Photoperiod sensitivity significantly affects the reproductive process of plants. The CONSTANS, CONSTANS-LIKE, and TOC1 (CCT) genes play pivotal roles in photoperiod sensitivity and regulating flowering time. However, the function of the CCT gene in regulating flowering varies among different species. Further research is needed to determine whether it promotes or delays flowering under long-day (LD) or short-day (SD) conditions. CCT MOTIF FAMILY (CMF) belongs to one of the three subfamilies of the CCT gene and has been proven to be involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms and flowering time in cereal crops. In this study, 60 CCT genes in Chinese cabbage were genome-wide identified, and chromosomal localization, gene duplication events, gene structure, conserved domains, co-expression networks, and phylogenetic tree were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. The specific expression patterns of the BrCMF gene in different tissues, as well as the transcriptome and RT-qPCR results under different photoperiodic conditions, were further analyzed. The results showed that BrCMF11 was significantly upregulated in ebm5 under LD conditions, suggesting that BrCMF11 promoted flowering under LD conditions in Chinese cabbage. These findings revealed the function of the BrCCT gene family in photoperiod flowering regulation and provided a prominent theoretical foundation for molecular breeding in Chinese cabbage.

To elucidate the cooperative regulatory mechanisms underlying Paraburkholderia sp. GD17-mediated salt tolerance in cucumber plants. Hydroponically grown cucumber plants were inoculated with GD17 and subsequently subjected to NaCl treatment. Physiological, biochemical parameters, as well as gene expression profiles, were comprehensively analyzed. GD17 inoculation significantly improved plant growth, developmental performance, and salinity tolerance. Under salt stress, GD17-inoculated plants exhibited higher leaf nutrient contents compared to non-inoculated controls, particularly an elevated K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, which was closely associated with the upregulated expression of Na⁺ extrusion-related genes. A substantial increase in proline content and the corresponding biosynthesis-related gene expression indicated that enhanced osmoprotectant synthesis played a critical role in GD17-conferred salt tolerance. Phytohormone levels and their signaling-related gene expression were also significantly upregulated in GD17-inoculated plants under salt stress. Moreover, transcription factor gene expression was markedly increased in GD17-treated plants following salt exposure. GD17 inoculation alleviated salt-induced photosynthetic inhibition, as demonstrated by improved photosynthetic efficiency and reduced suppression of photosynthesis-related gene expression. Transcriptional profiling further revealed that starch degradation, photorespiration, and the pentose phosphate pathway were crucial for GD17-mediated salt tolerance. Reduced oxidative damage, driven by enhanced antioxidative activity, further contributed to the observed protective mechanisms. This study demonstrates that the application of Paraburkholderia sp. GD17 concurrently enhances cucumber growth and salinity tolerance, effectively resolving the trade-off between growth and defense. Multi-level analyses provided comprehensive mechanistic insights into these synergistic effects.