Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel (CNGC) genes play vital roles in plant growth, development, and responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the current research on CNGCs in potato (Solanum tuberosum) remain largely uncharacterized. Blackleg disease is one of the most devastating diseases worldwide, causing severe yield losses. Understanding the role of the StCNGC gene family in blackleg resistance is therefore of significant importance. In this study, we identified 11 StCNGC genes in the potato genome and conducted phylogenetic analysis, gene structure characterization, and conserved motif prediction. Expression patterns were examined in different tissues and under stress conditions. The identified StCNGCs were classified into five groups, and showed conserved gene structures and motifs within groups. Most StCNGCs were induced under biotic stress conditions. Notably, silencing StCNGC2 conferred resistance to blackleg disease and resulted in the upregulation the pathogenesis-related marker gene StPR1. Together, these findings suggest that StCNGC2 plays a crucial role in potato defense against blackleg disease and provide a foundation for further functional studies of the StCNGC gene family.

The oomycete Phytophthora capsici causes Phytophthora blight, a major constraint on global pepper production. Our previous observations indicated that pretreating plants with thiamethoxam (TMX) and imidacloprid (IMI) could reduce the incidence of pepper blight, but the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. Here, we investigated how TMX and IMI induced resistance in pepper ( Capsicum frutescens ) against P. capsici . Both in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that TMX and IMI suppressed disease, not by directly impairing pathogen virulence but by inducing systemic resistance in susceptible (Cusheng L09) and resistant (Cusheng 356) pepper cultivars. Split‐plant systemic resistance assays showed that TMX/IMI‐primed plants developed smaller lesions in both treated and untreated leaves following P. capsici infection. Foliar application of TMX and IMI effectively alleviated disease severity, with IMI showing superior efficacy in attenuating reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and TMX/IMI priming concomitantly altering the activities of ROS‐scavenging enzymes under pathogen challenge. Reverse transcription‐quantitative PCR analysis revealed time‐dependent changes in defence gene expression, and whole‐genome transcriptome profiling highlighted temporal reprogramming of pathogenesis‐related genes. Further functional validation identified CaNEN4 as a susceptibility factor. Collectively, our findings reveal that IMI/TMX primes pepper plants with systemic resistance by modulating ROS homeostasis, defence gene expression, and susceptibility gene function, offering novel insights into chemical‐induced plant immunity and genetic targets for durable blight resistance in crops.

Ascorbate oxidases (AAOs) are key regulators of extracellular redox homeostasis and plant stress responses, but their roles in grapevine defense remain unclear. Here, we performed a genome-wide analysis and characterization of the AAO gene family in grapevine Vitis amurensis, identifying 10 VaAAO genes that are unevenly distributed across six chromosomes, with notable clustering on chromosome 7. Promoter analysis revealed multiple phytohormone- and stress-responsive cis-elements (e.g., ARE, STRE, and TCA-element) and transcription factor binding sites (e.g., MYC/MYB, and WRKY), suggesting involvement in redox- and stress-related signaling pathways. Analysis of previously published transcriptomic data under Botrytis cinerea infection identified VaAAO7 as a key pathogen-responsive gene. VaAAO7 was rapidly induced by H₂O₂, and its transient ectopic overexpression in susceptible V. vinifera ‘Red Globe’ leaves significantly reduced lesion development. Together, these results demonstrate that VaAAO7 functions as a positive regulator of B. cinerea resistance and highlight its potential for genetic engineering to enhance systemic defense and develop disease-resistant grapevine cultivars.

Expansins are crucial cell wall-loosening proteins that play a vital role in various plant developmental processes, including fruit ripening and softening. However, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the expansin family in apple (Malus × domestica) and the specific functions of its members in postharvest fruit ripening remain to be explored. In this study, we identified 51 expansin genes in the apple genome and classified them into four subfamilies (EXPA, EXPB, EXLA, and EXLB). Cis-element analysis of the promoters of apple expansin genes showed that these promoters are rich in various hormone-responsive elements, including abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive elements (ABREs) and ethylene-responsive elements (EREs), suggesting potential hormonal regulation of expansin genes. Expression profiling identified six ripening-associated expansin genes. Among them, MdEXPA5, MdEXPA17, and MdEXPA23 were positively regulated by both ethylene and ABA, while being suppressed by the ethylene action inhibitor 1-MCP. Further functional characterization demonstrated that transient overexpression of MdEXPA17 accelerated fruit softening, skin yellowing, ethylene production, and increased total soluble solid (TSS) content. Conversely, silencing of MdEXPA17 significantly delayed these ripening processes. Our study provides a systematic overview of the apple expansin gene family and supports a role for MdEXPA17 in promoting postharvest fruit ripening and softening. These findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of apple fruit ripening and provide potential targets for genetic improvement of fruit quality and shelf life.

Plant seed number depends on ovule number initiated within the carpels, and it serves as a primary factor shaping fruit yield. Pomegranate trees exhibit bisexual flowers and functional male flowers. Pomegranate have anatropous ovules which are bitegmic and crassinucellate. Bisexual flowers possess the fertile pistil, while functional male flowers have abnormally developed ovules, a small ovary with few chambers, and a short style. The formation of functional male flowers is due to abnormal and stagnant development of ovule integument. Ovule number directly determines the yield of pomegranate seeds. Recent studies have highlighted the molecular mechanisms through which ovule-related genes regulate pomegranate ovule development. Pomegranate PgCRC and PgINO genes positively regulate the increase in the number of ovules, and PgBEL1 to synergistically regulate seed development. PgAGL11 (the SEEDSTICK orthologous gene) promotes ovule development in transgenic Arabidopsis. PgSEP protein can bridge interactions among PgBEL1, PgSTK and PgAG, which regulate ovule development. At the level of post-transcriptional regulation, PgmiRNA167, PgmiRNA164 and PgmiRNA160 are differentially expressed during pomegranate flower development, and PgmiR166a interacts with its target genes to affect ovule development. This review summarizes the key regulators of ovule development and their molecular pathways, integrating these interactions into a model that describes pomegranate ovule development.