Search Results (254)

It is of utmost importance to investigate the effect of carbon-based nanostructures on plants in order to fully unlock their potential for enhancing productivity and stress tolerance. In this study, a comprehensive assessment of the effect of pre-sowing treatment of wheat seeds with fullerenol (PHF [C₆₀(OH)₂₄], 0.1 mg/L) solution on a number of physiological and biochemical parameters in seedlings under optimal and low temperature (LT, 4 °C, 5 days) conditions was carried out. Seedlings primed with PHF differed from control variant in accelerated growth (by 27–34%), increased biomass (by 10%), larger area of chloroplasts and mesophyll cells (by 40%), more intensive photosynthesis (1.5-fold higher), increased content of chlorophyll a (by 11%), proteins (by 28%) and ascorbic acid, reduced level of MDA and H₂O₂, decreased SOD activity (by 45%) and a higher level of COR-genes (WCOR15, WCOR726) transcription (p < 0.05). Under LT conditions, PHF nanopriming enhanced photosynthesis intensity by increasing chloroplast area, content of chlorophyll b (by 22%) and proportion of chlorophyll in LHC (by 11%), as well as increasing the expression of RBCS (fourfold higher), content of proline, and COR-gene expression (p < 0.05). All these changes are adaptive and expand the adaptive potential of plants. It is concluded that nanopriming with PHF is an active metabolic modulator that reduces ROS generation and enhances cold acclimation of wheat. Full article

Megastigmus sabinae Xu et He (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) is an oligophagous seed pest overwintering within Juniperus przewalskii cones in the alpine Qilian Mountains. Understanding its cold adaptation is critical for forest pest management. To investigate its overwintering mechanisms, we monitored field temperatures and larval development. Subsequently, larvae were subjected to a series of low-temperature treatments under laboratory conditions. We then assessed survival rates, supercooling points (SCPs), free water content, and the transcriptomic profiles of water-regulatory genes. Field data revealed that larvae enter a quiescent state when ambient temperatures drop below 5 °C. Laboratory acclimation at 0 °C significantly improved larval survival at −10 °C and markedly depressed the SCP by approximately 6 °C. Notably, free water content remained completely stable across all temperature treatments. Consistent with this dehydration-independent phenotype, transcriptomic analysis showed that the majority of 17 aquaporins (AQPs) and a Capa receptor gene lacked differential expression. However, two specific AQP genes (TIP1-1 and AQPN) were significantly upregulated. Collectively, M. sabinae larvae employ a freeze-avoidance strategy driven by dehydration-independent SCP depression and highly targeted transcriptional adjustments of specific water channels. Full article

Winter survival of crops is influenced by multiple environmental stress factors, including low temperature, excessive soil moisture, and pathogen pressure. With climate change, the role of flooding during cold acclimation has become increasingly important. This study examined the effect of cold flooding on frost tolerance of two winter rye (Secale cereale L.) lines differing in resistance to snow mould. Plants were subjected to cold acclimation for three weeks at 4 °C, followed by ten days of flooding at the same cold temperature. Cold flooding improved frost tolerance only in the snow mould-resistant line (343), which maintained the presence of a 50 kDa β-1,3-glucanase isoform and exhibited a flooding-induced decrease in cytosolic sucrose synthase (SuS) activity in leaves, while maintaining higher SuS activity in roots. In contrast, the less resistant line (620) lacked the 50 kDa isoform in roots and showed substantially lower SuS activity than line 343; however, leaf SuS activity increased during prolonged flooding to levels comparable with those of line 343. The 35 kDa isoform was no longer detectable in the leaves of either line after one or ten days of flooding, whereas in the roots of both lines, its accumulation was maintained after one day but was abolished after ten days of flooding. Additionally, line 620 exhibited prolonged flooding-induced upregulation of glu-8 and TLP3 genes, which, in the absence of protein accumulation, suggests post-transcriptional or translational constraints associated with prolonged stress. These findings demonstrate that higher frost tolerance under cold flooding involves the accumulation of specific pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, maintaining a high reduced and oxidised glutathione ratio and metabolic adjustment of sucrose synthesis. Furthermore, cold acclimation alone did not differentiate frost tolerance between rye genotypes differing in snow mould resistance, whereas flooding under low-temperature conditions enhanced freezing tolerance only in the resistant line, indicating that flooding may function as a positive signal involved in frost tolerance induction. Full article

The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg), the primary source of natural rubber, faces severe constraints from low temperature stress in industrial production. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cold tolerance, this study identified and systematically analyzed 44 HbGATA transcription factor family members at the whole-genome level. Based on physicochemical property analysis, phylogenetic tree construction, chromosome localization, gene structure analysis, and profiling of promoter cis-elements, the characteristics of individual genes were determined. Using the cold-tolerant cultivar yunyan 77-2 subjected to 4 °C treatment (0, 2, 8, and 24 h), candidate genes were validated via quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The results demonstrate that HbGATA10, HbGATA13, and HbGATA27 were significantly up-regulated after 24 h treatment, whereas HbGATA44 exhibited down-regulated expression at 24 h, suggesting that these four genes represent core candidates in the response to cold stress in rubber trees. This study provides the first systematic insight into the potential functions of the HbGATA family in cold acclimation in rubber tree and offers novel theoretical foundations and genetic resources for molecular breeding aimed at improving cold tolerance. Full article

Cold stress severely impairs grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) growth, development, and productivity, necessitating the identification of elite cold-resistance genes for breeding tolerant cultivars. Chinese wild grape germplasm, particularly the endemic Vitis yeshanensis ‘Yanshan’ ecotype, represents a valuable reservoir of stress-resistance alleles with exceptional cold hardiness. In this study, we isolated an R2R3-MYB transcription factor gene VyMYB24 from ‘Yanshan’ grape and systematically characterized its function in low-temperature responses. VyMYB24 expression was rapidly and strongly induced by cold stress, with transcript levels peaking at 12 h after treatment. Heterologous overexpression of VyMYB24 in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) induced pronounced architectural changes. Transgenic plants exhibited a dwarf and compact stature with enhanced lateral branching, thickened stems, and robust root systems. In addition, anatomical analysis revealed markedly increased xylem and phloem thickness. Under cold stress, transgenic lines outperformed wild-type plants, with reduced wilting, lower water loss, and improved survival and recovery rates. Physiologically, VyMYB24 activated the antioxidant defense system, elevated the activities of key reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzymes, suppressed H₂O₂ and superoxide accumulation, and reduced malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage, thereby preserving cellular homeostasis. This study provides functional evidence for the positive regulatory role of VyMYB24 in cold tolerance via heterologous expression, underscores the genetic value of ‘Yanshan’ grape germplasm, and lays a preliminary foundation for improving crop stress resistance through the utilization of native wild germplasm genes. Full article

Tomato spotted wilt disease, caused by Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), poses a severe, widespread threat to commercial crop production. Triggering endogenous plant defense capacity serves as a promising tactic for sustainable disease control. Environmental factors, such as temperature, can modulate plant metabolic activities to suppress disease development. To characterize how sub-low temperatures shape tomato responses to TSWV, we maintained tomato seedlings under three regimens: room temperature (25 °C) and two sub-low temperatures (15 °C and 10 °C). Subsequent viral inoculation and phenotypic monitoring revealed that 15 °C pretreatment was associated with markedly reduced TSWV disease severity. RT-qPCR quantification further demonstrated that this 15 °C priming correlated with diminished accumulation of the viral NSs gene. Transcriptome profiling indicated that the 15 °C regime was linked to coordinated activation of cold acclimation pathways, hormone signaling cascades, and antiviral defense programs, which correlated with reduced TSWV accumulation. Specifically, 15 °C conditioning was correlated with the induction of a cold-responsive transcriptional network that overlaps with plant antiviral immune responses. This activated transcriptional signature is putatively associated with the stimulation of defensive cascades, maintenance of cellular homeostasis, and lowered viral accumulation, which collectively align with alleviated spotted wilt symptoms. To our knowledge, this work presents the first correlative evidence associating 15 °C sub-low temperature preconditioning with reduced TSWV accumulation in tomato. Collectively, these observations highlight the potential of temperature manipulation as a chemical-free disease mitigation approach and provide a valuable reference for sustainable crop protection strategies. Full article

External environment shapes the cold adaptation of Ophraella communa, a specialist natural enemy of the invasive common ragweed, and further affects its biological control efficacy. Our study aims to clarify the cold tolerance correlation between ragweed and leaf beetle and explore whether host cold acclimation can enhance the beetle’s low-temperature adaptability. We measured cold-resistant substances, supercooling point (SCP), and chill-coma recovery time (CCRT) of four geographic populations, and conducted indoor low-temperature acclimation of ragweed at 13 °C, 17 °C, 21 °C for 3–9 d, then fed leaf beetle with treated leaves. Results showed that cold-resistant substances in both species varied with latitude and were highly heritable. Cold acclimation can elevate sugars, trehalose, glycerol, and proline in ragweed; the cold tolerance of beetles feeding on these plants was significantly improved. We conclude that cold-resistant substances in ragweed can be trophically transferred to leaf beetle to enhance its cold hardiness, providing a new strategy to improve biocontrol in high-latitude regions. Full article

Pomacea canaliculata, listed among the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species, poses serious threats to rice production and freshwater ecosystems. This review synthesizes current research in physiological ecology, molecular genetics, and invasion ecology to examine its invasion success from a multiscale mechanistic perspective. P. canaliculata exhibits broad environmental adaptability at physiological, molecular, and behavioral levels. These adaptations include seasonal cold tolerance, drought-induced dormancy and post-dormancy recovery, acclimation to both freshwater and brackish environments, and tolerance to a range of pollutants and pesticides, including evidence of toxicant-induced hormesis. The species also shows pronounced phenotypic plasticity in growth, reproduction, and resource utilization. Genomic plasticity, multiple introduction events, and introgressive hybridization with closely related species further enhance its evolutionary potential and dispersal capacity. In addition, P. canaliculata displays behavioral adaptations such as learning and alarm responses. The synergistic interaction of these multilayered adaptive mechanisms underpins the global invasion success of this species. This review also identifies key uncertainties in current research and emphasizes the need for greater integration of multi-omics approaches, long-term monitoring of population dynamics in hybrid zones, and experimental studies addressing the interactive effects of multiple stressors, with the ultimate aim of improving invasion risk prediction and management. Full article

To investigate the response mechanism of cold-resistant Enshi black pig breeds under cold stress, nine Enshi black pigs were randomly divided into three groups with three pigs in each: a control group (18 ± 2 °C for 58 d), a cold-stress-acclimated group (3 to 8 °C to −17 to −21 °C for 58 d), and an acute cold stress group (−17 to −21 °C for 3 d). RNA-seq technology was used to analyze mRNA and lncRNA expression patterns in subcutaneous adipose tissue under cold stress. The results showed that, under acute cold stress, many metabolic pathways were activated, including those involved in rapid energy supply (e.g., the citric acid cycle/TCA cycle, fatty acid degradation and metabolism, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis), signal transduction pathways (e.g., PI3K Akt, MAPK, PPAR, HIF-1, mTOR, and FoxO), and immune and cellular homeostasis pathways (chemokine signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, and apoptosis and autophagy regulation). Under cold stress acclimation, metabolic regulatory pathways (e.g., AMPK, mTOR, FoxO, HIF-1, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid degradation), immune and inflammatory regulatory pathways (Toll-like receptors, NOD like receptors, and T/B cell receptor signaling pathways), and signal transduction and cell homeostasis pathways (MAPK, PI3K Akt, NF-κB, Notch signaling pathways, apoptosis, and autophagy regulation) were continuously activated to ensure the stability of adipose tissue structure and function. Acute cold stress activated more pathways than cold stress acclimation, but both led to significant changes in energy metabolism. The results identified the molecular regulatory mechanisms of adipose tissue under cold stress, providing a basis for the subsequent breeding of new cold-resistant pig breeds. Full article

Low temperatures severely restrict tea plant (Camellia sinensis) growth and yield stability, yet how brassinosteroid (BR) signaling modulates cold acclimation at a systems level remains insufficiently defined. Here, we integrated transcriptomic and UHPLC–MS metabolomic profiling of tea leaves under Control, 24-epibrassinolide (EBR), Cold, and Cold + EBR treatments to delineate BR-potentiated cold responses. Principal component analyses revealed clear treatment-specific separation and tight clustering of biological replicates at both omics levels. Quantitatively, cold stress induced extensive reprogramming (4075 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 298 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs)), whereas EBR alone exerted relatively modest effects (231 DEGs and 50 DAMs). Notably, EBR under cold conditions further reshaped cold-responsive networks (371 BR-modulated DEGs and 17 BR-modulated DAMs), consistent with a potentiating role for BR signaling. Functional enrichment analyses highlighted phenylpropanoid metabolism and hormone signal transduction as core responsive modules, with coordinated activation of key gateway genes (PAL, C4H, and 4CL) and concurrent engagement of lignin-, flavonoid-, and catechin-associated branches under Cold + EBR. Metabolomic analyses identified flavonoids as the dominant responsive metabolite class (49.31%), particularly anthocyanins and flavonol glycosides. Integrative TF–metabolite–gene correlation networks prioritized WRKY transcription factors (TEA001162, TEA027058) and a UDP-glycosyltransferase gene (TEA025792) as candidate hub genes linking hormone signaling to phenylpropanoid outputs. Collectively, this work provides a systems-level framework of co-regulated transcript–metabolite modules and candidate molecular targets, offering a foundation for functional validation and practical improvement of cold resilience in tea production. Full article

Shoot tip cryopreservation is essential for the long-term conservation of plant genetic resources. It provides the only reliable method for establishing a long-term, readily available gene pool of clonally propagated crops and elite in vitro clones used in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. Still, its success is often limited by the inherent sensitivity of many species to the osmotic and chemical stresses imposed by concentrated cryoprotectant (vitrification) solutions and severe dehydration. The optimization of modern cryopreservation protocols primarily focuses on modifying shoot tip preculture, cryoprotectant treatments, or regrowth conditions, while frequently overlooking donor plant preconditioning or relegating it to a secondary role. However, the physiological state of in vitro plants from which apical or axillary shoot tips are extracted may hold the key to successful post-cryopreservation recovery, especially in cryo-sensitive taxa. This review revisits the critical role of donor plant vigor and induced stress tolerance in the cryopreservation of clonal crops by systematically evaluating preconditioning strategies, including cold acclimation, sucrose pretreatment, and the use of growth regulators and signaling molecules such as abscisic, jasmonic, and salicylic acids, involved in stress signaling and tolerance development. The beneficial physiological changes induced by donor plant pretreatment, such as reduced freezable water content and the accumulation of protective compounds, are discussed in the context of contemporary cryopreservation methods. The effects of culture conditions, including the roles of ammonium and nitrates, light quality, culture density and aeration, medium strength, culture age, and subculture duration, are also considered. We analyze how different treatments of in vitro donor plants improve shoot tip tolerance to osmotic and/or chemical toxicity imposed by specific cryopreservation methods to support a material-centered selection of a cryopreservation procedure. Future directions and potential approaches for integrating target donor plant preconditioning into modern cryopreservation protocols for shoot tips, particularly in stress-sensitive species, are discussed. Full article

Low temperature critically influences cellular metabolism by impairing processes such as membrane fluidity, enzyme activity, and protein folding. However, the comprehensive genetic landscape and regulatory mechanisms governing cold acclimation remain poorly understood. Here, we performed high-throughput, pooled genetic screening in the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) to identify genes essential for cold acclimation. Our screening revealed numerous candidate genes implicated not only in early cold response pathways but also in core cellular processes, including DNA dynamics, protein homeostasis, metabolic regulation, and substrate transport. Notably, we identified a member of the RUS (ROOT UVB SENSITIVE) family, encoding a conserved DUF647 domain protein, designated CrRUS1. CRISPR-generated rus1 mutant alleles in C. reinhardtii display a phenotype consistent with our screening: the mutants did not exhibit any visible growth defects, but show severe growth defects at low temperature. Interestingly, the cold-induced phenotypic changes in rus1 can be reversed by dark conditions, suggesting that CrRUS1 likely promotes cold acclimation in C. reinhardtii through a light-dependent pathway. Our work provides novel genetic resources and mechanistic insights into cold acclimation in C. reinhardtii, with potential translational relevance for enhancing cold tolerance in crop species. Full article

To improve Chrysanthemum tolerance to low temperatures and its adaptability to low autumn temperatures in Northeast China, we conducted the first genome-wide identification of the heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) in Chrysanthemum indicum under low-temperature stress. Based on genome-wide analyses, we identified 14 CiHsf genes in Chrysanthemum indicum. Based on structural characteristics, the genes were grouped into two subfamilies, comprising 10 HsfA and four HsfB members, with no representatives of the HsfC subfamily detected. CiHsf1~CiHsf14 were located on seven chromosomes, and their promoter regions harbored numerous cis-acting elements associated with responses to low temperature, hormones, and light. Tissue-specific expression profiling revealed that seven CiHsf genes were predominantly expressed in roots, two in stems, three in leaves, and two in flowers. The analysis of low-temperature expression characteristics showed that CiHsf2, CiHsf5, CiHsf8, and CiHsf10 were significantly upregulated following cold acclimation, indicating that these genes may participate in the low-temperature response mechanism of Chrysanthemum indicum. Here, we demonstrated that transient transformation of Chrysanthemum indicum with 35S:CiHsf10 reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation under low-temperature stress, which may contribute to enhanced cold tolerance. Full article

Cold stress limits sorghum productivity, yet the temporal organization of its molecular response remains incompletely understood. In this study, a multi-layered transcriptomic approach was employed to analyze the cold response of sorghum across 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h. By integrating differential expression, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and alternative splicing (AS) profiling, a phase-dependent regulatory model was proposed. Quantitatively, the network was initially resolved into 17 co-expression modules, which were subsequently consolidated into 10 final modules. A core set of 147 transcription factors (predominantly AP2/ERF and NAC families) was consistently associated with the response across time points. During the early shock phase (6 h), the broad repression of energy-associated transcripts suggests rapid intracellular stabilization. The transition phase (12 h) was characterized by transcriptomic shifts suggestive of chromatin-level regulation and post-transcriptional adjustments. By late acclimation (24 h), the reorganization of stress-associated modules indicates a progression toward a stabilized regulatory state. Furthermore, the identification of dynamic AS events across multiple regulatory families suggests that isoform diversification is a crucial parallel regulatory layer. Moving beyond static expression profiling, this study provides a comprehensive temporal framework of sorghum cold acclimation and identifies phase-specific candidate genes for future experimental validation in C4 crops. Full article

Winter survival in barley depends on freezing tolerance and de-acclimation tolerance, yet their genetic determinants under increasingly unstable winters remain poorly understood. Here, 188 Polish barley accessions were evaluated over two consecutive growing seasons (2021–2022) using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with a mixed-linear model (MLM) and high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and diversity arrays technology sequencing (DArTseq) markers. Freezing and de-acclimation tolerance were quantified by 16 chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and post-freezing survival rates in plants subjected to 21 days of cold acclimation (4 °C/2 °C, day/night) and 7 days of de-acclimation (12 °C/5 °C, day/night). The results showed that freezing and de-acclimation tolerance are related but genetically distinct. The cold-acclimated (CA) state exhibited significant marker–trait associations on chromosomes 2H and 6H, whereas the de-acclimated (DA) state displayed a broader, more complex genetic architecture, particularly on chromosomes 2H and 7H. F_v/F_m showed the strongest associations for both SNP and DArTseq markers in both states. PI_(csm), followed by PI_(cs0) and PI_(total), showed high SNP associations in the DA state, indicating a strong relationship between photosynthetic performance and freezing tolerance after de-acclimation. Notably, the DArTseq marker 11400277 on chromosome 7H showed multiple marker–trait associations across both states. These findings provide a genomic basis for marker-assisted selection of climate-resilient winter barley cultivars. Full article