This study investigated the flowering response of three Korean native Aster species, namely A. hayatae, A. spathulifolius, and A. koraiensis, to varying photoperiods. Three-month-old plants propagated from cuttings were grown under four different photoperiods: 9, 12, 14, and 16 h. Aster hayatae flowered under all conditions, with flowering rates of 92%, 85%, 65%, and 27% under 9-, 12-, 14-, and 16-h photoperiods, respectively. Flowering in A. hayatae was promoted by shorter photoperiods, classifying it as a facultative short-day plant. Aster spathulifolius flowered only under 9- and 12-h photoperiods, with no significant difference between these treatments, suggesting that the species is an obligate short-day plant. However, given the low A. spathulifolius flowering rates of 27% and 13% under 9- and 12-h photoperiods, respectively, further research is required. Aster koraiensis did not flower under any photoperiod, possibly due to vernalization requirements or juvenility. These findings offer valuable insights into the photoperiodic flowering responses of these three Korean native Aster species, enhancing our understanding of their ecological traits and potential horticultural applications.

Entomopathogenic fungi serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides. In this study, we investigate the interactions between mosquitoes and Metarhizium anisopliae JEF-157, which showed high insecticidal activity against mosquitoes, by RNA-seq analysis. RNA from mosquitoes was extracted at the median lethal time to identify changes in gene expression. The results showed 580 genes were up-regulated, while 336 genes were down-regulated in fungal treated mosquitoes. Up-regulated genes were related to metabolic and cellular processes such as cytochrome P450, DNA replication, and apoptosis. Down-regulated genes were involved in metabolism pathways such as lysosome, starch and sucrose metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis. These results are crucial for elucidating the mechanisms of fungal invasion and interaction in insects, providing insights for future pest management strategies.

The cultivation methods of Acanthopanax in Korea need to be optimized. Hence, this study investigated the effect of different fertilizer ratios and planting dates on the growth and acanthoside D content of two (2) Acanthopanax species. The current recommended fertilizer rate of 10.5-8.5-8.5 kg/ha- (N-P2O5-K2O, respectively) produced the best plant growth of Acanthopanax. For the first year, the acanthoside D content resulting from the 2P (2x phosphate) rate was higher than that from the other fertilizer ratios, yet there were no significant differences resulting from the various treatments for either Acanthopanax divaricatus or Acanthopanax koreanum. Similarly, for the second year, there were no significant differences in the acanthoside D content resulting from the various fertilizer ratios, although for both species the acanthoside D content resulting from the 2P rate was slightly higher than that from the other treatments. Therefore, the results indicated that doubling the amount of phosphate increased the acanthoside D content. Plus, the optimum planting date with respect to growth and productivity for Acanthopanax divaricatus was identified as April 15. The cultivation methods of Acanthopanax in Korea need to be optimized. Hence, this study investigated the effect of different fertilizer ratios and planting dates on the growth and acanthoside D content of two (2) Acanthopanax species. The current recommended fertilizer rate of 10.5-8.5-8.5 kg/ha- (N-P2O5-K2O, respectively) produced the best plant growth of Acanthopanax. For the first year, the acanthoside D content resulting from the 2P (2x phosphate) rate was higher than that from the other fertilizer ratios, yet there were no significant differences resulting from the various treatments for either Acanthopanax divaricatus or Acanthopanax koreanum. Similarly, for the second year, there were no significant differences in the acanthoside D content resulting from the various fertilizer ratios, although for both species the acanthoside D content resulting from the 2P rate was slightly higher than that from the other treatments. Therefore, the results indicated that doubling the amount of phosphate increased the acanthoside D content. Plus, the optimum planting date with respect to growth and productivity for Acanthopanax divaricatus was identified as April 15. The cultivation methods of Acanthopanax in Korea need to be optimized. Hence, this study investigated the effect of different fertilizer ratios and planting dates on the growth and acanthoside D content of two (2) Acanthopanax species. The current recommended fertilizer rate of 10.5-8.5-8.5 kg/ha- (N-P2O5-K2O, respectively) produced the best plant growth of Acanthopanax. For the first year, the acanthoside D content resulting from the 2P (2x phosphate) rate was higher than that from the other fertilizer ratios, yet there were no significant differences resulting from the various treatments for either Acanthopanax divaricatus or Acanthopanax koreanum. Similarly, for the second year, there were no significant differences in the acanthoside D content resulting from the various fertilizer ratios, although for both species the acanthoside D content resulting from the 2P rate was slightly higher than that from the other treatments. Therefore, the results indicated that doubling the amount of phosphate increased the acanthoside D content. Plus, the optimum planting date with respect to growth and productivity for Acanthopanax divaricatus was identified as April 15. The cultivation methods of Acanthopanax in Korea need to be optimized. Hence, this study investigated the effect of different fertilizer ratios and planting dates on the growth and acanthoside D content of two (2) Acanthopanax species. The current recommended fertilizer rate of 10.5-8.5-8.5 kg/ha- (N-P2O5-K2O, respectively) produced the best plant growth of Acanthopanax. For the first year, the acanthoside D content resulting from the 2P (2x phosphate) rate was higher than that from the other fertilizer ratios, yet there were no significant differences resulting from the various treatments for either Acanthopanax divaricatus or Acanthopanax koreanum. Similarly, for the second year, there were no significant differences in the acanthoside D content resulting from the various fertilizer ratios, although for both species the acanthoside D content resulting from the 2P rate was slightly higher than that from the other treatments. Therefore, the results indicated that doubling the amount of phosphate increased the acanthoside D content. Plus, the optimum planting date with respect to growth and productivity for Acanthopanax divaricatus was identified as April 15. The cultivation methods of Acanthopanax in Korea need to be optimized. Hence, this study investigated the effect of different fertilizer ratios and planting dates on the growth and acanthoside D content of two (2) Acanthopanax species. The current recommended fertilizer rate of 10.5-8.5-8.5 kg/ha- (N-P2O5-K2O, respectively) produced the best plant growth of Acanthopanax. For the first year, the acanthoside D content resulting from the 2P (2x phosphate) rate was higher than that from the other fertilizer ratios, yet there were no significant differences resulting from the various treatments for either Acanthopanax divaricatus or Acanthopanax koreanum. Similarly, for the second year, there were no significant differences in the acanthoside D content resulting from the various fertilizer ratios, although for both species the acanthoside D content resulting from the 2P rate was slightly higher than that from the other treatments. Therefore, the results indicated that doubling the amount of phosphate increased the acanthoside D content. Plus, the optimum planting date with respect to growth and productivity for Acanthopanax divaricatus was identified as April 15.