High-temperature (HT) stress has been recognized as one of the main factors restricting the normal growth and development of cotton and severely affects fiber quality and yield. To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of male sterility-related hormones in Gossypium barbadense under HT stress, we explored candidate genes closely related to male sterility in G. barbadense. We studied the expression profiles of hormones and genes in the anthers of G. barbadense GB150 under HT stress by combining transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Through a combined analysis of the transcriptional metabolism of the anthers of G. barbadense GB150, we determined the contents of ABA, JA, SA, IAA, tZR, and GA₂₀ and the expression of genes related to biosynthetic pathways and signal transduction pathways. The results revealed that the ABA and JA contents significantly increased after HT; the IAA, tZR, and GA₂₀ contents significantly decreased; and the SA content did not significantly change after HT. We then used weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) to further analyze the interactions among hormones, transcription factors, and core genes and constructed hormone coexpression networks and genome-wide coexpression networks. Through these network analyses, we ultimately identified 10 candidate genes closely related to male sterility in G. barbadense. Using qRT-PCR, resequencing data from 221 G. barbadense materials revealed that ALA4 (Arabidopsis thaliana has been proven to be associated with male fertility) and SBP1 (two stop gains in the gene structure) may play important roles in the process of male sterility in G. barbadense. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the molecular mechanism of male sterility in G. barbadense.

Salinity is a major factor limiting the increase in crop yield around the world. Wheat starch and straw are important raw materials for producing bioethanol, and their productivity is adversely affected by salinity. Polyacrylic acid-modified Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles (PMO) have been reported to improve crop tolerance to stressors, including salt stress. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which seed soaking with PMOs enhances wheat salt tolerance. PMO seed soaking promoted wheat germination (increase of 30.9%) under salt stress, and seedlings treated with PMO seed soaking had a higher fresh weight (increase of 31.4%). PMO seed soaking increased the POD activity (by 31.9%) but decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of wheat seeds and the O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ contents (by 25.0 and 71.4%, respectively). Furthermore, PMO soaking increased the ATP, NADPH, and NADH contents (by 367.6, 212.0, and 283.2%, respectively) by regulating sugar metabolism and enhanced the ascorbic acid–glutathione cycle. Additionally, the PMO soaking treatment optimized energy allocation in wheat under salt stress and increased yield (by 9.7%). PMO modulated sugar metabolism, thereby optimizing energy allocation to plant growth and the antioxidant system, which enhanced wheat germination and yield formation under salt stress.