Efficiency of Bio-Fertilizing as One of the Natural Alternatives to Improve the Growth of Khaya senegalensis and Swietenia mahagoni Trees and for Sustainability

A field experiment was carried out at Ismailia Research Station, Ismailia Governorate from 2020-2022 to improve the growth of Khaya senegalensis and Swietenia mahagoni by using a combination of mineral fertilizer (NPK) and biological fertilizer (Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megatherium, and Bacillus circulant) as recommended dose under new sandy soils conditions. Split plot designed with four treatments (Control, (50% Mineral fertilizer (M.) + 50% Biological fertilizer (Bio.)), 100% M. and 100% Bio.) of each species. Vegetative growth, leaf area, tree biomass, stored carbon, basal area, tree volume, and in the soil both of microbial account and mineral content were determined. The experimental results showed no significant differences between studied species among the most studied parameters except for Khaya senegalensis which gave the highest significant difference in root biomass and below-stored carbon than Swietenia mahagoni. Evidently, the highest significant growth parameters were 100% mineral fertilizer followed by (50% M. + 50% Bio.) as compared with control. No significant difference between 100% M. and (50% M. + 50% Bio.) of shoot dry biomass (15.19 and 12.02 kg, respectively) and above-stored carbon (0.28 and 0.22 Mt, respectively). Microbial account and mineral content in soil were improved after cultivation of tree species compared to before planting and control, especially with 50% mineral fertilizer and 50% bio-fertilizer treatment. In conclusion, a treatment containing 50% mineral fertilizer and 50% bio-fertilizer has led to the ideal Khaya senegalensis and Swietenia mahagoni growth in sandy soil for cheaper and sustainable.

A study of the soil water potential threshold values to trigger irrigation of ‘Shimizu Hakuto’ peach at pivotal fruit developmental stages

Water management is an important practice that affects fruit size and quality.Effective implementation of irrigation scheduling requires knowledge of the appropriate indicators and thresholds,which are established manly based on the effects of water deficits on final fruit quality.Few studies have focused on the real-time effects of water status on fruit and shoot growth.To establish soil water potential (ψ_(soil)) thresholds to trigger irrigation of peach at pivotal fruit developmental stages,photogrammetry,^(13)C labelling,and other techniques were used in this study to investigate real-time changes in stem diameter,fruit projected area,net leaf photosynthetic rate (P_(n)),and allocation of photoassimilates to fruit under soil water potential conditions ranging from saturation to stress in 6-year-old Shimizu hakuto’peach.Stem growth,fruit growth,and P_n exhibited gradually decreasing sensitivity to water deficits during fruit developmental stages I,II,and III.Stem diameter growth was significantly inhibited whenψ_(soil)dropped to-8.5,-7.6,and-5.4 k Pa,respectively.Fruit growth rate was low,reaching zero when theψ_(soil)was-9.0 to-23.1,-14.9 to-21.4,and-16.5 to-23.3 k Pa,respectively,and P_ndecreased significantly when theψ_(soil)reached-24.2,-22.7,and-20.4 kPa,respectively.In addition,more photoassimilates were allocated to fruit under moderateψ_(soil)conditions (-10.1 to-17.0 k Pa) than under otherψ_(soil)values.Our results revealed threeψ_(soil)thresholds,-10.0,-15.0,and-15.0 kPa,suitable for triggering irrigation during stages I,II,and III,respectively.These thresholds can be helpful for controlling excessive tree vigor,maintaining rapid fruit growth and leaf photosynthesis,and promoting the allocation of more photoassimilates to fruit.

AcWRKY28 mediated activation of AcCPK genes confers salt tolerance in pineapple(Ananas comosus)

Unfavorable environmental cues severely affect crop productivity resulting in significant economic losses to farmers. In plants, multiple regulatory genes, such as the WRKY transcription factor (TF) family, modulate the expression of defense genes. However, the role of the pineapple WRKY genes is poorly understood. Here, we studied the pineapple WRKY gene, AcWRKY28, by generating AcWRKY28 over-expressing transgenic pineapple plants. Overexpression of AcWRKY28 enhanced the salt stress resistance in transgenic pineapple lines. Comparative transcriptome analysis of transgenic and wild-type pineapple plants showed that “plant-pathogen interaction” pathway genes, including 9calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs), were up-regulated in AcWRKY28 over-expressing plants. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation and yeast one-hybrid assays revealed AcCPK12, AcCPK3, AcCPK8, AcCPK1, and AcCPK15 as direct targets of AcWRKY28. Consistently, the study of AcCPK12 over-expressing Arabidopsis lines showed that AcCPK12 enhances salt, drought, and disease resistance. This study shows that AcWRKY28 plays a crucial role in promoting salt stress resistance by activating the expression of AcCPK genes.

Genetics of biochemical attributes regulating morpho-physiology of upland cotton under high temperature conditions

Background Cotton is a strategically important fibre crop for global textile industry.It profoundly impacts several countries’industrial and agricultural sectors.Sustainable cotton production is continuously threatened by the unpre-dictable changes in climate,specifically high temperatures.Breeding heat-tolerant,high-yielding cotton cultivars with wide adaptability to be grown in the regions with rising temperatures is one of the primary objectives of modern cotton breeding programmes.Therefore,the main objective of the current study is to figure out the effective breed-ing approach to imparting heat tolerance as well as the judicious utilization of commercially significant and stress-tolerant attributes in cotton breeding.Initially,the two most notable heat-susceptible(FH-115 and NIAB Kiran)and tolerant(IUB-13 and GH-Mubarak)cotton cultivars were spotted to develop filial and backcross populations to accom-plish the preceding study objectives.The heat tolerant cultivars were screened on the basis of various morphological(seed cotton yield per plant,ginning turnout percentage),physiological(pollen viability,cell membrane thermostabil-ity)and biochemical(peroxidase activity,proline content,hydrogen peroxide content)parameters.Results The results clearly exhibited that heat stress consequently had a detrimental impact on every studied plant trait,as revealed by the ability of crossing and their backcross populations to tolerate high temperatures.However,when considering overall yield,biochemical,and physiological traits,the IUB-13×FH-115 cross went over particularly well at both normal and high temperature conditions.Moreover,overall seed cotton yield per plant exhibited a posi-tive correlation with both pollen viability and antioxidant levels(POD activity and proline content).Conclusions Selection from segregation population and criteria involving pollen viability and antioxidant levels concluded to be an effective strategy for the screening of heat-tolerant cotton germplasms.Therefore,understanding acquired from this study can assist breeders identifying traits that should be prioritized in order to develop climate resilient cotton cultivars.

Rapid evolution of T2/S-RNase genes in Fragaria linked to multiple transitions from self-incompatibility to self-compatibility

The T2/RNase gene family is widespread in eukaryotes,and particular members of this family play critical roles in the gametophytic self-incompatibility(GSI) system in plants.Wild diploid strawberry(Fragaria)species have diversified their sexual systems via self-incompatible and self-compatible traits,yet how these traits evolved in Fragaria remains elusive.By integrating the published and de novo assembled genomes and the newly generated RNA-seq data,members of the RNase T2 gene family were systematically identified in six Fragaria species,including three self-incompatible species(Fragaria nipponica,Fragaria nubicola,and Fragaria viridis) and three self-compatible species(Fragaria nilgerrensis,Fragaria vesca,and Fragaria iinumae).In total,115 RNase T2 genes were identified in the six Fragaria genomes and can be classified into three classes(Ⅰ-Ⅲ) according to phylogenetic analysis.The identified RNase T2 genes could be divided into 22 homologous gene sets according to amino acid sequence similarity and phylogenetic and syntenic relationships.We found that extensive gene loss and pseudogenization coupled with small-scale duplications mainly accounted for variations in the RNase T2 gene numbers in Fragaria.Multiple copies of homologous genes were mainly generated from tandem and segmental duplication events.Furthermore,we newly identified five S-RNase genes in three self-incompatible Fragaria genomes,including two in F.nipponica,two in F.viridis,and one in F.nubicola,which fit for typical features of a pistil determinant,including highly pistil-specific expression,highly polymorphic proteins and alkaline isoelectric point(pI),while no S-RNase genes were found in all three selfcompatible Fragaria species.Surprisingly,these T2/S-RNase genes contain at least one large intron(>10 kb).This study revealed that the rapid evolution of T2/S-RNase genes within the Fragaria genus could be associated with its sexual mode,and repeated evolution of the self-compatible traits in Fragaria was convergent via losses of S-RNase.

The updated weeping forsythia genome reveals the genomic basis for the evolution and the forsythin and forsythoside A biosynthesis

Weeping forsythia (Forsythia suspensa,Oleaceae) is a deciduous broad-leaved tree species distributed in the warm temperate zone of China.However,the species still lacks a chromosome-level genome.In this study,the former draft genome (Accession No.WIPI00000000) of weeping forsythia was assembled into 14 chromosomes with a 712.9 Mb genome size.Weeping forsythia underwent a and b whole-genome duplication events.After the divergence between weeping forsythia and Olea europaea,1 453 gene families had a significant expansion,and 1 146 gene families had a significant contraction.The enrichment pathways and ontologies of expanded genes suggested that the tillering,photosynthesis and growth capacity of weeping forsythia were enhanced after the divergence of weeping forsythia and O.europaea.The contracted genes suggested that the resistance of weeping forsythia to cold and drought was weakened.The last glacial period led to a significant decline in the effective population size of weeping forsythia.Forty-six candidate genes were identified for the synthesis of the forsythin and forsythoside A by genomic and transcriptomic data.In this study,we improved the previous draft genome of weeping forsythia.Our genome will provide genomic resources for the subsequent evolution and breeding research of weeping forsythia.

Effects of Flooding Stress on Growth and Root Physiology and Biochemistry of Grafted Red-seed Watermelon Seedlings

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore how to improve the waterlogging tolerance of red-seed watermelon through grafting,to provide a theoretical basis for its cultivation in rainy season.[Methods]The effects of flooding stress on the growth and root physiological and biochemical characteristics of grafted and own-rooted red-seed watermelon seedlings were studied using Luffa as rootstocks and"Zhongxin 1"red-seed watermelon as scions.[Results]After flooding stress,the biomass and root activity of grafted seedlings of red-seed watermelon were significantly higher than those of own-rooted seedlings.With the prolongation of flooding stress time,the soluble sugar and proline content showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing,and the grafted seedlings had a larger increase and a smaller decrease,and were always significantly higher than own-rooted seedlings in the same period.The content of malondialdehyde in the root system of grafted seedlings increased first and then decreased,while it continued to increase in own-rooted seedlings,and the increase in own-rooted seedlings was significantly greater than that in grafted seedlings during the same period.[Conclusions]Grafting on Luffa rootstocks could improve waterlogging tolerance of red-seed watermelon.

Genome-wide association analysis identified molecular markers and candidate genes for flower traits in Chinese orchid (Cymbidium sinense)

The orchid,the champagne of f lowers,brings luxury,elegance,and novelty to nature.Cymbidium sinense is a symbol of gigantic floral variability on account ofwavering shapes and sizes of f loral organs,althoughmarker-trait association(MTA)has not been studied for its f loral traits.We evaluated markers associated with 14 f loral traits of C.sinense through a genome-wide association study(GWAS)of 195 accessions.A total of 65318522 single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)and 3906176 insertion/deletion(InDel)events were identified through genotyping-by-sequencing.Among these,4694 potential SNPs and 477 InDelswere identified as MTAs at−log10 P>5.The genes related to these SNPs and InDels were largely associated with f loral regulators,hormonal pathways,cell division,and metabolism,playing essential roles in tailoring f loral morphology.Moreover,20 candidate SNPs/InDels linked to 11 genes were verified,8 of which were situated on exons,onewas located in the 5-UTR and twowere positioned in introns.Here,themultitepal trait-related gene RABBIT EARS(RBE)was found to be the most crucial gene.We analyzed the role of CsRBE in the regulation of flower-related genes via efficient transient overexpression in C.sinense protoplasts,and found that the floral homeotic genes CsAP3 and CsPI,as well as organ boundary regulators,including CsCUC and CsTCP genes,were regulated by CsRBE.Thus,we obtained key gene loci for important ornamental traits of orchids using genome-wide association analysis of populations with natural variation.The findings of this study can do a great deal to expedite orchid breeding programs for shape variability.

Development of homozygous tetraploid potato and whole genome doubling-induced the enrichment of H3K27ac and potentially enhanced resistance to cold-induced sweetening in tubers

Polyploid plants typically display advantages on some agronomically important traits over their diploid counterparts.Extensive studies have shown genetic,transcriptomic,and epigenetic dynamics upon polyploidization in multiple plant species.However,few studies have unveiled those alternations imposed only by ploidy level,without any interference from heterozygosity.Cultivated potato is highly heterozygous.Thus,in this study,we developed two homozygous autotetraploid lines and one homozygous diploid line in parallel from a homozygous diploid potato.We confirmed their ploidy levels using chloroplast counting and karyotyping.Oligo-FISH and genome re-sequencing validated that these potato lines are nearly homozygous.We investigated variations in phenotypes,transcription,and histone modifications between two ploidies.Both autotetraploid lines produced larger but fewer tubers than the diploid line.Interestingly,each autotetraploid line displayed ploidy-related differential expression for various genes.We also discovered a genomewide enrichment of H3K27ac in genic regions upon whole-genome doubling(WGD).However,such enrichment was not associated with the differential gene expression between two ploidies.The tetraploid lines may exhibit better resistance to cold-induced sweetening(CIS)than the diploid line in tubers,potentially regulated through the expression of CIS-related key genes,which seems to be associated with the levels of H3K4me3 in cold-stored tubers.These findings will help to understand the impacts of autotetraploidization on dynamics of phenotypes,transcription,and histone modifications,as well as on CIS-related genes in response to cold storage.

Ampelographic and Genetic Diversity Assessment of Some Local Grape Genotypes under Egyptian Conditions

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is assumed as one of the most valuable and popular fruit crops all over the world. In this study, ten of local grape germplasm were characterized considering phenotypic diversity and genetic features under Egyptian conditions. Selected local grapes;Baltim Eswid, Edkawy, Matrouh Eswid, Bez El-Naka, Bez El-Anza, Romy Abiad, Romy Ahmer, Gharibi, Fayoumi and Banaty, were spread geographically among seven national governorates. A total of 58 attributes were characterized grape germplasm for the distinctness of vine parts. For molecular characterization, 9 nuclear SSR loci were analysed. Data revealed a broad sense of similarity at the level of studied morphological attributes, where the highest similarity (0.93) was between Romy Ahmer and Romy Abiad. A total of 24 alleles, ranging from 124 - 253 bp in size, were detected at the nine tested loci with an average of 2.67 alleles per locus. The amplification products in all of the 9 SSRs loci showed polymorphism among the 10 grapevine cultivars. The genetic relatedness among most of the cultivars was in accordance with their identification based on ampelographic properties. Data of phenotypic and molecular analysis revealed high variability of Vitis germplasm in Egypt and contributed substantially to our awareness of valuable local grape genetic resources which are on the verge of extinction.

The combination of DNA methylation and positive regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis by MYB and bHLH transcription factors contributes to the petal blotch formation in Xibei tree peony

Xibei tree peony is a distinctive cultivar group that features red–purple blotches in petals.Interestingly,the pigmentations of blotches and non-blotches are largely independent of one another.The underlying molecular mechanism had attracted lots of attention from investigators,but was still uncertain.Our present work demonstrates the factors that are closely related to blotch formation in Paeonia rockii‘Shu Sheng Peng Mo’.Non-blotch pigmentation is prevented by the silencing of anthocyanin structural genes,among which PrF3H,PrDFR,and PrANS are the three major genes.We characterized two R2R3-MYBs as the key transcription factors that control the early and late anthocyanin biosynthetic pathways.PrMYBa1,which belongs to MYB subgroup 7(SG7)was found to activate the early biosynthetic gene(EBG)PrF3H by interacting with SG5 member PrMYBa2 to form an‘MM’complex.The SG6 member PrMYBa3 interacts with two SG5(IIIf)bHLHs to synergistically activate the late biosynthetic genes(LBGs)PrDFR and PrANS,which is essential for anthocyanin accumulation in petal blotches.The comparison of methylation levels of the PrANS and PrF3H promoters between blotch and non-blotch indicated a correlation between hypermethylation and gene silencing.The methylation dynamics of PrANS promoter during flower development revealed a potential early demethylating reaction,which may have contributed to the particular expression of PrANS solely in the blotch area.We suggest that the formation of petal blotch may be highly associated with the cooperation of transcriptional activation and DNA methylation of structural gene promoters.

The soybean GmPUB21-interacting protein GmDi19-5 responds to drought and salinity stresses via an ABA-dependent pathway

Drought-induced protein 19(Di19) is a Cys2/His2 zinc-finger protein that functions in plant growth and development and in tolerance to abiotic stresses.Gm PUB21,an E3 ubiquitin ligase,negatively regulates drought and salinity response in soybean.We identified potential interaction target proteins of Gm PUB21by yeast two-hybrid c DNA library screening,Gm Di19-5 as a candidate.Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and glutathionine-S-transferase pull-down assays confirmed the interaction between Gm Di19-5 and Gm PUB21.Gm Di19-5 was induced by Na Cl,drought,and abscisic acid(ABA) treatments.Gm Di19-5 was expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus.Gm Di19-5 overexpression conferred hypersensitivity to drought and high salinity,whereas Gm Di19-5 silencing increased drought and salinity tolerance.Transcripts of ABA-and stress response-associated genes including Gm RAB18 and Gm DREB2A were downregulated in Gm Di19-5-overexpressing plants under drought and salinity stresses.ABA decreased the protein level of Gm Di19-5 in vivo,whereas Gm PUB21 increased the decrease of Gm Di19-5 after exogenous ABA application.The accumulation of Gm PUB21 was also inhibited by Gm Di19-5.We conclude that Gm PUB21 and Gm Di19-5 collaborate to regulate drought and salinity tolerance via an ABA-dependent pathway.

Jujube witches’ broom phytoplasmas inhibit ZjBRC1-mediated abscisic acid metabolism to induce shoot proliferation

Jujube witches’broom(JWB)phytoplasmas parasitize the sieve tubes of diseased phloem and cause an excessive proliferation of axillary shoots from dormant lateral buds to favour their transmission.In previous research,two JWB effectors,SJP1 and SJP2,were identified to induce lateral bud outgrowth by disrupting ZjBRC1-mediated auxin flux.However,the pathogenesis of JWB disease remains largely unknown.Here,tissue-specific transcriptional reprogramming was examined to gain insight into the genetic mechanisms acting inside jujube lateral buds under JWB phytoplasma infection.JWB phytoplasmas modulated a series of plant signalling networks involved in lateral bud development and defence,including auxin,abscisic acid(ABA),ethylene,jasmonic acid,and salicylic acid.JWB-induced bud outgrowth was accompanied by downregulation of ABA synthesis within lateral buds.ABA application rescued the bushy appearances of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing SJP1 and SJP2 in Col-0 and ZjBRC1 in the brc1-2 mutant.Furthermore,the expression of ZjBRC1 and ABA-related genes ZjHB40 and ZjNCED3 was negatively correlated with lateral main bud outgrowth in decapitated healthy jujube.Molecular evidence showed that ZjBRC1 interacted with ZjBRC2 via its N-terminus to activate ZjHB40 and ZjNCED3 expression and ABA accumulation in transgenic jujube calli.In addition,ZjBRC1 widely regulated differentially expressed genes related to ABA homeostasis and ABA signalling,especially by binding to and suppressing ABA receptors.Therefore,these results suggest that JWB phytoplasmas hijack the ZjBRC1-mediated ABA pathways to stimulate lateral bud outgrowth and expansion,providing a strategy to engineer plants resistant to JWB phytoplasma disease and regulate woody plant architecture to promote crop yield and quality.

Grapevine plantlets respond to different monochromatic lights by tuning photosynthesis and carbon allocation

The quality of planting materials is the foundation for productivity,longevity,and berry quality of perennial grapevines with a long lifespan.Manipulating the nursery light spectrum may speed up the production of healthy and high-quality planting vines but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive.Herein,the effects of different monochromatic lights(green,blue,and red)on grapevine growth,leaf photosynthesis,whole-plant carbon allocation,and transcriptome reprograming were investigated with white light as control.Results showed that blue and red lights were favorable for plantlet growth in comparison with white light.Blue light repressed excessive growth,significantly increased the maximum net photosynthetic rate(Pn)of leaves by 39.58%and leaf specific weight by 38.29%.Red light increased the dry weight of the stem by 53.60%,the starch content of the leaf by 53.63%,and the sucrose content of the stem by 230%.Green light reduced all photosynthetic indexes of the grape plantlet.Photosynthetic photon flux density(PPFD)/Ci–Pn curves indicated that blue light affected photosynthetic rate depending on the light intensity and CO2 concentration.RNA-seq analysis of different organs(leaf,stem,and root)revealed a systematic transcriptome remodeling and VvCOP1(CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1),VvHY5(ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5),VvHYH(HY5 HOMOLOG),VvELIP(early light-induced protein)and VvPIF3(PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 3)may play important roles in this shoot-to-root signaling.Furthermore,the correlation network between differential expression genes and physiological traits indicated that VvpsbS(photosystem II subunit S),Vvpsb28(photosystem II subunit 28),VvHYH,VvSUS4(sucrose synthase 4),and VvALDA(fructose-bisphosphate aldolase)were pertinent candidate genes in responses to different light qualities.Our results provide a foundation for optimizing the light recipe of grape plantlets and strengthen the understanding of light signaling and carbon metabolism under different monochromatic lights.

Heritability of Main Yield Traits in Red-seed Watermelon and Their Correlation Analysis

[Objectives]This study was conducted to provide a reliable theoretical basis for the correct formulation of breeding programs for red-seed watermelon and the effective breeding of hybrid offspring.[Methods]With local varieties and inbred lines of red-seed watermelon as test materials,the generalized heritability of fruit number per plant,single-fruit weight,single-fruit seed number,single-fruit seed weight,seed kernel weight,1000-seed weight,kernel-producing ratio,seed production ratio and seed volume were estimated by variance analysis;and the heritability,genetic variation coefficients,and correlation of the nine yield traits in 43 red-seed watermelon varieties were studied.[Results]The generalized heritability of fruit number per plant,single-fruit weight,single-fruit seed number,single-fruit seed weight,seed kernel weight,1000-seed weight,kernel-producing ratio,seed production ratio and seed volume were 12.86%,80.14%,75.96%,74.39%,48.01%,17.12%,24.97%,18.60%,and 37.07%,respectively.The heritability of single-fruit weight,single-fruit seed number and single-fruit seed weight was higher,and early-generation individual selection could achieve a better effect on them;and 1000-seed weight and kernel-producing ratio had a higher coefficient of genetic variation,indicating a high selection potential.[Conclusions]Indirect selection could be achieved for traits such as the single-fruit seed number,single-fruit seed weight,seed kernel weight,and seed volume by selecting the single-fruit weight.In the process of red-seed watermelon breeding,traits with high heritability can be selected in early generations of hybrids,thus playing the role of early-generation orientation.

Prevalence and Spatial Distribution of Badnavirus in the Banana (Musa spp) Major Growing Areas in Burkina Faso

Banana streak virus (BSV) and Sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV) are two badnaviruses commonly found in all banana growing areas of the world. It is a threat to the production and improvement of Musa germplasm. In Burkina Faso, the presence of badnaviruses was reported in banana producing regions. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of BSV and SCBV in banana production areas of Burkina Faso. A survey followed by a symptomatologic study was conducted in banana plantations in 27 localities of the nine main banana producing regions from July to October 2018 and September to December 2020. In all, 251 leaf samples were collected and analysed for BSV and SCBV infection by Indirect Antigen Coated Plate Assay-ELISA followed by amplification of the RT/RNase H region using Polymerase chain reaction with Badna FP/RP and SCBV F/R primers, respectively. A variety of symptoms were observed on almost all plant organs which were revealed due to BSV by symptomatologic study. The results of serological and molecular diagnosis revealed a high overall prevalence of BSV in 80.48% of the samples tested. BSV was distributed in seven survey regions out of nine with prevalence ranging from 10% to 100% in North, Centre, Centre West, Hauts Bassins, Cascades, Centre East and Boucle of Mouhoun regions. Very low prevalence was recorded for SCBV in Cascades and East Centre region with 4.35 and 12.5%, respectively. Species detection using specific primers to each species revealed three main species: Banana streak Obino l’ewaï virus (BSOLV), Goldfinger virus (BSGFV) and Imové virus (BSIMV) in the samples tested, respectively in the proportions of 23%, 8% and 0.8%. Co-infection between BSV species was also detected.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Badnaviruses Infecting Banana in Burkina Faso

Badnaviruses are serious plant pararetroviruses affecting banana and causes serious economic losses to banana production worldwide. This study aims to examine the variability of BSV and SCBV nature infecting banana in Burkina Faso. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) used the Badna FP/RP specific primers for the RT/RNase H regions present in badnaviruses. The PCR yielded about 579 bp amplicons from banana infected by BSV and SCBV. The 38 BSV isolates recorded low nucleotide identity ranging from 58.9% - 98.1%. Based on percentage nucleotide sequence identity and phylogenetic analyse, BSV isolates were categorized into four groups: 1, 2, 3 and 4. Group 4 shared 76.9% - 100% identity with BSOL species. However, Groups 1 and 3 recorded a low identity ranging, from 76.8% - 79.2%, 68.8% - 79.7% with BSCV, and 72.8% - 79.0% between Group 2 and BSOLV. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were assigned to a potentially new BSV species. The two SCBV isolates recorded a low nucleotide identity of 68% among themselves indicating high diversity. In addition, SCBV_Cd and SCBV_CE showed high nucleotide identity 91.3% and 58.7% with SCBV_C and SCBV, when they were compared to all published SCBV genotypes. In addition, phylogenetic analysis revealed the segregation of SCBV isolates into two genotypes, SCBV_Cd in C and SCBV_CE segregated in a new genotype namely Z. Recombination analyses showed weak signatures of recombination among some of the BSV and SCBV sequences.

Research Progress on the Innate Immunity of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and the Regulation Mechanism of Parasitic Wasp Venom Protein

[Objectives]The use of natural enemies of living insects and their derivatives can effectively avoid the problems of pesticide residues,pest resistance,biodiversity decline,control effect weakening and so on.[Methods]Parasites inject various parasitic factors into hosts to inhibit the development of hosts,adjust the immunity of hosts,interfere with the growth and development of hosts,and reduce the nutrition metabolism of hosts,so as to ensure the growth and development of the offspring.Host pests can escape or conquer the parasitism of parasitic wasps through immune defense system in order to reproduce their own offspring.[Results]Under intense and strong selection pressure,in order to effectively ensure the success rate of parasitism,the adaptive diversity of parasitism strategies of parasitic wasps is finally caused.In the process of evolution and under the pressure of directional selection,the innate immunity and acquired immunity gradually evolve.[Conclusions]In-depth research on parasitic factors of parasitic wasps and their interaction with crop pests immunity and development can not only improve theoretical understanding of insect immunity and development biology,pest biological control and other disciplines,but also be expected to enable the application of some components of parasitic factors to agriculture,medicine and pharmacy.Bactrocera dorsalis is a destructive fruit and vegetable pest.This paper summarized the venom protein of B.dorsalis parasitoids and the immune interaction with hosts,in order to provide theoretical basis for biological control of plant pests by using parasitic natural enemies.

A chromosome-level genome assembly provides insights into Cornus wilsoniana evolution, oil biosynthesis, and floral bud development

Cornus wilsoniana W.is a woody oil plant with high oil content and strong hypolipidemic effects,making it a valuable species for medicinal,landscaping,and ecological purposes in China.To advance genetic research on this species,we employed PacBio together with Hi-C data to create a draft genome assembly for C.wilsoniana.Based on an 11-chromosome anchored chromosome-level assembly,the estimated genome size was determined to be 843.51 Mb.The N50 contig size and N50 scaffold size were calculated to be 4.49 and 78.00 Mb,respectively.Furthermore,30474 protein-coding genes were annotated.Comparative genomics analysis revealed that C.wilsoniana diverged from its closest species∼12.46 million years ago(Mya).Furthermore,the divergence between Cornaceae and Nyssaceae occurred>62.22 Mya.We also found evidence of whole-genome duplication events and whole-genome triplicationγ,occurring at∼44.90 and 115.86 Mya.We further inferred the origins of chromosomes,which sheds light on the complex evolutionary history of the karyotype of C.wilsoniana.Through transcriptional and metabolic analysis,we identified two FAD2 homologous genes that may play a crucial role in controlling the oleic to linoleic acid ratio.We further investigated the correlation between metabolites and genes and identified 33 MADS-TF homologous genes that may affect f lower morphology in C.wilsoniana.Overall,this study lays the groundwork for future research aimed at identifying the genetic basis of crucial traits in C.wilsoniana.

Pineapple SWEET10 is a glucose transporter

SWEET transporters are a unique class of sugar transporters that play vital roles in various developmental and physiological processes in plants.While the functions of SWEETs have been well established in model plants such as Arabidopsis,their functions in economically important fruit crops like pineapple have not been well studied.Here we aimed to investigate the substrate specificity of pineapple SWEETs by comparing the protein sequences of known glucose and sucrose transporters in Arabidopsis with those in pineapple.Our genome-wide approach and 3D structure comparison showed that the Arabidopsis SWEET8 homolog in pineapple,AcSWEET10,shares similar sequences and protein properties responsible for glucose transport.To determine the functional conservation of AcSWEET10,we tested its ability to complement glucose transport mutants in yeast and analyzed its expression in stamens and impact on the microspore phenotype and seed set in transgenic Arabidopsis.The results showed that AcSWEET10 is functionally equivalent to AtSWEET8 and plays a critical role in regulating microspore formation through the regulation of the Callose synthase5(CalS5),which highlights the importance of SWEET transporters in pineapple.This information could have important implications for improving fruit crop yield and quality by manipulating SWEET transporter activity.