Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca
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Effects of foliar treatment of ascorbic acid on industrial hemp seedlings under drought stress
Full text linkIndustrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seedlings are sensitive to drought stress, which is a prevalent factor influencing its growth seriously. To explore the effect of ascorbic acid (AsA) on hemp seedlings under drought condition, a pot experiment was carried out to applicate AsA on two cultivars, ‘Yunma1’ (YM) and ‘Bamahuoma’ (BM). Three drought treatments were imposed: control (normal water), drought (50% substrate moisture) and drought + AsA (50% substrate moisture + 200 mg/L AsA). The results showed that drought stress significantly suppressed plant height and reduced plant fresh weight, with reductions of 59% and 75% observed in YM, and 43% and 67% in BM, respectively. Although foliar treatment with AsA had little effect on increasing plant fresh weight under drought conditions, it significantly enhanced the concentrations of photosynthetic pigments and the activities of antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, SOD and peroxidase, POD). The results suggested that harmful effects of drought stress on hemp seedlings were mitigated by exogenous application of AsA, which decrease the breakdown of photosynthetic pigments, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and strengthening the antioxidative defense system. Among these, compared to drought treatment the carotene content and SOD activity exhibited the most significant increases after AsA spraying. Specifically, exogenous AsA treatment increased the carotene content by approximately 108.40% in YM and 88.53% in BM. Meanwhile, POD activity increased by 33.33% in YM and 60.94% in BM. Furthermore, the study found that hemp plant response and tolerance to drought were cultivar-dependent. Overall, these results provide a theoretical basis for understanding the mechanism by which AsA alleviates drought stress
Silicon dioxide nanoparticles a strategy to improve the growth, physiology, yield, and nutraceutical quality of tomatoes
Full text linkThe application of nanotechnology in horticultural crops optimizes physiological performance, growth, nutraceutical quality, and resistance to adverse environmental factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of silica dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) on tomato crops in greenhouses. Three doses were used (25 mg L-1, 35 mg L-1, and 45 mg L-1) along with a control. A randomized block experimental design with three replications was used. The variables analyzed included physiological, morphological, yield, and nutraceutical quality aspects. It was observed that plant height was higher with 45 mg L-1 of SiO2 NPs, while 25 mg L-1 of SiO2 NPs showed the highest values for stem diameter, root length and yield. The dose of 25 mg L-1 of SiO2 NPs caused higher chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, and leaf water status. Regarding nutraceutical quality (soluble solids, vitamin C, total phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and antioxidant capacity), the best results were obtained with 35 mg L-1 of SiO2 NPs. These findings suggest that SiO2 NPs at concentrations of 25 and 35 mg L-1 improve the tomatoes’ physiological traits, growth, yield, and nutraceutical quality, which is relevant for agricultural production and the promotion of healthy diets
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.: Cladode explants with several areoles, forchlorfenuron and indole-3-butyric acid for optimized in vitro culture and NPK controlled release fertilizer for direct ex vivo rooting
Full text linkThe genus Opuntia includes more than 300 species, with the most economically important being Opuntia ficus-indica. In this study, the in vitro propagation potential of the prickly pear cactus (O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) was evaluated. For shoot initiation (6 weeks, MS medium, 25 ± 1 °C, 24 h dark), three cladode explant types based on areole number (none, one, several), five BA (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 mg L-1) and four IAA concentrations (0, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg L-1) were tested. The results showed 100% shoot induction by cladodes with several areoles under 6 mg L-1 BA + IAA (1-2 mg L-1), compared to cladodes with one (63.33-66.67%) or none areole (26.66-30%). For multiplication of in vitro shoots derived from areole stimulation, four cytokinins [6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kin), thidiazuron (TDZ), forchlorfenuron (CPPU)] alone and combined with two auxins [indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D)] were tested (8 weeks, Murashige-Skoog medium, 25 °C, 16h photoperiod). These results showed significantly higher shoot number (5.10) and length (6.19 cm) under 5 mg L-1 CPPU and 5 mg L-1 CPPU + 0.5 mg L-1 2,4-D, respectively. For in vitro rooting, three auxins [indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)] were applied (5 weeks, MS medium, 25 °C, 16-h photoperiod) and the results showed higher root number (19.06) with 0.5 mg L-1 IBA. For acclimatization, rooted microshoots (ex vitro) placed in a peat: vermiculite substrate and non-rooted microshoots (ex vivo) to the same substrate but supplemented with different concentrations (0, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2 g alveoli-1) of a controlled release fertilizer (CRF, 15%N-9%P2O5-12%K2O). After 10 weeks in the greenhouse (24 ± 5 °C/ 18 ± 5 °C), 100% rooting (ex vivo) and survival (ex vitro, ex vivo) were recorded, nonetheless 1.2 g alveoli-1 CRF gave higher ex vivo root number (23.05)
Evaluating salt tolerance of chickpea genotypes based on morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters
Full text linkScreening for salinity stress is complicated due to variations in response and sensitivity at different developmental stages of the chickpea crop life cycle. Evaluation of the performance of chickpea in response to NaCl-induced salinity stress at the initial vegetative phase is a quick and cost-effective method for assessing tolerance and survival compared to traditional field approaches. An experiment was carried out under hydroponic conditions to evaluate the performance of two chickpea genotypes (‘Elmo’ and ‘Orion’), under different salinity stress levels (25, 50 and 75 mM NaCl). Increased levels of NaCl in the growing medium caused a significant decrease in leaf relative water content, where the percentage of reduction at the highest salt level was approximately 16.9% compared to the control. ‘Orion’ was able to produce and accumulate a higher amount of proline (3.45 µmol g dwt.-1), compared to the ‘Elmo’ (2.95 µmol g dwt.-1), which enabled plants to absorb a greater quantity of water and maintain a higher relative water content in the ‘Orion’ (88%) compared to ‘Elmo’ (84.1%), and accordingly the percentage of solutes leakage and MDA content were significantly higher in ‘Elmo’ (72.2% and 49.7 µmol g dwt.-1, respectively) compared to ‘Orion’ (60.3% and 29.5 µmol g dwt. -1, respectively). The results indicate the importance of the osmotic adjustment mechanism in maintaining protoplast hydration and membrane stability under salinity stress. Based on the investigated parameters, genotypic differences were found in the response to salt treatments. ‘Orion’ genotype was found to be more salt-tolerant compared to ‘Elmo’ one
Development of SolyCEL3 marker to evaluate graft incompatibility and growth performance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) scions on tomato and eggplant (Solanum melongena) rootstocks
Full text linkGrafting is an important horticultural technique that enhances crop resilience and productivity. However, a negative rootstock-scion balance is often observed in incompatible graft combinations, where the scion outgrows the rootstock at the graft junction. Our study aimed to identify optimal combinations of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) scions grafted onto tomato or eggplant (Solanum melongena) rootstocks and evaluate their morphological and physiological characteristics at 1-, 5-, and 10-week after grafting (WAG). We tested 20 genotype combinations using five commercial tomato varieties (‘Farmers 933’, ‘Sensation’, ‘Milton’, ‘Rosa’, and ‘F-3047’) and three eggplant varieties (‘Marriage’, ‘Fond-May’, and ‘A105’). The grafting treatments included (1) tomato scions grafted onto eggplant rootstocks (hetero-grafted), (2) tomato scions grafted onto tomato rootstocks (homo-grafted), and (3) self-grafted tomato plants as controls. Overall, at 10-WAG, most homo- and self-grafted plants exhibited greater plant height, a higher number of leaves, and increased chlorophyll levels compared to hetero-grafted plants, suggesting better compatibility in homo- and self-grafted combinations. Additionally, homo- and self-grafted plants had smaller stem thickness ratios, whereas hetero-grafted plants showed more pronounced swelling at the grafting site, indicating excessive scion growth at the junction. Tomato cellulase 3 (SolyCEL3) is associated with plant cell wall expansion. Two pairs of SolyCEL3 primers were designed based on the Solanaceae Genomics database. Both primer pairs successfully differentiated tomato from eggplant, making them useful as molecular markers. This suggests that cross-genotype grafting can provide valuable insights into the role of the SolyCEL3 gene in graft incompatibility, particularly in understanding genomic interactions between grafting partners and the influence of rootstocks on scion performance
Increasing the shelf life of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) by using pre-formed chitosan films enriched with basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) essential oil
Full text linkThis study investigates the efficacy of chitosan films enriched with Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) essential oil in extending the shelf life of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis). Incorporating natural preservatives into packaging materials could provide an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic chemicals. Chitosan films, recognized for their biodegradable and antimicrobial properties, were augmented with 100 µl basil essential oil/100 ml chitosan film and 200 µl basil essential oil/100 ml chitosan. The control group consisted of cauliflower florets wrapped in polyethylene perforated bags. The impact of these treatments on cauliflower quality was assessed over a storage period, evaluating parameters such as color retention, phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and bacterial contamination. Results indicated that both concentrations of basil essential oil significantly enhanced the antioxidant properties and phenolic content of the cauliflower, compared to the control. Color analysis showed better retention in treated groups, suggesting a delay in the browning process. Bacteriological assays demonstrated a reduction in microbial growth on cauliflower wrapped in films with basil oil, with 200 µl basil essential oil/100 ml chitosan showing the most substantial antimicrobial effect. These findings suggest that chitosan films enriched with basil essential oil could be an effective solution for extending the shelf life of cauliflower by maintaining quality and reducing spoilage
The cultivation possibility of tall oat grass and red clover mixture on acidic soil in order to develop a sustainable management system
Full text linkThe work aimed to analyze the effects of soil liming on the productivity of the mixture of tall oat grass and red clover during the entire period of exploitation in order to develop sustainable management systems in agriculture. The trial was conducted from 2014 to 2020 on the experimental field in Čačak on an alluvial soil with an acid reaction. The trial was set up as a completely randomized block system with four replicates and a plot size of 5x1 m. Levels of liming included: A1 – control (without CaO); A2 – 3 t ha-1 CaO; A3 – 6 t ha-1 CaO. Crop response to soil liming was determined by the amount of lime applied, the amount of rainfall and the developmental stage of the species during the life cycle. In concrete conditions, the greatest positive effect of soil liming was observed in the second and third years of production. And if it was expected that the proportion of clover and the intensity of nitrogen fixation generally increase with the application of soil liming, this study showed that in some cases the crop responded differently and non-linearly to the application of lime. By growing red clover in a mixture with tall oat grass and applying soil liming on acidic soils, satisfactory yields can be achieved while recovering the soil from intensive exploitation, which can be good practice for developing a sustainable management system in agriculture
Recent insight in the phytochemistry and bioactivity of organic Melissa officinalis L. essential oil from Transylvania
Full text linkLemon balm is an aromatic plant from the family Lamiaceae, and a source of essential oil (EO) having a higher market value compared to other species of this botanic family. It is more expensive due to the low extraction rate, and it is distinguished by the pleasant citrus-like aroma. Although there have been works on lemon balm, regional quality variations remain poorly represented in the scientific literature, and this study provides a perspective in this regard, with emphasis on potential use in the food industry. We explored the composition, FT-IR particularity and the bioactivity (antimicrobial and cytotoxic) for a traceable and authentic Melissa officinalis EO obtained from an organic crop from Transylvania, Romania. Microscopic analysis of the plants indicated that density of peltate glandular trichomes was significantly higher on leaves of lateral branches compared to those from main stems, proving these are recommended for fresh use in foodstuffs. The EO profile was given mainly by monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The functional groups displayed characteristic peaks on the FT-IR spectrum that might be useful for comparing and authenticating EOs. Biologic activity screening demonstrated that EO was more effective against pathogenic bacterial strains while having a milder effect against beneficial lactic acid bacteria (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum), suggesting compatibility with food matrixes. A cytotoxic assay on cancer cell lines (Caco-2, T47D-Kbluc) supports the potential phytotherapeutic properties but with ranging effectiveness. EO from locally grown plants added to food products can increase their “regional” character, improve shelf life while having health-promoting properties, providing an excellent approach as a natural alternative to synthetic additives and food preservatives while supporting local sources
The research progress and application prospects of maize intercropping systems in enhancing farmland ecosystem services
Full text linkAgricultural systems increasingly face soil degradation, resource scarcity, and climate change, positioning maize intercropping systems as a promising strategy to enhance ecosystem services in farmlands. This review highlights recent advancements and future prospects of maize intercropping systems in enhancing soil fertility, resource efficiency, and ecological sustainability. Maize intercropping systems leveraging ecological niche complementarity and interspecies facilitation, boost biodiversity, improve water, nutrient, and light use efficiency, and minimize dependence on chemical inputs. Furthermore, these systems play a critical role in pest and weed management, leading to higher crop yields and improved quality with reduced environmental impact. Despite the ecological and economic benefits, challenges persist, including technical constraints, limited regional adaptability, and obstacles to widespread adoption. Overcoming these challenges requires targeted mechanization, region-specific trials, and robust policy support. Future research should prioritize refining intercropping models, integrating advanced technologies, and formulating region-specific strategies to unlock the full potential of maize intercropping systems for sustainable agriculture