Platycodon grandiflorus set ornamental, edible, and medicinal plant with broad prospects for further application development. However, there are no reports on the YABBY transcription factor in P. grandiflorus. Identification and analysis of the YABBY gene family of P. grandiflorus using bioinformatics means. Six YABBY genes were identified and divided into five subgroups. Transcriptome data and qRT-PCR were used to analyze the expression patterns of YABBY. YABBY genes exhibited organ-specific patterns in expression in P grandiflorus. Upon salt stress and drought induction, P. grandiflorus presented different morphological and physiological changes with some dynamic changes. Under salt treatment, the YABBY gene family was down-regulated; PgYABBY5 was up-regulated in leaves at 24 h. In drought treatment, PgYABBY1, PgYABBY2, and PgYABBY3 were down-regulated to varying degrees, but PgYABBY3 was significantly up-regulated in the roots. PgYABBY5 was up-regulated gradually after being down-regulated. PgYABBY5 was significantly up-regulated in stem and leaf at 48 h. PgYABBY6 was down-regulated at first and then significantly up-regulated. The dynamic changes of salt stress and drought stress can be regarded as the responses of plants to resist damage. During the whole process of salt and drought stress treatment, the protein content of each tissue part of P grandiflorus changed continuously. At the same time, we found that the promoter region of the PgYABBY gene contains stress-resistant elements, and the regulatory role of YABBY transcription factor in the anti-stress mechanism of P grandiflorus remains to be studied. PgYABBY1, PgYABBY2, and PgYABBY5 may be involved in the regulation of saponins in P. grandiflorus. PgYABBY5 may be involved in the drought resistance mechanism in P. grandiflorus stems and leaves. This study may provide a theoretical basis for studying the regulation of terpenoids by the YABBY transcription factor and its resistance to abiotic stress.
Rust infection results in stress volatile emissions, but due to the complexity of host-pathogen interaction and variations in innate defense and capacity to induce defense, biochemical responses can vary among host species. Fungal-dependent modifications in volatile emissions have been well documented in numerous host species, but how emission responses vary among host species is poorly understood. Our recent experiments demonstrated that the obligate biotrophic crown rust fungus (P. coronata) differently activated primary and secondary metabolic pathways in its primary host Avena sativa and alternate host Rhamnus frangula. In A. sativa, emissions of methyl jasmonate, short-chained lipoxygenase products, long-chained saturated fatty acid derivatives, mono- and sesquiterpenes, carotenoid breakdown products, and benzenoids were initially elicited in an infection severity-dependent manner, but the emissions decreased under severe infection and photosynthesis was almost completely inhibited. In R. frangula, infection resulted in low-level induction of stress volatile emissions, but surprisingly, in enhanced constitutive isoprene emissions, and even severely-infected leaves maintained a certain photosynthesis rate. Thus, the same pathogen elicited a much stronger response in the primary than in the alternate host. We argue that future work should focus on resolving mechanisms of different fungal tolerance and resilience among primary and secondary hosts.
In addition to rhizobia, many types of co-existent bacteria are found in leguminous root nodules, but their habitats are unclear. To investigate this phenomenon, we labeled Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA122 and Bradyrhizobium sp. SSBR45 with Discosoma sp. red fluorescent protein (DsRed) or enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). USDA122 enhances soybean growth by forming effective root nodules, but SSBR45 does not form any nodules. Using low-magnification laser scanning confocal microscopy, we found that infected cells in the central zone of soybean nodules appeared to be occupied by USDA122. Notably, high-magnification microscopy after co-inoculation of non-fluorescent USDA122 and fluorescence-labeled SSBR45 also revealed that SSBR45 inhabits the intercellular spaces of healthy nodules. More unexpectedly, co-inoculation of eGFP-labeled USDA122 and DsRed-labeled SSBR45 (and vice versa) revealed the presence of USDA122 bacteria in both the symbiosomes of infected cells and in the apoplasts of healthy nodules. We then next inspected nodules formed after a mixed inoculation of differently-labeled USDA122, without SSBR45, and confirmed the inhabitation of the both populations of USDA122 in the intercellular spaces. In contrast, infected cells were occupied by single-labeled USDA122. We also observed Mesorhizobium loti in the intercellular spaces of active wild-type nodules of Lotus japonicus using transmission electron microscopy. Compatible intercellular rhizobia have been described during nodule formation of several legume species and in some mutants, but our evidence suggests that this type of colonization may occur much more commonly in leguminous root nodules.
Ammonia (NH3), as an intermediate product of nitrogen metabolism, is recognized as a novel gasotransmitter (namely gaseous signaling molecule), its signaling role being revealed in plants. NH3 exists in two different chemical forms, namely the weak base (free molecule: NH3) and the weak acid (ammonium: NH4+), which are generally in equilibrium with each other in plants. However, the effect of NH3 on seed germination, seedling growth, and thermotolerance acquirement in maize remains unclear. Here, maize seeds were imbibed in the different concentrations of NH3·H2O (NH3 donor), and then germinated and calculated seed germination rate at the various time points. Also, the 60-h-old seedlings were irrigated in the different concentrations of NH3·H2O, and then subjected to heat stress and counted survival rate. The data implied that the appropriate concentrations (6, 9, and 12 mM) of NH3·H2O accelerated seed germination as well as increased seedling height and root length compared with the control without NH3 treatment. Also, the suitable concentrations (2 and 4 mM) of NH3·H2O improved tissue vitality, relieved an increase in malondialdehyde content, and enhanced survival rate of maize seedlings under heat stress compared with the control. These results firstly suggest that NH3 could accelerate seed germination, seedling growth, and thermotolerance acquirement in maize.
Volatile organic compounds mediate plant-to-plant communication, and plants receiving volatile cues can acquire greater defenses against attackers. It has been expected that volatiles are received by factors that eventually lead to the induction of defense-related gene expression; however, the nature of these factors remain unclear. Structure-activity relationship analysis of gene expression induction by volatiles should provide insights into the nature of these factors. We conducted a structure-activity relationship study using maize seedlings and (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate (Z3HAC) as the lead compound. The acid portion of Z3HAC was not essential, and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol (Z3HOL), which is formed after the hydrolysis of Z3HAC, is likely the structure essential for the upregulation of the genes. The double bond of Z3HOL is essential; however, its geometry is indistinguishable. Strict specificity was detected regarding the length of the methylene chain on the α- and ω-sides of the double bond, and therefore, the 3-hexen-1-ol structure was found to be the ultimate structure. This finding provides insight into the nature of the factors that interact with a volatile compound and subsequently activate signaling pathways, leading to the upregulation of a subset of defense genes.
Ribosome biogenesis is a fundamental process in eukaryotic cells. NOTCHLESS (NLE) is involved in 60S ribosome biogenesis in yeast, but its role in Arabidopsis (A. thaliana) remains exclusive. Here, we found that Arabidopsis NLE (AtNLE) is highly conservative in phylogeny, which encoding a WD40-repeat protein. AtNLE is expressed in actively dividing tissues. AtNLE-GFP is localized in the nucleus. AtNLE physically interacts with the MIDAS domain of AtMDN1, a protein involved in the biogenesis of the 60S ribosomal subunit in Arabidopsis. The underexpressing mutant nle-2 shows short roots and reduced cell number in the root meristem. In addition, the null mutant nle-1 is embryo lethal, and defective embryos are arrested at the early globular stage. This work suggests that AtNLE interacts with AtMDN1, and AtNLE functions in root and embryo development.
Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) are a diverse group of volatile organic compounds that microorganisms may produce and release into the environment. These compounds have both positive and negative effects on plants, as they have been shown to be effective at mitigating stresses and functioning as immune stimulants. Furthermore, MVOCs modulate plant growth and systemic plant resistance, while also serving as attractants or repellents for insects and other stressors that pose threats to plants. Considering the economic value of strawberries as one of the most popular and consumed fruits worldwide, harnessing the benefits of MVOCs becomes particularly significant. MVOCs offer cost-effective and efficient solutions for disease control and pest management in horticultural production, as they can be utilized at low concentrations. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on microorganisms that contribute to the production of beneficial volatile organic compounds for enhancing disease resistance in fruit products, with a specific emphasis on broad horticultural production. The review also identifies research gaps and highlights the functions of MVOCs in horticulture, along with the different types of MVOCs that impact plant disease resistance in strawberry production. By offering a novel perspective on the application and utilization of volatile organic compounds in sustainable horticulture, this review presents an innovative approach to maximizing the efficiency of horticultural production through the use of natural products.
A field experiment was carried out to quantify the effect of a native bacterial inoculant on the growth, yield, and quality of the wheat crop, under different nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates in two agricultural seasons. Wheat was sown under field conditions at the Experimental Technology Transfer Center (CETT-910), as a representative wheat crop area from the Yaqui Valley, Sonora México. The experiment was conducted using different doses of nitrogen (0, 130, and 250 kg N ha-1) and a bacterial consortium (BC) (Bacillus subtilis TSO9, B. cabrialesii subsp. tritici TSO2T, B. subtilis TSO22, B. paralicheniformis TRQ65, and Priestia megaterium TRQ8). Results showed that the agricultural season affected chlorophyll content, spike size, grains per spike, protein content, and whole meal yellowness. The highest chlorophyll and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values, as well as lower canopy temperature values, were observed in treatments under the application of 130 and 250 kg N ha-1 (the conventional Nitrogen dose). Wheat quality parameters such as yellow berry, protein content, Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-Sedimentation, and whole meal yellowness were affected by the N dose. Moreover, the application of the native bacterial consortium, under 130 kg N ha-1, resulted in a higher spike length and grain number per spike, which led to a higher yield (+1.0 ton ha-1 vs. un-inoculated treatment), without compromising the quality of grains. In conclusion, the use of this bacterial consortium has the potential to significantly enhance wheat growth, yield, and quality while reducing the nitrogen fertilizer application, thereby offering a promising agro-biotechnological alternative for improving wheat production.

