Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze exhibits severely restricted growth at low temperatures, resulting in reduced tea leaf yield and quality. BRI1-EMS-suppressor (BES) transcription factors, as key components of the brassinosteroids (BR) signaling pathway, are highly homologous to BZR and jointly regulate plants’ adaptation to environmental stress. In this study, the CsBES1–14 gene was successfully cloned and identified from the transcriptome database of tea plant. Biochemical analyses identified CsBES1–14 as a nuclear localized transcriptional activator, and BR and low temperature induced its expression. A. thaliana plants overexpressing CsBES1–14 exhibited increased chilling tolerance by promoting root growth and increasing the expression of cold responsive genes. Conversely, the suppression of CsBES1–14 through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in tea plant notably impaired cold tolerance. Transcription Factor-centered Yeast One-Hybrid screening identified CsCOR413 as a downstream target, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed the direct binding of CsBES1–14 to specific cis-elements in the CsCOR413 promoter. Exogenous application of brassinazole (BRZ) and VIGS silencing experiments verified that the ICE-CBF cold response pathway could regulate the low temperature regulated protein CsCOR413. In summary, these findings elucidate that CsCOR413 expression is modulated not only by the classic ICE-CBF signaling pathway but also directly regulated by CsBES1–14. These findings outline the key components of the cold resistance network in tea plant and provide novel molecular targets for genetic improvement strategies in perennial crops.
{"title":"The CsBES1–14-CsCOR413 module mediated by brassinolide positively regulates cold resistance in tea plant","authors":"Chao Wang, Jinyu Yang, Yichen Zhao, De-Gang Zhao","doi":"10.1093/hr/uhag098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhag098","url":null,"abstract":"Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze exhibits severely restricted growth at low temperatures, resulting in reduced tea leaf yield and quality. BRI1-EMS-suppressor (BES) transcription factors, as key components of the brassinosteroids (BR) signaling pathway, are highly homologous to BZR and jointly regulate plants’ adaptation to environmental stress. In this study, the CsBES1–14 gene was successfully cloned and identified from the transcriptome database of tea plant. Biochemical analyses identified CsBES1–14 as a nuclear localized transcriptional activator, and BR and low temperature induced its expression. A. thaliana plants overexpressing CsBES1–14 exhibited increased chilling tolerance by promoting root growth and increasing the expression of cold responsive genes. Conversely, the suppression of CsBES1–14 through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in tea plant notably impaired cold tolerance. Transcription Factor-centered Yeast One-Hybrid screening identified CsCOR413 as a downstream target, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed the direct binding of CsBES1–14 to specific cis-elements in the CsCOR413 promoter. Exogenous application of brassinazole (BRZ) and VIGS silencing experiments verified that the ICE-CBF cold response pathway could regulate the low temperature regulated protein CsCOR413. In summary, these findings elucidate that CsCOR413 expression is modulated not only by the classic ICE-CBF signaling pathway but also directly regulated by CsBES1–14. These findings outline the key components of the cold resistance network in tea plant and provide novel molecular targets for genetic improvement strategies in perennial crops.","PeriodicalId":13179,"journal":{"name":"Horticulture Research","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147447662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alkaline salt stress is a key environmental factor restricting the sustainable development of the apple industry, significantly affecting the yield and quality of apple. In recent years, strigolactone (SLs) has been proven to play a central regulatory role in plant stress responses. However, its role and mechanism under alkaline salt stress remain unknown. Based on this, we found that exogenous application of the SL analog GR245DS can significantly enhance the adaptability of apple to alkaline salt stress. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis identified the key transcription factor MdbHLH1, whose expression was strongly induced by alkaline salt stress. Overexpression of MdbHLH1 conferred a salt-alkali tolerant phenotype. Further investigation demonstrated that MdbHLH1 directly binds to and activates the promoter of MdAT1 (Alkali Tolerance 1), a crucial alkali-tolerance gene. The MdbHLH1-MdAT1 module enhances alkaline salt stress resistance by promoting hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) efflux and alleviating oxidative damage. More in-depth studies revealed that MdbHLH1 interacts with MdD53 (MdDWARF53), a repressor in the SL signaling pathway. SL signaling induces ubiquitination and degradation of MdD53, thereby releasing MdbHLH1 to activate MdAT1 expression and ultimately improving alkaline stress tolerance in apple. This study elucidates a key SL-MdD53-MdbHLH1-MdAT1 regulatory pathway that enhances saline-alkali tolerance in apple by mitigating oxidative stress, thereby providing mechanistic insights into apple’s adaptation to saline-alkali environments.
{"title":"The SL-MdDWARF53-MdbHLH1 module regulates MdAT1 -mediated redox homeostasis and alkaline salt tolerance mechanism in apple","authors":"Xiaomin Zhu, Yuqing Zhu, Xiaoyu Zhou, Yong Zhang, Chanyu Wang, Shaoxuan Li, Zhijuan Sun, Qiang Zhao, Xiaodong Zheng, Caihong Wang, Yike Tian","doi":"10.1093/hr/uhag089","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhag089","url":null,"abstract":"Alkaline salt stress is a key environmental factor restricting the sustainable development of the apple industry, significantly affecting the yield and quality of apple. In recent years, strigolactone (SLs) has been proven to play a central regulatory role in plant stress responses. However, its role and mechanism under alkaline salt stress remain unknown. Based on this, we found that exogenous application of the SL analog GR245DS can significantly enhance the adaptability of apple to alkaline salt stress. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis identified the key transcription factor MdbHLH1, whose expression was strongly induced by alkaline salt stress. Overexpression of MdbHLH1 conferred a salt-alkali tolerant phenotype. Further investigation demonstrated that MdbHLH1 directly binds to and activates the promoter of MdAT1 (Alkali Tolerance 1), a crucial alkali-tolerance gene. The MdbHLH1-MdAT1 module enhances alkaline salt stress resistance by promoting hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) efflux and alleviating oxidative damage. More in-depth studies revealed that MdbHLH1 interacts with MdD53 (MdDWARF53), a repressor in the SL signaling pathway. SL signaling induces ubiquitination and degradation of MdD53, thereby releasing MdbHLH1 to activate MdAT1 expression and ultimately improving alkaline stress tolerance in apple. This study elucidates a key SL-MdD53-MdbHLH1-MdAT1 regulatory pathway that enhances saline-alkali tolerance in apple by mitigating oxidative stress, thereby providing mechanistic insights into apple’s adaptation to saline-alkali environments.","PeriodicalId":13179,"journal":{"name":"Horticulture Research","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147440230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The recent Science study by Ma et al. (2026) marks a milestone in plant genomics, delivering the first telomere-to-telomere (T2T) gapless pan-genome of Brassica rapa. By integrating 11 complete assemblies with resequencing data from 1720 accessions, the work reveals how centromeric satellite dynamics and structural variants (SVs) orchestrate rapid subspeciation and agronomic diversification. This tour de force not only resolves the ‘dark matter’ of the genome but also functionally links complex variation to key traits like heading and vernalization response. However, to fully honor this achievement, its insights must be translated into breeding practice. Here, we outline a concise roadmap—centered on easily accessible annotation, unbiased pan-genome analysis, and high-throughput phenomics—to ensure this genomic masterpiece delivers tangible benefits from the lab to the field.
Ma et al.（2026）最近的科学研究标志着植物基因组学的一个里程碑，提供了芸苔（Brassica rapa）的第一个端粒到端粒（T2T）无间隙泛基因组。通过整合11个完整的序列和来自1720个物种的重测序数据，这项工作揭示了着丝粒卫星动力学和结构变异（SVs）如何协调快速的亚种形成和农艺多样化。这一杰作不仅解决了基因组的“暗物质”问题，而且在功能上将复杂的变异与抽头和春化反应等关键性状联系起来。然而，为了充分尊重这一成就，必须将其见解转化为育种实践。在这里，我们概述了一个简明的路线图，以易于访问的注释为中心，无偏倚的泛基因组分析和高通量表型，以确保这个基因组杰作从实验室到现场提供切实的好处。
{"title":"From Gapless Pan-genomes to Field Impact: A Functional Roadmap for Accelerating Brassica rapa Breeding","authors":"Xu Cai, Jian Wu, Xiaowu Wang","doi":"10.1093/hr/uhag094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhag094","url":null,"abstract":"The recent Science study by Ma et al. (2026) marks a milestone in plant genomics, delivering the first telomere-to-telomere (T2T) gapless pan-genome of Brassica rapa. By integrating 11 complete assemblies with resequencing data from 1720 accessions, the work reveals how centromeric satellite dynamics and structural variants (SVs) orchestrate rapid subspeciation and agronomic diversification. This tour de force not only resolves the ‘dark matter’ of the genome but also functionally links complex variation to key traits like heading and vernalization response. However, to fully honor this achievement, its insights must be translated into breeding practice. Here, we outline a concise roadmap—centered on easily accessible annotation, unbiased pan-genome analysis, and high-throughput phenomics—to ensure this genomic masterpiece delivers tangible benefits from the lab to the field.","PeriodicalId":13179,"journal":{"name":"Horticulture Research","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147439741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Apple sweetness is primarily attributed to the high content and perceived sweet taste of fructose. A previous study used an F1 hybrid population of Malus × domestica [‘Honeycrisp’ (HC) × ‘Qinguan’ (QG) (2n = 34)] to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fructose content in fruit, revealing a stable QTL on linkage group (LG) 03 in the HC genetic map. In this study, gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analyses of genes within this interval in combination with RNA-sequencing identified a cell wall invertase gene MdCWINV1, whose expression was highly associated with the dynamic changes in fructose content in parental fruits. The coding sequences were conserved between the two cultivars, while the promoters carried 73 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Based on transcriptional regulatory element prediction, a unique SNP, CWINV1pro-1080 (A/C), located at −1080 bp upstream of the ATG start codon in the HC-P1 haplotype, was identified and predicted to affect the binding of the transcription factor MdWRKY20. β-glucuronidase (GUS) assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ChIP-qPCR), dual-luciferase assays, and genetic transformation confirmed that MdWRKY20 specifically binds to the CWINV1pro-1080 (A) haplotype and significantly suppresses MdCWINV1 expression, reduces CWINV activity, and consequently decreases fructose accumulation. This study elucidated the functional role of MdCWINV1 as a key gene regulating fructose content and clarified how natural mutations in its promoter influence gene expression and sugar composition.
{"title":"Promoter variation affects binding affinity of the transcription factor MdWRKY20 to the Cell Wall Invertase 1 gene and decreases fructose content in apple fruit","authors":"Zhengyang Wang, Chunlei Zhang, Nanxiang Yang, Jian Huang, Fengwang Ma, Mingjun Li","doi":"10.1093/hr/uhaf330","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhaf330","url":null,"abstract":"Apple sweetness is primarily attributed to the high content and perceived sweet taste of fructose. A previous study used an F1 hybrid population of Malus × domestica [‘Honeycrisp’ (HC) × ‘Qinguan’ (QG) (2n = 34)] to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fructose content in fruit, revealing a stable QTL on linkage group (LG) 03 in the HC genetic map. In this study, gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analyses of genes within this interval in combination with RNA-sequencing identified a cell wall invertase gene MdCWINV1, whose expression was highly associated with the dynamic changes in fructose content in parental fruits. The coding sequences were conserved between the two cultivars, while the promoters carried 73 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Based on transcriptional regulatory element prediction, a unique SNP, CWINV1pro-1080 (A/C), located at −1080 bp upstream of the ATG start codon in the HC-P1 haplotype, was identified and predicted to affect the binding of the transcription factor MdWRKY20. β-glucuronidase (GUS) assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ChIP-qPCR), dual-luciferase assays, and genetic transformation confirmed that MdWRKY20 specifically binds to the CWINV1pro-1080 (A) haplotype and significantly suppresses MdCWINV1 expression, reduces CWINV activity, and consequently decreases fructose accumulation. This study elucidated the functional role of MdCWINV1 as a key gene regulating fructose content and clarified how natural mutations in its promoter influence gene expression and sugar composition.","PeriodicalId":13179,"journal":{"name":"Horticulture Research","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147374086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Salt stress, with Na+ being the most dominant harmful ion, is a significant environmental constraint on crop growth and yield worldwide. The plant Bile Acid Sodium Symporter (BASS) family encodes a class of sodium/solute symporters found on the chloroplast envelope. However, the role of BASS family members in tomato salt stress response is uncertain. We found SlBASS4, a chloroplast envelope-located transporter in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and explored its role in salt stress response. High salinity activated the SlBASS4 gene, which in turn positively regulated tomato salt tolerance. Under salt stress, SlBASS4 overexpression (OE) lines outperformed wild-type (WT) plants, with increased fresh weight, more chlorophyll and osmolyte, improved antioxidative enzyme activity, and lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In contrast, the performance of RNAi lines of SlBASS4 was the inverse. Following salt treatment, the chloroplasts of OE lines collected less Na+, protecting the photosynthetic apparatus from Na+ toxicity, but the photosynthetic apparatus of RNAi lines was damaged due to excess Na+. The western blot results indicated that SlBASS4 may sustain the content of D1 protein levels during salt stress. Furthermore, SlBASS4 upregulated the expression of genes encoding sodium–potassium ion transporters. In conclusion, SlBASS4 positively regulates salt tolerance in tomatoes via modulating ion homeostasis, accumulating osmolyte, and scavenging ROS.
{"title":"The bile acid sodium symporter SlBASS4 enhances tomato salt tolerance","authors":"Nana Ma, Xin Xin, Guanlong Zhu, Tiantian Wang, Yaqiao Liu, Kunyang Zhuang, Wei Lv","doi":"10.1093/hr/uhaf325","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhaf325","url":null,"abstract":"Salt stress, with Na+ being the most dominant harmful ion, is a significant environmental constraint on crop growth and yield worldwide. The plant Bile Acid Sodium Symporter (BASS) family encodes a class of sodium/solute symporters found on the chloroplast envelope. However, the role of BASS family members in tomato salt stress response is uncertain. We found SlBASS4, a chloroplast envelope-located transporter in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and explored its role in salt stress response. High salinity activated the SlBASS4 gene, which in turn positively regulated tomato salt tolerance. Under salt stress, SlBASS4 overexpression (OE) lines outperformed wild-type (WT) plants, with increased fresh weight, more chlorophyll and osmolyte, improved antioxidative enzyme activity, and lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In contrast, the performance of RNAi lines of SlBASS4 was the inverse. Following salt treatment, the chloroplasts of OE lines collected less Na+, protecting the photosynthetic apparatus from Na+ toxicity, but the photosynthetic apparatus of RNAi lines was damaged due to excess Na+. The western blot results indicated that SlBASS4 may sustain the content of D1 protein levels during salt stress. Furthermore, SlBASS4 upregulated the expression of genes encoding sodium–potassium ion transporters. In conclusion, SlBASS4 positively regulates salt tolerance in tomatoes via modulating ion homeostasis, accumulating osmolyte, and scavenging ROS.","PeriodicalId":13179,"journal":{"name":"Horticulture Research","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147374087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global warming is increasing the frequency of heat stress, a major abiotic constraint on crop growth and productivity. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a novel gasotransmitter, has been reported to enhance crops’ heat tolerance, yet its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we provide genetic evidence confirming that L-cysteine desulfhydrase (SlLCD1, Solyc01g068160) was the enzymatic source of endogenous H2S in tomato heat adaptation. Dual activation of H2S signaling through both SlLCD1 overexpression and exogenous application enhanced tomato heat tolerance. Conversely, CRISPR/Cas9-generated SlLCD1 mutants (cr-sllcd1), deficient in heat-induced H2S production, displayed heightened heat sensitivity with accelerated wilting and increased oxidative damage, which was rescued by exogenous H2S application. Compared to wild-type plants, the mutants showed a compromised heat-induced increase in antioxidant enzyme activities and levels. This defect, along with the concomitant ROS accumulation and oxidative damage, was reversed by H2S pretreatment, underscoring the critical role of the SlLCD1-H2S module in maintaining ROS homeostasis during heat adaptation. Additionally, cr-sllcd1 mutants exhibited attenuated heat-induced stomatal closure and increased stomatal density. H2S pretreatment rescued both of these defects, thereby optimizing the trade-off among transpirational cooling, water conservation, and photosynthetic efficiency. Overall, the SlLCD1-H2S module confers heat tolerance by a dual mechanism, coordinately enhancing antioxidant capacity and fine-tuning stomatal dynamics. Our study elucidates an important component of the H2S signaling pathway in plant heat tolerance and offers a promising tractable target for developing heat-tolerant tomato cultivars.
{"title":"H2S generated by L-cysteine desulfhydrase (SlLCD1) enhances heat tolerance in tomato via antioxidant capacity and stomatal modulation","authors":"Huihui Fang, Xiaofang Zhang, Yunfei Xu, Wenjia Chen, Kaixin Zheng, Weiling Zhao, Yijie Zang, Yunxiang Zang","doi":"10.1093/hr/uhag090","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhag090","url":null,"abstract":"Global warming is increasing the frequency of heat stress, a major abiotic constraint on crop growth and productivity. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a novel gasotransmitter, has been reported to enhance crops’ heat tolerance, yet its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we provide genetic evidence confirming that L-cysteine desulfhydrase (SlLCD1, Solyc01g068160) was the enzymatic source of endogenous H2S in tomato heat adaptation. Dual activation of H2S signaling through both SlLCD1 overexpression and exogenous application enhanced tomato heat tolerance. Conversely, CRISPR/Cas9-generated SlLCD1 mutants (cr-sllcd1), deficient in heat-induced H2S production, displayed heightened heat sensitivity with accelerated wilting and increased oxidative damage, which was rescued by exogenous H2S application. Compared to wild-type plants, the mutants showed a compromised heat-induced increase in antioxidant enzyme activities and levels. This defect, along with the concomitant ROS accumulation and oxidative damage, was reversed by H2S pretreatment, underscoring the critical role of the SlLCD1-H2S module in maintaining ROS homeostasis during heat adaptation. Additionally, cr-sllcd1 mutants exhibited attenuated heat-induced stomatal closure and increased stomatal density. H2S pretreatment rescued both of these defects, thereby optimizing the trade-off among transpirational cooling, water conservation, and photosynthetic efficiency. Overall, the SlLCD1-H2S module confers heat tolerance by a dual mechanism, coordinately enhancing antioxidant capacity and fine-tuning stomatal dynamics. Our study elucidates an important component of the H2S signaling pathway in plant heat tolerance and offers a promising tractable target for developing heat-tolerant tomato cultivars.","PeriodicalId":13179,"journal":{"name":"Horticulture Research","volume":"70 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147380648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Volatile terpenes constitute a predominant class of floral scent emitted by Paeonia lactiflora. Despite their ecological and economical significance, the genetic blueprint of the underlying biosynthetic pathway remains poorly elucidated. Although a few terpene synthase (TPS) genes have been reported, the broader network of genes orchestrating terpene production in P. lactiflora is still largely unresolved. In this study, we attempted to address this gap by exploring the terpene biosynthetic pathway genes in P. lactiflora ‘Zifengyu’. β-caryophyllene, geraniol, citronellol and 1, 8-cineole were identified as the dominant floral terpenes, and catalytic functions of key proteins- terpene synthase (PlTPS), Nudix hydrolase (PlNUDX) and prenyltransferase (PlPT) were comprehensively characterized. Briefly, biochemical analyses revealed that six of the nine identified PlTPS proteins utilized diverse prenyl diphosphates to generate both monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, while their products specificity were determined by plastidic or cytosolic localizations in planta. In particular, PlTPS4, PlTPS5 and PlTPS9 catalyzed the production of β-caryophyllene, 1, 8-cineole and geraniol, respectively. Besides, two amino acid residues were found to drive catalytic activity and product profiles in PlTPS4 and PlTPS5. Markedly, PlNUDX hydrolyzed GPP and NPP to yield geraniol and nerol thereby providing a plastid-independent pathway for monoterpene biosynthesis, and prenyltransferases were further functionally characterized to clarify the supply of prenyl diphosphates feeding into volatile terpenes. Collectively, these findings not only provide a mechanistic framework for understanding floral terpene biosynthesis in P. lactiflora but also reveal alternative metabolic routes that enrich its volatile profiles which could be utilized in scent improvement of ornamental plants.
{"title":"Genetic Blueprint of Herbaceous Peony Floral Scent: Evidence from Terpene Synthase, Nudix Hydrolase and Prenyltransferase","authors":"Tingting Bao, Kimani Shadrack, Xiaotong Shan, Hongjie Li, Luhong Leng, Yueqing Li, Zhiqiang Wu, Xiang Gao","doi":"10.1093/hr/uhag091","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhag091","url":null,"abstract":"Volatile terpenes constitute a predominant class of floral scent emitted by Paeonia lactiflora. Despite their ecological and economical significance, the genetic blueprint of the underlying biosynthetic pathway remains poorly elucidated. Although a few terpene synthase (TPS) genes have been reported, the broader network of genes orchestrating terpene production in P. lactiflora is still largely unresolved. In this study, we attempted to address this gap by exploring the terpene biosynthetic pathway genes in P. lactiflora ‘Zifengyu’. β-caryophyllene, geraniol, citronellol and 1, 8-cineole were identified as the dominant floral terpenes, and catalytic functions of key proteins- terpene synthase (PlTPS), Nudix hydrolase (PlNUDX) and prenyltransferase (PlPT) were comprehensively characterized. Briefly, biochemical analyses revealed that six of the nine identified PlTPS proteins utilized diverse prenyl diphosphates to generate both monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, while their products specificity were determined by plastidic or cytosolic localizations in planta. In particular, PlTPS4, PlTPS5 and PlTPS9 catalyzed the production of β-caryophyllene, 1, 8-cineole and geraniol, respectively. Besides, two amino acid residues were found to drive catalytic activity and product profiles in PlTPS4 and PlTPS5. Markedly, PlNUDX hydrolyzed GPP and NPP to yield geraniol and nerol thereby providing a plastid-independent pathway for monoterpene biosynthesis, and prenyltransferases were further functionally characterized to clarify the supply of prenyl diphosphates feeding into volatile terpenes. Collectively, these findings not only provide a mechanistic framework for understanding floral terpene biosynthesis in P. lactiflora but also reveal alternative metabolic routes that enrich its volatile profiles which could be utilized in scent improvement of ornamental plants.","PeriodicalId":13179,"journal":{"name":"Horticulture Research","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147380653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qingjun Li, Xiaoning Zheng, Jiurui Wang, Qiong Zhang, Ning Wang, Yinming Li, Mengjun Liu
Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill., 2n = 2x = 24) is a drought-tolerant, nutrient-rich fruit crop. However, its genetic improvement is constrained by protandry, low fruit set, and severe embryo abortion. Interspecies hybridization between Chinese jujube and Indian jujube (Z. mauritiana Lam., 2n = 4x = 48) is further hindered by asynchronous flowering. We developed a dual-regime protocol combining temperature control and strategic heavy pruning to advance the flowering time of Indian jujube (cultivar ‘Niunaidaqingzao’, N) by two months, thereby synchronizing its anthesis with that of Chinese jujube (‘Dongzao’, D) and wild Chinese jujube (‘Suanzao’, S). In vitro artificial self-pollination (AS) and in vitro artificial cross-pollination (AC) were conducted to assess pollen-tube elongation and ovary expansion. Triple AS (TAS) boosted pollen-tube emergence to 59%–87% across the three genotypes, more than doubling in vitro spontaneous self-pollination (SSP) rates and outperforming single AS 1.4- to 2.7 times (P < 0.05). Ovary-swelling frequencies of TAS reached 68.52% in wild Chinese jujube S and 27.78% in Indian jujube N, indicating 2.85 and 2.14 times increases over SSP and 1.88–4.11 times increases over single AS. In ♀S × ♂D, ♀D × ♂S and ♀S × ♂N crosses, triple AC (TAC) raised pollen-tube emergence to 54%–72% (1.3–2.2 times of single AC) and ovary expansion to 26%–39% (1.4–1.9 times of single AC) (P<0.05). These findings provide a practical and efficient strategy for overcoming asynchronous flowering and reproductive barriers of interspecies hybridization in genus Ziziphus, enabling the establishment of interspecies hybrid populations for downstream breeding programs.
{"title":"Dual Regime of Flowering Time and Pollination Enhances Pollen-Tube Development in Ziziphus","authors":"Qingjun Li, Xiaoning Zheng, Jiurui Wang, Qiong Zhang, Ning Wang, Yinming Li, Mengjun Liu","doi":"10.1093/hr/uhag066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhag066","url":null,"abstract":"Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill., 2n = 2x = 24) is a drought-tolerant, nutrient-rich fruit crop. However, its genetic improvement is constrained by protandry, low fruit set, and severe embryo abortion. Interspecies hybridization between Chinese jujube and Indian jujube (Z. mauritiana Lam., 2n = 4x = 48) is further hindered by asynchronous flowering. We developed a dual-regime protocol combining temperature control and strategic heavy pruning to advance the flowering time of Indian jujube (cultivar ‘Niunaidaqingzao’, N) by two months, thereby synchronizing its anthesis with that of Chinese jujube (‘Dongzao’, D) and wild Chinese jujube (‘Suanzao’, S). In vitro artificial self-pollination (AS) and in vitro artificial cross-pollination (AC) were conducted to assess pollen-tube elongation and ovary expansion. Triple AS (TAS) boosted pollen-tube emergence to 59%–87% across the three genotypes, more than doubling in vitro spontaneous self-pollination (SSP) rates and outperforming single AS 1.4- to 2.7 times (P &lt; 0.05). Ovary-swelling frequencies of TAS reached 68.52% in wild Chinese jujube S and 27.78% in Indian jujube N, indicating 2.85 and 2.14 times increases over SSP and 1.88–4.11 times increases over single AS. In ♀S × ♂D, ♀D × ♂S and ♀S × ♂N crosses, triple AC (TAC) raised pollen-tube emergence to 54%–72% (1.3–2.2 times of single AC) and ovary expansion to 26%–39% (1.4–1.9 times of single AC) (P&lt;0.05). These findings provide a practical and efficient strategy for overcoming asynchronous flowering and reproductive barriers of interspecies hybridization in genus Ziziphus, enabling the establishment of interspecies hybrid populations for downstream breeding programs.","PeriodicalId":13179,"journal":{"name":"Horticulture Research","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147374085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) genome maps are essential for understanding transcriptional regulation, yet such resources remain limited for perennial woody crops. Here, we present a high-resolution, tissue-resolved 3D genome atlas of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis). Using in situ Hi-C, we generated chromatin contact maps from leaf and fruit tissues and integrated these data with epigenomic and transcriptomic datasets, including chromatin accessibility, whole-genome DNA methylation, seven histone modifications, and RNA-seq profiles spanning multiple tissues and fruit developmental stages. This integrated dataset enables systematic annotation of genome architecture across multiple spatial scales, including A/B compartments, hierarchical subcompartments, TAD-like domains, and chromatin loops. Global features of 3D genome organization are broadly similar between tissues, while quantitative variation is observed at finer scales, such as subcompartment rank, domain insulation strength, and loop detection frequency. Integration with genomic and epigenomic features reveals consistent associations between chromatin states and spatial organization, providing a reference framework for interpreting plant genome architecture in a perennial context. We further map tissue-specific gene sets onto the 3D genome landscape and describe their spatial distributions relative to compartments, domains, and loop anchors, offering a view of how transcriptional programs relate to higher-order chromatin organization. Together, this work establishes an integrative, high-resolution 3D genome resources for a woody perennial fruit crop, and supports future functional, evolutionary, and applied research in kiwifruit and other perennial species.
{"title":"A high-resolution 3D genome map of kiwifruit provides insights into chromatin architecture and transcriptional activity","authors":"Shuangling Xie, Tong Li, Jing Yang, Jingrui Wang, Jinli Gong, Minghui Wang, Xiaoli Hu, Xiaolong Li, Xuepeng Sun","doi":"10.1093/hr/uhag076","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhag076","url":null,"abstract":"Comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) genome maps are essential for understanding transcriptional regulation, yet such resources remain limited for perennial woody crops. Here, we present a high-resolution, tissue-resolved 3D genome atlas of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis). Using in situ Hi-C, we generated chromatin contact maps from leaf and fruit tissues and integrated these data with epigenomic and transcriptomic datasets, including chromatin accessibility, whole-genome DNA methylation, seven histone modifications, and RNA-seq profiles spanning multiple tissues and fruit developmental stages. This integrated dataset enables systematic annotation of genome architecture across multiple spatial scales, including A/B compartments, hierarchical subcompartments, TAD-like domains, and chromatin loops. Global features of 3D genome organization are broadly similar between tissues, while quantitative variation is observed at finer scales, such as subcompartment rank, domain insulation strength, and loop detection frequency. Integration with genomic and epigenomic features reveals consistent associations between chromatin states and spatial organization, providing a reference framework for interpreting plant genome architecture in a perennial context. We further map tissue-specific gene sets onto the 3D genome landscape and describe their spatial distributions relative to compartments, domains, and loop anchors, offering a view of how transcriptional programs relate to higher-order chromatin organization. Together, this work establishes an integrative, high-resolution 3D genome resources for a woody perennial fruit crop, and supports future functional, evolutionary, and applied research in kiwifruit and other perennial species.","PeriodicalId":13179,"journal":{"name":"Horticulture Research","volume":"290 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147360378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leaf chlorosis and senescence are key indicators of prolonged drought stress. In this study, we found that suppressing the chlorophyll b reductase gene (LpNOL) delayed drought-induced leaf chlorosis in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Through a yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) library screen, we identified a NAC transcription factor, designated Chlorophyll b Degradation Regulator 1 (LpCbDR1), as a direct activator of LpNOL. Subcellular localization analysis confirmed that LpCbDR1 localizes to the nucleus, and its direct binding to the LpNOL promoter was validated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and CUT&Tag-qPCR assays. Overexpression of LpCbDR1 accelerated leaf senescence, whereas knockdown of LpCbDR1 delayed leaf senescence. Notably, LpCbDR1’s expression was not only upregulated during leaf senescence but also induced by osmotic stress, promoting further investigation into its role and underlying mechanisms in regulating drought tolerance. Phenotypic analysis showed that LpCbDR1-overexpressing lines exhibited significantly higher drought tolerance compared to wild-type (WT) plants, while LpCbDR1-RNAi lines were drought-sensitive than WT. Integrated RNA-seq and CUT&Tag analysis identified LpPLA7 and LpERF1B as downstream targets of LpCbDR1. Directly binding of LpCbDR1 to the promoter of LpPLA7 and LpERF1B was confirmed by Y1H, EMSA, and CUT&Tag-qPCR assays. Both LpPLA7 and LpERF1B were drought-inducible, and functional validation revealed that overexpression of either gene enhanced osmotic stress tolerance in both WT and LpCbDR1-RNAi backgrounds. Collectively, this study demonstrates that LpCbDR1 regulates natural, dark-, and drought-induced leaf senescence by activating LpNOL, and improves drought tolerance at least partially through direct activation of LpPLA7 and LpERF1B in perennial ryegrass.
{"title":"LpCbDR1 regulates leaf senescence and drought tolerance by activating the chlorophyll b reductase gene and stress-related genes in perennial ryegrass","authors":"Huanhuan Hao, Qi Zhou, Tingchao Yin, Chenxu Dong, Ziyi Zhang, Yingjun Chi, Jing Zhang, Bin Xu","doi":"10.1093/hr/uhag093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhag093","url":null,"abstract":"Leaf chlorosis and senescence are key indicators of prolonged drought stress. In this study, we found that suppressing the chlorophyll b reductase gene (LpNOL) delayed drought-induced leaf chlorosis in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Through a yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) library screen, we identified a NAC transcription factor, designated Chlorophyll b Degradation Regulator 1 (LpCbDR1), as a direct activator of LpNOL. Subcellular localization analysis confirmed that LpCbDR1 localizes to the nucleus, and its direct binding to the LpNOL promoter was validated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and CUT&Tag-qPCR assays. Overexpression of LpCbDR1 accelerated leaf senescence, whereas knockdown of LpCbDR1 delayed leaf senescence. Notably, LpCbDR1’s expression was not only upregulated during leaf senescence but also induced by osmotic stress, promoting further investigation into its role and underlying mechanisms in regulating drought tolerance. Phenotypic analysis showed that LpCbDR1-overexpressing lines exhibited significantly higher drought tolerance compared to wild-type (WT) plants, while LpCbDR1-RNAi lines were drought-sensitive than WT. Integrated RNA-seq and CUT&Tag analysis identified LpPLA7 and LpERF1B as downstream targets of LpCbDR1. Directly binding of LpCbDR1 to the promoter of LpPLA7 and LpERF1B was confirmed by Y1H, EMSA, and CUT&Tag-qPCR assays. Both LpPLA7 and LpERF1B were drought-inducible, and functional validation revealed that overexpression of either gene enhanced osmotic stress tolerance in both WT and LpCbDR1-RNAi backgrounds. Collectively, this study demonstrates that LpCbDR1 regulates natural, dark-, and drought-induced leaf senescence by activating LpNOL, and improves drought tolerance at least partially through direct activation of LpPLA7 and LpERF1B in perennial ryegrass.","PeriodicalId":13179,"journal":{"name":"Horticulture Research","volume":"73 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147380650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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