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Agronomy
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Molecular Advances in Crop Protection and Agrobiotechnology
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Molecular Advances in Crop Protection and Agrobiotechnology

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Breeding and Genetics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 7113

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kun Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant Protection, College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
Interests: molecular plant virology
Dr. Kai Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
Interests: molecular plant virology; virus–host interactions; lipid biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants continuously sensing sophisticated stimulates and regulate their physiological state for optimized adaption to the environment. These stimulates, including various pathogens (microorganisms and nematodes), insects, weeds, and extreme growing conditions, have profound effects on crop adaptations, such as the molecular interactions between crops and pathogens. Stimulates can seriously threaten the health and yield of crops each year, and directly lead to malnutrition, starvation, migration, death, and even regional conflicts and wars. There exist complicated networks of genetic, biochemical, physical, and metabolic interactions between crops and their associated environments (biotic and abiotic). Uncovering the underlying mechanisms of these multi-layer molecular crop–environment interactions and exploring the applications of crop protection or agrobiotechnology methods could be of great value for crop cultivation, breeding, and utilization.

In the long-term coevolution of crops and their environment, they have gradually become united and established profound internal correlations. In recent years, scientists have achieved remarkable advances regarding the molecular mechanisms of crop–environment interactions, but research on their internal correlations, plant protection and agrobiotechnology methods tends to be limited in scope and only address the discovery of resistance genes. We look forward to not only providing an explanation of the functional properties of the molecular interactions between crops and their environment, but also addressing the utilization of crop resources and its effects on the environment.

The aim of this Special Issue is to expand our understanding of molecular advances in crop protection and agrobiotechnology in the utilization of crop resources, which will facilitate plant cultivation, breeding, and utilization to enhance the yield and quality of crops in modern agriculture.

We welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, and methods related to, but not limited to, the following topics:

  • multi-omics studies of plant-microbiome/plant-environment interactions;
  • sensitive detection techniques application for plant pathogens;
  • resistance gene;
  • reactive oxygen species;
  • plant–pathogen interaction;
  • plant–insect interaction;
  • pathogen effectors;
  • biological control;
  • new strategy for plant protection;
  • application of natural small molecular of plant origin with biological activity in plant tolerance improvement;
  • agrobiotechnology in utilization of crop resources.

Dr. Kun Zhang
Dr. Kai Xu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • crop protection
  • interactions
  • agrobiotechnology

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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17 pages, 2277 KiB  
Article
A Bacterial Endophyte Bacillus amyloliquefaciens W10 Enhances the Tomato Resistance Against Tuta absoluta
by Mingshi Qian, Chaoqi Sheng, Mingying Zheng, Ke Zhu, Youxin Yu, Gang Xu and Guoqing Yang
Agronomy 2025, 15(3), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030695 - 13 Mar 2025
Viewed by 427
Abstract
The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is a destructive invasive tomato pest worldwide. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens W10, a bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of tomatoes, is classified as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium. However, whether B. amyloliquefaciens W10 can improve the resistance of tomato against [...] Read more.
The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is a destructive invasive tomato pest worldwide. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens W10, a bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of tomatoes, is classified as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium. However, whether B. amyloliquefaciens W10 can improve the resistance of tomato against T. absoluta remains unclear. In this study, we found that B. amyloliquefaciens W10 promoted the tomato growth and significantly reduced the fecundity of T. absoluta. To further evaluate the effects of B. amyloliquefaciens W10 on the tomato’s resistance to T. absoluta, the age-stage, two-sex life table, and oviposition preference test were carried out to investigate the individual fitness, population parameters, and preference behavior of T. absoluta. Compared to the control, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), net reproductive rate (R0), and finite rate of increase (λ) of T. absoluta in the treatment group were significantly reduced, while the population doubling time (DT) was significantly increased. Meanwhile, the oviposition preferences of T. absoluta for the treated tomato plants were reduced. After T. absoluta infestation, electrical conductivity and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content in tomato leaves after B. amyloliquefaciens W10 treatment were significantly lower than those in the control, while peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), jasmonic acid (JA), and salicylic acid (SA) levels were significantly higher. In addition, the O2−, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels were also affected. qRT-RCR analyses revealed that B. amyloliquefaciens W10 colonization induced the expressions of JA- and SA-related genes, including AOS1, AOC, PAL1, and SAMT, in tomato plants after T. absoluta infestation. These findings provide valuable insights and theoretical support for the application of beneficial endophytes to induce the resistance in tomatoes against T. absoluta. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Crop Protection and Agrobiotechnology)
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21 pages, 5476 KiB  
Article
Atractylodes macrocephala Root Rot Affects Microbial Communities in Various Root-Associated Niches
by Huiyan Fan, Jiayi Han, Xiujuan Li, Jingzhi Zhou, Limei Zhao, Yiling Ying and Guoyin Kai
Agronomy 2024, 14(11), 2662; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112662 - 12 Nov 2024
Viewed by 821
Abstract
Atractylodes macrocephala, a perennial herb widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, is highly prone to root rot, which significantly reduces its yield and quality. This study compared the physicochemical properties of soil from healthy and diseased A. macrocephala plants and analyzed the [...] Read more.
Atractylodes macrocephala, a perennial herb widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, is highly prone to root rot, which significantly reduces its yield and quality. This study compared the physicochemical properties of soil from healthy and diseased A. macrocephala plants and analyzed the microbial diversity in the endophytic, rhizosphere, and root zone soils. The results showed that the diseased plants had higher levels of available potassium and electrical conductivity in the rhizosphere, both positively correlated with the severity of root rot, while soil pH was negatively correlated. The diversity and richness of endophytic bacterial and fungal communities were significantly reduced in diseased plants. Additionally, root rot led to major changes in the rhizosphere microbial community, with an increased abundance of Proteobacteria and Ascomycota, and a decrease in Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Basidiomycota. Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Fusarium fujikuroi were identified as key pathogens associated with root rot. This study enhances our understanding of the microbial interactions in soils affected by root rot, offering a foundation for developing soil improvement and biological control strategies to mitigate this disease in A. macrocephala cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Crop Protection and Agrobiotechnology)
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11 pages, 1554 KiB  
Article
Prokaryotic Expression of Coat Protein Gene of Grapevine Berry Inner Necrosis Virus and Preparation of Its Polyclonal Antibody
by Xiaolong Deng, Zhilei Wang, Nian Wang, Haiting Zhao, Lang Qin, Runzhou Jiang, Meng Yuan, Xijun Chen and Zhen He
Agronomy 2024, 14(11), 2594; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112594 - 4 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1087
Abstract
Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV) and grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV) are prevalent viral diseases affecting viticulture, posing significant threats in grape-producing regions of China. Previous studies have emphasized the harmful effects of grape viruses on the grape industry all over the [...] Read more.
Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV) and grapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV) are prevalent viral diseases affecting viticulture, posing significant threats in grape-producing regions of China. Previous studies have emphasized the harmful effects of grape viruses on the grape industry all over the world. However, few reports have focused specifically on GINV. In wild grapevines, GINV infection frequently leads to grapevine fanleaf degeneration disease (GFDD). GINV often co-occurs with other grape viruses, exacerbating its harmful effects on the grapevine industry in China. In this study, we collected grapevine samples from Taizhou city, Jiangsu Province, where GINV infection was confirmed. Based on the GINV coat protein (CP) gene, we developed a high-throughput and high-sensitivity direct antigen-coated ELISA and Dot blot assay for field diagnosis of GINV CP in grape samples. The CP gene was cloned from GINV-infected grape samples, and the GINV CP was expressed using the pET30(a) vector. Specific polyclonal antiserum CPGINV was generated by immunizing rabbits with the purified protein, and its sensitivity was determined to be satisfactory. Leveraging the high accuracy and sensitivity of the CPGINV antiserum, we developed a rapid, precise, and scalable diagnostic method for GINV in the grapevine industry. The established ELISA and Dot blot assays successfully detected GINV-infected grapevine samples. The occurrence of GINV is relatively common in China, which poses a risk of transmission and threatens the healthy development of the grape industry. Therefore, this study prepared CPGINV antiserum and established an efficient, rapid, sensitive, accurate, and high-throughput diagnostic method, providing a foundational approach for the prevention and control of vitis viral diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Crop Protection and Agrobiotechnology)
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14 pages, 2891 KiB  
Article
Agave schidigera Transcriptome Reveals Stress-Responsive Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase Genes in Agave
by Xuxia Wang, Xiaoli Hu, Chen Lin, Qingqing Liu, Yubo Li, Dengxiang Du, Dietram Mkapa, Weiyi Zhang, Xing Huang and Kexian Yi
Agronomy 2024, 14(11), 2520; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112520 - 26 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1415
Abstract
Agave is a significant fiber crop in tropical regions, known for its high fiber strength. Lignin is closely associated with fiber strength, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) serves as the initial enzyme in biosynthesis of lignin. Hence, it is of considerable significance to study [...] Read more.
Agave is a significant fiber crop in tropical regions, known for its high fiber strength. Lignin is closely associated with fiber strength, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) serves as the initial enzyme in biosynthesis of lignin. Hence, it is of considerable significance to study the genes of PAL family to analyze the characteristics and mechanism of sisal fiber development. In this research, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis of Agave schidigera, a widely recognized ornamental plant in agave. Approximately 29.85 million clean reads were acquired through Illumina sequencing. In total, 116,602 transcripts including 72,160 unigenes were assembled, and 22.06~63.56% of those unigenes were annotated in public databases. Two, six, six and six PAL genes were successfully identified and cloned from A. schidigera, A. deserti, A. tequilana and A. H11648, respectively. After phylogenetic analysis, these genes were clustered into two branches. Genes AhPLA2a and AhPLA2c exhibited higher expression levels compared to other genes but had different expression patterns. Moreover, AhPLA2a and AhPLA2c were expressed at high levels under full-nutrient, nitrogen-free and phosphorus-free stresses. Most PAL genes were induced by Phytophthora nicotianae Breda, especially AhPAL1a, AhPAL1b, AhPAL2b and AhPAL2c. This research is the first work to present a de novo transcriptome dataset for A. schidigera, enriching its bioinformation of transcripts. The cloned PAL genes and the expression analyses will form the basis of future research on lignin biosynthesis, the relationship between lignin and fiber strength, and stress resistance in Agave species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Crop Protection and Agrobiotechnology)
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15 pages, 3757 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Analysis of Soybean Mosaic Virus Reveals Diverse Mechanisms in Parasite-Derived Resistance
by Na Yang, Yanglin Qiu, Yixin Shen, Kai Xu and Jinlong Yin
Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1457; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071457 - 5 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1354
Abstract
Plant viruses cause severe losses in agricultural production. Parasite-derived resistance (PDR) offers a promising avenue for developing disease-resistant varieties independent of resistance genes. However, for potyviruses with great agricultural importance, such as soybean mosaic virus (SMV), systematic research on viral genes that can [...] Read more.
Plant viruses cause severe losses in agricultural production. Parasite-derived resistance (PDR) offers a promising avenue for developing disease-resistant varieties independent of resistance genes. However, for potyviruses with great agricultural importance, such as soybean mosaic virus (SMV), systematic research on viral genes that can be used for PDR has not been conducted. In this study, we transiently expressed the untranslated region (UTR) or each protein-coding cistron of SMV in Nicotiana benthamiana to evaluate their potential role in conferring PDR. A viral suppressor of RNA silencing (VSR) was also applied to investigate the possible mechanisms of the PDR. The results showed that the transient overexpression of UTR and each cistron of SMV could inhibit SMV infection. The expression of VSR in N. benthamiana leaves could compromise UTR and most of the SMV cistron-mediated inhibition of SMV infection, indicating the involvement of RNA silencing in PDR. In comparison, the expression of VSR could not compromise the PDR conferred by coat protein (CP), P3N-PIPO, cylindrical inclusion (CI), and NIa-Pro, suggesting that these viral cistrons may play roles in PDR at the protein level. These results reveal diverse mechanisms in PDR conferred by different viral cistrons and provide potential gene candidates that can be used for transgenic approaches against SMV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Crop Protection and Agrobiotechnology)
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10 pages, 1558 KiB  
Brief Report
Identification and Molecular Characterization of a 16SrII-A Phytoplasma Associated with Cucumber Phyllody in China
by Youwei Xi, Mengdan Du, Yafei Tang, Xiaoman She, Guobing Lan, Lin Yu, Shanwen Ding, Zifu He and Zhenggang Li
Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1873; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081873 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1195
Abstract
Cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus) displaying symptoms of phyllody, sterility, and flower virescence were observed in fields located in the Dianbai district of Guangdong province, China. Total DNA was extracted from the symptomatic plants; this was followed by molecular detection using a [...] Read more.
Cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus) displaying symptoms of phyllody, sterility, and flower virescence were observed in fields located in the Dianbai district of Guangdong province, China. Total DNA was extracted from the symptomatic plants; this was followed by molecular detection using a set of universal phytoplasma primer pairs, R16mF2/mR1, P1/P7, and SecYF1(II)/SecYR1(II). This resulted in the PCR amplification of products corresponding to expected sizes of 1.4 kb, 1.8 kb and 1.7 kb, respectively. The 16S rDNA sequence obtained exhibited 100% similarity with the eggplant phyllody phytoplasma, the ‘Cleome rutidosperma’ witches’ broom phytoplasma, and the ‘Desmodium ovalifolium’ witches’ broom phytoplasma strain DeOWB, all of which belong to the 16SrII group. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the 16S rDNA gene and SecY gene sequences, confirmed the close affiliation of the detected phytoplasma isolate, tentatively designated as cucumber phyllody phytoplasma (CuPh) China isolate, with the 16SrII-A subgroup. Additionally, virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence revealed a pattern that was identical to that of the 16SrII-A subgroup. This is the first report of cucumber phyllody phytoplasma in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Crop Protection and Agrobiotechnology)
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