Parthenocarpic fruits, known for their superior taste and reliable yields in adverse conditions, develop without the need for fertilization or pollination. Exploring the physiological and molecular mechanisms behind parthenocarpic fruit development holds both theoretical and practical significance, making it a crucial area of study. This review examines how plant hormones and MADS-box transcription factors control parthenocarpic fruit formation. It delves into various aspects of plant hormones-including auxin, gibberellic acid, cytokinins, ethylene, and abscisic acid—ranging from external application to biosynthesis, metabolism, signaling pathways, and their interplay in influencing parthenocarpic fruit development. The review also explores the involvement of MADS family gene functions in these processes. Lastly, we highlight existing knowledge gaps and propose directions for future research on parthenocarpy.

Cd accumulation in rice-cultivated soils across China is a major problem that needs to be tackled. A plot experiment was carried out using heavy metal (HM) hyperaccumulators Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. intercropped with low-accumulation rice to obtain safe edible rice while reducing the soil Cd concentration. It was found that Cd concentration in soil was decreased by 7.43 and 2.86% under rice intercropped with Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. and Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., respectively, compared to single cropped rice. In addition, enhanced effects were noted under the combination of Amaranthus hypochondriacus L., Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt, and rice in which a 20.35% decrease in soil Cd content was recorded compared to single-cultivated rice soil. In addition, the available Cd in soil was reduced by 4.00 and 5.00% under rice/Amaranthus and rice/Perilla, respectively, and 12.00% under rice/Amaranthus/Perilla mixed culture. Moreover, the concentration of Cd in various parts of rice was under permissible limits. However, rice biomass was decreased by the presence of hyperaccumulators. This study suggests that combining HM hyperaccumulator plants and low-accumulation rice provides efficient Cd extraction results and could be a crucial option for restoring Cd-contaminated soil without reducing rice production.

Passion fruit is a valued tropical fruit crop that faces environment-related growth strains. TCP genes are important for both growth modulation and stress prevention in plants. Herein, we systematically analyzed the TCP gene family in passion fruit, recognizing 30 members. Genes exhibiting closer phylogenetic relationships exhibited similar protein and gene structures. Gene members of the TCP family showed developmental-stage- or tissue-specific expression profiles during the passion fruit life cycle. Transcriptome data also demonstrated that many PeTCPs showed induced expression in response to hormonal treatments and cold, heat, and salt stress. Based on transcriptomics data, eight candidate genes were chosen for preferential gene expression confirmation under cold stress conditions. The qRT-PCR assays suggested PeTCP15/16/17/19/23 upregulation, while PeTCP1/11/25 downregulation after cold stress. Additionally, TCP19/20/29/30 exhibited in silico binding with cold-stress-related miRNA319s. GFP subcellular localization assays exhibited PeTCP19/1 were localized at the nucleus. This study will aid in the establishment of novel germplasm, as well as the further investigation of the roles of PeTCPs and their cold stress resistance characteristics.

Lodging is one of the major constraints in attaining high yield in crop production. Major factors associated with stalk lodging involve morphological traits and anatomical features along with the chemical composition of the stem. However, little relevant research has been carried out in sorghum, particularly on the anatomical aspects. In this study, with a high-throughput procedure newly developed by our research group, the nine parameters related to stem regions and vascular bundles were generated in 58 sorghum germplasm accessions grown in two successive seasons. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis were conducted to investigate the relationship between anatomical aspects and stalk mechanical traits (breaking force, stalk strength and lodging index). It was found that most vascular parameters were positively associated with breaking force and lodging index with the correlation coefficient r varying from −0.46 to 0.64, whereas stalk strength was only associated with rind area with the r = 0.38. The germplasm resources can be divided into two contrasting categories (classes I with 23 accessions and II with 30 accessions). Compared to class II, the class I was characterized by a larger number (+40.7%) and bigger vascular bundle (+30%), thicker stem (+19.6%) and thicker rind (+36.0%) but shorter internode (plant) (−91.0%). This study provides the methodology and information for the studies of the stem anatomical parameters in crops and facilitates the selective breeding of sorghum.

An increasing body of research has underscored the significant impact of non-consumptive effects on the dynamics of prey pests, encompassing growth, development, reproduction, and metabolism across various vertebrate and invertebrate taxa, rivaling the influence of consumption effects. In our investigation, we delved into the non-consumptive effects exerted by the natural predatory enemy Harmonia axyridis on the reproductive capacity and metabolism of Spodoptera frugiperda adults. Our findings revealed a substantial decrease in the reproductive ability of S. frugiperda adults when exposed to the non-consumptive effects of H. axyridis. Concurrently, we observed an elevation in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutases (SODs), catalases (CATs), and peroxidases (PODs). Furthermore, notable alterations were detected in energy metabolism, characterized by heightened triglyceride levels and diminished glycogen and trehalose concentrations. These outcomes underscored the adaptive response of the pest aimed at mitigating non-consumptive adverse effects by augmenting antioxidant enzyme activity to counteract oxidative stress and minimize cellular damage. Nonetheless, this defensive mechanism entails a significant expenditure of energy resources, resulting in shifts in energy utilization. Elevated triglyceride levels and reduced glycogen and trehalose concentrations diminish available resources for reproductive processes, such as egg laying, ultimately culminating in decreased fecundity. This study contributes novel insights into the non-consumptive effects observed in insects, while also furnishing valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying insect stress responses.