This case study was conducted to quantify the effects of urban greenspace patterns on particle matter (PM) concentration in Zhengzhou, China by using redundancy and variation partitioning analysis. Nine air-quality monitoring stations (AQMS) were selected as the central points. Six distances of 1 km, 2 km, 3 km, 4 km, 5 km, and 6 km were selected as the side lengths of the squares with each AQMS serving as the central point, respectively. We found: (1) the fine size of PM (PM_2.5) and coarse size of PM (PM₁₀) among four seasons showed significant differences; during winter, the concentration of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were both highest, and PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentration in summer were lowest. (2) To effectively reduce the PM_2.5 pollution, the percentage of greenspace, the differences in areas among greenspace patches, and the edge complexity of greenspace patches should be increased at distances of 2 km and 3 km. To effectively reduce PM₁₀, the percentage of greenspace at a distance of 4 km, the edge density at distances of 2 km and 4 km, and the average area of greenspace patches at a distance of 1 km should be increased. (3) Greenspace pattern significantly affected PM_2.5 at a distance of 3 km, and PM₁₀ at a distance of 4 km. From shorter distance to longer distance, the proportion of variance explained by greenspace showed a decline–increase–decline–increase trend for PM_2.5, and a decline–increase–decline trend for PM₁₀. At shorter distances, the composition of greenspace was more effective in reducing the PM pollution, and the configuration of greenspace played a more important role at longer distances. The results should lead to specific guidelines for more cost-effective and environmentally sound greenspace planning.

Anthurium andreanum was one of the best indoor ornamental plants. Two cultivars of Anthurium andreanum (Pink Champion, Alabama) were used to investigate the effects of light quality on physiological and biochemical indexes. There were six different light quality treatments: Fluorescent Daylight Lamp (CK), and RB (100% Blue, 60% R + 40% B, 70% R + 30% B, 80% R + 20% B, 100% Red) provided by light emitting diodes (LED). The results showed that blue light was beneficial to shoot growth and dry matter accumulation, photosynthetic rate, soluble sugar, and POD activities. Red light was beneficial for the synthesis and accumulation of soluble protein, and could promote root growth. ‘Pink Champion’ and ‘Alabama’ obtained the relatively better morphological parameters, chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic parameters, and antioxidant enzyme activities in 7:3 and 6:4 treatments. The antioxidant enzyme (POD, SOD) activities under composite light of red and blue treatments were better than that of monochromatic red, blue light treatments and CK on the whole. Comprehensive evaluation showed that the treatment of 7:3 was a suitable light environment indoors and could be used as the preferred light quality ratio in the production and application of Anthurium andreanum.

Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) is a woody plant with high ornamental, medicinal, and oil values. However, its low rooting rate and poor rooting quality are bottleneck issues in the micropropagation of P. ostii. The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) family plays a crucial role in root development. In this study, based on the screening of the genome and root transcriptome database, we identified ten WOX members in P. ostii. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the ten PoWOX proteins clustered into three major clades, the WUS, intermediate, and ancient clade, respectively. The conserved motifs and tertiary structures of PoWOX proteins located in the same clade exhibited higher similarity. The analysis of cis-regulatory elements in the promoter indicated that PoWOX genes are involved in plant growth and development, phytohormones, and stress responses. The expression analysis revealed that PoWOX genes are expressed in distinct tissues. PoWOX4, PoWOX5, PoWOX11, and PoWOX13b are preferentially expressed in roots at the early stage of root primordium formation, suggesting their role in the initiation and development of roots. These results will provide a comprehensive reference for the evolution and potential function of the WOX family and offer guidance for further study on the root development of tree peony.

The low-light environments under urban viaducts significantly hinder plant growth and development. An in-depth study of the plasticity response mechanisms and survival strategies of plants in these conditions is crucial for selecting appropriate species. This study examined how light intensity affects leaf plasticity in four plants (Ophiopogon japonicus, Pittosporum tobira, Euonymus japonicus, and Ligustrum sinense) under two representative urban viaducts and how they respond to changes in light intensity in Zhengzhou City. The leaf morphology, physiological photosynthesis, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence parameters were analyzed at three light intensities (one natural full-light and two viaduct-shaded low-light environments.): CK (full light), T1 (21.29%–25.99%), and T2 (5.16%–8.20%). The results showed that (1) with decreasing light intensity, most plants showed reductions in leaf thickness (LT), palisade and spongy tissue thickness (PT, ST), net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (G_s), and F_v/F_m and F_v′/F_m′, while leaf area, Chl content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content increase, with antioxidant enzyme activity also rising. The photosynthetic indicators of O. japonicus first increased and then decreased. (2) The overall plasticity of the plants ranked from high to low as follows: O. japonicus > E. japonicus > P. tobira > L. sinense. O. japonicus showed the strongest adaptability through comprehensive photosynthetic physiology and antioxidant mechanisms, with a wide light tolerance range. E. japonicus relied more on adjustments in photosynthetic and anatomical structures, as well as leaf area. P. tobira improved light tolerance by modifying leaf area, epidermal structure, and physiological traits. L. sinense had the lowest adaptability, relying on limited antioxidant enzymes and leaf thickness adjustments. (3) In conclusion, plant plasticity is primarily reflected through photosynthetic and physiological traits. High plasticity in these parameters is key for plants to adapt to thrive in dynamic low-light environments. Therefore, when greening viaduct-shaded areas, it is crucial to consider the light environment and the light adaptability range of different plant species. Plants with high photosynthetic and physiological plasticity should be selected to ensure the optimal growth and development of plants in shaded areas.

Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) is a significant medicinal plant. However, the low rooting number is a bottleneck problem in the micropropagation protocols of P. ostii ‘Fengdan’. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) is closely related to root development. But research on the SOD gene’s impact on rooting is still lacking. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to analyze the four crucial stages of root development in P. ostii ‘Fengdan’ seedlings, including the early root primordium formation stage (Gmfq), root primordium formation stage (Gmf), root protrusion stage (Gtq), and root outgrowth stage (Gzc). A total of 141.77 GB of data were obtained; 71,718, 29,804, and 24,712 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the comparison groups of Gmfq vs. Gmf, Gmf vs. Gtq, and Gtq vs. Gzc, respectively. Among the 20 most highly expressed DEGs in the three comparison groups, only the CuZnSOD gene (SUB13202229, PoSOD) was found to be significantly expressed in Gtq vs. Gzc. The overexpression of PoSOD increased the number of adventitious roots and promoted the activities of peroxidase (POD) and SOD in P. ostii ‘Fengdan’. The gene ADVENTITIOUS ROOTING RELATED OXYGENASE1 (PoARRO-1), which is closely associated with the development of adventitious roots, was also significantly upregulated in overexpressing PoSOD plants. Furthermore, PoSOD interacted with PoARRO-1 in yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and biomolecular luminescence complementation (BiFC) assays. In conclusion, PoSOD could interact with PoARRO-1 and enhance the root development of tube plantlets in P. ostii ‘Fengdan’. This study will help us to preliminarily understand the molecular mechanism of adventitious root formation and improve the root quality of tree peony and other medicinal plants.

Clarifying the driving mechanisms of ecosystem service (ES) supply and demand under urbanization is of significant importance for urban ecological planning and management. However, how the balance of ES supply and demand and its driving mechanisms vary with the degree of urbanization has been little studied. In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal changes and the correlations between ES supply and demand and the degree of urbanization in the Zhengzhou Metropolitan Area (ZZMA) from 2000 to 2020 and further explored the driving mechanisms behind these changes. The results showed that, (1) between 2000 and 2020, the ZZMA experienced a deficit in comprehensive ES supply and demand, and regions with rapid urbanization development were more likely to trigger imbalances in ES supply and demand; (2) the spatial mismatch between low–high ES supply and demand was primarily distributed in the built-up areas of various cities, while the high–low spatial mismatch was mostly found in forest and grassland areas; (3) the comprehensive urbanization level of the ZZMA was spatially negatively correlated with the ratio of ES supply and demand. Regions with lower ES balance were more susceptible to disturbances caused by urbanization; (4) population density was the key factor influencing the supply and demand of carbon sequestration, oxygen release, water conservation, and food provision services, while the proportions of forest land and construction areas had the greatest influence on the supply and demand of air purification and leisure services. It is important to ensure the ecological status of the northwestern, southwestern, and central mountainous and forested areas; maintain the agricultural status of the main grain-producing areas in the eastern plains; strengthen ecological restoration and green infrastructure in built-up areas; and formulate differentiated management policies to promote the sustainable supply of ES and safeguard the ecological security of the region.