Horticultural Plants Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural and Floricultural Crops".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2022) | Viewed by 12786

Special Issue Editors

1. Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
2. Key Laboratory of Biology and Germplasm Enhancement of Horticultural Crops in East China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Interests: plant physiology; abiotic stress; climate change; high throughput sequencing; photosynthesis; noncoding RNAs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Center of Pear Engineering Technology Research, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
Interests: fruit tree abiotic and biotic stress; horticulture plant disease resistance; autophagy; fruit tree pathogen

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Horticultural plants include vegetables, trees, ornamental plants, etc. Global climate change has increased the occurrence frequency of weather extremes, which has aggravated the occurrence of abiotic stresses. Horticultural plants usually suffer different kinds of abiotic stresses, such as heat and cold stress, drought and waterlogging stress, salt, and so on. It is notable that several abiotic stresses can happen simultaneously, a phenomenon known as combined stress. More importantly, the effects of combined stress on horticultural plants cannot be simply concluded by the effects of individual stress. We aim to make explicit the physiological, metabolic, and molecular responses of horticultural plants to complex abiotic stress conditions, including individual and multiple stress. The physiological and metabolic response includes photosynthesis, respiration, chlorophyll fluorescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS), enzyme activity, etc. The molecular response can be the regulation of key genes and noncoding RNAs (miRNAs, circRNAs, lncRNAs), etc. Possible approaches such as stress memory and exogenous application of phytohormones on alleviating damage on horticultural plants caused by abiotic stress are also within the scope of this Special Issue.

Dr. Rong Zhou
Dr. Xun Sun
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • horticultural plants
  • high temperature
  • cold stress
  • water deficit
  • waterlogging

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 3613 KiB  
Article
Transcriptome Analysis of the Regulatory Mechanism of Exogenous Spermidine in High Temperature Stress Resistance of Tomato Seedlings
by Chen Peng, Sheng Shu, Yu Wang, Jing Du, Lu Shi, Mohammad Shah Jahan and Shirong Guo
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020285 - 17 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2120
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that spermidine (Spd) can improve tolerance to high temperature stress in tomato seedlings. To further understand how Spd regulates the molecular components of high temperature stress signaling pathways, we performed a genome-wide transcriptome analysis in tomato seedlings treated with [...] Read more.
Previous studies have shown that spermidine (Spd) can improve tolerance to high temperature stress in tomato seedlings. To further understand how Spd regulates the molecular components of high temperature stress signaling pathways, we performed a genome-wide transcriptome analysis in tomato seedlings treated with high temperature and/or exogenous Spd. The results demonstrate that, under high temperature conditions, Spd significantly alleviated the inhibition of plant growth, as well as improving the net photosynthetic rate and pigment contents. The transcriptome analysis revealed thousands of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to high temperature with or without Spd treatment. Half of the genes were induced by high temperature, part of the genes were induced by high temperature with exogenous Spd, and some were induced by the coordinated effect of high temperature and Spd. A GO analysis indicated that genes involved in cellular processes, metabolic processes, and nucleotide binding in the sample were subjected to high temperature. Some DEGs were also involved in plant physiological processes. These results suggest potential genes and molecular pathways were involved in the exogenous Spd-mediated tolerance to high temperature stress in tomato plants. A JA signaling test was designed, which indicated that MYC2 and JAS1 in heat-resistant materials were both increased, through quantitative RT-PCR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance)
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17 pages, 3845 KiB  
Article
Heterologous Expression of the Apple MdbZIP26 Gene in Arabidopsis thaliana Improves Resistance to High Salinity and Drought Stress
by Ye Wan, Yaqiong Wang, Fan Wang, Shuaishuai Feng, Li Zhang, Xiping Wang and Hua Gao
Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2624; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112624 - 25 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1524
Abstract
High salinity and drought seriously limit the production of many crops worldwide, including apple (Malus x. domestica Borkh). Members of the bZIP family of transcription factors play important roles in abiotic stress in various plants, but there have been few studies in [...] Read more.
High salinity and drought seriously limit the production of many crops worldwide, including apple (Malus x. domestica Borkh). Members of the bZIP family of transcription factors play important roles in abiotic stress in various plants, but there have been few studies in perennial tree species. In our previous study, we conducted a genome-wide survey of bZIP family transcription factor genes in apple. Here, we focused on one of these genes, MdbZIP26, which is induced by high salinity, drought, and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA). The MdbZIP26 promoter contains several apparent cis-acting elements associated with abiotic stress response, such as ABRE/G-box, DRE, GT1, and GMSCAM4. The temporal and spatial expression patterns of MdbZIP26 were consistent with a role in abiotic stress response. Arabidopsis thaliana plants expressing MdbZIP26 showed enhanced tolerance to dehydration and salinity, and this was associated with altered expression of ABA/stress-regulated genes. Considered together, these results suggest that MdbZIP26 plays a role in the resistance of drought and high salinity stress in apple via ABA-mediated signaling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance)
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13 pages, 2465 KiB  
Article
CBL-Interacting Protein Kinase 2 Improves Salt Tolerance in Soybean (Glycine max L.)
by Hui Li, Zhen-Ning Liu, Qiang Li, Wen-Li Zhu, Xiao-Hua Wang, Ping Xu, Xue Cao and Xiao-Yu Cui
Agronomy 2022, 12(7), 1595; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12071595 - 1 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2148
Abstract
Salt stress severely limits soybean production worldwide. Calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) play a pivotal role in a plant’s adaption to salt stress. However, their biological roles in soybean adaption to salt stress remain poorly understood. Here, the GmCIPK2 expression was increased [...] Read more.
Salt stress severely limits soybean production worldwide. Calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) play a pivotal role in a plant’s adaption to salt stress. However, their biological roles in soybean adaption to salt stress remain poorly understood. Here, the GmCIPK2 expression was increased by NaCl and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). GmCIPK2-overexpression Arabidopsis and soybean hairy roots displayed improved salt tolerance, whereas the RNA interference of hairy roots exhibited enhanced salt sensitivity. Further analyses demonstrated that, upon salt stress, GmCIPK2 enhanced the proline content and antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased the H2O2 content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and Na+/K+ ratios in soybean. Moreover, GmCIPK2 promoted the expression of salt- and antioxidant-related genes in response to salt stress. Moreover, the GmCIPK2-interacting sensor, GmCBL4, increased the salt tolerance of soybean hairy roots. Overall, these results suggest that GmCIPK2 functions positively in soybean adaption to salt stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance)
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14 pages, 2014 KiB  
Article
Nitrogen Reduction with Bio-Organic Fertilizer Altered Soil Microorganisms, Improved Yield and Quality of Non-Heading Chinese Cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis Makino)
by Yingbin Qi, Zhen Wu, Rong Zhou, Xilin Hou, Lu Yu, Yuxin Cao and Fangling Jiang
Agronomy 2022, 12(6), 1437; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12061437 - 16 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2476
Abstract
Excessively using fertilizers poses serious problems such as environmental pollution, soil degeneration, and quality and yield reduction of vegetables. This study aimed to illustrate the effect of different organic manure and inorganic fertilizers on the characteristics of soil, and the growth, yield, and [...] Read more.
Excessively using fertilizers poses serious problems such as environmental pollution, soil degeneration, and quality and yield reduction of vegetables. This study aimed to illustrate the effect of different organic manure and inorganic fertilizers on the characteristics of soil, and the growth, yield, and quality of non-heading Chinese cabbage. There were 28 treatments in the first experiment: no fertilization (CK), conventional fertilization (100% nitrogen T1), 20% reduction of total nitrogen (T2), 30% reduction of total nitrogen (T3), and 20% or 30% reduction of total nitrogen with four kinds of fertilizers and three kinds of dosages (24 treatments). Six treatments, being selected from the first experiment based on growth of plants, were further applied to the second experiment. The results of the second experiment showed that the pH, nitrate nitrogen, and organic matter content of soil treated by N2 (20% reduction of total nitrogen with 1500 kg·ha−1 No.1: Bacillus-enriched bio-organic fertilizer) were significantly enhanced compared with T1 (100% nitrogen). The N2-treated plants showed an 11.66% increase in root activity, 9.24% enhancement in yield, 5.79% increase in vitamin C (VC), and 47.87% decrease in nitrate content compared with T1. Nitrogen reduction with bio-organic fertilizer significantly increased the dominant phyla of Gemmatimonadetes and Chytridiomycota and significantly decreased Ascomycota, and increased the dominant genera of Gemmatimonas and Bacillus and decreased Fusarium, indicating that this treatment altered the microbial community composition of soil. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that AP (available phosphorus), OM (organic matter), and UREA (urease activity) of the soil were significantly correlated with microbial community structure. Yield was significantly, positively correlated with Rhodanobacter and Olpidium. In conclusion, nitrogen reduction with bio-organic fertilizer benefited growth, yield, and quality of non-heading Chinese cabbage by improving the soil quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance)
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10 pages, 2367 KiB  
Communication
The Effects of Catch Crops on Properties of Continuous Cropping Soil and Growth of Vegetables in Greenhouse
by Yingbin Qi, Rong Zhou, Lanchun Nie, Mintao Sun, Xiaoting Wu and Fangling Jiang
Agronomy 2022, 12(5), 1179; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12051179 - 13 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2156
Abstract
Continuous cropping has become a key factor limiting the sustainable development of greenhouse vegetables. It is a matter of great importance to maintain and improve the effective fertility of greenhouse soil. Catch crops planted as green manure is an effective method to improve [...] Read more.
Continuous cropping has become a key factor limiting the sustainable development of greenhouse vegetables. It is a matter of great importance to maintain and improve the effective fertility of greenhouse soil. Catch crops planted as green manure is an effective method to improve soil quality. In order to determine the effects of catch crops on soil characteristics and the growth of afterculture vegetables, onion, corn, wheat, soybean and cabbage were planted as catch crops for two years during the summer fallow season, with no catch crop as CK. The results showed that the total porosity and organic matter content of the soil, with corn and wheat as catch crops, was significantly increased by 2.93%, 5.25% and 21.32%, 51.61%, respectively, while pH was decreased, compared with CK. The urease, sucrase, invertase, catalase and FDA enzyme activity of the soil with corn and wheat as catch crops was significantly increased by 30.14% and 30.21%, 14.81% and 25.31%, 15.43% and 15.21%, 29.37% and 28.69%, 46.32% and 44.23%. Meanwhile, the enzyme activity of the soil was increased with each catch crop planted. The amount of culturable bacteria and actinomycetes in the soil with corn and wheat as catch crops was increased by 33.42% and 38.12% at the period of 150dayII, while fungi was decreased by 59.95%. The yield of vegetables with corn and wheat as catch crops significantly increased by 5.59~13.33% and 4.35~11.18% compared with CK. Overall, catch crops could improve the soil quality as well as the growth of afterculture vegetables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance)
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12 pages, 2324 KiB  
Article
Reducing the Halotolerance Gap between Sensitive and Resistant Tomato by Spraying Melatonin
by Rong Zhou, Benjian Cen, Fangling Jiang, Mintao Sun, Junqin Wen, Xue Cao, Shouyao Cui, Lingpeng Kong, Niannian Zhou and Zhen Wu
Agronomy 2022, 12(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010084 - 30 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1553
Abstract
Salt stress is one of the primary abiotic stresses that negatively affects agricultural production. Melatonin, as a useful hormone in plants, has been shown to play positive roles in crop improvement to abiotic stress conditions. However, it remains unclear whether spraying melatonin could [...] Read more.
Salt stress is one of the primary abiotic stresses that negatively affects agricultural production. Melatonin, as a useful hormone in plants, has been shown to play positive roles in crop improvement to abiotic stress conditions. However, it remains unclear whether spraying melatonin could reduce the halotolerance gap between tomato genotypes with different salt sensitivities. Here, plant growth, H2O2 content, electrolyte leakage, antioxidant system, gas exchange, pigment content, and chloroplast ultrastructure of salt sensitive genotype (SG) and resistant genotype (RG) at CK (control), M (spraying melatonin), S (salt), and SM (spraying melatonin under salt stress) were investigated. The results showed that the weight, height, and stem diameter of the plant at SM from both genotypes significantly increased compared with S. The plant undergoing SM from both genotypes showed significantly decreased H2O2 but increased activity of SOD, APX, GR, and GSH, as well as net photosynthetic rate and Fv/Fm, as compared with S. The ratio between SM and S (SM/S) of SG was significantly higher than that of RG in terms of plant height and stem diameter, whereas antioxidant parameters, H2O2 content, and electrolyte leakage showed no difference between RG and SG in SM/S. The SM/S of SG in terms of photosynthetic parameters and pigment content were significantly higher than that of RG. Chloroplast ultrastructure showed remarkable changes under salt stress, whereas spraying melatonin reduced the destruction of chloroplasts, especially for SG. We concluded that spraying melatonin reduces the halotolerance gap between SG and RG by photosynthesis regulation instead of the antioxidant mechanism. This indicated that the positive roles of melatonin on tomato plants at salt stress depend on the genotype sensitivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plants Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance)
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