Brassica rapa, a major oilseed crop in high-altitude areas, is well known for its indeterminate inflorescences. However, this experiment revealed an intriguing anomaly within the plot: a variant displaying a determinate growth habit (520). Determinate inflorescences have been recognized for their role in the genetic enhancement of crops. In this study, a genetic analysis in a determinate genotype (520) and an indeterminate genotype (515) revealed that two independently inherited recessive genes (Brdt1 and Brdt2) are responsible for the determinate trait. BSA-seq and SSR markers were employed to successfully locate the Brdt1 gene, which is localized within an approximate region 72.7 kb between 15,712.9 kb and 15,785.6 kb on A10. A BLAST analysis of these candidate intervals revealed that Bra009508 (BraA10.TFL1) shares homology with the A. thaliana TFL1 gene. Then, BraA10.TFL1 (gene from the indeterminate phenotype) and BraA10.tfl1 (gene from the determinate phenotype) were cloned and sequenced, and the results indicated that the open reading frame of the alleles comprises 537 bp. Using qRT-PCR, it was determined that BraA10.TFL1 expression levels in shoot apexes were significantly higher in NIL-520 compared to 520. To verify the function of BraA10.TFL1, the gene was introduced into the determinate A. thaliana tfl1 mutant, resulting in the restoration of indeterminate traits. These findings demonstrate that BraA10.tfl1 is a gene that controls the determinate inflorescence trait. Overall, the results of this study provide a theoretical foundation for the further investigation of determinate inflorescence.

WOX transcription factors play conserved roles in plant adventitious root development, but the WOX family in pepino (Solanum muricatum) has not been systematically characterized. To investigate this family, genome-wide identification and expression analysis were performed. A total of 15 SmWOX genes were identified, unevenly distributed across 12 chromosomes and phylogenetically divided into three clades: WUS (11), Intermediate (3), and Ancient (1). RT-qPCR revealed that most SmWOX genes showed the highest expression in apical buds and the lowest in leaves; among them, SmWOX5 and SmWOX15 exhibited significantly higher expression in roots. These two genes were subsequently cloned and subjected to subcellular localization analysis. SmWOX5 (492 bp, 163 amino acids) and SmWOX15 (2514 bp, 837 amino acids) were both predicted as non-transmembrane, non-secretory proteins, with differences in phosphorylation site distribution and structural conformations. Subcellular localization showed that SmWOX5 is exclusively nuclear, whereas SmWOX15 is predominantly nuclear with partial plasma membrane distribution. The WOX family in pepino exhibits evolutionary conservation with signs of functional divergence. The high root expression and differential localization of SmWOX5 and SmWOX15 suggest their distinct regulatory roles in root development and adventitious root formation, providing candidate genes for improving cutting propagation efficiency in pepino (Solanum muricatum).

Background: Clematis tangutica (Maxim.) Korsh. is a Tibetan medicinal plant, but its chloroplast genome and plastid gene evolution remain unexplored. Here, we assembled the complete chloroplast genome of C. tangutica and investigated the adaptive evolution of the ycf2 gene. Methods: Chloroplast DNA was extracted from fresh leaves and sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq PE150 platform. We then performed comprehensive genomic analyses, including genome structure characterization, repeat and SSR identification, comparative genomics, and positive selection analysis of the ycf2 gene. Results: The genome is 159,584 bp with a typical quadripartite structure, containing 134 genes and 23 SSRs. Comparative analyses revealed that ycf2 is the most variable gene among the 13 divergent loci identified. Positive selection analysis detected 12 significant sites in ycf2, all clustered in the middle region of the protein. Conclusions: This study provides the first complete chloroplast genome resource for C. tangutica, offers new insights into the adaptive evolution of ycf2 in Ranunculaceae, and yields molecular markers applicable to population genetics, phylogenetic studies, and conservation planning for this species of medicinal importance.