Background: Peanut is the most essential oil and food crop globally due to its high oil and protein content. Root-knot nematode infects peanut roots, causing poor development and severely limiting peanut yields worldwide. The discovery of peanut genome identified a considerable number of genetic loci controlling the peanut root-knot nematode; however, the molecular mechanism of root-knot nematode remains unknown. Results: The heterogeneous response to root-knot nematode stress in peanut roots was identified using whole-transcriptome RNA-seq. A total of 430 mRNAs, 111 miRNAs, 4453 lncRNAs, and 123 circRNAs were found to have differential expression between infected and non-infected peanuts. The expression profiles of the lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network were developed to understand the potential pathways that lead to root-knot nematodes in peanut roots. During root-knot nematodes stress, a total of 10 lncRNAs, 4 circRNAs, 5 miRNAs, and 13 mRNAs can create competing endogenous RNA and participate in the oxidation–reduction process as well as other biological metabolism processes in peanuts. The findings will highlight the role of peanut ceRNAs in response to root-knot nematodes. Conclusion: The GO classification and KEGG pathway enrichment study of core regulatory networks revealed that ceRNAs are involved in oxidation–reduction, peroxidase activity, lignin synthesis in the xylem, and flavonoid synthesis. Overall, these findings may help researchers better understand the role of non-coding RNAs in response to root-knot nematodes.

Laccase, as a copper-containing polyphenol oxidase, primarily functions in the process of lignin, anthocyanin biosynthesis, and various abiotic/biotic stresses. In this study, forty-eight laccase members were identified in the eggplant genome. Only forty-two laccase genes from eggplant (SmLACs) were anchored unevenly in 12 chromosomes, the other six SmLACs were mapped on unanchored scaffolds. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that only twenty-five SmLACs were divided into six different groups on the basis of groups reported in Arabidopsis. Gene structure analysis revealed that the number of exons ranged from one to 13. Motif analysis revealed that SmLACs included six conserved motifs. In aspects of gene duplication analysis, twenty-one SmLACs were collinear with LAC genes from Arabidopsis, tomato or rice. Cis-regulatory elements analysis indicated many SmLACs may be involved in eggplant morphogenesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, diverse stresses and growth/development processes. Expression analysis further confirmed that a few SmLACs may function in vegetative and reproductive organs at different developmental stages and also in response to one or multiple stresses. This study would help to further understand and enrich the physiological function of the SmLAC gene family in eggplant, and may provide high-quality genetic resources for eggplant genetics and breeding.

The multilocular trait is generally considered as a desirable agricultural trait for the high‐yield breeding of Brassica crops and has attracted considerable attention. The siliques of multilocular plants contain more chambers and seeds than those of bilocular rapeseed varieties and, thus, have a higher yield. Furthermore, multilocular plants are precious germplasm resources for the breeding of Brassica crops. In this article, we provide a summary of researches regarding the multilocular trait in rapeseed, including its natural germplasms, silique morphology, genetic models, and regulatory mechanisms. The study will highlight the potential of multilocular rapeseed for high‐yield breeding.

Lack of phosphorus (P) is a major environmental factor affecting rapeseed (Brassica napus. L) root growth and development. For breeding purposes, it is crucial to identify the molecular mechanisms of root system architecture (RSA) traits underlying low P tolerance in rapeseed. The natural variations in the glycine-rich protein gene, BnGRP1, were analyzed in the natural population of 400 rapeseed cultivars under low P stress through genome-wide association study (GWAS) and transcriptome analyses. Based on 11 SNP mutations in BnGRP1 sequence, ten types of haplotypes (Hap) were formed. Compared with the other types, the cultivar of BnGRP1^Hap1 type in the panel demonstrated the longest root length and heaviest root weight. BnGRP1^Hap1 overexpression in rapeseed depicted the ability to enhance its resistance in response to low P tolerance. CRISPR/Cas9-derived BnGRP1^Hap4 knockout mutations in rapeseed can lead to sensitivity to low P stress. Furthermore, BnGRP1^Hap1 influences the expression of phosphate transporter 1 (PHT1) genes associated with P absorption. Overall, the findings of this study highlight new mechanisms of GRP1 genes in enhancing low P tolerance in rapeseed.

We selected 46 core winter–spring wheat cultivars from China’s main wheat-producing areas as experimental materials to clarify the differences in the physiological parameters of their cold resistance and provide a theoretical basis and high-quality germplasm for cold resistance breeding. We investigated differences in their cold resistance under field conditions for two consecutive years, and determined the physiological parameters of the cold resistance, yield, and quality indicators of different winter–spring wheat cultivars. Our results showed that the cold resistance of winter wheat cultivars was higher than that of spring wheat cultivars. The chlorophyll (Chl), soluble sugar (SS), soluble protein (SP), and free proline (Pro) contents of different winter–spring wheat cultivars were positively correlated with cold resistance, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was negatively correlated with cold resistance. The five physiological parameters can be used as physiological indicators for the breeding of cold-resistant cultivars. The cold resistance, yield, and quality indicators of different spring and winter wheat cultivars were comprehensively evaluated by using the average membership value and comprehensive score. It was found that the average membership value and comprehensive score of winter wheat cultivars were higher than those of spring wheat cultivars. Through classification using the K-means method, the cold-resistant, high-yield, and high-quality cultivars were screened out, namely, Jimai23 (JM23), Jimai44 (JM44), Shannong57 (SN57), and Jinmai 919 (JM919).