To enhance the selenium (Se) intake of the general public, the present study implemented biofortification techniques in alfalfa sprouts. Alfalfa sprouts possess unique nutritional value and provide an optimal Se-enriched supplemental Se source. The impact of sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) on alfalfa shoot germination, shoot length, and biomass was assessed experimentally, and changes in the antioxidant capacity of sprouts treated with optimal Se concentrations were investigated. In addition, the transcriptome of alfalfa sprouts treated with the optimal Na₂SeO₃ concentration was sequenced. Gene co-expression networks, constructed through differential gene analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis, were used to identify the core genes responsible for Se enrichment in alfalfa sprouts. The findings of the present study offer novel insights into the effects of Se treatment on the nutrient composition of alfalfa sprouts, in addition to introducing novel methods and references that could facilitate production of Se-enriched alfalfa sprouts and associated products.

Leaves are a key forage part for livestock, and the aging of leaves affects forage biomass and quality. Preventing or delaying premature leaf senescence leads to an increase in pasture biomass accumulation and an improvement in alfalfa quality. NAC transcription factors have been reported to affect plant growth and abiotic stress responses. In this study, 48 NAC genes potentially associated with leaf senescence were identified in alfalfa under dark or salt stress conditions. A phylogenetic analysis divided MsNACs into six subgroups based on similar gene structure and conserved motif. These MsNACs were unevenly distributed in 26 alfalfa chromosomes. The results of the collinearity analysis show that all of the MsNACs were involved in gene duplication. Some cis-acting elements related to hormones and stress were screened in the 2-kb promoter regions of MsNACs. Nine of the MsNAC genes were subjected to qRT-PCR to quantify their expression and Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression to verify their functions. The results indicate that Ms.gene031485, Ms.gene032313, Ms.gene08494, and Ms.gene77666 might be key NAC genes involved in alfalfa leaf senescence. Our findings extend the understanding of the regulatory function of MsNACs in leaf senescence.

Seed physical dormancy (hard-seededness) is an interesting ecological phenomenon and important agronomic trait. The loss of seed coat impermeability/hard-seededness is a key target trait during the domestication of leguminous crops which allows seeds to germinate rapidly and uniformly. In this study, we examined the mutation of quantitative trait locus (QTL) genes, GmHs1-1 and GmqHS1, in 18 wild soybean (G. soja) and 23 cultivated soybean (G. max) accessions. The sequencing results indicate that a G-to-T substitution in GmqHS1 and a C-to-T substitution in GmHs1-1 occurred in all 23 cultivated soybean accessions but not in any of the 18 wild soybean accessions. The mutations in the two genes led to increased seed coat permeability in cultivated soybean. Therefore, we provide evidence that two genes, GmHs1-1 and GmqHS1, simultaneously contribute to the domestication of hard-seededness in soybeans. This finding is of great significance for genetic analysis and improved utilization of the soybean hard-seededness trait.