【Objective】 Rice blast is one of the most devastating diseases of rice production. A broad-spectrum disease resistance gene Pigm-1 was identified but its functional pathway and interactors are unknown. The screening and identification of key proteins in the Pigm-1 signaling pathway will provide an important theoretical basis for rice disease resistance breeding. 【Method】 In this study, the decoy protein pGBKT7-Pigm-1-CC^1-576 vector was constructed to detect the decoy protein self-activation, and the toxicity of the decoy protein was detected by separately transforming the plasmid pGBKT7 and pGBKT7-Pigm-1-CC^1-576 into Y2H Gold yeast. The rice disease resistance R protein Pigm-1 was screened by cDNA expression yeast library induced by rice blast fungus. The sequencing results were compared and annotated by Rice Information GateWay (RIGW). The interaction of OsbHLH148 protein was verified by Luc, Co-IP and yeast two-hybrid assays, and the tissue expression of the corresponding gene of the interaction protein OsbHLH148 was analyzed by qRT-PCR. 【Result】 The self-activation test showed that the decoy protein pGBKT7-Pigm-1-CC^1-576 did not self-activate when cotransformed with the AD plasmid, and the toxicity analysis showed that the decoy protein had little or no toxicity to yeast cells. A total of 124 proteins that may interact with Pigm-1 were obtained by screening the yeast library, and among these proteins, there are ethylene synthesis related, gibberellin synthesis related, active oxygen species clearly related, enzyme metabolism related, and some function unknown. The interaction between Pigm-1-CC^1-576 and OsbHLH148 was verified by Luc, Co-IP and yeast two-hybrid methods. Further analysis showed that OsbHLH148 can be induced by blast fungus infection, and the tissue expression analysis showed that OsbHLH148 expression level was the highest in rice leaves at 6 weeks. 【Conclusion】 In this study, 124 proteins that may interact with Pigm-1 were obtained. One of these proteins, OsbHLH148, was selected and verified to interact with Pigm-1-CC^1-576. Suggesting that OsbHLH148 may be involved in Pigm-1 mediated resistance of rice blast.

【Objective】 Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple cereal crop for about half of the global population, with protein being the second-most significant nutritional component in rice grains. The storage proteins in rice grains mostly consist of glutelin, prolamin, globulin, and albumin, among which the content of easy-to-digest glutelin is the highest. Consequently, common rice increases the burden of kidney and accelerates the progression of renal disorders. The method of generating low-glutelin rice germplasm will provide novel genetic material for the cultivation of functional rice cultivars suitable for individuals with kidney diseases. 【Method】 We utilized Suxiu 867 (SX867), an elite japonica rice cultivar appropriate for cultivation in Jiangsu province, as a transgenic recipient to delete a fragment of approximately 3 500 bp between the B subfamily glutelin-coding genes GluB4 and GluB5 using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing technology. The large fragment deletion was identified by PCR using the primers corresponding to the flanking sequence of gene editing target sites, while sequence-specific primers for Cas9 and hygromycin resistance gene cassettes were used to identify the low-glutelin rice mutant absent of transgenic elements. The protein component contents of homozygous low-glutelin mutants were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively, and the expression levels of glutelin-coding genes in rice grains were detected by quantitative PCR. The agronomic traits and quality traits of homozygous low-glutelin mutants and recipient cultivar cultivated under the same cultivation conditions were measured. 【Result】 Homozygous mutants with a 3 448 bp deletion between GluB4 and GluB5 genes were generated successfully. In the mutants, the relative proportion of glutelin decreased significantly, while that of prolamin and globulin increased significantly. The glutelin content of homozygous mutants decreased to 45.54%-49.75% compared to recipient cultivar, and the reduction level is comparable to LGC-1, a low-glutelin rice germplasm commonly used as a donor of low-glutelin trait in commercialized rice cultivars. The expression levels of B subfamily glutelin-coding genes in homozygous mutant were decreased significantly, and the changing trends was consistent with that of LGC-1 derived rice cultivar. Except that plant height decreased and grain length increased significantly, other measured agronomic and quality traits of homozygous mutants were not changed significantly compared to recipient cultivar. 【Conclusion】 Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing technology, rice mutants with significant lower glutelin content free from transgenic elements were obtained successfully providing a convenient and quick method to generate low-glutelin germplasm.

【Objective】 Common wheat, as an important food crop, plays a crucial role in global food security. Identifying the gene regulatory networks involved in wheat grain protein synthesis and determining key candidate genes will provide theoretical support for quality breeding and improvement of wheat. 【Method】 The study used wheat grains at six developmental stages (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days post-anthesis) as research materials to summarize the pattern of protein accumulation in wheat grains. Transcriptome data and grain protein content phenotypic data were analyzed using the WGCNA (Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis) method to construct weighted gene co-expression networks and identify key hub transcription factor (TFs) genes.【Result】 The accumulation of protein content in wheat grains showed a trend of initial decline followed by an increase, reaching its lowest value (12.16%) at 25 days post-anthesis, with significant differences in protein content between adjacent developmental stages. A total of 25 427 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between adjacent developmental stages. Cluster analysis divided these DEGs into five groups (A-E), with group B containing the highest number of DEGs (10 906). A total of 1 022 transcription factors (TFs) from 49 families were identified, with the NAC family containing the most TFs (107). WGCNA analysis identified five co-expression modules significantly associated with protein content. The turquoise module showed the highest positive correlation with protein content (r=0.80, P=1×10^-⁴). By integrating differentially expressed genes and weighted gene co-expression networks, six positively regulated hub TFs from the MIKC-MADS, TCP, TALE, and CPP families were identified in two modules (turquoise and blue). Further correlation analysis between the protein content phenotype of Huaimai 48 and gene expression levels at different time points revealed that the expression levels of five hub TFs were significantly positively correlated with the protein content phenotype. Specifically, TraesCS5B03G0740100 and TraesCS7D03G0590500 showed specific high expression in spike and grain tissues.【Conclusion】 The study identified important modules (turquoise and blue) related to wheat protein content accumulation, screened six hub TFs, and identified that the expression levels of two hub TFs are significantly positively correlated with protein content and are specifically highly expressed in spike and grain tissues. These genes can serve as candidate genes for regulating protein accumulation in wheat grains.

【Objective】 Under the background of global warming, this paper explored the physiological mechanism of anthocyanin content in colored wheat in response to high temperature stress in the middle of grain filling, so as to lay a theoretical basis for further coping with the high-quality cultivation of functional colored wheat varieties under climate warming. 【Method】 The experiment was conducted in Hefei High-tech Agricultural Park in the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 growing seasons. Six colored wheat varieties with different colors were selected and subjected to high temperature stress treatment (T) for 5 days at the middle stage of filling, with the same materials grown under ambient temperature as the controls (CK). 【Result】 Under high temperature stress after anthesis, the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), dry matter partition, soluble sugar content, sucrose synthase activity, anthocyanin content, anthocyanidin synthase activity, chalcone synthase activity and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity of colored wheat were significantly reduced, and the yield of six varieties of colored wheat decreased by 9.10% to 16.94%, 1000-grain weight decreased by 7.84% to 16.94%, and anthocyanin content decreased by 7.18% to 14.17%. The yield, photosynthetic intensity, SPAD value, dry matter partition, soluble sugar content, sucrose synthase activity, anthocyanin content, anthocyanidin synthase activity, chalcone synthase activity, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity of different varieties of colored wheat were: Qinbai 1>Qinlü 3>Qinzi 1>Xinchun 36>Qinhe 2>Qinlan 1, and the anthocyanin content was: Qinhei 2>Xinchun 36>Qinzi 1>Qinlü 3>Qinlan 1>Qinbai 1. The yield of heat-resistant wheat varieties of Qinbai 1, Qinlü 3 and Qinzi 1 decreased significantly less than that of heat-sensitive wheat varieties Qinhei 2, Xinchun 36 and Qinlan 1. The decreases in photosynthetic intensity, SPAD value, dry matter fraction, soluble sugar content, sucrose synthase activity, anthocyanin content, anthocyanidin synthase activity, chalcone synthase activity and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity of color wheat varieties Qinhei 2, Xinchun 36 and Qinzi 1 with high anthocyanin content were smaller than those of Qinlü 3, Qinlan 1 and Qinbai 1 with low anthocyanin content. Correlation analysis showed that the yield of each color wheat variety was significantly positively correlated with 1000-grain weight, sucrose content, sucrose synthase activity, flag leaf net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and SPAD value, anthocyanin content was significantly positively correlated with soluble sugar content, and yield was negatively correlated with anthocyanins, but the correlation was not significant. After high temperature stress after anthesis, the decomposition of sucrose bound to free anthocyanins decreased, and the decomposition of anthocyanins in grains increased, which supplemented the growth and development of wheat.【Conclusion】 The antioxidant activity of anthocyanins helped crops resist external stress, and the decline of various indexes of color wheat varieties with higher anthocyanin content was comparable to that of color wheat varieties with lower anthocyanin content under high temperature stress after anthesis, the anthocyanin content was significantly positively correlated with soluble sugar content. In conclusion, the accumulation of anthocyanin content could respond to high temperature stress, reduce the decrease of soluble sugar content, and increase the heat resistance of colored wheat.

Cotton production in Xinjiang is transforming from high input of production materials to green, high efficiency and light simplification. This paper analyzed the existing issues as well as advantages and disadvantages of cotton production in Xinjiang under the green and high efficiency mode of production, so as to understand the current situation of cotton production in Xinjiang, explore ways and means to improve the yield per unit area, and put forward suggestions and countermeasures for improving the yield per unit area. This paper provided a detailed analysis of the current status of green and efficient cotton production in Xinjiang in recent years, focusing on resource conditions, mechanization levels, and management practices. Specifically, the utilization rate of chemical fertilizers was close to 40%, the area under drip irrigation exceeded 1.86 million hm², the recovery rate of plastic films from farmland in the current season reaches 80%, the comprehensive mechanization rate for tillage, sowing, and harvesting attained 94.5%, locally developed cotton varieties accounted more than 90% of the market share across Xinjiang, and the average managed area per cotton farmer reached 20 hm². These achievements demonstrated efficient resource utilization, enhanced production efficiency, and standardized and normalized management. However, these challenges remained, which included drip irrigation systems and technologies that lagging behind the demands of modern agriculture, excessive inputs of fertilizers, pesticides, and plastic films, inadequate implementation of technologies with poor alignment with regional needs, and a lack of environmental-friendly concepts among cotton farmers. Therefore, it was quite challenging to maintain green and efficient production while also increasing cotton yield per unit area. It was recommended to improve the efficiency of water utilization by modifying drip irrigation systems and refining technological models, fostering superior crop populations to boost yield. We should optimize the input of fertilizers, pesticides, and plastic films, apply fertilizers rationally, prevent the abuse of pesticides, and intensify the management of residual plastic films, supporting yield enhancement through the improvement of resources and the environment. Efforts should be made to ensure the implementation of technologies aligned with regional needs, advocating for green development concepts and guaranteeing sustainable yield enhancement through changes in management and mindset. To achieve high-quality development of cotton in Xinjiang, it was essential to leverage regional characteristics and scale advantages, making production more specialized. We should refine, improve, integrate, and innovate technologies in production details, promoting sustained and healthy economic and ecological development in Xinjiang's cotton regions through green and efficient cotton planting.

【Objective】 The objective of this study is to investigate the mechanism of maize resistance to corn smut disease induced by the secreted protein gene UM01240 of Ustilago maydis.【Method】 The wild-type strain SG200 of U. maydis, the UM01240 overexpression strain SG200-OE-UM01240, and the UM01240 deletion strain SG200ΔUM01240 were individually inoculated onto the maize variety Jidan209, which is highly susceptible to U. maydis. The three inoculated maize samples were named as S1, S2, and S3, respectively. After 7 d of inoculation, the pathogenicity differences among the tested strains on maize were evaluated. Using high-throughput RNA-Seq technology, the differential expression of genes between the S2 maize leaves and the S1 and S3 maize leaves was compared. Resistance-related genes involved in plant-pathogen interactions, flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropane metabolism, and plant hormone signal pathways were screened and subsequently validated through qRT-PCR.【Result】 The overexpression strain SG200-OE-UM01240 exhibited significantly reduced pathogenicity compared to the SG200 strain, with the corresponding maize sample S2 displaying the mildest leaf symptoms. In contrast, the SG200ΔUM01240 strain demonstrated significantly increased pathogenicity, with the maize sample S3 displaying the most severe leaf symptoms. In comparison to the S1 and S3 maize leaves, the S2 maize leaves exhibited 1 613 differentially expressed genes. Among these genes, 31 were associated with the plant-pathogen interaction pathway, primarily including protein-coding genes such as WRKY1, WRKY33, WRKY52, PR1, and PIT5. Additionally, 15 genes were linked to the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, primarily including the synthesis of pinocembrin, naringenin, luteolin, and dihydroquercetin. Furthermore, 23 genes related to the phenylpropane metabolism pathway were identified, mainly associated with the synthesis of lignin, cinnamaldehyde, p-hydroxycinnamic acid, coniferylaldehyde, and sinapaldehyde. Lastly, 33 genes connected to plant hormone signal transduction pathways were also found, primarily concerning the synthesis of salicylic acid, cytokinins, gibberellins, and jasmonic acid. The results of qRT-PCR analysis for the selected genes were consistent with the transcriptome data.【Conclusion】 The secreted protein gene UM01240 plays a crucial role in the pathogenicity of U. maydis in maize. The expression level of UM01240 is negatively correlated with the pathogenicity of U. maydis in maize. UM01240 achieves a balanced symbiotic relationship between U. maydis and the maize host by regulating pathways including plant-pathogen interaction, flavonoid and phenylpropanoid compound biosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction.

【Objective】 The objective of this study is to explore the interaction between Beauveria bassiana colonization and potassium in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants, and to evaluate the effects of the interaction on tomato fruit quality under different potassium fertilizer application rates.【Method】 Six treatment groups were set up by using pot experiments, including control group and B. bassiana inoculation treatment group under different potassium fertilizer application rates, and the amount of potassium fertilizer was set according to 0, 50% and 100% of tomato field application rate. After inoculation of B. bassiana, the colonization rate of B. bassiana in tomato plants was evaluated by PDA plate assay, and the effect of potassium on the colonization of B. bassiana was determined by colonization rate detection. The effects of B. bassiana colonization on plant potassium utilization and plant growth were determined by detecting potassium content in soil, leaves and fruits under different treatments. The effects of interaction between B. bassiana and potassium on the flavor quality and shelf life of tomato fruits were determined by analyzing fruit shape index, peel hardness, shelf life, soluble sugar and titratable acid content. A multiple regression model was constructed to analyze the correlation between their interaction and tomato quality.【Result】 Potassium could improve the colonization rate of B. bassiana in tomato plants; under the condition of normal exogenous potassium application, the colonization rate of B. bassiana was the highest, reaching 90.00%; the colonization of B. bassiana significantly promoted the absorption and utilization of potassium in tomato plants. In the absence of additional potassium fertilizer, the potassium content in the soil at the seedling stage decreased by 39.15%, and the potassium content in the fruit increased by 1.83%, respectively. The colonization of B. bassiana could significantly promote the accumulation of soluble sugar and vitamin C in tomato fruits, and effectively reduce the content of titratable acid, thus optimizing the sugar acid ratio of fruits and improving the overall flavor quality. Under the condition of applying normal amount of potassium fertilizer, the colonization of B. bassiana made the flavor quality of tomato fruit reach the best state. Among them, the soluble sugar content of fruit increased by 1.02%, the titratable acid content decreased by 25.97%, the sugar acid ratio of fruit increased by 37.17%, and the shelf life of fruit prolonged by 40.24%. The combined effect of potassium and B. bassiana had the greatest influence on soluble sugar content.【Conclusion】 The colonization of B. bassiana can improve fruit quality and prolong the shelf life of fruits by regulating the potassium utilization efficiency of tomato plants. In addition, the multiple regression equation constructed in this study can effectively predict and evaluate the quality of tomatoes.

【Objective】 This study aimed to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and driving factors of soil organic carbon (SOC) content in Hulunbuir, China, in order to provide the scientific basis for soil carbon storage management and ecosystem services.【Method】 The point-to-point sampling survey method was used to collect measured SOC data from 1980 (historical data) and 2022, involving four land use types: farmland, grassland, forest, and wetland. Using regression kriging method, combined with environmental variables such as temperature, precipitation, slope, altitude, and NDVI, the spatial prediction of SOC content and its changes was carried out. 【Result】 (1) The SOC content in 1980 was significantly affected by these five factors (P<0.05), while the SOC data in 2022 was mainly affected by altitude, slope, precipitation, and NDVI, with no significant effect from temperature (P=0.07). The fitting accuracies of the models for the two periods of 1980 and 2022 were R²=0.60 and R²=0.63, respectively, indicating that the predictive model had a certain level of reliability. (2) According to spatial prediction data, the average SOC content in Hulunbuir was 40.29 g·kg^-1 in 1980, and decreased to 31.75 g·kg^-1 in 2022. The spatial variation trend of soil SOC content in the two periods was similar, with higher content in the central region and lower content in the western and eastern regions. (3) There were differences in the changes of SOC content under different land use patterns. Over the past 40 years, the SOC content of farmland, grassland, forest, and wetland soils has decreased by 4.59 g·kg^-1 (13.3%), 6.08 g·kg^-1(18.7%), 11.16 g·kg^-1(23.0%), and 7.20 g·kg^-1(24.4%), respectively. 【Conclusion】 The spatial distribution trend of SOC content in Hulunbuir area remained consistent between 1980 and 2022, and SOC content showed a decreasing trend under different land use patterns. The transformation of land use patterns was a key factor affecting the spatial distribution changes of SOC. In addition, there was uncertainty in the prediction of SOC changes by environmental variables, and future research needs to consider their dynamic characteristics. In the Hulunbuir region, the forest grassland transition zone and the forest farmland transition zone had carbon sink potential, while grasslands, central high-altitude forest areas, and farmland areas might be carbon source areas.

【Objective】 Saline soil poses a global ecological challenge. The rapid and precise monitoring of surface soil water and salt information was crucial for effective control and remediation of soil salinization. 【Method】 The present study proposed a quantitative estimation method, which combined high-precision optical remote sensing and image digital processing technology at a small scale, to predict soil water content and salt content based on soil apparent color parameters (RGB) and texture feature values. Firstly, the calibration of the soil multi-parameter sensor was based on the relationship between dielectric constant and water content, electrical conductivity, and salt content. Secondly, the image digital processing technology was employed to extract the RGB and texture features of the soil. The most relevant variables were determined through correlation analysis, and an optimal fitting model incorporating RGB, texture features, water content, and salt content was constructed. Finally, the accuracy of the inversion method was verified using the sensor approach.【Result】 The trivariate regression model, which fitted the water content and RGB, exhibited the most optimal fitting effect with an R² value of 0.97. For the fitting of salt content to RGB and texture features, a one-variable polynomial model incorporating salt content and soil apparent white ratio demonstrated superior fitting performance when the salt content was greater than or equal to 6%, yielding an R² value of 0.97. Conversely, for salt content below 6%, the autocorrelation (AUT) fitting between salt content and texture feature values was proved to be the most effective approach with an R² value of 0.93. Upon comparing and calculating the water content and salt content obtained through both multi-parameter sensor calibration method and the inversion method proposed in this paper, it was observed that relative error ranges for water content measurement using these two methods fell within 0.27%-9.48%, while relative error ranges for salt content ranged from 0.07% to 8.64%. In both cases, the absolute errors remained below 1%. 【Conclusion】 The present study presented a methodology for the inversion of soil apparent water and salt information, thereby establishing a theoretical foundation and offering the technical support for the rapid and precise determination of soil surface water and salt.

【Objective】 The color of peach peel is closely related to the appearance quality and economic value of peach fruit, and anthocyanins are the predominant pigment substances for peach peel coloring. This study was based on combined metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to investigate the effects of low light and rainy conditions during the rainy season on the accumulation of flavonoids (anthocyanins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins) in peach peel and the transcriptional expression of related biosynthetic genes, identify and excavate key genes and transcriptional factors regulating flavonoids biosynthesis, and to provide application and theoretical basis for improving peach cultivation practices to enhance peach peel coloring during the rainy season, and further enriching the molecular mechanism of peach flavonoid biosynthesis.【Method】 The peach cultivar ‘Zhongjin Pan 7-12’ was used as the material in this study. The imitated rainy condition was regarded as treatment 1 (T1), the imitated low light and rainy conditions were regarded as treatment 2 (T2), and shelter cultivation (imitating normal cultivation environment) was the control (CK) group. Peach fruit peel samples were collected for metabolomic and RNA-Seq analyses at different stages (0D and 24D). Key candidate genes regulating flavonoids biosynthesis were identified through KEGG and weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA).【Result】 The results of metabolomic analysis showed that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, procyanidin B1, and quercetin-3-O-glucoside were the main components of anthocyanins, procyanidins, and flavonols in peach peel, respectively. Among them, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside was the predominant substance for the red coloration of peach peel. Both T1 and T2 treatments inhibited the anthocyanin accumulation in peach peel, with the more pronounced effect by T2. Through RNA-Seq result analysis, a total of 8 296 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, among which the highest number of DEGs was obtained through the comparison group of 24D-T1 vs 0D, with 6 879. Through WGCNA, genes from turquoise, red, greenyellow, brown, blue, and magenta modules were identified as candidate genes involved in regulating flavonoid biosynthesis in peach fruit peel. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that metabolic pathways were the most enriched pathway among candidate genes in all modules except for the turquoise module. Based on WGCNA, 15 structural genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were identified. In addition, transcription factors such as MYB, bHLH, ERF, bZIP, and C2H2 were also identified.【Conclusion】 Rainy and low light conditions significantly inhibit the anthocyanin accumulation and red coloration in peach peel. Shelter cultivation can be used to improve the appearance quality and economic value of peach fruit during the rainy season. In addition, key structural and regulatory genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis were identified, which can provide theoretical guidance for improving peach fruit coloring during the rainy season.

【Objective】 Adventitious root helps expanding root system and enhancing resistance, and its induction is widely used in asexual propagation of crops. Comparisons of the differentially expressed genes associated with adventitious root formation in different species, and analyze the conserved genes among them, so as to provide candidate genes for the comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanism of adventitious root formation. 【Method】 Based on the transcriptomes of adventitious root formation of Petunia hybrida, Dianthus caryophyllus, Cucumis sativus, Populus euramericana, and Fagopyrum esculentum that downloaded from the public database, we obtained transcript abundance via HISAT2 and Cufflinks pipeline, and counted and screened the differentially expressed genes by DESeq2. The homologs most similar to Arabidopsis and differentially expressed genes in each species were obtained by homologous alignment. The genes in the intersection set were obtained by set analysis, and their functional annotation and enrichment analysis were carried out in AmiGO. And qPCR was used to examine the expression patterns related to adventitious root development in crops other than these five species.【Result】 A total number of 15 conserved up-regulated genes were obtained from five species, which were mainly participate in stress response, cell division, peroxidase and mevalonate synthesis pathways. The conserved down-regulated genes and pathways mainly participate in the regulation of ion and chemical homeostasis. With the development of adventitious roots, two types (ⅠandⅡ) of expression patterns of up-regulated genes were seen. NRT3.1 and WRKY75 peaked at the early induction stage of 24 hours (typeⅠ), at the period of the adventitious root primordium formation. While the expression levels of CYCB2;4 and KNOLLE increased gradually in the later induction stage of 48-96 hours and extending to the elongation stage (typeⅡ), at the period of the adventitious root protruding beyond the periderm. Consistent patterns of the expression levels of conserved genes during the induction of adventitious roots were identified in tomatoes and watermelons, which belong to dicotyledon. While in monocotyledon like maizes, genes with higher similarity, such as WRKY75, CYCB2;4, and KNOLLE, performed similar patteren, except for NRT3.1. 【Conclusion】 Regardless of various species, tissues, and treatments, the adventitious root formation relies on the conserved pathways and genes involved in stress response and cell division. The conserved up-regulated genes NRT3.1, WRKY75, CYCB2;4, KNOLLE can be used as candidate genes for adventitious root formation for in-depth analysis in many dicotyledonous species.

【Objective】 This study aimed to investigate the effects of bacterial cellulose combined pH shifting treatment on the gel properties and microstructure of soy protein isolate, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, so as to provide the theoretical support for the interactions between insoluble polysaccharides and protein molecules.【Method】 Soy protein isolate-bacterial cellulose composite systems were prepared with varying ratios of bacterial cellulose, with and without pH shifting treatment. Then, the effects of bacterial cellulose combined with pH shift treatment the gel properties, rheological characteristics, and microstructure of the soy protein isolate composite systems were study.【Result】 After the bacterial cellulose combined with pH shifting treatment, the particle size distribution analysis revealed a new composite peak around 4 145 nm, indicating an increase in the particle size of the soy protein isolate composite system. Additionally, as the ratio of bacterial cellulose increased, the particle size further rose to approximately 4 801 nm. The turbidity of the soy protein isolate with bacterial cellulose combined pH shifting treatment significantly increased, and this turbidity also rose with the higher addition of bacterial cellulose. Notably, the surface hydrophobicity of the group with bacterial cellulose combined pH shifting treatment was significantly enhanced (P<0.05). The visual appearance of the composite gel indicated that both the group with bacterial cellulose addition and the group with bacterial cellulose combined pH shifting treatment exhibited a smooth surface and good elasticity following the thermal process. The gel strength and rheological properties of the group with bacterial cellulose combined pH shifting treatment (15:1) showed significant improvement (P<0.05), with values increasing from 21.49 g and 0.93 Pa to 129.16 g and 556.2 Pa, respectively (P<0.05). Furthermore, the content of the β-sheet structure in the secondary structure increased significantly from 39.58% to 42.05% (P<0.05). Paraffin section results indicated that the bacterial cellulose physically filled the protein gel network, showing a distinct boundary with the soy protein isolate. In contrast, the gel network of the composite system treated with bacterial cellulose combined pH shifting treatment was uniformly distributed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the soy protein isolate exhibited a porous structure with numerous aggregated formations, while the group with bacterial cellulose addition demonstrated extensive areas of accumulation. In the group bacterial cellulose combined pH shifting treatment, the filamentous bacterial cellulose was found to be embedded within the soy protein isolate, resulting in a tightly cross-linked protein structure. Laser confocal microscopy results indicated the presence of numerous pore structures in the control group, while the addition of bacterial cellulose did not reduce these pore structures and exhibited a phase-separated microstructure. However, after the pH shifting treatment, a tighter intertwined connection was formed between the soy protein isolate and bacterial cellulose, leading to a microstructure transformation from phase separation to phase uniformity, accompanied by a decrease in pore structure.【Conclusion】 The combination of bacterial cellulose with pH shift treatment could improve the gel properties of soybean protein isolate, and promote the phase separation structure to a uniform phase structure, which made the microstructure of the composite gel system more uniform and dense.

【Objective】 Feed Conversion Rate (FCR) is an important economic trait index in livestock and poultry production. Through the analysis of intestinal flora and small molecular metabolites, the factors affecting the regulation of FCR in broilers were explored. 【Method】 Good health condition, the same batch of 0-day-old Jatropha curcas chicks were selected, free to feed and drink. At 57 days of age, 500 males with normal development and similar body weight ((2 374.96 ± 214.39) g) were selected and transferred to the assay house, with an acclimatization period of 3 days. The official assay was performed at 60 days of age, with an experimental period of 18 days, and 20 birds with high feed conversion rate (HF) and low feed conversion rate (LF) were selected for slaughtering at the marketable age (78 days of age), respectively, based on the results of the automated feeding system. Twenty birds with HF and LF were selected for slaughter at the market age (78 days old) according to the results of the automatic feeding system. Chicken intestines were isolated for determination of intestinal morphology, while cecal chow was harvested for joint analysis of microbial and small molecule metabolite differences between the HF and LF cecums of broiler chickens and correlation analyses using 16S rRNA sequencing and globally precise non-targeted metabolomics. 【Result】 (1) Compared with the LF group, the daily weight gain in HF group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the FCR was significantly increased (P<0.05), the jejunal length was significantly decreased (P<0.05), rectal length was significantly increased(P<0.05), and jejunal villus height/crypt depth ratio was significantly decreased(P<0.05). (2) Compared with the LF group, Chao1, Shannon, Observed_species, and Faith_pd indices were significantly decreased in the HF group (P<0.05). The difference in compositional structure between HF and LF was large (P<0.05). Genera with LDA values greater than 3 in the LF group were Blautia_A, Barnesiella, Massilistercora, Papillibacter, Mitsuokella, Paramuribaculum, and UBA738. The genera with LDA values greater than 3 in the HF group were Desulfovibrio_R, Alloprevotella, and Intestinimonas. (3) Thirty-two differential metabolites were screened, among which Docosahexaenoic acid, beta-carotene, and D-Mannose 6-phosphate were more multiplicative. Among these differential metabolites fatty acyl, benzene and substituted derivatives were more frequent. (4) The microorganisms that showed significant negative correlation with FCR values were Papillibacter, Blautia_A, and Paramuribaculum. The metabolites that showed a significant negative correlation with FCR values were Phenylethylamine, beta-Carotene, Antibiotic JI-20A, trans-Cinnamate, Xanthosine, 3-Methoxyanthranilate, Phthalic acid, Niacinamide, gamma-L-Glutamyl-D-alanine, 5-Nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid, Desaminotyrosine, and 1-palmitoylglycerophosphocholine. The metabolites that showed significant positive correlation with FCR values were Phosphorylcholine. Gamma-L-Glutamyl-D-alanine was significantly positively correlated with Blautia_A, while Phosphorylcholine was significantly positively correlated with Intestinimonas. 【Conclusion】 The broiler feed conversion was associated with intestinal flora and metabolites, while Papillibacter, Blautia_A, Barnesella, and Mitsuokella might be marker microorganisms affecting feed efficiency. Desmethyltyrosine, β-carotene, Xanthosine, gamma-L-Glutamyl-D-alanine, and Phosphorylcholine might be marker metabolites affecting feed efficiency. Intestinal flora could influence FCR directly or through microbial metabolites, and microbe-metabolite associations suggested specific pathways of action that may influence feed conversion.

【Objective】 The composition and content of intramuscular lipids are important factors affecting flavor and tenderness of beef, and are closely related to beef quality. In this study, by comparing the lipid characteristics and gene expression patterns of longissimus dorsi muscle and tenderloin tissue of Nanyang cattle, the potential candidate genes regulating lipid characteristics of different muscle tissues in Nanyang cattle were identified. 【Method】 The longissimus dorsi muscle and tenderloin tissues of adult Nanyang cattle with the same growth environment and genetic background were selected as experimental materials, and then the lipid profile and gene expression profile of muscle tissue were constructed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) to identify differential lipid molecules (DLMs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between different tissues. Functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network (PPI) were performed to screen potential candidate genes, and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to verify their expression levels. 【Result】 In this study, 19 kinds of fatty acids were detected in muscle tissue, among which the content of C18:0, C14:1n5 and C16:1n7 were significantly different between tissues. A total of 2 106 lipid molecules were detected, of which Phosphatidylcholine (PC), Triacylglycerols (TG) and Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were the main components. A total of 39 DLMs and 3,424 DEGs were screened between two muscle tissues by difference analysis. According to receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, 13 DLMs (e.g. DG(16:0_18:1), DG(18:0_18:1), DG(18:0_18:2)) could be used as potential lipid biomarkers between tissues. PPI and MCODE analysis obtained three core gene modules closely related to lipid metabolism. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs and DLMs were involved in Inositol phosphate metabolism, Glycerolipid metabolism and Glycerophospholipid metabolism. Integration analysis identified 19 potential candidate genes with different lipid characteristics, among which 7 genes (PLCG2, SYNJ1, LPIN1, DGKZ, DGAT1, LPL and SELENOI) were located in key positions in the pathway, and had direct regulatory effects on DLMs. RT-qPCR showed that the expression trend of six candidate genes was consistent with that of RNA-seq. 【Conclusion】 In this study, 13 potential lipid biomarkers were identified and 19 potential candidate genes were screened for the key metabolic pathways involved in the regulation of lipid characteristics between longissimus dorsi muscle and tenderloin tissue for Nanyang cattle, which provided a theoretical basis for further exploration of the regulatory mechanism for lipid difference formation in Nanyang cattle and molecular breeding for high-quality beef.