Search Results (12,990)

Pear black spot disease is a serious fungal disease during pear production; salicylic acid is a core signaling molecule that regulates the expression of plant disease resistance genes. To elucidate the intrinsic association between salicylic acid-induced resistance to pear black spot disease and lignin biosynthesis, in vitro plantlets of two pear cultivars, ‘Xinli No.7’ and ‘Xueqing’, were employed as experimental materials. After 60 h SA pretreatment, the leaves were inoculated with the pathogen Alternaria alternata. Leaf samples were harvested at 0, 8, 16, 24, and 48 h post-inoculation to determine phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity, quantify lignin content, and analyze the transcript levels of genes involved in lignin synthesis. The results demonstrated that, relative to the untreated control group, SA treatment significantly enhanced phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and promoted lignin accumulation in both ‘Xinli No.7’ and ‘Xueqing’. Moreover, multiple key genes associated with lignin biosynthesis—including PbrPAL1, Pbr4CL1, PbrCOMT, PbrCCoAOMT, PbrCAD, and PbrPOD—were markedly upregulated, with their expression levels increasing by 3.5–15 fold. Transcript profiles of PbrHCT1, PbrHCT4, and PbrC3H1 exhibited cultivar-specific divergence between the two varieties. Notably, the susceptible cultivar ‘Xueqing’ displayed a distinct lag phase and attenuated response in the expression of all lignin-related genes compared with the other cultivar. This study provides reference for green prevention and sustainable development of pear. Full article

Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a destructive pathogen causing crown gall disease, results in substantial agricultural losses. Traditional chemical and existing biocontrol methods are limited by environmental pollution, pesticide resistance, and low efficacy, while bacteriophages emerge as a promising alternative due to their high host specificity, environmental compatibility, and low resistance risk. In this study, we isolated and characterized a lytic phage (PAT-A) targeting A. tumefaciens, evaluating its biological traits, genomic features, and biocontrol potential. The host strain A. tumefaciens CL-1 was isolated from cherry crown gall tissue and identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. Phage PAT-A was recovered from orchard soil via the double-layer agar method, showing a tadpole-shaped morphology (60 nm head diameter, 30 nm tail length) under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nucleic acid analysis confirmed a double-stranded DNA genome, susceptible to DNase I but resistant to RNase A and Mung Bean Nuclease. PAT-A exhibited an optimal MOI of 0.01, tolerated wide pH and temperature ranges, but was sensitive to UV (titer declined after 15 min of irradiation) and chloroform (8% survival at a 5% concentration). Whole-genome sequencing revealed a 44,828 bp genome with a compact structure, and phylogenetic/collinearity analyses placed it in the Atuphduvirus genus (Autographiviridae). Biocontrol experiments on tobacco plants demonstrated that PAT-A significantly reduced crown gall incidence. Specifically, simultaneous inoculation of PAT-A and A. tumefaciens CL-1 resulted in the lowest tumor incidence (12.0%), while pre-inoculation of PAT-A 2 days before pathogen exposure achieved an incidence rate of 33.3%. In conclusion, PAT-A is a novel strictly lytic phage with favorable biological properties and potent biocontrol efficacy against A. tumefaciens, enriching phage resources for crown gall management and supporting phage-based agricultural biocontrol strategies. Full article

Spodoptera frugiperda is a major agricultural pest both in Brazil and worldwide, with widespread resistance to synthetic insecticides. This study evaluated the toxicity and residual activity of toxic bait formulations combining 17 insecticides with the plant-based kairomone attractant Noctovi^® 43SB against S. frugiperda adults. Bioassays were conducted with 48 h-old, food-deprived adults. Toxicity was assessed by incorporating insecticides at 2% concentration into Noctovi^® 43SB. Residual activity was measured by applying toxic baits on cotton leaves and testing at 3, 7, 15, 21, and 30 days after application (DAA). Insecticides based on methomyl, spinetoram, spinosad, indoxacarb, malathion, and zeta-cypermethrin induced over 95% mortality. Methomyl showed the greatest toxicity (LC₅₀ = 322 mg a.i. L⁻¹; LC₉₀ = 1160 mg a.i. L⁻¹). Eleven insecticides maintained residual activity (≥70%) after 30 DAA, except malathion. Overall, toxic bait formulations combining Noctovi^® 43SB with methomyl, spinosad, spinetoram, or indoxacarb proved highly effective, offering both rapid and prolonged control of S. frugiperda adults. These findings highlight attract-and-kill as a promising tool for sustainable management of this pest. Full article

Plant organic cation transporters (OCTs) are involved in a variety of beneficial biological processes, such as cadaverine transfer in plants and soil, and play an active role in the formation of plant stress resistance. In this study, 52 OCT family genes were identified in tomato, and comprehensive bioinformatics analyses of these numbers, such as promoter cis-acting elements, gene mapping and collinearity, protein characterization and phylogenetic analysis. By analyzing the expression of tomato OCT family genes under cold and salt stresses using transcriptome data and qRT-PCR experiments, a key gene regulating cold stress tolerance, SlOCT20, was identified. Subcellular localization experiments indicated that SlOCT20 was mainly localized in the cell membrane. When the SlOCT20 gene was silenced in tomato, the tolerance to cold stress was significantly reduced and oxidative stress was aggravated, indicating that this gene positively regulates the tolerance to cold stress in tomato. Full article

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an increasingly important multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen frequently isolated from clinical, environmental, and plant-associated niches. Despite its medical relevance, the global population structure, species-complex boundaries, and genomic determinants of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and ecological adaptation remain poorly resolved, partly due to inconsistent annotations and fragmented genomic datasets. Methods: Approximately 2400 genome assemblies annotated as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were available in the NCBI Assembly database at the time of query. After pre-download filtering to exclude metagenome-assembled genomes and atypical lineages, 1750 isolate genomes were retrieved and subjected to stringent quality control (completeness ≥90%, contamination ≤5%, ≤500 contigs, N50 ≥ 10 kb, and ≤1% ambiguous bases), yielding a final curated dataset of 1518 high-quality genomes used for downstream analyses. Genomes were assessed using CheckM, annotated with Prokka, and compared using average nucleotide identity (ANI), pan-genome analysis, core-genome phylogenomics, and functional annotation. AMR genes, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and metadata (source, host, and geographic origin) were integrated to assess lineage-specific genomic features and ecological distributions. Results: ANI-based clustering resolved the S. maltophilia complex into multiple distinct genomospecies and revealed extensive misidentification of publicly deposited genomes. The pan-genome was highly open, reflecting strong genomic plasticity driven by accessory gene acquisition. Core-genome phylogeny resolved well-supported clades associated with clinical, environmental, and plant-related niches. Resistome profiling showed widespread intrinsic MDR determinants, with certain lineages enriched for efflux pumps, β-lactamases, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole resistance markers. MGE analysis identified lineage-specific integrative conjugative elements, prophages, and transposases that correlated with source and geographic distribution. Conclusions: This large-scale analysis provides the most comprehensive genomic overview of the S. maltophilia complex to date. Our findings clarify species boundaries, highlight substantial taxonomic misannotation in public databases, and reveal lineage-specific AMR and mobilome patterns linked to ecological and clinical origins. The curated dataset and evolutionary insights generated here establish a foundation for global genomic surveillance, epidemiological tracking, and future studies on the evolution of antimicrobial resistance in S. maltophilia. Full article

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a globally significant crop increasingly affected by a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. Plant biostimulants offer a promising approach to enhance plant resilience by modulating key physiological and metabolic processes. This study aimed to demonstrate that the preventive application of a Fabaceae-based biostimulant can prime grapevine defense pathways, thereby improving plants’ ability to endure potential stress conditions. Indeed, resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses in plants involves common pathways, including Ca²⁺ and ROS signaling, MAPK cascades, hormone cross-talk, transcription factor activation, and induction of defense genes. Grapevine leaves were subjected to high-throughput transcriptomic analysis coupled with qPCR validation 6 and 24 h following treatment application. Differentially expressed genes were visualized using MapMan to identify the major metabolic and signaling pathways responsive to the treatment. This integrative analysis revealed several defense-related pathways triggered by the biostimulant, with representative protein families showing both up- and downregulation across key functional categories. Overall, the results indicate that a wider array of pathways associated with stress tolerance and growth regulation were stimulated in treated plants compared to untreated controls. These findings support the conclusion that a preventive biostimulant application can effectively prime grapevine metabolism, enhancing its preparation to cope with forthcoming environmental challenges. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance represents a critical challenge to global public health, driving the search for bioactive compounds in medicinal plants. The Fabaceae family stands out for its chemical richness and pharmacological properties; however, in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico—an area of high diversity due to its location between the Nearctic and Neotropical regions—this flora remains largely unexplored. The objective of this review was to analyze the global scientific literature on the Fabaceae of Tamaulipas, integrating floristic records, phytochemistry, and antimicrobial activity. Of the 347 species recorded in the state, only 60 have phytochemical studies, and 43 have documented medicinal uses. The results show that extraction methods predominantly use polar solvents to isolate phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and alkaloids, which show efficacy against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Despite limited local ethnobotanical documentation, the potential demonstrated by these species in other regions positions Tamaulipas as a strategic reservoir. This review identifies research gaps and emphasizes the need for systematic studies that validate traditional uses and prioritize bioprospecting of the flora of northeastern Mexico for the development of new therapeutic alternatives. Full article

With accelerating urbanization, rivers have been severely polluted, resulting in widespread black and odorous waterways. The coagulation–sedimentation and contact oxidation bypass treatment process is characterized by low operational cost and simple operation and management. In this study, a coagulation–sedimentation–contact oxidation biofilter process was developed to treat heavily polluted malodorous blackwater. Among the tested biofilm carriers, rigid aramid fiber exhibited the fastest biofilm formation and the best pollutant removal performance. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of effluent quality and treatment capacity, the optimal operating conditions of the proposed process were identified as a PAC dosage of 50 mg/L, an air-to-water ratio of 7:1, and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2 h. Under these conditions, the effluent concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), and suspended solids (SSs) were consistently maintained below 30, 5, and 5 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, the optimized system demonstrated strong resistance to shock loading, maintaining stable operation at influent COD and SS concentrations of approximately 150 mg/L and 40 mg/L, respectively, while complying with the Class A Discharge Standard of Pollutants for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants. This study provides an efficient treatment strategy for malodorous blackwater remediation. Full article

Polyurethanes (PUs) are indispensable polymeric materials widely employed across diverse industrial sectors due to their excellent thermal stability, chemical resistance, adhesion, and mechanical durability. However, the intrinsic three-dimensional crosslinked network that underpins their performance also presents a fundamental barrier to reprocessing and recycling. Consequently, most end-of-life PU waste is currently managed through landfilling or incineration, resulting in significant resource loss and environmental impact. To address these challenges, this review presents an integrated perspective on sustainable PU systems by unifying green synthesis strategies with closed-loop recovery approaches. First, recent advances in bio-based polyols and phosgene-free isocyanate synthesis derived from renewable resources—such as plant oils, carbohydrates, and lignin—are discussed as viable means to reduce dependence on petrochemical feedstocks and mitigate toxicity concerns. Next, emerging chemical recycling methodologies, including acidolysis and aminolysis, are reviewed with a focus on the selective recovery of high-purity monomers. Finally, PU vitrimers and dynamic covalent polymer networks (DCPNs) based on urethane bond exchange reactions are examined as reprocessable architectures that combine thermoplastic-like processability with the mechanical robustness of thermosets. By integrating synthesis, recovery, and reuse within a unified framework, this review aims to outline a coherent pathway toward establishing a sustainable circular economy for PU materials. Full article

Common methods for detecting Drosophila suzukii (spotted-wing drosophila, SWD) in fruit, such as microscopy, physical extraction, and incubation, are time-consuming and may underrepresent egg and first instar larvae counts, the smallest life stages of SWD. To address these limitations, we evaluated a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) protocol to detect and quantify SWD eggs using a linear model of the log-transformed ratio of eggs to sample volume (µL) in Tris buffer and fruit tissue. Compared to traditional approaches, this method reduces identification time from several weeks to approximately five hours. We observed a negative linear correlation between qPCR cycle threshold and egg concentration in both standard and fruit tissue samples, with similar model fits (R² = 0.7215 for field fruit tissue; R² = 0.874 for standard samples). This DNA-based protocol improves infestation detection speed and accuracy by enabling rapid, species-specific identification of D. suzukii in fruit tissue, addressing limitations of morphological identification of eggs and larvae. Further refinement for fruit tissue could enhance real-world applicability. Rapid detection may enable timely assessment of varietal resistance to SWD and support safer control strategies targeting early life stages, helping to prevent pest development and fruit degradation. Full article

Stem mustard (Brassica juncea var. tumida Tsen et Lee) is an important economic vegetable in China. Premature bolting induced by temperature fluctuations has become a major cultivation constraint. Photoreceptors (PHRs) serve as critical photosensor proteins that interpret light signals and regulate physiological responses in plants. In this study, five core PHR families, namely F-box-containing flavin binding proteins (ZTL/FKF1/LKP2), phytochrome (PHY), cryptochrome (CRY), phototropin (PHOT) and UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) were identified in Brassica species. RNA-seq analysis revealed their expression patterns during organogenesis in B. juncea. Seven candidate PHRs were validated by qRT-PCR in B. juncea early-bolting (‘YA-1’) and late-bolting (‘ZT-1’) cultivars. Agrobacterium-mediated BjuFKF1_1 overexpression (OE) lines resulted in significantly earlier flowering under field conditions. Histochemical GUS staining indicated that BjuFKF1_1 was expressed in seedlings, leaves, flower buds and siliques. Transcript analysis revealed that the expression level of BjuFKF1_1 was up-regulated in all tissues at both the vegetative and reproductive stages, whereas the expression of BjuFKF1_1 interacting protein-encoding genes were down-regulated in flowers. Under blue light, genes encoding interacting proteins (BjuCOL5, BjuSKP1, BjuCOL3, BjuAP2, BjuAP2-1 and BjuLKP2) were up-regulated in flower buds, whereas BjuCOL and BjuPP2C52 were down-regulated in flowers. Developmental stage analysis revealed the up-regulation of five (BjuAP2, BjuCOL3, BjuCOL5, BjuAP2-1 and BjuLKP2) and four (BjuCOL, BjuCOL5, BjuAP2 and BjuLKP2) interaction protein-encoding genes during the reproductive stage under white and blue light, respectively. These findings elucidate the role of BjuFKF1_1 in flowering regulation and provide molecular targets for B. juncea bolting-resistant variety breeding. Full article

Small-diameter synthetic grafts often fail from thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia, and compliance mismatch, highlighting the need for alternatives that better support endothelialization and remodeling. Here, we evaluated multilayer plant-based vascular grafts fabricated from decellularized leatherleaf viburnum reinforced with cross-linked gelatin, seeded with vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, and conditioned in a perfusion bioreactor to mimic physiological shear stress. Pre-implant assays confirmed effective decellularization, low residual detergent, and mechanical integrity suitable for surgical handling. In a rat abdominal aorta interposition model, plant-based grafts remained patent at 1, 4, and 24 weeks and showed higher survival than silicone controls. Ultrasound imaging demonstrated flow patterns and resistance indices similar to native vessels, and plant-based grafts maintained significantly higher endothelial cell coverage than silicone controls, reaching native-like density by 24 weeks. Histology and biochemical assays showed early collagen and elastin coverage comparable to native aorta and increased collagen by 24 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy showed smooth luminal surfaces with minimal thrombus formation, contrasting with the rougher, thrombus-prone surfaces of silicone grafts. These findings indicate that plant-based grafts support endothelialization, maintain long-term patency, and undergo favorable remodeling in vivo, supporting their potential as a biomimetic alternative for small-diameter arterial repair. Full article

Seed endophytic microbiota are crucial for plant early development and stress resistance. Pinus massoniana is a key ecological and economic tree species in China, yet it is severely threatened by pine wilt disease (PWD). However, the community composition of P. massoniana seed endophytic microbiota and the persistent symbiosis formed via vertical transmission in seeds remain unclear. We analyzed the endophytic bacterial and fungal microbiota of P. massoniana seeds from four geographic regions using high-throughput 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing to characterize community structure, diversity, and functional potential, providing a basis for endophytic microbiota-based strategies to enhance resistance to PWD. Results showed that both alpha and beta diversity analyses indicated that seed endophytic microbial communities of P. massoniana differed among regions. Bacterial communities were dominated by Pseudomonadota (phylum), Gammaproteobacteria (class), and the genera Klebsiella, norank_f_Pectobacteriaceae, and Lactobacillus. Fungal communities were primarily composed of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota (phylum), Sordariomycetes (class), and the genera Rosellinia, Aspergillus, and Coniophora. Correlation network analysis revealed that fungal networks were characterized by a higher proportion of positive correlations, whereas bacterial networks were more complex. Notably, several genera detected in seeds, including Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Trichoderma, have also been reported in mature P. massoniana tissues, indicating a potential for putative vertical transmission from mother plants. Functional prediction further suggested that these taxa were enriched in pathways related to terpenoid and polyketide metabolism and saprotrophic functions, which have been implicated in PWD resistance and have been previously reported to exert nematode-suppressive or plant growth-promoting effects. Overall, this study elucidates the community structure and ecological characteristics of seed endophytic microbiota in P. massoniana and identifies potentially beneficial microbial taxa, providing potential support for the future utilization of P. massoniana endophytic microbiota in PWD research. Full article

Bacterial and viral diseases significantly reduce soybean (Glycine max) yield and quality. RNA modifications, particularly N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A), are increasingly recognized as having a regulatory role in plant–pathogen interactions, but the m⁶A methylome of soybean during viral and bacterial infection has not yet been characterized. Here, we performed transcriptome sequencing and MeRIP-seq (methylated RNA immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing) of soybean leaves infected with Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) and/or Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea (Psg). In general, m⁶A peaks were highly enriched near stop codons and in 3′-UTR regions of soybean transcripts, and m⁶A methylation was negatively correlated with transcript abundance. Multiple genes showed differential methylation between infected and control plants: 1122 in Psg-infected plants, 539 in SMV-infected plants, and 2269 in co-infected plants; 195 (Psg), 84 (SMV), and 354 (Psg + SMV) of these transcripts were both differentially methylated and differentially expressed. Interestingly, viral infection was predominantly associated with hypermethylation and downregulation, whereas bacterial infection was predominantly associated with hypomethylation and upregulation. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed shared processes likely affected by changes in m⁶A methylation during bacterial and viral infection, including ATP-dependent RNA helicase activity, RNA binding, and endonuclease activity, as well as specific processes affected by only one pathogen. Our findings shed light on the role of m⁶A modifications during pathogen infection and highlight potential targets for epigenetic editing to increase the broad-spectrum disease resistance of soybean. Full article

The global prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, presents a substantial challenge to public health, necessitating the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to combat these infections. This study examined the synergistic effects of a biosurfactant (BS) derived from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and a novel extract from Rosmarinus officinalis (RoME) obtained through supercritical CO₂ extraction against S. aureus sourced from the microbiology laboratory at King Salman Hospital in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. Antibacterial efficacy was determined using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays, assessments of bacterial membrane damage, and qRT-PCR analysis of genes associated with antibiotic resistance. The findings revealed that the S. aureus strain exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics with a resistance score of 0.44. RoME and BS demonstrated MICs of 0.125 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. The assays indicated significant bacterial membrane damage and reduced expression of the norA, mdeA, and sel genes, which are implicated in resistance and virulence, respectively. The combination of BSs with plant extracts may provide innovative approaches for treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, highlighting the potential of probiotic-derived BSs in combination with plant extracts. Full article