Cranberry is a small fruit crop with great development potential. Due to its shallow root system and dominance of fibrous roots, it is highly susceptible to drought stress, but the response mechanism is still unclear. In this study, “Bain 11” cranberry was used as the material, and four pot treatments were set up: normal water supply (CK), mild (D1), moderate (D2), and severe (D3) drought. After reaching the set stress levels, functional leaves were collected. The response mechanism to different degrees of drought was clarified by combining paraffin sectioning, chlorophyll fluorescence, spectrophotometry, and transcriptome sequencing technology. The results showed that there was no significant change in the rate of photosynthetic oxygen release under D1 conditions; under D2 conditions, the function of PSII was impaired, but the heat dissipation capacity was enhanced, and the protective mechanism was activated; under D3 conditions, the performance of both PSII and PSI was significantly inhibited, the damage to the oxygen-evolving complex was the most severe, and the photosynthetic oxygen production decreased significantly. Leaf anatomical structure showed that with the intensification of drought, the morphology, area, and density of stomata changed, and the thickness of palisade tissue, epidermis, and spongy tissue decreased; under D2 conditions, organelle membranes were deformed but intact, and the thylakoid lamellar spacing increased; under D3 conditions, organelle membranes ruptured, nuclear material leaked, chloroplasts vacuolated, and thylakoid lamellae disintegrated. The oxidative stress indicators MDA and H2O2 increased with the intensity of the stress, and the activities of SOD and CAT significantly increased under D2 and D3 conditions. Transcriptome sequencing identified 58,020 single genes, and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that 55 continuously differentially expressed genes were involved in 54 metabolic pathways (19 upregulated and 36 downregulated), among which photosynthesis-related genes accounted for the highest proportion (13%) and played a key role in the drought response, providing important insights into the drought stress response mechanism of cranberry.

Fruit aroma is a key determinant of consumer preference and commercial value in blueberries. To systematically characterize the diversity of blueberry aromas, we performed a large-scale volatilome analysis of 147 cultivars using HS-SPME-GC-MS, leading to the identification of 103 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By integrating chemometric analyses (cluster analysis, PCA, OPLS-DA) with sensory evaluation and relative odor activity values (rOAVs), we defined five distinct aroma chemotypes: herbaceous-woody, sweet fruity, cool green, rich floral-fruity, and light fruity. Furthermore, 16 volatile compounds were identified as biomarkers capable of discriminating these chemotypes. We also selected four commercial cultivars 'L25', 'Pink Popcorn', 'Draper', 'Sweetheart', and two new cultivars 'Xia Nv' and 'Yu Meilan' as possessing superior aromatic quality by the PCA-based comprehensive evaluation model. This study establishes a volatilome-based classification framework for blueberry germplasm and provides elite parental resources for precision breeding of high-aroma cultivars.

The blueberry variety ‘Liberty’ shows excessive vegetative growth and difficulty in flower bud differentiation under container cultivation. Paclobutrazol (PBZ), a widely used plant growth regulator, effectively modulates the balance between vegetative and reproductive growth in plants; however, its application in container-cultivated blueberries remains understudied. This study systematically investigated the effects of different PBZ concentrations (0–200 mg·L−1) on the growth and development, physiological characteristics, and fruit quality of container-cultivated ‘Liberty’ blueberries and further clarified the optimal application time. Results showed that low-concentration treatments (≤75 mg·L−1) significantly enhanced root development, increased new shoot diameter, and elevated the root-to-shoot ratio. Concurrently, it induced the coordinated thickening of palisade and spongy tissues in leaves and significantly increased the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and chlorophyll content. The contents of endogenous hormones indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellin (GA3) in new shoots were significantly reduced, while the cytokinin-to-gibberellin ratio (CTK/GA3) in flower buds was markedly elevated. These changes effectively promoted flower bud differentiation, increased bud number, and advanced the flowering time by approximately 2 days. Fruit quality was significantly improved. Under high concentration treatments, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) continuously accumulated, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD, SOD) significantly decreased. Furthermore, the efficacy of paclobutrazol weakened with the delay of application time. Comprehensive analysis indicated that the 50 mg·L−1 concentration effectively suppressed excessive vegetative growth and maximally improved fruit quality, with its application at the mid-stage of secondary shoot growth exhibiting favorable coordination of plant growth and development. This provides a theoretical basis for the application of paclobutrazol in blueberry production.

The increasing prevalence of digital screen exposure and population aging poses rising threats to ocular health, driving the search for natural multi-target protective agents. Anthocyanins-water-soluble flavonoids abundant in dark-colored fruits and vegetables-have attracted considerable interest for their potential to prevent eye diseases. This review systematically evaluates the multi-dimensional protective mechanisms of anthocyanins, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, improvement of retinal microcirculation, promotion of rhodopsin regeneration and dark adaptation, and neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells and photoreceptors. The extremely low oral bioavailability of intact anthocyanins is critically discussed, and the role of gut microbiota in converting anthocyanins into bioactive phenolic acid metabolites (e.g., protocatechuic, ferulic, and hippuric acids) is highlighted. The review also addresses structure-activity relationships, food matrix effects, and bioavailability-enhancing strategies such as nanoencapsulation, acylation/methylation, and synergistic combinations with other phytochemicals. Finally, future research directions and translational perspectives for developing anthocyanin-based functional foods and precision nutrition strategies are proposed, providing a comprehensive theoretical basis for leveraging anthocyanins in eye health management.

【Objective】Blueberry gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is a serious disease in blueberry production. Under greenhouse cultivation conditions, high humidity, poor ventilation, and insufficient resistance in cultivars exacerbate the prevalence of the disease, more prevalent and severe, leading to significant economic losses. Currently, control of gray mold relies primarily on chemical agents, but this can lead to the development of resistance in the pathogen, complicate fruit quality management, and pose potential environmental risks. Therefore, breeding disease-resistant blueberry germplasm is the most cost-effective approach to disease control. This study aimed to identify the pathogen of blueberry gray mold and screen out highly pathogenic representative strains. Furthermore, the study sought to identify high-quality disease-resistant germplasm and explore the differences in its physiological re sponses during infection.【Methods】Eureka blueberry plants displaying typical gray mold symptoms were collected from three blueberry cultivation bases in Yunnan, Changchun, and Dandong, and disease symptoms were observed. The pathogen was isolated, purified, and cultured using tissue isolation method. Fungal genomic DNA from single colonies was extracted using a modified CTAB method, and PCR reactions were performed using universal fungal primers ITS1/ITS4. After purification and sequencing, sequences were aligned using DNAMAN software and NCBI database BLAST analysis. A phylogenetic tree was constructed in MEGA 12.0 with the NJ method. Based on the clustering results, molecular identification of the isolated strains was performed to confirm their taxonomic status. Hyphal morphology of the selected gray mold strains based on molecular identification was observed using conventional lactophenol cotton blue staining. Healthy intact leaves from six blueberry cultivars were inoculated in vitro, and the pathogenicity of the strains was assessed by comparative analysis four days after infection. Representative highly pathogenic gray mold strains were selected and evaluated for resistance to the disease in common evergreen blueberry cultivars grown in greenhouses using the same in vitro inoculation method. Leaf lesion area was quantitatively analyzed using ImageJ software to compare resistance differences among different blueberry cultivars. Resistance was graded based on the percentage of lesion area, allowing for the identification of representative resistant and susceptible cultivars. References to relevant literature on plant physiology and pathology were used to determine cell wall enzyme activity indices associated with pathogen infection response. Dynamic changes in the activities of these enzymes in resistant and susceptible varieties under infection with B. cinerea were compared to further assess the relationship between cell wall physiological responses and disease resistance.【Results】Based on diseased samples collected, gray mold was found to damage flowers, stems, leaves, and fruit of blueberries, with the flowers being more severely affected. Seven pathogen strains were isolated and purified using tissue separation methods and designated YN1, YN2, YN3, CC1, CC2, CC3, and DL1. Following PCR amplification of ITS sequences, strains were aligned in the NCBI sequence library and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Strains CC1, YN1, DL1, and YN3 were identified as members of the genus Botrytis and clustered closely with several known reference strains of B. cinerea. Strains CC2, YN2, and CC3, on the other hand, belong to the genus Cladosporium and are more distantly related to Botrytis. Morphological comparison of four gray mold strains following molecular identification revealed CC1 to be the fastest growing, with dense and robust hyphae, white tomentose colony, and botryose conidiophores. Pathogenicity assays revealed significant differences among the strains, with CC1 exhibiting more pronounced tissue destruction and possessing stronger infection and spread capabilities than the other strains, making it a representative inoculum strain. An in vitro inoculation method was used to evaluate the resistance of 13 common greenhouse blueberry cultivars. Based on lesion area statistics and a resistance grading standard, no blueberry germplasm was found to be completely immune to gray mold. However, the moderately resistant cultivar Y42 and the susceptible cultivar F6 were identified, with significant differences in resistance(P＜0.05), making them representative cultivars for subsequent physiological response studies. Changes in cell wall-related enzyme activities during gray mold infection revealed distinct differences in the response mechanisms of the two cultivars. Polygalacturonase(PMG)activity in F6 peaked at 48-72 h post-inoculation and was significantly higher than that in the control(P＜0.05), indicating that the pathogen induced a strong response in cell wall-degrading enzymes, promoting tissue softening and disease spread. Y42 activity remained low, close to that of the control, suggesting that it inhibited cell wall decomposition and enhanced structural defense. Carboxymethycellolose (CMC) activity decreased in both varieties after inoculation, but was higher in F6, re flecting more severe cell wall damage. β-1,3-glucanase(GLU)activity in F6 initially declined rapidly before significantly increasing at 48-72 h(P＜0.05), demonstrating a typical delayed response. Y42 increased at 24-48 h, suggesting that it may effectively inhibit pathogen spread early on. Chitinase(CHI) activity decreased rapidly in both varieties, with the greater decrease in Y42 suggesting that their defenses do not rely on sustained CHI accumulation and may limit disease through early physical barriers and immune responses. Overall, while F6 had high chitinase activity, it was lower than the control, in contrast to Y42, indicating weaker defense and disease resistance.【Conclusion】This study identified the pathogen of blueberry gray mold using morphological and molecular biological methods and screened CC1 as a highly pathogenic representative strain. F6(susceptible)and Y42(moderately resistant)were identified as typical materials for blueberry resistance to gray mold. The different physiological response characteristics revealed the differences in the defense mechanisms of blueberries under gray mold stress, providing an applicable material basis for the identification of blueberry gray mold resistance and the utilization of resistant germplasm. It also provides clearer research targets for further analysis of the resistance mechanism under gray mold stress and for the breeding of resistant varieties.

Banana Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4), ranks among the most devastating soil-borne fungal diseases. Prolonged use of single-target fungicides can lead to environmental contamination, resistance evolution, and limited efficacy due to the narrow range of target sites. Therefore, discovering an environmentally friendly fungicide with a novel mechanism of action and multiple targets is crucial for achieving sustainable disease management of banana Fusarium wilt. In this study, six plant-derived compounds were screened for antifungal activity, identifying magnolol (MAG) as the most effective inhibitor, with an EC50 value of 18.17 μg·mL-1. MAG significantly suppressed mycelial growth and conidial germination in vitro and markedly reduced disease incidence and severity in banana seedlings. Integrated transcriptomic and physiological analyses revealed that MAG disrupts membrane integrity, redox homeostasis, and energy metabolism, accompanied by suppression of RNA processing and ribosome biogenesis. Ultrastructural damage, membrane depolarization, and the study of antioxidant enzyme activity further confirmed the severe membrane disruption and the induction of ROS accumulation. Moreover, MAG exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity against multiple Fusarium oxysporum formae speciales and Foc races. Collectively, these findings highlight the multi-target antifungal mechanism of MAG, positioning it as a promising and eco-friendly candidate for controlling banana Fusarium wilt, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical treatments. The broad-spectrum activity and low toxicity of MAG make it a potentially key component in future disease management strategies, particularly in reducing pesticide dependence and environmental pollution.

IntroductionAs a high-value small fruit crop worldwide, blueberry is prized for its health-promoting properties. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a large and complex family of enzymes that play vital roles in flavonoid metabolism, plant growth and development, and responses to abiotic stress. However, relatively little is known about the GST gene family in blueberry.MethodsIn this study, genome-wide identification and bioinformatics analysis of the blueberry GST gene family were conducted. The candidate gene VcGSTU53 was further analyzed for its response to abiotic stress using transcriptome profiling, subcellular localization, and heterologous expression assays.ResultsA total of 190 VcGST genes were identified and classified into 14 subclasses: tau (U, 75), phi (F, 28), EF1G (17), lambda (L, 10), MAPEG (10), zeta (Z, 8), GHR (8), Metaxin (M, 7), GST2N (6), DHAR (5), hemerythrin (H, 4), mPGES2 (4), TCHQD (4) and theta (T, 4); however, no iota (I) class GST was found. The lengths of the VcGST genes ranged from 366 bp to 4386 bp, encoding polypeptides of 121 to 1461 amino acids, with predicted molecular weights ranging from 13.86 kDa to 163.02 kDa, and theoretical isoelectric points ranging from 4.77 to 9.56. Approximately 46.32% of VcGST proteins were predicted to localize in the cytoplasm, with the remainder predicted to localize in the endomembrane system, chloroplasts, nucleus, mitochondria, extracellular space, and plasma membrane. Based on a comparative transcriptome profiling of 30 AlCl3-treated root samples from two cultivars, VcGSTU53 was screened as a key aluminum-stress-responsive gene. VcGSTU53 encodes a protein of 230 amino acids, is localized in the cytoplasm, and exhibits transferase activity. Heterologous expression of VcGSTU53 in Escherichia coli did not inhibit bacterial growth, but enhanced tolerance to aluminum stress. Notably, it also increased bacterial resistance to drought and cadmium stresses.ConclusionThese findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the functions of the GST family in plants under abiotic stress, which is of great significance for the development of new stress-resistant blueberry varieties.

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is an important root vegetable in the cruciferous family. The yield and quality of radish is seriously affected by the premature bolting and flowering. Although the microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating flower development have been established in radish, the identification and characterization of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have yet to be explored. In this study, miRNAs and lncRNAs in vegetative and flower stage were conducted by RNA-seq and small RNA sequencing, respectively. A total of 5315 differentially expressed genes (DGEs), 263 DElncRNAs, and 38 DEmiRNAs were detected in two stages. GO analysis found that many flower DGEs associated with reproductive process, response to hormone, and pollination were enriched. In total, 202 DElncRNAs and 257 DElncRNAs were found to have potential cis- and trans-regulatory effects on 572 DEmRNAs and 3902 DGEs, respectively. A total of 93 and 82 DEGs were predicted as putative targets of 31 DEmiRNAs and 29 DEmiRNAs, respectively. Five mRNA-lncRNA-miRNA regulatory pairs involved in flowering time regulation were proposed, including miRNA156a-5p, miRNA399b, miRNA novel-23, miRNA164c-5p, and miRNA165a-5p. The qRT-PCR results showed that four mRNAs, three lncRNAs, and three miRNAs were consistent with the results of RNA-seq and small RNA sequencing. Transient overexpression of miR156a-5p significantly inhibited the expression levels of RsSPL10, RsSPL15, lncRNAs RsLinc1162, and RsLinc214. The results showed that miR156 co-expressed with RsSPL10 and RsSPL15 significantly inhibited the luciferase activity of RsSPL10 and RsSPL15 genes, indicating miR156 can directly target RsSPL10 and RsSPL15 and inhibit their expression. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further elucidating the molecular regulation mechanism of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs in bolting and flowering in radish.

Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) are crucial pathogenesis-related proteins that significantly contribute to plant defense rection. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) causes Fusarium wilt of bananas, a serious threat to global production. However, the role of TLPs in disease resistance remains unclear. This study identified 49 TLP genes in banana, predominantly localized in the extracellular space, and distributed across 11 chromosomes. The ancestor–descendant relationship was explained, six genes remained remarkably conserved across species could represent the ancestral genes of the TLP gene family. Promoter regions, transcriptome and qRT-PCR analysis suggested that MaTLP16 might be involved in disease resistance. Furthermore, transcriptional silencing of MaTLP16 resulted in more severe leaf damage compared to the control, indicating that MaTLP16 is an important Foc resistance-related gene. This study conducted a comprehensive genome-wide identification and systematic analysis of the TLP gene family in bananas. Our findings establish a foundation for further functional studies of MaTLP genes and highlight MaTLP16 as a strong candidate for use in breeding programs aimed at enhancing resistance to Musa diseases.

Caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) is a core enzyme in plant specialized metabolism. This study investigated the CCoAOMT gene family in highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum, HB), revealing that whole-genome duplications have driven its evolutionary history. Among the family members, VcCCoAOMT5 was identified as a central regulator of fruit quality. In vitro enzymatic assays demonstrated that VcCCoAOMT5 is a bifunctional enzyme with broad substrate selectivity, capable of methylating precursors for both anthocyanin (e.g., delphinidin-3-O-glucoside) and lignin (e.g., caffeic acid) pathways. Functionally, transient overexpression of VcCCoAOMT5 in blueberry fruit significantly enhanced methylated anthocyanin levels and increased fruit firmness, with more immature seeds observed. Conversely, its silencing impaired these traits. The gene's role in lignification was further verified through heterologous expression in Nicotiana tabacum. These findings establish VcCCoAOMT5 as a critical link between the anthocyanin and lignin biosynthetic pathways, making it an important contributor to blueberry fruit quality and a promising target for molecular breeding.

Nitrogen (N) is the most critical element influencing plant growth and development. Different plant species exhibit varying preferences for different N forms. In order to identify an appropriate nutrient solution N formula for optimizing blueberry substrate cultivation, we investigated the effects of seven different NH4+-N/NO3−-N ratios on the growth characteristics, photosynthetic physiology, mineral element content, enzymes related to N metabolism, and fruit quality, with ‘F32’ used as the experimental material and water served as controls. The results demonstrated that both the aboveground and belowground parts of blueberry plants exhibited enhanced growth when NH4+-N was used as the primary N source in the nutrient solution, compared to single NH4+-N or a high NO3−-N ratio. The most significant growth promotion occurred when the NH4+-N to NO3−-N ratio was 7:3. When NH4+-N and NO3−-N are concurrently supplied in the nutrient solution, the processes of NO3− reduction, the GS-GOGAT cycle, and NH4+ assimilation are significantly enhanced during nitrogen metabolism. Thereby, providing a theoretical foundation for optimizing nutrient solution management in substrate-cultivated blueberry.

Blueberry is a small berry species of high economic value that has experienced rapid development in recent years. The composition and content of sugar and acid are critical determinants of fruit flavor. To investigate the genetic principles of sugar and acid components in blueberry fruits, three varieties with distinct flavor profiles were pairwise crossed, and the content of sugar and acid components in all progeny and parents was determined. The results showed that the glucose content was higher than that of fructose, and the combined proportion of these two sugars exceeding 95 %. Citric acid and quinic acid were identified as the major acids, and the parents and offspring could be categorized into two primary groups: a citric acid-dominant group and a quinic acid-dominant group. The variation coefficient of the main acids (38.95 % and 65.33 %) was higher than that of the main sugars (14.37 % and 16.55 %). The high H-2 values for glucose and fructose (0.80 and 0.83) suggested their genetic inheritance was relatively stable. Glucose and fructose exhibited similar inheritance patterns. The negative average RHm values and the relatively high LL values-63.5 % for glucose and 39.8 % for fructose-suggested a declining trend of these traits. Moreover, when a high-glucose or high-fructose variety was used as the maternal parent, the average glucose or fructose content in the offspring was higher than that observed in reciprocal crosses, indicating that the selection of maternal parent during the breeding process has important effects on these traits. Quinic acid also exhibited maternal inheritance, whereas citric acid and malic acid did not display this pattern of inheritance. In all combinations, the Ta value exceeded 1, and HM % ranged from 57 % to 81 %, indicating citric acid exhibited transgressive inheritance. The mixed major gene and polygene inheritance model analysis was performed. It was found that, the majority of the combined genetic models for glucose, fructose, and citric acid were found to be 2MG-AD, governed by two pairs of additive and dominant genes. Notably, the additive effect was more significant than the dominant effect, while the heritability of major genes exhibited substantial variation across different parental combinations. This study will establish a foundation for parental selection in hybridization and accelerate the process of blueberry breeding.

Blueberries are native to North America and belong to the Vaccinium genus of the Ericaceae family.During the late 19th to the early 20th centuries,American agricultural scientists began systemati-cally selecting and cultivating varieties,gradually developing the main varieties of modem commercial blueberries,including highbush and lowbush blueberries.In the 1980s,Jilin Agricultural University pio-neered the introduction of highbush blueberry varieties from the United States,marking the beginning of scientific introduction and trial cultivation research of blueberries in China.Between 2000 and 2010,blueberry cultivation techniques were systematically accumulated,laying the foundation for the com-mercialization of blueberries.Since 2010,China's indigenous blueberry industry has experienced rapid development,characterized by a continuous expansion of cultivation areas,a significant increase in pro-duction,and the gradual establishment of independently cultivated varieties.Ziyue No.6 is a medium-late maturing variety of table blueberry with an excellent appearance.It was developed by Anhui Ziyue Seed Industry Co.,Ltd.using the offspring of blueberry L4 imported from Peru.The breeding process commenced with sowing in an artificial climate chamber in December 2016.In 2017,the plants were transplanted into a substrate-based cultivation system.By 2018,with a focus on large fruit size,superior quality,and transportability,a comprehensive evaluation was conducted on plant morphology,flower-ing and growth habits,as well as fruit characteristics.Following this series of assessments,the superior individual plant designated as ZY04 was preliminarily selected.From 2020 to 2022,regional trials were carried out to evaluate the adaptability of ZY04 under the plateau monsoon climate conditions(charac-terized by an average annual temperature of 15.7℃ and annual precipitation of 1100 mm).After the thorough evaluation and analysis,it was determined that ZY04 exhibited consistent performance across groups,large fruit size,firm and crisp texture,balanced sweet and sour flavor,and high and stable yield.In 2022,the company officially submitted an application for variety protection to the relevant authori-ties.Subsequently,in 2024,ZY04 was granted a plant new variety right certificate by the National For-estry and Grassland Administration and officially named Ziyue No.6.This variety reaches a height of approximately 2 meters,features an open crown,and exhibits vigorous growth.Young branches are green and smooth,glabrous,gradually turning reddish-brown and becoming rough.Leaves are oblong,acuminate,5-8 cm long,4 cm wide,with serrated edges.Flowers are milky white,and 1-2 cm long.Fruits are predominantly oblate in shape,with a medium-blue peel.The flesh is light green,crisp,juicy,hard-textured,and aromatic.The average fruit weight is 3.79 g,the maximum fruit weight is 7.90 g,and the fruit shape index is 0.65.The fruit stalk scars are small and can be either dry or wet.The soluble sol-ids content is 13.30％,the hardness is 17 kg·cm-2,and the Vitamin C content is 0.24 mg·g-1.The variety has a long storage life,and the fruit retains a rich aroma even after prolonged storage.The fruit develop-ment period is 45 d and it matures at the mid-February in the Shilin area of Yunnan.This variety exhib-its a certain level of resistance to downy mildew,powdery mildew,aphids,and thrips.However,it is es-sential to implement timely control measures during the early stages of gray mold,powdery mildew,aphid infestations,and thrips attacks.Ziyue No.6 is well-suited for substrate cultivation in greenhouses located in the southwestern and northern regions of our country.Seedlings should be carefully selected based on their vigor,disease resistance,uniformity in purity,and age of 1 to 2 years.It is recommended that the row spacing and plant spacing be set at(2.5-3.0)×(0.5-1.0).Adequate irrigation should be per-formed both before and after planting.Daily water and fertilizer management should be adjusted appro-priately according to bush growth and weather conditions,with careful control over the frequency and amount of watering and fertilization.During the vegetative growth phase,pruning primarily involves pinching to promote bushier growth,while after fruit harvest,pruning focuses on rejuvenation through cutting back to control bush size and maintain its vigor.

Blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.) is renowned for its high levels of antioxidant activities and anthocyanins, which provide significant health benefits. ATP binding cassette transporters (ABC proteins) are a highly expanded gene family crucial for plant development due to their role in translocating diverse substrates. Despite their importance, the identification and substrate classification of ABC proteins in blueberries, particularly those involved in anthocyanin transport, remain unexplored. In this study, we performed a genome - wide analysis of ABC genes in blueberries using bioinformatics analysis, including characterization of gene names, domain topologies, cis -elements, and phylogenetic analysis of subfamily members with ABC genes from other plants. Additionally, we used UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis to measure the content and composition of anthocyanins across six developmental stages of the blueberry cultivar ‘Northland’ fruit. RNA expression profiles of VcABC genes were also analyzed. The results showed that a total of 613 VcABC genes were identified and divided into eight subfamilies. The promoter regions of these genes are rich in elements related to the phytohormones, light response, and stress. Gene structure and phylogenetic analysis indicated that VcABCC51 and VcABCC52 cluster with known anthocyanin transporters from other plants. Combing phylogenetic analysis with correlation analysis of expression patterns and anthocyanins accumulation, we identified five VcABCCs ( VcABCC34 , VcABCC29 , VcABCC51 , VcABCC69 and VcABCC71 ) as potential candidates involved in anthocyanin transport in blueberries.

Sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEETs) are essential transmembrane proteins involved in plant growth, stress responses, and plant–pathogen interactions. Despite their importance, systematic studies on SWEETs in blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are limited. Blueberries are recognized for their rapid growth and the significant impact of sugar content on fruit flavor, yet the role of the SWEET gene family in sugar accumulation during fruit development remains unclear. In this study, 23 SWEET genes were identified in blueberry, and their phylogenetic relationships, duplication events, gene structures, cis-regulatory elements, and expression profiles were systematically analyzed. The VcSWEET gene family was classified into four clades. Structural and motif analysis revealed conserved exon–intron organization within each clade. RT-qPCR analysis showed widespread expression of VcSWEETs across various tissues and developmental stages, correlating with promoter cis-elements. VcSWEET6a, in particular, was specifically expressed in fruit and showed reduced expression during fruit maturation. Subcellular localization indicated that VcSWEET6a is located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Functional assays in yeast confirmed its role in glucose and fructose uptake, with transport activity inhibited at higher sugar concentrations. Overexpression of VcSWEET6a in blueberries resulted in reduced sugar accumulation. These findings offer valuable insights into the role of VcSWEETs in blueberry sugar metabolism.

Ammonium (NH4 +) is a crucial nitrogen (N) form for plant growth. The functions of ammonium transporters (AMTs) in mycorrhizal plants and their role in mediating ammonium uptake and regulating N metabolism in blueberry are not fully understood. In this study, 19 VcAMT genes were identified in blueberry. Tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that nine VcAMT members exhibited root-predominant expression patterns, with significant upregulation following inoculation with the O. maius BL01. Notably, VcAMT14 was specifically upregulated during mycorrhizal symbiosis and under N regulation, and subcellular localisation analysis confirmed its protein is located at the plasma membrane. Functional analysis in yeast demonstrated that VcAMT14 mediates NH₄⁺ transport activity. Furthermore, inoculation with O. maius BL01 enhanced rhizosphere soil sucrase activity, soil urease activity, soil phosphatase activity, N content, GS/GOGAT enzyme activity, and the expression levels of related genes in blueberry plants, while simultaneously reducing soil pH. Conversely, VcAMT14 silencing resulted in significantly reduced NH₄⁺ content, GS/GOGAT enzyme activities, and the expression of related genes, along with an increase in the pH of the hydroponic nutrient solution. These findings suggest that VcAMT14 plays a crucial role in regulating N response in blueberry under ERMF symbiosis, providing important insights into the mycorrhiza-mediated N uptake mechanism.

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) celebrated for its rich nutritional content and significant health benefits, was referred to as the ‘Queen of Fruits’ and the ‘King of Berries’. The development of blueberry fruits is closely related to plant hormones. Glycosylation mediated by UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) is a key step in plant hormones homeostasis. However, the UGT members has not been reported in blueberry to date. A total of 361 VcUGT genes were identified and classified into 11 groups. Whole-genome and segmental duplications drove VcUGT expansion, with structural analysis revealing conservation within subgroups but divergence among them. Group G members were associated with cytokinin glycosylation, particularly dihydrozeatin, which promotes fruit enlargement. RT-qPCR suggested VcUGTs involvement in fruit development, while functional validation confirmed VcUGT160 localization to the nucleus and cell membrane, likely mediating dihydrozeatin glycosylation. The results of this study identified and characterized the UGT gene family in Blueberry. VcUGT160 may function in mediating dihydrozeatin glycosylation. Moreover, these findings enhance our understanding of VcUGTs evolution and function in blueberry.

Nucleotide binding site-leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) genes are the most abundant known plant resistance (R) genes and are essential for plant stress tolerance. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is the causal agent of Banana Fusarium vascular wilt that threatens global banana production, yet, the role of NBS-LRR in disease resistance is unknown. We performed a genome-wide identification and analysis of NBS-LRR genes in M. acuminata and revealed a total of 97 NBS-LRR genes, of which 71 were divided into 17 clusters. Analyses of phylogenetic and conserved motifs indicated that NBS-LRR genes in the same cluster were conserved. Transcriptomic analysis revealed divergent functions of the NBS-LRR genes; genes within cluster 17 were activated in a moderately disease-resistant cultivar but repressed in a susceptible cultivar, especially the MaNBS89 gene. Transcriptional silencing of MaNBS89 led to more serious leaf injury compared to control plants. Overall, our study comprehensively revealed the expression profiles of NBS-LRR genes in an economically important plant and suggested a strong candidate gene (MaNBS89) for future use in resistance breeding in Musa diseases.

IntroductionThe WRKY transcription factor (TF) family is one of the largest TF families in plants and is widely involved in responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses.MethodsTo clarify the function of the WRKY family in blueberries, this study identified the WRKY genes within the blueberry genome and systematically analyzed gene characteristics, phylogenetic evolution, promoter cis-elements, expression patterns, and subcellular localization of the encoded products.ResultsIn this study, 57 VcWRKY genes were identified, and all encoding products had a complete WRKY heptapeptide structure and zinc-finger motif. The VcWRKY genes were divided into three subgroups (I-III) by phylogenetic analysis. Group II was divided into five subgroups: IIa, IIb, IIc, IId, and IIe. 57 VcWRKY genes were distributed unevenly across 32 chromosomes. The amino acids ranged from 172 to 841, and molecular weights varied from 19.75 to 92.28 kD. Intra-group syntenic analysis identified 12 pairs of duplicate segments. Furthermore, 34 cis-element recognition sites were identified in the promoter regions of VcWRKY genes, primarily comprising phytohormone-responsive and light-responsive elements. Comparative syntenic maps were generated to investigate the evolutionary relationships of VcWRKY genes, revealing the closest homology to dicotyledonous WRKY gene families. VcWRKY genes were predominantly expressed in the fruit flesh and roots of blueberries. Gene expression analysis showed that the responses of VcWRKY genes to stress treatments were more strongly in leaves than in roots. Notably, VcWRKY13 and VcWRKY25 exhibited significant upregulation under salt stress, alkali stress, and saline-alkali stress, and VcWRKY1 and VcWRKY13 showed notable induction under drought stress. Subcellular localization analysis confirmed that VcWRKY13 and VcWRKY25 function within the nucleus.ConclusionThese findings establish a foundation for further investigation into the functions and regulatory mechanisms of VcWRKY genes and provide guidance for selecting stress-tolerant genes in the development of blueberry cultivars.

Calcium polypeptide plays a key role during cadmium stress responses in rice, which is involved in increasing peroxidase activity, modulating pectin methylesterase activity, and regulating cell wall by reducing malondialdehyde content. Cadmium (Cd) contamination threatens agriculture and human health globally, emphasizing the need for sustainable methods to reduce cadmium toxicity in crops. Calcium polypeptide (CaP) is a highly water-soluble small molecular peptide acknowledged for its potential as an organic fertilizer in promoting plant growth. However, it is still unknown whether CaP has effects on mitigating Cd toxicity. Here, we investigated the effect of CaP application on the ability to tolerate toxic Cd in rice. We evaluated the impact of CaP on rice seedlings under varying Cd stress conditions and investigated the effect mechanism of CaP mitigating Cd toxicity by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fluorescent probe dye, immunofluorescent labeling, and biochemical analysis. We found a notable alleviation of Cd toxicity by reduced malondialdehyde content and increased peroxidase activity. In addition, our findings reveal that CaP induces structural alterations in the root cell wall by modulating pectin methylesterase activity. Altogether, our results confirm that CaP not only promoted biomass accumulation but also reduced Cd concentration in rice. This study contributes valuable insights to sustainable strategies for addressing Cd contamination in agricultural ecosystems.