Promoter variations of ClERF1 gene determines flesh firmness in watermelon.

Background: Flesh firmness is a critical factor that influences fruit storability, shelf-life and consumer's preference as well. However, less is known about the key genetic factors that are associated with flesh firmness in fresh fruits like watermelon.

Results: In this study, through bulk segregant analysis (BSA-seq), we identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) that influenced variations in flesh firmness among recombinant inbred lines (RIL) developed from cross between the Citrullus mucosospermus accession ZJU152 with hard-flesh and Citrullus lanatus accession ZJU163 with soft-flesh.

Molecular characterization and pathogenicity of an infectious clone of tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus isolate infecting Cucumis melo.

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a member of the genus Begomovirus, and causes devastating disease in the world. In recent years, ToLCNDV was rapidly spreading in China and induces severe economic losses in agriculture. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete genome of ToLCNDV isolates from melon plants showing leaf curling and stunting symptoms in Jiangsu Province of China.

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus: an emerging plant begomovirus threatening cucurbit production.

Unlabelled: Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), a bipartite begomovirus, was first reported to infect tomato and has recently spread rapidly as an emerging disease to crops. To date, the virus has been reported to infect more than 11 cucurbit crops, in 16 countries and regions, causing severe yield losses. In autumn 2022, ToLCNDV was first isolated from cucurbit plants in Southeastern coastal areas of China.

The coiled-coil protein gene WPRb confers recessive resistance to Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus.

Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) is one of the major global quarantine viruses and causes severe symptoms in Cucurbit crops, particularly with regard to fruit decay. However, the genetic mechanisms that control plant resistance to CGMMV have yet to be elucidated. Here, we found that WPRb, a weak chloroplast movement under blue light 1 and plastid movement impaired 2-related protein family gene, is recessively associated with CGMMV resistance in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus).

General regulatory factor 3 regulates the expression of alternative oxidase 1a and the biosynthesis of glucosinolates in cytoplasmic male sterile Brassica juncea.

Mitochondrial retrograde signaling (MRS) plays an essential role in sensing and responding to internal and external stimuli to optimize growth to adapt to the prevailing environmental conditions. Previously studies showed alterations on MRS in cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) plant. However, the regulators involved in MRS in CMS plants remain largely unknown.