Cassava is one of the three major tuber crops in the world, and is also an important food crop in tropical and subtropical regions. Bacterial blight (CBB) is an important disease for cassava. CCCH (C3H)-type zinc finger proteins are widely present in most of organisms, not only involved in plant growth and development, hormone regulation, but also in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Although the function of some C3H genes in other plants has been reported, but that in cassava has not been reported. In this study, we analyzed the phylogenetic characteristics, chromosome location, gene structure, promoter cis-acting elements and collinearity of cassava C3H genes. A total of 89 C3H genes (MeC3H01-MeC3H89) were identified in cassava, which were distributed on 18 chromosomes. The phylogenetic tree showed that 89 MeC3H proteins were classified into 4 subfamilies. The C3H gene promoters contains multiple stress, hormones, plant growth and development response elements. 39 pairs of cassava C3H genes had homologous relationships, indicating that these genes may be amplified by replication during evolution. We also analyzed the response expression pattern of C3H genes after cassava was infected by Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis (Xpm) by transcriptome and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) experiments. The expression levels of MeC3H49, MeC3H42 and MeC3H68 were significantly up-regulated, and those of MeC3H35, MeC3H77, MeC3H36, MeC3H31 and MeC3H86 were significantly down-regulated. In summary, we identified the cassava C3H gene family members and their expression patterns in response to Xpm infection, which lays a foundation for further analysis of the function of MeC3Hs.

To investigate the function of the sensory neuron membrane protein (SNMP) in the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta, the SNMP genes were identified at the whole genome level using BLAST and HMMER homology search approaches. Full-length cDNA sequences of TabsSNMPs were obtained by RT-PCR, followed by comprehensive bioinformatics analyses to characterize the gene structures, physicochemical properties, spatial structures, and phylogenetic relationships. Furthermore, the expression patterns of TabsSNMPs in different tissues were detected by qRT-PCR. The results showed that there were two SNMP genes in T. absoluta, namely TabsSNMP1 and TabsSNMP2. The gene sequence lengths were 47 817 bp and 41 859 bp, respectively, with open reading frames (ORFs) of 1572 bp and 1560 bp, encoding 523 and 519 amino acids, respectively. The predicted protein molecular weights were 58.64 kDa and 57.94 kDa, and the isoelectric point were 7.54 and 6.72, respectively. The structural modeling indicated that both proteins contained two transmembrane regions and a large extracellular loop. The phylogenetic tree suggested that TabsSNMP1 clustered with Ostrinia furnacalis OfurSNMP1 and Chilo suppressalis CsupSNMP1, while TabsSNMP2 formed a clade with Pectinophora gossypiella PgosSNMP2. Tissue expression profiles showed that TabsSNMP1 and TabsSNMP2 were highly expressed in the antennae of both sexes, with significantly higher expression in male antennae, suggesting the involvement in male-specific sex pheromone recognition. Our findings would provide a theoretical basis for further study of the SNMP genes function in T. absoluta.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has excellent characteristics such as barren resistance, drought resistance and strong stress resistance. Its roots are rich in carbohydrates, which can provide food rations for 1 billion people around the world, and plays an important role in consumption. The glycemic index (GI) is an indicator of how fast blood sugar rises after eating food containing carbohydrates for a certain period of time. Edible cassava with low glycemic index can improve blood sugar level, control body weight, and promote the edible and diversified development of cassava. Resource evaluation can provide a basis for the improvement of cassava varieties with low glycemic index. With three domestic popular edible cassava varieties for the test materials (SC9, SC12, SC6068), the determination of the important agronomic traits and cooking before and after the total starch, fast digest starch, slow digestion starch, resistant starch, amylose, amylopectin, crude protein, crude fiber and other quality traits and in vitro sugar rise index were evaluated. The average weight of single potato was 3.31-4.13 kg, the starch rate of fresh potato was 25.07%-27.53%, and the dry rate was 37.07%-38.91%. GI of SC9, SC12 and SC6068 was 42.6, 43.5 and 43.4, respectively, which was low glycemic index, 69.4, 66.9 and 64.0, respectively, all belonging to medium glycemic index food. In addition, the nutrient components changed significantly before and after cooking, in which the rapidly digested starch content and crude fiber content increased, the resistant starch content and soluble sugar content decreased significantly. Correlation analysis of each index found that the correlation between the glycemic index and the rapidly digested starch content and crude fiber content, the correlation coefficient was 0.95, with the resistant starch content and soluble sugar content, the correlation coefficient was -0.99 and -0.88 respectively, and the glycemic index and gelatinization characteristics. The differences of cassava varieties, processing methods, starch content and fiber content have a great influence on the glycemic index. Before cooking, SC9 has the lowest glycemic index, the highest taste evaluation, and good stability in processing, so it has the most potential for development among the three varieties.

The study was aimed to evaluate the adaptability of new sugarcane varieties from the 2021 national regional trials in Kaiyuan and other sugarcane-growing regions of Yunnan, and to provide a scientific basis for the promotion in Yunnan and other ecologically similar sugarcane regions. 13 new sugarcane varieties from the 15^th round of the national sugarcane regional trials were used. Guiliu 05136 and Yunzhe 05-51 were used as the controls. The trial was carried out in Kaiyuan, Yunnan, with one year of plant and two years of ratoon crops. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted on 12 traits, including cane yield, sugar yield, early-stage average sucrose content, full-cycle average sucrose content, germination rate, ratoon tillering rate, tillering rate, plant height, stalk diameter, millable stalks, dead heart rate and smut incidence, using the DTOPSIS method. The results showed that the varieties ranked by the DTOPSIS analysis (C_i values) were as follows: Liucheng 1539>Yunzhe 15505>Zhongtang 1211>Guiliu 05136>Yunzhe 05-51>Guitang 13334>Zhongzhe No. 14>Zhongzhe No. 8>Guitang 14811>Funong 1311808>Guitang 161253>Funong 141854>Yuegan No.59>Guinan Ya 146210>Yunrui 14662. The top three varieties based on C_i values were Liucheng 1539 (0.7413), Yunzhe 15505 (0.6225) and Zhongtang 1211 (0.5975), all of which exhibited superior comprehensive traits and outperformed both controls. Liucheng 1539 had the highest cane yield (141 279.00 kg/hm²) and sugar yield (19 930.44 kg/hm²) among the tested varieties, with rapid early growth, good tillering, healthy leaves, strong vigor, good clumping and easy defoliation. It also showed low rates of dead hearts and smut incidence. Zhongtang 1211 had the highest number of millable stalks (107 226 stalk/hm²), rapid early growth, healthy leaves, high yield potential, and relatively high sucrose content and sugar yield, along with low rates of dead hearts, smut, and mosaic disease incidence. Yunzhe 15505 demonstrated the strongest disease resistance, with the lowest rates of dead hearts (2.29%) and smut incidence (0.14%), easy defoliation, lodging resistance, and relatively high sucrose content and sugar yield. Varieties Liucheng 1539, Yunzhe 15505, and Zhongtang 1211 exhibited significant advantages in early field performance, yield traits, and stress resistance, demonstrating excellent overall performance. They show great potential for large-scale promotion in Kaiyuan, Yunnan, and other ecologically similar areas.

The aim of the study was to investigate the differences in fruit quality and conduct a comprehensive evaluation of major mango cultivars across different regions in Guangxi. Four cultivars (Jinhuang, Guifei, Tainong, and Guiqi) from four producing areas (Baise, Nanning, Yulin, and Qinzhou) were selected as the research subjects. The quality of mangoes was assessed using national standard analytical methods. Systematic analyses were performed via correlation analysis, cluster heatmap analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). Jinhuang exhibited higher average values in single-fruit weight (748.86 g), peel thickness (2.30 mm), stone weight (98.37 g), edible rate (89.91%), fruit shape index (1.92), firmness (10.53 N), and sugar-acid ratio (52.73). Guiqi showed superior performance in color difference (19.30), SSC (22.67%), Vc (52.73 mg/100 g), total sugar (52.73 mg/g), and β-carotene (39.30 mg/g). Significant regional differences (P<0.05) were observed in peel thickness, sugar-acid ratio, Vc, total sugar, and β-carotene among the same cultivars from different areas. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive correlations between single-fruit weight and stone weight, edible rate, and fruit shape index (r=0.78); color difference and SSC (r=0.75); SSC and total sugar (r=0.81); and Vc and β-carotene (r=0.87). Fruit shape index was negatively correlated with Vc and β-carotene (r=-0.85), while titratable acidity showed a strong negative correlation with sugar-acid ratio (r=-0.80). Cluster analysis categorized the 13 indices into four groups, morphological traits, peel characteristics, physicochemical properties, and nutritional quality. PCA extracted four principal components (cumulative variance contribution: 88.41%), capturing the majority of original quality information. Comprehensive scores ranked cultivars as Guiqi>Jinhuang>Tainong>Guifei and regions as Baise>Nanning>Yulin>Qinzhou. Significant quality variations existed among cultivars, with Guiqi demonstrating superior sweetness and nutritional quality compared to the more acidic Guifei. Guiqi from Baise, Jinhuang and Guifei from Nanning, and Tainong from Yulin exhibited optimal fruit quality traits, highlighting regional and cultivar-specific advantages.

This study investigated the sexual cross-compatibility of the double-flowered Lagerstroemia speciosa ‘Yunchang’, using it as the maternal parent and crossing it with Lagerstroemia speciosa (Deep Purple), Lagerstroemia speciosa (Deep Purplish Pink A), L. indica ‘Red Rocket’, L. indica ‘Pink Velour’, L. balansae, L. siamica, L. tomentosa, and L. indica ‘Red Leaf’ as paternal parents. Through experiments including pollen viability testing, stigma receptivity assessment, hybridization, hybrid seed germination, and fluorescence microscopy observation of pollen tube germination and growth after pollination, the cross-compatibility of double-flowered Lagerstroemia speciosa ‘Yunchang’ during sexual reproduction was systematically analyzed. The results showed: (1) The stigmas of double-flowered Lagerstroemia speciosa ‘Yunchang’ exhibited receptivity throughout the day, peaking between 10: 00 AM and 12: 00 PM when the stigma surface appeared dark blue with abundant bubble formation. (2) The cross between double-flowered Lagerstroemia speciosa ‘Yunchang’ and Lagerstroemia speciosa (Deep Purplish Pink A) demonstrated significantly higher fruit set rate (22.2%), fruit longitudinal diameter (19.45 mm), thousand-seed weight (7.9 g), and seedling emergence rate (8.7%) compared to other combinations. The cross with L. indica 'Red Rocket' produced the highest number of seeds (153 seeds), while no fruit set was observed in the cross with L. balansae. Severe distant hybridization barriers were identified, particularly showing the lowest compatibility between double-flowered Lagerstroemia speciosa ‘Yunchang’ and L. balansae. (3) Fluorescence microscopy observations of combinations with high and low fruit set rates revealed that no pollen germination occurred on stigmas within 0-48 hours post-pollination in low fruit set combinations. In high fruit set combinations, no pollen grain germination was observed at 0 h and 2 h post-pollination; however, at 4 h and 6 h, a few pollen tubes began elongating, accompanied by significant callose deposition on stigmas and pollen tube rupture. Pollen tube elongation became more pronounced at 8 h and 24 h post-pollination. By 48 h, pollen tubes had elongated to the style position, with substantial callose interference and pollen tube distortion. These observations suggest that the sexual hybridization barriers in double-flowered Lagerstroemia speciosa ‘Yunchang’ may originate from extensive callose interference on the stigma.

The objective of this study is to elucidate the floral characteristics and flowering dynamics of Bougainvillea spp., investigate the variations in pollen viability, stigma acceptability, and cross-compatibility among different varieties, and provide theoretical and technical guidance for the crossbreeding in Bougainvillea spp.. Nine varieties of Bougainvillea were chosen to examine the floral traits and flowering patterns, also to assess pollen viability and stigma acceptability. Suitable parents were selected for cross-pollination, and the germination of pollen tubes along with the seed-setting rate of hybridization were observed. The pollen viability of the six male varieties, measured by the ex vivo germination method was high. Among which, three varieties exhibited high pollen viability and could be used as the male parents. The results from the stigma detection of three varieties by benzidine-hydrogen peroxide method showed that the stigma had the strongest deliverability in the V. period, it was concluded that the low seed-setting rate was due to the substantial amount of callose produced in the stigma and the columella following pollination, which distorted and deformed the pollen tube, resulting in only a limited number of pollen tubes reaching the ovule to complete fertilization. Additionally, significant differences were observed in the seed-setting rates among various hybrid combinations. Incompatibility was noted across various cross combinations, predominantly attributed to pre-fertilization disorders.

Ethrel is widely used as a stimulant in rubber tree plantations, which plays an important role in increaisng latex yield effectively and reducing labor requirements for tapping. However, the stimulatory effect of ethrel exhibits a pronounced dose-response relationship, excessive application may lead to adverse effects, such as tapping panel dryness (TPD). In this study, rubber tree clone Reyan 73397 was used as the experimental material, and an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the trace determination of ethrel in the bark was developed. The distribution of ethrel at various time points and different parts of the bark following its application was investigated. The samples were extracted using a methanol∶1% formic acid aqueous solution (9∶1,V/V), and directly analyzed after filtration. The samples were separated by waters CORTECS HILIC C18 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.6 μm) with mobile phase A (0.01% ammonia solution) and mobile phase B (acetonitrile∶water 80∶20, V/V) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection was performed under electrospray ion source, negative ion scanning and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Quantitative analysis was conducted using external standard calibration curves, quantitative ion was 107. The results showed a good linear relationship for ethrel within the range of 0.02 μg/mL to 1.00 μg/mL, with coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.9997. Recoveries ranged from 85.3% to 101.2% at spiked levels 0.1 µg/kg to 1.0 µg/kg, with relative standard deviations of 1.14%-7.28%, and limits of quantification (LOQ) of 0.1 µg/kg. This method was applied to study the distribution characteristics of ethrel in stimulated bark rings, both above and below the ethrel-treated 5 cm and 10 cm areas, after applying different concentrations of ethrel (0.5%, 2.0%,4.0%) over 0-96 h. The results revealed that ethrel was unevenly distributed in the rubber tree, the concentration at the stimulated area was significantly higher than that in other areas, areas closer to the stimulated bark were higher than that in distant areas, and the areas below the stimulated bark were higher than that above it. The concentration of ethrel at the stimulated area showed a significant positive correlation with the stimulated ethrel concentration. Additionally, the concentration displayed an initial increase followed by a gradual decline over time. For the three concentrations, peak levels were observed between 12 h and 24 h post-stimulation, after which a gradual decrease occurred, with relatively high concentrations still detectable at 96 h. Compared to the indirect measurement of ethylene release rates by gas chromatography, this method has many significant advantages, including simplicity, rapidity, excellent reproducibility, and high sensitivity, thereby providing reliable technical support for the quantitative analysis of ethrel in rubber trees. The study preliminarily revealed the absorption, distribution and transport patterns of externally stimulated ethrel on rubber tree tapping cuts. It was found that the diffusion and transport of ethrel were limited, with the compound primarily concentrated at the stimulation site. The findings would provide a theoretical basis for further elucidating the dose-dependent effects of ethrel on yield stimulation and guiding its safe and efficient application.

The root system of Taraxacum kok-saghyz (short for TK) contains laticifers capable of producing natural rubber, and the structure and properties closely resemble the laticifers of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). So,. Tk is recognized as an ideal alternative plant source for natural rubber production. Due to morphological disparities between Hevea and Taraxacum, conventional iodine-bromine (I₂Br₂) staining proves unsuitable for laticifers morphological studies in T. kok-saghyz. Furthermore, bromine (Br₂), the primary component of traditional I₂Br₂ staining solution, is classified as a Category II precursor chemical under stringent regulatory controls owing to its potent corrosivity, irritancy, and high procurement/transportation costs. To develop safer and more economical staining protocols for laticifer morphology, this study substituted Br₂ with sodium bromide (NaBr) and hydrogen bromide (HBr). Light microscopic analysis of root sections stained with various NaBr/HBr-I₂ formulations revealed I₂Br₂ staining induced light tan coloration of latex in laticifer, but caused severe structural degradation, and yielding suboptimal staining and section quality, NaBr-based formulation (1 mol/L NaBr+0.2 mol/L I₂ in acetic acid) demonstrated improved staining efficacy with preserved root morphology, HBr-based formulation (2.5 mmol/L HBr+0.2 mol/L I₂ in acetic acid) achieved optimal staining intensity while maintaining perfect histological integrity, and aqueous solvent systems (NaBr/HBr+I₂ in H₂O) failed to stain laticifers and induced significant tissue damage. The results confirmed that NaBr and HBr could serve as safer, cost-effective alternatives to Br₂ for laticifer morphological studies. The developed methodologies would provide critical technical foundations for investigating laticifers in non-woody rubber-producing plants, including T. kok-saghyz, Lactuca species, etc.

This study investigated the population stability and productivity of ratoon sugarcane through inter-varietal replanting, aiming to provide agronomic insights for prolonging ratoon cycles and enhancing population stability and productivity through improved cultivation management. Using the second ratoon crop of sugarcane variety Guitang 42(GT) scheduled for replanting after mechanical harvest, replanting was done with the variety Guifu 98-296 (GF) seedcanes (termed inter-varietal replanting) in the place where the cropping row was broken because of missing sugarcane stubbles, with the same untreated ratoon crop as the control (CK). Emergence rate, ratoon sprouting rate, plant height, stalk formation rate, and cane yield in the first-year replanted GT ratoon sugarcane (R₁), R₁+newly planted GF (GF₀) (set the same CK as CK₁), second replanted ratoon (R₂), and R₂+first ratoon GF (GF₁) (set the same CK as CK₂) were evaluated. Economic benefits were analyzed across treatments. The results indicated that in the first year after replanting, the GF₀ exhibited a emergence rate of 88.61%, which was significantly higher than that of R₁ and CK₁. GF demonstrated markedly greater plant height increment compared to CK₁ and R₁ but no significant difference existed between CK₁ and R₁ between May and December. At the maturity stage, neither the stalk formation rate nor the cane yield differences showed statistically significant between CK₁ and R₁. However, the millable stalks in the sugarcane population (R₁+GF₀) significantly increased to 62 265 per hectare, resulting in extremely significantly higher cane yield with 24.60 tons per hectare or 35.34% increase over CK₁. In the second year, the sprouting rate of GF₁ reached 260.48%, which was extremely significantly higher than that in R₂ and CK₂. Its plant height difference between May and December was also extremely significantly greater than that of CK₂ and R₂, and there was no significant difference in that between CK₂ and R₂. At the maturity period, the stalk formation rate and cane yield in CK₂ and R₂ were both significantly lower than those in the previous ratoon crop, but the cane yield in the treatment R₂+GF₁ was extremely significantly higher than that in CK₂ by 4.62% with an increase rate of 161.75%. This indicated that the increased cane yield in variety mixed ratoon crop populations mainly came from GF. Economic benefit analysis showed that in the first year after replanting, sugarcane farmers and sugar factories increased their income by 8164.88 Yuan/hm² and 17 655.00 Yuan/hm², respectively. After replanting treatment, the difference in increased revenue between the first and second years for sugarcane farmers and sugar factories was approximately 2.98 times. Replanting the elite sugarcane variety GF to the ratoon cane of the main cultivated variety GT under mechanical harvesting conditions could effectively address the severe problem of missing plants and broken rows caused by mechanical compaction. This approach significantly increased the millable stalks in the sugarcane population, prolonged the ratoon duration by two more years, and showed a noticeable increase in cane yield and income. Therefore, the replanting technology system of GF is worth promoting in China’s sugarcane-growing areas.