In chili cultivation, obstacles to continuous cropping significantly compromise crop yield and soil health, whereas crop rotation can enhance the microbial environment of the soil and reduce disease incidence. However, its effects on the diversity of rhizosphere soil microbial communities are not clear. In this study, we analyzed the composition and characteristics of rhizosphere soil microbial communities under chili continuous cropping (CC) and chili–cotton crop rotation (CR) using high-throughput sequencing technology. CR treatment reduced the alpha diversity indices (including Chao1, Observed_species, and Shannon index) of bacterial communities and had less of an effect on fungal community diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct compositional differences in bacterial and fungal communities between the treatments. Compared with CC, CR treatment has altered the structure of the soil microbial community. In terms of bacterial communities, the relative abundance of Firmicutes increased from 12.89% to 17.97%, while the Proteobacteria increased by 6.8%. At the genus level, CR treatment significantly enriched beneficial genera such as RB41 (8.19%), Lactobacillus (4.56%), and Bacillus (1.50%) (p < 0.05). In contrast, the relative abundances of Alternaria and Fusarium in the fungal community decreased by 6.62% and 5.34%, respectively (p < 0.05). Venn diagrams and linear discriminant effect size analysis (LEfSe) further indicated that CR facilitated the enrichment of beneficial bacteria, such as Bacillus, whereas CC favored enrichment of pathogens, such as Firmicutes. Fusarium solani MG6 and F. oxysporum LG2 are the primary chili root-rot pathogens. Optimal growth occurs at 25 °C, pH 6: after 5 days, MG6 colonies reach 6.42 ± 0.04 cm, and LG2 5.33 ± 0.02 cm, peaking in sporulation (p < 0.05). In addition, there are significant differences in the utilization spectra of carbon and nitrogen sources between the two strains of fungi, suggesting their different ecological adaptability. Integrated analyses revealed that CR enhanced soil health and reduced the root rot incidence by optimizing the structure of soil microbial communities, increasing the proportion of beneficial bacteria, and suppressing pathogens, providing a scientific basis for microbial-based soil management strategies in chili cultivation.

The efficient protoplast transient transformation system in plants is an important tool to study gene expression, metabolic pathways, and various mutagenic parameters, but it has not been established in Phelipanche aegyptiaca. As a root parasitic weed that endangers the growth of 29 species of plants in 12 families around the world, there is still no good control method for P. aegyptiaca. Even the parasitic mechanisms of P. aegyptiaca and the related genes regulating parasitism are not yet understood. In this study, by comparing the factors related to protoplast isolation and transfection, we developed the optimal protocol for protoplast isolation and transfection in Phelipanche aegyptiaca haustorium. The optimal protoplast yield and activity were 6.2 × 10⁶ protoplasts/g fresh weight [FW] and 87.85%, respectively, by using 0.5 mol/L mannitol, enzyme concentrations of 2.5% cellulase R-10 and 0.8% Macerozyme R-10 at 24 °C for 4 h. At the same time, transfection efficiency of protoplasts was up to 78.49% when using 30 μg plasmid, 40% polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration, 24 °C incubation temperature, and 20 min transfection time. This is the first efficient protoplasts’ isolation and transient transformation system of Phelipanche aegyptiaca haustorium, laying a foundation for future studies on the gene function and mechanisms of haustorium formation in parasitic plants.

This review offers a comprehensive analysis of the extensive research on methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-induced plant disease resistance. It aims to elucidate the signal transduction pathways, interactions with other phytohormones, regulation of related gene expression, and the fundamental mechanisms contributing to plant disease resistance. The review provides a detailed examination of MeJA-induced defense responses and the sustainability of the induced resistance. Furthermore, it assesses the practical applications and current status of MeJA across various plant species and explores potential research directions in disease management. It serves as a systematic reference for a deeper understanding of MeJA-induced plant disease resistance and holds significant importance for advancing further developments in the field.

Blueberry growth is closely tied to its rhizosphere’s microbial communities. Recent advancements in high-throughput sequencing and multi-omics technologies have enhanced the investigation of variations in rhizosphere microbial communities and their functional roles across different plant cultivars. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was utilized to assess the rhizosphere microbial diversity in highbush and rabbiteye blueberry groups, encompassing a total of eight cultivars. Notable variations were observed in both bacterial and fungal community diversity. Ten bacterial phyla, each with a relative abundance greater than 1%, constituted 92.32–97.08% of the total abundance across the eight cultivars, with Acidobacteriota, Actinobacteriota, and Pseudomonadota being predominant. Similarly, five major fungal phyla, each exceeding 1% in relative abundance, accounted for 88.18–97.20% of the total abundance, with Ascomycota and Basidiomycota being the most dominant. The results showed that the rhizospheres of blueberries host a variety of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), including genera such as Burkholderia, Enterobacter, Streptomyces, Arthrobacter, and Pseudomonas. Rabbiteye blueberry cultivars exhibit a greater propensity for accumulating beneficial symbiotic microorganisms compared to highbush cultivars. Notably, the relative abundance of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, specifically Oidiodendron, is significantly elevated in the cultivars Emerald, Premier, O’Neal, and Brightwell, with the most pronounced increase observed in Emerald. Furthermore, rabbiteye blueberries support a more diverse and abundant array of cultivar-specific fungal communities than their highbush counterparts. Understanding the interaction networks between blueberries and their associated microbes can provide a theoretical foundation for the targeted regulation of rhizosphere microbiomes and offer valuable insights for the management of rhizospheres in other acidophilic crops.

Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, poses a significant fungal threat to postharvest blueberries, leading to substantial economic losses and challenging the sustainable development of the blueberry industry. This highlights the urgent necessity for comprehensive research to develop effective and sustainable management solutions. This review offers a systematic overview of gray mold in blueberries, with a particular emphasis on elucidating the pathological mechanisms employed by B. cinerea, including its infection pathways and virulence factors. It examines the resistance mechanisms in blueberries, which include both preformed and induced physical and biochemical defenses, and synthesizes existing control strategies. These strategies range from conventional fungicides to emerging alternatives such as biological control agents, natural antimicrobials, physical treatments, and integrated pest management (IPM) approaches. Furthermore, the paper explores future research directions by identifying key knowledge gaps and promising areas for innovation. This study aims to bridge the gap between fundamental knowledge and practical application, thereby providing a robust theoretical foundation and actionable guidance for the effective prevention and management of gray mold in blueberry production and storage.

Parasitic plants represent a significant challenge in global agriculture, with Broomrape (Orobanche/Phelipanche spp.) being a notable example of a holoparasitic species that targets the roots of host plants. This study employed comparative transcriptomics to investigate the mechanisms underlying the parasitism of P. aegyptiaca on melon, focusing on both resistant and susceptible interactions. The findings indicate that the critical phase of P. aegyptiaca parasitism occurs during the post-attachment stage. It is suggested that peptidases may play a role in the development of invasive cells, while cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs) are likely involved in cell wall modification and degradation, and transferases, elicitors, and effectors may play a role in immune regulation. In this study, 25 tobacco rattle virus (TRV) recombinant vectors were successfully constructed and functionally validated using a host-induced gene silencing assay to explore the functions of candidate-secreted effector proteins. The results revealed that silencing Cluster-107894.0, Cluster-11592.0, and Cluster-12482.0 significantly decreased the parasitism rate of P. aegyptiaca on Nicotiana benthamiana. Notably, Cluster-107849.0 encodes a cellulase with hydrolase activity, Cluster-11592.0 encodes a periodic-dependent kinase inhibitor with phosphoprotein activity, and Cluster-12482.0 encodes a glucan 1,3-β-glucosidase with hydrolase activity. These findings potentially offer a novel theoretical framework and justification for understanding host–parasite plant interactions, and suggest new avenues for developing crop varieties resistant to parasitic infestation.