Multi-layer molecular analysis reveals distinctive metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles of different sweet corn varieties.

In plants, sugar metabolism involves a complex interplay of genetic, molecular and environmental factors. To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes, we utilized a multi-layered approach that integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic datasets generated from multiple different varieties of sweet corn. Through this analysis, we found 2533 genes that were differentially expressed in the immature kernel tissues of sweet corn, including genes involved in transcriptional regulation, sugar metabolism, primary metabolism, and other processes associated with adaptability of sweet corn.

Non-CG DNA hypomethylation promotes photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation in soybean.

Non-CG DNA methylation, a plant-specific epigenetic mark mainly regulated by chromomethylase (CMT), is known to play important roles in . However, whether and to what extent non-CG DNA methylation modulates agronomic traits in crops remain to be explored. Here, we describe the consequences of non-CG DNA hypomethylation on development, seed composition, and yield in soybean ().

Deciphering physiological and transcriptional mechanisms of maize seed germination.

Maize is a valuable raw material for feed and food production. Healthy seed germination is important for improving the yield and quality of maize. Seed aging occurs relatively fast in crops and it is a process that delays germination as well as reduces its rate and even causes total loss of seed viability.

Nocturnal burst emissions of germacrene D from the open disk florets of pyrethrum flowers induce moths to oviposit on a nonhost and improve pollination success.

Recent studies show that nocturnal pollinators may be more important to ecosystem function and food production than is currently appreciated. Here, we describe an agricultural field study of pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium) flower pollination. Pyrethrum is genetically self-incompatible and thus is reliant on pollinators for seed set.

Identification of QTNs and Their Candidate Genes for Boll Number and Boll Weight in Upland Cotton.

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) has identified numerous significant loci for boll number (BN) and boll weight (BW), which play an essential role in cotton ( spp.) yield. The North Carolina design II (NC II) genetic mating population exhibits a greater number of genetic variations than other populations, which may facilitate the identification of additional genes.

Identification of candidate genes associated with double flowers via integrating BSA-seq and RNA-seq in Brassica napus.

As a Brassica crop, Brassica napus typically has single flowers that contain four petals. The double-flower phenotype of rapeseed has been a desirable trait in China because of its potential commercial value in ornamental tourism. However, few double-flowered germplasms have been documented in B.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of on Flixweed () in Northwestern China.

(Pb), a causal agent of blackleg of rapeseed, is composed of several subspecies, including 'australensis' (Pba), 'brassicae' (Pbb) and 'canadensis' (Pbc). Besides rapeseed, Pb can infect many wild cruciferous plants (WCPs), such as flixweed () and pennycress (), which may become the infection source for blackleg of rapeseed. However, Pb on WCPs has not been well investigated in China.

Characterization and Fungicide Sensitivity of Causing Gnomonia Leaf Blotch of Strawberry in the Carolinas.

Emerging fungal pathogens have always been an issue of concern in southeastern U.S. strawberry production.

Insecticidal activities of three recombinant venom proteins of the predatory stink bug, Arma custos.

Background: Widespread resistance of insect pests to insecticides and transgenic crops in the field is a significant challenge for sustainable agriculture, and calls for the development of novel alternative strategies to control insect pests. One potential resource for the discovery of novel insecticidal molecules is natural toxins, particularly those derived from the venoms of insect predators.

Results: In this study, we identified three insecticidal proteinaceous toxins from the venom glands (VGs) of the predatory stink bug, Arma custos (Hemiptera: Asopinae).

IHUP: An Integrated High-Throughput Universal Phenotyping Software Platform to Accelerate Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicle-Based Field Plant Phenotypic Data Extraction and Analysis.

With the threshold for crop growth data collection having been markedly decreased by sensor miniaturization and cost reduction, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based low-altitude remote sensing has shown remarkable advantages in field phenotyping experiments. However, the requirement of interdisciplinary knowledge and the complexity of the workflow have seriously hindered researchers from extracting plot-level phenotypic data from multisource and multitemporal UAV images. To address these challenges, we developed the Integrated High-Throughput Universal Phenotyping (IHUP) software as a data producer and study accelerator that included 4 functional modules: preprocessing, data extraction, data management, and data analysis.

Spiders manipulate and exploit bioluminescent signals of fireflies.

Predators often search for prey while moving through the environment, but there are important exceptions, including the way sedentary predators sometimes rely on signals for drawing prey to within striking distance. Some spiders, for instance, leave the remnants of previously-captured prey in their webs where they function as static lures that effectively attract a diverse array of additional prey. However, important questions remain concerning how specific the targeted prey may be and how dynamic, instead of static, signalling might be.

Binding characterization of odorant-binding protein BhorOBP29 in Batocera horsfieldi (Hope) with host-plant volatiles.

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in odorant discrimination and act as the first filter in the peripheral olfactory system. Previous studies have shown that BhorOBP29 is potentially involved in olfactory perception in an important wood-boring pest Batocera horsfieldi (Hope) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), however, its function remains unclear. Here, we investigated the ligand-binding profiles of recombinant BhorOBP29 with 22 compounds from its host plant using fluorescence competitive binding assays and fluorescence quenching assays.

Progresses in biosynthesis pathway, regulation mechanism and potential application of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in fragrant rice.

The formation of rice aroma is a complex process that is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. More than 500 fragrance compounds have been documented in fragrant rice, among which 2-AP dominates the aroma of rice. This paper introduced the identification of OsBadh2 in the biosynthesis of 2-AP in rice.

Date palm transcriptome analysis provides new insights on changes in response to high salt stress of colonized roots with the endophytic fungus .

Salinity is a significant threat that causes considerable yield losses in date palm. The root endophytic fungus has proven effective in providing salt stress tolerance to host plants. However, the underlying molecular mechanism facilitating the date palm's response to inoculation, and its involvement in the salt stress tolerance, remains unknown.

Differences in cooking taste and physicochemical properties between compound nutritional rice and common rice.

In this study, it was compared the physicochemical properties and cooking taste quality between four different types of compound nutritional rice (rice flour with the addition of other coarse grains, legumes, potatoes, and other powders, extruded as artificial rice grains) and common rice. We found that the protein and apparent amylose contents of compound nutritional rice were higher than that of common rice, up to 9.775% and 19.

The Physiological and Molecular Mechanisms of Exogenous Melatonin Promote the Seed Germination of Maize ( L.) under Salt Stress.

Salt stress caused by high concentrations of Na and Cl in soil is one of the most important abiotic stresses in agricultural production, which seriously affects grain yield. The alleviation of salt stress through the application of exogenous substances is important for grain production. Melatonin (MT, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an indole-like small molecule that can effectively alleviate the damage caused by adversity stress on crops.

Abscisic Acid Regulates the Occurrence and Recovery of the Striped Leaf Phenotype in Response to Lacking Light at the Base of Sheath in Rice by Modulating Carbohydrate Metabolism.

Rice B03S mutants with intermittent leaf discoloration were developed from the photoperiod- and thermosensitive genic male sterile (PTGMS) rice line Efeng 1S. After these plants were deeply transplanted, the new leaves manifested typical stripe patterns. In this study, deep and shallow transplantation of B03S was carried out, and aluminum shading was performed directly on the leaf sheath.

Ubiquitination and degradation of plant helper NLR by the Ralstonia solanacearum effector RipV2 overcome tomato bacterial wilt resistance.

The Ralstonia solanacearum species complex causes bacterial wilt in a variety of crops. Tomato cultivar Hawaii 7996 is a widely used resistance resource; however, the resistance is evaded by virulent strains, with the underlying mechanisms still unknown. Here, we report that the phylotype Ⅱ strain ES5-1 can overcome Hawaii 7996 resistance.

Balancing the benefits and risks of China's national salt iodization policy over 30 years using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Both insufficient and excessive iodine intake can lead to thyroid-related disorders. Although China has made progress in eliminating iodine deficiency over the past few decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing. Currently, there is a lack of relevant research on the tradeoff between the benefits and risks of salt iodization in China.