Plant Growth Regulation

Returning straw derived biochar back to the farmland has been widely recognized as a sustainable agricultural strategy to improve soil quality and fertility. The molecular mechanism underlying the growth promoting effects of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) straw biochar on tobacco remains unclear. A pot experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of tobacco straw biochar on root morpholo…

Juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), a key allelochemical exuded by walnut trees (Juglans spp.), is widely recognized for its strong phytotoxic effects, which contribute significantly to the well-known “walnut toxicity” phenomenon in both walnut monocropping and intercropping systems. This review synthesizes current evidence and proposes that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a pivotal y…

microorganisms can play an important role in plant adaptation to climate change (Zeng et al. 2025) as well as nutrient uptake (Singh et al. 2025).This special issue provides the latest advancements in research of plant growth-promoting microorganisms applied to agriculture.It includes three review papers whose main topic is the use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms for soil and crop health…

Leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata is globally one of the utmost destructive fungal diseases in a diversity of economically important crops, resulting in decreased crop quality and large yield losses. The reliance on chemical fungicides for managing this disease rises environmental besides health concerns, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives, such as biological…

The target of rapamycin (TOR) is a central regulator of growth-defense trade-offs in plants; however, its role in secondary metabolite biosynthesis in medicinal plants remains unclear. This study investigated the metabolic and transcriptional mechanisms by which TOR signaling modulates both plant growth and andrographolide accumulation in Andrographis paniculata, employing the TOR inhibitor AZD-8…

To reveal the regulatory effects and mechanisms of action of brassinosteroids on Cassia glauca growth in vegetation concrete under drought stress. Drought conditions were simulated via the pot water control method. Three treatments were established: well-watered, light drought, and severe drought. Additionally, brassinosteroids were sprayed at concentrations of 0 (CK), 0.05 (T1), 0.2 (T2), and 0.…

Potato is planted after rice in different parts of India, especially in Haryana, as a part of the rice-potato sequential cropping system, and both crops are infected by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. Potato tubers exhibiting black scurf and rice plants affected by sheath blight were collected from various regions of India, and isolates of R. solani were obtained. Cross-infection potential of R. solani …

Ethylene-responsive element-binding factor (ERF) transcription factors play crucial roles in plant responses to abiotic stresses. SiERF054 has been identified as a stress-responsive ERF gene in sesame (Sesamum indicum), yet its biological function remains largely unexplored. Here, we functionally characterized mechanisms involved in SiERF054 regulation of drought tolerance through overexpression …

In evergreen avocado (Persea americana Mill.), flowering occurs in parallel with shedding of the previous season’s mature leaves, leaving partially leafless trees highly exposed to heat-induced damage in the spring. Foliar application of gibberellins (GAs) is known to increase vegetative growth while reducing flowering in various fruit trees. Here, we examined the effects of autumn GA3 treatment …

Cold stress represents one of the most prevalent abiotic stresses that severely limit the growth, productivity, and geographical distribution of crops. As a thermophilic economic crop, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is particularly vulnerable to chilling injury, often resulting in reduced survival rates and significant yield losses. To investigate the molecular basis of cold tolerance, we conducted …

Abstract Heavy metal contamination, particularly by arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd), severely impairs rice ( Oryza sativa L.) growth, physiological performance, and food safety. This study evaluated the effectiveness of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), including Rhizobium leguminosarum , Bacillus subtilis , and Serratia marcescens , in mitigating As and Cd toxicity in O. sativa under a …

As a rate-limiting enzyme in the abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis pathway, 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) plays a crucial role in plant development and stress response by regulating ABA synthesis. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the NCED gene family in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), focusing on their physicochemical properties, secondary structures, c…

Microgreens, young edible seedlings of many plant species, harvested just a few weeks after germination, are increasingly valued for their high nutritional and nutraceutical properties. As interest in functional food and sustainable urban farming has been increased in the last years, optimizing microgreen production under controlled environment has become a key research topic. Light, as intensity…

Rapeseed is a major oilseed crop in China, and enhancing rapeseed yield represent a key goal for breeding programs. Among the three rapeseed main yield components, 1000-seed weight (TSW) is a pivotal factor. The high-yield hybrid variety ‘Dadi199’ is one of the most widely planted cultivars in China, with a very high TSW. In this study, we evaluated the TSW of a doubled haploid population (ZRDH) …

Triploid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis L.) is one of the most widely used warm-season turfgrass species. However, the low induction rate of embryogenic calli and transformation efficiency are significant barriers to the genetic transformation process in triploid bermudagrass. In the present study, the regeneration system was optimized, and particle bombardment-mediated transf…

Abstract Peanut, a globally significant food crop, is highly valued for its nutritional and economic importance. However, breeding efforts to enhance its protein content have been limited. In this study, a two-step chemical mutagenesis strategy was utilized on the normal-protein Spanish-type peanut cultivar Fuhua 19 (< 25% protein) to generate high-protein mutants. Through successive rounds of…

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a water-dependent crop and is grown under flooded environments worldwide. Several biotic and abiotic stresses severely impact its yield. To improve our comprehension of abiotic stress management, we characterized the OsTZF8 gene for its role in rice drought stress resilience. Drought stress and abscisic acid (ABA) triggered the OsTZF8 gene expression. The putative OsTZF8 pr…