2026-03-25
FATİH EKİNCİ et al.
This review offers a comprehensive analysis of the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) in mycological research. It highlights how AI supports the identification of fungal taxa at both microscopic and macroscopic levels, facilitates the detection of toxic species, contributes to ecological mapping, aids in discovering new fungal bioproducts, and enhances precision agriculture practices. Advanced techniques such as convolutional neural networks, you only look once, U-shaped network (UNet), and residual network have demonstrated strong performance in classification, segmentation, and object detection tasks. Additionally, explainable AI (XAI) methods like gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM), local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME), and SHapley additive exPlanations (SHAP) improve the transparency of model decisions by providing visual and quantitative insights, thereby fostering greater clarity in scientific applications. Practical tools such as MUSH-AI showcase how these technologies can be integrated to improve mushroom cultivation through predictive models, optimisation of environmental conditions, and early detection of diseases. For high-value fungi like truffles, AI has proven valuable in identifying suitable habitats using satellite imagery, analysing mycorrhizal relationships, and interpreting spectral data, offering more efficient alternatives to traditional techniques such as searches with trained dogs. However, the wider application of AI faces several barriers, including a lack of robust training datasets, variability in annotation quality, limited generalisability of models, and insufficient transparency during field deployment. Overcoming these challenges will require the development of standardised, ecologically rich fungal image databases, strong institutional partnerships, and significant investment in infrastructure. In conclusion, AI is becoming a core element in modern fungal research, streamlining species identification, mycotoxin analysis, resource discovery, and conservation efforts through effective and scalable tools. With ongoing advancements in data quality and interpretability, AI is poised to shape the future of integrated and sustainable mycology.
2026-03-25
2026-03-25
XIAOMIN YU et al.
Radish is a widely cultivated vegetable with known medicinal value and produces siliques that differ significantly in number and size. The present study compares normal Duanye-13 radish (CK-type) siliques with mutant radish siliques induced by chemical mutagenesis at the young (YS), short (SS), and long (LS) silique stages. Differences in long noncoding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) expression were investigated using high-throughput RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses, revealing 45 324 new lncRNAs in radish siliques. lncRNA expression was higher in YS and LS mutant lines than in CK-type lines, and expression in SS mutants tended to be lower than in CK-type lines. Furthermore, lncRNA expression at the LS stage tended to be lower than at the YS stage. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis of the target genes revealed that the most significantly different pathways were oxidative phosphorylation, base excision repair, and linoleic acid metabolism. The present study lays the foundations for future investigations into the mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate radish seed formation and clarifies their potential role in radish breeding and biological resource development.
2026-03-25
DOĞA SELİN KAYIHAN
Boron (B) toxicity disrupts multiple metabolic and signaling processes in plants, yet its interaction with post-translational regulators remains poorly understood. The E3 ubiquitin ligase NITROGEN LIMITATION ADAPTATION (NLA) is known to control nutrient transporter turnover, but its role in B toxicity responses has not been previously characterized. Here, we present the first genome-wide transcriptomic analysis of nla mutant Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to mild (1 mM) and moderate (2 mM) B toxicity. Loss of NLA caused a profound reprogramming of gene expression, marked by constitutive activation of ribosome- and translation-related pathways and strong repression of MAPK signaling, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and glucosinolate biosynthesis. Physiologically, nla mutants were unable to induce anthocyanin accumulation under toxic B conditions and instead redirected the phenylpropanoid pathway toward lignin biosynthesis. This shift coincided with the upregulation of circadian regulators (CCA1, LHY, HY5) and the downregulation of WRKY- and ERF-type transcription factors, suggesting that NLA is required for maintaining the circadian/phenylpropanoid regulatory balance necessary for anthocyanin induction. Together, our findings identify NLA as a previously unrecognized integrator of circadian, hormonal, and phenylpropanoid networks under B toxicity, and provide a set of candidate genes and pathways for improving B stress tolerance in plants.
2026-03-25
IZHAR ULLAH et al.
Rising global temperatures due to climate change threaten optimal strawberry growth and sustainable yields. Limited data exist on the physiological and biochemical responses of strawberry cultivars to high-temperature stress and their tolerance mechanisms. T his study evaluated the responses of 21 day-neutral and short-day strawberry cultivars to high-temperature stress and classified their tolerance levels using a novel weighted rating method. Plants were grown in 15-cm plastic pots (3:1:1 garden soil, peat, perlite) under open-field conditions until the 3–4 leaf stage and then transferred to climate chambers. After acclimatization at 25/15 °C (day/night) for 2 weeks, the plants were subjected to increasing temperatures (30/25, 35/25, 40/25, and 45/25 °C) every 48 h, with controls maintained at 25/15 °C. High temperatures significantly reduced relative water content (RWC), total chlorophyll content, and membrane stability index (MSI), while increasing leaf surface temperature, malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline content. Among the cultivars, Portola exhibited the highest RWC, MSI, and proline content; Redlands Hope the highest chlorophyll content; and Fronteras the highest MDA content. Using a new modified weighted rating method based on MSI, proline content, and leaf wilting at 45 °C, the cultivars were classified as tolerant (Albion, Portola, Monterey, Sweet Ann, Osmanlı, Calinda, and Splendor), moderately tolerant (Alba, Asia, Favette, Fortuna, Petaluma, Roxana, Redlands Hope, and San Andreas), or sensitive (Festival, Sabrina, Jive, Tillamook, Amiga, and Fronteras). T hese findings provide valuable insights for breeding heat-tolerant strawberry varieties, supporting sustainable agriculture in a warming climate.
2026-03-25
CANSU ÜLGEN et al.
Exploring the trait structure of grassland plant communities enhances our understanding of how these communities will respond to climate change and disturbances such as herbivory. The trait structure of a plant community was investigated in the Central Anatolian steppe, an ecoregion with high biodiversity that has been largely unexplored in terms of plant functional ecology. Fifty plant species in the community were measured across 9 plant traits, including several leaf traits (leaf area, leaf dry matter content, specific leaf area, leaf thickness, and leaf nitrogen content), two seed traits (seed mass and seed shape), as well as the plant height and stem specific density. The structure of the plant community was characterized to unveil the functional trait space present. Compared to other grassland communities globally, the plant community in the Central Anatolian steppe exhibited similar functional traits, representing a resource-conservative life history strategy as a whole community. This study represents an initial step towards addressing the significant gap in the literature concerning the Central Anatolian steppes. Further research, including and comparing more steppe habitats in the region, is strongly encouraged.
2026-01-30
ESENGÜL ÖZKAYMAKOĞLU et al.
The poppy (Papaver) has beautiful flowers that attract the attention of not only taxonomists but also the public. However, it also presents several taxonomic problems. This study examines 13 taxa of Papaver sect. Rhoeadium, including the following species native to Türkiye: P. purpureomarginatum, P. dubium subsp. dubium, P. dubium subsp. laevigatum, P. arachnoideum, P. arenarium, P. commutatum subsp. euxinum, P. guerlekense, P. rhopalothece, P. stylatum, P. clavatum, P. syriacum, P. rhoeas, and P. postii. Plant specimens were collected from natural populations, and anatomical investigations were carried out on stem and leaf cross-sections. Pollen and seed features were examined using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The anatomical analysis revealed several taxonomically informative features, including the presence and number of chlorenchyma and collenchyma layers, and the arrangement of vascular bundles. Pollen characteristics (including size, shape, polar axis length to equatorial axis length ratio, and exine ornamentation) and seed morphology traits (such as shape, color, anticlinal and periclinal wall structures, and surface sculpturing patterns) proved to be diagnostic for species delimitation. A comprehensive assessment of morphological, anatomical, palynological, and seed micromorphological characters led to the reevaluation of P. postii, P. syriacum, and P. rhopalothece, which are here considered distinct species. This study highlights the systematic value of anatomical and micromorphological traits in Papaver sect. Rhoeadium, demonstrating their relevance for taxonomic delimitation at both species and sectional levels, and providing a robust framework for future phylogenetic studies.
2026-01-30
2026-01-30
AIGUL KALİYEVA et al.
Viruses that naturally infect fungi capable of forming mycorrhizal symbioses remain poorly studied. In the present study, a new partitivirus associated with the basidiomycete mycorrhizal fungus Lactarius mediterraneensis was identified and characterized, and it was designated as Lactarius mediterraneensis partitivirus 1 (LmPV1). The complete genome of LmPV1 was determined through high throughput sequencing of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) extracts and confirmed by Sanger sequencing of RLM-RACE PCR amplicons. T he genome comprises two dsRNA segments, 1899 bp and 1957 bp, each containing a single open reading frame (ORF) a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and a capsid protein (CP). Comparative analysis using BLASTp revealed the closest matches to be Sarcosphaera coronaria partitivirus ANK VIR-52 (65.22% identity for RdRp) and Rosellinia necatrix partitivirus 26 (26.53% identity for CP). Phylogenetic reconstruction based on the RdRp sequence positioned LmPV1 within a cluster exclusively composed of Alphapartitivirus species from the Partitiviridae family. Given these molecular data, LmPV1 is proposed as a novel member of the Alphapartitivirus genus. This work provides the first documented evidence of a partitivirus infecting the mycorrhizal basidiomycete L. mediterraneensis.
2026-01-30
TUĞBA ÖZTEKİN et al.
Soil salinization is a critical global challenge, threatening agricultural productivity by imposing osmotic stress, ionic toxicity, and oxidative imbalance in plants. This study investigated the potential of Serendipita indica biopriming to enhance salt stress tolerance in maize (Zea mays L. cv. Simon) seedlings through comprehensive physiological and biochemical analyses under controlled conditions. Maize seeds were bioprimed with different concentrations of mycorrhizal fungi S. indica spores and exposed to varying NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 200 mM). Nonprimed maize seedlings had a gradual reduction in seed vigor index, reaching about 93.56% in 200 mM NaCl treatment. Under nonsaline conditions, S. indica biopriming enhanced plant growth parameters. For example, dry weight accumulation increased by 105.80% with biopriming at 1/8 (10.87 × 105) spore concentrations compared to the nonprimed control. Under moderate and severe salinity, nonprimed maize seedlings decreased in growth, relative water content, and chlorophyll level. S. indica biopriming mitigated these effects, maintaining dry mass at 200 mM NaCl comparable to the nonstressed control. Bioprimed seedlings had improved photosynthetic efficiency, attributed to the preservation of chlorophyll content and redox balance. Elevated activities of key antioxidant enzymes, i.e. superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, were correlated with reduced levels of oxidative stress markers and minimized membrane damage, thereby maintaining cellular integrity. Additionally, biopriming with S. indica promoted the accumulation of the stress-responsive metabolite proline, suggesting the modulation of stress signaling pathways. T hese findings indicate that S. indica not only mitigated salt-induced stress but also promoted plant growth in salt-free conditions, suggesting its potential as a growth stimulant under both normal and saline environments. This study shows the potential of S. indica biopriming as a sustainable and ecofriendly strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity on crop growth, offering a promising approach to improving agricultural resilience in saline environments.
2026-01-30
KRISNANDA SURYA DHARMA et al.
Shallot, a strategic horticultural commodity in Indonesia, is susceptible to biotic stress (e.g., twisted disease) and abiotic stress (e.g., drought). Mycorrhizal fungi offer an environmentally friendly solution to enhance plant resilience. This study evaluated the effects of mycorrhizal application on shallot plants against twisted disease (Fusarium acutatum) and drought stress. Using a randomized complete block design, we assessed growth, disease resistance, and physiological responses. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s honestly significant difference test at a 95% confidence level. Results indicated that mycorrhizal application reduced both the severity and rate of twisted disease development in shallots. It also maintained leaf chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, physiological functions, and growth under both optimal and drought-stress conditions. Principal components analysis showed an antagonistic relationship between disease severity and photosynthetic pigments, suggesting F. acutatum impairs photosynthesis. Additionally, proline levels showed trade-offs with water content and phenolics, potentially reflecting stress-induced resource allocation shifts. Pearson correlation analysis confirmed interconnected biosynthetic pathways for stress-responsive metabolites. This study underscores the potential of mycorrhizal fungi to bolster shallot resilience against disease and drought, offering valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices.
2025-11-27
MOHAMMAD KESHAVARZ et al.
Organic material, such as biochar, can improve soil fertility and crop yield under water stress. A pot experiment was conducted to consider the effects of biochar on the pigment content, enzyme activity, physiological characteristics, and nutrient uptake of foxtail millet under water stress. Plants were tested under normal, mild, and severe irrigation regimes (100%, 75%, and 50% field capacity, respectively) using different biochar sources (licorice root biochar (LRB), cow manure biochar (CMB), cotton residue biochar (CRB), and municipal waste biochar (MWB)) and a control without fertilizer. Under severe water stress, the chlorophyll a content and total chlorophyll increased by 137.3% and 131.2%, respectively, after applying MWB compared to the control. Carotenoid content in the MWB treatment increased by 46.4 compared to LRB. As water stress intensified from normal to severe, the catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase activity increased by 199.1, 86.1, and 67.4%, respectively. Severe stress enhanced CAT activity in the MWB group, while the POD activity decreased compared to other treatments. Under mild and severe water stress, proline content in the MWB group were 26.9 and 30.9% higher, respectively. The application of MWB increased the plant height, biological yield, and number of grains per spike by 102.6%, 271.4%, and 174.8%, respectively, compared to LRB. In addition, applying MWB increased the grain yield between 191.5% and 285.7% compared to the control. Higher relative water content and nutrient availability in MWB facilitate the maintenance of photosynthetic pigments and enzymatic balance under water deficit. This increases the number of grains per spike, P and K content, and ultimately the grain yield of millet.