Shikimic acid accelerates phase change and flowering in Chinese jujube

The juvenile-to-adult phase change with first flowering as the indicator plays a crucial role in the lifecycle of fruit trees. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying phase change in fruit trees remain largely unknown. Shikimic acid (ShA) pathway is a main metabolic pathway closely related to the synthesis of hormones and many important secondary metabolites participating in plant phase change. So,whether ShA regulates phase change in plants is worth clarifying. Here, the distinct morphological characteristics and the underlying mechanisms of phase change in jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), an important fruit tree native to China with nutritious fruit and outstanding tolerance abiotic stresses, were clarified. A combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis found that ShA is positively involved in jujube(Yuhong’×Xing 16’) phase change. The genes in the upstream of ShA synthesis pathway (ZjDAHPS, ZjDHQS and ZjSDH), the contents of ShA and the downstream secondary metabolites like phenols were significantly upregulated in the phase change period. Further, the treatment of spraying exogenous ShA verified that ShA at a very low concentration (60 mg·L^(-1)) can substantially speed up the phase change and flowering of jujube and other tested plants including Arabidopsis, tomato and wheat. The exogenous ShA (60 mg·L^(-1)) treatment in jujube seedlings could increase the accumulation of endogenous ShA, enhance leaf photosynthesis and the synthesis of phenols especially flavonoids and phenolic acids, and promote the expression of genes (ZjCOs, ZjNFYs and ZjPHYs) involved in flowering pathway. Basing on above results, we put forward a propose for the underlying mechanism of ShA regulating phase change, and a hypothesis that ShA could be considered a phytohormone-like substance because it is endogenous, ubiquitous, movable and highly efficient at very low concentrations. This study highlights the critical role of ShA in plant phase change and its phytohormone-like properties.

The historical and current research progress on jujube–a superfruit for the future

Jujube(Ziziphus jujuba Mill.),or Chinese date,is the most important species of Rhamnaceae,a large cosmopolitan family,and is one of the oldest cultivated fruit trees in the world.It originates from the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River,the‘mother river’of the Chinese people.It is distributed in at least 48 countries on all continents except Antarctica and is becoming increasingly important,especially in arid and semiarid marginal lands.Based on a systematic analysis of the unique characteristics of jujube,we suggest that it deserves to be recognized as a superfruit.We summarized historical research achievements from the past 3000 years and reviewed recent research advances since 1949 in seven fields,including genome sequencing and application,germplasm resources and systematic taxonomy,breeding and genetics,cultivation theory and techniques,pest control,postharvest physiology and techniques,and nutrition and processing.Based on the challenges facing the jujube industry,we discuss eight research aspects to be focused on in the future.