Auxin/indoleacetic acid (Aux/IAA) proteins play an important regulatory role in the developmental process of plants and their responses to stresses. A previous study has shown that constitutive expression of OsIAA18, an Aux/IAA transcription factor gene of rice improved salt and osmotic tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. However, little work is known about the regulatory functions of the OsIAA18 gene in regulating the abiotic stress tolerance of rice. In this study, the OsIAA18 gene was introduced into the rice cultivar, Zhonghua 11 and the OsIAA18 overexpression in rice plants exhibited significantly enhanced salt and drought tolerance compared to the wild type (WT). Moreover, overexpression of OsIAA18 in rice increased endogenous levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and the overexpression of OsIAA18 in rice plants showed hypersensitivity to exogenous ABA treatment at both the germination and postgermination stages compared to WT. Overexpression of OsIAA18 upregulated the genes involved in ABA biosynthesis and signaling pathways, proline biosynthesis pathway, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging system in the overexpression of OsIAA18 in rice plants under salt and drought stresses. Proline content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) activities were significantly increased, whereas malonaldehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and superoxide anion radical (O₂^–) content were significantly decreased in the transgenic plants under salt and drought stresses. Taken together, we suggest that OsIAA18 plays a positive role in drought and salt tolerance by regulating stress-induced ABA signaling. The OsIAA18 gene has a potential application in genetically modified crops with enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses.

Histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub) is being recognized as a regulatory mechanism that controls a range of cellular processes in plants, but the molecular mechanisms of H2Bub that are involved in responses to biotic stress are largely unknown. In this study, we used wild-type and H2Bub loss-of-function mutations of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) to elucidate which of its mechanisms are involved in the regulation of the plant’s defense response to Verticillium dahliae (Vd) toxins. We demonstrate that the depolymerization of the cortical microtubules (MTs) was different in the wild type and the mutants in the response to Vd toxins. The loss-of-function alleles of HISTONE MONOUBIQUITINATION1 and HISTONE MONOUBIQUITINATION2 mutations present a weaker depolymerization of the MTs, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation plays a critical role in the regulation of the dynamics of MTs. Moreover, H2Bub is a positive regulator of the gene expression of protein tyrosine phosphatases. These findings provide direct evidence for H2Bub as an important modification with regulatory roles in the defense against Vd toxins and demonstrate that H2Bub is involved in modulating the dynamics of MTs, likely through the protein tyrosine phosphatase-mediated signaling pathway.

Seaweed fertilizer, formulated primarily with seaweed extract as its main ingredient, has been extensively studied and found to significantly improve nutrient use efficiency, increase crop yield and quality, and enhance soil properties under field conditions. This growing body of evidence shows that seaweed fertilizer is a suitable option for sustainable agriculture in China. However, a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the overall effects of seaweed fertilizer application in China is lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a meta-analysis of relevant studies on the effects of seaweed fertilizers under field conditions in China with MetaWin and SPSS software. Our analysis examined the effects of seaweed fertilizers on crop yield, quality, and growth under different preparation methods, application techniques, and regions. Our results showed that the application of seaweed fertilizer led to a significant average increase in crop yield of 15.17% compared with the control treatments. Root & tuber crops exhibited the most pronounced response, with a yield boost of 21.19%. Moreover, seaweed fertilizer application significantly improved crop quality, with elevations in the sugar-acid ratio (38.32%) vitamin C (18.07%), starch (19.65%), and protein (11.45%). In addition, plant growth parameters such as height, stem thickness, root weight, and leaf area showed significant enhancement with seaweed fertilizer use. The yield-increasing effect of seaweed fertilizers varied depending on their preparation and use method, climate, and soil of application location. Our study provides fundamental reference data for the efficient and scientific application of seaweed fertilizers in agricultural practices.

Biofertilizers play a crucial role in promoting sustainable agriculture in China; however, comprehensive quantification of their effects and limitations in field conditions remain unclear. In this study, a meta-analysis encompassing 1818 comparisons from 107 studies was conducted to quantify their systematic effects in field conditions in China. The results demonstrated that biofertilizers enhanced crop yields across 21 of the 23 investigated crops, with notable increases in millet (+65.42%), vegetables (e.g., Chinese cabbage +35.57%, ginger +39.18%), and legumes (kidney beans +54.03%), while cotton and rapeseed showed non-significant improvements. Nutritional quality was also improved, as evidenced by elevated levels of vitamin C (14.61%), protein (16.61%), and carotenoids (15.18%), alongside a reduction in nitrate content (21.94%). Soil health was significantly improved through increased organic matter (16.64%), enhanced enzymatic activities (urease: 57.60%; phosphatase: 43.51%), and a proliferation of beneficial microbes (bacteria: 157.10%; fungi: 30.28%), while pathogenic organisms were suppressed by 51.81%. The observed yield improvements were attributed to enhanced nutrient availability (total nitrogen: 16.67%; available phosphorus: 10.98%), optimized root growth (19.23% increase in volume), and a reduction in disease incidence (42.52%). The efficacy of biofertilizers was maximized when they were used in conjunction with organic amendments, resulting in a 29.20% increase in yield, particularly when applied prior to planting. These results show that biofertilizers boost productivity, quality, and soil functionality, depending on their production and field management practices. Their effectiveness is tied to optimizing soil properties and suppressing pathogens, providing strategies for sustainable agriculture in China.

Although hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) can act as an upstream signaling molecule to modulate the dynamic microtubule cytoskeleton during the defense responses to Verticillium dahli...