Background: Arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.), a member of the Brassicaceae family, is a globally cultivated salad vegetable prized for its distinct pungent flavor and nutritional value. Despite its long history of cultivation, its precise geographic origins, domestication trajectory, and the genetic basis of key agronomic traits remain poorly understood. A comprehensive genomic investigation is essential to unravel its evolutionary history and accelerate modern breeding efforts.

Methods: We performed whole-genome resequencing on a diverse panel of 150 E. sativa accessions, encompassing wild relatives and cultivated landraces from across its native range. Using a high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) dataset, we conducted population genetic analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA), phylogenetic reconstruction using IQ-TREE [27], and ancestry modeling with ADMIXTURE [2]. We inferred demographic history using Stairway Plot 2 [22] and identified signatures of selection by calculating population differentiation (Fst) and applying the cross-population composite likelihood ratio (XP-CLR) test [6].

Results: Our analyses revealed two major, distinct genetic clusters corresponding to Mediterranean/European and Asian gene pools, with limited admixture between them. This strong differentiation, supported by phylogenetic and

demographic modeling, points towards a dual domestication history. We identified hundreds of genomic regions bearing strong signatures of positive selection in cultivated accessions. Within these selective sweeps, we annotated candidate genes associated with critical agronomic traits, including flowering time, leaf morphology, and glucosinolate biosynthesis, which dictates flavor. Furthermore, we found evidence of selection on genes homologous to known domestication loci in other crop species.

Conclusion: This study provides the first robust, genome-wide evidence for a dual-origin model of arugula domestication. We have created a detailed map of genomic variation and identified key candidate genes underlying important agricultural traits. These findings not only clarify the evolutionary history of arugula but also provide a valuable genomic toolkit of markers and target genes to guide future crop improvement and breeding programs.

The study titled “Impact of Micronutrients (Mn and Fe) on Vegetative Growth of Daisy Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)” was carried out during 2024–25 at Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Punjab. The research aimed to assess the effects of foliar applications of manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) on the vegetative growth, fruit physical attributes, chemical composition, and overall quality of Daisy mandarin. Manganese sulphate (MnSO₄) and ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄) were applied at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%, both individually and in combination. The experiment followed a Randomized Block Design, comprising sixteen treatments with four replications, resulting in sixty-four treatment combinations. It was conducted in a six-year-old Daisy mandarin orchard budded on Jatti Khatti (Citrus jambhiri Lush) rootstock. Key parameters measured included scion girth, rootstock girth, and canopy volume. The treatment combining 0.3% MnSO₄ and 0.2% FeSO₄ yielded the most significant improvements in vegetative parameters, with a scion girth of 10.20 cm, rootstock girth of 9.8 cm, and canopy volumes of 134.0 m³ (north-south) and 115.0 m³ (east-west), compared to the control. These findings demonstrate that foliar application of MnSO₄ and FeSO₄, across various combinations, markedly enhanced the vegetative growth of Daisy mandarin under subtropical conditions. The study underscores the importance of micronutrient supplementation in improving orchard productivity and provides valuable insights for subtropical horticulture practices.

Phlomoides labiosa is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Central Asian ethnobotany, yet its bioorganic composition and functional properties remain insufficiently studied. This research provides a comprehensive bioorganic evaluation of the plant’s chemical constituents and their biological activities. Using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods (GC-MS, HPLC, UV-Vis, FT-IR), the major phytochemical groups–including flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, sterols, and alkaloids – were isolated and structurally characterized. Quantitative analysis revealed high levels of phenolic and antioxidant compounds, suggesting strong radical-scavenging potential. Biological assays demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, and moderate anti-inflammatory activities, indicating a synergistic effect among the plant’s bioactive components. The results highlight Phlomoides labiosa as a promising natural source of biologically active molecules relevant to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and bioorganic chemistry applications. Further studies involving purification of individual compounds and mechanism-of-action analysis are recommended to support targeted drug development.