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Crocins comprise a family of hydrophilic carotenoids with pharmacological properties that are produced in significant quantities in stigma of Crocus sativus. Although the biosynthesis pathway of crocins has been sufficiently elucidated, there is a paucity of information regarding how transcription factors (TFs) regulate crocin biosynthesis in various stigma developmental stages. WRKY TFs play a role in modulating carotenoid/apocarotenoid metabolism. To provide an overview of the WRKY family in Crocus sativus (CsWRKY) and characterize candidate CsWRKY TFs involved in the biosynthesis of crocins, CsWRKY genes were identified from RNA-sequenced stigma at different developmental stages. A phylogenetic analysis was performed to characterize their evolutionary interrelatedness. A coexpression analysis of CsWRKY genes and crocin biosynthesis-related genes was performed. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to corroborate the expression level of CsWRKY TFs in various tissue and at different developmental stages. A total of 34 CsWRKY TFs were identified from the stigma of C. sativus. The CsWRKY TFs, together with their orthologs from Arabidopsis, were clustered into group I, II, or III following phylogenetic analysis. A correlation analysis revealed that the expressions of the TFs CsWRKY1, CsWRKY2, CsWRKY8, CsWRKY10, CsWRKY15, and CsWRKY28 were strongly related to the expression of crocin biosynthesis-related genes CsBCH, CsCCD2L, CsALDH, and CsUGT. CsWRKY2, CsWRKY15, and CsWRKY28 exhibited identical motifs and were stratified into group IId. Transcript levels of candidate CsWRKY genes were higher in stigma than in other tissues and were proportional to the crocin content.
Chinese Artichoke (Stachys sieboldii Miq.), an indigenous vegetable in China, is renowned for its rich nutritional content and medicinal properties. With a significant cultivation history and promising prospects, this vegetable holds great potential for further development. In this study, we investigated changes in gene expression levels and metabolite content within relevant metabolic pathways during the development of Chinese Artichoke tubers. Tubers from three different periods—S1 (6 Aug), S2 (2 Sep), and S3 (1 Oct)—served as materials for the analysis. The results revealed that differentially expressed genes and differentially accumulated metabolites were predominantly enriched in pathways associated with secondary metabolite synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism. These pathways are known to play significant regulatory roles in the development of Chinese Artichoke tubers. Two crucial metabolic pathways identified through a comprehensive analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics were further investigated. The genes GOLS, STS, AGAL, and INV potentially play crucial roles in stachyose accumulation. Additionally, the genes trpB (Cluster-5100.0), GOT2 (Cluster-7051.0), and TYRAAT (Cluster-4023.14777) potentially influence the aromatic amino acid content at different developmental stages. However, the regulatory mechanisms of these genes and their relationship with metabolites require further investigation. The study findings provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the key pathways that influence the growth of Chinese Artichoke tubers, metabolic mechanisms of stachyose and amino acids, verification of gene functions, and genetic enhancement of Chinese Artichoke cultivars.
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a nonprotein amino acid, can accumulate in plants in response to abiotic stresses. The effects of postharvest treatments on endogenous GABA concentrations and exogenous GABA on whole horticulture product quality has recently received attention. However, knowledge of the effects of mechanical damage events such as peeling and cutting on GABA concentrations of fresh-cut products is limited. In this study, concentrations of GABA and antioxidants including total phenolics and ascorbic acid in fresh-cut cantaloupe, pineapple, and cauliflower during storage at 5 °C for 9 days were investigated. We found that GABA accumulated in fresh-cut pineapple and cauliflower during storage, but that the increase in cantaloupe was not significant. Total phenolics, total ascorbic acid, and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) remained stable in fresh-cut cantaloupe and cauliflower. In pineapple, however, total phenolics and total ascorbic acid concentrations decreased, whereas the DHA concentration increased. No correlation was found between GABA and antioxidants in fresh-cut cauliflower and cantaloupe; however, GABA was negatively related to antioxidants, including total phenolics and total ascorbic acid, in fresh-cut pineapple. The results show that GABA accumulation may represent a stress response to damage that occurs during the preparation of fresh cut products, but that the degree of response is affected by the specific product. Further research of GABA metabolism in response to minimal processing, including GABA biosynthesis, in a wider range of horticultural products and relationships with antioxidants is warranted.
As anthropogenic activities have facilitated the spread of heavy metals into the environment, plants have been identified that may have the ability to tolerate exposure to high levels of these metals. Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has been suggested as potentially having the ability to accumulate elevated concentrations of some contaminants from soils, including cadmium (Cd), a heavy metal that has been linked to serious health risks to humans. Therefore, there is an interest to document the ability of hemp to tolerate exposure to Cd to determine if there is a risk when products for medicinal consumption are made from the hemp plant. The objectives of this study were to perform histochemical localization of Cd at the cellular level and document potential changes in plant tissues in response to hemp exposure. Plants were grown in hydroponic solutions for 4 weeks and then exposed to either 0 or 10 mg·L−1 Cd for 17 days and harvested. There were no differences in dry weights (dw) of leaves, stems, and roots among treated and control 17 days after treatment (DAT). However, plants exposed to 10 mg·L−1 Cd had Cd concentrations of 1448.0 mg·kg−1 dw in roots and 23.2 mg·kg−1 dw in leaves at 17 DAT, whereas Cd was not detected in roots or leaves of control plants. On staining with dithizone, Cd was primarily localized in leaf epidermis, mesophyll, and trichomes, and in root rhizodermis, cortex, and pericycle in hemp plants exposed to 10 mg·L−1 Cd. Image analysis was able to further quantify these results based on area stained. Our results suggest that Cd is primarily accumulated throughout hemp roots, with lesser amounts translocated to the leaves, where it may be localized in the epidermis and trichomes.
In Honduras, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an economically important crop for farmers because of its high domestic consumption, year-round production, and high export potential. However, tomato production faces challenges such as diseases and pests and is confounded by climate change, all of which reduce productivity and quality. Evaluating the adaptation of tomato cultivars is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of the horticulture sector in the region. The objective of this study was to identify tomato lines with adaptability, high yield, pest, and disease resistance under greenhouse and open field production conditions for the Honduran market. Ten tomato lines and two commercial hybrids were evaluated between Feb and Jul 2022 in San Antonio de Oriente, Francisco Morazán, Honduras. Desirable traits related to vegetative growth, productivity, fruit quality, and resistance to insect pests and diseases were measured. Seven lines were highly adapted and had high vegetative growth. The tomato lines were not significantly different in terms of tomato yellow leaf curl disease and late blight disease index; however, the fruit borer susceptibility varied, with AVTO1908 being the most susceptible. The highest performing line was AVTO1903, which had the greatest total marketable yield in both the open field (101.3 t⋅ha−1) and greenhouse (62.1 t⋅ha−1). Additionally, AVTO1903 and AVTO1915 had good quality traits (roundness index, total soluble solids, and dry matter), thus demonstrating their potential for sustainable and high-yielding cultivation in Honduras. The growth and productivity of the tomato lines were highly influenced by the environment. This work highlights the advantages of introducing exotic cultivars to combat the effects of climate change and ensure sustained production; however, further research is needed to ensure that local farmer and consumer demands are met.