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Horticultural crops comprise various economic species extending from fruits, nuts, vegetables, spices and condiments, ornamentals, aromatic, and medicinal plants. Ornamental and fruit plants are produced mainly for their nutritional and aesthetic values, respectively. Unfortunately, many tropical and subtropical species are in danger of extinction because of climate change and (a)biotic stresses. It is imperative to preserve the germplasms of these species for the present and future genetic improvement programs. Cryopreservation, i.e., maintenance of tissues at the ultralow temperature of liquid nitrogen, is a promising long-term preservation technique, alternative to seed or in vitro banks, which can be applied for both vegetatively and generatively (through seeds) propagated crops, including those with recalcitrant seeds. It is a technology of choice not only for the preservation of plant biodiversity but also for virus elimination in the proficient administration of large-scale micropropagation. The main advantages of cryopreservation are the lowering of in vitro culture expenditures, needed space, contamination risk, and operator errors. However, tropical species are temperature delicate and one of the foremost challenging issues is preconditioning treatments that stimulate physiological reactions to sufficiently enhance tolerance to dehydration and cryogenic procedures. In recent years, several cryopreservation methods based on encapsulation-vitrification, droplet-vitrification, the use of aluminum cryo-plates, and cryo-mesh have been established. Combined cryo-techniques, gene/DNA conservation, as well as studies on perceiving bio-molecular events and exploring the multistage process from the beginning to end of cryopreservation are receiving more emphasis. The development of cryobiomics delivers a conceptual framework to assess the significance of cell signaling mechanisms on cellular functions, the influence of cryoinjury factors on sample viability, and the implications for genetic stability following cryo-storage. The aim of this mini-review article is to provide a succinct synthesis of the developed cryogenic procedures and their use for the storage and exchange of genetic resources of tropical and subtropical horticultural crops, particularly fruit crops and ornamental plants under the threat of extinction.

This research was conducted to compare the quality and nutritional profile of temperate fruits cultivated in conventional and organic orchards. Sampling was done in Iran from four orchards (two organic and two conventional). Ten fruits were sampled in three replicates in each of the organic and conventional orchards. Some traits such as the content of carotenoid, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, phenolics, protein, soluble solids (TSS) and calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), potassium (K), sulfur (S) and phosphorus elements were measured in the fruits and leaves. This study aims to evaluate the variability in chemical and nutritional quality parameters among various temperate fruit species sourced from both organic and conventional production methods. The research findings indicate that fruits cultivated in organic orchards exhibit superior quality and enhanced nutritional profiles compared to those grown conventionally. Specifically, the highest levels of carotenoids, chlorophyll, protein, and essential minerals were observed in the organic orchard. Notably, the interaction between orchard type and fruit variety revealed that organic mulberry displayed the highest concentrations of chlorophyll, protein, copper, and potassium. In contrast, organic grapes and figs presented elevated total soluble solids, copper, zinc, and iron levels. These results underscore the benefits of organic farming practices in producing nutritionally rich fruits.

The green space of parks with its vegetation population of trees and shrubs plays a key role in air purification and the absorption of air pollutions, thereby contributing to the alleviation of environmental pollutions. The present factorial experiment was carried out in urban parks with 18 treatments. The leaf samples of 18 ornamental species were collected in two sites [(1) the margin and (2) the downtown] of Rasht city in north of Iran. Then, they were subjected to the measurement of leaf relative water content, total chlorophyll content, leaf extract pH, and ascorbic acid content to evaluate their air pollution tolerance index (APTI). The tolerance of the species was assessed by two methods: the comparison of their APTI with the average APTI of all species and the use of a constant APTI as a standard. The results showed that the species differed in their tolerance in different sites. Among the studied 18 species, Yucca filamentosa and Berberis thunbergii were identified as air pollution-tolerant species, so they are recommended for the use in parks. Yucca had an APTI of 78.24 and Berberis had an APTI of 67.56. The lowest APTI was obtained from Fraxinus excesio and Ligustrum texanum .

The rice sheath blight disease, caused by Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kühn fungus, is a major disease of Oryza sativa L. occurring all over the world. Therefore, efforts need to be undertaken to limit the spread of this pathogen, preferably by using environmentally friendly methods. In the present study, 57 fungal isolates were recovered by surface sterilization technique from 120 rice samples collected from paddy fields in Guilan province, Iran. Biological characterizations of the isolated taxa were performed in vitro, in the dual culture, volatile metabolites, and slide culture methods. Among the studied isolates, Trichoderma virens (J. H. Miller, Giddens and A. A. Foster) Arx was most effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of R. solani in the dual culture (44.16% inhibition level), while Aspergillus fumigatus Fresen and T. virens had a 62.50–68.75% inhibition efficiency by volatile metabolites. In the slide culture, all of the isolates, except for T. harzianum Rifai, were effective in inhibiting the hyphae growth of R. solani. Under greenhouse conditions, rice plants inoculated with these potential antagonistic fungi showed a reduction in disease severity by even 41.4% as in the case of T. virens. Moreover, phenotypic properties of rice, such as plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight were increased in the plants inoculated with all antagonistic fungi tested, compared to the infected plants, except for the fresh weight of plants inoculated with Curnularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn. The present in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that T. virens and A. fumigatus are the most effective antagonists in rice sheath blight disease control and could be applied in agricultural practice.

Pears are among the most economically important fruits in the world that are grown in all temperate zones. Pyrus communis L., ‘Pyrodwarf®(S)’ rootstock is one of the gene sources used to improve fruit productivity, rootstock resistance, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Traditional propagation of P. communis L. is time-consuming and limited by a short growing season and harsh winter conditions. Therefore, in vitro propagation is a suitable alternative. Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) and woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with different concentrations of 6-benzyladenine (BA) and kinetin (Kin), individually or in combination, were used for in vitro shoot proliferation. Nodal segments were used as explants. MS medium augmented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was then used for rooting of microshoots. A combination of 2 mg·L−1 BA and 1 mg·L−1 Kin in MS medium resulted in a significant improvement in shoot proliferation. This combination produced the highest number of shoots (4.352 per explant) and leaves (10.02 per explant). The longest shoots (4.045 cm) were obtained in WPM enriched with 1 mg·L−1 BA. However, these shoots were not suitable for multiplication and rooting steps. The largest number of roots (5.50 per microshoot) was obtained on MS medium augmented with IAA at 1 mg·L−1. The produced plantlets were cultivated in pots filled with perlite and cocopeat (in a ratio of 1:3) and acclimatized gradually in a greenhouse, recording an even 90% survival rate.

The tendency has been increasing toward the use of plant secondary metabolites to limit the side-effects of antibiotics and bacterial drug resistance. The present research aimed to investigate the essential oil of Lycium shawii and to explore its antimicrobial effect. The essential oil was extracted in ethanol and its antimicrobial activity was investigated by the disk diffusion method in order to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The anti-biofilm, and anti-efflux effects of the essential oil were investigated by the microplate method, and by determining the MIC of ethidium bromide, respectively. The expression level of biofilm and efflux-associated genes, including bap , abeM , and adeB in Acinetobacter baumannii treated or not with the essential oil was evaluated by the real-time PCR method. The inhibitory effect of the essential oil on the propagation and viability of MCF-9 cells was studied by the 3’-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The diameter of the zone of inhibition varied between 14–44 mm and the MIC values against tested bacteria ranged between 3.12–25 mg mL -1 . The expression levels of bap , abeM , and adeB were significantly reduced in treated vs untreated bacteria. The IC50 was 4.66 mg L –1 for the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The essential oil of L. shawii has antimicrobial activity and influences the clinical isolates of the bacteria, as well as exerting an inhibitory effect on the MCF-7 cell line.

Orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis have high economic value in the floriculture industry and market and high potential for breeding programs. In vitro propagation makes it possible to clonally mass proliferate and conserve this valuable plant. In the current research, efficient protocols, some reported for the first time, for in vitro propagation of Phalaenopsis circus through organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis (SE) are presented. We used protocorms obtained from seeds and thin cell layers (TCLs) prepared from leaves as explants. Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium enriched with various concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators. Protocorms were cultured on media fortified with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in combination with N-phenyl-N´-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl-urea (TDZ), and α-naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA) in combination with N 6 -furfuryl adenine or kinetin (Kin) for organogenesis, as well 2,4-D in combination with NAA for SE. These protocorms produced either protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) or somatic embryos. Results showed that the highest number of PLBs (75.0) was obtained on medium enriched with 1.0 mg l –1 2,4-D. Maximum number of somatic embryos (12.3/explant) was obtained on medium containing 0.5 mg l –1 2,4-D together with 2.0 mg l –1 NAA. The use of transversal TCLs with 2–3 cell layers as explants cultured on medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l –1 IBA combined with 1.0 mg l –1 TDZ produced the highest number of plantlets. Plantlets were transferred to pots and acclimatized in ambient greenhouse conditions with 100% survival rate.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia, a drought-resistant plant in the family Araceae, is a popular ornamental potted foliage plant originating from tropical east and subtropical southeast Africa. The growth and propagation rate of this species is low in conventional propagation methods. Therefore, the current study aimed at developing a complete in vitro propagation protocol of black-leaved Raven® ZZ plant (Z. zamiifolia ‘Dowon’)—a novelty on the floricultural market. In order to initiate an axenic culture, the disinfection of leaf explants was performed with sodium hypochlorite and mercury chloride. Next, leaf segments were cultured on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with the addition of 6-benzyladenine (BA) and/or ɑ-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at various concentrations. The highest number of shoots (11) and leaves (22) per explant was obtained in a medium enriched with 2 mg·L−1 BA together with 0.5 mg·L−1 NAA. The maximum number of roots (3.33) was produced in microshoots cultured on the medium supplemented with 2 mg·L−1 NAA. On the other hand, the longest roots (2.66 cm) were produced on a medium containing 2 mg·L−1 NAA and 0.5 mg·L−1 BA. The combination of 0.5 mg·L−1 BA and 0.5 mg·L−1 NAA was most effective in stimulating callus formation (78.33%). Rooted plantlets were transferred to plastic pots filled with coco peat and acclimatized to ambient greenhouse conditions with an average 68.19% survival rate. This is the first report on a complete micropropagation protocol of black-leaved zamioculcas.

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Peanut stem white rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. is a soil-borne disease that is widely prevailing across peanut farms, leading to serious economic losses. Screening for biocontrol agents against this pathogen is urgent. In this research, 166 fungal isolates including 136 isolates of S. rolfsii and 30 isolates of antagonistic endophytic fungi were obtained from a total of 220 samples collected from peanut farms in Guilan province, Iran. After morphological and molecular identification, six superior endophytic isolates were finally selected for the in vitro and greenhouse trials, including four isolates from Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma virens, Penicillium decaturense, and Aspergillus flavus and two isolates from Penicillium rubens. Four methods of biocontrol were used during the in vitro phase, i.e., dual culture, volatile metabolites assay, non-volatile metabolites assay (culture extract), and slide culture. It was found that T. virens had the highest capability of suppressing the mycelial growth of S. rolfsii in the dual culture method (90.98%). As for the volatile metabolites assay, the most effective isolates in inhibiting the pathogen’s mycelial growth were P. rubens (MN395854.1) and A. flavus (84.30% and 73.50% inhibition, respectively). In the non-volatile metabolites method, the isolates that performed the best in suppressing the mycelial growth of S. rolfsii were T. viride and P. rubens (MN395854.1) with 91.80% and 90.20% inhibitory effects, respectively. On the other hand, in the slide culture method, all isolates, except for T. virens and T. viride, successfully controlled the development of S. rolfsii hyphae. The greenhouse trials also supported the effectiveness of endophytic fungi in controlling the pathogen on the host plants. According to the results, T. viride, A. flavus, and P. rubens (MN395854.1) were 44%, 42%, and 38% effective in alleviating the disease incidence and severity. Moreover, the application of these antagonistic fungi in the greenhouse conditions increased the height, fresh weight, and dry weight of the Arachis hypogaea plants infected with the disease causal agent compared to the plants treated only with the pathogen. The results of the in vitro and greenhouse experiments revealed that the endophytic fungi occurring in the natural microbiota of peanut are capable of bio-controlling S. rolfsii, the causal agent of peanut stem white rot disease. These findings shed new insights into the possible resistance induction in A. hypogaea plants through biological protection.