Inorganic phosphate (Pi) homeostasis plays an important role in plant growth and abiotic stress tolerance. Several MYB-CC transcription factors involved in Pi homeostasis have been identified in rice (Oryza sativa). PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE-LIKE 7 (PHL7) is a class II MYC-CC protein, in which the MYC-CC domain is located at the N terminus. In this study, we established that OsPHL7 is localized to the nucleus and that the encoding gene is induced by Pi deficiency. The Pi-responsive genes and Pi transporter genes are positively regulated by OsPHL7. The overexpression of OsPHL7 enhanced the tolerance of rice plants to Pi starvation, whereas the RNA interference-based knockdown of this gene resulted in increased sensitivity to Pi deficiency. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsPHL7 produced more roots than wild-type plants under both Pi-sufficient and Pi-deficient conditions and accumulated more Pi in the shoots and roots. In addition, the overexpression of OsPHL7 enhanced rice tolerance to salt stress. Together, these results demonstrate that OsPHL7 is involved in the maintenance of Pi homeostasis and enhances tolerance to Pi deficiency and salt stress in rice.

Short crop height is the preferred breeding trait since there is a positive correlation between lodging resistance and a crop yield increase. Alternative splicing can alter transcriptome diversity and contribute to plant adaptation to environmental stress. We characterized the transcriptomes obtained from dwarf and normal soybean lines derived from a cross of Glycine max var. Peking (G. max) and G. soja var. IT182936 in an F7 RIL population to study the differences between the isoforms. Full-length mRNA derived from leaf tissues was sequenced using the PacBio RSII platform, generating 904,474 circular consensus sequence (CCS) reads. Using the Structural and Quality Annotation of Novel Transcript Isoforms (SQANTI) process, 42,582 and 44,762 high-quality isoforms, and 91 and 179 polished low-quality isoforms were obtained in dwarf and normal cells, respectively. As a result, 832 and 36,772 nonredundant transcripts were generated. Approximately 30% of the identified genes were estimated to produce two or more isoforms. We detected an average of 166,171 splice junctions (SJs), of which 93.8% were canonical SJs. We identified that novel isoforms accounted for 19% of all isoforms, among which 12% fell within coding regions. The dwarf soybean demonstrated a greater number of isoforms in most of the annotated genes, particularly in genes related to growth hormones and defense responses. Our study provides comprehensive isoform and gene information that may accelerate transcriptome research in G. max and provide a basis to further study the impact of these isoforms on plant growth.

Soybean ( Glycine max ) seed coat color variation is determined by the accumulation of flavonoid‐derived pigments, although the molecular mechanisms underlying this trait remain poorly understood. This study integrated RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq) and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–based metabolite measurements to investigate black and yellow seed coat soybean lines derived from the same genetic background. Metabolite analysis revealed significantly higher total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), total proanthocyanidin content (TPAC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS) in black seed coats, whereas yellow seed coats exhibited elevated total isoflavone content (TIC). RNA‐seq at 110 days after sowing (DAS) identified differential expression of flavonoid pathway genes associated with these metabolic differences. Genes upregulated in black seed coats included flavanone 3‐hydroxylase ( F3H ), anthocyanidin synthase ( ANS ), UDP‐glycosyltransferases ( UGT78D2 , UGT79B6 ), and glutathione S ‐transferase ( GSTF11 ), encoding enzymes reported to function in anthocyanin biosynthesis, glycosylation, and vacuolar transport, respectively. Conversely, leucoanthocyanidin reductase ( LAR ) genes showed higher expression in yellow seed coats despite lower proanthocyanidin (PA) levels, whereas LAC5 exhibited black seed–specific expression consistent with potential PA polymerization activity. R2R3‐MYB transcription factor genes along with small heat shock protein genes ( sHSPs ) were also upregulated in black seed coats, suggesting candidate regulatory roles in pigmentation and stress responses. Cytochrome P450 genes showed preferential expression in yellow seed coats, consistent with isoflavonoid pathway activation. Together, these findings elucidate the genetic and metabolic regulation of seed coat color in soybean and identify candidate genes relevant for functional breeding and genomics research.

Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thomson, valued for its aromatic flowers and horticultural use, displays extensive morphological and biochemical variation across Southeast Asia. Despite its economic importance, the intraspecific genetic structure of C. odorata remains poorly resolved. To assess genetic divergence, we analyzed 23 cultivated accessions using chloroplast DNA barcoding with the rbcL gene and trnL-F intergenic spacer. Sequence alignments, transition/transversion ratios, and phylogenetic reconstruction with maximum likelihood were performed on individual and concatenated datasets. Overall sequence identity was ≥ 98%, but multiple parsimony-informative sites were detected, especially in the noncoding trnL-F region, which showed higher variability than rbcL. Phylogenetic analyses consistently resolved three tentative clusterings. One lineage, corresponding to C. odorata forma genuina, was genetically distinct from other accessions. This divergence was defined by unique substitutions, including rbcL sites 329 (G → A) and 349 (A → G), and trnL-F sites 173 (A → C), 191 (C → A), and 506 (A → G). These markers represent the first molecular evidence linking chloroplast variants with forma-level differentiation in C. odorata. Our findings highlight the utility of plastid barcodes in resolving intraspecific structure and support their application in varietal identification, taxonomic refinement, and conservation strategies. Expanding analyses to nuclear genomic markers and broader geographic sampling will further elucidate lineage divergence, domestication history, and germplasm diversity in C. odorata.

Saponins are bioactive plant metabolites abundant in soybean ( Glycine max ) seeds. However, direct quantification of total saponins in mature dry seeds remains challenging due to low levels and matrix interference. In this study, a rapid workflow was developed to determine total saponins in mature dry soybean seeds by combining microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) with an optimized vanillin–sulfuric acid spectrophotometric assay (560 nm) for comparative germplasm screening. The method enabled extraction efficiency and assay sensitivity, enabling high‐throughput analysis of a large sample set. A total of 266 soybean accessions were analyzed, revealing total saponin contents ranging from 1.56 to 4.60 mg aescin equivalents (AE) g ⁻¹ (dry weight), indicating substantial natural variation among genotypes. The developed protocol is simple, rapid, and suitable for comparative screening of mature seeds in soybeans. This study provides a valuable tool for crop breeding programs, nutritional profiling, and functional food development by facilitating the efficient screening of mature soybean seeds for total saponin content.