Enhancing nature's palette through the epigenetic breeding of flower color in chrysanthemum.

Flower color is an important character of ornamental plants and one of the main target traits for variety innovation. We previously identified a CmMYB6 epigenetic allele that affects the flower color in chrysanthemum, and changes in flower color are caused by the DNA methylation level of this gene. However, it is still unknown which DNA methyltransferases are involved in modifying the DNA methylation levels of this gene.

Raising root zone temperature improves plant productivity and metabolites in hydroponic lettuce production.

While it is commonly understood that air temperature can greatly affect the process of photosynthesis and the growth of higher plants, the impact of root zone temperature (RZT) on plant growth, metabolism, essential elements, as well as key metabolites like chlorophyll and carotenoids, remains an area that necessitates extensive research. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of raising the RZT on the growth, metabolites, elements, and proteins of red leaf lettuce. Lettuce was hydroponically grown in a plant factory with artificial light at four different air temperatures (17, 22, 27, and 30°C) and two treatments with different RZTs.

Natural genetic variation in dynamic photosynthesis is correlated with stomatal anatomical traits in diverse tomato species across geographical habitats.

Plants grown under field conditions experience fluctuating light. Understanding the natural genetic variations for a similarly dynamic photosynthetic response among untapped germplasm resources, as well as the underlying mechanisms, may offer breeding strategies to improve production using molecular approaches. Here, we measured gas exchange under fluctuating light, along with stomatal density and size, in eight wild tomato species and two tomato cultivars.

Optimization of CRISPR-Cas9 system in .

The optimization of the CRISPR-Cas9 system for enhancing editing efficiency holds significant value in scientific research. In this study, we optimized single guide RNA and promoters of the CRISPR-Cas9 vector and established an efficient protoplast isolation and transient transformation system in , and we successfully applied the modified CRISPR-Cas9 system to detect editing efficiency of the gene. The activity of the promoter in protoplasts was approximately three times higher than that of the promoter.

Controlling root zone temperature improves plant growth and pigments in hydroponic lettuce.

Background And Aims: Air and root zone temperatures are important environmental factors affecting plant growth and yield. Numerous studies have demonstrated that air temperature strongly affects plant growth and development. Despite the extensive literature on air temperature, comprehensive studies on the effects of root zone temperature (RZT) on plant growth, elemental composition, and pigments are limited.

Chromosome-scale genome assembly of Eustoma grandiflorum, the first complete genome sequence in the genus Eustoma.

Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn. is an annual herbaceous plant native to the southern United States, Mexico, and the Greater Antilles.

A dual-function transcription factor, SlJAF13, promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis in tomato.

Unlike modern tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivars, cv. LA1996 harbors the dominant Aft allele, which is associated with anthocyanin synthesis in tomato fruit peel. However, the control of Aft anthocyanin biosynthesis remains unclear.

QTL Analysis of Stem Elongation and Flowering Time in Lettuce Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing.

Lettuce plants tend to undergo floral initiation by elongation of flower stalks (bolting) under high-temperature and long-day conditions, which is a serious problem for summer lettuce production. Our objective was to generate a high-density genetic map using SNPs obtained from genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) analysis of F5 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and to map QTLs involved in stem growth and flowering time in lettuce. A set of 127 intra-specific RIL mapping populations derived from a cross between two varieties, green and red leaf lettuce, were used to identify QTLs related to the number of days from sowing to bolting (DTB), to flowering of the first flower (DTF), to seed-setting of the first flower (DTS), and the total number of leaves (LN), plant height (PH), and total number of branches of main inflorescence (BN) for two consecutive years.

BrLETM2 Protein Modulates Anthocyanin Accumulation by Promoting ROS Production in Turnip ( subsp. ).

In 'Tsuda' turnip, the swollen root peel accumulates anthocyanin pigments in a light-dependent manner, but the mechanism is unclear. Here, mutant which accumulated extremely low levels of anthocyanin after light exposure was identified. Segregation analysis showed that the anthocyanin-deficient phenotype was controlled by a single recessive gene.

A single amino acid substitution in the R2R3 conserved domain of the BrPAP1a transcription factor impairs anthocyanin production in turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa).

The purple pigmentation in the epidermis of swollen roots of 'Tsuda' turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) is induced by light, providing a good system to investigate the genetic mechanism of light-dependent anthocyanin biosynthesis in B. rapa.

EgMIXTA1, a MYB-Type Transcription Factor, Promotes Cuticular Wax Formation in Leaves.

In the aerial plant organs, cuticular wax forms a hydrophobic layer that can protect cells from dehydration, repel pathogen attacks, and prevent organ fusion during development. The gene encodes an MYB-like transcription factor, which is associated with epicuticular wax biosynthesis to increase the wax load on the surface of leaves. In this study, the -homologous gene was functionally characterized in the .

Nanobubble Water's Promotion Effect of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Sprouts Supported by RNA-Seq Analysis.

The physiological promotion effect of nanobubble (NB) water on living organisms is still a poorly understood phenomenon which was discovered 1 decade ago. Here, we analyzed the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) embryo transcriptome following the exposure to NB water and low-concentration hydrogen peroxide (HO) using RNA-Seq.

Identification and Validation of New Alleles of FALSIFLORA and COMPOUND INFLORESCENCE Genes Controlling the Number of Branches in Tomato Inflorescence.

The architecture of inflorescences shows extensive diversity in both branching frequency and flower number, which eventually, determines agricultural productivity. In this study, F₂ (second filial) populations derived from a cross between 10AS111A (highly-branched inflorescence) and the PI124039 (inflorescence having a single branch) were used to decipher the genetic control of branch number (BN) of inflorescence in plants bearing small-sized tomato fruits. The segregation ratio of single- and moderately-branched types to the highly-branched type was significantly different from 3:1 but not different from 15:1 at < 0.

Identification of Light-Independent Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Mutants Induced by Ethyl Methane Sulfonate in Turnip "Tsuda" (Brassica rapa).

The epidermis of swollen storage roots in purple cultivars of turnip "Tsuda" () accumulates anthocyanin in a light-dependent manner, especially in response to UV-A light, of which the mechanism is unclear. In this study, we mutagenized 15,000 seeds by 0.5% (/) ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) and obtained 14 mutants with abnormal anthocyanin production in their epidermis of swollen storage roots.

Identification of ROS Produced by Nanobubbles and Their Positive and Negative Effects on Vegetable Seed Germination.

Exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by nanobubble (NB) water offer a reasonable explanation for NBs' physiological promotion and oxidation effects. To develop and exploit the NB technology, we have performed further research to identify the specific ROS produced by NBs. Using a fluorescent reagent APF, a Fenton reaction, a dismutation reaction of superoxide dismutase and DMSO, we distinguished four types of ROS (superoxide anion radical (O·), hydrogen peroxide (HO), hydroxyl radical (·OH), and singlet oxygen (O)).

Relationship between the velvet-like texture of flower petals and light reflection from epidermal cell surfaces.

Texture such as velvet lustre contributes to the ornamental character of a flower, along with shape and colour. This study aims to clarify the relationship between the formation of the velvet lustre texture and the optical characteristics of light reflection from irradiated surfaces of velvety and non-velvety petals from 30 cultivars or varieties of ornamental plants representing 19 species from various families. The angle of incident light from the petal surface was set at 90°, 60° or 30°, then light reflection from the petal surfaces was observed using a digital microscope.

Isolation and characterization of a J domain protein that interacts with ARC1 from ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala).

A novel J domain protein, JDP1, was isolated from ornamental kale. The C-terminus of JDP1 specifically interacted with ARC1, which has a conserved role in self-incompatibility signaling. Armadillo (ARM)-repeat containing 1 (ARC1) plays a conserved role in self-incompatibility signaling across the Brassicaceae and functions downstream of the S-locus receptor kinase.

BrMYB4, a suppressor of genes for phenylpropanoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis, is down-regulated by UV-B but not by pigment-inducing sunlight in turnip cv. Tsuda.

The regulation of light-dependent anthocyanin biosynthesis in Brassica rapa subsp. rapa cv. Tsuda turnip was investigated using an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced mutant R30 with light-independent pigmentation.

Chalcone synthase family genes have redundant roles in anthocyanin biosynthesis and in response to blue/UV-A light in turnip (Brassica rapa; Brassicaceae).

Premise Of The Study: The epidermis of Brassica rapa (turnip) cv. Tsuda contains light-induced anthocyanins, visible signs of activity of chalcone synthase (CHS), a key anthocyanin biosynthetic enzyme, which is encoded by the CHS gene family. To elucidate the regulation of this light-induced pigmentation, we isolated Brassica rapa CHS1-CHS6 (BrCHS1-CHS6) and characterized their cis-elements and expression patterns.

UV-A light induces anthocyanin biosynthesis in a manner distinct from synergistic blue + UV-B light and UV-A/blue light responses in different parts of the hypocotyls in turnip seedlings.

The effects of irradiating blue, UV-A, UV-B and a combination of the lights on anthocyanin accumulation at different hypocotyl positions were investigated in seedlings of the purple top turnip 'Tsuda'. The location of anthocyanin accumulation varied depending on different light spectra. Stronger accumulation of anthocyanin was induced (i) at the upper hypocotyl positions by blue light; (ii) mainly at the upper position, but also at the middle position by UV-B light; and (iii) at the upper to lower position by UV-A light.

Transient expression of a foreign gene by direct incorporation of DNA into intact plant tissue through vacuum infiltration.

We previously established a method to induce transient expression of foreign genes in intact plant tissue to detect the subcellular localization of proteins. Here, we have inserted a putative bZIP protein HY5 gene (SeqID: EU386772), isolated from the seedlings of turnips Brassica rapa L. subsp.

Ultraviolet A-specific induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis in the swollen hypocotyls of turnip (Brassica rapa).

Ultraviolet A (UV-A)-mediated regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis was investigated in swollen hypocotyls of the red turnip 'Tsuda'. The shaded swollen hypocotyls which contained negligible anthocyanin were exposed to artificial light sources including low fluence UV-B, UV-A, blue, red, far-red, red plus UV-A, far-red plus UV-A, and blue plus red. Among these lights, only UV-A induced anthocyanin biosynthesis and co-irradiation of red or far-red with UV-A did not affect the extent of UV-A-induced anthocyanin accumulation.