Search Results (1,445)

Sheath blight (ShB), caused by the necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia solani (R. solani), poses severe threats to global rice production. Developing a resistant variety with an ShB-resistance gene is one of most efficient and economical approaches to control the disease. Here, we identified a highly conserved chloroplast-localized stem-loop-binding protein encoding gene (OsCSP41b), which shows great potential in developing an ShB-resistant variety. OsCSP41b-knockout mutants exhibit chlorotic leaves and increased ShB susceptibility, whereas OsCSP41b-overexpressing lines (CSP41b-OE) display significantly enhanced resistance to R. solani, as well as to drought, and salinity stresses. Notably, CSP41b-OE lines present a completely comparable grain yield to the wild type (WT). Transcriptomic analyses reveal that chloroplast transcripts and photosynthesis-associated genes maintain observably elevated stability in CSP41b-OE plants versus WT plants following R. solani infection, which probably accounts for the enhanced ShB resistance of CSP41b-OE. Our findings nominate the OsCSP41b gene as a promising molecular target for developing a rice variety with stronger resistance to both R. solani and multi-abiotic stresses. Full article

The RasGAP SH3 domain binding protein (G3BP) is a highly conserved family of proteins in eukaryotic organisms that coordinates signal transduction and post-transcriptional gene regulation and functions in the formation of stress granules. G3BPs have important roles in abiotic/biotic stresses in mammals, and recent research suggests that they have similar functions in higher plants. Brassica contains many important oilseeds, vegetables, and ornamental plants, but there are no reports on the G3BP family in Brassica species. In this study, we identified G3BP family genes from six species of the U’s triangle (B. rapa, B. oleracea, B. nigra, B. napus, B. juncea, and B. carinata) at the genome-wide level. We then analyzed their gene structure, protein motifs, gene duplication type, phylogeny, subcellular localization, SSR loci, and upstream miRNAs. Based on transcriptome data, we analyzed the expression patterns of B. napus G3BP (BnaG3BP) genes in various tissues/organs in response to Sclerotinia disease, blackleg disease, powdery mildew, dehydration, drought, heat, cold, and ABA treatments, and its involvement in seed traits including germination, α-linolenic acid content, oil content, and yellow seed. Several BnaG3BP DEGs might be regulated by BnaTT1. The qRT-PCR assay validated the inducibility of two cold-responsive BnaG3BP DEGs. This study will enrich the systematic understanding of Brassica G3BP family genes and lay a molecular basis for the application of BnaG3BP genes in stress tolerance, disease resistance, and quality improvement in rapeseed. Full article

Thylakoid rhodanese-like protein (TROL) serves as a thylakoid membrane hinge linking photosynthetic electron transport chain (PETC) complexes to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) synthesis. TROL is the docking site for the flavoenzyme ferredoxin-NADP⁺ oxidoreductase (FNR). Our prior work indicates that the TROL-FNR complex maintains redox equilibrium in chloroplasts and systemically in plant cells. Improvement in the knowledge of redox regulation mechanisms is critical for engineering stress-tolerant plants in times of elevated global drought intensity. To further test this hypothesis and confirm our previous results, we monitored light-independent ROS propagation in the leaves of Arabidopsis wild type (WT), TROL knock-out (KO), and TROL ΔRHO (RHO-domain deletion mutant) mutant plants in situ by using confocal laser scanning microscopy with specific fluorescent probes for the three different ROS: O₂^·−, H₂O₂, and ¹O₂. Plants were grown under the conditions of normal substrate moisture and under drought stress conditions. Under the drought stress conditions, the TROL KO line showed ≈32% less O₂^·− while the TROL ΔRHO line showed ≈49% less H₂O₂ in comparison with the WT. This research confirms the role of dynamical TROL-FNR complex formation in redox equilibrium maintenance by redirecting electrons in alternative sinks under stress and also points it out as promising target for stress-tolerant plant engineering. Full article

Seedling transplantation, a pivotal component in advancing the cultivation of vegetables and cash crops, significantly bolsters crops’ resilience against drought, cold, pests, and diseases, while substantially enhancing yields. The implementation of transplanting machinery not only remarkably alleviates the labor-intensive nature of transplantation but also elevates the precision and uniformity of the process, thereby facilitating mechanized plant protection and harvesting operations. This article summarizes the research status and development trends of mechanized field transplanting technology and equipment. It also analyzes and summarizes the types and current status of typical representative automatic seedling picking mechanisms. Based on the current research status, the challenges of mechanized transplanting technology were analyzed, mainly the following: insufficient integration of agricultural machinery and agronomy; the standards for each stage of transplanting are not perfect; the adaptability of existing transplanting machines is poor; the level of informatization and intelligence of equipment is low; the lack of innovation in key components, such as seedling picking and transplanting mechanisms; and the proposed solutions to address the issues. Corresponding solutions are proposed, such as the following: strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration; establishing standards for transplanting processes; enhancing transplanter adaptability; accelerating intelligentization and digitalization of transplanters; strengthening the theoretical framework; and performance optimization of transplanting mechanisms. Finally, the development direction of future fully automatic transplanting machines was discussed, including the following: improving the transplanting efficiency and quality of transplanting machines; integrating research and development of testing, planting, and seedling supplementation for transplanting machines; unmanned transplanting operations; and fostering collaborative industrial development. Full article

As an auxin-responsive gene, Gretchen Hagen 3 (GH3) maintains hormonal homeostasis by conjugating excess auxin with amino acids in plant stress-related signaling pathways. GH3 genes have been characterized in many plant species, but the characteristics of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) GH3 (CaGH3) gene family members in response to multiple stimulants are largely unknown. In this study, we systematically identified the CaGH3 gene family at the genome level and identified eight members on four chromosomes in pepper. CaGH3s were divided into two groups (I and III) and shared conserved motifs, domains, and gene structures. Moreover, CaGH3s had close evolutionary relationships with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and the promoters of most CaGH3 genes contained hormone and abiotic stress response elements. A protein interaction prediction analysis demonstrated that the CaGH3-3/3-6/3-7/3-8 proteins were possibly core members of the CaGH3 family interaction. In addition, qRT-PCR results showed that CaGH3 genes were differentially expressed in pepper tissues and could be induced by phytohormones (IAA, ABA, and MeJA) and abiotic stresses (salt, low temperature, and drought) with different patterns. In addition, CaGH3-5 and CaGH3-7 were cloned, and the sequences showed a high degree of conservation. Moreover, the results of subcellular localization indicated that they were located in the membrane and chloroplast. Notably, after overexpressing CaGH3-7 in tomato, RNA-seq was performed on wild-type and transgenic lines, and the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in response to external stimuli. This study not only lays the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the function of the CaGH3 gene family during plant growth and stress responses but also provides potential genetic resources for pepper resistance breeding. Full article

The primary worldwide variables limiting plant development and agricultural output are the ever-present threat that environmental stressors such as salt (may trigger osmotic stress plus ions toxicity, which impact on growth and yield of the plants), drought (provokes water stress, resulting in lowering photosynthesis process and growth rate), heavy metals (induced toxicity, hindering physiological processes also lowering crop quantity and quality), and pathogens (induce diseases that may significantly affect plant health beside productivity). This review explores the integrated effects of these stressors on plant productivity and growth rate, emphasizing how each stressor exceptionally plays a role in physiological responses. Owing to developments in technology that outclass traditional breeding methods and genetic engineering techniques, powerful alleviation strategies are vital. New findings have demonstrated the remarkable role of nanoparticles in regulating responses to these environmental stressors. In this review, we summarize the roles and various applications of nanomaterials in regulating abiotic and biotic stress responses. This review discusses and explores the relationship between various types of nanoparticles (metal, carbon-based, and biogenic) and their impact on plant physiology. Furthermore, we assess how nanoparticle technology may play a role in practices of sustainable agriculture by reducing the amount of compounds used, providing them with a larger surface area, highly efficient mass transfer abilities, and controlled, targeted delivery of lower nutrient or pesticide amounts. A review of data from several published studies leads to the conclusion that nanoparticles may act as a synergistic effect, which can effectively increase plant stress tolerance and their nutritional role. Full article

Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott synthesizes volatile sesquiterpenes through the mevalonate pathway (MVA), in which 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) serves as the key rate-limiting enzyme. Although HMGR plays a crucial role in terpenoid biosynthesis, its functional characteristics in D. fragrans and its involvement in stress responses remain unclear. This study identified three HMGR genes (DfHMGR1/2/3) from the transcriptome data of D. fragrans. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the encoded proteins are localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and share high sequence similarity with fern homologs. Under abiotic stress conditions, DfHMGRs exhibited differential expression patterns, with marked upregulation under salt and drought stress. To validate the functions of these genes, we generated transgenic Nicotiana tabacum L. plants overexpressing DfHMGRs. Compared with wild-type controls, the transgenic lines showed enhanced tolerance to drought and heat stress. Promoter analysis identified functional regulatory regions controlling DfHMGR expression, and co-expression network analysis predicted 21 potential transcriptional regulators. This study validates the function of D. fragrans HMGRs in a heterologous system and provides candidate genes for improving stress resistance in plants. Full article

Land desertification represents a significant and sensitive global ecological issue. In the Inner Mongolia region of China, soil desertification and salinization are widespread, resulting from the combined effects of extreme drought conditions and human activities. Using Gaofen 5B AHSI imagery as our data source, we collected spectral data for seven distinct land cover types: lush vegetation, yellow sand, white sand, saline soil, saline shell, saline soil with saline vegetation, and sandy soil. We applied Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to fine-tune the Wavelet Packet (WP) decomposition levels, thresholds, and wavelet basis function, ensuring optimal spectral decomposition and reconstruction. Subsequently, PSO was deployed to optimize key hyperparameters of the Random Forest algorithm and compare its performance with the ResNet-Transformer model. Our results indicate that PSO effectively automates the search for optimal WP decomposition parameters, preserving essential spectral information while efficiently reducing high-frequency spectral noise. The Genetic Algorithm (GA) was also found to be effective in extracting feature bands relevant to land desertification, which enhances the classification accuracy of the model. Among all the models, integrating wavelet packet denoising, genetic algorithm feature selection, the first-order differential (FD), and the hybrid architecture of the ResNet-Transformer, the WP-GA-FD-ResNet-Transformer model achieved the highest accuracy in extracting soil sandification and salinization, with Kappa coefficients and validation set accuracies of 0.9746 and 97.82%, respectively. This study contributes to the field by advancing hyperspectral desertification monitoring techniques and suggests that the approach could be valuable for broader ecological conservation and land management efforts. Full article

Drought stress poses a major constraint on global crop productivity. Although aspartic proteases (APs) are primarily characterized in plant disease resistance, their roles in abiotic stress adaptation remain largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that rice (Oryza sativa) OsAP4 critically regulates drought stress tolerance at the seedling stage. Genetic manipulation through overexpression (OsAP4-OE) or CRISPR knockout (OsAP4-KO) resulted in significantly reduced or enhanced stress tolerance compared to wild-type plants, respectively. Through integrated approaches including yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation, and protein degradation assays, we established that OsAP4 physically interacts with and destabilizes OsCATA/OsCATC, two catalase enzymes responsible for reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. Importantly, OsAP4 modulates ROS production under drought stress treatment conditions. Together, these findings reveal a novel OsAP4-OsCATA/OsCATC regulatory module governing rice drought stress responses. Full article

Environmental challenges such as drought, high temperatures, and salinity compromise grapevine physiology, reduce productivity, and negatively affect grape and wine quality. In recent years, foliar applications of biostimulants, antitranspirants, and phytohormones have emerged as promising strategies to enhance stress tolerance in grapevines. This review focuses on the main effects of salinity, drought, and high temperatures and the combined impact of drought and high temperatures on grapevines and examines how foliar applications influence grapevine responses under these specific stress conditions. Synthesizing the recent findings from the last ten years (160 articles), it provides direct insights into the potential of these compounds to alleviate each type of stress, highlighting their effects on grapevine physiology, yield components, and secondary metabolites in berries. While their mechanism of action is not entirely clear and their efficacy can vary depending on the type of compound used and the grapevine variety, most studies report a beneficial effect or no effect on grapevines under abiotic stresses (either single or combined). Future research is necessary to optimize the concentrations of these compounds and determine the appropriate number and timing of applications, particularly under open-field experiments. Additionally, studies should assess the effect of foliar applications under multiple abiotic stress conditions. In conclusion, integrating foliar applications into vineyard management represents a sustainable technique to mitigate abiotic stresses associated with climate change, such as salinity, water deficit, and heat stress, while preserving or enhancing the quality of grapes and wines. Full article

The SCARECROW (SCR) transcription factor governs cell-type patterning in plant roots and Kranz anatomy of leaves, serving as a master regulator of root and shoot morphogenesis. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica), characterized by a compact genome, self-pollination, and a short growth cycle, has emerged as a C₄ model plant. Here, we revealed two SCR paralogs in foxtail millet—SiSCR1 and SiSCR2—which exhibit high sequence conservation with ZmSCR1/1h (Zea mays), OsSCR1/2 (Oryza sativa), and AtSCR (Arabidopsis thaliana), particularly within the C-terminal GRAS domain. Both SiSCR genes exhibited nearly identical secondary structures and physicochemical profiles, with promoter analyses revealing five conserved cis-regulatory elements. Robust phylogenetic reconstruction resolved SCR orthologs into monocot- and dicot-specific clades, with SiSCR genes forming a sister branch to SvSCR from its progenitor species Setaria viridis. Spatiotemporal expression profiling demonstrated ubiquitous SiSCR gene transcription across developmental stages, with notable enrichment in germinated seeds, plants at the one-tip-two-leaf stage, leaf 1 (two days after heading), and roots during the seedling stage. Co-expression network analysis revealed that there is a correlation between SiSCR genes and other functional genes. Abscisic acid (ABA) treatment led to a significant downregulation of the expression level of SiSCR genes in Yugu1 roots, and the expression of the SiSCR genes in the roots of An04 is more sensitive to PEG6000 treatment. Drought treatment significantly upregulated SiSCR2 expression in leaves, demonstrating its pivotal role in plant adaptation to abiotic stress. Analysis of heterologous expression under the control of the 35S promoter revealed that SiSCR genes were expressed in root cortical/endodermal initial cells, endodermal cells, cortical cells, and leaf stomatal complexes. Strikingly, ectopic expression of SiSCR genes in Arabidopsis led to hypersensitivity to ABA, and ABA treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the length of the meristematic zone. These data delineate the functional divergence and evolutionary conservation of SiSCR genes, providing critical insights into their roles in root/shoot development and abiotic stress signaling in foxtail millet. Full article

This research centers on the sand-fixing plant known as Stipagrostis pennata, from which the β-glucosidase gene SpBGLU25 was successfully cloned using the molecular cloning method. SpBGLU25 encodes a hydrophilic and stable protein made up of 193 amino acids, located in the cell membrane. qRT-PCR analysis indicated that the expression of the SpBGLU25 is closely linked to the drought stress tolerance of S. pennata. Following this, functional validation was performed using an Arabidopsis overexpression system. The overexpression of transgenic Arabidopsis lines showed significantly improved drought tolerance under PEG and mannitol treatments. Assessments of germination, root length, and physiological indicators such as proline, malondialdehyde content, soluble sugars, and relative leaf water content (RLWC) further confirmed the enhanced performance of the overexpressing plants. Additionally, the comparative transcriptomic analysis of SpBGLU25-OE Arabidopsis compared to the wild-type (WT) showed that differentially upregulated genes were primarily enriched in categories of “cellular process,” “cell,” and “catalytic activity.” KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the genes were mainly concentrated in the pathways of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and plant hormone signal transduction. These findings provide a crucial foundation for further investigation into the function of the SpBGLU25 and its role in regulating plant tissue development and adaptation to stress. This research is anticipated to offer new theoretical insights and genetic resources for enhancing plant stress tolerance through genetic engineering. Full article

A systematic examination of leaf functional traits, environmental determinants, and adaptive regulation strategies in old Pinus tabuliformis was conducted in the Loess Plateau region. During the peak growth period (July) of P. tabuliformis in 2023 and 2024, integrating phylogenetic comparative methods with environmental gradient analysis, we quantified 28 functional traits (7 morphological, 8 anatomical, 5 chemical, and 8 physiological traits) of old P. tabuliformis. The result shows significant spatial differentiation in leaf chemical and physiological traits, demonstrating exceptional environmental plasticity. Old trees in the Huanglong area of central China tend to be of the resource acquisition type, while the proportion of the Stress-tolerators strategy (S strategy) is higher in the Taibai (S% = 92.32). The combined effect of environmental factors is the main driving factor for the diversity of leaf functional traits (33.56%), while the independent effect of phylogenetic accounts for only 8.91%. And regression modeling identified several traits, such as Malondialdehyde (MDA), Peroxidase (POD), and Superoxide dismutase (SOD), as sensitive indicators of geographical and climatic adaptation. In conclusion, this study elucidates drought adaptation mechanisms in old P. tabuliformis through leaf functional trait analysis, establishing a scientific framework for conserving old trees in Loess Plateau under climate change. Full article

The TGACG motif-binding factor (TGA) family is an important group of basic region/leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors in plants, playing crucial roles in plant development and stress responses. This study conducted a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the TGA transcription factor (TF) family in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A total of 48 wheat TGAs were identified and classified into four subgroups. Collinearity analysis of the TGAs between wheat and other species identified multiple duplicated gene pairs and highlighted the presence of highly conserved TGAs in wheat. Whole-genome and segmental duplications were identified as the primary drivers of TaTGA expansion. Expression pattern analysis indicated that TaTGAs are involved in plant development and responses to abiotic stresses, including drought, heat, and cold treatment. Among these, TaTGA16-2D was significantly upregulated under both drought and heat stresses, showing more than a five-fold increase in expression. Subcellular localization confirmed its nucleus localization. Functional validation through ectopic expression in Arabidopsis demonstrated that transgenic lines overexpressing TaTGA16-2D exhibited significantly improved stress tolerance. Under heat stress, the survival rates of transgenic lines exceeded 34%, compared to less than 18% in wild-type plants. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the evolution and functional roles of TaTGAs and identifies TaTGA16-2D as a promising candidate to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in wheat via molecular breeding. Full article

Under the influence of global climate change, water conservancy projects located in the high-latitude cold regions of the world are facing severe challenges. This study addresses the contradiction between water supply stability and ecological flow during the dry season in cold regions. Taking Linhai Reservoir as the core, it integrates the HEC-RAS hydrodynamic model with multi-source data such as basin topography, hydro-meteorological data, and water conservancy project parameters to construct a multi-scenario water supply scheduling model during the dry season. The aim is to provide scientific recommendations for different reservoir operation strategies in response to varying frequencies of upstream inflow, based on simulations conducted after the reservoir’s completion. Taking into account winter runoff reduction characteristics and engineering parameters, we simulated the relationships between water level and flow, ecological flow requirements, and urban water shortages. The results indicate that in both flood and normal years, dynamic coordination of storage and discharge can achieve a daily water supply of 120,000 cubic meters, with 100% compliance for the ecological flow rate. For mild and moderate drought years, additional water diversion becomes necessary to achieve 93.5% and 89% supply reliability, respectively. During severe and extreme droughts, significantly reduced reservoir inflows lower ecological compliance rates, necessitating emergency measures, such as utilizing dead storage capacity and exploring alternative water sources. The study proposes operational strategies tailored to different drought intensities: initiating storage adjustments in September for mild droughts and implementing peak-shifting measures by mid-October for extreme droughts. These approaches enhance storage efficiency and mitigate ice blockage risks. This research supports the water supply security and river ecological health of urban and rural areas in Mudanjiang City and Hailin City and provides a certain scientific reference basis for the multi-objective coordinated operation of reservoirs in the same type of high-latitude cold regions. Full article