The ideal plant architecture is a critical factor in achieving high yields in tomato (Solanumlycopersicum) cultivation. The length and number of internodes directly influence plant height. Therefore, investigating the regulatory mechanisms of internode morphology is essential for the genetic enhancement of tomatoes. We identified a naturally occurring field mutant,tomatoelongatedinternode(tei), characterized by longer internodes and darker leaf color. Physiological hormone and microscopic studies revealed that, compared to wild-type (WT) plants, the teimutant exhibited increased endogenous GA3 levels, enhanced photosynthetic capacity, and elongation of stem internode cells. RNA-seq analysis results of teiand WT indicated enrichment in the gibberellin pathway. We employed BSA-seq for mapping analysis on tei, WT, and F₂populations, leading to the fine mapping of the candidate gene designated as TEI(TomatoElongatedInternode). This gene encoded a gibberellin 20 oxidase (GA20ox) protein and was identified as Solyc09g042210. Additionally, we discovered numerous SNPs and InDel mutations in the TEIpromoter region, with expression levels of TEIin teistems significantly higher than those in WT. Furthermore, knocking out the TEIgene eliminated its role in elongating internodes. We proposed that TEIserves as the primary effector gene regulating the internode elongation phenotype associated with tei. This discovery offered researchers a novel target for enhancing crop plant varieties by modulating gibberellin homeostasis, ultimately contributing to the breeding of superior tomato varieties.

Supplemental light is often used in fruit production, but few studies have been conducted on pitaya. In this study, supplemental blue light was applied to pitaya for four hours each night in the field from flowering to fruit ripening to examine changes in peel and pulp physicochemical parameters and metabolites. Blue light treatment significantly increased fruit weight, improved fruit firmness by increasing pectin content and retarding hemicellulose degradation, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity. Blue light had minor effects on primary metabolites but more pronounced effects on volatiles. By affecting alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, blue light treatment resulted in significant fruit growth, increased accumulation of bioactive ingredients in the peel, and significantly altered the accumulation of flavor-associated volatile compounds, such as organic acids, esters and terpenes in the pulp. Our results provide an important reference for improving the yield and quality of pitaya production using supplemental light in the field.

Drought stress negatively affects grapevine growth and development. Grafting with rootstock is widely used to improve the quality of grape fruits and confer drought stress tolerance, but the underlying genetics and regulatory mechanisms are unclear. Hence, we investigated the physiologic and transcriptomic profiles in the leaves of grafted SM/1103P (SM shoot/1103P root) and self-rooted SM (‘Shine Muscat’) as well as roots of grafted SM/1103P and self-rooted 1103P under drought stress conditions. The results indicated that grafted grapevine effectively attenuated drought damage in grape leaves by increasing phytohormone levels and antioxidant enzyme activities, reducing H₂O₂and MDA contents. Transcriptomic profiling revealed a total of 11,855 and 11,197 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in grape leaves and roots respectively. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was performed based on the RNA-seq data, and five modules (greenyellow, black, turquoise, salmon and blue) were significantly correlated to drought stress. Pathway analysis showed that DEGs were enriched in the plant hormone signal transduction and MAPK signaling pathway. 916 transcription factor genes (TFs) belonging to different gene families were detected that may participate in regulating the drought stress. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) expression analysis of twelve drought stress responsive DEGs was used to verify the transcriptome data. Furthermore, overexpression of VvMYBPA1in Arabidopsisthalianaand grape callus tissues improved drought tolerance. Our findings provided new insights into to the regulatory mechanism for improving grapevine adaptation to drought.

Caffeine (CAF), a primary flavor component in tea, is one of the main reasons for the popularity of tea beverages. As an important secondary metabolite in tea plants, the CAF content varied greatly among different tea accessions. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying the CAF biosynthesis were still unclear. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 359 tea accessions in the Guizhou Plateau to identify genetic variation associated with CAF content. A total of 19 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and key gene (CsAK) involved in CAF biosynthesis were identified. Subcellular localization revealed that the CsAK-GFP fusion protein was located on the cell membrane. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AsODN) targeting the CsAKgene to the buds and leaves revealed that the expression levels of the CsAKgene were significantly reduced, and the corresponding CAF content was also decreased in AsODN-treated tea plants. Overexpression of the CsAKgene in eukaryotic cells resulted in the accumulation of key intermediate product (L-methionine) during CAF biosynthesis process. These findings offered a theoretical foundation for future tea breeding programs aimed at cultivating excellent germplasm with high or low levels of CAF.

Floral scent is an important ornamental trait in garden plants. Monoterpenes, a major class of terpenoids, constitute the primary volatile components of lily floral scents. 1-Deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) catalyzes the second enzymatic step in the MEP pathway, which supplies precursors for monoterpene biosynthesis. However, the functional role ofthe DXRgene in floral monoterpene production in LiliumOriental Hybrid ‘Sorbonne’ remains unclear. In this study, ‘Sorbonne’ was used as the experimental material, and a differentially expressed LiDXRgene was identified from early transcriptomic data, showing high temporal correlation with the synthesis and emission dynamics of floral volatiles during flowering. The LiDXRgene was cloned and subjected to bioinformatics analysis, revealing that it encodes a protein of 472 amino acids. LiDXRexpression peaked at the half-open floral stage and was significantly higher in petals than in other floral organs. Subcellular localization analysis indicated thatthe LiDXR protein is targeted to chloroplasts in leaf epidermal cells. VIGS of LiDXRreduced monoterpene levels by downregulating the expression of downstream TPSgenes in the MEP pathway. Consistently, headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) revealed a significant decrease in total volatile terpene content in silencedlilies. Transgenic Arabidopsisthalianaand petunia plants overexpressing LiDXRexhibited enhanced growth vigor and accelerated flowering. GC-Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) analysis of transgenic petunias showed a 78% increase in total volatile terpenes compared to wild-type plants. Overexpression of LiDXRalso modulated the expression of other MEP pathway genes, thereby influencing the biosynthesis of downstream terpenoids, including monoterpenes. This study elucidates the functional role of LiDXRin terpenoid metabolism and provides a theoretical foundation for floral scent breeding in lily andother ornamental plants.

The study explores the antifungal properties of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) against Fusariumoxysporumf. sp. tuberosi, revealing a concentration-dependent impact, with the lowest concentration suppressing mycelial development. The peaks at 2θ°=7.92° and 25.85° reveal the presence of MWCNTs. Furthermore, the bonding extremes at 3,194 and 2,441 cm^–1and the peak at 3,573 cm^–1are hydrogen-bonded. The peak at 3,756 cm^–1demonstrates the vibration of OH stretching to confirm the functionalization of MWCNTs. MWCNTs at 308 nm show a peak with much higher UV energy. This is because of the different plasmonic vibrations that the free electrons of multi-wall carbon nanotubes exhibit at about 308 nm. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed mycelial structure distortions, revealing inhibitory mechanisms of f-MWCNTs and their interaction with F.oxysporumf. sp. tuberosi, providing insights into their complex behavior. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) showed anti-oxidative properties, indicating potential multifaceted modes of action, as evidenced by 2´,7´-dichlorofluorescein diacetate dye testing. The current study analyzed bioactive molecules in F.oxysporumf. sp. tuberosiextracts by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, showing six metabolites having antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant properties. However, exposure to f-MWCNTs reduced these potent molecule concentrations, highlighting the significant impact of f-MWCNTs on F.oxysporumf. sp. tuberosibiochemical arsenal. This is the first report that checked the antifungal, and antioxidant activity and of a lesser concentration of metabolites produced after the action of f-MWCNTs in F.oxysporumf. sp. tuberosi. This research highlights the potential of f-MWCNTs as antifungal agents, paving the way for innovative strategies in combating fungal pathogens and developing effective treatments.

Asa main causal agent of wheat crown rot,Fusarium pseudograminearum secrets numerous proteins into the host during the infection process to regulate host immune responses and contribute to the virulence of F.pseudograminearum. In this study, the secreted protein Fp00392 from F.pseudograminearumwas found to trigger cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana. Purified Fp00392 protein could activate the ROS burst, callose deposition, and the upregulation of defense-related genes in N.benthamiana. Moreover, the VIGS assay in N.benthamianashowed that Fp00392-triggered cell death is independent of BAK1 and SOBIR1. Furthermore, the transcript level of Fp00392 was significantly induced during F.pseudograminearuminfection. Knockout of Fp00392 significantly attenuated the pathogenicity of F.pseudograminearumon wheat coleoptiles. Deletion of Fp00392 affected the sensitivity of F.pseudograminearumto H₂O₂and Congo Red. Overall, these results indicate that Fp00392 can not only induce plant immune response as a PAMP, but it can also promote F.pseudograminearuminfection as a virulence factor.

The rice white tip nematode (RWTN) Aphelenchoides besseyisecretes effectors that manipulate host plant cells to facilitate successful parasitism and sustain infection. Although the number of identified RWTN effectors remains limited, their mechanisms of interaction withhost plants are largely unknown. Profilins (PFNs) function as molecular hubs that regulate complex interaction networks. To advance understanding of PFN3 in plant-parasitic nematodes, we identified an effector from A. besseyi, designated AbPFN3. AbPFN3is transcriptionally upregulated during the juvenile stage of the nematode, and in situhybridization localized its expression to the esophageal glands. Three rice (Oryza sativa) proteins, ADP/ATP carrier protein 1 (OsAAC1), B-cell receptor-associated protein 31 (OsBAP31) and Small Auxin Up RNA 50 (OsSAUR50), were identified as interactors of AbPFN3, with interactions occurring in distinct cellular compartments, including the endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane. Transgenic analyses revealed that AbPFN3expression significantly increased plant height and upregulated AAC1and BAP31, while downregulating RGA2and SAUR50. This study characterizes AbPFN3 as a novel effector secreted by A.besseyi that interacts with multiple host proteins, highlighting its potential role in modulating host defense responses and cell development processes.

Megalurothripsusitatuscauses significant economic losses in the regional cowpea industry in Hainan Province, China. However, reports on M.usitatus-resistant varieties remain limited globally. To address this gap, this study assessed the resistance of 210 cowpea germplasm resources through field experiments over two consecutive years, and comprehensively investigated the resistance mechanism of a selected resistant variety against M.usitatus. Physiological measurements revealed that the resistant variety IZJU0044 had higher levels of total flavonoids and tannins, as well as lipoxygenase and β-1,3-glucanase activities, both before and after thrips feeding. Thrips feeding stimulated flavonoid biosynthesis in cowpea flowers, and the contents of both constitutive and inducible luteolin in the resistant variety IZJU0044 were higher than those in the susceptible variety IZJU0120. Laboratory toxicity tests confirmed the lethal effect of luteolin on thrips. Moreover, thrips feeding strongly induced luteolin synthesis-related genes (chalconeisomerases, CHIs) in IZJU0044, indicating that luteolin likely conferred higher resistance to M.usitatus. This study provides a theoretical basis for using thrips-resistant varieties in cowpea molecular breeding programs.

Arthropods serve essential roles in crop production as pollinators, predators, and pests. Understanding arthropod biodiversity is crucial for assessing agroecosystem health, functions, and services. Traditional survey methods are labor-intensive, costly, and rely on diminishing taxonomic expertise, limiting their agricultural applications. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding of diverse samples provides comprehensive species composition data through efficient and non-invasive sampling. However, this method remains underutilized in rice field studies. This research examined four sample substrates-rice plant cleaning fluid (RPCF), rice pollen, soil, and water-using various barcoding primers to identify optimal substrates for monitoring rice paddy arthropod diversity. The method was implemented in Bt rice and non-Bt rice fields to evaluate its biomonitoring potential. Results indicate that the COI primer (mlCOIintF/jgHCO2198R) identified the highest number of rice field arthropod species. The eDNA collected from RPCF detected 15% more arthropod species compared to vacuum sampling of whole arthropods. Rice pollen collection during the heading stage also revealed considerable arthropod diversity. Alpha diversity and taxonomic composition remained consistent between Bt and non-Bt rice fields, aligning with traditional survey findings. These results suggest that eDNA metabarcoding of plant cleaning fluid offers an effective approach for monitoring agricultural arthropod communities, contributing to agricultural production optimization.