Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil and cash crop. Pod size is one of the major traits determining yield and commodity characteristic of peanut. Fine mapping of quantitative trait locus (QTL) and identification of candidate genes associated with pod size are essential for genetic improvement and molecular breeding of peanut varieties. In this study, a major QTL related to pod

Maize is one of the most important crops in the world. However, great yield losses have been caused by several major diseases worldwide, including southern leaf blight (SLB), northern leaf blight (NLB) and Fusarium stalk rot (FSR) (Mueller et al., 2020). Identification of resistance genes and cultivation of genetic materials conferring multiple disease resistance (MDR) is one of the most effective

Nuclear energy, already a practical solution for supplying energy on a scale similar to fossil fuels, will likely increase its footprint over the next several decades to meet current climate goals. Gamma radiation is produced during fission in existing nuclear reactors and thus the need to detect leakage from nuclear plants, and effects of such leakage on ecosystems will likely also increase. At present

In angiosperms, the timely delivery of sperm cell nuclei by pollen tube (PT) to the ovule is vital for double fertilization. Penetration of PT into maternal stigma tissue is a critical step for sperm cell nuclei delivery, yet little is known about the process. Here, a male-specific and sporophytic mutant xt6, where PTs are able to germinate but unable to penetrate the stigma tissue, is reported in

Seed development is important for grain yield and quality and finely controlled by complex regulatory networks involving various factors. Phytohormone gibberellin (GA) plays an essential role in late embryogenesis of Arabidopsis and GA metabolism and signalling-related genes are preferentially expressed in rice embryo. Considering the effect in promoting seed germination, how to ensure that GA will

In rice breeding, thermosensitive genic male sterility (TGMS) lines based on the tms5 locus have been extensively employed. Here, we reported a novel rice TGMS line ostms15 (Oryza sativa ssp. japonica ZH11) which show male sterility under high temperature and fertility under low temperature. Field evaluation from 2018 to 2021 revealed that its sterility under high temperature is more stable than that

In vivo haploid induction has been extended from maize to monocotyledonous plants like rice, wheat, millet and dicotyledonous plants such as tomato, rapeseed, tobacco and cabbage. Accurate identification of haploids is a crucial step of doubled haploid technology, where a useful identification marker is very pivotal. R1-nj is an extensively used visual marker for haploid identification in maize. RFP

Photoperiod-mediated flowering determines the phenological adaptability of crops including soybean (Glycine max). A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified a new flowering time locus, Time of flowering 13 (Tof13), which defined a gene encoding an AP2/ERF transcription factor. This new transcription factor, which we named TOE4b, is localized in the nucleus. TOE4b has been selected for soybean

Heterosis refers to the better performance of cross progeny compared with inbred parents, and its utilization contributes greatly to agricultural production. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain heterosis mainly including dominance, over-dominance (or pseudo-overdominance) and epistasis. However, systematic dissection and verification of these hypotheses are rarely documented. Here, comparison

Citrate is a common primary metabolite which often characterizes fruit flavour. The key regulators of citrate accumulation in fruit and vegetables are poorly understood. We systematically analysed the dynamic profiles of organic acid components during the development of kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.). Citrate continuously accumulated so that it became the predominate contributor to total acidity at harvest

Traditional rice blast resistance breeding largely depends on utilizing typical resistance (R) genes. However, the lack of durable R genes has prompted rice breeders to find new resistance resources. Susceptibility (S) genes are potential new targets for resistance genetic engineering using genome-editing technologies, but identifying them is still challenging. Here, through the integration of genome-wide

The fungal bioluminescence pathway (FBP) was identified from glowing fungi, which releases self-sustained visible green luminescence. However, weak bioluminescence limits the potential application of the bioluminescence system. Here, we screened and characterized a C3′H1 (4-coumaroyl shikimate/quinate 3′-hydroxylase) gene from Brassica napus, which efficiently converts p-coumaroyl shikimate to caffeic

Polyploidy confers a selective advantage under stress conditions; however, whether polyploidization mediates enhanced herbicide adaptation remains largely unknown. Tetraploid Leptochloa chinensis is a notorious weed in the rice ecosystem, causing severe yield loss in rice. In China, L. chinensis has only one sister species, the diploid L. panicea, whose damage is rarely reported. To gain insights into

Plant hormones are the intrinsic factors that control plant development. The integration of different phytohormone pathways in a complex network of synergistic, antagonistic and additive interactions has been elucidated in model plants. However, the systemic level of transcriptional responses to hormone crosstalk in Brassica napus is largely unknown. Here, we present an in-depth temporal-resolution

RAD23 (RADIATION SENSITIVE23) proteins are a group of UBL-UBA (ubiquitin-like-ubiquitin-associated) proteins that shuttle ubiquitylated proteins to the 26S proteasome for breakdown. Drought stress is a major environmental constraint that limits plant growth and production, but whether RAD23 proteins are involved in this process is unclear. Here, we demonstrated that a shuttle protein, MdRAD23D1, mediated

Using genetic resistance against bacterial blight (BB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar oryzae (Xoo) is a major objective in rice breeding programmes. Prime editing (PE) has the potential to create novel germplasm against Xoo. Here, we use an improved prime-editing system to implement two new strategies for BB resistance. Knock-in of TAL effector binding elements (EBE) derived from the BB susceptible

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) is an economically important ornamental crop worldwide. This typical obligate short-day (SD) herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (Compositae) family is a useful model for studying the photoperiodic control of flowering. However, the complex, heterozygous chrysanthemum genome and the self-incompatibility of this species have hindered basic and applied

The conventional starch from cereals is usually high in energy and easily digested, absorbed and converted into blood sugar in human small intestine, while resistant starch (RS) is hardly enzymatically hydrolysed into glucose in human small intestine and only fermented into beneficial short-chain fatty acids in large intestine (Jukanti et al., 2020; Shen et al., 2022). Thus, RS-rich foods can not only

Pummelo (Citrus maxima or Citrus grandis) is a basic species and an important type for breeding in Citrus. Pummelo is used not only for fresh consumption but also for medicinal purposes. However, the molecular basis of medicinal traits is unclear. Here, compared with wild citrus species/Citrus-related genera, the content of 43 bioactive metabolites and their derivatives increased in the pummelo. Furthermore

Ubc13 is required for Lys63-linked polyubiquitination and innate immune responses in mammals, but its functions in plant immunity still remain largely unknown. Here, we used molecular biological, pathological, biochemical, and genetic approaches to evaluate the roles of rice OsUbc13 in response to pathogens. The OsUbc13-RNA interference (RNAi) lines with lesion mimic phenotypes displayed a significant

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is a serious disease in rice (Oryzae sativa L.) worldwide. Because the pathogen mutates rapidly, rice blast has become one of the major threats for global rice production (Wang and Valent, 2017). Using host resistance is the most effective method for blast control. However most rice resistance genes are race-specific (Li et al., 2017). Discovering race non-specific

Soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) are critical resources for vegetable oil production for human and animal consumption as well as biofuel synthesis. Soybean oils are primarily composed of triacylglycerols (TAGs) with a certain mixture of fatty acid moieties. In general, the composition is approximately 62% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), 23% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and 15% saturated

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are infamous plant pathogens in tomato production, causing considerable losses in agriculture worldwide. Mi-1 is the only commercially available RKN-resistance gene; however, the resistance is inactivated when the soil temperature is over 28 °C. Mi-9 in wild tomato (Solanum arcanum LA2157) has stable resistance to RKNs under high temperature but has not been cloned and applied

Existing CRISPR/Cas12a-based diagnostic platforms offer accurate and vigorous monitoring of nucleic acid targets, but have the potential to be further optimized for more efficient detection. Here, we profiled 16 Cas12a orthologs, focusing on their trans-cleavage activity and their potential as diagnostic enzymes. We observed the Mb2Cas12a has more robust trans-cleavage activity than other orthologs

Domestication and improvement have led to dramatic changes in the plant architecture and inflorescence in maize. These transformations were achieved by selecting desirable alleles for target traits to meet human needs and local environment adaptation, such as grain yield and flowering time (Doebley et al., 2006). Indeed, the selection of KRN2 and KRN4 genes contributed to the enlargement of ear size

The tapetum is a special tissue within the stamen that supplies nutrients to support microspore differentiation. Many genes have been identified to function in tapetum differentiation (Astrand et al., 2021). Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH) is a type of cysteine protease involved in protein deubiquitination process (Mevissen and Komander, 2017) and plays roles in gonadal transformation and spermatogenesis

High-temperature (HT) stress at flowering stage causes significant damage to soybean, including pollen abortion and fertilization failure, but few genes involved in male fertility regulation under HT stress in soybean have been characterized. Here, we demonstrated that miR156b–GmSPL2b module involved in male fertility regulation of soybean cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS)-based restorer line under

Previous work has demonstrated that plants can be used as production platforms for molecules used in health, medicine, and agriculture. Production has been exemplified in both stable transgenic plants and using transient expression strategies. In particular, species of Nicotiana have been engineered to produce a range of useful molecules, including insect sex pheromones, which are valued for species-specific

In the article “Genetic variation in CaTIFY4b contributes to drought adaptation in chickpea” by Barmukh et al. (2022), the authors wish to add a double affiliation to co-author Jana Kholova, and insert an additional funding grant in the Acknowledgements section. The affiliation of Jana Kholova is as follows: 1Crops Physiology & Modeling, Accelerated Crop Improvement Research Theme, International Crops

Stone cells are often present in pear fruit, and they can seriously affect the fruit quality when present in large numbers. The plant growth regulator NAA, a synthetic auxin, is known to play an active role in fruit development regulation. However, the genetic mechanisms of NAA regulation of stone cell formation are still unclear. Here, we demonstrated that exogenous application of 200 μM NAA reduced

Phytophthora species are the most destructive plant pathogens worldwide and the main threat to agricultural and natural ecosystems; however, their pathogenic mechanism remains largely unknown. Here, we show that Avh113 effector is required for the virulence of Phytophthora sojae and is important for development of Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRSR) in soybean (Glycine max). Ectopic expression of

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family that is widely cultivated as a forage crop for its high yield, forage quality and related agricultural and economic benefits. Alfalfa is a photoperiod sensitive long-day (LD) plant that can accomplish its vegetative and reproductive phases in a short period of time. However, rapid flowering can compromise forage biomass

Rice, an important food crop consumed by more than half of the world's population, is also a tradeable commodity. The appearance quality of rice, characterized by grain shape, chalkiness, transparency and colour, greatly influences its commercial value. Generally, varieties with slender grains are associated with good appearance quality (Zhao et al., 2022). Several quantitative trait loci (QTL) for

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus, 2n = 2x = 22) is an economically important Cucurbitaceae species that is widely cultivated worldwide. Commercial watermelon cultivars are usually F1 hybrids due to harness heterosis, which used pure lines as parents. However, obtaining pure inbred lines requires at least eight generations of self-pollinating, which is time-consuming, resource-intensive and cost-prohibitive

Vigna unguiculata is an important legume crop worldwide. The subsp. sesquipedalis and unguiculata are the two major types grown; the former is mainly grown in Asia to produce fresh pods, while the latter is mainly grown in Africa to produce seeds. Here, a chromosome-scale genome for subsp. sesquipedalis was generated by combining high-fidelity (HiFi) long-read sequencing with high-throughput chromosome

Brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens), a highly destructive insect pest, poses a serious threat to rice (Oryza sativa) production worldwide. Jasmonates are key phytohormones that regulate plant defences against BPH; however, the molecular link between jasmonates and BPH responses in rice remains largely unknown. Here, we discovered a Poaceae-specific metabolite, mixed-linkage β-1,3;1,4-d-glucan

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal modification present in mRNAs, and is considered to participate in a range of developmental and biological processes. Drought response is highly regulated at the genomic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. However, the biological function and regulatory mechanism of m6A modification in the drought stress response is still poorly

As a finite and non-renewable resource, phosphorus (P) is essential to all life and crucial for crop growth and food production. The boosted agricultural use and associated loss of P to the aquatic environment are increasing environmental pollution, harming ecosystems, and threatening future global food security. Thus, recovering and reusing P from water bodies is urgently needed to close the P cycle

Nonhost resistance (NHR) is a robust plant immune response against non-adapted pathogens. A number of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins that recognize non-adapted pathogens have been identified, although the underlying molecular mechanisms driving robustness of NHR are still unknown. Here, we screened 57 effectors of the potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans in nonhost

Nicotiana benthamiana is increasingly used for transient gene expression to produce antibodies, vaccines, and other pharmaceutical proteins but transient gene expression is low in fully developed, 6–8-week old plants. This low gene expression is thought to be caused by the perception of the cold shock protein (CSP) of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The CSP receptor is contested because both NbCSPR and

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a leading economic crop that is grown in more than 50 countries. The cottonseeds, once regarded as the by-product of fibre production, contain a rich supply of unsaturated fatty acids, proteins and vitamins. To date, the annual production of cottonseeds has the potential to meet the protein requirements for 550 million people globally, which shows great potential as a food

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have achieved huge clinical success. However, many still have limited response rates, and are prohibitively costly. There is a need for effective and affordable ICIs, as well as local manufacturing capacity to improve accessibility, especially to low-to-middle income countries (LMICs). Here, we have successfully expressed three key ICIs (anti-PD-1 Nivolumab, anti-NKG2A

Rapid adaptation of weeds to herbicide applications in agriculture through resistance development is a widespread phenomenon. In particular, the grass Alopecurus myosuroides is an extremely problematic weed in cereal crops with the potential to manifest resistance in only a few generations. Target-site resistances (TSRs), with their strong phenotypic response, play an important role in this rapid adaptive

Sorghum is one of the most important crops providing food and feed in many of the world's harsher environments. Sorghum utilizes the C4 pathway of photosynthesis in which a biochemical carbon-concentrating mechanism results in high CO2 assimilation rates. Overexpressing the Rieske FeS subunit of the Cytochrome b6f complex was previously shown to increase the rate of photosynthetic electron transport

Starch biosynthesis in gravity-sensing tissues of rice shoot determines the magnitude of rice shoot gravitropism and thus tiller angle. However, the molecular mechanism underlying starch biosynthesis in rice gravity-sensing tissues is still unclear. We characterized a novel tiller angle gene LAZY3 (LA3) in rice through map-based cloning. Biochemical, molecular and genetic studies further demonstrated

In contrast to CUT&Tag approaches for profiling bulk histone modifications, current CUT&Tag methods for analysing specific transcription factor (TF)-DNA interactions remain technically challenging due to TFs having relatively low abundance. Moreover, an efficient CUT&Tag strategy for plant TFs is not yet available. Here, we first applied biotinylated Tn5 transposase-mediated CUT&Tag (B-CUT&Tag) to

The recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has taught the world a costly lesson about the devastating consequences of viral disease outbreaks but also, the remarkable impact of vaccination in limiting life and economic losses. Vaccination against human Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), a major human pathogen affecting 290 million people worldwide, remains a key action towards viral hepatitis elimination by 2030. To meet

Plant lipids have essential biological roles in plant development and stress responses through their functions in cell membrane formation, energy storage and signalling. Vegetable oil, which is composed mainly of the storage lipid triacylglycerol, also has important applications in food, biofuel and oleochemical industries. Lipid biosynthesis occurs in multiple subcellular compartments and involves

We reported in this journal in 2021 the generation of wheat genotypes in which the asparagine synthetase gene, TaASN2, had been ‘knocked out’ using CRISPR-Cas9 (Raffan et al., 2021). The editing had been achieved by introducing genes encoding the Cas9 nuclease, four guide RNAs (gRNAs) and a Bar marker gene into wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Cadenza. Here we report the results of a field trial of Line

Grain size and filling are two key determinants of grain thousand-kernel weight (TKW) and crop yield, therefore they have undergone strong selection since cereal was domesticated. Genetic dissection of the two traits will improve yield potential in crops. A quantitative trait locus significantly associated with wheat grain TKW was detected on chromosome 7AS flanked by a simple sequence repeat marker

Flavonoids have a major contribution to the fruit quality in cultivated strawberries and are regulated by MYB, bHLH and WD40 transcriptional factors. We reported here the identification of the FaMYB5, an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, which positively regulated the accumulation of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins through the trans-activation of the F3'H and LAR. The strawberry FaEGL3 and FaLWD1/FaLWD1-like

Most of the 41 approved COVID-19 vaccines and ~220 candidates currently undergoing clinical testing (Basta and Moodie, 2020) are designed around the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein or the receptor-binding domain (RBD) within it, which facilitates virus uptake by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the cell surface. The S protein/RBD is also used as a component of diagnostic kits for the

Landraces, that is, traditional varieties, have a large diversity that is underexploited in modern breeding. A novel DNA pooling strategy was implemented to identify promising landraces and genomic regions to enlarge the genetic diversity of modern varieties. As proof of concept, DNA pools from 156 American and European maize landraces representing 2340 individuals were genotyped with an SNP array

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the devastating diseases for wheat production worldwide, which causes significant yield losses and reduces grain quality because of mycotoxins contamination in wheat grains. As wheat relatives, Thinopyrum elongatum and Th. ponticum are important genetic resources that can be used to improve wheat FHB resistance. Using recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross

FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), a florigen in Arabidopsis, plays critical roles in floral transition. Among 13 FT-like members in rice, OsFTL2 (Hd3a) and OsFTL3 (RFT1), two rice homologues of FT, have been well characterized to act as florigens to induce flowering under short-day (SD) and long-day (LD) conditions, respectively, but the functions of other rice FT-like members remain largely unclear. Here, we