In this investigation, 396 endophytic bacterial strains from six indigenous medicinal plant species within the Xinjiang Tumor Peak National Nature Reserve were subjected to screening. The strain MR4 emerged as a noteworthy contender, demonstrating pronounced biocontrol capabilities coupled with exceptional cold tolerance. Through morphological scrutiny and comprehensive genomic sequencing, MR4 was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Antagonistic assays revealed MR4’s efficacy in suppressing the causative agents of cotton wilt and verticillium wilt, achieving inhibition rates surpassing 50%. Analyses, underpinned by PCR methodologies, indicated MR4’s capacity to biosynthesize a minimum of eight distinct antimicrobial agents. The whole-genome sequencing data indicated that B. amyloliquefaciens MR4 had the genome size and GC content of 4,017,872 bp and 47.14%, respectively, and 4191 coding genes were identified. The genome consists of a single chromosome and one plasmid. Moreover, it was augmented by annotations from various databases, including GO, KEGG, and COG. The pathogenicity of MR4 undergoes evaluation, while predictions concerning MR4’s secondary metabolites have disclosed gene clusters for 13 varieties of these compounds, with particular emphasis on surfactins and fengycin. Comparative analyses with four paradigmatic strains shed light on MR4’s genomic composition and its phylogenetic lineage within the Bacillus genus. The genomic data pertaining to MR4 have been duly submitted to the NCBI GenBank, bearing the accession numbers CP146236 (Chr1) and CP146237 (plas1). This study endeavors to furnish potent microbial resources for the biocontrol and enhancement of plant growth, thereby providing a theoretical groundwork for MR4’s agronomic utilization. Graphical Abstract

The plant pathogenic fungus Cytospora is notoriously known for causing woody plant canker diseases, resulting in substantial economic losses to biological forests and fruit trees worldwide. Despite their strong negative ecological impact, the existing and prospective distribution patterns of these plant pathogens in China, according to climate change, have received little attention. In this study, we chose three widely dispersed and seriously damaging species, namely, Cytospora chrysosperma, Cytospora mali, and Cytospora nivea, which are the most common species that damage the Juglans regia, Malus domestica, Eucalyptus, Pyrus sinkiangensis, Populus spp., and Salix spp. in China. We utilized ecological niche modeling to forecast their regional distribution in China under four climate change scenarios (present, SSP 126, SSP 370, and SSP 585). The results show that temperature-related climate factors limit the current distribution ranges of the three species. Currently, the three studied species are highly suitable for northeast, northwest, north, and southwest China. Under future climate scenarios, the distribution ranges of the three species are projected to increase, and the centers of the adequate distribution areas of the three species are expected to shift to high-latitude regions. The three species coexist in China, primarily in the northwest and north regions. The ecological niches of C. chrysosperma and C. nivea are more similar. The distribution range of C. mali can reach the warmer and wetter eastern region, whereas C. chrysosperma and C. nivea are primarily found in drought-prone areas with little rainfall. Our findings can help farmers and planners develop methods to avoid the spread of Cytospora spp. and calculate the costs of applying pesticides to reduce contamination and boost yields.

Years of outbreaks of woody canker (Cryptosphaeria pullmanensis) in the United States, Iran, and China have resulted in massive economic losses to biological forests and fruit trees. However, only limited information is available on their distribution, and their habitat requirements have not been well evaluated due to a lack of research. In recent years, scientists have utilized the MaxEnt model to estimate the effect of global temperature and specific environmental conditions on species distribution. Using occurrence and high resolution ecological data, we predicted the spatiotemporal distribution of C. pullmanensis under twelve climate change scenarios by applying the MaxEnt model. We identified climatic factors, geography, soil, and land cover that shape their distribution range and determined shifts in their habitat range. Then, we measured the suitable habitat area, the ratio of change in the area of suitable habitat, the expansion and shrinkage of maps under climate change, the direction and distance of range changes from the present to the end of the twenty-first century, and the effect of environmental variables. C. pullmanensis is mostly widespread in high-suitability regions in northwestern China, the majority of Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkey, northern Chile, southwestern Argentina, and the west coast of California in the United States. Under future climatic conditions, climate changes of varied intensities favored the expansion of suitable habitats for C. pullmanensis in China. However, appropriate land areas are diminishing globally. The trend in migration is toward latitudes and elevations that are higher. The estimated area of possible suitability shifted eastward in China. The results of the present study are valuable not only for countries such as Morocco, Spain, Chile, Turkey, Kazakhstan, etc., where the infection has not yet fully spread or been established, but also for nations where the species has been discovered. Authorities should take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to restrict the spread of C. pullmanensis. Countries with highly appropriate locations should increase their surveillance, risk assessment, and response capabilities.

Walnuts exhibit a higher resistance to diseases, though they are not completely immune. This study focuses on the Pectin methylesterase (PME) gene family to investigate whether it is involved in disease resistance in walnuts. These 21 genes are distributed across 12 chromosomes, with four pairs demonstrating homology. Variations in conserved motifs and gene structures suggest diverse functions within the gene family. Phylogenetic and collinear gene pairs of the PME family indicate that the gene family has evolved in a relatively stable way. The cis-acting elements and gene ontology enrichment of these genes, underscores their potential role in bolstering walnuts' defense mechanisms. Transcriptomic analyses were conducted under conditions of Cryptosphaeria pullmanensis infestation and verified by RT-qPCR. The results showed that certain JrPME family genes were activated in response, leading to the hypothesis that some members may confer resistance to the disease.

To improve cotton yield and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, we synthesized a novel compound microbial agent with cotton growth-promoting activity. Pot experiments demonstrated that application of this agent significantly promoted cotton seedling growth: chlorophyll content increased by 6.6%, root activity was enhanced by 87.69%, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased by 44.36%. Furthermore, the agent treatment significantly enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activities in cotton seedlings, with catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities increasing by 136.56%, 125.00%, and 45.73%, respectively. Field plot trials showed that the agent increased cotton yield by 20.00%–24.34% and improved fiber quality, with the spinning consistency index, breaking fiber strength, and elongation increased by 7.35%, 7.48%, and 3.06%, respectively. Further analyses of nutrient contents in cotton leaves, rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties, amplicon sequencing, and untargeted metabolomics revealed that, compared with the control group: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents in cotton leaves increased by 33.27%, 68.24%, and 37.76%, respectively; rhizosphere soil pH decreased by 2.78%, while available phosphorus (AP), organic matter (OM), and total phosphorus (TP) increased by 33.43%, 17.40%, and 73.26%, respectively; bacterial community Chao1 index decreased by 7.93%, whereas the Shannon index increased by 0.29%; fungal community Chao1 and Shannon indices increased by 17.54% and 1.07%, respectively. At the genus level, the relative abundances of Iamia , Polycyclovorans , Arenimonas , and Verticillium increased by 43.48%, 10.51%, 31.27%, and 67.58%, respectively, whereas those of Bacillus and Fusarium decreased by 35.37% and 21.00%, respectively. Moreover, the secondary metabolite composition in rhizosphere soil was altered: terpenoid and nitrogen-containing compound contents increased, while phenol content decreased, with significant accumulation of tryptamine, L-tryptophan, and serotonin. This study confirms that the novel compound microbial agent enhances cotton yield and fiber quality via synergistic mechanisms, providing effective technical support for the development of green cotton production.

Lygus pratensis is an important pest of cotton in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Chana. Diapause plays a key role in seasonal survival, population dynamics, and spring population establishment of this species; therefore, understanding the environmental cues regulating diapause is essential for improving population prediction and developing more effective control strategies. In this study, we investigated the effects of temperature and photoperiod on diapause induction in L. pratensis and further examined how temperature, photoperiod, and duration of cold exposure influence diapause termination. Female ovarian development and the proportion of females carrying eggs were examined under different combinations of temperature and photoperiod. The results showed that both temperature and photoperiod significantly affected diapause induction. The highest diapause rate, 88.33%, occurred when adults were reared under a short photoperiod of 9 L:15 D at 16 °C. In contrast, only 3.33% of females entered diapause under a long photoperiod of 15 L:9 D at 20 °C. Diapause termination experiments indicated that temperature significantly affected the time required for diapause termination, but not the final termination rate. Photoperiod also influenced diapause termination at 24 °C, with termination rates of 44.44% under 8 L:16 D and 100% under 16 L:8 D. However, the duration of exposure to low temperature at 4 °C had no significant effect on diapause termination. These findings demonstrate that temperature and photoperiod are the key environmental factors regulating diapause induction and termination in L. pratensis. Moreover, diapause termination in this species appears to be controlled mainly by environmental cues rather than by a required period of cold exposure. This study provides a biological basis for predicting seasonal population occurrence and optimizing management strategies for L. pratensis in cotton-growing regions of Xinjiang.