Geographical origins and varietal characteristics can significantly affect the quality of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi), making rapid and accurate identification essential for consumer protection. To overcome the inefficiency and high cost of conventional detection methods, this study proposed a nondestructive approach that integrates hyperspectral imaging (HSI) with deep learning to classify Chenpi varieties and their geographical origins. Hyperspectral data were collected from 15 Chenpi varieties (citrus peel) across 13 major production regions in China using three dataset configurations: exocarp-facing-upward (Z), endocarp-facing-upward (F), and a fused dataset combining random orientations (ZF). Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were developed and compared with conventional machine learning models, including partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), support vector machines (SVMs), and a multilayer perceptron (MLP). The CNN model achieved 96.39% accuracy for varietal classification with the ZF dataset, while the Z-PLSDA model optimized with second derivative (D2) preprocessing and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) feature selection attained 91.67% accuracy in geographical origin discrimination. Feature wavelength selection strategies, such as CARS, simplified the model complexity while maintaining a classification performance comparable to that of the full-spectrum models. These findings demonstrated that HSI combined with deep learning could provide a rapid, nondestructive, and cost-effective solution for Chenpi quality assessment and origin traceability.

The rhizome of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. is a traditional Chinese medicine used extensively owing to its antimicrobial properties. It is utilized to treat nyctalopia and problems related to the gastrointestinal tract. However, its yield is limited because of its endangered status, long growth period, and restricted reproductive ability. Ancillary approaches have not been established to ensure sustainable resource utilization by applying efficient plant regeneration technologies and producing bioactive metabolites via genome editing. This study reports the effects of explants, hormones, and culture conditions on embryogenic callus induction, plant regeneration, adventitious and hairy root cultivation, and essential oil production. Embryogenic calli were successfully induced in MS and 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 1.0 mg/L NAA and 1/2MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mg/L 6-BA and 0.4 mg/L NAA, which were optimal for callus differentiation. Maximum proliferation (12-fold) of cluster buds was observed with a select combination of hormones [NAA (0.2 mg/L) and 6-BA (2.0 mg/L)]. “Efficient plant regeneration and bioactive metabolite production” can provide technical support for the protection and sustainable utilization of A. lancea germplasm resources in terms of resource preservation and new variety breeding, natural product production, and industrial breeding of medicinal plants.

Stephania tetrandra is a medicinal plant with ecological, germplasm, and economic value whose wild resources are increasingly constrained by overexploitation and climate change. To support conservation planning and sustainable cultivation, we quantified current and future potential habitat suitability across China using an ensemble species distribution modeling (SDM) framework and translated the outputs into climate-based priority areas for protection, germplasm safeguarding, monitoring, and phased cultivation trials. Occurrence records were compiled from multiple sources and preprocessed via cleaning and spatial thinning to reduce sampling bias. Current predictors were derived from WorldClim (1970–2000) and complemented with topographic and edaphic variables; future climates were represented by CMIP6 projections for the 2050s, 2070s, and 2090s under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5. Multiple algorithms were trained in a consistent cross-validation workflow and filtered using AUC (ROC) and TSS before generating a weighted ensemble (EMwmean). Current projections indicate a well-defined suitability core in the humid subtropical monsoon region south of the Yangtze River. Nationally, high-, moderate-, and low-suitability areas were estimated at 51.90 × 10⁴ km², 22.95 × 10⁴ km², and 31.05 × 10⁴ km², respectively. Future impacts are dominated by suitability-grade reallocation rather than a collapse of total suitable extent. Under SSP5-8.5 in the 2090s, high suitability declines to 13.32 × 10⁴ km² (≈74% reduction), accompanied by contraction of stable habitat (48.95 × 10⁴ km²) and expansion of loss areas (33.64 × 10⁴ km²), while gains remain limited (4.30 × 10⁴ km²). Extrapolation diagnostics (Multivariate Environmental Similarity Surface, MESS; Most Dissimilar Variable, MoD) highlight elevated uncertainty in northwestern arid/high-elevation and strongly seasonal transition zones. Environmental-space niche overlap decreases moderately (Schoener’s D = 0.51–0.67), indicating niche displacement and a narrowing suitability window. These results represent potential climatic habitat suitability rather than guaranteed future occupancy. They support prioritizing in situ protection and germplasm safeguarding in areas that are currently highly suitable and remain comparatively stable under future climates, while treating marginal gain zones as candidates for monitoring and carefully phased cultivation or introduction trials.

Background/Objective: Anoectochilus roxburghii, a high-value medicinal orchid, faces significant challenges in quality standardization during large-scale tissue culture due to a lack of understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. This study aimed to compare “Jianlan No.2” plantlets cultured under a conventional tissue culture system (CK) and a sugar-free tissue culture system (TD), to elucidate the phenotypic and molecular basis for quality improvement. Methods: A systematic comparison was conducted. Phenotypic traits of plantlets from both systems were measured. Integrated transcriptomic (RNA sequencing) and untargeted metabolomic analyses were employed to identify the molecular differences at the gene expression and metabolite accumulation levels. Results: TD-grown seedlings exhibited significantly superior growth characteristics, including greater plant height, higher rooting rate, and improved transplant survival. Transcriptomic analysis identified 416 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (44 upregulated, 372 downregulated in TD), which were significantly enriched in pathways related to cell wall organization, apoplast, and photosynthesis. Sixteen key genes were pinpointed as closely associated with seedling growth and metabolic regulation. Metabolomic profiling revealed 502 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), with significant perturbations primarily in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and terpenoid metabolism. Conclusions: The sugar-free tissue culture system enhances A. roxburghii seedling quality by coordinately modulating photosynthetic capacity, carbon metabolism, and the biosynthesis of key secondary metabolites. These findings provide a crucial molecular foundation for optimizing tissue culture protocols and advancing the standardized, high-quality cultivation of this valuable medicinal plant.

Global climate change profoundly impacts the geographical distribution patterns and evolutionary dynamics of plants. As a vital ornamental and ecological shrub native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, the wild germplasm resources of Weigela florida are facing dual threats from habitat fragmentation and climate warming. To elucidate the biogeographical mechanisms underlying the species’ responses to climate change and to formulate scientific conservation strategies, this study simulated the spatiotemporal dynamics of suitable habitats for W. florida across key historical periods spanning the Late Pliocene (~3.3 million years ago), Quaternary (~2.58 million years ago), the current period, and future climate scenarios using an optimized Maximum Entropy ecological niche model, and further tracked the migration trajectories of its spatial centroids. The results indicate that precipitation conditions, dry-season temperatures, and temperature seasonality are the dominant environmental factors limiting the distribution of wild W. florida. During the glacial–interglacial cycles, the area of its suitable habitat fluctuated significantly. Notably, the Korean Peninsula and the southern part of Northeast China maintained high habitat suitability across all geological historical periods, serving as long-term stable Quaternary glacial refugia for the species. Under various future climate scenarios, the total suitable habitat area of W. florida generally exhibits a shrinking trend, with habitat loss primarily concentrated at the western and southern edges of its distribution range. In the future, its spatial centroid shows a significant tendency to migrate towards higher latitudes (northeastward) to track suitable climatic niches. This study clarifies the macroscopic driving mechanisms behind the habitat dynamics of wild W. florida, providing critical spatial planning guidance for the refined evaluation and long-term sustainable utilization of its germplasm resources.