Paeonia ostii, a significant perennial woody oil crop in China, is notable for its seeds’ high oil content and elevated levels of unsaturated fatty acids. However, there is currently a lack of scientific fertilisation protocols and targeted nutrient management for P. ostii. The concentrations of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) were determined in the leaves at five distinct growth stages: flowering, initial fruit set, fruit expansion, late fruiting, and foliar senescence. The levels of N and P were found to be at their highest point during the flowering stage, after which they declined significantly. In contrast, the levels of K remained relatively stable throughout the growth phase, while Mg levels increased significantly to peak at fruit expansion. The level of Ca increased, reaching its peak at the late fruiting stage. The annual average content of micronutrients in P. ostii leaves was as follows: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. Furthermore, it was observed that the concentrations of Fe and Mn oscillated, while the concentration of Cu decreased significantly after flowering. Additionally, Zn concentrations remained stable throughout the various stages. Multivariate analyses, including PCA, nutrient ratio analysis, and an integrated nutrient stability index, further revealed coordinated shifts in leaf nutrient composition and indicated that May and June were relatively stable periods for nutrient assessment. Considering both the nutrient stability and the phenological relevance, June, corresponding to the fruit expansion stage, was considered a practical sampling window for foliar nutrient diagnosis. These findings contribute to the definition of an appropriate sampling window for foliar nutrient diagnosis, thereby providing a useful basis for nutrient monitoring and future fertilisation studies in P. ostii.

The seed microbiome plays an important role in seed quality, germination, and crop establishment. Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is one of the most economically important field crops. However, information about soybean seed microbiomes is lacking, especially regarding how field environmental conditions and the prevalent seed pathogen Diaporthe longicolla across different years shape soybean seed microbiomes. In this study, we used amplicon sequencing to assess the seed endophytic microbiomes of a soybean cultivar, Dudley, collected in four successive years of field trials. The alpha diversity of both fungal and bacterial communities remained relatively stable across years with D. longicolla treatments. The microbial compositions were significantly influenced by years (P = 0.001), with environmental variables (air temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity) contributing to shifts in community structure. The seed core microbiome comprised bacterial members from genera Methylorubrum, Peribacillus, and Priestia and fungal taxa from classes Dothideomycetes, Sordariomycetes, and Tremellomycetes. Pathogen inoculation altered bacterial composition, positively associated with taxa from genera Sphingomonas, Microbacterium, and Nocardioides, but did not notably affect fungal community. Soybean seed microbiome assembly appears driven primarily by interannual environmental variations. Pathogen inoculation exerts a secondary but detectable effect on the bacterial community. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first multiyear field-based study of soybean seed endophytic microbiomes and the impact of seedborne pathogen inoculation. The findings of this research advance our understanding of soybean seed microbiomes and provide insights into the potential use of seed microbes, thereby aiding in the development of novel microbiome-based alternatives to manage soybean seed diseases.Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Adventitious root (AR) formation is the primary bottleneck limiting the clonal propagation of Sapium sebiferum, a multi-purpose tree with high-value seed oil and medicinal metabolites. Here, we integrated morpho-anatomical profiling, endogenous carbohydrate dynamics and high-resolution transcriptomics to uncover the molecular framework underlying AR induction by the synthetic auxin 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Four developmental checkpoints (0, 7, 14 and 21 d after cutting, DAC) were resolved, revealing that NAA triggered a "mixed" rooting pattern originating from both callus and vascular cambium. During the early induction phase, starch was rapidly hydrolyzed, leading to a > 2-fold increase in soluble sugars that fuelled primordium initiation; this metabolic switch persisted until 21 DAC. RNA-seq identified 6991 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across rooting stages, with the induction stage exhibiting the largest transcriptional reprogramming (3963 DEGs). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) pinpointed a turquoise module positively correlated with starch content and a blue module associated with soluble sugars, together harbouring 62 core genes of the starch/sucrose metabolism pathway. Among these, ten hub genes-including glgC, otsB, TPS, BMY and bglB-were proposed as key regulators linking auxin-driven signalling to carbohydrate reallocation. qRT-PCR validated the expression dynamics of nine hub genes (R & sup2; >= 0.83). We propose a stage-specific model in which NAA accelerates AR formation through transcriptional reprogramming of carbon partitioning, providing gene targets to overcome rooting recalcitrance in S. sebiferum and other hardwood species.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is one of the most economically important oilseed crops grown in the world. Soybean diseases not only affect yield but can also affect seed quality resulting in significant economic losses. Phomopsis seed decay (PSD) causes poor seed quality and is one of the most damaging soybean seed diseases. Diaporthe longicolla (syn. Phomopsis longicolla) and other pathogens in the Diaporthe/Phomopsis complex are the cause of PSD. Developing and releasing PSD-resistant germplasm lines is an important step toward the development of resistant cultivars that can protect soybean from PSD seed damage. The objective of this study was to identify improved soybean lines with PSD resistance for the mid-southern U.S. after inoculation with D. longicolla in a 5-year delayed-harvest field trial. In this study, seed assays were conducted to evaluate a total of 266 soybean entries in field experiments with inoculation of D. longicolla from 2019 to 2023. Results from five years of testing showed that maturity group (MG) late III 65-414-132-1 (DS65-1) had significantly less infection (38.6%) than susceptible late III LG03-4561-14 (86.2%). Early MG IV lines 14119-211-10 and 10031-243-12 (released as DS31-243) had statistically lower levels of PSD (29.9% and 46.6%, respectively) than susceptible early IV 'LD00-3309' (63.9%). These improved breeding lines were derived from PI 587982A. Moreover, early MG V 10049-142-31 (released as DS49-142) had less infection (7.9%) than early V 'AG5335' (25.4%), and late MG IV 12060-260-2 (released as DS1260-2) had less infection (19.6%) than susceptible late IV 'P46T59R' (55.3%). DS1260-2 was derived from PI 587982A, and DS49-142 was derived from PI 603756. Resistant lines were transferred to breeders for potential use in developing soybean cultivars with resistance to PSD. This research provides useful information for the development of durable resistance to PSD, which will aid in the management of soybean seed decay.

Quercus texana seeds are recalcitrant and thus highly sensitive to desiccation, which makes storage difficult. For practical seed handling, it is important to define their safe water content and to understand how water is distributed during dehydration. The present study utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technologies to investigate the migration and phases of water, respectively, revealing the underlying reasons for the recalcitrance of Q. texana seeds. The water content of fresh Q. texana seeds was found to be 39.6% and the germination percentage was 93.3%. As the water content decreased, the germination percentage decreased continuously, reaching 0% at a water content of 13.0%. At 20.0% water content, the germination percentage was 71.7%. MRI showed that water was primarily stored in the embryo axis and cotyledon center in fresh Q. texana seeds. Water loss occurs in the following order during seed dehydration: embryo axis, cotyledon center, cotyledon periphery, and cotyledon end. However, water in the radicle region persisted until seed water content decreased to 15.0%, at which point no signal was detected. The NMR T2 relaxation spectrum indicated the presence of bound water (T21 = 0.01-5.44 ms) and free water (T22 = 7.19-1401.93 ms) in the seeds. During the dehydration process, most of the water was lost as free water, and the T22 shifted to longer times. Concurrently, the bound water shifted to shorter T21 times. Overall, for practical purposes, seed water should be maintained at or above 20.0%. MRI further showed that water loss from the radicle plays a decisive role in the decline of seed germination, and that protecting the region of radicle and the cupule scar can effectively retard water loss. Furthermore, the bound-water content is positively correlated with seed germination.

Soil salinization increasingly constrains global forestry and agricultural productivity; breeding high-yielding, salt-tolerant cultivars is therefore the most effective strategy to mitigate yield losses. Taxodium mucronatum, possesses significant ecological and economic value; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its salt stress response remain unknown. In this study, we exposed T. mucronatum seedlings to soil augmented with 3 parts per thousand NaCl and analyzed their responses at 0,15, 30, and 60 days post-treatment (DPT) through growth phenotyping, physiological assays, and RNA sequencing. The results revealed that salt stress reduced the relative increase in seedling height and aboveground biomass, whereas no significant difference was observed in root growth. Membrane damage, quantified by malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (REL), peaked at 30 DPT. Proline (PRO) content increased monotonically, whereas soluble sugars (SS) displayed a fluctuating pattern (decrease-rise-decline); soluble proteins (SP) declined sharply at 15 DPT and remained low thereafter. Peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities exhibited a unimodal response, peaking at 15 and 30 DPT, respectively, whereas catalase (CAT) activity increased steadily until 60 DPT. OPLS-DA identified POD, PRO, and SOD as the most critical physiological indicators. RNA sequencing across the 12 libraries generated 47,536 de novo assembled unigenes, among which 4691 were consistently differentially expressed across all time points. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified key modules (greenyellow, indianred4, ivory) strongly correlated with the crucial physiological traits. A total of 466 hub genes were screened by integrating consistently differentially expressed genes. Comprehensive KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis is a major pathway involved in salt adaptation. Within this pathway, key genes including PER, CAD, OMT, HCT, CCR, PAL and C4H were identified, linking lignin deposition with reactive oxygen species scavenging. These findings provide systematic insights for molecular breeding of salt-tolerant T. mucronatum and offer new directions for enhancing stress resistance in woody crops.

Cercis chinensis, a woody species with ornamental, medicinal, and potential industrial value, exhibits pronounced seed dormancy that severely constrains propagation efficiency and resource utilization. However, the physiological dynamics and molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying dormancy release remain insufficiently understood. Here, we combined physiological assessments with integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses to systematically elucidate the processes governing dormancy release during cold stratification. Cold stratification markedly enhanced germination performance, as reflected by progressive increases in germination percentage and germination index, accompanied by a gradual decline in viability of non-germinated seeds. This process was associated with substantial reconfiguration of seed reserve metabolism, including increased soluble sugar accumulation, depletion of starch and lipid reserves, and dynamic changes in soluble protein content. Enzymatic activities related to starch degradation and central carbon metabolism were significantly modulated, indicating enhanced carbon mobilization and metabolic activation. Concurrently, endogenous phytohormone homeostasis was reprogrammed, characterized by a sustained decrease in ABA and pronounced increases in GA, IAA, and JA. Principal component analysis of physiological traits identified stratification at 0 and 45 days as representative stages of dormancy and dormancy release, respectively, guiding subsequent multi-omics profiling. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed extensive differentially expressed genes and corresponding proteins enriched in pathways associated with carbohydrate metabolism, hormone biosynthesis and signaling, and energy metabolism. These included starch and sucrose metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, fatty acid degradation, the citrate cycle, peroxisome function, and oxidative phosphorylation. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR) validation of selected key genes confirmed the expression trends observed in transcriptome sequencing, demonstrating the reliability of the transcriptomic data. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that dormancy release in C. chinensis seeds represents a systemic transition from metabolic quiescence to metabolic activation, driven by coordinated carbon reserve mobilization, hormonal rebalancing, and enhanced respiratory metabolism. This study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding dormancy regulation in woody plant seeds and offers theoretical support for improving germination efficiency and resource utilization in C. chinensis.

Amaranthus palmeri is one of the most troublesome invasive agricultural weeds worldwide, exhibiting super invasiveness and high resistance to conventional management strategies. Artificial microRNA-mediated silencing technology, coupled with a nanoparticle-mediated delivery system, represents an attractive approach for fertility control in A. palmeri. In this study, we first characterised the biological function of ApMIR319 via ectopic overexpression in Arabidopsis, identifying it as a crucial candidate molecular target for fertility regulation in A. palmeri. Subsequently, we prepared layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets using the co-precipitation-hydrothermal method. Employing the LDH nanosheets as nanocarriers, we implemented nearly complete encapsulation of the ApmiR319 mimic at a mass ratio of 1:100. The LDH-ApmiR319 mimic complex exhibited stable loading capacity in neutral and alkaline solutions. Furthermore, the LDH-ApmiR319 mimic complex demonstrated robust adhesion to leaf surfaces and enhanced resistance to enzymatic degradation. Spraying treatments with the LDH-ApmiR319 mimic complex significantly elevated ApmiR319 expression levels in male florets, while concurrently down-regulating its target genes (ApTCP4, ApTCP10 and ApMYB33), thereby inhibiting pollen development in A. palmeri. In conclusion, this study successfully established an LDH nanosheet-mediated delivery system of ApmiR319 mimic for male fertility control in A. palmeri. It represents a novel strategy and direction for achieving sustainable management of this weed.

Introduction:Soil salinity is a pressing global issue that undermines agricultural productivity, driving the search for salt-tolerant species and their adaptive strategies. Taxodium mucronatum, a tenacious afforestation tree species, is known for its notable resistance to abiotic stresses. However, its molecular response to salt stress is still unknown. Methods:In this study, we explored the physiological and transcriptomic adaptations of T. mucronatum seedlings when exposed to different NaCl concentrations (0 ‰, CK; 3 ‰, LS; 5 ‰, MS; 7 ‰, HS). Results and discussion:Through morphological and biochemical analyses, we identified a salinity threshold of 5 ‰. Beyond this threshold, severe leaf senescence and plant death were observed. In physiological profiling, the malondialdehyde (MDA) and relative conductivity (REL) showed dose-dependent increases. Meanwhile, osmoprotectants like proline (PRO), soluble sugar (SS), and soluble protein (SP), as well as antioxidant enzyme activities including peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were elevated. This indicates dynamic responses to osmotic and oxidative stress. Transcriptome sequencing revealed 3,858 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). GO and KEGG analyses showed that the commonly up-regulated genes were enriched in 'oxidoreductase activity' (GO:0016491) and 'phenylpropanoid biosynthesis' (ko00940), whereas down-regulated genes were enriched in 'cell-wall organization' (GO:0071554). Among the 421 differentially expressed transcription factors, ERF, WRKY and NAC families constituted 62% of the total, indicating their central role in the salt response. With Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), we first linked gene modules to physiological traits and found that the MEbrown (r = 0.67-0.99) positively and MEblue (r = -0.69 to -0.98) negatively drives osmoprotectant/antioxidant activation. From these modules, 12 hub genes -especially TCTP, ECI3, PGL3, OsI_15387, APF2, CYP73A4- were identified that coordinate stress adaptation via cell wall remodeling, energy metabolism, and redox homeostasis. This study offers the first in-depth analysis of salt tolerance mechanisms in T. mucronatum, revealing genotype-specific strategies to cope with ionic and osmotic stress. The findings enhance our molecular understanding of stress resilience in woody perennials and highlight the potential for ecological restoration of T. mucronatum in saline-alkali ecosystems.

The Aceraceae family has ecological, ornamental and economical importance in plants. However, the genetic variations, evolution, and domestication of Aceraceae species are not well understood. Pan-genomes provide a framework for capturing genetic diversity across a genus and for a comprehensive understanding of genomic variation during evolution. Here, we construct a graph-based pan-genome from 13 Aceraceae species, revealing evolutionary dynamics driven by long-terminal repeat retrotransposons. Sequencing of 134 cultivated Acer palmatum accessions identifies 2,160 single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with 10 fatty acid traits through genome wide association study. We further characterize 1,064,183 structural variation loci impacting fatty acid accumulation. By multi-omics analysis, we also identify ActKCS as a key candidate gene required for nervonic acid biosynthesis. Transgenic overexpression of ActKCS in Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica napus enhances seed nervonic acid content, with increases ranging from 0.05

Paeonia ostii, an economically important oil-producing peony cultivar, faces challenges in large-scale cultivation due to low propagation rates and long cultivation cycles. This study aimed to optimize tissue culture protocols for P. ostii ʻFengdan No. 3ʼ by evaluating vernalization and etiolation pretreatments on single-node and leaf explants. Vernalization and etiolation treatments significantly enhanced in vitro regeneration of P. ostii, resulting in improved organogenic responses and reduced browning. Optimal sterilization and culture conditions were established for both single-node and leaf explants. For single-node explants, NN69 medium delivered the highest shoot induction rate (66.7

Ahuehuete (Taxodium mucronatum Ten.) is a riparian tree species of significant ecological, cultural, and economic importance, demonstrating remarkable tolerance to prolonged flooding. However, the underlying mechanism of waterlogging adaptation remains unknown. In this study, we determined the physiological traits of the Ahuehuete leaves at 0, 15, 30, and 60 d under waterlogging conditions. The results showed that no significant difference in MDA content occurred between the Ahuehuete leaves subjected to waterlogging and those under well-watered (CK) conditions. In contrast, the contents of osmoprotectants (soluble sugar, soluble protein, and proline) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT) exhibited similar change trends under both waterlogging and CK conditions, despite minor quantitative differences between the two groups. Subsequent comparative transcriptome analysis was performed to investigate the transcriptional characteristics. A total of 3687 DEGs were expressed in all comparisons throughout the waterlogging process, while 2873, 4617, and 2710 DEGs were comparison group specific. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were enriched in various metabolic pathways, such as Plant hormone signal transduction (ko04075), MAPK signaling pathway-plant (ko04016), ABC transporter (ko02010), and Nitrogen metabolism (ko00910). WGCNA also identified key modules associated with physiological traits, simultaneously emphasizing the importance of plant hormone signal transduction and MAPK signal cascade. Overall, our findings revealed physiological and transcriptomic characteristics of the Ahuehuete under waterlogging conditions, and provided new insights to waterlogging adaptation in woody gymnosperm species.

Seeds of Sophora japonica in Nanjing during the recommended period typically exhibit permeable seed coats. It is imperative to comprehend the water absorption characteristics of the permeable seeds, as water uptake represents a critical step in seed germination. This study employed an integrated approach combining blocking experiments, scanning electron microscopy, staining tests, and magnetic resonance imaging to investigate water entry sites and movement patterns in permeable seeds. Blocking experiments on seeds with both permeable and impermeable seed coat revealed that the lens functions as the water gap. Anatomical observations revealed specialized structural features in S. japonica seeds. The hilum region showed decreased water permeability compared to the lens region (characterized by elongated palisade cells), with the latter serving as the water entry point. Initially (12-28 h), water migrated from the lens to the chalazal region through the space between the seed coat and endosperm. Subsequently (after 28 h), water moved towards the radicle via the vascular bundle connecting the hilum and lens. Following radicle activation, a phase of rapid water absorption was initiated. This regulated water uptake pattern suggests an adaptive strategy ensuring successful germination. These findings enhance our understanding of water absorption characteristics in permeable S. japonica seeds used in forestry production, contributing to improved seed handling practices.

Flexible bronchoscopy(FB)is a highly versatile and effec-tive diagnostic and therapeutic tool with a pivotal position in respiratory medicine.Indeed,the flexible bronchoscope,with its capability to visualize both the upper and lower airways,is indispensable for managing neonates,infants,and children with diverse respiratory diseases[1].Despite the use of guide-lines on pediatric flexible bronchoscopy(PFB)from the Euro-pean Respiratory Society[2],the American Thoracic Society[3]and a Chinese guideline released in 2009[4]and updated in 2018[5],considerable variation exists.This is related to the provision of facilities,accessibility of equipment,and imple-mentation.Standards remain to be fully unified.

IntroductionFoliar nutrient diagnosis can facilitate an understanding of plant nutrient status, enabling the implementation of precise fertilization programs. As an emerging woody oil crop, Paeonia ostii, requires pressing research efforts to address the key agricultural challenge of achieving high-yield and high-efficiency cultivation.MethodsIn this study, the leaves were collected at the fruit expansion stage. The test materials were categorized into high- and low-yielding groups based on single plant yields, as determined by the Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis Inflection Point method. Finally, the low-yielding group was subjected to nutritional diagnosis using the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) method.ResultsA significant difference in yield was observed between the two groups, with average yields of 123.2 and 55.3 g·plant-1. Appropriate nutrient ranges were established by the Range of Normality method. In the low-yielding group, Cu and Mn levels exceeded the optimal values, while the concentrations of other elements fell within the appropriate range. Through the DRIS method, it showed that the low-yielding group exhibited an excess of Cu and Mn, with elemental deficiencies ranked as follows: Ca > K > Mg > N > Zn > Fe > P. The combined DRIS Nutritional Imbalance Index (NBIm) values indicated that Ca deficiency was the most severe. DiscussionThe primary factors contributing to the reduced yield of P. ostii were the excesses of Cu and Mn and the deficiencies of Ca. In the future, greater attention should be paid to the issues of Ca supplementation and the management of localized heavy metals, with the aim of optimizing the production of P. ostii.

Damage to mature soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed occurs when mature seeds are subjected to weathering, fungi, and insects under hot humid conditions. Such damage can be exacerbated by delays in harvest. Mature seed damage (MSD) causes lost revenue to both producers and processors, as well as lower quality of the seed, protein meal, and oil to consumers. The release of DS1260-2 (Reg. no. GP-531, PI 705148) by the USDA-ARS is part of our effort to increase soybean tolerance to mature seed damage using traditional plant breeding. Tolerance to MSD was derived from exotic accession Huang mao bai shui dou (PI 587982A) and incorporated through pedigree selection into an agronomically improved conventional late maturity group IV germplasm adapted for production in the midsouthern United States. DS1260-2 has significantly lower levels of seed damage than cultivars 'P46T59R', 'AG4632', and 'P48A60X', which manifests as lower incidence of Diaporthe longicolla (Hobbs) J.M. Santos (Syn. Phomopsis longicolla Hobbs), less seed coat wrinkling and visual mold, lower incidence of fungal metabolites (nivalenol, cercosporin, cytochalasins H and J, tryptophol, fusaric acid, and beauvericin), and higher seed germination. DS1260-2 yielded similar to P46T59R in trials over 4 years in Mississippi, but less than 'AG46X6', 'AG48X9', and 'S16-7922C' in regional testing. DS1260-2 is resistant to southern stem canker, frogeye leaf spot, and race 3 (HG type 0) of soybean cyst nematode. DS1260-2 is a valuable source for developing cultivars with improved tolerance to the MSD that is caused by mold and weathering.

Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most economically important crops in the world. Production of soybean can be severely impacted by many diseases, including soybean rust. Elicitor treatments have been utilized to enhance plant resistance against multiple diseases. To investigate whether elicitor treatment can induce soybean resistance, pilot experiments were conducted to test the effects of elicitors (chitin, laminarin, and co-treated with both) on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst in five soybean genotypes. We discovered that all elicitor treatments induced an ROS burst with different levels. The expression of several plant defense genes was upregulated in soybean Williams 82 following elicitor treatments. GmCERK1, GmRbohD, GmPR1, GmPR2, GmPAL, and GmCHS exhibited the highest expression at 3 h post-elicitor treatments. Interestingly, co-treatment with chitin and laminarian significantly enhanced the expression of GmPAL and GmCHS. Soybean rust severity was evaluated on plants with elicitor treatment prior to Phakopsora pachyrhizi inoculation. A 5-point scale, with 5 as the highest, was used. With chitin treatment, the severities were reduced to 2.0 and 1.9 in Williams 82 and PI 200526, respectively. Controls without elicitor treatments had severities of 4.2 and 3.8, which were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than the severities in the genotypes with elicitor treatments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the effects of elicitors chitin and laminarin on inducing resistance in soybean against P. pachyrhizi infection. The information from this research will be useful for development of an alternative method to control soybean rust or other diseases in crops.

Quercus texana Buckley (Nuttall oak) acorns contain up to 46 % carbohydrates, making them a potential highquality starch-based or sugar-based raw material for the production of food, feeds, value-added biochemicals, biomaterials, biofuels, and bioenergy. Natural air drying is a commonly used and economically friendly postharvest processing method of Nuttall oak acorns. However, the physiological changes and molecular mechanisms underlying postharvest dehydration in Nuttall oak kernels remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic changes of postharvest Nuttall oak kernels. A general increase in soluble sugar, starch, and total non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) contents was observed, along with a fluctuating reduction in starch allocation ratios during postharvest natural dehydration. A time-course and comparative transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis revealed dramatic alterations in gene expression and metabolite accumulation induced by water loss, and multiple carbohydrate metabolism and energy production-related pathways and TF genes were involved in this process, including "Starch and sucrose metabolism", "Glycolysis/Gluconeogenesis", and "Citrate cycle". Notably, postharvest water loss-triggered transcriptomic reprogramming modulated metabolomic landscape remodeling, especially NSC remobilization in Nuttall oak kernels. Overall, these results implied that postharvest natural water loss-induced transcriptomic reprogramming modulated NSC remobilization in Nuttall oak kernels. Hopefully, our present findings will provide valuable insights into the molecular and metabolic mechanism governing NSC in Nuttall oak kernels during postharvest. Additionally, this research may serve as a reference for postharvest preservation of Nuttall oak acorns and even genetic and bioengineering improvements.

In angiosperms, floral architecture diversity reflects its significance in exploring plant evolution. Magnolia polytepala, an endemic and ancient species in China, possesses a unique multi-tepal trait. Notably, the origin and formation of these multi-tepals are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the origin and formation of multi-tepals from the inner floral whorl and elucidated the underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms by combining phenotypic analysis, sequencing, and molecular experiments. We found that the multi-tepals exhibited morpho-anatomical characteristics similar to normal tepals but differed from petaloid and normal stamens. The temporal dynamics of a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in multiple signaling (transduction) pathways contributed to multi-tepal primordia initiation during early floral differentiation. In particular, the dynamic expression of MpWOX4, MpCLE41, MpULT1, and MpKN1 might be responsible for floral meristem activation and maintenance, while MpTGA1 and MpEJ2 potentially regulated floral organ initiation. Floral homeotic genes, such as MapoAP3, contributed to subsequent organ identity specialization. We further isolated a nucleus-localized APETALA3 homolog from M. polytepala, terming it the MapoAPETALA3 (MapoAP3) gene, which was expressed in almost all vegetative and reproductive tissues. Ectopically expressing MapoAP3 in Arabidopsis resulted in altered phenotypes of rosette leaves, inflorescences, and florets, particularly generating extra petals instead of undergoing homeotic organ conversion. This discovery revealed an additional function of MapoAP3 in regulating organ initiation in addition to its conserved B-function in floral architecture plasticity. In summary, the multi-tepals of M. polytepala originated from the early tepal primordia initiation event rather than stamen petalody. The formation of the multi-tepal trait was attributed to the coordinated regulation of several vital DEGs, with the MapoAP3 gene playing an important role. These results provide additional insight into the regulation underlying the floral architecture formation in ancient Magnolia species and suggest that manipulating the MapoAP3 gene may hold promising potential for genetic breeding in ornamental plants.

Seed dormancy limits the propagation of Cercis chinensis, an important species of medicinal and ecological significance. This study explores the molecular mechanisms underlying dormancy release during cold stratification. By integrating biochemical analyses, we revealed that cold stratification reduced abscisic acid (ABA) while increasing gibberellin A3 (GA3), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and jasmonic acid (JA), accompanied by enhanced enzyme activities and shifts in storage substances. Transcriptomic profiling identified 694 genes involved in hormone signaling, DNA replication, and carbon metabolism. Notably, the downregulation of phosphofructokinase1 (PFK1) redirected carbon flux to the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), meeting the demands for nucleotide precursor and antioxidants. This metabolic shift is critical for breaking non-deep physiological dormancy of C. chinensis seeds. Our findings reveal novel insights into the molecular and metabolic processes driving dormancy release in C. chinensis, offering valuable targets for optimizing seed propagation techniques.