News
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2025-08-02Scutellaria yangchunensis and S. albovillosa (Lamiaceae), two new species from Yangchun, Guangdong, Chinalocated in the southwest of Guangdong province, China, is an insufficiently botanized region, with several new species being discovered in recent years owing to more and more intensive field investigation, including Cladopus yangjiangensis X.T.Liu, G.Di Chen & B.Hua Chen, Lagerstroemia yangchunensis B.H.Wu & G.Di Chen, Peliosanthes yangchunensis... Scutellaria L. is a large genus in the family Lamiaceae, comprising ca. 350 species worldwide, and ca. 100 species in China (13 species and 4 varieties in Guangdong). For those Scutellaria species from China, few have wide distribution area, such as S. indica L. and S. baicalensis Georgi, but most are narrowly distributed in several provinces, a...Read More -
2025-08-02Unravels Regulatory Mechanism of Polysaccharide Biosynthesis in Dendrobium officinalePlants produce mannans, which compose a class of polysaccharides with considerable potential for health-related applications. DoWOX4 promotes mannan biosynthesis via activation of DoGMP1, whereas DoERF5 inhibits this process by repressing DoWOX4 in Dendrobium officinale. As a precious medicinal herb, Dendrobium officinale is rich in bioactive mannans. Studies indicate that these mannans possess antioxidant properties, enhance immune function, and ameliorate type II diabetes. However, the molecular regulatory mechanisms governing mannan biosynthesis remain unclear, significantly impeding the genetic improvement a...Read More -
2025-08-02Response of primary saltmarsh succession on a tropical coral island in the South China Sea to human disturbanceThe reclamation project and biological diffusion together facilitated the early establishment of pioneer grasses, initiating primary saltmarsh succession. The accelerated transition to shrub-dominated communities was likely driven by dike construction and the introduction of stress-tolerant shrub species. In 2023, the research team from South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences discovered a near-natural saltmarsh ecosystem on a tropical coral island region undergoing reclamation in the South China Sea (Figure 1). The related domestic journals reported this finding, stating that it marks a significant transition from artificial int...Read More -
2025-07-22Proposes Plan to Protect 30% of China’s Land in Line with International ConventionThe Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to conserve 30% of land globally by 2030 using protected areas (PAs) and ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECMs). China plans to expand PAs to 18% of the land area. An additional 12% can be designated as OECMs within the ecological protection red lines. Biodiversity loss is a severe global issue. To mitigate and ultimately reverse this trend, the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Its Target 3 is to protect at least 30% of the world’s land and ocean areas by 2030, als...Read More -
2025-07-18Unveils Molecular Mechanism of Salt Tolerance in Tropical Island Plant Phyla nodifloraPhyla nodiflorapossesses natural resistance to multiple abiotic stresses, the mechanism underlyingits tolerance to environmental stresses, such as salinity, is almost entirely unknown. In present work, our genomic, transcriptomic and lysine acetylomic analyses provide profound insight into the molecular basis of the adaption of Phyla nodiflora t... Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene, a perennial herbaceous vine belonging to the Verbenaceae family, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical coastal regions. It is noted for its remarkable tolerance to salt and barren sandy soils. Additionally, Phyla nodiflora possesses strong covering ability, disease resistance, and adaptability, making it ...Read More -
2025-07-18Recent progress in the polysaccharides-prenylated flavonoids nanocomplexesIn this study, three prenylated flavonoids – icaritin (ICT), icariin (ICA), and icariside I (ICS) – were encapsulated in chitosan (CS) using a pH-driven method. The influence of the structural characteristics of these prenylated flavonoids on their encapsulation efficiency and their interaction with CS was investigated. Polysaccharides are natural nano-carrier of prenylated flavonoids. Prenylated flavonoids are a unique group characterized by prenyl side chain on the flavonoid skeleton. The pentenylation can enhance the bioactivity and bioaccumulation of the parent flavonoids. The application of prenylated flavonoids as nutraceutical ingredients in functional f...Read More -
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2025-07-09Scientists Propose Rhizosphere Engineering as a Scalable Solution to Climate-Induced Agricultural ChallengesThis paper explores how rhizosphere engineering, both plant-based and microbe-based, can be leveraged to enhance crop productivity, manage pests and diseases, and remediate contaminated environments under shifting climate conditions. It highlights the importance and urgency of moving beyond conventional input-intensive farming toward biologicall... Soil health and climate resilience are at the heart of global agricultural sustainability efforts. A collaborative team from Nitrogen Biogeochemistry Lab, led by Prof. LU Xiankai at South China Botanical Garden, published a cutting-edge review proposing rhizosphere engineering as a transformative solution to the multifaceted challenges facing fo...Read More