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Note: The papers published below will continue to be available from this page until they are assigned to an issue. To see an article, click its [PDF] link. To review many abstracts, check the boxes to the left of the titles you want, and click the 'Selected articles' button. To see one abstract at a time, click its [Abstract] link. Please wait a minute... For Selected: Download Citations EndNote Ris BibTeX Toggle Thumbnails Select Insights into the geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS) gene family in Osmanthus fragrans and the role of OfGGPPS13 in the formation of floral color and aroma Hanruo Qiu, Qingyin Tian, Guimin Zeng, Chenchen Xie, Xiulian Yang, Lianggui Wang, Yuanzheng Yue DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.029 Online: 21 November 2025 Abstract （4）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Osmanthus fragrans is most famous for its strong aroma, and different varieties have different degrees of fragrance and color. Fragrance and color are important factors affecting the ornamental quality of O. fragrans. Terpenoids are important secondary metabolites in plants, with β-carotene (C40) being the major pigment substance and linalool (C10) being the key aromatic component in O. fragrans. The geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase genes (GGPPSs) play important roles in secondary metabolism in plants. However, the functions of the GGPPS family in floral color and fragrance formation has rarely been reported in O. fragrans. In this study, 24 OfGGPPS genes were identified and classified into two subfamilies. The OfGGPPSs showed tissue-specific expression and OfGGPPS13 had highest expression in flowers. The OfGGPPS13 protein was localized to chloroplasts. The transcriptome data of OfGGPPS13 was verified by qRT-PCR and the expression level in ‘Wanyingui’ with strong aroma was higher than that in ‘Zhuangyuanhong’ with deep color at different flower development stages. Transient overexpression of OfGGPPS13 in O. fragrans petals showed that OfGGPPS13 increased the β-carotene content, the main color substance of O. fragrans, but decreased the linalool content, the main VOC in the floral aroma of O. fragrans. OfGGPPS13 was indicated as the critical gene related to terpenoid synthesis in the floral aroma and color formation in O. fragrans. Our findings provide gene resources on the GGPPS gene family for further revealing the molecular regulation mechanism of the floral color and aroma formation in O. fragrans. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Straw incorporation simplifies soil-rice association networks and reduces nitrogen requirements for high rice yield Jie Li, Guiling Xu, Yuehua Feng, Zhengli Song, Zhengfei Luo, Jiali Luo, Xiaoke Wang, Wei Lu, Qiangxin Luo DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.022 Online: 18 November 2025 Abstract （10）            Straw incorporation (SI) with the appropriate optimal rate of Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is recommended in agricultural production to achieve high grain yields, high resource efficiency, and environmental friendliness. However, there is little information available on the soil-rice association network under SI and straw removal (SR). This study compared and examined differences in the association networks architectures based on soil-rice indicators under SI and SR in a rice-oilseed rape rotation system. The results showed that the soil-rice association network under SI exhibited a significantly distinct structure compared to its SR counterpart. Specifically, the SI network (34 nodes, 61 edges) demonstrated ‌markedly lower complexity‌ than the SR network (56 nodes, 483 edges), as evidenced by its ‌sparser connectivity and reduced node density‌. Meanwhile, SI acted as an “N sponge” in the soil-rice system, which absorbed N inputs and prevented N losses, thereby mitigating the impact of N application rates on yield, enhancing yield stability, and increasing overall yield. Thus, while maintaining the high yield (average yield increase of 2.41%), SI simultaneously reduced the soil-rice system’s demand for N (by at least 19.34%). This study confirms that SI represents a viable strategy for agricultural sustainability and underscores the importance of integrating SI with appropriate N application rates to ensure long-term sustainable crop production. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select StCOMT1 enhances potato resistance to Fusarium sporotrichioides by regulating coumarin-related substance accumulation and the ROS system Jiaqi Wang, Biao Zhao, Dan Liu, Fumeng He, Chong Du, Yunzhu Che, Zengli Zhang, Xu Feng, Xue Wang, Yingnan Wang, Fenglan Li DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.021 Online: 18 November 2025 Abstract （10）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Caffeic acid-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a crucial enzyme in the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway, with significant roles in both the lignin and coumarin pathways. The function of COMT in plant disease resistance has been demonstrated in several species. Our research identified the potato COMT gene family on a genome-wide scale and identified StCOMT1 as a candidate gene for enhancing potato disease resistance under DON induction through phylogenetic analyses combined with previously identified metabolic differences and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). In order to better understand the function of StCOMT1, heterologous expression and overexpression were conducted. StCOMT1 is localized in chloroplasts and was found to catalyze the methylation of substrates to produce ferulic acid and melatonin in vitro. Physiological parameters showed that, compared with wild-type potato plants, StCOMT1-overexpressing plants infectced with Fusarium sporotrichioides exhibited smaller lesion areas and lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Based on the analysis of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) expression profiles and RT-qPCR data, it was found that coumarin-related compounds and coumarin-related genes showed organ-differential accumulation and expression in StCOMT1-overexpressing plants after inoculation. The results indicate that StCOMT1 overexpression in potatoes enhanced resistance to F. sporotrichioides by enhancing reactive oxygen species clearance and promoting organ-specific accumulation of coumarin-related compounds. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Candidate gene analysis of cabbage head-splitting resistance based on QTL mapping and omics profiling Xiaowei Zhu, Min Wang, Xiang Tai, Panling Lu, Hang Gui, Jinxiu Chen, Tianyue Bo DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.020 Online: 18 November 2025 Abstract （6）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Head-splitting is a prevalent physiological disorder in cabbage that causes substantial economic losses. However, the genetic factors and molecular mechanisms underlying head-splitting resistance remain largely unexplored. This study identified a genomic region (qNLQ3.1) for head-splitting resistance on chromosome C03 through the combination of QTL-seq and GPS analysis in an F2 population derived from hybridizing two cabbage inbred lines, 'Dazhengfu' ('ZF', susceptible) and '103' (resistant). Traditional genetic linkage analysis narrowed qNLQ3.1 to a 74.6 kb region. Furthermore, comparative analysis of the two parental lines using transcriptomic and metabolic profiling demonstrated the crucial role of hormones in regulating head-splitting resistance. Bol028000, encoding a homologue of Arabidopsis Cytokinin Response Factor 3 (CRF3), emerged as a promising candidate for head-splitting resistance and was subsequently validated through Sanger sequencing and Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Subcellular localisation analysis revealed that Bol028000 was mainly expressed in the nucleus. Additionally, one kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) marker from Bol028000 was developed and utilized to screen 42 inbred lines. These findings enhance the theoretical understanding of head-splitting resistance and provide valuable insights for the molecular breeding of head-splitting resistant cabbages. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Pathways to improved food and nutrition security: The role of farm production diversity in household dietary outcomes in rural area of Pakistan Muhammad Waseem, Erbao Cao, Ihsan Jamil, Bushra Mughal, Mi Yu DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.019 Online: 18 November 2025 Abstract （6）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Malnutrition remains a significant global challenge, particularly in developing countries. Policymakers have increasingly focused on improving household food security and nutrition through farm production diversity (FPD). While research indicates that farm production diversity correlates positively with reduced malnutrition, other studies emphasize the importance of market access for improved nutritional outcomes. However, this evidence varies by region and remains inconsistent. To address this knowledge gap, this study analyzed survey data from 450 smallholder farmers in Punjab, Pakistan, using regression models to examine the relationship between farm production diversity and dietary diversity, as well as the underlying impact pathways. The findings demonstrate that FPD significantly correlates with increased Household dietary diversity score (HDDS). Farm production diversity influences dietary diversification through both own-farm production and market food consumption pathways, with the own-farm production pathway showing greater impact. The increase in food expenditure through own-farm production yielded a marginal return of 8% in household dietary diversity compared to 5.3% through marketing. Gender differences emerged as significant, with male-headed households showing relatively lower dietary diversity. These findings have substantial implications for countries with smallholder farming systems, providing valuable insights for the formation of agricultural policies, resource optimization, and rural development initiatives. Related Articles | Metrics Select Rapid and ultrasensitive point-of-care detection of ASFV antibodies using p30-Fc-labeled nanoparticle-based fluorescence strip-assisted portable immunosensor Yang Yang, Jiayang Zheng, Yan Zhang, Qianming Zhao, Yafang Lin, Junjie Zhang, Zongjie Li, Ke Liu, Beibei Li, Donghua Shao, Yafeng Qiu, Zhiyong Ma, Jianchao Wei DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.028 Online: 17 November 2025 Abstract （14）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select A secreted glycoside hydrolase of Puccinia triticina modulates fungal pathogenesis and host immunity Yanan Lu, Huimin Qian, Mengting Li, Shijia Zhao, Yanhui Zhang, Na Liu, Daowen Wang, Zhengqing Fu, Guozhen Xing, Wenming Zheng, Chuang Li DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.027 Online: 17 November 2025 Abstract （11）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Many species of the obligate biotrophic rust fungi often cause destructive diseases on crops. Glycoside hydrolases (GHs) in phytopathogens have been widely recognized for their crucial roles in breaking through the plant's defense system. Despite this, the specific functions of most GHs in rust fungi remain largely uncharted. In this study, we examined a GH26 gene from the wheat leaf rust pathogen Puccinia triticina (Pt), designated PtGH26_1, which exhibited highly induced expression during critical stages of host infection. PtGH26_1 demonstrated cellulase activity and contained a functional signal peptide, localized to both the plant cytoplasm and nucleus. When transiently expressed, PtGH26_1 inhibited Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax)-induced cell death, callose deposition, and the expression of defense-related genes in Nicotiana benthamiana. Additionally, infiltrating PtGH26_1 protein into wheat leaves compromised resistance to Pt and lessened hypersensitive responses. Silencing PtGH26_1 through host-induced gene silencing impaired fungal growth and virulence of Pt, leading to increased production of reactive oxygen species and activation of defense-related genes in wheat. Moreover, PtGH26_1 was shown to target one member of the Fantastic Four-like proteins in wheat (TaFAF), which positively regulated host resistance to Pt. Consequently, our findings indicate that PtGH26_1 is a significant virulence factor, potentially involved in breaching the barrier of plant cell walls and modulating host immune responses during Pt infection. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Identification of a novel linezolid resistance gene, cfr(F), in Riemerella anatipestifer Yihua Zhang, Zhishuang Yang, Mingshu Wang, Renyong Jia, Shun Chen, Mafeng Liu, Xinxin Zhao, Qiao Yang, Ying Wu, Shaqiu Zhang, Juan Huang, Xumin Ou, Di Sun, Bin Tian, Yu He, Zhen Wu, Anchun Cheng, Dekang Zhu DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.026 Online: 17 November 2025 Abstract （6）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Replication-competent vaccinia virus-vectored oral vaccines provide complete protection against the SARS-CoV-2 challenge and effectively prevent viral transmission via respiratory droplets in mice and minks Linya Feng, Hong Huo, Yunlei Wang, Lei Shuai, Gongxun Zhong, Zhiyuan Wen, Liyan Peng, Jinying Ge, Jinliang Wang, Chong Wang, Weiye Chen, Xijun He, Xijun Wang, Zhigao Bu DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.025 Online: 17 November 2025 Abstract （8）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Here, we generated three recombinant replication-competent vaccinia virus (VACV) Western Reserve (WR) strains rWR-S6P, rWR-DS6P, and rWR-BA2S6P. These recombinant viruses express the prefusion-stabilized S proteins S6P, DS6P, and BA2S6P, which target the full-length S protein of the strain ancestor and variants Delta and Omicron BA.2 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), respectively. These recombinant viruses maintained the growth property of the parental virus WR in CV-1 cells. A mouse study indicated that the insertion of these modified S genes reduced the virulence of the vector virus WR. Oral or intramuscular vaccination with rWR-S6P elicited a robust neutralizing antibody (NA) response against live SARS-CoV-2 and provided complete protection against the SARS-CoV-2 challenge in mice and minks. Of note, oral vaccination with rWR-S6P induced significantly higher titers of SARS-CoV-2 NAs and superior protective efficacy compared to intramuscular vaccination at an equivalent dose. More importantly, oral administration of rWR-S6P effectively prevents transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among minks via respiratory droplets. Furthermore, combined oral vaccination with three recombinant WRs induced a strong and long-lasting NA response against homotypic SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in mice without compromising their immunogenicity profiles. These findings indicate that the attenuated replication-competent VACV-vectored vaccines hold promise as effective oral COVID-19 vaccines for minks while demonstrating that combined vaccination is an effective administration strategy for preventing and controlling COVID-19. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select An effector from 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' targets the armadillo (ARM) repeated protein of Citrus sinensis to inhibit salicylic acid-mediated host immunity Yalin Mei, Zaiyu Yang, Shushe Zhang, Pan Shen, Changyong Zhou, Xuefeng Wang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.024 Online: 17 November 2025 Abstract （8）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) has caused extensive damage to the global citrus industry. 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), the primary causal agent of HLB, utilizes effectors to modulate host defense responses, though the mechanisms of these effectors remain unclear. This study demonstrates that the Citrus ARM repeated protein CsARM26 interacted with CLIBASIA_00185 (CLas0185) in vivo and in vitro. CLas0185 enhanced the abundance of CsARM26, while CsARM26 destabilized the effector. Additionally, the transient co-expression of CLas0185 and CsARM26 facilitated infection by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. Moreover, transgenic CsARM26 citrus plants suppressed the accumulation of free salicylic acid (SA) and the expression of SA-associated genes. This study reveals that an ARM repeated protein plays a role in the immune response to the CLas–citrus interaction, establishing a foundation for further investigation of the molecular mechanisms of CLas infection. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Establishment of gene expression and silencing assays in Echinacea purpurea Jianbin Yu, Congyu Wang, Qiao Yang, Zhenpeng Huang, Miaoxin Li, Lijing Gong, Yanqun Li, Mei Bai, Hong Wu, Xiangxiu Liang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.023 Online: 17 November 2025 Abstract （16）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Echinacea purpurea (E. purpurea) is a perennial herb and horticulture plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is an easy cultivating plant that is well-known for its medicinal (e.g. chicoric acid) and high ornamental value. However, information based on the synthesis and regulatory mechanisms its secondary metabolites are limited. Therefore, to improve research progress on E. purpurea, this study aims to establish gene expression and silencing systems in E. purpurea. First, a transient gene expression system mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens was developed in E. purpurea leaves. Following optimization, it was determined that injecting the fourth newly emerged leaf with the EHA105 strain and maintaining it for 4 d yielded the best expression results. Then a previously reported cut-dip-budding (CDB) system was adapted and improved to establish a gene expression system based on Agrobacterium rhizogenes. By infecting the roots with A. rhizogenes, we detected efficient expression of the target gene after 30 d. Using this system, we achieved expression of EpHTT, a key gene involved in chicoric acid synthesis, and significantly increased the accumulation of chicoric acid. By expressing a double-strand RNA targeting EpHTT, we successfully silenced the EpHTT expression and reduced chicoric acid accumulation. We further investigated the protoplast-based transient gene expression system, studied key parameters, such as enzyme concentration and osmotic pressure, and successfully achieved transient expression of the target gene in protoplasts. Finally, a gene-silencing system in E. purpurea mediated by the tobacco rattle virus (TRV) was established and EpCHLH was identified as the optimal silencing indicator gene, with the best silencing effect observed in 15-day-old seedlings. By silencing genes involved in the chicoric acid synthesis pathway, such as EpHCT, EpHTT, and EpCAS, chicoric acid accumulation was successfully reduced. In summary, this study successfully established various gene expression and silencing systems for E. purpurea and providing a valuable toolkit for further functional studies. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Stage-dependence of the impacts of grazing and mowing on temporal stability of grassland biomass Jiatao Zhang, Hongbin Xu, Xiao Tao Lü, Lei Zhang, Ting Yuan, Taogetao Baoyin, Zhuwen Xu DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.018 Online: 14 November 2025 Abstract （15）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Ecosystem stability ensures the sustainable supply of ecosystem services. Our current understanding of ecosystem stability is mainly based on results from the initial stage after disturbance or experimental treatments, which reveal short-term responses. There is a big knowledge gap regarding whether the long-term responses would be consistent with such initial responses. We examined how grazing and mowing affect the temporal stability of aboveground biomass in a temperate semi-arid steppe and further clarified the differences in treatment impacts and primary drivers of stability between the initial four years and the subsequent five years. Both grazing and mowing significantly decreased the community stability across the nine years, and such impacts showed high stage-dependency. Grazing reduced community stability in the first four years but not in the following five. Mowing initially did not affect community stability but reduced it over the next five years. Community stability was driven by species asynchrony in the early stage, and later solely regulated by the dominant species stability. When Stipa krylovii and Cleistogenes squarrosa become dominant in the community following prolonged grazing, or when mowing leads to a notable decline in community stability over time, enclosure measures should be adopted to promote ecological recovery. Additionally, long-term enclosure may also lead to a decline in biomass, thereby affecting the maintenance of community functions. We recommend implementing a rational rotation of enclosure, grazing, and mowing in grassland management based on different stages, as a scientifically sound grassland management system is key to achieving sustainable utilization of grassland resources. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Integrating meta-QTL analysis and VIGS to decipher GhPCMP-E17-mediated abiotic stress tolerance in upland cotton Qiwen Yang, Dandan Li, Yan Zhao, Xueli Zhang, Wenmin Yuan, Ying Li, Junning Yang, Junji Su, Caixiang Wang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.017 Online: 14 November 2025 Abstract （9）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Cotton (Gossypium spp.), a globally important cash crop, is increasingly threatened by abiotic stresses that significantly affect yield and fiber quality. In this study, data on 3,016 abiotic stress-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs) described in 31 published papers were integrated through meta-QTL analysis, a total of 34 MQTLs were identified. Nine major MQTLs with numerous initial QTLs, high R2 values, narrow confidence intervals (CIs), and close colocalizations were successfully detected. Combined with the transcriptome data, the candidate gene GhPCMP-E17 was identified. Through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology, the role of GhPCMP-E17 in the response to abiotic stress was clarified. Compared with the TRV:00 plants, the GhPCMP-E17-silenced plants presented more severe wilting and yellowing under drought and salt stress conditions. Silencing GhPCMP-E17 weakens the function of antioxidant enzymes, thereby increasing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. These results indicate that downregulation of GhPCMP-E17 gene expression enhances the sensitivity of cotton plants to drought and salt stress. This research provides excellent genetic resources for adaptive abiotic crop breeding in upland cotton. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Dissecting chromatin accessibility profiles of anatomically distinct skeletal muscles and different breeds in pigs at single-nucleus resolution Yiwu Chen, Yundi Zheng, Ziyu Chen, Geng Zhang, Chuang Tang, Fuwen Wang, Can Liu, Mingzhou Li, Long Jin DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.016 Online: 14 November 2025 Abstract （7）      PDF in ScienceDirect       To dissect chromatin accessibility profiles in pig skeletal muscle at single-nucleus resolution, we performed single-nucleus ATAC-seq on longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscles of Large White pigs. After quality control, 26,225 nuclei were classified into seven major cell types, including myofibers, muscle stem cells, and immune cells, using snRNA-seq-based label transfer. We identified 158,438 accessible chromatin regions, with cell-type-specific differentially accessible regions (DAR) enriching for specific functions. Myonuclei subtypes (type I, IIA, IIB) showed distinct accessibility patterns, with SIX1 and MAF transcription factor motifs enriched in fast myofibers (type II). Comparative analysis between muscles revealed that myofiber composition drove chromatin differences, with psoas major featuring more type I myofibers. Cross-breed analysis (Rongchang vs. Large White) identified breed-specific DARs in myonuclei, linking MEF2-mediated regulation to myofiber hypertrophy. Pseudo-temporal analysis of myogenesis showed dynamic accessibility changes in key myogenic genes (e.g., MYF5, MYH1). This study unveils cell-type-resolved chromatin landscapes underlying myofiber specification, tissue heterogeneity, and breed-specific muscle development in pigs.   Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Development stage-specific recovery of remedial nitrogen fertilizer application after waterlogging in maize through photosynthetic capacity and nitrogen allocation Yifei Sun, Shancong Wang, Meiyu Chen, Xinru Hu, Reda M.M. Ahmed, Fanzheng Meng, Yulou Tang, Qinghua Yang, Shenjiao Yang, Ruixin Shao DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.015 Online: 14 November 2025 Abstract （9）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Waterlogging stress (WS) significantly threatens summer maize production. Although supplemental nitrogen (N) fertilization is a common remediation strategy, the differences in N regulation pathways across developmental stages are still unclear. The maize hybrid ‘Zhongkeyu 505’ was used as the experimental material in a 3-year field localization experiment investigating the responses and N-mediated recovery pathway in maize at the jointing stage (V6) and blister stage (R2) to WS. Over three experimental years, compared to control, WS significantly decreased grain yield at V6 and R2 by an average of 27.6 and 23.0%, respectively. Structural equation modeling showed that WS decreased grain number at V6 by inhibiting leaf photosynthetic capacity, and reduced grain capacity at R2 by limiting N allocation to grains. However, post-waterlogging nitrogen application (WF) effectively mitigated these losses, increasing grain number by 19.1% at V6 and improving grain sink capacity by 23.4% at R2. The recovery at V6 was driven by enhanced photosynthetic capacity with average increases of 23.6% in total chlorophyll content, 36.3% in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity, and 24.8% in Rubisco activity. Differently, the recovery at R2 was due to improve N utilization, where N allocation in grains increased to 73.1%, and nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activities in grains increased by an average of 31.7 and 35.6%, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis further confirmed upregulation of protein-processing genes (e.g. hsp18a and hsp18c), facilitating N allocation and utilization. In conclusion, the N-mediated recovery pathway varied across maize development stages, with the photosynthetic capacity and grain number restored at V6 and N allocation to grains and sink capacity was increased at R2. This study will provide significant theoretical and practical value for enhancing tolerance in maize to WS at V6 and R2. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Optimizing plastic film mulching and nitrogen fertilizer strategies for spring maize in Loess Plateau through field experiments and enhanced AquaCrop modeling Yu Liu, Gang Cheng, Yaosheng Zhang, Tingting Huang, Hongzheng Shen, Weibin Zhang, Xiaoyi Ma DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.014 Online: 14 November 2025 Abstract （9）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Plastic film mulching (PM) is widely used to improve soil temperature and moisture in rainfed agriculture, but the combined effects of PM proportions and nitrogen (N) fertilization on spring maize under different hydrological conditions remain unclear. We conducted a two-year field experiment (2021 and 2022) in the Loess Plateau and improved the AquaCrop model by incorporating stage-specific temperature-increase compensation coefficients for full and wide PM treatments. Results showed that PM increased soil temperature by 2.11–3.59°C and water content by 14.3–21.2% during the first 90 days after sowing, requiring compensatory temperature increases during the sowing-tasseling stage. The modification reduced normalized root-mean-square error values of canopy cover and biomass from 14.2 and 7.6% to 8.1 and 6.2%, respectively. Using 40 years of hydrological simulation, we identified the optimal PM–N combinations: FN180 (100% PM+180 kg N ha−1) for dry years to maximize precipitation use efficiency (+35.3%), and WN225 for normal and wet years to balance yield and nitrogen fertilizer agronomic use efficiency (>14 kg kg−1). Our results demonstrate that tailoring PM proportions and N rates to hydrological conditions enhances water–nutrient synergy, providing a climate-resilient management approach for sustainable maize production in semi-arid agroecosystems. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select The yellow‑green plant (Clygp) encodes a signal recognition particle 54 kDa protein regulating chloroplast development and photosynthesis in watermelon Shixiang Duan, Yaomiao Guo, Lin Deng, Qishuai Kang, Changbao Shen, Xiaohang Xue, Junling Dou, Dongming Liu, Sen Yang, Xingping Zhang, Yun Deng, Huayu Zhu, Yongdong Sun, Luming Yang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.013 Online: 14 November 2025 Abstract （10）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Photosynthesis serves as the primary source of nutrients synthesized in higher plants, and enhancing photosynthetic efficiency can significantly improve crop yield and fruit quality. Leaf color mutants, which are ideal materials for studying chloroplast development and photosynthesis mechanisms, have been extensively investigated in field crops. However, the study on their application in watermelon remains limited. In this study, we identified a yellow-green phenotype mutant, PKH352, from an EMS mutagenesis watermelon mutant library. The chlorophyll content and maximal photochemical efficiency in PKH352 was significantly reduced. Genetic analysis showed that the mutated trait was controlled by a single nuclear gene, which named as Clygp (Citrullus lanatus yellow-green plant). Through MutMap and linkage analysis in an F2 population of 440 plants, we identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutation in ClG42_04g0106300, which encoded a signal recognition particle 54 kDa protein, as the causal variant for the yellow-green phenotype. Further validation using a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated system confirmed that knockout of ClG42_04g0106300 results in the yellow-green phenotype in watermelon. In addition, comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that the ClG42_04g0106300 mutations greatly affected the expression of key genes associated with chloroplast development and photosynthesis, providing strong evidence that it plays a critical role in these biological pathways. Taken together, these findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying chloroplast development and photosynthetic efficiency, offering a theoretical basis for breeding watermelon varieties with high photosynthetic efficiency. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Functional analysis of CsAGL6 in flower development and pigmentation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Li Qin, Zheyuan Liu, Shuai Li, Guanghua Cai, Jie Wang, Xueyong Yang, Jinjing Sun DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.012 Online: 14 November 2025 Abstract （9）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a major vegetable crop worldwide, and its yield and quality are closely linked to flower development. AGAMOUS-LIKE 6 (AGL6), a member of the ancient MADS-box transcription factor family, plays a crucial role in flower development. However, the specific functions of its homolog in cucumber remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that CsAGL6 is predominantly expressed in flowers, with high expression levels observed in all floral organ primordia during the early stages of floral development. The petals of Csagl6 mutants exhibit a greener color compared to wild-type plants, along with a significant increase in total chlorophyll content. Additionally, the mutants show abnormal petal morphology, including changes in size and shape, as well as enlarged sepals resembling leaves occasionally. Molecular analysis reveals that the A-class gene CAULIFLOWER (CAL) and the E-class gene SEPALLATA 4 (SEP4) are significantly downregulated in the mutants, while the chlorophyll synthesis gene Early Light-Induced Protein 1 (ELIP1) and several stress-related genes in the chloroplasts are dramatically upregulated. Our findings provide novel insights into the functional role of CsAGL6 in regulating sepal and petal development, and offer a potential avenue for understanding the genetic control of flower pigmentation and organ morphology in Cucumis species. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of transcriptional repressor SlMYB32 improves flavonols and flavanones accumulation in tomato fruit Ruining Zhang, Yunlin Cao, Tong Zhang, Yingyue Ma, Jiajia Li, Kunsong Chen, Xian Li DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.011 Online: 14 November 2025 Abstract （8）      PDF in ScienceDirect       Flavonols and flavanones are important bioactive compounds with multiple pharmacological activities and health benefits. Transcriptional activation of flavonol and flavanone biosynthesis has been studied extensively, while little is known about the negative regulators. CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology, with the advantage of precise genetic modification, is a desirable tool for breeding biofortified materials and exploring potential molecular mechanisms. In this study, a transcriptional repressor, SlMYB32, was characterized in tomato fruit. Phenotype and metabolome analysis confirmed that knockout of SlMYB32 resulted in increased accumulation of flavonols and flavanones, especially about 1 mg g-1 FW of quercetin 3-O-rutinoside (rutin). Transcriptome analysis indicated that expression of key genes SlPAL6, Sl4CL3 and Sl4CL4 as well as five candidate SlUGTs were significantly up-regulated in slmyb32 mutants. Dual-luciferase and EMSA assay indicated SlMYB32 could bind to and repress promoter activities of SlPAL6 and Sl4CL3. Expression of 27 transcription factors belonging to twelve families was significantly changed in slmyb32 mutants, among which two SlMYBs, two SlNACs, two SlAP2s and one SlWRKY were clustered with known flavonoid regulators. Our results provide new insights into improving bioactive compounds in fruit and understanding negative regulatory mechanisms in flavonol and flavanone biosynthesis.   Reference | Related Articles | Metrics Select Sex-specific and functional differentiation between OR23h and OR109d in aggregation pheromone detection in Riptortus pedestris Xiaotong Zhang, Jiahang Wei, Xuanpu Luan, Ian W. Keesey, Xin Chen, Qi Yan, Shuanglin Dong, Jin Zhang DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.009 Online: 10 November 2025 Abstract （14）      PDF in ScienceDirect       The bean bug, Riptortus pedestris, is a major pest of soybeans in East Asian countries. Male-released aggregation pheromones attract both adults and nymphs, offering potential for eco-friendly pest control. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the detection of the aggregation pheromones remain unclear. In the present study, functional analysis using the Xenopus oocyte expression system demonstrated that two ORs (OR23h and OR109d) were responsible for sensing aggregation pheromones, with the primary component (E)-2-hexenyl (E)-2-hexenoate (E2HE2H) being shared by the two ORs. Further quantitative PCR (qPCR) profiling indicated that OR109d was expressed only in male antennae, while OR23h was expressed in both sexes at similar levels. RNA interference assays demonstrated that dsOR23h-treatment significantly reduced the Electroantennographic (EAG) response of (E)-2-hexenyl (Z)-3-hexenoate (E2HZ3H) in both sexes. Furthermore, simultaneous RNAi knockdown of the two ORs significantly reduced the male EAG response to E2HE2H and abolished male attraction to this compound. These results were consistent with the sex expression profile, demonstrating the sex and functional differentiation between the two ORs. Taken together, this study characterizes the ORs responsible for chemical perception and the associated aggregation behaviors driven by these pheromones. Thus, this study enhances our understanding of olfactory signaling in a hemipteran insect and contributes to the knowledge required for improved pest management. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics page Page 1 of 18 Total 349 records First page Prev page Next page Last page