Salinity is one of the most important factors limiting agricultural productivity. The positive effects of an inoculation with Bacillus subtilis HS5B5 on maize (Zea mays L.) seed germination and seedling growth under saline conditions were elucidated in this study. Maize plants were treated with four NaCl concentrations (0, 100, 200, and 300 mmol·L⁻¹) under hydroponic conditions and the plants inoculated with B. subtilis HS5B5 were compared with the non-inoculated plants in terms of key morphophysiological leaf and root traits. Maize seed germination and seedling growth were inhibited by NaCl stress. The inoculation with B. subtilis HS5B5 significantly increased the germination rate, germination potential, shoot length, and root length under NaCl stress conditions. Moreover, the plant height, biomass, root to shoot weight ratio, above-ground fresh weight, and below-ground fresh weight were higher for the inoculated maize seedlings than for the non-inoculated plants under saline conditions. Additionally, B. subtilis HS5B5 alleviated the salt-induced damage to maize by increasing the chlorophyll content, altering the abundance of osmoregulatory substances, and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities, while decreasing the malondialdehyde content. After the NaCl treatment, the Na⁺ content in the leaves and roots of maize plants inoculated with B. subtilis HS5B5 decreased significantly, while the K⁺ content increased. Thus, the inhibitory effect of NaCl stress on maize seed germination and seedling growth was mitigated by B. subtilis HS5B5, suggesting the utility of this microorganism for improving crop cultivation under saline conditions.

Mung bean is a dual-use crop widely cultivated in Southeast Asia as a food and medicine resource. The development of new functional mung bean varieties demands identifying new genes regulating anthocyanidin synthesis and investigating their molecular mechanism. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing technology to generate transcriptome sequence of leaves, petioles, and hypocotyls for investigating the anthocyanins accumulation in common mung bean variety as well as anthocyanidin rich mung bean variety, and to elucidate their molecular mechanisms. 29 kinds of anthocyanin compounds were identified. Most of the anthocyanin components contents were significantly higher in ZL23 compare with AL12. Transcriptome analysis suggested that a total of 93 structural genes encoding the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway and 273 regulatory genes encoding the ternary complex of MYB-bHLH-WD40 were identified, of which 26 and 78 were differentially expressed in the two varieties. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that VrMYB3 and VrMYB90 might have enhanced mung bean anthocyanin content by inducing the expression of structural genes such as PAL, 4CL, F3’5’H, LDOX, and F3’H, which was consistent with qRT-PCR results. These findings are envisaged to provide a reference for studying the molecular mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation in mung beans.

Against the backdrop of global climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, a central scientific question has emerged: how do plants adapt to such “pulsed” stressors? While traditional research has focused on immediate physiological responses and long-term genetic adaptation, this review introduces “ecological memory” as a novel integrative framework. It emphasizes the ability of plants to actively “record” past stress experiences through epigenetic mechanisms, thereby enhancing their adaptability to future adversities. This article systematically elucidates the molecular basis whereby abiotic stressors induce specific epigenetic modifications (e.g., DNA methylation and histone modifications) to form memories. It further discusses how such memories mediate physiological integration mechanisms, such as acclimation and priming-induced resistance at the individual level, and highlights potential pathways for transgenerational epigenetic memory transmission, which may accelerate population-level adaptive evolution. Finally, we evaluate the applications of the ecological memory concept in predicting species distribution, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and guiding the design of “climate smart” crops, aiming to shift the research paradigm from static tolerance studies to dynamic memory and adaptation frameworks.

(1) Background: Tree peonies display extensive cultivar diversity due to widespread hybridization, resulting in a complex genetic architecture. This complexity complicates the selection of universal reference genes across different cultivars for qRT-PCR analyses. Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Doulv’, notable for its unique green blooms in China, exhibits chlorosis post-flowering and features petaloid stamens and pistils. (2) Methods: Based on published literature and RNA-seq data from ‘Doulv’, nine candidate reference genes—ACT (Actin), TUB (β-Tubulin), UBC (Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme), UBQ (Ubiquitin), UPL (Ubiquitin Protein Ligase), PP2A (Protein Phosphatase 2A), PP2C (Protein Phosphatase 2C), MBF1A (Multiprotein Bridging Factor 1A), and GAPDH (Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase)—were selected. Their expression stability was assessed across various tissues and developmental stages of ‘Doulv’ flowers using qRT-PCR, with evaluations conducted via GeNorm_v3.5, NormFinder_v20, and BestKeeper_v1.0. Gene cloning and expression analyses of PsCUC3, including its subcellular localization, were performed. (3) Results: GAPDH and ACT were identified as the most stable reference genes in petaloid stamens across various developmental stages of ‘Doulv’, whereas UBC and MBF1A were optimal across different tissues. Notably, specific conserved amino acids in PsCUC3 from ‘Doulv’ diverged from those in NAM/CUC3 proteins of other species, impacting its protein structure. PsCUC3 expression analysis revealed no correlation with chlorophyll content in petaloid stamens but an association with petaloid organ development. Furthermore, PsCUC3 was predominantly localized in the nucleus. (4) Conclusions: This study comprehensively evaluated suitable reference genes using GeNorm_v3.5, NormFinder_v20, and BestKeeper_v1.0 software, establishing a robust qRT-PCR detection system for ‘Doulv’ peony. These results provide a solid experimental foundation for further research on ‘Doulv’ peony. Building on this experimental foundation, the functional analysis of the PsCUC3 gene was conducted. The findings suggest a potential association between the PsCUC3 gene and floral morphology alterations in ‘Doulv’, identifying PsCUC3 as crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms influencing floral structure in tree peonies.