Search Results (831)

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is a globally important crop for sugar and bioenergy production. However, genetic improvement through conventional breeding is constrained by long breeding cycles, low genetic gain, and considerable operational complexity arising from its highly allopolyploid and aneuploid genome. With the increasing global demand for sustainable food and renewable energy, sugarcane breeding programs must accelerate the development of high-yielding, stress-tolerant cultivars through the integration of advanced biotechnological tools with traditional breeding approaches. Recent advances in genetic engineering, genomic selection (GS), and high-throughput omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phenomics, have substantially enhanced the efficiency of trait improvement related to growth, development, yield, and stress resilience. The integration of multi-omics data enables the dissection of regulatory networks linking genotype to phenotype, improves predictive accuracy, and provides deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying complex traits. These integrative approaches support more informed selection decisions and accelerate genetic gain in sugarcane breeding programs. This review synthesizes recent technological developments and their practical applications in sugarcane improvement. It highlights the strategic implementation of transgenic and genome-editing technologies, genomic selection, and multi-omics integration to enhance yield potential and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, thereby contributing to sustainable sugarcane production and global food and bioenergy security. Full article

Sugar beet, one of the most important natural sources of sugars in the world, is well known as a recalcitrant crop for genetic transformation. In the present study, several key components of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of sugar beet have been studied. The correct choice of explant and plant regeneration potential of domestic breeding lines was evaluated; however, most attention was paid to the search for the most efficient selectable marker gene and selection agents. To produce transgenic plants, we applied a method based on the agrobacterial inoculation of wounded morphogenic structures previously initiated on in vitro cultivated leaves. Four selective marker genes conferring antibiotic or herbicide resistance were evaluated. In the case of selection using kanamycin or G418 (nptII gene controlled by the nos promoter), no transgenic plants were obtained, while the addition of the aminoglycoside antibiotic hygromycin (hpt gene, driven by the nos promoter) to the medium ensured the successful production of transgenic plants from three breeding lines with a frequency ranging from 1.5 to 5.1%. The selection of transgenic tissues using herbicides such as phosphinothricin and glyphosate after transformation with the bar and cp4-epsps genes (both controlled by the CaMV 35S promoter) also ensured the obtaining of transgenic plants, but the transformation efficiency was significantly low, reaching only 1.0 and 0.4%, respectively. Primary transgenic sugar beet plants grown in the greenhouse demonstrated enhanced resistance to herbicides in dosages commonly used in the field. In addition, after self-pollination of the primary T0 transgenic lines, homozygous T2 offspring were successfully selected, which demonstrated stable resistance to glyphosate due to the constitutive expression of the introduced cp4-epsps gene. Full article

Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) play a central role in mediating plant responses to abiotic stress. Anthocyanins, one of the most important secondary metabolites in plants, contribute to both stress tolerance and the enhancement in crop nutritional quality. However, the possible role of HSFs in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) remains unknown. This study conducted a genome-wide analysis of the sweet potato HSF gene family to explore their functions related to anthocyanin metabolism and salinity stress. Multiple stress-inducible promoter elements were identified within IbHSF22, including those induced by drought, salt, heat, ABA, and light. For functional characterization of this gene, a 35S-driven overexpression construct was prepared and then transformed into Nicotiana benthamiana. Overexpression of IbHSF22 led to a nearly two-fold increase in anthocyanin content, concurrently with the elevated expression of key structural genes such as NtCHS, NtF3H, NtDFR, and NtANS. Under salt stress, the transgenic plants also exhibited enhanced tolerance, which was associated with maintained antioxidant enzyme activity and concerted induction of stress-responsive genes, events that collectively resulted in decreased oxidative damage. Therefore, the present work identifies IbHSF22 as an integrator of anthocyanin biosynthesis and salt defense mechanisms. These findings provide a conceptual basis and candidate gene strategy for dual improvement in stress resilience and nutritional quality in sweet potato breeding. Full article

Plant nutrient content is spatially and temporally dynamic, exposing insect herbivores to substantial nutritional variability. Such variability can constrain insects to feeding on sub-optimal diets, but it can also allow them to regulate their intake towards an optimal nutrient balance. Nutrient regulation is important in pest management, as the nutritional state of insects may alter their susceptibility to insecticides. Diet macronutrient balance has been shown to significantly affect the susceptibility of Helicoverpa zea larvae to endotoxins produced by transgenic crops containing Bacillus thurigiensis (Bt) genes. However, this was demonstrated using a highly inbred laboratory strain, limiting extrapolation to field populations. Here, we test the impact of field-relevant macronutrient variability on the efficacy of two Bt toxins across three field populations to increase the relevance to resistance monitoring and management. While differences in susceptibility were limited across populations, dietary effects were highly population specific. The Bt toxin that was most affected by diet and the diet that supported optimal survival and performance varied across populations. These findings indicate that nutrition can strongly influence Bt susceptibility, but these effects are influenced by population-level differences. To accurately assess Bt susceptibility in the field, bioassay diets should be tailored to the nutritional ecology of local populations. Full article

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a tropical trioecious crop with males, hermaphrodites, and females. There is a sequence difference between male and hermaphrodite SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (CpSVP), making SVP a strong candidate gene controlling peduncle length in papaya. To study the spatial and temporal expression and function of CpSVP in Arabidopsis, we constructed a translation fusion structure based on the native promoter of SVP in papaya. In the 2kb promoter, strong GUS staining was observed in the floral organs and pedicels. In the 1kb promoter, there is no GUS expression in the floral organs, and it is barely detectable in pedicels. Removal of a GA responsive P-box cis-element in the 1kb promoter enhanced expression in the floral organs and pedicels, and elongated pedicels. In the transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing the male CpSVP allele, there was an increase in pedicel length, but not in the plants expressing the hermaphrodite CpSVP allele. CpSVP-Y is capable of pedicel elongation, with no defects in reproductive organs. These findings imply that CpSVP-Y and this P-box play a major role in peduncle elongation but not sex determination in papaya. Full article

Potato is a globally important non-cereal crop in which infection with potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) can cause stunted growth and significantly reduce tuber yield. We previously showed that PSTVd induces accumulation of the plant hormone jasmonic acid (JA) and alters antioxidant responses in potato plants. To clarify the role of JA in response to PSTVd, we analyzed disease development in transgenic JA-deficient opr3 and JA-insensitive coi1 lines compared to the wild-type. Transcriptomic analysis using RNA-Seq revealed that most genotype-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in all comparisons were enriched in plant hormone signal transduction, plant-pathogen interaction, and MAPK signaling pathways, although the number of DEGs varied. These differences were confirmed by independent data from RT-qPCR, hormone, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) analyses. After PSTVd infection, opr3 plants showed enhanced JA signaling and increased abscisic acid (ABA) and auxin (AUX) content. In contrast, coi1 plants showed reduced ABA, AUX, and salicylic acid content. Both opr3 and coi1 plants showed reduced JA and H₂O₂ content and lower expression of defense-related genes, resulting in milder symptoms but increased viroid accumulation. In addition, treatment with methyl jasmonate alleviated symptoms in infected wild-type plants. Together, these results indicate a modulatory role for JA and JA signaling in basal immune responses and symptom development in the potato-PSTVd interaction. Full article

Agricultural systems face mounting pressures from climate change, as rising temperatures, elevated CO₂, and shifting precipitation patterns intensify plant disease outbreaks worldwide. Conventional strategies, such as breeding for resistance, pesticides, and even transgenic approaches, are proving too slow or unsustainable to meet these challenges. Synthetic biology offers a transformative paradigm for reprogramming plant immunity through genetic circuits, RNA-based defences, epigenome engineering, engineered microbiomes, and artificial intelligence (AI). We introduce the concept of synthetic immunity, a unifying framework that extends natural defence layers, PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI), and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). While pests and pathogens continue to undermine global crop productivity, synthetic immunity strategies such as CRISPR-based transcriptional activation, synthetic receptors, and RNA circuit-driven defences offer promising new avenues for enhancing plant resilience. We formalize synthetic immunity as an emerging, integrative concept that unites molecular engineering, regulatory rewiring, epigenetic programming, and microbiome modulation, with AI and computational modelling accelerating their design and climate-smart deployment. This review maps the landscape of synthetic immunity, highlights technological synergies, and outlines a translational roadmap from laboratory design to field application. Responsibly advanced, synthetic immunity represents not only a scientific frontier but also a sustainable foundation for climate-resilient agriculture. Full article

The global population growth has driven the widespread adoption of genetically modified crops, with Bt maize, due to its insect resistance, becoming the second most widely planted GM crop. However, studies on the effects of continuous Bt maize cultivation on soil ecosystems are limited, and there is an urgent need to assess its ecological safety at the regional scale. To evaluate the potential effects of continuous cultivation of transgenic Bt maize on the soil ecosystem, a five-season continuous planting experiment was conducted using two Bt maize varieties (5422Bt1 and 5422CBCL) and their near-isogenic conventional maize (5422). After five consecutive planting seasons, bulk soil and rhizosphere soil were collected. The main nutrient contents of the bulk soil were measured, and high-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze microbial diversity and community composition in both soil types. The results showed that, compared with the near-isogenic conventional maize 5422, continuous planting of Bt maize varieties 5422Bt1 and 5422CBCL did not affect the contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, or available potassium in bulk soil. Regarding the microbial communities in bulk soil, there were no significant differences in the α-diversity indices of bacteria and fungi after five consecutive seasons of Bt maize cultivation, compared with soils planted with the near-isogenic conventional maize 5422. Proteobacteria and Ascomycota were the dominant phyla of bacteria and fungi, respectively. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that the structure of microbial communities in bulk soil was primarily influenced by factors such as OM, TP, TN and AN, whereas the Bt maize varieties had no significant effect on the overall community structure. Regarding the rhizosphere soil microbial communities, compared with the near-isogenic conventional maize 5422, the evenness of the bacterial community in the rhizosphere soil of Bt maize decreased, leading to a reduction in overall diversity, whereas species richness showed no significant change. This change in diversity patterns further contributed to the restructuring of the rhizosphere soil microbial community. In contrast, the fungal community showed no significant differences among treatments, and its community structure remained relatively stable. Proteobacteria and Ascomycota were the dominant phyla of bacteria and fungi, respectively. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) indicated that continuous cultivation of Bt maize for five seasons had no significant effect on the structure of either bacterial or fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil. In summary, continuous cultivation of Bt maize did not lead to significant changes in soil nutrient contents or microbial community structures, providing a data foundation and theoretical basis for the scientific evaluation of the environmental safety of transgenic maize in agricultural ecosystems. Full article

Vacuolar H⁺-ATPases play crucial roles in plant ion homeostasis and stress adaptation, yet the functional characterization of their subunit genes in purslane remains limited. In this study, PoVHA-a3, encoding a tonoplast-localized V-ATPase a3 subunit, was identified as a key salt-responsive gene through transcriptomic analysis. Integrated bioinformatic analysis and molecular docking simulations predicted specific binding of NAC3, MYB1, and bHLH62 to the PoVHA-a3 promoter, suggesting their synergistic role in regulating PoVHA-a3 expression. Under salt stress, PoVHA-a3 transgenic Arabidopsis lines exhibited elevated endogenous abscisic acid levels and upregulation of signaling genes (AtNCED3, AtRD29A, AtCOR15A), while the brassinosteroid signaling pathway was suppressed, as indicated by the reduced expression of AtBZR1 and AtEXPA8. Meanwhile, the transgenic lines demonstrated enhanced ATP levels, respiratory rate, and V-ATPase activity. In addition, PoVHA-a3 expression led to greater accumulation of osmoprotectants (proline, soluble sugars and proteins), higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced levels of oxidative stress indices. Furthermore, a significantly lower shoot Na⁺/K⁺ ratio was observed in transgenic plants, indicating improved ion homeostasis. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PoVHA-a3 acts as a pivotal positive regulator of salt tolerance in purslane, providing a valuable genetic resource for enhancing salt tolerance in crops through genetic engineering. Full article

The rapid global expansion of genetically modified (GM) crops requires fast, on-site detection methods. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated (CRISPR/Cas) systems offer a promising platform for decentralized GM organism (GMO) monitoring. This review focuses specifically on the application of this technology in agriculture and food supply chains, diverging from previous reviews centered on clinical diagnostics. We examine the mechanisms of key CRISPR effectors (e.g., Cas12a, Cas13a) and their integration into diagnostic platforms (e.g., DETECTR, SHERLOCK) for detecting transgenic elements (e.g., CaMV35S promoter). A dedicated comparison of signal readout modalities, including fluorescence, lateral flow, and electrochemical sensing, highlights their suitability for different GMO detection scenarios, from field screening to laboratory confirmation. Finally, we discuss current challenges, including multiplexing and standardization, and outline future directions, such as the engineering of novel Cas variants and integration with smartphone technology. CRISPR-based diagnostics are poised to become indispensable tools for decentralized, efficient, and reliable GMO detection. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), one of the most widely consumed horticultural crops worldwide, is also a notable source of food allergens, with a higher prevalence of allergic reactions in pollen-sensitized patients. Profilin, a small actin-binding protein, is a major allergen in tomato fruits encoded by two homologous genes, Lyc e1.01 and Lyc e1.02. Although various strategies have been proposed to reduce allergenicity in foods, no prior study has successfully achieved the complete elimination of profilin proteins in tomato using precise genome editing. In this study, we designed a single-guide RNA targeting a conserved region of both genes and employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate loss-of-function mutations. We first evaluated single-guide RNA editing efficiency in tomato protoplasts and then performed Agrobacterium-mediated stable transformation, which yielded 13 transgenic T₀ lines. Genotyping and Western blot analyses confirmed successful editing at both target loci and significantly decreased profilin accumulation in mutant tomato fruits. Notably, two homozygous Cas9-free lines were identified in the T1 generation, and one of these (line 23-15) showed significantly decreased profilin protein levels in the fruit. These findings demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of allergenic Lyc e1 genes effectively removes profilin from tomato fruits. This strategy provides a promising framework for developing hypoallergenic tomato cultivars that may be extended to other related crop species. Full article

The commercialization of genetically modified (GM) maize and soybean is advancing, with strip intercropping emerging as a promising model to enhance crop yields and resource efficiency. However, the impact of this system on target pests remains unclear. To address this, we evaluated eight different planting patterns (four different monocultures and four different strip intercropping integrations) of insect-resistant GM maize (‘RF88’) and soybean (CAL16) events and their non-transgenic parental lines (Xianyu 335 maize and Tianlong No. 1 soybean) in the Huang-Huai-Hai planting area from 2023 to 2025. Our results identified Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera exigua as the dominant pests on maize and soybean, respectively. We found that the GM trait significantly reduced the population density and plant damage caused by these pests. Strip intercropping also provided significant suppression across both crop lines. Furthermore, the integration of strip intercropping and the GM trait resulted in the most effective pest control. This study provides valuable insights for the top-level design and industrial layout of GM crop commercialization and contributes to promoting its safe application and sustainable pest management. Full article

As a primary macronutrient, nitrogen is integral to plant growth and regulates their development; ammonium transporters (AMTs) mediate nitrogen absorption and its involvement in metabolism. In this study, nine BcAMT genes were identified in flowering Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris) and were systematically categorized into two subfamilies. Their evolutionary relationships, conserved motifs, chromosomal distribution, cis-regulatory elements, and expression profiling were systematically characterized. RNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses demonstrated that BcAMT1.1 was abundantly expressed in roots, leaves, and stems of flowering Chinese cabbage and was markedly upregulated under nitrogen deficiency. Assessing subcellular location using GFP fusion demonstrated that BcAMT1.1 localized to the plasma membrane. Functional assays identified heterologous expression in the yeast mutant strain 31019b, and transgenic Arabidopsis validated that BcAMT1.1 acted as a functional ammonium transporter. Compared with the wildtype, overexpressing BcAMT1.1 promoted seedling growth, enhanced NH₄⁺ influxes and NO₃⁻ effluxes under low-nitrogen conditions, and significantly increased the transcription levels of key nitrogen assimilation genes (i.e., AtGLN1.1, AtGLN2, AtGDH2). Collectively, our findings enhance the fundamental understanding of BcAMT gene functions and highlight BcAMT1.1 as a crucial component in nitrogen uptake and assimilation under low-nitrogen conditions, providing valuable genetic resources for improving nitrogen efficiency in vegetable crops. Full article

Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is an important ornamental and industrial crop valued for its high lutein content. Although petal pigmentation during inflorescence development involves coordinated chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid biosynthesis, the transcriptional mechanisms regulating these processes remain poorly understood. Here, we identified a MADS-box transcription factor, TeMADS6, that coordinately regulates chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolism in marigold. Constitutive overexpression of TeMADS6 resulted in yellow-green petals. HPLC analysis revealed that lycopene, antheraxanthin, violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein levels were substantially reduced in TeMADS6-overexpression lines, while chlorophyll content was significantly increased compared with wild-type plants. Transcriptome profiling revealed strong repressions of the carotenoid biosynthetic genes TePSY1 and TeHYDB in transgenic florets. Moreover, the chlorophyll degradation gene TeNYC1 and TePPH2 were significantly downregulated, whereas TeSGR2 was upregulated. Together, these findings demonstrate that TeMADS6 acts as a dual-function transcriptional regulator controlling both chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid biosynthesis. This study provides new genetic resources for manipulating petal color and enhancing lutein accumulation in marigold, and advance understanding of the transcriptional networks orchestrating pigment metabolism during flower development. Full article

The escalating frequency and severity of drought events pose significant threats to agricultural productivity and food security. Drought stress not only restricts crop growth and yields but also destabilizes agricultural ecosystems. Over evolutionary timescales, plants have developed intricate adaptive strategies, encompassing drought escape (accelerated phenology), avoidance (water-conserving morphology) and tolerance (cellular protection), which involve complex biological mechanisms spanning molecular signaling, metabolic reprogramming and organ morphological remodeling. To mitigate drought risks, breeding drought-tolerant and water-efficient crops is imperative. Currently, drought resistance breeding is undergoing a paradigm shift, transitioning from traditional phenotypic selection toward genomics-assisted selection, molecular design and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven predictive modeling. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of drought stress response mechanisms in crops, integrating three key dimensions: physiological/biochemical adaptations, hormonal signaling networks and morphological/structural modifications. Furthermore, it critically evaluates recent advances in genetic improvement approaches for drought resistance, such as marker-assisted selection, transgenic technology and gene editing. It also explores the integration of multi-omics data and AI to enhance precision molecular breeding and overcome the inherent trade-off between drought resistance and yield potential. By synthesizing advancements in molecular breeding and smart agriculture, this work provides a roadmap for developing climate-resilient crops optimized through synergistic trait engineering and intelligent environmental sensing. Full article