Current Situations of Competitive Scientific Research Projects for Agri-scientific Research Institutions: A Case Study of Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences

This paper collected and arranged competitive scientific research projects undertaken by Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in 2003-2014. Through statistical analysis on quantity of projects,funded amount,age of person responsible,professional title of person responsible,academic degree of person responsible,research object,it discussed relevant characteristics and rules. Finally,it came up with pertinent measures and recommendations,in the hope of providing services for decision-making and scientific and technological management.

Construction and Establishment of Sci-tech Platform for Agricultural Scientific Research Institutions: A Case Study of Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences

Taking Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute( TCGRI) of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences( CATAS) as an example,this paper discussed current situation of construction of sci-tech platform,analyzed existing problems,and finally came up with pertinent recommendations.

Opening and Sharing of Large-scale Instruments and Equipment in Agricultural Research Institutes:A Case Study of Environment and Plant Protection Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences

The article introduces the main practices and achievements of the Environment and Plant Protection Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in promoting the sharing of large-scale instruments and equipment in recent years,analyzes the existing problems in the management system,management team,assessment incentives and maintenance guarantee,and proposes improvement measures and suggestions from aspects of improving the sharing management system,strengthening management team building,strengthening sharing assessment and incentives,improving maintenance capabilities and expanding external publicity,to further improve the sharing management of large-scale instruments and equipment.

Morpho-cultural, Pathogenicity and Molecular Characterization of Phyllosticta capitalensis Inciting Cavendish Banana Freckle Disease in Hainan

[Objectives]The study was to identify the casual agent of freckle disease on Cavendish banana in Hainan Province,China.[Methods]Fungal isolates were isolated from affected leaf tissues and identified by the morphological features,molecular identification and pathogenicity test.[Results]The fungus isolated from affected leaf tissues was identified as Phyllosticta capitalensis based on the morphological properties of the colony and spore,coupled with sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer(ITS)region and the large subunit(LSU)rDNA gene.Koch s postulates were fulfilled by successfully re-isolating the pathogen from the artificial inoculated leaves.[Conclusions]P.capitalensis is a new pathogen responsible for Cavendish banana freckle disease in Hainan.

Risks in the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements concerning Tropical Agriculture

The transformation of scientific and technological achievements concerning tropical agriculture has the characteristics of high risk and high return. Based on the characteristics of transformation of scientific and technological achievements concerning tropical agriculture,this paper analyzes the risk factors during the transformation of scientific and technological achievements concerning tropical agriculture. In accordance with the current situation of low transformation rate of scientific and technological achievements concerning tropical agriculture in China,this paper proposes the measures to avoid the risks in the transformation of scientific and technological achievements concerning tropical agriculture and enhance the transformation rate of scientific and technological achievements concerning tropical agriculture.

Fine-mapping and primary analysis of candidate genes associated with seed coat color in mung bean(Vigna radiata L.)

Seed coat color affects the appearance and commodity quality of mung beans(Vigna radiata L.).The substances that affect mung bean seed coat color are mainly flavonoids,which have important medicinal value.Mapping the seed coat color gene in mung beans would facilitate the development of new varieties and improve their value.In this study,an F2 mapping population consisting of 546 plants was constructed using Jilv9(black seed coat)and BIS9805(green seed coat).Using bulk segregated analysis(BSA)sequencing and kompetitive allele-specific PCR(KASP)markers,the candidate region related to seed coat color was finally narrowed to 0.66 Mb on chromosome(Chr.)4 and included eight candidate genes.Combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses showed that three of the eight candidate genes(LOC106758748,LOC106758747,and LOC106759075)were differentially expressed,which may have caused the differences in flavonoid metabolite content between Jilv9 and BIS9805.These findings can provide a research basis for cloning the genes related to seed coat color and accelerate molecular markerassisted selection breeding in mung beans.

The Clausena lansium genome provides new insights into alkaloid diversity and the evolution of the methyltransferase family

Wampee(Clausena lansium)is an important evergreen fruit tree native to southern China that has a long history of use for medicinal purposes.Here,a chromosome-level genome of C.lansium was constructed with a genome size of 282.9 Mb and scaffold N50 of 30.75 Mb.The assembled genome contains 48.70%repetitive elements and 24,381 protein-coding genes.Comparative genomic analysis showed that C.lansium diverged from Aurantioideae 15.91-24.95 million years ago.Additionally,some expansive and specific gene families related to methyltransferase activity and S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase activity were also identified.Further analysis indicated that N-methyltransferase(NMT)is mainly involved in alkaloid biosynthesis and O-methyltransferase(OMT)participates in the regulation of coumarin accumulation in wampee.This suggested that wampee's richness in alkaloids and coumarins might be due to the gene expansions of NMT and OMT.The tandem repeat event was one of the major reasons for the NMT expansion.Hence,the reference genome of C.lansium will facilitate the identification of some useful medicinal compounds from wampee resources and reveal their biosynthetic pathways.

Molecular analyses display the increasing diversity of Podostemaceae in China

Podostemaceae(riverweed family),one of the largest aquatic plant families in the world,comprises about 350 species in 51 genera placed in three subfamilies,Podostemoideae,Weddellinoideae,and Tristichoideae(Koi et al.,2022).Most Podostemaceae genera(~38)are monotypic or oligotypic,with a high level of endemism(Koi et al.,2018,2022).Members of Podostemaceae adhere to rocks in fast-flowing rivers,streams,or waterfalls in the subtropics and tropics(Koi et al.,2018).As an adaptation to fastrunning currents,the morphological structure of river-weeds tends to be extremely reduced,including a loss or reduction of primary shoots or roots(Koi and Kato,2007).The vegetative mass of these plants resembles lichens or bryophytes,and are thus known commonly as“dream bryophytes”(Philbrick and Retana,1998).Podostemaceae plants flower when the water level drops during the dry season.In recent years,anthropogenic factors and climate change have severely affected river weed habitats,decreasing populations of these plants.

Effects of Fermented Puffed Feather Meal on Growth Performance,Serum Biochemical Indices,Meat Quality,and Intestinal Microbiota in Broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effects of fermented puffed feather meal(FPFM)on growth performance,serum biochemical indices,meat quality,and intestinal microbiota in Arbor Acres(AA)broilers.A single-factor design was adopted,and four treatments were administered with five replicates to 240 one-day-old AA broilers.The control group(group A)received a basal diet,while the experimental groups received a basal diet plus 33%(group B),67%(group C)and 100%(group D)FPFM,respectively.Compared with group A,(1)the average daily gain(ADG)in group C decreased(P<0.05),and the feed conversion ratio(FCR)in group D increased(P<0.05);(2)the level of serum urea nitrogen in treatment groups decreased(P<0.05),and the levels of triglyceride,high density lipoprotein,low density lipoprotein,cholesterol,and glucose contents in group D increased(P<0.05)at day 21;(3)the serum immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G in group B and the immunoglobulin A in group C increased(P<0.05)at day 21,and the serum immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G in group D decreased(P<0.05)at day 42;(4)the share force of breast muscle and thigh muscle in group D increased(P<0.05);(5)the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum of group B increased(P<0.05)at day 21,and the villus height in group C and D increased(P<0.05)at day 42;(6)the proteobacteria counts in the cecum digesta in treatment groups decreased(P<0.05)at day 21.The basal diet supplemented with 33%FPFM promoted protein metabolism,enhanced immunity and improved meat quality,promoted the digestion and absorption of nutrients,increased intestinal microbial diversity,and improved the content of beneficial bacteria without affecting the growth performance,it was possible to be used as a good substitute for fish meal.

Comparative Preliminary Evaluation of Agronomic and Quality Traits of New"Zhongtang"Superior Lines

[Objectives]Sugarcane is the most significant sugar cash crop in the tropical and subtropical regions of China.However,it is notable for its narrow genetic basis,limited trait improvement,weak adaptability of varieties,and poor planting efficiency.In order to accelerate the process of sugarcane variety replacement and expand the basis of genetic variation,interspecific hybridization and multiple mutagenesis are the most effective methods for obtaining new sugarcane varieties.The evaluation and identification of phenotypic traits of germplasm represents a significant analytical method.The"Zhongtang"series of sugarcane varieties is distinguished by its high yield and high sugar content.New sugarcane germplasms with excellent agronomic and quality traits can be identified and developed as breeding parents and new breeding lines through comprehensive evaluation of the existing germplasm.[Methods]A total of 181 new lines were selected through genetic origin and orientation,and evaluated and appraised for growth,yield,and economic characteristics.The data on 6 important agronomic and quality traits,including tillering,initial plant height,plant height,stem diameter,number of effective stems,and brix at maturity,were used to discover superior lines.These traits were evaluated during the two production seasons of the participant lines.[Results]A comprehensive evaluation of seedling growth traits and economic traits at maturity of the experimental lines identified 30 excellent new germplasms of sugarcane.Among the selected lines,1501 and 1701 exhibited superior agronomic and quality traits,rendering them suitable as parental lines for sugarcane breeding or breeding as new varieties.[Conclusions]The exemplary results obtained in this study provide a solid foundation for the improvement of sugarcane germplasm,with the goal of enhancing quality and efficiency.These findings are of great scientific and practical significance to the study of sugarcane yield and sugar-related genes,as well as the exploration of the evaluation and utilization of sugarcane germplasm resources.

Visualization Analysis of the Impact of Rubber Agroforestry Ecosystem on Soil Microbial Community

Rubber agroforestry systems positively impact soil microbial communities. This study employed a bibliometric approach to explore the research status, hotspots, and development trends related to these effects. Using CiteSpace software, we visually analyzed research literature from the Web of Science (WOS) core database, spanning 2004 to 2024. The focus was on the impact of rubber agroforestry ecosystems on soil microbial communities. The results indicate significant attention from Chinese researchers, who have published numerous influential papers in this field. Authors Liu Wenjie have contributed the most papers, although no stable core author group exists. The Chinese Academy of Sciences is the leading research institution in terms of publication volume. While there is close collaboration between different institutions and countries, the intensity of researcher cooperation is low. The most cited literature emphasizes soil nutrients and structure in rubber agroforestry, laying a foundation for soil microorganism studies. Most cited journals are from countries like Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Key research areas include the effects of rubber intercropping on soil microbial communities, agroforestry management, and soil health. Research development can be divided into three stages: the initial stage (2010-2015), the development stage (2015-2020), and the mature stage (2020-2024). Current studies show that rubber intercropping and rubber-based agroforestry systems enhance soil microbial communities, positively impacting soil health. This paper provides a theoretical basis for the sustainable development of rubber agroforestry systems and improved management plans. Future research could explore the effects of species composition on soil microbiological characteristics and develop methods for species interactions. An in-depth study of the soil microbial community’s structure and function, and its relationship with rubber trees, is crucial. Developing effective, rationally designed rubber agroforestry systems and underground soil microbiome technology will promote sustainability and improve plantation productivity.

Detection and Identification of Phytoplasma of Cleome rutidosperma in Areca Palm Yellow Leaf Disease Field

[Objectives]The paper was to detect and identify the phytoplasma of Cleome rutidosperma in areca palm yellow leaf disease(YLD)field in Wenchang City,Hainan Province,China.[Methods]The nested PCR technique was employed to amplify the phytoplasma 16S rDNA of C.rutidosperma samples,followed by sequence analysis.Concurrently,this study examined C.rutidosperma in YLD field,collecting symptomatic leaves for phytoplasma detection.[Results]The 16S rDNA sequence of the C.rutidosperma witches'-broom phytoplasma was found to be identical to that of the HNWC5 strain associated with areca palm yellows phytoplasma,leading to the identification of this phytoplasma as belonging to the 16SrII-A subgroup.Field investigations revealed a higher incidence of C.rutidosperma in areca palm fields,with symptoms of leaf yellows observed in six of these fields.Quantitative PCR(qPCR)analysis confirmed the presence of phytoplasma infection in these instances.[Conclusions]Through the analysis of geographical distribution,sequence alignment,and field occurrence data,a significant correlation has been identified between witches'broom disease and YLD.It is proposed that the former may act as an intermediate host for the areca palm yellows phytoplasma.

Biological Characteristics of the Pathogen Phyllosticta capitalensis Causing Banana Freckle Disease in Hainan Province

[Objectives]This study was conducted to clarify the biological characteristics of the pathogen Phyllosticta capitalensis,the causal agent of freckle disease on Cavendish banana in Hainan Province,China.[Methods]The impact of various nutritional and environmental factors,including media,carbon sources,nitrogen sources,temperature,pH and light on the growth and sporulation of P.capitalensis was assessed using two distinct methods:mycelium growth rate and blood counting chamber.[Results]The mycelial growth and sporulation of P.capitalensis on different media exhibited notable differences.The use of banana leaf extract dextrose agar(BLEAD)and carrot agar(CA)was observed to facilitate rapid mycelial growth.The potato dextrose agar(PDA)and potato sucrose agar(PSA)were conducive to the production of conidia.The utilization of distinct carbon and nitrogen sources exerted a pronounced influence on the growth of P.capitalensis.Maltose,dextrose,fructose,and casein acid hydrolysate were the preferred substrates for mycelial growth.The tested carbon and nitrogen sources did not significantly stimulate conidial production,whereas dextrose and NaNO 3 were found to favor sporulation.The optimal temperature for mycelial growth and conidial production was determined to be 28 and 32℃,respectively.No mycelial growth was observed at 5℃.Active mycelial growth was observed at pH 6-10,with pH 6-7 being particularly conducive to sporulation.Complete darkness was conducive to mycelial growth and sporulation.[Conclusions]It is recommended that BLEDA and PDA should be incubated at 28℃for 14 d in the dark for the purpose of mycelial growth and sporulation of P.capitalensis,respectively.

Analysis of Occurrence and Mixed Infection of Sugarcane Bacilliform Virus Disease in Hainan Sugarcane-growing Area

[Objectives]The paper was to explore the occurrence and mixed infection of sugarcane bacilliform virus disease in Hainan sugarcane-growing area.[Methods]A total of 348 sugarcane leaf samples were collected from 7 sugarcane-growing areas in Hainan Province.Molecular detection of sugarcane bacilliform virus(SCBV)was carried out by PCR using specific primers.[Results]SCBV was detected in 244 out of 348 sugarcane samples,with an average detection rate of 70.11%.The highest detection rate was 76.66%in the Danzhou sugarcane-growing area,while the lowest was 57.14%in the Baisha sugarcane-growing area.The SCBV-positive samples were subjected to testing for SCYLV,SCSMV,SrMV,and SCMV,respectively.The results indicated that 106 out of 244 positive samples exhibited a single infection with SCBV,while 138 samples exhibited mixed infections with SCBV and other sugarcane viruses.The proportion of mixed infections among the SCBV-positive samples was as high as 56.56%.Among the various types of mixed infections,two-virus and three-virus mixed infections were the most prevalent.[Conclusions]SCBV has emerged as a significant threat to the secure production of sugarcane in the Hainan sugarcane-growing region.It presents an explosive infection in the Hainan sugarcane-growing region and frequently combines with other sugarcane viruses to infect sugarcane.The findings of this study will provide a theoretical foundation for the prevention and control of sugarcane bacilliform virus disease.

High Yield Cultivation and Pest Control Technology of Cashew

In order to enhance the yield and quality of cashew,it is essential to implement high-yield cultivation techniques effectively throughout the production process.Additionally,pest control measures should be employed to provide technical support for the industrialized development of cashew.

Practice of Developing Low-carbon Leisure Agriculture in Agricultural Sci-tech Experiment and Demonstration Park: A Case Study of Xinglong Tropical Botanical Park

The Agricultural Science and Technology Experiment and Demonstration Park,as a unique tourist scenic spot,is a new model for the development of low-carbon leisure agriculture.In this paper,with Xinglong Tropical Botanical Park as a study case,the practice of developing a model of low-carbon agricultural science and technology tourism in the park is explored.Main measures for developing low-carbon leisure agriculture in Agricultural Science and Technology Experiment and Demonstration Park are summarized,including development of low carbon attractors,construction of low carbon facilities,strengthening low-carbon management,building low-carbon environment and so on,according to analysis on the models for development of low-carbon agricultural science tourism in this park.

Effect of competition on spatial patterns of oak forests on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Reforestation or natural forest regeneration is an alternative measure for controlling soil erosion in degraded land on the Chinese Loess Plateau（CLP）. However, our understanding of the temporal dynamics and the spatial patterns of forest regeneration remains inadequate. Two oak forests at different development stages were investigated to determine the spatial patterns of competitions（intraspecies and interspecies） during different successional stages. The intraspecies and interspecies spatial relationships among different tree diameters at breast height were analyzed at multiple scales by Kriging interpolation method and univariate and bivariate O-ring statistics. Our analytical results indicated that self-correlation and competition intensity were relatively high between oak and pine trees in the early development stage of oak forests due to their clumped distributions of heavy seeds. Birch trees had a lower competition in comparison to oak trees although birch was the dominant species. Therefore, asymmetric competition of oak trees was most likely to have led to their edge dispersal and their success in replacing the pioneer species. Asymmetric competition means that larger individuals obtained a disproportionately large share of the resources and suppressed the growth of smaller individuals. Kriging interpolation analysis showed a tendency towards homogenization caused by interspecies competition during the succession of oak forests. Our results demonstrated that the competition was the driving factor in the spatial distribution of oak forests on the CLP.

BcpLH organizes a specific subset of microRNAs to form a leafy head in Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa ssp.pekinensis)

HYL1(HYPONASTIC LEAVES 1)in Arabidopsis thaliana encodes a double-stranded RNA-binding protein needed for proper miRNA maturation,and its null mutant hyl1 shows a typical leaf-incurvature phenotype.In Chinese cabbage,BcpLH(Brassica rapa ssp.pekinensis LEAFY HEADS),a close homolog of HYL1,is differentially expressed in juvenile leaves,which are flat,and in adult leaves,which display extreme incurvature.BcpLH lacks protein–protein interaction domains and is much shorter than HYL1.To test whether BcpLH is associated with defects in microRNA(miRNA)biogenesis and leaf flatness,we enhanced and repressed the activity of BcpLH by transgenics and investigated BcpLH-dependent miRNAs and plant morphology.BcpLH promoted miRNA biogenesis by the proper processing of primary miRNAs.BcpLH downregulation via antisense decreased a specific subset of miRNAs and increased the activities of their target genes,causing upward curvature of rosette leaves and early leaf incurvature,concurrent with the enlargement,earliness,and round-to-oval shape transition of leafy heads.Moreover,BcpLH-dependent miRNAs in Chinese cabbage are not the same as HYL1-dependent miRNAs in Arabidopsis.We suggest that BcpLH controls a specific subset of miRNAs in Chinese cabbage and coordinates the direction,extent,and timing of leaf curvature during head formation in Brassica rapa.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of embryogenic callus and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in‘Feizixiao'litchi

Litchi(Litchi chinensis Sonn.)is a type of commercially prevalent subtropical and tropical fruit.Since litchi has a highly heterozygous genetic background and a long reproductive cycle,conventional breeding methods(such as hybridization)have limited ability to nurture new litchi cultivars.Here,an efficient and stable Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation of embryogenic callus was established in‘Feizixiao’litchi.Transgenic materials were verified using polymerase chain reaction(PCR)analysis,β-glucuronidase(GUS)assay,and green fluorescent protein(GFP)assay.To implement the technology of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats(CRISPR)/associated protein 9(CRISPR/Cas9)technology in‘Feizixiao’litchi and verify the validity of these transformation systems,the litchi polyphenol oxidase gene(LcPPO,JF926153)was knocked out.Various categories of mutations,covering base insertions,deletions,and substitutions,were found in transgenic materials via sequence analysis.The transformation system achieved high feasibility and efficiency,and the system of CRISPR/Cas9 was successfully employed to edit genes in‘Feizixiao’litchi.This work provides an essential foundation for investigating the functions of genes and accelerating litchi genetic improvement.

MaDREB1F confers cold and drought stress resistance through common regulation of hormone synthesis and protectant metabolite contents in banana

Adverse environmental factors severely affect crop productivity.Improving crop resistance to multiple stressors is an important breeding goal.Although CBFs/DREB1s extensively participate in plant resistance to abiotic stress,the common mechanism underlying CBFs/DREB1s that mediate resistance to multiple stressors remains unclear.Here,we show the common mechanism for MaDREB1F conferring cold and drought stress resistance in banana.MaDREB1F encodes a dehydration-responsive element binding protein(DREB)transcription factor with nuclear localization and transcriptional activity.MaDREB1F expression is significantly induced after cold,osmotic,and salt treatments.MaDREB1F overexpression increases banana resistance to cold and drought stress by common modulation of the protectant metabolite levels of soluble sugar and proline,activating the antioxidant system,and promoting jasmonate and ethylene syntheses.Transcriptomic analysis shows that MaDREB1F activates or alleviates the repression of jasmonate and ethylene biosynthetic genes under cold and drought conditions.Moreover,MaDREB1F directly activates the promoter activities of MaAOC4 and MaACO_(2)0 for jasmonate and ethylene syntheses,respectively,under cold and drought conditions.MaDREB1F also targets the MaERF11 promoter to activate MaACO_(2)0 expression for ethylene synthesis under drought stress.Together,our findings offer new insight into the common mechanism underlying CBF/DREB1-mediated cold and drought stress resistance,which has substantial implications for engineering cold-and drought-tolerant crops.