Genome-wide analysis of NPR1-like genes in citrus species and expression analysis in response to citrus canker (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri).

Citrus fruits, revered for their nutritional value, face significant threats from diseases like citrus canker, particularly impacting global citrus cultivation, notably in Pakistan. This study delves into the critical role of NPR1-like genes, the true receptors for salicylic acid (SA), in the defense mechanisms of citrus against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xcc). By conducting a comprehensive genome-wide analysis and phylogenetic study, the evolutionary dynamics of Citrus limon genes across diverse citrus cultivars are elucidated. Structural predictions unveil conserved domains, such as the BTB domain and ankyrin repeat domains, crucial for the defense mechanism. Motif analysis reveals essential conserved patterns, while cis-regulatory elements indicate their involvement in transcription, growth, response to phytohormones, and stress. The predominantly cytoplasmic and nuclear localization of NPR1-like genes underscores their pivotal role in conferring resistance to various citrus species. Analysis of the Ks/Ka ratio indicates a purifying selection of NPR1-like genes, emphasizing their importance in different species. Synteny and chromosomal mapping provide insights into duplication events and orthologous links among citrus species. Notably, Xac infection stimulates the expression of NPR1-like genes, revealing their responsiveness to pathogenic challenges. Interestingly, qRT-PCR profiling post-Xac infection reveals cultivar-specific alterations in expression within susceptible and resistant citrus varieties. Beyond genetic factors, physiological parameters like peroxidase, total soluble protein, and secondary metabolites respond to SA-dependent PR genes, influencing plant characteristics. Examining the impact of defense genes (NPR1) and plant characteristics on disease resistance in citrus, this study marks the inaugural investigation into the correlation between NPR1-associated genes and various plant traits in both susceptible and resistant citrus varieties to citrus bacterial canker.

Investigating the synergistic effects of biochar, trans-zeatin riboside, and Azospirillum brasilense on soil improvement and enzymatic activity in water-stressed wheat.

BACKGROUND: Water stress is a major danger to crop yield, hence new approaches to strengthen plant resilience must be developed. To lessen the negative effects of water stress on wheat plants, present study was arranged to investigate the role of synergistic effects of biochar, trans-zeatin riboside (t-ZR), and Azospirillum brasilense on soil improvement and enzymatic activity in water-stressed wheat. RESULTS: In a three-replication experiment comprising of four treatments (T0: Control, T1: Drought stress (DS), T2: DS + t-ZR with biochar, T3: DS + A. brasilense with biochar), we observed notable improvements in soil quality and enzymatic activities in water-stressed wheat plants with the application of t-ZR and A. brasilense with biochar. In drought stress, Treatment having the application of A. brasilense with biochar performs best as compared to the other and significant increased the enzymatic activities such as peroxidase (7.36%), catalase (8.53%), superoxide dismutase (6.01%), polyphenol oxidase (14.14%), and amylase (16.36%) in wheat plants. Different enzymatic activities showed different trends of results. Soil organic C, dissolved organic C, dissolved organic N also enhanced 29.46%, 8.59%, 22.70% respectively with the application of A. brasilense with biochar under drought stress condition. CONCLUSIONS: The synergistic action of A. brasilense and biochar creates an effective microbiological environment that supports essential plant physiological processes during drought stress. This enhancement is attributed to improved soil fertility and increased organic matter content, highlighting the potential of these novel strategies in mitigating water stress effects and enhancing crop resilience.

Genetics aspect of vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) biosynthesis and signaling pathways in fruits and vegetables crops.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in many physiological processes in plants and animals. In humans, vitamin C is an antioxidant, reducing agent, and cofactor in diverse chemical processes. The established role of vitamin C as an antioxidant in plants is well recognized. It neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can cause damage to cells. Also, it plays an important role in recycling other antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which helps maintain the overall balance of the plant's antioxidant system. However, unlike plants, humans cannot synthesize ascorbic acid or vitamin C in their bodies due to the absence of an enzyme called gulonolactone oxidase. This is why humans need to obtain vitamin C through their diet. Different fruits and vegetables contain varying levels of vitamin C. The biosynthesis of vitamin C in plants occurs primarily in the chloroplasts and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The biosynthesis of vitamin C is a complex process regulated by various factors such as light, temperature, and plant hormones. Recent research has identified several key genes that regulate vitamin C biosynthesis, including the GLDH and GLDH genes. The expression of these genes is known to be regulated by various factors such as light, temperature, and plant hormones. Recent studies highlight vitamin C's crucial role in regulating plant stress response pathways, encompassing drought, high salinity, and oxidative stress. The key enzymes in vitamin C biosynthesis are L-galactose dehydrogenase (GLDH) and L-galactono-1, 4-lactone dehydrogenase (GLDH). Genetic studies reveal key genes like GLDH and GLDH in Vitamin C biosynthesis, offering potential for crop improvement. Genetic variations influence nutritional content through their impact on vitamin C levels. Investigating the roles of genes in stress responses provides insights for developing resilient techniques in crop growth. Some fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, along with strawberries and kiwi, are rich in vitamin C. Guava. Papaya provides a boost of vitamin C and dietary fiber. At the same time, red and yellow bell peppers, broccoli, pineapple, mangoes, and kale are additional sources of this essential nutrient, promoting overall health. In this review, we will discuss a brief history of Vitamin C and its signaling and biosynthesis pathway and summarize the regulation of its content in various fruits and vegetables.

Comparative genomics of N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine members in four Prunus species with insights into bud dormancy and abiotic stress responses in Prunus avium.

KEY MESSAGE: This study provides novel insights into the evolution, diversification, and functions of melatonin biosynthesis genes in Prunus species, highlighting their potential role in regulating bud dormancy and abiotic stresses. The biosynthesis of melatonin (MEL) in plants is primarily governed by enzymatic reactions involving key enzymes such as serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT), tryptamine 5-hydroxylase (T5H), N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) and tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC). In this study, we analyzed Melatonin genes in four Prunus species such as Prunus avium (Pavi), Prunus pusilliflora (Ppus), Prunus serulata (Pser), and Prunus persica (Pper) based on comparative genomics approach. Among the four Prunus species, a total of 29 TDCs, 998 T5Hs, 16 SNATs, and 115 ASMTs within the genome of four Prunus genomes. A thorough investigation of melatonin-related genes was carried out using systematic biological methods and comparative genomics. Through phylogenetic analysis, orthologous clusters, Go enrichment, syntenic relationship, and gene duplication analysis, we discovered both similarities and variations in Melatonin genes among these Prunus species. Additionally, our study revealed the existence of unique subgroup members in the Melatonin genes of these species, which were distinct from those found in Arabidopsis genes. Furthermore, the transcriptomic expression analysis revealed the potential significance of melatonin genes in bud dormancy regulation and abiotic stresses. Our extensive results offer valuable perspectives on the evolutionary patterns, intricate expansion, and functions of PavMEL genes. Given their promising attributes, PavTDCs, PavT5H, PavNAT, and three PavASMT genes warrant in-depth exploration as prime candidates for manipulating dormancy in sweet cherry. This was done to lay the foundation for future explorations into the structural and functional aspects of these factors in Prunus species. This study offers significant insights into the functions of ASMT, SNAT, T5H, and TDC genes and sheds light on their roles in Prunus avium. Moreover, it established a robust foundation for further exploration functional characterization of melatonin genes in fruit species.

Modulating plant-soil microcosm with green synthesized ZnONPs in arsenic contaminated soil.

Biogenic nanoparticle (NP), derived from plant sources, is gaining prominence as a viable, cost-effective, sustainable, and biocompatible alternative for mitigating the extensive environmental impact of arsenic on the interplay between plant-soil system. Herein, the impact of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) was assessed on Catharanthus roseus root system-associated enzymes and their possible impact on microbiome niches (rhizocompartments) and overall plant performance under arsenic (As) gradients. The application of ZnONPs at different concentrations successfully modified the arsenic uptake in various plant parts, with the root arsenic levels increasing 1.5 and 1.4-fold after 25 and 50 days, respectively, at medium concentration compared to the control. Moreover, ZnONPs gradients regulated the various soil enzyme activities. Notably, urease and catalase activities showed an increase when exposed to low concentrations of ZnONPs, whereas saccharase and acid phosphatase displayed the opposite pattern, showing increased activities under medium concentration which possibly in turn influence the plant root system associated microflora. The use of nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination revealed a significant differentiation (with a significance level of p < 0.05) in the structure of both bacterial and fungal communities under different treatment conditions across root associated niches. Bacterial and fungal phyla level analysis showed that Proteobacteria and Basidiomycota displayed a significant increase in relative abundance under medium ZnONPs concentration, as opposed to low and high concentrations, respectively. Similarly, in depth genera level analysis revealed that Burkholderia, Halomonas, Thelephora and Sebacina exhibited a notably high relative abundance in both the rhizosphere and rhizoplane (the former refers to the soil region influenced by root exudates, while the latter is the root surface itself) under medium concentrations of ZnONPs, respectively. These adjustments to the plant root-associated microcosm likely play a role in protecting the plant from oxidative stress by regulating the plant's antioxidant system and overall biomass.

Horticulture crop under pressure: Unraveling the impact of climate change on nutrition and fruit cracking.

Climate change is increasingly affecting the nutritional content and structural integrity of horticultural crops, leading to challenges such as diminished fruit quality and the exacerbation of fruit cracking. This manuscript systematically explores the multifaceted impacts of these changes, with a particular focus on the nutritional quality and increased incidence of fruit cracking. An exhaustive review of current research identifies the critical role of transcription factors in mediating plant responses to climatic stressors, such as drought, temperature extremes, and saline conditions. The significance of transcription factors, including bHLH, bZIP, DOF, MDP, HD-ZIP, MYB, and ERF4, is highlighted in the development of fruit cracking, underscoring the genetic underpinnings behind stress-related phenotypic outcomes. The effectiveness of greenhouse structures in mitigating adverse climatic effects is evaluated, offering a strategic approach to sustain crop productivity amidst CO2 fluctuations and water scarcity, which are shown to influence plant physiology and lead to changes in fruit development, nutrient dynamics, and a heightened risk of cracking. Moreover, the manuscript delves into advanced breeding strategies and genetic engineering techniques, such as genome editing, to enhance crop resilience against climatic challenges. It also discusses adaptation strategies vital for sustainable horticulture, emphasizing the need to integrate novel genetic insights with controlled environment horticulture to counteract climate change's detrimental effects. The synthesis presented here underscores the urgent need for innovative breeding strategies aimed at developing resilient crop varieties that can withstand climatic uncertainty while preserving nutritional integrity.

Comprehensive review: Effects of climate change and greenhouse gases emission relevance to environmental stress on horticultural crops and management.

Global climate change exerts a significant impact on sustainable horticultural crop production and quality. Rising Global temperatures have compelled the agricultural community to adjust planting and harvesting schedules, often necessitating earlier crop cultivation. Notably, climate change introduces a suite of ominous factors, such as greenhouse gas emissions (CGHs), including elevated temperature, increased carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) ozone depletion (O3), and deforestation, all of which intensify environmental stresses on crops. Consequently, climate change stands poised to adversely affect crop yields and livestock production. Therefore, the primary objective of the review article is to furnish a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted factors influencing horticulture production, encompassing fruits, vegetables, and plantation crops with a particular emphasis on greenhouse gas emissions and environmental stressors such as high temperature, drought, salinity, and emission of CO2. Additionally, this review will explore the implementation of novel horticultural crop varieties and greenhouse technology that can contribute to mitigating the adverse impact of climate change on agricultural crops.

A chromosome-scale genome of Peucedanum praeruptorum provide insights into Apioideae evolution and medicinal ingredient biosynthesis.

Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn, a traditional Chinese medicine rich in coumarin, belongs to the Apiaceae family. A high-quality assembled genome of P. praeruptorum is lacking, which has posed obstacles to functional identification and molecular evolution studies of genes associated with coumarin production. Here, a chromosome-scale reference genome of P. praeruptorum, an important medicinal and aromatic plant, was first sequenced and assembled using Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Hi-C sequencing. The final assembled genome size was 1.83 Gb, with a contig N50 of 11.12 Mb. The entire BUSCO evaluation and second-generation read comparability rates were 96.0 % and 99.31 %, respectively. Furthermore, 99.91 % of the genome was anchored to 11 pseudochromosomes. The comparative genomic study revealed the presence of 18,593 orthogroups, which included 476 species-specific orthogroups and 1211 expanded gene families. Two whole-genome duplication (WGD) events and one whole-genome triplication (WGT) event occurred in P. praeruptorum. In addition to the γ-WGT shared by core eudicots or most eudicots, the first WGD was shared by Apiales, while the most recent WGD was unique to Apiaceae. Our study demonstrated that WGD events that occurred in Apioideae highlighted the important role of tandem duplication in the biosynthesis of coumarins and terpenes in P. praeruptorum. Additionally, the expansion of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, O-methyltransferase, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, and terpene synthase families may be associated with the abundance of coumarins and terpenoids. Moreover, we identified >170 UDP-glucosyltransferase members that may be involved in the glycosylation post-modification of coumarins. Significant gene expansion was observed in the ABCG, ABCB, and ABCC subgroups of the ABC transporter family, potentially facilitating the transmembrane transport of coumarins after bolting. The P. praeruptorum genome provides valuable insights into the machinery of coumarin biosynthesis and enhances our understanding of Apiaceae evolution.

Unveiling the effect of gibberellin-induced iron oxide nanoparticles on bud dormancy release in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.).

Hydrogen cyanide has been extensively used worldwide for bud dormancy break in fruit trees, consequently enhancing fruit production via expedited cultivation, especially in areas with controlled environments or warmer regions. A novel and safety nanotechnology was developed since the hazard of hydrogen cyanide for the operators and environments, there is an urgent need for the development of novel and safety approaches to replace it to break bud dormancy for fruit trees. In current study, we have systematically explored the potential of iron oxide nanoparticles, specifically α-Fe2O3, to modulate bud dormancy in sweet cherry (Prunus avium). The synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles underwent meticulous characterization and assessment using various techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet-visible infrared (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Remarkably, when applied at a concentration of 10 mg L-1 alongside gibberellin (GA4+7), these iron oxide nanoparticles exhibited a substantial 57% enhancement in bud dormancy release compared to control groups, all achieved within a remarkably short time span of 4 days. Our RNA-seq analyses further unveiled that 2757 genes within the sweet cherry buds were significantly up-regulated when treated with 10 mg L-1 α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in combination with GA, while 4748 genes related to dormancy regulation were downregulated in comparison to the control. Moreover, we discovered an array of 58 transcription factor families among the crucial differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Through hormonal quantification, we established that the increased bud burst was accompanied by a reduced concentration of abscisic acid (ABA) at 761.3 ng/g fresh weight in the iron oxide treatment group, coupled with higher levels of gibberellins (GAs) in comparison to the control. Comprehensive transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses unveiled significant alterations in hormone contents and gene expression during the bud dormancy-breaking process when α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were combined with GA. In conclusion, our findings provide valuable insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of iron oxide nanoparticles on achieving uniform bud dormancy break in sweet cherry trees.

Functional and kinetics of two efficient phenylalanine ammonia lyase from Pyrus bretschneideri.

BACKGROUND: The enzyme phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) controls the transition from primary to secondary metabolism by converting L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) to cinnamic acid. However, the function of PAL in pear plants (Pyrus bretschneideri) has not yet been fully elucidated. RESULTS: We identified three PAL genes (PbPAL1, PbPAL2 and PbPAL3) from the pear genome by exploring pear genome databases. The evolutionary tree revealed that three PbPALs were classified into one group. We expressed PbPAL1 and PbPAL2 recombinant proteins, and the purified PbPAL1 and PbPAL2 proteins showed strict substrate specificity for L-Phe, no activity toward L-Tyr in vitro, and modest changes in kinetics and enzyme characteristics. Furthermore, overexpression of PbAL1 and PbPAL1-RNAi, respectively, and resulted in significant changes in stone cell and lignin contents in pear fruits. The results of yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assays that PbWLIM1 could bind to the conserved PAL box in the PbPAL promoter and regulate the transcription level of PbPAL2. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings not only showed PbPAL's potential role in lignin biosynthesis but also laid the foundation for future studies on the regulation of lignin synthesis and stone cell development in pear fruit utilizing molecular biology approaches.

Comparative analysis of KNOX genes and their expression patterns under various treatments in Dendrobium huoshanense.

Introduction: KNOX plays a pivotal role in governing plant growth, development, and responses to diverse abiotic and biotic stresses. However, information on the relationship between the KNOX gene family and expression levels under different treatments in Dendrobium is still limited. Methods: To address this problem, we first used bioinformatics methods and revealed the presence of 19 KNOX genes distributed among 13 chromosomes in the Dendrobium huoshanense genome. Through an analysis of phylogenetic relationships, these genes were classified into three distinct clades: class I, class II, and class M. Our investigation included promoter analysis, revealing various cis-acting elements associated with hormones, growth and development, and abiotic stress responses. Additionally, qRT-PCR experiments were conducted to assess the expression patterns of DhKNOX genes under different treatments, including ABA, MeJA, SA, and drought. Results: The results demonstrated differential expression of DhKNOX genes in response to these treatments, thereby highlighting their potential roles in stress adaptation. Discussion: Overall, our results contribute important insights for further investigations into the functional characterization of the Dendrobium KNOX gene family, shedding light on their roles in plant development and stress responses.

The potential roles of acid invertase family in Dendrobium huoshanense: Identification, evolution, and expression analyses under abiotic stress.

Dendrobium huoshanense, a traditional Chinese medicine prized for its horticultural and medicinal properties, thrives in an unfavorable climate and is exposed to several adverse environmental conditions. Acid invertase (AINV), a widely distributed enzyme that has been demonstrated to play a significant role in response to environmental stresses. However, the identification of the AINV gene family in D. huoshanense, the collinearity between relative species, and the expression pattern under external stress have yet to be resolved. We systematically retrieved the D. huoshanense genome and screened out four DhAINV genes, which were further classified into two subfamilies by the phylogenetic analysis. The evolutionary history of AINV genes in D. huoshanense was uncovered by comparative genomics investigations. The subcellular localization predicted that the DhVINV genes may be located in the vacuole, while the DhCWINV genes may be located in the cell wall. The exon/intron structures and conserved motifs of DhAINV genes were found to be highly conserved in two subclades. The conserved amino acids and catalytic motifs in DhAINV proteins were determined to be critical to their function. Notably, the cis-acting elements in all DhAINV genes were mainly relevant to abiotic stresses and light response. In addition, the expression profile coupled with qRT-PCR revealed the typical expression patterns of DhAINV in response to diverse abiotic stresses. Our findings could be beneficial to the characterization and further investigation of AINV functions in Dendrobium plants.

Oxygenation alleviates waterlogging-caused damages to cherry rootstocks.

Waterlogging has occurred more frequently in recent years due to climate change, so it is a huge threat to crop yield and quality. Sweet cherry, a fruit tree with a high economic value, is sensitive to waterlogging stress. One of the most effective methods for enhancing the waterlogging tolerance of sweet cherries is to select waterlogging-tolerant rootstocks. However, the waterlogging tolerance of different cherry rootstocks, and the underlying mechanism remains uncharacterized. Thus, we first evaluated the waterlogging resistance of five sweet cherry rootstocks planted in China. The data showed that 'Gisela 12' and 'Colt' were the most waterlogging-sensitive and -tolerant among the five tested varieties, respectively. Oxygenation effectively alleviated the adverse impacts of waterlogging stress on cherry rootstocks. Moreover, we found that the waterlogging group had lower relative water content, Fv/Fm value, net photosynthetic rate, and higher antioxidant enzyme activities, whereas the oxygenated group performed better in all these parameters. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that numerous DEGs were involved in energy production, antioxidant metabolism, hormone metabolism pathways, and stress-related transcription factors. These findings will help provide management strategies to enhance the waterlogging tolerance of cherry rootstocks and thereby achieve higher yield and better quality of cherries.

Flavonoids: a review on biosynthesis and transportation mechanism in plants.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the biosynthetic pathway and regulation of flavonoids through forward genetic approaches. However, there remains a notable gap in knowledge regarding the functional characterization and underlying processes of the transport framework responsible for flavonoid transport. This aspect requires further investigation and clarification to achieve a comprehensive understanding. Presently, there are a total of four proposed transport models associated with flavonoids, namely glutathione S-transferase (GST), multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE), multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRPs), and bilitranslocase-homolog (BTL). Extensive research has been conducted on the proteins and genes related to these transport models. However, despite these efforts, numerous challenges still exist, leaving much to be explored in the future. Gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying these transport models holds immense potential for various fields such as metabolic engineering, biotechnological approaches, plant protection, and human health. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the understanding of flavonoid transport mechanisms. By doing so, we aim to paint a clear and coherent picture of the dynamic trafficking of flavonoids.

Co-application of copper oxide nanoparticles and Trichoderma harzianum with physiological, enzymatic and ultrastructural responses for the mitigation of salt stress.

Chemical contamination or nutrient pollution is concerning for health, environmental, and economic reasons. Ecofriendly surface modification of nanoparticles is a consistent challenge for agricultural purposes. In response to this environmental concern, CuO-NPs synthesized through biological method using green source and characterized for morphological and structural features through SEM (scanning electron microscope) and TEM (transmission electron microscope) spectroscopy. Our research findings illustrate that the presence of salt stress induces a notable decline in both physiological and biochemical parameters within plants. Nevertheless, the utilization of T. harzianum and CuO-NPs exhibited a mitigating effect on the detrimental consequences induced by salt stress in plants. The application of T. harzianum and the simultaneous co-inoculation with CuO-NPs notably enhanced fresh biomass and facilitated vegetative growth in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, the exposure of both T. harzianum inoculum and Copper oxide nanoparticles resulted in a significant reduction of oxidative stresses, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, H2O2, and lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels in the above-ground parts of the plant, while also minimizing electrolyte leakage (EL) by reducing root growth. Additionally, the co-inoculation of the endophyte and CuO-NPs led to a significant enhancement in antioxidant enzymatic activities, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and chitinase (CAT) activity in the above-ground parts, under salt stress conditions. The inoculum, along with its combination with CuO-NPs, decreased electrolyte conductivity and improved total chlorophyll contents as compared to the control. The combined application of T. harzianum and CuO-NPs improved salt tolerance in A. thaliana plants by triggering salt-associated gene expression. These findings suggest that the application of T. harzianum and CuO-NPs can considerably promote leaf anatomical changes in A. thaliana and have ability to enhance salt tolerance, particularly in saline areas.

Chromosome-scale genome assembly of Prunus pusilliflora provides novel insights into genome evolution, disease resistance, and dormancy release in Cerasus L.

Prunus pusilliflora is a wild cherry germplasm resource distributed mainly in Southwest China. Despite its ornamental and economic value, a high-quality assembled P. pusilliflora genome is unavailable, hindering our understanding of its genetic background, population diversity, and evolutionary processes. Here, we de novo assembled a chromosome-scale P. pusilliflora genome using Oxford Nanopore, Illumina, and chromosome conformation capture sequencing. The assembled genome size was 309.62 Mb, with 76 scaffolds anchored to eight pseudochromosomes. We predicted 33 035 protein-coding genes, functionally annotated 98.27% of them, and identified repetitive sequences covering 49.08% of the genome. We found that P. pusilliflora is closely related to Prunus serrulata and Prunus yedoensis, having diverged from them ~41.8 million years ago. A comparative genomic analysis revealed that P. pusilliflora has 643 expanded and 1128 contracted gene families. Furthermore, we found that P. pusilliflora is more resistant to Colletotrichum viniferum, Phytophthora capsici, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 infections than cultivated Prunus avium. P. pusilliflora also has considerably more nucleotide-binding site-type resistance gene analogs than P. avium, which explains its stronger disease resistance. The cytochrome P450 and WRKY families of 263 and 61 proteins were divided into 42 and 8 subfamilies respectively in P. pusilliflora. Furthermore, 81 MADS-box genes were identified in P. pusilliflora, accompanying expansions of the SVP and AGL15 subfamilies and loss of the TM3 subfamily. Our assembly of a high-quality P. pusilliflora genome will be valuable for further research on cherries and molecular breeding.

Environmental sustainable: Biogenic copper oxide nanoparticles as nano-pesticides for investigating bioactivities against phytopathogens.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are of interest in human physiopathology and have been extensively studied for their effects on the endocrine system. Research also focuses on the environmental impact of EDCs, including pesticides and engineered nanoparticles, and their toxicity to organisms. Green nanofabrication has surfaced as an environmentally conscious and sustainable approach to manufacture antimicrobial agents that can effectively manage phytopathogens. In this study, we examined the current understanding of the pathogenic activities of Azadirachta indica aqueous formulated green synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) against phytopathogens. The CuONPs were analyzed and studied using a range of analytical and microscopic techniques, such as UV-visible spectrophotometer, Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD spectral results revealed that the particles had a high crystal size, with an average size ranging from 40 to 100 nm. TEM and SEM images were utilized to verify the size and shape of the CuONPs, revealing that they varied between 20 and 80 nm. The existence of potential functional molecules involved in the reduction of the nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR spectra and UV analysis. Biogenically synthesized CuONPs revealed significantly enhanced antimicrobial activities at 100 mg/L concentration in vitro by the biological method. The synthesized CuONPs at 500 µg/ml had a strong antioxidant activity which was examined through the free radicle scavenging method. Overall results of the green synthesized CuONPs have demonstrated significant synergetic effects in biological activities which can play a crucial impact in plant pathology against numerous phytopathogens.