Red banana (Musa spp. Red subgroup AAA) is a distinctive cultivar valued for its red peel pigmentation and high nutritional quality. However, the mechanisms by which storage temperature regulates postharvest ripening of red banana peel remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of three storage temperatures (13 °C, 22 °C, and 30 °C) on peel ripening using integrated phenotypic, physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses. 30 °C accelerated peel ripening by stimulating ethylene biosynthesis, promoting starch degradation and cell wall disassembly, and enhancing chlorophyll breakdown. In contrast, 13 °C delayed ripening through selective activation of flavonoid, lignin, and carotenoid biosynthetic pathways while suppressing ethylene-related softening processes. Transcriptome analysis identified temperature-responsive regulatory genes and transcription factors, including those associated with ethylene signaling, starch metabolism, cell wall modification, and secondary metabolism. These findings elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying temperature-mediated ripening regulation in red banana peel and provide a theoretical basis for optimizing postharvest storage strategies.

BACKGROUND:Banana, the fourth most important food crop globally, is severely threatened by Panama disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). The continued spread of Foc tropical race 4 (TR4), with recent first reports in Peru and Venezuela, demands renewed attention and a critical reevaluation of eco-friendly management strategies. Biocontrol has emerged as a promising approach, but its efficacy varies widely across studies and geographic regions, and a comprehensive synthesis of research trends and outcomes is lacking. AIM OF REVIEW:This review critically synthesizes the past decade of biocontrol research on Panama disease, examining geographic and taxonomic trends, biocontrol efficiency, and methodological factors including strain isolation sources, pathogen races, plant growth media, soil amendments, and application methods. We aim to identify persistent patterns alongside novel developments, critically evaluate outcomes, discuss reasons for inconsistencies, and provide future recommendations to achieve the greatest success in combating Panama disease. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW:A systematic literature search yielded 123 studies, which were analyzed using random-effects meta-analysis with logit transformation. Research trends vary significantly by country and microbial group, revealing distinct regional and taxonomic methodological approaches and success rates. Overall, Streptomyces and Trichoderma emerged as the most effective genera, particularly against Foc TR4, with optimal conditions identified as: sterilized medium or field conditions, without amendments, multiple-strain SynComs, non-banana bulk soil isolates, multiple applications, and soil drenching or dual-application methods. However, current research remains geographically centralized and taxonomically narrow. Efficacy is highly context-dependent, shaped by geography, microbial genus, and methodological factors. The review identifies critical knowledge gaps, including limited field validation, incomplete reporting of experimental parameters, and publication bias, and calls for standardized reporting, expanded exploration of understudied regions and microbial sources, and integrated, multi-disciplinary approaches to translate research into practical solutions for sustainable banana production.

Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), threatens global banana production. Lignin reinforces cell walls against pathogens and lodging, yet its regulatory mechanisms in banana remain elusive. Through genome-wide association study (GWAS) of lignin content across 184 banana accessions, we identified MaERF110 (encoding an AP2/ERF transcription factor) as a key negative regulator. Overexpression of MaERF110 in banana and Arabidopsis significantly reduced lignin deposition, impaired plant structural integrity and enhanced susceptibility to Foc TR4. Integrative RNA-seq, yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that MaERF110 directly binds the MaMYB308 promoter and activates its transcription. MaMYB308 overexpression similarly suppressed lignin biosynthesis genes and compromised disease resistance. Mechanistically, MaERF110-overexpression plants exhibited disrupted reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, with elevated H2O2 and superoxide anion accumulation, reduced antioxidant enzyme activities and increased cell damage upon pathogen infection. We elucidate a MaERF110-MaMYB308 transcriptional module that represses lignin biosynthesis and disables lignin-mediated defence against Foc TR4. This pathway highlights dual roles for lignin in plant architecture and pathogen defence, providing targets for breeding resistant banana cultivars.

Abstract Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum musae, is the most devastating postharvest disease limiting the shelf life and marketability of banana fruit. While γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is known to mitigate abiotic stress, its role and mechanisms in controlling postharvest diseases remain elusive. Here, we report that exogenous GABA treatment significantly attenuates anthracnose severity in harvested banana fruit. Through integrative physiological and transcriptomic analyses, we identified a non-specific lipid transfer protein, MaLTP60, as a critical regulator robustly triggered by GABA signaling and C. musae challenge. Crucially, silencing of MaLTP60 attenuated GABA-induced disease resistance. Then, we demonstrate that MaLTP60 orchestrates a dual-mechanism antioxidant defense to maintain redox homeostasis. Mechanistically, MaLTP60 physically targets the mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel MaVDAC9. Structural modeling and functional assays reveal that MaLTP60 acts as a molecular plug to occlude the MaVDAC9 pore, thereby blocking ROS transport, inhibiting channel activity and antagonizing MaVDAC9-mediated susceptibility. Concurrently, MaLTP60 interacts with the peroxiredoxin MaPRDX1 and functions as an affinity helper, synergistically enhancing its stabilization and ROS-scavenging efficiency. Collectively, our findings uncover a novel regulatory network in which GABA-induced MaLTP60 functions as a redox brake that coordinates dual antioxidant strategies to confer basal immunity in banana fruit to C. musae.

Banana Fusarium wilt represents a considerable threat to the sustainable development of the global banana industry. Nonetheless, the regulatory mechanisms through which different nitrogen forms (nitrate, ammonium) and concentrations (low, normal) affect the growth and photosynthetic functions of banana seedlings following Foc TR4 infection are not yet fully elucidated. This study employed these nitrogen treatments to assess seedling growth indicators, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and light response curves both prior to and following Foc TR4 infection. The findings indicated that, before infection, ammonium nitrogen significantly enhanced root growth and increased leaf relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) values, whereas low-nitrogen conditions promoted biomass allocation to roots but inhibited maximum photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm). Post-infection, critical photosynthetic parameters such as SPAD value and Fv/Fm were significantly elevated in the nitrate nitrogen treatment compared to the ammonium nitrogen treatment, with the normal-nitrogen treatment yielding the most favorable results. Furthermore, Foc TR4 infection significantly reduced the leaf electron transport rate (ETR) across all treatments. In summary, nitrogen is integral to the modulation of seedling growth and stress resistance, primarily through its regulation of leaf photosynthetic apparatus efficiency, photoprotection mechanisms, and biomass allocation. These findings offer significant insights for formulating nitrogen management strategies aimed at the sustainable prevention and control of banana Fusarium wilt.

Banana Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) severely threatens global banana production. An endophytic Streptomyces strain 7‑1, isolated from the roots of Peliosanthes macrostegia, exhibited strong antifungal activity against Foc TR4 (inhibition rate: 79.75%) and broad-spectrum activity against 12 plant pathogenic fungi. The crude extract of strain 7‑1 inhibited Foc TR4 mycelial growth in a dose-dependent manner (EC50 = 69.20 μg·mL⁻¹) by disrupting cell wall/membrane integrity, inducing mycelial damage, spore apoptosis, nucleic acid leakage and membrane lipid peroxidation. Pot experiments showed strain 7‑1 achieved 63.15% biocontrol efficacy against banana Fusarium wilt, promoted banana growth, enhanced root defense enzyme activities (POD, PPO, PAL), and regulated rhizosphere microflora by enriching beneficial microbes (Bacillus) and reducing Fusarium abundance. Metabolomic analysis identified natamycin as the major active metabolite (EC50 = 8.58 μg·mL⁻¹), which exhibited similar inhibitory effects to the crude extract. Hydroponic experiments confirmed natamycin controlled banana Fusarium wilt with 34.91% efficacy at 1 × EC50. In conclusion, Streptomyces sp. 7‑1 is an environmentally friendly biocontrol strain inhibiting Foc TR4 via direct pathogen damage and indirect regulation of plant defense/rhizosphere microflora. Natamycin has potential as an agricultural fungicide, providing a new candidate and theoretical basis for sustainable control of banana Fusarium wilt.

Banana production is severely threatened by both Fusarium wilt (caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4, Foc TR4) and anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum musae), which are devastating soil-borne and postharvest diseases, respectively. Biocontrol using antagonistic microorganisms offers an eco-friendly alternative for managing the concurrent occurrence of soil-borne and postharvest pathogens. In this study, strain YGL11-2 was isolated and characterized as a novel species of Streptomyces through polyphasic taxonomy, for which we propose the name Streptomyces yinggelingensis sp.nov. Genomic analysis of this strain revealed 48 secondary metabolite gene clusters, including compounds such as Ectoine and Anantin C, which exhibit potential antifungal activity. Strain YGL11-2 demonstrated dual antagonistic activity against Foc TR4 and C. musae, with half-maximal effective concentrations (EC50) values of 12.01 mg/L and 25.31 mg/L, respectively. Regarding antifungal mechanisms, strain YGL11-2 extracts disrupted fungal cell membrane structures, caused hyphal and spore wrinkling and breakage, and inhibited spore germination. Pot experiments confirmed that banana seedlings treated with strain YGL11-2 extracts showed a reduced Foc TR4 disease index, achieving a control efficacy of 41.94 %, while significantly promoting root growth (+10.55 cm) and biomass accumulation (+46.40 %). In fruit experiments, bananas treated with strain YGL11-2 exhibited an anthracnose inhibition rate of up to 72.96 %, along with improved quality and delayed ripening. This study is the first to discover a novel Streptomyces species capable of cross-type control of both soil-borne and postharvest diseases, offering a breakthrough solution for controlling both types of banana diseases.

Banana Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), poses a severe threat to global banana production, and breeding resistant cultivars remains the most effective control strategy. Mutation breeding, including radiation mutagenesis and somaclonal variation, has become a primary approach for developing resistant germplasm in triploid Cavendish bananas. However, whether secondary bud-sport selection from resistant somaclonal lines inadvertently compromises original resistance mechanisms at the molecular level remains poorly understood. In this study, we generated 44 mutants from Baxi jiao via 60Co γ-irradiation and selected five lines with distinct phenotypic variations. We also collected somaclonal variant lines GCTCV-218, GCTCV-119, GCTCV-105, their bud-sport derivatives (NK_No.1, NTH, RK_No.1), and the radiation-induced resistant mutant ‘Zhongre No.1’. Using whole-genome resequencing and transcriptome analysis, we systematically compared the genetic and transcriptomic outcomes of these breeding strategies. Radiation mutagenesis induced substantial genomic structural variations and generated novel expression patterns of defense-related genes. In contrast, while bud-sport derivatives of GCTCV-218 remained genetically similar to their parent, they exhibited significant downregulation or loss of key resistance gene expression, particularly PR-1 family members. Our findings reveal that phenotype-driven somaclonal selection can inadvertently erode original resistance mechanisms, and we recommend prioritizing radiation mutagenesis for developing banana cultivars with stable and durable resistance to Foc TR4.

Postharvest rot caused by Neopestalotiopsis rosae severely threatens strawberry production globally. Here, a novel species of Streptomyces was isolated and identified through polyphasic taxonomy, for which we propose the name Streptomyces hanimojiang sp. nov. AMJ-169. Its volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inhibited N. rosae hyphal growth by 70 +/- 3.81%, with (1S)-(-)-alpha-pinene identified as the key antifungal component (EC50 = 0.018 mL & centerdot;L-1). Fumigation with 6 & times; EC50 alpha-pinene reduced fruit rot by 97.52% in a concentration-dependent manner. SEM observations showed that alpha-pinene caused severe hyphal damage and suppressed pathogen colonization on fruit surfaces. Transcriptomic analysis further indicated that alpha-pinene treatment was associated with redox regulation, glutathione metabolism, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and carbon-metabolism-related responses in strawberry fruit. These findings suggest that alpha-pinene controls postharvest anthracnose through direct antifungal activity on fungal hyphae together with host-associated physiological regulation, highlighting its potential as a sustainable postharvest biocontrol candidate.

Banana (Musa spp.) fruit peel browning during cold storage results in significant postharvest losses; however, the molecular mechanisms linking antioxidant metabolism and transcriptional regulation remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that exogenous ascorbic acid alleviates chilling-induced browning by suppressing the WRKY-AAO regulatory module through histone H3K18 lactylation (H3K18la)-mediated chromatin remodeling. DNase-seq analyses revealed that cold stress induces chromatin accessibility at the promoters of WRKY transcription factor genes (MaWRKY11/18/40/50/60). DNA affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq) and yeast one-hybrid confirmed these WRKYs can bind to W-box motifs in the ascorbate oxidase (MaAAO1) promoter. This activation triggered ascorbic acid depletion and reactive oxygen species accumulation, accelerating peel browning. Conversely, ascorbic acid treatment reduced H3K18la levels at MaWRKY genes, diminishing their accessibility and lowering the expression of MaWRKY target genes. Transient overexpression assays confirmed that MaAAO1 drives peel browning, while ascorbic acid disrupts this cascade by coupling redox signaling to lactylation-dependent chromatin silencing. Our study unveils a redox-sensitive epigenetic switch wherein exogenous ascorbic acid mitigates chilling injury by repressing oxidative pathways via histone lactylation, offering strategies for preserving tropical fruit quality.

Abstract Plant-beneficial microbe interactions are vital for enhancing soil-borne disease resistance, largely through the assembly of a disease-suppressive microbiome. However, the mechanisms governing these interactions remain elusive. Here, we establish an interaction model between banana and Streptomyces yongxingensis sp. nov. 2-11. We demonstrate that strain Sy2-11 suppresses banana Fusarium wilt (BFW) by recruiting a protective rhizosphere microbiome. Furthermore, we identify sesquiterpenes (aristolene and ledene), produced by strain Sy2-11, as key signaling molecules that trigger banana roots to biosynthesize 10-hydroxycapric acid (10-HCA). Interestingly, 10-HCA specifically enriches beneficial Bacillus spp., which is essential for the suppression of BFW. This effect is validated by synthetic communities (SynComs) and chemotaxis-deficient mutants of Bacillus velezensis . Our findings reveal a previously unreported mechanism that differs from conventional plant-microbe interactions, whereby Streptomyces , acting as a beneficial elicitor, releases sesquiterpene signals to trigger 10-HCA secretion in banana plants, thereby orchestrating the assembly of a rhizosphere microbiome that suppresses BFW. These findings provide a promising strategy for rhizosphere micro-ecological regulation and sustainable soil-borne disease control, with significant potential for advancing sustainable agriculture.

Phosphorus (Pi) deficiency limits plant productivity. Light quality modulates growth and stress responses, but its interaction with Pi starvation in banana is unclear. We investigated physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic responses of banana seedlings to low Pi under white (WL), red (R), far-red (FR), blue (B), and ultraviolet (UV-A) light. FR light promoted shoot elongation and increased phosphorus, iron, and calcium accumulation, whereas B and UV-A exacerbated growth inhibition and oxidative stress (higher H2O2, MDA, and proline). Transcriptomics revealed that B and UV-A enriched cell cycle and stress pathways, while FR enriched photosynthesis and cell wall biogenesis. Expression of phosphate transporters and starvation-responsive genes was spectrum-specific. Metabolomics showed B and UV-A triggered massive accumulation of ABA, flavonoids, and secondary metabolites, indicating strong stress defense. Antioxidant enzyme activities were differentially activated: B upregulated SOD, CAT, and POD; UV specifically enhanced GSH-Px. Integrated correlation networks revealed distinct regulatory hubs: blue light centered on ROS scavenging, red light on phosphate transport. Our findings demonstrate that FR light acts as a positive regulator, while B and UV-A act as additional stressors under Pi deficiency, providing a mechanistic framework for using light spectra to improve crop resilience in Pi-limited conditions.

BACKGROUND:The development of biocontrol agents represents a promising strategy to manage banana Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4). Although many traditional approaches have isolated beneficial microorganisms from soil or the rhizosphere, studies seeking biocontrol resources from the perspective of banana root endophytes remain scarce. RESULTS:Endophytic microbiome analysis revealed significant enrichment of Bacillota in the wilt-resistant cultivar. Among the isolated strains, Bacillus velezensis JDB15 exhibited the best inhibitory effect against Foc TR4. The fermentation broth of JDB15 significantly inhibited spore germination and caused hyphal membrane damage in pathogens. Mechanistic studies indicated that the lipopeptide surfactin C is a candidate active antimicrobial metabolite produced by JDB15, which disrupts pathogen cell membrane integrity, increases membrane permeability, and induces electrolyte leakage. Another isolated endophytic fungus, Trichoderma harzianum strain JDL4, also exhibited strong antagonistic activity against Foc TR4 probably through mycoparasitism. Combined application of cell-free filtrate from JDB15 and JDL4 demonstrated effective control against multiple plant diseases including banana Fusarium wilt, tomato Fusarium wilt, corn southern leaf blight, and rice blast under controlled conditions. CONCLUSION:We suggest that the antimicrobial activity of JDB15 and JDL4 is most probably attributable to the metabolite surfactin C and likely mycoparasitism, respectively. Co-application of the fermentation filtrates of these two strains exhibited broad-spectrum disease control efficacy and significantly improved disease suppression compared with either strain alone. These findings provide novel biological agents for the control of banana Fusarium wilt and other plant diseases. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4) is the causal agent of banana Fusarium wilt, a destructive soil-borne disease. Using antagonistic microorganisms, such as Streptomyces species, offers a promising strategy for controlling fungal diseases. However, their field application is limited by an incomplete understanding of microbe-plant-pathogen interactions. This study shows that the marine-derived Streptomyces malaysiensis WHL7 exhibits strong antagonistic activity against multiple phytopathogenic fungi in vitro, particularly Foc TR4. In pot experiments using natural soil, WHL7 treatment significantly reduced the incidence of Fusarium wilt from 55

Postharvest banana disease caused by Colletotrichum musae leads to significant economic and nutritional losses. While antagonistic microorganisms offer a promising control strategy, their practical efficacy is often constrained. Discovering novel antagonistic species and clarifying their interaction mechanism remain essential. Here, we identify a novel species, Streptomyces hainanluluensis sp. nov. SX-6, which exhibits broad-spectrum antifungal activity, particularly against C. musae. Genomic analysis reveals multiple known and uncharacterized biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), supporting diverse secondary metabolite potential. Application of SX-6 extract significantly reduces anthracnose incidence and maintains postharvest quality in banana fruit. SX-6 extract treatment effectively inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of C. musae, causing morphological defects. Accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) disrupts membrane integrity and triggers apoptosis-like cell death. Additionally, SX-6 extract also induces fruit resistance to C. musae by activating defense signaling and enhancing secondary metabolite biosynthesis in banana peel, involving ROS and phenylpropanoid metabolism pathways. Transcriptomic and metabolomic integration identified isopteropodine B and lotaustralin as key antifungal metabolites. Specifically, lotaustralin induces ROS accumulation and cell membrane damage in pathogen. This study provides valuable biocontrol resources for developing eco-friendly postharvest disease management.

IntroductionFusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), poses a serious threat to the safety and sustainable development of the banana industry. Biological control represents one of the most environmentally friendly approaches for managing this disease.MethodsIn this study, Streptomyces violaceusniger WZS5–6 antifungal activity against Foc TR4 has been investigated through an integrated approach combining antifungal assays, genome analysis, and metabolomic profiling. For the purpose, the effects of the bacterial strain and its cell-free extract on morphological and ultrastructural changes on pathogenic fungal hyphae and spores were assessed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. LC–MS analysis was used to identify the metabolites responsible for antifungal activity. We further explored the potential of S. violaceusniger WZS5–6 against Foc TR4 through in planta validation.ResultsStreptomyces violaceusniger WZS5–6 exhibited a strong inhibition rate of 91.57% on Foc TR4. The cell-free extract obtained from S. violaceusniger WZS5–6 strongly inhibited Foc TR4 with an EC50 value of 91.62 µg·mL-1, indicating the presence of antifungal bioactive metabolites. The results showed that S. violaceusniger WZS5–6 significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of Foc TR4 and induced alterations in spore morphology, mycelial ultrastructure, and cell membrane leakage. Metabolomic profiling of the S. violaceusniger WZS5–6 extracts revealed numerous antifungal metabolites, among which the key metabolites, viz., citronellic acid and furanodienone, exhibited strong inhibitory effects on Foc TR4, with antifungal activity of 61.13% and 57.44%, respectively. Moreover, strain WZS5–6 not only demonstrated 61.54% control efficacy against FWB in a pot experiment but also showed promising growth-promoting effects on banana plants.DiscussionThis study demonstrates that S. violaceusniger WZS5–6 inhibits Foc TR4 through a multi-level mechanism involving cellular disruption, metabolic adaptation, and activation of host defense responses. These findings highlight the potential of S. violaceusniger WZS5–6 as a promising novel candidate strain to be employed as a biological control agent of FWB.

Base editors are essential tools for precise genome editing in plants. However, achieving high efficiency in C-to-G editing while minimizing byproduct and offtarget mutations remains challenging. In this study, we present the development and evaluation of a novel glycosylase-based cytosine base editor (gCBE) for efficient C-to-G editing in rice. Unlike traditional cytosine base editors, which rely on cytosine deamination, gCBE directly excises cytosine to generate an apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site, thus circumventing the deamination step and reducing the production of C-to-T byproducts. We constructed several gCBE variants, including N-gCBE, M-gCBE, and C-gCBE, by fusing engineered human UDG2 (UNG*) to SpCas9 nickase (nSpCas9, D10A) and tested their editing efficiency and specificity in rice. Our results demonstrate that M-gCBE achieved efficient C-to-G editing (6.3% to 37.5%) similar to OsCGBE (9.4% to 28.1%) at most targets, though with site-dependent variations. Notably, gCBE tools showed a marked reduction in C-to-T byproducts, with average C-to-T mutation rates of 12.5% for N-gCBE and 16.7% for M-gCBE, compared to 53.1% for OsCGBE. Notably, both N-gCBE and M-gCBE were capable of generating homozygous C-to-G mutations in the T0 generation, a key advantage over OsCGBE, which predominantly generated C-to-T mutations. Off-target analysis revealed minimal off-target effects with M-gCBE, highlighting its potential for high-precision genome editing. These findings suggest that gCBE tools, particularly M-gCBE, are highly efficient and precise, providing an advanced solution for C-to-G editing in plants and offering promising applications for crop improvement.

Tropical rainforest soils, or latosols, are distinguished by their low pH and low fertility. In orchards, co-cultivating grass has become popular as a way to improve soil quality and boost fruit production. Nevertheless, insufficient information is currently available about the response of soil microbial communities in tropical rainforest orchards to grass co-cultivation. Therefore, the present research investigates the effect of grass cultivation on the soil properties and microbial diversity of guava ( Psidium guajava L. cv Pearl) latosol orchards. Two varieties of the tropical legume grass Stylosanthes guianensis , i.e., Reyan No. 2 and Ubon, were studied, besides the control (CK), which is without any grass, and the natural grasses treatment (N). The study contained four treatments, i.e., S. guianensis cv. Reyan No. 2, S. guianensis cv. Ubon, CK, and N. Soil samples from the top layer (0–20 cm) and subsoil layer (20–40 cm) were collected to follow the changes in soil microbial biodiversity based on 16 S rDNA analysis. A total of 17,231 kinds of OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) were obtained, including 17,165 kinds of bacteria and 66 kinds of Archaea . S. guianensis cv. The Ubon variety, natural grasses, and CK treatments significantly increased the soil microbial richness and evenness in the topsoil layer compared to Reyan No. 2 variety. The β-diversity of soil microbial community was significantly reduced in the natural grasses and Ubon variety treatments at the topsoil layer compared to CK treatment. In the subsoil layer, natural grasses, Reyan No. 2, and Ubon treatments significantly increased the soil microbial community based on β-diversity. The presence of natural grasses caused 49% and 42% increases in the SOC in the top and subsoil layers, respectively, as well as remarkable increases in the available and total soil nitrogen. The grass intercropping enhanced the levels of soil carbon and nitrogen and altered the nature of the soil’s microbial community. The diversity of soil microorganisms in the subsoil layer is significantly altered by the shallow root systems of tropical legume and natural grasses, which have most of their roots concentrated in the top soil layer. Overall, growing grass in tropical orchards benefits the latosolic soil microorganisms, which has enhanced the theoretical underpinnings for using grass to improve the soil quality in latosols orchards.

Bananas (Musa ssp.) are globally important staple crops increasingly constrained by biotic stressors, climatic instability, and the high labor demands of cultivation. The genetic improvement of dwarf phenotypes offers a strategic pathway to enhance mechanization and reduce production costs. In this study, we have carried out whole-genome resequencing of 300 Musa accessions to analyze genome-wide allelic diversity and identify loci associated with shoot architecture. Our analysis uncovered extensive genetic variation within the A subgenome, pivotal for environmental adaptability, and detected introgression from Musa itinerans (subgroup A) into cultivated varieties (subgroup F), suggesting a broadened genetic base amenable to breeding. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) pinpointed MabHLH30 as a crucial gene associated plant stature. Functional validation confirmed MabHLH30 as a critical regulator of plant stature and leaf morphology. Leveraging this finding, we developed molecular markers for MabHLH30, enabling marker-assisted selection (MAS) to accelerate the breeding of compact, high-yielding cultivars. Collectively, these results provide a genomic framework for the targeted improvement of banana architecture and represent a valuable resource for cultivar development under diverse agroecological conditions.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), a globally cultivated fruit crop of the nightshade family, is highly valued for its broad dietary applications and health-promoting properties. In recent years, escalating consumer preferences for nutritious food options, coupled with rising disposable incomes and heightened awareness of dietary wellness, have significantly driven market demand for superior-grade tomato varieties. Consequently, enhancing fruit quality has emerged as a critical determinant in securing competitive advantages within the agricultural and horticultural sectors. Although using Trichoderma to improve fruit quality is an environmentally friendly approach, the microbial ecological mechanisms and the fruit metabolic profile by which Trichoderma inoculation affects fruit quality remain unclear. This study primarily explores the role of Trichoderma asperellum M7 in improving tomato quality from the perspectives of rhizosphere soil microbial communities and fruit metabolism, revealing its potential mechanisms. It was found that T. asperellum M7 enhanced the sugar-acid ratio of tomato fruits through the action of soil microorganisms, and this increase was significantly correlated with the genera TM7a and Candidatus_Saccharimonas. Furthermore, the application of T. asperellum M7 was observed to significantly modulate metabolite synthesis pathways in tomato fruits. It notably enhanced the biosynthesis of carbohydrates and organic acid derivatives, with marked increases in specific compounds such as CDP-ribitol, dglucose, cellobiose, and oxalosuccinate. Furthermore, strain M7 enhanced both the enzyme activity and gene expression associated with sugar metabolism in tomato fruits. Our research findings provided a new perspective on potential strategies for using microorganisms to enhance fruit quality.