Characterization of bean common mosaic virus isolates infecting three leguminous bean crops from South and Southeast Asia.

Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) is causing economically important diseases in leguminous crops worldwide. In this study, BCMV isolates from country bean (CB, Lablab purpureus), yard-long bean (YLB, Vigna unguiculata) and rajma bean (RB, Phaseolus vulgaris) collected from Bangladesh, Nepal and Cambodia were characterized. Samples tested positive for BCMV in serological assays were subjected to high-throughput sequencing to generate near full-length genome sequences. In pair-wise comparisons of the polyprotein open reading frame, thirteen BCMV isolates from Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Nepal showed sequence identity of 92.1 to 98.8% at the nucleotide and 94.2 to 99% at the amino acid level among themselves and with corresponding sequences of BCMV reported previously. In phylogenetic analyses using the global BCMV sequences, they segregated into five distinct lineages, with RB isolates from Nepal clustering with US1/NL1-clade of common bean isolates from different countries, YLB isolates aligning with blackeye cowpea strain sequences reported from China, and CB isolates from Nepal and Bangladesh clustering with soybean isolates from China. One YLB isolate from Nepal was identified as a putative recombinant. None of the BCMV sequences aligned with isolates representing the RU1 or PStV clades. In grow-out tests, seed samples from local markets showed 14.3 to 38.1% transmission efficiency rate of BCMV with CB seed lots and from 9.5% to 33.3% with YLB seed lots.

Soybean seed pest damage detection method based on spatial frequency domain imaging combined with RL-SVM.

Soybean seeds are susceptible to damage from the Riptortus pedestris, which is a significant factor affecting the quality of soybean seeds. Currently, manual screening methods for soybean seeds are limited to visual inspection, making it difficult to identify seeds that are phenotypically defect-free but have been punctured by stink bugs on the sub-surface. To facilitate the convenient and efficient identification of healthy soybean seeds, this paper proposes a soybean seed pest detection method based on spatial frequency domain imaging combined with RL-SVM. Firstly, soybean optical data is obtained using single integration sphere technique, and the vigor index of soybean seeds is obtained through germination experiments. Then, based on the above two data items using feature extraction algorithms (the successive projections algorithm and the competitive adaptive reweighted sampling algorithm), the characteristic wavelengths of soybeans are identified. Subsequently, the spatial frequency domain imaging technique is used to obtain the sub-surface images of soybean seeds in a forward manner, and the optical coefficients such as the reduced scattering coefficient µ ' s and absorption coefficient µ a of soybean seeds are inverted. Finally, RL-MLR, RL-GRNN, and RL-SVM prediction models are established based on the ratio of the area of insect-damaged sub-surface to the entire seed, soybean varieties, and µ a at three wavelengths (502 nm, 813 nm, and 712 nm) for predicting and identifying soybean the stinging and sucking pest damage levels of soybean seeds. The experimental results show that the spatial frequency domain imaging technique yields small errors in the optical coefficients of soybean seeds, with errors of less than 15% for µ a and less than 10% for µ ' s . After parameter adjustment through reinforcement learning, the Macro-Recall metrics of each model have improved by 10%-15%, and the RL-SVM model achieves a high Macro-Recall value of 0.9635 for classifying the pest damage levels of soybean seeds.

Insights into impact of chlorogenic acid on multi-scale structure and digestive properties of lotus seed starch under autoclaving treatment.

The interaction between polyphenols and starch is an important factor affecting the structure and function of starch. Here, the impact of chlorogenic acid on the multi-scale structure and digestive properties of lotus seed starch under autoclaving treatment were evaluated in this study. The results showed that lotus seed starch granules were destroyed under autoclaving treatment, and chlorogenic acid promoted the formation of loose gel structure of lotus seed starch. In particular, the long- and short-range ordered structure of lotus seed starch-chlorogenic acid complexes were reduced compared with lotus seed starch under autoclaving treatment. The relative crystallinity of A-LS-CA complexes decreased from 23.4 % to 20.3 %, the value of R1047/1022 reduced from 0.87 to 0.80, and the proportion of amorphous region increased from 10.26 % to 13.85 %. In addition, thermal stability, storage modulus and loss modulus of lotus seed starch-chlorogenic acid complexes were reduced, indicating that the viscoelasticity of lotus seed starch gel was weakened with the addition of chlorogenic acid. It is remarkable that chlorogenic acid increased the proportion of resistant starch from 58.25 ± 1.43 % to 63.85 ± 0.96 % compared with lotus seed starch under autoclaving treatment. Here, the research results provided a theoretical guidance for the development of functional foods containing lotus seed starch.

Quality seed production scenario of Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) in India: A 24-year retrospective analysis.

Egyptian clover/Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) is the most popular winter leguminous multi-cut fodder crop widely cultivated in the northwest and central parts of India. Quality seed significantly impacts farm productivity, farmers' profitability, and socioeconomic welfare. Foundation and certified seeds enable high-quality seed production, making breeder seed (BS) the most important link in the seed supply chain. In India, berseem BS indent had increased from 1998 - 99 to 2012-13; afterwards, it followed a constant but decreasing trend. Of the 27 notified cultivars, 24 came into the seed supply chain between 1998-1999 and 2021-2022, indicating high varietal availability to stakeholders. The study examines the potential causes of the national decline in BS indent and production and the differences in these figures over time. The highest BS indent was received for the variety JB-1 (276.1 q), followed by BL-10 (205.1 q), Mescavi (165.6 q) and Wardan (153.7 q) from 1998 - 99 to 2021-22. The varietal replacement rate (VRR) is high, 43.30 %, for the varieties that have reached the age of five or less in the recent three years (2019-20 to 2021-22). Additionally, it has been calculated that if the seed chain operates at 100 % efficiency, the BS generated (48.1q) in 2021-22 can cover an area of almost 0.12 million hectares in 2024-25. The study offers an in-depth overview of berseem BS indent and production, an analysis of the difficulties encountered in BS production, and future directions for expanding variety and producing excess BS in the nation.

Targeting colorectal cancer with Herba Patriniae and Coix seed: Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro validation.

BACKGROUND: Herba Patriniae and Coix seed (HC) constitute a widely utilized drug combination in the clinical management of colorectal cancer (CRC) that is known for its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and swelling-reducing properties. Although its efficacy has been demonstrated in a clinical setting, the active compounds and their mechanisms of action in CRC treatment remain to be fully elucidated. AIM: To identify the active, CRC-targeting components of HC and to elucidate the mechanisms of action involved. METHODS: Active HC components were identified and screened using databases. Targets for each component were predicted. CRC-related targets were obtained from human gene databases. Interaction targets between HC and CRC were identified. A "drug-ingredient-target" network was created to identify the core components and targets involved. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were conducted to elucidate the key pathways involved. Molecular docking between core targets and key components was executed. In vitro experiments validated core monomers. RESULTS: Nineteen active components of HC were identified, with acacetin as the primary active compound. The predictive analysis identified 454 targets of the active compounds in HC. Intersection mapping with 2685 CRC-related targets yielded 171 intervention targets, including 30 core targets. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that HC may influence the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that acacetin exhibited an optimal interaction with AKT1, identifying PI3K, AKT, and P53 as key genes likely targeted by HC during CRC treatment. Acacetin inhibited HT-29 cell proliferation and migration, as well as promoted apoptosis, in vitro. Western blotting analysis revealed increased p53 and cleaved caspase-3 expression and decreased levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and survivin, which likely contributed to CRC apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Acacetin, the principal active compound in the HC pair, inhibited the proliferation and migration of HT-29 cells and promoted apoptosis through the PI3K/Akt/p53 signaling pathway.

Characterization and genomic analysis of Bacillus megaterium with the ability to degrade aflatoxin B1.

Coix seed is a good product for both medicinal and food use, which is highly susceptible to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination during field transport, storage, and processing. The aim of this study is to find microbial strains that can solve the problem of contamination of coix seed. In this study, the AFB1-degrading microorganism SX1-1 was isolated and identified as a Bacillus megaterium based on morphology, microscopy, and 16S rDNA sequencing. The optimum culture conditions for SX1-1 to degrade AFB1 were determined to be 12 h. The optimum degradation conditions were 72 h, 57°C, and an initial pH of 8.0. The highest degradation of AFB1 was observed in the fermentation supernatant of the SX1-1 strain, with a degradation rate of 97.45%. In addition, whole-genome sequencing analysis of this strain revealed the presence of a number of enzymes that could potentially degrade AFB1. Importantly, SX1-1 was able to degrade AFB1-contaminated coix seed in situ by 50.06% after co-culture. In conclusion, this strain had a high AFB1 degradation ability, and has great potential and great application as a biocontrol agent for AFB1 degradation of coix seed.

Impact of Neem Seed Extract on Mortality, Esterase and Glutathione-S-Transferase Activities in Thai Polyvoltine Hybrid Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Neem, a biopesticide, offers a safer alternative to the synthetic insecticides commonly used in mulberry cultivation, which can harm silkworms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Thai neem seed extract on all instar larvae of the Thai polyvoltine hybrid silkworm, Bombyx mori L., Dok Bua strains, focusing on the mortality rate and the activities of esterase (EST) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) enzymes. Acute toxicity was assessed using the leaf-dipping method. Results showed that the mortality rate tended to be higher in younger instars than in older ones. The first instar larvae exhibited the highest mortality rate at 94%, whereas the LC50 was highest in the third instar at 5.23 mg L-1 at 72 h. This trend aligns with the activities of EST and GST, which were evaluated in the whole bodies of the first instar larvae and the midgut tissue of fifth instar larvae. As the extract concentration increased, EST activity decreased while GST activity increased in both the first and fifth instar larvae. These findings highlight that neem extract is toxic to all instar larvae, with GST playing a crucial role in detoxification, particularly in the whole body of the Thai polyvoltine hybrid silkworm.

Spatial and Temporal Variation in the Antagonistic and Mutualistic Interactions among Seed Predator Arthropods, Seed-Dispersing Birds, and the Spanish Juniper.

Plants interact with both antagonistic and mutualistic animals during reproduction, with the outcomes of these interactions significantly influencing plant reproductive success, population dynamics, and the evolution of plant traits. Here, we investigated the spatial and temporal variations in the interactions between Juniperus thurifera, its seed-dispersing birds, and three specific arthropod species that attack the fleshy cones during the predispersal period. We assessed how plant traits affect levels of cone damage by arthropods and seed dispersal by birds, the occurrence of competition among arthropod species, and the impact of seed predators on the activity of frugivores. Plant traits, cone damage by arthropods, and seed dispersal by birds showed spatiotemporal variability. Fluctuation in cone abundance was the leading factor determining damage by arthropods and bird dispersal with a secondary role of cone traits. Large crops satiated predispersal seed predators, although the amount of frugivory did not increase significantly, suggesting a potential satiation of bird dispersers. Crop size and cone traits at individual trees determined preferences by seed predator species and the foraging activity of bird dispersers. Competition among arthropods increased during years of low cone production, and seed predators sometimes negatively affected bird frugivory. High supra-annual variations in cone production appear to be a key evolutionary mechanism enhancing J. thurifera reproductive success. This strategy reduces the impact of specialized seed predators during years of high seed production, despite the potential drawback of satiating seed dispersers.

Comparative Analysis of the Mitochondrial Genome Sequences of Diaporthe longicolla (syn. Phomopsis longicolla) Isolates Causing Phomopsis Seed Decay in Soybean.

Diaporthe longicolla (syn. Phomopsis longicolla) is an important seed-borne fungal pathogen and the primary cause of Phomopsis seed decay (PSD) in soybean. PSD is one of the most devastating seed diseases, reducing soybean seed quality and yield worldwide. As part of a genome sequencing project on the fungal Diaporthe-Phomopsis complex, draft genomes of eight D. longicolla isolates were sequenced and assembled. Sequences of mitochondrial genomes were extracted and analyzed. The circular mitochondrial genomes ranged from 52,534 bp to 58,280 bp long, with a mean GC content of 34%. A total of 14 core protein-coding genes, 23 tRNA, and 2 rRNA genes were identified. Introns were detected in the genes of atp6, cob, cox1, cox2, cox3, nad1, nad2, nad5, and rnl. Three isolates (PL7, PL10, and PL185E) had more introns than other isolates. Approximately 6.4% of the mitochondrial genomes consist of repetitive elements. Moreover, 48 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and were identified. The mitochondrial genome sequences of D. longicolla will be useful to further study the molecular basis of seed-borne pathogens causing seed diseases, investigate genetic variation among isolates, and develop improved control strategies for Phomopsis seed decay of soybean.

The Mechanisms of Cadmium Stress Mitigation by Fungal Endophytes from Maize Grains.

Maize is a crucial staple crop that ensures global food security by supplying essential nutrients. However, heavy metal (HM) contamination inhibits maize growth, reduces output, and affects food security. Some endophytic fungi (EFs) in maize seeds have the potential to enhance growth and increase dry biomass, offering a solution to mitigate the negative effect of HM contamination. Using these functional EFs could help maintain crop production and ensure food safety in HM-contaminated areas. In the present study, the diversity of EFs in corn grains from various HM-contaminated areas in China was studied through culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. We tested the plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits of several dominant culturable isolates and evaluated the growth-promoting effects of these twenty-one isolates through pot experiments. Both studies showed that HM contamination increased the diversity and richness of corn grain EFs and affected the most dominant endophytes. Nigrospora and Fusarium were the most prevalent culturable endophytes in HM-contaminated areas. Conversely, Cladosporium spp. were the most isolated endophytes in non-contaminated areas. Different from this, Saccharomycopsis and Fusarium were the dominant EFs in HM-contaminated sites, while Neofusicoccum and Sarocladium were dominant in non-contaminated sites, according to a culture-independent analysis. PGP trait tests indicated that 70% of the tested isolates (forty-two) exhibited phosphorus solubilization, IAA production, or siderophore production activity. Specifically, 90% of the tested isolates from HM-contaminated sites showed better PGP results than 45% of the isolates from non-contaminated sites. The benefit of the twenty-one isolates on host plant growth was further studied through pot experiments, which showed that all the isolates could improve host plant growth. Among them, strains derived from HM-contaminated sites, including AK18 (Nigrospora), AK32 (Beauveria), SD93 (Gibberellia), and SD64 (Fusarium), had notable effects on enhancing the dry biomass of shoots and roots of maize under Cd stress. We speculate that the higher ratio of PGP EFs in corn grains from HM-contaminated areas may explain their competitiveness in such extreme environments. Fusarium and Cladosporium isolates show high PGP properties, but they can also be phytopathogenic. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate their pathogenic properties and safety for crops before considering their practical use in agriculture.

Honey bees for pesticide monitoring in the landscape: Which bee matrices should be used?

Among bee species, the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is preferred in monitoring studies performed in the agricultural landscape, while bee matrices, pollen, and honey are mostly a subject of these studies due to their unique composition. A justified question about the relevance of other bee matrices, like larvae, foragers, beebread, and/or wax, has been raised. The ability of different bee matrices (wax, pollen grains, bee bread, foragers, larvae, nectar, and honey) to absorb pesticide residues is subjected in this study. All samples were collected during a crop flowering season (oilseed rape) on intensively managed agricultural land in Slovakia and Germany. The observed high variability in residue levels, profile, and number of detections among studied matrices from Germany, west, and east Slovakia gave us an assumption of the use of different agricultural practices between these two countries. Fungicides clearly dominated across all samples in all sampling regions. The increased pesticide profile positively correlated with the oilseed rape pollen grains in pollen pellets and/or bee bread. Bee wax, pollen, and bee bread showed a high number of detected active substances and total residue concentrations among matrices, indicating their high ability to absorb pesticide residues in the surrounding hive environment.

The Cornbelt's Last Open Pollinated Corn: Agricultural extension and the origins of the hybrid corn seed industry.

Agricultural extension is recognized as an important pathway for generating changes in individual farmers' practices and therefore broader patterns of production. In the United States, historical research has implicated extension work in transformations that privileged White farmers and wealthier operations over other producers and that fostered the industrialization and consolidation of farms. This article examines the work of one early 20th-century extension agent and the demonstrations he used to teach farmers how to choose and keep corn seeds and to identify the best performing corn varieties for a particular location. This history can inform contemporary efforts to develop more socially and ecologically aware approaches to agricultural research, extension, and production by emphasizing the need for measures of success that align with community-level objectives and for larger institutional structures that support and sustain such goals. Summary: The article examines the histories of agricultural extension and crop development in the early 20th-century United States. It discusses the role of farm demonstrations, including the participation of farmer-breeders, in the development of spread of higher yielding corn varieties in the Midwestern states in the 1910s and 1920s. It highlights the emphasis placed on finding locally or regionally appropriate varieties in some early corn extension activities and dwells on the irony that these locally specific endeavors played a role in the development of universalized solutions.The article examines and contextualizes an unusual archival document as an entry point into these histories: The Cornbelt's Last Open Pollinated Corn, a two-volume work prepared by Martin Luther Mosher (1882-1982). Mosher was the first county agricultural extension agent in the state of Iowa and worked in extension until his retirement in 1950.The article makes three main observations: (1) The Cornbelt's Last Open Pollinated Corn is best read as an agricultural demonstration; (2) The Cornbelt's Last Open Pollinated Corn is Mosher's attempt to grapple with the material legacies of his extension work in relation to the different agricultural life he idealized; and (3) Mosher's work exemplifies the complex relationships and expectations seen among breeders, seed companies, extension agents, and farmers in the early 20th-century United States.The article concludes that Mosher's work with open-pollinated corn varieties offers insight into the importance of agricultural extension as a means of crop development and highlights the contingent nature of agricultural industrialization.

Characterization of differences in seed endophytic microbiome in conventional and organic rice by amplicon-based sequencing and culturing methods.

The seed serves as the primary source for establishing microbial populations in plants across subsequent generations, influencing plant growth and overall health. Cropping conditions, especially farming practices, can influence the composition and functionality of the seed microbiome. Very little is known about the differences in seed microbiome between organic and conventional production systems. In this study, we characterized the endophytic microbial populations in seeds of rice grown under organic and conventional management practices through culture-dependent and -independent analyses. The V4 region of 16S rRNA was used for bacterial taxa identification, and the ITS1 region was used for the identification of fungal taxa. Our results revealed significantly higher Shannon and Simpson indices for bacterial diversity in the conventional farming system, whereas the fungal diversity was higher for observed, Shannon, and Simpson indices in the organic farming system. The cultivable endophytic bacteria were isolated and identified using the full-length 16S rRNA gene. There was no difference in culturable endophytic bacterial isolates in rice seeds grown under both conventional and organic farming systems. Among 33 unique isolates tested in vitro, three bacteria-Bacillus sp. ST24, Burkholderia sp. OR5, and Pantoea sp. ST25-showed antagonistic activities against Marasmius graminum, Rhizoctonia solani AG4, and R. solani AG11, the fungal pathogens causing seedling blight in rice. IMPORTANCE: In this paper, we studied the differences in the endophytic microbial composition of rice seeds grown in conventional and organic farming systems. Our results demonstrate a greater bacterial diversity in conventional farming, while organic farming showcases a higher fungal diversity. Additionally, our research reveals the ability of seed bacterial endophytes to inhibit the growth of three fungal pathogens responsible for causing seedling blight in rice. This study provides valuable insights into the potential use of beneficial seed microbial endophytes for developing a novel microbiome-based strategy in the management of rice diseases. Such an approach has the potential to enhance overall plant health and improve crop productivity.

Respiratory Morbidity Among Seed-Processing Industry Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural West Bengal, 2022-2023.

Background: Seed processing workers are exposed to dust particles generated during the processing of seeds, which can have adverse effects on their respiratory health. Aim: to estimate the prevalence and patterns of respiratory morbidity among seed processing workers in Hooghly district, West Bengal, India, and to explore their use of respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE). Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted in 5 seed processing plants from December 2022 to February 2023. A sample size of 129 workers was selected using probability proportionate to population size to select seed processing plants and simple random sampling to select workers at selected plants. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational profile, substance use patterns, respiratory PPE use, and respiratory symptoms were collected through structured interviews. Spirometry was performed with a hand held tabletop spirometer (RMS Helios 401) to assess respiratory function. Results: 52.7% of participants reported at least one chronic respiratory symptom, while 17.1% had evident respiratory morbidity based on spirometry results, with most having restrictive patterns (10.1%). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that factors associated with respiratory morbidity included increasing work years of exposure [1.10 (1.02 1.18)], irregular use of respiratory PPE [4.36 (1.22 15.57)], and primary or below education level [6.09 (1.38 26.98)]. Conclusion: The study highlights the high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and morbidity among seed processing workers. It emphasizes the importance of implementing effective respiratory protection measures and raising awareness about occupational lung diseases in this industry. Further research and interventions are needed to improve the respiratory health and well being of seed processing workers.

Redox dynamics in seeds of Acer spp: unraveling adaptation strategies of different seed categories.

Background: Seeds of woody plant species, such as those in the Acer genus like Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.), exhibit unique physiological traits and responses to environmental stress. Thioredoxins (Trxs) play a central role in the redox regulation of cells, interacting with other redox-active proteins such as peroxiredoxins (Prxs), and contributing to plant growth, development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, there is limited understanding of potential variations in this system between seeds categorized as recalcitrant and orthodox, which could provide insights into adaptive strategies. Methods: Using proteomic analysis and DDA methods we investigated the Trx-h1 target proteins in seed axes. We complemented the results of the proteomic analysis with gene expression analysis of the Trx-h1, 1-Cys-Prx, and TrxR NTRA genes in the embryonic axes of maturing, mature, and stored seeds from two Acer species. Results and discussion: The expression of Trx-h1 and TrxR NTRA throughout seed maturation in both species was low. The expression of 1-Cys-Prx remained relatively stable throughout seed maturation. In stored seeds, the expression levels were minimal, with slightly higher levels in sycamore seeds, which may confirm that recalcitrant seeds remain metabolically active during storage. A library of 289 proteins interacting with Trx-h1 was constructed, comprising 68 from Norway maple and 221 from sycamore, with distinct profiles in each seed category. Recalcitrant seed axes displayed a wide array of metabolic, stress response, and signaling proteins, suggesting sustained metabolic activity during storage and the need to address oxidative stress. Conversely, the orthodox seed axes presented a protein profile, reflecting efficient metabolic shutdown, which contributes to their extended viability. The results of the study provide new insights into seed viability and storage longevity mechanisms. They enhance the understanding of seed biology and lay the foundation for further evolutionary research on seeds of different categories.

Optimized extraction methodology for phenolic compounds in soil and plant tissues: Their implications in plant growth and gall formation.

Phenolic compounds, abundant secondary metabolites in plants, profoundly influence soil ecosystems, plant growth, and interactions with herbivores. Phenolic in soil microorganisms have the potential to impact a wide range of activities in plant-soil interactions. However, the existing methods for measuring microbial activity are typically time-consuming, intricate, and expensive. In this study, we propose modifications to the method used for the extraction and quantification of various types of phenolics in soil and plant tissues. There have been substantial advancements in research aimed at extracting, identifying, and quantifying phenolic compounds in the plant and soil samples. This study discusses the use of different methodologies in the analysis of phenolic compounds. In addition, we investigated the effect of phenolics on plant growth and cues in gall-forming under environmental disturbances.•This method is the optimum way to extract phenolic from soil and microbial activity in bulk and rhizosphere soil.•It can be used on any soil type and plant tissue, metabolites extracted from living organisms.

Genome-Wide Analyses of MADS-Box Genes Reveal Their Involvement in Seed Development and Oil Accumulation of Tea-Oil Tree (Camellia oleifera).

The seeds of Camellia oleifera produce high amount of oil, which can be broadly used in the fields of food, industry, and medicine. However, the molecular regulation mechanisms of seed development and oil accumulation in C. oleifera are unclear. In this study, evolutionary and expression analyses of the MADS-box gene family were performed across the C. oleifera genome for the first time. A total of 86 MADS-box genes (ColMADS) were identified, including 60 M-type and 26 MIKC members. More gene duplication events occurred in M-type subfamily (6) than that in MIKC subfamily (2), and SEP-like genes were lost from the MIKCC clade. Furthermore, 8, 15, and 17 differentially expressed ColMADS genes (DEGs) were detected between three developmental stages of seed (S1/S2, S2/S3, and S1/S3), respectively. Among these DEGs, the STK-like ColMADS12 and TT16-like ColMADS17 were highly expressed during the seed formation (S1 and S2), agreeing with their predicted functions to positively regulate the seed organogenesis and oil accumulation. While ColMADS57 and ColMADS07 showed increasing expression level with the seed maturation (S2 and S3), conforming to their potential roles in promoting the seed ripening. In all, these results revealed a critical role of MADS-box genes in the C. oleifera seed development and oil accumulation, which will contribute to the future molecular breeding of C. oleifera.

Effect of post-harvest storage on the chemical and microstructural characteristics of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Hard to cook is a textural defect that affects the nutritional quality of beans stored under adverse temperature and humidity conditions. This defect is related to intrinsic characteristics such as seed coat thickness, composition and microstructure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical and microstructural characteristics of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) during 270 days of post-harvest storage at 30 °C and 70% relative humidity. Microstructural analysis revealed alteration of the cotyledon cell wall and seed coat affecting seed viability and restricting seedling emergence. The seed coat thickness contraction from 105.79 µm to 97.35 µm (270 days). Changes are related with the protein bodies migration from cotyledons to seed coat. An increase in neutral detergent fiber and the presence of CaOx crystals were observed, which confer rigidity to the seed coat and affect water diffusion after 150 days causing permeability changes that contributed to seed hardening.

LcINH1 as an inhibitor of cell wall invertase LcCWIN5 regulates early seed development in Litchi chinensis Sonn.

Sugar signal mediated by Cell wall invertase (CWIN) plays a central role in seed development. In higher plants, invertase inhibitors (INHs) suppress CWIN activities at a post-translational level. In Litchi chinensis cultivar 'Nuomici', impaired CWIN expression is associated with seed abortion. Here, the expression of LcINH1 was significantly higher in the funicle of seed-aborting cultivar 'Nuomici' than big-seeded cultivar 'Heiye'. Promoter analyses found LcINH1 contained a 404 bp repeat fragment with an endosperm regulatory element of Skn-1_motif. LcINH1 and LcCWIN2/5 were located in plasma membrane. LcINH1 was able to interact with LcCWIN5, but not with LcCWIN2. In vitro enzyme activity assay demonstrated that LcINH1 could inhibit CWIN activity. Silencing LcINH1 in 'Nuomici' resulted in normal seed development, paralleled increased CWIN activities and glucose levels. Transcriptome analysis identified 1079 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in LcINH1-silenced fruits. KEGG analysis showed significant enrichment of DEGs in pathways related to transporters and plant hormone signal transduction. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis indicated that the turquoise module was highly correlated with fructose content, and LcSWEET3b was closely associated with early seed development. These findings suggest that LcINH1 regulate LcCWIN5 activity at the post-translational level to alter sucrose metabolism, thereby affecting early seed development in litchi.