Identification of the Coexisting Virus-Derived siRNA in Maize and Rice Infected by Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus.

is transmitted by small brown planthoppers, which causes maize rough dwarf disease and rice black-streaked dwarf disease. This virus leads to slow growth or death of the host plants. During the coevolutionary arms race between viruses and plants, virus-derived small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) challenge the plant's defense response and inhibit host immunity through the RNA silencing system.

Gene pyramiding of and for rough dwarf disease resistance in maize.

Unlabelled: Maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD) caused by pathogenic viruses in the genus in the family Reoviridae is one of the most destructive diseases in maize. The pyramiding of effective resistance genes into maize varieties is a potential approach to reduce the damage resulting from the disease. Two major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) ( and ) have been previously identified.

ZmADF5, a Maize Actin-Depolymerizing Factor Conferring Enhanced Drought Tolerance in Maize.

Drought stress is seriously affecting the growth and production of crops, especially when agricultural irrigation still remains quantitatively restricted in some arid and semi-arid areas. The identification of drought-tolerant genes is important for improving the adaptability of maize under stress. Here, we found that a new member of the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) family; the gene was tightly linked with a consensus drought-tolerant quantitative trait locus, and the significantly associated signals were detected through genome wide association analysis.

The maize PLASTID TERMINAL OXIDASE (PTOX) locus controls the carotenoid content of kernels.

Carotenoids perform a broad range of important functions in humans; therefore, carotenoid biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.), one of the most highly produced cereal crops worldwide, would have a global impact on human health. PLASTID TERMINAL OXIDASE (PTOX) genes play an important role in carotenoid metabolism; however, the possible function of PTOX in carotenoid biosynthesis in maize has not yet been explored.

Systematic Review of Psychiatric Observation Units and Their Impact on Emergency Department Boarding.

To investigate the effectiveness of acute short-stay hospital admissions in psychiatric observation units for improving the flow of patients with mental health presentations through the emergency department (ED). CINAHL, MEDLINE, OVID, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for English-language studies from 1990 onward. Descriptors used to describe psychiatric observation units were identified, and in databases with MESH term availability, the terms "mental disorder" and "emergency services, psychiatric" were also utilized to further enhance the search.

Genome-Wide Characterization of the Maize ( L.) WRKY Transcription Factor Family and Their Responses to .

Members of the WRKY transcription factor (TF) family are unique to plants and serve as important regulators of diverse physiological processes, including the ability of plants to manage biotic and abiotic stressors. However, the functions of specific WRKY family members in the context of maize responses to fungal pathogens remain poorly understood, particularly in response to (DC.) Corda (), which is responsible for the devastating disease known as corn smut.

A transcription factor ZmGLK36 confers broad resistance to maize rough dwarf disease in cereal crops.

Maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD), caused by maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) or rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV), seriously threatens worldwide production of all major cereal crops, including maize, rice, wheat and barley. Here we report fine mapping and cloning of a previously reported major quantitative trait locus (QTL) (qMrdd2) for RBSDV resistance in maize. Subsequently, we show that qMrdd2 encodes a G2-like transcription factor named ZmGLK36 that promotes resistance to RBSDV by enhancing jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis and JA-mediated defence response.

Using the dominant mutation gene () to develop high-amylose maize.

Unlabelled: Maize amylose is a type of high value-added starch used for medical, food, and chemical applications. Mutations in the starch branching enzyme (SBEIIb), with recessive () and dominant alleles, are the primary way to improve maize endosperm amylose content (AC). However, studies on mutation are scarce, and its roles in starch synthesis and breeding potential are unclear.

Evolutionary Analysis of Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homolog (RBOH) Genes in Plants and Characterization of .

The respiratory burst oxidase homolog (RBOH), as the key producer of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays an essential role in plant development. In this study, a bioinformatic analysis was performed on 22 plant species, and 181 RBOH homologues were identified. A typical RBOH family was identified only in terrestrial plants, and the number of RBOHs increased from non-angiosperms to angiosperms.

Genetic basis of maize kernel protein content revealed by high-density bin mapping using recombinant inbred lines.

Maize with a high kernel protein content (PC) is desirable for human food and livestock fodder. However, improvements in its PC have been hampered by a lack of desirable molecular markers. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and candidate genes for kernel PC, we employed a genotyping-by-sequencing strategy to construct a high-resolution linkage map with 6,433 bin markers for 275 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a high-PC female Ji846 and low-PC male Ye3189.

Pathogenicity Variation in Two Genomes of Species Causing Gray Leaf Spot in Maize.

The gray leaf spots caused by spp. severely affect the yield and quality of maize. However, the evolutionary relation and pathogenicity variation between species of the genus is largely unknown.

Identification of a Fusarium ear rot resistance gene in maize by QTL mapping and RNA sequencing.

Fusarium ear rot (FER) caused by is a prevalent maize disease. To comprehensively characterize the genetic basis of the natural variation in FER resistance, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for FER resistance. A total of 17 QTL were identified by linkage mapping in eight environments.

Using a high density bin map to analyze quantitative trait locis of germination ability of maize at low temperatures.

Low temperatures in the spring often lead to a decline in the emergence rate and uniformity of maize, which can affect yield in northern regions. This study used 365 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), which arose from crossing Qi319 and Ye478, to identify low-temperature resistance during the germination stage by measuring eight low-temperature-related traits. The quantitative trait locis (QTLs) were mapped using software by combining phenotypic data, and the genotyping by sequencing (GBS) method to produce a high-density genetic linkage map.

Redefining the N-Terminal Regulatory Region of the Ca/H Antiporter CAX1 in Tomato.

Calcium (Ca) is an essential plant nutrient, and Ca/H exchangers (CAXs) regulate Ca partitioning between subcellular compartments. AtCAX1 activity is inhibited by its N-terminal regulatory region (NRR), which was initially defined as the sequence between the first two methionines. However, the accuracy of this NRR definition and the NRR regulatory mechanism remain unclear.

Genome-Wide Profiling of Alternative Splicing and Gene Fusion during Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus Stress in Maize ( L.).

Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) causes maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD), which is a viral disease that significantly affects maize yields worldwide. Plants tolerate stress through transcriptional reprogramming at the alternative splicing (AS), transcriptional, and fusion gene (FG) levels. However, it is unclear whether and how AS and FG interfere with transcriptional reprogramming in MRDD.

A field-deployable method for single and multiplex detection of DNA or RNA from pathogens using Cas12 and Cas13.

For some Cas nucleases, trans-cleavage activity triggered by CRISPR/Cas-mediated cis-cleavage upon target nucleic acid recognition has been explored for diagnostic detection. Portable single and multiplex nucleic acid-based detection is needed for crop pathogen management in agriculture. Here, we harnessed and characterized RfxCas13d as an additional CRISPR/Cas nucleic acid detection tool.

ZmSNAC13, a maize NAC transcription factor conferring enhanced resistance to multiple abiotic stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis.

Abiotic stress is the main factor that severely limits crop growth and yield. NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) transcription factors play an important role in dealing with various abiotic stresses. Here, we discovered the ZmSNAC13 gene in drought-tolerant maize lines by RNA-seq analysis and verified its function in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Fine-tuning shoot meristem size to feed the world.

In order to maintain food security for the world's growing population, crop yields need to be significantly improved. Domestication and crop improvement involve modification of traits such as fruit size and seed number to optimize productivity. Although these traits are selected at the mature stage, they are determined during the development of shoot meristem, a tissue that forms successive meristems and reproductive organs that make edible fruits or seeds.

Transcriptome Reveals Allele Contribution to Heterosis in Maize.

Heterosis, which has greatly increased maize yields, is associated with gene expression patterns during key developmental stages that enhance hybrid phenotypes relative to parental phenotypes. Before heterosis can be more effectively used for crop improvement, hybrid maize developmental gene expression patterns must be better understood. Here, six maize hybrids, including the popular hybrid Zhengdan958 (ZC) from China, were studied.

Identification and Fine-Mapping of a Novel QTL, , That Confers Resistance to Maize Rough Dwarf Disease.

Maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD) is caused by a virus and seriously affects maize quality and yield worldwide. MRDD can be most effectively controlled with disease-resistant hybrids of corn. Here, MRDD-resistant (Qi319) and -susceptible (Ye478) parental inbred maize lines and their 314 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that were derived from a cross between them were evaluated across three environments.

Coordinated regulation of starch synthesis in maize endosperm by microRNAs and DNA methylation.

Starch synthesis is an essential feature of crop filling, but knowledge of the molecular mechanisms regulating the expression of starch synthesis genes (SSGs) is currently limited to transcription factors (TFs). Here, we obtained transcriptome, small RNAome, and DNA methylome data from maize (Zea mays) endosperms during multiple developmental stages and established a regulatory network atlas of starch synthesis. Transcriptome analysis showed a sharp transition at 9-10 days after pollination, when genes involved in starch and sucrose metabolism are upregulated and starch accumulates rapidly.

Genetic Dissection of the General Combining Ability of Yield-Related Traits in Maize.

Maize yield components including row number, kernel number per row, kernel thickness, kernel width, kernel length, 100-kernel weight, and volume weight affect grain yield directly. Previous studies mainly focused on dissecting the genetic basis of performances for yield-related traits, but the genetic basis of general combining ability (GCA) for these traits is still unclear. In the present study, 328 RILs were crossed as males to two testers according to the NCII mating design, resulting in a hybrid panel composed of 656 hybrids.

Marker-assisted selection of to improve maize resistance to rough dwarf disease.

Maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD) is caused by viruses in the genus in the family . MRDD resistance can be improved by a combination of marker-assisted selection (MAS) and conventional breeding strategies. In our previous study, we fine-mapped a major QTL and developed the functional Indel marker IDP25K.

Discovery and Fine Mapping of , a Novel Major QTL Conferring Southern Rust Resistance in Maize.

Southern corn rust (SCR), an airborne disease caused by , can severely reduce the yield of maize ( L.). Using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between susceptible inbred line Ye478 and resistant Qi319 in combination with their high-density genetic map, we located five quantitative trait loci (QTLs) against SCR, designated as , , , , and , on chromosomes 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10, respectively.