Search Results (43)

Solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy using cross-polarization magic-angle spinning is a highly valuable technique for the semi-quantitative analysis of complex solid matrices. One of its key advantages is that it does not require any manipulation of the matrix, such as extractions or other treatments, which is particularly important for preserving the integrity of unstable secondary metabolites. Glucosinolates (β-thioglucoside-N-hydrosulphates) are crucial secondary metabolites specific to Brassica species, and many of them are known to be highly unstable. In this study, we evaluated solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as an alternative method for the identification and quantification of total glucosinolates in the seeds of Sisymbrium officinale, Brassica napus, Sinapis alba, Brassica nigra, and Moringa oleifera. The results obtained with this method showed good agreement with those from conventional chemical analyses of the seed material. Although, based on a limited number of samples, this preliminary study suggests that the proposed approach could be a useful alternative for quantifying total glucosinolate content in seeds. Full article

Parasitic nematodes, particularly those in the Rhabditidae family, are vital components of belowground ecosystems, contributing to pest regulation and sustainable agriculture. This study investigated the chemotactic responses of three nematode species—Phasmarhabditis papillosa, Oscheius myriophilus, and O. onirici—to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by Brassica nigra roots under herbivory by Delia radicum larvae. Using a chemotaxis assay, the effects of five VOCs (dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, allyl isothiocyanate, phenylethyl isothiocyanate, and benzonitrile) were tested at two concentrations (pure and 0.03 ppm) and two temperatures (18 °C and 22 °C). The results revealed that VOCs and temperature significantly influenced nematode responses, while nematode species and VOC concentration showed limited effects. Benzonitrile consistently demonstrated strong chemoattractant properties, particularly for O. myriophilus and O. onirici. Conversely, allyl isothiocyanate exhibited potent nematicidal effects, inhibiting motility and causing mortality. Dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl sulfide elicited moderate to strong attractant responses, with species- and temperature-dependent variations. Significant interactions between VOCs, temperature, and nematode species highlighted the complexity of these ecological interactions. These findings emphasize the ecological roles of VOCs in mediating nematode behavior and their potential applications in sustainable pest management. Benzonitrile emerged as a promising candidate for nematode-based biocontrol strategies, while allyl isothiocyanate showed potential as a direct nematicidal agent. The study underscores the importance of integrating chemical cues into pest management systems to enhance agricultural sustainability and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. Full article

Food security is threatened by global warming, which also affects agricultural output. Various components of cells perceive elevated temperatures. Different signaling pathways in plants distinguish between the two types of temperature increases, mild warm temperatures and extremely hot temperatures. Given the rising global temperatures, heat stress has become a major abiotic challenge, affecting the growth and development of various crops and significantly reducing productivity. Brassica napus, the second-largest source of vegetable oil worldwide, faces drastic reductions in seed yield and quality under heat stress. This review summarizes recent research on the genetic and physiological impact of heat stress in the Brassicaceae family, as well as in model plants Arabidopsis and rice. Several studies show that extreme temperature fluctuations during crucial growth stages negatively affect plants, leading to impaired growth and reduced seed production. The review discusses the mechanisms of heat stress adaptation and the key regulatory genes involved. It also explores the emerging understanding of epigenetic modifications during heat stress. While such studies are limited in B. napus, contrasting trends in gene expression have been observed across different species and cultivars, suggesting these genes play a complex role in heat stress tolerance. Key knowledge gaps are identified regarding the impact of heat stress during the growth stages of B. napus. In-depth studies of these stages are still needed. The profound understanding of heat stress response mechanisms in tissue-specific models are crucial in advancing our knowledge of thermo-tolerance regulation in B. napus and supporting future breeding efforts for heat-tolerant crops. Full article

Brassica oleracea is a complex species incorporating a great variety of vegetable types, including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, and others. Southern Italy, and especially the Puglia region, is rich in B. oleracea landraces. In this study, genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was applied to a germplasm panel of 82 samples, mostly landraces and some commercial varieties, belonging to various morphotypes of B. oleracea. Population structure (K = 2), principal component (PCA), and phylogenetic analyses resulted in a general subdivision of our samples into two large lineages: the types used for their leaves (LHL) and those consumed for their flower heads (AIL). Going deeper inside, the different morphotypes were mostly grouped into specific clusters, and a clear separation of particular landraces, such as the Mugnoli and Cima nera broccoli, was observed in the structure analysis (K = 7), as well as in the PCA and in the Neighbor-Joining tree. The calculation of the pairwise fixation index (F_ST, threshold > 0.50) between LHL and AIL types (based on population structure analysis at K = 2) provided 456 outlier single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Among the corresponding orthologs annotated in Arabidopsis, we identified several genes involved in flower/inflorescence development, cellular proliferation, etc. Overall, our investigation provides useful information on the knowledge of early domesticated landraces of B. oleracea and allows for the attribution of unknown material to the appropriate taxonomical ranking. The analysis of outlier SNPs has highlighted signatures of molecular divergence between LHL and AIL lineages. Full article

The Brassica oleracea L. species embrace important horticultural crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, which are highly valued for their beneficial nutritional effects. However, the complexity of flower emasculation in these species has forced breeders to adopt biotechnological approaches such as somatic hybridization to ease hybrid seed production. Protoplasts entail a versatile tool in plant biotechnology, supporting breeding strategies that involve genome editing and hybridization. This review discusses the use of somatic hybridization in B. oleracea L. as a biotechnological method for developing fusion products with desirable agronomic traits, particularly cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) condition. These CMS lines are critical for implementing a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable system for producing F1 hybrids. We present recent studies on CMS systems in B. oleracea L. crops, providing an overview of established models that explain the mechanisms of CMS and fertility restoration. Additionally, we emphasize key insights gained from protoplast fusion applied to B. oleracea L. breeding. Key steps including pre-treatments of donor plants, the main tissues used as sources of parental protoplasts, methods for obtaining somatic hybrids and cybrids, and the importance of establishing a reliable plant regeneration method are discussed. Finally, the review explores the incorporation of genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9, to introduce multiple agronomic traits in Brassica species. This combination of advanced biotechnological tools holds significant promise for enhancing B. oleracea breeding programs in the actual climate change context. Full article

Chinese cabbage, Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis is a crucial and extensively consumed vegetable in the world, especially Eastern Asia. The market demand for this leafy vegetable increases year by year, resulting in multiple challenges for agricultural researchers worldwide. Multi-omic approaches and the integration of functional genomics helps us understand the relationships between Chinese cabbage genomes and phenotypes under specific physiological and environmental conditions. However, challenges exist in integrating multi-omics for the functional analysis of genes and for developing potential traits for Chinese cabbage improvement. However, the panomics platform allows for the integration of complex omics, enhancing our understanding of molecular regulator networks in Chinese cabbage agricultural traits. In addition, the agronomic features of Chinese cabbage are significantly impacted by the environment. The expression of these agricultural features is tightly regulated by a combination of signals from both the internal regulatory network and the external growth environment. To comprehend the molecular process of these characteristics, it is necessary to have a prior understanding of molecular breeding for the objective of enhancing quality. While the use of various approaches in Chinese cabbage is still in its early stages, recent research has shown that it has the potential to uncover new regulators both rapidly and effectively, leading to updated regulatory networks. In addition, the utilization of the efficient transformation technique in conjunction with gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 will result in a reduction in time requirements and facilitate a more precise understanding of the role of the regulators. Numerous studies about Chinese cabbage have been conducted in the past two decades, but a comprehensive review about its genome still limited. This review provides a concise summary of the latest discoveries in genomic research related to Brassica and explores the potential future developments for this species. Full article

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is an important oilseed crop that provides essential vegetable oil but faces significant competition from weeds that are influenced by various agronomic practices and environmental conditions. This study examines the complex interactions between canola stand density and weed intensity over three growing seasons, identifying a total of 27 weed species. It is important to establish a connection between the density of winter canola stands, the intensity of weeding and the response of individual weed species in real conditions. The case study was executed on plots located in the Přerov district (Olomouc region, Czech Republic). The assessment was carried out during two periods—autumn in October and spring in April. Canola plants (plant density) were counted in each evaluated area, weed species were identified, and the number of plants for each weed species was determined. Half of the plots were covered with foil before herbicide application to prevent these areas from being treated with herbicides. We used redundancy analysis (RDA) to evaluate the relationships between canola density and weed dynamics, both with and without herbicide treatment. The results show the ability of canola to compete with weeds; however, that is factored by the density of the canola stand. In dense stands (over 60 plants/m²), canola is able to suppress Galium aparine L., Geranium pusillum L., Lamium purpureum L., Papaver rhoeas L. and Chamomilla suaveolens (Pursh) Rydb. Nevertheless, there are weed species that grow well even in dense canola stands (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv., Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steud., Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) Sch. Bip. and Triticum aestivum L.). These findings highlight the potential for using canola stand density as a strategic component of integrated weed management to reduce herbicide reliance and address the growing challenge of herbicide-resistant weed populations. This research contributes significantly to our understanding of the dynamics of weed competition in canola systems and informs sustainable agricultural practices for improved crop yield and environmental stewardship. Full article

Winter rapeseed (Brassica rapa) has a good chilling and freezing tolerance. inducer of CBF expression 1 (ICE1) plays a crucial role in cold signaling in plants; however, its role in Brassica rapa remains unclear. In this study, we identified 41 ICE1 homologous genes from six widely cultivated Brassica species. These genes exhibited high conservation, with evolutionary complexity between diploid and allotetraploid species. Cold stress induced ICE1 homolog expression, with differences between strongly and weakly cold-tolerant varieties. Two novel ICE1 paralogs, BrICE1 and BrICE2, were cloned from Brassica rapa Longyou 6. Subcellular localization assays showed that they localized to the nucleus, and low temperature did not affect their nuclear localization. The overexpression of BrICE1 and BrICE2 increased cold tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis and enhanced reactive oxygen species’ (ROS) scavenging ability. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that overexpression of BrICE1 and BrICE2 inhibited root growth in Arabidopsis, and low temperatures could induce the degradation of BrICE1 and BrICE2 via the 26S-proteasome pathway. In summary, ICE1 homologous genes exhibit complex evolutionary relationships in Brassica species and are involved in the C-repeat/DREB binding factor (CBF) pathway and ROS scavenging mechanism in response to cold stress; these regulating mechanisms might also be responsible for balancing the development and cold defense of Brassica rapa. Full article

The Brassicaceae family, commonly referred to as cruciferous plants, is globally cultivated and consumed, with the Brassica genus being particularly renowned for its functional components. These vegetables are rich sources of nutrients and health-promoting phytochemicals, garnering increased attention in recent years. This study presents a comprehensive microscopic, chromatographic, and spectroscopic characterization of Brassica napus L. seeds from Kazakhstan aimed at elucidating their morphological features and chemical composition. Microscopic analysis revealed distinct localization of flavonoids, total lipids, and alkaloids. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of seed extracts demonstrated a complex chemical profile with significant quantities of non-polar compounds in the hexane extracts. Additionally, methanolic extracts revealed the presence of diverse chemical compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and glucosinolates. The chemical composition exhibited varietal differences across different Brassica species, with B. napus L. seeds showing higher concentrations of bioactive compounds. Furthermore, liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF-MS) analysis provided insights into the chemical composition, with sinapine isomers, feruloyl, and sinapoyl choline derivatives as major compounds in the seeds. This study contributes to a better understanding of the chemical diversity and quality control methods’ approximations of B. napus L. seeds, highlighting their importance in functional food and nutraceutical applications. Full article

Plant glutamate receptor-like channels (GLRs) are homologs of animal ionotropic glutamate receptors. GLRs are critical in various plant biological functions, yet their genomic features and functions in disease resistance remain largely unknown in many crop species. Here, we report the results on a thorough genome-wide study of the GLR family in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and their role in resistance to the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. A total of 61 GLRs were identified in oilseed rape. They comprised three groups, as in Arabidopsis thaliana. Detailed computational analyses, including prediction of domain and motifs, cellular localization, cis-acting elements, PTM sites, and amino acid ligands and their binding pockets in BnGLR proteins, unveiled a set of group-specific characteristics of the BnGLR family, which included chromosomal distribution, motif composition, intron number and size, and methylation sites. Functional dissection employing virus-induced gene silencing of BnGLRs in oilseed rape and Arabidopsis mutants of BnGLR homologs demonstrated that BnGLR35/AtGLR2.5 positively, while BnGLR12/AtGLR1.2 and BnGLR53/AtGLR3.2 negatively, regulated plant resistance to S. sclerotiorum, indicating that GLR genes were differentially involved in this resistance. Our findings reveal the complex involvement of GLRs in B. napus resistance to S. sclerotiorum and provide clues for further functional characterization of BnGLRs. Full article

The growing beekeeping industry in South Korea has led to the establishment of new honey plant complexes. However, studies on honey production from each species are limited. This study aimed to assess the honey production potential of various Brassica napus cultivars and two wildflower species. The nectar characteristics of B. napus varied significantly among the cultivars. Absolute sugar concentrations differed among the cultivars, but sugar composition ratios were similar. In contrast, the amino acid content remained relatively uniform regarding percentage values, irrespective of the absolute concentrations. Estimations of honey potential production per hectare (kg/ha) resulted in the following ranking among cultivars: ‘JM7003’ (107.1) > ‘YS’ (73.0) > ‘JM7001’ (63.7) > ‘TL’ (52.7) > ‘TM’ (42.4). The nectar volume of Pseudolysimachion rotundum var. subintegrum and Leonurus japonicus increased during the flowering stage. P. rotundum var. subintegrum was sucrose-rich and L. japonicus was sucrose-dominant. Both species predominantly contained phenylalanine, P. rotundum var. subintegrum had glutamine as the second most abundant amino acid, and L. japonicus had tyrosine. The honey production potential was 152.4 kg/ha for P. rotundum var. subintegrum and 151.3 kg/ha for L. japonicus. These findings provide a basis for identifying food resources for pollinators and selecting plant species to establish honey plant complexes. Full article

Elevated carbon dioxide and drought are significant stressors in light of climate change. This study explores the interplay between elevated atmospheric CO₂, drought stress, and plant physiological responses. Two Brassica oleracea varieties (cauliflowers and cabbage) were utilized as model plants. Our findings indicate that elevated CO₂ accelerates assimilation rate decline during drought. The integrity of photosynthetic components influenced electron transport, potentially due to drought-induced nitrate reductase activation changes. While CO₂ positively influenced photosynthesis and water-use efficiency during drought, recovery saw decreased stomatal conductance in high-CO₂-grown plants. Drought-induced monoterpene emissions varied, influenced by CO₂ concentration and species-specific responses. Drought generally increased polyphenols, with an opposing effect under elevated CO₂. Flavonoid concentrations fluctuated with drought and CO₂ levels, while chlorophyll responses were complex, with high CO₂ amplifying drought’s effects on chlorophyll content. These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of CO₂–drought interactions and their intricate effects on plant physiology. Full article

Improving Brassica napus via introgression of the genome components from its parental species, B. oleracea and B. rapa, is an important breeding strategy. Interspecific hybridization between B. napus and B. rapa is compatible with high rate of survival ovules, while the hybridization between B. napus and B. oleracea is incompatible with the high occurrence of embryo abortion. To understand the diverse embryo fate in the two interspecific hybridizations, here, the siliques of B. napus pollinated with B. oleracea (AE) and B. rapa (NE) were employed for transcriptome sequencing at 8 and 16 days after pollination. Compared to NE and the parental line of B. napus, more specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (1274 and 1698) were obtained in AE and the parental line of B. napus at 8 and 16 days after pollination (DAP). These numbers were 51 and 5.8 times higher than the number of specific DEGs in NE and parental line of B. napus at 8 and 16 DAP, respectively, suggesting more complex transcriptional changes in AE. Most of DEGs in the terms of cell growth and cell wall formation exhibited down-regulated expression patterns (96(down)/131(all) in AE8, 174(down)/235(all) in AE16), while most of DEGs in the processes of photosynthesis, photorespiration, peroxisome, oxidative stress, and systemic acquired resistance exhibited up-regulated expression patterns (222(up)/304(all) in AE8, 214(up)/287(all) in AE16). This is in accordance with a high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the siliques of B. napus pollinated with B. oleracea. Our data suggest that the disorder of plant hormone metabolism, retardation of cell morphogenesis, and the accumulation of ROS may be associated with hybrid incompatibility between B. napus and B. oleracea. Full article

European agri-environment schemes include the use of flower-rich field margins to promote on-farm biodiversity, but species mixtures rarely include Brassicaceae. As pests of oilseed rape (OSR; Brassica napus) and their parasitoids are mostly brassica specialists, including brassica ‘banker plants’ in the mixtures would help support these important biocontrol agents and improve pest control throughout the crop rotation. We assessed the potential of six brassicaceous plants (replicated plots grown in the field) to enhance populations of parasitoids of OSR pests whilst minimising proliferation of their pest hosts. Fodder radish (Raphanus sativus) facilitated high production of parasitoids of the pollen beetle pest (Brassicogethes aeneus) but may proliferate Ceutorhynchus weevil pests due to low parasitism. Turnip rape (B. rapa) and the B. rapa hybrid ‘Tyfon’ showed potential to perform a trap cropping function for pests, but their early flowering phenology resulted in B. aeneus larvae escaping parasitisation, potentially assisting proliferation of this pest. Forage rape B. napus exhibited similarly high B. aeneus parasitoid production characteristics to R. sativus but did not potentiate problems with other pests, indicating that it would be a favourable banker plant option. Careful selection of plants in field margin mixtures is therefore needed to maximise their benefits and ideally the whole crop pest-beneficial complex needs to be studied, as focus on a single major pest risks unintended consequences with other pest problems. Full article

The species Brassica rapa includes enormous leafy vegetables with extreme leaf morphological diversity. Leaf traits such as size, shape, weight, and ratio of the leaf blade to the petiole contribute to yield, appearance, and desirability to consumers. These leaf-related traits are controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The construction of high-density bin maps using low-coverage sequencing is a powerful method for QTL fine-mapping and gene identification. In this study, we performed whole-genome re-sequencing of Wutacai ‘Zhongbaye’ and Chinese cabbage ‘HN53’ and 150 F₂ individuals to construct a high-density bin map for QTL mapping of 11 leaf-related traits. The parental lines and F₂ population were re-sequenced at 10x and 1x coverage, respectively. A map containing 565 bin markers was constructed based on parental single-nucleotide polymorphisms and a modified sliding window approach. The total map length was 944.6 cM and the average distance of the bins was 1.65 cM. In total, 60 significant QTLs controlling 11 leaf-related traits were detected. We further identified candidate genes responsible for these complex leaf-related traits. These findings suggest that this cost-effective bin-mapping approach is capable of rapid identification of QTLs and candidate genes, and will thus facilitate the dissection of the underlying molecular basis of leaf morphological variations and accelerate the improvement of B. rapa vegetable breeding. Full article