Acta Agrobotanica

Arruda B., Bagagi B.M., de Freitas Junior N.B., Bejarano Herrera W.F., Estrada-Bonilla G.A., Leoti Zanetti W.A., Silva Silvério A.L., Ferrari Putti F.

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a global staple, but to guarantee its provision, the crop water supply must be adequate, and bioinput application can benefit plants under drought. The objective was to evaluate the common bean’s response to bioinput application when it was cropped in soils with different water holding capacities submitted to a drought period. The greenhouse experiment used sandy loam and clayey soils. Seeds were sown, and 10 days after emergence (DAE), the treatments were applied: (i) no bioinput application or (ii) bioinput application (Priestia aryabhattai, re-applied at 46 DAE). The first plant growth evaluation was performed at 40 DAE. The irrigation maintained the crops’ needs until the beginning of flowering for all the treatments, when the irrigation was differentiated (for 10 days): (i) maintenance of irrigation or (ii) a drought period. A biochemical analysis was performed of superoxide dismutase activity [SOD], hydrogen peroxide [H2O2], peroxidase activity [POD], and malonaldehyde [MDA] production at 52 DAE. At 57 DAE, the second plant growth evaluation was performed, and the irrigation differentiation ended. Grain harvest followed physiological maturation. Priestia aryabhattai mitigated the drought stress in the common bean cropped in sandy soil by reducing the SOD, H2O2, and MDA production in comparison to no bioinput application. When it was cultivated in the clayey soil, the water availability was maintained for longer, reducing the plant’s dependency on bacteria for stress mitigation.

Ahsan S.M., Injamum-Ul-Hoque M., Das A.K., Imran M., Tavakoli S., Kwon D.B., Kang S., Lee I., Choi H.W.

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the earliest cultivated crops and is valued for its medicinal compounds, food, fibre, and bioactive secondary metabolites. The rapid expansion of the cannabis industry has surpassed the development of production system knowledge. The scientific community currently focuses on optimising agronomic and environmental factors to enhance cannabis yield and quality. However, cultivators face significant challenges from severe pathogens, with limited effective control options. The principal diseases include root rot, wilt, bud rot, powdery mildew, cannabis stunt disease, and microorganisms that reduce post-harvest quality. Sustainable management strategies involve utilising clean planting stocks, modifying environmental conditions, implementing sanitation, applying fungal and bacterial biological control agents, and drawing on decades of research on other crops. Plant–microbe interactions can promote growth and regulate secondary metabolite production. This review examines the recent literature on pathogen management in indoor cannabis production using biocontrol agents. Specific morphological, biochemical, and agronomic characteristics hinder the implementation of biological control strategies for cannabis. Subsequent investigations should focus on elucidating the plant–microbe interactions essential for optimising the effectiveness of biological control methodologies in cannabis cultivation systems.

Damascena A.P., de Araujo Junior L.M., Tamashiro L.A., Pratissoli D.

Non-target organisms are not well studied. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of seven essential oils, two fixed oils, d-limonene and eugenol on the mortality, behavior and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes (ENPs). The oils were diluted at 1% (v/v) in water with Tween® 80 PS at 0.05% (v/v), and water with Tween® alone was used as the control treatment. In the mortality test, 2 mL of solution containing 50 µL of the nematode suspension, 20 µL of oil/compounds solution isolated with Tween 80, and 1930 µL of water were placed in plastic containers. After four days, the number of dead juveniles was counted. In the bioassay of the behavior of the EPNs, the frequency of lateral body beats of the infective juveniles in liquid medium was analyzed after exposure to the solutions. In the infectivity test, after contact of the EPNs with oils and essential oil chemical compounds, the juveniles were washed and applied to second-instar Spodoptera eridania larvae. All oils and isolated compounds caused mortality in H. amazonensis and S. rarum, with Ocimum canum and the isolated compound eugenol showing the highest efficacy against H. amazonensis and O. canum, Eucalyptus citriodora, Zingiber officinale, Salvia sclarea and the isolated compound eugenol being the most effective against S. rarum. There was a reduction in the number of lateral beats of H. amazonensis and S. rarum for all treatments, with the exception of Cymbopogon winterianus in H. amazonensis and Annona muricata in S. rarum. The infectivity of H. amazonenis and S. rarum on S. eridania was reduced when exposed to the solutions, with the exception of the isolated compound d-limonene in both species, soursop for H. amazonenis and rosemary for S. rarum, which were classified as non-toxic to the species tested. The results obtained in this study may be useful for the choice of oils and essential oil chemical compounds with potential use in integrated pest management programs.

Pouris J., Rhizopoulou S.

Pancratium maritimum L. (sea or sand daffodil) —which is a perennial geophyte native to coastal habitats of the Mediterranean region—was used to investigate the effect of applied salinity on leaves and bulbs. Three groups of potted bulbs growing in a growth chamber were irrigated using aqueous sodium chloride solutions (1.5%, 3%, and 6%) and one group was irrigated with distilled water. Substantial fluctuations in proline accumulation, soluble sugars, and starch content have been investigated in the bulbs and leaves of potted plants in response to induced salinity. The highest leaf sugar content (239.78 mg/g d.w.) and bulb sugar content (213.31 mg/g d.w.), as well as the lowest proline accumulation (10.5 μmol/g d.w.), were found in samples from plants subjected to 1.5% NaCl. In the bulbs, elevated starch content (500 and 627 mg/g d.w.) was investigated in samples from plants irrigated with 1.5% and 3% NaCl, respectively. The stomatal density differed among the apical, middle, and basal parts of the same leaf blade from plants subjected to salinity treatment; the highest values (12,778 stomata/cm2) were detected in the apical leaf part and the lowest were in the basal leaf part (1407 stomata/cm2) of plants irrigated with 1.5% aqueous sodium chloride solution. The number of adjacent stomata connected with a structural strand varied among leaf parts subjected to 1.5% NaCl, while it was quite similar and comparable in leaf parts of plants irrigated with aqueous sodium chloride solutions 3% and 6%; this trait may counterbalance functional implications of the elevated stomatal density estimated under salinity conditions. According to the results, there is some consensus that the induced salinity 1.5% NaCl may simulate the natural habitat of P. maritimum, therefore being a helpful framework for sustainable horticulture in coastal regions.

Viana J.B., Ferreira-Neto J.R., Binneck E., de Oliveira Silva R.L., da Costa A.F., Benko-Iseppon A.M.

Histone methyltransferases (SDGs) and demethylases (JMJs) are well-established regulators of transcriptional responses in plants under adverse conditions. This study characterized SDG and JMJ enzymes in the cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genome and analyzed their expression patterns under various stress conditions, including root dehydration and mechanical injury followed by CABMV or CPSMV inoculation. A total of 47 VuSDG genes were identified in the cowpea genome and classified into seven distinct classes: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII. Additionally, 26 VuJMJ-coding genes were identified and categorized into their respective groups: Jmj-only, JMJD6, KDM3, KDM5, and KDM4. Analysis of gene expansion mechanisms for the studied loci revealed a predominance of dispersed duplication and WGD/segmental duplication events, with Ka/Ks ratios indicating that all WGD/segmental duplications are under purifying selection. Furthermore, a high degree of conservation was observed for these loci across species, with legumes displaying the highest conservation rates. Cis-Regulatory Element analysis of VuSDG and VuJMJ gene promoters revealed associations with Dof-type and bZIP transcription factors, both of which are known to play roles in plant stress responses and developmental processes. Differential expression patterns were observed for VuSDG and VuJMJ genes under the studied stress conditions, with the highest number of upregulated transcripts detected during the root dehydration assay. Our expression data suggest that as the referred stress persists, the tolerant cowpea accession decreases methylation activity on target histones and shifts towards enhanced demethylation. This dynamic balance between histone methylation and demethylation may regulate the expression of genes linked to dehydration tolerance. During the mechanical injury and viral inoculation assays, VuSDG and VuJMJ transcripts were upregulated exclusively within 60 min after the initial mechanical injury combined with CABMV or CPSMV inoculation, indicating an early role for these enzymes in the plant’s defense response to pathogen exposure. The current study presents a detailed analysis of histone modifiers in cowpea and indicates their role as important epigenetic regulators modulating stress tolerance.

Silva M.G., Oliveira M.M., Peixoto F.

Pollution by emerging contaminants, such as micro-nanoplastics, alongside the exponential prevalence of diet-related diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes, poses significant concerns for modern societies. There is an urgent need to explore the synergistic effects of these two factors, as unhealthy lifestyles may increase disease susceptibility and amplify the harmful impacts of pollutants on human health. Mitochondria play a crucial role in both micro-nanoplastic-induced toxicity and in the pathogenesis of obesity and type 2 diabetes. This makes them a potential target for assessing the combined effects of micro-nanoplastic exposure and poor dietary habits. To address this issue, we conducted a review of the latest investigations evaluating the effects of micro-nanoplastics in the presence of unhealthy diets. Although the evidence is limited, the reviewed studies indicate that these particles may exacerbate common metabolic disturbances associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes: elevated fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance. Some studies have identified mitochondrial dysfunction as a potential underlying mechanism driving these effects. Thus, mitochondria appear to be a key link between micro-nanoplastic exposure and diet-related diseases. Assessing the function of this organelle may allow a more fitted risk assessment of the potential impacts of micro-nanoplastics.

Davis A.K.

For animals that typically live in groups or family units, being isolated from their conspecifics can be stressful. Horned passalus beetles (genus Odontotaenius), inhabit decaying logs in forests in the eastern United States. While not a truly social insect, they do coinhabit logs and maintain family units, and they are known to communicate with each other using stridulations that produce varying types of “chirps”. This project investigated if the auditory environment within these logs affects the beetles, specifically by exposing larval or adult beetles in a lab to sounds of (1) other beetles chirping, (2) no sound, or (3) the sounds of crickets, for varying time periods. Beetles were weighed before and after the exposures to determine changes in body mass. Beetle larvae experienced the slowest growth rates when listening to crickets or no sound, and the highest growth rates when hearing adult chirps. Adult beetles experienced mass losses in the treatments without beetle sounds, and this finding was replicated in three different experiments. The mass loss was greatest in the experiment that had the longest duration. The fact that the mass losses were observed in both the silent treatment, plus the treatment of cricket sounds, indicates that the lack of conspecific sounds (of other passalus beetles) was driving the effect. Surprisingly, there was no added effect of nematode parasitism on adult weight loss. Also, there was no evidence that the beetles were foraging less in the treatments without beetle sound, which suggest those beetles were experiencing elevated metabolism. The reduced growth rates and lost mass are signs that the beetles experienced chronic stress when deprived of the sounds of their kin. Combined, these experiments demonstrate how the acoustic environment, and especially the sounds of other beetles, is important to the lives of these insects, perhaps owing to the fact that they live in dark tunnels.

Cañez-Orozco J.R., Acevedo-Fernández J.J., López-Romero J.C., Reyna-Urrutia V.A., Robles-Zepeda R.E., Torres-Moreno H.

Chitosan micro-aerogels (CsM) are an innovative strategy for the controlled release of healing and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Although Bursera microphylla has anti-inflammatory activity in vitro, its in vivo effect is unknown. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects of extracts and micro-aerogels of B. microphylla. Chitosan micro-aerogels loaded with 0.5% (CsMBT-0.5) and 1% (CsMBT-1) B. microphylla ethanol extract were characterized by SEM, FTIR, TGA, and moisture absorption. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay, and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro were evaluated by NO quantification. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects in vivo were tested in CD1 mice. The microparticles measured 135–180 μm. FTIR showed that the extract’s compounds remained unchanged during synthesis. TGA indicated degradation of the micro-aerogels between 250–350 °C and reduced moisture absorption when loaded with the extract. The extract inhibited NO release by 36% at 6.25 μg/mL and CsMBT-1 by 46% at 100 μg/mL (p < 0.05). The extract and CsMBT-0.5 in mice reduced ear swelling by 70% at 30 mg/mL (p < 0.0001). The extract reduced wound size by day 9, while CsMBT-0.5 accelerated wound closure from day 1 (p < 0.05), indicating that chitosan micro-aerogels were a promising anti-inflammatory and wound-healing treatment option.

Ali D.F., El-Nahrawy S., EL-Zawawy H.A., Omara A.E.

Using Bacillus species as bioagents for environmentally sustainable and economically viable plant disease management is a viable strategy. Thus, it is important to promote their use in agriculture. In this study, two Bacillus species were isolated from the rhizosphere of tomato plants, while three fungal species were isolated from samples of tomato plants that were infected with damping-off disease. The Bacillus strains were tested in vitro for their antagonistic activity against fungal species using a dual culture technique. In a greenhouse experiment, the effectiveness of applying antagonistic bacteria with soilborne fungal disease on induced damping-off of tomato (cv. Super Strain B) plants, their physiological attributes, antioxidant enzymes, mineral content, and yield under greenhouse conditions during the 2022 and 2023 seasons were determined. The fungal isolates were identified as Fusarium oxysporum KT224063, Pythium debaryanum OP823136, and Rhizoctonia solani OP823124, while the Bacillus isolates were identified as B. subtilis OP823140 and B. amyloliquefaciens OP823147 on the basis of the rRNA gene sequences. The dual culture test revealed that B. subtilis outperformed B. amyloliquefaciens in resistance to R. solani and F. oxysporum, which were recorded as 28.33 and 33.00 mm, respectivley. In contrast, B. amyloliquefaciens caused the highest antagonistic effect against tested P. debaryanum fungus. Additionally, in a greenhouse experiment, tomato plants treated with each of these antagonistic Bacillus strains significantly suppressed fungal disease, displayed improved plant growth parameters, had an increased content of photosynthetic pigments, antioxidants enzymes, and total phenols, and an increased macronutrient content and yield during the two growing seasons. In conclusion, effective applications of B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens had the potential to mitigate damping-off disease, which is caused by F. oxysporum, P. debaryanum, and R. solani in tomato plants, while simultaneously promoting growth dynamics.

Alberto T., Keiner A., Le Gall M., Molist F., Guan X., Middelkoop A., Jiménez-Moreno E., Balfagón A., Mantovani G., Nofrarías M., Aumiller T.

This study investigated the effects of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) containing a blend of herbs, plant extracts and essential oils from the Lamiaceae, Schisandraceae, Zingiberaceae and Fabaceae families on the fecal score, intestinal histomorphology and fecal excretion of F4-fimbriated enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (F4-ETEC) in post-weaning piglets. Thirty 31-day-old weaned piglets were randomly allocated to three treatment groups. The positive control (PC) group received colistin via drinking water from d 8 to 14 post-weaning and the same basal diet as the negative control (NC) group; the treatment group received the basal diet with PFA supplementation (1 g/kg of feed). The experiment lasted 21 days. At day 9 post-weaning, all piglets were orally administered 3.0 × 1010 CFU/piglet of the F4-ETEC strain. The PC piglets had higher fecal consistency than the NC and PFA piglets. PFA supplementation resulted in a lower percentage of piglets excreting F4-ETEC in the feces on days 4–7 post-challenge than in the NC group (p < 0.05) but a higher percentage versus the PC group on day 3–7 post-challenge (p < 0.05). The number of goblet cells (GCs) in the jejunum of the PFA piglets was higher than the NC and PC piglets (p < 0.01). The GC density in the jejunum of the PFA piglets was larger than in the PC piglets (p < 0.05) and similar to the NC piglets (p > 0.10). Mucus thickness in the jejunum of the PFA piglets was similar to the NC piglets and PC piglets (p > 0.10). In conclusion, PFA supplementation to the F4-ETEC-challenged piglets reduced the prevalence of fecal E. coli excretion and improved jejunal histomorphology.

Matos C., Pereira A.T., Dias M.J., Sousa C., Vinha A.F., Moutinho C., Carvalho M.

Chronic pain represents a complex and debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide, significantly compromising their quality of life. The conventional approach to treating this type of pain often relies on the use of opioid analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. While these agents are effective in the short term, they present several limitations, including the risk of dependence, severe side effects, and, in some cases, ineffectiveness in reducing pain. In this context, medical cannabis has emerged as a promising therapeutic alternative, given its potential ability to relieve pain effectively with a favorable safety profile. This work aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the existing literature on the effects of medical cannabis in the treatment of chronic pain. Cannabis sativa contains several pharmacologically active compounds, the most prominent of which are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, thereby modulating the pain response. Clinical evidence has shown that cannabinoids can significantly reduce the intensity of chronic pain, particularly in cases of neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and other painful conditions that are unresponsive to conventional treatments. However, the full integration of medical cannabis into clinical practice faces significant obstacles, including the need for standardized dosing, long-term safety data, and regulatory frameworks. These issues, alongside concerns over adverse effects and drug interactions, must be addressed to unlock the full therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, particularly for chronic pain patients, who endure both physical suffering and the added burden of stress.

Andersone-Ozola U., Jēkabsone A., Karlsons A., Osvalde A., Banaszczyk L., Samsone I., Ievinsh G.

The aim of the present study was to explore heavy metal tolerance and accumulation potential in Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. maritima plants from coastal sand dunes in controlled conditions. Plants were established from seeds collected in coastal sand dunes and cultivated in substrates in greenhouse conditions. A gradual treatment with CdCl2, PbOAc, CuSO4, MnSO4, and ZnSO4 was performed until three final concentrations for each metal were reached. The number of leaves, their biomass, and biomass of roots were negatively affected by increasing concentrations of lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) in substrate, but no negative effect was evident for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Visible effects of metal toxicity were evident for Pb-treated plants (appearance of thinner leaves, yellowing of older leaves), as well as for Mn-treated plants (reduced leaf size, curled leaves, red leaf venation). There was a significant decrease in water content in old leaves at high Pb and increasing Mn concentration, indicating accelerated leaf senescence. Increase in polyphenol oxidase activity in leaves was evident in all the plants treated with heavy metals. In contrast, an increase in peroxidase activity was evident only for plants treated with 50 and 100 mg L−1 Cd, 500 mg L−1 Pb, 200–1000 mg L−1 Mn, and 500 mg L−1 Zn. Metal accumulation potential for Cd and Cu was the highest in the roots, but for Pb, Mn, and Zn, more metal accumulated in old leaves. It can be concluded that A. vulneraria subsp. maritima plants are tolerant to high Cd, Cu, and Zn, but moderately susceptible to Pb and Mn. However, oxidative enzyme activity cannot be unequivocally used as a specific indicator of metal tolerance. In respect to phytoremediation potential, the plants have very good accumulation capacity for Pb, Mn, and Zn.

das Chagas G.B., Machado R.P., Fils-Aimé C., Perleberg A.D., da Luz V.K., Costa de Oliveira A., da Maia L.C., Pegoraro C.

Water deficit affects rice growth, development, and yield. Knowledge of genetic diversity for water deficit tolerance, as well as the genetic architecture that is responsible for this trait, can accelerate rice cultivars’ improvement. In this study, different tools were applied to assess genetic diversity and identify genome regions associated with shoot and root traits in rice germplasm grown under water deficit at an early vegetative stage. A panel of 177 rice genotypes grown under water deficit was evaluated for root length (RL), root dry weight (RDW), shoot length (SL), and shoot dry weight (SDW). Genetic diversity was investigated using means grouping and principal component analysis. For the genome-wide association study, a general linear model was applied, using RL, RDW, SL, and SDW phenotypic data converted into Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUPs); genotypic data (1185 single nucleotide polymorphism—SNPs-loci); and population structure. Overall, little genetic diversity was observed, but genotypes with a higher water deficit tolerance were identified. Several significant SNPs were mapped, 81, 5, 53, and 41 for RL, RDW, SL, and SDW, respectively. Among the identified genes, there are those encoding kinases, proteins involved in phytohormone and cell wall metabolism, and Cytochrome P450. The obtained results provide insight into genetic diversity and the genetic architecture of water deficit tolerance, which will be useful in improving this trait in rice grown in Brazil.

Satué K., Fauci D.L., Medica P., Velasco-Martinez M.G., Cravana C., Bruschetta G., Fazio E.

The aim of this study was to determine if the changes in plasma insulin, glucose (GLU), fructosamine (FRUCT), adrenocortical hormone (ACTH), and cortisol (CORT) concentrations in mares of different ages were substantial enough to indicate the need to also establish specific reference intervals for pregnant Spanish Purebred mares with a heterogeneous body conditional score (BCS). A total of 45 mares were used in the study, which were classified according to age into 24 <10 years (from 4 to 9 years) and 21 >10 years (from 10 to 18 years). According to the BCS, mares <10 and >10 years were distinguished into three groups as follows: underweight (BCS < 4–5; n = 8), moderate (BCS = 6–7; n = 8), and overweight (BCS = 8; n = 8) (BCS < 4–5 (n = 7), BCS = 6–7 (n = 7), and BCS = 8 (n = 7)), respectively. The main results of this study were that (I) circulating insulin, GLU, FRUCT, ACTH, and CORT concentrations were altered throughout the whole duration of pregnancy in mares; that (II) aging and BCS significantly affected insulin, ACTH, and CORT changes; and that (III) ACTH-CORT significantly correlated with insulin, FRUCT, and GLU. The results may have implications for health and disease and warrant future prospective investigations on the bidirectional interaction between insulin and the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in equine species, affecting the GLU and FRUCT profile through the entire physiological pregnancy.

Silva G.D., Silva M.D., Mates E.C., Silva W.G., Costa D.R., Braga L., Neto R.J., Filho A.D., Santos M.P., Leite S.A., Castellani M.A.

This study evaluated the effects of gaseous pollutants and vegetation on the structure of fruit-feeding butterfly communities (some subfamilies of Nymphalidae) in a Caatinga area in Brumado, BA, between 2016 and 2018. Two transects were established: Transect “I” (presence of pollutant plumes) and Transect “II” (absence), encompassing a forest fragment and pasture. Bait traps were installed in each transect, and the butterfly communities were analyzed using faunistic indices, including species richness, Shannon diversity index, abundance, and dominance. The canopy opening was also assessed. The composition of fruit-feeding butterfly communities was influenced by both pollutants and vegetation. Gaseous pollutants increased butterfly abundance, diversity, and species richness, though species dominance remained unaffected. Notably, the abundance of Hamadryas februa was particularly sensitive to pollutant exposure. Conversely, increased canopy opening was negatively associated with butterfly abundance and diversity. A relationship between canopy opening and the presence of gaseous pollutants may reflect changes in the abundance and diversity of fruit-feeding butterfly species in the study region. Long-term community monitoring is important, as interannual differences in population fluctuations are common. A better understanding of the patterns found is essential to for devise devising conservation strategies for frugivorous butterfly communities in mining ventures.