Abstract:The phenotypic diversity analysis and comprehensive evaluation of 142 germplasms of Erythropalum scandens were carried out by means of coefficient of variation, correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis, which laid a foundation for the breeding of E. scandens in Guangxi. The survey found that Chongzuo City and Baise City had more wild germplasm resources, followed by Nanning City, and a small number of wild germplasm resources of E. scandens were found in Hechi City, Wuzhou City, Yulin City, Fangchenggang City, Liuzhou City, Beiliu City, Pingguo City and Pingxiang City. The wild germplasm mainly distributed in limestone hills, slopes, mountains, sparse forests, dense forests, with an altitude of 140-1001 m. The statistical results showed that the coefficient of variation of 11 phenotypic traits was between 2.76% and 18.75% of 142 germplasms, indicating that the genetic difference of germplasm resources in Guangxi was large. Correlation analysis showed that leaf length was significantly correlated with leaf width, length of the second branch internode, main stem diameter, fruit longitudinal diameter and leaf thickness. Leaf width was significantly correlated with leaf thickness and fruit longitudinal diameter. Petiole length was significantly correlated with the second branch diameter, the second branch internode length and main stem diameter. Altitude was significantly positively correlated with leaf thickness, but significantly negatively correlated with leaf length, leaf width and second-order branch internode length. The results of cluster analysis showed that 142 germplasm materials could be divided into 4 categories when the Euclidean distance was 4.5, The first, second, third and fourth categories contained 49, 54, 27 and 12 germplasms, respectively. Principal component analysis showed that the cumulative contribution rate of the five principal components was 68.25%. Principal component 1 and principal component 2 mainly reflected leaf and branch related indicators, while principal component 3, principal component 4 and principal component 5 mainly reflected fruit related indicators. The comprehensive evaluation results showed that the top ten germplasms were all from Chongzuo City, including 5 cultivated germplasms and 5 wild germplasms, which could provide excellent parents for the breeding and improvement of new varieties of E. scandens.

Abstract:The photoperiod sensitivity of soybean limits the popularization of excellent soybean varieties for planting. In this study, we created new soybean varieties with early maturity and stable yield by reducing the sensitivity of soybean to photoperiod and expanding the planting range of good varieties. Three soybean GmphyA2 pure mutants were obtained using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The created gmphya2 mutants encodes a truncated protein without PHY structural domain due to a base deletion resulting in a code-shift mutation. Comparisons were made to characterize the fertility, plant size, and yield of the gmphya2 mutant and the WT. The results showed that because of significantly increased expression of GmFT2a and GmFT5a during the pre-flowering period, the gmphya2 mutant flowered 5-6 days earlier and matured 6-11 days earlier relative to the WT. Although the fertility period was shortened, the single grain weight was not significantly different from that of the WT due to a significant increase in both the effective number of branches and the number of grains per plant in the gmphya2 mutant. These results indicate that the editing of GmphyA2 usingCRISPR/Cas9 technology has created a new soybean germplasm with unchanged yield per plant with shortened fertility period, which provides a new genetic resource for breeding for early maturity and high yield.

Abstract:Rice waterlogging direct seeding can not only avoid the labor cost of raising seedlings, transplanting seedlings, and drainage, but also effectively prevent the weeds, birds and rats, therefore, has broad application prospects. However, because of the low seedling rate under waterlogged conditions, most of the rice cultivars are not suitable for waterlogging direct seeding. Lack of variety seriously limited the development and popularization of waterlogging direct seeding technology. The identification and screening of rice germplasm resources with good waterlogged seedling characteristics is an important foundation for breeding new varieties of waterlogging direct seeding rice. This study utilized domestic and foreign rice germplasm materials preserved in the Mid-term Crop Germplasm Resource Bank of Hubei Province, measured the indicators of waterlogged seedling rate, germinative force, low-oxygen germination rate, low-oxygen relative germination rate, coleoptile length, low-oxygen coleoptile length, and low-oxygen relative coleoptile length, and identified and screened out 17 rice germplasm with waterlogged seedling rates of over 50%. Correlation analysis showed that there were significant positive correlations between waterlogged seedling rate and indicators including germinative force, low-oxygen germination rate, coleoptile length, low-oxygen coleoptile length, and low-oxygen relative coleoptile length, among which the correlation index between waterlogged seedling rate and low-oxygen coleoptile length was the highest. Thus, the ow-oxygen coleoptile length could be used as an important index to identify and evaluate the waterlogged seedlings characteristics. By detecting the OsGF14h haplotype attribute of 254 rice germplasm resources, corresponding clues for study on regulation genes of waterlogged seedling characteristics were provided. This study has certain reference value for improving the screening and identification efficiency of waterlogging tolerant rice germplasm resources, exploring the regulatory genes of waterlogged seedling characteristics, and cultivating new varieties of waterlogging direct seeding rice.

Abstract:Potato is the world"s fourth largest staple crop with high yield potential. To meet the future challenges of food security, selection of early-maturing and high-yielding potato varieties with stable disease resistance is needed. In this study, in order to assist the research of new potato variety selection and breeding, and to clarify the current status of new potato varieties in China, 227 potato selection and breeding literatures in the China Knowledge Network (CNKI) database were used as research objects, and a knowledge map was constructed by using GraphRAG and Qwen2-70B-instruct and visualized by using Gephi. Based on the constructed knowledge graph, the genealogy, resistance and fertility period of new potato varieties selected and bred in China in recent years were analyzed, and the analysis results indicated that more parents used in the selection and breeding of new potato varieties in recent years were Jizhangyan No. 8, Svante, Longyan No. 7, Feiuretta, and Early Large White, etc. Most of the new potato varieties were resistant to late blight, and most of them were of medium-late to late-maturity and late-ripening fertility. In summary, this study explored the realization path of using a large language model to rapidly construct a knowledge graph for potato new variety selection and breeding research, and analyzed 227 potatoes to provide a reference for the future discovery and utilization of potato germplasm resources.

Abstract:Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) is an annual herbaceous plant of Fagopyrum in Polygonaceae, which is a high-quality crop that is homologous of medicine and food. The occurrence of Fagopyrum damping-off has seriously affected the promotion and development of Tartary buckwheat planting.This study conducted transcriptome analysis on Fagopyrum tataricum treated with jasmonic acid or salicylic acid, revealing that the expression pattern of the aspartic protease gene FtAPDSLX1 is induced by jasmonic acid or salicylic acid. Further analysis of FtAPDSLX1 expression levels in Fagopyrum tataricum with different resistance degrees revealed a significantly higher expression level of FtAPDSLX1 in Fagopyrum tataricum resistant to Rhizoctonia solanicompared than in susceptible materials. Using the representative variety of Fagopyrum tataricum, Chuanqiao No. 1, the FtAPDSLX1 gene was cloned. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the coding sequence of the FtAPDSLX1 gene contains 1143 base pairs, encoding the protein consisting of 380 amino acids，while its promoter harbors multiple cis-elements associated with disease resistance. Examination of FtAPDSLX1 expression patterns unveiled its upregulation in Tartary buckwheat seedlings upon Rhizoctonia solaniand invasion, exhibiting pronounced tissue specificity. Phenotypic analysis of disease resistance in transgenic Arabidopsis lines harboring the FtAPDSLX1 gene underscored its role in enhancing resistance against Rhizoctonia solaniand .Furthermore, under pathogen stress, FtAPDSLX1 expression substantially increased in transgenic Arabidopsis, concomitant with heightened enzymatic activities of SOD and POD. These findings suggest that FtAPDSLX1 may participate in the defense mechanism against Rhizoctonia solaniin Fagopyrum tataricum. The functional validation and related research of FtAPDSLX1 provide a foundation for unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying Fagopyrum tataricum"s resistance to Rhizoctonia solaniand for screening disease-resistant germplasm resources.

Abstract:Rhododendron is one of the top ten Chinese flowers, with high ornamental values, and is deeply loved by people. The genus Rhododendron includes many species, with frequent natural hybridization between species and a high degree of horticultural development in some species. However, the inconsistency in cultivar naming has somewhat hindered the exchange of varieties between countries and regions. SSR markers have advantages in germplasm identification, genetic diversity analysis, and molecular marker-assisted breeding. Here, we reviewed the progress on SSR markers in the genus Rhododendron over the past 20 years, including the development methods of SSR markers in the genus, the number of markers（about 520 pairs for 5 subgenera）, the detection of primer versatility, and their application in species conservation, authenticity identification of hybrids, and trait-marker association analysis. Finally, we discussed the prospects for future applications of SSR markers on Rhododendrons, hoping this would be helpful in the conservation and genetic breeding of Rhododendron plants.

Abstract:The root system is an important part of rice plant and plays an important role in plant fixation, water and nutrient acquisition. In this study, it was found that the root system of oself3-1 mutant became significantly shorter, the mutant was crossed with wild type to construct F2 isolated population, and genetic analysis showed that the mutant trait was regulated by recessive single gene. By mapping cloning, OsELF3-1 was located in a 50.9 kb interval of chromosome 6, in which there were four open reading frames (ORFs), sequence comparison revealed that the mutant had 7 bases missing on the second exon of ORF4 (OsELF3-1), causes the gene to frameshift and terminate prematurely, and OsELF3-1 was presumed to be the target gene. The root system of CRISPR/Cas9 mutant with OsELF3-1 was significantly shorter than that of wild type, which verified that OsELF3-1 was involved in regulating root length. In order to further clarify the regulatory network of OsELF3-1, the interacting protein OsARID3 of OsELF3-1 was screened by yeast two-hybridization, OsARID3 has an ARID functional domain, an α-crystallin/Hsp_domain, a SHSP domain, and a potassium dependent sodium/calcium ion exchange domain. Investigation of OsARID3-RNAi mutants showed that their roots were significantly shorter than those of the wild type, OsARID3 may be involved in the regulation of root length. Natural variation of OsARID3 was analyzed by 3 K sequencing data and 15 haplotypes were found, and there was obvious differentiation between indica and japonica, japonica rice mainly belonged to haplotypes I, IV and VI. In summary, this study found that OsELF3-1 and OsARID3 interact to regulate rice roots, providing theoretical basis and germplasm resources for further analysis of rice root growth and development regulation network.

Abstract:Wild Adzuki bean and sibling species serve as critical genetic resources, exhibiting strong resistance to diseases and pests, as well as high stress tolerance, making them valuable for breeding programs. However, due to the rapid urbanization and the impact of human activities, these resources are facing severe challenges and are on the brink of extinction. Therefore, there is an urgent need for systematic investigation rescue collection, and identification of these wild resources. The Liaoning region boasts a rich diversity of wild adzuki bean species and their relatives, but their population numbers, distribution patterns, and resource characteristics remain unclear. Therefore, systematic investigation and rescue collection of wild adzuki bean and sibling species are urgently needed in Liaoning province as a case study. This study conducted surveys and collections of wild adzuki bean and sibling species across 36 districts (counties) in 14 cities in Liaoning Province, resulting in a total of 262 accessions collected. The survey results indicate that wild adzuki bean are primarily distributed in central and eastern Liaoning, particularly in the coastal areas of eastern Liaoning, while adzuki bean sibling species are mainly found in western Liaoning. In addition, indoor artificial inoculation tests were conducted to evaluate the bruchid resistance of the collected wild adzuki bean and sibling species, identifying two highly resistant and one resistant wild adzuki bean accessions. The findings of this study provide important evidence for the conservation and utilization of rare and endangered resources of wild adzuki bean and sibling species in China, while also offering valuable germplasm resources for breeding adzuki bean resistant to bean weevils.

Abstract:Seed dormancy and germination are key processes in plant growth, which are precisely regulated by phytohormones and external environmental factors. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the regulation of seed dormancy and germination by Abscisic Acid (ABA) and Gibberellins (GA), particularly with regard to the interaction between them. This review presents a summary of the regulation of seed dormancy and germination by the metabolism and signal transduction of ABA and GA. Furthermore, it discusses the effects of the interaction between ABA and GA on seed dormancy and germination, as well as in response to light and temperature cues. The aim of this review is to provide a better understanding of the hormone regulatory network of seed dormancy and germination and theoretical references for future studies of seed dormancy and germination regulation by ABA and GA.

Abstract:Blueberries are renowned worldwide for their unique nutritional and health benefits. Currently, blueberries are extensively cultivated globally, including in major regions such as North America, South America, Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean. However, as cultivation time extends, blueberry varieties in different countries and regions are facing challenges such as insufficient stress resistance, poor adaptability, and mismatched chilling requirements. These issues partly stem from excessive inbreeding, leading to narrow genetic diversity and inbreeding depression, which restrict the production of high-quality fresh blueberries and the expansion of cultivation areas. Consequently, countries have initiated hybrid breeding programs of a certain scale based on their local climate and market demands. Nevertheless, current blueberry breeding methods remain confined to traditional hybridization techniques, which are time-consuming, resource-intensive, and lack the application of modern biotechnological breeding approaches. This article aims to introduce the countries and their varietal development processes involved in global blueberry breeding, while summarizing and analyzing the breeding trends of six major types of blueberries. Furthermore, it discusses the modern biotechnological approaches applied in current global blueberry breeding and outlines future breeding goals. It is hoped that these insights will provide a theoretical basis for blueberry breeding efforts in our country.