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A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Developmental Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 February 2025 | Viewed by 22961

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Dr. Tetsuya Matsukawa

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, 930 Nishimitani, Kinokawa, Wakayama 649-6493, Japan
Interests: antimicrobial phytochemicals; insecticidal phytochemicals; metabolomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Daniela Scaccabarozzi

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Guest Editor

1. School of Life and Molecular Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Australia
2. School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
Interests: Orchidaceae; cadmium; pollinators; floral trait

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Molecular biology is the most important field in biology, revealing the molecular basis of biological processes in cells, and is essential for understanding the mechanisms of the execution and regulation of biological processes. The development of biology has depended on advances in molecular biology, including the development of experimental techniques dealing with DNAs, RNAs, and proteins, the invention of analysis instruments, and the development of software as well as databases. Molecular biology techniques have been applied to a wide range of living organisms, including animals and plants. However, knowledge regarding horticultural plants is relatively less available than that regarding model plants, such as Arabidopsis and Solanaceae. Comprehension via the molecular basis of mutualistic interactions between horticultural plants, pollinators, and/or microbial inhabitants deserves further research to better understand the key of plants’ success, essential for human welfare, health, and food supply.

Horticultural plants are a large plant family, including fruit trees, medicinal plants, flowering plants, ornamental plants, and the most threatened family of plants on the planet, Orchidaceae. Focus on these target plants also aids in preserving agrobiodiversity and crop wild relatives on the Earth. Due to their diversity, systematic and comprehensive information around these plants has not been summarized. Therefore, the accumulation of knowledge concerning the physiological and molecular biological data of various horticultural plants, in addition to their mutualistic interactions, is necessary to understand the cultivation, success, and availability of these plants. Research articles, reviews, short notes, and opinion articles focused on the application of molecular biology to various horticultural plants are welcome to our current Special Issue on “New Advances in Molecular Biology of Horticultural Plants”.

Dr. Tetsuya Matsukawa
Dr. Daniela Scaccabarozzi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

horticultural plants
molecular biology
physiology
gene expression

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 2657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification and Biological Characterization of Green Alga on Oil-Tea Camellia Leaves

by Qiulin Cao, Yanju Liu, Yufen Xu, Zhaoyan Yu, Kunlin Wu, Han Gong, Yaodong Yang, Weiwei Song and Xiaocheng Jia

Horticulturae 2024, 10(10), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10101047 - 1 Oct 2024

Viewed by 615

Abstract

Between 2023 and 2024, a type of green alga was observed for the first time settling on Oil-tea Camellia leaves and branches in the eastern Oil-tea Camellia planting area of Hainan Island, forming a layer of gray-green moss with a rough surface that seriously interfered with the leaves’ normal photosynthesis. To further research the issue, this study used the plant photosynthesis measurement system and the paraffin sectioning technique to compare and analyze the changes in photosynthetic characteristics and anatomical structure of healthy and green algal-covered Oil-tea Camellia leaves. At the same time, the algal strain was effectively separated and purified using the plate delineation method, and its species classification was determined by combining morphological observation and molecular identification based on SSU-ITS sequences. The results of the study demonstrated that the coating of green alga facilitated the lignification of the leaf’s epidermal cell walls. After being covered by the green alga, the intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) increased significantly by 21.5%, while the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (Gs) all significantly decreased by 72.8%, 30.4%, and 24.9%, respectively. More specifically, the green alga that covers the leaves of Oil-tea Camellia was identified as Desmodesmus armatus of Chlorophyta. Notably, the green alga had a long growth cycle, did not undergo a decline phase within one month, had an optimal growth pH of 11.0, and could flourish in excessively alkaline conditions. In conclusion, this study not only reported for the first time the phenomena of D. armatus infesting Oil-tea Camellia leave, but also showed its unique physiological and ecological properties, providing a foundation for future research on relevant prevention and control approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Molecular Biology of Horticultural Plants)

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15 pages, 2547 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Availability Evaluation and Application of MNP (Multiple Nucleotide Polymorphism) Markers in Variety Identification of Chrysanthemum

by Yanfang Liu, Qin Zhao, Tiantian Li, Cailing Teng, Hai Peng, Zongze Yao, Zhiwei Fang, Junfei Zhou, Xiaohong Yang, Juxiang Qiao, Jin Mao, Zhiyong Guan and Qiang Hu

Horticulturae 2024, 10(8), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10080845 - 9 Aug 2024

Viewed by 740

Abstract

In China, PBR (Plant Breeder’s Right) applications of chrysanthemum rank first among all of the applications of ornamental crops in China due to the plant’s significant ornamental, edible, and medicinal values. However, issues of variety infringement and disputes have become increasingly prominent, and traditional molecular markers are difficult to use due to the high heterozygosity and complex ploidy of chrysanthemum. Our study explored the availability of MNP (Multiple Nucleotide Polymorphism) markers in this regard. In total, 30 representative varieties of five types were selected for the screening of MNPs, and another 136 varieties were selected for validation of the screened MNPs. Based on ddRAD-seq (Double Digest Restriction site-associated DNA sequencing) of the 30 varieties, 26,147 SNPs were screened for genetic analysis，and 487 MNPs were screened with a length from 139 to 274 bp, an average of 6.6 SNPs individually, and a repeatability rate of 99.73%. Among the 487 MNPs, 473 MNP markers were found to cover all 27 chromosomes of chrysanthemum. Performance of our MNPs in the 136 varieties was similar to those in the 30 varieties, where the average Ho (observed heterozygosity) was 71.48%, and the average DP (discriminative power) was 82.77%, preliminarily indicating the stability of the 487 MNPs. On the other hand, clustering results based on the 487 MNPs were also generally consistent with those based on the 26,147 SNPs, as well as those based on phenotypic traits, and initial grouping, likewise, further indicating the robust capability of our MNPs in variety discrimination, which is similar to their correspondence with numerous SNPs. Therefore, our MNP markers have great potential in the accurate and rapid identification of chrysanthemum varieties, and, accordingly, in fostering breeding innovation and promoting chrysanthemum marketing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Molecular Biology of Horticultural Plants)

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21 pages, 3561 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of Geranyllinalool Synthase Gene (SgGES) from Salvia guaranitica Plants

by Ahmed Ali Abdelhameed, Mohamed A. Eissa, Ragab I. El-kholy, Doaa Bahaa Eldin Darwish, Amany H. A. Abeed, Fathia A. Soudy, Amal Ahmed Alyamani, Hala M. Abdelmigid, Maissa M. Morsi, Jian Zhao, Mohammed Ali and Muhammad Zayed

Horticulturae 2024, 10(7), 668; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070668 - 24 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1111

Abstract

Salvia guaranitica is considered one of the most significant medicinal and aromatic herbs in terms of nutritional and medical benefits due to its wealth of important active components. Among these compounds, terpenoids are the most prominent and abundant, particularly monoterpenes (C10), sesquiterpenes (C15), and diterpenes (C20). They are biologically advantageous to plants and perform a multitude of functions. The current study aimed to clone the S. guaranitica gene that encodes for geranyllinalool synthases (SgGES, EC: 4.2.3.144), with consideration for these features. The open reading frame of the 867-amino-acid protein encoded by SgGES consists of 2.721 base pairs. In addition, the SgGES protein has five domains that belong to the terpene synthase family, which are related to the terpene and terpenoid synthase domains. We manipulated and overexpressed the SgGES gene in Nicotiana tabacum to explore its function. When compared to the GUS control, the transgenic N. tabacum plants displayed an increase in leaf production and diameter when compared with the wild-type plants. Finally, analysis of transgenic plants using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that SgGES is responsible for producing various terpene species, especially diterpenes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Molecular Biology of Horticultural Plants)

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13 pages, 6115 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Novel R2R3-MYB Transcription Factor LhMYB1 Promotes Anthocyanin Accumulation in Lilium concolor var. pulchellum

by Shengnan Tian, Muhammad Moaaz Ali, Mingli Ke, Yuxian Lu, Yiping Zheng, Xuanmei Cai, Shaozhong Fang, Jian Wu, Zhimin Lin and Faxing Chen

Horticulturae 2024, 10(5), 509; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10050509 - 15 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1100

Abstract

Lilium concolor var. pulchellum has a brilliant flower colour, high germination rate, and resistance to cold, drought, and salinity and is an excellent source of lily germplasm. Anthocyanins are important flavonoids commonly found in plants and can make the flowers and fruits of plants more colourful. We first found that 0.2 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) specifically induced the accumulation of anthocyanins, which were mainly cyanidins, in callus tissue culture of Lilium. Transcriptomic results indicated that anthocyanin accumulation was mainly involved in the flavonoid pathway, and an LhMYB1 transcription factor encoding 267 amino acids positively associated with anthocyanin accumulation was cloned from the MYB family. Subcellular localisation in tobacco showed that the gene was located in the nucleus of epidermal cells. Virus-induced gene silencing showed that silencing of the LhMYB1 gene on lily petals resulted in a purple to white colour change and a decrease in anthocyanin deposition, mainly in the upper and lower epidermis of the petals. Therefore, the results of this study will provide some ideas for the molecular breeding of lily flower colour. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Molecular Biology of Horticultural Plants)

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13 pages, 6030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

BcBZR1 Regulates Leaf Inclination Angle in Non-Heading Chinese Cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis Makino)

by Wenyuan Lin, Yiran Li, Ying He, Ying Wu and Xilin Hou

Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040324 - 27 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1120

Abstract

Brassinosteroids (BRs) play critical roles in plant growth by promoting cell elongation and division, leading to increased leaf inclination angles. BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1) and BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) act as transcription factors in the brassinosteroid signaling pathway and are involved in several physiological activities regulated by BRs. In this study, we identified and cloned BcBZR1 from the heitacai non-heading Chinese cabbage (NHCC) cultivar. The sequence analysis showed that the coding sequence length of BcBZR1 is 996 bp, encoding 331 amino acid residues. Subcellular localization assays showed that BcBZR1 is localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm and that BcBZR1 protein is transported to the nucleus after receiving BR signals. Compared with Col-0, the leaf inclination angle was smaller in BcBZR1-OX. The EBR treatment experiment indicated that BRs regulate the differential expression of paclobutrazol resistance1 (PRE1) and ILI1 binding bHLH1 (IBH1) in the adaxial and abaxial cells of the petiole through BZR1, thus regulating the leaf inclination angle. The bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay indicated that BcBZR1 interacts with C-repeat Binding Factor2 (BcCBF2) and CBF3. Taken together, our findings not only validate the function of BcBZR1 in leaf inclination angle distribution in non-heading Chinese cabbage, but also contribute to the mechanism of leaf inclination angle regulation in this species under cold stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Molecular Biology of Horticultural Plants)

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11 pages, 3540 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid Construction and Application of a Vector for Tobacco Ringspot Virus-Induced McPDS Silencing in Bitter Gourd

by Lingen Zeng, Hui Zhang, Jinju Guo, Zhijun Deng, Hongbiao Liu, Hu Du, Yujuan Zhong, Changyuan Zhang and Chunpeng Yao

Horticulturae 2024, 10(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10020110 - 23 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1408

Abstract

The aim of this study is to facilitate the construction of virus-induced gene silencing vectors and to provide a reference or positive control for gene silencing in bitter gourd. A recombinant TRSV (tobacco ringspot virus) containing two components, pTRSV1 and pTRSV2, was used in this study. The fragment of the McPDS target was cloned into pTRSV2 via combined enzymic ligation during digestion. The TRSV components were agro-infiltrated into tobacco leaves to grow virus particles, which were then extracted and mechanically inoculated into the bitter gourd plants. The effect of TRSV-McPDS-mediated McPDS gene silencing was evaluated by observing the photo-bleaching phenotype, detecting the TRSV virus, and quantifying the downregulation of MCPDS gene expression and chlorophyll contents. The results showed that all bitter gourd plants infected with the empty TRSV or TRSV-McPDS virus grew and developed normally, with no visible signs of viral disease. However, after seven days of inoculation, only the bitter gourd plants that were inoculated with TRSV-McPDS showed obvious photobleaching in the leaves, stems, and buds. The TRSV-specific fragments were tested out in the systemically infected leaves of bitter gourd. The transcription level of the McPDS gene in the leaves dropped by 84.7%. The chlorophyll content also dropped significantly. These data suggest that the rapidly constructed VIGS vector TRSV-McPDS successfully induced McPDS silencing in bitter gourd. Taken together, the results of this study provide a practical method for vector construction in various VIGS applications, as well as a reference and a positive control for TRSV-induced gene silencing in bitter gourd. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Molecular Biology of Horticultural Plants)

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16 pages, 4168 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptomic Analysis Revealed the Discrepancy between Early-Ripening ‘Geneva Early’ and Late-Ripening ‘Hanfu’ Apple Cultivars during Fruit Development and Ripening

by Qianyu Yue, Jieqiang He, Xinyue Yang, Pengda Cheng, Abid Khan, Wenyun Shen, Yi Song, Shicong Wang, Fengwang Ma and Qingmei Guan

Horticulturae 2023, 9(5), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9050570 - 11 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2196

Abstract

Apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.) can be categorized into early-, medium-, and late-ripening cultivars based on the length of the fruit developmental phases. The lengthening of the apple ripening period has a direct impact on its economic worth and market competitiveness, although the underlying mechanism is mostly unclear. In the current study, the development and maturation of the early-ripening ‘Geneva Early’ (GE) and late-ripening ‘Hanfu’ (HF) cultivars of apple fruit were studied using transcriptomics to detect and identify the changes of differential genes. Results showed that the two varieties had different ripening periods, but in both, the development process of fruit ripening required cell division, cell expansion, starch accumulation, and secondary metabolite accumulation. In the early stages of fruit development (G1 to G2), the GE’s fruit size was larger than HF’s, and the GO analysis revealed an enrichment in genes involved in the metabolism of fatty acids and carbon molecules. In G2 phase, the GE involved numerous regulatory factors of hormonal pathways, while in HF this phase was mainly enriched in the metabolism of sugars and carbohydrates. The results indicated that during GE development, the relevant genes regulating fruit development were expressed earlier than HF, which made fruit development enter the next development phase earlier, thereby shortening the fruit development phase. These findings contributed to an improved understanding of the molecular basis of apple ripening and provide a reliable reference for apple breeding using genomics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Molecular Biology of Horticultural Plants)

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20 pages, 2161 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Callus Induction and Plant Regeneration from Carum copticum and Assessment of Antioxidant Responses and Phytochemical Profiling by In Vitro Salinity Stress

by Roya Razavizadeh, Fatemeh Adabavazeh, Marzieh Rezaee Chermahini and Setsuko Komatsu

Horticulturae 2023, 9(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9010022 - 23 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2634

Abstract

Higher production of secondary metabolites is one of the adaptive responses to alleviate the impact of environmental injuries. In the present investigation, the production of these metabolites with medicinal importance induced by salinity in Carum copticum was investigated. To develop a better way for the production of medicinal substances, callogenesis and plant regeneration were analyzed, and seeds, calli, and/or regenerated seedlings were exposed to different concentrations of NaCl under in vitro culture conditions. The maximum frequency of callus induction was obtained on a medium supplemented with 0.25 mg L⁻¹ 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic (2,4-D) and 1 mg L⁻¹ benzyl amino purine (BAP) from stem explants. Plant regeneration with multiple shoots was obtained from pieces of callus transferred to MS medium fortified with 0.25 mg L⁻¹ 2,4-D and 1.5 mg L⁻¹ BAP. Four weeks after treatment, salinity induced a substantial increase in the accumulation of reducing sugars and proline as compatible osmolytes and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Total phenolics and anthocyanin significantly increased in all samples with increasing NaCl concentrations; however, the regenerated seedlings showed a reduction in these compounds at severe NaCl concentration compared to the control. Moreover, NaCl enhanced thymol, γ-terpinene, sabinene, and myrcene in the seedlings and calli, as well as carvacrol, limonene, and α-terpinene in the regenerated seedlings. These results suggest that salinity has a marked impact on improving the content of antioxidant metabolites and essential oils in C. copticum, whose callus might be the most salt tolerant in all tested samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Molecular Biology of Horticultural Plants)

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Review

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15 pages, 6123 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Evolution of Seed Dispersal Modes in the Orchidaceae: Has the Vanilla Mystery Been Solved?

by Adam P. Karremans, Charlotte Watteyn, Daniela Scaccabarozzi, Oscar A. Pérez-Escobar and Diego Bogarín

Horticulturae 2023, 9(12), 1270; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9121270 - 27 Nov 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5735

Abstract

Orchid seeds are predominantly wind-dispersed, often developed within dry, dehiscent fruits that typically release millions of dust-like seeds into the air. Animal-mediated seed dispersal is a lesser-known phenomenon in the family and predominantly occurs in groups belonging to early-diverging lineages bearing indehiscent, fleshy fruits with hard, rounded, dark seeds. In this review, we explore the evolutionary trends of seed dispersal mechanisms in Orchidaceae, focusing on the pantropical genus Vanilla. Notably, certain Neotropical species of Vanilla produce vanillin-aromatic compounds synthesized naturally in their fruits, which plays a pivotal role in seed dispersal. Ectozoochory occurs in dry, dehiscent fruits, whose seeds are dispersed by (i) male euglossine bees collecting the fruit’s vanillin aromatic compounds and (ii) female stingless bees collecting the fruit’s mesocarp. Endozoochory occurs in (iii) highly nutritious, indehiscent fruits consumed by terrestrial mammals or (iv) fleshy, dehiscent fruits whose mesocarp is consumed by arboreal mammals. Wind dispersal appears to be a derived state in Orchidaceae and, given its predominance, a trait likely associated with enhanced speciation rates. Zoochory primarily occurs in groups derived from early-diverging lineages; occasional reversions suggest a link between dispersal mode and fruit and seed traits. Interestingly, fruit dehiscence and fleshiness in Vanilla lack phylogenetic signal despite their role in determining dispersal modes, suggesting potential environmental adaptability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Molecular Biology of Horticultural Plants)

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17 pages, 3358 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of the γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) in Plant Salt Stress Tolerance

by Siarhei A. Dabravolski and Stanislav V. Isayenkov

Horticulturae 2023, 9(2), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9020230 - 8 Feb 2023

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4840

Abstract

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid that accumulates in many plant species in response to environmental stress. A number of reverse-genetic experiments and omics analyses have revealed positive relationships between GABA levels and tolerance to stresses. Furthermore, the application of exogenous GABA has been demonstrated to effectively reduce ROS levels, enhance membrane stability and modulate phytohormones cross-talk, thus improving tolerance against multiple stresses. However, molecular mechanisms regulating GABA homeostasis and physiological functions in plants remain largely unclear. In this review, we focus on the recent achievements in deciphering the role of genetic manipulations to modulate endogenous GABA levels and the exogenous application of GABA and associated metabolites to improve tolerance to salt stress. Finally, we discuss the role of GABA in the regulation of ion homeostasis in high-salinity conditions. These findings have laid the groundwork for future studies to explore the genetic, physiological, and molecular mechanisms of GABA-mediated improvements in plant productivity under high-salt environmental conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Molecular Biology of Horticultural Plants)

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