Storability and Linear Regression Models of Pericarp Browning and Decay in Fifty Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) Cultivars at Room Temperature Storage.

The primary cause for the limited shelf life of litchi fruit is rapid pericarp browning and decay. This study aims to evaluate the storability of 50 litchi varieties and establish a linear regression model for pericarp browning and decay based on 11 postharvest physical and chemical indices after 9 days of storage at room temperature. The results indicated that the average value of the browning index and decay rate significantly increased to 3.29% and 63.84% of 50 litchi varieties at day 9, respectively. Different litchi varieties showed different variations in appearance indicators, quality indicators, and physiological indicators. Furthermore, principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed that Liu Li 2 Hao exhibited the highest resistance to storage, whereas Dong Long Mi Li, Jiao Pan Li, E Dan Li 2 Hao, and Ren Shan Li were not resistant. Stepwise multiple regression analysis further demonstrated that the factors were highly correlated with the decay index, with a partial correlation coefficient of 0.437 between the effective index and the decay index. Therefore, pericarp thickness, relative conductivity, pericarp laccase activity, and total soluble solids were significant indicators for the comprehensive evaluation of litchi browning and decay, and relative conductivity was the significant determinant causing fruit browning. These findings provide a new perspective on the sustainable development of the litchi industry.

Combined Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses Unveil the Molecular Mechanisms of Fruit Acidity Variation in Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.).

Fruit acidity determines the organoleptic quality and nutritive value of most fruits. In litchi, although the organic acid composition of pulps is known, the molecular mechanisms and genes underlying variation in fruit acidity remain elusive. Herein, developing pulps of two contrasting litchi varieties, Huaizhi (HZ, low-acidity) and Boye_No.8 (B8, high-acidity), were subjected to metabolomics and transcriptomics, and the dynamic metabolome and transcriptional changes were determined. Measurements revealed that the dominant acidity-related organic acid in litchi pulps is malate, followed in low levels by citrate and tartrate. Variation in litchi pulps' acidity is mainly associated with significant differences in malate and citrate metabolisms during fruit development. Malic acid content decreased by 91.43% and 72.28% during fruit ripening in HZ and B8, respectively. The content of citric acid increased significantly in B8, while in HZ it was reduced considerably. Differentially accumulated metabolites and differentially expressed genes analyses unveiled fumarate, succinate, 2-oxoglutarate, GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid), phosphoenolpyruvate, and citrate metabolisms as the key driving pathways of litchi fruits' acidity variation. The drastic malate and citrate degradation in HZ was linked to higher induction of fumarate and GABA biosynthesis, respectively. Thirty candidate genes, including three key genes (LITCHI026501.m2, fumarase; LITCHI020148.m5, glutamate decarboxylase; and LITCHI003343.m3, glutamate dehydrogenase), were identified for functional studies toward genetic modulation of litchi fruit acidity. Our findings provide insights into the molecular basis of acidity variation in litchi and provide valuable resources for fruit quality improvement.

Overexpression of a B-type cytokinin response regulator (OsORR2) reduces plant height in rice.

Cytokinin plays crucial roles in regulating plant growth and development, with the signal transduction mediated by type-A and type-B response regulators (RRs).While much genetic knowledge about RRs on regulating plant height remains unclear. Here, we found that overexpressing an OsORR2 gene (a type-B RR) could reduce plant height in rice compared with the wild type (WT). Using quantitative real time (RT-qPCR) assay, OsORR2was expressed widely in most tissues such as root, culm, sheath, leaf, and panicle. Strong signals were detected in leaf mesophyll cells and anther by in situ hybridization assays (ISH). The subcellular localization of OsORR2 was in cell nucleus. In addition, we found that the transcriptional expression levels of type-A RR genes such as OsRR9, OsRR10, OsRR12, and OsRR13 were significantly up-regulated in the overexpression transgenic plants (OE) plants. Taken together, our data suggested that OsORR2was involved in the development of plant height in rice and provided a foundation for future deep molecular research of the type-B RRs.

Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis revealed a positive effect of ectopic over-expression of PeaT1 from Alternaria tenuissima on rice (Oryza sativa) response to drought.

The protein elicitor PeaT1 was found in Alternaria tenuissima and exerted broad spectrum resistance in wheat, cotton, and rice. Recently, we found that overexpressing PeaT1 rice (OE) could enhance plant drought tolerance. Elucidating some elevated drought stress-related proteins and associated mechanisms is inevitable for improving drought tolerance in rice. In this study, combining a label-free quantitative proteomic method, multiple proteins were differentially accumulated in OE plants. Among these, a total of 57 significant changed proteins (including 32 up-regulated and 25 down-regulated) were mainly involved in metabolic, cellular, biological progress, and stress response. Using the RT-qPCR assay, 18 proteins' relative abundance was detected mostly consistent with the proteins abundance in proteomic data. Specially, proteins involved in abiotic stress, such as OsSKIPa and OsPP2C, which were significantly induced in early after dehydration treatment in transgenic rice, and the other stress response genes (prohibitin protein, PsbP protein, msrB Protein) also changed in PeaT1 OE lines. Taken together, these results suggested that these differential proteins would be helpful for understanding the functional molecular mechanism of PeaT1 in rice.

Overexpression of the PeaT1 Elicitor Gene from Alternaria tenuissima Improves Drought Tolerance in Rice Plants via Interaction with a Myo-Inositol Oxygenase.

Abiotic stresses, especially drought, seriously threaten cereal crops yields and quality. In this study, we observed that the rice plants of overexpression the Alternariatenuissima PeaT1 gene showed enhanced drought stress tolerance and increased the survival rate following a drought treatment. In PeaT1-overexpressing (PeaT1OE) plants, abscisic acid and chlorophyll content significantly increased, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased compared with the wild-type plants. Additionally, we confirmed that the transcript levels of drought-responsive genes, including OsAM1, OsLP2, and OsDST, were prominently lower in the PeaT1OE plants. In contrast, expression levels of genes encoding positive drought stress regulators including OsSKIPa, OsCPK9, OsNAC9, OSEREBP1, and OsTPKb were upregulated in PeaT1OE plants. Furthermore, combing the yeast two-hybrid assay, we found that PeaT1 could interact with amyo-inositol oxygenase (OsMIOX), which was verified by pull-down assay. Interestingly, OsMIOX was highly expressed in PeaT1OE plants during the drought treatment. Additionally, the OsMIOX-GFP fusion protein co-localized with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) marker in tobacco protoplasts, suggesting OsMIOX performs its function in ER. Therefore, our results are useful for elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying the improvement of drought tolerance by PeaT1.

Phosphate solubilization and promotion of maize growth by Penicillium oxalicum P4 and Aspergillus niger P85 in a calcareous soil.

Alternative tactics for improving phosphorus nutrition in crop production are needed in China and elsewhere, as the overapplication of phosphatic fertilizers can adversely impact agricultural sustainability. Penicillium oxalicum P4 and Aspergillus niger P85 were isolated from a calcareous soil in China that had been exposed to excessive application of phosphatic fertilizer for decades. Each isolate excreted a number of organic acids into, acidified, and solubilized phosphorus in a synthetic broth containing insoluble tricalcium phosphate or rock phosphate. Isolate P4, applied as a seed treatment, increased maize fresh mass per plant when rock phosphate was added to the calcareous soil in greenhouse pot studies. Isolate P85 did not increase maize fresh mass per plant but did significantly increase total phosphorus per plant when rock phosphate was added. Significant increases in 7 and 4 organic acids were detected in soil in association with isolates P4 and P85, respectively, relative to the soil-only control. The quantity and (or) number of organic acids produced by these isolates increased when rock phosphate was added to the soil. Both isolates also significantly increased available phosphorus in soil in the presence of added rock phosphate and effectively colonized the maize rhizosphere. Studies reported here indicate that isolate P4 is adapted to and capable of promoting maize growth in a calcareous soil. Plant-growth promotion by this isolate is likely due, at least in part, to increased phosphorus availability resulting from the excretion of organic acids into, and the resulting acidification of, this soil.

[Screening, identification of P-dissolving fungus P83 strain and its effects on phosphate solubilization and plant growth promotion].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms from farmland, and to provide P-solubilizing microbial resource for bio-fertilizer production. METHODS: Phosphate-solubilizing fungus was identified using morphological and cultural characteristics and ITS rDNA sequence analysis. The phosphate-solubilizing capacity of strain P83 was measured by Petri dishes, broth medium and soil pot experiment. The effect of strain P83 on plant growth was studied in field trials. RESULTS: Strain P83 was identified as Penicillium decumbens with a strong ability to dissolve insoluble phosphates. P83 dissolved 42.68% Ca3 (PO4) 2 (5 g/L) and the concentration of available phosphorus was 956 mg/L during a 10-d shaking incubation. The concentration of available phosphorus dissolved from Yonghe rock phosphate by P83 was 152.8 mg/L after 10d shaking incubation at 28 degrees C and a speed of 180r/min. P. decumbens P83 had a significant growth promotion effect on corn in Chao soil under three phosphates such as Ca3 (PO4) 2, Zn3 (PO4) 2 and rock phosphate. Compared with the control, inoculation with P83 increased the fresh weight of corn biomass by 9.5% - 89.2% and dry weight of corn biomass by 35% - 231%, and soil available phosphorus content increased 2.1 mg/kg -40.5 mg/ kg. Field trials show that P. decumbens P83 had a greater effect on enhancement of corn grain yield, the yield was average 9.2t/hm2 and 35.3% higher than the control. CONCLUSION: One new phosphate- solubilizing strain P83 was obtained and identified as P. decumbens. It solubilized insoluble phosphates in petri dishes, broth medium and pot experiments. P. decumbens P83 could increase corn yield significantly in field trials. P. decumbens P83 strain has the potential for biofertilizer production in the future.