Search Results (202)

Male sterility is an important trait in heterosis utilization and marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) breeding. Currently, most male-sterile lines used in production are derived from natural mutations. ABORTED MICROSPORES (AMS) is an important gene that regulates tapetum and microspore development. Therefore, the effect of AMS on fertility was studied. TeAMS was located in the nucleus and exhibited self-activation activity. TeAMS was highly expressed in the flower buds of T. erecta. The expression of this gene in fertile plants was higher than that in sterile plants, and the expression level gradually increased with the development of flower buds. The expression level of TeAMS was highest in the flower buds with a diameter of 1.2 cm at the floret differentiation stage, while the expression level was extremely low in the flower buds with a diameter of 1.6 cm. The expression trend of TeAMS in sterile plants was opposite to that in fertile plants. At the inflorescence primordium differentiation stage, flower buds with a diameter of 0.2 cm had the highest expression level, and the stem tip had the lowest expression level. In tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), overexpression of the TeAMS gene resulted in shortened floral tubes, increased thousand-seed weight, a reduced flowering period, and decreased flower numbers. The pollen viability of transgenic tobacco was significantly lower than that of the wild type, and the pollen grains were smaller and showed irregular shapes. The pollen wall was dry and shrunk. Some pollen germinal furrows were distorted, and a few were almost invisible. Silencing TeAMS resulted in a longer flowering period in tobacco, reduced thousand-seed weight, and high pollen viability. Pollen morphology in silenced lines showed no significant differences compared to the wild-type and empty vector controls. Only a few pollen grains were smaller, shriveled, and shrunken. Therefore, the TeAMS gene plays an important role in regulating the fertility of marigolds. This study provides a theoretical foundation for breeding marigold male-sterile lines. Full article

High nighttime temperature (HNT) due to asymmetric diurnal warming threatens wheat productivity. This study evaluated the effect of HNT on wheat phenology, physiology, and yield through field and controlled environment experiments in Central Queensland, Australia. Two wheat genotypes, Faraday and AVT#6, were assessed under three sowing dates—1 May (Early), 15 June (Mid), and 1 August (Late)—within the recommended sowing window for the region. In a parallel growth chamber study, the plants were exposed to two nighttime temperature regimes, of 15 °C (normal) and 20 °C (high), with consistent daytime conditions from booting to maturity. Late sowing resulted in shortened vegetative growth and grain filling periods and increased exposure to HNT during the reproductive phase. This resulted in elevated floret sterility, lower grain weight, and up to 40% yield loss. AVT#6 exhibited greater sensitivity to HNT despite maturing earlier. Leaf gas exchange analysis revealed increased nighttime respiration (Rn) and reduced assimilation (A), resulting in higher Rn/A ratio for late-sown crops. The results from controlled environment chambers resembled trends of the field experiment, producing lower grain yield and biomass under HNT. Cumulative nighttime hours above 20 °C correlated more strongly with yield losses than daytime heat. These findings highlight the need for HNT-tolerant genotypes and optimized sowing schedules under future climate scenarios. Full article

Wheat is one of the three major staple crops globally. The wheat spike serves as the primary structure bearing wheat grains. Spike architectures of wheat have a direct impact on the number of grains per spike, and thus the grain yield per spike. The development of wheat spike morphology is conserved to some extent in cereal crops, yet also exhibits differences, being strictly regulated by photoperiod and temperature. This paper compiles QTLs and genes related to wheat spike traits that have been published over the past two decades, summarizes the photoperiod and vernalization pathways influencing the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth, and organizes the key regulatory networks controlling spikelet and floret development. Additionally, it anticipates advancements in wheat gene cloning methods, challenges in optimizing wheat spike architecture for high yield and future directions in wheat spike trait research. Full article

Broccoli stalks are considered an agro-industrial by-product that, in the context of fresh consumption, is undervalued, as only broccoli florets are typically marketed. This study evaluated the up-cycling of broccoli stalks into a value-added fresh-cut product through postharvest preservation strategies. Stalks were peeled, cut into sticks (8 × 8 mm × 50–100 mm), sanitised, packaged under modified atmosphere conditions, and stored at 5 °C. Treatments included (a) calcium ascorbate (CaAsc, 1% w/v), (b) trehalose (TREH, 5% w/v), (c) hot water treatment (HWT, 55 °C, 1 min), and several combinations of them. HWT alone was highly effective in reducing browning, a key factor for achieving an extended shelf-life, controlling microbial growth and respiration, and obtaining the highest sensory scores (appearance = 7.3 on day 11). However, it was less effective in preserving bioactive compounds. The HWT + CaAsc treatment proved to be the most effective at optimising quality and retaining health-promoting compounds. It increased vitamin C retention by 78%, antioxidant capacity by 68%, and total phenolic content by 65% compared to the control on day 11. This synergistic effect was attributed to the antioxidant action of ascorbic acid in CaAsc. TREH alone showed no preservative effect, inducing browning, elevated respiration, and microbial proliferation. Overall, combining mild thermal and antioxidant treatments offers a promising strategy to valorise broccoli stalks as fresh-cut snacks. An 11-day shelf-life at 5 °C was achieved, with increased content of health-promoting bioactive compounds, while supporting circular economy principles and contributing to food loss mitigation. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important staple food crops globally. One-third of global maize production is located in areas with high or extreme water scarcity and concurrently faces the challenge of low nitrogen use efficiency. Therefore, achieving synergistically high-efficiency water and nitrogen utilization in maize production is of great significance for agricultural sustainable development and global food security. In recent years, more articles have focused on the physiological mechanisms and management practices of efficient water and nitrogen utilization in maize. Unfortunately, there is a relative scarcity of research on the interactive effects between water and nitrogen on the development of young ears, which plays a crucial role in maize productivity. By compiling the most pertinent publications, this review endeavors to consolidate the existing knowledge on the interactive effects between water and nitrogen on maize production. Moreover, it advances potential physiological mechanisms and strategies for high-efficiency water and nitrogen utilization in terms of root system functioning, phytohormones, metabolism, and organ development. The changes in the availability of water and nitrogen have a significant impact on the development of young ears during the critical period, which in turn directly determines the grain number per ear and grain weight. Full article

The genus Musa L. is one of the most important genera worldwide due to its use in food as a source of carbohydrates. A morphological characterization was performed to evaluate the potential of 100 accessions of Musa spp. from the Amazon region of Ecuador, applying 73 qualitative and quantitative descriptors in addition to the ecogeographic characterization. The multivariate analyses identified four large groups: The first is composed of the Musa AAB Simmonds ecotype “Hartón Plantain” and the “Cuerno Clone”. The second group is composed of the Musa acuminata Colla ecotype “Orito”. The third group is composed of the Musa acuminata ecotype “Malay plantain or red plantain”; and the fourth group is composed of the Musa × paradisiaca L. AAB ecotype “Barraganete” and banana or banana materials and the Musa AAB Simmonds ecotype “Plátano Dominico”. The qualitative descriptors with the highest discriminant value were the shape of the ♂ floret bud, the appearance of the rachis, and the pigmentation of the compound tepal, and the quantitative discriminant characters were the height of the pseudostem, the length of the leaf blade, the width of the leaf blade, and the weight of the raceme. The analysis with CAPFITOGEN of these 100 accessions through the ecogeographic characterization map identified 23 categories, highlighting category 20 with a coverage of 40.35%, which mainly includes the provinces of Orellana, Sucumbíos, part of Napo, Pastaza, and Morona Santiago. This category occurs within an annual temperature range between 21.6 °C and 27 °C, an apparent density of 1.25 to 1.44 g cm⁻³, and a cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 4 to 29 Cmol kg⁻¹. The morphological characterization of 100 Musa accessions revealed significant phenotypic variability, with four distinct morphological groups identified through cluster analysis. Key differences were observed in traits such as bunch weight, fruit length, and vegetative vigor. This variability highlights the potential of certain accessions for use in genetic improvement programs. The findings contribute valuable information for the efficient conservation, selection, and utilization of the Musa germplasm in Ecuadorian agroecosystems. The results demonstrate the existence of an important genetic variability in the INIAP Musa Germplasm Bank in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. Full article

The APETALA2/Ethylene-Responsive Factor (AP2/ERF) superfamily is one of the largest transcription factor families in plants, playing diverse roles in development, stress response, and metabolic regulation. Despite their ecological and economic importance, AP2/ERF genes remain uncharacterized in marigold (Tagetes erecta), a valuable ornamental and medicinal plant in the Asteraceae family known for its unique capitulum-type inflorescence with distinct ray and disc florets. Here, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the AP2/ERF superfamily in marigold and identified 177 AP2/ERF genes distributed across 11 of the 12 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed their classification into the AP2 (28 genes), ERF (143 genes), RAV (4 genes), and Soloist (2 genes) families based on domain architecture. Gene structure and motif composition analyses demonstrated group-specific patterns that correlated with their evolutionary relationships. Chromosome mapping and synteny analyses revealed that segmental duplications significantly contributed to AP2/ERF superfamily gene expansion in marigold, with extensive collinearity observed between marigold and other species. Expression profiling across different tissues and developmental stages indicated distinct spatio-temporal expression patterns, with several genes exhibiting tissue-specific expression in Asteraceae-specific structures. In floral organs, TeAP2/ERF145 exhibited significantly higher expression in ray floret corollas compared to disc florets, while TeAP2/ERF103 showed stamen-specific expression in disc florets. Protein interaction network analysis revealed AP2 as a central hub with extensive predicted interactions with MADS-box and TCP family proteins. These findings suggest that AP2 family genes may collaborate with MADS-box and CYC2 genes in regulating the characteristic floral architecture of marigold, establishing a foundation for future functional studies and molecular breeding efforts to enhance ornamental and agricultural traits in this economically important plant. Full article

The study presented in this paper examined the effects of vacuum impregnation (VI) with beetroot juice and drying medium temperature on selected properties of broccoli. Broccoli florets were dried using the convection-drying method (CD) at a constant drying factor speed (1 m/s) at temperatures of 50 and 70 °C. The bioactive compound content, antioxidant capacity, and polyphenol content of the broccoli before and after vacuum impregnation were determined. The Page and logistic models showed good compliance with the experimental data obtained for all of the tested versions of the materials. In addition, the water activity, density, and color were examined. The use of the vacuum impregnation process resulted in an increase in the drying time, the determination of six betalains characteristic of beetroots, an increase in the polyphenol content, and an increase in the antioxidant activity (FRAP). The material after VI was characterized by a darker color, a red color, and an increased density. Increasing the drying factor temperature resulted in a shorter drying time and a higher antioxidant activity value and content of polyphenols. These findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between VI, the drying temperature, and the broccoli tissue’s characteristics, offering guidance for optimizing processing conditions and the production of innovative dried materials that can be added to dishes or serve as a healthy snack. Full article

Lespedeza potaninii is native to the Tengger Desert and exhibits a high degree of adaptation to arid conditions. It develops both chasmogamous (CH) and cleistogamous (CL) flowers with different morphologies and attachment positions. However, the manner in which the amount of irrigation and the fertilizer type affect the reproductive allocation of L. potaninii is not well known. Field experiments on L. potaninii were performed using a split-plot design in both 2023 and 2024, with three irrigation amounts (I1, 100 mm; I2, 200 mm; I3, 300 mm) for the main plots and three fertilizer types (F1, control; F2, 90 kg/ha of P fertilizer; F3, organic fertilizer) for the sub-plots. The results revealed that irrigation amounts and fertilizer types significantly affected L. potaninii yield components, total seed yield, CH seed yield, CL seed yield, and water-use efficiency (WUE). The application of P fertilizer significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced CH seed yield by 7–11% compared with control or organic fertilizer. However, the impact of fertilizer type on the seed yield of CL varied under different irrigation amounts. The seed yield of the CL part was higher under a 100 mm of irrigation, while the seed yield of the CH part was higher under the I2 and I3 irrigation amounts. The maximum seed yields in 2023 and 2024 were 974 kg/ha (I2F2) and 1011 kg/ha (I3F2). Irrigation amounts had a positive and direct effect, and fertilizer types had a positive and indirect effect, on CH seed yield by positively affecting the number of racemes and pods and the thousand-seed weight of the CH part and the number of stems. Irrigation amounts and fertilizer types exhibited a positive and indirect effect on CL seed yield by positively affecting the number of stems, racemes, florets, and pods of the CL part. Treatment I2F2 resulted in relatively high WUE, IWUE, and PWUE compared with I1; and the I2 increased the WUE by 62.74% and 42.05%, on average, the IWUE by 31.05% and 27.60%, on average, and the PWUE by 162.00% and 155.21%, on average, in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Our research can further elucidate the relationship between CH or CL seed yield, on the one hand, and amount of irrigation or fertilizer type, on the other, and offer guidelines for conserving agricultural water resources and selecting fertilizer for the Lespedeza genus. Full article

The application of cold plasma technology in agriculture includes its use as a nitrate fertilizer, offering an alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers. This study investigated the effects of using plasma-activated water (PAW) as a nitrate source on the growth and flowering of Vanda orchids through two integrated experiments. Plants were treated with different nitrate concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/L) and fertilizing frequencies (weekly vs. biweekly), in combination with varying plant ages (1-, 2-, and 3-year-old plants). The analysis focused on several variables, including plant height, the number of leaves, fresh and dry biomass, and flowering traits, such as time to bloom, inflorescence length, floret number, floret diameter, and vase life. The leaf nitrate, total nitrogen, and gas exchange parameters were also recorded. The results demonstrate that the plants receiving 100 mg/L PAW-NO₃⁻ exhibited significantly greater plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight than the control (0 mg/L), with a trend toward a higher leaf number. Flowering occurred earlier in the 100 mg/L treatment group, with the first, second, and third inflorescences emerging at 208, 284, and 304 days after treatment, respectively. Additionally, this concentration produced the highest floret number per inflorescence and the longest vase life (12.63 days). Weekly fertilization resulted in more pronounced vegetative growth than biweekly application, particularly in 3-year-old plants—the only group to flower. Fertilizing frequency, however, had no effect on flower quality regarding the inflorescence length, floret number, or floret size. These findings suggest that 100 mg/L nitrate from plasma-activated water, applied weekly, optimally enhances growth and flowering performance in Vanda orchids. Full article

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a globally significant disease that severely impacts the yield and quality of wheat. Breeding resistant wheat varieties using resistance genes is the most cost-effective strategy for managing FHB, but few markers are available for marker-assisted selection (MAS) of resistance. In this study, we evaluated the resistance of a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population to FHB through single-floret inoculation in four field environments over two years. Combined with quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection through high-density genetic mapping based on wheat 50 K SNP arrays, we identified a total of 21 QTLs influencing FHB resistance. It is worth noting that QFhba-5D.2-1 was detected in two field environments as well as in the multi-environment trial (MET) analysis, explaining phenotypic variation ranging from 1.98% to 18.55%. We also pinpointed thirteen resistance genes within the QTL intervals on chromosomes 4A, 5D, 6B, and 7A associated with FHB defense mechanisms. Furthermore, we developed two Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) markers for the QFhba-5D.2-1 and QFhba-7A regions to validate their specificity within the RIL population. Subsequently, we validated the polymorphism of these two markers in 305 wheat germplasms and analyzed their effect on thousand kernel weight (TKW) and spike length (SL). These markers will accelerate the development of FHB-resistant wheat varieties through MAS, significantly reducing yield losses and strengthening food security. Full article

In strip intercropping, increasing bandwidth enhances light energy utilization and facilitates mechanized production, yet it constrains the realization of maize yield advantages. The impact of bandwidth on the ear differentiation and development and yield formation requires further investigation. In this study, different bandwidths (T1, 1.6 m, T2, 2.0 m, T3, 2.4 m, and T4, 2.8 m) were arranged, and monoculture maize with varying row spacings (K1, 0.8 m, K2, 1.0 m, K3, 1.2 m, and K4, 1.4 m) was used as the control. The results show that increasing bandwidth inhibited the ear differentiation. The proportion of dry matter partitioning to leaves increased and to ears decreased, resulting in shorter ear length and higher floret and grain abortion rates. Maize yield losses amounted to 26.9% and 31.6% in T4 compared to K4 and T1, respectively. Moreover, the bandwidth did not affect the fertilized florets due to the smaller anthesis–silking interval created by the simultaneous effect. We concluded that the appropriate bandwidth, 1.6 m and 2.0 m, can stabilize the dry matter partitioning to the ear; stabilize ear length, floret, and grain abortion rate; and stabilize the maize yield. Full article

Floret color is a crucial phenotypic trait in broccoli, serving as an indicator of maturity and determining its market value. However, the mechanisms underlying color variation remain unclear. In this study, six broccoli varieties with different floret colors at harvest were chosen as materials. The color difference and pigment content of florets were measured, and a combined analysis of anthocyanin-targeted metabolome and transcriptome was conducted. Our findings revealed that chlorophyll a primarily influences green, yellow-green, and light green coloration, while the wax content may contribute to gray-green coloration. The blue-green and dark blue-green coloration are regulated by both chlorophyll a and anthocyanins. Targeted metabolomics identified five anthocyanin compounds, with peonidin-3-O-glucoside as a key metabolite for blue-green coloration and delphinidin-3-O-glucoside-5-O-galactoside and peonidin-3,5-O-diglucoside for dark blue-green coloration. Transcriptomic analysis identified CHLG as a potential key regulator for yellow-green and light-green floret coloration. The blue-green coloration appears to be coregulated by a combination of genes, including the chlorophyll biosynthesis gene HEMF; anthocyanin biosynthesis genes (PAL, FLS, and UGT); and chlorophyll degradation genes (SGR, PPD, and NYC). Furthermore, upstream genes involved in both chlorophyll metabolism (CHLI, CHLD, CHLM, DVR, and CLH) and anthocyanin biosynthesis (PAL, 4CL, CHS, F3′H, and FLS) play crucial roles in determining the dark blue-green coloration of florets. Meanwhile, transcription factors of the WRKY, NAC, and TCP families are involved in chlorophyll metabolism, while those of the bHLH and MYB families participate in anthocyanin synthesis. The WGCNA identified one Hub gene for chlorophyll metabolism and two for anthocyanin synthesis. In conclusion, 35 candidate genes were identified, including 21 involved in chlorophyll metabolism and 14 in anthocyanin biosynthesis. This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of floret coloration and establishes a foundation for molecular breeding in broccoli. Full article

Global climate change minimizes fresh water resources used in agriculture worldwide. It causes drought stress, which has adverse effects on plants. To ensure food security, crops and vegetables capable of tolerating shortages of water over the growth period are needed. This study aimed to elucidate the morphological and biochemical responses of three colored cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) cultivars (Clapton, Trevi, and Di Sicilia Violetto) and one broccoli cultivar (Brassica oleracea var. italica var. Magic) to different irrigation treatments (85–100%, 65–80%, 45–60%, and 25–40% field capacity). Assessment of growth parameters revealed no significant difference among all the treatments for root fresh weight, leaf area, and floret size. Major water shortages reduced the floret and stem fresh weight of the Clapton cultivar. Additionally, under severe drought stress, only the Di Sicilia Violetto cultivar had a decrease in plant height, but no impact on the number of leaves was observed. The measurement of pigment contents in the leaves showed no significant difference in carotenoids in all the cultivars; just the chlorophyll contents decreased with moderate stress in the Di Sicilia Violetto cultivar. This research demonstrates that cauliflower and broccoli are likely drought-tolerant vegetables and common irrigation regimes may be reviewed. Full article

Broccoli is prone to nutrient loss during postharvest storage due to its high respiratory metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effects of 0.1 mm β-ionone on bioactive substances and antioxidant capacity during postharvest storage of broccoli. We found that the decline in the scavenging rates of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) radicals was delayed in the treated florets. This delay is attributed to β-ionone treatment, which upregulated the expression of biosynthetic genes related to glucosinolates and riboflavin in broccoli, thereby slowing the loss of these nutrients. Additionally, β-ionone treatment increased the transcript levels of anabolic genes while reducing the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in the catabolism of ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH), resulting in higher levels of AsA and GSH in treated broccoli compared to the control. Overall, β-ionone treatment enhanced antioxidant capacity by delaying the loss of bioactive substances in postharvest broccoli. These findings provide the first evidence that exogenous β-ionone helps preserve antioxidant capacity in postharvest horticultural products. Full article