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22 pages, 38386 KB

Open AccessArticle

Localization and Functional Analysis of CtLTP8, an Extracellular Vesicle Protein That Enhances Resistance to Botrytis cinerea in Safflower

by Kang Ma, Yongmei Luo, Kangjun Fan, Xiaoyan Wang, Jiao Liu, Rui Qin, Zhaojun Wei and Hong Liu

Plants 2026, 15(10), 1527; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15101527 - 16 May 2026

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Abstract

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an economically important crop, yet its production is severely threatened by fungal diseases including Botrytis cinerea. The molecular mechanism underlying disease resistance in safflower remains largely unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), as vital carriers for cross-kingdom communication [...] Read more.

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an economically important crop, yet its production is severely threatened by fungal diseases including Botrytis cinerea. The molecular mechanism underlying disease resistance in safflower remains largely unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), as vital carriers for cross-kingdom communication and transport, play crucial roles in plant antifungal defense. Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs), members of the pathogenesis-related protein 14 family, have also been shown to be key players in plant disease resistance. The promising resistance-related candidate gene CtLTP8 was previously identified via genome-wide association study (GWAS). In this study, a genome-wide analysis of the LTP gene family in safflower was performed. EVs were isolated from the apoplastic washing fluid of B. cinerea-infected safflower leaves, and proteomic analysis was performed. Numerous proteins associated with disease resistance, including CtLTP8, were detected by proteomic profiling. CtLTP8 was found to be present in EVs through molecular biological experiments. Moreover, stable overexpression of CtLTP8 in safflower significantly increased resistance to B. cinerea. In summary, this study characterized the disease resistance-related proteome of safflower EVs, and verified the presence of CtLTP8 in EVs and its antifungal function, providing valuable gene resources and theoretical support for safflower disease-resistance breeding and research on EV-mediated plant immune mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 3847 KB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Characterization of Maize ZmMTP1-1 and ZmMTP1-2 Reveals Their Roles in Cd Tolerance

by Wenyu Li, Jialun Zhu, Yanrui Liu, Jing Ma, Yingqi Qu, Wei Yang, Chengbo Zhang, Cong Li, Yanye Ruan, Xingxing Dong, Shuang Yang, Sidra, Yijun Tang, Xiaomei Dong and Jinjuan Fan

Plants 2026, 15(6), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15060941 - 19 Mar 2026

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Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) contamination severely threatens crop productivity and food safety, particularly in maize (Zea mays L.), which exhibits relatively high capacities for metal uptake and translocation. Metal tolerance proteins (MTPs) play essential roles in metal homeostasis and detoxification; however, the functions of [...] Read more.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination severely threatens crop productivity and food safety, particularly in maize (Zea mays L.), which exhibits relatively high capacities for metal uptake and translocation. Metal tolerance proteins (MTPs) play essential roles in metal homeostasis and detoxification; however, the functions of maize MTP under Cd stress remain poorly understood. In this study, a comprehensive expression analysis of the maize MTP gene family revealed that two Zn-CDF members, ZmMTP1-1 and ZmMTP1-2, displayed the strongest and most consistent transcriptional induction in response to Cd stress, especially in roots. Phylogenetic and structural analyses confirmed that both genes are closely related to MTP1 homologs from other plant species, while exhibiting distinct gene structures and regulatory features. Functional characterization in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana demonstrated that overexpression of ZmMTP1-1 or ZmMTP1-2 significantly enhanced tolerance to Cd and Zn stress, as reflected by improved seed germination, root growth, survival, and biomass accumulation. Enhanced metal tolerance was associated with elevated antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced oxidative damage, and coordinated upregulation of endogenous metal transporter genes. Moreover, heterologous expression of ZmMTP1-1 in yeast further supported its conserved role in Cd tolerance. Collectively, these findings indicate that ZmMTP1-1 and ZmMTP1-2 contribute to Cd detoxification through coordinated metal transport and stress-response pathways, providing potential genetic resources for improving heavy metal tolerance in maize. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 2036 KB

Open AccessArticle

Seed Priming with Magnesium Nitrate Improves Mineral Nutrition and Early Growth of Bambara Groundnut Under Salinity Stress

by Siyabonga Ntshalintshali, Mbukeni Andrew Nkomo and Lungelo Given Buthelezi

Plants 2026, 15(4), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040626 - 16 Feb 2026

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Abstract

Seed priming studies commonly emphasize growth and physiological responses, yet ionomic regulation and tissue-specific nutrient allocation under salinity stress remain poorly explored, particularly in underutilized crops such as Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.). This study investigated whether Mg(NO₃)₂ seed [...] Read more.

Seed priming studies commonly emphasize growth and physiological responses, yet ionomic regulation and tissue-specific nutrient allocation under salinity stress remain poorly explored, particularly in underutilized crops such as Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.). This study investigated whether Mg(NO₃)₂ seed priming, previously shown to enhance salt tolerance, is associated with consistent ionomic patterns in contrasting Bambara groundnut genotypes (BGN-14 and BGN-25). Seeds were primed with 0.03% Mg(NO₃)₂ and grown under control or saline conditions (200 mM NaCl) for five weeks. Shoot and root tissues were analyzed for macro- and micronutrient composition using ICP-OES. In BGN-14, salinity caused a marked reduction in shoot fresh weight (−49.5%, p < 0.05), whereas Mg(NO₃)₂ priming largely mitigated this effect under salinity (−0.4%, p > 0.05). Root fresh weight declined numerically under salt stress (−70.1%) and primed + salt conditions (−45.5%), but these changes were not statistically significant. Shoot dry weight increased significantly in primed plants (+83.5%, p < 0.05), while salinity reduced SDW (−58.4%); primed + salt plants maintained SDW near control levels (+2.6%). In BGN-25, root biomass was unaffected by treatments, whereas salinity significantly reduced shoot biomass relative to primed plants, with a consistent trend of primed > control > primed + salt > salt. Salinity increased the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, particularly in roots. In BGN-14, the root Na⁺/K⁺ ratio increased significantly from 1.07 to 4.49 (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced Na⁺ accumulation, while shoot ratios increased non-significantly. BGN-25 showed a more moderate increase in shoot ratios and a pronounced rise in root ratios. Principal component analysis revealed distinct nutrient clustering, with Na, Fe, and Al loading strongly under salinity, while Ca, K, Mg, and Cu aligned with improved physiological performance. Although differences between salt and primed + salt treatments were often not statistically significant, several ion ratios and nutrient relationships were numerically enhanced under Mg(NO₃)₂ priming. This study builds upon earlier physiological findings (where BGN-14 consistently exhibited a stronger positive response to Mg(NO₃)₂ priming, outperforming BGN-25 under salt stress) and provides exploratory, hypothesis-generating evidence that Mg(NO₃)₂ priming may contribute to salinity tolerance through coordinated ionomic adjustments, including altered Na⁺ allocation and improved nutrient balance, rather than complete Na⁺ exclusion. These findings highlight the relevance of ionomic responses in understanding stress adaptation in underutilized legume crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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26 pages, 2943 KB

Open AccessArticle

Proteomic Analysis of Lotus-Derived NnAP2 Regulation of Soluble Sugar and Starch Content in Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

by Yuanrong Pan, Zhongyuan Lin, Lirong Xiang, Rebecca Njeri Damaris, Xiangying Wei and Dingding Cao

Plants 2026, 15(4), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040566 - 11 Feb 2026

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Abstract

The starch content of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) rhizomes is a key determinant of their taste and overall quality. In our previous work, a candidate transcription factor, NnAP2, was identified and its coding-region single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly associated with rhizome [...] Read more.

The starch content of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) rhizomes is a key determinant of their taste and overall quality. In our previous work, a candidate transcription factor, NnAP2, was identified and its coding-region single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly associated with rhizome enlargement and carbohydrate-related traits. Owing to limitations in stable genetic transformation systems in lotus, potato (Solanum tuberosum) was employed as a heterologous model to investigate the regulatory role of NnAP2 in starch and soluble sugar metabolism. Overexpression of two allelic variants of the NnAP2 transcription factor (CC and TT) in potato resulted in pronounced differences between CC- and TT-overexpressing lines (NnAP2^CC-OE and NnAP2^TT-OE) in microtuber carbohydrate composition and proteome dynamics, accompanied by divergence in transgene copy number and substantial variation in transgene expression levels among independent lines. Six months after planting transgenic lines NnAP2^CC-OE and NnAP2^TT-OE, the NnAP2^CC-OE micro-tubers exhibited significantly higher starch content and lower soluble sugar levels compared with NnAP2^TT-OE. To uncover the underlying molecular basis, profiling of proteoforms was conducted on leaves, stems and tubers of both genotypes through a label-free proteomic strategy. A total of 51,299 peptides matched to 7292 proteins. Principal component analysis demonstrated clear separation of treatment groups, indicating robust differential accumulation of proteoforms. In total, 1715 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified across tissues (fold change ≥ 1.5 or ≤0.67, p < 0.05), of which 1516 (88.4%) were tissue-specific. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that in leaves, DEPs were enriched for amino sugar metabolism, protein transporter activity and cell-wall macromolecule modification; in stems, enrichment included response to biotic stimulus, defense response and transporter activity; in tubers, DEPs were strongly enriched for carbohydrate metabolic processes, starch and sucrose metabolism, the TCA cycle and nucleotide sugar biosynthesis. Key starch-biosynthetic enzymes (e.g., ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, UDP-glucose-4-epimerase) were up-regulated in NnAP2^CC-OE tubers relative to NnAP2^TT-OE, while soluble sugar synthesis pathways (e.g., trehalose-6-phosphate synthase) were down-regulated. Together, these data suggest that elevated NnAP2^CC expression in transgenic potato is associated with allele-dependent shifts in central carbon allocation between starch and soluble sugar pathways, as revealed by comparative analyses between NnAP2^CC-OE and NnAP2^TT-OE. This study provides a comprehensive proteoform framework for allelic variation in an AP2 transcription factor involved in source–sink carbon partitioning and tuber starch accumulation in potato. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 499 KB

Open AccessArticle

Chitosan Acts as a Sustainable Strategy for Integrated Management of Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in Cherry Tomato

by Carolina González-Cardona, Juan Camilo Orrego-Cardona, Alejandro Ospina-Gutiérrez, Claudia Nohemy Montoya-Estrada, Jairo Eduardo Leguizamón-Caycedo, Mauricio Soto-Suárez, Alejandro Hurtado-Salazar and Nelson Ceballos-Aguirre

Plants 2026, 15(2), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15020256 - 14 Jan 2026

Viewed by 933

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp., RKN) penetrate the roots of plants, blocking the flow of water and nutrients, preventing plant development, and causing losses of up to 68% in production. Its management is limited by the low availability of genetically resistant materials, the [...] Read more.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp., RKN) penetrate the roots of plants, blocking the flow of water and nutrients, preventing plant development, and causing losses of up to 68% in production. Its management is limited by the low availability of genetically resistant materials, the inefficient use of biological controllers, and the high risk of environmental contamination from the application of pesticides. The aim of this study was to contribute to the integrated management of (RKN) through the use of chitosan. A completely randomized experimental design was used in a factorial arrangement with two applications (foliar or edaphic), two cherry tomato genotypes (IAC1687 and LA2076), and eight treatments (three concentrations of chitosan (1.5–2.0–2.5 mg/mL), commercial controls and absolute controls). The yield and nematode population components were evaluated. The cherry tomato (IAC1687) obtained the greatest yield, with 33.517.1 kg/ha and an 85% reduction in the nematode population with the application of 2.5 mg/mL of chitosan to the soil. Chitosan improved the yield components of the evaluated cultivars and reduced nematode populations, suggesting that it can be a sustainable alternative in commercial production systems, as it can help reduce the use of chemical pesticides and improve health and crop productivity. As a limitation of this study, the use of acetic acid as a solvent for chitosan potentially interfered with the results associated with the nematode population, increasing bias and imprecision as there was no blockage due to light, temperature, or irrigation. Therefore, we suggest that future research explores alternative solvents to elucidate the mechanism of action or response of chitosan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 3075 KB

Open AccessArticle

Knockout of the OsNAC113 Transcription Factor Causes High Salt Resistance in Rice

by Bo Wang, Xin Zhao, Qian Wang, Chao Xu, Xin Qi, Yinxia Zhu, Mingjie Lyu, Yong Wang, Chengbin Chen and Yong Zhang

Plants 2025, 14(23), 3673; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233673 - 2 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 961

Abstract

The plant NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factor family plays an important regulatory role in stress response. In this study, we analyzed the rice transcription factor OsNAC113 and elucidated its tissue-specific characteristics and stress response regulatory mechanisms. qRT-PCR results showed that under [...] Read more.

The plant NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factor family plays an important regulatory role in stress response. In this study, we analyzed the rice transcription factor OsNAC113 and elucidated its tissue-specific characteristics and stress response regulatory mechanisms. qRT-PCR results showed that under laboratory-simulated drought, high salt, temperature stress, and hormone treatments, such as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA₃), the expression level of OsNAC113 significantly changed, indicating that OsNAC113 responds to various stress conditions. Targeted creation of the rice (Oryza sativa L. spp. japonica) OsNAC113 (LOC_os08g10080.1) mutant based on the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing strategy revealed its response to salt stress (200 mM). The growth status and survival rate of the mutant under high-salt stress were significantly higher than those of the wild type. Testing showed that the mutant exhibited increased relative water, chlorophyll, and soluble sugar contents under salt stress than the wild type. The malondialdehyde content in the mutant was lower, and the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase were higher than those in the wild type, indicating that the mutant with functional loss caused by knocking out OsNAC113 had a significantly enhanced tolerance to salt treatment. Using RNA-seq to detect genome-wide changes in OsNAC113 mutant materials under stress, KEGG annotation showed that knocking out OsNAC113 resulted in regulatory changes in “plant hormone signaling pathway” and “MAPK signaling pathway,” and GO and KEGG annotations showed significant changes in “amino acid transport and metabolism,” “carbohydrate transport and metabolism,” “lipid transport and metabolism,” and “replication, recombination, and repair.” OsNAC113 may be involved in the response to salt stress by regulating these signaling pathways. Using comparative metabolomic analysis, we further elucidated the function of OsNAC113 in physiological metabolic pathways. The knockout of OsNAC113 resulted in changes in various important metabolic pathways in plants, including flavonoid biosynthesis and ABC transporters. Therefore, it is suggested that OsNAC113 is involved in these metabolic processes and affects their regulation in high-salt environments. These results provide a theoretical foundation and reliable material for the molecular breeding of rice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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20 pages, 7355 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating Chlorophyll Fluorescence with Anatomical and Physiological Analyses Reveals Interspecific Variation in Heat Tolerance Among Eight Rhododendron Taxa

by Wenfang Guo, Jiaxin Wei, Hao Yu, Yurui Wang, Jingli Zhang and Shusheng Wang

Plants 2025, 14(23), 3664; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233664 - 1 Dec 2025

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Abstract

To investigate interspecific variation in heat tolerance and underlying adaptation mechanisms in Rhododendron, three-year-old potted seedlings of eight taxa, representing four subgenera within the genus Rhododendron, were subjected to 40 °C high-temperature stress. Heat tolerance was comprehensively assessed using phenotypic observation, [...] Read more.

To investigate interspecific variation in heat tolerance and underlying adaptation mechanisms in Rhododendron, three-year-old potted seedlings of eight taxa, representing four subgenera within the genus Rhododendron, were subjected to 40 °C high-temperature stress. Heat tolerance was comprehensively assessed using phenotypic observation, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, microscopic examination, and physiological measurements. Results revealed that leaf damage in Rhododendron oldhamii and Rhododendron × pulchrum reached grade III, whereas Rhododendron latoucheae exhibited only grade II injury with rapid recovery. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis showed a significant decrease in the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) in R. liliiflorum and R. × pulchrum, followed by rapid recovery, while R. latoucheae maintained stable F_v/F_m values. Stomatal closure occurred in all taxa post-stress; stomatal characteristics of R. liliiflorum and R. simiarum remained stable, and leaf tissue structure was least affected in R. kiangsiense. R. × pulchrum demonstrated the most pronounced structural recovery. Physiologically, R. oldhamii exhibited the greatest increases in electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. R. simiarum accumulated the highest proline content under stress, while R. latoucheae showed the most significant proline reduction during recovery. By integrating multiple indicators through principal component analysis (PCA) and a membership function, and assigning weights based on variance contribution, the heat tolerance was comprehensively evaluated and ranked as follows: R. latoucheae > R. simiarum > R. oldhamii > R. ovatum > R. fortunei > R. liliiflorum > R. kiangsiense > R. × pulchrum. These findings demonstrate significant differences in heat tolerance among Rhododendron taxa at the subgenus level, with the subgenus Azaleastrum generally possessing stronger short-term heat tolerance compared to the subgenus Tsutsusi. This study provides a theoretical basis for heat-tolerant cultivar breeding and landscape application of Rhododendron. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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12 pages, 2030 KB

Open AccessArticle

WRKY61 Negatively Regulates Aluminum Resistance by Inhibiting the Expression of ALMT1 in Arabidopsis thaliana

by Aolin Ma, Jie Li, Siqi Liu, Zhixuan Du, Jianjun Zeng, Yonghong Xiao and Guanping Feng

Plants 2025, 14(21), 3286; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213286 - 27 Oct 2025

Viewed by 768

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major constraint on crop production in acidic soils. A key mechanism for aluminum resistance in many plants involves the ALMT1-mediated exudation of malate from the root system. This process hinges on the precise regulation of ALMT1 expression, which [...] Read more.

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major constraint on crop production in acidic soils. A key mechanism for aluminum resistance in many plants involves the ALMT1-mediated exudation of malate from the root system. This process hinges on the precise regulation of ALMT1 expression, which is therefore critical for plant tolerance to aluminum toxicity. In a screen for Arabidopsis mutants with altered aluminum resistance, we found that the loss-of-function mutant of the WRKY61 transcription factor exhibited significantly enhanced resistance to aluminum toxicity, indicating that WRKY61 is involved in the plant’s response to aluminum toxicity. Further research revealed that WRKY61 binds to the W-box in the ALMT1 promoter to repress its expression. Mutation of WRKY61 resulted in increased malate secretion from mutant roots, which chelated aluminum ions, leading to a significant reduction in aluminum content within the plant. This, in turn, significantly enhances malate secretion under aluminum toxicity, ultimately conferring heightened aluminum resistance. These results clearly indicate that WRKY61, as a transcriptional repressor of ALMT1, plays a negative regulatory role in plant resistance to aluminum toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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13 pages, 1333 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Rice Submergence Germination Through the Combination of RNA-Seq and Genome Resequencing Strategies

by Xin Wang, Feng Yu, Linfeng Feng, Mingdong Zhu and Pingfang Yang

Plants 2025, 14(19), 3033; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14193033 - 30 Sep 2025

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Abstract

Submergence during germination is a major barrier to the adoption of direct-seeded rice (DSR). Despite its importance in overcoming this barrier, the genetic architecture underlying the rapid coleoptile elongation under submergence remains largely elusive. Through screening among 20 different rice cultivars, a submergence-tolerant [...] Read more.

Submergence during germination is a major barrier to the adoption of direct-seeded rice (DSR). Despite its importance in overcoming this barrier, the genetic architecture underlying the rapid coleoptile elongation under submergence remains largely elusive. Through screening among 20 different rice cultivars, a submergence-tolerant cultivar Xian133 and a sensitive cultivar Chang15 were obtained. Comparative transcriptomics and whole-genome resequencing were conducted between these two cultivars. The results show that rapid germination under flooding is driven primarily by transcriptional reprogramming rather than by antagonistic gene regulation. Transcriptome-wide analyses revealed a significant enrichment of the amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism pathway in tolerant cultivar. This was further supported by the fact that promoter variants at the key loci OscPGM and OsAGPL1 modulate the expression of these genes and emerge as principal determinants of coleoptile elongation capacity under hypoxia. The identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these regulatory regions provide promising molecular targets for marker-assisted breeding of DSR cultivars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 6077 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Chalcone Synthase Genes and Their Responses to Salt and Cold Stress in Poncirus trifoliata

by Lijuan Jiang, Yu Sheng, Chengyang Song, Teng Liu, Shuangyu Sheng and Xiaoyong Xu

Plants 2025, 14(19), 3003; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14193003 - 28 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1234

Abstract

Chalcone Synthase (CHS) plays a vital role in flavonoid synthesis, influencing plant growth, development, and responses to both biotic and abiotic stress. In this study, 11 CHS genes were identified in Poncirus trifoliata using bioinformatics methods, with their distribution across five chromosomes and [...] Read more.

Chalcone Synthase (CHS) plays a vital role in flavonoid synthesis, influencing plant growth, development, and responses to both biotic and abiotic stress. In this study, 11 CHS genes were identified in Poncirus trifoliata using bioinformatics methods, with their distribution across five chromosomes and unassigned contigs. Each gene contains 2–3 exons and 3–8 conserved motifs. In silico prediction suggested that the PtrCHS proteins are localized in the cytoplasm. PtrCHS9 and PtrCHS11 share identical protein tertiary structures. Phylogenetic analysis classified the CHS family members into four subgroups. Synteny analysis revealed one set of collinear gene pairs within Poncirus trifoliata. Between Poncirus trifoliata and Arabidopsis thaliana, two sets of collinear gene pairs were identified, while one such set was found between Poncirus trifoliata and Oryza sativa. Promoter element analysis showed the presence of various hormone response and stress response elements within PtrCHS promoters. RNA-Seq data demonstrated tissue-specific expression patterns of PtrCHSs. RT-qPCR results indicated that all CHS genes, except PtrCHS11, respond to salt stress with dynamic, member-specific patterns. Additionally, four PtrCHSs (PtrCHS3, PtrCHS5, PtrCHS7, and PtrCHS10) were significantly upregulated in response to cold treatment. Notably, PtrCHS7 and PtrCHS10 maintained high expression levels at both 6 and 12 h, implying they may be key players in cold stress response in Poncirus trifoliata. Clones of PtrCHS7 and PtrCHS10 were obtained, and overexpression vectors were constructed in preparation for gene transformation. Overall, this study provides a solid foundation for future research into the functions of the PtrCHSs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 24657 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identification and Genetic Analysis of Downy Mildew Resistance in Intraspecific Hybrids of Vitis vinifera L.

by Xing Han, Yihan Li, Zhilei Wang, Zebin Li, Nanyang Li, Hua Li and Xinyao Duan

Plants 2025, 14(15), 2415; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152415 - 4 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1206

Abstract

Downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola is an important disease in grape production, particularly in the highly susceptible, widely cultivated Vitis vinifera L. Breeding for disease resistance is an effective solution, and V. vinifera intraspecific crosses can yield progeny with both disease resistance [...] Read more.

Downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola is an important disease in grape production, particularly in the highly susceptible, widely cultivated Vitis vinifera L. Breeding for disease resistance is an effective solution, and V. vinifera intraspecific crosses can yield progeny with both disease resistance and high quality. To assess the potential of intraspecific recurrent selection in V. vinifera (IRSV) in improving grapevine resistance to downy mildew and to analyze the pattern of disease resistance inheritance, the disease-resistant variety Ecolly was selected as one of the parents and crossed with Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan, and Dunkelfelder, respectively, creating three reciprocal combinations, resulting in 1657 hybrid F1 progenies. The primary results are as follows: (1) significant differences in disease resistance among grape varieties and, significant differences in disease resistance between different vintages of the same variety were found; (2) the leaf downy mildew resistance levels of F1 progeny of different hybrid combinations conformed to a skewed normal distribution and showed some maternal dominance; (3) the degree of leaf bulbous elevation was negatively correlated with the level of leaf downy mildew resistance, and the correlation coefficient with the level of field resistance was higher; (4) five progenies with higher levels of both field and in vitro disease resistance were obtained. Intraspecific hybridization can improve the disease resistance of offspring through super-parent genetic effects, and Ecolly can be used as breeding material for recurrent hybridization to obtain highly resistant varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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16 pages, 3080 KB

Open AccessArticle

Selenium Alleviates Cadmium Toxicity in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) by Reducing Accumulation, Enhancing Stress Resistance, and Promoting Growth

by Chen Cheng, Jianxiu Liu, Jiahui Liu, Zhiqiang Gao, Yang Yang, Bo Zhu, Fengxian Yao and Qing Ye

Plants 2025, 14(9), 1291; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14091291 - 24 Apr 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1552

Abstract

The enrichment of cadmium (Cd) is an important factor threatening crop growth and food safety. However, it is unclear whether exogenous selenium (Se) can simultaneously achieve Cd reduction and promote the growth of peppers. This study used Yuefeng 750 and Hongtianhu 101 as [...] Read more.

The enrichment of cadmium (Cd) is an important factor threatening crop growth and food safety. However, it is unclear whether exogenous selenium (Se) can simultaneously achieve Cd reduction and promote the growth of peppers. This study used Yuefeng 750 and Hongtianhu 101 as materials and investigated the interaction effects of different Se-Cd concentrations (Cd = 2 and 5 μM; Se = 0, 0.5, and 2 μM) on the uptake and transport of Cd and Se, resistance physiology, and growth and development of pepper seedlings in a hydroponic experiment. The organ Cd content was significantly increased in pepper seedlings, inhibiting their growth and aggravating their physiological stress under Cd application. However, the growth and photosynthetic capacity of peppers were promoted after Se application under Cd stress. The superoxide anion (O₂⁻), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), and abscisic acid (ABA) contents and indole-3-acetic acid oxidase (IAAO) activity in the leaves showed a significantly progressive decline, while the proline (Pro), ascorbic acid (ASA), and trans zeatin riboside (ZR) contents showed a significant rising trend. Thus, the growth, development, and dry matter accumulation of peppers were enhanced by reducing Cd stress. Meanwhile, the application of exogenous Se significantly improved the accumulation of Se in seedlings. In addition, compared to Hongtianhu 101, the Yuefeng 750 cultivars had a greater Cd and Se enrichment capacity. The cultivation of Cd-excluding cultivars combined with exogenous Se addition can be used as a recommended solution to reduce Cd toxicity and achieve Cd reduction and Se enrichment in peppers under Cd pollution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 4533 KB

Open AccessArticle

High-Quality Genome Assembly and Transcriptome of Rhododendron platypodum Provide Insights into Its Evolution and Heat Stress Response

by Zizhuo Wang, Kunrong Qin, Wentao Chen, Guanpeng Ma, Yu Zhan, Haoxiang Zhu and Haiyang Wang

Plants 2025, 14(8), 1233; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14081233 - 17 Apr 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1392

Abstract

R. platypodum (Rhododendron platypodum) is an endangered alpine species with a highly restricted distribution in the southwestern region of China, which possesses significant ornamental and horticultural value. In this study, the high-quality genome assembly of R. platypodum at the chromosomal level [...] Read more.

R. platypodum (Rhododendron platypodum) is an endangered alpine species with a highly restricted distribution in the southwestern region of China, which possesses significant ornamental and horticultural value. In this study, the high-quality genome assembly of R. platypodum at the chromosomal level is reported. The total genome size was determined to be 642.25 Mb, with a contig N50 of 25.64 Mb, and it contains 36,522 predicted genes. Comparative genomic analysis between R. platypodum and other species revealed the expansion of gene families, such as those related to transition metal ion binding and sodium ion transport, as well as the contraction of gene families involved in the recognition of pollen and pollen–pistil interaction. These findings might explain the adaptation of R. platypodum to rocky habitats and contribute to its endangered status. Furthermore, a heat stress experiment was conducted on R. platypodum, followed by transcriptome sequencing and physiological co-analysis to construct a co-expression network. This analysis identified the candidate gene TAR1-A and other transcription factors exhibiting differential expression under heat stress. The whole-genome sequencing, transcriptome analysis, and physiological co-analysis of R. platypodum provide valuable resources for its conservation and offer insights into its mechanisms of heat stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic and Biotic Stress of the Crops and Horticultural Plants, 2nd Edition)

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