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In the era of climate change, optimizing both photosynthesis and radiation use efficiency (RUE) is essential to meet the growing global food demand and minimizing environmental impacts. Climate change poses significant challenges to photosynthesis and RUE through increased temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and elevated atmospheric CO2 levels. These changes can disrupt plant metabolic processes, reduce water availability, and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, thereby affecting crop productivity. However, there is a lack of comprehensive documentation on the understanding of relationship between photosynthesis and RUE in this era of climate change. Peer-reviewed electronic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Science Direct were used for relevant articles in order to address this gap through desk research. Out of 252 initially identified articles, 127 were deemed pertinent, focusing primarily on the relationship and strategies to improve photosynthesis and RUE for better growth and development of agricultural crops. Taking into account research findings worldwide, we found that several strategies such as climate-resilient crop varieties, optimizing canopy architecture, employing precision agriculture techniques etc. can improve the ability of plants to harness solar radiation effectively. Integrating these insights with sustainable agricultural practices can promote resource-use efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance food security. This review article underscores the critical role of optimizing photosynthesis and RUE in developing sustainable agricultural systems that are resilient to climate change, ultimately contributing to global sustainability goals.

Jasmonates, which include jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), are compounds derived from linolenic acid. In recent years, the quality and phytochemical content of various fruits have been improved using plant growth regulators both before and after harvest. They play a significant role in improving the quality and biochemical composition of different fruit crops, including fruit peel colour, accumulation of anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activities in the fruit. Further, the fruit ripening process is also accelerated by the application of jasmonate as it influences different physiological and molecular mechanisms of the plant system including regulation of the activities of different hormones during the entire period of fruit growth and development starting from fruit set to till ripening, activation of genes related to ripening, etc. In the case of apples, pre-harvest application of MeJA leads to enhanced fruit coloration by stimulating the anthocyanin biosynthesis gene MdUFGluT . The concentration of JA increases significantly during the early fruit development stage but then decreases sharply, reaching its lowest level when the fruits are fully ripe which signifies its role in initiating the fruit ripening process. Jasmonates can also induce the expression of genes related to ethylene synthesis and promote the production of ethylene gas. Application of jasmonates at the pre-climacteric stage increased the expression of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase 1 (ACS 1) and 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Oxidase1 (ACO 1) genes. However, the accumulation of ACS1 mRNA decreased when Propyl Dihydro Jasmonate was applied at the climacteric stage, indicating that jasmonates influence system 2 ethylene synthesis pathway. In addition, these two compounds (MeJA and JA) are safe for human consumption; hence, can be applied at the commercial level to improve the fruit quality and ripening process in different fruit crops. This review provides an overview of the recent advancements in our understanding of the regulation of jasmonate biosynthesis, and the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in the jasmonate-mediated fruit ripening process.

Abiotic stressorslike drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures significantly hamper global agricultural productivity by adversely affecting plant growth and crop production. As sessile organisms, plants have developed a sophisticated network of signaling pathways to recognize and address environmental challenges. At the heart of these responses are phytohormones, which play animportant role in conferring abiotic stress tolerance. The signaling pathways governed by these phytohormones are crucial for activating the physiological and molecular responses that enable plants to survive under stress conditions. Hormonal crosstalk, an integral component of the phytohormonal network, involves synergistic and antagonistic interactions that finely balance the growth-defense trade-off, allowing plants to optimize their responses to environmental stimuli. Current developments in genetics and molecular biology have shed light on the mechanisms by which phytohormonal signaling pathways are modulated during abiotic stress. This understanding opens new avenues for developing crop cultivars that are more resilient to stressthrough genetic engineering and biotechnological approaches. By manipulating hormonal pathways, it is possible to fortify plants against abiotic stresses, thus ensuring food production in the face of climate change. The present review emphasizes recent advances in understanding how phytohormones (PHs), the central regulators of plant physiological and biochemical responses, mediate plant resilience to such stresses and a strategic method to improve resistance toabiotic stressin horticultural plants, thereby helping agricultural systems remain resilient and sustainable in the face of escalating climatic challenges.

Several investigations have demonstrated the diverse functions of the molecular components of citrus essential oils. This comprehensive overview aims to explore the physiochemical profiles and bioactivities of essential oils derived from citrus peels and their beneficial effects on human health. Although fruit peels are rich sources of bioactive chemicals, they are frequently underutilized in the food industry. Additionally, these essential oil components have insecticidal activities against various insect species and have been found to be advantageous against numerous diseases. Limonene is the primary constituent profile of citrus essential oils, but varying percentages of other constituent compounds, such as β-citronellal, β-myrcene, β-caryophyllene, linalool, pinene, terpinene, and citral, have also been identified in different citrus peel essential oils. Citrus peel essential oils are abundant sources of beneficial chemical compounds, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, dietary fibers, proteins, fats, sugars, and chemicals with insecticidal properties. By converting citrus peel waste into an industrial input with advantageous outputs, the value of citrus peel has been enhanced, thereby addressing waste management issues. This review article focuses on the value addition of citrus peel and its bioactivities.

Jackfruit is traditionally propagated by seeds which creates variability in the seedling population as it is highly cross pollinated crop. Hence, to maintain genetic purity and also to propagate at commercial scale, vegetative propagation is the only viable option in this cross-pollinated crop. Therefore, the experiment was conducted to standardize the grafting methods and time of grafting in jackfruit. Wedge grafting during December–January had maximum survivability (92.40–93.60%) with par result in side grafting done during December–January (88.40–89.40%); however, it was decreased drastically thereafter (February–March) in all the grafting methods. Increment of sapling height was also measured maximum in wedge and side grafting, done during December–January. Maximum number of sprout graft−1 (6.30–6.70) was recorded in wedge and side grafting done during December–January; however, they were decreased gradually thereafter. Earliest leaf opening was observed in side grafting on 19th February (39.56 DAG) with par result in wedge grafting on 19th February (40.37 DAG) and side and wedge grafting on 4th February (40.02 and 40.18 DAG, respectively). Further, higher number of leaves graft−1 (16.72–26.31) along with bigger leaf length (8.96–10.20 cm) and leaf breadth (5.12–6.12 cm) was also recorded in wedge and side grafting done during December–January. The physiological attributes of the grafted saplings were also estimated significantly higher in wedge and side grafting, done during December–January. Hence, wedge and side grafting during December–January can be recommended for mass multiplication as well as maintain the traditional high yielding local genotypes of jackfruit.

Advancements in tissue culture techniques have enabled the regeneration of a wide array of fruit varieties under in vitro condition. Use of micro-propagation technique is now available for numerous crops at a commercial scale. While this has facilitated clonal propagation and preservation of elite genotypes with superior traits, maintaining high genetic uniformity among regenerated plants remains a challenge due to the chance of induction of somaclonal variation, which results from gene mutations or changes in epigenetic marks. Such genetic variability can undermine the reliability of in vitro cloning and germplasm preservation, making it crucial to ensure the genetic fidelity of in vitro raised plants early in the process. Various strategies have been employed to assess genetic uniformity, including morphological, physiological, biochemical, cellular, and DNA-driven molecular marker methods. Despite its drawbacks, somatic variation also presents an opportunity for breeders to access new genetic diversity relatively quickly and without the need for sophisticated technology, which is especially beneficial for crops that are challenging to breed or possess limited genetic diversity. This paper examines the origins of variation triggered during the tissue culture process and investigates approaches for confirming different genetic fidelity in in vitro raised plantlets and discusses the potential applications of somaclonal variants in fruit crop improvement. Key message Identification of in vitro raised somaclonal variation through advance techniques has significant contribution in speed breeding of fruit crops.

The current trend leans towards employing an in vitro-based regenerative approach to tackle the various challenges associated with conventional propagation techniques. Musa acuminata (AAA) cv. Amrit Sagar, native to North-east India, holds substantial nutritional and biological significance. However, its commercial cultivation faces obstacles such as poor sucker quality and biotic pressures. In this study, multiple shoots were obtained using shoot tip explants of M. acuminata cv. Amrit Sagar. These explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium supplemented with varying concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), adenine sulfate (AdS), and α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). To facilitate in vitro propagation, surface sterilization was optimized using 4.0% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 20 min, followed by 0.1% mercuric chloride (HgCl 2 ) for 20 min, resulting in a contamination rate as low as 13.33%. Shoot regeneration achieved an establishment rate of 87.33% using shoot tips in MS medium with 2.5 mg L -1 BAP, 40 mg L -1 AdS, and 0.5 mg L -1 α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Optimal multiple shoot formation was observed in MS medium containing 10 mg L -1 BAP, 40 mg L -1 AdS, and 0.5 mg L -1 NAA. Regarding root development, 92.90% efficiency was noted in half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg L -1 Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Significance Statement Clonal micropropagation through shoot tip culture is valuable for the conservation of endangered or rare banana species. By propagating these species in vitro, their genetic resources can be preserved for future generations and potential use in breeding programs or scientific research.

The current trend involves using in vitro regenerative methodologies to address the challenges inherent in conventional propagation techniques. Musa acuminata (AAA) cv. ‘Amrit Sagar’, indigenous to Northeast India, holds significant nutritional and biological value; nevertheless, its commercial cultivation encounters impediments such as substandard sucker quality and biotic pressures. In the present investigation, regenerated plants were initiated using male buds of M. acuminata cv. ‘Amrit Sagar’. Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium supplemented with varying concentrations of 6‑benzylaminopurine (BAP), thidiazuron (TDZ), and α‑naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest frequency (81.03%) of explants exhibiting white bud-like structures (WBLS) was observed in MS media enriched with TDZ (0.5 mg L−1) and NAA (0.5 mg L−1). Furthermore, the highest frequency (82.99%) of WBLS resulting in shoot emergence was observed in MS media enriched with TDZ (3.5 mg L−1), adenine sulfate (AdS) (20 mg L−1), and NAA (0.5 mg L−1). The results indicated that half-strength MS media supplemented with 2.5 mg L−1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) demonstrated superior efficacy, achieving an impressive 80.18% efficiency in root induction. A noteworthy survival rate exceeding 95% was observed for the acclimatized plants. Genetic fidelity tests using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers indicated consistent genomic integrity in tissue-cultured plants compared to their maternal counterparts. This research outlines vital insights and optimal conditions for in vitro propagation of this banana variety.

Alternate bearing is one of the major concerns in majority of the commercial mango cultivars which significantly decrease the productivity as well as profitability of the crop. In mango, biochemical and physiological mechanism for flowering in alternate year is very scanty. Therefore, an effort has been made for proper understanding of biochemical and physiological basis behind on and off season flowering in mango. Four commercial mango cultivars of alternate-bearing habit viz. Bombay, Dashehari, Langra and Zardalu were selected for the investigation. Five trees under each cultivar were taken as ‘On year’ trees while another five as ‘Off year’ trees based on their bearing behavior during the previous year. The investigation was carried out for two consecutive years. Hence, the ‘On year’ tree of first year turned as ‘Off year’ tree next year and visa-vise. Physiological, biochemical, nutritional and enzymatic activity in the leaf was estimated at bud break and panicle emergence stage. Carbohydrate, protein, phenol, flavonoids and tannin contents of on-season trees had substantially higher at bud break stage (208.95 µg g − 1 , 10.00 mg 100 g − 1 , 4.41 mg g − 1, 28.86 mg g − 1 and 7.12 mg g − 1 , respectively). At bud break stage, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content in leaf was recorded significantly higher (17.0, 2.50 and 6.60 g kg − 1 , respectively) during off year although reverse trend was noticed for micronutrients content in the leaf. Further, off season trees had higher oxidative enzymes activity while on-season trees had a larger count of generative buds per branch (96.20). Increased physiological and biochemical activities in the leaf during bud break stage is highly responsible for panicle emergence in mango. Although, higher N, P, K content and increased oxidative enzymes activity leads to the formation of vegetative buds instead of generative one in mango while leaf’s elevated micronutrient content at the bud break stage is beneficial for the production of generative buds in mango.

Climate change is becoming an observed reality. Several researchers around the world have been working for decades to model predicted climatic changes that will occur in the 21st century and forecast the potential impact on the global eco-system. Climate plays a major role in deciding perennial fruit crop’s distribution, phenology, fruit quality, and disease and pest incidents. Physiological and yield attributes of fruits are sensitive to changing global climate as the climatic factors such as temperature rainfall etc. has direct co-relation with the regulatory physiological events of fruit trees. Despite increasing atmospheric CO2, which is needed for plant photosynthetic activity, the future of food production remains uncertain due to global warming and abnormal precipitation. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of information on the practical effects of pests and diseases in a climate change, which may have an effect on food availability in future. Studies suggested not only productivity but also quality of fruits will be impaired under the variable growing climates year to year. Plant diversity loss and area suitability issues would lead to more problems. In the face of such challenges to world fruit production, a plan-based strategic scientific evaluation of such effects, as well as adaptation and mitigation strategies, should be quantified. This review article briefly discusses effect of climate change on various fruit crops as well as approaches to mitigate with these future challenges.