The seeds of Camellia oleifera produce high amount of oil, which can be broadly used in the fields of food, industry, and medicine. However, the molecular regulation mechanisms of seed development and oil accumulation in C. oleifera are unclear. In this study, evolutionary and expression analyses of the MADS‐box gene family were performed across the C. oleifera genome for the first time. A total of 86 MADS‐box genes (ColMADS) were identified, including 60 M‐type and 26 MIKC members. More gene duplication events occurred in M‐type subfamily (6) than that in MIKC subfamily (2), and SEP-like genes were lost from the MIKC^C clade. Furthermore, 8, 15, and 17 differentially expressed ColMADS genes (DEGs) were detected between three developmental stages of seed (S1/S2, S2/S3, and S1/S3), respectively. Among these DEGs, the STK-like ColMADS12 and TT16-like ColMADS17 were highly expressed during the seed formation (S1 and S2), agreeing with their predicted functions to positively regulate the seed organogenesis and oil accumulation. While ColMADS57 and ColMADS07 showed increasing expression level with the seed maturation (S2 and S3), conforming to their potential roles in promoting the seed ripening. In all, these results revealed a critical role of MADS‐box genes in the C. oleifera seed development and oil accumulation, which will contribute to the future molecular breeding of C. oleifera.

This study aimed to explore how storage temperature (25 °C, 4 °C, −20 °C, and −196 °C), drying duration (0, 1, 3, 5 days), and aril removal affect the physiological, biochemical, and microbial community traits of Michelia macclurei seeds. After one month of storage, physiological, biochemical, and microbial indexes were evaluated. Results showed that seeds dried for one day and stored at 4 °C had the highest vigor and germination rates. Storage at 4 °C or −196 °C significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and affected water content, soluble sugar, protein, malondialdehyde, and amylase levels. Principal component analysis confirmed that retaining arils and drying for 0~1 day before storage at −196 °C or 4 °C was optimal for maintaining seed quality. Microbial analysis revealed that low temperatures increased fungal diversity and bacterial diversity, though bacterial richness decreased compared to 25 °C storage. Ascomycota and Proteobacteria were dominant at the phylum level, while Penicillium and Rhodococcus were the dominant genera. Drying time and aril removal also influenced microbial structure. Overall, moderate drying and low-temperature storage, especially at 4 °C or −196 °C with arils retained, most effectively preserved seed vigor and shaped favorable microbial communities.