Analyzing the genetic relationships of the main cultivated varieties of grapes can provide a basis for exploring excellent germplasm resources and parent selection.

Seventy-seven grape germplasms resources were targeted for the genetic diversity and structure study by using SCoT markers, and the Structure 2.3.4 software was used to conduct population genetic structure analysis.

A total of 68 bands, of which 65 were polymorphic, were amplified by the 10 selected SCoT primers with an average of 6.8 bands per primer. The genetic similarity coefficient of the germplasms was 0.59-0.97. At the coefficient of 0.626, the cultivars were classified into two categories of Pop1 that contained 34 germplasms mostly European and American hybrids and Pop2 that consisted of 43 germplasms largely Eurasian varieties.

The SCoT molecular markers can identify the genetic diversity of grope germplasm, and the research findings provide a reference for the analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of grape germplasm resources in Sichuan.

Genetic diversity of Fortunella hindsii germplasms was analyzed to facilitate resource utilization and breeding.

A collection of 108 F. hindsii germplasms was organized based on 13 agronomic traits and 10 pairs of SSR molecular markers. The characteristic genetic variations of the collection were analyzed according to the calculated variation coefficient, polymorphism information content (PIC), genetic differentiation index (F_st), and other parameters combined with the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and clustering.

The phenotypic differentiation of F. hindsii was rich with the variation coefficients ranging 10.51%–50.79%. There were 41 alleles detected in the SSR markers, averaging 4.1 alleles per locus. On average, the population showing a PIC of 0.459 (locus B18 being the highest at 0.729), a Shannon's information index (I) of 0.945, an observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.324, and an expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.515 was genetically rich in diversity despite some degrees of inbreeding. It was clustered into 5 subpopulations without apparent correlation with the geographical distribution. The genetic variations revealed by AMOVA mainly originated within an individual germplasm at 53% and among individuals at 31%. The genetic differentiations among the subpopulations ranked from moderate to high with F_st = 0.071–0.226. Among the subpopulations, GroupⅠtopped the rest with an F_st＞0.18.

The 108 F. hindsii germplasms demonstrated with high genetic diversity. The SSR markers applied for the analysis satisfactorily rendered the information needed for further studies on the resource conservation and breeding program.

Stress responses of the insect-resistant and susceptible rice germplasms to brown planthopper (BPH) were compared to decipher the underlining mechanism for better control on one of the major pests on rice.

BPHs were allowed to feed on the insect-resistant BP4 and insect-susceptible TN1 rice plants. Phenotypic changes on the plants of two contrasting varieties of rice were observed. In addition, contents of malonaldehyde, proline, hydrogen peroxide, and total flavonoids as well as activities of catalase (CAT), peroxisome (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) of the plants were monitored by biochemical methods, those of plant hormones, including abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, auxin, and salicylic acid, measured by ELISA and HPLC, and expressions of the genes associated with antioxidant enzymes and salicylic acid signal transduction and synthesis analyzed by RT-qPCR.

Six days after infestation by BPHs, all TN1 seedlings died but BP4 had a mortality rate of merely 11.11% with a rated Level 3 resistance to the pest. In 4 d after the exposure, both germplasms had significantly increased contents of malonaldehyde and proline without any changes on the total flavonoids; TN1, but not BP4, rose significantly on hydrogen peroxide; TN1 increased significantly on the activities of CAT, POD, and SOD, but BP4 decreased significantly; neither germplasms changed on APX activity; TN1, but not BP4, declined significantly on GR activity; and only BP4 increased significantly on the content of salicylic acid. In 2 d post-introduction, the expressions of most antioxidant enzyme-associated genes in BP4 were downregulated but upregulated in TN1. Meanwhile, the expressions of the genes related to the salicylic acid signal transduction and synthesis in BP4 were upregulated.

BPH infestation induced significant differentiations between the resistant BP4 and the susceptible TN1 rice germplasms in response to the stress with respect to the contents of hydrogen peroxide and salicylic acid as well as the antioxidant enzyme activity of the plants.

Correlation between the polymorphisms of sirtuin 3-associated gene (SIRT3) in metabolically active tissues and the growth indicators of Guanling cattle was analyzed.

Tissue samples from the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, leg muscle, longissimus dorsi, and shoulder muscle were collected from three 18-month-old Guanling bulls. Expressions of SIRT3 in the organs and muscles were analyzed by qRT-PCR. A whole-genome resequencing was conducted on the population of 187 Guanling cattle to identify the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci in SIRT3. Association of the genetic variants with the cattle growth traits was evaluated using a mixed linear model.

The SIRT3 gene was ubiquitously expressed in the hindlimb muscle, longissimus dorsi muscle, spleen, lung, kidney, heart, shoulder hump, and liver of Guanling cattle. The longissimus dorsi muscle and shoulder hump had the highest level of expression, followed by the hindlimb muscle and relatively low in the heart, kidney, spleen, and lung. Two SNPs, i.e., g.8779 C＞T in Exon 6 and g.23000 C＞T in Exon 10, were identified. Significant correlations between the SNPs and the growth of Guanling cattle were observed at the g.8779 C＞T locus in the manner that the cattle of CC genotype exhibited significantly greater withers height than the TT genotype (P＜0.05) as well as significantly larger cannon bone circumference than the CT genotype (P＜0.05). And at the g.23000 C＞T locus, the TT genotype cattle had significantly greater withers height and ischial end width than the CC genotype (P＜0.05) and also wider chest than the CT counterparts (P＜0.05).

The identified SNPs in SIRT3 significantly correlated with certain growth traits of Guanling cattle indicating a potential application of them as genetic markers for breeding purposes.

Bioinformatics of 85A and 85B of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) were studied, and the proteins obtained by prokaryotic expression technology to determine the reactogenicity for the development of an ELISA detection kit and vaccine.

The amino acid sequences of 85A and 85B were secured using an online bioinformatics platform. The transmembrane region and signal peptide structure were removed, and the codons optimized. pET-30a-MAP-85A and pET-30a-MAP-85B recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed. Using BL21 (DE3), the induction time, temperature, and IPTG concentration for the prokaryotic expression were optimized. The solubility of the proteins with the induced expression was analyzed, the purification conducted on nickel columns, and the immunoreactivity evaluated by western blotting.

The recombinant 85A was successfully obtained showing a molecular weight of approximately 31.3 kDa. An optimal expression was achieved after 4 h of induction at 37 ℃ with a final IPTG concentration of 1.0 mmol·L⁻¹. The recombinant 85B had a molecular weight of 31.8 kDa exhibiting an optimal expression after 6 h of induction at 37 ℃ with 0.8 mmol·L⁻¹ of IPTG. Both recombinant proteins were expressed in the form of inclusion bodies and high-purified on nickel ion columns. Using the MAP-positive bovine serum as primary antibody, the immunoreactivity of the purified proteins was verified by western blot.

The recombinant 85A and 85B were successfully expressed with confirmed immunoreactivity for the development of immunological detection on M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis.

Members of BES1 family of Artemisia argyi were identified from the genome-wide data, and expressions analyzed by bioinformatic analysis.

Physicochemical properties, promoter elements, phylogenetic relationships, and expressions of the AaBES1s were determined using online software. Transcriptome data were used to obtain the expression of each member in response to saline-alkali stress. qRT-PCR was employed to detect the expressions of the genes in different tissues under various plant growth regulator treatments on A. argyi.

Fourteen BES1s subcellularly localized in nucleus were identified from the A. argyi genome. The promoter contained a variety of adversity and hormone-responsive elements. The stress responses to salinity-alkali and hormones of the genes were tissue-specific with an expression pattern of initial increase followed by a decline. This gene family shows tissue-specific expression in roots with significantly higher abundance compared to stems and leaves.

The AaBES1 family played an important role in the process of A. argyi in response to the stresses of salinity-alkali and plant growth regulator.

One of the largest transcription factor families in plants that plays an important role in growth, development, and stress responses, WRKYs of Eriobotrya japonica were identified, their expressions examined, and peel pigmentation-related functions determined.

Based on the genome data, EjWRKYs were identified using bioinformatic methods with their characteristics analyzed. Expressions of the genes in the peel pigmentation of Jiefangzhong and Shanpai 3 loquats were determined based on the transcriptome data. qRT-PCR was employed to verify the expressions of some differentially expressed EjWRKYs.

One hundred WRKYs harboring typical domains were identified with the codes of EjWRKY1 to EjWRKY100. The length of EjWRKY ranged 150−732 amino acids with molecular weights ranging 17 189.36−79 765.13 Da and isoelectric points ranging 4.92−10.25. Most of the identified WRKYs located in the nucleus with 97 of them unevenly distributed in 17 chromosomes. The three domains and zinc-finger motifs-based classes of the proteins were mostly expressed in the peel of Jiefangzhong and Shanpai 3 loquats. The qRT-PCR and RNA-seq analyses showed agreeable results on EjWRKYs.

One hundred EjWRKYs were identified to be associated with the pigmentation of loquat peel.

The effects of shading in summer on the growth of different leaf positions and the accumulation of leaf positions of kucha were studied, and the suitable shading intensity was selected for the cultivation of kucha varieties, so as to provide theoretical basis for the cultivation of kucha varieties and the improvement of tea quality.

Setting up shading test, and the effects of different shading treatments on the growth of different leaf positions of kucha ‘Zimailongyun’ and the accumulation of catechins and purine alkaloids were analyzed.

Compared with the full light control group, using the shading rate of 65% and 85% could promote the early germination of kucha Zimailongyun. Each phenological stage of shading group were advanced, and the bud and leaves of kucha after the shading treatment were thicker, greener and better growth. The leaves of the single bud, the first leaf and the second leaf were the heaviest under shading rate of 85%. The content of catechin (C), epicatechin (EC), gallocatechin (GC) and gallocatechin gallate (GCG) in buds and leaves of kucha decreased with the increase of shading rate. From the first leaf to the fifth leaf, the contents of theacrine (TCR), purine alkaloids, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in leaves in shading group were higher than those in the control group, while the contents of caffeine (CAF) and non-ester catechin were opposite. The content of ester catechin in single bud and the first leaf decreased gradually with the increase of shading rate. From the second leaf to the fifth leaf, the content of ester catechin in shading group was higher than that in CK group.

Shading treatment of kucha ‘Zimailongyun’ with shading rate of 65% and 85% not only beneficial to its growth and the accumulation of functional components EGCG and TCR in the leaves, but also reduces the content of CAF in leaves. Under the shading rate of 85%, higher yield of tender and fresh leaves of ‘Zimailongyun’ could be obtained. Combined with actual production, it was recommended to use shading nets with shading rate of about 85% for shading cultivation of kucha variety in order to achieve the purpose of effectively improve the quality and yield of summer tea of kucha.

Effects of NPK fertilizations on N-accumulation in organs of two Chamaecrista spp. were compared.

Five levels of N, P, and K fertilizer were applied in soil to determine the N contents in the stems, leaves, roots, and pods as well as the above- and under-ground parts of the Chamaecrista plants grown on the treatment soil to analyze their correlations.

The N contents in the organs of the plants under varied fertilization treatments ranked pods or leaves ＞ roots ＞ stems or aboveground parts ＞ underground parts. Appropriate amount of fertilizer significantly improved the N-accumulation in the organs as well as above- and under-ground parts. The greatest N-accumulation in the above- and underground parts of the two Chamaecrista spp. occurred when either 36 kg·hm⁻² N or 96 kg·hm⁻² P was applied, while that in the aboveground parts of C. rotundifolia by 60 kg·hm⁻² K application and of C. nictitans by 120 kg·hm⁻² K.

Different fertilizations exerted a less significant effect than the plant species did on the N-accumulation of Chamaecrista spp.The Chamaecrista SPP treated with 36 kg·hm⁻² of nitogen and 96 kg·hm⁻² of phosphorus showed the highest nitrogen accumulation, while those receiving potassium in the range of 60 kg·hm⁻² to 120 kg·hm⁻² also exhibited maximum nitrogen accumulation. The N-accumulation positively correlated with the biomass and N contents in the stems and leaves, but negatively with the N content in the roots.

Leaf structure and physiology of resistant and susceptible Litchi chinensis Sonn. in response to anthracnose were compared for improved disease prevention and resistant variety breeding.

Paraffin sectioned mature leaves of the resistant Haiken 5 (HK5) and the susceptible Nongmei 5 (NM5H) litchi were examined under a microscope. Wax content in the leaves was determined by chloroform extraction. Collected leaves were inoculated with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. on mycelial agar disks as treatment and on a PDA medium as control for microscopic observations with he leaves stained with aniline blue at 0, 6, and 24 h post inoculation (hpi). Activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chitinase, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and laccase (Lac) of the leaves were analyzed as well.

The structures of the HK5 and NM5H leaves were generally similar. The leaves and spongy tissue of NM5H were significantly thicker than those of HK5, and the HK5 leaves had a significantly higher wax content than NM5H. The appearances of disease spots on the leaves of HK5 and NM5H became significantly different at 24 hpi. The PAL activity rose significantly at 6 hpi, and POD at 24 hpi in HK5; PPO and Lac at 6 hpi, while POD at 24 hpi, in NM5H increased significantly; and Lac significantly increased at 6 hpi and chitinase at 24 hpi in both varieties.

The wax content and thicknesses of leaf and spongy tissue seemed to reflect the anthracnose resistance of the litchi plants. The enzymes, such as PAL, POD, chitinase, PPO, and Lac, in the leaves appeared to play an important role in the mechanism.

The conventional unary quadratic polynomial model (QPRM) and unary non-structural fertilizer response model (UNRM) were improved by a unary grey model (GM) for fertilization optimization at vegetable farms.

According to the grey Verhulst model within the framework of grey system theory, 28 field experiments were conducted using an ascending rate of NPK fertilization on a vegetable yield. Fitting the corresponding vegetable yields of the lots in the models was used to determine their prediction reliabilities.

An S-shaped function between fertilizer application and vegetable yield with GM on 25 of the experiments was statistically significant. Either positive or negative coefficients of the models conformed to the general laws with the recommended fertilization rates fell within the designed range. They were of typical fertilizer response type displaying a success rate of 89.3%, which was 1.8 times and 1.4 times higher than those applied QPRM and UNRM, respectively. The models from the remaining three experiments that failed statistical significance test belonged to the non-typical type. The GM recommended fertilizer application rate fluctuated at the range of R = −1 to R = −0.6 but stabilized as R increased beyond −0.6. The optimal R for N application was −0.6, and 0 for P and K. Although the fertilization recommended by GM, as well as the other two models, significantly correlated linearly with the maximum and economic application rates (P＜0.01), it was 82.5% and 83.5% on N, 106.6% and 114.1% on P, and 107.6% and 108.9% on K of what were suggested by QPRM and UNRM, respectively.

The vegetable field experimentation significantly verified the high fitting between the fertilizer application and vegetable yield and the significantly improved accuracy of GM over the previously used models.