[Development and application of the plant phenomics analysis platform].

With the completion of the whole genome sequencing of major important crops, researchers have an increasing demand for high-throughput, accurate and nondestructive phenotyping technologies. The Plant Phenomics Analysis Platform (PPAP) was established in 2017 at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The platform has the most up-to-date comprehensive phenotyping analysis facility in China with a full spectrum of imaging systems consisting of eight units including visible light, infrared, near-infrared, root near-infrared, fluorescence, chlorophyll fluorescence, high spectral and lidar imaging. The platform has also specifically established phenotyping technologies for complex traits, such as root phenotype collection and analysis, spike and spikelet feature collection and analysis and responses under stress conditions. PPAP is dedicated to providing all-possible services for domestic and international academic communities and industrial partners engaged in plant sciences.

Transcriptome profiling of developmental leaf senescence in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor).

KEY MESSAGE: This piece of the submission is being sent via mail. Leaf senescence is essential for the nutrient economy of crops and is executed by so-called senescence-associated genes (SAGs). Here we explored the monocot C4 model crop Sorghum bicolor for a holistic picture of SAG profiles by RNA-seq. Leaf samples were collected at four stages during developmental senescence, and in total, 3396 SAGs were identified, predominantly enriched in GO categories of metabolic processes and catalytic activities. These genes were enriched in 13 KEGG pathways, wherein flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and phenylalanine metabolism were overrepresented. Seven regions on Chromosomes 1, 4, 5 and 7 contained SAG 'hotspots' of duplicated genes or members of cupin superfamily involved in manganese ion binding and nutrient reservoir activity. Forty-eight expression clusters were identified, and the candidate orthologues of the known important senescence transcription factors such as ORE1, EIN3 and WRKY53 showed "SAG" expression patterns, implicating their possible roles in regulating sorghum leaf senescence. Comparison of developmental senescence with salt- and dark- induced senescence allowed for the identification of 507 common SAGs, 1996 developmental specific SAGs as well as 176 potential markers for monitoring senescence in sorghum. Taken together, these data provide valuable resources for comparative genomics analyses of leaf senescence and potential targets for the manipulation of genetic improvement of Sorghum bicolor.