Rapid Response Indicators for Predicting Changes in Soil Properties Due to Solarization or Biosolarization on an Intensive Horticultural Crop in Semiarid Regions

Agriculture practices developed since the middle of the last century have led to the degradation of different resources and made it necessary to promote agricultural models that are less aggressive towards nature. Sustainable agricultural growth requires a more efficient use of land. An experimental model was designed with four treatments in the Campo de Cartagena area (SE Spain): biosolarization with manure (BSM), biosolarization with brassicas (BB), solarization (S), and a pilot test (PT). The general objective was to determine by means of rapid response indicators the changes occurring in soil properties as a consequence of the implementation of these solarization or biosolarization practices and their influence on the quality and yield of a lettuce crop. The results show that there was no significant response in the physical and biological properties of the soil. Physicochemical properties such as pHw, and electrical conductivity (ECe), as well as chemicals such as total nitrogen (TN) and the content of some macro and micronutrients, can be considered as rapid response indicators. The highest yields (Yc) and highest commercial quality (Mc) of lettuce were obtained in the BB and BSM treatments (Yc > 23,000 kg ha−1; Mc > 413 g). These treatments resulted in biological NO3− sequestration and, in the case of BB, salt immobilization (ECe: 6 dS m−1). According to these results, BSM and BB can be recommended for sustainable agriculture and even as valid methods for the recovery of soils affected by salts and NO3−. Our results should increase the feasibility of these techniques in semiarid areas.

The Pour-Through Procedure for Monitoring Container Substrate Chemical Properties: A Review

The pour-through procedure is a nondestructive method commonly used by horticultural crop producers and research scientists to measure chemical properties and nutrient availability in container substrates. It is a method that uses water as a displacement solution to push the substrate solution out of the bottom of the container so it can be analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, and nutrient concentrations. The method was first introduced in the early 1980s. Since then, research has been conducted to determine factors that affect the results of the pour-through including volume, nature and timing of application of the displacement solution, container size, and substrate stratification. It has also been validated against other common methods for determining container substrate pH, EC, and nutrient concentration, most notably the saturated media extraction procedure. Over the past 40 years, the method has been proven to be simple, robust, and consistent in providing crop producers and researchers valuable information on substrate chemical properties from which management decisions and experimental inferences can be made.

A high-continuity and annotated tomato reference genome

Background Genetic and functional genomics studies require a high-quality genome assembly. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), an important horticultural crop, is an ideal model species for the study of fruit development. Results Here, we assembled an updated reference genome of S. lycopersicum cv. Heinz 1706 that was 799.09 Mb in length, containing 34,384 predicted protein-coding genes and 65.66% repetitive sequences. By comparing the genomes of S. lycopersicum and S. pimpinellifolium LA2093, we found a large number of genomic fragments probably associated with human selection, which may have had crucial roles in the domestication of tomato. We also used a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population to generate a high-density genetic map with high resolution and accuracy. Using these resources, we identified a number of candidate genes that were likely to be related to important agronomic traits in tomato. Conclusion Our results offer opportunities for understanding the evolution of the tomato genome and will facilitate the study of genetic mechanisms in tomato biology.

Unraveling Cuticle Formation, Structure, and Properties by Using Tomato Genetic Diversity

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit has a thick, astomatous cuticle that has become a model for the study of cuticle formation, structure, and properties in plants. Tomato is also a major horticultural crop and a long-standing model for research in genetics, fruit development, and disease resistance. As a result, a wealth of genetic resources and genomic tools have been established, including collections of natural and artificially induced genetic diversity, introgression lines of genome fragments from wild relatives, high-quality genome sequences, phenotype and gene expression databases, and efficient methods for genetic transformation and editing of target genes. This mini-review reports the considerable progresses made in recent years in our understanding of cuticle by using and generating genetic diversity for cuticle-associated traits in tomato. These include the synthesis of the main cuticle components (cutin and waxes), their role in the structure and properties of the cuticle, their interaction with other cell wall polymers as well as the regulation of cuticle formation. It also addresses the opportunities offered by the untapped germplasm diversity available in tomato and the current strategies available to exploit them.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Bioactives and Its Role in Alleviating Oral Pathologies

Garlic (Allium sativa L.) is a bulbous flowering plant belongs to the family of Amaryllidaceae and is a predominant horticultural crop originating from central Asia. Garlic and its products are chiefly used for culinary and therapeutic purposes in many countries. Bulbs of raw garlic have been investigated for their role in oral health, which are ascribed to a myriad of biologically active compounds such as alliin, allicin, methiin, S-allylcysteine (SAC), diallyl sulfide (DAS), S-ally-mercapto cysteine (SAMC), diallyl disulphide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS) and methyl allyl disulphide. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA statement. Scopus, PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Science direct databases were searched between 12 April 2021 to 4 September 2021. A total of 148 studies were included and the qualitative synthesis phytochemical profile of GE, biological activities, therapeutic applications of garlic extract (GE) in oral health care system, and its mechanism of action in curing various oral pathologies have been discussed. Furthermore, the safety of incorporation of GE as food supplements is also critically discussed. To conclude, GE could conceivably make a treatment recourse for patients suffering from diverse oral diseases.

Response of Growing Media and IBA Application under Different Weather Conditions on Growth of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Cuttings

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an important commercial horticultural crop. The cultivation of this crop is increasing day by day. Mainly due to its survival nature, particularly in dry or less water available areas. Its propagation is possible by using seed but vegetative propagation methods are very popular. Even commercial propagation of pomegranate is done by cuttings. To fulfill the rising demand for high-quality plant material, easy, fast, reliable, economical multiplications are required, and under such circumstances, cuttings are the best-suited material. This method of propagation can further be improved by the use of optimum growing media and application of various plant growth regulators Indole Butyric acid and its derivations. Moreover, the success of propagation depends on prevailing weather conditions and the time of planting. Perlite + vermiculite and a combination of vermiculite + coco peat in equal proportions, quick dip application of 2500 ppm IBA, and planting in the spring season are considered ideal for fast and economical multiplication of pomegranate cuttings. Humid weather conditions during the spring season exhibit a good possibility of rooting and survival of the same. Therefore, the main aim of this review article is to collect/compile the information regarding the effect of growing media and applications of IBA under different weather regimes over previous years along with recent happenings.

Transcriptional Regulation of Ripening in Chili Pepper Fruits (Capsicum spp.)

Chili peppers represent a very important horticultural crop that is cultivated and commercialized worldwide. The ripening process makes the fruit palatable, desirable, and attractive, thus increasing its quality and nutritional value. This process includes visual changes, such as fruit coloration, flavor, aroma, and texture. Fruit ripening involves a sequence of physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes that must be finely regulated at the transcriptional level. In this review, we integrate current knowledge about the transcription factors involved in the regulation of different stages of the chili pepper ripening process.

Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Provide Insights into the Stomium Degeneration Mechanism in Lily

Lily (Lilium spp.) is a widely cultivated horticultural crop that has high ornamental and commercial value but also the serious problem of pollen pollution. However, mechanisms of anther dehiscence in lily remain largely unknown. In this study, the morphological characteristics of the stomium zone (SZ) from different developmental stages of ‘Siberia’ lily anthers were investigated. In addition, transcriptomic and metabolomic data were analyzed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and secondary metabolites involved in stomium degeneration. According to morphological observations, SZ lysis occurred when flower buds were 6–8 cm in length and was completed in 9 cm. Transcriptomic analysis identified the genes involved in SZ degeneration, including those associated with hormone signal transduction, cell structure, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and transcription factors. A weighted co-expression network showed strong correlations between transcription factors. In addition, TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling) assays showed that programmed cell death was important during anther SZ degeneration. Jasmonates might also have key roles in anther dehiscence by affecting the expression of the genes involved in pectin lysis, water transport, and cysteine protease. Collectively, the results of this study improve our understanding of anther dehiscence in lily and provide a data platform from which the molecular mechanisms of SZ degeneration can be revealed.

Caladium Cultivars ‘Pink Panther’ and ‘Crimson Skye’

Caladium is an ornamental aroid valued for its variably shaped bright foliage. Two new lance-leaved cultivars, ‘Pink Panther’ and ‘Crimson Skye’, were released in 2020 by the UF/IFAS caladium breeding program to meet the need for more lance-leaved cultivars. This new 9-page article is prepared for growers who are interested in growing caladium as a horticultural crop and for greenhouse or nursery growers who are interested in producing potted caladium plants.