Parsley (flat-leaf parsley, Petroselinum hortense var. foliosum) is a plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family. It has no special requirements for soil chemical composition so that it can grow well on all soil types. However, it responds very well to moisture during the germination phase, with a very good response to fertilization, particularly nitrogen. The present study aimed to evaluate the level of significance in effects of soil mineral (NPK) fertilization solely and combined with foliar use of a brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE) in 2, 4 and 6 ml per liter, on the yield, morphological traits (stem length, number of leaves per stem, root length) and physiological parameters (nitrogen balance index, chlorophyll, flavonoids, anthocyanins) of parsley plants, comparing the treatments and in relation to the control. The trial was conducted in greenhouse conditions in pots from the first week of April to the fourth week of June 2025, using Eutric Cambisol soil, characterized as a clay loam with a very acidic reaction. Physiological parameters were measured using a Dualex leaf clip sensor. The obtained data revealed significant effects (p < 0.05) of all applied treatments on the physiological parameters of parsley, except for anthocyanin content, for which treatments had no significant effect (p > 0.05). All morphological traits did not differ significantly between treatments (p > 0.05), but showed values noticeably higher than those of the control. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the yield of parsley were most pronounced in the NPK + ANE (4 ml) treatment in relation to other treatments and the control. In conclusion, the best results were obtained with NPK + ANE (4 ml) across all tested parameters, suggesting it as the optimal fertilization treatment for flat-leaf parsley cultivation based on this study.

Epigenetic mechanisms offer a largely untapped resource for breeding crops with enhanced resilience to environmental stresses. In this study, we investigated the role of transgenerational epigenetic memory in wheat exposed to recurrent drought and heat episodes. A factorial field and controlled-environment experiment was conducted using elite wheat lines subjected to repeated cycles of stress across three generations. DNA methylation profiling was performed using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), and histone modification landscapes were analyzed with ChIP-seq to identify stable epigenetic markers associated with stress memory. Parallel physiological assessments, including stomatal conductance, canopy temperature depression, and grain yield stability, were integrated with molecular data to establish genotype–epigenotype–phenotype linkages. The results revealed that progeny derived from stressed parental lines consistently exhibited a 15–22% higher grain yield under recurrent drought compared to the controls, despite there being no changes in underlying nucleotide sequences. WGBS identified stable methylation patterns at loci linked to ABA signaling and root development, while ChIP-seq confirmed heritable enrichment of H3K4me3 markers at stress-responsive genes. Notably, plants inheriting both methylation and histone signatures showed superior water-use efficiency and sustained photosynthetic rates. Machine learning models integrating epigenetic and phenotypic datasets improved prediction accuracy of drought tolerance by 27% over genomic-only models, demonstrating the value of epigenetic markers in selection pipelines. This work provides strong evidence that epigenetic memory can be harnessed as a novel breeding resource for wheat improvement. Future efforts should integrate stable epigenetic signatures into genomic selection frameworks to accelerate the development of climate-resilient cultivars.

This research was carried out to determine the morphological diversity of barley accessions in Ethiopia via an alpha lattice design with two replications. All the qualitative data were subjected to statistical analysis via Minitab 17^th Edition and SPSS software. Principal component (PC) analysis, cluster analysis, the Shannon–Weaver diversity index (H'), and distribution frequency were used for the qualitative traits. The frequency distribution of the phenotypic traits revealed a considerable degree of genetic variability among the accessions. The estimate of H' ranged from 0.83 (glume hairiness) to 0.99 (lemma awn). The highest value of H’ in the zones of origin was (H’=1.00) for the kernel row number in Shewa, growth habit and spike attitude in Gojam, glume hairiness in Harerge, and lemma awn in Semen omo. For the altitude classes, the trait lemma awn had the highest value of H’ (H’=1.00) in accessions collected at an altitude of ≥2600 m.a.s.l. Among the total variation among the populations, 71% was found within the zones of origin, and 75% was found within the altitude classes. The ANOVA for H’ values on the basis of the altitude class and zones of origin showed very highly significant (p≤0.001) variation to significant (p≤0.05) variation. On the basis of eigenvalues greater than 1, the first 3 PCs had cumulative contribution rates of 70.6%, 77.4%, and 95.7% of the total variation among accessions, zones of origin, and altitude classes, respectively. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct groups among the zones of origin and altitudinal classes. In general, traits such as kernel color, lemma color, and growth habit in the zone of origin and traits such as lemma color, lemma awn, and lemma color at physiological maturity in altitude classes were the most determinant traits among the barley accessions and could be used as selection criteria for crop improvement.

Chlorophyll content is a critical indicator of photosynthetic efficiency and plant vigour. Black Ginger (Kaempferia parviflora) is a new medicinal crop that is gaining popularity in Malaysia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different extraction methods and leaf developmental stages on chlorophyll content in Black Ginger (Kaempferia parviflora). Two extraction methods (dissolved and grinder) and three leaf stages (old, mature, and young) were tested, and chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll (a+b) contents were determined. Results revealed that extraction methods significantly influenced chlorophyll a content (P < 0.0001), with the grinder method producing higher concentrations (1.5786 ± 0.0309 mg g⁻¹) compared to the dissolved method (1.1288 ± 0.0454 mg g⁻¹). In contrast, chlorophyll b content was not significantly affected by the extraction method (P = 0.46). Leaf developmental stages showed a strong effect on both chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll contents (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0002, respectively), with young leaves recording the highest total chlorophyll content (3.3158 ± 0.1186 mg g⁻¹). Significant interactions between extraction methods and leaf stages were observed for chlorophyll a (P < 0.0001) and total chlorophyll (P = 0.01), highlighting the combined influence of methodological and physiological factors. These findings suggest that both extraction technique and leaf maturity must be considered for accurate chlorophyll determination in Black Ginger, with implications for optimizing physiological assessments and future studies on plant growth and bioactive compound evaluation.

Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) production in climate-vulnerable regions like Himachal Pradesh, India, is increasingly threatened by drought stress, exacerbated by declining snowfall and erratic precipitation that aggravate soil water shortages. Root traits are central to drought adaptation, yet their modulation by plant-derived metabolites remains underexplored. This study evaluated the synergistic effects of melatonin and myo-inositol on drought resilience in five apple rootstocks (MM 111, MM 106, Bud 118, MM 116, and M9) through a two-step greenhouse investigation.

In the first stage, dose optimization was performed under 40% field capacity (FC) using the Response Index (RI) and Comprehensive Response Index (CRI). Among six treatments, T3 (100 µM melatonin + 300 µM myo-inositol) exhibited the lowest CRI values, indicating stronger stress tolerance. In the second stage, optimized treatments were applied under drought (40% FC) and well-watered (100% FC) conditions. Drought stress significantly reduced root biomass, root length density, chlorophyll stability, relative water content, gas exchange, and survival. By contrast, combined metabolite application (T8: 100 µM melatonin + 100 µM myo-inositol) markedly enhanced root proliferation, root-to-shoot ratio, and water uptake efficiency, resulting in improved physiological performance and up to 22.7% higher survival relative to untreated drought controls.

Genotypic variation was evident, with Bud 118 and MM 111 showing the strongest root responses and greater plasticity in response to metabolite application. Enhanced root architecture under metabolite synergy was strongly linked to improved water status and sustained shoot growth under moisture limitation. These results demonstrate that integrating rootstock selection with metabolite synergy effectively reinforces root traits and drought tolerance, offering a scalable strategy to sustain apple production in water-limited temperate ecosystems and advance climate-resilient horticulture.

Groundnut Rosette Disease (GRD) is one of the most severe biotic constraints limiting groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production in sub-Saharan Africa, often causing devastating yield losses in smallholder farming systems. This study evaluated the resistance to GRD and grain yield performance of 20 advanced groundnut lines across 11 diverse environments in northern Mozambique over four growing seasons (2014–2018). Trials were conducted using an alpha-lattice design with two replications per location, each comprising four incomplete blocks. Traits assessed included phenological development (days to emergence, flowering, and harvest), plant establishment (number of emerged and harvested plants), yield components (pods per square meter, maturity percentage, 100-seed weight, grain percentage, pod yield, grain yield), and GRD incidence. Data were subjected to combined analysis of variance, genotype-by-environment (G×E) interaction assessment, stability analysis, AMMI and SREG biplot models, and principal component analysis. Significant G×E effects were observed, indicating that environmental factors played a dominant role in trait expression. GRD incidence was most pronounced in the NPL_15 environment, where the susceptible check JL-24 showed 70% infection. In contrast, advanced lines 7508, 7533, and 7566 consistently exhibited high resistance, with only 2% incidence. Yield performance was not consistently correlated with GRD incidence, but high grain yields were associated with superior plant stand at harvest, pod density, and grain recovery percentage. Line 7510 demonstrated broad adaptation across test sites, whereas lines 96714 and 7539 displayed specific adaptation to Namapa and Mapupulo environments, respectively. These findings highlight promising resistant genotypes for deployment in breeding programs targeting GRD-endemic regions of Mozambique.

Agronomy faces the dual challenge of escalating herbicide resistance and the urgent demand to reduce synthetic inputs in crop production [1]. Conventional allelopathy research has largely overlooked compounds with dual functionality—those capable of suppressing weeds while simultaneously stimulating crop performance. This study develops a systematic ethnobotanical meta-screening framework to identify such dual-action allelochemicals, with a specific focus on Mediterranean plant diversity and traditional agroecological practices.

The objective is to uncover, characterize, and prioritize allelochemicals derived from ethnobotanically reported species that exhibit selective weed suppression and crop biostimulation at ultra-low concentrations (≤1 µM). Our hypothesis posits that these compounds, when integrated with optimized plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), can synergistically disrupt weed metabolism while enhancing nutrient uptake, stress resilience, and yield potential in crops.

The methodology combines ethnobotanical database mining, cross-validation with phytochemical libraries, and machine learning–based pattern recognition to detect recurring plant interference traits [2]. Candidate compounds are further assessed through precision bioformulations composed of purified essential oil fractions and PGPR consortia, tested under representative Mediterranean pedoclimatic conditions.

Preliminary screening highlights compound families such as sesquiterpene lactones (e.g., artemisinin derivatives) and iridoid glycosides, which demonstrated selective weed inhibition (70–85%) and significant crop biomass increases (25–40%) through enhanced root development and nutrient assimilation [3]. Field validations indicate potential yield gains equivalent to 150–200% ROI compared with conventional herbicide–fertilizer programs.

This work establishes a novel paradigm in sustainable agriculture, bridging Mediterranean traditional ecological knowledge with precision bioformulation science. By leveraging underexplored ethnobotanical resources, the study introduces a transformative strategy for sustainable intensification, environmental protection, and global food security.

References

1. Duke SO. Proving allelopathy in crop–weed interactions. Weed Sci. 2015;63(SP1):121–132.https://doi.org/10.1614/WS-D-13-00130.1

2. Scognamiglio M, et al. Metabolomics-driven exploration of allelopathic interactions. J Exp Bot. 2015;66(11):3211–3222.

• DOI: 10.15446/rcciquifa.v51n1.102693

3. Macías FA, et al. Allelopathy: a natural alternative for weed control. Pest Manag Sci. 2019;75(9):2413–2427.

• DOI: 10.1002/ps.1342

The biofortification of medicinal plants has been proposed as a novel approach to introduce essential mineral nutrients into the human diet. Yet, its increased levels may affect the synthesis of secondary metabolites and the health-promoting properties of these plants. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica Cham.) has been widely used in traditional medicine for analgesic and sedative purposes due to the presence of alkaloids such as californidine, protopine, allocryptopine, and sanguinarine. The study evaluated the effects of inorganic and organic iodine compounds on the growth and accumulation of iodine and selected alkaloids in California poppy grown in a hydroponic system. ICP-MS was used to analyse the total iodine content in plants after TMAH extraction. The levels of selected alkaloids in leaves were determined by the LC-MS/MS technique after ultrasound-assisted sample extraction in 50 mM HCl in MeOH. Iodine content in plants increased in all tested combinations, with the highest levels noted for 5-iodosalicylic acid (5-ISA). An increase in whole-plant biomass after the application of potassium iodide (KI) and 5-ISA suggests a possible growth-promoting effect on Eschscholzia plants. Leaf-level sanguinarine increased across all iodine combinations, with the highest level observed with 5-ISA. Berberine content increased only after 5-ISA application, while protopine content increased after KI treatment. The leaf levels of allocryptopine, californidine, chelerythrine, coptisine, corydaline, dehydrocorydaline, and reticuline tended to be higher in the KI combination, but the observed changes were not statistically significant. The observed modifications in the alkaloid profile suggest that iodine is involved in regulating its biosynthesis. Further studies are required to monitor changes in root alkaloid levels to fully evaluate the effect of iodine on the production and distribution of these metabolites in Eschscholzia plants.

This research was funded in whole by the National Science Centre, Poland (grant no. UMO-2024/53/B/NZ9/00614.

Biostimulants can improve crop vigor, yet delivering them efficiently in tall, dense canopies remains challenging. We conducted a randomized field experiment in sugarcane (Saharanpur, India; 2023) to compare UAV spraying with manual knapsack application for a seaweed-based foliar biostimulant at matched active ingredient rates. A micro-UAV generated NDVI maps to schedule two spray windows (Grand Growth and Elongation). Three treatments were tested: T1 manual (150 L ha⁻¹, flat-fan), T2 UAV–coarse (30–40 L ha⁻¹, pressure nozzles, VMD ≈250–300 µm), and T3 UAV–fine/ULV (20–30 L ha⁻¹, rotary atomizers, VMD ≈120–150 µm). Deposition and penetration were quantified with water-sensitive cards and a fluorescent tracer at upper/mid/lower strata; canopy response was tracked by SPAD and NDVI at 0, 7, 14, and 28 DAT; and yield and operational metrics were recorded. To interpret deposition patterns, we added a lightweight rotor–canopy airflow model: a momentum-disk downwash coupled to a porous-media canopy (sugarcane leaf-area density 2–4 m² m⁻³) and a Lagrangian droplet settling–advection calculation for 120–300 µm droplets at 2.5–3.0 m AGL and 3–4 m s⁻¹. The model predicted higher residence time and interception for 120–150 µm droplets in the upper/mid canopy and guided flight-line overlap/height settings. Field results were consistent: UAV–ULV achieved more uniform mid/upper coverage at a ≥70% lower carrier volume versus manual, with comparable or improved NDVI/SPAD gains at 7–14 DAT, minimal off-target drift under 1–4 m s⁻¹ winds, and maintained or higher yield and net return. NDVI-guided, airflow-informed UAV biostimulant delivery appears technically feasible and operationally efficient for tall sugarcane canopies.

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.), particularly the ‘Hass’ variety, is the main driver of Mexico’s agricultural exports due to its wide acceptance in international markets. However, within commercial orchards, phenotypic variability exists and can be exploited to identify outstanding selections for yield and quality. The characterization of such variants represents an essential tool for genetic improvement programs, germplasm conservation, and the selection of materials with competitive advantages.

The objectives of this study were: (1) to morphologically characterize ‘Hass’ avocado selections outstanding in fruit yield and quality, and (2) to evaluate fruit quality through the determination of dry matter and oil content. Morphological evaluations were conducted on leaves, flowers, branches, and fruits, using parameters such as length, width, weight, diameter, and shape, following international descriptor guidelines for avocado. In addition, fruit samples were analyzed for dry matter content by oven-drying at 70 °C, and oil content was determined by Soxhlet extraction and expressed as a percentage on a dry-weight basis.

Preliminary results indicate the presence of selections with heavier fresh fruits (280–350 g), above-average diameters, and dry matter percentages exceeding 28%. Furthermore, selections with oil content ranging from 18 to 22% were identified, which are associated with superior organoleptic quality and nutraceutical value. These findings highlight the intra-varietal diversity within ‘Hass’ and its potential for identifying elite genotypes.

In conclusion, the integration of morphological descriptors with physicochemical quality assessments allows differentiation of ‘Hass’ avocado selections with outstanding characteristics. This information is valuable for strengthening the production chain, providing scientific bases for genetic improvement, and contributing to the sustainability of avocado cultivation.