Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) is a prominent cultivar in China and is highly favored by consumers. Fruit shape is a critical agronomic trait in horticultural crops, which significantly contributes to their commercial value. In this study, we compared the two inbred lines of Cucurbita maxima, 'CNG2–3–1–1′ and 'BL27–3–2–1′, which exhibited significant difference in fruit shape. We observed that 'CNG2–3–1–1′

Fruit characteristics (flesh color, sweetness, flavor, etc.) of watermelon are largely the result of human selection. In this study, we combined the metabolome and transcriptome to investigate differentially expressed genes and differential metabolites related to sugar-acid and flesh color in four commercial watermelon cultivars. Fifty-eight genes and nine metabolites were identified in the organic

The study investigated the effects of cropping system (CS), mulching (M) and year (Y) on the nutritional profile and colour parameters of four sweet potato varieties, namely Purple Speclet, Martina, Janja and Lučka. The results showed that the variations were mainly due to the genetic makeup of the varieties, with Purple Speclet having the highest dry matter, protein, vitamin C content, total phenolic

Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) is a major crop cultivated in Northwest China. However, with the extension of storage periods, cantaloupes are increasingly prone to post-ripening senescence, quality deterioration, rot, and other phenomena, which in turn seriously limit shelf life. During postharvest storage, the quality of cantaloupes is affected by a large increase in ROS in the fruit. Herein, the effects

Walnut oil bodies (WOBs), the storage lipid organelles that forms and accumulates with walnut development. However, there is little literature about the lipid compositions and dynamic changes of WOBs during development. To address this gap in knowledge, lipidomics profile and metabolic modulation of WOBs during walnut (wen 185 cultivar) development (60, 74, 88, 102, 116, and 130 days after pollination

The study aimed to identify the optimal concentration of exogenous melatonin for fresh-cut nectarines by evaluating their quality attributes during storage at 0 °C with relative humidity (RH) of 85 % - 90 % after treatments with different concentrations (0 mM, 0.05 mM, 0.1 mM, and 0.5 mM, with 0 mM as the control). Furthermore, the optimal melatonin treatment concentration and control were used to

Biotic and abiotic stresses limit the growth, development, and production of sour passion fruit plants. The use of taller seedlings can reduce the vulnerability of the crop, as can cultivation in protected environments. However, due to the long period seedlings spend in the nursery, coupled with their continuous and indefinite growth, it is necessary to establish proper management to balance the growth

Phalaenopsis orchids require a prolonged period of low temperatures for flowering, which is highly correlated with soluble sugar contents in leaves. This study was conducted to investigate changes in leaf sugar content during sink transition in Phalaenopsis. Phalaenopsis Queen Beer ‘Mantefon’ clones were grown at 28 °C, followed by exposure to 20 °C for floral induction. Leaves were sampled after 0

Nitrogen (N) is essential for the growth and development of tea plants, and ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) are crucial N sources for tea yield and amino acid contents. However, the uptake and utilization of different N forms in tea plants are different. Reasonable N form is an important means to enhance the growth and development of tea plants. Therefore, supplying suitable N forms may be effective

Supplementary lighting is necessary for year-round greenhouse production of fruit vegetables in high-latitude regions. Far-red (FR) radiation can influence plant photomorphogenesis as well as photosynthesis. We aimed to identify the effects of supplementary FR on fruit set and yield of sweet pepper, and its underlying mechanisms via a yield component analysis. A 24-week greenhouse experiment was conducted

Onions (Allium cepa L.) are widely cultivated staple vegetables in daily cooking while, harvested onions as living entities that undergo various physicochemical changes including respiration, weight loss, rotting, and sprouting at storage. Due to high moisture content fresh onions are prone to rapid spoilage which is aggravated by inappropriate handling. Storage is a complicated issue regulated by

Vivipary is a common phenomenon in nature. However, vivipary in cucumber affects seed production and processing, and it is necessary to understand the mechanism. In this study, the phenotype, physiology and transcriptome of easy-viviparous cucumber inbred line ‘D1158’ were analyzed. The vivipary manifested on the 35th day after pollination, and the viviparous germination rate reached 50 % on the 55th

Understanding the basis of Phytophthora tolerance is essential for targeted improvement of citrus. Here, we determined the short term and long-term plant (leaf and root tissues) response of Phytophthora tolerant (Swingle citrumelo; SC) and susceptible (rough lemon; RL) citrus genotypes by examining important defense related genes belonging to structural reinforcement, receptors, salicylic acid (SA)

Sweet potato tips are a potential vegetable with special flavor and high nutrients, but only the leafy type is popular among consumers, while most types of sweet potato tips are not widely accepted as a vegetable due to their bitter and astringent taste. Here, to reveal the biological pathway involved in the formation of bitter and astringent compounds in sweet potato tips, metabolomics and transcriptomics

Curcuma aeruginosa, a valuable medicinal plant of Zingiberaceae family, has been used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases by the locals of Southeast Asian countries. The demand of this plant coupled with its slow growing habit have resulted in gradual declining of its population. The aim of the study is to establish an efficient micropropagation technique for production of C. aeruginosa

Tenderness is a core index for evaluating the quality of young tea plant shoots and ultimately influences the quality and yield of tea products in terms of bioactive components, processing adaptability, tenderness-keeping ability, and other factors. In this study, we describe the underlying regulatory mechanism of tenderness changes in young shoots of tea plants, combined with biochemical composition

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and biochar have potential applications in agriculture and ecological restoration. However, the effects of AMF combined with biochar on the bioenergy quality of plants under saline-alkali stress have not been thoroughly studied. In this study, we examined the effects of Rhizophagus irregularis (Ri) and biochar application, individually or in combination, on the growth

Enzymatic browning is one of the main problems during storage of fresh-cut apples. Pre-cut treatment with L-cysteine has been shown to effectively inhibit browning on fresh-cut apples, but its mechanism is still unclear. This work investigated the browning-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after pre-cut treatment with L-cysteine, and analyzed the relationship between ethylene biosynthesis

Light manipulation for plant cultivation is a critical area of study in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), where a variety of artificial lighting conditions are often employed in plant factories, growth chambers and greenhouses. With this aim of manipulation, two lettuce cultivars, green and red, were treated with two different LED treatments: a continuous LED in which an average photosynthetic

Pitaya, belonging to the genus Hylocereus of Cactaceae family, is increasingly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions due to its high tolerance to drought and heat stresses. The transition from the vegetative to reproductive stage significantly impacts the fruit yield, therefore it is essential to unravel the flowering regulatory mechanism of pitaya. In present work, a HpbHLH43 transcription

Globally speaking, optimizing the use of organic fertilizers plays a significant role in sustainable agriculture and is essential for enhancing crop productivity and improving soil health, while organic fertilizers are also easily available at a low cost. This study specifically aimed to determine the influence of organic fertilizer incorporation (high and medium levels) practices versus chemical fertilization

Crop management affects the anatomical and physiological characteristics of gladiolus floral stems. Particulary, shading screens are important in gladiolus production. The aim of the study was to evaluate the meteorological conditions, physiological indicators, stomatal characteristics, and quality of gladiolus flower stems grown in different seasons under shading screens and mulching. Field experiments

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) is a prominent floricultural crop valued for its diverse colors, offering significant economic and ornamental value globally. However, the global demand for its flowers makes flower yield an important attribute that relies on the quantity of lateral branches in the crop. Melatonin as a multi-regulatory phytohormone play vital functions in governing plant growth

Pomegranate is sensitive to low temperature and is susceptible to chilling injury (CI), resulting in husk browning. The effects of Methyl jasmonate (MeJA), hot water treatment (HWT), and control treatments on the quality of pomegranate fruit during low temperature storage were investigated. The results showed that MeJA and HWT treatments could effectively inhibit the increase of browning index, color

Anthocyanins, the main phenolic compounds responsible for the color of red grapes and wines, exhibit antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and offer various health benefits for humans. Currently, climate change can affect grape quality by causing a decoupling between the technological and phenolic maturities of the grapes. Foliar application of methyl jasmonate (MeJ) and urea (Ur) can be a tool

The herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is renowned for its striking flowers, which are highly valued in the cut flower industry. However, in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the elevated summer temperatures negatively affect the plant's flowering capacity in the subsequent year. 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase (FabG) is a component of the type II fatty acid synthesis (FAS II) system

Jackfruit exhibits a high degree of genetic diversity due to cross-pollination and heterozygosity; nevertheless, little is known about the characterisation of fruit quality in jackfruit genotypes grown in tropical Australia. In this study, patterns of morphological and biochemical variation in the fruit of 12 jackfruit genotypes were investigated. Maximum fruit weight and pulp weight were recorded

Excessive use of nitrogen (N) in crops, such as potatoes, can lead to economic and environmental repercussions. We hypothesized that potato genotypes with resilient root systems and high genetic capabilities for nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) could effectively mitigate these challenges. Consequently, we investigated intraspecific variations and characteristics within six distinct potato genotypes exhibiting

Carotenoids in pumpkin are nutritionally important as antioxidants, while the relationship between species, maturity and carotenoids and also the accumulation of carotenoids during fruit growth have not been extensively analyzed. We investigated β-carotene and lycopene contents of nineteen pumpkin varieties by HPLC. The adopted HPLC method was dependable and provided good separation of β-carotene and

Zanthoxylum armatum, as a vital economic tree species serving both as a food source and medicinal plant, it stands as one of the key industries supporting rural revitalization in southwestern China, offered significant economic, ecological, and social benefits. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the occurrence of male flowers being sterile, which has greatly impeded the industrial

Actinidia, a genus of kiwifruit, has 54 species, with the commercially dominant species being one with two subspecies: Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis and A. chinensis var. deliciosa. The global kiwifruit industry has used a single variety for decades, but in the last 20 years, new varieties have been introduced, with breeders and propagation rights concerned about protecting them from fraudulent

The use of interspecific Psidium hybrids as rootstock resistant to the nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii is a strategy that offers more security for the establishment of new guava orchards. However, indicating new rootstocks for commercial guava crops requires assessing their graft compatibility. The aim of this study was to assess graft compatibility between ‘Paluma’ guava and new hybrids produced

Correlations between quality attributes determined by destructive and non-destructive analysis methods are being investigated to enable quantification and prediction of internal quality characteristics without the need for destructive techniques. Our study correlated sensory and physicochemical attributes of 'Rama Forte' persimmons treated for astringency removal with 70 % CO2 18 h or 1.70 mL·Kg-1

Magnesium nutrition is vital for the allocation of photosynthates, which serve as the material basis for quality compounds metabolism and shoots / roots growth. To analyze the effects of magnesium on the growth of tea plant and allocation of photosynthates, we explored changes in tea plant phenotype, starch content, and metabolic products based on three levels of magnesium. The results show that adequate

Recent studies have shown that nocturnal irradiation of rose plants (Rosa × hybrida) with weak irradiation intensity ultraviolet B (UV-B) can prevent infection caused by several pathogens. However, the effects of this low UV-B irradiation at night on the appearance and edible functionality including antioxidant activity of rose flowers have not yet been investigated. Here, UV-B lamps were placed at

Global food and nutritional security, and United Nation's sustainable development goals are facing a serious threat due to climate change and population explosion. Vegetable crops are vital to the human diet and plays a crucial role in combating hunger and malnutrition. But, in face of climate change, one of the urgent challenges to be tackled by the vegetable breeders is to develop the varieties with

Ferula plants have attracted worldwide attention due to their extensive medicinal value. As a kind of Chinese medicinal Ferula, Ferula fukanensis has rich medicinal value. Although its folk substitute Ferula feruloides has not been formally incorporated into the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, recent studies have shown that it also has certain medicinal value. Moreover, due to the growth characteristics of

Drought is a kind of adversity that has always severely restricted the growth of grapes. Flavonols, as flavonoid compounds, are abundant in grapes and have an indispensable function in resisting drought. Hereafter, the objectives of this investigation were to identify key drought-induced transcription factors in grape and explore their roles and regulatory networks in the flavonol-mediated drought

Fruit tree triploid varieties can be bred based on hybridization between diploids and tetraploids. However, no Chinese jujube hybrid polyploid varieties have been reported thus far. The identification and evaluation of the fruit traits of Chinese jujube interploid offspring constitute the basis for the development of triploid hybrid varieties. In this study, 18 ‘Dongzao’ (diploid) × ‘Chenguang’ (tetraploid)

Peach fruits are vulnerable to spoilage and easily infected by pathogens during postharvest storage. Fortunately, antagonistic yeast offers an effective method to control these postharvest diseases. In previous studies, we demonstrated the effectiveness of Wickerhamomyces anomalus in controlling postharvest peach diseases caused by Monilinia fructicola (brown rot), Aspergillus niger (aspergillosis)

The Nuclear Factor Y, Subunit A (NF-YA) gene family plays crucial roles in plant growth, development, and responses to abiotic stresses. In our study, we applied bioinformatics to identify NF-YA constituents in the tomato genome. We further analyzed their protein properties, evolutionary relationships, gene structures, chromosomal positions, collinearity, and expression patterns. Results revealed 10

Nitrogen fertilization plays a key role in the accumulation of soluble sugars and organic acids in blackberry (Rubus spp.). To understand the effects of different levels of nitrogen fertilization on the accumulation of soluble sugars and organic acids in floricane-fruiting blackberry cultivar ‘Shuo Feng’ ripe fruit and the underlying molecular mechanisms, a comprehensive analysis of physiological,

In Brazilian Northeast, most of citrus orchards are submitted to seasonal water deficiency, because they are grown under rainfed condition. Grafting sweet orange trees onto drought-tolerant rootstock, such as ‘Rangpur’ lime, is the most used strategy to cope water deficit. However, some studies showed that adequate leaf nitrogen levels can reduce water stress symptoms in citrus. The purpose of this

When plants under salt stress, the intracellular ion concentration and osmotic pressure increase, which inhibits normal growth, development and life processes, and even leads to plant wilting and death. CLC (chloride channel protein) is a kind of anion channel protein that widely exists in plant cell membrane or organelle membrane. CLC proteins participate in the transmembrane transport of anions and

Low temperature combined with low light (LL) stress is a notable factor limiting the yield and economic viability of pepper cultivation in Northwest China. Glycine betaine (GB), an antioxidant and osmotic regulator, positively regulates abiotic stress in plants. However, few investigations have been conducted to determine whether GB modulates LL stress by involving changes in photosynthesis and m6A

Chrysanthemum(Chrysanthemum × morifolium) branching is an important ornamental trait, which directly determines its ornamental quality and production. In this study, CmPP2C1 and CmPP2C2 were identified as interacting proteins of DgLsL and its function in branches was analyzed. Yeast two-hybrid assay (Y2H) and Luciferase complementation imaging assay (LCA) were used to demonstrate the interaction. The

In order to investigate the effects of different far-red and green light intensities on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of melon seedlings, 'Emerald ' was used as the test material. Three different intensities of far-red and green light were added basis on a fixed ratio of red to blue light (R:B=4:1) and photosynthetically active radiation (200 μmol/ (m2·s)). The red to far-red light

The flow of nutrient solutions in hydroponics markedly affects plant growth and development. Suitable flow rates can improve root morphology, facilitating nutrient absorption. Altered cell wall composition upon sensing external stimuli can promote environmental adaptation. Lignin, an important plant cell wall component, enhances structural strength; however, the effects of nutrient solution flow on

The growth and development of lateral roots (LRs) determine the nutrient absorption and environmental adaptability of tea plant, playing a crucial role in the economic efficiency of tea plantations. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of LRs in tea plant remain unreported. In this study, we established a LRs induction system in tea plants by exogenously adding N-1-naphthylphthalamic

Pineapples (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) are one of the most important tropical fruits. Although pineapple breeding program has been conducted in Japan, sufficient genomic information has not been adopted for breeding. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for pineapple breeding-related traits that can be applied to different populations. Here, we performed a genome-wide

Postharvest precooling is crucial for delaying yellowing of broccoli efficiently removing field heat. In this experiment, a numerical model for ice water precooling broccoli was established, and based on this, the main precooling parameters were optimized. Furthermore, the appropriate concentration of salicylic acid (SA) in the process of ice water integrated with SA precooling was determined. Through

Sources of resistance to sharka (Plum pox virus, PPV) have not been identified among peach [Prunus persica (L) Batsch] cultivars to date. However, several studies have shown the possibility of inducing resistance to PPV by grafting with the ‘Garrigues’ almond [P. dulcis (Mill) D. A. Webb] cultivar. The so-called “Garrigues effect” progressively reduces the symptoms of the disease and the accumulation

The quality of sweet pepper seedlings is of paramount importance for optimal growth and yield in terms of both quality and quantity. This study examines the impact of two commercially available humic acid-based biostimulants applied pre and post transplantation of seedlings on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of a snack-type sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum L. 'Cuccino Orange', at three key harvest

All branches of single-axis apple trees in high-density orchards are subject to limb renewal. Renewal limb management aims to replace overly vigorous and yield inefficient limbs with weaker, balanced limbs of higher yield potential. Recently, producers have adopted the application of long stubs, i.e., 10 cm, when renewing apple limbs despite a dearth of research on the topic. The current multi-year

Preferably plant seeds are stored in the glassy state to slow deterioration reactions. Thus, it is valuable to know at which moisture content (MC) seeds reach the glassy state and if this is universal or species-specific. We investigated the glass transition temperature (Tg) of seeds using several methods. Dynamic mechanical analysis of intact seeds with a 3 °C/min heating rate was the most suited

In plant grafting, the reconnection of vascular bundles between the rootstock and scion not only establishes functional xylem and phloem connections, but also signifies the completion of graft healing. In our previous studies focused on early-stage morphology and physiology of grafted seedlings, we have demonstrated that utilizing light intensities of 50-100-150 μmol/(m2·s) during days 1-3, 4-6, and

Dendrobium, the second largest genus in the Orchidaceae family, has been regarded as a valuable medicinal plant throughout Chinese history. Secondary metabolites present in the stem of Dendrobium, including alkaloids and flavonoids, confer significant pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, antitumor, and antioxidant properties. To our knowledge, this study

The depletion of the argan area over time underscores the importance of enhancing the quality of argan seedlings to support regeneration. Key factors such as seedling age and nursery techniques including shade, substrate, and container play a crucial role in improving seedling quality and ensuring successful transplantation. Our study assessed the impact of seedling age, shading, substrate composition