Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Horticulturae Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Developmental Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 October 2026 | Viewed by 8812

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Zhaohe Yuan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Interests: tree fruit and nut crops; pomegranate; developmental biology; flower and fruit development; germplasm; genetics and genomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Bo Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Shandong Academy of Grape, Jinan 250199, China
Interests: grape physiology; grape germplasm; developmental biology; environmental influences on development; adaptation and evolutionary aspects; biotic and abiotic stress responses
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yujie Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
Interests: tree fruit; flower and fruit development; reproductive biology; genomics; transcriptomics and proteomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the tremendous success of the first edition of the Special Issue ‘Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops’ (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/horticulturae/special_issues/2YE02K1N11), a second edition is being launched.

Developmental biology is a field of biological science that explores the processes through which organisms grow, develop, and ultimately mature. In the context of tree fruit and nut crops, developmental biology investigates the intricate mechanisms governing the growth, differentiation, and reproduction of these plants. Understanding the developmental processes in tree fruit and nut crops is crucial for improving crop yield, quality, and resistance to various environmental stressors, pests, and diseases. This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research on developmental biology in tree fruit and nut crops, providing a platform for researchers to disseminate their findings and foster collaboration within the scientific community.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

Genetic regulation of fruit and nut development: Investigating the genetic factors and regulatory networks controlling the development of fruits and nuts in trees.
Molecular mechanisms of seed and fruit development: Exploring the molecular processes involved in seed development, fruit ripening, and maturation in tree crops.
Environmental influences on development: Studying the impact of environmental factors such as temperature, light, and water availability on the developmental processes of tree fruit and nut crops.
Nutrient and hormonal regulation: Analyzing the role of nutrients and hormones in shaping the growth and development of fruits and nuts in trees.
Reproductive biology: Examining the reproductive structures, mechanisms of pollination, and fertilization in tree fruit and nut crops.
Adaptation and evolutionary aspects: Investigating the evolutionary history and adaptive traits related to developmental biology in tree fruit and nut species.
Biotic and abiotic stress responses: Understanding how tree fruit and nut crops respond to biotic stresses such as pests and diseases, as well as abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, and climate change.
Biotechnological advances in developmental biology: Highlighting innovative biotechnological approaches and tools used in the study and manipulation of developmental processes in tree fruit and nut crops.

Submission Guidelines:

Researchers are encouraged to submit original research articles and reviews that contribute significantly to the understanding of developmental biology in tree fruit and nut crops. All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer review process to ensure the highest scientific quality and relevance to the theme of the Special Issue.

We invite researchers, academicians, and practitioners to contribute to this Special Issue and share their valuable insights, discoveries, and innovations in the field of developmental biology in tree fruit and nut crops. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, this Special Issue aims to advance our knowledge and contribute to the sustainable development of tree fruit and nut crop industries worldwide.

Prof. Dr. Zhaohe Yuan
Prof. Dr. Bo Li
Dr. Yujie Zhao
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Horticulturae 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 2200 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

developmental biology
tree fruit crops
nut crops
genetic regulation
molecular mechanisms
seed and fruit development
flower development
environmental influences on development
nutrient and hormonal regulation
reproductive biology
adaptation and evolutionary aspects
biotic and abiotic stress responses
biotechnology
genetics
genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

24 pages, 7577 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Genomics and Co-Expression Profiling of MADS-Box Genes Reveal Conserved Candidate Regulators of Secondary Cell Wall Formation in Lignified Endocarp and Seed Coat Across Four Angiosperm Species

by Jing Sun, Zekun Zhou, Zhixin Wang, Funing Wei, Fanqing Meng, Mengyun Wen, Xueliang Xi, Aizhong Liu and Anmin Yu

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050626 - 19 May 2026

Viewed by 278

Abstract

Fruit endocarp and seed coat are essential protective structures that influence key agronomic and mechanical traits in species with lignified protective tissues, yet their regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the MADS-box gene family in four angiosperm species: Juglans sigillata, Carya illinoinensis, Macadamia integrifolia, and Ricinus communis. A total of 58, 55, 57, and 57 MADS-box genes were identified, respectively, and systematically characterized through phylogenetic, structural, and evolutionary analyses. Comparative results revealed that MIKCc-type genes are highly conserved and primarily expanded via segmental duplication under strong purifying selection. Co-expression network analysis identified MADS-box genes as high-connectivity hub candidates that are strongly associated with genes involved in tissue specification, hormone signaling, and secondary cell wall biosynthesis. Promoters analysis indicated that these genes contain diverse cis-regulatory elements; however, these results are based on sequence prediction and do not demonstrate functional regulatory interactions. Across species, MADS-box genes exhibited analogous temporal expression dynamics during lignified endocarp and seed coat development, consistent with a potentially conserved transcriptional framework. Collectively, this study provides new insights into the evolutionary diversification and putative functions of MADS-box genes, and proposes a putative hierarchical regulatory framework for lignified endocarp and seed coat development. These findings supply valuable candidate target genes for future molecular breeding aimed at improving shell thickness, hardness, and related agronomic traits in woody nut and oilseed species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1351 KB

Open AccessArticle

Interactive Effects of Culture System and Carbon Source on Mineral Nutrition, Growth, and Shoot Proliferation in Chestnut Micropropagation

by Burak Akyüz, İbrahim Halil Hatipoğlu, Salih Demirkaya, Abdurrahman Ay and Ayşe Akyüz

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 582; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050582 - 8 May 2026

Viewed by 847

Abstract

This study investigated the interactive effects of the culture system and carbon source on growth, shoot proliferation, and mineral nutrition dynamics in the in vitro propagation of chestnut. Explants of the ‘Akyüz’ cultivar were used in the Woody Plant Medium. Both plant tissues and culture media were analyzed for Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Mg concentrations. Morphological parameters, nutrient accumulation, and depletion patterns were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the liquid culture system supplemented with sucrose significantly enhanced plant growth, chlorophyll content, callus development, and shoot multiplication. Sucrose treatments promoted higher accumulation of Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mg in plant tissues, whereas glucose treatments resulted in significantly higher Mn accumulation. Correlation and principal component analysis revealed strong positive relationships between growth parameters and Fe, Mg, Cu, and Zn, whereas Mn exhibited significant negative correlations. Among the machine learning models, Support Vector Regression showed the highest predictive performance for plant length (R² = 0.74) and SPAD (R² = 0.87). Nutrient depletion analysis showed substantial reductions in mineral concentrations in all treatments after four weeks. Overall, the combination of liquid culture systems with sucrose provides optimal conditions for chestnut micropropagation by promoting favorable nutrient interactions and minimizing antagonistic effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 12356 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Analysis of B-Box (BBX) Gene Family in Red Walnut (Juglans regia L.) and JrBBX3 Function in Relation to Anthocyanin Biosynthesis

by Junru Chen, Manyao Guo, Susu Tie, Xiaobei Wang, Haipeng Zhang, Xiaodong Lian, Nan Hou, Jiancan Feng, Lei Wang and Bin Tan

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050510 - 22 Apr 2026

Viewed by 839

Abstract

Walnut is an important nut with a rich nutritional profile and associated health benefits for the human body. B-box (BBX) proteins containing one or two BBX motifs play pivotal roles in plant growth and developmental processes; nevertheless, the functions of JrBBXs in walnut anthocyanin biosynthesis remain inadequately understood. In this study, 39 JrBBXs in red walnut ‘RW-1’ were identified, with phylogenetic analysis suggesting that they were divided into six classes based on the distribution of conserved domains and unevenly distributed on 14 chromosomes. Promoter analysis demonstrated that JrBBX promoters possessed an abundance of light responsiveness elements, ABA responsiveness elements, MYB binding sites and MYC binding sites. The transcriptome analysis results demonstrated that eight JrBBXs were differently expressed in normal green walnut ‘Zhonglin 1’ and red walnut ‘RW-1’ seed coats. Furthermore, qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) analysis showed that JrBBX3 exhibited lower expression during seed coat development in ‘RW-1’. Y1H (Yeast One-Hybrid) and LUC (dual-luciferase reporter) assays revealed that JrBBX3 directly inhibited the expression of JrUFGT5, considered a key anthocyanin biosynthesis structural gene in research. Subcellular localization analysis indicated both cytoplasmic and nuclear localization of JrBBX3. Transient overexpression of JrBBX3 in walnut leaves resulted in reduced JrUFGT5 expression and anthocyanin accumulation. Collectively, these findings revealed the negative regulation of JrBBX3 in red walnut anthocyanin biosynthesis, and provided a basis to further study the anthocyanin biosynthesis mechanism of red walnut. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 6046 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome of lncRNAs and mRNAs and Their Network Profile in Relation to Phenotypic Variation in Grafted Peach–Apricot Chimeras

by Jiajia Chen, Bingxin Fan, Xiaokui Hou, Shixing Wang, Zhaokun Zhi, Huafeng Yue, Shulin Zhang, Gaopu Zhu and Mengmeng Zhang

Horticulturae 2026, 12(3), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12030345 - 12 Mar 2026

Viewed by 474

Abstract

Grafted plants carrying DNA from both species are prone to new phenotypes. Specific long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) sequences are known to play roles in the formation and development of grafted plants. However, the roles of lncRNAs in phenotypic variation in grafts between peach and apricot remain unexplored. In this study, mixed tissues (leaves, buds and fully bloomed flowers) of peach branches from heterografts between apricot/peach (A/P) and peach/apricot (P/A) and homografted peach (SP) were collected for transcriptome sequencing. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) between A/P and P/A were identified as candidates mediating the formation of divergent traits. Compared with SP, 1115 and 624 DEGs were detected in A/P and P/A, respectively. There were 173 DEGs shared between A/P and P/A, whereas the transcripts of 942 genes were specifically altered in A/P and 451 DEGs were specific to P/A. There were 29 DElncRNAs in A/P and 26 DElncRNAs in P/A, of which, 21 DElncRNAs were specific to A/P and 18 were specific to P/A. The biological functions of the DEGs and DElncRNAs were predicted via GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. A total of 24 co-expressed ‘lncRNA-mRNA’ pairs were identified, including 14 ‘lncRNA-mRNA’ pairs in A/P and 10 ‘lncRNA-mRNA’ pairs in P/A. The ‘MSTRG.17020.2-XM_007210198-2’ pair potentially participates in aminoacyl biosynthesis, and the ‘MSTRG.8395.1-XM_007217967.2’ pair may regulate galactose metabolism. The lncRNA MSTRG.6365.3 may regulate defense response through altering the levels of XM_020556240.1 and XM_020556234.1. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying grafting-induced differential trait formation and establish a foundation for further research on the functional roles of ‘lncRNA-mRNA’ pairs in fruit tree grafting systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 5922 KB

Open AccessArticle

Expression Characteristics and Functional Analysis of Prunus persica Gene PpNAC036

by Yuchen Huo, Xinmiao Li, Chengyu Yan, Dajiang Wang, Hongxia Wang, Jingjing Geng, Xiuhong An, Haijiang Chen and Yi Tian

Horticulturae 2026, 12(2), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12020247 - 19 Feb 2026

Viewed by 581

Abstract

Peach trees exhibit vigorous growth that is often difficult to manage, frequently leading to canopy closure and the outward migration of fruiting positions, which ultimately results in diminished yield and fruit quality. Therefore, it is of great importance to study the key genes regulating peach tree vigor. Preliminary experiments identified PpNAC036 as a candidate gene potentially associated with vigor. In this study, we characterized the expression profile of PpNAC036 across various peach tissues. Our results demonstrate that PpNAC036 is most highly expressed in stems and responds rapidly to hormonal treatments, with expression levels increasing 3.6-fold and 3.9-fold under IAA and NPA treatments, respectively (5 min to 1 h). Subsequently, the PpNAC036 gene was cloned and overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. Compared to the wild type, transgenic Arabidopsis exhibited a 28–50% reduction in primary root length and a 31.6–36.8% decrease in hypocotyl length. Conversely, at maturity, the transgenic Arabidopsis displayed enhanced vegetative vigor, with fresh and dry weights increasing by 37–48% and 29–46%, respectively. This growth was accompanied by a nearly two-fold increase in stem diameter and a 1.5- to 2-fold elevation in lignin content; simultaneously, genes related to lignin biosynthesis were upregulated. Hormonal profiling revealed that PpNAC036 overexpression led to a 7-fold increase in IAA, a 22–60% rise in GAs, and a 97–106% increase in CTKs, whereas ABA levels decreased by 5–6%. Furthermore, the transgenic Arabidopsis exhibited delayed germination and flowering, along with alterations in the number of floral organs. Transcriptomic analysis identified 2797 common DEGs, which were enriched in pathways related to cell wall organization and hormone signaling. Collectively, these findings elucidate the function of PpNAC036 as a pivotal regulator of plant vigor and secondary cell wall development, positioning it as a promising candidate gene for molecular breeding and architectural optimization in peach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4710 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Analysis of Transcriptome and Metabolome Provides Insights into Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis of Blueberry Leaves in Response to Low-Temperature Stress

by Sijin Jia, Yuanjing Li, Xinghua Feng, Yan Song, Yanyu Liu, Jiayao An, Mingzheng Wen, Chunyu Zhang and Lianxia Zhou

Horticulturae 2025, 11(12), 1495; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11121495 - 10 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 901

Abstract

The phenylpropanoid compounds are crucial secondary metabolites for blueberry plants. Low temperatures induce the expression of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis genes and regulate the accumulation of phenylpropanoid metabolites. However, the molecular mechanisms of blueberry leaves in response to low-temperature stress are unknown. To explore the molecular mechanisms of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis under low-temperature stress, the 6-month-old blueberry plants were cultured at 10 °C for 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. The total of 16,388 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 303 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified by transcriptome deep sequencing (RNA-seq) and ultra-high performance liquid mass spectrometry, respectively. The most enriched low-temperature-responsive genes are mainly involved in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway and the main low-temperature-responsive metabolites come from the phenylpropanoid superclass based on transcriptome and metabolome data, respectively. CBF2 plays essential roles in the ICE-CBF-COR regulatory pathway, and transcription factors (TFs) ERF109, MYB14, WRKY40, HSP30, MPSR1, ZHD4, MADS3, and MADS27 might be responsible for blueberry leaf low-temperature tolerance. The MYB TFs from group 5, group 6, and group AtMYB5 may regulate the accumulation of phenylpropanoid metabolites by regulating expression of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis genes. These findings uncover possible molecular mechanisms of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis during low-temperature stress and provide a basis for future studies and crop improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4138 KB

Open AccessArticle

Clonal Micropropagation of Promising Genotypes of Amygdalus communis L. for Population Restoration and Gene Pool Conservation

by Timur Turdiyev, Kumissay Duisenova, Irina Kovalchuk, Aigul Madenova, Saule Baizhumanova, Kamila Yemesheva, Natalya Mikhailenko and Zakir Tuigunov

Horticulturae 2025, 11(9), 999; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11090999 - 22 Aug 2025

Viewed by 1103

Abstract

The southern region of Kazakhstan represents the northernmost boundary of the natural habitat of five wild almond species, among which Amygdalus communis L. is of particular interest due to a range of favorable traits for use in breeding programs and cultivation in the region. The current distribution range of common almond growth was clarified using GPS to determine precise coordinates, and a schematic map was developed. Monitoring revealed a significant reduction in population size. In the surveyed areas, 54 trees were selected and described. Seed material was collected from 34 genotypes and characterized according to a descriptor. Genotypes A3, A8, and A15 were identified as having favorable trait combinations. To restore populations and preserve the gene pool of Amygdalus communis L., a method of clonal micropropagation was employed. The composition of the nutrient medium was optimized for establishment, multiplication, and rhizogenesis. It was determined that Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium without phytohormones is effective for in vitro establishment (70% regeneration rate). For multiplication, MS medium with 0.5 mg/L BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) was used (with a multiplication rate of 3.5 per explant). For rhizogenesis, MS medium with 0.5 mg/L BAP, 0.02 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA), and 0.1 mg/L IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) was used. A total of 340 clonal Amygdalus communis L. plants with closed root systems were grown for field collection. The research results can be applied for the restoration, propagation, and conservation of populations both in vitro and in situ, as well as for the inclusion of selected high-performing genotypes in breeding programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 3152 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Potential Mechanism of Regulating Fruit Shape of ‘Laiyang Cili’ Pear with Calyx Excision Treatment

by Huijun Jiao, Yaojun Chang, Qiming Chen, Chaoran Xu, Qiuzhu Guan and Shuwei Wei

Horticulturae 2025, 11(8), 939; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11080939 - 8 Aug 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1216

Abstract

Fruit shape is an important quality and yield trait of pear, and the fruit shape of ‘Laiyang Cili’ presents a spindle shape which seriously affects its commercial value. Calyx excision treatment could change the fruit shape, while the underlying genes and their regulatory mechanism remain poorly understood. In this study, we constructed RNA-seq libraries of pear treated with calyx excision to explore underlying regulatory mechanisms. At the early stage of the calyx excision treatment, the numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between each comparison group were relatively high and gradually decreased along with fruit development. The expression pattern of the DEGs ranked in the top 30 of the six groups had obvious divergence, and DEGs were mainly distributed in the “after calyx excision treatment (0 days)” (AC0d) and AC2d groups. The DEGs were mainly enriched in plant hormone signal transduction and plant defense response. We identified 17 candidate genes related to fruit shape and tested their expression patterns along with fruit development. Among them, nine candidate genes expression trends were consistent with fragments per kilobase of exon model per million mapped fragment (FPKM) values, including MYB62, outer envelope pore protein 62 (OEP62), auxin response factor 3 (ARF3), auxin-responsive protein 50 (SAUR50), protein phosphatase 2C 51 (PP2C 51), major allergen Pyr c 1 (PYRC1), aquaporin TIP1-3 (TIP1-3), transcription factor TGA4 (TGA4) and auxin-responsive protein 17 (IAA17). And then, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) analysis revealed that the OVATE family protein (OFP) and SUN domain-containing protein (SUN) were divided into the MEblue model, which had a positive correlation with calyx excision treatment, and the expression trend of LOC103960706 (OFP8) appeared cohesive with FPKM values. Pbr014104.1 and Pbr016952.1, which were the ortholog genes of LOC103960706, were further identified from the pear genome, and were found to be highly expressed in pear fruit through RT-PCR analysis. Taken together, the key stage determining the development of fruit shape was in the early stage after calyx excision treatment, and fruit shape regulation and development were co-regulated by multiple genes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 27138 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Genome-Wide Characterization of the GRAS Gene Family and Their Role in Salt Stress Tolerance in Punica granatum L.

by Jingyi Huang, Hongfang Ren, Fan Cheng, Yingfen Teng, Xueqing Zhao and Zhaohe Yuan

Horticulturae 2025, 11(5), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11050504 - 7 May 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1506

Abstract

The GRAS gene family is broadly distributed in plants and plays key regulatory roles in development, signal transduction, and the adaptation to adverse environments. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)—a high-value fruit tree with ecological, economic, health, and ornamental importance—exhibits notable salt tolerance. While GRAS genes have been characterized in various species, their functional roles in pomegranate remain underexplored. In this study, 54 GRAS genes (PgGRAS) were identified in the pomegranate genome and were found to be unevenly distributed across eight chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis grouped these genes into eight subfamilies, revealing highly similar conserved motifs, functional domains, and gene structures within each group. Notably, the DELLA subfamily is distinguished by a unique DELLA domain. Our findings indicate that the expansion of GRAS genes in pomegranate may be linked to fragment duplication events, and many PgGRAS genes contain both phytohormone- and stress-responsive cis-elements. Under 200 mM NaCl treatment, the expression of two DELLA genes was markedly upregulated. Therefore, PgGRAS24 was selected as a candidate gene for stable expression in Arabidopsis to further verify the role of DELLA family members in plant salt tolerance. Overall, this study provides new insights into the molecular functions of the GRAS gene family in pomegranate, gives insights into their role in salt stress tolerance, and lays a theoretical foundation for developing salt-tolerant pomegranate varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops—2nd Edition

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI