Plants have evolved sophisticated immune systems to defend against diverse pathogens, whereas pathogens deploy effectors to manipulate host cellular processes for successful infection. Recent studies have revealed that pathogen effectors can target host RNA processing, particularly pre-mRNA alternative splicing (AS), to reshape transcript isoform profiles and modulate plant immunity. However, the common principles and specific differences among pathogen effector-mediated regulation of host AS and their impacts on plant immunity have not been systematically summarized. In this review, we summarize recent advances in pathogen effector-mediated regulation of plant AS, focusing on three major mechanisms: targeting host splicing factors, altering RNA regulatory elements, and interfering with RNA-processing pathways. We discuss how effector-induced AS reprogramming affects immune-related gene expression and contributes to pathogen virulence. Furthermore, we highlight the emerging potential of AS regulation in disease resistance and disease-resistant crop breeding, and propose future directions for dissecting effector-specific splicing targets and translating AS-based regulatory mechanisms into crop improvement strategies. This review emphasizes host RNA splicing as an important regulatory layer in plant-pathogen interactions and provides new perspectives for understanding pathogen manipulation of plant immunity.

Long-term sugarcane monoculture triggers severe continuous cropping obstacles accompanied by notable soil microecological degradation, including nutrient immobilization, soil acidification, salinization and microbial community imbalance. Physical soil remediation via industrial microwave irradiation represents a promising approach to alleviate soil degradation. Nevertheless, the interactive variations in soil structure, fertility and microbial communities under gradient 915 MHz industrial microwave irradiation remain poorly understood. This study aimed to clarify the correlations among physicochemical properties, microbial structure and functional genes of sugarcane continuous cropping soil under microwave thermal regulation. A continuous 915 MHz microwave device with power gradients (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 kW) and a fixed irradiation duration of 10 min was adopted. Soil samples were incubated for 0, 15 and 30 weeks for comprehensive parameter determination. The results demonstrated that appropriate microwave power exerted positive regulatory effects on soil thermal intensity, aggregate disruption and microbial succession. Soil organic matter (SOM) and pH were key factors modulating the distribution of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms. The 4 kW treatment disintegrated compact soil aggregates, activated mineral-bound nutrients, relieved soil acidification and salinization, and upregulated genes responsible for nutrient mineralization and antifungal metabolism to sustain high abundances of partial biocontrol fungi. In contrast, high-power treatments (6 kW and 8 kW) induced substantial early-stage SOM loss, reduced soil pH and aggravated salinization in the late incubation stage, thereby inhibiting symbiotic beneficial fungi. Collectively, 4 kW was the optimal microwave parameter in this study to coordinate soil structural, nutritional and microecological balance. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical guidance for the green remediation of soil plagued by sugarcane continuous cropping obstacles.

Huanglongbing (HLB), associated with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), has severely impacted global citrus production, with no economically viable control measures currently available. This study explored microwave treatment at 2450 MHz as an innovative physical method for HLB control, combining pathogen elimination efficacy with metabolomic analysis. In controlled experiments, 36 HLB-infected citrus plants were treated with 500 W or 250 W microwave irradiation and underwent 10 cycles, achieving up to 99.83% reduction CLas titer. Non-targeted metabolomic analysis identified 15 significantly altered metabolites, including upregulated beta-caryophyllene and lysophosphatidylinositols, and downregulated 5′-S-methyl-5′-thioadenosine. The results indicate that microwave treatment effectively suppressed CLas while simultaneously triggering citrus physiological metabolic changes. These findings suggest that microwave treatment could serve as a sustainable alternative to chemical controls. However, further optimization of parameters, such as wavelengths, voltages, currents, and safety protocols, will be essential for practical field implementation.

Liupao tea tended to suffer from unbalanced microbial community structure during storage, which further caused quality deterioration of tea, resulting in economic losses and potential food safety risks. Nixing Pottery (NP) exhibited remarkable advantages in the storage and fresh keeping of tea. Taking glass containers (GC) as the control group, this study investigated the effects of NP on the infusion color, non-volatile internal components, volatile aromatic components, and microbial community structure of Liupao tea during a 24-month storage period. The results indicated that Liupao tea stored in NP showed significant differences compared with that stored in GC. Compared with the tea stored in GC, Liupao tea preserved in NP for 24 months exhibited a reddish-brown appearance with higher brightness, and the degradation rates of non-volatile substances, such as water extracts, free amino acids, and tea polyphenols, were relatively slower. A total of 128 volatile compounds were detected by GC-MS, among which 34 were differential volatile compounds, and these compounds collectively led to the flavor differences between Liupao tea stored in NP and GC. High-throughput sequencing results revealed that Firmicutes and Proteobacteria maintained stable dominant positions for a long time in the NP storage system. Correlation analysis suggested statistical associations between microorganisms, including Firmicutes and Eurotiales, and the transformation of major chemical components in Liupao tea. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the storage and fresh keeping of Liupao tea, the industrial promotion of NP, and the development of new natural mineral-based packaging materials for fermented tea.