Severe water shortages limit horticultural crop growth and development, compromising production. A thorough understanding of novel tools to enhance stress tolerance in crops is crucial for coping with the growing environmental challenges to world crop production in this century. Chitosan water solutions at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 2, and 5 µM were applied to Dianthus caryophyllus (carnation) plants that were watered every two days or every six days for six weeks. Morphological, physiological, and metabolic indicators related to plant responses to water deficit were investigated. Chitosan-treated plants (0.5 and 2 µM) showed significant improvements in all growth features compared with the untreated plants during both regular and longer watering periods. Growth improvements in chitosan-treated plants were linked to higher chlorophyll, carbohydrate, proline, potassium, and calcium levels. Increases in phenol and free and total ascorbate levels were observed in the treated plants. Plants also had higher levels of antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase, in their leaves. The H₂O₂ accumulated to a lesser degree. Longer gaps between watering led to smaller plant sizes, which was considered a drought-avoidance response, linked to higher levels of carbohydrates, potassium, calcium, proline, and chlorophyll, helping the plants manage water pressure and stay hydrated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was controlled by enzymatic and non-enzymatic methods. Plant response mechanisms for enhanced drought resistance interact under chitosan treatment to improve plant performance under stress conditions.

 

Garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a nutritious crop whose productivity is limited by poor nutrient management, leading to delayed flowering and lower yields. This study examined the effects of phosphorus and foliar glycine application on the growth and yield of garden pea. It was carried out at the Horticulture Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Peshawar. The experiment used a Randomized Complete Block Design with two factors and three replications. Factor A was phosphorus levels (40, 60, and 80 kg ha⁻¹), while Factor B was glycine concentrations (0, 90, 180, and 270 mg L⁻¹). Both treatments significantly affected growth and yield traits, except for branches per plant. Applying phosphorus at 80 kg ha⁻¹ resulted in maximum plant height, leaves per plant, pods per plant, pod length and diameter, seeds per pod, chlorophyll content, hundred seed weight, root fresh weight, and pod yield, while also significantly reducing days to flowering and first harvest. Most growth and yield parameters at 80 kg ha⁻¹ phosphorus were similar to those at 60 kg ha⁻¹. Foliar applications of glycine at 270 mg L⁻¹ were most effective, improving plant height, leaf number, pod characteristics, seed parameters, chlorophyll content, root biomass, and overall yield by promoting earlier flowering and harvest compared to lower concentrations and control treatments. The study recommends combining phosphorus at 60 kg ha⁻¹ with foliar application of glycine at 270 mg L⁻¹ for optimal growth, yield, and early harvest of garden pea.

 

Wheat response to adequate zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) nutrition has been widely reported in Pakistan, due to their soil deficiency, however, their interactive effect has not been well established. We evaluated wheat (cv. MSH-14) response to co-application of Zn and Cu following a randomized complete block design with three repeats. Eight treatments were involved: a control with no Zn or Cu, three Zn levels @ 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 kg ha-1 applied alone, or each combined with 2.5 kg Cu ha-1, and a sole Cu treatment @ 2.5 kg ha-1. The crop also received a blanket fertilizer dose @ 150-90-00 kg N-P-K ha-1. Co-application of Zn and Cu (5.0-2.5 kg ha-1) significantly (p

This study was conducted to determine the effects of nano-fertilizer foliar application of Loenergy Plus® and seaweed extract on Pistacia vera L seedlings. The experiment was conducted under a vegetable lath house at department of Horticulture and landscaping, college of Agriculture, University of Kerbala. The objective was to rapidly achieve mass production of strong seedlings that acclimate to different external environments. The research tested three levels of seaweed extract (0, 1, and 2 ml L⁻¹) and three levels of Loenergy Plus® (0, 0.5, and 1 ml L⁻¹). The following parameters seedlings height, stem diameter, leaf area, total chlorophyll concentration and stored: nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) were recorded Both Loenergy Plus® and seaweed extract significantly enhanced seedling height (up to 41.44 cm), stem diameter (0.72 mm), leaves number (46.48 leaves plant⁻¹), leaf area (23.44 cm²), chlorophyll content (53.65 SPAD), and leaf N (2.83%), P (0.33%), and K (1.84%) concentrations. The best results were obtained with 1 ml L⁻¹ Loenergy Plus® combined with 2 ml L⁻¹ seaweed extract is actionable for nurseries, with all main effects and interactions significant (p≤0.05). It appears that a combination of nano-fertilizers and Seaweed extract might be effective in promoting the growth, vigor, and nutrient status of Pistacia seedlings.

This study investigated the effects of different cultivation conditions on the quality of Liaoning sweet cherries in China. using the main cultivated variety, ‘Hongdeng’, as the experimental material, we analyzed how factors such as month, region, greenhouse age, greenhouse film parameters, and different cultivation facilities influence fruit quality. May harvests showed higher sugar (10.48%) and firmness (3.15 kg/cm2), but lower vitamin C (5.46 mg/100g) and protein (947 µg/g) compared to April. Jinzhou and Zhuanghe regions exhibited optimal total sugar content and nutritional indicators due to fertile soil and suitable temperature differences. The light blue 0.1mm greenhouse film treatment increased sugar content (15.53%) by 36.4% compared to white film, while white film yielded the highest Vitamin C content (7.11 mg/100g). The north-south orientation resulted in yielded 12.3% higher Vitamin C and protein content than east-west orientation, but 18.7% lower sugar content. This study provides optimized cultivation recommendations for Liaoning cherries: white-film solar greenhouses are recommended for early-ripening areas, while light blue-film plastic greenhouses are suitable for late-ripening areas. Harvest timing should be selected based on market demand—April for high-nutrient fruit or May for superior taste. This research offers scientific basis for optimizing sweet cherry cultivation conditions and enhancing quality, and has important implications for guiding local agricultural production and promoting industrial development.

 

Understanding the impact of edaphic factors on leaf functional traits is crucial for predicting plant responses to global climate change; however, substantial knowledge gaps remain regarding how leaf trait respond to soil factors under changing climatic conditions. This study examined leaf functional trait variation in a Himalayan shrub Rubus ellipticus across soil gradients using multiple linear mixed effect model and generalized additive mixed model approaches. Among morphological traits plant height and leaf area responded positively to soil pH, calcium (Ca) and total nitrogen (TN) but declined consistently with potassium (K) and electrical conductivity (EC) demonstrating soil fertility promotes biomass accumulation whereas ionic imbalance constrain growth. Anatomical traits exhibited sclerenchyma thickness and trichome density enhanced with TOC and stomatal density with TN whereas metaxylem vessel area and stomatal density significantly reduced with TN and Ca respectively reflecting shifts in structural defense and allocation patterns. Physiological traits i.e., proline, total soluble sugars (TSS), chlorophylls and carotenoids were positively associated with pH, EC and TOC but declined strongly with K suggesting nutrient and ion-mediated regulation of osmotic adjustment and pigment investment. Correlation analysis revealed that anatomical traits were more tightly coordinated than physiological traits, while several trait groups responded independently, indicating partial decoupling across functional dimensions. Multivariate analysis showed distinct trait-soil association patterns, reflecting divergent resource use strategies. The study suggests that high variance in different sets of leaf functional traits in Rubus ellipticus differ greatly in adaptability to soil conditions and decoupling of leaf functional traits suggests that plant traits can vary self-sufficiently for more possible plant trait assemblages

 

Based on transcriptomic data, this study screened and validated reference genes in Saposhnikovia divaricate under low-temperature stress. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments were conducted, combined with computer software tools such as geNorm, NormFinder, Best Keeper, Delta Ct, and Ref Finder, to identify stably expressed reference genes in the leaves, stems, and roots of S. divaricata. The reliability of the selected reference genes was verified by analyzing the expression changes of the sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) gene under low-temperature conditions. A total of 8 candidate reference genes were screened in this study. The results showed that 18SrRNA-2 exhibited the most stable expression in roots and stems, while 18SrRNA-1 showed the most stable expression in leaves. These findings are of great significance for subsequent studies on changes in the content of active substances in S. divaricate under abiotic stress, as they can improve the standardization of qRT-PCR experiments and provide support for research related to gene expression in S. divaricata.

 

Lead (Pb) is a highly toxic heavy metal that severely impairs plant growth by disrupting key physiological and biochemical processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, and enzymatic activity. The application of soil amendments that enhance metal immobilization and improve plant resilience represents a promising strategy for mitigating Pb toxicity. In this context, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), a hydrophilic polymer known for improving soil moisture retention and nutrient availability, and nitrilotriacetic acid–chelated biochar (NTA-BC), recognized for its metal-complexing capacity and nutrient retention, were evaluated individually and in combination for their effectiveness in alleviating Pb stress in maize. A pot experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with six treatments: 0HEC+0NTA-BC, 5HEC+0NTA-BC, 10HEC+0NTA-BC, 0HEC+0.75NTA-BC, 5HEC+0.75NTA-BC, and 10HEC+0.75NTA-BC, applied under two Pb regimes (0 and 600 mg kg⁻¹ soil) with four replications. Lead stress markedly reduced maize growth, biomass accumulation, and photosynthetic performance. However, the combined application of HEC and NTA-BC significantly mitigated these adverse effects, with the 10HEC+0.75NTA-BC treatment exhibiting the most pronounced improvement under Pb stress. This treatment increased shoot length (26.73%), shoot fresh weight (13.26%), shoot dry weight (56.74%), root length (51.88%), root fresh weight (64.51%), and root dry weight (81.29%) relative to the Pb-stressed control. Moreover, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll contents were increased by 10.65%, 10.90%, and 12.60%, respectively, indicating enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. Enhanced leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations further confirmed improved nutrient uptake and metabolic functioning. Overall, the synergistic application of HEC and NTA-chelated biochar effectively alleviated Pb-induced toxicity, enhanced plant growth, and improved physiological performance in maize. The use of 10HEC+0.75NTA-BC is therefore recommended as a sustainable soil amendment for improving crop productivity in Pb-contaminated soils

This study revealed the phylogenetic relationships within 26 taxa of Hypericum L., a genus well represented in the Turkish flora, utilizing nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL 3ˈ‒trnF regions. Among the studied species, seven of them are endemic to Turkey, including H. confertum subsp. stenobotrys (Boiss.) Holmboe, H. ekerii Yüce, Aytaç & Pınar, H. elongatum var. antasiaticum (Grossh.) N. Robson , H. pseudolaeve N. Robson , H. scabroides N. Robson & Poulter, H. thymbrifolium Boiss. & Noë  and H. uniglandulosum Hausskn. ex Bornm. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were performed using the Maximum Likelihood (ML) methods. The ITS dataset resolved three distinct clades. Clade I comprised species from Hypericum sect. Hirtella and sect. Taeniocarpium. Clade II encompassed taxa from sect. Drosocarpium, sect. Hypericum, and sect. Crossophyllum. Clade III was represented by sect. Androsaemum (only H. hircinum). The trnL-3ˈ trnF phylogenetic tree largely aligns with the ITS phylogeny, exhibiting similar major clades. However, H. hircinum L. did not form a distinct clade as observed in the ITS tree, and discrepancies were also noted at lower taxonomic levels. A strongly monophyletic and recently diverged lineage was affirmed for H. lysimachioides var. spathulatum N. Robson and H. lysimachioides Boiss. & Noë var. lysimachioides, and no molecular differentiation was observed between these two varieties. Significantly, H. ekerii, an endemic and critically endangered species, was included for the first time in a molecular phylogenetic study, clustering within Clade I.

 

 

This study quantifies long‑term vegetation change in Kaghan Valley (Mansehra District, KPK, Pakistan) using multi‑temporal cloud-free March Landsat NDVI data from 1995–2025 and classified into four canopy‑density classes. Results reveal a notable increase in high-density forest cover post-2010: for example, very-dense forest in Kamalban increased by approximately 17% (from 2.03 km² in 1995 to 2.38 km² in 2025), and sparse areas reduced by over 58%. Manshi showed sharp NDVI fluctuations, including an 88% decline in very-dense forest between 2010 and 2020, followed by rapid recovery. Nagan showed modest improvements, with moderate and dense vegetation increasing slightly. These trends align with afforestation efforts under the Billion Tree Tsunami (2014–2017). The findings confirm that NDVI is an effective tool for monitoring forest restoration in Himalayan regions, with satellite evidence supporting significant canopy recovery linked to regional reforestation programs.

To address the low automation and poor precision of traditional Plug Tray Seedling Cultivation (PTSC), this study developed a novel intelligent PTSC model integrating AI with mass production. The system incorporates a YOLOv11 large model, machine vision, deep learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) into a unified production line. This integrated system automates the entire process, including soil spreading, hole pressing, sowing, watering, and visual inspection. Prototype testing and core functionality verification were conducted to evaluate the system’s performance. Results demonstrate that the system achieves full automation, precise control, and real-time visualization throughout the PTSC workflow. The findings validate the feasibility of this technical solution, effectively enhancing cultivation efficiency and seedling quality. This research provides a robust framework for implementing intelligent, lean production in the commercial vegetable cultivation industry.

 

Clematis tenuifolia Royle is an important medicinal plant of the Ranunculaceae family with great relevance in Tibetan medicine. The research used an adjusted MaxEnt model and ArcGIS software, which incorporates multi-source environmental information such as climate, soil and human activity, to predict the existing and future potential distribution of the appropriate habitat of Clematis tenuifolia across four CMIP6 climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6 to SSP5-8.5). This study identified the key environmental influences and analyzed the spatial variation properties. The results show that: (1) Important ecological variables affecting distribution include the ratio of the diurnal and annual temperature range (bio3), mean temperature of the wettest season (bio8), and mean temperature of the driest season (bio9); (2) Based on the existing situation, the total area of the suitable habitat is about 103.97 × 104 km2, and most of it is located in southern Tibet and southwestern Sichuan; (3) In future climate scenario, the area of suitability shows a strong tendency to shrink. The high-suitability region withdraws to localized regions in southeastern parts of Tibet, whereas the center of gravity of the suitable region, as a whole, moves southeast towards the Bomi–Medog area of Nyingchi City. These results suggest that the seasonal temperature change is the main factor that influences the distribution of Clematis tenuifolia, and its suitable habitat will be reduced in size and shifted to small-scale locations in southeastern Tibet. Consequently, future efforts should prioritise the protection of potential "climatic refuges" in the Bomi–Medog region of southeastern Tibet. Concurrently, dynamic monitoring and sustainable utilisation of existing high-suitability habitats in southern Tibet and southwestern Sichuan must be emphasised to mitigate the distribution contraction risks posed by climate change to this species.

The present study is based on monitoring the state of the natural vegetation cover in the western part of the Kyrgyz Alatau in order to identify major changes in vegetation from the perspective of natural regionalization, and to develop classification schemes for analyzing plant communities. Studying the composition and structure of vegetation in specific regions allows for the identification of floristic connections among various phyto-geographical areas.

In recent years, the flora of the western part of the Kyrgyz Alatau, within the territory of Kazakhstan, has been insufficiently studied. Despite occasional visits by botanists, the flora of the western Kyrgyz Alatau remains insufficiently researched. The species composition, ecology, and distribution of individual species within the region are not fully identified. Field research on the flora species of the western Kyrgyz Alatau was conducted from May to September in accordance with the schedule of expedition and fieldwork, and was also based on herbarium materials collected by the author and colleagues. The coordinates of the plant collection sites in the western part of the Kyrgyz Alatau were determined using the GPS navigation method. The primary research method was the route-survey method. Nine expedition routes covering the western part of the Kyrgyz Alatau were developed.

Due to the long-standing difficulties in studying the flora composition of these regions, the conducted research is aimed at inventorying the floristic diversity of the western part of the Kyrgyz range. A floral study of the vegetation of the Kyrgyz Alatau range was conducted, and based on the present study and existing literature 86 families, 501 genera and 1,471 species were identified.

In the Zhambyl region, the most vulnerable plant communities—steppe ecosystems—are the result of the combined impact of human and natural factors. Floristic research forms the foundation for any phyto-geographical analysis. The materials presented in this article are of practical importance for conducting scientific research in regions where issues related to changes in the natural environment and climate are especially relevant. Solving these issues is important not only for Kazakhstan, but also for the global community

Sub-tropical Chir pine forests are one of the most important forest ecosystems. Unfortunately, our forests are depleting at alarming rate. To address this problem, this study was designed. The study area was District Rawalpindi, including Murree, Kahuta and Kotli Sattian, the study was conducted to find out regeneration of Chir pine in district Rawalpindi through Spatio-temporal changes. The temporal changes were detected between 1999-2024 (2004-2009, 2009-2014, 2014-2019 and 2019-2024) by using satellites namely MODIS, Land Sat 8 and Sentinel 2 respectively.  The trend in Chir pine cover during 1999-2004 was moderate, dense Chir pine cover was highest covering an area of 396 km2. This positive trend was due to less deforestation. In 2004-2009 a slight decrease in dense Chir pine cover was observed, the reason for negative trend was deforestation or land use changes, in between 2009-2014 a dense Chir pine area remained largely stable due to local conservation efforts or natural growth in certain areas and less Chir pine area increased from previous years, 2014-2019 highest value of dense Chir pine cover was recorded as 634 km2. This shift reflects ecological restoration projects or changes in local land management practices, in years 2019-2024 dense Chir pine forests showing decrease in some pockets due to fire, and moderate dense Chir pine increased.

 

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is a key ornamental species widely cultivated across the Mediterranean and Middle East. This plant is an economically valuable decorative horticultural element worldwide, recognized for its esthetic, cultural, and medicinal importance. However, Fusarium oxysporum, a soil-borne fungal pathogen responsible for severe wilt diseases, frequently hinders its commercial production. The present study evaluated the influence of 5% (w/w) soil incorporation of dried Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) leaves on the performance of carnation plants challenged with F. oxysporum isolates ARF1 and ARF2. Both fungal strains were obtained from locally diseased plants and molecularly characterized by sequencing the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1α) gene. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling of essential oils from the basil-amended soil indicated compositional shifts, including reductions in certain monoterpenes (e.g., linalool, geraniol, and cineole) and some sesquiterpenes, along with elevated levels of others such as caryophyllene. Carnation plants grown in basil-amended soil exhibited markedly lower wilt severity than those cultivated in unamended, infected soil. Furthermore, basil amendment substantially improved plant growth and physiological traits—such as plant height, branch proliferation, fresh and dry biomass, root elongation, flower production, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration, and stomatal conductance. These findings suggest that soil enrichment with dried basil leaves mitigates F. oxysporum infection through multiple mechanisms, including enhanced physiological resilience, enhanced gas exchange parameters, and modulation of soil biochemical interactions. Overall, the results highlight the potential of O. basilicum leaf residues as a sustainable, plant-based soil amendment for reducing Fusarium wilt and improving overall vigor in carnation cultivation

Freshwater constitutes approximately 2.5% of the total water on earth, of which 70% is stored in glaciers and polar ice caps, while 30% exists in liquid form. Of this, < 1% is directly accessible for human consumption. The increasing scarcity of freshwater resources underscores the need for sustainable and efficient greywater treatment solutions. Therefore, this review aims to explore integrated biotechnological strategies using Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) and Helianthus annuus (sunflower) for effective greywater remediation. These plant species exhibit significant phytoremediation potential owing to their rapid growth, high biomass production, and ability to accumulate and detoxify diverse contaminants, including heavy metals, organic pollutants, and nutrients. The mechanisms underlying pollutant uptake, translocation, and detoxification were discussed in detail, alongside their physiological and molecular adaptations to greywater-induced stress. Additionally, the role of plant-associated rhizospheric interactions in enhancing treatment efficiency was highlighted. This review explores the challenges and potential of scaling plant-based biotechnological systems for cost-effective, eco-friendly greywater reuse

Chromate (CrO₄²⁻) poses severe environmental and health risks due to its carcinogenicity and persistence. This study investigates External Eclectic Field (EEF)-assisted chromate degradation and microbial toxicity alleviation through integrated density functional theory (DFT) simulations and Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) reactor experiments. Results demonstrate that External Electric Field (EEF) exposure induces structural distortion in chromate ions, weakening Cr-O bonds and accelerating degradation via enhanced tunneling dissociation. Microbial analyses reveal that moderate External Electric Field (EEF) intensities promote enzymatic activity and electron transfer, Microbial analyses reveal that moderate EEF intensities promote enzymatic activity and electron transfer, significantly improving chromate reduction efficiency, with Cr(VI) concentration decreasing by over 35% at an optimal EEF intensity of 0.050 a.u. Conversely, excessive EXTERNAL ELECTRIC FIELD (EEF) inhibits microbial growth and disrupts denitrification pathways. Critically, functional gene shifts driven by Thauera populations sustain ecosystem functionality despite biodiversity loss. These findings establish EEF as a tunable strategy for chromium-contaminated environment remediation, balancing degradation efficiency with ecological safety.

 

This study provides a comprehensive overview of nanotechnology in plant science, addressing its classification, preparation methods, physicochemical properties, and application prospects. Particular attention is given to recent research progress and the potential safety risks associated with plant responses to environmental stresses. Furthermore, the study outlines key problems and challenges that nanotechnology is expected to face in the future. The primary objective is to offer theoretical guidance and strategic insights that can inform and inspire deeper investigations in these related fields.

Rice (Oryza sativa) is the most widely consumed staple foods worldwide, and Pakistan is an important rice-producing and exporting country. Among the various biotic and abiotic factors affecting rice yield, Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae (Xoo), is considered a major threat to rice production. Developing rice varieties with inherent genetic resistance is an economical and eco-friendly approach to managing the disease. Therefore, the current study is conducted to identify and characterize locally collected rice germplasm for BLB resistance. A total of 23 rice genotypes were collected from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Punjab regions and analyzed for the presence of the resistance genes Xa5 and Xa7.  The extracted DNA was further subjected to PCR amplification using gene-linked primers. The results revealed that Xa5 and Xa7 genes were present in all genotypes except UD-205 and UD-201. UD-205 lacked Xa5 but had Xa7 gene whereas UD-201 possessed Xa5 but lacked the Xa7 gene. Genetic similarity analysis based on the presence of these genes, divided the local germplasms into three main clusters showing genetic diversity in rice germplasm. Further dendrogram analysis revealed strong genetic relationships among rice germplasms. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic diversity of BLB resistance in local rice germplasm and contributes to the development of more resistant and climate-resilient rice cultivars, thereby contributing to sustainable rice production.

 

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a significant fruit crop that has high nutritional, economic and genetic values. The genetic relationships among 24 pomegranate accessions (18 local genotypes from Mardin, 5 registered cultivars and 1 Siirt Seedless genotype) were analyzed using chloroplast trnL-F sequence and ISSR markers. The fragments of the trnL-F region were amplified and the fragments were around 450 bp. All accessions were clustered together in the Neighbor-Joining analysis, except genotype 15 (accession 47 N 15), which was on a separate branch. Maximum likelihood analysis gave higher resolution, and yielded three large clusters with genotype 15 appearing separately. Initially, a total of 23 ISSR primers were screened, and six of them were selected because they produced clear, reproducible, and polymorphic band patterns. A total of 30 amplified bands were generated by these primers, with an overall polymorphism level of 60%, which included 18 polymorphic bands. Polymorphism rates ranged from 33% to 83%, and PIC values varied between 0.13 and 0.37, with the highest values obtained from primer UBC845. UPGMA clustering and PCoA revealed genetic differentiation among the ac-cessions, with genotype 1 (accession 47 N 01) showing the most distinct position in the ISSR dendrogram. Overall, ISSR markers provided higher discriminatory power than the chloroplast trnL-F region. The results indicate that southeastern Turkish pomegranate germplasm contains detectable genetic diversity and includes divergent accessions that may be useful for future conservation and breeding studies.