Increased sugar content impairs pollen fertility and reduces seed-setting in high-photosynthetic-efficiency rice

Crop yield depends on biomass,which is primarily associated with photosynthesis.We previously demonstrated that two photorespiratory bypasses,i.e.,GOC(glycolate oxidase+oxalate oxidase+catalase)and GCGT(glycolate oxidase+catalase+glyoxylate carboligase+tartronic semialdehyde reductase),significantly increased photosynthesis,biomass,and grain yield,but decreased seed-setting rates in rice.This study explored the underlying mechanism of how elevated photosynthetic efficiency impacted the seed-setting.First,pollen germination assessed in vivo and in vitro,revealed a reduced germination rate in GCGT rice.Subsequent analysis found that photosynthates highly accumulated in the leaves and stems;sucrose and soluble sugar levels were increased but the starch level was reduced in the anthers.Uridine diphosphate glucose(UDP-Glc)was increased but uridine diphosphate galactose(UDP-Gal)was unaltered,thus causing an imbalance in the UDP-Glc/UDP-Gal ratio in GCGT anthers.Most anthers in GCGT plants had two locules in contrast to four in the wild-type(WT).Pollen tapetum was developmentally abnormal,and genes related to sucrose synthesis,transport,and tapetal programmed cell death(PCD)were upregulated,whereas those involved in starch synthesis and conversion were downregulated in GCGT anthers.Taken together,our results demonstrated that an increase in sugar content was the primary factor causing reduced seed-setting rates in high photosynthetic efficiency rice,during which metabolic disorder of sugars and UDP sugar imbalance in anthers lead to impaired pollen fertility.

Exogenous melatonin enhances heat stress tolerance in sweetpotato by modulating antioxidant defense system,osmotic homeostasis and stomatal traits

Heat stress hinders the growth and productivity of sweetpotato plants,predominantly through oxidative damage to cellular membranes.Therefore,the development of efficient approaches for mitigating heat-related impairments is essential for the long-term production of sweetpotatoes.Melatonin has been recognised for its capacity to assist plants in dealing with abiotic stress conditions.This research aimed to investigate how different doses of exogenous melatonin influence heat damage in sweetpotato plants.Heat stress drastically affected shoot and root fresh weight by 31.8 and 44.5%,respectively.This reduction resulted in oxidative stress characterised by increased formation of hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))by 804.4%,superoxide ion(O_(2)^(·-))by 211.5%and malondialdehyde(MDA)by 234.2%.Heat stress also reduced chlorophyll concentration,photosystemⅡefficiency(F_v/F_m)by 15.3%and gaseous exchange.However,pre-treatment with 100μmol L^(-1)melatonin increased growth and reduced oxidative damage to sweetpotato plants under heat stress.In particular,melatonin decreased H_(2)O_(2),O_(2)^(·-)and MDA by 64.8%,42.7%and 38.2%,respectively.Melatonin also mitigated the decline in chlorophyll levels and improved stomatal traits,gaseous exchange and F_(v)/F_(m)(13%).Results suggested that the favorable outcomes of melatonin treatment can be associated with elevated antioxidant enzyme activity and an increase in non-enzymatic antioxidants and osmo-protectants.Overall,these findings indicate that exogenous melatonin can improve heat stress tolerance in sweetpotatoes.This stu dy will assist re searchers in further investigating how melatonin makes sweetpotatoes more resistant to heat stress.

Impact of Seed Halopriming on Germination,Morphological Traits,and Cry1Ac Gene Expression in Bt Cotton(Gossypium hirsutum)

Seed priming is an effective seed pretreatment technology that enhances germination and overall crop performance by optimizing seed hydration and metabolic processes before planting.Seed quality is a critical determinant of cotton(Gossypium hirsutum)crop performance,influencing germination,plant vigor,and yield.This study evaluates the effects of seed priming with potassium salts(1%and 2%KCl and K2SO4)on germination,morphological traits,and Cry1Ac gene expression in three Bt cotton cultivars(IUB-2013,NIAB-878B,FH-142)as Cry1Ac enhance the pest resistance in Bt cotton and reduce the plant’s dependence on chemical insecticides.Seeds were primed for six hours,air-dried,and sown in the field.Germination rates,plant height,number of bolls per plant,boll weight,seed cotton yield,and ginning outturn(GOT)were assessed at crop maturity.Cry1Ac gene expression was quantified to explore the influence of priming treatments on transgene activity.Results demonstrated that 1%K2SO4 priming significantly enhanced germination and yield-related traits,with Cry1Ac expression peaking in the IUB-2013 cultivar under 1%K2SO4 treatment.These findings suggest that potassium-based halopriming improves cotton seedling establishment and Bt gene expression.This study addresses the critical gaps in understanding the effects of seed halopriming on morphological traits,germination,and expression of the Cry1Ac gene in Bt cotton while providing a novel eco-friendly and cost-effective halopriming approach,offering the potential to improve cotton production.

Mining elite loci and candidate genes for root morphology-related traits at the seedling stage by genome-wide association studies in upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Root system architecture plays an essential role in water and nutrient acquisition in plants,and it is significantly involved in plant adaptations to various environmental stresses.In this study,a panel of 242 cotton accessions was collected to investigate six root morphological traits at the seedling stage,including main root length(MRL),root fresh weight(RFW),total root length(TRL),root surface area(RSA),root volume(RV),and root average diameter(AvgD).The correlation analysis of the six root morphological traits revealed strong positive correlations of TRL with RSA,as well as RV with RSA and AvgD,whereas a significant negative correlation was found between TRL and AvgD.Subsequently,a genome-wide association study(GWAS)was performed using the root phenotypic and genotypic data reported previously for the 242 accessions using 56,010 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)from the CottonSNP80K array.A total of 41 quantitative trait loci(QTLs)were identified,including nine for MRL,six for RFW,nine for TRL,12 for RSA,12 for RV and two for AvgD.Among them,eight QTLs were repeatedly detected in two or more traits.Integrating these results with a transcriptome analysis,we identified 17 candidate genes with high transcript values of transcripts per million(TPM)≥30 in the roots.Furthermore,we functionally verified the candidate gene GH_D05G2106,which encodes a WPP domain protein 2in root development.A virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS)assay showed that knocking down GH_D05G2106significantly inhibited root development in cotton,indicating its positive role in root system architecture formation.Collectively,these results provide a theoretical basis and candidate genes for future studies on cotton root developmental biology and root-related cotton breeding.

Distribution of Rice Grains on Panicle Axis and Its Relationship with Seed-Setting Ability in Liaoning, China

Studies were conducted with rice varieties developed in recent years in Liaoning Province of China as test materials. Results showed that the varieties tested could be divided into three types： （1） the high-yielding （HYV）, （2） the mediumyielding （MYV）, and （3） the low-yielding （LYV）. The panicle population was in the order of HYV〈 MYV 〈 LYV, while the grain number per panicle and seed-setting rate were just opposite. There was no significant difference in the 1 000-grain weight. Biomass was higher in HYV than in MYV and LYV, while the harvest index was higher in HYV and MYV than in LYV. Yield was inversely correlated with panicle population, but positively correlated with the grain number per panicle, seed-setting rate, the number of primary and secondary branch grains, seed density and harvest index. Yield was most closely linked with the grain number per panicle which was determined chiefly by the number of secondary branch grains and to a lesser degree by seed density and the number of primary branch grains. The seed-setting rate of the secondary branches was positively correlated with that of the whole panicle and yield. The peak value of primary branches for HYV, MYV and LYV was 12-14, 10-13 and 8-12, respectively. LYV had fewer secondary branch grains, while MYV and HYV had more. Such grains distributed mainly in the middle and lower parts of panicle axis for LYV and in the middle and upper parts for MYV and HYV.

Analysis of the Correlation between Seed-setting Characters and Seed Investigation Time in Rice

With super hybrid rice cultivar Y Liangyou 1 as the experimental material, seed-setting rate, abortive grain rate, empty grain rate and 1 000-seed weight were investigated for continuous 10 days since the first day post-harvest to reveal the correlation between differences in seed-setting characters of rice and seed investiga- tion time. The results indicated that seed-setting rate, abortive grain rate, empty grain rate and 1 000-seed weight varied at different seed investigation time. With the postponement of seed investigation, seed-setting rate and 1 000-seed weight showed downward trends, abortive grain rate showed an upward trend, while empty grain rate exhibited a significant correlation with seed investigation time. Seed-setting rate, abortive grain rate and 1 000-seed weight exhibited no significant differences within the first three days after the harvest; since day 4, seed-setting rate and 1000-seed weight declined remarkably, while abortive grain rate increased signifi- cantly. Based on the correlation between seed-setting characters of rice and seed investigation time, the analysis of seed-setting characters of rice and other cereal crops should be completed within the first three days after the harvest, thereby im- proving the accuracy of relative conclusion.

Ploidy and fruit trait variation in oil-tea Camellia:Implications for ploidy breeding

Plant polyploidy often occurs in conjunction with higher yield and superior quality.Therefore,obtaining polyploid germplasms is a significant part of breeding.The oil-tea Camellia tree is an important native woody plant that produces high-quality edible oil and includes many species of Camellia with different ploidies.However,whether higher ploidy levels in oil-tea Camellia trees are related to better traits remains unclear.In this study,the ploidy levels of 30 different oil-tea Camellia strains in three different species in the Sect.Paracamellia were determined by flow cytometry and chromosome preparation,and the phenotypic characteristics and fatty acid compositions of the fruits were examined by field observations and laboratory analyses.The correlations between the ploidy level of oil-tea Camellia and the main traits of the fruit were investigated.Our results showed that 10 Camellia lanceoleosa strains were diploid,10 Camellia meiocarpa strains were tetraploid and 10 Camellia oleifera strains were hexaploid.Hexaploid C.oleifera had larger fruit size and weight,more seeds per fruit,greater seed weight per fruit,higher oil content and greater yield per crown width than tetraploid C.meiocarpa and diploid C.lanceoleosa,but their fruit peel thickness and fresh seed rate were significantly lower,and these traits were significantly correlated with ploidy level.In addition,in terms of fatty acid composition,hexaploid C.oleifera had a higher oleic acid content than tetraploid C.meiocarpa and diploid C.lanceoleosa,but their linoleic acid,linolenic acid and arachidonic acid contents were lower.The contents of palmitic acid,stearic acid and total unsaturated fatty acids were not significantly correlated with ploidy level.In conclusion,certain correlations exist between the main characteristics of oil-tea Camellia fruit and the ploidy level,and increasing the ploidy level led to an increase in fruit yield with no effect on oil composition.The discovery of variations in the main characteristics of oil-tea Camellia fruit with different ploidies will facilitate germplasm innovation and lay a foundation for ploidy breeding and mechanistic research on fruit traits.

Identification of candidate genes for early-maturity traits by combining BSA-seq and QTL mapping in upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Cotton breeding for the development of early-maturing varieties is an effective way to improve multiple cropping indexes and alleviate the conflict between grains and cotton in the cultivated fields in China.In the present study,we aimed to identify upland cotton quantitative trait loci(QTLs)and candidate genes related to early-maturity traits,including whole growth period(WGP),flowering timing(FT),node of the first fruiting branch(NFFB),height of the node of the first fruiting branch(HNFFB),and plant height(PH).An early-maturing variety,CCRI50,and a latematuring variety,Guoxinmian 11,were crossed to obtain biparental populations.These populations were used to map QTLs for the early-maturity traits for two years(2020 and 2021).With BSA-seq analysis based on the data of population 2020,the candidate regions related to early maturity were found to be located on chromosome D03.We then developed 22 polymorphic insertions or deletions(InDel)markers to further narrow down the candidate regions,resulting in the detection of five and four QTLs in the 2020 and 2021 populations,respectively.According to the results of QTL mapping,two candidate regions(InDel_G286-InDel_G144 and InDel_G24-InDel_G43)were detected.In these regions,three genes(GH_D03G0451,GH_D03G0649,and GH_D03G1180)have nonsynonymous mutations in their exons and one gene(GH_D03G0450)has SNP variations in the upstream sequence between CCRI50 and Guoxinmian 11.These four genes also showed dominant expression in the floral organs.The expression levels of GH_D03G0451,GH_D03G0649 and GH_D03G1180 were significantly higher in CCRI50 than in Guoxinmian 11 during the bud differentiation stages,while GH_D03G0450 showed the opposite trend.Further functional verification of GH_D03G0451 indicated that the GH_D03G0451-silenced plants showed a delay in the flowering time.The results suggest that these are the candidate genes for cotton early maturity,and they may be used for breeding early-maturity cotton varieties.

Methods for Improving Hybrid Seed-setting Rate of a Potato Cultivar Linshu 17

[Objective] This study aimed to explore methods for improving hybrid seed-setting rate of a potato cultivar Linshu 17. [Method] L0527-4 was taken as male parent and Linshu 17 was taken as female parent to breed a new potato cul- tivar, so as to take advantage of the excellent characters of Linshu 17. [Result] The optimum pollination time of Linshu 17 was 10：00-12：00 am or after 04：00 pm. Spraying 10 mg/L of 2, 4-D, 50 mg/L of gibberellin or 20 mg/L of 6-BA ＋ 50 mg/L of gibberellin once every 7 days since the 3^rd day after hybridization all could im- prove the hybrid seed-setting rate of Linshu 17. [Conclusion] The hybrid seed-setting rate-improving effect of 2, 4-D sprayed on the 3^rd d after hybridization was best for Linshu 17. This study will provide technical references for other varieties to improve the hybrid seed-setting rate.

Promoting Sickle Cell Trait Awareness and Education: A Typology of Interventions in the United States to Inform Ongoing Efforts to Patients and Providers

Research Background: Sickle cell trait has no treatment or cure and predominantly affects people who are Black, but can affect anyone of any race or ethnicity. While commonly incorrectly considered benign by providers and the public, people with a sickle cell trait experience life-threatening outcomes that are exacerbated by extreme conditions. There is a severe lack of awareness and understanding of sickle cell trait and the associated health complications among sickle cell trait carriers and healthcare providers. Purpose/Aim: Interventions that aim to improve awareness of sickle cell trait differ in approaches and are not well documented in the literature. This typology aims to highlight current efforts to inform targeted interventions that raise awareness through consistent messaging, educate people and providers on sickle cell trait and the related health complications, and support the design and implementation of comprehensive sickle cell trait awareness initiatives. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of United States-based sickle cell trait interventions and performed a content analysis to identify the categories and characteristics of these efforts. We then organized the results into a typology according to established protocols. Results: Among 164 interventions, twenty-five (15%) met the typology inclusion criteria described above and were grouped into categories: Seven of twenty-five interventions were Educational Interventions (28%), three of twenty-five interventions (12%) were Combined Screening and Educational-Based Interventions, eight of twenty-five interventions (32%) were Policy and Guideline-Based Intervention, and six of twenty-five interventions (24%) were Sickle Cell Trait Organization-Led Interventions. Conclusions: There is a lack of consistency in messaging across interventions whether delivered by credible healthcare institutions or national organizations, which can result in lack of education and awareness and confusion around sickle cell trait. Categorizing interventions through a typology allows clarity and informs consistency in messaging, which should be at the forefront of future sickle cell trait efforts.

Quantifying foliar trait variation and covariation in sun and shade leaves using leaf spectroscopy in eastern North America

Characterizing foliar trait variation in sun and shade leaves can provide insights into inter-and intra-species resource use strategies and plant response to environmental change.However,datasets with records of multiple foliar traits from the same individual and including shade leaves are sparse,which limits our ability to investigate trait-trait,trait-environment relationships and trait coordination in both sun and shade leaves.We presented a comprehensive dataset of 15 foliar traits from sun and shade leaves sampled with leaf spectroscopy,including 424 individuals of 110 plant species from 19 sites across eastern North America.We investigated trait variation,covariation,scaling relationships with leaf mass,and the effects of environment,canopy position,and taxonomy on trait expression.Generally,sun leaves had higher leaf mass per area,nonstructural carbohydrates and total phenolics,lower mass-based chlorophyll a+b,carotenoids,phosphorus,and potassium,but exhibited species-specific characteristics.Covariation between sun and shade leaf traits,and trait-environment relationships were overall consistent across species.The main dimensions of foliar trait variation in seed plants were revealed including leaf economics traits,photosynthetic pigments,defense,and structural traits.Taxonomy and canopy position collectively explained most of the foliar trait variation.This study highlights the importance of including intra-individual and intra-specific trait variation to improve our understanding of ecosystem functions.Our findings have implications for efficient field sampling,and trait mapping with remote sensing.

Dominance of rock exposure and soil depth in leaf trait networks outweighs soil quality in karst limestone and dolomite habitats

Leaf trait networks(LTNs)visualize the intricate linkages reflecting plant trait-functional coordination.Typical karst vegetation,developed from lithological dolomite and limestone,generally exhibits differential communities,possibly due to habitat rock exposure,soil depth,and soil physicochemical properties variations,leading to a shift from plant trait variation to functional linkages.However,how soil and habitat quality affect the differentiation of leaf trait networks remains unclear.LTNs were constructed for typical dolomite and limestone habitats by analyzing twenty-one woody plant leaf traits across fifty-six forest subplots in karst mountains.The differences between dolomite and limestone LTNs were compared using network parameters.The network association of soil and habitat quality was analyzed using redundancy analysis(RDA),Mantle's test,and a random forest model.The limestone LTN exhibited significantly higher edge density with lower diameter and average path length when compared to the dolomite LTN.It indicates LTN differentiation,with the limestone network displaying a more compact architecture and higher connectivity than the dolomite network.The specific leaf phosphorus and leaf nitrogen contents of dolomite LTN,as well as the leaf mass and leaf carbon contents of limestone LTN,significantly contributed to network degree and closeness,serving as crucial node traits regulating LTN connectedness.Additionally,both habitat LTNs significantly correlated with soil nitrogen and phosphorus,stoichiometric ratios,pH,and organic carbon,as well as soil depth and rock exposure rates,with soil depth and rock exposure showing greater relative importance.Soil depth and rock exposure dominate trait network differentiation,with the limestone habitat exhibiting a more compact network architecture than the dolomite habitat.

Extremely thin but very robust:Surprising cryptogam trait combinations at the end of the leaf economics spectrum

Leaf economics spectrum(LES)describes the fundamental trade-offs between leaf structural,chemical,and physiological investments.Generally,structurally robust thick leaves with high leaf dry mass per unit area(LMA)exhibit lower photosynthetic capacity per dry mass(Amass).Paradoxically,“soft and thinleaved”mosses and spikemosses have very low Amass,but due to minute-size foliage elements,their LMA and its components,leaf thickness(LT)and density(LD),have not been systematically estimated.Here,we characterized LES and associated traits in cryptogams in unprecedented details,covering five evolutionarily different lineages.We found that mosses and spikemosses had the lowest LMA and LT values ever measured for terrestrial plants.Across a broad range of species from different lineages,Amass and LD were negatively correlated.In contrast,Amass was only related to LMA when LMA was greater than 14 g cm^(-2).In fact,low Amass reflected high LD and cell wall thickness in the studied cryptogams.We conclude that evolutionarily old plant lineages attained poorly differentiated,ultrathin mesophyll by increasing LD.Across plant lineages,LD,not LMA,is the trait that represents the trade-off between leaf robustness and physiology in the LES.

Random Amplification Polymorphic DNA and Agro-Morphological Traits-Based Fingerprinting for Detection of Genetic Divergence in Indian Black Rice

In this study, 32 black rice genotypes spanning diverse geographies in India were evaluated at both phenotypic and DNA sequence levels to gain insights into their genetic makeup. Significant variations were observed for 14 agro-morphological traits, showing correlations among several yield-related traits.

Myostatin gene role in regulating traits of poultry species for potential industrial applications

The myostatin(MSTN)gene is considered a potential genetic marker to improve economically important traits in live-stock,since the discovery of its function using the MSTN knockout mice.The anti-myogenic function of the MSTN gene was further demonstrated in farm animal species with natural or induced mutations.In poultry species,myo-genesis in cell culture was regulated by modulation of the MSTN gene.Also,different expression levels of the MSTN gene in poultry models with different muscle mass have been reported,indicating the conserved myogenic function of the MSTN gene between mammalian and avian species.Recent advances of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome edit-ing techniques have led to development of genome-edited poultry species targeting the MSTN gene to clearly dem-onstrate its anti-myogenic function and further investigate other potential functions in poultry species.This review summarizes research conducted to understand the function of the MSTN gene in various poultry models from cells to whole organisms.Furthermore,the genome-edited poultry models targeting the MSTN gene are reviewed to inte-grate diverse effects of the MSTN gene on different traits of poultry species.

Large‑scale transcriptomic and genomic analyses reveal a novel functional gene SERPINB6 for chicken carcass traits

Background Carcass traits are crucial indicators of meat production efficiency.However,the molecular regulatory mechanisms associated with these traits remain unclear.Results In this study,we conducted comprehensive transcriptomic and genomic analyses on 399 Tiannong partridge chickens to identify key genes and variants associated with carcass traits and to elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanisms.Based on association analyses with the elastic net(EN)model,we identified 12 candidate genes(AMY1A,AP3B2,CEBPG,EEF2,EIF4EBP1,FGFR1,FOXD3,GOLM1,LOC107052698,PABPC1,SERPINB6 and TBC1D16)for 4 carcass-related traits,namely live weight,dressed weight,eviscerated weight,and breast muscle weight.SERPINB6 was identified as the only overlapping gene by 3 analyses,EN model analysis,weighted gene co-expression network analysis and differential expression analysis.Cell-level experiments confirmed that SERPINB6 promotes the proliferation of chicken DF1 cells and primary myoblasts.Further expression genome-wide association study and association analysis indicated that rs317934171 is the critical site that enhances SERPINB6 expression.Furthermore,a dual-luciferase reporter assay proved that gga-miR-1615 targets the 3′UTR of SERPINB6.Conclusions Collectively,our findings reveal that SERPINB6 serves as a novel gene for chicken carcass traits by promoting fibroblast and myoblast proliferation.Additionally,the downstream variant rs317934171 regulates SERPINB6 expression.These results identify a new target gene and molecular marker for the molecular mechanisms of chicken carcass traits.

Genetic parameter evaluation for growth and cold resistance traits of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

The giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii distributed from tropical to subtropical regions,is a warm-water species,and its survival temperature is 14-35°C,which greatly limits its culture cycle and culture area in China.Therefore,it is urgent to cultivate a new high quality,high yield variety with improved cold-resistance,but the genetic parameters for cold-resistance traits are unknown in M.rosenbergii.In this study,the cold-resistance of adult M.rosenbergii populations was tested using the indoor artificial cooling method.Individuals were selected from 139 families of Shufeng G3 generation and cultured for 200 days.A linear mixed model was constructed by ASReml-R to evaluate the genetic parameters of the cold-resistance trait(cooling degree hours,CDH)and growth traits(body weight,BW,and body length,BL)based on the restricted maximum likelihood(REML)method.The results show that the heritability of CDH was low(0.12±0.05),while the growth traits(BW and BL)had low to moderate heritability,with 0.20±0.06 for BW and 0.06±0.04 for BL.The phenotypic and genetic correlation between BW and BL was significantly positive,but significantly negative phenotypic and genetic correlations were detected between CDH and BW and between CDH and BL.Furthermore,the analysis of the differences between cold-resistance and phenotypic traits showed that the female reproductive status,exoskeleton hardness and claw number of adult prawns had a great influence on the cold-resistance of M.rosenbergii(P<0.05),indicating that adults with claws and hard exoskeletons are preferred as parents in subsequent breeding selection.The present results can be attributed to the selection and breeding of a new cold-resistant variety of M.rosenbergii.

Assessment of the Characteristics of Demersal Fish Communities Using Species-and Trait-Based Approaches in the Coastal Habitats Along Rongcheng Bay,Shandong Peninsula,China

Biodiversity declines have motivated many studies on the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem functioning.In this study,we described the spatial-temporal characteristics of demersal fish communities along a coastal habitat in Rongcheng Bay,Shandong Peninsula,China with both species-based and biological trait-based approaches.The field survey was carried out monthly using traps from April to October of 2018,and divided into three seasons(spring:April and May;summer:June,July and August;autumn:September,October and November).The study area included five distinct habitats:seagrass bed,natural rocky reef,bare sand,artificial reef together with natural rocky reef,and artificial reef together with bare sand.We analyzed the fish communities with three taxonomic diversity indices,including Shannon-Wiener,Simpson,and Pielou Evenness,as well as four functional diversity indices,including FRic,FEve,FDiv,and FDis,based on 7 functional groups which are categorized into 27 traits.The results showed that there were no significant differences in taxonomic diversity indices among different habitats in the three seasons.However,significant differences were found in the functional richness of fish communities among different habitats in three seasons.Seagrass bed represented the highest functional richness in spring and autumn.This study demonstrates that seagrass bed is very important in enhancing the functional diversity of fish communities in a complex habitat.The study also indicates that the combination of taxonomic diversity and functional diversity will provide a more detailed description of the characteristics of fish communities.

Correction:Identification of SSR markers linked to the abscission of cotton boll traits and mining germplasm in Cotton

Correction:J Cotton Res 7,20(2024)https://doi.org/10.1186/s42397-024-00180-3 Following publication of the original article(Shui et al.2024),the author found 5 errors in the published article.1.One of the author’s name has been corrected from Gou Chunping to Guo Chunping.2.The reference(Zhao SQ.2016)in Table 2 has been updated to:Zhao SQ.Analysis on the major gene and multigene mixed inheritance and QTL mapping for early maturity traits in upland cotton.Chin Acad Agric Sci.2016.https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.201600501.(in Chinese with English abstract).3.In’Results’part,’Phenotype analysis of 238 cotton boll abscission among cotton accessions’paragraph,the phenotype analysis of AR1 ranging from 19.27%–63.79%,which was wrongly written as 19.27%-63.97%.4.The‘2018KRL’is modified to‘2018KEL’in Table 1.

Genome-wide association study identifies 12 new genetic loci associated with growth traits in pigs

Growth traits are among the most important economic traits in pigs and are regulated by polygenes with complex regulatory mechanisms.As the major indicators of growth performance,the backfat thickness(BFT),loin eye area(LEA),and days to 100 kg(D100)traits are commonly used to the genetics improvement in pigs.However,the available genetic markers for these traits are limited.To uncover novel loci and candidate genes associated with growth performance,we collected the phenotypic information of BFT,LEA,and D100 in 1,186 pigs and genotyped all these individuals using the Neogen GGP porcine 80K BeadChip.We performed a genome-wide association study(GWAS)using 4 statistical models,including mixed linear models(MLM),fixed and random model circulating probability unification(FarmCPU),settlement of MLM under progressively exclusive relationships(SUPER),Bayesian-information and linkage-disequilibrium Iteratively nested keyway(Blink),and identified 5,3,and 6 high-confidence single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)associated with BFT,LEA,and D100,respectively.Variant annotation and quantitative trait locus(QTL)mapping analysis suggested that6 genes(SKAP2,SATB1,PDE7B,PPP1R16B,WNT3,and WNT9B)were potentially associated with growth performance in pigs.Transcriptome analysis suggested that the expression of Src Kinase Associated Phosphoprotein 2(SKAP2)was higher in prenatal muscles than in postnatal muscles,and the expression of Phosphodiesterase 7B(PDE7B)continuously increased during the prenatal stages and gradually decreased after birth,implying their potential roles in prenatal skeletal muscle development.Overall,this study provides new candidate loci and genes for the genetic improvement of pigs.