Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) consists of approximately 400 species distributed in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Many species are well-known herbs, mainly used for analgesia and anti-inflammatory purposes. This genus is well represented in China and has gained widespread attention for its toxicity and detoxification properties. In southwestern China, several Aconitum species, called ‘Dula’ in the Yi Nationality, were often used to control the poisonous effects of other Aconitum plants. In this study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genomes of these species were determined for the first time through Illumina paired-end sequencing. Our results indicate that their cp genomes ranged from 151,214 bp (A. episcopale) to 155,769 bp (A. delavayi) in length. A total of 111–112 unique genes were identified, including 85 protein-coding genes, 36–37 tRNA genes and eight ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA). We also analyzed codon usage, IR expansion or contraction and simple sequence repeats in the cp genomes. Eight variable regions were identified and these may potentially be useful as specific DNA barcodes for species identification of Aconitum. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all five studied species formed a new clade and were resolved with 100% bootstrap support. This study will provide genomic resources and potential plastid markers for DNA barcoding, further taxonomy and germplasm exploration of Aconitum.

Paraisometrum mileense is a unique species of Paraisometrum endemic to south-west China, which is a “100-years-lost” plant and was rediscovered in 2006. In this paper, complete plastid genome of P. mileense is firstly assembled and characterized. The length of total plastid genome is 153,259 bp consisting of a large single-copy region (LSC) of 84,293 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,162 bp, and two inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 25,402 bp. In total, 113 genes are predicted, including 80 protein-coding genes (PCGs), four rRNA genes and 29 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that P. mileense with the other eight Gesneriaceae species formed a clade with a 100% bootstrap support.

Aconitum brachypodum is an endangered plant endemic to south-west China. The plastid genome of this was characterized by Illumina next-generation sequencing technology. The complete plastid genome is 155,651 bp long with a pair of 26,213 bp inverted repeat regions (IRs) that are separated by a large single copy (LSC) region of 86,292 bp and a small single copy (SSC) region of 16,933 bp. A total of 132 genes were annotated, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, eight rRNA genes and two pseudogenes. In addition, five palindromic, five forward, nine tandem repeats and 266 SSRs were detected in A. brachypodum. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis illustrated that A. brachypodum is closely related to other ten Aconitum subgenus. Aconitum species are with high bootstrap support of 100%.

Rosa odorata var. pseudindica is a world-famous Chinese Old Rose endemic to the northwest of Yunnan province (China). In this study, the complete plastid genome of R. odorata var. pseudindica was characterized and assembled using a high-throughput sequencing method. The complete plastid genome is a typical quadripartite circular molecule of 156,652 bp length, including a large single-copy region of 85,785 bp and a small single-copy region of 18,761 bp separated by two inverted repeat regions of 26,053 bp. Totally 130 genes were identified, including 85 protein-coding genes (PCG), 37 transfer RNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that R. odorata var. pseudindica and R. odorata var. gigantea formed an independent clade with a 100% bootstrap support.

Erigeron breviscapus is an important traditional Chinese herb endemic to China for cardiovascular and cerebral vessel diseases. Here, the complete plastid genome of E. brevisapus was sequenced using Illumina sequencing technology. The complete chloroplast genome size is 152,183 bp, including a large single-copy region of 84,705 bp, a small single-copy region of 18,112 bp and a pair of inverted repeat regions of 24,683 bp. The total GC content is 37.2%. The genome contains 113 genes, including 80 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that E. breviscapus, Aster altaicus, and Eschenbachia blinii formed a clade with 100% bootstrap support.

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (FOC), poses a major threat to economically important crops worldwide. Figleaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia) has been widely adopted as a rootstock for FOC-susceptible cucumber (Cucumis sativus) due to its strong resistance, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we leveraged the contrasting FOC resistance between C. ficifolia and C. sativus to perform a comparative analysis aimed at elucidating the molecular basis of Fusarium wilt resistance in C. ficifolia. Compared to C. sativus, resistant C. ficifolia exhibited milder wilting, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, and reduced oxidative damage. Transcriptome profiling revealed 1,599 species-specific expressed genes and 3,379 orthologous genes with interspecies expression divergence. Several key defense-related pathways, such as MAPK signaling and plant-pathogen interaction, contained critical node genes that exhibited species-specific regulation, potentially contributing to the enhanced resistance of C. ficifolia. This global divergence in gene expression was associated with distinct metabolic shifts, leading to the specific activation of defense-related metabolic pathways in C. ficifolia and the subsequent accumulation of protective compounds such as brassinosteroids, phenylpropanoids, and flavonoids. These findings indicate that C. ficifolia's superior FOC resistance is not attributable to a single factor but emerges from a sophisticated orchestration of gene expression and metabolic output. This study provides novel molecular insights into Fusarium wilt resistance and offers candidate genes and metabolic targets for breeding disease-resistant cucurbit crops.