Seed dispersal is a pivotal process in seed plant life cycle,owing to its effects on seed germination,seedling survival,population recruitment,and diversity maintenance in the entire community(Howe and Smallwood,1982;...Seed dispersal is a pivotal process in seed plant life cycle,owing to its effects on seed germination,seedling survival,population recruitment,and diversity maintenance in the entire community(Howe and Smallwood,1982;Rogers et al.,2021).There are diverse dispersal modes,such as anemochory(wind-driven dispersal),hydrochory(water-mediated dispersal),autochory(self-dispersal),and zoochory,which relies on a diverse array of animals for seed dispersal(Howe and Smallwood,1982).It is widely known that these varying dispersal modes impose selective pressures on many seed and fruit traits,especially the seed size,a key trait which is associated with multiple stages of the life cycle of plants,such as dispersal,germination,and establishment,particularly during early development(Leishman et al.,2000).展开更多
[Objective] The paper aimed to analyze genetic diversity and genetic relationship of large fruited tomato core germplasms based on genotypic value.[Method] Taking 55 large fruited tomato core germplasms as tested mate...[Objective] The paper aimed to analyze genetic diversity and genetic relationship of large fruited tomato core germplasms based on genotypic value.[Method] Taking 55 large fruited tomato core germplasms as tested materials, the genetic diversity of seven agronomic traits was analyzed, and the correlation between traits and genetic relationship between germplasms were analyzed based on genotypic effect value.[Result] The diversity indexes of seven agronomic traits were 3.98, 3.97, 3.99, 3.99, 3.97, 3.98 and 3.87, respectively, indicating there were rich genetic diversities in large fruited tomato core germplasms. Correlation analysis of traits was conducted based on genotypic effect value. The results showed that there was extremely significant positive correlation between leaf length and leaf width, and the correlation coefficient was 0.66. There was extremely significant positive correlation between fruit length and fruit width, with a correlation coefficient of 0.49. There was extremely significant positive correlation between weight per fruit and fruit width, with a correlation coefficient of 0.46. The genetic distance between large fruited tomato core germplasms was calculated based on the phenotypic value of traits. When the distance was 5, 55 large fruited tomato core germplasms were divided into three groups. The genetic distance between large fruited core germplasms tomato was calculated based on genotypic predictive value of traits. When the distance was 10, 55 large fruited tomato core germplasms were divided into six groups. Comparing the results of two clustering analysis, it was found that the clustering analysis based on genotypic value could better explain the genetic relationship between germplasms.[Conclusion] The results could provide some basis for understanding the population variation of large fruited tomato and genetic improvement of tomato cultivars.展开更多
To gain insight into the molecular and genetic basis of fruit size and shape in cucumber,we conducted Quantitative Trait Locus(QTL)mapping with F2 and BC1F1 populations derived froma cross between the Northern-China t...To gain insight into the molecular and genetic basis of fruit size and shape in cucumber,we conducted Quantitative Trait Locus(QTL)mapping with F2 and BC1F1 populations derived froma cross between the Northern-China type inbred line CNS21 and the Southern-China type inbred line RNS7.Populations were evaluated during two developmental stages,ovary at anthesis and commercial fruit(immature fruit).A total of 13 major-effect QTLs(R2>10%)were detected for six traits,and one of them,fruit shape index 2.1,explained more than 50%of phenotypic variation.All QTLs distributed on chromosome(chr)1 and 2.We constructed a physical map containing almost all of the QTLs with their physical location from previous studies.For fruit size and shape,the highest number of QTLs were mapped on chr1 and chr6,and the fewest number were mapped on chr2 and chr7.At least one consensus region was presented on each chromosome.In addition,three candidate genes were predicted between the long-fruited and round-fruited inbred lines by comparing the sequences of the consensus region of chr3,where many QTLs for marketable fruit length had been detected.Our results provide a base for additional QTLs and molecular markers for fruit size and shape in cucumber breeding.展开更多
Fruit size is one of the most important agronomic characters,which is mainly determined by cell number and cell size.However,our current knowledge about pear is largely unknown.Through counting of pear mesocarp cells ...Fruit size is one of the most important agronomic characters,which is mainly determined by cell number and cell size.However,our current knowledge about pear is largely unknown.Through counting of pear mesocarp cells at different stages,we found that the cell number,rather than the cell size,is responsible for the differences between small- and large-fruited cultivars.Fruit weight-2.2（fw2.2） is an important quantitative trait locus（QTL） affecting fruit weight in tomato and functions as a negative regulator in carpel cell division.To get more insights into this QTL in pear fruit development,we isolated two putative homologous fw2.2 genes,which were designated as fw2.2-like（PbFWL） genes.PbFWLs encode Cys-rich proteins with the CCXXXXCPC motif and belong to the PLAC8 superfamily.In addition,results from the subcellular localization indicated that PbFWLs were localized in the plasma membrane.The expression profile of the PbFWL genes by qRT-PCR showed they expressed higher in small-sized fruit cultivar than that in large-sized fruit cultivar during the cell division period.In summary,our data suggest that these two PbFWLs might be negatively related to the cell division in pear fruit.展开更多
Coconut(Cocos nucifera L.),a major oil and fruit crop of the Arecaceae family,is extensively cultivated across the Asia—Pacific region.Despite its agricultural importance,genome assembly in coconut remains challengin...Coconut(Cocos nucifera L.),a major oil and fruit crop of the Arecaceae family,is extensively cultivated across the Asia—Pacific region.Despite its agricultural importance,genome assembly in coconut remains challenging due to its large genome size and high proportion of repetitive sequences.Allele-specific expression(ASE)plays a key role in regulating plant development and evolution,yet research on ASE in coconut is limited(Shao et al.,2019;Li et al.,2021;Zhang et al.,2021;Hu et al.,2022).Among phenotypic traits,fruit color is especially important as an indicator of maturity,guiding harvest timing and post-harvest processes(Kapoor et al.,2022).While prior studies have explored various coconut traits such as salt tolerance,fiber content,and plant height(Wang et al.,2021;Yang et al.,2021),investigations into ASE and fruit color remain scarce.展开更多
In this study,an automated multimodal system for detecting,classifying,and dating fruit was developed using a two-stage YOLOv11 pipeline.In the first stage,the YOLOv11 detection model locates individual date fruits in...In this study,an automated multimodal system for detecting,classifying,and dating fruit was developed using a two-stage YOLOv11 pipeline.In the first stage,the YOLOv11 detection model locates individual date fruits in real time by drawing bounding boxes around them.These bounding boxes are subsequently passed to a YOLOv11 classification model,which analyzes cropped images and assigns class labels.An additional counting module automatically tallies the detected fruits,offering a near-instantaneous estimation of quantity.The experimental results suggest high precision and recall for detection,high classification accuracy(across 15 classes),and near-perfect counting in real time.This paper presents a multi-stage pipeline for date fruit detection,classification,and automated counting,employing YOLOv11-based models to achieve high accuracy while maintaining real-time throughput.The results demonstrated that the detection precision exceeded 90%,the classification accuracy approached 92%,and the counting module correlated closely with the manual tallies.These findings confirm the potential of reducing manual labour and enhancing operational efficiency in post-harvesting processes.Future studies will include dataset expansion,user-centric interfaces,and integration with harvesting robotics.展开更多
Zuoquan County has revitalized local villages with the fruits of their collected labor.GLOWING red apples hang heavily on branches in the orchards on the southern outskirts of Tongyu Town,Zuoquan County,Shanxi Provinc...Zuoquan County has revitalized local villages with the fruits of their collected labor.GLOWING red apples hang heavily on branches in the orchards on the southern outskirts of Tongyu Town,Zuoquan County,Shanxi Province,an area where a decade ago weeds and rocks covered a rather barren landscape.展开更多
Indicaxanthin is a betalain that is abundant in Opuntia ficus-indica orange fruit and has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, very little is known about the neuroprotective potential of indicaxa...Indicaxanthin is a betalain that is abundant in Opuntia ficus-indica orange fruit and has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, very little is known about the neuroprotective potential of indicaxanthin. This study investigated the impact of indicaxanthin on neuronal damage and gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by a high-fat diet in mice. The mice were divided into three groups according to different diets: the negative control group was fed a standard diet;the high-fat diet group was fed a high-fat diet;and the high-fat diet + indicaxanthin group was fed a high-fat diet and received indicaxanthin orally(0.86 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks. Brain apoptosis, redox status, inflammation, and the gut microbiota composition were compared among the different animal groups. The results demonstrated that indicaxanthin treatment reduced neuronal apoptosis by downregulating the expression of proapoptotic genes and increasing the expression of antiapoptotic genes. Indicaxanthin also markedly decreased the expression of neuroinflammatory proteins and genes and inhibited high-fat diet–induced neuronal oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels. In addition, indicaxanthin treatment improved the microflora composition by increasing the abundance of healthy bacterial genera, known as producers of short-chain fatty acids(Lachnospiraceae, Alloprovetella, and Lactobacillus), and by reducing bacteria related to unhealthy profiles(Blautia, Faecalibaculum, Romboutsia and Bilophila). In conclusion, indicaxanthin has a positive effect on high-fat diet–induced neuronal damage and on the gut microbiota composition in obese mice.展开更多
Fig fruit firmness decreases rapidly during ripening and after harvest,resulting in poor storability and transportation loss,which severely restricts development of the fresh fig industry.APETALA2/ethylene-responsive ...Fig fruit firmness decreases rapidly during ripening and after harvest,resulting in poor storability and transportation loss,which severely restricts development of the fresh fig industry.APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor(AP2/ERF)transcription factors are downstream components of the ethylene-signaling pathway that play crucial roles in quality formation during fruit ripening.In this study,Ficus carica(Fc)ERF12 was clustered in repressor subfamily VIII of ERFs through phylogenetic analysis,and further recruited by its two EAR motifs and expression pattern during fig ripening.DNA affinity purification sequencing analysis indicated that FcERF12 binds to the promoter or gene body regions of multiple ripening-related genes,including cell wall-modification genes FcPG,FcXTH and FcPME,and ethylene-biosynthesis genes FcACS and FcACO.Yeast two-hybrid assay demonstrated that FcERF12 interacts with TOPLESS(TPL)co-repressors FcTPL1,FcTPL4 and FcTPL5,and histone deacetylases FcHDA6 and FcHDA19;interaction with FcTPL4 and FcTPL5 relied on the C-terminal EAR motif.Overexpressing FcERF12 in tomato did not change fruit size or yield,but resulted in an 18.37%increment in fruit firmness and a 49.62%reduction in ethylene-release rate at fruit ripening,accompanied by a significant decrease in seed number per fruit.Transcriptomic analysis revealed downregulation of tomato cell wallmodification genes SlPL,SlEXP and SlPG,and ethylene-synthesis genes SlACO and SlACS.Metabolomic profiling identified 82 differentially accumulated flavonoid metabolites,61 of them showing significantly decreased contents.Taken together,our results exhibit the negative regulatory role of FcERF12 in fig ethylene-signal transduction,providing new information on precise control of fruit firmness and other quality traits at ripening.展开更多
In tomato,early fruit development involves rapid cell division and expansion,which are highly dependent on sugar availability(Huang et al.,2025;Yuan et al.,2025).After fruit set,soluble sugars are loaded into pericarp...In tomato,early fruit development involves rapid cell division and expansion,which are highly dependent on sugar availability(Huang et al.,2025;Yuan et al.,2025).After fruit set,soluble sugars are loaded into pericarp cells through the symplasmic(cytosol)or apoplasmic pathway(cell wall and extracellular matrix)(Patrick and Offler,1996).Sucrose,as the major form of carbon translocated to tomato fruit,can be directly unloaded into fruit cells.However,some sucrose can be hydrolyzed by extracellular invertase,producing glucose and fructose for metabolism and biosynthesis in pericarp cells(Ruan,2014).展开更多
Chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid accumulation are essential processes of fruit maturation in many horticultural plants,and play a crucial role in fruit color and quality.The pathways of chlorophyll and carotenoi...Chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid accumulation are essential processes of fruit maturation in many horticultural plants,and play a crucial role in fruit color and quality.The pathways of chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis and degradation are well understood,and key regulatory genes controlling these pathways have been identified in citrus.This article reviewed the recent research on chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolism in citrus fruits,encompassing the metabolic pathways,transcriptional regulation,influencing factors,and the interplay between chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolism,aiming to provide insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms governing the coloration of citrus fruits.展开更多
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation has been widely adopted for plant genetic engineering and the study of gene function(Krenek et al.,2015).This method is prevalent in the genetic transformation of herb...Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation has been widely adopted for plant genetic engineering and the study of gene function(Krenek et al.,2015).This method is prevalent in the genetic transformation of herbaceous plants,with notable applications in species such as Arabidopsis(Yin et al.,2024),soybean(Zhang et al.,2024),rice(Zhang et al.,2020),and Chinese cabbage(Li et al.,2021).However,its application in fruit trees is limited.This is primarily due to their long growth cycles and lack of rapid,efficient,and stable transgenic systems,which severely hinders foundational research involving plant genetic transformation(Mei et al.,2024).Furthermore,for subtropical fruit trees,the presence of recalcitrant seeds adds an extra layer of difficulty to genetic transformation(Umarani et al.,2015),as most methods rely on seed germination as a basis for transformation.展开更多
Photosynthesis is one the most important chemical reaction in plants,and it is the ultimate energy source of any living organisms.The light and dark reactions are two essential phases of photosynthesis.Light reaction ...Photosynthesis is one the most important chemical reaction in plants,and it is the ultimate energy source of any living organisms.The light and dark reactions are two essential phases of photosynthesis.Light reaction harvests light energy to synthesize ATP and NADPH through an electron transport chain,and as well as giving out O_(2);dark reaction fixes CO_(2) into six carbon sugars by utilizing NADPH and energy from ATP.Subsequently,plants convert optical energy into chemical energy for maintaining growth and development through absorbing light energy.Here,firstly,we highlighted the biological importance of photosynthesis,and hormones and metabolites,photosynthetic and regulating enzymes,and signaling components that collectively regulate photosynthesis in tomato.Next,we reviewed the advances in tomato photosynthesis,including two aspects of genetic basis and genetic improvement.Numerous genes regulating tomato photosynthesis are gradually uncovered,and the interaction network among those genes remains to be constructed.Finally,the photosynthesis occurring in fruit of tomato and the relationship between photosynthesis in leaf and fruit were discussed.Leaves and fruits are photosynthate sources and sinks of tomato respectively,and interaction between photosynthesis in leaf and fruit exists.Additionally,future perspectives that needs to be addressed on tomato photosynthesis were proposed.展开更多
The content of soluble sugars is a vital parameter that indicates the quality of fleshy fruits such as apple(Malus domestica Borkh.).Studying the patterns of accumulation of soluble sugars and regulatory mechanisms as...The content of soluble sugars is a vital parameter that indicates the quality of fleshy fruits such as apple(Malus domestica Borkh.).Studying the patterns of accumulation of soluble sugars and regulatory mechanisms associated with fruit development is crucial for breeding improved fruit varieties.Here,we report that MdCIbHLH1,a low temperature-induced b HLH transcription factor,inhibits the accumulation of soluble sugars by regulating sugar-metabolizing enzyme activities,photosynthetic performance,and the expression of sugar-related genes in developing apple fruits.MdCIbHLH1 inhibits MdFBP and MdPEPCK expression,thus blocking the conversion of acids to sugars in apple fruits.We also discovered that MdCIbHLH1 decreases the photosynthetic rate and carbohydrate accumulation in apple leaves.Our results suggest that soluble sugar accumulation in apple fruits is influenced by multiple factors,including metabolic status,photosynthesis,and carbohydrate allocation.MdCIbHLH1 is critically involved in controlling the accumulation of soluble sugars by coordinating carbohydrate synthesis and allocation,thus influencing sugar transport and its metabolism during the development of apple fruits.展开更多
Hyperlipidemia constitutes a critical factor in the pathogenesis of vascular disease and gut microbiota dysbiosis.This study aims to investigate the role of sea buckthorn fruit oil(SBFO)in ameliorating hyperlipidemia,...Hyperlipidemia constitutes a critical factor in the pathogenesis of vascular disease and gut microbiota dysbiosis.This study aims to investigate the role of sea buckthorn fruit oil(SBFO)in ameliorating hyperlipidemia,modulating gut microbiota,and elucidating the underlying mechanisms of its lipid-lowering effects.SBFO intervention in hyperlipidemic mice significantly reduced body weight and visceral adiposity index while mitigating symptoms associated with hyperlipidemia,including dyslipidemia,infla mmation,liver damage,and endothelial dysfunction.Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses revealed that SBFO enhanced the response of free fatty acid oxidation and breakdown(adenosine 5'-monophosphateactivated protein kinaseα,carnitine palmitoyltransferase1a,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorα,and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ)while suppressing the synthesis of triglycerides and fatty acids(sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1,fatty acid synthase,and acetyl CoA carboxylase)at the gene and protein expression levels.Moreover,SBFO intervention enriched the gut microbiota of hyperlipidemic mice by increasing the relative abundances of Lactobacillus,Faecalibaculum,and Allobaculum,while decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio.These findings suggest that SBFO exhibits promising therapeutic potential in attenuating hyperlipidemia in mice through the regulation of lipid metabolism and modulation of gut microbiota.展开更多
Banana fruit ripening is a highly regulatory process involving various layers consisting of transcriptional regulation,epigenetic factor,and post-translational modification.Previously,we reported that MaERF11 cooperat...Banana fruit ripening is a highly regulatory process involving various layers consisting of transcriptional regulation,epigenetic factor,and post-translational modification.Previously,we reported that MaERF11 cooperated with MaHDA1 to precisely regulate the transcription of ripening-associated genes via histone deacetylation.However,whether MaERF11 is subjected to post-translational modification during banana ripening is largely unknown.In this study,we found that MaERF11 targeted a subset of starch degradation-related genes using the DNA affinity purification sequence(DAP-Seq)approach.Electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA)and dual-luciferase reporter assay(DLR)demonstrated that MaERF11 could specifically bind and repress the expression of the starch degradation-related genes MaAMY3,MaBAM2 and MaGWD1.Further analyses of yeast two-hybrid(Y2H),bimolecular fluorescence complementation(BiFC)and Luciferase complementation imaging(LCI)assays indicated that MaERF11 interacted with the ubiquitin E3 ligase MaRFA1,and this interaction weakened the MaERF11-mediated transcriptional repression capacity.Collectively,our results suggest an additional regulatory layer in which MaERF11 regulates banana fruit ripening and expands the regulatory network in fruit ripening at the post-translational modification level.展开更多
Teacher–student relationships play a vital role in improving college students’academic performance and the quality of higher education.However,empirical studies with substantial data-driven insights remain limited.T...Teacher–student relationships play a vital role in improving college students’academic performance and the quality of higher education.However,empirical studies with substantial data-driven insights remain limited.To address this gap,this study collected 3278 questionnaires from seven universities across four provinces in China to analyze the key factors affecting college students’academic performance.A machine learning framework,CQFOA-KELM,was developed by enhancing the Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm(FOA)with Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy(CMAES)and Quadratic Approximation(QA).CQFOA significantly improved population diversity and was validated on the IEEE CEC2017 benchmark functions.The CQFOA-KELM model achieved an accuracy of 98.15%and a sensitivity of 98.53%in predicting college students’academic performance.Additionally,it effectively identified the key factors influencing academic performance through the feature selection process.展开更多
The WSC proteins produced by Penicillium expansum play a crucial role in causing blue mold on pears.To analyze the role of the WSC1 gene in the pathogenic process of this fungal pathogen,we conducted transcriptomic an...The WSC proteins produced by Penicillium expansum play a crucial role in causing blue mold on pears.To analyze the role of the WSC1 gene in the pathogenic process of this fungal pathogen,we conducted transcriptomic analysis of a WSC1 knockout(ΔWSC1)strain.The knockout of WSC1 significantly altered the gene expression profile in P.expansum,particularly for genes involved in cell wall integrity,signaling,stress response,and toxin production.The differential expression of these genes might make theΔWSC1 strain more vulnerable to environmental stress,while reducing the toxin production capacity,ultimately leading to a decrease in the pathogenicity.The transcriptomic analysis revealed that the expression of genes related to stress response signals,defense mechanisms and oxidative stress management changed when pear fruits were infected with theΔWSC1 strain.These changes may trigger a cascade of responses in pear fruits.In addition,compared with those infected with the wild-type strain,pear fruits infected with theΔWSC1 strain exhibited up-regulated expression of genes related to defense and oxidative stress.This study clarifies how the WSC1 gene influences P.expansum’s ability to infect pear fruits and how pear fruits respond to the infection.展开更多
In 2015,the discovery of mammalian fossils,paleolithic artifacts,and burned bones in the Maoershan Cave of the Guilin Basin,northeastern Guangxi,indicated that it is a late Middle Pleistocene Paleolithic site.In 2021,...In 2015,the discovery of mammalian fossils,paleolithic artifacts,and burned bones in the Maoershan Cave of the Guilin Basin,northeastern Guangxi,indicated that it is a late Middle Pleistocene Paleolithic site.In 2021,stratigraphic sectioning and the systematic screening of small mammal sand samples were conducted.This paper presents a comprehensive account of the new material of the fruit bat Rousettus leschenaultii,accompanied by a concise overview of the non-volant micromammals that coexisted with it in the Quaternary sediments of the Maoershan Cave.This finding marks the second occurrence of fruit bat fossils in China,contributing to our understanding of the dental morphology and past geographical distribution of Rousettus.The micromammalian assemblage of the Maoershan Cave is composed of 3 orders,9 families,26 genera,and 30 species,and exhibits notable similarities with those of the late Middle Pleistocene Yumi Cave,Xinglong Cave,Yanhui Cave,Mawokou Cave,Zhongliangshan,and Chuan Cave faunas.The biochronology of the micromammalian assemblage from the Maoershan Cave has been determined to be consistent with the late Middle Pleistocene,providing a new assemblage in the Pleistocene mammalian faunal sequence in southern China.The presence of abundant oriental forested elements indicates that the Guilin Basin used to be a humid and warm subtropical forest paleoenvironment similar to the contemporary environment during the late Middle Pleistocene.展开更多
To address the issues of low accuracy,long time consumption,and high cost of the traditional temperature prediction methods for laser directed energy deposition(LDED),a machine learning model combined with numerical s...To address the issues of low accuracy,long time consumption,and high cost of the traditional temperature prediction methods for laser directed energy deposition(LDED),a machine learning model combined with numerical simulation was proposed to predict the temperature during LDED.A finite element(FE)thermal analysis model was established.The model's accuracy was verified through in-situ monitoring experiments,and a basic database for the predictive model was obtained based on FE simulations.Temperature prediction was performed using a generalized regression neural network(GRNN).To reduce dependence on human experience during GRNN parameter tuning and to enhance model prediction performance,an improved adaptive step-size fruit fly optimization algorithm(ASSFOA)was introduced.Finally,the prediction performance of ASSFOA-GRNN model was compared with that of back-propagation neural network model,GRNN model,and fruit fly optimization algorithm(FOA)-GRNN model.The evaluation metrics included the root mean square error(RMSE),mean absolute error(MAE),coefficient of determination(R^(2)),training time,and prediction time.Results show that the ASSFOA-GRNN model exhibits optimal performance regarding RMSE,MAE,and R^(2) indexes.Although its prediction efficiency is slightly lower than that of the FOA-GRNN model,its prediction accuracy is significantly better than that of the other models.This proposed method can be used for temperature prediction in LDED process and also provide a reference for similar methods.展开更多
基金funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China(32171533 and 31971444)Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation(2208085J28).
文摘Seed dispersal is a pivotal process in seed plant life cycle,owing to its effects on seed germination,seedling survival,population recruitment,and diversity maintenance in the entire community(Howe and Smallwood,1982;Rogers et al.,2021).There are diverse dispersal modes,such as anemochory(wind-driven dispersal),hydrochory(water-mediated dispersal),autochory(self-dispersal),and zoochory,which relies on a diverse array of animals for seed dispersal(Howe and Smallwood,1982).It is widely known that these varying dispersal modes impose selective pressures on many seed and fruit traits,especially the seed size,a key trait which is associated with multiple stages of the life cycle of plants,such as dispersal,germination,and establishment,particularly during early development(Leishman et al.,2000).
基金Supported by Science and Technology Project of Hainan Province(ZDYF2018035)
文摘[Objective] The paper aimed to analyze genetic diversity and genetic relationship of large fruited tomato core germplasms based on genotypic value.[Method] Taking 55 large fruited tomato core germplasms as tested materials, the genetic diversity of seven agronomic traits was analyzed, and the correlation between traits and genetic relationship between germplasms were analyzed based on genotypic effect value.[Result] The diversity indexes of seven agronomic traits were 3.98, 3.97, 3.99, 3.99, 3.97, 3.98 and 3.87, respectively, indicating there were rich genetic diversities in large fruited tomato core germplasms. Correlation analysis of traits was conducted based on genotypic effect value. The results showed that there was extremely significant positive correlation between leaf length and leaf width, and the correlation coefficient was 0.66. There was extremely significant positive correlation between fruit length and fruit width, with a correlation coefficient of 0.49. There was extremely significant positive correlation between weight per fruit and fruit width, with a correlation coefficient of 0.46. The genetic distance between large fruited tomato core germplasms was calculated based on the phenotypic value of traits. When the distance was 5, 55 large fruited tomato core germplasms were divided into three groups. The genetic distance between large fruited core germplasms tomato was calculated based on genotypic predictive value of traits. When the distance was 10, 55 large fruited tomato core germplasms were divided into six groups. Comparing the results of two clustering analysis, it was found that the clustering analysis based on genotypic value could better explain the genetic relationship between germplasms.[Conclusion] The results could provide some basis for understanding the population variation of large fruited tomato and genetic improvement of tomato cultivars.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.31672170,31872950 and 31222048)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(Grant No.JQ201309),the Shandong“Double Tops”Program(Grant No.SYL2017YSTD06)the‘Taishan Scholar’Foundation of the People’s Government of Shandong Province(Grant No.ts20130932).
文摘To gain insight into the molecular and genetic basis of fruit size and shape in cucumber,we conducted Quantitative Trait Locus(QTL)mapping with F2 and BC1F1 populations derived froma cross between the Northern-China type inbred line CNS21 and the Southern-China type inbred line RNS7.Populations were evaluated during two developmental stages,ovary at anthesis and commercial fruit(immature fruit).A total of 13 major-effect QTLs(R2>10%)were detected for six traits,and one of them,fruit shape index 2.1,explained more than 50%of phenotypic variation.All QTLs distributed on chromosome(chr)1 and 2.We constructed a physical map containing almost all of the QTLs with their physical location from previous studies.For fruit size and shape,the highest number of QTLs were mapped on chr1 and chr6,and the fewest number were mapped on chr2 and chr7.At least one consensus region was presented on each chromosome.In addition,three candidate genes were predicted between the long-fruited and round-fruited inbred lines by comparing the sequences of the consensus region of chr3,where many QTLs for marketable fruit length had been detected.Our results provide a base for additional QTLs and molecular markers for fruit size and shape in cucumber breeding.
基金supported by the National High-Tech Researchand Development Program of China(2011AA10020604)the Pomology Major Projects of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China(201130102-1)the Special Research Projects of National Forestry Industry of Public Benefit,China(201304701-1)
文摘Fruit size is one of the most important agronomic characters,which is mainly determined by cell number and cell size.However,our current knowledge about pear is largely unknown.Through counting of pear mesocarp cells at different stages,we found that the cell number,rather than the cell size,is responsible for the differences between small- and large-fruited cultivars.Fruit weight-2.2（fw2.2） is an important quantitative trait locus（QTL） affecting fruit weight in tomato and functions as a negative regulator in carpel cell division.To get more insights into this QTL in pear fruit development,we isolated two putative homologous fw2.2 genes,which were designated as fw2.2-like（PbFWL） genes.PbFWLs encode Cys-rich proteins with the CCXXXXCPC motif and belong to the PLAC8 superfamily.In addition,results from the subcellular localization indicated that PbFWLs were localized in the plasma membrane.The expression profile of the PbFWL genes by qRT-PCR showed they expressed higher in small-sized fruit cultivar than that in large-sized fruit cultivar during the cell division period.In summary,our data suggest that these two PbFWLs might be negatively related to the cell division in pear fruit.
基金supported by Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund(CATAS-Nos.1630152023007,1630152023011,1630152023012,1630152023013)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32071805).
文摘Coconut(Cocos nucifera L.),a major oil and fruit crop of the Arecaceae family,is extensively cultivated across the Asia—Pacific region.Despite its agricultural importance,genome assembly in coconut remains challenging due to its large genome size and high proportion of repetitive sequences.Allele-specific expression(ASE)plays a key role in regulating plant development and evolution,yet research on ASE in coconut is limited(Shao et al.,2019;Li et al.,2021;Zhang et al.,2021;Hu et al.,2022).Among phenotypic traits,fruit color is especially important as an indicator of maturity,guiding harvest timing and post-harvest processes(Kapoor et al.,2022).While prior studies have explored various coconut traits such as salt tolerance,fiber content,and plant height(Wang et al.,2021;Yang et al.,2021),investigations into ASE and fruit color remain scarce.
基金supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research,Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research,King Faisal University,Saudi Arabia,Grant No.KFU250098.
文摘In this study,an automated multimodal system for detecting,classifying,and dating fruit was developed using a two-stage YOLOv11 pipeline.In the first stage,the YOLOv11 detection model locates individual date fruits in real time by drawing bounding boxes around them.These bounding boxes are subsequently passed to a YOLOv11 classification model,which analyzes cropped images and assigns class labels.An additional counting module automatically tallies the detected fruits,offering a near-instantaneous estimation of quantity.The experimental results suggest high precision and recall for detection,high classification accuracy(across 15 classes),and near-perfect counting in real time.This paper presents a multi-stage pipeline for date fruit detection,classification,and automated counting,employing YOLOv11-based models to achieve high accuracy while maintaining real-time throughput.The results demonstrated that the detection precision exceeded 90%,the classification accuracy approached 92%,and the counting module correlated closely with the manual tallies.These findings confirm the potential of reducing manual labour and enhancing operational efficiency in post-harvesting processes.Future studies will include dataset expansion,user-centric interfaces,and integration with harvesting robotics.
文摘Zuoquan County has revitalized local villages with the fruits of their collected labor.GLOWING red apples hang heavily on branches in the orchards on the southern outskirts of Tongyu Town,Zuoquan County,Shanxi Province,an area where a decade ago weeds and rocks covered a rather barren landscape.
基金funding from the European Union -NextGenerationEU through the Italian Ministry of University and Research under PRIN PNRR REG D.R.1718-2022– Project number PRJ-1575 INDICA。
文摘Indicaxanthin is a betalain that is abundant in Opuntia ficus-indica orange fruit and has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, very little is known about the neuroprotective potential of indicaxanthin. This study investigated the impact of indicaxanthin on neuronal damage and gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by a high-fat diet in mice. The mice were divided into three groups according to different diets: the negative control group was fed a standard diet;the high-fat diet group was fed a high-fat diet;and the high-fat diet + indicaxanthin group was fed a high-fat diet and received indicaxanthin orally(0.86 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks. Brain apoptosis, redox status, inflammation, and the gut microbiota composition were compared among the different animal groups. The results demonstrated that indicaxanthin treatment reduced neuronal apoptosis by downregulating the expression of proapoptotic genes and increasing the expression of antiapoptotic genes. Indicaxanthin also markedly decreased the expression of neuroinflammatory proteins and genes and inhibited high-fat diet–induced neuronal oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels. In addition, indicaxanthin treatment improved the microflora composition by increasing the abundance of healthy bacterial genera, known as producers of short-chain fatty acids(Lachnospiraceae, Alloprovetella, and Lactobacillus), and by reducing bacteria related to unhealthy profiles(Blautia, Faecalibaculum, Romboutsia and Bilophila). In conclusion, indicaxanthin has a positive effect on high-fat diet–induced neuronal damage and on the gut microbiota composition in obese mice.
基金supported by the key research project for fig development of Weiyuan County(Grant No.1002-69199007),China.
文摘Fig fruit firmness decreases rapidly during ripening and after harvest,resulting in poor storability and transportation loss,which severely restricts development of the fresh fig industry.APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor(AP2/ERF)transcription factors are downstream components of the ethylene-signaling pathway that play crucial roles in quality formation during fruit ripening.In this study,Ficus carica(Fc)ERF12 was clustered in repressor subfamily VIII of ERFs through phylogenetic analysis,and further recruited by its two EAR motifs and expression pattern during fig ripening.DNA affinity purification sequencing analysis indicated that FcERF12 binds to the promoter or gene body regions of multiple ripening-related genes,including cell wall-modification genes FcPG,FcXTH and FcPME,and ethylene-biosynthesis genes FcACS and FcACO.Yeast two-hybrid assay demonstrated that FcERF12 interacts with TOPLESS(TPL)co-repressors FcTPL1,FcTPL4 and FcTPL5,and histone deacetylases FcHDA6 and FcHDA19;interaction with FcTPL4 and FcTPL5 relied on the C-terminal EAR motif.Overexpressing FcERF12 in tomato did not change fruit size or yield,but resulted in an 18.37%increment in fruit firmness and a 49.62%reduction in ethylene-release rate at fruit ripening,accompanied by a significant decrease in seed number per fruit.Transcriptomic analysis revealed downregulation of tomato cell wallmodification genes SlPL,SlEXP and SlPG,and ethylene-synthesis genes SlACO and SlACS.Metabolomic profiling identified 82 differentially accumulated flavonoid metabolites,61 of them showing significantly decreased contents.Taken together,our results exhibit the negative regulatory role of FcERF12 in fig ethylene-signal transduction,providing new information on precise control of fruit firmness and other quality traits at ripening.
基金supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.32120103010,32341045,and 32272729).
文摘In tomato,early fruit development involves rapid cell division and expansion,which are highly dependent on sugar availability(Huang et al.,2025;Yuan et al.,2025).After fruit set,soluble sugars are loaded into pericarp cells through the symplasmic(cytosol)or apoplasmic pathway(cell wall and extracellular matrix)(Patrick and Offler,1996).Sucrose,as the major form of carbon translocated to tomato fruit,can be directly unloaded into fruit cells.However,some sucrose can be hydrolyzed by extracellular invertase,producing glucose and fructose for metabolism and biosynthesis in pericarp cells(Ruan,2014).
基金supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.LQ23C150004 and LR23C150001)National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC+1 种基金Grant No.32102318)NSFC Excellent Young Scientists Fund,and the Key Project for New Agricultural Cultivar Breeding in Zhejiang Province,China(Grant No.2021C02066-1).
文摘Chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid accumulation are essential processes of fruit maturation in many horticultural plants,and play a crucial role in fruit color and quality.The pathways of chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis and degradation are well understood,and key regulatory genes controlling these pathways have been identified in citrus.This article reviewed the recent research on chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolism in citrus fruits,encompassing the metabolic pathways,transcriptional regulation,influencing factors,and the interplay between chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolism,aiming to provide insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms governing the coloration of citrus fruits.
基金funded by the Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province(Grant No.2022B0202070002)the Guangxi Science and Technology Major Program(Grant No.GuikeAA23023007-2)+1 种基金the Guangdong Province Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Innovation Team Construction Project(2024CXTD19)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(Grant No.2023A1515010303)。
文摘Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation has been widely adopted for plant genetic engineering and the study of gene function(Krenek et al.,2015).This method is prevalent in the genetic transformation of herbaceous plants,with notable applications in species such as Arabidopsis(Yin et al.,2024),soybean(Zhang et al.,2024),rice(Zhang et al.,2020),and Chinese cabbage(Li et al.,2021).However,its application in fruit trees is limited.This is primarily due to their long growth cycles and lack of rapid,efficient,and stable transgenic systems,which severely hinders foundational research involving plant genetic transformation(Mei et al.,2024).Furthermore,for subtropical fruit trees,the presence of recalcitrant seeds adds an extra layer of difficulty to genetic transformation(Umarani et al.,2015),as most methods rely on seed germination as a basis for transformation.
基金supported by grants from the National Key Research&Development Plan(Grants Nos.2022YFF10030022022YFD1200502)+7 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.3237269631991182)Wuhan Biological Breeding Major Project(Grant No.2022021302024852)Key Project of Hubei Hongshan Laboratory(2021hszd007)HZAU-AGIS Cooperation Fund(Grant No.SZYJY2023022)Funds for High Quality Development of Hubei Seed Industry(HBZY2023B004)Hubei Agriculture Research System(2023HBSTX4-06)Hubei Key Research&Development Plan(Grants Nos.2022BBA0066,2022BBA0062)。
文摘Photosynthesis is one the most important chemical reaction in plants,and it is the ultimate energy source of any living organisms.The light and dark reactions are two essential phases of photosynthesis.Light reaction harvests light energy to synthesize ATP and NADPH through an electron transport chain,and as well as giving out O_(2);dark reaction fixes CO_(2) into six carbon sugars by utilizing NADPH and energy from ATP.Subsequently,plants convert optical energy into chemical energy for maintaining growth and development through absorbing light energy.Here,firstly,we highlighted the biological importance of photosynthesis,and hormones and metabolites,photosynthetic and regulating enzymes,and signaling components that collectively regulate photosynthesis in tomato.Next,we reviewed the advances in tomato photosynthesis,including two aspects of genetic basis and genetic improvement.Numerous genes regulating tomato photosynthesis are gradually uncovered,and the interaction network among those genes remains to be constructed.Finally,the photosynthesis occurring in fruit of tomato and the relationship between photosynthesis in leaf and fruit were discussed.Leaves and fruits are photosynthate sources and sinks of tomato respectively,and interaction between photosynthesis in leaf and fruit exists.Additionally,future perspectives that needs to be addressed on tomato photosynthesis were proposed.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.32122080,31972375)Shandong Province(Grant No.ZR2020YQ25)。
文摘The content of soluble sugars is a vital parameter that indicates the quality of fleshy fruits such as apple(Malus domestica Borkh.).Studying the patterns of accumulation of soluble sugars and regulatory mechanisms associated with fruit development is crucial for breeding improved fruit varieties.Here,we report that MdCIbHLH1,a low temperature-induced b HLH transcription factor,inhibits the accumulation of soluble sugars by regulating sugar-metabolizing enzyme activities,photosynthetic performance,and the expression of sugar-related genes in developing apple fruits.MdCIbHLH1 inhibits MdFBP and MdPEPCK expression,thus blocking the conversion of acids to sugars in apple fruits.We also discovered that MdCIbHLH1 decreases the photosynthetic rate and carbohydrate accumulation in apple leaves.Our results suggest that soluble sugar accumulation in apple fruits is influenced by multiple factors,including metabolic status,photosynthesis,and carbohydrate allocation.MdCIbHLH1 is critically involved in controlling the accumulation of soluble sugars by coordinating carbohydrate synthesis and allocation,thus influencing sugar transport and its metabolism during the development of apple fruits.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31201416)Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities(B17018)。
文摘Hyperlipidemia constitutes a critical factor in the pathogenesis of vascular disease and gut microbiota dysbiosis.This study aims to investigate the role of sea buckthorn fruit oil(SBFO)in ameliorating hyperlipidemia,modulating gut microbiota,and elucidating the underlying mechanisms of its lipid-lowering effects.SBFO intervention in hyperlipidemic mice significantly reduced body weight and visceral adiposity index while mitigating symptoms associated with hyperlipidemia,including dyslipidemia,infla mmation,liver damage,and endothelial dysfunction.Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses revealed that SBFO enhanced the response of free fatty acid oxidation and breakdown(adenosine 5'-monophosphateactivated protein kinaseα,carnitine palmitoyltransferase1a,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorα,and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ)while suppressing the synthesis of triglycerides and fatty acids(sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1,fatty acid synthase,and acetyl CoA carboxylase)at the gene and protein expression levels.Moreover,SBFO intervention enriched the gut microbiota of hyperlipidemic mice by increasing the relative abundances of Lactobacillus,Faecalibaculum,and Allobaculum,while decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio.These findings suggest that SBFO exhibits promising therapeutic potential in attenuating hyperlipidemia in mice through the regulation of lipid metabolism and modulation of gut microbiota.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.31830071,32202561)the earmarked fund for CARS(Grant No.CARS-31)。
文摘Banana fruit ripening is a highly regulatory process involving various layers consisting of transcriptional regulation,epigenetic factor,and post-translational modification.Previously,we reported that MaERF11 cooperated with MaHDA1 to precisely regulate the transcription of ripening-associated genes via histone deacetylation.However,whether MaERF11 is subjected to post-translational modification during banana ripening is largely unknown.In this study,we found that MaERF11 targeted a subset of starch degradation-related genes using the DNA affinity purification sequence(DAP-Seq)approach.Electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA)and dual-luciferase reporter assay(DLR)demonstrated that MaERF11 could specifically bind and repress the expression of the starch degradation-related genes MaAMY3,MaBAM2 and MaGWD1.Further analyses of yeast two-hybrid(Y2H),bimolecular fluorescence complementation(BiFC)and Luciferase complementation imaging(LCI)assays indicated that MaERF11 interacted with the ubiquitin E3 ligase MaRFA1,and this interaction weakened the MaERF11-mediated transcriptional repression capacity.Collectively,our results suggest an additional regulatory layer in which MaERF11 regulates banana fruit ripening and expands the regulatory network in fruit ripening at the post-translational modification level.
文摘Teacher–student relationships play a vital role in improving college students’academic performance and the quality of higher education.However,empirical studies with substantial data-driven insights remain limited.To address this gap,this study collected 3278 questionnaires from seven universities across four provinces in China to analyze the key factors affecting college students’academic performance.A machine learning framework,CQFOA-KELM,was developed by enhancing the Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm(FOA)with Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy(CMAES)and Quadratic Approximation(QA).CQFOA significantly improved population diversity and was validated on the IEEE CEC2017 benchmark functions.The CQFOA-KELM model achieved an accuracy of 98.15%and a sensitivity of 98.53%in predicting college students’academic performance.Additionally,it effectively identified the key factors influencing academic performance through the feature selection process.
文摘The WSC proteins produced by Penicillium expansum play a crucial role in causing blue mold on pears.To analyze the role of the WSC1 gene in the pathogenic process of this fungal pathogen,we conducted transcriptomic analysis of a WSC1 knockout(ΔWSC1)strain.The knockout of WSC1 significantly altered the gene expression profile in P.expansum,particularly for genes involved in cell wall integrity,signaling,stress response,and toxin production.The differential expression of these genes might make theΔWSC1 strain more vulnerable to environmental stress,while reducing the toxin production capacity,ultimately leading to a decrease in the pathogenicity.The transcriptomic analysis revealed that the expression of genes related to stress response signals,defense mechanisms and oxidative stress management changed when pear fruits were infected with theΔWSC1 strain.These changes may trigger a cascade of responses in pear fruits.In addition,compared with those infected with the wild-type strain,pear fruits infected with theΔWSC1 strain exhibited up-regulated expression of genes related to defense and oxidative stress.This study clarifies how the WSC1 gene influences P.expansum’s ability to infect pear fruits and how pear fruits respond to the infection.
文摘In 2015,the discovery of mammalian fossils,paleolithic artifacts,and burned bones in the Maoershan Cave of the Guilin Basin,northeastern Guangxi,indicated that it is a late Middle Pleistocene Paleolithic site.In 2021,stratigraphic sectioning and the systematic screening of small mammal sand samples were conducted.This paper presents a comprehensive account of the new material of the fruit bat Rousettus leschenaultii,accompanied by a concise overview of the non-volant micromammals that coexisted with it in the Quaternary sediments of the Maoershan Cave.This finding marks the second occurrence of fruit bat fossils in China,contributing to our understanding of the dental morphology and past geographical distribution of Rousettus.The micromammalian assemblage of the Maoershan Cave is composed of 3 orders,9 families,26 genera,and 30 species,and exhibits notable similarities with those of the late Middle Pleistocene Yumi Cave,Xinglong Cave,Yanhui Cave,Mawokou Cave,Zhongliangshan,and Chuan Cave faunas.The biochronology of the micromammalian assemblage from the Maoershan Cave has been determined to be consistent with the late Middle Pleistocene,providing a new assemblage in the Pleistocene mammalian faunal sequence in southern China.The presence of abundant oriental forested elements indicates that the Guilin Basin used to be a humid and warm subtropical forest paleoenvironment similar to the contemporary environment during the late Middle Pleistocene.
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFB4602200)。
文摘To address the issues of low accuracy,long time consumption,and high cost of the traditional temperature prediction methods for laser directed energy deposition(LDED),a machine learning model combined with numerical simulation was proposed to predict the temperature during LDED.A finite element(FE)thermal analysis model was established.The model's accuracy was verified through in-situ monitoring experiments,and a basic database for the predictive model was obtained based on FE simulations.Temperature prediction was performed using a generalized regression neural network(GRNN).To reduce dependence on human experience during GRNN parameter tuning and to enhance model prediction performance,an improved adaptive step-size fruit fly optimization algorithm(ASSFOA)was introduced.Finally,the prediction performance of ASSFOA-GRNN model was compared with that of back-propagation neural network model,GRNN model,and fruit fly optimization algorithm(FOA)-GRNN model.The evaluation metrics included the root mean square error(RMSE),mean absolute error(MAE),coefficient of determination(R^(2)),training time,and prediction time.Results show that the ASSFOA-GRNN model exhibits optimal performance regarding RMSE,MAE,and R^(2) indexes.Although its prediction efficiency is slightly lower than that of the FOA-GRNN model,its prediction accuracy is significantly better than that of the other models.This proposed method can be used for temperature prediction in LDED process and also provide a reference for similar methods.
