Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is known for its resilience to drought, yet the organ-specific transcriptional mechanisms underlying this trait remain insufficiently characterized. To address this, we investigated long-term drought responses in two contrasting cultivars, a sensitive (F15) and a tolerant (F16) genotype, by analyzing gene expression in leaves and seeds across three key reproductive stages: early (milky), thick, and mature seed development. This study complements previous physiological and biochemical investigations in the same genotypes, offering a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of drought tolerance.

The post-harvest quality and vase life of cut gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hooker) flowers are critical quality parameters that affect their marketability and consumer satisfaction. This study was conducted to determine the effects of vase solutions containing different ratios of lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine (LPE), streptomycin, citric acid, and sucrose on vase life, water uptake, fresh weight change, phenolic compounds, and oxidative stress responses. In addition to morphological parameters, biochemical markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were examined to evaluate the antioxidant defense mechanisms in the flowers. Among the treatments, the T9 group (1 ppm LPE + 200 mg L streptomycin + 200 mg L citric acid + 5% sucrose) and the T10 group (2 ppm LPE + 200 mg L streptomycin + 200 mg L citric acid + 5% sucrose) stood out as the most effective treatments, exhibiting the highest vase life, water uptake, and lowest MDA content. In contrast, the highest POD and MDA levels were detected in the T6 treatment (2 ppm LPE). Although no statistically significant difference was observed in CAT activity, the high average values in the 200 mg L citric acid treatment (T4) suggest that it may play a role in HO detoxification. Additionally, increases in secondary metabolite levels such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and total antioxidant activity were observed throughout the vase life, indicating that the plant synthesizes these compounds as a defense against oxidative stress during the aging process. The findings suggest that LPE, when used in combination with antibacterial and metabolic support agents, offers an effective strategy for extending the vase life of cut flowers by reducing oxidative damage.

CCT (CONSTANS, CO-LIKE, and TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION 1) domain-containing genes play essential roles in regulating photoperiod flowering, circadian rhythms, and environmental adaptation in plants. However, their composition, evolutionary dynamics, and potential functions remain largely unexplored in Liriodendron chinense, an ecologically and economically important relict tree species.

Brassica napus L. (rapeseed) represents one of the world's most important oilseed crops, yet its yield is increasingly impacted by heat-a threat that is intensifying under climate change.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are plant steroidal hormones that are crucial for plant growth and development, with dwarfism being a hallmark of BR deficiency. DWARF4 (DWF4) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting C22 oxidation step in the BR biosynthetic pathway. Understanding its role in ornamental plants is crucial for developing dwarf varieties that can significantly enhance their aesthetics and broaden their applications. This study aimed to provide the functional analysis of the DWF4 gene isolated from Echinacea purpurea. We found that the EpDWF4 gene comprised a 1458 bp open reading frame that encodes 486 amino acids and is highly expressed in leaves. EpDWF4 showed high homology to AtCYP90B1, a steroid 22-alpha-hydroxylase involved in the BR biosynthetic pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana. Transgenic E. purpurea plants with suppressed EpDWF4 expression were generated using an RNA interference vector that produced hairpin-looped double-stranded RNAs, leading to sequence-specific RNA silencing of EpDWF4. This resulted in a dwarf phenotype. The physiological function of EpDWF4 was evaluated through complementation in Arabidopsis plants. EpDWF4 completely rescued the extremely dwarf phenotype of the A. thaliana dwf4-102 mutant. In addition, transgenic homozygous A. thaliana plants containing a copy of 35S: EpDWF4 in the intergenic region significantly increased in height. Moreover, steroid 22-alpha-hydroxylase activity, which converts campestanol to 6-deoxocathasterone, increased by 43% in these transgenic plants compared to wild-type A. thaliana. Our results indicate that the knockdown of BR biosynthesis-related genes by RNA interference (RNAi) supports valuable dwarf plant production for commercial horticultural or agricultural applications.

In recent decades, limited studies have explored the beneficial effects of seed irradiation with Helium-Neon (He-Ne) laser on secondary metabolism and stress tolerance in medicinal plants. However, the impact of laser on heavy metal tolerance and accumulation in these herbs is still largely unknown. To address this, a factorial experiment was conducted to examine the effects of various durations (0, 20, 40 min) of seed irradiation with He-Ne laser (10 mW m⁻²) on Pb tolerance and phytoremediation potential of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) in soils spiked with varying Pb concentrations (0, 250, 500 ppm). Exposure to both concentrations of Pb decreased emergence, growth parameters, and chlorophyll (Chl.) contents, and seed irradiation with the laser significantly affected these attributes in a dose-dependent manner. The 20 min laser irradiation increased emergence percentage (29.48%, 54.48%), dry mass of roots (52.31%, 38.07%) and shoots (23.36%, 31.71%), height (18.60%, 17.06%), tolerance index (30.29%, 29.35%), Chl. a (25.76%, 21.37%) and Chl. b (52.32%, 60.33%) contents, total phenol content (43.55%, 27.40%), and DPPH scavenging activity (30%, 18.37%) in leaves of milk thistle at 250, and 500 ppm of Pb in soil. This treatment also reduced electrolyte leakage in roots (38.52%, 36.01%) and in leaves (19.22%, 30.05%) by enhancing the activity of peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes, particularly at 500 ppm of Pb. Contrarily, 40 min irradiation had adverse effects on growth and tolerance index, increased EL levels, and lowered antioxidant enzyme activity at all Pb levels, highlighting the critical role of fine-tuned dose regulation. Interestingly, 20 min irradiation to the laser reduced Pb concentration in roots (13.26%) without altering its translocation to shoots while increasing the total Pb uptake (21.14%) under 500 ppm of Pb. These findings highlight the potential of seed laser irradiation as an innovative and eco-friendly technique to enhance the phytoremediation efficiency of milk thistle while preserving the quality and safety of plants cultivated in Pb-polluted soils for medicinal purposes.

Breeding tomatoes for tolerance to water deficit (WD) has become a crucial goal amidst climate change scenarios marked by water shortages. Given the limited tolerance within the cultivated genepool, the red-fruited wild relatives Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (SLC) and Solanum pimpinellifolium (SP) are promising sources of valuable alleles. In this study, we utilized four SP and six SLC genotypes, chosen to represent broad genetic and ecogeographic diversity, to explore the stability of tolerance to WD across highly diverse experimental conditions, including early developmental stages (plantlet), greenhouse experiments (short and long cycles), and field conditions. The impact of WD on phenotypic traits exhibited a consistent direction across all experimental conditions: plant growth traits were negatively affected, whereas fruit quality traits demonstrated a positive response. Biomass partitioning into stems, leaves, and fruits remained unaffected by WD. The genotype-by-watering interaction emerged as the main factor driving the effect of WD on phenotyped biomarkers, indicating substantial genetic variation in phenotypic plasticity in response to WD conditions. Poor correlation was observed among plasticity indices obtained in different experimental conditions, underscoring the need for multi-environmental experiments to unravel the complex genetic architecture of WD tolerance. Two genotypes (SP2, SLC1) originally collected from arid areas of South-America were identified as promising sources of WD tolerance.

Salvia multicaulisVahl is a medicinally valuable and ecologically sensitive species native to the Middle East. It is increasingly threatened by climate change and overharvesting. This study aimed to (1) predict the current (2025) and future (2050 and 2070) habitat suitability of S. multicaulis under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP245 and SSP585) using MaxEnt model based on a set of climatic, topographic, and edaphic variables, (2) assess spatial variation in its phytochemical profiles, and (3) develop a quality zoning map integrating chemical and ecological data. A total of 35 occurrence records were compiled for ecological niche modeling, among which 17 representative populations were selected and analyzed for key bioactive compounds-ursolic acid, betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, total phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins-using HPLC and spectrophotometry.

To evaluate the impact of foxtail millet-legume intercropping on millet growth, yield, and grain quality, a field experiment was conducted using three foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv.) genotypes (cv. 'Dabaigu', 'Jizhanggu 5', and 'Jinmiao K1') intercropped with three legume species (red adzuki bean, mung bean, and red kidney bean) in a 1:1 row replacement design. The study assessed the responses of millet to intercropping across phenological stages. The highest land equivalent ratio (LER) was recorded for the Dabaigu/red adzuki bean combination, indicating superior resource-use efficiency. During the seedling and booting stages, sole cropping significantly increased plant height, flag leaf chlorophyll content, and dry weights of leaves, stems, and panicles compared with intercropping. At heading, intercropping improved single-leaf area and dry matter accumulation. By maturity, sole cropping showed a trend of increased panicle traits; however, intercropped millet exhibited significantly higher grain nutritional quality, including crude protein, crude fat, amylose content, and gelatinization viscosity. A significant negative correlation was observed between yield-related agronomic traits and grain quality parameters. These findings offer valuable insights into optimizing millet-legume intercropping systems for enhancing resource efficiency and nutritional value under dryland conditions in North China.

Foxtail millet, an ancient cereal crop domesticated in China, is valued for its nutritional richness, particularly its carotenoid content. Carotenoids play critical roles in plant development and stress responses, and their metabolic pathways are regulated by various transcription factors (TFs). However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling carotenoid accumulation in cereal crops remain poorly understood. In this study, we characterized SiLRL1, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) TF in foxtail millet, and investigated its role in carotenoid metabolism and abiotic stress tolerance. Phylogenetic analysis classified SiLRL1 into subfamily XI of the bHLH family, which lacks a DNA-binding basic region but retains the HLH dimerization domain. Heterologous expression of SiLRL1 in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly enhanced carotenoid accumulation, particularly violaxanthin, and increased abscisic acid (ABA) levels. RNA-seq analysis revealed that SiLRL1 overexpression downregulated key carotenoid degradation genes (e.g., AtNCED4/CCD4) and upregulated genes involved in the mevalonate (MVA) and methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathways, as well as carotenogenic genes (e.g., AtPSY, AtLCYB, AtLCYE). Additionally, SiLRL1 overexpression improved drought tolerance and ABA sensitivity in transgenic Arabidopsis, accompanied by altered expression of ABA-responsive and drought-responsive genes. These findings establish SiLRL1 as a positive regulator of carotenoid biosynthesis and drought tolerance, providing insights into the genetic control of carotenoid metabolism and stress adaptation in foxtail millet.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the most important global food crops. However, potato bacterial wilt, a destructive soil-borne disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, poses a huge threat to global potato production and quality, leading to serious economic losses worldwide. The wild potato species Solanum commersonii exhibits resistance to bacterial wilt, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely obscure.

The formation of symbiotic relationships between invasive plants and soil microorganisms in invaded regions, which enhances their adaptive capacity has been extensively studied. Bacillus, as a representative soil beneficial microorganism, can be recruited by invasive plants to their rhizosphere to promote growth. However, it remains unclear how dominant Bacillus species in the rhizosphere changes, and what feedback effects these changes may have, when invasive plants encounter biotic resistance in the invaded region, particularly from plant competition and insect herbivory.

Abies beshanzuensis is a critically endangered conifer species in the Pinaceae family, with only three wild adult trees (progenitor trees) remaining in its native habitat. To conserve its germplasm, A. beshanzuensis scions were grafted onto A. firma rootstocks, which significantly improved the growth and reproduction of the grafted plants. However, the effects of grafting on the growth and development of progeny of grafted A. beshanzuensis, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remain unclear. In this study, we compared seedling-stage growth differences between progeny of progenitor trees (PP) and grafted trees (GP), revealing significantly greater plant height and stem diameter in GP. Physiological analysis of leaf tissues showed significantly higher auxin levels in GP, increased chlorophyll content and enhanced maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) compared to PP. De novo transcriptome assembly using PacBio and Illumina RNA-Seq identified 2,638 differentially expressed genes (DEG) between PP and GP, with significant changes in genes involved in auxin signaling and chlorophyll biosynthesis pathways in GP. Methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) analysis further revealed a lower average DNA methylation level in GP compared to PP. We propose that grafting reduces DNA methylation-mediated repression of genes involved in the auxin signaling and chlorophyll synthesis, thereby enhancing seedling vigor and photosynthetic capacity. These findings provide a theoretical foundation and novel insights for the conservation of endangered woody plants, with broader implications for biodiversity preservation in the context of global climate change.

Castanopsis kawakamii is an endangered relict oak species inhabiting the southern edge of the subtropical region of China. Its recalcitrant acorns (hereafter seeds) exhibit sequential radicle and epicotyl dormancy, requiring prolonged two-phase release, increasing the risk of viability loss and predation before seedling establishment. Seeds of C. kawakamii were collected from the largest population, Castanopsis kawakamii National Nature Reserve, to assess viability under drying and temperature treatments and to identify environmental cues for radicle and epicotyl emergence. Seeds of C. kawakamii lost viability under 4℃ and at a seed moisture content (MC) < 35%. Radicle dormancy was broken by cold stratification (5/15℃) or by subjecting seeds to winter field conditions, but epicotyl physiological dormancy (PD) persisted and required ~ 30 days of warm stratification (15/25℃) following radicle emergence for release. Seeds dispersed from the parent plant in early autumn exhibited deeper PD than those dispersed in late autumn. In the field, radicle and epicotyl emergence occur mainly in the spring following seed dispersal in autumn but with a 1-month lag between the two events. Over 99% seeds with a non-emerged epicotyl died in April. Seed recalcitrance and the requirement for both cold and warm stratification for seedling establishment may be important in limiting plant regeneration in the natural habitat. To enhance seedling establishment under climate stress, we recommend assisted regeneration via protection of late-autumn seeds, moisture retention through burial, and warm stratification to overcome epicotyl dormancy post-radicle emergence.

Twig blight (TB), caused by Pestalotiopsis-like species, induces twig dieback in Myrica rubra, leading to substantial economic losses in its production across China and posing a significant threat to M. rubra cultivation. To date, the immune response of M. rubra to Pestalotiopsis-like infections remains poorly understood.

By interfering with germination, seedling development, physiological processes, and the buildup of toxins in plant tissues, lead (Pb) contamination significantly hinders tomato growth. This study explores the effectiveness of zinc (Zn) seed priming and foliar application in mitigating Pb-induced stress and enhancing physiological performance in tomato plants. A lab experiment was conducted to assess tomato seed germination and seedling growth under Pb stress with Zn priming and foliar application. Pb stress significantly impaired the germination properties of tomato seeds. With improvements in germination percentage, germination index, germination energy, and seed vigor index, Zn application markedly enhanced germination properties. Moreover, Pb stress severely impaired plant growth, water content, photosynthetic pigments, and ionic contents (Ca, Mg) while increasing water loss, electrolyte leakage, and Pb content. Foliar application of Zn improved seedling growth, as shown by increases in root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, plant height, root number, and root volume under Pb stress conditions. In addition, relative water content, excised leaf water loss, and electrolyte leakage were improved, while relative water loss was reduced by Zn application. Furthermore, Zn application restored photosynthetic pigment levels under Pb stress. Additionally, Zn application restored Ca and Mg in leaves, while reducing Pb buildup in roots and leaves under Pb stress. Hierarchical clustering and PCA revealed significant interactions among seedling growth traits, plant water status, pigment levels, and ionic contents under Pb stress and Zn application. Correlation analysis also revealed a strong negative association between lead content and growth or photosynthetic parameters, while water retention and pigment levels were positively correlated. These results demonstrate the great potential of applying Zn to reduce Pb toxicity and enhance tomato plants' physiological and biochemical resilience.

The rising global CO level influences plant growth, productivity, and nutritional quality, and elevated CO (ECO) is commonly utilized in greenhouses to enhance vegetable crop yields. However, the molecular mechanism underlying plant responses to ECO remains unclear. This study examined the impacts of ECO on the nutritional quality and growth characteristics of two widely cultivated broccoli varieties, 'Yanxiu' and 'Qiuli'. A pot experiment was carried out in environmentally auto-controlled growth chambers over a period of 100 days, under both ambient CO (ACO, 420/470 ppm, daytime/nighttime) and ECO (700/750 ppm) conditions. Our results demonstrated that ECO significantly enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, increased head biomass accumulation, and elevated carbohydrate content. However, it also reduced free amino acids, soluble proteins, nitrate content, and mineral nutrients including nitrogen, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, and copper, while increasing sulphur content in both varieties. Notably, ECO substantially increased health-promoting phytochemicals such as ascorbate, carotenoids, and total flavonoids. Through integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed: (1) ECO enhanced carbon metabolism via upregulation of hexokinase (HK), pyruvate kinase (PK), and Rubisco in glycolysis/pentose phosphate pathway; (2) activated biosynthesis of glucosinolates (via upregulating UDP-glucosyl transferase 83A, UGT83A, and cytochrome P450 81 F, CYP81F), flavonoids (via chalcone synthas, CHS, and flavonol synthase, FLS), ascorbate (via phospholipase C, PLC, and myo-inositol oxygenase, MIOX), and carotenoids (via phytotene synthase, PSY, and lycopene ε-cyclase, LCYE); and (3) suppressed nitrogen assimilation (via downregulating nitrate transporter 2, NRT2, and nitrate reductase, NR, and upregulating glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase, GS/GOGAT). These findings systematically reveal that ECO reprograms broccoli metabolism to favor carbon assimilation while compromising nutrient acquisition. Our study provides valuable molecular insights for optimizing CO supplementation strategies in protected cultivation systems, offering potential solutions to balance yield improvement with nutritional quality maintenance in future vegetable production.