Genome-wide and candidate gene association studies identify BnPAP17 as conferring the utilization of organic phosphorus in oilseed rape

Phosphorus(P)is essential for living plants,and P deficiency is one of the key factors limiting the yield in rapeseed production worldwide.As the most important organ for plants,root morphology traits(RMTs)play a key role in P absorption.To investigate the genetic variability of RMT under low P availability,we dissected the genetic structure of RMTs by genome-wide association studies(GWAS),linkage mapping and candidate gene association studies(CGAS).A total of 52 suggestive loci were associated with RMTs under P stress conditions in 405 oilseed rape accessions.The purple acid phosphatase gene BnPAP17 was found to control the lateral root number(LRN)and root dry weight(RDW)under low P stress.The expression of BnPAP17 was increased in shoot tissue in P-efficient cultivars compared to root tissue and P-inefficient cultivars in response to low P stress.Moreover,the haplotype of BnPAP17^(Hap3)was detected for the selective breeding of P efficiency in oilseed rape.Over-expression of the BnPAP17^(Hap3)could promote the shoot and root growth with enhanced tolerance to low P stress and organic phosphorus(Po)utilization in oilseed rape.Collectively,these findings increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying BnPAP17-mediated low P stress tolerance in oilseed rape.

Effects of soil drought stress on photosynthetic gas exchange traits and chlorophyll fluorescence in Forsythia suspensa

To clarify the changes in plant photosynthesis and mechanisms underlying those responses to gradually increasing soil drought stress and reveal quantitative relationships between photosynthesis and soil moisture,soil water conditions were controlled in greenhouse pot experiments using 2-year-old seedlings of Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.) Vahl. Photosynthetic gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence variables were measured and analyzed under 13 gradients of soil water content. Net photosynthetic rate(PN), stomatal conductance(gs), and water-use efficiency(WUE) in the seedlings exhibited a clear threshold response to the relative soil water content(RSWC). The highest PNand WUEoccurred at RSWCof51.84 and 64.10%, respectively. Both PNand WUEwere higher than the average levels at 39.79% B RSWCB 73.04%. When RSWCdecreased from 51.84 to 37.52%,PN, gs, and the intercellular CO2 concentration(Ci)markedly decreased with increasing drought stress; the corresponding stomatal limitation(Ls) substantially increased, and nonphotochemical quenching(NPQ) also tended to increase, indicating that within this range of soil water content, excessive excitation energy was dispersed from photosystem II(PSII) in the form of heat, and the reduction in PNwas primarily due to stomatal limitation.While RSWCdecreased below 37.52%, there were significant decreases in the maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry(Fv/Fm) and the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry(UPSII), photochemical quenching(qP), and NPQ; in contrast, minimal fluorescence yield of the dark-adapted state(F0) increased markedly. Thus,the major limiting factor for the PNreduction changed to a nonstomatal limitation due to PSII damage. Therefore, an RSWCof 37.52% is the maximum allowable water deficit for the normal growth of seedlings of F. suspensa, and a water content lower than this level should be avoided in field soil water management. Water contents should be maintained in the range of 39.79% B RSWCB 73.04% to ensure normal function of the photosynthetic apparatus and high levels of photosynthesis and efficiency in F.suspensa.

Genome-wide recombination variation in biparental segregating and reciprocal backcross populations provides information for introgression breeding in Brassica napus

Variation in patterns of recombination in plant genomes provides information about species evolution,genetic diversity and crop improvement. We investigated meiotic crossovers generated in biparental segregating and reciprocal backcross populations of the allopolyploid genome of rapeseed(Brassica napus)(AACC, 2n = 38). A structured set of 1445 intercrossed lines was derived from two homozygous de novo genome-assembled parents that represented the major genetic clusters of semi-winter Chinese and winter European rapeseeds, and was used to increase QTL resolution and achieve genomic reciprocal introgression. A high-density genetic map constructed with 6161 genetic bins and anchored centromere regions was used to establish the pattern of recombination variation in each chromosome. Around 93%of the genome contained crossovers at a mean rate of 3.8 c M Mb^(-1), with the remaining 7% attributed to centromeres or low marker density. Recombination hotspots predominated in the A genome, including two-thirds of those associated with breeding introgression from B. rapa. Genetic background might affect recombination variation. Introgression of genetic diversity from European winter to Chinese semi-winter rapeseed showed an increase in crossover rate under the semi-winter environment. Evidence for an elevated recombination rate having historically contributed to selective trait improvement includes accumulation of favorable alleles for seed oil content on hotspots of chromosome A10. Conversely, strong artificial selection may affect recombination rate variation, as appears to be the case with a coldspot resulting from strong selection for glucosinolate alleles on A09. But the cold region would be promptly reactivated by crossing design indicated by the pedigree analysis. Knowledge of recombination hotspots and coldspots associated with QTL for 22 traits can guide selection strategies for introgression breeding between the two gene pools. These results and rich genomic resources broaden our understanding of recombination behavior in allopolyploids and may advance rapeseed genetic improvement.

Reform and Research on the Combination of Production and Education in Plant Protection under the Background of Transformation and Development

Plant Protection is an agricultural discipline with strong theoretical and practical significance.In order to adapt to the development direction of the society during the transition period and the need for professional talents,the researchers have discussed the teaching mode of the plant protection major from various perspectives of the teaching practice.Through the integration of teaching content and knowledge the overall structure of the course is being made clearer and reasonable;The use of different teaching methods has stimulated the initiative of students and achieved remarkable teaching results;The creativity and practical ability of students have been significantly improved;And the examination and evaluation system has been improved,thereby students’performance can be truly reflected.Through the reform and research of plant protection industry-academia and practical teaching,a feasible way is proposed for the combination of industry-academia and the cultivation of practical talents.

The effects of phenolic acid on nitrogen metabolism in Populus 3 euramericana ‘Neva’

The declines in soil fertility and productivity in continuously cropped poplar plantations are related to phenolic acid accumulation in the soil.Nitrogen is a vital life element for poplar and whether the accumulation of phenolic acid could influence nitrogen metabolism in poplar and thereby hinder continuous cropping is not clear.In this study, poplar cuttings of Populus × euramericana‘Neva’ were potted in vermiculite, and phenolic acids at three concentrations(0 X, 0.5 X and 1.0 X) were added according to the actual content(1.0 X) in the soil of a second-generation poplar plantation.Each treatment had eight replicates.We measured gas exchange parameters and the activities of key enzymes related to nitrogen metabolism in the leaves.Leaf photosynthetic parameters varied with the concentration of phenolic acids.The net photosynthetic rate(P_N) significantly decreased with increasing phenolic acid concentration, and non-stomatal factors might have been the primary limitation for P_N.The activities of nitrate reductase(NR), glutamine synthetase(GS) and glutamate synthase(GOGAT), as well as the contents of nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, and total nitrogen in the leaves decreased with increasing phenolic acid concentration.This was significantly and positively related to P_N(P<0.05).The low concentration of phenolic acids mainly affected the transformation process of NO_3^- to NO_2^-, while the high concentration of phenolic acids affected both processes, where NO_3^- was transferred to NO_2^- and NH_4^+ was transferred to glutamine(Gln).Overall, phenolic acid had significant inhibitory effects on the photosynthetic productivity of Populus × euramericana‘Neva’.This was probably due to its influence on the activities of nitrogen assimilation enzymes, which reduced the amount of amino acids that were translated into protein and enzymes.Improving the absorption and utilization of nitrogen by plants could help to overcome the problems caused by continuous cropping.

A New Exploration of Practical Teaching Reform in the Department of Plant Protection of Hebei North University

In view of the existing problems in the practical teaching of Plant Protection majors,such as more teaching contents,less comprehensive and innovative contents,disorganized practical teaching system,lenient assessment,insufficient experimental teaching facilities,insufficient practical teaching sites,and lack of continuity of practical teaching contents.The practical teaching of plant protection majors should adopt“open”practice teaching methods in terms of laboratory construction,innovative ability cultivation,practical teaching content highlighting comprehensive and innovative,and practical teaching time.The results of the survey on college graduates and enterprises show that under the“open”practice mode,Plant Protection students will have better overall performance.

Transcriptome and genome analysis to identify C2H2 genes participating in low-temperature conditioning-alleviated postharvest chilling injury of peach fruit

Objectives:This work intended to identify candidate C2H2 genes participating in low-temperature conditioning(LTC)-alleviated postharvest chilling injury of peach fruit.Materials and Methods:For LTC treatment,fruit were pre-stored at 10℃for 5 d and then transferred to 0℃storage.Fruit firmness was measured by a hardness tester.H_(2)O_(2)content was determined by luminosity measurement model using a multifunctional enzyme labeler.Identification of C2H2 family members was performed by HMMSCAN according to peach genome.The cis-acting element of gene promoters was analyzed using the Plant CARE website.Weighted gene coexpression network analysis(WGCNA)was performed by the WGCNA package in the BMK Cloud platform.Results:LTC treatment decreased flesh browning rate and H_(2)O_(2)production of‘Beijing No.9’peach.Transcription factor identification of differentially expressed genes in 0℃and the LTC treatment indicated that peach C2H2 participated in the regulation of chilling injury.A total of 47 C2H2 genes were identified based on peach genome.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),phylogenetic analysis and promoter cis-acting element analysis revealed that ZFP21 was involved in the regulation of LTC-alleviated chilling injury in peach.WGCNA and dual luciferase assay suggested that ZFP21 participated in LTC-alleviated chilling injury by downregulating the expression of reactive oxygen species-related genes Rboh.Conclusions:Our investigation,based on genome and RNA-seq,revealed that ZFP21 was involved in LTC treatment-alleviated chilling injury of peach fruit.This work is useful for the identification of peach cold tolerance-related genes and the study of C2H2 family in peach.

Chimeric Newcastle Disease Virus-like Particles Containing DC-Binding Peptide-Fused Haemagglutinin Protect Chickens from Virulent Newcastle Disease Virus and H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus Challenge

Newcastle disease virus(NDV)and H9N2 subtype Avian influenza virus(AIV)are two notorious avian respiratory pathogens that cause great losses in the poultry industry.Current inactivated commercial vaccines against NDV and AIV have the disadvantages of inadequate mucosal responses,while an attenuated live vaccine bears the risk of mutation.Dendritic cell(DC)targeting strategies are attractive for their potent mucosal and adaptive immune-stimulating ability against respiratory pathogens.In this study,DC-binding peptide(DCpep)-decorated chimeric virus-like particles(cVLPs),containing NDV haemagglutinin–neuraminidase(HN)and AIV haemagglutinin(HA),were developed as a DC-targeting mucosal vaccine candidate.DCpep-decorated cVLPs activated DCs in vitro,and induced potent immune stimulation in chickens,with enhanced secretory immunoglobulin A(sIgA)secretion and splenic T cell differentiation.40μg cVLPs can provide full protection against the challenge with homologous,heterologous NDV strains,and AIV H9N2.In addition,DCpep-decorated cVLPs could induce a better immune response when administered intranasally than intramuscularly,as indicated by robust s IgA secretion and a reduced virus shedding period.Taken together,this chimericVLPs are a promising vaccine candidate to control NDV and AIV H9N2 and a useful platform bearing multivalent antigens.