Carbonic anhydrase (CA) plays an important role in the photosynthesis of plants and response to stress. Cassava CA gene was cloned using the cDNA of SC124 as template. The CDS length of MeCA was 1008 nt, encoding 336 amino acids. The homology was 99.70% between the cloned sequence and Manes.15G167500.1 in the database. The evolutionary tree resulted that MeCA belonged to the same branch as the AtβCA subfamily of Arabidopsis. The sequence similarity between MeCA and AtβCA1 protein reached 73.13% and contained identical motif. MeCA gene expression was the highest in functional leaves, followed in young leaves, significantly higher in fibrous roots and stems, and significantly down-regulated in shading stressed cassava leaves. In addition, the gene showed significant upregulated expression in the initial stage, and then it dropped to the control level when cassava leaves were treated with low temperature. This study created transgenic cassava with overexpression of MeCA gene, and observed that MeCA protein was localized in chloroplasts, and the contents of various chlorophyll were significantly higher in the leaves of transgenic plants than that of control. The results of yeast two-hybrid point-to-point experiments showed that MeCA protein interacted with MeH1.2. The result indicated that MeCA gene could respond to light and low temperature stresses, and maight participate in plant response to stress by affecting plant growth interacting with MeH1.2 proteins. This study would provide a new gene resource for genetic improvement of cassava resistance.

Annona squamosa L., a vital tropical fruit crop in southern China, faces escalating threats from fungal diseases, though rust pathogens had not been previously documented domestically. This study reported the first dectection of Phakopsora cherimoliae, a high-risk rust fungus known to cause severe yield losses (>30%) in Central and South America, detected in Yunxiao county, Fujian province. Field symptoms included chlorotic flecks on adaxial leaf surfaces progressing to reddish-brown necrotic lesions with abaxial yellowish-brown uredinia. Morphometric analysis revealed ellipsoid to ovoid urediniospores, long axis is (28.0±2.5)μm; short axis is (22.7±3.2)μm, consistent with P. cherimoliae descriptions but notably smaller than those reported on A. cherimola hosts, suggesting potential host-driven morphological adaptation. Molecular characterization via LSU rDNA sequencing indicated that the sequence of the three isolates obtained in this study exhibited over 99% identity with the reference strain KF528012. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood and the Kimura-2 parameter method positioned the isolates in a distinct monophyletic clade with 100% bootstrap support, separate from other related Phakopsora species. Pathogenicity was confirmed through Koch's postulates. Inoculation of healthy Annona trees with filed urediniospores induced identical symptoms and new urediniospores within 14 days. The absence of telia indicated dependence on urediniospores for asexual propagation, raising concerns about persistent epidemics under Fujian's humid subtropical climate, where monsoon winds may facilitate regional dispersal. Urgent management strategies include pre-monsoon application of tebuconazole, systematic removal of infected debris, and resistance screening across commercial cultivars (e.g., ‘African Pride’). Study limitations include unresolved telial stage biology and unquantified spore dispersal dynamics, warranting long-term phenological monitoring and aerobiological modeling. This invasion event underscores vulnerabilities in China's tropical fruit biosecurity, emphasizing the imperative for enhanced phytosanitary surveillance and international collaboration to mitigate cross-border pathogen spread. The findings establish a critical baseline for rust disease management in Asian Annona production systems, bridging a longstanding gap in regional plant pathology literature.

Tea tree oil (TTO) chitosan emulsion was prepared by ultra-high pressure homogenization method with natural TTO and chitosan as raw materials, Tween-80 as emulsifying agent, and ethanol as co-emulsifying agent. The preparation conditions were optimized by response surface test. The storage stability of TTO chitosan emulsion at different temperatures was investigated, and its antioxidant activity and mildew proof properties were evaluated. The optimal preparation conditions of the emulsion were as follows, the homogenization pressure 160 MPa, the mass fraction of tea tree oil 12%, and the mass fraction of compound emulsifier 4%. Under the conditions, the particle size of the emulsion was 99.24 nm. When stored at 4, 25 and 50 ℃ for 28 days, the particle size remained within 164 nm, the Zeta potential all exceeded 39 mV, and the PDI remained within 0.53, indicating that the storage stability of the emulsion was good. The IC₅₀ value of DPPH radical and OH radical of the emulsion was 22.82 μL/mL and 18.75 μL/mL, respectively, indicating that the emulsion had good antioxidant activity. The mildew proof test showed that the mildew proof ability of bamboo treated with TTO chitosan emulsion was higher than that of untreated bamboo. When the treatment concentration was 80 μL/mL, the antifungal effect was significant.

Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A. C. Smith, a traditional medicinal plant widely cultivated in South China, has experienced significant yield and quality reductions due to increasing disease incidence in recent years. This study aimed to identify the causal agent of leaf blight disease in K. coccinea and evaluate fungicide efficacy to establish a scientific foundation for pathogen identification and field management. Pathogens were isolated from symptomatic K. coccinea samples collected in Shaoguan, Guangdong and showing browning and necrosis of leaf and stem tips, using tissue isolation and purification methods. Pathogen was clarified by comprehensive identification combined morphological characterization with multi-locus phylogenetic analysis (ITS, rpb2, LSU and tub2). Pathogenicity was confirmed through Koch's postulates, while the indoor toxicity of seven fungicides to the pathogen was determined via mycelial growth inhibition assays. Isolate SGXFD, obtained from the edges of necrotic leaf tissues, was confirmed as the etiological agent through pathogenicity tests. Polyphasic identification classified the pathogen as Didymella segeticola. Fungicide screening revealed dimetachlone as the most effective inhibitor (EC₅₀=1.8210 mg/L), followed by prochloraz (EC₅₀=3.4460 mg/L) and propiconazole (EC₅₀=3.7391 mg/L). Moderate inhibition was observed with difenoconazole (EC₅₀=11.3202 mg/L), tebuconazole (EC₅₀=45.0019 mg/L), and mancozeb (EC₅₀=51.9597 mg/L). Carbendazim demonstrated limited efficacy (<50% inhibition) across tested concentrations (25.0, 50.0, 100.0, 200.0, 400.0 mg/L). This study establishes D. segeticola as the causative agent of K. coccinea leaf blight. Dimetachlone, prochloraz, and propiconazole exhibit significant antifungal activity against this pathogen, recommending the consideration for field application in disease management programs.

During the biosynthesis process of lignin in plants, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) plays a crucial role, catalyzing the final step reaction in the entire metabolic pathway. To explore the potential functions of the CAD gene family in tea plants, CAD gene family members were identified in the genome of Huangyan tea plants and a series of bioinformatics analyses were conducted. Based on transcriptome data, the gene expression of the members in different organs of tea plants and after damage by the Empoasca vitis were studied. A total of 36 members of HD-CsCADs were identified, which were unevenly distributed on 9 chromosomes and encoded amino acid lengths ranging from 300 aa to 621 aa and protein molecular weights ranging from 321.40 kDa to 666.49 kDa. HD-CsCADs had 0 to 3 introns and the promoters containing 79 types of cis-acting elements, among which the number of elements related to stress response was the highest. Combined with the phylogenetic tree, HD-CsCADs could be divided into 4 subfamilies. There were significant differences in the expression levels of HD-CsCADs in different organs of tea plants. HD-CsCAD-15 was highly homologous to CAD genes involved in lignin biosynthesis in other plants and was highly expressed in stem tissues. In addition, the expression of the genes after damage by E. vitis on tea seedlings was analyzed. The expression of HD-CsCAD-11 and HD-CsCAD-15 was relatively obvious and could be used as important CAD genes related to lignin metabolism and tea plant defense against pests. The results would provide theoretical basis for the defense mechanism of tea plants against the small green leaf hopper and the utilization of CAD gene functions.

In this study, Cymbopogon winterianus was used as the experimental material, and the DNA sequence of C. winterianus was sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. The sequencing data were assembled with GetOrganelle v1.7.7.0 software to construct the chloroplast genome. Referring to the known chloroplast genome of C. flexuosus, the chloroplast genome of C. winterianus was annotated, and the genomic characteristics were analyzed and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. The chloroplast genome of C. winterianus was 139 823 bp in length, with a typical circular quadripartite structure. The GC content was 38.45%, and the AT content was 61.55%. It included a large single-copy region (LSC) with a length of 82 214 bp, a pair of inverted repeat regions (IR) with a length of 21 368 bp, and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 14 873 bp. A total of 130 genes were annotated in the chloroplast genome of C. winterianus (including 85 mRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes). In addition, among the annotated genes, there were 16 double-copy genes, accounting for 12.31%, including 7 tRNA genes, 4 self-replication genes, 4 rRNA genes, 2 protein genes with unknown functions, and 1 NADH dehydrogenase subunit gene. A total of 144 SSR loci were detected in the chloroplast genome of C. winterianus, with mononucleotide repeats being absolutely dominant, mainly A/T. After comparing the boundaries of the inverted repeat sequences of four Cymbopogon species, it was found that C. flexuosus, C. pospischilii, and C. winterianus exhibited extremely high homology in gene structure and species. Among them, the ndhH gene was located in the small single-copy region (SSC), and the ndhF gene was located in the boundary region between the SSC and IRb. However, C. winterianus had an additional rps3 gene in the LSC region compared with C. flexuosus and C. pospischilii. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that C. winterianus had the closest genetic relationship with C. pospischilii and C. citratus (MK593547.1). This study completed the assembly and annotation of the complete chloroplast genome of C. winterianus, analyzed the characteristics of the chloroplast genome of C. winterianus, and preliminarily explored the phylogenetic position of C. winterianus within the genus Cymbopogon. It would lay a good foundation for the phylogenetic, genetic diversity, and genomic studies of Cymbopogon plants, as well as for the discovery and utilization of important functional genes.

Aquilaria sinensis is the original plant of the precious traditional Chinese medicinal material known as agarwood, with a long history of medicinal application. Seeds play a crucial role in the reproduction process of A. sinensis. The seed is the recalcitrant type, with a short period of viability, cannot be dried in the sun nor stored for long periods. The quality assessment, storage, and germination of the seed are essential for obtaining high-quality seedlings. Additionally, the seed has various application beyond seedlings cultivation. Due to its rich content of various nutrients, high yield, and affordable price, it has numerous applications in medicine, food, feed, health products, and food additives. The article introduced the aspects of seed quality assessment, seed storage, seed development and germination, nutritional components, and application of A. sinensis seeds, and prospects for future research area, aiming to provide references for cultivating high-quality A. sinensis seedlings and the utilization of the seed.

The study explored the growth regularity and genetic variation characteristics of Aquilaria sinensis Qi Nan clones to provide a theoretical basis for selection superior A. sinensis Qi Nan clones and application. 25 A. sinensis Qi Nan clones cultivated in the Experimental Center of Tropical Forestry of the Chinese Academy of Forestry were inves-tigated, the tree height and basal diameter were measured at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. The study analyzed early growth performance, adaptability, growth trait variations among different clones, and the intercorrelations. Comprehensive estimation of genetic parameters and cluster analysis were used to select superior clones. There were significant differences in tree height, basal diameter and preservation rate among the clones. The average tree height, basal diameter and preservation rate at 3 years old was 134.15 cm, 2.89 cm and 68.40%, respectively. The highest was Qi NYH, and the lowest was Bo LZ. There were substantial variations in the annual growth increments of tree height and basal diameter among the clones. Generally, the tree height and basal diameter increased remarkably in the third year. The clones showed different ranges of variation in tree height and basal diameter at different growth stages. The basal diameter showed a high degree of dispersion and the richest variation. The broad-sense heritability of growth traits in 3 years was high and stable, above 0.63. Basal diameter, tree height and preservation rate showed significant or extremely significant positive correlation. Principal component analysis revealed that the clones were comprehensively evaluated and ranked based on the scores. According to the selection rate of 20%, the top five were Qi NYH, Ao S, Jin SZ, Tu YW and Cuan T in turn. The results of cluster analysis showed that the clones were divided into 4 categories. Class Ⅰ grew better, and had stronger potential for growth in the later period than others, including Ao S, Qi NYH, Lan BS, Tu YW, Jin SY, Xi GY, Jin SZ and Cuan T, with the tree height, basal diameter and preservation rate above 158.00 cm, 3.00 cm and 73.00%, respectively. Class Ⅱ and Class Ⅲ grew relatively fast. Class Ⅳ grew the slowest with the slowest tree height, basal diameter and preservation rate. Through comprehensive evaluation, Qi NYH, Ao S, Jin SZ, Tu YW and Cuan T clones had the best performance in tree height, basal diameter and preservation rate. They could be popularized and planted as the excellent comprehensive quality of A. sinensis Qi Nan clones in Pingxiang and other suitable places.

Improving and upgrading the efficiency of sugar factories and income of sugarcane farmers are the fundamental goals of the sugarcane industrial development. This study introduced the breeding process of the early-maturing, high-sugar, high-yield, automatic defoliation new sugarcane variety Guitang 76 (GT76) and its production efficiency in different regions, in order to provide planting technical basis for this new sugarcane variety in the coming years. Guitang 76 was selected through the “five nurseries” breeding procedure, and developed based on traits of early maturity, high sugar content and high yield, and also included characteristics of strong perennial roots, high uniformity, tolerance to drought, disease and infertility, and automatic defoliation. Finally, the Guitang 76 production performance was evaluated through the Guangxi new sugarcane variety regional test. The main process was as follows: In April 2010, 220 seedlings were obtained from the combination of CP81-1254×ROC22, planted in the hybrid nursery. In February 2011, five healthy individual plants were selected from the hybrid nursery and planted in the selection nursery. In December 2011, two strains were selected from the selection nursery and entered the identification nursery. In January 2013, one strain was selected from the identification nursery (named Guitang 10-2118), and in February 2013, it entered the preparation variety comparison nursery. After observation and screening, it was selected into the variety comparison nursery in March 2014, and later selected for the 2021—2023 of Guangxi sugarcane new variety regional trials (one year new planted sugarcane and two years perennial sugarcane trials). The results of regional trials showed that the stem diameter of Guitang 10-2118 was between 2.5–3.0 cm, which is a medium-large stem variety, the average number of effective stems was 8140 per hm² more than that of the control variety ROC22. The yield of newly planted sugarcane was 7.72% lower than that of ROC22, but the yield of perennial sugarcane in the first year was 7.28% higher than that of ROC22, and the yield of perennial sugarcane in the second year was 15.24% higher than that of ROC22, and the average yield in three years was higher (5.24%) than that of ROC22. The average sucrose content from November to March was 15.04%, which was 1.32% higher than that of ROC22. Guitang 10-2118 also showed other significant traits including tall plants, long internodes, automatic defoliation, strong perennial roots, wide adaptability, high resistance to smut and tip rot, etc. Guitang 10-2118 was renamed as Guitang 76 (GT76). This article also introduced the key points of cultivation strategies of GT76, providing technical support for its promotion, application and better cane production in coming years.

This study was aimed to identify high-quality and stress-resistant germplasm resources of subtropical tea for the purpose of supporting new variety breeding and the development of characteristic tea products. Leaves from 50 tea accessions cultivated at Tea Teaching and Research Base of Guangxi Vocational and Technical College in Nanning were selected as the samples. 17 leaf anatomical and structural traits were examined to assess the genetic diversity. Based on stress resistance, processing suitability, productivity potential of the traits were evaluated. Principal component analysis combined with hierarchical cluster analysis was employed for the comprehensive evaluation. There existed substantial genetic variation among the accessions, and the coefficient of variation ranged from 11.00% to 39.10%. The accessions demonstrated robust stress resistance with average membership function value for drought resistance and pest resistance 0.67 and 0.61, respectively, along with average cold resistance score 6.28. The average productivity index of 3329.20 suggested a relatively high productivity potential. Based on the leaf anatomical and structural indicators, the accessions were clustered into three distinct groups. The upper cuticle thickness, lower cuticle thickness, upper epidermis thickness, lower epidermis thickness, palisade tissue thickness, palisade tissue layer number, spongy tissue layer thickness, leaf thickness, and calcium oxalate crystal indexes of the Group 2 appeared to be significantly or highly significantly different than those of Group 1 and Group 3. Based on the top five principal component values and the corresponding eigenvalues of the accessions, a linear equation was established to calculate the comprehensive score of the principal components. The top 10 accessions exhibited superior overall characteristics, demonstrating strong potential for breeding elite tea cultivars. These findings would provide valuable references for identification and utilization of the superior local tea germplasm resources in Guangxi.