Horticultural Crop Physiology under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

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 December 2023) | Viewed by 15070

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, Ural Federal University, 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russia
Interests: plant physiology of stress; pollutants; oxidative stress; plant tolerance; adaptation; antioxidant defense; biomonitoring; bioindication; phytoremediation; interaction of plants and microorganisms

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Guest Editor
Department of Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, Ural Federal University, 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russia
Interests: plant biotechnology; plant cell culture; GMO; secondary metabolism; abiotic stress; antioxidants

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, Ural Federal University, 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russia
Interests: disturbed ecosystems; technogenic impact; metal accumulation; global climate change; biodiversity; abiotic stress; plant resistance; adaptation; antioxidant systems; phytoremediation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The problems of modern horticulture are a decrease in the productivity of horticultural crops due to phytopathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, insects, etc.) and the action of unfavorable abiotic factors (high and low temperatures, drought, salinity, nutritional deficiencies, xenobiotics, heavy metals, etc.). The use of mineral fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals increases the technogenic load on horticultural ecosystems. The accumulation of toxic elements and their compounds in the soil increases water deficiency and poses a threat in the form of horticultural plants contamination, thereby exerting a negative effect on the human health.

The study of the responses of resistant and sensitive crops to biotic and abiotic stress factors has long attracted the attention of various scientists. It has been shown that most of the studied plants respond to stress through changes in the amount of reactive oxygen species and stress phytohormones, which activate various signaling cascades that trigger the activation of plant protective systems. In turn, they cause changes at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. These changes have a significant impact on key metabolic processes such as photosynthesis, transpiration, respiration, mineral nutrition, etc. An important role in the plant adaptation to stresses is played by their relationship with microorganisms, especially with plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). PGPB are able to stimulate plant growth in unfavorable environmental conditions through various mechanisms, such as the production of phytohormones, fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, the formation of organic acids, solubilization of phosphates, induction of antioxidant enzymes, etc.

Therefore, in our current Special Issue on “Horticultural Crop Physiology under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses” molecular, biochemical, and physiological mechanisms of plant adaptation to the action of biotic and abiotic stressors and their combinations will be considered. Research articles, reviews, short notes, and opinion articles related to the study of tolerance mechanisms of horticultural crops to various stressors, including their relationship with soil microorganisms, are welcomed.

Dr. Maria G. Maleva
Dr. Alexander A. Ermoshin
Prof. Dr. Galina Borisova
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • horticultural crops
  • biotic and abiotic stressors
  • plant productivity
  • photosynthesis
  • plant–microbial interaction
  • plant-growth-promoting bacteria
  • signaling pathways
  • physiological mechanisms of plant tolerance
  • oxidative stress
  • antioxidant response

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 6875 KiB  
Article
Transcriptomic and Phytohormone Metabolomics Provide Insight into the Changes in Citrus limon Infected by Citrus yellow vein clearing virus
by Xiaohong Hu, Liyun Liang, Xinyi Chen, Liangping Deng, Lijuan Zou, Ming Dong, Qinggui Wu and Tuo Qi
Horticulturae 2024, 10(3), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10030231 - 28 Feb 2024
Viewed by 770
Abstract
Background: Citrus yellow vein-clearing virus (CYVCV) is a Mandarivirus that causes great economic losses in lemon production. CYVCV infection is associated with obvious yellow vein-clearing disease symptoms and is directly regulated by plant hormone responses. Methods: To understand how lemon plants respond to [...] Read more.
Background: Citrus yellow vein-clearing virus (CYVCV) is a Mandarivirus that causes great economic losses in lemon production. CYVCV infection is associated with obvious yellow vein-clearing disease symptoms and is directly regulated by plant hormone responses. Methods: To understand how lemon plants respond to CYVCV infection, we performed transcriptomic and phytohormone metabolomics. Results: A total of 936 differentially expressed genes were identified, and 773 were downregulated. Salicylic acid and auxin levels increased after CYVCV infection, and phytohormone regulatory systems were also explored. Jasmonic acid and auxin levels decreased after the CYVCV challenge, and jasmonic acid and auxin signaling pathway components were mostly downregulated. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the immune response to viral infection, including those related to cell wall integrity, lectin, microtubules, and mildew resistance locus O (MLO), may also provide new candidate targets for CYVCV control. Conclusions: Our findings provide new insights into the molecular changes underlying the pathogenesis of CYVCV in lemon plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Physiology under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses)
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13 pages, 457 KiB  
Article
Effect of Zinc Excess on Some Physiological Parameters and on the Fatty Acids Profile of Sinapis alba L. and Brassica juncea L. (Czern)
by Natalia Repkina, Svetlana A. Murzina, Viktor P. Voronin and Natalia Kaznina
Horticulturae 2023, 9(9), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9091002 - 05 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 748
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) is a vital micronutrient for all living organisms, but in high concentrations, it is a major anthropogenic pollutant. In this study, it was investigated the effect of zinc excess concentrations (50, 100, and 150 mg kg−1) in the substrate [...] Read more.
Zinc (Zn) is a vital micronutrient for all living organisms, but in high concentrations, it is a major anthropogenic pollutant. In this study, it was investigated the effect of zinc excess concentrations (50, 100, and 150 mg kg−1) in the substrate on some physiological parameters and the dynamics of fatty acid (FA) content in yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L. cv. Belgia) and oriental mustard (Brassica juncea L. (Czern) cv. Slavanka). The Zn concentration of 50 mg kg−1 did not affect the physiological parameters of yellow mustard, whereas some physiological parameters slightly decreased in oriental mustard. Moreover, this concentration stimulated an increase in total and unsaturated FAs content in leaves of both species, along with high Zn accumulation by both species. The Zn concentrations of 100 and 150 mg kg−1 in substrate had a negative effect on the state of plants as measured by the studied physiological parameters and caused different changes in FAs content in yellow and oriental mustard. Particularly, the total amount of FA increased in comparison to the control, but this increase was due to an elevation in saturated FA (SFA) content. At the same time, the total FA content in oriental mustard slightly decreased while the proportion of unsaturated FAs to SFA kept rising. According to the present data and analysis of the available literature, two strategies of adaptation to heavy metals were suggested through the changes in FAs: height-resistant horticultural plant species on the one side and sensitive species on the other. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Physiology under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses)
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14 pages, 1636 KiB  
Article
Diagnostics and Description of a New Subspecies of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull from Western Siberia
by Olga Cherepanova, Irina Petrova, Stanislav Sannikov and Yulia Mishchihina
Horticulturae 2023, 9(3), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9030386 - 16 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 962
Abstract
The article presents the results of the study of fifty populations of common heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) collected throughout its range. A phased comparative analysis (genetic, biochemical, anatomical, morphological, and ecological) was carried out with the estimation of indicators that included [...] Read more.
The article presents the results of the study of fifty populations of common heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) collected throughout its range. A phased comparative analysis (genetic, biochemical, anatomical, morphological, and ecological) was carried out with the estimation of indicators that included two key populations—Zavodouspenskoe (Pritobolye, Western Siberia) and Luga (Baltic, Eastern Europe). It was concluded that heather growing in Western Siberia should be identified as a separate taxonomic group, giving it the status of a subspecies. The gene pool of Pritobolye populations (including Zavodouspenskoe) is represented by the completely dominant (100%) monohaplotype S, which is not found anywhere else. The heather plant growing in Zavodouspenskoe has a longer lifespan. It is distinguished by larger linear leaf dimensions (length 2.06 ± 0.09 mm), thicker cuticle (4.77 ± 0.33 μm), increased number of trichomes (18.98 ± 0.56), and a reduced number of stomata (13.60 ± 0.63) than that growing in Luga. The new subspecies differs in biochemical composition: twice less content of epicatechin (average 1.992 ± 0.005 mg g−1), three times more myricetin (average 2.975 ± 0.005 mg g−1), twice as much chlorogenic acid (average 2.763 ± 0.004 mg g−1). An ecological feature is that C. vulgaris does not grow in the swamps of Western Siberia and has a small population. This species has a high horticultural potential and requires protection as its population in Western Siberia continues to decline rapidly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Physiology under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses)
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14 pages, 1329 KiB  
Article
Effects of Auxin-Type Plant Growth Regulators and Cold Stress on the Endogenous Polyamines in Pea Plants
by Elžbieta Jankovska-Bortkevič, Zornitsa Katerova, Dessislava Todorova, Jurga Jankauskienė, Rima Mockevičiūtė, Iskren Sergiev and Sigita Jurkonienė
Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020244 - 10 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1662
Abstract
The effect of pre-application of structural auxin analogues TA-12 (1-[2-chloroethoxycarbonyl-methyl]-4-naphthalenesulfonic acid calcium salt) and TA-14 (1-[2-dimethylaminoethoxicarbonylmethyl] naphthalenechlormethylate) on biochemical parameters of pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Jablo) plants subjected to low temperature (LT, −1 °C, for 24h) was studied. For the first [...] Read more.
The effect of pre-application of structural auxin analogues TA-12 (1-[2-chloroethoxycarbonyl-methyl]-4-naphthalenesulfonic acid calcium salt) and TA-14 (1-[2-dimethylaminoethoxicarbonylmethyl] naphthalenechlormethylate) on biochemical parameters of pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Jablo) plants subjected to low temperature (LT, −1 °C, for 24h) was studied. For the first time the effects of these auxin analogues, applied with or without LT were investigated on the endogenous polyamine (PA) content. The LT treatment increased free and bound putrescine (Put) and spermine (Spm), conjugated and bound spermidine (Spd), accompanied by a decrease in conjugated Put and Spm, and free Spd. Stress biomarkers hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as proline were augmented by LT treatment. The TAs application decreased conjugated polyamines (Put, Spm and Spd), free Spd, H2O2 and MDA but increased bound Spm and proline in pea plants. The application of TAs before LT lessened the alterations in PAs (mainly in free and bound fractions) and stress biomarkers content caused by LT, and enhanced conjugated Spd and phenolics, which contributed to increased plant cold tolerance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Physiology under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses)
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12 pages, 1561 KiB  
Article
Effects and Mechanism of the Mycelial Culture Temperature on the Growth and Development of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm
by Yanru Hu, Fangfang Xue, Yujie Chen, Yuancheng Qi, Wei Zhu, Fengqin Wang, Qing Wen and Jinwen Shen
Horticulturae 2023, 9(1), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010095 - 11 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2967
Abstract
Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm is the second most cultivated edible mushroom worldwide. Temperature is one of the main environmental factors affecting the growth and fructification of mushrooms. However, the effects of ambient temperature on the growth, development, and production of bag-cultured P. [...] Read more.
Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm is the second most cultivated edible mushroom worldwide. Temperature is one of the main environmental factors affecting the growth and fructification of mushrooms. However, the effects of ambient temperature on the growth, development, and production of bag-cultured P. ostreatus are still unclear. In this study, eight ambient temperatures (15 °C, 18 °C, 20 °C, 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 30 °C, and 32 °C) were used to cultivate P. ostreatus mycelia with cottonseed hull as substrate. Then, the agronomic traits and the activities of substrate-degrading and antioxidant enzymes were determined. The mycelial growth and fructification of P. ostreatus differed significantly under different temperatures, and 22 °C was the optimum temperature for mycelial culture when we comprehensively analyzed all the agronomic traits. The mycelial growth rate and the biological efficiency under 22 °C were 0.56 cm/d and 99.53%, respectively. Furthermore, there were also significant differences in the activities of substrate-degrading enzymes and antioxidant enzymes under different ambient temperatures. The highest activities of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes (laccase, xylanase, and cellulase), amylase, and proteinase at the vegetative growth stage occurred at 15–22 °C, 20–22 °C, and 22–30 °C, respectively. The highest activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase at the vegetative growth stage occurred at 28–30 °C. This study provides a reference temperature for bag-cultured P. ostreatus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Physiology under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses)
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12 pages, 4783 KiB  
Article
The Apple Lipoxygenase MdLOX3 Regulates Salt Tolerance and ABA Sensitivity
by Xixia Chen, Daru Wang, Chunling Zhang, Xun Wang, Kuo Yang, Yongxu Wang, Xiaofei Wang and Chunxiang You
Horticulturae 2022, 8(7), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070651 - 17 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1507
Abstract
Various abiotic stresses, particularly salinization, restrict plant growth and yield around the world. Lipoxygenases play essential functions in coping with various stresses. In the present study, we found an apple (Malus domestica) homolog of Arabidopsis lipoxygenase3, named MdLOX3. MdLOX3 has [...] Read more.
Various abiotic stresses, particularly salinization, restrict plant growth and yield around the world. Lipoxygenases play essential functions in coping with various stresses. In the present study, we found an apple (Malus domestica) homolog of Arabidopsis lipoxygenase3, named MdLOX3. MdLOX3 has a typical conserved lipoxygenase domain. MdLOX3 was expressed in all tissues of apple and was highly expressed in the root and flesh tissues by a qRT-PCR analysis. In addition, the promoter of MdLOX3 consists of multiple response elements. Various abiotic stresses and ABA treatment can induce the expression of MdLOX3. The overexpression of MdLOX3 in apple calli enhanced the ability to tolerate salt stress, and the heterotopic expression of MdLOX3 in Arabidopsis elevated salt stress tolerance via enhancing the ability of scavenging ROS. Furthermore, the overexpression of MdLOX3 in transgenic plants significantly reduced the sensitivity to ABA. Through the above, this work demonstrated that MdLOX3 played an active position in salt resistance and decreased the sensitivity to ABA, providing a theoretical reference for studying the role of MdLOX3 in abiotic stresses in apple. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Physiology under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses)
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18 pages, 2838 KiB  
Article
Exogenous Melatonin Improves Cold Tolerance of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) through Modulation of DREB/CBF-COR Pathway and Antioxidant Defense System
by Faisal Hayat, Zixun Sun, Zhaojun Ni, Shahid Iqbal, Wuyi Xu, Zhihong Gao, Yushan Qiao, Muhammad Aammar Tufail, Mohammad Shah Jahan, Ummara Khan, Chunyan Wan and Xianbin Gu
Horticulturae 2022, 8(3), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8030194 - 23 Feb 2022
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3277
Abstract
The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is an important fruit crop cultivated worldwide for its unique taste and nutritional properties. One of the major risks associated with strawberry production is cold damage. Recently, melatonin has emerged as a multifunctional signaling molecule that [...] Read more.
The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is an important fruit crop cultivated worldwide for its unique taste and nutritional properties. One of the major risks associated with strawberry production is cold damage. Recently, melatonin has emerged as a multifunctional signaling molecule that influences plant growth and development and reduces adverse consequences of cold stress. The present study was conducted to investigate the defensive role of melatonin and its potential interrelation with abscisic acid (ABA) in strawberry plants under cold stress. The results demonstrate that melatonin application conferred improved cold tolerance on strawberry seedlings by reducing malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents under cold stress. Conversely, pretreatment of strawberry plants with 100 μM melatonin increased soluble sugar contents and different antioxidant enzyme activities (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and peroxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidant (ascorbate and glutathione) activities under cold stress. Furthermore, exogenous melatonin treatment stimulated the expression of the DREB/CBF—COR pathways’ downstream genes. Interestingly, ABA treatment did not change the expression of the DREB/CBF—COR pathway. These findings imply that the DREB/CBF-COR pathway confers cold tolerance on strawberry seedlings through exogenous melatonin application. Taken together, our results reveal that melatonin (100 μM) pretreatment protects strawberry plants from the damages induced by cold stress through enhanced antioxidant defense potential and modulating the DREB/CBF—COR pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Physiology under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses)
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Review

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21 pages, 2258 KiB  
Review
Viral Infection Control in the Essential Oil-Bearing Rose Nursery: Collection Maintenance and Monitoring
by Sevilia Seitadzhieva, Alexander A. Gulevich, Natalya Yegorova, Natalya Nevkrytaya, Suleiman Abdurashytov, Lyudmila Radchenko, Vladimir Pashtetskiy and Ekaterina N. Baranova
Horticulturae 2022, 8(7), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070629 - 12 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2001
Abstract
Viral diseases affecting the essential oil rose, which is a valuable object of agricultural production, may have a significant negative impact on the economic value of this crop. Hence, the study and control of potentially dangerous viruses is essential to improving the quality [...] Read more.
Viral diseases affecting the essential oil rose, which is a valuable object of agricultural production, may have a significant negative impact on the economic value of this crop. Hence, the study and control of potentially dangerous viruses is essential to improving the quality of cultivars of this raw plant material, to enable production of valuable derivatives. The diversity of viruses affecting Rosa L. plants manifests itself in their conditional division into those that are specific to this crop, and those that are hosted by other plants. Representatives of both groups are found in different countries, however, a low number of viruses identified have been thoroughly studied through the use of experimental methods. In particular, with regard to many viruses, the issue of their spread remains open. The viruses infecting Rosa L. plants along with other crops are described in the literature in detail, as the range of hosts they affect is rather wide and well-studied. It is also possible to single out the three most significant viruses affecting this host—Prunus necrotic ringspot virus, Apple mosaic virus and Arabis mosaic virus which individually, or collectively, cause viral diseases that manifest themselves in mosaic symptoms. The most likely mechanisms for the spread of the Rosa L. species viruses are vegetative propagation procedures and transmission by various pests. These presumptions underlie viral infection control methods, including a well-thought-out planting scheme and provision of accurate plant care, which considers plant disinfection, disease monitoring associated with diagnostics and obtaining virus-free material through biotechnology techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Crop Physiology under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses)
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