Isolation of phloridzin-degrading,IAA-producing bacterium Ochrobactrum haematophilum and its effects on the apple replant soil environment

We isolated and identified a bacterium that could produce IAA and degrade phloridzin in the rhizosphere soil of healthy replanted apple(the rootstock is M9T337 and the scion is Yanfu 3),providing a theoretical basis for reducing the obstacles associated with apple replant disease(ARD).Isolates were screened using Salkowski colorimetry and screening medium for phloridzin.The isolate of interest(W6)was identified as Ochrobactrum haematophilum based on morphological analysis,physiological and biochemical tests,and 16S rDNA sequencing.In a laboratory experiment,W6 produced auxin and promoted the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana roots,and its degradation rate of 100 mg.L^(-1 )phloridzin was 62.0%.In a pot experiment,W6 significantly reduced the phenolic acid contents of replanted soil,lowered the abundance of the harmful fungus Fusarium solani,and increased soil enzyme activities,thereby improving the micro-ecological environment of replant soil.W6 increased the root antioxidant enzyme activity and leaf photosynthetic pigment content of replanted Malus hupehensis Rehd.seedlings,effectively alleviating the decrease in net photosynthetic rate,transpiration rate and stomatal conductance caused by ARD.In a field experiment,W6 also promoted the growth of replanted apple(the rootstock is M9T337 and the scion is Yanfu 3)saplings.Therefore,W6 can promote apple growth and degrade phenolic acids,and it can be used as an effective treatment for the reduction of ARD.

VvMYB14 participates in melatonin-induced proanthocyanidin biosynthesis by upregulating expression of VvMYBPA1 and VvMYBPA2 in grape seeds

This work demonstrated that melatonin increases continuously in seeds,particularly seed coats,during berry ripening.Exogenous melatonin treatments significantly increased the proanthocyanidin(PA)content,partially through ethylene signaling,in seed coats.VvMYB14 expression exhibited patterns similar to melatonin accumulation over time,which was largely induced by melatonin treatment in seed coats during berry ripening.Additionally,VvMYB14 bound to the MBS element of the VvMYBPA1 promoter to activate expression.VvMYB14 overexpression largely upregulated expression of VvMYBPA1,VvMYBPA2 and VvLAR1 and increased the PA content in grape seed-derived calli.Similar increases in AtTT2 and AtBAN expression and PA content were found in VvMYB14-overexpressing Arabidopsis seeds.It was also observed that VvMYB14 overexpression increased ethylene production and thereby induced expression of VvERF104,which bound to the ERF element of the VvMYBPA2 promoter and activated its expression.Additionally,VvERF104 suppression reduced the VvMYB14 overexpression-induced increases in expression of VvMYBPA2 and VvLAR1 and PA content.Further experiments revealed that melatonin-induced increases in the expression of VvMYBPA1,VvMYBPA2,VvERF104 and VvLAR1 and PA accumulation were significantly reduced in VvMYB14-suppressing grape calli and leaves.Collectively,VvMYB14 mediates melatonin-induced PA biosynthesis by directly transactivating VvMYBPA1 expression and indirectly upregulating VvMYBPA2 expression via VvERF104.

Potassium alleviated high nitrogen-induced apple growth inhibition by regulating photosynthetic nitrogen allocation and enhancing nitrogen utilization capacity

There is a close relationship between potassium(K)and nitrogen(N).However,the roles of K under high N conditions remain unclear.Using a hydroponics approach,we monitored the morphological,physiological,and molecular changes in M9T337 apple(Malus domestica)rootstocks under different nitrate(10 and 30 mmol·L^(-1)NO_(3)^(-))and K supply(0.5,6,10,and 20 mmol·L_(-1)K^(+))conditions.Results revealed that high nitrate inhibited the root growth of M9T337 rootstocks,downregulated the expressions of K transporter genes(MdPT5,MdHKT1,and MdATK1),and reduced the net NO3-and K+influx at the surface of roots,thereby resulting in an N/K imbalance in rootstocks.Further investigation showed that 10 mmol·L^(-1)K increased the activity of N metabolic enzymes(NR,GS,NiR,and GOGAT),upregulated the expressions of genes related to nitrate uptake and transport(MdNRT1.1,MdNRT1.2,MdNRT1.5,and MdNRT2.4),promoted15N transport from the roots to the shoots,optimized leaf N distribution,and improved photosynthetic N utilization efficiency under high nitrate conditions.These results suggest that the negative effects of high nitrate may be related to the N/K imbalance and that reducing N/K in plants by increasing K supply level can effectively alleviate the inhibition of N assimilation by high nitrate stress.

Genomic selection of eight fruit traits in pear

Genomic selection (GS) has the potential to improve selection efficiency and shorten the breeding cycle in fruit tree breeding. In this study,we evaluated the effect of prediction methods, marker density and the training population (TP) size on pear GS for improving its performance and reducing cost. We evaluated GS under two scenarios:(1) five-fold cross-validation in an interspecific pear family;(2) independent validation. Based on the cross-validation scheme, the prediction accuracy (PA) of eight fruit traits varied between 0.33 (fruit core vertical diameter)and 0.65 (stone cell content). Except for single fruit weight, a slightly better prediction accuracy (PA) was observed for the five parametrical methods compared with the two non-parametrical methods. In our TP of 310 individuals, 2 000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were sufficient to make reasonably accurate predictions. PAs for different traits increased by 18.21%-46.98%when the TP size increased from 50to 100, but the increment was smaller (-4.13%-33.91%) when the TP size increased from 200 to 250. For independent validation, the PAs ranged from 0.11 to 0.45 using rrBLUP method. In summary, our results showed that the TP size and SNP numbers had a greater impact on the PA than prediction methods. Furthermore, relatedness among the training and validation sets, and the complexity of traits should be considered when designing a TP to predict the test panel.

Polyphenolic Compound and the Degree of Browning in Processing Apple Varieties

Polyphenolic compound in processing apple （Malus domestica Borkh.） varieties and the relationship between polyphenol content and enzymatic browning were studied to provide reference for raw material selection and processing method optimization. The content of polyphenol compound in 10 processing apple varieties （4 cider and 6 juice varieties） were analyzed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and HPLC. The degree of browning and the activities of polyphenol oxidase were also studied. The content and proportion of the polyphenol varied depending on the variety. Bitter varieties globally showed a higher polyphenol concentration than sweet or acid varieties. Proanthocyanidins, chlorogenic acid, （＋）-catechin, （-）-epicatechin were high-concentrated polyphenols in apple fruits. Phloridzin, the unique polyphenol of apple, was abundant in the bitter variety Frequin rouge fruit. Total polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, （＋）-catechin, and phloridzin had higher correlations with browning. The correlation was low between chlorogenic acid and browning. The polyphenolic profiles were correlated with the apple types. Cider apples contained more polyphenol than juice apple varieties. The content of flavan-3-ol has a close relationship with fruit browning.

Exogenous Melatonin Improves Physiological Characteristics and Promotes Growth of Strawberry Seedlings Under Cadmium Stress

Melatonin,as a plant growth regulator,is involved in plant stress resistance.We studied the effects of different concentrations(0,10,50,100,150,and 200μmol·L−1)of melatonin on the growth and physiological characteristics of strawberry under cadmium(Cd)stress.The results represented that the growth of strawberry seedlings was inhibited under Cd stress,and the seedling biomass,chlorophyll content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase(SOD),peroxidase(POD),catalase(CAT),and ascorbate peroxidase(APX)decreased.These toxic effects were,however,effectively remediated by exogenous melatonin pretreatment.Melatonin treatment slowed the inhibitory effect of seedling growth and significantly increased seedling biomass,chlorophyll content,antioxidant enzyme activities,and soluble protein levels in leaves and roots compared with the control.Melatonin treatment also reduced the malondialdehyde(MDA)content and the oxidative stress reactions,increased the anthocyanin content,and slowed the senescence rate,thereby reducing the toxic effects of Cd on strawberries.This indicates that foliar application of melatonin can effectively remediate the adverse effects of Cd on strawberry seedlings;the greatest effect was obtained with melatonin concentration of 100μmol·L−1.

The Relation Between Endogenous Hormones and Late-Germination in Buds of Avrolles Apple

In order to provide the physiological bases for selecting late-germination cultivars that can avoid late frost damage, the very late-germination variety Avrolles （Malus domestica） was used to study the relation between the dynamic changes and balance of endogenous hormones and germination time. The concentrations of endogenous GA3, ABA, IAA, and ZR were determined in buds of Avrolles and Judeline （Malus domestica） from dormancy releasing to germination by capillary electrophoresis. The dynamic changes of endogenous hormones concentration in buds of Avrolles and Judeline were similar; but the magnitude and time of the change were significantly different between the two varieties, especially for GA3. GA3 concentration increased with dormancy releasing, then decreased, and increased again before germination in the two varieties. GA3 concentration in Avrolles was 1.72 times that in Judeline at the first peak, the gap increased to 2.22 times at germination. ZR concentration exhibited a continuous increase trend, but it decreased sharply before germination. ZR accumulation in Avrolles took 36 days longer than in Judeline, the peak value was 44% higher than in Judeline. Before germination, ZR concentration in Avrolles was 2.12 times that in Judeline. The differences between IAA and ABA concentration were relatively small in the two varieties, while the ratios of GA3/ABA and （GA3 ＋ IAA ＋ ZR）/ABA in Avrolles were 2.08 and 1.58 times those in Judeline, respectively. The germination of apple bud was regulated by the endogenous hormones. For the late-germination apple Avrolles, its germination requires higher concentration of GA3 and ZR, which leads to the high ratios of GA3/ABA and （GA3＋ IAA＋ ZR）/ABA.

Advances in Genomic,Transcriptomic,and Metabolomic Analyses of Fruit Quality in Fruit Crops

Fruit quality is the main factor determining market competitiveness;it represents the combination of fruit flavor,color,size,and the contents of aromatic and bioactive substances.Research on the genetic basis of fruit quality can provide new information about fruit biology,promote genomic-assisted breeding,and provide technological support for the regulation of fruit quality via habitat selection and/or the control of environmental conditions.High-throughput sequencing is a powerful research method for studying fruit quality traits,and reference genome sequences for many important fruit crops have provided vast amounts of genomic data.To study fruit quality,it is important to select appropriate omics strategies and to analyze omics data meaningfully.Here,we summarize genomic mechanisms of fruit quality formation:gene duplication,transposable element insertion,structural variations and genome methylation in functional genes.We review the genomic,transcriptomic,and metabolomic strategies that have been used to study the genetic basis of fruit quality traits.We also describe some of the genes associated with fruit traits;these genes are a valuable resource for genomics-assisted breeding and are useful models for deciphering the mechanisms of agronomic traits,such as fruit color,size,hardness,aroma components,sugar and acid content.Finally,to maximize the application of omics information,we propose some further directions for research using omics strategies.

Aroma Volatile Compound Analysis of SPME Headspace and Extract Samples from Crabapple (Malus sp.) Fruit Using GC-MS

Volatile compounds from the ripened crabapple fruit of six varieties （Red Splendor, Strawberry Parfait, Pink Spire, Radiant, Sparkler, and Flame） were analyzed by the use of the SPME/GC/MS method. The changes in the volatiles between the ripened and upon full maturity fruit states were studied in Red Splendor and Strawberry Parfait. An effort was made to summarize an effective method for searching and identifying new idioplasms containing a particular fruit aroma within Malus. A total of 37 compounds were identified from the sample. The main aroma volatiles of the six varieties of fruit were comprised of 2-hexenal, 3-hexenal, hexanal, 2,4-hexadienal, benzaldehyde, diethyl phtbalate. The main volatile compound of the crabapple fruit was 2-hexenal, but the relative content percentages were different （45.37, 21.98, 33.56, 32.21, 38.60, and 45.88%）. The aroma components accumulated differently as the fruits ripened. The relative content of aldehydes and esters decreased as alcohols increased after the Red Splendor and Strawberry Parfait fruit ripened. For Red Splendor, the main volatile was still 2-hexenal, but the relative content decreased to 42.89%, and the relative content of alcohols increased by 13.86% as aldehydes and esters declined by 12.16 and 7.18%, respectively. For Strawberry Parfait, the main volatile was changed to cyclohexanol, and the relative content increased to 46.43%, while the relative content of alcohols increased by 49.03% as aldehydes and esters declined by 23.74 and 9.34%, respectively.

Exogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Enhanced Antioxidant Capacity, Amylase Activities and Salt Tolerance of Cucumber Hypocotyls and Radicles

In the present experiment, effects of sodium hydrosulfide （NariS）, a H2S donor, on the oxidative damage, antioxidant capacity and the growth of cucumber hypocotyls and radicles were studied under 100 mmol L^-1 NaCl stress. NaCl treatment significantly induced accumulation of H2O2 and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances （TBARS） in cucumber hypocotyls and radicles, and application of NariS dramatically reduced the accumulation of H/O2 and lipid peroxidation. However, the alleviating effects greatly depended on the concentrations of NariS, and 400 ~tmol L-1 NariS treatment showed the most significant effects. Corresponding to the change of lipid peroxidation, higher activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as the antioxidant capacity indicated as DPPH scavenging ac＇tivity, chelating activity of ferrous ions and hydroxyl radical （.OH） scavenging activity were induced by Naris treatment under NaCI stress, especially by 400 Ixmol L-I Naris treatment. With the alleviating lipid peroxidation, the amylase activities in cotyledons were increased, and the length of cucumber hypocotyls and radicles were significantly promoted by NariS treatment under NaCI stress. Unlike the effects of NariS, pretreatment with other sodium salts including Na2S, NazSO4, NaHSO4, Na2SO3, NaHSO3 and NaAc did not show significant effects on the growth of cucumber hypocotyls and radicles. These salts do not release H2S. Based on above results, it can be concluded that the effects of NariS in the experiment depended on the H2S rather than other compounds derived from NariS, and the alleviating effects might related with its function in modulating antioxidant capacity and amylase activities.

Exogenous Nitric Oxide Alleviated the Inhibition of Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Iron-Deficient Chinese Cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.)

The effects of exogenous nitric oxide （NO） on plant growth, chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters as well as lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidant enzymes were investigated in Chinese cabbage plants exposed to iron （Fe） deficiency. Iron deficiency led to serious chlorosis in Chinese cabbage leaves, and resulted in significant decrease in plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, net photosynthetic rate, Fv/Fm, Ф ps Ⅱ and activities of antioxidant enzymes, and increase in lipid peroxidation. While treatment with SNP, a NO donor, it could revert the iron deficiency symptoms, increased photosynthetic rate as well as activities of antioxidant enzymes, and protected membrane from lipid peroxidation, as a result, the growth inhibition of Chinese cabbage by Fe deficiency was alleviated.

Effects of molybdenum on nutrition, quality, and flavour compounds of strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch. Cv. Akihime) fruit

Molybdenum （Mo） is an essential trace element in plant nutrition and physiology. It affects photosynthesis and photosyn- thate accumulation, therefore also affecting fruit quality and nutritional content. This study assessed the effects of different sodium molybdate （Na2MoO4） concentrations on strawberry. Five different Mo concentrations were applied in this experi- ment, including 0, 67.5, 135, 168.75, 202.5 g ha-1, respectively. The mineral concentration, including nitrogen （N）, Mo, iron （Fe）, copper （Cu）, and selenium （Se） was assessed in strawberry fruit, as well as chlorophyll content, nutrition quality, taste and aroma. Results showed that net photosynthetic rate （Pn） and chlorophyll content for the strawberry plants increased with an increase in Mo concentration; and the contents of N, Mo, Fe, Cu, total soluble solids （TSS）, titratable acidity （TA）, sweetness, some sugars, organic acids, and some volatile compounds in the fruit all increased, as well. However, the Mo concentration did not significantly affect the concentrations of Se, sucrose, lactic acid, acetic acid, and some aroma compounds. Fruit sprayed with 135 g ha-1 Mo exhibited the highest TSS and sweetness values, as well as the highest N and Fe concentrations among all the treatments. P value and chlorophyll content, fructose, glucose, sorbitol and total sugar contents in fruit supplied with 135 g ha-1 Mo were also higher than that in other treatments. Fruit sprayed with a Mo concentration of 67.5 g ha-1 exhibited significantly higher ascorbic acid （AsA） values than that of control. Ninety-seven volatile compounds were identified in fruit extracted by head-space solid-phase microextraction （HS-SPME） coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. Fruits sprayed with 135 g ha-1 Mo had the highest concentrations of six characteristic aroma compounds, including methyl butanoate, y-decalactone, ethyl butanoate, methyl hexanoate, y-do- decalactone, and ethyl caproate.

MdMYB6 regulates anthocyanin formation in apple both through direct inhibition of the biosynthesis pathway and through substrate removal

Anthocyanin biosynthesis and sugar metabolism are important processes during plant growth,but the molecular interactions underlying these pathways are still unclear.In this work,we analyzed the anthocyanin and soluble sugar contents,as well as the transcript levels of transcription factors that are known to be related to the biosynthesis of anthocyanin in‘Hongcui 1’apple flesh during fruit development.Overexpression of MdMYB6 in red-fleshed calli was found to reduce anthocyanin content and result in downregulated expression of the MdANS and MdGSTF12 proteins.Yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift analyses showed that MdMYB6 could directly bind to the promoters of MdANS and MdGSTF12,indicating that MdMYB6 could inhibit anthocyanin biosynthesis by regulating MdANS and MdGSTF12.Overexpression of MdTMT1 in the Arabidopsis tmt1 mutant restored the glucose and fructose contents to the wild-type levels,while overexpression of MdTMT1 in red-fleshed calli increased the contents of glucose and fructose but reduced the contents of UDP-glucose,UDP-galactose,and anthocyanin.Using a GUS reporter system,yeast one-hybrid,chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR and electrophoretic mobility shift analyses,we found that MdMYB6 could bind to the promoter of MdTMT1,resulting in increased promoter activity.Overexpression of MdMYB6 in calli overexpressing MdTMT1 increased the expression of MdTMT1,which led to reduced contents of UDP-glucose and UDP-galactose and decreased anthocyanin content compared to those of the calli that overexpressed MdTMT1.This finding suggested that MdMYB6 could also inhibit anthocyanin biosynthesis by regulating MdTMT1 to decrease the contents of UDP-glucose and UDP-galactose.Taken together,these results showed that MdMYB6 and MdTMT1 play key roles in both anthocyanin biosynthesis and sugar transport.

Effect of Photoperiod Treatments on Dormancy Induction and Changes in Correlated Respiratory Rate of Nectarine Peach Bud

The responses of dormancy induction to illumination and the characteristics of respiratory rate were studied with the nectarine peach bud in this article. The trial was conducted with nectarine （Prunus persica var. nectariana cv. Shuguang） and involved three treatments： a short day treatment （8 h）, a long day treatment （16 h）, and the normal condition as the control. The dormancy status was determined with the growth of shoot and the sprouting ability, and the respiratory rate was mensurated with oxygen electrode. Short day treatment could induce the growth stopping of peach shoots ahead, promote the development of dormancy, and induce buds into dormancy with 21 d previous to control. Long day treatment postponed the growth stopping and the induction and development of dormancy. The respiratory rate decreased according to the development of dormancy induction. The minimum respiratory rate appeared about 7 days after the start of dormancy induction. Bud respiratory rate increased during this period and then declined and remained at low level during dormancy period. Long day reduced buds respiratory rate slightly. Short day could induce dormancy obviously, and long day postponed dormancy induction. The changes of respiratory rate were correlated with the development of dormancy induction, and the bud respiratory rate was also affected by photoperiod.

Effects of Acetylsalicylic Acid and Calcium Chloride on Photosynthetic Apparatus and Reactive Oxygen-Scavenging Enzymes in Chrysanthemum Under Low Temperature Stress with Low Light

The effects of acetylsalicylic acid （ASA）, CaCl2, and ASA ＋ CaCl2 on the photosynthetic apparatus and antioxidant enzyme activities were investigated in chrysanthemum Jinba （a cut flower cultivar） under low temperature stress with low light （TL stress） （16/12℃, day/night, PFD 100 μmol m^-2 s-1）. The results showed that under TL stress, the net photosynthesis rate （Pn）, carboxylation efficiency （CE）, apparent quantum yield （AQY）, maximal photochemical efficiency （Fv/Fm） of PSII, quantum yield of PSII electron transport （ФPSII）, and photochemical quenching （qP） of the chrysanthemum leaves in all treatments were significantly decreased, but the decreases were alleviated by ASA, CaCl2, and ASA ＋ CaCl2 treatments compared with the controls. The alleviating effect of ASA ＋ CaCI2 was better than either ASA or CaCl2 single treatment. Moreover, the ASA ＋ CaCl2 treatment highly improved the chlorophyll content, relatively improved the number and size of chloroplast and starch grain in the leaves of chrysanthemum plants compared with ASA and CaCl2 treatments. It was indicated that ASA and/or CaCI2 could regulate the photosynthetic functions in the leaves of chrysanthemum plants to enhance the resistance against TL stress. On the other hand, reduction in relative conductance rate implied that ASA and/ or CaCl2 could protect from membrane injury in leaves of chrysanthemum plants. The activities of SOD, POD, and CAT in the treated leaves of chrysanthemum were increased as compared with the controls. It was suggested that ASA and/or CaCl2 had positive regulation effects on the defence enzyme activities in chrysanthemum leaves which could protect the photosynthetic apparatus to a certain degree under the TL stress. In brief, the treatment of ASA together with CaCl2 was better for chrysanthemum plants to adapt TL stress than single ASA or CaCl2 treatments.

Grafting Enhances Copper Tolerance of Cucumber Through Regulating Nutrient Uptake and Antioxidative System

An experiment was carried out to determine plant growth, mineral uptake, lipid peroxidation, antioxidative enzymes, and antioxidant of cucumber plants （Cucumis sativus L. cv. Xintaimici） under copper stress, either ungrafted or grafted onto the rootstock （Cucurbitaficifolia）. Excess Cu inhibited growth, photosynthesis, and pigment synthesis of grafted and ungrafted cucumber seedlings and significantly increased accumulation of Cu in roots besides reducing mineral uptake. Cu concentration in roots of grafted cucumber plants was significantly higher than that of ungrafted plants and obviously lower in leaves. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species （ROS） significantly increased in cucumber leaves under Cu stress and resulted in lipid peroxidation, and the levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation were greatly decreased by grafting. Activities of protective enzymes （superoxide dismutase, SOD; peroxidase, POD; catalase, CAT; ascorbate peroxidase, APX; dehydroascorbate reductase, DHAR; glutathione reductase, GR） and the contents of ascorbate and glutathione in leaves of grafted plants were significantly higher than those of ungrafted plants under Cu stress. Better performance of grafted cucumber plants were attributed to the higher ability of Cu accumulation in their roots, better nutrient status, and the effective scavenging system of ROS.

Characteristics of Soil Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen, and C/N Ratio in Chinese Apple Orchards

Soil organic carbon and nitrogen are used as indexes of soil quality assessment and sustainable land use management. At the same time, soil C/N ratio is a sensitive indicator of soil quality and for assessing the carbon and nitrogen nutrition balance of soils. We studied the characteristics of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen by investigating a large number of apple orchards in major apple production areas in China. High apple orchard soil organic carbon content was observed in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Xinjiang, and Yunnan, whereas low content was found in the provinces of Shandong, Henan, Hebei, and Shaanxi, with the values ranging between 6.44 and 7.76 g·kg-1. Similar to soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen content also exhibited obvious differences in the 12 major apple producing provinces. Shandong apple orchard soil had the highest total nitrogen content (1.26 g·kg-1), followed by Beijing (1.23 g·kg-1). No significant difference was noted between these two regions, but their total nitrogen content was significantly higher than the other nine provinces, excluding Yunnan. The soil total nitrogen content for Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Hebei, Henan, and Gansu was between 0.87 and 1.03 g·kg-1, which was significantly lower than that in Shandong and Beijing, but significantly higher than that in Liaoning, Shanxi, and Shaanxi. Six provinces exhibited apple orchard soil C/N ratio higher than 10, including Heilongjiang (15.42), Xinjiang (13.38), Ningxia (14.45), Liaoning (12.24), Yunnan (11.03), and Gansu (10.63). The soil C/N ratio was below 10 in the remaining six provinces, in which the highest was found in Shaanxi (9.47), followed by Beijing (8.98), Henan (7.99), and Shanxi (7.62), and the lowest was found in Hebei (6.80) and Shandong (6.05). Therefore, the improvement of soil organic carbon should be given more attention to increase the steady growth of soil C/N ratio.

Melatonin promotes ripening of grape berry via increasing the levels of ABA, H2O2, and particularly ethylene

The role of melatonin in the regulation of fruit ripening and the mechanism involved remain largely unknown.In“Moldova”grape berries,melatonin accumulated rapidly from onset of veraison,reached the maximum at 94 days after bloom(DAB)and then exhibited low levels at late stages of berry ripening.By contrast,abscisic acid(ABA)and hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)exhibited different accumulation patterns,and ethylene was primarily produced immediately before veraison.Further experiments demonstrated that 10 and particularly 100µM melatonin treatments increased the levels of ABA,H2O2,and ethylene production and promoted berry ripening compared with the control treatment,whereas 0.1 and 1.0µM melatonin did not lead to clear effects.Additionally,the application of inhibitors indicated that ABA,H2O2,and ethylene participated in the regulation of berry ripening induced by melatonin,and the suppression of ethylene biosynthesis produced the greatest inhibitory effects on melatonin-induced berry ripening compared with those of ABA and H2O2.Melatonin also promoted ethylene production via ABA.In summary,10 and particularly 100µM melatonin treatments promoted berry ripening,which was accomplished,at least partially,via the other signaling molecules of ABA,H2O2,and particularly ethylene.This research provides insight into melatonin signaling during berry ripening and may advance the application of melatonin to accelerate berry ripening.

Genome-wide identification and expression analyses of homeodomain-leucine zipper family genes reveal their involvement in stress response in apple(Malus×domestica)

The homeodomain-leucine zipper(HD-Zip)family has been shown to perform amultitude of functions during plant development and stress responses;however,the familymembers and functions have not been identified in apple(Malus×domestica).In this study,83 HD-Zips(MdHDZs)were identified in the apple genome.They were assembled into four subgroups according to the classification in Arabidopsis,where MdHDZs in the same subgroup had similar gene structures and conserved protein motifs.Putative cis-element analysis of MdHDZs promoter regions uncovered numerous elements related to the response of stress and plant hormones.In addition,twelve transcripts of the MdHDZs showed different expression patterns under salt,drought,low temperature and ABA stresses by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR(qRT-PCR)assay.To further explore the function of MdHDZs in apple,MdHDZ3 was selected to verify its function under salt,low temperature and ABA stresses;and genetic transformation was used to obtain MdHDZ3 transgenic apple calli.The results demonstrated that MdHDZ3 increased sensitivity to salt,low temperature and abscisic acid in apple calli,suggesting that MdHDZ3 plays an important role in response to stresses.Subcellular localization and three-dimensional structural analysis revealed that MdHDZ3 was a nuclear-localized protein.Taken together,these findings provide potential information for further identification of HD-Zip proteins in apple.

Relationship Between Polyamines Metabolism and Cell Death in Roots of Malus hupehensis Rehd. Under Cadmium Stress

The free putrescine （Put） content, the hydrogen peroxide （H202） content and the polyamine oxidase （PAO） activity in roots of Malus hupehensis Rehd. var. pinyiensis Jiang （PYTC） were significantly increased, and reached its peak at 1, 2 and 6 h, respectively, under cadmium treatment. The free spermine （Spin） and spermidine （Spd） contents were dramatically decreased, and reached the minimum value at 4-6 h, then remained relatively stable. The change in total free polyammes （PAs） content was consistent with that of free Put. The number of root dead cells was gradually increased after treatment for 24 h, and the typical characteristics of programmed cell death （PCD） were displayed at 48 h. Throughout the Cd treatment process, changes in PAs metabolism appeared to be prior to cell death increase, and the H2O2 content was always maintained at a high level. These results indicated that polyamines could initiate cell death by generating H2O2 in roots of Malus hupehensis Rehd. under CdSO4 stress.