Comparative Analysis of Mesocotyl Elongation Ability among Maize Inbred Lines.

Mesocotyl plays a key role in the seedling emergence of maize; however, the mechanism of mesocotyl elongation is still unclear. Moreover, different maize inbred lines and cultivars have varied mesocotyl lengths positively correlated with deep sowing tolerance. In this study, we selected one inbred line with long mesocotyl (LM) and two maize inbred lines with short mesocotyl (SM1 and SM2) from more than 400 maize inbred lines.

Evolution and natural selection of ribosome-inactivating proteins in bacteria, fungi, and plants.

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are found in bacteria, fungi, and plants, with a wide range of biological resistances such as anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-insect, and anti-tumor. They can be roughly divided into proactive defense bacterial or fungal types and passive defense plant types. We identified 1592 RIP genes in bacteria, fungi, and plants.

Dynamic Changes in Seed Germination under Low-Temperature Stress in Maize.

Low-temperature stress delays seed germination in maize. Different maize inbred lines display various low-temperature resistance, but the dynamic changes in seed germination under low-temperature stress in maize remain unknown, especially at the transcriptome level. In this study, low-temperature-resistant maize (RM) inbred line 04Qun0522-1-1 had a significantly faster germination speed than low-temperature-sensitive maize (SM) line B283-1 under low-temperature stress.

Maize Seed Germination Under Low-Temperature Stress Impacts Seedling Growth Under Normal Temperature by Modulating Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Metabolism.

Spring maize is usually subjected to low-temperature stress during seed germination, which retards seedling growth later even under a suitable temperature. However, the mechanism underlying maize seed germination under low-temperature stress impacting seedling growth is still ambiguous. In this study, we used one low-temperature sensitive maize (SM) and one low-temperature resistance maize (RM) to investigate the mechanism.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the mechanism of internode development affecting maize stalk strength.

Background: The stalk rind is one of the important factors affecting maize stalk strength that is closely related to stalk lodging. However, the mechanism of rind development in maize is still largely unknown.

Results: In this study, we analyzed the mechanical, anatomical, and biochemical properties of the third basal internode in one maize non-stiff-stalk (NSS) line and two stiff-stalk (SS) lines.

Proteomic analysis of wheat seeds produced under different nitrogen levels before and after germination.

The objective of this study was to investigate differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) of wheat seeds produced under two nitrogen levels (0 and 240 kg/ha) before and after germination. We selected samples at 8 and 72 h after imbibition (HAI) to identify DAPs by iTRAQ. The results showed 190 and 124 DAPs at 8 and 72 HAI, respectively.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the mechanism by which spraying diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate after anthesis regulates wheat grain filling.

Background: Diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6), a plant growth regulator, has many beneficial effects on agricultural production. DA-6 has been applied to many plant species, but the molecular mechanism by which spraying DA-6 after anthesis regulates wheat grain filling is still unknown.

Results: In this study, we used four DA-6 concentrations: C0 (0 g/L), C2 (2 g/L), C4 (4 g/L), and C6 (6 g/L).

Effects of Nitrogen Level during Seed Production on Wheat Seed Vigor and Seedling Establishment at the Transcriptome Level.

Nitrogen fertilizer is a critical determinant of grain yield and seed quality in wheat. However, the mechanism of nitrogen level during seed production affecting wheat seed vigor and seedling establishment at the transcriptome level remains unknown. Here, we report that wheat seeds produced under different nitrogen levels (N0, N168, N240, and N300) showed significant differences in seed vigor and seedling establishment.

Rapid evaluation of seed vigor by the absolute content of protein in seed within the same crop.

Seed vigor, an important index of seed quality, determines the potential for rapid and uniform emergence of plants. The objective of this study was to explore a rapid method for evaluating seed vigor. To analyze the correlation of seed traits and seedling traits related to seed vigor, we designed five experiments including nitrogen fertilizer, irrigation and seed sorting treatments in wheat.

A loose endosperm structure of wheat seed produced under low nitrogen level promotes early germination by accelerating water uptake.

Water uptake is the fundamental requirement for the initiation and completion of seed germination that is a vital phase in the life cycle of seed plants. We found that seeds produced under four nitrogen levels showed significantly different germination speed. The objective of this study was to study the mechanism of rapid seed germination and explore which pathways and genes play critical roles in radicle protrusion.

Universal Multiplex PCR: a novel method of simultaneous amplification of multiple DNA fragments.

Background: Multiplex PCR has been successfully applied in many areas since it was first reported in 1988; however, it suffers from poor universality.

Results: A novel method called Universal Multiplex PCR (UM-PCR) was created, which simultaneously amplifies multiple target fragments from genomic DNA. The method has two steps.