The increase in soil temperature associated with climate change has introduced considerable challenges to crop production.Split nitrogen application(SN)represents a potential strategy for improving crop nitrogen use e...The increase in soil temperature associated with climate change has introduced considerable challenges to crop production.Split nitrogen application(SN)represents a potential strategy for improving crop nitrogen use efficiency and enhancing crop stress resistance.Nevertheless,the precise interaction between soil warming(SW)and SN remains unclear.In order to ascertain the impact of SW on maize growth and whether SN can improve the tolerance of maize to SW,a two-year field experiment was conducted(2022-2023).The aim was to examine the influence of two SW ranges(MT,warming 1.40℃;HT,warming 2.75℃)and two nitrogen application methods(N1,one-time basal application of nitrogen fertilizer;N2,one third of base nitrogen fertilizer+two thirds of jointing stage supplemental nitrogen fertilizer)on maize root growth,photosynthetic characteristics,nitrogen use efficiency,and yield.The results demonstrated that SW impeded root growth and precipitated the premature aging of maize leaves following anthesis,particularly in the HT,which led to a notable reduction in maize yield.In comparison to N1,SN has been shown to increase root length density by 8.54%,root bleeding rate by 8.57%,and enhance root distribution ratio in the middle soil layers(20-60 cm).The interaction between SW and SN had a notable impact on maize growth and yield.The SN improved the absorption and utilization efficiency of nitrogen by promoting root development and downward canopy growth,thus improving the tolerance of maize to SW at the later stage of growth.In particular,the N2HT resulted in a 14.51%increase in the photosynthetic rate,a 18.58%increase in nitrogen absorption efficiency,and a 18.32%increase in maize yield compared with N1HT.It can be posited that the SN represents a viable nitrogen management measure with the potential to enhance maize tolerance to soil high-temperature stress.展开更多
Fusarium ear rot(FER),caused by Fusarium verticillioides,is a destructive fungal disease of maize.FER resistance is a complex,quantitatively inherited trait controlled by multiple minor-effect genes.In this study,we e...Fusarium ear rot(FER),caused by Fusarium verticillioides,is a destructive fungal disease of maize.FER resistance is a complex,quantitatively inherited trait controlled by multiple minor-effect genes.In this study,we employed two recombinant inbred line(RIL)populations with the common resistant parental line CML304 to identify FER-resistance loci.Initial QTL analysis identified 23 FER-resistance QTL,each explaining 5.21%-30.51%of the total phenotypic variation.Notably,one major QTL,qRfv2,on chromosome 2 was repeatedly detected,accounting for 11.92%-30.51%of the total phenotypic variation.qRfv2 was fine mapped to an interval of 1.01 Mb,flanked by the markers IDP8 and IDP10.qRfv2 is a semidominant resistance gene that could reduce the disease severity index(DSI)by 12.4%-20%,suggesting its potential for enhancing FER resistance in maize.Transcriptome analysis showed that 22 of the 28 annotated functional genes in the qRfv2 region displayed differential expression between parental lines in response to FER.One of the candidate genes,ZmLOX6,was validated to presumably provide a positive effect on FER resistance.Our study provides a basis for the potential cloning and application of FER resistance genes in maize breeding.展开更多
Pentatricopeptide repeat(PPR)proteins are a large group of eukaryote-specific RNA-binding proteins that play pivotal roles in plant organelle gene expression.Here,we report the function of PPR21 in mitochondrial intro...Pentatricopeptide repeat(PPR)proteins are a large group of eukaryote-specific RNA-binding proteins that play pivotal roles in plant organelle gene expression.Here,we report the function of PPR21 in mitochondrial intron splicing and its role in maize kernel development.PPR21 is a typical P-type PPR protein targeted to mitochondria.The ppr21 mutants are arrested in embryogenesis and endosperm development,leading to embryo lethality.Null mutations of PPR21 reduce the splicing efficiency of nad2 intron 1,2,and 4 and impair the assembly and activity of mitochondrial complex I.Previous studies show that the P-type PPR protein EMP12 is required for the splicing of identical introns.However,our protein interaction analyses reveal that PPR21 does not interact with EMP12.Instead,both PPR21 and EMP12 interact with the small MutS-related(SMR)domain-containing PPR protein 1(PPR-SMR1)and the short P-type PPR protein 2(SPR2).PPR-SMR1 interacts with SPR2,and both proteins are required for the splicing of many introns in mitochondria,including nad2 intron 1,2,and 4.These results suggest that a PPR21-(PPR-SMR1/SPR2)-EMP12 complex is involved in the splicing of nad2 introns in maize mitochondria.展开更多
Single-wavelength interferometry achieves high resolution for smooth surfaces but struggles with rough industrially relevant ones due to limited unambiguous measuring range and speckle effects.Multiwavelength interfer...Single-wavelength interferometry achieves high resolution for smooth surfaces but struggles with rough industrially relevant ones due to limited unambiguous measuring range and speckle effects.Multiwavelength interferometry addresses these challenges using synthetic wavelengths,enabling a balance between extended measurement range and resolution by combining several synthetic wavelengths.This approach holds immense potential for diverse industrial applications,yet it remains largely untapped due to the lack of suitable light sources.Existing solutions are constrained by limited flexibility in synthetic-wavelength generation and slow switching speeds.We demonstrate a light source for multiwavelength interferometry based on electro-optic single-sideband modulation.It reliably generates synthetic wavelengths with arbitrary values from centimeters to meters and switching time below 30 ms.This breakthrough paves the way for dynamic reconfigurable multiwavelength interferometry capable of adapting to complex surfaces and operating efficiently even outside laboratory settings.These capabilities unlock the full potential of multiwavelength interferometry,offering unprecedented flexibility and speed for industrial and technological applications.展开更多
Acoustic detection has many applications across science and technology from medicine to imaging and communications.However,most acoustic sensors have a common limitation in that the detection must be near the acoustic...Acoustic detection has many applications across science and technology from medicine to imaging and communications.However,most acoustic sensors have a common limitation in that the detection must be near the acoustic source.Alternatively,laser interferometry with picometer-scale motional displacement detection can rapidly and precisely measure sound-induced minute vibrations on remote surfaces.Here,we demonstrate the feasibility of sound detection up to 100 kHz at remote sites with≈60 m optical path length via laser homodyne interferometry.Based on our ultrastable hertz linewidth laser with 10-15 fractional stability,our laser interferometer achieves 0.5 pm/Hz1/2 displacement sensitivity near 10 kHz,bounded only by laser frequency noise over 10 kHz.Between 140 Hz and 15 kHz,we achieve a homodyne acoustic sensing sensitivity of subnanometer/Pascal across our conversational frequency overtones.The minimal sound pressure detectable over 60 m optical path length is≈2 mPa,with dynamic ranges over 100 dB.With the demonstrated standoff picometric distance metrology,we successfully detected and reconstructed musical scores of normal conversational volumes with high fidelity.The acoustic detection via this precision laser interferometer could be applied to selective area sound sensing for remote acoustic metrology,optomechanical vibrational motion sensing,and ultrasensitive optical microphones at the laser frequency noise limits.展开更多
Laser frequency combs,which are composed of a series of equally spaced coherent frequency components,have triggered revolutionary progress in precision spectroscopy and optical metrology.Length/distance is of fundamen...Laser frequency combs,which are composed of a series of equally spaced coherent frequency components,have triggered revolutionary progress in precision spectroscopy and optical metrology.Length/distance is of fundamental importance in both science and technology.We describe a ranging scheme based on chirped pulse interferometry.In contrast to the traditional spectral interferometry,the local oscillator is strongly chirped which is able to meet the measurement pulses at arbitrary distances,and therefore,the dead zones can be removed.The distances can be precisely determined via two measurement steps based on the time-of-flight method and synthetic wavelength interferometry,respectively.To overcome the speed limitation of the optical spectrum analyzer,the spectrograms are stretched and detected by a fast photodetector and oscilloscope and consequently mapped into the time domain in real time.The experimental results indicate that the measurement uncertainty can be well within±2μm,compared with the reference distance meter.The Allan deviation can reach 0.4μm at 4 ns averaging time and 25 nm at 1μs and can achieve 2 nm at 100μs averaging time.We also measured a spinning disk with grooves of different depths to verify the measurement speed,and the results show that the grooves with about 150 m∕s line speed can be clearly captured.Our method provides a unique combination of non-dead zones,ultrafast measurement speed,high precision and accuracy,large ambiguity range,and only one single comb source.This system could offer a powerful solution for field measurements in practical applications in the future.展开更多
Null compensation interferometry is the primary testing method for the manufacture of ultra-high-precision aspheric mirrors.The crosstalk fringes generated by stray light in interferometry can affect accuracy and pote...Null compensation interferometry is the primary testing method for the manufacture of ultra-high-precision aspheric mirrors.The crosstalk fringes generated by stray light in interferometry can affect accuracy and potentially prevent the testing from proceeding normally.Position errors include the decenter error,tilt error,and distance error.During the testing process,position errors will impact the testing accuracy and the crosstalk fringes generated by stray light.To determine the specific impact of position errors,we use the concept of Hindle shell testing of a convex aspheric mirror,and propose the simulation method of crosstalk fringes in null compensation interferometry.We also propose evaluation indices of crosstalk fringes in interferometry and simulate the influence of position errors on the crosstalk fringes.This work aims to help improve the design of compensation interferometry schemes,enhance the feasibility of the design,reduce engineering risks,and improve efficiency.展开更多
Laser frequency microcombs provide a series of equidistant,coherent frequency markers across a broad spectrum,enabling advancements in laser spectroscopy,dense optical communications,precision distance metrology,and a...Laser frequency microcombs provide a series of equidistant,coherent frequency markers across a broad spectrum,enabling advancements in laser spectroscopy,dense optical communications,precision distance metrology,and astronomy.Here,we design and fabricate silicon nitride,dispersion-managed microresonators that effectively suppress avoided-mode crossings and achieve close-to-zero averaged dispersion.Both the stochastic noise and mode-locking dynamics of the resonator are numerically and experimentally investigated.First,we experimentally demonstrate thermally stabilized microcomb formation in the microresonator across different mode-locked states,showing negligible center frequency shifts and a broad frequency bandwidth.Next,we characterize the femtosecond timing jitter of the microcombs,supported by precise metrology of the timing phase and relative intensity noise.For the single-soliton state,we report a relative intensity noise of−153.2 dB∕Hz,close to the shot-noise limit,and a quantum-noise–limited timing jitter power spectral density of 0.4 as 2∕Hz at a 100 kHz offset frequency,measured using a self-heterodyne linear interferometer.In addition,we achieve an integrated timing jitter of 1.7 fs±0.07 fs,measured from 10 kHz to 1 MHz.Measuring and understanding these fundamental noise parameters in high clock rate frequency microcombs is critical for advancing soliton physics and enabling new applications in precision metrology.展开更多
We propose a quantum-enhanced metrological scheme utilizing unbalanced entangled coherent states(ECSs) generated by passing a coherent state and a coherent state superposition through an unbalanced beam splitter(BS). ...We propose a quantum-enhanced metrological scheme utilizing unbalanced entangled coherent states(ECSs) generated by passing a coherent state and a coherent state superposition through an unbalanced beam splitter(BS). We identify the optimal phase sensitivity of this scheme by maximizing the quantum Fisher information(QFI) with respect to the BS transmission ratio. Our scheme outperforms the conventional scheme with a balanced BS, particularly in the presence of single-mode photon loss. Notably, our scheme retains quantum advantage in phase sensitivity in the limit of high photon intensity, where the balanced scheme offers no advantage over the classical strategy.展开更多
This study examines the role of maize in food security and economic stability,focusing on its response to climate change and strategies to enhance resilience.Using a qualitative descriptive research methodology,the st...This study examines the role of maize in food security and economic stability,focusing on its response to climate change and strategies to enhance resilience.Using a qualitative descriptive research methodology,the study analyzes the impact of climate change on global maize production and proposes innovative strategies for sustainability and food security.The agricultural environment is vulnerable to heavy metal toxicity,which is linked to the relationship between soil health and climate change.From 1850 to 2020,the Earth’s temperature increased by 1.1℃,with projections indicating continued warming.This trend has significant economic implications,particularly in developing countries where agriculture employs 69%of the population.Heat waves and droughts represent abiotic stresses faced by maize.Research suggests that high greenhouse gas emissions could lead to a 24%reduction in maize yield by 2030.The study highlights the need to focus on breeding and phenotyping technologies to develop heat-and drought-tolerant maize varieties that use water efficiently.Additionally,strategies such as genomic editing,transcriptome analysis,and maize quality mapping are crucial to addressing these challenges.Developing insect-resistant maize is another objective.This study emphasizes the necessity of ongoing research to improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security,especially in light of global population growth.It also advocates for new regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,which contribute to global warming.展开更多
Heat stress,a major challenge in modern agriculture due to global warming,significantly reduces crop productivity.To mitigate its adverse effects on maize yield,it is crucial to understand the mechanisms by which heat...Heat stress,a major challenge in modern agriculture due to global warming,significantly reduces crop productivity.To mitigate its adverse effects on maize yield,it is crucial to understand the mechanisms by which heat stress impacts reproductive development.This study investigated the impact of heat stress during the 12th leaf(V12)stage,where silk development begins on grain yield formation,using heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant cultivars.Compared to pollen,silks were found to be more vulnerable to heat stress.Heat stress disrupted hormone balance and inhibited hormone signaling transduction pathways in silks,delaying silk emergence from bracts and reducing fertilization and grain yield.The heat-tolerant cultivar maintained silk growth by activating more response pathways,displaying faster hormone responses,and up-regulating hormones.Taken together,we propose that hormones play an essential role in silk development and later fertilization process.展开更多
Efficient and accurate identification of candidate causal genes within quantitative trait loci(QTL)is a significant challenge in genetic research.Conventional linkage analysis methods often require substantial time an...Efficient and accurate identification of candidate causal genes within quantitative trait loci(QTL)is a significant challenge in genetic research.Conventional linkage analysis methods often require substantial time and resources to identify causal genes.This paper proposes a QTG-LGBM method for prioritizing causal genes in maize based on the Light GBM algorithm.QTG-LGBM dynamically adjusts gene weights and sample proportions during training to mitigate the effects of class imbalance.The method prevents overfitting in datasets with small samples by introducing a regularization term.Experimental results on maize traits,including plant height(PH),flowering time(FT),and tassel branch number(TBN),demonstrated that QTG-LGBM outperforms the commonly used methods QTG-Finder,GBDT,XGBoost,Bernoulli NB,SVM,CNN,and ensemble learning.We validated the generalization of QTG-LGBM using Arabidopsis,rice,Setaria,and sorghum.We also applied QTG-LGBM using reported QTL that affect traits of maize PH,FT and TBN,and FT in Arabidopsis,rice,and sorghum,as well as known causal genes within the QTL.When examining the top 20%of ranked genes,QTG-LGBM demonstrated a significantly higher recall rate of causal genes compared to random selection methods.We identified key gene features affecting phenotypes through feature importance analysis.QTG-LGBM is available at http://www.deepcba.com/QTG-LGBM.展开更多
Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles present in eukaryotic cells,containing their own genome and transcriptional machinery.However,their functions are intricately linked to proteins encoded by the nuclear genom...Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles present in eukaryotic cells,containing their own genome and transcriptional machinery.However,their functions are intricately linked to proteins encoded by the nuclear genome.Mitochondrial transcription termination factors(mTERFs)are nucleic acid-binding proteins involved in RNA splicing and transcription termination within plant mitochondria and chloroplasts.Despite their recognized importance,the specific roles of mTERF proteins in maize remain largely unexplored.Here,we clone and functionally characterize the maize mTERF18 gene.Our findings reveal that mTERF18 mutations lead to severely undifferentiated embryos,resulting in abortive phenotypes.Early kernel exhibits abnormal basal endosperm transfer layer and a significant reduction in both starch and protein accumulation in mterf18.We identify the mTERF18 gene through mapping-based cloning and validate this gene through allelic tests.mTERF18 is widely expressed across various maize tissues and encodes a highly conserved mitochondrial protein.Transcriptome data reveal that mTERF18 mutations disrupt transcriptional termination of the nad6 gene,leading to undetectable levels of Nad6 protein and reduced complex I assembly and activity.Furthermore,transmission electron microscopy observation of mterf18 endosperm uncover severe mitochondrial defects.Collectively,these findings highlight the critical role of mTERF18 in mitochondrial gene transcription termination and its pivotal impact on maize kernel development.展开更多
Laser interferometry with higher resolution,faster update rate,and larger dynamic range is highly anticipated in the exploration of physics frontiers,advanced manufacturing,and precision sensing.Real-time dispersive s...Laser interferometry with higher resolution,faster update rate,and larger dynamic range is highly anticipated in the exploration of physics frontiers,advanced manufacturing,and precision sensing.Real-time dispersive spectral interferometry(DSI)shows promise for high-speed precision measurements,whereas the resolution of subnanometers has not yet been achieved.We present a comprehensive theoretical framework to analyze the limitations of real-time DSI based on the signal-to-noise ratio and data volume.A real-time orthogonal polarization spectral interferometry technique is proposed,which utilizes a pair of interferograms with the pi-phase shift to effectively mitigate the phase noise embedded in real-time spectral envelopes,thereby enabling the precise measurements with subnanometer resolution at megahertz frame rates.The recorded time series data are processed through interpolation,segmentation,time–frequency mapping,and de-enveloping to regain the typical cosine-shaped spectral evolution,followed by a fitting-based phase retrieval method to extract the interference phase.The phase resolution of 1.1 mrad(0.91 as for time delay and 0.3 nm for distance)is obtained at the update rate of 22.2 MHz even under the detection bandwidth of 500 MHz,and can be further enhanced to 0.29 mrad(0.24 as for time delay)after 500 times averaging(∼0.5 MHz).Our approach is validated through periodic phase modulations and applied to measure the rapid damped oscillations of a piezo stage,yielding results consistent with those obtained from a commercial picometer interferometer.展开更多
Maize serves as a crucial cereal crop globally,yet the escalating frequency of drought stress during the reproductive phase poses a significant threat to grain yield by causing an irreversible loss in kernel number.En...Maize serves as a crucial cereal crop globally,yet the escalating frequency of drought stress during the reproductive phase poses a significant threat to grain yield by causing an irreversible loss in kernel number.Enhancing reproductive drought tolerance in maize requires elucidating the physiological mechanisms underlying its response to drought stress,which can then be incorporated into the development of new maize varieties through breeding programs.Additionally,innovative cultivation practices must be devised to complement these genetic improvements.In this review,the timing,duration,and severity of drought stress during the reproductive stage and their effects on maize kernel set are assessed,providing a basis for constructing a framework that links kernel setting to drought stress.Based on this framework,reproductive drought tolerance from tasseling through post-fertilization kernel establishment is subsequently examined.Evidence indicates that drought-induced fertilization failure is primarily due to delayed pollination resulting from slower silk elongation,which is caused by the loss of cell turgor and reduced carbon supply.Meanwhile,kernel abortion after fertilization is mainly triggered by carbohydrate starvation,increased ethylene emission,and the accumulation of abscisic acid(ABA).Therefore,sugar metabolism,hydraulic status,and hormone signaling collectively regulate maize's kernel setting tolerance to drought stress in a synergistic manner.Several novel gene candidates with potential for conferring drought tolerance in maize have been identified,offering promising targets for genetic improvement through genome editing combined with targeted cultivation practices to enhance maize drought tolerance and ensure stable grain yield in future crops.展开更多
Understanding rock behavior is crucial in mine geotechnical engineering to ensure construction efficiency,mitigate rock-related hazards,and promote environmental sustainability.Coda Wave Interferometry(CWI),a non-dest...Understanding rock behavior is crucial in mine geotechnical engineering to ensure construction efficiency,mitigate rock-related hazards,and promote environmental sustainability.Coda Wave Interferometry(CWI),a non-destructive ultrasonic testing method,has been widely employed to assess micro-damage evolution in rocks induced by perturbations in scatterer position,velocity,or source location due to its exceptional sensitivity.However,challenges persist in evaluating cross-scale rock behavior influenced by nonlinear deformation and multi-field interactions under multiple coupled perturbations.A comprehensive review of the perturbation factors affecting rock damage evolution and potential failure mechanisms is essential for presenting available knowledge in a more systematic and structured manner.This review provides an in-depth analysis of the CWI technique,encompassing its origins,theoretical framework,and classical data processing methodologies.Additionally,it explores the diverse applications of CWI in assessing rock behavior under various perturbation factors,including temperature variations,fluid infiltration,and stress conditions,with a particular emphasis on nonlinear deformation and multi-field coupling effects.Furthermore,a novel method for calculating relative velocity changes in coda waves is introduced,enabling a more precise characterization of the entire rock failure process.The study also proposes a cutting-edge concept of ultra-early and refined monitoring and warning technology for mine rock disasters,leveraging the advancements in CWI.Finally,the review highlights the potential future developments of CWI in high-level intelligent mining scenarios,particularly its integration with ambient noise interferometry and microseismic coda wave analysis.This work serves as a valuable reference,contributing to the refinement of CWI applications for assessing complex rock behavior and enhancing the accuracy of rock disaster prediction and early warning systems.展开更多
Maize(Zea mays L.)is a monoecious grass species with separate male and female inflorescences which form the tassel and ear,respectively.The mature ear inflorescences usually bear hundreds of grains,so they directly in...Maize(Zea mays L.)is a monoecious grass species with separate male and female inflorescences which form the tassel and ear,respectively.The mature ear inflorescences usually bear hundreds of grains,so they directly influence maize grain production and yield.Here,we isolated a recessive maize mutant,tasselseed2016(ts2016),which exhibits pleiotropic inflorescence defects and reduced grain yield.These defects include the loss of determinacy and identity in meristems and floral organs,as well as a lack of the lower floret abortion in maize ear,and a smaller grain size.Using map-based cloning and allelic testing,we identified and confirmed the microRNA gene MIR172e as the target gene controlling these related traits.Furthermore,our evidence uncovered a new potential miR172e/ETHYLENE RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING197(EREB197)regulatory module which controls lower floret abortion in maize ear.Transcriptome analysis revealed that the mutation of MIR172e represses multiple biological processes,particularly the flower development and hormone-related pathways in maize ear.We also found that a mutation in the DNA sequence of MIR172e affects RNA transcription,resulting in elongation blockage at the mutant site.Our results reveal the function and molecular mechanism of MIR172e in maize inflorescences and grain yield,and this study deepens our knowledge of maize inflorescence development.展开更多
Increasing plant density is an effective strategy for enhancing crop yield per unit land area.A key architectural trait for crops adapting to high planting density is a smaller leaf angle(LA).Previous studies have dem...Increasing plant density is an effective strategy for enhancing crop yield per unit land area.A key architectural trait for crops adapting to high planting density is a smaller leaf angle(LA).Previous studies have demonstrated that LG1,a SQUAMOSA BINDING PROTEIN(SBP)transcription factor,plays a critical role in LA establishment.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of LG1 on LA formation remain largely unclear.In this study,we conduct comparative RNA-seq analysis of the preligule band(PLB)region of wild type and lg1 mutant leaves.Gene Ontology(GO)term enrichment analysis reveals enrichment of phytohormone pathways and transcription factors,including three auxin transporter genes ZmPIN1a,ZmPIN1b,and ZmPIN1c.Further molecular experiments demonstrate that LG1 can directly bind to the promoter region of these auxin transporter genes and activate their transcription.We also show that double and triple mutants of these ZmPINs genes exhibit varying degrees of auricle size reduction and thus decreased LA.On the contrary,overexpression of ZmPIN1a causes larger auricle and LA.Taken together,our findings establish a functional link between LG1 and auxin transport in regulating PLB formation and provide valuable targets for genetic improvement of LA for breeding high-density tolerant maize cultivars.展开更多
The semiconductor bridge(SCB)ignites through bridge film discharge,offering advantages such as low ignition energy,high safety,and compatibility with digital logic circuits.The study uses laser interferometry to inves...The semiconductor bridge(SCB)ignites through bridge film discharge,offering advantages such as low ignition energy,high safety,and compatibility with digital logic circuits.The study uses laser interferometry to investigate the gas dynamics of the bridge film after SCB plasma extinction.Interferometric images of the SCB film gas were obtained through a laser interferometry optical path.After the degradation model of digital image processing,clearer images were produced to facilitate analysis and calculation.The results show that the gas temperature at the center of the SCB film reaches a maximum of 1000 K,and the temperature rapidly decreases along the axial direction of the bridge surface to room temperature at 300 K.The maximum diffusion velocity of the plasma is 1.8 km/s.These findings provide critical insights for SCB design and ignition control.展开更多
The female inflorescence,or ear,of maize develops no branch meristem(BM),which differs from the male inforescence,or tassel.While the mutations of some well documented genes,such as fea2/3/4 and ramosa1/2/3,can cause ...The female inflorescence,or ear,of maize develops no branch meristem(BM),which differs from the male inforescence,or tassel.While the mutations of some well documented genes,such as fea2/3/4 and ramosa1/2/3,can cause the branched architecture of ears in maize,such mutations also change the normal phenotypic performance of the tassels.In the present study,a natural maize mutant with branched ears,named branched ear1(be1),was characterized.be1 shows several branched ears at the base of the central ear with unchanged architecture of the tassels.Besides,both the branched and central ears of be1 possess regularly arranged kerels.The phenotypic characteristics of be1 differ completely from those reported mutants of fasciated ears or RAMOSA-like ears in maize.An SEM survey at the very early development stage showed that meristems with three protrusions,similar to the BM in tassels,were present during the development of the branched ears in be1.Gene mapping and sequence alignment suggested that TEOSINTE BRANCHED1(TB1)was the candidate gene of BE1.Further verification showed that a be1-specific 31 bp deletion at the downstream of BE1 led to statistically reduced expression of this gene in the immature ear,which serves as the potential causal reason for the branched ears of be1.CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing downstream of TB1 complemented the phenotypic architecture of branched ears,suggesting that TB1 was the target of BE1,and it was named as Zm TB1be1.The results of the present study implied a novel function of TB1 in female inforescence development,rather than shaping the plant architecture in maize.Meanwhile,further functional dissection of ZmTB1be1might shed new light on TB1,the most famous domestication related gene in maize.展开更多
基金supported by the Natural Science Fund of China(31771724)the Key Research and Development Project of Shaanxi Province(2024NC-ZDCYL-01-10).
文摘The increase in soil temperature associated with climate change has introduced considerable challenges to crop production.Split nitrogen application(SN)represents a potential strategy for improving crop nitrogen use efficiency and enhancing crop stress resistance.Nevertheless,the precise interaction between soil warming(SW)and SN remains unclear.In order to ascertain the impact of SW on maize growth and whether SN can improve the tolerance of maize to SW,a two-year field experiment was conducted(2022-2023).The aim was to examine the influence of two SW ranges(MT,warming 1.40℃;HT,warming 2.75℃)and two nitrogen application methods(N1,one-time basal application of nitrogen fertilizer;N2,one third of base nitrogen fertilizer+two thirds of jointing stage supplemental nitrogen fertilizer)on maize root growth,photosynthetic characteristics,nitrogen use efficiency,and yield.The results demonstrated that SW impeded root growth and precipitated the premature aging of maize leaves following anthesis,particularly in the HT,which led to a notable reduction in maize yield.In comparison to N1,SN has been shown to increase root length density by 8.54%,root bleeding rate by 8.57%,and enhance root distribution ratio in the middle soil layers(20-60 cm).The interaction between SW and SN had a notable impact on maize growth and yield.The SN improved the absorption and utilization efficiency of nitrogen by promoting root development and downward canopy growth,thus improving the tolerance of maize to SW at the later stage of growth.In particular,the N2HT resulted in a 14.51%increase in the photosynthetic rate,a 18.58%increase in nitrogen absorption efficiency,and a 18.32%increase in maize yield compared with N1HT.It can be posited that the SN represents a viable nitrogen management measure with the potential to enhance maize tolerance to soil high-temperature stress.
基金financially funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U2004205)the China Agricultural University-Syngenta Project.
文摘Fusarium ear rot(FER),caused by Fusarium verticillioides,is a destructive fungal disease of maize.FER resistance is a complex,quantitatively inherited trait controlled by multiple minor-effect genes.In this study,we employed two recombinant inbred line(RIL)populations with the common resistant parental line CML304 to identify FER-resistance loci.Initial QTL analysis identified 23 FER-resistance QTL,each explaining 5.21%-30.51%of the total phenotypic variation.Notably,one major QTL,qRfv2,on chromosome 2 was repeatedly detected,accounting for 11.92%-30.51%of the total phenotypic variation.qRfv2 was fine mapped to an interval of 1.01 Mb,flanked by the markers IDP8 and IDP10.qRfv2 is a semidominant resistance gene that could reduce the disease severity index(DSI)by 12.4%-20%,suggesting its potential for enhancing FER resistance in maize.Transcriptome analysis showed that 22 of the 28 annotated functional genes in the qRfv2 region displayed differential expression between parental lines in response to FER.One of the candidate genes,ZmLOX6,was validated to presumably provide a positive effect on FER resistance.Our study provides a basis for the potential cloning and application of FER resistance genes in maize breeding.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32072126 and 32230075)the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation(ZR2019MC005).
文摘Pentatricopeptide repeat(PPR)proteins are a large group of eukaryote-specific RNA-binding proteins that play pivotal roles in plant organelle gene expression.Here,we report the function of PPR21 in mitochondrial intron splicing and its role in maize kernel development.PPR21 is a typical P-type PPR protein targeted to mitochondria.The ppr21 mutants are arrested in embryogenesis and endosperm development,leading to embryo lethality.Null mutations of PPR21 reduce the splicing efficiency of nad2 intron 1,2,and 4 and impair the assembly and activity of mitochondrial complex I.Previous studies show that the P-type PPR protein EMP12 is required for the splicing of identical introns.However,our protein interaction analyses reveal that PPR21 does not interact with EMP12.Instead,both PPR21 and EMP12 interact with the small MutS-related(SMR)domain-containing PPR protein 1(PPR-SMR1)and the short P-type PPR protein 2(SPR2).PPR-SMR1 interacts with SPR2,and both proteins are required for the splicing of many introns in mitochondria,including nad2 intron 1,2,and 4.These results suggest that a PPR21-(PPR-SMR1/SPR2)-EMP12 complex is involved in the splicing of nad2 introns in maize mitochondria.
基金supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research,Research Program Quantum Systems(Grant No.13N16774).
文摘Single-wavelength interferometry achieves high resolution for smooth surfaces but struggles with rough industrially relevant ones due to limited unambiguous measuring range and speckle effects.Multiwavelength interferometry addresses these challenges using synthetic wavelengths,enabling a balance between extended measurement range and resolution by combining several synthetic wavelengths.This approach holds immense potential for diverse industrial applications,yet it remains largely untapped due to the lack of suitable light sources.Existing solutions are constrained by limited flexibility in synthetic-wavelength generation and slow switching speeds.We demonstrate a light source for multiwavelength interferometry based on electro-optic single-sideband modulation.It reliably generates synthetic wavelengths with arbitrary values from centimeters to meters and switching time below 30 ms.This breakthrough paves the way for dynamic reconfigurable multiwavelength interferometry capable of adapting to complex surfaces and operating efficiently even outside laboratory settings.These capabilities unlock the full potential of multiwavelength interferometry,offering unprecedented flexibility and speed for industrial and technological applications.
基金supported by the Office of Naval Research(Grant Nos.N00014-16-1-2094 and N00014-24-1-2547)the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory(Grant No.B622827)the National Science Foundation.Y.-S.J.acknowledges support from KRISS(Grant Nos.25011026 and 25011211).
文摘Acoustic detection has many applications across science and technology from medicine to imaging and communications.However,most acoustic sensors have a common limitation in that the detection must be near the acoustic source.Alternatively,laser interferometry with picometer-scale motional displacement detection can rapidly and precisely measure sound-induced minute vibrations on remote surfaces.Here,we demonstrate the feasibility of sound detection up to 100 kHz at remote sites with≈60 m optical path length via laser homodyne interferometry.Based on our ultrastable hertz linewidth laser with 10-15 fractional stability,our laser interferometer achieves 0.5 pm/Hz1/2 displacement sensitivity near 10 kHz,bounded only by laser frequency noise over 10 kHz.Between 140 Hz and 15 kHz,we achieve a homodyne acoustic sensing sensitivity of subnanometer/Pascal across our conversational frequency overtones.The minimal sound pressure detectable over 60 m optical path length is≈2 mPa,with dynamic ranges over 100 dB.With the demonstrated standoff picometric distance metrology,we successfully detected and reconstructed musical scores of normal conversational volumes with high fidelity.The acoustic detection via this precision laser interferometer could be applied to selective area sound sensing for remote acoustic metrology,optomechanical vibrational motion sensing,and ultrasensitive optical microphones at the laser frequency noise limits.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2022YFC2204601)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11925503 and 12275093)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province(Grant No.2021CFB019)the State Key Laboratory of Applied Optics(Grant No.SKLAO2022001A10).
文摘Laser frequency combs,which are composed of a series of equally spaced coherent frequency components,have triggered revolutionary progress in precision spectroscopy and optical metrology.Length/distance is of fundamental importance in both science and technology.We describe a ranging scheme based on chirped pulse interferometry.In contrast to the traditional spectral interferometry,the local oscillator is strongly chirped which is able to meet the measurement pulses at arbitrary distances,and therefore,the dead zones can be removed.The distances can be precisely determined via two measurement steps based on the time-of-flight method and synthetic wavelength interferometry,respectively.To overcome the speed limitation of the optical spectrum analyzer,the spectrograms are stretched and detected by a fast photodetector and oscilloscope and consequently mapped into the time domain in real time.The experimental results indicate that the measurement uncertainty can be well within±2μm,compared with the reference distance meter.The Allan deviation can reach 0.4μm at 4 ns averaging time and 25 nm at 1μs and can achieve 2 nm at 100μs averaging time.We also measured a spinning disk with grooves of different depths to verify the measurement speed,and the results show that the grooves with about 150 m∕s line speed can be clearly captured.Our method provides a unique combination of non-dead zones,ultrafast measurement speed,high precision and accuracy,large ambiguity range,and only one single comb source.This system could offer a powerful solution for field measurements in practical applications in the future.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFB3403404)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association,CAS(2022213)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(62127901 and 62305334).
文摘Null compensation interferometry is the primary testing method for the manufacture of ultra-high-precision aspheric mirrors.The crosstalk fringes generated by stray light in interferometry can affect accuracy and potentially prevent the testing from proceeding normally.Position errors include the decenter error,tilt error,and distance error.During the testing process,position errors will impact the testing accuracy and the crosstalk fringes generated by stray light.To determine the specific impact of position errors,we use the concept of Hindle shell testing of a convex aspheric mirror,and propose the simulation method of crosstalk fringes in null compensation interferometry.We also propose evaluation indices of crosstalk fringes in interferometry and simulate the influence of position errors on the crosstalk fringes.This work aims to help improve the design of compensation interferometry schemes,enhance the feasibility of the design,reduce engineering risks,and improve efficiency.
基金support from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory(Grant No.B622827)the National Science Foundation(Grant Nos.1824568,1810506,1741707,and 1829071)the Office of Naval Research(Grant No.N00014-16-1-2094).
文摘Laser frequency microcombs provide a series of equidistant,coherent frequency markers across a broad spectrum,enabling advancements in laser spectroscopy,dense optical communications,precision distance metrology,and astronomy.Here,we design and fabricate silicon nitride,dispersion-managed microresonators that effectively suppress avoided-mode crossings and achieve close-to-zero averaged dispersion.Both the stochastic noise and mode-locking dynamics of the resonator are numerically and experimentally investigated.First,we experimentally demonstrate thermally stabilized microcomb formation in the microresonator across different mode-locked states,showing negligible center frequency shifts and a broad frequency bandwidth.Next,we characterize the femtosecond timing jitter of the microcombs,supported by precise metrology of the timing phase and relative intensity noise.For the single-soliton state,we report a relative intensity noise of−153.2 dB∕Hz,close to the shot-noise limit,and a quantum-noise–limited timing jitter power spectral density of 0.4 as 2∕Hz at a 100 kHz offset frequency,measured using a self-heterodyne linear interferometer.In addition,we achieve an integrated timing jitter of 1.7 fs±0.07 fs,measured from 10 kHz to 1 MHz.Measuring and understanding these fundamental noise parameters in high clock rate frequency microcombs is critical for advancing soliton physics and enabling new applications in precision metrology.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 12005106)support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11974189)+1 种基金support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 12175106)the Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. JSCX23-0260)。
文摘We propose a quantum-enhanced metrological scheme utilizing unbalanced entangled coherent states(ECSs) generated by passing a coherent state and a coherent state superposition through an unbalanced beam splitter(BS). We identify the optimal phase sensitivity of this scheme by maximizing the quantum Fisher information(QFI) with respect to the BS transmission ratio. Our scheme outperforms the conventional scheme with a balanced BS, particularly in the presence of single-mode photon loss. Notably, our scheme retains quantum advantage in phase sensitivity in the limit of high photon intensity, where the balanced scheme offers no advantage over the classical strategy.
文摘This study examines the role of maize in food security and economic stability,focusing on its response to climate change and strategies to enhance resilience.Using a qualitative descriptive research methodology,the study analyzes the impact of climate change on global maize production and proposes innovative strategies for sustainability and food security.The agricultural environment is vulnerable to heavy metal toxicity,which is linked to the relationship between soil health and climate change.From 1850 to 2020,the Earth’s temperature increased by 1.1℃,with projections indicating continued warming.This trend has significant economic implications,particularly in developing countries where agriculture employs 69%of the population.Heat waves and droughts represent abiotic stresses faced by maize.Research suggests that high greenhouse gas emissions could lead to a 24%reduction in maize yield by 2030.The study highlights the need to focus on breeding and phenotyping technologies to develop heat-and drought-tolerant maize varieties that use water efficiently.Additionally,strategies such as genomic editing,transcriptome analysis,and maize quality mapping are crucial to addressing these challenges.Developing insect-resistant maize is another objective.This study emphasizes the necessity of ongoing research to improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security,especially in light of global population growth.It also advocates for new regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,which contribute to global warming.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32071959)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFD2303304)+1 种基金the Key Research and Development Program of Shandong Province(LJNY202103)the Shandong Province Key Agricultural Project for Application Technology Innovation(SDAIT02-08)to Peng Liu.
文摘Heat stress,a major challenge in modern agriculture due to global warming,significantly reduces crop productivity.To mitigate its adverse effects on maize yield,it is crucial to understand the mechanisms by which heat stress impacts reproductive development.This study investigated the impact of heat stress during the 12th leaf(V12)stage,where silk development begins on grain yield formation,using heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant cultivars.Compared to pollen,silks were found to be more vulnerable to heat stress.Heat stress disrupted hormone balance and inhibited hormone signaling transduction pathways in silks,delaying silk emergence from bracts and reducing fertilization and grain yield.The heat-tolerant cultivar maintained silk growth by activating more response pathways,displaying faster hormone responses,and up-regulating hormones.Taken together,we propose that hormones play an essential role in silk development and later fertilization process.
基金supported by the Biological Breeding-Major Projects(2023ZD04067)Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(2023AFB832)+1 种基金Guizhou Provincial Basic Research Program(Natural Science)(MS[2025]096)Major Project of Hubei Hongshan Laboratory(2022HSZD031)。
文摘Efficient and accurate identification of candidate causal genes within quantitative trait loci(QTL)is a significant challenge in genetic research.Conventional linkage analysis methods often require substantial time and resources to identify causal genes.This paper proposes a QTG-LGBM method for prioritizing causal genes in maize based on the Light GBM algorithm.QTG-LGBM dynamically adjusts gene weights and sample proportions during training to mitigate the effects of class imbalance.The method prevents overfitting in datasets with small samples by introducing a regularization term.Experimental results on maize traits,including plant height(PH),flowering time(FT),and tassel branch number(TBN),demonstrated that QTG-LGBM outperforms the commonly used methods QTG-Finder,GBDT,XGBoost,Bernoulli NB,SVM,CNN,and ensemble learning.We validated the generalization of QTG-LGBM using Arabidopsis,rice,Setaria,and sorghum.We also applied QTG-LGBM using reported QTL that affect traits of maize PH,FT and TBN,and FT in Arabidopsis,rice,and sorghum,as well as known causal genes within the QTL.When examining the top 20%of ranked genes,QTG-LGBM demonstrated a significantly higher recall rate of causal genes compared to random selection methods.We identified key gene features affecting phenotypes through feature importance analysis.QTG-LGBM is available at http://www.deepcba.com/QTG-LGBM.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFF1000304)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32222060)Anhui Agricultural University(RC422404)to J.Y.
文摘Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles present in eukaryotic cells,containing their own genome and transcriptional machinery.However,their functions are intricately linked to proteins encoded by the nuclear genome.Mitochondrial transcription termination factors(mTERFs)are nucleic acid-binding proteins involved in RNA splicing and transcription termination within plant mitochondria and chloroplasts.Despite their recognized importance,the specific roles of mTERF proteins in maize remain largely unexplored.Here,we clone and functionally characterize the maize mTERF18 gene.Our findings reveal that mTERF18 mutations lead to severely undifferentiated embryos,resulting in abortive phenotypes.Early kernel exhibits abnormal basal endosperm transfer layer and a significant reduction in both starch and protein accumulation in mterf18.We identify the mTERF18 gene through mapping-based cloning and validate this gene through allelic tests.mTERF18 is widely expressed across various maize tissues and encodes a highly conserved mitochondrial protein.Transcriptome data reveal that mTERF18 mutations disrupt transcriptional termination of the nad6 gene,leading to undetectable levels of Nad6 protein and reduced complex I assembly and activity.Furthermore,transmission electron microscopy observation of mterf18 endosperm uncover severe mitochondrial defects.Collectively,these findings highlight the critical role of mTERF18 in mitochondrial gene transcription termination and its pivotal impact on maize kernel development.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.61705193)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province(Grant No.LGG20F050002)the Jinhua Science and Technology Plan(Project No.2024-1-064).
文摘Laser interferometry with higher resolution,faster update rate,and larger dynamic range is highly anticipated in the exploration of physics frontiers,advanced manufacturing,and precision sensing.Real-time dispersive spectral interferometry(DSI)shows promise for high-speed precision measurements,whereas the resolution of subnanometers has not yet been achieved.We present a comprehensive theoretical framework to analyze the limitations of real-time DSI based on the signal-to-noise ratio and data volume.A real-time orthogonal polarization spectral interferometry technique is proposed,which utilizes a pair of interferograms with the pi-phase shift to effectively mitigate the phase noise embedded in real-time spectral envelopes,thereby enabling the precise measurements with subnanometer resolution at megahertz frame rates.The recorded time series data are processed through interpolation,segmentation,time–frequency mapping,and de-enveloping to regain the typical cosine-shaped spectral evolution,followed by a fitting-based phase retrieval method to extract the interference phase.The phase resolution of 1.1 mrad(0.91 as for time delay and 0.3 nm for distance)is obtained at the update rate of 22.2 MHz even under the detection bandwidth of 500 MHz,and can be further enhanced to 0.29 mrad(0.24 as for time delay)after 500 times averaging(∼0.5 MHz).Our approach is validated through periodic phase modulations and applied to measure the rapid damped oscillations of a piezo stage,yielding results consistent with those obtained from a commercial picometer interferometer.
基金financially supported by the Natural Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFD2301500)。
文摘Maize serves as a crucial cereal crop globally,yet the escalating frequency of drought stress during the reproductive phase poses a significant threat to grain yield by causing an irreversible loss in kernel number.Enhancing reproductive drought tolerance in maize requires elucidating the physiological mechanisms underlying its response to drought stress,which can then be incorporated into the development of new maize varieties through breeding programs.Additionally,innovative cultivation practices must be devised to complement these genetic improvements.In this review,the timing,duration,and severity of drought stress during the reproductive stage and their effects on maize kernel set are assessed,providing a basis for constructing a framework that links kernel setting to drought stress.Based on this framework,reproductive drought tolerance from tasseling through post-fertilization kernel establishment is subsequently examined.Evidence indicates that drought-induced fertilization failure is primarily due to delayed pollination resulting from slower silk elongation,which is caused by the loss of cell turgor and reduced carbon supply.Meanwhile,kernel abortion after fertilization is mainly triggered by carbohydrate starvation,increased ethylene emission,and the accumulation of abscisic acid(ABA).Therefore,sugar metabolism,hydraulic status,and hormone signaling collectively regulate maize's kernel setting tolerance to drought stress in a synergistic manner.Several novel gene candidates with potential for conferring drought tolerance in maize have been identified,offering promising targets for genetic improvement through genome editing combined with targeted cultivation practices to enhance maize drought tolerance and ensure stable grain yield in future crops.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Fund for Young Scientists 2021YFC2900400)Chongqing Outstanding Youth Science Fund project(CSTB2023NSCQ-JQX0027).
文摘Understanding rock behavior is crucial in mine geotechnical engineering to ensure construction efficiency,mitigate rock-related hazards,and promote environmental sustainability.Coda Wave Interferometry(CWI),a non-destructive ultrasonic testing method,has been widely employed to assess micro-damage evolution in rocks induced by perturbations in scatterer position,velocity,or source location due to its exceptional sensitivity.However,challenges persist in evaluating cross-scale rock behavior influenced by nonlinear deformation and multi-field interactions under multiple coupled perturbations.A comprehensive review of the perturbation factors affecting rock damage evolution and potential failure mechanisms is essential for presenting available knowledge in a more systematic and structured manner.This review provides an in-depth analysis of the CWI technique,encompassing its origins,theoretical framework,and classical data processing methodologies.Additionally,it explores the diverse applications of CWI in assessing rock behavior under various perturbation factors,including temperature variations,fluid infiltration,and stress conditions,with a particular emphasis on nonlinear deformation and multi-field coupling effects.Furthermore,a novel method for calculating relative velocity changes in coda waves is introduced,enabling a more precise characterization of the entire rock failure process.The study also proposes a cutting-edge concept of ultra-early and refined monitoring and warning technology for mine rock disasters,leveraging the advancements in CWI.Finally,the review highlights the potential future developments of CWI in high-level intelligent mining scenarios,particularly its integration with ambient noise interferometry and microseismic coda wave analysis.This work serves as a valuable reference,contributing to the refinement of CWI applications for assessing complex rock behavior and enhancing the accuracy of rock disaster prediction and early warning systems.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province,China(232300421260)the Tackling Key Problems in Science and Technology of Henan Province,China(222102110465,to LZ and 232102111097,to YS)the Open Project Program(SKL-KF202214)。
文摘Maize(Zea mays L.)is a monoecious grass species with separate male and female inflorescences which form the tassel and ear,respectively.The mature ear inflorescences usually bear hundreds of grains,so they directly influence maize grain production and yield.Here,we isolated a recessive maize mutant,tasselseed2016(ts2016),which exhibits pleiotropic inflorescence defects and reduced grain yield.These defects include the loss of determinacy and identity in meristems and floral organs,as well as a lack of the lower floret abortion in maize ear,and a smaller grain size.Using map-based cloning and allelic testing,we identified and confirmed the microRNA gene MIR172e as the target gene controlling these related traits.Furthermore,our evidence uncovered a new potential miR172e/ETHYLENE RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING197(EREB197)regulatory module which controls lower floret abortion in maize ear.Transcriptome analysis revealed that the mutation of MIR172e represses multiple biological processes,particularly the flower development and hormone-related pathways in maize ear.We also found that a mutation in the DNA sequence of MIR172e affects RNA transcription,resulting in elongation blockage at the mutant site.Our results reveal the function and molecular mechanism of MIR172e in maize inflorescences and grain yield,and this study deepens our knowledge of maize inflorescence development.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFF1000301)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32472179,32130077,32201835)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(C2022407068)the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(2024A1515030237,2022A1515011002)the Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Lab(B21HJ8101).
文摘Increasing plant density is an effective strategy for enhancing crop yield per unit land area.A key architectural trait for crops adapting to high planting density is a smaller leaf angle(LA).Previous studies have demonstrated that LG1,a SQUAMOSA BINDING PROTEIN(SBP)transcription factor,plays a critical role in LA establishment.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of LG1 on LA formation remain largely unclear.In this study,we conduct comparative RNA-seq analysis of the preligule band(PLB)region of wild type and lg1 mutant leaves.Gene Ontology(GO)term enrichment analysis reveals enrichment of phytohormone pathways and transcription factors,including three auxin transporter genes ZmPIN1a,ZmPIN1b,and ZmPIN1c.Further molecular experiments demonstrate that LG1 can directly bind to the promoter region of these auxin transporter genes and activate their transcription.We also show that double and triple mutants of these ZmPINs genes exhibit varying degrees of auricle size reduction and thus decreased LA.On the contrary,overexpression of ZmPIN1a causes larger auricle and LA.Taken together,our findings establish a functional link between LG1 and auxin transport in regulating PLB formation and provide valuable targets for genetic improvement of LA for breeding high-density tolerant maize cultivars.
基金supported by the Anhui Zhongchuang Energy New Energy Technology Co.,Ltd.,Entrusted Project.
文摘The semiconductor bridge(SCB)ignites through bridge film discharge,offering advantages such as low ignition energy,high safety,and compatibility with digital logic circuits.The study uses laser interferometry to investigate the gas dynamics of the bridge film after SCB plasma extinction.Interferometric images of the SCB film gas were obtained through a laser interferometry optical path.After the degradation model of digital image processing,clearer images were produced to facilitate analysis and calculation.The results show that the gas temperature at the center of the SCB film reaches a maximum of 1000 K,and the temperature rapidly decreases along the axial direction of the bridge surface to room temperature at 300 K.The maximum diffusion velocity of the plasma is 1.8 km/s.These findings provide critical insights for SCB design and ignition control.
基金supported by the Special Key Project for Technological Innovation and Application Development in Chongqing,China(CSTB2022TIAD-KPX0011)the Special Fund for Youth Team of the Southwest Universities,China(SWU-XJPY202306)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing,China(cstc2021jcyj-msxmX0583)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Southwest University,China(S202210635326)。
文摘The female inflorescence,or ear,of maize develops no branch meristem(BM),which differs from the male inforescence,or tassel.While the mutations of some well documented genes,such as fea2/3/4 and ramosa1/2/3,can cause the branched architecture of ears in maize,such mutations also change the normal phenotypic performance of the tassels.In the present study,a natural maize mutant with branched ears,named branched ear1(be1),was characterized.be1 shows several branched ears at the base of the central ear with unchanged architecture of the tassels.Besides,both the branched and central ears of be1 possess regularly arranged kerels.The phenotypic characteristics of be1 differ completely from those reported mutants of fasciated ears or RAMOSA-like ears in maize.An SEM survey at the very early development stage showed that meristems with three protrusions,similar to the BM in tassels,were present during the development of the branched ears in be1.Gene mapping and sequence alignment suggested that TEOSINTE BRANCHED1(TB1)was the candidate gene of BE1.Further verification showed that a be1-specific 31 bp deletion at the downstream of BE1 led to statistically reduced expression of this gene in the immature ear,which serves as the potential causal reason for the branched ears of be1.CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing downstream of TB1 complemented the phenotypic architecture of branched ears,suggesting that TB1 was the target of BE1,and it was named as Zm TB1be1.The results of the present study implied a novel function of TB1 in female inforescence development,rather than shaping the plant architecture in maize.Meanwhile,further functional dissection of ZmTB1be1might shed new light on TB1,the most famous domestication related gene in maize.
