Assessing Mediterranean tree species suitability for urban environments: insights from experimental data including 23 leaf functional traits.

This study investigates the responses of four Mediterranean tree species, Quercus ilex, Viburnum tinus, Acer campestre, and Fraxinus ornus, to urban-relevant abiotic stressors such as soil compaction, water deficit, and over-optimal temperature, applied singly and in combination under controlled experimental conditions. A total of 23 functional leaf traits spanning photosynthesis, water regulation, structural support, and leaf stoichiometry functions were measured. Species identity was the main driver of trait variability.

Integrating Raman spectroscopy and optical meters for nitrogen management in broccoli seedlings.

Raman spectroscopy enables non-destructive detection of nitrates and other nitrogen-related biochemical markers, including chlorophyll and polyphenols, with unparalleled specificity and sensitivity. Integrating Raman spectroscopy with proximal optical sensors, such as Dualex (Dx) and Multiplex (Mx), offers a transformative approach to precision nitrogen management in broccoli seedlings, complementing their ability to rapidly estimate nitrogen balance indices and key vegetation compounds. The integration demonstrated strong correlations between Raman spectral bands, optical indices, and biochemical parameters across varying nitrogen levels, enhancing the precision of nitrogen status assessment, resulting in a robust, scalable, and information-rich system.

Enhancing Transplanting Success in Restoration of Degraded Areas Using Peat-Free Substrates.

Native plant species used for ecological restoration in urban and degraded areas are typically cultivated by ornamental and forestry nurseries. In the face of climate change, it is crucial to produce plants that can withstand transplant stress while promoting the use of sustainable materials, such as peat-free substrates. Replacing peat with locally sourced organic materials offers a promising strategy to enhance plant resilience to abiotic stress while improving sustainability.

The effect of plasma-treated nutrient solution on yield, pigments, and mineral content of rocket [ (L.) DC.] grown under different nitrogen fertilization levels.

Introduction: The non-thermal plasma (NTP) technique has been suggested as a sustainable horticultural practice to promote biomass accumulation, nutrient uptake, N metabolism, and disease prevention in plants. In particular, the potentiality of this technique to promote the natural accumulation of nutrients into plants deserve to be explored as input saving is strongly recommended in the horticultural sector.

Methods: The nutrient solution supplied to a red coloured variety of rocket salad [ (L.

Differences in mineral and osmotic balances enhance zinc translocation in an aquaporin overexpressing poplar.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for plants, but it is toxic beyond a certain threshold. Populus alba (L.) 'Villafranca' clone is known for its good tolerance to high Zn concentration compared to other poplar species.

Enhances Hook. f Growth and Flowering in Different Growing Media.

spp. are widely reported to regulate plant growth by improving nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, and abiotic stress tolerance. However, their possible application for bedding plants is little explored, especially when comparing different growing media.

Field and saccharification performances of poplars severely downregulated in CAD1.

Lignin is one of the main factors causing lignocellulosic biomass recalcitrance to enzymatic hydrolysis. Glasshouse-grown poplars severely downregulated for CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE 1 (CAD1), the enzyme catalysing the last step in the monolignol-specific branch of lignin biosynthesis, have increased saccharification yields and normal growth. Here, we assess the performance of these hpCAD poplars in the field under short rotation coppice culture for two consecutive rotations of 1 yr and 3 yr.

Combined effect of silicon and non-thermal plasma treatments on yield, mineral content, and nutraceutical proprieties of edible flowers of Begonia cucullata.

Edible flowers are becoming popular as a nutraceutical and functional food that can contribute to human nutrition with high antioxidant molecules and mineral elements. While comparative studies between different flower species have been performed, less is known about the best agronomical practices to increase yield and nutraceutical proprieties of blooms. Silicon stimulates plant resistance against stress and promotes plant growth while non-thermal plasma (NTP) technology has been applied for the disinfection and decontamination of water, as well as for increasing plant production and quality.

Non-Thermal Plasma Treatment Influences Shoot Biomass, Flower Production and Nutrition of Gerbera Plants Depending on Substrate Composition and Fertigation Level.

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) appears a promising strategy for supporting crop protection, increasing yield and quality, and promoting environmental safety through a decrease in chemical use. However, very few NTP applications on containerized crops are reported under operational growing conditions and in combination with eco-friendly growing media and fertigation management. In this work, NTP technology is applied to the nutrient solution used for the production of gerbera plants grown in peat or green compost, as an alternative substrate to peat, and with standard or low fertilization.

The Role of Aquaporin Overexpression in the Modulation of Transcription of Heavy Metal Transporters under Cadmium Treatment in Poplar.

'Villafranca' clone is well-known for its tolerance to cadmium (Cd). To determine the mechanisms of Cd tolerance of this species, wild-type (wt) plants were compared with transgenic plants over-expressing an aquaporin (, GenBank GQ918138). Plants were maintained in hydroponic conditions with Hoagland's solution and treated with 10 µM of Cd, renewed every 5 d.

Osmotic adjustments support growth of poplar cultured cells under high concentrations of carbohydrates.

Poplar callus maintained a specific difference in osmotic potential with respect to media when supplemented with different carbohydrate concentrations. This balance in osmotic potential guaranteed the growth capacity. Osmotic stress is caused by several abiotic factors such as drought, salinity, or freezing.

Daily osmotic adjustments in stem may be good predictors of water stress intensity in poplar.

Drought events impair the carbon and water balances in plants. Climate changes highlight the importance to understand the limits of woody species to reallocate carbon in different processes and the mechanisms driving the osmotic adjustments during the day under stress. In this frame, the aim of this work was to investigate the plant capability to shift energy among competing sinks and preserve the osmotic balance during the day under severe short periods of water deficit.

Can sugar metabolism in the cambial region explain the water deficit tolerance in poplar?

Drought dramatically affects wood production by adversely impacting cambial cells and their derivatives. Photosynthesis and assimilate transport are also affected by drought conditions. Two poplar genotypes, Populus deltoides 'Dvina' and Populus alba 'Marte', demonstrated contrasting growth performance and water-carbon balance strategies; a mechanistic understanding of the water deficit response was provided by these poplar species.