Methionine synthases (MetEs) are essential for plant metabolism and are highly expressed during reproductive processes. Despite their importance, the subcellular localization of MetEs and their specific roles and regulatory mechanisms in plant reproduction remain unclear. To address these knowledge gaps, we conducted subcellular localization and phylogenetic analyses of MetEs in the model species tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Additionally, we explored their functions through morphological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic analyses. The results showed that 6 NtMetEs belonging to dicot subclade 2 (DS2) localized in the endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, and cytosol, while NsylMetE4 of DS1 with a transit peptide localized to the cytosol and nucleus. Knockout of 4 NtMetEs abundantly expressed in anthers reduced the pollen germination ratio by an average of 45.15% and methionine (Met) and S-adenosylmethionine (Sam) levels by 32.55% and 47.58%, respectively. Exogenous Met and Sam partially restored pollen germination in mete1234, and Met mainly rescued germination of pollen with normal size both in vivo and in vitro. In mete1234 pollen, sucrose, starch, and energy metabolism were impaired, accompanied by reduced amyloplast accumulation and increased intine deposition. These results indicated that the localization of MetEs was diverse, and the transit peptide did not necessarily determine their plastid localization. NtMetE1-4 synergistically regulated pollen development and germination through modulating carbohydrate metabolism and amyloplast deposition. These findings expand our understanding of MetEs localization, Met synthesis, and pollen fertility regulation, offering implications for plant reproduction.

Tobamoviruses are a group of plant viruses that can cause yield losses of up to 70% and reduce fruit quality by 30-50%. Historically, tobamoviruses were dominated by tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and tomato mosaic virus (ToMV). However, the landscape is rapidly shifting with the emergence of economically significant viruses such as tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV) and tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). Both can circumvent the previously durable Tm-2² resistance in tomato and spread across multiple continents. This shift coincides with dramatic leaps in diagnostic tools, which have enhanced surveillance capabilities. Sensitive detection of tobamoviruses in the field with minimal sample preparation can be achieved using latest technologies such as isothermal amplification, CRISPR/Cas-hybrid assays or next-generation sequencing. Virus-host interactions underscore that viral proteins, including replicase components, are potent suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs). Small RNA profiling and network analyses of viral movement proteins reveal complex mechanisms of immune evasion and resistance breakdown. These findings are largely based on dominant NB-LRR genes such as L, Tm-1, and Tm-22 . However, evidence indicates that ToBRFV can bypass this resistance via mutation in the movement protein, so supplementary methods should be considered. This review covers latest approaches, such as genome editing with CRISPR, targeting susceptibility genes, RNA interference (RNAi), and multi-omics approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, ionomics), that can facilitate real-time surveillance and breeding for enhanced resilience. Moreover, the use of bio-formulations and nano-formulations as eco-friendly alternatives against tobamoviruses is discussed in detail. Climate change further complicates disease dynamics by undermining temperature-sensitive resistance, altering virus prevalence, and exacerbating yield losses. The rapid emergence of new tobamoviruses, which threatens the economy, necessitates a comprehensive approach. The integration of molecular diagnostics using CRISPR, omics technologies, designed protective systems, and climate-augmented disease prediction offers a detailed blueprint for the sustainable control of tobamoviruses and crop protection.

Microbial resource limitation, as a risky obstacle in continuous cropping systems for sustainable production, can be relieved by carbon-based materials (CBMs). However, the mechanisms by which CBMs of differing bioavailability influence microbial resource limitations and subsequent crop performance remain unclear. To assess this issue, four CBMs with low (i.e., biochar, BC; carbon nanosol, CN) and high (i.e., polypeptide, PO; chitosanm, CS) bioavailability were applied in continuous cropping soils of tobacco. Results showed that lowCBMs reduced the oxidative-/osmotic-pressure of tobacco more effectively and increased plant height and leaf area by 11.2-23.7 %, while high-CBMs only improved root development without positive effects on aboveground part. PLS-PM modeling indicated that these effects were directly mediated by cascade regulation of "underground resource limitation - aboveground physiological processes", and indirectly affected by dissolved organic matter (DOM) chemodiversity and core bacteria. Specifically, low-CBMs increased phenolic DOM and enriched P-activating bacteria, which lowered microbial P limitation by enhancing P mobilization and uptake, thereby increasing microbial biomass P and optimizing the C:P ratio. Moreover, low-CBMs relieved C limitation by enriching microbiomes associated with recalcitrant-C decomposition. Accordingly, the synthesis of leaf-/root-TP and osmotic substances increased, leading to reduced malondialdehyde/ oxyradical and enhanced photosynthesis. Inversely, although high-CBMs recruited N-fixing taxa to relieve N limitation, the increased hydrotropic DOMs (e.g., aliphatic, and polysaccharide) aggravated P limitation by elevating the available C:P ratio. This imbalance further impaired chlorophyll a-dominated photosynthesis, intensified oxidative damage, and depressed leaf-TP accumulation. Collectively, the findings contribute to resolving resource limitations for crop growth through balancing microbial functional requirements with C supply, highlighting the effectiveness of low-CBMs.

Drought stress has a negative impact on agricultural productivity. Tobacco, an important cash crop, often experiences reduced yield and quality due to limited water regimes. Seaweed extract (SWE)-based biostimulants are recognized for their capacity to enhance plant growth, boost crop yields, and improve resistance to abiotic stresses. However, the physio-biochemical effects of SWE on tobacco under drought stress have been insufficiently studied. Accordingly, this field study aimed to assess the effects of various levels of foliar-applied SWE-based biostimulant on tobacco. Experimental treatments comprised two levels of drought severity (WW: well-watered, and DS: by skipping irrigation for 20 days at the rapid growth stage), with four levels of foliar-applied SWE (control, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 g L−1) in tobacco plants. The results indicate that skipping irrigation significantly decreased the plant height (19.80

This study evaluated the physiological responses, hormonal signaling, osmotic and nutrient levels, as well as the performance of essential oils, antioxidant enzymes, and secondary metabolites in Lavender plants subjected to chromium and fluoride toxicity and biochar application. The findings indicated that the administration of raw and especially multiple-chemical engineered biochars decreased fluoride (about 16–40

The extensive use of chemical/inorganic fertilizer application over the past few decades has significantly enhanced global food production potentials. However, the excessive application of these fertilizers has resulted in environmental issues, soil nutrient imbalances, and poor quality of food. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of various blends of bio-organic fertilizer, farm manure, and compound fertilizer on soil health, focusing on soil nutrient content, soil enzymatic parameters, physio-biochemical attributes, and quality traits of tobacco. The experimental treatments incorporated different combinations of conventional compound fertilizer with organic and bio-organic fertilizers. The findings revealed that the application of these bio-organic fertilizers with various combinations to the soil significantly improved tobacco growth, photosynthetic traits, antioxidant enzyme activity, and soil enzymatic activities. These amendments significantly improved the tobacco leaf quality by limiting the proline accumulation (62.17 and 77.31%) and malondialdehyde content (35.33 and 41.91%) at the reefing and flowering stages, respectively. Soil treated with a combination of bio-organic fertilizer, farm manure, and compound fertilizer (B4) showed an increased soil enzyme activities with acid phosphatase improving by 19.91%, urease by 40.00%, and catalase activity by 7.41%, which results in enhanced soil nutrient status compared with other treatments. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that combined application of organic amendments resulted in better growth, improved antioxidative defense system, and improved quality of tobacco by reducing the use of compound fertilizer (10%) and activating soil enzymatic attributes, thereby boosting the tobacco productivity in agricultural systems.

This study comprehensively examines the impacts of integrating allantoin glycyrrhetinic acid and biochar individually or in conjunction at different rates in aluminium-polluted soil. Their impact was analysed on soil properties, seed germination, root systems and phenotypic attributes, morphology, plant biomass and RWC (relative water content), photosynthetic pigments, NBT and DAB (Nitroblue Tetrazolium, 3,3 '-Diaminobenzidine) staining, oxidative stress, metabolite content, and antioxidants activities in tobacco cultivated in Al-polluted soil in Yunnan, China. Findings indicated that AGA and biochar in combined use enhanced plant-soil productivity. Biochar and AGA in combination yielded an increase in soil health and reduced aluminium content. AGA and biochar in combined use caused more significant improvements in plant morphology and chlorophyll levels (89 %) than the use of AGA or biochar alone. The proline level and enzymatic activity were both elevated in the AGA-biochar combination. Malondialdehyde level decreased by 48.11 %, as well as peroxidase and catalase activities increased by 201.06 % and 200.08 %, respectively. Total metabolites identified in tobacco seedlings treated with AGA-biochar under metal stress improved by 49.92 % compared to the control group. Their treatment exhibited significant promise in enhancing tobacco growth and development in contaminated soil.

Excessive nitrate accumulation in agricultural soils has become a pressing global challenge, negatively impacting crop yield and quality while posing serious environmental risks. Melatonin, a pleiotropic molecule, offers a sustainable solution by concurrently boosting stress resilience and growth regulation in plants, but the molecular mechanisms in alleviating high-nitrogen stress remain unclear. In this study, we optimized melatonin concentrations (10, 50, and 100 µM) through preliminary trials and applied them exogenously via hydroponic root drenching in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. K326). The result indicated that 50 µM melatonin significantly improved tobacco growth under high nitrate stress (235 mM). Using integrated physiological, biochemical, transcriptomic analysis, and gene functional identification, we elucidated the mechanisms underlying melatonin-mediated stress mitigation in the established "tobacco-high nitrate stress" model. High nitrate stress significantly reduced plant growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and nitrogen assimilation while increasing oxidative damage (MDA and H₂O₂). Melatonin application restored growth parameters, enhanced nitrogen metabolism by upregulating key enzymes (NR, NiR, GS, GOGAT, and GDH) and their corresponding genes, and improved photosynthetic performance by stabilizing chlorophyll content and upregulating NtMDH1/2 expression. Transcriptomic analysis revealed melatonin-mediated enrichment of pathways related to nitrogen metabolism and photosynthesis. Furthermore, we found that under high nitrate stress, NtbHLH96 mediated the transcriptional gene expression of nitrogen metabolism after melatonin treatment. Our findings shed light on the molecular basis for the application of melatonin in sustainable agriculture under high nitrate conditions.

Drought is a major ecologically hazardous factor limiting global crop productivity. High temperatures and stress caused by drought are major environmental stress factors on tobacco growth and productivity due to escalating global climate change. The present pot study was designed to investigate the impacts of foliar application of limonene on morphological, biochemical and qualitative traits of tobacco under drought stress. The experimental treatments were comprised of two factors, i.e., three drought severity levels (WW: well-watered, MDS: moderate drought stress with 60 f 5 % field capacity, and SDS: severe drought stress with 35 f 5 % field capacity of soil), and four levels of foliar-application of limonene (0.0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mg mL- 1) in tobacco plants. The findings demonstrated that drought stress significantly affected plants growth, productivity and qualitative response of tobacco plants. The foliar application of limonene (0.3 mg mL- 1) significantly enhanced growth traits, biomass attributes, total chlorophyll level (30.11 %) and carotenoid levels (43.41 %) as compared to control (0.0 mg mL- 1). These findings further suggest that the intensity of the drought levels triggered an over production of proline and lipid peroxidation. The optimal level of limonene application enhanced soluble sugars (20.49 %), increased soluble protein (29.20 %), and reduced proline accumulation (10.23 %) as well as lipid peroxidation malonaldehyde (MDA) level (17.39 %) under severe drought conditions. Moreover, the limonene application enhanced leaf potassium levels (20.14 %) by restricting chloride ions (29.14 %) under severe drought conditions. Altogether, an optimal application of limonene (0.3 mg mL- 1) holds significant potential as an effective approach to increase the drought tolerance of tobacco plants. This study distinctly emphasized the potential of foliar application of limonene as an environmentally sustainable approach to augment plant resistance under drought stress, providing novel insights into viable agriculture practices.

Drought poses a substantial ecological risk that constrains global agricultural output. This research seeks to explore influence of incorporating peat moss into soil on morphological traits, biochemical features, and qualitative properties of tobacco under drought stress. The current experiment entailed a pot experiment with drought severity (moderate and severe drought stress) (approximately 75 +/- 5 % field capacity (FC) for well-irrigated conditions and similar to 35 +/- 5 % FC for severe water stress) and varying concentrations of peat moss (T-0:0 g; T-1:100 g; T-2:300 g; T-3:500 g of soil) applied to tobacco. The findings exhibited that drought stress significantly affected tobacco plants performance. Peat moss application significantly enhanced biomass, growth, and levels of total chlorophylls and carotenoids (31.03 % and 29.79 %), respectively. This study demonstrated that drought stress limited the proline accumulation and lipid peroxidation. However, the optimal use of peat moss improved soluble sugars (21.79 % and 10.19 %), elevated soluble protein (29.31 % and 20.11 %), and diminished proline accumulation (15.03 % and 10.11 %) along with MDA levels (17.39 % and 10.01 %) in both moderate and severe water-stressed conditions, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of peat moss improved leaf potassium concentrations (21.17 %) while limiting chloride ion levels (29.11 %) during severe drought conditions. Peat addition offers a great potential as an effective and sustainable approach to enhance drought resistance of plants. This study clearly highlighted peat moss treatment as an ecologically sustainable technique to increase plant resistance to drought, providing new perspectives on environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Aims The application of growth promoter is an important tool for ecological restoration of degraded grassland by human intervention.Therefore,the aim of this study is to investigate the growth promoting effect of dry mycelium of Penicillium chrysogenum(DMP),a residue from the industrial production of penicillin,on the growth and physiological performance of Trifolium repens and Lolium perenne. Methods In this study,we mainly applied pot experiment and field experiment to investigate the growth promoting effect of DMP addition on the performance of T.repens and L.perenne.Then we applied transcriptome sequencing to determine the molecular mechanism of DMP promoting effects on forage growth. Important findings The results of this study are as follows:(1)DMP addition can significantly improve their physiological indices and enhanced developmental morphological traits of T.repens and L.perenne.Compared with the compound fertilizer treatment,the application of 4.50 g DMP per pot significantly increased the plant height,tiller number and leaf number of L.perenne,and the application of 2.25 g DMP per pot significantly increased the plant height,branching number and leaf number of T.repens,while 4.50 g·pot-1 of DMP significantly increased the total chlorophyll content,crude protein content and crude fat content of L.perenne,and this concentration of DMP addition also significantly increased the total chlorophyll and crude protein contents of T.repens.(2)DMP addition can increase the biomass of L.perenne and T.repens.Under potting conditions,DMP application significantly increased aboveground fresh and dry mass of L.perenne and T.repens compared with compound fertilizer treatment.DMP at 225 kg·hm-2 also increased aboveground and belowground dry mass accumulation of L.perenne and T.repens under low temperature and low sunlight field conditions in Zhaotong.(3)Transcriptome sequencing showed that DMP treatment induced the expression of genes related to phytohormone biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways in L.perenne,confirming that DMP promotes forage growth by inducing hormone biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways.This study first demonstrates that DMP can promote the growth of forage,and proposes a new strategy of using DMP as a growth promoter,which provides new ideas for the restoration and sustainable development of degraded grasslands under low temperature and low sunlight conditions.

Nanotechnology has become known as effective strategy for soil remediation polluted by diverse toxic heavy metals. Nanoparticles' impact on phytoremediation efficacy of plants requires further study. The impact of fullerenes as fullerene nanoparticles (Cn-NPs) on accumulation and tolerance of cadmium (Cd) in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) remains mainly unexplored. A greenhouse trial was conducted to examine the effectiveness of fullerene nanoparticles (at 0, 500, 1000 mg kg-1 fullerene nanoparticles in soil) on phytoremediation potential and production of tobacco. The addition of 300 and 600 mg kg-1 of Cd to soil negatively impacted shoots and roots dry weights, leaf yield and tolerance index (TI), attributable to diminished mineral and water content as well as onset of oxidative stress. The fullerene nanoparticle application markedly enhanced fullerene concentration in roots and shoots, alongside levels of Chl a, and Chl b, growth metrics, RWC and leaf yield of tobacco. Furthermore, it improved levels of calcium, potassium and phosphorus in both leaves and shoots across all Cd levels. The application of fullerene nanoparticles as soil amendment reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels in leaves by increasing peroxidase and catalase levels and upregulating P5CS gene expression, which facilitates proline accumulation. The application of fullerene nanoparticles notably diminished Cd translocation from roots-to-shoots and from shoots-to-leaves, resulting in decreased Cd amount in leaves, roots, and shoots, while simultaneously increasing total Cd uptake per plant. These findings provide new evidence that fullerene nanoparticles may increase the phytoremediation capacity of tobacco plants by sustaining biomass and mitigating Cd toxicity via "growth dilution impact," ultimately leading to enhanced leaf yield and safe cultivation.

Drought stress severely limits plant growth and productivity, prompting the need for suitable mitigation strategies. This study investigates the role of selenium in improving drought tolerance in Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) through morphophysiological adjustments and a strengthened antioxidant defense system. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of varying levels of sodium selenite (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 mg L-1) on morphophysiological growth, oxidative stress indicators, antioxidant enzyme activities, and quality attributes of tobacco exposed to different drought conditions, imposed by maintaining soil moisture at 80% (D0: no stress), 50% (D1: moderate stress), and 30% (D2: severe stress) of field capacity. Results revealed that drought stress significantly reduced the growth of tobacco; however, the use of sodium selenite at 15 mg L-1 showed the highest increase in agronomic traits and biomass production of tobacco plants exposed to D0, D1, and D2. After the 6 days and 20 days of drought stress, the highest decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content was achieved at 15 mg L-1 sodium selenite under D0 (47.2% and 40%); however, the maximum decrease in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (44.4% and 25%) and superoxide (O2 -) contents (28% and 17.5%) was recorded at 15 mg L-1 sodium selenite under D2. The highest increase in antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in tobacco plants was observed with sodium selenite at 15 mg L-1 under D0, D1, and D2. Electrolyte permeability in tobacco plants was also decreased by 21.5%, 29.1%, and 37.0% with 15 mg L-1 sodium selenite under D0, D1, and D2, respectively. Meanwhile, nicotine contents were increased by 4.59%, 6.91%, and 1.01% at 20 mg L-1 sodium selenite under D0, D1, and D2, respectively. Use of sodium selenite at 15 mg L-1 showed the maximum increase in sugar contents (13.91%, 12.13%, 16.72%) and reducing sugar contents (15.03%, 15.09%, 5.46%) in tobacco plants exposed to D0, D1, and D2, respectively, as compared to the control. Present findings reveal that sodium selenite at 15 mg L-1 significantly enhances drought resilience in tobacco by modulating growth, antioxidant defense, and physiological responses.

Pollen development is critical in plant reproduction. Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) genes encode defense-related enzymes, but the role of PPOs in pollen development remains largely unexplored. Here, we characterized NtPPO genes, and then investigated their function in pollen via creating NtPPO9/10 double knockout mutant (cas-1), overexpression 35S::NtPPO10 (cosp) line and RNAi lines against all NtPPOs in Nicotiana tabacum. NtPPOs were abundantly expressed in the anther and pollen (especially NtPPO9/10). The pollen germination, polarity ratio and fruit weights were significantly reduced in the NtPPO-RNAi and cosp lines, while they were normal in cas-1 likely due to compensation by other NtPPO isoforms. Comparisons of metabolites and transcripts between the pollen of WT and NtPPO-RNAi, or cosp showed that decreased enzymatic activity of NtPPOs led to hyper-accumulation of flavonoids. This accumulation might reduce the content of ROS. Ca2+ and actin levels also decreased in pollen of the transgenic lines.Thus, the NtPPOs regulate pollen germination through the flavonoid homeostasis and ROS signal pathway. This finding provides novel insights into the native physiological functions of PPOs in pollen during reproduction.

Phenolics are vital for the adaptation of plants to terrestrial habitats and for species diversity. Phenoloxidases (catechol oxidases, COs, and laccases, LACs) are responsible for the oxidation and polymerization of phenolics. However, their origin, evolution, and differential roles during plant development and land colonization are unclear. We performed the phylogeny, domain, amino acids, compositional biases, and intron analyses to clarify the origin and evolution of COs and LACs, and analysed the structure, selective pressure, and chloroplast targeting to understand the species-dependent distribution of COs. We found that Streptophyta COs were not homologous to the Chlorophyta tyrosinases (TYRs), and might have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer from bacteria. COs expanded in bryophytes. Structural-functionality and selective pressure were partially responsible for the species-dependent retention of COs in embryophytes. LACs emerged in Zygnemaphyceae, having evolved from ascorbate oxidases (AAOs), and prevailed in the vascular plants and strongly expanded in seed plants. COs and LACs coevolved with the phenolic metabolism pathway genes. These results suggested that TYRs and AAOs were the first-stage phenoloxidases in Chlorophyta. COs might be the second key for the early land colonization. LACs were the third one (dominating in the vascular plants) and might be advantageous for diversified phenol substrates and the erect growth of plants. This work provided new insights into how phenoloxidases evolved and were devoted to plant evolution.

Diterpenoid alkaloids(DAs)have been often uti-lized in clinical practice due to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.Natural DAs are prevalent in the family Ranunculaceae,no-tably in the Aconitum genus.Nevertheless,the evolutionary origin of the biosynthesis pathway responsible for DA production remains unknown.In this study,we successfully assembled a high-quality,pseudochromosome-level genome of the DA-rich species Aconitum vilmorinianum(A.vilmorinianum)(5.76 Gb).An A.vilmorinianum-specific whole-genome duplication event was discovered using comparative genomic analysis,which may aid in the evolution of the DA bio-synthesis pathway.We identified several genes involved in DA biosynthesis via integrated ge-nomic,transcriptomic,and metabolomic anal-yses.These genes included enzymes encoding target ent-kaurene oxidases and amino-transferases,which facilitated the activation of diterpenes and insertion of nitrogen atoms into diterpene skeletons,thereby mediating the transformation of diterpenes into DAs.The di-vergence periods of these genes in A.vilmor-inianum were further assessed,and it was shown that two major types of genes were involved in the establishment of the DA biosynthesis pathway.Our integrated analysis offers fresh in-sights into the evolutionary origin of DAs in A.vilmorinianum as well as suggestions for en-gineering the biosynthetic pathways to obtain desired DAs.

In the current era, the most crucial matter is to increase crop yields sustainably. Biological agents’ usage is an effective and environmentally friendly way to boost plant growth by activating the antioxidative defense system and improving soil health. The present investigation aimed at evaluating the bacterial (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) and fungal (Trichoderma harzianum) bioagents in the sole and synergistic forms to improve tobacco (cultivar: Yunyan 87) growth by the mediation of antioxidant defense system and soil health. Bioagents were applied as root application at the rate of 100 ml suspension per plant after that same concentrations were applied 25 days of planting with four times taking 15 days intervals. Results revealed that soil application of these bioagents significantly enhanced growth, photosynthetic attributes, enzymatic antioxidants, and soil enzymatic activities. Combined application of bacterial and fungal bioagents improved the leaf area (121.50%), total chlorophyll contents (131.48%), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) (77.57%) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities (43.52%) as compared with control. Fungal bioagents marked better performance as compared to bacterial bioagents and control. The co-application of bioagents significantly enhanced the leaf quality attributes by decreasing the accumulation of proline, malondialdehyde content, and accumulation of chloride ions in tobacco leaves. The higher soil enzyme activities and essential nutrients were observed in the treatment of bacterial and fungal bioagents (application of Bacillus and Trichoderma spp.). In crux, the findings confirmed that the combined use of Bacillus and Trichoderma spp could contribute as a new cultivation practice for sustainable growth, productivity and quality of tobacco crop and can be recommended as safe and eco-friendly alternatives to preserve plant, soil, and human health for achieving the sustaibalility.

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is the most widespread nematode affecting Solanaceae crops. Due to the lack of effective measures to control this nematode, its management can be achieved, using biocontrol agents. This study investigated in vitro efficacy of the antagonistic bacterial strain J211 isolated from tobacco rhizosphere soil against M. incognita, and further assessed its role in controlling nematodes, both in pot and field trials. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain J211 assigned to Burkholderia arboris. Culture filtrates B. arboris J211 exhibited anematicidal activity against the second-stage juveniles (J2s) of M. incognita, with a 96.6% mortality after 24 h exposure. Inoculation of J211 in tobacco roots significantly reduced the root galling caused by M. incognita, both in pot and field trials. Meanwhile, plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits results showed that J211 had outstanding IAA-producing activity, and the IAA production reached 66.60 mg L−1. In the field study, B. arboris J211 also promoted tobacco growth and increase flue-cured tobacco yield by 8.7–24.3%. Overall, B. arboris J211 as a high-yielding IAA nematicidal strain effectively controlled M. incognita and improved tobacco yield making it a promising alternative bionematocide.

The genus Acer is widespread throughout the northern temperate zone, and many species within the genus are of ecological and economical importance. Here we report the newly sequenced chloroplast genome of Acer pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense. This chloroplast genome has a total length of 156,730 bp, and contains a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 26,743 bp), a large single-copy (LSC) region of 71,582 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,092 bp. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that A. pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense is closely related to A. laevigatum, and both fall into Section Palmata. The complete A. pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense chloroplast genome will provide an important genetic resource for future research into the conservation and evolution of this genus. Our findings also suggest that further research is necessary to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships between plant species within this genus.

Copper is an essential micronutrient for the maintenance of normal cell function but is toxic in excess. Dehydrins are group two late embryogenesis abundant proteins, which facilitate plant survival in harsh environmental conditions. Here, a YSK-type dehydrin, NtDhn17, was cloned from Nicotiana tabacum under copper toxicity and characterized using a heterologous expression system and in vitro or in vivo experiments and exhibited characteristics of intrinsic disorder during in vitro analyses. Heterologous expression of NtDHN17 enhanced the tolerance of E. coli to various metals, osmotic, and oxidative stress. NtDHN17 showed no Cu2+-binding properties in vivo or in vitro, indicating that metal ion binding is not universal among dehydrins. In vitro and in vivo experiments suggested that NtDHN17 behaved as a potent anti-aggregation agent providing strong protection to aggregated proteins induced by excess copper ions, an effect dependent on the K-segment but not on the Y- or S-segments. In summary, the protective role of NtDHN17 towards E. coli under conditions of copper toxicity may be related to anti-aggregation ability rather than its acting as an ion scavenger, which might be a valuable target for the genetic improvement of resistance to heavy metal stresses in plants.