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2025 Vol. 24 No. 12 Previous Issue   

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Review
Crop Science
Horticulture
Plant Protection
Animal Science · Veterinary Medicine
Agro-ecosystem & Environment
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Pork quality, determined largely by intramuscular fat (IMF) content which affects flavor and juiciness, is crucial for consumer acceptance, making its regulation key for the global swine industry. In this review, the authors screened 74 IMF-related genes and systematically elaborated on the lipid metabolism processes in which they are enriched. Their analysis identified the PPAR and AMPK signaling pathways as the central pathways regulating IMF deposition, with PPARγ serving as a key transcription factor whose activity is precisely modulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as miRNA and DNA methylation. Further analysis of genetic and nongenetic factors revealed that significant genetic variation among breeds, dietary nutritional strategies, gut microbiota, age, sex, and management practices can all substantially influence IMF deposition. This research deepens our understanding of the complex regulatory network governing porcine IMF deposition and establishes a theoretical foundation for improving pork quality through strategies integrating molecular breeding and precise nutritional regulation. The cover picture illustrates the important factors influencing IMF deposition, underscoring the synergistic regulatory role of these factors on IMF deposition. This cover picture was provided by Dr. Qi Han from the College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University. For more details, please see pages 4461–4483.



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Review

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Intramuscular fat deposition in pig: A key target for improving pork quality Qi Han, Xingguo Huang, Jun He, Yiming Zeng, Jie Yin, Yulong Yin 2025, 24(12): 4461-4483.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.03.005 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Intramuscular fat (IMF) is an important economic trait for pork quality, affecting meat flavour, juiciness, and tenderness.  Hence, the improvement of IMF content is one of the hotspots of animal science to provide better meat product.  Here, we found that most IMF-related genes are enriched in lipid metabolism processes, including fatty acid transport and uptake, fatty acid beta oxidation, lipid synthesis, lipid storage, and lipolysis.  PPAR and AMPK signalling pathways are identified to be responsible for IMF deposition.  Genetics and nongenetic factors (i.e., diets, gut microbiota, age, sex and management) also positively or negatively regulate the IMF content in pigs.  Taken together, this review deepens our understanding of how these factors affect pig IMF deposition and provides valuable information for moderately increasing IMF content.

Crop Science

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The P-type pentatricopeptide repeat protein YGS is essential for chloroplast development in rice Zhennan Qiu, Dongdong Chen, Peiliang Zhang, Chunmiao Wang, Guihong Liang, Chunyang Jiao, Shuo Han, Cuiping Wen, Xiliang Song, Peiyan Guan, Yan Li, Shiyong Wen, Li Zhu 2025, 24(12): 4484-4495.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.02.022 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins perform essential functions in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, particularly RNA editing and RNA splicing, in plant organelles.  Although research on chloroplast biogenesis and development has been extensive, the functions of most PPR genes in this process in rice (Oryza sativa) remain incompletely understood.  This study identifies a novel P-type PPR protein, YELLOW-GREEN LEAF AND SEEDLING LETHALITY (YGS), which localizes to rice chloroplasts. YGS shows predominant expression in leaves.  The ygs mutants, generated through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing of the YGS gene, displayed yellow-green leaves and seedling lethality.  These phenotypes corresponded with reduced pigment levels and disrupted chloroplast ultrastructure compared to wild-type plants.  Furthermore, the expression of genes associated with chloroplast development and chlorophyll biosynthesis showed significant alterations in the ygs mutants.  The absence of YGS function affected RNA editing of rpl2 and intron splicing of ycf3-1 in the plastid genome.  Additionally, YGS demonstrated interaction with the chloroplast signal recognition particle protein OscpSRP54b in yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation analyses.  These results indicate that YGS participates in RNA editing and RNA splicing in chloroplasts, thus serving a vital role in rice chloroplast development

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Genome-wide association and co-expression uncovered ZmMYB71 controls kernel starch content in maize Jienan Han, Ran Li, Ze Zhang, Shiyuan Liu, Qianqian Liu, Zhennan Xu, Zhiqiang Zhou, Xin Lu, Xiaochuan Shangguan, Tingfang Zhou, Jianfeng Weng, Zhuanfang Hao, Degui Zhang, Hongjun Yong, Jingyu Xu, Mingshun Li, Xinhai Li 2025, 24(12): 4496-4514.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.03.013 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Starch serves as a critical storage component, significantly influencing the grain yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L.).  Understanding the genetic basis of natural variation in kernel starch content (SC) is essential for maize breeding to meet future demands.  A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 84 and 96 loci associated with kernel SC across two years, overlapping with 185 candidate genes.  The candidate gene ZmMYB71, encoding a MYB-related transcription factor, demonstrated the highest co-expression frequency with starch synthesis genes.  Analysis revealed that ZmMYB71 functions as a nuclear located transcription repressor, and mutants exhibited increased kernel SC by over 2.32%, with minimal impact on amylose content or 100-grain weight.  Sh1, Sh2, and GBSSI exhibited up-regulation in mutants by 1.56-, 1.45- and 1.32-fold, respectively, aligning with RNA sequencing results; their promoter activities appear directly repressed by ZmMYB71 through the GATATC and TTAGGG motifs.  Additionally, the ZmMYB71 elite haplotype Hap1 occurred in over 55% of the high-starch maize sub-populations Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS) and Partner B (PB), but only in 7.14% of the low-starch sub-population Partner A (PA).  Analysis of Hap1 haplotype frequencies across breeding stages revealed a significant increase to 40.28% in inbred groups released after 2010, compared to 28.57 and 27.94% in 1980 and 1990, and 2000, respectively.  These findings enhance understanding of natural variation in maize kernel SC and establish ZmMYB71 as a negative regulator with potential applications in SC improvement.

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Genome-wide association analysis locates FtAUR3 in Tartary buckwheat that contributes to enhance plant salt resistance Xiang Lu, Qian Zuo, Md. Nurul Huda, Yaliang Shi, Guangsheng Li, Xiangru Wang, Yawen Xiao, Muhammad Khurshid, Tanzim Jahan, Namraj Dhami, Dhurva Prasad Gauchan, Md. Arfan Ali, Jianping Cheng, Yu Meng, Jingjun Ruan, Meiliang Zhou 2025, 24(12): 4515-4527.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.04.008 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), an underutilized pseudocereal, possesses significant nutritional and pharmaceutical properties and demonstrates resistance to drought and nutrient deficiency.  However, this environmentally sustainable crop exhibits sensitivity to salt stress, which can induce water loss, stomatal closure, impair photosynthesis and metabolism, and diminish yield and quality of Tartary buckwheat.  Understanding the mechanisms of salt stress tolerance in buckwheat is therefore crucial.  This study identified a locus containing 35 candidate genes on chromosome 2 that shows significant association with salt tolerance of Tartary buckwheat through genome-wide association analysis (GWAS).  Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that the serine/threonine-protein kinase Aurora-3 (FtAUR3) family gene exhibited upregulation in response to salt stress.  A single nucleotide deletion in the FtAUR3 promoter results in elevated FtAUR3 expression and enhanced salt tolerance in Tartary buckwheat.  Overexpression of FtAUR3 in buckwheat hairy roots promotes the accumulation of flavonoids, including rutin and cinnamic acid, while inducing the expression of flavonoid biosynthesis genes, such as PAL, C4H, F3H, and F3´H, under salt stress.  Additionally, overexpression of FtAUR3 in Arabidopsis thaliana induced the expression of salt-resistant genes (salt-resistant genes (SOS1), AVP1, etc.) and enhanced salt tolerance compared to wild type plants.  Under salt stress, FtAUR3 significantly enhances the levels of reactive oxygen species pathway components, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, thereby improving plant salt tolerance.  The study demonstrated that FtAUR3 interacts with the critical enzyme FtGAPB in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway, suggesting a potential mechanism through which FtAUR3 contributes to ROS signaling.  These findings indicate that FtAUR3 plays a crucial positive role in Tartary buckwheat resistance against salt stress.

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Pod-shattering characteristic differences between shattering-resistant and shattering-susceptible common vetch accessions are associated with lignin biosynthesis Xueming Dong, Jiwei Chen, Qiang Zhou, Dong Luo, Longfa Fang, Wenxian Liu, Zhipeng Liu 2025, 24(12): 4528-4545.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.03.032 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   The common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) is a self-pollinated annual forage legume that is widely distributed worldwide.  It has wide adaptability and high nutritional value and is commonly used as an important protein source for livestock feed.  However, pod shattering seriously limits the yield of common vetch.  To clarify the mechanism of pod shattering in common vetch, the pod walls of three shattering-resistant (SR) accessions (B65, B135, and B392) and three shattering-susceptible (SS) accessions (L33, L170, and L461) were selected for transcriptome sequencing.  A total of 17,190 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the pod wall of B135 and L461 common vetch at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days after anthesis.  Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis” was the most significantly enriched pathway, and 40 structural genes associated with lignin biosynthesis were identified and differentially expressed in B135 and L461 common vetch.  We analysed the DEGs in the pod wall of three SR and three SS accessions at 15 days after anthesis, and most of the DEGs were consistent with the significant enrichment pathways identified in B135 and L461 common vetch.  The total lignin content of SR accessions was significantly lower than the SS accessions.  The present study lays a foundation for understanding the molecular regulatory mechanism of pod shattering related to lignin biosynthesis in common vetch and provides reference functional genes for breeders to further cultivate shattering-resistant common vetch varieties.

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Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis provide insights into the alleviation of waterlogging stress in maize by exogenous spermidine application Xiuling Wang, Li Niu, Huaipan Liu, Xucun Jia, Yulong Zhao, Qun Wang, Yali Zhao, Pengfei Dong, Moubiao Zhang, Hongping Li, Panpan An, Zhi Li, Xiaohuan Mu, Yongen Zhang, Chaohai Li 2025, 24(12): 4546-4560.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.03.041 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Waterlogging stress significantly impairs plant growth and reduces crop yields.  Spermidine (Spd), functioning as a second messenger, demonstrates positive effects on plant growth under waterlogging stress conditions.  However, the molecular mechanisms by which exogenous Spd application alleviates waterlogging stress remain unclear.  This study employed physiological analysis and multi-omics approaches to investigate the effect of Spd application on waterlogging stress.  The application of Spd enhanced the expression of genes related to light-harvesting complex (LHC), photosynthesis, and starch-related pathways, while inhibiting chlorophyll degradation and maintaining higher photosynthetic rates, thereby increasing biomass accumulation under waterlogging stress.  The activation of genes associated with trehalose and Spd biosynthesis resulted in elevated accumulation of trehalose and endogenous Spd.  The inhibition of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase (ACO) expression contributed to reduced ethylene emission, enhancing maize resistance to waterlogging.  Following Spd application, auxin-related genes were up-regulated and indole acetic acid (IAA) content increased, promoting cell elongation in maize and maintaining normal growth under waterlogging stress.  Additionally, the upregulation of lipid-related genes led to increased lipid content, protecting cell membranes under waterlogging conditions.  These molecular and physiological modifications collectively enhanced resistance to waterlogging stress.  These findings advance our understanding of Spd’s regulatory roles in mitigating waterlogging damage and provide valuable insights for breeding waterlogging-tolerant maize varieties.

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Response of nutrient accumulation, remobilization and yield to combined application of nitrogen and potassium in waxy maize Guanghao Li, Qijian Zhang, Weiping Lu, Dalei Lu 2025, 24(12): 4561-4572.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.04.010 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Unbalanced fertilizer application with high intensity nitrogen (N) and insufficient potassium (K) results in declining soil fertility.  Balanced fertilization represents an effective approach to reduce fertilizer usage while enhancing maize yield and efficiency.  This study examined two N levels (180 and 225 kg N ha−1, abbreviated N12 and N15) and four K treatments (0, 75, 150, and 75+75 kg K2O ha−1, abbreviated K0, K5, K10, and K5+5) to investigate the effects of combined N and K application on biomass, nutrient accumulation, and remobilization characteristics in waxy maize.  Results indicated that grain yield increased with higher K application at constant N levels, demonstrating an average increase of 1,254.8 kg ha−1 (2020) and 727.3 kg ha−1 (2021) compared with K0.  Under identical N and K applications, K5+5 enhanced grain yield through increased kernel weight.  The K5+5 treatment showed no significant difference in biomass and nutrient accumulation between N12 and N15.  Compared to K10, K5+5 enhanced both the average remobilization amount (RBA) of biomass and increased RBA of N, phosphorus (P) and K.  Additionally, the average remobilization efficiency (RBE) of biomass, N, P, and K in K5+5 increased by 3.3, 4.6, 10.6, and 4.2%, respectively.  Moreover, topdressing K improved the apparent contribution to grain (AC) of biomass, N, P and K, facilitating greater nutrient transfer to grains and significantly increasing nutrient harvest index.  Based on yield and fertilizer use efficiency, this study recommends optimized K application (basal and topdressing 75 kg ha−1) and moderate reduction in N application (from 225 to 180 kg ha−1) for spring-sown waxy maize production in southern China.

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Optimizing sowing dates increase solar radiation to mitigate maize lodging and yield variability: A five-year field study Xinglong Wang, Fan Liu, Nan Zhao, Xia Du, Pijiang Yin, Tongliang Li, Tianqiong Lan, Dongju Feng, Fanlei Kong, Jichao Yuan 2025, 24(12): 4573-4587.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.03.078 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Optimizing sowing dates (SDs) represents a viable strategy for adapting maize production to climate change and enhancing yield.  However, research remains limited regarding the integrated effects of lodging and yield in relation to climatic variables across different SDs.  This study examines the patterns and distribution of key climatic variables during maize growth seasons, their influence on yield and lodging, and the critical factors affecting lodging at crucial growth stages under various SD scenarios.  The research evaluated climate change impacts on yield and lodging through field experiments spanning 5 years (2015, 2016, 2019–2021), incorporating 25 SDs in the Sichuan Basin, China.  Results indicated that lodging rate significantly affected the coefficient of variation (CV, 3.31–10.50%) of maize yield.  Each 1% increase in lodging rate resulted in a yield reduction of 58.05 kg ha–1.  SD modifications notably influenced solar radiation (Sr) from emergence to silking (E–R1).  The study determined that Sr accounted for 34.7% of lodging rate variation in E–R1.  Analysis of historical meteorological data revealed significant inter-annual Sr variations, showing a decline of –8.7763 MJ m–2 yr–1 from 1990 to 2021, particularly evident from late May to early July.  Variation partitioning analysis (VPA) demonstrated that climatic variables during emergence to physiological maturity (E–R6) and E–R1 explained 43.9 and 53.2% of yield variation across SDs, respectively, while contributing 56.0 and 45.4% to lodging.  Random forest (RF) analysis established that SD changes primarily influenced lodging rates through modifications in basal internode morphology, explaining 69.79% of the variation.  The research identified optimal sowing dates between late March and mid-April for achieving consistent high yields, attributed to increased Sr during E-R1.  This study provides critical insights into climate change effects on stalk lodging and offers practical guidance for SD adjustment to reduce maize lodging rates.

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Transcriptome-metabolome and anatomy conjoint analysis of vital component change of photosynthesis in foxtail millet under different drought conditions Jing Wang, Zexin Sun, Lei Tian, Wei Sun, Xinning Wang, Zhihao Wang, Zhiying Wang, Zhao Li, Wei Liu, Qianchi Ma, Chuanyou Ren, Xinning Gao, Yue Li, Liwei Wang, Xiaoguang Wang, Chunji Jiang, Chao Zhong, Xinhua Zhao, Haiqiu Yu 2025, 24(12): 4588-4612.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.04.001 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Drought caused by extreme climate change has become more severe and unpredictable, causing imperceptible effects on leaf photosynthesis in foxtail millet.  To investigate the damage, we performed light drought (LD) and heavy drought (HD) treatments at both the elongation (Y) and booting stages to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the morphological, anatomical, physiological, transcriptome, and metabolome levels.  Under drought stress, the length and area of leaves decreased, especially during the HD treatment at the booting stage.  The number of mesophyll cells and the area of large vascular bundles decreased under LD and HD treatments at the booting stage, with more blurring vascular bundle structure and Kranz anatomy.  However, these numbers decreased with no significance under Y-LD and Y-HD treatments at the elongation stage.  The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductivity, transpiration rate, and intercellular CO2 concentration significantly decreased at the booting stage.  In addition, the efficiency of electron transfers in photosystem II (PSII) decreased.  Conjunction analyses of the transcriptome and metabolome were utilized to uncover the underlying mechanism at the booting stage.  The results showed no common differentially enriched pathway in the transcriptome and metabolome under LD treatment.  However, 32 pathways were enriched in both the transcript and metabolome under HD treatment.  Among these, three pathways, including arginine and proline metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and ubiquinone, along with other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis pathways, were differentially enriched in both the transcript and metabolome.  The accumulation of homogentisate, salidroside, homoprotocatechuate, L-DOPA, tyramine, and L-tyrosine increased under drought stress.  Although genes related to PSII and the Calvin cycle were slightly up-regulated under LD conditions, they were down-regulated under HD conditions.  The metabolites of ribose-5P, glycerate-3P, D-fructose-1, 6P2, and D-fructose-6P were all decreased in both the LD and HD treatments, especially D-fructose-6P, confirming that drought stress harmed the Calvin cycle.  The results revealed that regardless of the severity of drought, the photosynthetic function was compromised not only at the morphological and anatomical levels but also in terms of impaired ATP synthase and inhibited photosynthetic CO2 assimilation.

Horticulture

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EARLY BUD BREAK and SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE 4 integrate abscisic acid (ABA) plant hormone signaling control of grape bud dormancy Yang Dong, Muhammad Khalil-Ur-Rehman, Yi Zhang, Liyuan Huang, Haoran Li, Lina Yang, Huan Zheng, Jianmin Tao 2025, 24(12): 4613-4629.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.05.003 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Bud dormancy is a crucial adaptation for perennial fruit plants, enabling them to withstand unfavorable growth conditions. This adaptive strategy plays a significant role in the survival and reproduction of these plants, yet its molecular basis is not fully understood. In the current study, two transcription factors in grapes, EARLY BUD BREAK (VvEBB) and SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE 4 (VvSVP4), were identified and examined. The findings demonstrated that, following heterologous transformation in poplar, VvSVP4 functions as a negative regulator, whereas VvEBB acts as a positive regulator in the process of bud-break. Transcriptome analysis showed that plant hormone signaling pathways, specifically those involving abscisic acid (ABA), indole acetic acid (IAA), and cytokinin (CK), were significantly enriched in plants overexpressing VvSVP4 (VvSVP4oe) and VvEBB (VvEBBoe), compared to control plants. Additionally, changes in the endogenous levels of ABA, IAA, and CK were found to be positively correlated with the transcriptome data. During the endodormancy phase, VvSVP4 directly and positively influenced the expression of the ABA receptor gene VvPYL9, thereby maintaining the state of bud dormancy. Conversely, during ecodormancy, the VvEBB gene was rapidly upregulated and negatively impacted the expression of the sucrose nonfermenting 1-related protein kinase subfamily 2 gene (VvSAPK2), facilitating the release from dormancy. In summary, this study offers a comprehensive explanation of the roles of VvSVP4 and VvEBB genes in dormancy and bud break, integrating insights into cell cycle regulation and multiple hormones signaling pathways.

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PpMYB114 partially depends on PpMYB10 for the promotion of anthocyanin accumulation in pear Jiage Li, Rongling Qin, Yongchen Fang, Yuhao Gao, Yang Jiao, Jia Wei, Songling Bai, Junbei Ni, Yuanwen Teng 2025, 24(12): 4630-4642.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.12.036 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   PpMYB10 and PpMYB114 have been identified as the key R2R3-MYB transcription factors (TFs) that positively regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in pear.  Our previous study demonstrated that the ethylene-induced PpERF9-PpTPL1 co-repressor complex represses the expression of PpMYB114, but not PpMYB10, via histone deacetylation.  However, the precise molecular mechanism underlying the ethylene-mediated inhibition of PpMYB10 expression remains to be elucidated.  The results of this study reveal a high correlation between the expression patterns of PpMYB114 and PpMYB10 in response to ethylene signaling.  Moreover, PpMYB114 was found to promote the expression of PpMYB10 by directly binding to the MYB-binding site (MBS) element within its promoter region.  Transient overexpression or silencing of PpMYB114 resulted in the promotion or inhibition of PpMYB10 expression in mature pear fruit, respectively.  The overexpression of PpMYB114 in pear calli significantly induced PpMYB10 expression and anthocyanin biosynthesis.  Conversely, transient silencing of PpMYB10 in PpMYB114-OE pear calli hindered the promotive effect of PpMYB114 on anthocyanin biosynthesis, indicating that PpMYB114 induces anthocyanin biosynthesis, which is at least partially dependent on the transcriptional activation of PpMYB10.  Collectively, these results indicate that ethylene may inhibit the expression of PpMYB10 by repressing PpMYB114.  Our findings provide insights into a possible mechanism involving ethylene-inhibited PpMYB10 in pear and reveal the regulatory relationship between the R2R3-MYBs involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

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Citrus PR4A is involved in the defense responses against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. Chenxing Hao, Jian Han, Peihan Yan, Jia Ouyang, Ling Sheng, Guiyou Long, Ziniu Deng, Yunlin Cao, Xianfeng Ma 2025, 24(12): 4643-4655.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.11.011 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), is a globally quarantine disease infecting nearly all Citrus cultivars.  Citron C-05 has been identified with complete and active resistance to Xcc.  However, the mechanism underlying Citron C-05’s resistance to Xcc remains elusive.  We identified a gene cluster on chromosome 8 of the citrus genome comprising five pathogenesis-related 4-like genes.  PR4A was upregulated in Citron C-05 leaves under Xcc infection, exhibiting the highest expression among these PR4-like genes.  In addition, PR4A expression was higher in leaves of disease-resistant genotypes than susceptible genotypes under Xcc invasion.  Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and Split-Luc assays indicated that CmWRKY75, a positive regulator of PR4A, interacted with pthA4 and upregulated expression of PR4A in Citron C-05 leaves.  Regulatory function for the expression of CmPR4A was localized to a 516-nucleotide region upstream of the translational start site, which was designated ProCmPR4A-P516.  Transient overexpression of CmPR4A improved resistance to Xcc in sweet orange, and three transgenic lines of OE-CmPR4A exhibited resistance to  (Pst DC3000) in Arabidopsis.  Furthermore, CmSMU2 was identified through yeast two-hybrid library using CmPR4A as bait, BiFC and Split-Luc assays further verified their interaction.  Transient overexpression of CmSMU2 in sweet orange increased resistance to Xcc.  Co-expression of CmSMU2 and CmPR4A enhanced accumulation of reactive oxygen species compared to CmSMU2 or CmPR4A, indicating that they may synergistically enhance resistance to Xcc in citrus.  These findings lay the groundwork for a theoretical analysis of the mechanism underlying the resistance of Citron C-05 against citrus canker.

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Regulation of lignin biosynthesis by a group IIe WRKY transcription factor PlWRKY29 in herbaceous peony Yanqing Wu, Zhanyu Dong, Yuehan Yin, Jun Tao, Daqiu Zhao, Yuhan Tang 2025, 24(12): 4656-4669.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.09.018 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Stem strength represents one of the most critical agronomic traits, as it enables plants to resist lodging and bending, thereby contributing to their overall yield and quality.  Various transcription factors have been shown to regulate stem strength in crops; however, the mechanisms underlying stem strength formation and regulation remain largely unexplored, particularly in ornamental plants.  This study identified a group IIe WRKY transcription factor PlWRKY29 in herbaceous peony.  Tobacco plants overexpressing PlWRKY29 exhibited significantly enhanced stems, expanded xylem, thickened cell walls and elevated lignin content compared to wild-type specimens.  Conversely, PlWRKY29-silenced herbaceous peony demonstrated opposite characteristics.  Further investigation of the regulatory mechanism revealed that PlWRKY29 bound to the promoter of PlLAC15, which encodes a monolignol polymerization gene that facilitates lignin deposition.  These findings demonstrate that PlWRKY29 positively regulates lignin biosynthesis and stem strength, advancing our understanding of lignin biosynthetic regulation in plants.

Plant Protection

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Protein disulfide isomerase MoPdi1 regulates fungal development, virulence, and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis in Magnaporthe oryzae Yu Wang, Xiaoru Kang, Xinyue Cui, Jinmei Hu, Yuemin Pan, Yizhen Deng, Shulin Zhang 2025, 24(12): 4670-4689.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.03.054 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is a fungal disease that causes devastating damage to rice production worldwide.  During infection, pathogens secrete effector proteins that modulate plant immunity.  Disulfide bond formation catalyzed by protein disulfide isomerases (PDI) is essential for protein folding and maturation.  However, the biological function of Pdi1 in M. oryzae has not yet been characterized.  In this study, we identified the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-located protein, MoPdi1, in M. oryzae.  MoPdi1 regulates conidiation, cell wall stress, and pathogenicity of M. oryzae.  Furthermore, the CGHC active sites in the a and a’ redox domain of MoPdi1 were essential for the biological function of MoPDI1.  Further tests demonstrated that MoPdi1 was involved in the regulation of ER stress and positively regulated ER phagy.  We also found that MoPdi1 interacted with MoHut1.  Deletion of MoPDI1 led to the bereft of MoHut1 dimerization, which depends on the formation of disulfide bonds.  In addition, MoPdi1 affected the normal secretion of the cytoplasmic effector AVR-Pia.  We provided evidence that MoHut1 is important for the vegetative growth, conidiation, and pathogenicity in M. oryzae.  Therefore, our findings could provide a suitable target point for designing antifungal agrochemicals against rice blast fungus.

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A rapid tool for quantification of latent infection of wheat leaves by powdery mildew Aolin Wang, Ru Jiang, Meihui Zhang, Hudie Shao, Fei Xu, Kouhan Liu, Haifeng Gao, Jieru Fan, Wei Liu, Xiaoping Hu, Yilin Zhou, Xiangming Xu 2025, 24(12): 4690-4702.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.06.004 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Wheat powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) is an important disease worldwide. Detection of latent infection of leaves by the pathogen in late autumn is valuable for estimating the inoculum potential to assess disease risks in the spring. We developed a new tool for rapid detection and quantification of latent infection of seedlings by the pathogen. The method was based on recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) coupled with an end-point detection via lateral flow device (LFD). The limit of detection is 100 ag μL-1 of Bgt DNA, without noticeable interference from either other common wheat pathogens or wheat material (Triticum aestivum). It was evaluated on wheat seedlings for this accuracy and sensitivity in detecting latent infection of Bgt. We further extended this RPA-LFD assay to estimate the level of latent infection by Bgt based on imaging analysis. There was a strong correlation between the image-based and real-time PCR assay estimates of Bgt DNA. The present results suggested that this new tool can provide rapid and accurate quantification of Bgt in latently infected leaves and can be further development as an on-site monitoring tool.

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Studying of the regulatory roles of response regulators GlrR and ArcA in xenocoumacins biosynthesis in Xenorhabdus nematophila CB6 Xiaohui Li, Xiaobing Zheng, Yijie Dong, Youcai Qin, Fenglian Jia, Baoming Yuan, Jiaqi Duan, Beibei Li, Guangyue Li 2025, 24(12): 4703-4714.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.02.014 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Xenocoumacins (Xcns), the major antimicrobial natural products produced by Xenorhabdus nematophila, have gained widespread attention for their potential application in crop protection.  However, the regulatory mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis of Xcns remain poorly understood.  In this study, we identified 21 potential two-component systems (TCSs) in X. nematophila CB6 by bioinformatic analysis.  Among them, the response regulators (RRs), GlrR and ArcA, were proven to positively regulate the production of Xcns based on gene deletion and complementation experiments.  In addition, our results showed that GlrR played an important role in cell growth, while ArcA was involved in both cell morphology and growth.  Using a variety of molecular biological and biochemical techniques, we found that GlrR controlled the Xcns biosynthesis by indirectly regulating the expression levels of the biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC).  ArcA directly binded to the promoter regions of xcnA and xcnB to regulate the transcription of the Xcns BGC, and the binding sites were also identified.  This study provides valuable insights into the regulatory network of Xcns biosynthesis, which will contribute to the construction of a high-yielding strain.

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Alternative splicing of Spodoptera exigua caspase-5 is involved in regulating host-cell apoptosis induced by AcMNPV infection Qianlong Yu, Xinyu Wu, Minghui Wang, Jie Li, Guiling Zheng, Changyou Li 2025, 24(12): 4715-4731.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.03.001 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Caspases, which play key roles in cell apoptosis, undergo alternative splicing to form different splicing variants that can regulate the apoptotic process.  Lepidopteran insect caspases undergo alternative splicing, although the functions of their splicing variants are still unclear.  The Spodoptera exigua caspase-5 (SeCaspase-5) gene was cloned and found to produce four different splicing variants with different gene sequences and protein functional domains, which were named SeCaspase-5a, SeCaspase-5b, SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d.  Overexpression of these variants in S. exigua cells (Se-3) showed that SeCaspase-5a had a proapoptotic function, whereas SeCaspase-5b, SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d did not.  Semi-qPCR analysis revealed that the expression of the SeCaspase-5 variants significantly differed during Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) infection.  Furthermore, the SeCaspase-5 variants were constructed into the AcMNPV bacmid and transfected into Se-3 cells, which revealed that SeCaspase-5a promoted cell apoptosis and reduced virus production, whereas SeCaspase-5b, SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d did not promote cell apoptosis but instead increased virus production.  Moreover, an analysis of the interactions between the SeCaspase-5 variants revealed that SeCaspase-5a directly interacted with SeCaspase-5b, SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d.  Coexpression of these variants in Se-3 cells also revealed that SeCaspase-5b, SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d inhibited the proapoptotic function of SeCaspase-5a, resulting in a reduction in the percentage of apoptotic cells by about 20%.  These results indicate that SeCaspase-5 undergoes alternative splicing and is involved in regulating the apoptosis induced by baculovirus infection.  These findings increase our understanding of the functions of lepidopteran insect caspases and provide new insights into the mechanism of host-cell apoptosis induced by baculoviruses.

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A pheromone from cuticular hydrocarbons regulates mating behavior in the hoverfly Eupeodes corollae Wenbiao Liu, Chenxi Cai, Jinan Wu, Bing Wang 2025, 24(12): 4732-4743.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.04.013 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Mating behavior is crucial for most insects, as it is closely tied to reproduction and population growth and relies heavily on chemical communication via cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) between individuals.  However, little is known about the mating behavior of Eupeodes corollae, a natural enemy insect, and how CHCs help it communicate.  In this study, we performed a behavioral assay of the mating process of hoverfly E. corollae.  The cuticular hydrocarbons of both male and female hoverflies were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).  The electrophysiological activities of these compounds on the antennae of hoverflies were further determined by gas chromatography coupled with electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) and electroantennogram (EAG).  The effects of these compounds on the behavioral selection and mating of hoverflies were also determined.  The results showed that the mating process of hoverflies was divided into five stages: orientation, approaching, wing fanning, mounting, and copulation.  Fifth-aged individuals exhibited the highest copulation and mating success rates, the shortest male latency, and stable mating duration.  The results of the determination of cuticular compounds showed that the CHCs of male and female hoverflies exhibited sexually monomorphic chemical profiles, and two compounds of (Z)-9-tricosene and n-tricosane could cause significant electrophysiological responses in both male and female hoverflies.  Behavioral bioassay results showed that (Z)-9-tricosene can significantly induce the attraction response of male and female E. corollae and can effectively regulate the courtship behavior of male E. corollae.  This finding provides a new perspective for a deeper understanding of hoverflies’ chemical communication mechanism and a valuable scientific basis and potential application prospect for developing a pheromone-based behavior strategy to control pests.

Animal Science · Veterinary Medicine

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miR-21-5p ameliorates Busulfan-induced testicular dysfunction and maintains spermatogenesis Mengfei Zhang, Shicheng Wan, Wenbo Chen, Donghui Yang, Congliang Wang, Balun Li, Aierken Aili, Xiaomin Du, Yunxiang Li, Wenping Wu, Yuqi Wang, Fangde Xie, Xuan Luo, Na Li, Xueling Li, Lei Yang, Ahmed Hamed Arisha, Jinlian Hua 2025, 24(12): 4744-4759.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.02.004 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the key to maintaining production of the sperms and healthy offsprings, and also treating breeding livestock’s reproductive damage and infertility.  microRNAs act a decisive role in regulating gene expression in many cells and tissues, including in processes such as proliferation, self-renewal, differentiation, and apoptosis of stem cells.  However, the miRNA mechanism in regulation of SSCs is still unclear.  Here, high-throughput sequencing was used to identify specific miRNAs.  We confirmed that miR-21-5p was concentrated in both goat and mouse SSCs, and enhanced the proliferation and antiapoptotic ability of SSCs.  In vivo experiments have shown that miR-21-5p resisted the damage of the chemotherapy drug Busulfan to germ cells, ameliorated Busulfan-induced testicular dysfunction, and maintained spermatogenesis.  Further RNA-seq and target gene prediction revealed that SPRY1 and FASLG are targets of miR-21-5p, thereby activating downstream signaling pathways such as MAPK/ERK, PI3K-AKT, and apoptosis.  In summary, miR-21-5p is crucial for the self-renewal and maintenance of SSCs.  This study provides new avenues for treating breeding livestock’s reproductive damages, infertility, oligospermia, and other conditions.

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DnaK of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 contributes to phagocytosis resistance by decreasing endocytic receptor LRP1 protein levels in RAW264.7 macrophages Qing Wang, Guangbin Bao, Shinuo Fan, Xiaomeng Pei, Hongjie Fan 2025, 24(12): 4760-4775.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.07.009 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause acute infection, such as septicemia in        pigs and streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSLS) in humans, indicating that SS2 can evade innate immunity.  Macrophages perform essential antimicrobial functions in the innate immune system by engulfing and killing pathogens.  Previously, a dnaK mutant strain that showed impaired phagocytosis resistance ability was screened from the transposon mutant library of SS2, but the specific mechanism is unclear.  In this study, we further demonstrated that DnaK was required for SS2 to be antiphagocytosed by macrophages and survive in adverse environments.  A mouse challenge experiment indicated that DnaK promoted bacteremia and systemic dissemination of SS2, enhancing bacterial pathogenicity.  Western blot and immunofluorescence results indicated that DnaK could be secreted by SS2 and was able to enter RAW264.7 macrophages.  Then, the endocytic receptor LRP1 regulated by DnaK was identified through RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq).  We found that DnaK decreased both the mRNA and protein levels of LRP1.  Knockdown of the LRP1 β-chain (LRP1β) significantly decreased the phagocytosis rate of the SS2 strain ZY05719, suggesting that LRP1 is a phagocytic receptor of SS2.  Furthermore, inhibitor treatment assays revealed that DnaK decreased LRP1 protein levels through the transcription factor PPARγ and the ubiquitin–proteasome system.  In summary, DnaK contributes to the phagocytosis resistance of SS2 by decreasing LRP1 protein levels in macrophages, providing new insights into the antiphagocytosis mechanisms of SS2 and helping to understand its pathogenesis.

Agro-ecosystem & Environment

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How do scientists use terminology related to cropland? Examining the disparity across disciplines and regions Gehui Jin, Yanbing Wei, Qiangyi Yu, Wenbin Wu 2025, 24(12): 4776-4786.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.04.020 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   In many existing dictionaries, cropland is defined as land that is suitable for or used to grow crops.  It has several synonyms, such as “farmland”, “arable land”, and “cultivated land”.  However, in scientific literature, the nuances of these terms are often overlooked.  The inconsistent terminology usage could lead to ambiguity and confusion in research and policy discussions.  In particular, it creates difficulties for newcomers and students when they search for precise information in the published literature.  Hence, exploring the variations of terminology applications is important for the cropland-related research community.  In this study, the differences in six cropland-related terminologies were explored through a review of 5,214 scientific articles, by employing the independence test, clustering approach, and correlation analysis.  The results showed that disparities exist across disciplines.  For example, biodiversity & conservation studies preferentially use “farmland” to highlight effects from human activities, while studies in geology and computer science use “cropland”.  The term “cultivated land” tends to be used in geography research for clear geographical demarcation, while “arable land” is related to engineering studies.  Moreover, further disparities based on the geographical affiliations of the authors were found.  The correlation between China and “cultivated land” was reliable and a close link was found between “agricultural land” and the USA.  The regional variations in cropland terminology can be influenced by multiple factors, including the degree of agricultural mechanization, colonial history, and migration patterns.  This study reveals variations in cropland-related terminology across disciplines and regions.  The results highlight the importance of standardizing cropland terminology to foster interdisciplinary research, improve data comparability, and support global agricultural and environmental policymaking.

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Nitrogen uptake and carbon–nitrogen synergistic translocation improve yield and nitrogen use efficiency in the dep1 rice line Guohui Li, Yan Zhang, Jiwei Xu, Changjin Zhu, Qiuqian Hu, Ke Xu 2025, 24(12): 4787-4809.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.02.050 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect   Improving rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) are crucial challenges for coordinating food production and environmental health. However, little is known about the physiological mechanisms underlying the synergistic effects of high yield and NUE in rice. Using two near-isogenic rice lines (named DEP1 and dep1), a two-year field experiment was conducted to assess agronomic characteristics and the physiological characteristics of carbon and nitrogen translocation under three nitrogen levels. Compared with DEP1, dep1 had higher grain yield, grain filling percentage, nitrogen (N) uptake, and NUE. More non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) and N in the stems were translocated to grains during grain filling in dep1 than in DEP1. Furthermore, stem NSC translocation was significantly positively correlated with grain yield, while stem N translocation was significantly positively correlated with NUE. Key carbon metabolism enzyme activities (α-amylase, β-amylase and sucrose-phosphate synthase in stems, and sucrose synthase, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and starch synthase in grains) and stem sucrose transporter gene (OsSUT1 and OsSWEET13) expression were higher in dep1 than in DEP1. This contributed to high stem NSC translocation. Higher N translocation in the stems occurred due to the higher expression of OsNPF2.4. Moreover, the higher values of root morphological traits (root dry weight, root surface area, root length and root volume) and structural characteristics (stele diameter, cortical thickness and vessel section area) in dep1 explained its high nitrogen uptake. In addition, higher expression of OsNADH-GOGAT1 and OsGS1.3 promoted the assimilation of ammonium and contributed to higher nitrogen uptake in dep1. The application of N reduced carbon translocation but enhanced N translocation by regulating the corresponding metabolic enzyme activities and gene expression. Overall, these findings highlighted the roles of nitrogen uptake, and carbon and nitrogen translocation from stems as crucial characteristics for synergistically improving yield and NUE in the dep1 rice line.

Letter

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Efficient breeding of high oleic rice cultivar by editing OsFAD2-1 via CRISPR/Cas9 Yingying Wu, Zhihui Chen, Chan Wang, Yang Xu, Xia Li, Jianping Zhu, Xiaoli Tan, Jie Yang 2025, 24(12): 4810-4814.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.04.037 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect

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Development of recombinase-aided amplification assays with real-time fluorescence and lateral flow dipstick for the rapid detection of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Haoran Kang, Deyu Li, Cheng Song, Yongning Zhang, Lei Zhou, Xinna Ge, Jun Han, Xin Guo, Hanchun Yang 2025, 24(12): 4815-4820.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.05.023 Abstract ( )   PDF in ScienceDirect