Commiphora gileadensis L. is an important endangered medicinal plant that belongs to the family Burseraceae. In this study, C. gileadensis callus culture was established successfully using mature leaves as explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 24.50 μM of indole butyric acid (IBA) and 2.22 μM 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) (callus induction media). The obtained callus was maintained on MS medium supplemented with 16.11 μM naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in combination with 6.66 μM BAP, which resulted in a substantial increase in callus fresh and dry weights. The cell suspension culture was established successfully using liquid callus induction media supplemented with 3.0 mg·L⁻¹ proline. Thereafter, the chemical constituents of different C. gileadensis methanolic extracts (callus, cell suspension, leaves, and seeds) were profiled, and their cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties were investigated. The LC-MS GNPS analyses were applied for chemical profiling of the methanolic plant extracts, and several natural products were identified, including flavonols, flavanones, and flavonoids glycosides, with two unusual families that included puromycin, 10-hydroxycamptothecin, and justicidin B. The methanolic extracts have shown selective antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties against different microbes and cancer cell lines. For instance, leaf extract showed the highest zone of inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus, while cell suspension culture was effective against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. All extracts showed selective activity against A549 cell lines for the cytotoxicity assay, while the leaf extract had a broad cytotoxic effect against all tested cell lines. This study revealed that C. gileadensis callus and cell suspension cultures can be employed to increase the in vitro formation of biologically active compounds that may have cytotoxicity and antibacterial action against different cancer cell lines and bacterial species. Further studies are required to isolate and identify such constituents that corroborate the observed activities.

Skin separation (puffiness) is a critical physiological disorder that significantly reduces the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit’s visual appearance and quality. The objectives of this study were to analyze fruit anatomy in skin-separated and normal date palm (var. Mejhoul) fruit and to assess the microclimatic conditions (temperature and relative humidity) during the fruit developmental stages and their association with skin separation. Fruit anatomy analysis was carried at different growth stages (Kimri-Khalal, Khalal, Rutab and Tamr) for two growing seasons. In addition, microclimatic conditions (specifically, temperature, and relative humidity) as well as soil moisture content were assessed across the study period 2020 and 2021. The anatomical analysis of the date palm fruit revealed that the exocarp or skin (cuticle, epidermis, hypodermis) thickness were quite similar across the developmental stages and over the study period (2020, 2021). Conversely, significantly more sclereid cells were found in skin-separated fruit (compared to normal fruit) at the Tamr stage. At that stage (Tamr), the percentage increase in sclereid cell number in skin-separated fruit ranged from 34–183%, sclereid clusters number 23–92%, cluster area 37–206%, and cluster perimeter 25–64%, as compared to normal fruit. In addition, sclereid cells at skin-separated areas of the fruit were clustered together, forming a chain of aggregates underneath the fruit skin, and were closer (42–50%, than normal) to the cuticle, leading to the partial separation of the exocarp from the fruit mesocarp. Although the weather data were similar across the growing seasons (temperatures, 33–34 °C; relative humidity, 45–46%), skin separation occurred in 14–15% of total fruit in 2020 and 30–34% in 2021. Therefore, we believe that skin separation disorder is not as heavily weather dependent as it seems to have been thought. In conclusion, changes in microclimate conditions were not the conclusive component for inducing the skin separation physiological disorder in date palm fruit. Further studies are required to identify the main factors that stimulate the development of sclereid clusters aggregates and the potential of agricultural practices to reduce skin separation.

The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus is an integrated conceptual tool for achieving sustainable development especially for countries facing limitations in one or more of its three pillars. The approach relies on bringing different stakeholders from the water, food and energy sectors together to collaboratively plan and adopt a holistic approach to resources management. This enables them to address sector-specific issues and develop a comprehensive understanding of the connected sectors leading to better outcomes. However, WEF nexus implementation is currently in its infancy in many countries and stakeholders are in the process of learning how to effectively communicate and collaborate with each other. In this paper, we report the state of the WEF nexus in Jordan, a dry country grappling with water, energy and food production challenges in a changing climate. Stakeholders from line ministries, academics, private sector players and non-state actors were brought together to discuss the status of the WEF nexus and identify challenges that need to be overcome for full realization of the WEF nexus as an operational framework for integrated development at country level. Stakeholders identified 7 cardinal lessons in the process of WEF nexus implementation in Jordan. These are that (i) data/information sharing is vital (ii) WEF nexus requires funding, (iii) collaborations among actors is key, (iv) inclusivity in planning is necessary, (v) clear responsibilities and boundaries among stakeholders are needed, (vi) sustainability and cohesion are a must and (vii) building trust among and within organizations is a primary ingredient for success. A deeper understanding of the interrelated dynamics of these challenges is required to foster the WEF nexus in Jordan as the issues are grave but not insurmountable. It is therefore suggested that deliberate efforts are needed from a technical and policy angle to ensure full operationalization of the WEF nexus approach in Jordan and elsewhere.

Background: Hawthorn is the common name of all plant species in the genus Crataegus, which belongs to the Rosaceae family. Crataegus are considered useful medicinal plants because of their high content of proanthocyanidins (PAs) and other related compounds. To improve PAs production in Crataegus tissues, the sequences of genes encoding PAs biosynthetic enzymes are required. Findings: Different bioinformatics tools, including BLAST, multiple sequence alignment and alignment PCR analysis were used to design primers suitable for the amplification of DNA fragments from 10 candidate genes encoding enzymes involved in PAs biosynthesis in C. aronia. DNA sequencing results proved the utility of the designed primers. The primers were used successfully to amplify DNA fragments of different PAs biosynthesis genes in different Rosaceae plants. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of the alignment PCR approach to isolate DNA sequences encoding PAs biosynthetic enzymes in Rosaceae plants.

Fertilizer is a crucial subject as it affects plant growth besides the surrounding soil environment and the environment at large. Deep water percolation usually drains excess soluble fertilizers to the underground water reservoirs. Finding the most proper fertilizer that can gradually and efficiently feed plants' requirement from nutrients and keep good interaction with soil, microorganisms and the surrounding environment can be promising. Conventional fertilizers have been in use for decades. The development of nanoparticulate fertilizers is becoming a trend in the industry. Plants and soil interact positively or negatively with nanoparticles depending on nanoparticle type, concentration, and level. Nano-size particles are premium fertilizers when taken in precise levels, sizes, and types, and given to the most proper plants; they can provide great advantages to the plants and surrounding environment. Microsize particle fertilizer can be promising, but the topic needs further studies.

Most of Jordan’s arid and semi-arid areas have suffered land degradation and a decline in plant biodiversity, making non-conventional water resources essential for enhancing dryland productivity. Olive oil production in Mediterranean countries generates large amounts of olive mill wastewater (OMW), locally known as “Zibar,” a source of environmental pollution due to its high acidity and heavy loads of polyphenols and organics. We assessed the phytotoxicity of OMW at five concentrations (0–100%) on seed germination and early seedling growth of two dryland native plants, Atriplex halimus and Achillea fragrantissima, to evaluate their suitability for revegetation of OMW-affected sites. The final germination percentage was unaffected by OMW concentration in either species, but the seedling vigor index declined significantly under treatment in both. In Achillea fragrantissima, the germination index, root length, and fresh weight were significantly reduced even at the lowest OMW concentration tested, indicating high sensitivity. In Atriplex halimus, significant reductions in shoot length and fresh weight emerged mainly at higher concentrations, indicating comparatively greater tolerance. These results suggest Atriplex halimus is a more promising candidate for further evaluation in diluted OMW reuse, while highlighting the need for species-specific testing before recommending dryland plants for OMW-affected environments.