Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a significant vegetable. Although it has a special bitter taste, it is still popular with the public. The industrialization of bitter gourd could be hampered by a lack of genetic resources. The bitter gourd’s mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes have not been extensively studied. In the present study, the mitochondrial genome of bitter gourd was sequenced and assembled, and its substructure was investigated. The mitochondrial genome of bitter gourd is 331,440 bp with 24 unique core genes, 16 variable genes, 3 rRNAs, and 23 tRNAs. We identified 134 SSRs and 15 tandem repeats in the entire mitochondrial genome of bitter gourd. Moreover, 402 pairs of repeats with a length greater than or equal to 30 were observed in total. The longest palindromic repeat was 523 bp, and the longest forward repeat was 342 bp. We found 20 homologous DNA fragments in bitter gourd, and the summary insert length was 19,427 bp, accounting for 5.86% of the mitochondrial genome. We predicted a total of 447 potential RNA editing sites in 39 unique PCGs and also discovered that the ccmFN gene has been edited the most often, at 38 times. This study provides a basis for a better understanding and analysis of differences in the evolution and inheritance patterns of cucurbit mitochondrial genomes.

Low temperature is one of the abiotic factors limiting germination, growth and distribution of the plant in current plant-products industry, especially for the tropical vegetables in non-tropical area or other fields under cold temperature. Screening the plant with ability against cold temperature captured worldwide attention and exerted great importance. In our previous work, the anti-cold specie of Momordica Charantia L. seedlings was screened out. Yet, the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying this adaptive process still remain unknown. This study was aimed to investigate adaption mechanism of anti-cold species of Momordica Charantia L. seedlings in genetical and metabolomics levels. Two species, cold-susceptible group (Y17) and cold-resistant group (Y54), were evaluated containing the indexes of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), proline content, activities of antioxidant enzymes, metabolites changes and genes differentiation in plant tissues after cold treatment. It found that low temperature stress resulted in increased accumulation of MDA, H₂O₂ and proline content in two species, but less expressions in cold-resistant species Y54. As compared to Y17, cold-resistant species Y54 presented significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities of POD (peroxidase), CAT (cataalase) and SOD (superoxide dismutase). Meanwhile, higher expressed genes encoded antioxidant enzymes and transcription factors when exposure to the low temperature were found in cold-resistant species Y54, and core genes were explored by Q-PCR validation, including McSOD1, McPDC1 and McCHS1. Moreover, plant metabolites containing amino acid, sugar, fatty acid and organic acid in Y54 were higher than Y17, indicating their important roles in cold acclimation. Meanwhile, initial metabolites, including amimo acids, polypeptides, sugars, organic acids and nucleobases, were apparently increased in cold resistant species Y54 than cold susceptible species Y17. Our results demonstrated that the Momordica Charantia L. seedlings achieved cold tolerance might be went through mobilization of antioxidant systems, adjustment of the transcription factors and accumulation of osmoregulation substance. This work presented meaning information for revealing the anti-cold mechanism of the Momordica Charantia L. seedlings and newsight for further screening of anti-cold species in other plant.

Phytophthora capsici, a destructive fungal pathogen, poses a severe threat to pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) crops worldwide, causing blights that can result in substantial yield losses. Traditional control methods often come with environmental concerns or entail substantial time investments. In this research, we investigate an alternative approach involving ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄) application to combat P. capsici and promote pepper growth. We found that FeSO₄ effectively inhibits the growth of P. capsici in a dose-dependent manner, disrupting mycelial development and diminishing pathogenicity. Importantly, FeSO₄ treatment enhances the biomass and resistance of pepper plants, mitigating P. capsici-induced damage. Microbiome analysis demonstrates that FeSO₄ significantly influences soil microbial communities, particularly fungi, within the pepper root. Metabolomics data reveal extensive alterations in the redox metabolic processes of P. capsici under FeSO₄ treatment, leading to compromised cell membrane permeability and oxidative stress in the pathogen. Our study presents FeSO₄ as a promising and cost-effective solution for controlling P. capsici in pepper cultivation while simultaneously promoting plant growth. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the intricate interactions between iron, pathogen control, and plant health, offering a potential tool for sustainable pepper production.

This study investigated the effects of grafting on eggplant growth, yield, and disease resistance, with a focus on microbial dynamics in the rhizosphere. Eggplant scions were grafted onto rootstocks of wild eggplant and tomato, with self-rooted eggplants serving as controls. Greenhouse experiments were conducted over an eight-month growing period, using standard field practices such as film mulching and integrated water–fertilizer management. High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the biological properties and microbial community of the rhizosphere soil. Results showed that plants grafted onto ‘Huimei Zhenba’ and ‘Torvum’ rootstocks yielded up to 36.89% more than self-rooted controls, achieving yields of 4619.59 kg and 4399.73 kg per 667 m², respectively. The disease incidence of bacterial wilt was reduced to as low as 3.33% in the ‘Huimei Zhenba’ treatment, compared to 55.56% in non-grafted controls. Additionally, grafted plants exhibited increased stem diameter and chlorophyll content, with the TL/HM combination reaching 54.23 ± 3.17 SPAD units. The enhanced microbial biomass of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, particularly in the TL/HM treatment (377.59 mg/kg, 28.31 mg/kg, and 36.30 mg/kg, respectively), supports a more nutrient-rich rhizosphere environment. Moreover, soil enzyme activities, such as β-glucosidase and phosphatase, were significantly higher in grafted plants, enhancing nutrient cycling and potentially increasing resistance to pathogens. Overall, grafted eggplants demonstrated enhanced soil microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and a more diverse microbial community, which are critical factors contributing to the improved yield and disease resistance observed in grafted crops.