Introduction: Flavonoids, as secondary metabolites in plants, play important roles in many biological processes and responses to environmental factors.Methods: Apricot fruits are rich in flavonoid compounds, and in this study, we performed a combined metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of orange flesh (JN) and white flesh (ZS) apricot fruits.Results and discussion: A total of 222 differentially accumulated flavonoids (DAFs) and 15855 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in flavonoid biosynthesis were identified. The biosynthesis of flavonoids in apricot fruit may be regulated by 17 enzyme-encoding genes, namely PAL (2), 4CL (9), C4H (1), HCT (15), C3’H (4), CHS (2), CHI (3), F3H (1), F3’H (CYP75B1) (2), F3’5’H (4), DFR (4), LAR (1), FLS (3), ANS (9), ANR (2), UGT79B1 (6) and CYP81E (2). A structural gene-transcription factor (TF) correlation analysis yielded 3 TFs (2 bHLH, 1 MYB) highly correlated with 2 structural genes. In addition, we obtained 26 candidate genes involved in the biosynthesis of 8 differentially accumulated flavonoids metabolites in ZS by weighted gene coexpression network analysis. The candidate genes and transcription factors identified in this study will provide a highly valuable molecular basis for the in-depth study of flavonoid biosynthesis in apricot fruits.

Background: Prunus armeniaca, Prunus divaricata, Prunus tianshanica, and Prunus domestica are valuable ancient tree species that have persisted since the end of the Tertiary period within the Tianshan wild fruit forest. However, the evolutionary relationships among Prunus species in the Tianshan wild fruit forest have long posed a challenge. Methods: We sequenced and assembled the chloroplast genomes of P. armeniaca, P. divaricata, and P. tianshanica, and incorporated the chloroplast genome data of P. domestica for comparative analysis to elucidate their phylogenetic positions within the genus Prunus. Results: The lengths of these chloroplast genomes ranged from 157,395 bp to 158,090 bp, with a total of 130 to 131 genes annotated, comprising 85 to 86 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 35 to 36 tRNA genes. Notably, the four wild Prunus species predominantly used high-frequency codons ending in A/U. Additionally, we identified 300 simple repetitive sequences and 166 long repetitive sequences across the four wild Prunus species. The mutation sites were mainly found in the non-coding regions, with seven regions of high mutation frequency identified. The phylogenetic tree revealed five branches: subgenus Armeniaca, subgenus Microcerasus, subgenus Prunus, subgenus Amygdalus, and subgenus Cerasus. The estimated deviation time for the crown group of Prunus is roughly 61.41 million years ago. Conclusions: This study provides exhaustive genetic evidence for the classification and systematic relationships of the four wild Prunus species and establishes a crucial foundation for subsequent research into the diversity and evolutionary history of the Prunus genus.

Salt stress severely affects the growth of turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa), leading to a decline in quality and a reduction in yield. Methyl jasmonate is an endogenous plant hormone that plays a role in regulating plant responses to salt stress. However, its role and mechanism in regulating the response of turnip salt stress remain unclear. Herein, exogenous 100 μM MeJA was applied to four-leaf turnip seedlings subjected to 100 mM NaCl stress to investigate the changes in growth parameters, plant physiology, gene expression, and hormone accumulation after treatment for 3, 5, and 7 days. The results indicated that exogenous spraying of MeJA restricted the growth of turnip seedlings, but enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), while reducing the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Additionally, RNA-seq data showed that exogenous MeJA significantly up-regulates the expression of genes associated with resistance to abiotic stress, specifically those involved in sulfur metabolism, phytohormone signaling, glutathione metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. This up-regulation improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes in vivo, facilitated the scavenging of accumulated reactive oxygen species, and strengthened the plant’s defense mechanisms. In summary, exogenous application of MeJA inhibited the growth of turnip seedlings, but enhanced the plant’s physiological responses to salt stress.

As the wild progenitor of cultivated apricot, Xinjiang wild apricot is a key resource for ecosystem stability and germplasm conservation. We analyzed its phylogeography in the Ili wild fruit forests using two chloroplast DNA regions ( rpl32‐trnL , ndhC‐trnV ) and one single‐copy nuclear locus (DXH). Genetic variation was mainly within populations, with weak among‐population differentiation. cpDNA and nuclear data showed discordant spatial patterns, indicating different demographic signals from seed‐mediated versus pollen‐mediated processes. cpDNA neutrality and mismatch analyses did not support recent overall expansion and were more consistent with contraction/bottleneck dynamics, although the dominant cpDNA lineage (h4) retained a post‐LGM expansion signal (~19.6 ka). In contrast, DXH supported recent expansion, strongest in the Yining County population. Isolation‐by‐distance was significant for cpDNA but weak and nonsignificant for DXH, consistent with stronger geographic structuring of maternally inherited variation. MaxEnt models identified precipitation in the wettest season (100–135 mm), precipitation in the warmest season (90–120 mm), and soil sand content (6%–38%) as key predictors of distribution. Suitable habitat is currently concentrated in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, with projected expansion under future climate scenarios. These results provide an integrated view of historical demography and contemporary habitat suitability, and offer a basis for conservation planning and sustainable use of Xinjiang wild apricot genetic resources.