Publications by authors named "Xianzhong Feng"

Many plants associate with endophytic microbes that improve root phosphorus (P) uptake. Understanding the interactions between roots and endophytes can enable efforts to improve P utilization. Here, we characterize the interactions between lateral roots of endophytes in a core collection of 50 rapeseed (Brassica napus L.

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Genomic selection (GS) can accomplish breeding faster than phenotypic selection. Improving prediction accuracy is the key to promoting GS. To improve the GS prediction accuracy and stability, we introduce parallel convolution to deep learning for GS and call it a parallel neural network for genomic selection (PNNGS).

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Although CRISPR-Cas9 technology has been rapidly applied in soybean genetic improvement, it is difficult to achieve the targeted editing of the specific loci in the soybean complex genome due to the limitations of the classical protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). Here, we developed a PAM-less genome editing system mediated by SpRY in soybean. By performing targeted editing of representative agronomic trait targets in soybean and evaluating the results, we demonstrate that the SpRY protein can achieve efficient targeted mutagenesis at relaxed PAM sites in soybean.

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The pod and seed counts are important yield-related traits in soybean. High-precision soybean breeders face the major challenge of accurately phenotyping the number of pods and seeds in a high-throughput manner. Recent advances in artificial intelligence, especially deep learning (DL) models, have provided new avenues for high-throughput phenotyping of crop traits with increased precision.

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Chemical compositions of crops are of great agronomical importance, as crops serve as resources for nutrition, energy, and medicines for human and livestock. For crop metabolomics research, the lack of crop reference metabolome and high-quality reference compound mass spectra, as well as utilities for metabolic profiling, has hindered the discovery and functional study of phytochemicals in crops. To meet these challenging needs, we have developed the Crop Metabolome database (abbreviated as CropMetabolome) that is dedicated to the construction of crop reference metabolome, repository, and dissemination of crop metabolomic data, and profiling and analytic tools for metabolomics research.

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Residual neural network genomic selection is the first GS algorithm to reach 35 layers, and its prediction accuracy surpasses previous algorithms. With the decrease in DNA sequencing costs and the development of deep learning, phenotype prediction accuracy by genomic selection (GS) continues to improve. Residual networks, a widely validated deep learning technique, are introduced to deep learning for GS.

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Isoflavones, the major secondary metabolites of interest due to their benefits to both human and plant health, are exclusively produced by legumes. In this study, we profiled the isoflavone content in dry seeds from 211 soybean [ (L.) Merr.

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The origin and functionality of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) remain poorly understood. Here, we show that multiple quantitative trait loci modulating distinct domestication traits in soybeans are pleiotropic effects of a locus composed of two tandem lncRNA genes. These lncRNA genes, each containing two inverted repeats, originating from coding sequences of the MYB genes, function in wild soybeans by generating clusters of small RNA (sRNA) species that inhibit the expression of their MYB gene relatives through post-transcriptional regulation.

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The style and stigma at the apical gynoecium are crucial for flowering plant reproduction. However, the mechanisms underlying specification of the apical gynoecium remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Class II TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) transcription factors are critical for apical gynoecium specification in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana).

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study identified 11 significant SNPs, 7 stable QTLs, and 20 candidate genes linked to branch number in soybean, which is crucial for yield since it affects pod and seed counts.
  • - An integrated approach combining genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with haplotype and candidate gene analyses was utilized across various soybean accessions to understand the genetics behind branch number.
  • - Six out of the seven stable QTLs identified were novel, and some candidate genes showed varying expression levels in different soybean cultivars, suggesting they may play a key role in regulating branch number, which can help improve breeding programs.
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The rate of soybean canopy establishment largely determines photoperiodic sensitivity, subsequently influencing yield potential. However, assessing the rate of soybean canopy development in large-scale field breeding trials is both laborious and time-consuming. High-throughput phenotyping methods based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems can be used to monitor and quantitatively describe the development of soybean canopies for different genotypes.

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MutL homolog 1 (MLH1), a member of the MutL homolog family, is required for normal recombination in most organisms. However, its role in soybean (Glycine max) remains unclear to date. Here, we characterized the Glycine max female and male sterility 1 (Gmfms1) mutation that reduces pollen grain viability and increases embryo sac abortion in soybean.

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Genomic prediction (GP) uses single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to establish associations between markers and phenotypes. Selection of early individuals by genomic estimated breeding value shortens the generation interval and speeds up the breeding process. Recently, methods based on deep learning (DL) have gained great attention in the field of GP.

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Plants are unique with tremendous chemical diversity and metabolic complexity, which is highlighted by estimates that green plants collectively produce metabolites numbering in the millions. Plant metabolites play crucial roles in all aspects of plant biology, like growth, development, stress responses, etc. However, the lack of a reference metabolome for plants, and paucity of high-quality standard compound spectral libraries and related analytical tools, have hindered the discovery and functional study of phytochemicals in plants.

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The nuclear pore complex (NPC) has multiple functions beyond the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of large molecules. Subnuclear compartmentalization of chromatin is critical for gene expression in animals and yeast. However, the mechanism by which the NPC regulates gene expression is poorly understood in plants.

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Plant height is a key agronomic trait that affects yield and is controlled by both phytohormone gibberellin (GA) and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation. However, whether and how plant height is modulated by UV-B-mediated changes in GA metabolism are not well understood. It has not been reported that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Anaphase Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) is involved in the regulation of plant growth in response to environmental factors.

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Article Synopsis
  • There is a pressing need for the rapid development of high-yield, stress-tolerant crops due to population growth and climate change challenges.
  • Traditional breeding methods are becoming less effective, but new techniques like genomics-assisted breeding and high-throughput phenomics can improve efficiency in crop development.
  • Combining artificial intelligence with speed breeding can address current obstacles in crop improvement, potentially revolutionizing breeding practices and enhancing food security.
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SYP71, a plant-specific Qc-SNARE with multiple subcellular localization, is essential for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in nodules in , and is implicated in plant resistance to pathogenesis in rice, wheat and soybean. SYP71 is proposed to participate in multiple membrane fusion steps during secretion. To date, the molecular mechanism underlying SYP71 regulation on plant development remains elusive.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study examines the genetic basis of plant height in diverse soybean populations using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and candidate gene analyses, focusing on natural genetic diversity's impact on crop improvement.
  • - Researchers identified 33 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to plant height across different environments, forming four quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosomes 2, 4, 6, and 19, which regulate variations in plant height.
  • - Additionally, four haplotype blocks were formed from these SNPs, with nine candidate genes identified that potentially control soybean plant height, highlighting the genetic mechanisms underlying desirable traits in agriculture.
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Article Synopsis
  • The gene is crucial for regulating class B genes and is essential for the development of inflorescence and flower primordia in soybeans.
  • Research involved gene cloning, expression analysis, and gene knockout studies to examine the role of these genes in floral organ development.
  • Findings indicated that certain knockout mutants had altered floral organ numbers and shapes, while others showed no significant changes, highlighting the regulatory role of these genes and their interactions in flower development.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on yellow-green variegation in soybean leaves, a trait that increases value in ornamental plants but reduces crop yields.
  • Researchers identified four mutants (Gmvar1 to Gmvar4) and found that a gene called GmCS1, which encodes a chorismate synthase, is responsible for this phenotype.
  • Supplying specific aromatic amino acids like Phenylalanine to the mutants can reverse the variegation, highlighting changes in metabolic processes and gene regulation in these plants.
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The new gene-editing technology CRISPR/Cas system has been widely used for genome engineering in various organisms. Since the CRISPR/Cas gene-editing system has a certain possibility of low efficiency and the whole plant transformation of soybean is time-consuming and laborious, it is important to evaluate the editing efficiency of designed CRISPR constructs before the stable whole plant transformation process starts. Here, we provide a modified protocol for generating transgenic hairy soybean roots to assess the efficiency of guide RNA (gRNA) sequences of the CRISPR/Cas constructs within 14 days.

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Soybean-seed development is controlled in multiple ways, as in many known regulating genes. Here, we identify a novel gene, (), involved in seed development, by analyzing a T-DNA mutant (). The mutant is a random mutant of the transgenic line, with phenotypes with small and brown seed coats.

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Five loci related to soybean protein and amino acid contents were colocated by performing linkage mapping and GWAS. The haplotype analysis showed that Glyma.08G109100 may be useful to improve the soybean seed composition.

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Root growth and development depend on continuous cell division and differentiation in root tips. In these processes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role as signaling molecules. However, few ROS signaling regulators have been identified.

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