The genus Panax in the Araliaceae family has been used as traditional medicinal plants worldwide and is known to biosynthesize ginsenosides and phytosterols. However, genetic variation between Panax species has influenced their biosynthetic pathways is not fully understood. Simultaneous analysis of transcriptomes and metabolomes obtained from adventitious roots of two tetraploid species (Panax ginseng and P. quinquefolius) and two diploid species (P. notoginseng and P. vietnamensis) revealed the diversity of their metabolites and related gene expression profiles. The transcriptome analysis showed that 2,3-OXIDOSQUALENE CYCLASEs (OSCs) involved in phytosterol biosynthesis are upregulated in the diploid species, while the expression of OSCs contributing to ginsenoside biosynthesis is higher in the tetraploid species. In agreement with these results, the contents of dammarenediol-type ginsenosides were higher in the tetraploid species relative to the diploid species. These results suggest that a whole-genome duplication event has influenced the triterpene biosynthesis pathway in tetraploid Panax species during their evolution or ecological adaptation. This study provides a basis for further efforts to explore the genetic variation of the Panax genus.

A fungal specimen, designated as DL0035, was found to parasitize the seed of Smilax sp. in the area of Bidoup National Park, Nui Ba, in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. The identification of the species was typically identified both by morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Total genomic DNA was isolated by the method of Phenol/chloroform. The target gene ITS and nrLSU were amplified and sequenced by PCR and the Sanger method. Then, the sequence of the sample was subjected to molecular phylogenetic analysis to assist with species identification. The results of morphological analysis confirmed that the sample of DL0035 is Shimizuomyces paradoxus Kobayashi and Shimizu. Moreover, based on the phylogenetic analysis, the DL0035 was formed with the referent sequence of Shimizuomyces paradoxus with the high bootstrap value. Therefore, based on morphology and phylogenetic analysis, the sample of DL0035 was identified as Shimizuomyces paradoxus. Notably, this was the first record of Shimizuomyces paradoxus species in Vietnam.

Mô hình kinh tế nông lâm kết hợp đóng vai trò rất lớn trong phát triển kinh tế vùng Tây Nguyên nói riêng và cả nước nói chung. Trong nghiên cứu này chúng tôi xây dựng mô hình trồng cây Gáo trắng theo các mật độ ở các địa hình khác nhau tại Lâm Đồng nhằm đánh giá khả năng sinh trưởng và phát triển để chọn ra mô hình phù hợp cho chuỗi giá trị nông nghiệp bền vững. Kết quả cho thấy, cây Gáo trắng trồng trên địa hình khô ráo có chiều cao và thể tích thân vượt trội hơn so với trên địa hình bán ngập. Mật độ trồng tỷ lệ nghịch với sự phát triển về đường kính thân, đường kính tán và thể tích gỗ. Mật độ 2.500 cây/ha (2m x 2m) và 1.100 cây/ha (3m x 3m) cho thấy hiệu quả tăng sinh khối tốt hơn hai mật độ còn lại. Sau 24 tháng trồng, cây Gáo trắng đã có chiều cao tối đa là 345,31 cm, đường kính thân 11,19 cm, thể tích 15.797,12 cm3 và chỉ số thành phần hóa học gỗ C/N đạt 34,52. Nghiên cứu cho thấy việc lựa chọn mật độ trồng và điều kiện địa hình phù hợp không chỉ tối ưu hóa sự phát triển của cây Gáo trắng mà còn mở ra tiềm năng sử dụng gỗ của loài cây này trong sản xuất nấm, đóng góp tích cực vào mô hình kinh tế tuần hoàn.

Leaf characteristics are vital indicators of photosynthetic capacity; however, their response to planting density and climate in Neolamarckia cadamba is not well understood. A field experiment was conducted to investigate leaf size and specific leaf area "SLA" (the ratio of leaf area to leaf dry mass) in N. cadamba cultivated under both dry and wet conditions in a monoculture system. The aim was to assess the role of leaf trait plasticity in the species' adaptation to varied climatic conditions and planting densities. Four planting densities (1 × 1 m, 2 × 1 m, 2 × 2 m, and 3 × 3 m) were arranged in a randomized design over an area of 3 hectares, divided into two main plots (dry and wet plots). Results indicated that the highest SLA occurred at planting densities of 2 × 1 m and 3 × 3 m in both wet and dry conditions. Leaf area was found to be inversely proportional to mean air temperature (MAT) and monthly sunshine duration (SuH) but positively correlated with monthly precipitation (MAP) and monthly mean relative humidity (Hu) across all densities. In dry plot areas, SLA showed a positive correlation with all planting densities. In wet plot areas, SLA at 1 × 1 m and 2 × 1 m densities exhibited a positive correlation with all four climatic parameters. These findings underscore the significant role of precipitation in driving variations in leaf size, highlighting the importance of adjusting planting densities according to local climatic conditions to optimize growth and resource efficiency in this economically important species.