The ornamental quality of Lilium tsingtauense largely depends on the full expansion and pigmentation of the tepals. In this manuscript, transcriptome sequencing was used to comprehensively analyse the mechanisms of tepal development, and identify a new expansin gene, LtEXLB1 in L. tsingtauense. The expression data presented is the first comprehensive dataset available for L. tsingtauense as of now and will serve as valuable public genomic resources for other genetic research in lily.

Plant survival of water deficit (WD) stress requires metabolic adjustments; however, information on the regulation of N metabolism during the acclimation process is limited. The research work focuses on the effect of dehydration-rehydration cycle on ammonium metabolism of resurrection plant Selaginella bryopteris fronds. Results suggested significant role of GDH along with GS/GOGAT in desiccation tolerance. Desiccation tolerance and thermostability properties of GS from S. bryopteris indicate conserved role of cytosolic GS in stress tolerance.

The production of rice must increase at least by 1.5 times before 2050. The major bottleneck in this context is poor grain filling in the basal spikelets of the cultivars bearing large and compact panicles. The main reason for such poor grain filling was found to be the low rate of the endosperm cell division and low endoreduplication of the endosperm nuclei, which was influenced by a lack of the desired variability in the expression of the cell cycle regulators. Biotechnological intervention to improve grain filling must consider manipulating expression of the cell cycle regulators targeting the basal spikelets.

The research described in this paper is the first to examine the ‘complete’ pathway of sorbitol biosynthesis and metabolism in tomato in response to abiotic stresses. The major objectives of this study were to characterise the sorbitol pathway in tomato by quantifying sorbitol content as well as the enzymatic activities of the key enzymes of biosynthesis and metabolism, in mature leaves of wild-type (WT) and of sdh antisense tomato in response to water stress, salt stress, and to irrigation with polyol solutions. In addition, this study is the first to document the accumulation of ribitol in tomato, only the second species in which this has been described.

Bacterial blight (BB) disease, caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, is a serious biotic threat to rice grain yield. Plants primed with different biotic (Bacillus spp. and Trichoderma strains) agents showed improved physiological and biochemical performance as defence against BB in susceptible rice variety. B. subtilis was a potential biotic agent capable of protecting rice plants from BB in an eco-friendly way without hampering the grain yield in the net house and the field.

Radio frequency capacitors can be used to accelerate seed imbibition, germination, increase the growth of plants seedlings, poration and corrugation of the bio-tissue surfaces without the side effects of RONS generated by cold plasma jets. Atomic force microscope data show that the plasma lamp produced morphological changes in the seed coat. Magnetic resonance imaging studies showed the acceleration of water uptake in seeds treated with radio frequency capacitors of plasma lamps. Plasma capacitor can accelerate radicle growing rates.

Plant-derived smoke-water (SW) and its bioactive substance karrikinolide (KAR₁) have attracted much attention due to their positive effects on the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plants. This study showed that the accumulation of flavonoids and terpenoids was significantly improved by SW and KAR₁ in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, an important plant used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is expected that S. miltiorrhiza plants treated with SW and KAR₁ will increase the bioactive ingredients of S. miltiorrhiza for use in TCM.

Heavy metal-contaminated soils are of serious concern globally, and a novel and effective remediation method, especially for sustainable use of soils, is therefore a critical requirement. Although phytoremediation is cost-efficient and eco-friendly, it can yield poor results; however, we found that a Pb-resistant fungus can enhance the alleviation of Pb²⁺ toxicity and phytostimulation in perennial ryegrass. This provides a scientific basis supporting the role of combined plant–microorganism methods in remediating Pb-contaminated soils.

Global change is challenging viticulture worldwide, and predictions for some regions include higher temperatures. Photosynthesis is one of the physiological processes most affected by temperature, and this study evidences that grapevine varieties present different mechanisms for photosynthetic acclimation to high temperatures. We contribute to improve our knowledge about grapevine responses to expected warming scenarios.