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.

Pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins are crucial functional proteins in plants responding to stress, exhibiting multiple biological roles in rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis). This article systematically reviewed recent advances in PR protein research in rubber trees, with emphasis on the functional characteristics in stress resistance mechanisms, laticifer plugging, and allergenicity, while highlighting the critical relationship between PR proteins and laticifer plugging. PR proteins participate in defense responses against stresses through complex molecular networks, potentially influencing latex yield via laticifer plugging processes. Some PR proteins exhibit strong allergenic properties. Although transgenic studies of PR proteins have achieved preliminary progress, further optimization of expression regulation strategies is required to balance stress resistance, yield, and allergenicity. Future research should prioritize elucidating the mechanistic roles of PR proteins, especially investigating how the expression levels of pathogenesis-related proteins (particularly chitinases and β-1,3-glucanases) correlate with rubber productivity. Concurrently, functional exploration of understudied PR protein categories like PR-14 warrants attention. Developing precise molecular breeding technologies based on these findings will provide both theoretical foundations and technical support for rubber tree variety improvement.

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.

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.

Cymbidium ensifolium ‘Dongfang Honghe’, as a new cultivar of C. ensifolium, has an elegant posture and a distinctive pink-white colour, which is of high value for garden application. In order to deeply understand the flower formation rules of C. ensifolium, and to produce high-quality flowers to meet the demand of the holiday market, ‘Dongfang Honghe’ was used as the experimental material to elaborate the morphological change process of flower buds and flower development during the process of flower formation, and to study the effect of forchlorfenuron (CPPU) on its flowering period and blooming quality. The process of flower bud differentiation was divided into six periods according to the results of paraffin sections: floral primordial induction, inflorescence primordial differentiation, floral primordial differentiation, sepal primordial differentiation, petal primordial differentiation, as well as the stage of gynostemium and pollen block differentiation. The process of flower development was divided into six periods according to the characteristics of the morphology changes of inflorescences: the end of inflorescence bud differentiation, bract wrapping period, inflorescence elongation period, coloring period of flower buds, blossom period and flower wilting period. Spraying CPPU and cytokinin could advance the flowering period of C. ensifolium by about 1 month, among which 1 g/L CPPU+1∶1000 cytokinin had the best effect, and the treatment entered into the stage of flower development in 44 d. The flowering period was advanced by 26.55 d, and the duration of blooming was prolonged by 1.89 d compared with that of the control, and the flower buds increased by 0.54 per pot, and the scape diameter was thickened by 0.28 mm. It is assumed that CPPU stimulates the cell division of pseudobulbs, prompts their expansion, and then accumulates sufficient nutrients for the transformation of flower formation. In this study, the flowering process in ‘Dongfang Honghe’ was delineated, which provides key information for the subsequent in-depth study of the mechanism of flower formation to determine the sampling period and the prediction of flowering time in the industry. The effect of CPPU on the flowering of ‘Dongfang Honghe’ was investigated, which lays a theoretical basis for the establishment of a precise technical system of flower regulation.

Tetragonia tetragonoides (Pall.) Kuntze is a seawater vegetable with strong tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses. Plant thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) are involved in various biological and abiotic stress responses. In order to elucidate the possible roles of a T. tetragonoides thaumatin-like protein gene (TtTLP11) in abiotic stress resistance, we cloned this gene and performed transgenic over-expression assay in Arabidopsis thaliana, then the homozygotic transgenic lines were obtained and performed subsequent analysis for stresses tolerance. In this study, the seeds from transgenic plants over-expressing TtTLP11 and wild type Arabidopsis plants were challenged with high salinity, high osmotic stress, heat and mixed salt-alkali stresses, by detecting the seed germinating rates, seedling growth status, thereby assessing the stress resistance of these transgenic Arabidopsis plants. The purpose of this study was to clarify the abiotic stress resistance functions of the TtTLP11 and the possible molecular mechanisms. The results showed that under various abiotic stress conditions, the over-expression of TtTLP11 could alleviate the inhibition effects of seed germination and relieve the environmental damage to seedlings, thereby improving the abiotic stress tolerance of transgenic plants. It is speculated that TtTLP11 might alleviate dramatic changes in osmotic pressure in plants and maintain water homeostasis, and then affect the stress tolerance of plants. The results could provide a theoretical basis for further analysis of the molecular regulatory network of plant response to alleviate abiotic stress damage.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), a crucial sugar crop in China, faces yield and quality constraints due to soil nutrient limitations. Severe soil acidification and nutrient imbalances in the southwestern Yunnan sugarcane-growing areas hinder the sustainable development of the industry. This study aimed to clarify the driving effects of soil stoichiometric characteristics on sugarcane leaf nutrient uptake, identify critical thresholds for soil acidification and nutrient limitations, and provide theoretical and technical foundations for precision fertilization and soil improvement. Soil (0-30 cm depth) and leaf samples were systematically collected from 121 sugarcane fields across nine townships in Lianghe County, Yunnan Province using a grid-based sampling strategy. Soil parameters analyzed included pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, alkaline nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, and DTPA-extractable micronutrients. Leaf nutrients (total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium) were analyzed after H₂SO₄-H₂O₂ digestion. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to construct multi-path networks linking soil fertility (organic matter, total N/P/K, available nutrients), micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn), and environmental factors (pH) to leaf nutrient dynamics. Model parameters were optimized via maximum likelihood estimation, with standardized path coefficients (β) and determination coefficients (R²) quantifying factor contributions. Soils exhibited pronounced acidification (mean pH=5.07), with 78.23% of samples ≤pH 5.5. Zinc deficiency (<1.5 mg/kg) occurred at 84.75% of sites, while TK (2.27%), available Fe (59.90 mg/kg), and available Cu (1.04 mg/kg) remained relatively high; Organic matter correlated strongly with TN (r=0.929^**), TP (r=0.614^**), AN (r=0.847^**), AP (r=0.642^**), and AK (r=0.399^**), indicating its central role in nutrient retention. Soil acidification (pH<5.5) reduced cation exchange capacity by 26.7% and negatively correlated with AN (r=–0.290^**). Neutral to slightly acidic conditions (pH 6.0–6.5) enhanced phosphorus and potassium availability. Soil available nutrients emerged as pivotal drivers of leaf nutrient assimilation. This study systematically illustrated the multi-path regulatory mechanisms of soil stoichiometric traits driving sugarcane leaf nutrient uptake in southwestern Yunnan's sugarcane belt, quantitatively linking acidification with nutrient dysregulation. It is proposed that an integrated fertilization strategy—“ameliorate acidity-supplement zinc-regulate nitrogen-enhance carbon” should serve as the technical paradigm for high-yield sugarcane cultivation and sustainable soil management, which also could be universally referred by the agricultural ecosystems in tropical and subtropical acidic soils.

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.

In flowering plants, pollen grains land on the stigma surface, undergo hydration, and germinate to produce pollen tubes. Subsequently, the pollen tube grows through the stigma toward the ovule. Within the ovule, the pollen tube ruptures to release sperm cells. The two sperm cells fuse with the egg cell and the central cell, respectively, forming a diploid embryo and a triploid endosperm, thereby completing the double fertilization process. Pollen germination and pollen tube growth are crucial physiological processes in the sexual reproduction of flowering plants. The processes are of significant importance for the propagation of plant species and serve as the fundamental basis for the yield of grain crops. Calcium signaling, functioning as a critical secondary messenger, plays a central role in pollen germination and pollen tube growth. In plants, calcium signaling refers to the regulatory mechanism driven by dynamic changes in cytosolic calcium ion (Ca²⁺) concentrations. Calcium signaling serves as a key regulatory mechanism in plant cell signal transduction, involved in critical processes such as pollen grain perception of osmotic stress, germination, pollen tube growth, and guidance. Simultaneously, through modulating various pathways including calcium channels, calcium pumps, and calcium-binding proteins on the cell membrane, calcium signaling facilitates dynamic remodeling of the pollen tube cytoskeleton, thereby enabling pollen tube elongation and directional growth at the tip. Furthermore, calcium signaling coordinates with pathways involving auxin and abscisic acid to regulate pollen tube growth while promoting dynamic remodeling of the cytoskeleton and tip-focused growth through membrane-associated calcium channels and transporters. The review provides an in-depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying calcium signaling in pollen germination and pollen tube growth, and its synergistic interactions with other signaling networks. These insights advance our understanding of plant reproductive biology and offer potential theoretical foundations for crop genetic improvement and agricultural innovation.

It was aimed to understand the nutrient contents in soil and the characteristics of ecological stoichiometry in the main coffee producing areas of Yunnan Province, Baoshan, Pu'er, and Xishuangbanna. The nutrient content and ecological stoichiometry of both coffee soil and leaves were assessed, thereby enhancing our understanding of the interplay between crops and soil elements while also revealing the status of soil nutrient limitations. Among the regions studied, the C content in Baoshan soil was significantly lower than that of Xishuangbanna (P<0.05), and C/N ratio in Baoshan soil was notably lower than that of Xishuangbanna and Pu'er, while N/P ratio in Baoshan was significantly higher than that of Pu'er coffee. The C content of coffee leaves in Pu'er was more than that of both Baoshan and Xishuangbanna significantly. There were obvious differences in C content and C/N ratios among the leaves from the regions (P<0.01). Leaf N/P threshold analysis indicated that Pu'er coffee had an N/P ratio ranging between 14 and 16, suggesting growth constraints due to both N and P elements, while leaf N/P ratio exceeded 16 for Baoshan and Xishuangbanna coffees, indicating a restriction primarily by phosphorus. Correlation analyses revealed a highly significant positive correlation between C and N levels within coffee soils (P<0.01). Moreover, significant positive correlations were observed between leaf C with C/N ratio and C/P ratio (P<0.01), alongside a notable positive correlation between leaf carbon content and soil nitrogen levels (P<0.01). The results indicated that nitrogen and phosphorus were the limiting factors for Pu'er coffee cultivation and applying nitrogen and phosphorus in production is advisable. In contrast, phosphorus was the primary limiting factor for both Baoshan's and Xishuangbanna's coffees production, therefore, appropriate application of phosphorus should be recommended.