Search Results (25,444)

Severe southern soybean crinkle leaf disease (SSCLD) reduces soybean seed yield by approximately 40%. Identifying the genes that control SSCLD is crucial for breeding resistant varieties and elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying SSCLD infection. In this study, recombinant inbred lines (RILs, n = 236) derived from a cross between Nannong1138-2 (NN1138-2) and Zhengxiaodou (ZXD) were used as experimental materials. A field trial employing a randomized block design was conducted in four environments across two locations, Nanning (2019–2021) and Du’an (2020) in Guangxi, to identify the disease severity grades of SSCLD in the field. QTLs controlling SSCLD were detected via a genetic map constructed using 3255 SLAF (specific locus amplified fragment) markers from the recombinant inbred lines. RT‒qPCR was used to analyze candidate gene expression at major effect loci. The results revealed that eight SSCLD-associated QTLs were identified on chromosomes 3, 6, 12, and 17. Notably, the qw12-1 locus on chromosome 12 was detected across three developmental stages in three of the four environments, explaining 10.18–58.20% of the phenotypic variation. RT‒qPCR analysis of 12 disease resistance-related genes within the qw12-1 interval revealed that GLYMA_12G233000 and GLYMA_12G239200 presented significantly higher expression in crinkled leaf lines than in normal leaf lines during the V5 (fifth trifoliolate stage), R2 (full bloom stage), and R6 (full seed stage) stages. These genes were prioritized as potential prime candidates for SSCLD resistance genes. This research provides foundational data for the fine mapping of qw12-1 and cloning SSCLD-related genes, advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying SSCLD. Full article

Vertical transmission of plant pathogenic viruses is an important component of viral persistence, survival, and spread in agricultural production systems. This type of transmission is of considerable economic significance as it can cause major crop losses by serving as the initial focus of infection for future epidemics. Vertical transmission occurs when a virus is passed on to offspring either by direct invasion of the developing seed embryo from infected mother plants or through infected pollen grains after fertilization. We have recently demonstrated via high-throughput sequencing that mature seeds of the agriculturally important forage crop alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are associated with a broad range of viruses, some of which could potentially spread over long distances via seed. With the exception of the alfalfa mosaic virus, little is currently known about viral transmission through alfalfa pollen and its subsequent impact on the disease epidemiology of the crop. The objective of this study was to screen pollen from diverse alfalfa genotypes for pathogenic viruses and assess their risk of transmission. The pollen was collected from alfalfa genotypes selected for fungal disease resistance and agronomic performance in the USDA ARS pre-breeding program in Prosser, WA. Full article

Seeds of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. ‘Hangshao’ contain over 20% oil, of which more than 90% are unsaturated fatty acids, showing its high potential as an oil crop. Triacylglycerol (TAG) is the main storage form of fatty acids, and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) is a key enzyme in TAG biosynthesis. In this study, the full-length cDNA of PlDGAT2 (326 amino acids) was cloned. Subcellular localization assays further indicated that it localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. Functional verification showed that silencing PlDGAT2 in herbaceous peony decreased the level of total fatty acids, palmitic acid (C16:0, PA) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3, ALA), but increased linoleic acid (C18:2, LA) in leaves. Overexpressing PlDGAT2 in tobacco elevated the content of total fatty acids, PA, and ALA in seeds, while also enlarging the seed sizes, but it reduced the LA content in tobacco seeds. This study suggests that PlDGAT2 contributes to the accumulation of ALA and total fatty acids, offering a potential gene target for improving the oil quality of herbaceous peony seeds. Full article

Seed aging is a major constraint for plant establishment in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, where poor seed vigor directly limits species persistence and restoration success. Desert species are particularly vulnerable to storage- and stress-induced deterioration, yet practical strategies to recover germination capacity in aged seeds remain limited. This study aimed to quantify aging-induced losses in germination performance and to evaluate whether exogenous gibberellic acid (GA₃) can partially restore seed vigor through physiological, biochemical, and hormonal regulation. Fresh seeds (FS), naturally aged (NA), and artificially aged (AA) seeds of four desert species (Salsola affinis C.A.Mey., Trigonella arcuata C.A.Mey., Ceratocarpus arenarius L., and Alyssum desertorum Stapf) were exposed to graded GA₃ concentrations (0–500 mg L⁻¹). Germination indices (GP, GR, GI, VI), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT), lipid peroxidation (MDA), phytohormones (IAA, ABA, cytokinins), and multivariate trait relationships were assessed. Without GA₃, NA reduced germination potential by 22.8–33.6%, while AA caused more severe losses of 42.4–67.8%, depending on species. Germination rate declined by 15.7–32.5% under NA and 36.4–65.2% under AA. GA₃ application improved all germination indices up to 200 mg L⁻¹ (GA200), which increased GP by 22.8–32.0% and vitality index by 17.0–28.5% compared with GA₀, whereas GA500 showed diminishing returns. Aging suppressed antioxidant enzymes by 15–20% (NA) and 30–45% (AA) and increased MDA by up to 50%, while GA200 enhanced SOD, POD, and CAT and reduced MDA by 8–18%. Aging also reduced IAA and cytokinins (~28–50%) and increased ABA (27.7–77.4%), with GA200 partially restoring hormonal balance. In conclusion, GA₃ at an optimal dose (200 mg L⁻¹) partially reverses aging-induced physiological and hormonal constraints, improving germination and vigor, although recovery remains limited under advanced deterioration. Full article

Seed varietal purity and physiological viability are critical determinants of crop yield and quality. However, non-destructive assessment faces significant challenges in fine-grained variety discrimination and the perception of internal defects. This study proposes S3-Net, an AI-driven multimodal sensing framework that integrates vision–language alignment with dual-spectral sensor fusion for autonomous seed quality evaluation. We introduce a Knowledge–Vision Alignment (KVA) module that incorporates encyclopedic morphological descriptions to guide feature learning, significantly enhancing few-shot generalization. Complementarily, a Dual-Spectral Fusion (DSF) module combines high-resolution RGB textures with penetrative Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) sensing to jointly characterize external and internal traits. Experimental results on a custom multimodal dataset of 6000 samples across 12 crop categories demonstrate that S3-Net achieves 96.9% accuracy for species identification and 95.8% for viability detection. Notably, S3-Net outperforms ResNet-50 by 40.3% in extreme 1-shot scenarios. With a stable inference throughput of 95 fps, the system meets the high-throughput demands of industrial-scale applications, providing a robust and efficient solution for intelligent agricultural phenotyping. Full article

The ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranate cultivar is highly valued for its organoleptic properties, yet it often suffers from inadequate fruit pigmentation, reducing its commercial competitiveness. This study, carried out in a mature commercial orchard located in Spain (Alicante), evaluated the impact of preharvest applications of sorbitol at different concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1% in 2023, and 2.5 and 5% in 2024) and three application periods: S1 (nine applications from fruit set), S2 (six applications from seed hardening), and S3 (three applications at the onset of colour change) over two consecutive growing seasons (2023 and 2024). Treatments were applied via foliar spraying from the time of fruit set until the onset of external colour change. The results showed that sorbitol acted as an effective metabolic ‘vector’, significantly increasing fruit weight and total yield, particularly at concentrations of 1 and 5%. Furthermore, sorbitol treatments enhanced fruit firmness by stabilizing cell wall structures and significantly improved exocarp red pigmentation by reducing the hue angle. While the highest doses (1, 2.5, and 5%) enhanced biomass accumulation, they also triggered a potential negative feedback loop in sugar sensing that could interfere with secondary metabolism at excessive thresholds. These findings suggest that preharvest sorbitol applications, particularly at concentrations between 1 and 5% starting from early application period (S1), serve as an effective strategy for improving yield and external pigmentation in ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranate fruit. Full article

Synthetic dyes discharged from the textile and dyeing industry present a significant environmental and health hazard due to their inherent toxicity, environmental persistence, and potential carcinogenicity. Microbial degradation has garnered significant interest as a cost-effective and eco-friendly strategy for dye wastewater treatment in recent years. The study systematically evaluated the decolorization performance, degradation pathways, and detoxification effects of three bacterial strains, including Rhodopseudomonas palustris gh32, Bacillus cereus HL7, and Bacillus safensis X64, on the dye indigo carmine (IC) and three azo dyes: reactive black 5 (RB5), direct black G (DBG), and direct blue 15 (DB15). The degradation mechanisms were elucidated through UV-Vis spectroscopy, UPLC-Orbitrap-HRMS analysis, and enzyme activity assays. Molecular docking simulations were employed to investigate the interactions between key redox enzymes (such as laccase, tyrosinase, and azoreductase) and the dye molecules. The results demonstrated that the strain-specific enzymatic systems effectively disrupted the dye structures. Significant detoxification effects were further confirmed through a series of bio toxicity assays involving Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, plant seeds, and erythrocytes. The addition of Fe³⁺, sodium citrate, or yeast extract significantly enhanced both the decolorization efficiency and enzyme activity. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the bacterial dye degradation process at the mechanistic level, highlighting the potential of customized bacterial systems for eco-friendly dye wastewater treatment. It offers theoretical support for elucidating the mechanisms of bacterial dye degradation and advancing bioremediation technologies. Full article

Insects underpin key ecosystem services. Yet tree-associated insect communities remain comparatively poorly documented, particularly in temperate forests. This study aimed to characterize the diversity and abundance of insect assemblages associated with the predominantly insect-pollinated forest tree Tilia cordata Mill. in protected areas in Lithuania, and to assess the occurrence of known and putative pollinator groups within these assemblages. We quantified insect assemblages associated with Tilia cordata using two sampling methods but did not directly measure pollination effectiveness (e.g., pollen loads, visitation rates to flowers, or fruit/seed set). Consequently, our inferences refer to the presence and composition of potential pollinators rather than demonstrated pollination function or realized pollination services. Fieldwork was conducted over two years in six protected T. cordata sites in Lithuania using two complementary sampling methods: net sampling and sticky traps. Sampling was structured into three observation periods corresponding to T. cordata phenology: pre-flowering (I), flowering (II) and post-flowering (III). In total, 207 insect taxa from 15 orders were recorded by net sampling and 86 taxa from 11 orders by sticky traps. Net sampling showed significantly higher diversity (Shannon H = 3.81) than sticky traps (H = 2.10). Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Diptera were the most common groups, and most taxa occurred at low to moderate abundances, with only a few species showing local dominance in specific periods or sites. Taxa documented in the literature as significant pollinators were consistently present but at low relative abundances (about 5–10% in total). Insect assemblage composition and species proportions varied among phenological periods and between years, with no clear, consistent peak in overall insect abundance or diversity associated specifically with the T. cordata flowering phase. These findings indicate that T. cordata stands in protected areas harbor diverse insect assemblages typical of temperate deciduous and mixed forest habitats and include a broad spectrum of non-bees and other potential pollinators. Therefore, we did not detect a distinct peak in insect abundance or species richness during the T. cordata flowering period, indicating that flowering did not coincide with a pronounced maximum in pollinator-related insect activity. However, the quantitative patterns observed suggest that, in this context, T. cordata provides only modest support for pollinator guilds, and its role is better interpreted as one component of wider forest insect diversity rather than as a primary driver of pollination services. Full article

Pinus oocarpa Schiede ex Schltdl. is the most important resin-producing conifer in Mexico, yet its morphological variation and seed transfer guidelines remain poorly defined for the Sierra Madre del Sur (SMS). This study evaluated variation in cone, seed, fascicle sheath, and needle traits, analyzed their associations with geographic and climatic factors, and delineated altitudinal seed zones and assisted migration distances. Most variation occurred among individual trees, with smaller but significant components among populations and provenances. All traits differed significantly among populations, provenances, and trees (p ≤ 0.0325), except for cone length, which showed no significant differences among populations (p = 0.0714). Multivariate analyses at both tree and provenance levels identified two differentiated population groups within the SMS. Several traits, including needle thickness, seed size, cone length, and seed weight, showed significant associations with environmental gradients. To realign provenances with projected climates for the 2030s, 2060s, and 2090s, upward altitudinal shifts of 165, 255, and 400 m are required. These findings support the implementation of a modified climate-adjusted provenancing strategy to reduce maladaptation risks and enhance climate resilience in reforestation and restoration programs. Full article

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) accounts for 90% of CRC-related mortality. This review synthesizes insights from comparative genomics tracing evolutionary trajectories from primary tumor to disseminated disease. Multi-region sequencing reveals metastatic seeding often occurs early—before clinical detection—challenging linear progression models. The metastatic bottleneck reduces clonal diversity while enriching for dissemination-competent traits including SMAD4 loss, PTEN inactivation and metabolic reprogramming. Organ-specific adaptation yields distinct molecular signatures: liver metastases exhibit Wnt hyperactivation and TGF-β-driven immune suppression; peritoneal tumors display mucinous features; brain metastases show HER2 enrichment. The immune microenvironment evolves toward immunosuppressive configurations, with Microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) tumors acquiring B2M or JAK1/2 mutations. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) enables real-time tracking of clonal dynamics, detecting molecular residual disease months before radiographic progression. Therapeutic resistance follows predictable evolutionary trajectories—from RAS/BRAF mutations to EGFR ectodomain alterations, HER2/MET amplifications and lineage plasticity—with metastasis-specific mechanisms including microenvironmental protection and cellular dormancy. The clinical future lies in interception: leveraging liquid biopsies for early detection, targeting both tumor-intrinsic vulnerabilities and permissive metastatic niches and adapting therapy dynamically to anticipate resistance. Understanding this genomic odyssey is essential for transforming mCRC into a controllable chronic condition. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a globally important legume crop valued as a major source of plant-based protein and edible oil. Understanding the transcriptional programs underlying tissue-specific development is essential for improving seed quality and agronomic performance. Here, we present an integrative transcriptomic analysis of soybean based on 12 samples representing key seed developmental stages—including globular, heart, cotyledon, embryo, dry seed, mid-mature, and late-mature—and vegetative and reproductive tissues, including leaf, root, stem, flower bud, and seedling at 6 days after imbibition (6 DAI). Following data preprocessing and filtering, 54,880 genes were retained for downstream analysis. Principal component analysis revealed clear separation between seed and non-seed tissues, indicating that tissue identity is the dominant driver of transcriptomic variation. Analysis of the top 100 most variable genes further highlighted distinct expression modules associated with seed maturation and vegetative growth. Differential expression analysis identified 9785 genes exhibiting significant expression differences between seed and non-seed tissues, including 1139 upregulated and 8646 downregulated genes under relaxed statistical thresholds. Functional characterization of seed-upregulated genes revealed enrichment of biological processes related to storage metabolism, embryo development, and stress protection mechanisms associated with desiccation tolerance. In addition, co-expression network and correlation analyses demonstrated strong transcriptional coherence among seed tissues and distinct clustering of vegetative organs. Together, these results provide a comprehensive systems-level overview of transcriptional organization across soybean tissues and identify candidate gene sets relevant to seed biology, functional genomics, and crop improvement. Full article

Sunflower is a globally important oilseed crop. Improving its fatty acid composition is crucial for enhancing oil quality and nutritional value. To dissect the genetic basis of quality traits, we performed genome resequencing on 203 sunflower inbred lines and conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for five traits—oil content, stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid—across three environments. We identified 103 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 154 candidate genes. Notably, several associated loci were co-localized for multiple traits, suggesting pleiotropic effects or close genetic linkages. Integration with transcriptome data from developing seeds revealed that 66 candidate genes were expressed within 30 days after pollination, of which 12 showed significant differential expression between high- and low-oleic acid varieties. Functional characterization of a selected candidate, the ω-6 fatty acid desaturase gene (LOC110938218, designated HaDES8.11), demonstrated that the HaDES8.11-eGFP fusion protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum. Heterologous expression of HaDES8.11 in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly increased seed linoleic acid content while decreasing oleic acid content, confirming its role in fatty acid desaturation. Our study provides novel genetic insights and valuable candidate genes for the molecular breeding of sunflower with optimized oil quality. Full article

Micronutrient deficiencies and low nutrient-use efficiency remain critical constraints to sustainable crop production. This study tested the hypothesis that Zn- and Cu-doped MnFe₂O₄ spinel ferrite nanoparticles can function as an efficient multinutrient nanofertilizer to enhance fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) growth and physiological performance. Zn- and Cu-doped MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized via a sol–gel method and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The nanoparticles exhibited a cubic spinel structure with an average crystallite size of 27 nm and uniform incorporation of Zn and Cu within the MnFe₂O₄ lattice. Foliar application at different concentrations (100–500 mg/L) significantly improved seed germination, seed vigor, plant height, leaf number, stem thickness, biomass accumulation, and chlorophyll content compared with the untreated control. The 300 mg/L treatment consistently produced the greatest improvements, increasing plant height, biomass, and total chlorophyll content by more than 25–40% relative to control plants. Higher concentrations of T₅ resulted in diminished benefits, indicating a concentration-dependent response. These findings demonstrate that Zn- and Cu-doped MnFe₂O₄ nanofertilizer provides a balanced and bioavailable source of essential micronutrients, offering a promising nano-enabled strategy for improving nutrient use efficiency and sustainable fenugreek production. Full article

Seed coating technology is regarded as one of the optimal strategies to promote sustainable agricultural development. It can effectively optimize the physical and physiological characteristics of seeds, improve germplasm quality, and enhance crop resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Saline–alkali soils, characterized by high salinity and alkalinity, severely restrict plant growth and development. However, alfalfa, a high-quality leguminous forage, faces substantial challenges in large-scale popularization and cultivation in saline–alkali regions. At present, research on the application of microbial seed coating technology in alfalfa production under saline–alkali conditions remains insufficient, and relevant techniques and formulations still require optimization. Under field conditions, this study used a randomized complete block design with alfalfa as the research material. Different coating treatments combining plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), rhizobia, and extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs) were established to systematically investigate the effects of various coating formulations on alfalfa yield, nutritional quality, root system architecture, and rhizosphere soil properties. Meanwhile, high-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze shifts in rhizosphere soil microbial community structure. The results demonstrated that all microbial coating treatments exerted significant growth-promoting effects on alfalfa grown in saline–alkali soils, among which the T8 treatment (combined coating of rhizobia + PGPR + EPS) performed the best. This treatment not only significantly improved alfalfa yield and nutritional quality but also modified root system architecture and enhanced soil enzyme activities, soil nutrient contents, and soil physical structure, thereby creating a favorable growth environment for plants. Among the single microbial coating treatments, the combined coating of rhizobia and EPS outperformed other single treatments and exhibited favorable application potential. Sequencing results revealed that microbial seed coating treatments significantly increased the relative abundance of beneficial soil bacteria, decreased the abundance of harmful fungi, regulated rhizosphere microbial community structure, and consequently promoted improvements in alfalfa yield and quality by optimizing the plant growth microenvironment. The findings of this study provide important theoretical support for the popularization and application of microbial seed coating technology in crop cultivation in saline–alkali soils, offer a key reference for optimizing alfalfa-specific seed coating formulations for saline–alkali conditions, and are of great significance for promoting the efficient utilization of saline–alkali land resources and the development of ecological agriculture. Full article