Chalcone isomerase (CHI) is an important enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, one that is crucial in both plant defense and human health. Although many CHI genes have been previously identified, the function of CHI-like genes in soybean remains unclear. In this study, we cloned the CHI-like genes GmCHI4A and GmCHI4B (GmCHI4s) in soybean. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that GmCHI4s were expressed primarily in soybean root, but were also present in other tissues, including the stem, leaf, and seed with a low expression level. Overexpression of GmCHI4s was able to significantly improve some beneficial traits of the transformed hair roots of cotyledon or composite plants under salt stress conditions. Root length, root wet weight, and the underground biomass was increased, and the elevation of MDA content was inhibited under 100 mmol L⁻¹ or 150 mmol L⁻¹ NaCl treatment. Leaf chlorophyll content was elevated in overexpressed GmCHI4A composite plants under 150 mmol L⁻¹ NaCl treatment. The expression levels of salt-stress-related genes GmSOD1, GmAPX1, GmSOS1, and GmNHX1 were significantly upregulated in overexpressed GmCHI4 hairy roots compared to that in empty-vector-expressed hairy roots. The above results indicated GmCHI4s’ potential action against salt stress. Furthermore, overexpression of GmCHI4A and GmCHI4B increased the total isoflavone content by six times and three times, respectively. Glycitin and glycitein levels were significantly elevated in the overexpressed GmCHI4A hairy roots, while glycitin, genistin, daidzein, and genistein were significantly increased in overexpressed GmCHI4B hairy roots. This study identified a new function of the CHI-like gene, as well as providing a new selected gene for salt tolerance and isoflavone improvement using biotechnological approaches in soybean.

Wild relatives of wheat are valuable sources for enhancing the genetic diversity of common wheat. Aegilops comosa, an annual diploid species with an MM genome constitution, possesses numerous agronomically valuable traits that can be exploited for wheat improvement. In this study, we report a chromosome-level genome assembly of Ae. comosa accession PI 551049, generated using PacBio high-fidelity (HiFi) reads and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data. The assembly spans 4.47 Gb, featuring a contig N50 of 23.59 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 619.05 Mb. A total of 39,057 gene models were annotated through a combination of homoeologous proteins, Iso-seq, and RNA-seq data. Comparative genome analysis revealed a terminal intrachromosomal translocation on chromosome 2 M in Ae. comosa. This newly constructed reference genome of Ae. comosa will serve as an important genomic resource for comparative genomic studies and the cloning of agriculturally important genes.

Straw return is an effective agricultural strategy for incorporating organic carbon into soil organic matter pools through microbial decomposition. This process modifies soil physicochemical properties, thereby altering microbial habitats and resource availability, which can influence the structure and function of soil microbial communities. However, the changes of soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities under different straw incorporation forms remain poorly understood. And how these straw return materials alter soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities within a single cycle. In this study, we conducted straw returning experiments in a maize-producing region of Jilin Province, China, comparing the impact of two distinct maize-derived residues (crushed maize straw and crushed corncob) on soil quality and microbial communities. Our results demonstrated that corncob return more effectively improved key soil physicochemical properties compared to maize straw return. While neither residue significantly alters microbial alpha diversity, both induced shifts in beta diversity. We identified distinct correlations between dominant microbial taxa and key soil physicochemical parameters. Furthermore, KEGG and GO analyses revealed that both of the residues altered microbial functional hierarchies, with corncob return inducing more pronounced changes than maize straw return. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for optimizing straw management strategies to enhance microbial-mediated soil fertility.

We aimed to identify HD‐Zip (homologous domain leucine zipper) family genes based on the complete Sophora alopecuroides genome sequence. Eighty‐six Sophora alopecuroides HD‐Zip family ( SaHDZ ) genes were identified and categorized into four subclasses using phylogenetic analysis. Chromosome localization analysis revealed that these genes were distributed across 18 chromosomes. Gene structure and conserved motif analysis showed high similarity among members of the SaHDZ genes. Prediction analysis revealed 71 cis‐acting elements in SaHDZ genes. Transcriptome and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analyses showed that under salt stress, SaHDZ responded positively in S. alopecuroides , and that SaHDZ22 was significantly upregulated afterward. Functional verification experiments revealed that SaHDZ22 overexpression increased the tolerance of Arabidopsis to salt and osmotic stress. Combined with cis‐acting element prediction and expression level analysis, HD‐Zip family transcription factors may be involved in regulating the balance between plant growth and stress resistance under salt stress by modulating the expression of auxin and abscisic acid signaling pathway genes. The Sophora alopecuroides adenylate kinase protein ( SaAKI ) and S. alopecuroides tetrapeptide‐like repeat protein (SaTPR; pCAMBIA1300‐SaTPR‐cLUC) expression levels were consistent with those of SaHDZ22 , indicating that SaHDZ22 may coordinate with SaAKI and SaTPR to regulate plant salt tolerance. These results lay a foundation in understanding the salt stress response mechanisms of S . alopecuroides and provide a reference for future studies oriented toward exploring plant stress resistance.

Sophora alopecuroides has important uses in medicine, wind breaking, and sand fixation. The CHY-zinc-finger and RING-finger (CHYR) proteins are crucial for plant growth, development, and environmental adaptation; however, genetic data regarding the CHYR family remain scarce. We aimed to investigate the CHYR gene family in S. alopecuroides and its response to abiotic stress, and identified 18 new SaCHYR genes from S. alopecuroides whole-genome data, categorized into 3 subclasses through a phylogenetic analysis. Gene structure, protein domains, and conserved motifs analyses revealed an exon–intron structure and conserved domain similarities. A chromosome localization analysis showed distribution across 12 chromosomes. A promoter analysis revealed abiotic stress-, light-, and hormone-responsive elements. An RNA-sequencing expression pattern analysis revealed positive responses of SaCHYR genes to salt, alkali, and drought stress. SaCHYR4 overexpression considerably enhanced alkali and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. These findings shed light on SaCHYR’s function and the resistance mechanisms of S. alopecuroides, presenting new genetic resources for crop resistance breeding.

Persian walnut is an important crop with a disputed history of domestication origins and dispersal. Xinjiang, a key hub in East-West exchanges, was selected for sample analysis from three time points. This study presents genome-wide data from ancient walnut remains dating to the Tang Dynasty. Phylogenetic analysis of Eurasian walnut accessions and iron walnut endemic to southwest China indicates that ancient Xinjiang walnut represents a genetic transitional stage between South Central Asian and eastern Chinese accessions. The relatively recent ancient remains show the greatest similarity to modern Xinjiang cultivars. Consistent with previous research, walnut populations from Central Asia and its surrounding regions exhibit the highest diversity, supporting their role as the center of origin and domestication, while European and East Asian populations display lower diversity. These findings highlight Xinjiang's critical role as a corridor for the spread of walnut across China and the value of ancient DNA for reconstructing crop history.