To investigate the impact of varying altitudes on the functional components of the leaves of Zanthoxylum planispinum var. Dintanensis, this research collected leaf samples from three different elevations: 610 m, 833 m, and 1083 m. Utilizing water and ethanol as extraction solvents, the study optimized extraction parameters via an ultrasonic-assisted technique to maximize the yield of total flavonoids. Following extraction, five types of macroporous adsorption resins were employed for purification. Significant flavonoid constituents within the purified extracts were qualitatively analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The antioxidant activity of the extracts was also assessed pre- and post-purification. Findings indicated that water was a more effective solvent than ethanol for flavonoid extraction, yielding optimal results at 70 °C, with a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:70, 30 min, and 480 W. Conversely, ethanol extraction yielded optimal results at a concentration of 65%, a liquid-to-solid ratio of 1:30, 60 °C, 30 min, and 360 W. Among the tested resins, AB-8 demonstrated the highest efficacy for purifying flavonoid extracts, with adsorption data conforming best to the Freundlich isotherm model. Optimal conditions for AB-8 purification included a crude extract concentration of 2.50 mg/mL, pH 5, and temperature 25 °C, eluted with 10 mL of 60% (v/v) ethanol. A notable increase in total flavonoid content was observed, rising from an average of 3.43–16.00%, with a recovery yield of 82.12%. Leaves collected at 830 m contained the highest total flavonoid content, with rutin predominating over naringenin chalcone and naringenin. At 1083 m, naringenin chalcone was most abundant, while the highest concentration of naringenin was recorded at 610 m. This study provides optimized protocols for the extraction and purification of total flavonoids from Z. planispinum var. Dintanensis leaves, contributing to the development of potential applications for these bioactive compounds in various fields.

Drought, as abiotic stress, has significant detrimental effects on the growth, physiology, yield and nutritional quality of plants. The distinctive characteristics of nanoparticles (NPs) significantly contribute to essential physiological processes, indicating their considerable potential in promoting plant growth. This study investigated the effects of different NPs, including aluminium oxide nanoparticles (ANPs), silica nanoparticles (SNPs) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNPs), on the growth and photosynthesis of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L.) seedlings under drought stress conditions. The growth characteristics of okra plants were assessed after 48 days of watering. Photosynthetic parameters like photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, intercellular CO ₂ concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance and water use efficiency (WUE) were measured with a portable photosynthesis system. The results demonstrated that both ANPs and SNPs can promote the growth and photosynthesis activity of okra plants, with SNPs exhibiting a stronger effect compared to ANPs. The administration of 50 mg · kg ⁻¹ SNPs for a defined period demonstrated the most pronounced enhancement in growth and photosynthetic properties. In contrast, TNPs were found to have a significantly harmful influence on the growth and photosynthetic properties of the okra plant. These findings lay an important foundation for assessing the effects of nano oxide particles on okra plants.

This study investigated the influence of various nanoparticles (NPs), including carbon-based NPs, Al₂O₃-NPs, SiO₂-NPs, and TiO₂-NPs, on the growth and physiology of okra plants cultivated in soil impacted by rocky desertification. The morphological characteristics, photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant capacity, nutrient uptake of the okra plants, and available nutrient content in the soil were evaluated. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the growth, photosynthetic properties, chlorophyll content, and activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) in the okra plants treated with NPs compared to the control. Additionally, the NP-treated plants exhibited enhanced total nitrogen content, and hydrolysis nitrogen content in soil was also significantly increased, indicating improved nitrogen uptake. Notably, TiO₂-NPs demonstrated the most pronounced effects on plant growth and photosynthetic characteristics, while TiO₂-NPs and SiO₂-NPs showed higher antioxidant enhancement compared to other NPs. These findings suggest the potential of nanoparticles as a promising agricultural solution to address challenges in regions like Guizhou Province, China.

The interaction between native and invasive plant species plays a crucial role in understanding invasion mechanisms and developing control strategies. This study investigated the differences in photosynthetic and fluorescence parameters, gene expression profiles, and rhizosphere soil microbial composition between the native species Ficus tikoua Bur. and the invasive species Alternanthera philoxeroides. For the first time, it was demonstrated that that F. tikoua Bur. may enhance photoinhibition ability and the expression of genes involved in carbon metabolism, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and plant-pathogen interactions to maintain growth. Additionally, it recruits beneficial microbes, e.g. Actinomarina (Bacteria), Nitrosotenuis (Archaea) and Laccaria (fungi), to suppress pathogens, thereby preserving soil DMSP and carbon cycling pathways to resist invasion by A. philoxeroides. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying plant invasion and suggest potential strategies for invasive plant management. Further research is needed to investigate this relationship and determine the mechanisms underlying the potential resistance of F. tikoua Bur. to plant invasion.