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Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation

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A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Biotic and Abiotic Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 28024

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Agnieszka Hanaka

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Department of Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
Interests: plant physiology; plant response to abiotic and biotic stress factors; metal phytotoxicity; enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants; secondary metabolites; photosynthesis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Małgorzata Majewska

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Department of Industrial and Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
Interests: metal bioavailability; heavy metal bioremediation; metal-induced stress; rhizosphere microorganisms; plant-growth-promoting microorganisms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Barbara Hawrylak-Nowak

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Guest Editor

Unit of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Environmental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Interests: plant physiology; mineral nutrition; stress response and resistance; trace elements; plant ecophysiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Horticultural plants are exposed to a wide range of environmental stresses. Two types of stresses are distinguished: (1) abiotic stresses (e.g., heavy metals, salinity, heat, drought, chilling, freezing, radiation, nutrient deficit) and (2) biotic stresses (e.g., fungi, bacteria, nematodes, insects). Plants have developed various strategies of survival in and adaptation to adverse habitats. Their responses involve different complex signaling pathways, the effects of which can be investigated at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels. Under multiple stress conditions, plants synthetize various regulators and biologically active compounds, which cause both biotic and abiotic stress responses. Plant tolerance can emerge not only from endogenic mechanisms, but also from simultaneously enriched microorganisms inhabiting their tissues (endophytes), surfaces (epiphytes), and soils in the vicinity of the roots (rhizosphere). These microorganisms and their metabolites and mineral elements can play an important role in generating genetic and physiological plant responses to stresses. Compiling our knowledge about these cross-linking relations can be helpful in the development of new strategies for increasing the productivity of horticultural crops. The application of natural origin agents will allow us to produce healthy food in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

The goal of this Special Issue is to provide deeper insight into the influence of stress factors at the cellular, tissue, organ, and whole plant level. Both non-modified and genetically modified plants are acceptable. Especially welcome are approaches combining stresses and the exploration of a wide range of fields, from anatomy through biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, and genetics.

Dr. Agnieszka Hanaka
Dr. Małgorzata Majewska
Dr. Barbara Hawrylak-Nowak
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

abiotic stress
biotic stress
cross-tolerance to stresses
cross-induction of resistance
biologically active compounds
exo- and endogenic regulators
signaling pathways
genetical and physiological responses
synergistic and antagonistic effects

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 202 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions—Ways of Stress Mitigation

by Agnieszka Hanaka, Małgorzata Majewska and Barbara Hawrylak-Nowak

Horticulturae 2023, 9(10), 1146; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9101146 - 19 Oct 2023

Viewed by 744

Abstract

Rapidly progressing climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of drought and salinity stresses, which are the major factors affecting crop production and the quality of ornamental plants, fruits, and vegetables [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

Research

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19 pages, 10629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Melatonin Decreases Negative Effects of Combined Drought and High Temperature Stresses through Enhanced Antioxidant Defense System in Tomato Leaves

by Mumithra Kamatchi K. Annadurai, Senthil Alagarsamy, Kalarani M. Karuppasami, Swarnapriya Ramakrishnan, Marimuthu Subramanian, Prasad R. B. Venugopal, Raveendran Muthurajan, Geethalakshmi Vellingiri, Vijayalakshmi Dhashnamurthi, Ravichandran Veerasamy, Boominathan Parasuraman, Sivakumar Rathinavelu and Djanaguiraman Maduraimuthu

Horticulturae 2023, 9(6), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9060673 - 06 Jun 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1257

Abstract

In tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), the effects of combined drought (D) and high temperature (HT) stress during the flowering stage had not been studied in detail. Therefore, this study was conducted with an objective of quantifying the effects of foliar spray of melatonin under individual and combined drought and HT stress. At flowering stage, D stress was imposed through withholding irrigation, while HT stress was imposed through exposing the plants to ambient temperature (AT) along with an increase of +5 °C. Under D + HT, plants were first subjected to drought followed by a + 5 °C increase in AT. The duration of individual or combined stress was ten days. At 80% available soil moisture, 100 µM melatonin was sprayed on D, HT, or D + HT treated plants. Among the stresses, D + HT stress increased the thylakoid membrane damage and decreased the photosynthetic rate and fruit yield more than D or HT stress. Foliar spray of 100 µM melatonin produced decreased thylakoid membrane damage [D: 31%, HT: 26%, and D + HT: 18%] and increased antioxidant enzyme, viz., superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, activity over stress-control plants. The photosynthetic rate [D: 24%, HT: 22%, and D + HT: 19%] and fruit yield [D: 32%, HT: 23%, and D + HT: 16%] were increased over stress-control plants. Hence, it is evident that the increased photosynthetic rate and fruit yield in D + HT and 100 µM melatonin-sprayed plants may be associated with an increased antioxidant defense system. Melatonin as a novel biostimulator has a great potential in scavenging free radicals through increased antioxidant activity, which shields the photosynthetic membrane from damage and therefore helps in stress mitigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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22 pages, 7284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adaptogenic Preparations Enhance the Tolerance to Spring Frosts, Yield and Quality of Apple Fruits

by Zoya Ozherelieva, Pavel Prudnikov, Andrey Nikitin, Anna Androsova, Anzhelika Bolgova, Anna Stupina and Oksana Vetrova

Horticulturae 2023, 9(5), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9050591 - 17 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 972

Abstract

The goal of the research is to study the effectiveness of the use of adaptogenic preparations of the Natural Plant Complex “White Pearl” line to increase the yield and quality of apples. The objects of the studies were the apple cultivar “Sinap Orlovsky” and adaptogenic preparations: phytomodulator “White Pearl Universal Antifreeze” and phytocorrector “White Pearl Drip Ca + Mg”. The experiment used the following variants: 1—control (foliar sprays with water); 2—foliar sprays with adaptogenic preparations: 1% solution of “White Pearl Universal Antifreeze” + 1% solution of “White Pearl Drip Ca + Mg”. As a result of the complex use of biological products, the yield was significantly increased by 1.7 times and the average fruit weight was increased by 20.3 g. The adaptogenic preparations increased the yield of marketable apple fruits by 14.8% and contributed to a 2.5-fold decrease in fruits affected by scald and a 2-fold decrease in bitter pitting. The adaptogenic preparations improved the taste qualities of “Sinap Orlovsky” fruits compared to the control by increasing the amount of sucrose by 25.6% and ascorbic acid by 20.5%. The conducted tests of adaptogenic preparations in apple plantations show the prospects of their use as additional techniques in traditional apple cultivation technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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17 pages, 2783 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Impact of Melatonin and Putrescine Interaction in Mitigating Salinity Stress in Snap Bean Seedlings: Reduction of Oxidative Damage and Inhibition of Polyamine Catabolism

by Hossam S. El-Beltagi, Ahmed Abou El-Yazied, Hany G. Abd El-Gawad, Mahmoud Kandeel, Tarek A. Shalaby, Abdallah Tageldein Mansour, Nadi Awad Al-Harbi, Salem Mesfir Al-Qahtani, Abdulmalik A. Alkhateeb and Mohamed F. M. Ibrahim

Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020285 - 20 Feb 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1895

Abstract

While the individual influences of melatonin (MT) and polyamines (PAs) have been widely studied under various abiotic stresses, little is known about their interaction under salinity stress. In the present study, salt stress applied by 50 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl) on snap bean seedlings has been supplemented with 20 μM of MT and/or 100 μM of putrescine (Put) (individually and in combination). The results indicated that under salinity stress, the combination of MT + Put achieved the highest significant increase in shoot fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll (Chl a), Chl a + b, carotenoids, total soluble sugars, proline, K, Ca, and cell membrane stability index (CMSI), as well as catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) activities. This improvement was associated with an obvious decrease in Na, Na/K ratio, and oxidative damage as indicated by reducing leaf contents of methylglyoxal (MG), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and the rate of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA). Moreover, the combination of MT + Put demonstrated a significant decrease in the activities of diamine oxidase (DAO) and polyamine oxidase (PAO) leading to the reduction of the rate of polyamine oxidation. Meanwhile, MT applied individually gave the highest significant increase in leaf relative water content (RWC), Chl b, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Conclusively, the combination treatment of MT + Put could decrease the degradation of polyamines and enhance tolerance to salinity stress in snap bean seedlings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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16 pages, 2542 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Exogenous Melatonin Application Induced Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Regulations Conferring Salt Tolerance in Ranunculus asiaticus L.

by Eman Abdelhakim Eisa, Péter Honfi, Andrea Tilly-Mándy and Iman Mirmazloum

Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020228 - 08 Feb 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1826

Abstract

This study presents the effects of exogenous melatonin application at different concentrations (50, 100, and 200 μM) on the morphological, physiological, and antioxidant defense systems of the buttercup plant under salinity stress (4.5 and 5.5 dS·m⁻¹ EC). Expectedly, the salinity stress negatively affected the plant growth parameters, cell membrane stability, and POX enzyme activity of R. asiaticus compared to non-stressed plants. However, in a dose-dependent manner, exogenous melatonin foliar application decreased the salt stress-induced symptoms of retarded vegetative growth, physiological characteristics, and oxidative stress level. The results obtained, revealed the significant effectiveness of exogenous melatonin treatment at 200 μM concentration under salt stress conditions by enhancing the plant growth traits such as chlorophyll and carotenoids content, relative water content, proline content, peroxidase enzyme activity (POD), and by the decreased electrolyte leakage rate, and Na⁺ content, as well as delaying the emergence of flower buds under salinity stress. The salt tolerance index percentages (STI%) for all estimated characters are also calculated for all studied parameters. This study uncovered the beneficial effect of melatonin in reducing salt stress symptoms that can be used to reduce the salinity effect in ranunculus plant production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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27 pages, 13295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anatomical and Physiological Performance of Jojoba Treated with Proline under Salinity Stress Condition

by M. S. Aboryia, El-Refaey F. A. El-Dengawy, Mostafa F. El-Banna, Mervat H. El-Gobba, Mahmoud M. Kasem, Ahmed A. Hegazy, Heba Metwally Hassan, Ahmed Abou El-Yazied, Hany G. Abd El-Gawad, Salem Mesfir Al-Qahtani, Nadi Awad Al-Harbi, Eldessoky S. Dessoky, Ismail A. Ismail, Mohamed M. El-Mogy and El-Sayed A. EL-Boraie

Horticulturae 2022, 8(8), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080716 - 09 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2324

Abstract

A field trial study was conducted for two consecutive seasons 2020 and 2021 in approximately 8-month-old jojoba plants to evaluate the physiological responses following salt treatment and the role of proline as a foliar application to enhance jojoba tolerance to salinity stress. Jojoba plants were irrigated once a week for four months with diluted seawater in concentrations of 5000, 10,000, and 15,000 ppm and tap water (control). Anti-stress proline was applied four times throughout the experiment, the first at the beginning of the experiment and another three times at 30-day intervals, at concentrations of 0, 300, and 450 ppm. The effect of proline treatments on jojoba plant behavior includes growth vegetative characteristics, namely plant height increase percentage (PHIP), shoot number increase percentage (NSIP), stem diameter increase percentage (SDIP), number of leaves, leaf thickness, leaf area, and fresh and dry weights of leaves, and chemical characteristics, namely chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, leaf mineral contents (N, P, K, Na, and Cl), total phenolic content (TPC), and proline concentration. Moreover, the impacts of proline on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), superoxide anion (O₂^•−), malondialdehyde (MDA), and ion leakage (IL) under salinity stress were investigated. Briefly, proline at 450 ppm enhanced all studied growth and physiological characteristics and promoted the antioxidant system of jojoba plants compared with the control and other treatments. The anatomical structure of leaves was also examined, and favorable variations in the anatomical structure were detected in the stressed and proline-treated plants. Exogenous application of proline enhanced most of this anatomical characteristic of jojoba leaf under saline stress. In conclusion, proline as a foliar application at 450 ppm under salinity stress of 10,000 ppm enhances jojoba tolerance to salinity stress by modifying the physicochemical and morphological characteristics of jojoba plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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10 pages, 2410 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Iodine Enhances the Nutritional Value but Not the Tolerance of Lettuce to NaCl

by Giuseppe Maglione, Ermenegilda Vitale, Giulia Costanzo, Franca Polimeno, Carmen Arena and Luca Vitale

Horticulturae 2022, 8(7), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070662 - 20 Jul 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1463

Abstract

Positive stress or essential and nonessential elements can improve nutritive values (biofortification) of edible plants. In the present study, we evaluate (i) the effect of moderate salinity on lettuce biofortification, evaluated as nutritional bioactive compound accumulation, and (ii) the role of iodine in enhancing salt tolerance by increasing photorespiration and the content of antioxidants in lettuce. Physiological (gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence emission) and biochemical (photosynthetic pigment and bioactive compound) analyses were performed on lettuce plants grown under moderate salinity (50 mM NaCl alone or 50 mM NaCl in combination with iodine, KIO₃). Our results show that NaCl + iodine treatment improves the nutritional value of lettuce in terms of bioactive compounds acting as antioxidants. More specifically, iodine enhances the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and polyphenols, such as anthocyanins, under salt but does not improve the salt tolerance. Our findings indicate that iodine application under moderate salinity could be a valid strategy in plant biofortification by improving nutritional bioactive compound accumulation, thus exercising functional effects on human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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17 pages, 2731 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Adaptive Redox Reactions Promote Naturalization of Rare Orchid Epipactis atrorubens on Serpentine Dumps Post Asbestos Mining

by Maria Maleva, Galina Borisova, Elena Filimonova, Natalia Lukina, Nadezhda Chukina, Alexander Ermoshin, Anastasia Tugbaeva and Olga Voropaeva

Horticulturae 2022, 8(7), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070603 - 04 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1569

Abstract

Epipactis atrorubens (Hoffm.) Besser. is a regionally rare orchid species with highly ornamental properties due to its very beautiful bright flowers, therefore it is of considerable interest as a horticultural plant for use in botanical gardens and greenhouses. The objective of the research was to assess metal accumulation and some pro- and antioxidant reactions in E. atrorubens, colonizing serpentine dumps post asbestos mining. Additionally, some physicochemical properties of substrates, microbiotic characteristics and water status were investigated in orchids growing on two serpentine dumps and in a natural forest habitat of the Middle Urals, Russia. The dump substrates were characterized by the strong stoniness and the high content of Mg, Ni, Cr and Co (by 1.8 times on average) compared to the natural habitat. In these sites, E. atrorubens was characterized by increased mycorrhization. In the rhizome and roots of E. atrorubens the concentrations of most metals studied were considerably higher (more than 4 times on average) than in the leaves. It was found that orchids colonizing serpentine dumps produced more lipid peroxidation products (by 1.4 times on average) in the leaves which was accompanied by the more active synthesis of such non-enzymatic antioxidants as ascorbate, free proline, soluble phenolic compounds (including flavonoids) and non-protein thiols. The study suggests that non-enzymatic antioxidants increased the adaptive potential of E. atrorubens and contributed to its naturalization on serpentine dumps post asbestos mining. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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17 pages, 4079 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Brassinosteroid Applications Enhance the Tolerance to Abiotic Stresses, Production and Quality of Strawberry Fruits

by Ramiro N. Furio, Sergio M. Salazar, Jorge A. Mariotti-Martínez, Gustavo M. Martínez-Zamora, Yamilet Coll and Juan C. Díaz-Ricci

Horticulturae 2022, 8(7), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070572 - 24 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2033

Abstract

Brassinosteriods (BRs) have increasingly been used to improve the yields and quality of various crops. In this work we studied the effect of two brassinosteroids, BB16 and EP24, on the growth promotion of Fragaria ananassa plants under normal conditions or exposed to water or saline stress. The influence of both BRs on the plant development and fruit quality was evaluated when cultivated in semi-hydroponic conditions. A marked growth-promoting effect was observed with both compounds when plants were cultivated under normal irrigation conditions and under saline and water stresses. BB16 and EP24 yielded plants with a higher dry weight, root length and surface, a higher number and area of leaves, a higher total weight of fruits per plant, and a higher percentage of fruits of commercial quality. Additionally, a higher content of chlorophyll, number of leaves, and increased dry weight was detected in plants treated with both BRs and exposed to water and saline stresses. Finally, when evaluating the production and quality of fruits obtained under semi-hydroponic conditions, we observed that the pre-harvest treatment with both compounds induced a higher fruit production and better quality of fruits. These results suggest the potential of these compounds to achieve a more sustainable management of strawberry cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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25 pages, 11432 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morpho-Physiological and Anatomical Alterations of Salt-Affected Thompson Seedless Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) to Brassinolide Spraying

by Mostafa F. El-Banna, Arwa Abdulkreem AL-Huqail, Saad Farouk, Bassam E. A. Belal, Mosaad A. El-Kenawy and Ahmed F. Abd El-Khalek

Horticulturae 2022, 8(7), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070568 - 22 Jun 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2197

Abstract

Salinity is one of the most critical crises worldwide that ultimately compromises future food security. Brassinosteroids including brassinolide (BL) are a class of polyhydroxy steroids phytohormones, that play a crucial role in several plant metabolic pathways and boost plants’ stress tolerance, but less data is accessible on its function in salt-affected grapevine. The experiment was conducted throughout the 2019 and 2020 experimental seasons at EL-Baramon experimental farm, Horticulture Research Institute, Mansoura, Egypt, to recognize the remediation potential of BL (1 and 2 mg L⁻¹) in lightening salinity (NaCl at 1000, 2000, and 3000 mg L⁻¹) injury on Thompson seedless grapevine seedlings (H4 strain) growth and physio-anatomical attributes. Data advocated that while salinity reduced growth attributes, BL applications substantially improved the overall salt-affected plant performance. Salinity stress significantly decreased photosynthetic pigment, relative water content, and ions percentage (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, potassium/sodium ratio). Alternatively, BL spraying significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the photosynthetic pigment, maintaining a favorable potassium/sodium ratio and increasing the ions percentage. Additionally, increasing salinity levels significantly boost plant sodium percentage and induce a membrane malfunction associated with increased membrane permeability; conversely, the application of BL decreased the sodium percentage associated with decreasing membrane permeability relative to non-treated salinized plants. Moreover, salinity and/or BL significantly improved the antioxidant capacity associated with rising proline accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activities. Anatomically, salinity stress considerably modified leaf structure; meanwhile, the spraying with BL drastically mitigates the harmful effects of salinity on leaf anatomy. Additionally, salt-affected plant cells explained various obvious organelles ultrastructural modifications and cellular damage; meanwhile, BL spraying to salt-affected plants repealed the ultrastructural modifications of cell organelles. Taken together, BL, especially 2 mg L⁻¹, has a great potential to boost the salt tolerance of Thompson seedless grapevine seedlings (H4 strain). It improves salt tolerance by sustaining higher photosynthetic pigment concentrations, maintaining ion homeostasis, regulating water status, and stimulating antioxidant capacity as well as maintaining leaf anatomical attributes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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13 pages, 2830 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Copper Stress Enhances the Lignification of Axial Organs in Zinnia elegans

by Anastasia Tugbaeva, Alexander Ermoshin, Hada Wuriyanghan, Maria Maleva, Galina Borisova and Irina Kiseleva

Horticulturae 2022, 8(6), 558; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8060558 - 20 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2529

Abstract

Zinnia elegans Jacq. is an ornamental plant, widely used in landscaping. Heavy-metal pollution in urban and rural areas is still increasing, which determines the actuality of studying plants’ reactions to pollutants. Zinnia was not sufficiently studied in this regard, so the aim of our research was to identify morphophysiological changes in this species under excess copper concentration in the soil. For this, we treated a growth substrate with 200 µM CuSO₄ solution for 20 days. At the end of the treatment, several morphological, biochemical, and molecular genetic traits were evaluated: the root and the shoot size; the concentration of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA), as indicators of stress; the amount of the phenolic compounds and lignin; and the level of the expression of genes, which encoded their biosynthesis. The Cu amount in the substrate and zinnia organs was quantified using atomic-absorption spectroscopy; hydrogen peroxide, MDA, and phenolic compounds were determined spectrophotometrically, while the amount of lignin was determined according to Klason. Real-time PCR was used for estimation of the gene-transcription level. Lignin in tissues was visualized by fluorescent microscopy. In experimental plants, Cu accumulation was higher in the root than in the stem. This caused an increase in stress markers and a decrease in the root and stem lengths. For the first time for zinnia, it was shown that for several genes—4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL), cinnamoyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), and class III peroxidase (PRX)—the level of expression increased under copper treatment. The rise of the transcripts’ amount of these genes was accompanied by a thickening and lignification of the cell walls in the metaxylem vessels. Thus, the adaptation of zinnia to the excess Cu in the growth medium was associated with the metabolic changes in the phenylpropanoid pathway. As a result, the lignification increased in the root, which led to the accumulation of Cu in this organ and limited its translocation through the xylem to the stem, which provided plant growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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16 pages, 1426 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effect of Elevated Temperature and Excess Light on Photosynthetic Efficiency, Pigments, and Proteins in the Field-Grown Sunflower during Afternoon

by Antonela Markulj Kulundžić, Marija Viljevac Vuletić, Maja Matoša Kočar, Jasenka Antunović Dunić, Ivana Varga, Zvonimir Zdunić, Aleksandra Sudarić, Vera Cesar and Hrvoje Lepeduš

Horticulturae 2022, 8(5), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8050392 - 28 Apr 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2528

Abstract

This study examined the photosynthetic responses of two sunflower hybrids to elevated temperatures and excess light intensity in the flowering stage by measuring the chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) under morning and afternoon field conditions to determine the photosynthetic pigment contents and the relative accumulation of photosynthetic proteins. The morning environmental conditions were considered optimal, while the afternoon was characterised by elevated temperatures and excess light intensity. The minimum fluorescence intensity (F₀), the electron-flux-reducing end electron acceptors at the photosystem I acceptor side per reaction centre (RE₀/RC), and the D1 protein had significant, high, and positive correlations with the environmental conditions, which indicates that they were the most useful in the sunflower-stress-response research. In hybrid 7, the elevated temperatures and the excess light intensity resulted in the inactivation of the oxygen-evolving complex, which was indicated by the positive L, K, and J steps, the increase in the maximum quantum yield of PSII (TR₀/ABS), the decrease in the electron transport further than the primary acceptor Q_A (ET₀/(TR₀-ET₀)), the reduction in the performance index (PI_ABS), and the higher relative accumulation of the light-harvesting complex of the photosystem (LHCII). Hybrid 4 had smaller changes in the fluorescence curves in phases O–J and J–I, and especially in steps L, K, J, and I, and a higher PI_ABS, which indicates a more efficient excitation energy under the unfavourable conditions. As the tested parameters were sensitive enough to determine the significant differences between the sunflower hybrids in their photosynthetic responses to the elevated temperatures and excess light intensity in the flowering stage, they can be considered useful selection criteria. The development of more adaptable sunflower hybrids encourages sustainable sunflower production under stressful growing conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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19 pages, 2682 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effective Role of Nano-Silicon Application in Improving the Productivity and Quality of Grafted Tomato Grown under Salinity Stress

by Eman G. Sayed, Abdel Wahab M. Mahmoud, Mohamed M. El-Mogy, Mahmoud A. A. Ali, Mahmoud A. M. Fahmy and Ghada A. Tawfic

Horticulturae 2022, 8(4), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8040293 - 30 Mar 2022

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 2867

Abstract

This study aims to determine the influence of grafting and nano-silicon fertilizer on the growth and production of tomatoes (Solanumlycopersicum L.) under salinity conditions. A commercial tomato hybrid (cv. Strain B) was used as a scion and two tomato phenotypes were used as rootstocks: S. pimpinellifolium and Edkawy. The rootstock effect was evaluated by growing plants at two NaCl concentrations plus the control (0, 4000, and 8000 ppm NaCl). Nano-silicon foliar application (0.5 ppm) after 20, 28, and 36 days from transplanting was also used to mitigate salinity stress. Antioxidants, hormones, and proline were evaluated for a better understanding of the physiological changes induced by salinity and grafting. The results showed that grafting either on S. pimpinellifolium or Edkawy combined with nano-silicon application enhanced shoot and root growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality. The Edkawy rootstock was more effective than the S. pimpinellifolium rootstock in terms of counteracting the negative effect of salinity. Higher levels of mineral contents, GA3, ABA, and proline were detected in shoots that were subjected to grafting and nano-silicon application compared to the control treatment. This study indicates that grafting and nano-silicon application hold potential as alternative techniques to mitigate salt stress in commercial tomato cultivars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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Review

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21 pages, 1334 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant Defensive Responses Triggered by Trichoderma spp. as Tools to Face Stressful Conditions

by Jaime Pacheco-Trejo, Eliazar Aquino-Torres, Ma Isabel Reyes-Santamaría, Margarita Islas-Pelcastre, Sergio Rubén Pérez-Ríos, Alfredo Madariaga-Navarrete and Mariana Saucedo-García

Horticulturae 2022, 8(12), 1181; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8121181 - 10 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2171

Abstract

The current agriculture is facing various challenges to produce enough food to satisfy the need of the human population consumption without having a negative impact on the environment, human health and ecosystems. The exploitation of bioinoculants has been a crucial alternative for green agriculture. Bioinoculants have two great benefits: to promote plant growth by making essential nutrients available to crops and, to increase the tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses by inducing a long-lasting defense. Certain members of genus Trichoderma have been recognized as biocontrol agents, biofertilizers and stress alleviators for the plants. The use of Trichoderma spp. has also been extended to protect and stimulate growth of horticultural crops. Elucidating the plant signaling events triggered by Trichoderma is of high importance in order to understand the molecular basis involving plant protection against stresses. In this review, the signaling elements of the plants from Trichoderma perception through late defensive responses is discussed. Enhanced understanding how Trichoderma spp. activate defense will lead to improvement in the use of species of this genus to increase crop production with the consequent benefits for human health and care for the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Ways of Stress Mitigation)

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