Pentatricopeptide repeat genes are ubiquitous in eukaryotes with mitochondria, especially in higher terrestrial plants. As RNA modification proteins, PPR are indispensable in plant growth and development. However, many PPR genes in model plants and food crops have been researched, but few studies...

Potato (Solanumtuberosum L.) is the world's largest non-cereal crop, occupying a position critical for global food security, the fourth largest crop food in China. Due to its location and weather conditions, Yunnan province is the fourth largest potato producer in China with twice yearly production system. However, compared to high number of consumers, potato yield is still low to satisfy the population need. In this study, we have analyzed impacts of three cultivation factors: (1) three cultivation models (T1, T2, and T3), (2) planting density (T1, T2, and T3), (3) soil covering (T1, T2, T3, T4) on plant growth, and yield production. The soil moisture content, temperature, roots growth, stems development, leaf area index, and number-weight of tubers per plant and per plot (g) have significantly increased with commercial yield average of 3tones/mu. This suggests that the combination of these three factors would be a great potato extension model in winter climate zones similar to Yunnan Province. This will contributes in satisfaction of the world population potato consumption need.

Fungal leaf anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum species, is a major leaf disease of rubber trees, significantly reducing global natural rubber yields. To explore sustainable and safe biological control strategies, eight bacterial strains were isolated from rubber tree tissues, demonstrating antagonistic activity against Colletotrichum pathogens (C. siamense and C. australisinense). Among these, WSR1 exhibited the most pronounced antifungal effect, with inhibition rates of 87.64% and 89.03% against C. siamense and C. australisinense, respectively. Genomic analysis identified WSR1 as Bacillus velezensis. In pot experiments, WSR1 exhibited preventive efficacy of 77.24% and 73.42% for C. siamense and C. australisinense induced anthracnose, respectively, with therapeutic efficacy of 42.28% and 45.57%. WSR1 compromised the integrity of the cell walls and membranes of both C. siamense and C. australisinense, while inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation within the hyphae. Additionally, WSR1 enhanced rubber tree resistance to anthracnose by activating defense-related enzymes, including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and peroxidase (POD). Plate assays and genomic analysis revealed that WSR1 secretes fungal cell wall-degrading enzymes (cellulases, pectinase, and protease) and siderophores. Furthermore, LC-MS and gene cluster analysis confirmed the synthesis of antagonistic secondary metabolites, such as surfactin, macrolactin H, and fengycin. This study represents the first identification of Bacillus velezensis as a potential biocontrol agent against rubber tree anthracnose, offering a promising candidate for the eco-friendly management of rubber tree diseases.