INTRODUCTION: Genetic transformation, combined with genome editing strategies, has provided essential insights into plant biology and revolutionized crop improvement. MicroTom ( Solanum lycopersicum ‘MicroTom’) is widely used for functional characterization due to its short life cycle and clear genetic background. However, traditional tissue culture-dependent genetic transformation systems for MicroTom are constrained by low efficiency, long durations, and highly trained individuals. Therefore, developing a rapid and efficient tissue culture-independent genetic transformation system is necessary. RATIONALE: Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is the most widely used method for gene transfer in plants. During this process, wounded plant cells secrete phenolic compounds that induce Agrobacterium cells to transfer and integrate foreign DNA into plant chromosomes. In this study, we established a novel transformation protocol using two-week-old MicroTom seedlings as recipients. After removing the apical cotyledons and true leaves, the wounded hypocotyls were directly inoculated with an A. tumefaciens suspension. Based on the somatic cell reprogramming mechanism triggered by wounding signaling, the wound hypocotyls formed calli and regenerated adventitious shoots, accompanied by the integration of foreign DNA. RESULTS: Two-week-old seedlings with hypocotyl diameters exceeding 1.5 mm were optimal for Agrobacterium infection. After a 2-day preculture in darkness, the hypocotyls were infected with A. tumefaciens suspension (OD ₆₀₀=0.6) for 10 min and then cocultured in darkness at 90% relative humidity for 3 d. Callus differentiation was observed at the hypocotyl ends at 10 days post-inoculation (dpi), and adventitious shoots regenerated at 20 dpi. Mature T ₀-generation seeds could be harvested within 4–5 months post-inoculation. Approximately 87.6% of the wounded hypocotyls regenerated adventitious shoots at 20 dpi, and PCR analysis confirmed that 28.6% of the regenerated shoots contained the foreign gene. Through antibiotic screening combined with an EGFP reporter system, the stable expression rate of the foreign gene in T ₁-generation lines reached 73.5%. CONCLUSION: Compared to conventional tissue culture-dependent systems, the established in planta transformation in this study offers improved transformation efficiency, a shorter transformation cycle, and simplified nonsterile operational procedures. This system provides a robust platform for functional genomics studies and significantly lowers technical barriers in tomato molecular breeding.

FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) is a signaling protein synthesized in leaves and transported to the shoot apical meristem, where it functions as florigen, a key inducer of flowering and developmental transitions. Substantial progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms underlying FT synthesis, transport, and the assembly and regulation of the florigen activation complex (FAC), providing a solid foundation for understanding plant developmental regulatory networks. Recently, a study integrated multiple regulatory layers, including protein-DNA interactions, liquid-liquid phase separation, and spatiotemporal expression patterns, thereby extending the traditional static FAC model into a dynamic and multilayered assembly framework. This work offers new molecular insights into how plants integrate environmental cues to regulate reproductive development. In this review, we summarize recent advances in FT and FAC research, highlight key outstanding questions, and discuss future directions, aiming to provide fresh perspectives for elucidating plant developmental regulation and for potential applications in crop improvement.

INTRODUCTION: To establish an efficient Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system for peanuts and lay a foundation for the study of peanut gene functions and variety breeding.

RATIONALE: In this study, 11 peanut varieties were selected, and the cotyledonary leaflets from the variety with the highest bud cluster induction rate were screened out as experimental materials. By screening and optimizing influencing factors such as Agrobacterium strains, the optical density (OD) value of the bacterial suspension, the concentration of acetosyringone (AS), the concentration of surfactants, the infection method and duration, and the co-culture time, transgenic plants of peanut cotyledonary leaflets were obtained.

RESULTS: The results showed that using the embryo leaflet of Huayu 9133 as the receptor, the recombinant Agrobacterium containing eGFP (green fluorescent protein) and GUS (β-glucosidase) protein was used to infect and transform. It was found that when the infection solution was MS liquid+LBA4404 strain+100 μmol∙L^-1 AS+150 mg∙L^-1 surfactant Silwet-77 + bacterial solution OD600 was 0.7, the infection method was vacuuming for 15 min + soaking for 20 min + co-culture for 4 d, the peanut conversion rate was the highest. The positive rates of CaMV 35S:eGFP and AhUBQ4:GUS were 52.67% and 57.67%, respectively.The transgenic plants were induced by tissue culture method. The transgenic plants containing eGFP protein were identified as transgenic positive plants by eGFP green fluorescence and PCR detection, and the transgenic plants containing GUS protein were identified as transgenic positive plants by GUS staining and PCR detection.

CONCLUSION: This experiment successfully established and optimized the peanut genetic transformation system, which provided a reference for the study of peanut gene function, the cultivation of resistant varieties, quality improvement and biotechnology research.

CaMV 35S:eGFP侵染材料荧光示意图(a: 再生芽丛明场, b: 再生芽丛荧光, c: 再生苗明场, d: 再生苗荧光)

In 2025, Chinese plant scientists achieved an explosive growth (a twofold increase) in the number of papers published in the three international comprehensive academic journals (Nature, Science, and Cell) compared to 2024. The number of papers published in mainstream plant science journals also continued to steadily increase relative to 2024. Significant research progress was made in fields such as plant hormones and secondary metabolism, plant biochemical analysis and bioinformatics, photosynthesis and light signaling, stress tolerance mechanisms, and plant systematics and evolution. Among them, “Epigenetic variation drives plant stress adaptation” and “AI-driven protein engineering enables breakthrough in precise chromosome manipulation” were selected as two of the “Top Ten Advances in Life Sciences in China” in 2025. Here we summarize the achievements of plant science research in China in 2025, and briefly introduces 160 representative important research advances, aiming to help readers understand the overall development trend of plant science in China and its position in international plant science, and to evaluate future research direction to meet major national strategic needs.

Totipotency and pluripotency of plant cells serve as the theoretical basis for plant regeneration, underpinning various techniques such as plant tissue culture, genetic transformation, cutting, and grafting. In recent years, advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant regeneration—particularly key transcription factors, hormonal signaling networks and epigenetic factors—have led to the development of a series of molecular tools capable of manipulating cell fate, offering new strategies to enhance regenerative capacity. This review summarizes the molecular and chemical tools that play central roles in four key regenerative processes: shoot regeneration, root regeneration, somatic embryogenesis, and grafting. It also discusses practical considerations such as delivery methods for these tools, selection of culture systems, and strategies for efficacy evaluation. Furthermore, the review explores future directions, including the rational combination of genetic and chemical tools to develop novel delivery systems and overcome epigenetic barriers, thereby providing theoretical and practical guidance for designing efficient regeneration protocols tailored to different species and regeneration objectives.

With global warming and population growth accelerating, crop breeding must advance towards greater precision, efficiency and sustainability. Riding the wave of rapid AI development, AI-driven smart breeding has emerged as the cutting edge of plant breeding. Leveraging technologies such as high-throughput phenotyping through machine learning and deep learning, genome-wide association studies for genomic selection, and multiomics big data analysis, it integrates and edits genetic information while linking phenotypes with genomes. This approach promises revolutionary changes in agricultural breeding, enhancing crop productivity, improving quality, and refining traits. Looking ahead, precision agriculture and personalised breeding represent key developmental trajectories. Strategies focusing on environmental adaptability and climate change mitigation will aid in addressing ecological challenges. The cutting-edge technologies of smart breeding, significantly enhancing breeding efficiency and precision, will shape the future direction and progress of plant breeding.

INTRODUCTION: Parrotia subaequalis, is a critically endangered wild plant species listed in the National Key Protected Wild Plants List of China and classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). As a relic species from the Tertiary period, it holds significant scientific value for studying the early origin and differentiation of the Hamamelidaceae family in China. Despite its ecological and ornamental importance, P. subaequalis faces numerous threats to its survival, including low natural survival rates due to limited light adaptation, difficulties in pollination and seed set, and challenges in vegetative propagation methods such as cutting and seed sowing. Tissue culture technology offers a promising approach to rapidly propagate this endangered species, overcoming the limitations of traditional propagation methods. 

 RATIONALE: This study aimed to establish an efficient tissue culture and rapid propagation system for P. subaequalis by investigating the effects of different disinfection methods, basic media, and combinations of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on lateral bud germination, proliferation, and adventitious root formation. By optimizing these factors, we sought to increase the survival rate and proliferation coefficient of P. subaequalis in vitro, thereby providing a reliable source of plant material for conservation and production purposes. 

RESULTS: Disinfection effects: The optimal disinfection method involved treating the shoot segments with 75% ethanol for 30 seconds followed by 0.52% NaClO for 5 minutes, resulting in an 83.33% survival rate. Lateral Bud Germination: The WPM basic medium showed the highest germination rate (72%) among the tested media (MS, 1/2MS, WPM). The addition of 1.0 mg∙L–1 KT significantly increased the germination rate to 91%, but without inducing multiple shoots. The combination of 1.5 mg∙L–1 6-BA and 0.003 mg∙L–1 TDZ yielded the best proliferation results, with a proliferation coefficient of 4.17. Adventitious root formation: Inducing adventitious roots in P. subaequalis was challenging, with high concentrations of auxins causing browning and death of shoots. The addition of 0.2 mg∙L–1 NAA to 1/2MS medium resulted in a 60% rooting rate. Acclimatization and transplantation: Rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized and transplanted into a mixed substrate of peat moss and perlite (3:1, v/v) with a survival rate exceeding 90% after 30 days. 

 CONCLUSION: This study successfully established a tissue culture and rapid propagation system for P. subaequalis, significantly improving its survival rate and proliferation coefficient. The optimized protocols, including the use of WPM medium for lateral bud germination, a combination of 1.5 mg∙L–1 6-BA and 0.003 mg∙L–1 TDZ for proliferation, and 0.2 mg∙L–1 NAA for root induction, provide a reliable method for the large-scale propagation of this endangered species. This system not only contributes to the conservation of P. subaequalis but also facilitates its utilization in landscaping and timber production. Future research could focus on exploring the regeneration capacity of different color morphs and geographical populations of P. subaequalis to further enhance its conservation and sustainable use.

INTRODUCTION: Anthracnose, primarily caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a main diseaseaffecting mangoes, leading to significant postharvest losses by deteriorating fruit quality and reducing shelf life. 

RATIONALE: Addressing postharvest anthracnose is a critical challenge in the mango industry. Biological control methods, such as utilizing antagonistic bacteria, offer sus-tainable alternatives to chemical treatments. This study investigates the efficacy of Ba-cillus velezensis in inhibiting C. gloeosporioides and its potential in preserving mango fruit quality. 

RESULTS: The application of B. velezensis culture filtrate (CF) effectively inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides. At CF concentrations of 2% and 4%, mycelial inhibition rates were 75.18% and 80.96%, respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that both bacterial suspension (CB) and CF treatments significantly re-duced lesion expansion on mangoes, with inhibition rates of 44.33% and 65.00%, respectively. Treated fruits exhibited a slower decrease in titratable acids and maintained higher levels of total phenols and flavonoids, indicating delayed ripening and extended shelf life. 

 CONCLUSION: Bacillus velezensis exhibits strong antagonistic activity against C. gloeosporioides, effectively controlling mango anthracnose and preserving fruit quality. Its application as a biocontrol agent holds promise for sustainable postharvest management in mango production.

With Al for Science (A4Science) emerging as a new paradigm for scientific research, artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a transition toward data-driven and intelligent research in plant science. Roots, as the key organs responsible forwater and nutrient acquisition, environmental sensing, and above-below ground interactions, are decisive for crop productivity and ecosystem functioning. However, due to their hidden growth in soil, structural complexity, and limited observability, our understanding of root structure and function has long lagged behind that of above ground parts. Recent advances in Al have provided new tools and pathways for decoding the "underground black box". Using Al as a key driver to integrate multi-source root and environmental data, advanced algorithms, and the broader knowledge base of root science has emergedas a frontier direction in below ground research. In this context, we systematically review the major applications and emerging trends of Al in root studies, encompassing data acquisition, structural modeling, mechanistic inference, and management decision support. Al-based image analysis enables automated recognition and quantification of root architectures, while modeling and data-fusion approaches reveal the multi-scale and multi-process interactions between roots and soil. Al applications in root phenotyping, architectural simulation, and deciphering root exudate-microbiome interactions are also showing great potential, offering unprecedented tools to advance our understanding of root function. However, the application of Al in root research stil faces several challenges, including the difficulty of acquiring high-quality field data, insufficient integration across experimental scales, and limited capacity to model the complexity of root-soil-environment interactions. Looking ahead, the deep integration of multi-source data, cross-disciplinary algorithmic advancements, and the coordinated development of digital agriculture platforms are expected to propel root science into a new era of intelligent research, offering innovative pathways for crop improvement and the advancement of smart agriculture.

Somatic embryogenesis in plants is a classic example of cell fate reprogramming, in which somatic cells reverse their developmental trajectory to regain totipotency, thereby serving as a valuable tool in plant biotechnology for the propagation of endangered species and the production of transgenic crops with improved traits. However, the precise cellular origins and the molecular mechanisms driving somatic cell reprogramming remain incompletely understood. A recent study revealed that the LEC2-SPCH module can synergistically activate local auxin biosynthesis, guiding stomatal-lineage precursor cells in the cotyledon epidermis to undergo cell fate transition and develop into somatic embryos. This study not only captured the entire process of a single plant somatic cell developing into a somatic embryo for the first time but also provided critical evidence for deciphering somatic reprogramming. Capitalizing on these findings, this review summarizes the regulatory mechanisms underlying cell fate reprogramming during somatic embryogenesis, with a particular focus on the synergistic interplay between auxin signaling and epigenetic reprogramming. We further discuss the potential of leveraging core reprogramming factors to enhance crop regeneration systems and outline promising future research directions.

Horticultural plants are of great significance in cultural inheritance, economic development, and ecosystem sustainability. However, the advancement of horticultural practices is hindered by challenges such as climate change, labor shortages, and inefficient resource utilization. Plant information sensing technology provides innovative solutions to these challenges. Among these technologies, plant wearable sensors have emerged as promising tools for monitoring plant physiological and biochemical information due to their high flexibility, extensibility, spatiotemporal resolution, and biocompatibility, and are becoming essential tools for acquiring data on the plants and their growing environments. Nevertheless, a systematic review of wearable sensor applications in horticultural plant research remains lacking. This review focuses on horticultural plant information detection and comprehensively discusses and summarizes plant wearable sensors’ status of research and applications in the following areas: growth monitoring, moisture content detection, stem sap flow analysis, electrical signal acquisition and chemical substance detection. Finally, we propose future development directions to provide references for information detection in horticultural plants.

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) refers to the phenomenon in which cereal crop seeds germinate on the mother plant under high humidity conditions prior to harvest, representing a major constraint on crop yield and seed production. In recent years, with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, PHS has become more common, resulting in substantial economic losses in agriculture. The PHS process primarily involves two key physiological stages: the release of seed dormancy and the initiation of germination. This paper provides a systematic review of research advances in the mechanisms underlying rice seed dormancy and germination over the past two decades. Furthermore, a chromosomal distribution map of cloned rice genes associated with seed dormancy and germination has been constructed, offering precise genetic information for PHS resistance breeding in rice. Additionally, this paper summarizes the regulatory roles of epigenetic factors and non-coding RNAs involved in rice seed dormancy and germination. It further discusses the molecular mechanisms through which environmental factors such as light, temperature, and water influence these processes, and proposes potential research directions concerning the interaction between environmental cues and plant hormones in the regulation of PHS. Drawing on recent application cases of PHS-resistant genes, this study also outlines future breeding strategies for improving PHS resistance in rice.

INTRODUCTION: Ficus hirta Vahl is a common Chinese herbal medicine and edible plant resource in the Lingnan area of China. It contains coumarins, flavonoids and other chemical compounds, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antitumor effects. However, F. hirta exhibits significant morphological variation in leaf shapes due to its high genetic diversity. 

RATIONALE: To investigate the relationship between the leaf shape differences and the contents of major active compounds, herein, LC-MS/MS was performed to determine the contents of psoralen and bergapten in F. hirta roots from three different leaf shapes (entirc leaf, EL; lobed leaf, LL; Palmately deeply leaf, PDL), and transcriptome sequencing was further employed to explore the potential molecular mechanisms underlying these contents variations. 

RESULTS: Results showed that PDL exhibited significantly higher psoralen content compared to EL and LL, while EL with significantly higher bergapten content than that in LL, but no significant difference was observed between EL and PDL. A total of 60.9 Gb clean reads were obtained, and 46 194 unigenes were assembled. F. hirta had the highest homology with Morus notabilis, according to the homologous sequencing alignment. 2 355, 2 067 and 2 001 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened from three comparison groups PDL_vs_EL, PDL_vs_LL, and LL_vs_EL, respectively. These DEGs were primarily enriched in the pathways such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and plant-pathogen interaction etc. 

CONCLUSION: There were differences in the contents of psoralen and bergapten among the three leaf shapes of F. hirta. The phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and plant-pathogen interaction pathway may play crucial roles in the biosynthesis and accumulation of psoralen and bergapten in F. hirta. This study preliminarily revealed the correlation between the leaf morphology and major active compounds of F. hirta, and extended its public transcriptome database, which will provide reference for further utilizing different leaf shape of F. hirta germplasm resources and quality breeding.

INTRODUCTION: The TCP protein family is a plant-specific group of transcription factors known to regulate key biological processes, including growth, development, and stress responses. Despite their critical roles, the TCP gene family in Bergenia purpurascens remains uncharacterized. This study aims to systematically identify and analyze the BpTCP gene family in B. purpurascens using transcriptome-based bioinformatics approaches, providing insights into their potential functions in cold adaptation and secondary metabolism.

RATIONALE: B. purpurascens exhibits remarkable resilience to abiotic stresses, particularly cold, and contains abundant secondary metabolites. Given the documented roles of TCP genes in stress responses and metabolic regulation in other plants, we hypothesized that BpTCP genes may contribute to these traits. A comprehensive analysis of this gene family could reveal novel mechanisms underlying stress adaptation and metabolite synthesis, supporting future genetic improvement or biotechnological applications.

RESULTS: Through transcriptome-based bioinformatics analysis, we identified 16 BpTCP genes in B. purpurascens, which were phylogenetically classified into two major groups, with all members containing conserved TCP domains and closely related proteins sharing similar motif patterns. Tissue-specific expression profiling revealed distinct spatial expression patterns across different tissues, suggesting functional diversification among family members. Notably, partial genes, including BpTCP10, BpTCP1 and BpTCP12, exhibited significant expression changes under cold stress, implying their potential cold-responsive roles. Furthermore, expression levels of specific BpTCP genes correlated significantly with accumulation of various secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids and phenolics, suggesting their regulatory involvement in metabolic pathways.

CONCLUSION: This study provides the first genome-wide characterization of the BpTCP gene family in B. purpurascens, demonstrating its potential roles in growth, cold stress response, and secondary metabolism. The differential expression of BpTCP genes under stress and their correlation with metabolite levels lay a foundation for future functional studies.

      

Expression pattern and metabolic correlation analysis of TCP gene family in Bergenia purpurascens.  A total of 16 BpTCP genes were identified in Bergenia purpurascens and classified into two major phylogenetic groups. All BpTCP genes contain conserved TCP domains, and proteins from the same evolutionary branch share similar motif compositions. Different BpTCP genes exhibit distinct tissue-specific expression patterns and display distinctive responses to cold stress. Furthermore, certain BpTCP genes demonstrate significant correlations with the accumulation of diverse metabolites.

Under the background of the digital and intelligent transformation in education, knowledge graphs, as a typical representative of new digital technologies, are deeply integrated with teaching and learning, becoming a hotspot in the field of education. Leveraging Xuexitong smart education platform and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, a systematic knowledge graph for the course of plant biology was constructed in this study, and teaching practices were conducted to explore its substantive role in teaching and learning. The application results indicate that the course knowledge graph not only helps students organize the relationships between learning points, broaden their knowledge horizons, and thus build a systematic knowledge system, but also assists students in formulating personalized learning paths to improve learning abilities. For teachers, the course knowledge graph serves as a powerful tool for efficiently managing teaching resources. Personalized learning data drives teachers to clearly grasp individual student differences, provide precise guidance, and continuously enhance teaching quality. This tripartite collaborative learning ecosystem of teacher-knowledge graph-student provides a highly valuable practical model for the digital and intelligent transformation of education.

Smart agriculture, as a core direction of modern agricultural development, is driving the transformation of agricultural production from experience-driven to data-driven, and from manual operations to intelligent and automated systems. This paper systematically reviews the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in smart agriculture and the current status, trends, and challenges of smart cultivation, constructing a “sensing-decision-execution-management” closed-loop framework to elucidate its role and value across the entire agricultural process. The sensing layer leverages multi-source sensors, imaging technologies, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to achieve precise monitoring of crops and environmental conditions; the decision layer integrates data-driven algorithms and crop growth models to enable intelligent prediction and optimization of fertilization, irrigation, and pest and disease management; the execution layer employs unmanned agricultural machinery, drones, and robots to perform high-precision autonomous operations; and the management layer utilizes cloud-edge collaboration and digital twins to realize visualized and sustainable farm management. Although smart agriculture is developing rapidly, challenges remain in data assimilation and standardization, and the level of equipment intelligence and environmental adaptability still needs improvement. Moreover, with the massive acquisition and utilization of agricultural data, issues of data security and privacy protection have become increasingly prominent, posing significant challenges to the sustainable development of smart agriculture. The paper highlights that the core goal of smart cultivation is to increase yield, improve quality, reduce costs, and promote green development, while further advancing multi-source sensing integration, intelligent decision-making loops, autonomous operations, and low-carbon farming. The findings provide a reference for the theoretical framework of smart agriculture and offer technical support for the practical implementation of agricultural IoT, AI, and digital agriculture, playing a significant role in promoting efficient, intelligent, and sustainable agricultural production.

INTRODUCTION: Melilotus albus (M. albus) is an excellent forage crop, suitable for crop rotation and soil and water conservation. However, the stable genetic transformation system and gene editing system of M. albus have not been reported, which limits its application in gene function analysis and the creation of new germplasm resources.

RATIONALE: The plant can produce hairy roots after infection by Agrobacterium rhizogenes harboring Ri plasmids. MtLAP1 expression can activate the anthocyanin synthesis process and then produce purple/red anthocyanin accumulation in the transgenic hairy roots.

RESULTS: This study verified that the 35S::MtLAP1 expression cassette can induce the accumulation of anthocyanins in regenerants, resulting in red color visible to the naked eye. When using the hypocotyls of Melilotus albus as explants, the induction efficiency of hairy root was as high as 62%, and the positive rate was as high as 30.8%. In addition, the research results showed that the gene editing vector, which carried the 35S::MtLAP1 expression cassette and co-expressed the Cas9 and sgRNA modules driven by the constitutive strong promoter of Arabidopsis Ubiquitin-10, could achieve an editing efficiency of 42.5% targeted to Phytoene Desaturase gene in M. albus.

CONCLUSION: This study successfully established a rapid inducing and screening system for positive hairy roots and developed an efficient genome-editing tool for M. albus, laying a foundation for functional gene studies and the development of high-quality new germplasm resources in this species.

Hairy root induction, the-naked-eye screening system and MaPDS gene editing in Melilotus albus.

Membrane protein trafficking is one of the most important events of eukaryotic cells, which plays a crucial role in cell biology processes such as cell division, differentiation, growth, extracellular nutrient absorption, intracellular signal transduction, and stress defense. Membrane protein transport mainly involves vesicular trafficking pathways including endocytosis, exocytosis, and vacuolar/lysosomal degradation. Adaptor proteins (APs) play an important regulatory role in vesicular trafficking processes such as recognition of membrane receptor proteins, cargo sorting, recruitment and assembly of clathrin, and recruitment of accessory proteins. Currently, five AP complexes have been identified in eukaryotic organisms, namely AP-1, AP-2, AP-3, AP-4, and AP-5. This article mainly reviews the composition, structure, subcellular localization, and biological functions of the plant AP complexes based on the research progress of animal and yeast cell AP. Finally, we initinal some questions about potential function of AP complex and present future perspectives in plants.

INTRODUCTION: Plant genetic transformation systems serve as fundamental technical platforms for functional genomics research and molecular breeding. Crossostephium chinense, a valuable medicinal-ornamental species within the Asteraceae family, is characterized by its distinctive silvery-white foliage and exhibits multiple stress-resistant traits, including salt tolerance, drought resistance, and insect resistance. However, the absence of an efficient genetic transformation system has significantly impeded progress in functional gene studies and molecular breeding of this species. This study reports the first establishment of an Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated genetic transformation system for C. chinense, aiming to overcome this technical barrier. 

RATIONALE: Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation has been widely adopted in diverse plant species due to its operational simplicity and short experimental cycle. Nevertheless, its application in Asteraceae plants, particularly in C. chinense, remains largely unexplored. In this study, we innovatively integrated the visual reporter system RUBY with developmental regulators Wus2 and IPT. A systematic comparison was conducted between tissue culture and non-tissue culture approaches, and the transformation efficiencies of different explant types—including rootless seedlings with attached cotyledons and stem segments—were evaluated. This work provides a comprehensive technical framework for establishing an efficient and stable genetic transformation system in C. chinense. 

RESULTS: Under tissue culture conditions, rootless seedlings with cotyledons attached exhibited superior transformation efficiency as explants, achieving a positive hairy root induction rate of 38.95% and successfully yielding transgenic regenerated plants. This efficiency was significantly higher than that of stem segment explants (17.45%). In non-tissue culture settings, the cut-dip-budding (CDB) method resulted in a (18.8±5.46)% hairy root induction rate using stem segments. Notably, the application of Wus2-IPT developmental regulators effectively promoted direct shoot organogenesis independent of plant growth regulators, thereby streamlining the regeneration process. 

CONCLUSION: This study successfully establishes the first efficient Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated genetic transformation system for C. chinense, identifying tissue-cultured rootless seedlings with attached cotyledons as the optimal explant type. The developed system not only provides a critical tool for gene functional analysis and molecular breeding in C. chinense but also offers a valuable reference for genetic transformation studies in other Asteraceae species. This breakthrough is expected to significantly accelerate the exploitation of elite gene resources and enhance germplasm innovation in C. chinense.

INTRODUCTION: The shoot apices and axillary buds determine crop growth and yield potential, with their developmental states directly shaping shoot architecture. However, there are currently few cDNA libraries constructed for shoot apices and/or axillary buds in soybean ( Glycine max). RATIONALE: By constructing cDNA libraries for shoot apices and axillary buds, we can gain an in-depth understanding of the core mechanisms underlying plant architecture in soybean at the molecular level, thereby providing theoretical foundations and genetic resources for the design of high-yielding and well-adapted soybean varieties. RESULTS: This study constructed a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) nuclear system cDNA library using shoot apices and axillary buds from the cultivar Williams 82 grown under long-day and short-day conditions at different developmental stages. Equal amounts of RNA extracted from these tissues were pooled and subjected to cDNA library construction using the Gateway method, followed by transcript diversity analysis. The resultant library had a capacity of 1.2×10⁷ CFU, with 100% recombination rate and an average length exceeding 1 000 bp of the inserted fragments, covering 29 170 genes. This cDNA library meets the library construction standards and is suitable for subsequent Y2H screening. Using the key floral transition and shoot architecture regulator SOC1a as a bait, we first tested the toxicity and self-activation of the recombinant pGBKT7-SOC1a and then performed library screening. A total of 32 positive clones were obtained, and after DNA sequencing, BLAST alignment, and functional annotation, 14 candidate interacting proteins were identified. Among them, five encoded genes were cloned into pGADT7 vector and subjected to pairwise retransformation assays with pGBKT7-SOC1a, confirming physical interactions between two of these proteins and SOC1a. Furthermore, the interaction between SOC1a and one of the candidate proteins, SEP2, was demonstrated through co-immunoprecipitation and luciferase complementation imaging assays. CONCLUSION: This study establishes a high-quality Y2H cDNA library for soybean meristematic tissues and identifies novel SOC1a-interacting proteins, providing critical molecular insights into SOC1a-mediated regulation of soybean shoot architecture development.

INTRODUCTION: Cibotium barometz is a medicinal fern species with high economic value, Chinese people produce the traditional medicine herb “Gou-ji” using its robust rhizome. To balance the conservation of wild plant resources with the sustainable development of herbal medicine, much more effort is needed in scientific research on C. barometz, which might be crucial to mitigate conflicts between wild resource protection and the development of the traditional medicine industry. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is a commonly used method for characterizing plant gene molecular function, and an appropriate reference gene is pivotal for this technique. Currently, limited literature focuses on the gene function studies for C. barometz, and little validated reference genes is available. 

RATIONALE: Previous studies have demonstrated that the expression stability of reference genes is influenced by multiple factors, including species, tissue type, developmental stage, stress treatment, and sequence specificity. Consequently, distinct reference genes are required for different research subjects. When employing RT-qPCR to analyze gene expression pattern in C. barometz tissues, it is essential to pre-validate the stability of reference genes within the novel experimental system. This validation process ensures the accuracy and reliability of experimental results by maintaining proper data normalization. 

RESULTS: In this study, 12 commonly used plant reference genes were identified as candidate genes from transcriptome data of C. barometz rhizome. The amplification efficiency of candidate reference genes was calculated by template gradient dilution method, and eight pairs of reference gene primers with high amplification efficiency were screened out. The Ct values of these eight reference genes in ten tissues of C. barometz were measured using RT-qPCR method; the software RefFinder and Normfinder determined that the best reference genes are CbUBC4 and CbEF1A, respectively. If studying the gene expression patterns of C. barometz at different developmental stages, it was suggested that CbEF1A and CbUBC4 should be used as optimal reference genes. The reference genes CbUBC4 and CbUBC28 were recommended under mechanical injury and waterlogging conditions. 

CONCLUSION: CbUBC4, CbEF1A and CbUBC28 were validated as stable reference genes in C. barometz across distinct experimental contexts, demonstrating their suitability for normalization in gene expression studies for RT-qPCR assay. From a methodological rigor perspective, we recommended that the stability of reference genes should be evaluated prior to conducting qRT-PCR experiments, particularly when analyzing samples from diverse tissues or distinct developmental stages of a specific tissue.

INTRODUCTION: As an important ornamental species, chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) depends on precise flowering time regulation, which is a key factor affecting its economic value and market demand. The bud sport of cut chrysanthemum cultivar 'Jinshan' maintains vegetative growth under normal cultivation conditions and fails to initiate floral transition. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms responsible for its flowering defect remain unclear.

RATIONALE: To explore the molecular basis of the flowering inhibition in the ‘Jinshan’ bud sport, we conducted a comparative analysis using both the wild-type and the bud sport lines. Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) molecular markers were used to evaluate their genetic backgrounds. In addition, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on leaf and shoot apical meristem (SAM) tissues to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with floral transition.

RESULTS: SRAP analysis revealed a high degree of genomic similarity between the bud sport and wild-type lines, suggesting that large-scale genetic structural variations are unlikely to be the cause of the floral defect. Transcriptomic analysis identified a substantial number of DEGs between the two lines. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated significant enrichment of plant hormone signal transduction pathways in both leaf and SAM tissues. Further analysis of flowering-related regulatory networks revealed widespread transcriptional dysregulation. In the photoperiod pathway, abnormal expression of the CO-FT module may have impaired the perception and transmission of flowering signals. In the autonomous pathway, upregulation of MAF2 (a homolog of FLC) and downregulation of FLD likely led to the repression of downstream floral integrators. In the gibberellin (GA) signaling pathway, a significant downregulation of the gibberellin receptor GID1, as well as the downregulation of the GA biosynthesis enzyme GA3ox and the upregulation of the GA deactivating enzyme GA2ox, may result in a reduction in active gibberellin content. In the early regulation network of flower organ formation, the expression of SOC1, AP1, FUL, AFL, and SPLs was significantly downregulated, and LFY expression in the apical meristem was nearly absent. These changes may collectively block floral primordium formation and flower organ differentiation in the bud sport.

CONCLUSION: This study reveals that the abnormal expression of multiple key genes in the photoperiod, autonomous, and gibberellin signaling pathways contribute to the failure of floral transition in the bud sport. These findings provide preliminary insights into the potential mechanism underlying flowering inhibition in the 'Jinshan' bud sport at the transcriptomic level, and provide theoretical support and candidate genes for molecular breeding of flowering time in chrysanthemum. 

Disrupted regulatory network of flowering in the bud sport of chrysanthemum ‘Jinshan’.

INTRODUCTION: Global climate change and soil degradation have posed new challenges to the breeding efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Traditional breeding cycles are lengthy and inefficient, making it difficult to meet the ever-growing demand for food. As a major high-quality wheat producing region in China, Xinjiang urgently needs to establish a rapid generation-advancement system and an efficient genetic transformation platform tailored to its local cultivars, in order to shorten breeding cycles and expand the range of transgenic recipient materials.

RATIONALE: Compared to conventional greenhouse conditions, all five materials showed a significant reduction in generation time under artificial climate chamber conditions. XinChun 37 exhibited the greatest reduction, shortening its lifecycle from 92 days to 59 days; In Agrobacterium-mediated embryo transformation assays, XinChun 37 achieved a transformation efficiency of 23.30%, outperforming the other three Xinjiang cultivars but remaining lower than the Fielder control. XinChun 9, XinChun 44, and HeChun 137 also demonstrated measurable transformation efficiencies.

RESULTS: Under artificial climate chamber conditions compared to conventional greenhouse conditions, all five materials showed a significant reduction in generation time. XinChun 37 exhibited the greatest reduction, shortening its lifecycle from 92 days to 59 days; In Agrobacterium-mediated embryo transformation assays, XinChun 37 achieved a transformation efficiency of 23.30%, outperforming the other three Xinjiang cultivars but remaining lower than the Fielder control. XinChun 9, XinChun 44, and HeChun 137 also demonstrated measurable transformation efficiencies.

CONCLUSION: This study successfully established a novel rapid generation-advancement system for the main wheat cultivars of Xinjiang and, for the first time, compared their embryonic genetic transformation efficiencies. These findings will greatly shorten breeding cycles and provide key technological support for expanding the selection of transgenic recipient materials, thereby contributing to germplasm innovation and food-security strategies in Xinjiang and beyond.

The effects of speed breeding on agronomic traits of different spring wheat varieties. Under artificial climate chamber rapid-generation conditions, wheat grew well with normal fertility, all lines showed significantly shortened growth cycles and reduced spike length, while the number of effective tillers increased markedly.

Maize is a main cereal crop in China. The number of tassel branches significantly affects density-tolerant plant architecture, which is the key to increasing yield. Currently, multiple genes associated with tassel branch number, many of which are closely related to plant hormone pathways, have been cloned and identified. This review summarizes the roles and signaling pathways of auxin, cytokinin, strigolactone, gibberellin and abscisic acid in regulating maize tassel branch number, preliminarily investigates the interaction mechanisms among hormones and the impact of environmental factors on hormonal regulatory mechanisms, and outlines the hormonal regulation network for tassel branch number in maize. These findings suggest that plant hormones integrate environmental factors to regulate the tassel branch number. This review aims to provide a theoretical reference for revealing the molecular mechanisms of phytohormone regulation of maize tassel branch number and to lay a scientific foundation for novel cultivars of the maize ideotype through plant hormones.

Compared to animal cells, the cell wall is a unique structure in plants. Enclosing the plant cell membrane, it not only provides rigid support to protect plant cells but also participates in various biological processes such as intercellular communication and material transport. In recent years, increasing evidence on how the cell wall regulates plant growth and development has garnered widespread attention. Existing studies have demonstrated its involvement in biological processes like meristem regulation and the establishment of organ anisotropy. This review summarizes recent advances in the regulation of plant life course by the cell wall, particularly during plant development, while also discussing unresolved key biological questions and potential future research directions in this field.

Flavonols, flavones, and isoflavones are flavonoids possessing broad pharmacological activities, such as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Their biosynthetic pathways have been largely elucidated. This article reviews the regulatory patterns and mechanisms mediated by transcription factors for these three types of flavonoids. Research on flavonol regulation involves a wide range of species, while studies on flavone regulation have primarily focused on species within the Lamiaceae, Rutaceae, and Asteraceae families (e.g., Scutellaria baicalensis, citrus, chrysanthemum). Research on isoflavone regulation is mainly concentrated in the Fabaceae family (e.g., soybean). Both positive and negative regulation exist for all three classes, although reports on negative regulation for flavones and isoflavones are relatively scarce. The regulatory patterns of these three flavonoid classes differ from those of anthocyanins and exhibit common regulatory modes, including: (1) Sole regulation by MYB transcription factors, which represents the predominant mode; (2) Sole regulation by other transcription factors; (3) Complex-mediated regulation (e.g., MYB forming binary/ternary complexes with other transcription factors). Based on the types of target genes acted upon, the regulatory mechanisms can be categorized into: multi-target regulation, specific gene regulation (e.g., regulation of FLS for flavonols and FNS for flavones), and regulation of glycosylation genes. Additionally, these mechanisms include cascade regulation and competitive regulation (the latter is primarily observed in flavonols). This review provides a reference for in-depth analysis of the transcriptional regulatory networks governing the biosynthesis of these three bioactive flavonoid classes, thereby facilitating related research in synthetic biology and molecular breeding.

INTRODUCTION: Submergence tolerance is one of the most crucial stress resistances among garden plants. Willow is a plant that has strong tolerance to submergence. The objective of this study is to clone the TTF family gene SmTTF59 of willow and construct overexpression and silencing vectors in order to explore its role in responding to submergence stress in willow. 

RATIONALE: Studies have demonstrated that TTF family transcription factors play critical regulatory roles in plant responses to abiotic stresses.?Salix matsudana, a species with strong submergence tolerance, serves as an ideal model for investigating submergence stress adaptation mechanisms. By silencing?SmTTF59 in Salix matsudana and conducting hypoxia stress experiments on?SmTTF59-transgenic Arabidopsis, this study provides theoretical foundations for understanding the complex regulatory mechanisms of Trihelix transcription factors and lays a groundwork for genetic breeding of submergence-tolerant?Salix matsudana. 

RESULTS: The results showed that the coding sequence (CDS) of the SmTTF59 gene in Salix matsudana is 834 bp in length, encoding 277 amino acid residues with a protein molecular weight of 33,044.40 Da. Through PCR experiments, the 834-bp CDS of SmTTF59 was successfully amplified and used to construct recombinant vectors pWM101 and pYL156. Hypoxic stress experiments on transgenic Arabidopsis demonstrated that SmTTF59-overexpressing lines exhibited enhanced hypoxia tolerance compared to wild-type plants, characterized by longer root lengths and higher fresh weights. Physiological analyses revealed higher levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), in transgenic lines. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiments in willow plants further indicated that SmTTF59 knockdown lines displayed poorer growth under submergence stress compared to controls, including severe leaf decay and abscission. Quantitative measurements showed that silenced plants had lower root fresh weight, root dry weight, and POD activity, along with higher relative electrical conductivity, compared to control plants. These results collectively confirm that SmTTF59 knockdown significantly reduces willow tolerance to submergence stress. 

CONCLUSION: The better anoxic tolerance of SmTTF59 transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana proved that this gene might be related to the response of willow to submergence stress. Through the VIGS experiment on willow, it was verified that this gene played a positive regulatory role in submergence. The results of this study are of great significance for the subsequent breeding work of submergence-tolerant willow varieties.

Phenotypic differences between pre- and post-flooding and phenotypic comparison between WT and SmTTF59 transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Elucidated the function of the SmTTF59 gene in response to submergence stress.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can form symbiotic relationships with approximately 80% of terrestrial plants. Through their unique arbuscular structures within roots, they establish close contact with host cells to create a bidirectional nutrient exchange interface. This mutualistic mechanism not only enhances plant stress resistance but also reshapes ecosystem nutrient cycling. Like pathogenic fungi, the cell walls of AMF are primarily composed of chitin and β-glucans, which are key molecular patterns capable of triggering host plant immune responses. How AMF effectively evades host plant immunity remains unclear. Effector proteins secreted by pathogenic fungi have been found to play a crucial role in suppressing plant immune responses. During arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, numerous effector proteins are also induced, which may similarly inhibit plant immunity and facilitate fungal colonization. This article reviewed and summarized current research on AMF effector proteins as well as discussed the future research directions and challenges. Studying effector proteins will help elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of AMF symbiosis, deepen our understanding of host-fungal interactions, and aid in selecting optimal fungal strains and plant varieties for enhanced symbiotic efficiency, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural development.

INTRODUCTION: Heat stress severely impairs plant growth and crop productivity. WRINKLED1 (WRI1), an AP2/EREBP-class transcription factor in Arabidopsis thaliana, orchestrates carbon partitioning between glycolysis and fatty acid biosynthesis, playing pivotal roles in development and stress adaptation. Elucidating its molecular function under high-temperature stress is critical for improving thermotolerance in crops. RATIONALE: While WRI1’s metabolic regulatory function has been elucidated, its role in heat response remains unexplored. To decipher the molecular mechanism of WRI1-mediated thermotolerance, we integrated genetic approaches (wild type, wri1-4, and WRI1-OE (overexpression)) with qRT-PCR and phenotyping under controlled heat stress. RESULTS: In this study, histochemical GUS staining of pWRI1::GUS transgenic lines demonstrated constitutive WRI1 expression throughout Arabidopsis seedlings, with significantly enhanced transcription in cotyledons under heat stress (HS) (P <0.05). Prolonged HS induced gradual transcriptional attenuation, though the transcription levels remained elevated than under the optimal temperature (22°C). qRT-PCR confirmed thermo-responsive WRI1 upregulation (peak:1 h HS, 3-fold induction), followed by threshold-dependent decline, indicating acute early-phase responsiveness. Endogenous immunoassays revealed reduced WRI1 protein accumulation under HS, suggesting HS-impaired protein stability or post-translational regulatory mechanisms. Thermotolerance phenotyping of WT, wri1-4, and WRI1-OE lines showed superior HS survival rate in WRI1-OE, with acquired thermotolerance exceeding basal thermotolerance across genotypes, confirming WRI1-mediated positive thermoregulation. The survival rate of WRI1-OE seedlings reached approximately 75%–85%, whereas that of wild type and complementary lines was less than 10%. We found that WRI1-OE reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, where direct transcriptional regulation of HSF/ HSP genes (e.g., HSFA2, HSP101) was excluded by qRT-PCR. Nevertheless, differential gene expression across genotypes indicated WRI1’s auxiliary role in thermotolerance via ROS scavenging and indirect proteostasis maintenance. CONCLUSION: This study proved WRI1 as a master regulator of thermotolerance, functioning through synergistic activation of chaperone networks ( HSFA2-HSPs) and ROS scavenging. The discovery of its cross-pathway coordination mechanism provides novel insights into plant thermal adaptation, and positions WRI1 as a potentially useful target for breeding climate-resilient crops.

INTRODUCTION: Hydrangea macrophylla is essential in landscaping, ecology, and medical care, with significant development prospects. Chikushi-no-kaze is an ideal low-maintenance variety for microlandscaping and potted H. macrophylla, which are widely favored by consumers. However, the extremely low setting rate of H. macrophylla and poor seed development under natural conditions render traditional reproduction methods inadequate for meeting the demands of large-scale annual production in the market. The breeding of H. macrophylla plantlets through tissue culture technology is currently the most efficient method for producing high-quality plantlets. RATIONALE: Regeneration efficiency in plant tissue culture is a key factor in achieving factory seedling production. Therefore, this study investigated the regeneration efficiency of isolated leaves from tissue culture plantlets of Chikushi-no-kaze under optimal culture conditions at each key stage, considering different leaf positions, dark culture durations, and other factors. The aim was to establish an efficient regeneration technology system that provides technical guidance for large-scale plantlet production and serves as a reference for establishing a genetic transformation system for H. macrophylla in the future. RESULTS: The 3^rd to 5^th leaves (middle mature leaves) of Chikushi-no-kaze tissue culture plantlets were identified as the optimal sampling leaves. A dark culture duration of 10–14 days was conducive to callus formation. The most suitable medium for the induction and regeneration of adventitious buds was MS+3.0 mg·L^–1 CPPU+0.1 mg·L^–1 2,4-D, with induction and regeneration rates of 97.78% and 93.33%, respectively. The optimal medium for adventitious bud proliferation was MS+2.0 mg·L^–1 6-BA+0.1 mg·L^–1 IBA, yielding a proliferation coefficient of 8.33. For elongation growth, the optimal medium was MS+1.0 mg·L^–1 6-BA+0.1 mg·L^–1 IBA, resulting in an average stem length of 4.10 cm. The optimal medium for rooting culture was MS+0.3 mg·L^–1 IBA, achieving a rooting rate of 87.20%. CONCLUSION: This study initially established a technical system for in vitro leaf regeneration of the large leaf H. macrophylla ‘Chikushi-no-kaze’, which effectively solved the problem of low efficiency of adventitious bud regeneration of H. macrophylla and helped to achieve efficient reproduction and recycling. This study lays the foundation for the large-scale production and genetic improvement of H. macrophylla.

Seed endophytic fungi are a type of fungi that spread through vertical transmission and have a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with host plants. They can be classified into three types based on their colonization sites and output characteristics. Currently, research on endophytic fungi in seeds mainly focuses on the Poaceae and Fabaceae plants. Seed endophytic fungi exhibit species diversity and community diversity, which not only manifest in the interspecies of plants, but also in different tissues of plants. Seed endophytic fungi have diverse functions, which can affect soil properties, improve seed germination, assist in seedling establishment, promote plant growth, enhance plant stress resistance, and influence plant community structure. Detecting and identifying species is the foundation of research on endophytic fungi in seeds, and figure out the structure of seeds and the colonization sites of fungi are the preliminary and basic work for detecting endophytic fungi in seeds. Currently, the research on seed endophytic fungi mainly includes identifying its species and their diversity, functions and their diversity, roles in the host's life history, and development and utilization. In terms of research methods, scanning electron microscopy can be used to observe the structure, morphology, and colonization location of fungi; whole-genome sequencing (WGS) technology can obtain microbial genome data and reveal the molecular mechanisms of interaction between seed endophytic fungi and plants. In terms of research content, species diversity, community diversity, ecosystem diversity, and development and utilization of seed endophytic fungi have become hot issues. Looking to the future, research on seed endophytic fungi is a field with great development prospects.

Bioinformatics, as an emerging interdisciplinary field with a wide range of applications, plays a significant role in promoting the development of green agriculture. Against the backdrop of the New Agricultural Science, new challenges have been posed to the cultivation of innovative talents in the bioinformatics major of agricultural and forestry universities. Based on the talent demands for the bioinformatics major within the context of New Agricultural Science and the actual circumstances of Hebei Agricultural University, this paper proposes six specific and feasible talent nurturing schemes: building a curriculum system for the bioinformatics major that is suitable for agricultural and forestry universities, integrating bioinformatics teaching resources across agricultural and forestry universities nationwide and establish a nationwide virtual teaching and research platform, constructing and implementing a project-driven teaching system and a talent cultivation model that promotes learning through competition, exploring interdisciplinary curriculum design, integrating large language models into bioinformatics education, and establishing a cooperation mechanism with enterprises and research institutions. By further combining the continuous optimization and updating of educational policies and institutional frameworks, the aim is to cultivate high-quality innovative talents in bioinformatics, contributing to the modernization of agriculture in our country and the sustainable development of global agriculture.

INTRODUCTION: Prunus mume, a renowned traditional flower in China, plays a significant role in garden landscapes. However, conventional artificial hybridization breeding methods for P. mume face challenges such as lengthy breeding cycles and limited genetic variation. Therefore, establishing an efficient regeneration and genetic transformation system for P. mume is of great importance for its breeding advancement. 

RATIONALE: To establish an efficient genetic transformation system for P. mume and lay a technical foundation for its genetic improvement, leaves from four cultivars (Zao Lve, Danfen Chuizhi, Xiang Ruibai, and Xiangxue Gongfen) were used as explants. Based on WPM medium, the effects of different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators on callus induction efficiency were systematically evaluated. Using callus derived from Xiang Ruibai, an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method was applied to optimize three key parameters—bacterial suspension concentration, infection time, and co-cultivation time—and to assess their impacts on transformation efficiency. This study provides a foundation for establishing a complete and efficient genetic transformation system for P. mume. 

RESULTS: The optimal callus induction medium and induction rates varied among different P. mume cultivars. For Zao Lve and Xiang Ruibai, the most effective medium was WPM supplemented with 1.0 mg∙L–1 6-BA, 1.0 mg∙L–1 TDZ, and 0.5 mg∙L–1 2,4-D, achieving induction rates of 61.70% and 66.67%, respectively. For Danfen Chuizhi, the best medium was WPM with 1.0 mg∙L–1 6-BA, 0.5 mg∙L–1 TDZ, and 0.3 mg∙L–1 2,4-D, resulting in an induction rate of 84.38%. For Xiangxue Gongfen, the optimal formulation was WPM containing 0.5 mg∙L–1 6-BA, 0.5 mg∙L–1 TDZ, and 1.0 mg∙L–1 2,4-D, which yielded an induction rate of 66.67%. In genetic transformation experiments using callus from Xiang Ruibai, the highest transformation efficiency (17.00%) was obtained under the following conditions: bacterial suspension OD600=0.7, infection time of 15 minutes, and co-cultivation period of 5 days. 

CONCLUSION: This study systematically compared the hormone requirements of four P. mume cultivars, revealing significant cultivar-specific differences in callus induction. Based on these findings, the positive transgenic callus of Xiang Ruibai was successfully obtained. This provides a technical foundation for verifying gene functions and conducting genetic improvement of important traits in P. mume.

INTRODUCTION: The glycoside hydrolase (GH) gene family plays a crucial role in regulating plant grain size.

 RATIONALE: To elucidate its biological role during grain filling, we cloning and functionally characterized LOC110717159, a GH gene in quinoa, through bioinformatics analysis, spatiotemporal expression profiling, and heterologous expression experiments in Arabidopsis.

 

RESULTS: LOC110717159 has a 1 023 bp coding sequence (encoding 339 amino acids) in both germplasms, differing by a single nucleotide. Analysis of the ~ 2 000 bp LOC110717159 promoter identified 119 cis-elements, including three hormone-responsive elements (MeJA, SA, and GA). Phylogenetically, it is closely related to Beta vulgaris, Spinacia oleracea and Amaranthus tricolor. qRT-PCR revealed high expression of LOC110717159 in large-grained quinoa at 21 days after anthesis (21 DAA). Arabidopsis overexpression lines showed significantly reduced 1 000-grain weight (P < 0.05) but no change in grain length and width. Haplotype analysis of 17 quinoa germplasms indicated that 62.5% of large germplasms (≥ 4.0 g/1 000 grains) carried the large-grained haplotype, while 77.8% of small germplasms (≤ 3.0 g) shared the small-grained haplotype.

 CONCLUSION: In conclusion, LOC110717159 likely functions as a negative regulator in quinoa grain filling.

 

 

 

T3-generation transgenic Arabidopsis lines and seed morphological characteristics. (A)–(C) Wild-type plants; (D)–(F) AtOE1、AtOE2、AtOE3; ns: No significant difference; *P ≤ 0.05

 

INTRODUCTION: Glycosyltransferases are key enzymes involved in various biological processes in plants. To date, glycosyltransferases have been classified into 138 families, among which the glycosyltransferase family I is the largest. This family primarily uses UDP-glucose as the glycosyl donor and is referred to as the UGT family. In recent years, the role of UGT genes in plant responses to abiotic stresses has gradually been revealed. However, currently, only a few UGT genes have been clearly identified as being involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. RATIONALE: To explore the mechanisms of anthocyanin and its glycosylation-related genes in tea plants under low-temperature stress, this study used FudingDabai Tea as the experimental material. Based on the transcriptome sequencing data, two genes, CsUGT73B4 (CSS0039619) and CsUGT85K5 (CSS0047548), which significantly upregulate anthocyanin expression, were identified. We further investigated the changes of gene expression and explored their relationship with anthocyanin metabolism under low-temperature stress. Additionally, the functions of these two genes were verified through heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana and gene silencing experiments. RESULTS: Under low-temperature stress, the expression of CsUGT73B4 and CsUGT85K5 genes was positively correlated with anthocyanin accumulation. In Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing these genes, anthocyanin content and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, and CAT) were significantly increased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content and relative electrical conductivity were reduced. After transient silencing of CsUGT73B4 or CsUGT85K5 in tea plants, the anthocyanin content and the expression levels of its biosynthesis-related genes were significantly down-regulated. CONCLUSION: In summary, the CsUGT73B4 and CsUGT85K5 genes are involved in the response to low-temperature stress, regulate anthocyanin metabolism, and may enhance the cold tolerance of tea plants.

INTRODUCTION: Lycium barbarum is an important economic forest tree species, and its cutting propagation efficiency is closely related to the formation of adventitious roots. However, the molecular mechanism of adventitious root formation is not clear, which restricts the large-scale breeding and efficient utilization of Lycium barbarum. RATIONALE: In order to explore the transcriptome differences in adventitious root formation of L. barbarum, three wolfberry genotypes with different root-forming abilities were used as experimental materials. A hydroponic experiment was conducted to analyze the transcriptional differences during adventitious root formation. RESULTS: Transcriptome sequencing identified 6 448 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with the L-vs-H group having the highest number of DEGs at 4 413, including 2 583 upregulated and 1 830 downregulated genes. A total of 281 transcription factors were identified, mainly from the MYB, AP2/ERF, and bHLH families, with distinct expression patterns. GO enrichment analysis revealed that 1 714 DEGs were enriched in 32 GO terms. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs were mainly enriched in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and plant hormone signal transduction pathways. Among these, MYB19 (Lba07g01820) is a core gene in the phenylpropanoid pathway, and TIR1 (Lba08g00069) is a core gene in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway. Both genes play crucial roles in adventitious root formation in wolfberry. qRT-PCR validated the reliability of the transcriptome data. CONCLUSION: In this study, the transcriptional regulatory network of adventitious root formation in L. barbarum was analyzed, which provided new insights into the root development mechanism of woody plants, revealed the molecular mechanism of adventitious root formation in L. barbarum, and laid an important theoretical foundation for genetic improvement and efficient breeding of L. barbarum and other woody plants.

Gray leaf spot (GLS) of maize, caused by fungi of the genus Cercospora, is a foliar disease that occurs frequently in major maize-producing regions such as Southwest and Northeast China, severely threatening the safety of maize production Maize resistance to GLS is a complex quantitative trait controlled by multiple genes and is highly susceptible to environmental influences. This review briefly elaborates on the regional distribution characteristics of different GLS-causing pathogens in the northern and southern maize-growing regions of China, as well as the transmission and infection pathways of the pathogens, the conditions for disease occurrence, and symptom manifestations. It also summarizes chemical control strategies and the identified maize resistant germplasm resources. Emphasis is placed on summarizing the research progress regarding hotspots of GLS resistance quantitative trait locus (QTL) sites, resistance candidate genes, and the disease resistance mechanisms of cloned genes. This review provides a theoretical basis for in-depth research on the mechanisms of maize resistance to GLS and the breeding of GLS-resistant maize varieties.

INTRODUCTION: Reaumuria soongorica, a perennial small shrub, is widely distributed in arid desert regions of northwestern China. It exhibits exceptional drought and salt tolerance, making it an ideal model for studying molecular mechanisms of plant stress resistance. RATIONALE: We used the R. soongorica genome as a reference to identify members of the AP2/ ERF gene family in this species, and analyzed their phylogeny, gene structure, conserved motifs, cis-acting elements, gene duplication events, as well as the expression patterns of these family members under salt stress. RESULTS: Seventy AP2/ ERF genes were identified from the R. soongorica genome. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into four subfamilies: AP2, ERF, DREB, and RAV. Cis-acting element analysis revealed multiple regulatory elements associated with light responsiveness, stress adaptation, growth regulation, and hormone signaling in the promoter regions of R. soongorica AP2/ ERF genes. These genes exhibited an uneven distribution across all 11 chromosomes of the R. soongorica genome, with 63 genes (90% of the total) originating from gene duplication events. Evolutionary analysis suggested that whole-genome duplication (WGD) and dispersed duplication were the primary drivers of family expansion. Under salt stress, AP2/ ERF genes showed divergent expression patterns in R. soongorica seedlings, with six genes displaying significant differential expression (|log ₂FC|≥1, P&lt;0.05), implicating their potential roles in salt stress response. CONCLUSION: This study identified and characterized the AP2/ ERF gene family in R. soongorica at the genomic level, thereby establishing a foundation for elucidating its functional roles in this species’ adaptation to arid and saline environments.