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.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of soda saline-alkali stress on seed germination of five alfalfa varieties. Mixed soda saline-alkali solutions (sodium bicarbonate∶sodium carbonate = 9∶1) at concentrations of 10 (mild stress), 20 (moderate stress), and 30 mmol/L (severe stress) were applied to the tested alfalfa materials during the germination stage. And the indicators such as relative germination rate, germination index, simplified vigor index, and salt tolerance index were measured, to evaluate the tolerance of five alfalfa varieties to soda saline-alkali stress. The results showed that with increasing soda saline-alkali concentration, the relative germination rate, relative germination energy, salt tolerance index, germination index, vigor index, simplified vigor index, and root length of the five alfalfa varieties all exhibited a gradually decreasing trend. Compared with the control group (CK), the germination indicators of the five alfalfa varieties decreased substantially under severe stress (30 mmol/L). The relative germination rate, relative germination energy, germination index, salt tolerance index, vigor index, and simplified vigor index of Beijixiong, Zhongmu No.2 , and Zhaodong were significantly higher than those of Huanghou and Eluosi (P<0.05). The membership function evaluation showed that the order of soda saline-alkali tolerance of the five alfalfa varieties was: Beijixiong > Zhaodong > Zhongmu No.2 > Huanghou > Eluosi. The study shows that severe mixed soda saline-alkali stress (30 mmol/L) can significantly inhibit alfalfa seed germination. Beijixiong and Zhaodong have strong tolerance to soda saline-alkali stress and are suitable for popularization and cultivation in the saline-alkali areas of Heilongjiang Province.

Transgenic apple cultivars may pose environmental safety concerns, particularly regarding pollen dispersion. Grafting non-transgenic scions onto transgenic rootstocks offers a promising strategy to combine desirable trait regulation with minimized risk of transgene flow via pollen. In China, Malus robusta Rehd. is one of the most widely used apple rootstocks. However, their transformation efficiency and reproducibility remain limited. In this study, we identified a high-regeneration genotype BL-57 from seedlings of Malus robusta Rehd., optimized the leaf regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system, and finally established a stable transgenic system for both gene knockout and overexpression. Leaf explants were initially cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.3 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), 0.2 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 0.1 mg/L gibberellic acid 3 (GA₃), 30 g/L sucrose, and 7.5 g/L agar. Following leaf transection, the explants were transferred to MS medium containing 2 mg/L thidiazuron (TDZ), 0.5 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 30 g/L sucrose, and 7.5 g/L agar, where the highest regeneration efficiency was observed, with an average of 15 shoots per explant. Leaf explants infected with Agrobacterium were cultured on bud induction medium supplemented with 6 mg/L kanamycin and 250 mg/L cefotaxime. The regenerated plantlets were identified and verified, demonstrating that the transgenic systems for gene knockout and overexpression have been successfully established in BL-57. In summary, we identified a M. robusta germplasm with high regeneration ability, and established an efficient leaf regeneration and transformation system. This platform provides a valuable tool for advancing molecular breeding and functional genomics research in apple.

Distant hybridization is critical for fruit tree germplasm innovation yet difficult to achieve in woody fruit trees. Successful distant hybridization between apple and pear is rare among fruit trees, but the molecular mechanism of their compatibility remains unclear. Revealing this biological process is vital for the innovation of fruit tree cultivation. This study performed distant hybridization experiments using cultivated apple as female parents and multiple pear cultivars as male parents, and obtained compatible hybrids from the cross of 'YYH' apple × 'YH' pear. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, transcriptome sequencing was performed on unpollinated apple styles as controls, and gene expression profiles of styles were constructed following both intraspecific apple pollination and apple-pear distant hybridization pollination. The results indicated that both pollination treatments significantly activated the ethylene, brassinosteroid, and jasmonic acid signaling pathways. Notably, jasmonic acid played a central role in precise feedback regulation, with the substantial upregulation of the negative regulatory factor JAZ potentially serving as a critical mechanism for balancing pollen tube growth and immune defense. Meanwhile, genes associated with cellulose and pectin were upregulated, thereby promoting the remodeling of the style cell wall to facilitate the penetration and elongation of the pollen tube. The response patterns were highly consistent between the two pollination combinations, indicating that the distant hybridization of apples and pears shares similar regulatory mechanism with apple intraspecific pollination. This study provides a theoretical basis and data support for revealing the compatibility mechanism of distant hybridization in fruit trees and breaking through reproductive barriers.

Iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and molybdenum (Mo) are essential micronutrients for both plants and animals. However, the impact of phosphorus (P) application on the uptake, partitioning, and accumulation of micronutrients in cotton, particularly in relation to changes in root morphology, is still not fully understood. A two-year field experiment was conducted with five P application treatments (0, 75, 150, 300, 450 kg P2O5 ha(-1)) to study the effects of P application on the accumulation and distribution patterns of P, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Mo in cotton organs, as well as on root distribution on calcareous soil (pH 8.31, silt loam). The results showed that P application rates of 75-150 kg P2O5 ha(-1) significantly increased the aboveground biomass and seed cotton yield of cotton. An antagonistic relationship was observed between P and Zn as well as Cu, whereas a synergistic effect was found between P and Mo. The elements Fe, Mn and Mo were predominantly accumulated in the leaves. The accumulation of P, Cu, and Zn would significantly redistribute from vegetative organs to reproductive organs, particularly at the boll-opening stage, where these nutrients would account for a substantial proportion in the bolls and lint. Soil micronutrients availability showed a highly significant positive correlation with root length at P application rate of 0-150 kg P2O5 ha(-1) (P < 0.01); but a highly significant negative correlation at of 150-450 kg ha(-1) (P < 0.01). Additionally, cotton yield was highly significantly correlated with the accumulations of P and Mo in plants, as well as the concentration of Mn, Cu and Zn in soil (P < 0.01), and significantly correlated with the accumulation of Mn in plants (P < 0.05). High levels of P were found to immobilize micronutrients in the soil, thereby inhibiting their availability for root uptake. In conclusion, under local conditions, optimal P rates (75-150 kg P2O5 ha(-1)) not only enhanced the availability of soil micronutrients and promoted root growth, but also facilitated the efficient transport of micronutrients to various organs of the cotton plant, ultimately improving cotton yield and nutritional quality.

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is a globally significant horticultural crop, renowned for its exceptional nutritional value and high vitamin C content. The distinctive genetic features of this genus, including a dioecious sexual system (XY/XX) and a wide range of ploidy (2x-10x), have driven substantial genomic and phenotypic diversification, thereby constituting a valuable germplasm resource for systematic breeding. Recent advances in kiwifruit genomics are transforming the field and revolutionizing our understanding of its evolution, domestication, and the genetic mechanisms underlying agronomic traits. In this review, we highlight the key achievements in kiwifruit genome research over the past decades, chronologically spanning from the initial draft genome assembly to the recent super pan-genome construction. We further synthesize how multi-omics approaches have been leveraged for fine mapping, gene discovery, and the analysis of gene expression and metabolic pathways. Finally, we discuss future research directions and breeding strategies enabled by these genomic breakthroughs, particularly through the applications of genomic selection and gene editing in kiwifruit.

Atrazine, a widely used herbicide in maize production systems, has been reported to induce significant yield depression in soybean within crop rotation systems. However, the toxicological mechanism of atrazine in soybean is rarely studied from the perspective of its regulation of the interaction between root exudates and rhizobial communities. In this study, root exudates were collected from soybeans exposed to atrazine at 0 and 20 mg center dot L- 1 for compositional analyses and subsequently applied to atrazine-free soil to assess their effects on plant growth and soil communities. Compared to the control, 20 mg center dot L- 1 atrazine significantly changed the components and contents of soybean root exudates. Metabolite co-occurrence network analysis revealed that atrazine exposure substantially restructured the metabolic network architecture of soybean root exudates. In the rootexudate feedback experiments, plant height and biomass in the AC group (soybean-soil system conditioning with root exudates from atrazine- free plants) increased by 9.75% and 5.68%, 95.08% and 45.90%, respectively, compared with the CK (soybean-soil system conditioning with no exudates). High-throughput sequencing results of rpoB indicated that, compared to CK, the relative abundances of Sinorhizobium sp. RAC02 increased in the AC group but decreased in the AT group (soybean-soil system conditioning with root exudates from atrazine-exposed plants). Correlation analysis further demonstrated significant relationships between rhizobia abundance, root exudate profiles, and plant growth indicators. Specifically, elevated levels of Sinorhizobium sp. RAC02 was found to promote soybean nodulation and growth, an effect that was significantly and negatively correlated with Llysine secretion. This study demonstrates that atrazine modifies the composition of soybean root exudates, restructures the rhizosphere rhizobial community, and ultimately affects seedling growth.

Malus Mill., a genus of temperate perennial trees with great agricultural and ecological value, has diversified through hybridization, polyploidy and environmental adaptation. Limited genomic resources for wild Malus species have hindered the understanding of their evolutionary history and genetic diversity. We sequenced and assembled 30 high-quality Malus genomes, representing 20 diploids and 10 polyploids across major evolutionary lineages and geographical regions. Phylogenomic analyses revealed ancient gene duplications and conversions, while six newly defined genome types, including an ancestral type shared by polyploid species, facilitated the detection of strong signals for extensive introgressions. The graph-based pan-genome captured shared and species-specific structural variations, facilitating the development of a molecular marker for apple scab resistance. Our pipeline for analyzing selective sweep identified a mutation in MdMYB5 having reduced cold and disease resistance during domestication. This study advances Malus genomics, uncovering genetic diversity and evolutionary insights while enhancing breeding for desirable traits.

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.

Lateral branching contributes to plant architecture and agricultural yield. In apple (Malus domestica), the dormancy of axillary buds constrains early branching and fruit production. Among various phytohormones, strigolactones (SLs) play a pivotal role regulating axillary bud outgrowth. This study investigates the inhibitory effects of SLs on apple axillary bud growth and elucidates the underlying molecular mechanisms. Treatment with the SL analog racemic-GR24 (rac-GR24) markedly inhibited the outgrowth of axillary buds. We discovered that the transcription factor in apple SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE 6 (MdSPL6) interacts with SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2-LIKE 7 (MdSMXL7), a key component of SL signaling, to regulate branching patterns. The Mdspl6 mutant exhibited enhanced lateral branching, confirming the role of MdSPL6 as a suppressor of bud growth. Through DNA affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq), we identified apple HOMEOBOX PROTEIN53 (MdHB53) and TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, CYCLOIDEA, PCF18 (MdTCP18) as downstream target genes of MdSPL6. Overexpression of these genes led to elevated levels of abscisic acid (ABA), implicating the function of ABA in the SL-mediated inhibition of bud outgrowth. Our results demonstrate that SLs regulate apple axillary bud growth through MdSPL6 and its downstream targets by modulating ABA levels, offering insights into the genetic control of plant architecture and identifying potential targets for breeding apple varieties with optimized branching and enhanced yield.

Searching for natural products from microbial sources is an important approach in the development of green pesticides. Here, we isolated a homogenous extracellular polysaccharide CPEPS-2 from Colletotrichum gloeosporioides PHXP3 by bioassay-guided strategy. Chemical and spectroscopic analysis showed that CPEPS-2 consisted of glucose, mannose and galactose in percentages of 38.98:40.04:20.98 and its molecular weight was estimated to be 23.8 kDa. The backbone of CPEPS-2 was consisted of -> 2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1 ->, -> 6)-alpha-D-Manp-(1 ->, -> 4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1 ->, -> 2,6)-alpha-D-Manp-(1 -> and -> 4,6)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1 -> residues, and the branches consisted of beta-D- Galf-(1 -> unit. In bioactive assays, CPEPS-2 effectively induced systemic resistance of tobacco and soybean against Phytophthora capsici and P. sojae at 100 mu g/mL, with inhibition rates of 60.1 % and 68.8 %, respectively. Furthermore, in greenhouse tests, 100 mu g/mL CPEPS-2 displayed potent activity against P. capsici and P. sojae with protection efficacies of 75.0 % and 80.4 %. Simultaneously, CPEPS-2 promoted PR1 expression and callose accumulation in Nicotiana benthamiana. In addition, subcellular localization indicated CPEPS-2 was localized to the cell membrane or the wall of plant cells. The results suggested CPEPS-2 could act as a carbohydrate elicitor to induce plant immunity.

Dwarfing rootstocks have transformed the production of cultivated apples; however, the genetic basis of rootstock-induced dwarfing remains largely unclear. We have assembled chromosome-level, near-gapless and haplotype-resolved genomes for the popular dwarfing rootstock ‘M9’, the semi-vigorous rootstock ‘MM106’ and ‘Fuji’, one of the most commonly grown apple cultivars. The apple orthologue of auxin response factor 3 ( MdARF3 ) is in the Dw1 region of ‘M9’, the major locus for rootstock-induced dwarfing. Comparing ‘M9’ and ‘MM106’ genomes revealed a 9,723-bp allele-specific long terminal repeat retrotransposon/gypsy insertion, DwTE , located upstream of MdARF3 . DwTE is cosegregated with the dwarfing trait in two segregating populations, suggesting its prospective utility in future dwarfing rootstock breeding. In addition, our pipeline discovered mobile mRNAs that may contribute to the development of dwarfed scion architecture. Our research provides valuable genomic resources and applicable methodology, which have the potential to accelerate breeding dwarfing rootstocks for apple and other perennial woody fruit trees.

Diazotrophs/plant symbiosis model system has been developed but the nitrogen fixation efficiency of engineering systems was suboptimal compared to the wild-type system. In this study, CDs with benzoquinone structure and phenazine structure that prepared from O-phenylenediamine (o-PD) and catechol (CAT) were selected as electron-donor and electron relay for constructing CDs/microalgae nitrogen fixation hybrid system. the X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) results demonstrated the presence of C=O bond from benzoquinone on CDs. 1H-Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra reveal the fluorescent molecules linking on the CDs’ surface. The photocurrent response demonstrates the photoelectron donor ability of CDs. Nostoc commune Vauch microalgae were selected as a diazotroph. The hybrid system exhibited 1.32 times ethylene-produced content compared to pure microalgae. Linking this hybrid system with the lettuce hydroponics platform, the lettuce successfully utilized the nitrogen in the atmosphere as ammonia fertilizer. The net photosynthetic rate, total fresh weight, total chlorophyll content, and total soluble protein content of lettuce growth in the established platform increased by 1.20, 1.12, 1.14, and 1.32 times, respectively.

Tillering and shade tolerance are important traits in turfgrass, influenced by environmental factors, nutrients, and hormones. Shade stress negatively affects tillering. In this study, two dwarf mutants, shadow-1 and shadow-2, developed via Gamma-ray and fast-neutron mutagenesis, respectively, showed significantly higher tillering than the wild-type under greenhouse conditions. Both mutants demonstrated shade tolerance in plant height, grass quality, and color under 85% and 95% shade conditions, while shade-induced inhibition of tillering was observed in both the mutants and the wild-type. In comparison to wild-type plants under 95% shade conditions, we observed that the cytokinin biosynthetic gene IPT8 is upregulated, while the cytokinin inactivating gene CKX2 is downregulated in shadow-1. Similarly, the GA biosynthetic genes CPS1, GA2ox3, and GA20ox1 are upregulated, while the GA inactivating gene GA20ox8 is downregulated in the shadow-1 mutant. Furthermore, the ethylene biosynthetic genes ACS and ACO are also downregulated in the shadow-1 mutant. Consistently, we observed that wild-type plants exhibit increased GA and reduced CK levels, while shadow-1 mutant plants have reduced GA but increased CK levels. This explains the shadow-1 mutant's shade tolerance in terms of plant height, grass quality, and color. Conversely, the tillering inhibitor genes CRY1, MAX2, and SnRK1 are upregulated in both wild-type and shadow-1 mutant plants. Our results provide novel insights into the mechanisms behind tillering and shade tolerance in turfgrasses under shade conditions. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

Plants resist the invasion and establishment of pathogens through the existence of structural barriers and biochemical response mechanisms. In this regard, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to play a role in various plant growth and developmental processes, as well as plant disease resistance. This study used high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics to identify lncRNAs in kiwifruit and predict their function based on their inferred target genes. A total of 591 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 1819 mRNAs were identified in kiwifruit samples infected with P. expansum for 24 h. GO enrichment analysis indicated that the highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) fell into the biological processes category of the three major ontology categories. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that most DEGs were annotated in the Plant-pathogen interaction and Plant hormone signal transduction pathways. LncRNAs in kiwifruit may be involved in the response to pathogen infections through salicylic acid (SA), gibberellin (GA), and abscisic acid (ABA) pathways. In this regard, genes, such as PP2C, GA20ox, and A-ARR, exhibited varying degrees of differential expression in kiwifruit in response to P. expansum infection. Our results provide insight into the molecular response of kiwifruit to invasion by P. expansum and provide a theoretical foundation for understanding and improving disease resistance.

Understanding the spatial heterogeneity of light and photosynthesis distribution within a canopy is crucial for optimizing plant growth and yield, especially in the context of greenhouse structures. In previous studies, we developed a 3D functional-structural plant model (FSPM) of the Chinese solar greenhouse (CSG) and tomato plants, in which the greenhouse was reconstructed as a 3D mockup and implemented in the virtual scene. This model, which accounts for various environmental factors, allows for precise calculations of radiation, temperature, and photosynthesis at the organ level. This study focuses on elucidating optimal canopy configurations for mechanized planting in greenhouses, building upon the commonly used north–south (N–S) orientation by exploring the east–west (E–W) orientation. Investigating sixteen scenarios with varying furrow distance (1 m, 1.2 m, 1.4 m, 1.6 m) and row spacing (0.3 m, 0.4 m, 0.5 m, 0.6 m), corresponding to 16 treatments of plant spacing, four planting patterns (homogeneous row, double row, staggered row, incremental row) and two orientations were investigated. The results show that in Shenyang city, an E–W orientation with the path width = 0.5 (furrow distance + row distance) = 0.8 m (homogeneous row), and a plant distance of 0.32 m, is the optimal solution for mechanized planting at a density of 39,000 plants/ha. Our findings reveal a nuanced understanding of how altering planting configurations impacts the light environment and photosynthesis rate within solar greenhouses. Looking forward, these insights not only contribute to the field of CSG mechanized planting, but also provide a basis for enhanced CSG planting management. Future research could further explore the broader implications of these optimized configurations in diverse geographic and climatic conditions.