Benelli
Summary: This study investigated the insecticidal potential of Ridolfia segetum essential oil against three different pests, showing significant toxicity and potential for developing green insecticide formulations. Further research is needed to evaluate its non-target toxicity on beneficial organisms.
Article
Plant Sciences
R. Tamilvanan, David Raja, P. Srinivasan, S. Soosai Raj
Summary: This research work successfully developed an efficient micropropagation method for Lindernia minima using purified vermicompost extract combined with different concentrations of phytohormones, promoting plant regeneration and in vitro flower induction.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Justin A. Bain, Rachel G. Dickson, Andrea M. Gruver, Paul J. CaraDonna
Summary: Pollination is crucial for ecosystem functioning, but the empirical consequences of species loss on plant-pollinator interactions are not well understood. In this study, the experimental removal of a common plant species from a series of plant-pollinator networks led to a decline in pollinator visitation rates, shifts in pollinator composition, and changes in network structure. These findings suggest that the loss of an abundant and well-connected plant species can have diverse effects on intact pollination networks.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tingting Duan, Jing Zhang, Zhengjun Wang
Summary: Grassland tourism is a popular leisure activity worldwide, but it can disturb the local environment and resources. This study analyzed plant communities under different disturbance levels in two areas in Beijing, China, finding that density and coverage increase under disturbance conditions, and biomass and height are good indicators of different disturbances.