Selenium Differentially Regulates Flavonoid Accumulation and Antioxidant Capacities in Sprouts of Twenty Diverse Mungbean(Vigna radiata(L.)Wilczek)Genotypes

Seed germination with selenium(Se)is promising for producing Se-biofortified foods.Mungbean(Vigna radiata(L.)Wilczek)sprout is freshly eaten as a salad dressed with sauce,making it superior for Se biofortification.Since the Se safety range for the human body is extremely narrow,it is imperative to evaluate the genotypic responses of mungbean sprouts to Se.This study evaluated the Se enrichment capacity and interaction withflavonoids and antioxidant systems in sprouts of 20 mungbean germplasms.Selenium treatment was done by immersing mung-bean seeds in 20μM sodium selenite solution for 8 h.Afterward,the biomass,Se amounts,flavonoid(particularly vitexin and isovitexin)contents,antioxidant capacity,and key biosynthetic gene expressions were measured.Sprout Se content was 2.0-7.0μg g^(-1) DW among the 20 mungbean germplasms.Selenium treatment differentially affected the biomass,totalflavonoid,vitexin,isovitexin,antioxidant enzyme activities,and antioxidant capacities of the mungbean germplasms.Eight germplasms showed increased biomass(p<0.05),the highest increasing by 127%,but 13 did not phenotypically respond to Se treatment.Seven and six germplasms showed varied levels of vitexin and isovitexin increment after Se treatment,the highest measuring 2.67-and 2.87-folds for vitexin and isovitexin,respectively.Two mungbeanflavonoid biosynthesis genes,chalcone synthase(VrCHS)and chalcone isomerase(VrCHI)were significantly up-regulated in the germplasms with increased vitexin and isovitexin levels(p<0.05).Moreover,Se enrichment capacity was significantly correlated with the vitexin,isovitexin,and antiox-idant capacities.In conclusion,mungbean sprouts could be a useful Se-biofortified food,but the Se enrichment capacity and nutritional response must be determined for each germplasm before commercialization.

Carbon Monoxide Modulates Auxin Transport and Nitric Oxide Signaling in Plants under Iron Deficiency Stress

Carbon monoxide(CO)and nitric oxide(NO)are signal molecules that enhance plant adaptation to environmental stimuli.Auxin is an essential phytohormone for plant growth and development.CO and NO play crucial roles in modulating the plant’s response to iron deficiency.Iron deficiency leads to an increase in the activity of heme oxygenase(HO)and the subsequent generation of CO.Additionally,it alters the polar subcellular distribution of Pin-Formed 1(PIN1)proteins,resulting in enhanced auxin transport.This alteration,in turn,leads to an increase in NO accumulation.Furthermore,iron deficiency enhances the activity of ferric chelate reductase(FCR),as well as the expression of the Fer-like iron deficiency-induced transcription factor 1(FIT)and the ferric reduction oxidase 2(FRO2)genes in plant roots.Overexpression of the long hypocotyl 1(HY1)gene,which encodes heme oxygenase,or the CO donor treatment resulted in enhanced basipetal auxin transport,higher FCR activity,and the expression of FIT and FRO2 genes under Fe deficiency.Here,a potential mechanism is proposed:CO and NO interact with auxin to address iron deficiency stress.CO alters auxin transport,enhancing its accumulation in roots and up-regulating key iron-related genes like FRO2 and IRT1.Elevated auxin levels affect NO signaling,leading to greater sensitivity in root development.This interplay promotes FCR activity,which is crucial for iron absorption.Together,these molecules enhance iron uptake and root growth,revealing a novel aspect of plant physiology in adapting to environmental stress.

Involvement of the ABA-and H_(2)O_(2)-Mediated Ascorbate-Glutathione Cycle in the Drought Stress Responses of Wheat Roots

Abscisic acid(ABA),hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)) and ascorbate(AsA)–glutathione(GSH)cycle are widely known for their participation in various stresses.However,the relationship between ABA and H_(2)O_(2) levels and the AsA–GSH cycle under drought stress in wheat has not been studied.In this study,a hydroponic experiment was conducted in wheat seedlings subjected to 15%polyethylene glycol(PEG)6000–induced dehydration.Drought stress caused the rapid accumulation of endogenous ABA and H_(2)O_(2) and significantly decreased the number of root tips compared with the control.The application of ABA significantly increased the number of root tips,whereas the application of H_(2)O_(2) markedly reduced the number of root tips,compared with that under 15%PEG-6000.In addition,drought stress markedly increased the DHA,GSH and GSSG levels,but decreased the AsA levels,AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios compared with those in the control.The activities of the four enzymes in the AsA–GSH cycle were also markedly increased under drought stress,including glutathione reductase(GR),ascorbate peroxidase(APX),monodehydroascorbate reductase(MDHAR)and dehydroascorbate reductase(DHAR),compared with those in the control.However,the application of an ABA inhibitor significantly inhibited GR,DHAR and APX activities,whereas the application of an H_(2)O_(2) inhibitor significantly inhibited DHAR and MDHAR activities.Furthermore,the application of ABA inhibitor significantly promoted the increases of H_(2)O_(2) and the application of H_(2)O_(2) inhibitor significantly blocked the increases of ABA,compared with those under 15% PEG-6000.Taken together,the results indicated that ABA and H_(2)O_(2) probably interact under drought stress in wheat;and both of them can mediate drought stress by modulating the enzymes in AsA–GSH cycle,where ABA acts as the main regulator of GR,DHAR,and APX activities,and H_(2)O_(2) acts as the main regulator of DHAR and MDHAR activities.

Genome-Wide Exploration of the Grape GLR Gene Family and Differential Responses of VvGLR3.1 and VvGLR3.2 to Low Temperature and Salt Stress

Grapes,one of the oldest tree species globally,are rich in vitamins.However,environmental conditions such as low temperature and soil salinization significantly affect grape yield and quality.The glutamate receptor(GLR)family,comprising highly conserved ligand-gated ion channels,regulates plant growth and development in response to stress.In this study,11 members of the VvGLR gene family in grapes were identified using whole-genome sequence analysis.Bioinformatic methods were employed to analyze the basic physical and chemical properties,phylogenetic trees,conserved domains,motifs,expression patterns,and evolutionary relationships.Phylogenetic and collinear analyses revealed that the VvGLRs were divided into three subgroups,showing the high conservation of the grape GLR family.These members exhibited 2 glutamate receptor binding regions(GABAb and GluR)and 3-4 transmembrane regions(M1,M2,M3,and M4).Real-time quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated the sensitivity of all VvGLRs to low temperature and salt stress.Subsequent localization studies in Nicotiana tabacum verified that VvGLR3.1 and VvGLR3.2 proteins were located on the cell membrane and cell nucleus.Additionally,yeast transformation experiments confirmed the functionality of VvGLR3.1 and VvGLR3.2 in response to low temperature and salt stress.Thesefindings highlight the significant role of the GLR family,a highly conserved group of ion channels,in enhancing grape stress resistance.This study offers new insights into the grape GLR gene family,providing fundamental knowledge for further functional analysis and breeding of stress-resistant grapevines.

Ecosystem Services of Grazed Grasslands in the Flooding Pampa

The Flooding Pampa grasslands are the last remnant of the Rio de la Plata grasslands in Argentina.Anthropo-genic interventions have led to severe degradation and,as a result,the ecosystem services provided by the grass-lands are declining,in terms of provisioning,regulating,and supporting services.We synthesized the existing literature on the ecosystem goods and services provided by these grasslands under grazing in different conditions and conservation status.We found that plant and animal diversity and primary production are the most studied ecosystem services,while climate regulation,water supply,nutrient cycling,meat production and erosion control,in that order,are less studied.Cultural services are under-researched.Continuous grazing and glyphosate spraying are the main drivers of grassland degradation.Controlled grazing and conservative stocking rates have been shown to reverse degradation and demonstrate that livestock production is compatible with ecosystem conserva-tion by maintaining regulating and provisioning services.As these management strategies are poorly integrated,improving their implementation will require important changes in farmers’decisions and the development of policies that create the economic conditions for this to happen.Research is needed to understand the conditions that prevent the knowledge generated from being transferred to producers and translated into practices that would improve the provision of ecosystem services.

Rhizobium Inoculation and Micronutrient Addition Influence the Growth,Yield,Quality and Nutrient Uptake of Garden Peas(Pisum sativum L.)

Garden pea productivity and qualities are hampered in zinc(Zn),boron(B),and molybdenum(Mo)deficient soil.Thus,the combination of micronutrients(i.e.,Zn,B,and Mo)and rhizobium is necessary to increase the productivity and quality of garden peas,since this management for garden peas is neglected in Bangladesh.Therefore,the present study was made to assess the effectiveness of rhizobium inoculant singly or in combination with the micronutrients(i.e.,Zn,B,and Mo)on growth,yield,nutrient uptake,and quality of garden peas.Treatments were:T_(1)=Control,T_(2)=Rhizobium inoculation at 50 g/kg seed,T_(3)=T_(2)+Zn_(3)Mo1,T_(4)=T_(2)+B_(2)Mo1,T_(5)=T_(2)+Zn_(3)B_(2),T_(6)=T_(2)+Zn_(3)B_(2)Mo1 and T_(7)=Zn_(3)B_(2)Mo1.All treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and repeated all treatments in three times.The application of 3 kg Zn,2 kg B,and 1 kg Mo ha^(−1)with inoculation of Rhizobium at 50 g kg^(−1)seed(T_(6))facilitated to increase of 44.8%in the green pod and 29.7%seed yield over control.The same treatment contributed to attaining the maximum nodulation(25.3 plant^(−1)),Vitamin C(43.5 mg 100 g^(−1)),protein content(22.2%),and nutrient uptake as well as accumulation in garden peas.Among all treatment combinations,treatment T_(6)was found superior to others based on microbial activities,soil fertility,and profitability.The results of the study found that the application of 3 kg Zn,2 kg B,and 1 kg Mo ha^(−1)in combination with Rhizobium inoculation(50 g kg^(−1)seed)can improve the yield and quality of garden peas.The results of the study have the potential for the areas,where there is no use of Rhizobium inoculant or Zn,B,and Mo fertilizer for cultivation of garden pea.

Effects of Paclobutrazol Seed Priming on Seedlings Quality,Physiological and Bakanae Disease Index Characteristics of Rice(Oryza sativa L.)

Rice(Oryza sativa L.)is one of the most important cereal crops in the world.Bakanae disease is a significant rice disease widely distributed in rice-growing regions worldwide.Therefore,the present investigation aimed to assess the optimal concentrations of paclobutrazol(PBZ)as a treatment for rice grains(cv.Sakha 108)to control bakanae disease,also evaluating its impact on grain germination,seedling growth parameters as well as disease index.Paclobutrazol concentrations had no significant impact on seed germination,regardless of whether the seeds were incubated with Fusarium fujikuroi or not.Application of PBZ,either alone or in combination with fungal pathogens,negatively impacted the rice seedlings’height.Paclobutrazol at 25,50 and 100 mg/L,combined with the fungal pathogen positively impacted root length.Paclobutrazol at 3 and 6 mg/L mitigated the adverse impact on chlorophyll pigments content in infected seedlings.The highest proline contents were achieved by 100 mg/L PBZ alone or in combination with fungal pathogens.It has been observed that the application of PBZ,either alone or in combination with a fungal pathogen,leads to the enhancement of catalase,peroxidase,and polyphenol oxidase activities.The median lethal concentration of PBZ was 0.874 mg/L;applying low concentrations of paclobutrazol effectively increased the percentage of fungal growth suppression.Application of PBZ,at higher concentrations(50 and 100 mg/L),decreased infection percentage and disease severity index(DSI)significantly.These findings suggest that PBZ can be an effective treatment for controlling bakanae disease and enhancing resistance in rice plants.

The IDD Transcription Factors:Their Functions in Plant Development and Environmental Response

INDETERMINATE-DOMAIN proteins(IDDs)are a plant-specific transcription factor family characterized by a conserved ID domain with four zinc finger motifs.Previous studies have demonstrated that IDDs coordinate a diversity of physiological processes and functions in plant growth and development,including floral transition,plant architecture,seed and root development,and hormone signaling.In this review,we especially summarized the latest knowledge on the functions and working models of IDD members in Arabidopsis,rice,and maize,particularly focusing on their role in the regulatory network of biotic and abiotic environmental responses,such as gravity,temperature,water,and pathogens.Understanding these mechanisms underlying the function of IDD proteins in these processes is important for improving crop yields by manipulating their activity.Overall,the review offers valuable insights into the functions and mechanisms of IDD proteins in plants,providing a foundation for further research and potential applications in agriculture.

Chemically Mediated Interactions between Grapevine, Aphid, Ladybird, and Ant in the Context of Insect Chemical Ecology

This study simplifies the complex relationship among grapevine plants,aphids,ladybirds,and ants,which is essential for effective pest management and ecological balance.This study investigated the impact of aphid attacks and the presence of ants and ladybirds on the volatile compounds profile released into the chemosphere of the community consisting of the common vine Vitis vinifera,the aphid Aphis illinoisensis,the ladybird Cocci-nella undecimpunctata-and the ant Tapinoma magnum.This study aims to analyze the volatile compounds emitted by the grapevine and surrounding insects in response to these intricate interactions.The extraction of volatile organic compounds(VOCs)was carried out using closed-loop stripping(CLS)and then analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)and principles coordinated analysis(PCA)was performed.The grapevine was exposed to different types and order of treatments,including non-infested,aphid-infested,aphid-infested with ant,aphid-infested with ladybird,and various combinations of ant and ladybird.After the aphid attack,the outcomes uncovered massive alterations in the volatile compound profiles.Infested grapevine displayed distinct emissions of germacrene D,an alcohol,and an alkene compared to non-infested plants.The characteristic VOC profile was the share of infested grapes in the presence of ants,with benzene derivatives and sesquiterpenes dominating the components.The coexistence of ladybirds with ants and aphids resulted in a dif-ferent volatile profile characterized by elevated levels of aldehydes,ketones,α-farnesene,and its hydroxy deriva-tive.It was concluded that the emission of VOCs into the chemosphere of the grapevine communities varied qualitatively and quantitatively depending on the level of the relationship complexity within each community in response to the infestation of grapevines by aphids,the presence of ladybirds as natural predators,and the presence of ant as protector.The grapevine’s status-dependent compounds can serve as indicators of infestation status and contribute to non-destructive early-stage diagnosis of the aphid.

Landscape of Sequence Variations in Homologous Copies of FAD2 and FAD3 in Rapeseed(Brassica napus L.)Germplasm with High/Low Linolenic Acid Trait

Genetic manipulation(either restraint or enhancement)of the biosynthesis pathway ofα-linolenic acid(ALA)in seed oil is an important goal in Brassica napus breeding.B.napus is a tetraploid plant whose genome often har-bors four and six homologous copies,respectively,of the two fatty acid desaturases FAD2 and FAD3,which con-trol the last two steps of ALA biosynthesis during seed oil accumulation.In this study,we compared their promoters,coding sequences,and expression levels in three high-ALA inbred lines 2006L,R8Q10,and YH25005,a low-ALA line A28,a low-ALA/high-oleic-acid accession SW,and the wildtype ZS11.The expression levels of most FAD2 and FAD3 homologs in the three high-ALA accessions were higher than those in ZS11 and much higher than those in A28 and SW.The three high-ALA accessions shared similar sequences with the pro-moters and CDSs of BnFAD3.C4 and BnFAD3.A3.In A28 and SW,substitution of three amino acid residues in BnFAD2.A5 and BnFAD2.C5,an absence of BnFAD2.C1 locus,and a 549 bp long deletion on the BnFAD3.A3 promoter were detected.The profile of BnFAD2 mutation in the two low-ALA accessions A28 and SW is different from that reported in previous studies.The mutations in BnFAD3 in the high-ALA accessions are reported for thefirst time.In identifying the sites of these mutations,we provide detailed information to aid the design of mole-cular markers for accelerated breeding schemes.

Artificial Intelligence for Maximizing Agricultural Input Use Efficiency: Exploring Nutrient, Water and Weed Management Strategies

Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy,and there is an increasing global emphasis on automating agri-cultural processes.With the tremendous increase in population,the demand for food and employment has also increased significantly.Agricultural methods traditionally used to meet these requirements are no longer ade-quate,requiring solutions to issues such as excessive herbicide use and the use of chemical fertilizers.Integration of technologies such as the Internet of Things,wireless communication,machine learning,artificial intelligence(AI),and deep learning shows promise in addressing these challenges.However,there is a lack of comprehensive documentation on the application and potential of AI in improving agricultural input efficiency.To address this gap,a desk research approach was used by utilizing peer-reviewed electronic databases like PubMed,Scopus,Goo-gle Scholar,Web of Science,and Science Direct for relevant articles.Out of 327 initially identified articles,180 were deemed pertinent,focusing primarily on AI’s potential in enhancing yield through better management of nutrients,water,and weeds.Taking into account researchfindings worldwide,we found that AI technologies could assist farmers by providing recommendations on the optimal nutrients to enhance soil quality and deter-mine the best time for irrigation or herbicide application.The present status of AI-driven automation in agricul-ture holds significant promise for optimizing agricultural input utilization and reducing resource waste,particularly in the context of three pillars of crop management,i.e.,nutrient,irrigation,and weed management.

Quantitative and Qualitative Responses of Hydroponic Tomato Production to Different Levels of Salinity

From economic and nutritional points of view,tomato is,historically,considered one of the most important crops.Without significant yield reduction,most commercial cultivars of tomato crops are sensitive to moderate levels of salinity.However,high levels of salt stress can negatively affect the yield and quality of tomato fruits.Therefore,this study was conducted to evaluate the yield and fruit quality of three tomato cultivars(Forester,Ghandowra-F1,and Feisty-Red)cultivated hydroponically,under three different levels of nutrient solution salinity.Evaluation of tomato fruits was performed based on quantity(number and weight of fruits,and total fruit yield),physical quality(color andfirmness),and chemical quality(refractometric index“Brix”,pH,EC,K^(+),Na^(+),and NO_(3)-).Experiments were conducted using three salinity levels of the nutrient solution with electrical conductivity values(dSm^(-1))of 2.5(control),6.0,and 9.5.Results showed that the studied tomato cultivars were significantly influenced by high salinity(9.5 dSm^(-1))in comparison to the low(2.5 dSm^(-1))and medium(6.0 dSm^(-1))levels of salinity.On average,the highest fruit weight per plant of 1944.84 g and total fruit yield of 4.42 kgm^(-2) were observed at the low salinity level;however,no significant differences were obtained in the two yield factors(single fruit weight and total fruit yield)for the low and medium salinity levels.On the other hand,a significant reduction in tomato yield(31%)was associated with the high salinity level compared to the yield at low and medium salinity levels.Results of physical quality parameters showed highly significant differences among all salinity levels.On average,the maximum value of color change(1.72)was associated with the medium salinity level,and the maximum value offirmness(9.61 Ncm^(-1))was recorded at the high salinity level.Salinity levels and tomato cultivars introduced significant differences in chemical quality parameters;however,no significant differences in these parameters were attributed to the low and medium salinity levels.The maximum value of pH was recorded for the combination of medium salinity and Forester cultivar.Moreover,the maximum values of Brix,EC,K^(+),Na^(+),and NO_(3)^(-) were recorded for the Ghandowra-F1 cultivar at the high salinity level.Unlike the Feisty-Red,the performance of the Forester and Ghandowra-F1 cultivars was found to be acceptable at the tested medium salinity level(6.0 dSm^(-1)).

The NAC Transcription Factor ANAC089 Modulates Seed Vigor through the ABI5-VTC2 Module in Arabidopsis thaliana

Seed viability is an essential feature for genetic resource conservation as well as sustainable crop production.Long-term storage induces seed viability deterioration or seed aging,accompanied by the accumulation of toxic reactive oxygen species(ROS)to suppress seed germination.Controlled deterioration treatment(CDT)is a gen-eral approach for mimicking seed aging.The transcription factor ANAC089 was previously reported to modulate seed primary germination.In this study,we evaluated the ability of ANAC089 to control seed viability during aging.Compared with that in the wild-type line,the mutation of ANAC089 significantly increased H_(2)O_(2),thereby reducing seed viability after CDT,while the overexpression of ANAC089 reduced H_(2)O_(2) and improved seed long-evity,indicating a critical role for ANAC089 in maintaining seed viability through H_(2)O_(2) signaling.A series of stu-dies have shown that ANAC089 targets and negatively regulates the level of ABI5,an important transmitter of abscisic acid(ABA)signals,to affect seed viability after CDT.Furthermore,ABI5 negatively regulated the expres-sion of VTC2,which is involved in the biosynthesis of the antioxidant ascorbic acid and H_(2)O_(2) scavenging.As a result,ANAC089 attenuates the generation of H_(2)O_(2),thereby enhancing seed viability through the ABI5-VTC2 module during the seed aging process.Taken together,our results reveal a novel mechanism by which ANAC089 enhances seed viability by coordinating ABI5 and VTC2 expression,ultimately preventing the overac-cumulation of H_(2)O_(2),which would have led to reduced seed viability.

Genetic Variability and Phenotypic Correlations Study among Grain Quality Traits and Mineral Elements Concentrations in Colored and Non-Colored Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Twenty-four rice genotypes were examined to assess genetic variability,heritability,and correlations for seven-grain quality traits,eight nutritional elements,and protein.ANOVA revealed significant differences for the quality traits studied.For every trait under study,the phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the correspon-dence genotypic coefficient of variation.Heritability in a broad sense varied from 29.75%for grain length to 98.31%for the elongation trait.Hulling percentage recovery had a highly significant positive correlation with milling and head rice percentage.Consequently,milling percentage had a highly positive correlation with head rice percentage.In amylose percentage,all the genotypes belonged to low amylose except the Hassawi-1 variety,which had intermediate amylose content.Mineral nutrition contents of magnesium(Mg),sodium(Na),potas-sium(K),calcium(Ca),copper(Cu),manganese(Mn),zinc(Zn),iron(Fe),or protein percentage gave different variations for 24 rice genotypes under all the nutritional elements.Among the 24 genotypes,ten rice genotypes–HighNutrient-1,HighNutrient-2,HighNutrient-9,HighNutrient-8,HighNutrient-3,Hassawi-2,HighNutrient-7,HighNutrient-6,Hassawi-1,and HighNutrient-4–had the highest heist value for all nutritional and protein con-tents,and could be used as a donor to improving new varieties.There was a positive and significant correlation between magnesium Mg,K,Zn and Fe.Consequently,K had a positive correlation with zinc Zn,Fe,and protein percentage.Clustering analysis was divided into two groups:thefirst group included all genotypes rich in nutri-ents,while the remaining genotypes with low nutritional content were included in the second group.

Integrative Analysis of Transcriptome and Phenolic Compounds Profile Provides Insights into the Quality of Soursop (Annona muricata L.) Fruit

Soursop(Annona muricata L.)is a tropical fruit highly valued for its uniqueflavor,nutritional value,and health-promoting properties.The ripening process of soursop involves complex changes in gene expression and metabo-lite accumulation,which have been studied using various omics technologies.Transcriptome analysis has provided insights into the regulation of key genes involved in ripening,while metabolic compound analysis has revealed the presence of numerous bioactive compounds with potential health benefits.However,the integration of transcrip-tome and metabolite compound data has not been extensively explored in soursop.Therefore,in this paper,we present a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome and phenolic compound profiles of soursop during ripen-ing.The integration analysis showed that the genes and phenolic compounds were mainly involved in the starch and sucrose metabolism pathways during soursop ripening.Further,the phenolic compounds Kaempferol 3-Q-galactoside,Procyanidin C1,Procyanidin trimmer C1,and m-Coumaric,as well as the genes Ubiquitin-like protein 5(UBL5_ARATH),ATP-dependent zinc metalloprotease FTSH8(FTSH8_ORYSJ),Zinc transporter 4(ZIP4_AR-ATH),Thioredoxin-like 3-1(TRL31_ORYSJ),Mitogen-activated protein kinase YODA(YODA_ARATH),R-man-delonitrile lyase-like(MGL_ARATH),26s protease regulatory subunit 6A homolog(PRS6_SOLLC),Cytochrome P45072A13(C7A13ARATH),Cytochrome P45084A1(C84A1_ARATH)and Homoserine O-trans-acetylase(MET2-ORYSJ)were correlated and differentially accumulated and expressed,respectively.Our study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying soursop ripening and may contribute to the development of strategies for improving the nutritional quality and shelf life of this important fruit.

Construction of a Yeast Hybrid Library and Identification of Proteins Regulating CaABI3/VP1-1 Expression in Capsicum annuum var.conoides

Hot pepper(Capsicum annuum var.conoides)is a significant vegetable that is widely cultivated around the world.Currently,global climate change has caused frequent severe weather events,and waterlogging stress harms the pepper industry by affecting the planting period,growth conditions,and disease susceptibility.The gene CaABI3/VP1-1 could improve pepper waterlogging tolerance.In order to explore the upstream regulatory mechanism of CaABI3/VP1-1,a high-quality standardized yeast hybrid library was successfully constructed for yeast one-,two-,and threehybrid screening using pepper‘ZHC2’as the experimental material,with a library recombinant efficiency of up to 100%.The length of inserted fragments varied from 650 to 5000 bp,the library titer was 5.18×10^(6)colony-forming units(CFU)·mL-1,and the library capacity was 1.04×10^(7)CFU of cDNA inserts.The recombinant bait plasmid was used to successfully identify 78 different proteins through the yeast one-hybrid system,including one transcription factor within the ethylene-responsive factor family and the other within the growth-regulating factor family.The interaction happened between LOC124895848 and CaABI3/VP1-1 promoter by point-to-point yeast one-hybrid experiment.The expression level of the 12 selected protein-coding genes was then evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results indicated the protein coding genes showed different responses to waterlogging stress and that the activity of the CaABI3/VP1-1 promoter could be inhibited or activated by up-regulating or down-regulating gene expression,respectively.The identification of these proteins interacting with the promoter provides a new perspective for understanding the gene regulatory network of hot pepper operating under waterlogging stress and provides theoretical support for further analysis of the complex regulatory relationship between transcription factors and promoters.

Genome-Wide Discovery and Expression Profiling of the SWEET Sugar Transporter Gene Family in Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) under Developmental and Stress Conditions: Structural and Evolutionary Analysis

The SWEET(sugar will eventually be exported transporter)family proteins are a recently identified class of sugar transporters that are essential for various physiological processes.Although the functions of the SWEET proteins have been identified in a number of species,to date,there have been no reports of the functions of the SWEET genes in woodland strawberries(Fragaria vesca).In this study,we identified 15 genes that were highly homolo-gous to the A.thaliana AtSWEET genes and designated them as FvSWEET1–FvSWEET15.We then conducted a structural and evolutionary analysis of these 15 FvSWEET genes.The phylogenetic analysis enabled us to categor-ize the predicted 15 SWEET proteins into four distinct groups.We observed slight variations in the exon‒intron structures of these genes,while the motifs and domain structures remained highly conserved.Additionally,the developmental and biological stress expression profiles of the 15 FvSWEET genes were extracted and analyzed.Finally,WGCNA coexpression network analysis was run to search for possible interacting genes of FvSWEET genes.The results showed that the FvSWEET10 genes interacted with 20 other genes,playing roles in response to bacterial and fungal infections.The outcomes of this study provide insights into the further study of FvSWEET genes and may also aid in the functional characterization of the FvSWEET genes in woodland strawberries.

Effects of Forest Types on Soil Available Nutrients and Carbon Contents in Coastal Areas,China

Clarifying the soil nutrient dynamics caused by forest type variations in the coastal region helps scientifically to apply fertilizer to forest plantations and enhance the carbon(C)sink capacity.Pure forests of Ligustrum and Metasequoia,as well as their mixed forests,in a coastal region of China were investigated by collecting 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil samples and analyzing their differences in bulk density,water content,pH,soil organic matter(SOM),ammonium(NH_(4)^(+)-N),nitrate(NO_(3)^(-)-N)and total nitrogen(TN),available phosphorus(AP)and potassium(AK),microbial biomass C(MBC)and N(MBN),and enzyme activity.The results demonstrated that different forest types had no significant(p≥0.05)effect on 0-20 cm soil bulk density,water content,pH,NH_(4)^(+)-N,and SOM.However,the surface soil NO_(3)^(-)-N,TN,AP,and AK contents as well as enzyme activity changed significantly(p<0.05),in which the soil AK content of the ligustrum×metasequoia mixed forest was 47.5%and 65.5%higher than that of the ligustrum and metasequoia pure forest,respectively.The mixed forest soil had the highest MBN content,which was significantly(p<0.05)25.1%higher than that in the pure metasequoia forest.Meanwhile,soil phosphatase activities in ligustrum and metasequoia pure forests were significantly(p<0.05)lower than those in the mixed forests by 17.4%and 43.1%,respectively.However,soil NO_(3)^(-)-N and AP contents in the metasequoia pure forest were significantly(p<0.05)higher than those in the ligustrum pure forest and mixed forests.Soil MBC content and reductase NO_(3)^(-)-N activity were significantly(p<0.05)higher in ligustrum pure forest than in metasequoia pure forest and mixed forests.In addition,the results of two-way ANOVA showed that there were no significant(p≥0.05)differences in nutrient contents(e.g.,NH_(4)^(+)-N,AP,AK,and SOM)in different soil layers(0-20 and 20-40 cm)within the same forest type,except for NO_(3)^(-)-N.However,forest types had a significant(p<0.05)impact on NO_(3)^(-)-N and AP contents in 20-40 cm soil layer.Combining the two factors of forest stand and soil layer,there was a significant(p<0.05)interaction effect for their soil NH_(4)^(+)-N,NO_(3)^(-)-N,AP,and AK contents.In conclusion,significant(p<0.05)differences were observed in nutrient contents in 0-20 cm soil layer from different forest types,with soil fertility indices inmixed forests generally higher than in pure forests.Therefore,establishing mixed forests in coastal saline region is recommended to retain soil fertility and to enhance the C sink capacity of forestry.

The Combination of Achnatherum inebrians Extracts and Soil Microorganisms Inhibited Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Elymus nutans

In a greenhouse experiment,the effects of soil microorganisms and extracts of Achnatherum inebrians on the seed germination and seedling growth of Elymus nutans were studied.The results showed that both the extracts from aboveground and belowground parts of A.inebrians significantly inhibited the germination rate,germination potential,germination index,vigor index,seedling height,root length,and fresh weight of E.nutans,but increased malondialdehyde content,catalase,peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity of E.nutans seedlings(p<0.05).The allelopathy of aqueous extracts of the aboveground parts of A.inebrians was stronger than that of the pre-cipitates.Aqueous extracts of the aboveground parts of A.inebrians decreased seed germination rate,germination potential,germination index,vigor index,seedling length,root length,and seedling fresh weight by 10.45%-74.63%,24.18%-32.50%,19.03%-73.36%,37.83%-88.41%,21.42%-53.14%,2.65%-40.21%,and 20.45%-61.36%,respectively,and malondialdehyde content,peroxidase,catalase,and superoxide dismutase activity increased by 8.09%-62.24%,27.83%-86.47%,22.90%-93.17%,and 11.15%-75.91%,respectively.The above indexes were higher in live soil than in sterilized soil.Soil microorganisms increased the allelopathy of A.inebrians.The seed germination rate,germination potential,germination index,vigor index,seedling length,and seedling fresh weight of E.nutans planted in live soil decreased by 8.22%-48.48%,10.00%-51.85%,8.19%-53.26%,16.43%-60.03%,12.91%-28.81%,and 9.09%-22.86%compared with sterilized soil,respectively.Malondialdehyde content,peroxidase,catalase,and superoxide dismutase activity of E.nutans planted in live soil increased by 53.91%-81.06%,15.71%-57.34%,33.33%-86.31%,and 9.78%-52.51%compared with sterilized soil,respectively.The existence of soil microorganisms enhanced the allelopathy of the secondary metabolites of A.inebrians.A combination of microorganisms and aqueous extracts from the aboveground parts of A.inebrians had the strongest allelopathic effect on E.nutans.

Research Progress on Economic Forest Water Stress Based on Bibliometrics and Knowledge Graph

This study employed the bibliometric software CiteSpace 6.1.R6 to analyze the correlation between thermal infrared,spectral remote sensing technology,and the estimation of economic forest water stress.It aimed to review the development and current status of this field,as well as to identify future research trends.A search was conducted on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI)database using the keyword“water stress”for relevant studies from 2003 to 2023.The visual analysis function of CNKI was used to generate the distribution of annual publication volume,and CiteSpace 6.1.R6 was utilized to create network maps illustrating collaboration among authors and institutions.The study also analyzed the hotspots and frontiers of economic forest water stress.As a result,a total of 6664 academic journal articles related to water stress were retrieved.Considerable collaboration networks were observed among scholars and institutions,with a focus on using crown temperature monitoring to diagnose crop water stress.Based on the research findings,it was evident that the primary research trend involved the use of thermal infrared and spectral remote sensing technology for estimating water stress,making it a future research hotspot.