The role of auxin during early berry development in grapevine as revealed by transcript profiling from pollination to fruit set

The soil application of a plant-derived protein hydrolysate speeds up selectively the ripening-specific processes in table grape

Plant-derived biostimulants have gained attention in agricultural practices for their potential to enhance crop quality and resilience. In this study, we investigated the effects of applying a maize gluten-derived protein hydrolysate at the soil level in vineyards on berry quality in a table grape variety, the Black Magic early table grapevine, during veraison. Our results demonstrate significant improvements in various parameters 14 days after application, including increased anthocyanin levels, enhanced sugar accumulation, and larger berry diameter while maintaining berry firmness. Transcriptomic analysis revealed mechanisms underlying these effects, highlighting the biostimulant's ability to expedite ripening processes while selectively modulating genes associated with cell wall metabolism, thus explaining the observed preservation of berry firmness. Furthermore, the treatment with a gluten-derived protein hydrolysate enhanced the grapevine's resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses, and several related genes were affected. This study sheds light on the potential of plant-derived biostimulants in grapevine cultivation, emphasizing the need for further research to elucidate their mechanisms and optimize agricultural practices.

VvFHY3 links auxin and endoplasmic reticulum stress to regulate grape anthocyanin biosynthesis at high temperatures

Anthocyanins affect quality in fruits such as grape (Vitis vinifera). High temperatures reduce anthocyanin levels by suppressing the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes and decreasing the biosynthetic rate. However, the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate these 2 processes remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that high-temperature-mediated inhibition of anthocyanin biosynthesis in grape berries depends on the auxin and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways. Inactivation of these pathways restores anthocyanin accumulation under high temperatures. We identified and characterized FAR-RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL3 (FHY3), a high-temperature-modulated transcription factor that activates multiple anthocyanin biosynthesis genes by binding to their promoters. The auxin response factor VvARF3 interacts with VvFHY3 and represses its transactivation activity, antagonizing VvFHY3-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis. Additionally, we found that the ER stress sensor VvbZIP17 represses anthocyanin biosynthesis. VvFHY3 suppresses VvbZIP17 activity by directly binding to the VvbZIP17 promoter to repress its transcription and by physically interacting with VvbZIP17 to block its DNA binding ability. Furthermore, AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 3 (ARF3) interferes with the VvFHY3-VvbZIP17 interaction, releasing VvbZIP17 to activate the unfolded protein response and further suppress anthocyanin production. Our results unravel the VvARF3-VvFHY3-VvbZIP17 regulatory module, which links the auxin and ER stress pathways to coordinately repress anthocyanin structural gene expression and biosynthesis under high-temperature stress.

Dynamic temporal transcriptome analysis reveals grape VlMYB59-VlCKX4 regulatory module controls fruit set

Fruit set is a key stage in determining yield potential and guaranteeing quality formation and regulation. N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (CPPU) has been widely applied in grape production, the most iconic of which is the promotion of grape fruit set. However, current studies still lack the molecular mechanism of CPPU-induced grape fruit set. Here, the dynamic, high-resolution stage-specific transcriptome profiles were generated based on two different treatments and five developmental periods during fruit set in 'Kyoho' grape (Vitis vinifera L. × V. labrusca L.). Pairwise comparison and functional category analysis showed that phytohormone action cytokinin was significantly enriched during the CPPU-induced grape fruit set, but not the natural one. Value differentially expressed gene (VDEG) was a newly proposed analysis strategy for mining genes related to the grape fruit set. Notably, the cytokinin metabolic process was significantly enriched among up-regulated VDEGs. Of importance, a key VDEG VlCKX4 related to the cytokinin metabolic process was identified as related to the grape fruit set. Overexpression of VlCKX4 gene promoted the Arabidopsis plants that produce more and heavier siliques. The transcription factor VlMYB59 directly bound to the promoter of VlCKX4 and activated its expression. Moreover, overexpression of VlMYB59 gene also promoted the Arabidopsis fruit set. Overall, VlMYB59 responded to CPPU treatment and directly activated the expression of VlCKX4, thus promoting the fruit set. A regulatory pathway of the VlMYB59-VlCKX4 module in the fruit set was uncovered, which provides important insights into the molecular mechanisms of the fruit set and good genetic resources for high fruit set rate breeding.

Genes involved in auxin biosynthesis, transport and signalling underlie the extreme adventitious root phenotype of the tomato aer mutant

The use of tomato rootstocks has helped to alleviate the soaring abiotic stresses provoked by the adverse effects of climate change. Lateral and adventitious roots can improve topsoil exploration and nutrient uptake, shoot biomass and resulting overall yield. It is essential to understand the genetic basis of root structure development and how lateral and adventitious roots are produced. Existing mutant lines with specific root phenotypes are an excellent resource to analyse and comprehend the molecular basis of root developmental traits. The tomato aerial roots (aer) mutant exhibits an extreme adventitious rooting phenotype on the primary stem. It is known that this phenotype is associated with restricted polar auxin transport from the juvenile to the more mature stem, but prior to this study, the genetic loci responsible for the aer phenotype were unknown. We used genomic approaches to define the polygenic nature of the aer phenotype and provide evidence that increased expression of specific auxin biosynthesis, transport and signalling genes in different loci causes the initiation of adventitious root primordia in tomato stems. Our results allow the selection of different levels of adventitious rooting using molecular markers, potentially contributing to rootstock breeding strategies in grafted vegetable crops, especially in tomato. In crops vegetatively propagated as cuttings, such as fruit trees and cane fruits, orthologous genes may be useful for the selection of cultivars more amenable to propagation.

Genotype and phenotype data standardization, utilization and integration in the big data era for agricultural sciences

Large-scale genotype and phenotype data have been increasingly generated to identify genetic markers, understand gene function and evolution and facilitate genomic selection. These datasets hold immense value for both current and future studies, as they are vital for crop breeding, yield improvement and overall agricultural sustainability. However, integrating these datasets from heterogeneous sources presents significant challenges and hinders their effective utilization. We established the Genotype-Phenotype Working Group in November 2021 as a part of the AgBioData Consortium (https://www.agbiodata.org) to review current data types and resources that support archiving, analysis and visualization of genotype and phenotype data to understand the needs and challenges of the plant genomic research community. For 2021-22, we identified different types of datasets and examined metadata annotations related to experimental design/methods/sample collection, etc. Furthermore, we thoroughly reviewed publicly funded repositories for raw and processed data as well as secondary databases and knowledgebases that enable the integration of heterogeneous data in the context of the genome browser, pathway networks and tissue-specific gene expression. Based on our survey, we recommend a need for (i) additional infrastructural support for archiving many new data types, (ii) development of community standards for data annotation and formatting, (iii) resources for biocuration and (iv) analysis and visualization tools to connect genotype data with phenotype data to enhance knowledge synthesis and to foster translational research. Although this paper only covers the data and resources relevant to the plant research community, we expect that similar issues and needs are shared by researchers working on animals. Database URL: https://www.agbiodata.org.

Non-climacteric fruit development and ripening regulation: 'the phytohormones show'

Fruit ripening involves numerous physiological, structural, and metabolic changes that result in the formation of edible fruits. This process is controlled at different molecular levels, with essential roles for phytohormones, transcription factors, and epigenetic modifications. Fleshy fruits are classified as either climacteric or non-climacteric species. Climacteric fruits are characterized by a burst in respiration and ethylene production at the onset of ripening, while regulation of non-climacteric fruit ripening has been commonly attributed to abscisic acid (ABA). However, there is controversy as to whether mechanisms regulating fruit ripening are shared between non-climacteric species, and to what extent other hormones contribute alongside ABA. In this review, we summarize classic and recent studies on the accumulation profile and role of ABA and other important hormones in the regulation of non-climacteric fruit development and ripening, as well as their crosstalk, paying special attention to the two main non-climacteric plant models, strawberry and grape. We highlight both the common and different roles of these regulators in these two crops, and discuss the importance of the transcriptional and environmental regulation of fruit ripening, as well as the need to optimize genetic transformation methodologies to facilitate gene functional analyses.

PpARF6 acts as an integrator of auxin and ethylene signaling to promote fruit ripening in peach

Although auxin is known to induce ethylene biosynthesis in some Rosaceae fruit crops, the mechanisms underlying the auxin-ethylene interaction during fruit ripening remain largely unknown. Here, the regulatory role of an auxin response factor, PpARF6, in fruit ripening was investigated in peach. Peach fruits showed accelerated ripening after treatment with auxin and PpARF6 was found to be significantly induced. PpARF6 not only could induce ethylene synthesis by directly activating the transcription of ethylene biosynthetic genes, but also competed with EIN3-binding F-box proteins PpEBF1/2 for binding to ethylene-insensitive3-like proteins PpEIL2/3, thereby keeping PpEIL2/3 active. Moreover, PpARF6 showed an interaction with PpEIL2/3 to enhance the PpEIL2/3-activated transcription of ethylene biosynthetic genes. Additionally, ectopic overexpression of PpARF6 in tomato accelerated fruit ripening by promoting the expression of genes involved in ethylene synthesis and fruit texture. In summary, our results revealed a positive regulatory role of PpARF6 in peach fruit ripening via integrating auxin and ethylene signaling.

Genome-Wide Identification of WD40 Proteins in Cucurbita maxima Reveals Its Potential Functions in Fruit Development

WD40 proteins, a super gene family in eukaryotes, are involved in multiple biological processes. Members of this family have been identified in several plants and shown to play key roles in various development processes, including acting as scaffolding molecules with other proteins. However, WD40 proteins have not yet been systematically analyzed and identified in Cucurbita maxima. In this study, 231 WD40 proteins (CmWD40s) were identified in C. maxima and classified into five clusters. Eleven subfamilies were identified based on different conserved motifs and gene structures. The CmWD40 genes were distributed in 20 chromosomes; 5 and 33 pairs of CmWD40s were distinguished as tandem and segmental duplications, respectively. Overall, 58 pairs of orthologous WD40 genes in C. maxima and Arabidopsis thaliana, and 56 pairs of orthologous WD40 genes in C. maxima and Cucumis sativus were matched. Numerous CmWD40s had diverse expression patterns in fruits, leaf, stem, and root. Several genes were involved in responses to NaCl. The expression pattern of CmWD40s suggested their key role in fruit development and abiotic stress response. Finally, we identified 14 genes which might be involved in fruit development. Our results provide valuable basis for further functional verification of CmWD40s in C. maxima.

Identification of a major QTL, Parth6.1 associated with parthenocarpic fruit development in slicing cucumber genotype, Pusa Parthenocarpic Cucumber-6

Parthenocarpy is an extremely important trait that revolutionized the worldwide cultivation of cucumber under protected conditions. Pusa Parthenocarpic Cucumber-6 (PPC-6) is one of the important commercially cultivated varieties under protected conditions in India. Understanding the genetics of parthenocarpy, molecular mapping and the development of molecular markers closely associated with the trait will facilitate the introgression of parthenocarpic traits into non-conventional germplasm and elite varieties. The F1, F2 and back-crosses progenies with a non-parthenocarpic genotype, Pusa Uday indicated a single incomplete dominant gene controlling parthenocarpy in PPC-6. QTL-seq comprising of the early parthenocarpy and non-parthenocarpic bulks along with the parental lines identified two major genomic regions, one each in chromosome 3 and chromosome 6 spanning over a region of 2.7 Mb and 7.8 Mb, respectively. Conventional mapping using F2:3 population also identified two QTLs, Parth6.1 and Parth6.2 in chromosome 6 which indicated the presence of a major effect QTL in chromosome 6 determining parthenocarpy in PPC-6. The flanking markers, SSR01148 and SSR 01012 for Parth6.1 locus and SSR10476 and SSR 19174 for Parth6.2 locus were identified and can be used for introgression of parthenocarpy through the marker-assisted back-crossing programme. Functional annotation of the QTL-region identified two major genes, Csa_6G396640 and Csa_6G405890 designated as probable indole-3-pyruvate monooxygenase YUCCA11 and Auxin response factor 16, respectively associated with auxin biosynthesis as potential candidate genes. Csa_6G396640 showed only one insertion at position 2179 in the non-parthenocarpic parent. In the case of Csa_6G405890, more variations were observed between the two parents in the form of SNPs and InDels. The study provides insight about genomic regions, closely associated markers and possible candidate genes associated with parthenocarpy in PPC-6 which will be instrumental for functional genomics study and better understanding of parthenocarpy in cucumber.

Effects of Pollen Sources on Fruit Set and Fruit Characteristics of 'Fengtangli' Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) Based on Microscopic and Transcriptomic Analysis

Adequate yield and fruit quality are required in commercial plum production. The pollen source has been shown to influence fruit set and fruit characteristics. In this study, 'Siyueli', 'Fenghuangli' and 'Yinhongli' were used as pollinizers of 'Fengtangli' plum. Additionally, self-pollination, mixed pollination, and open pollination were performed. We characterized the differences in pollen tube growth, fruit set and fruit quality among pollination combinations. 'Fengtangli' flowers pollinated by 'Fenghuangli' had more pistils with pollen tubes penetrating the ovary and the highest fruit set rate, while the lowest fruit set rate was obtained from self-pollination. In self-pollinated flowers, 33% of pistils had at least one pollen tube reaching the ovary, implying that 'Fengtangli' is partially self-compatible. Pollen sources affected 'Fengtangli' fruit size, weight, pulp thickness, soluble solids, and sugar content. Transcriptome analysis of 'Siyueli'-pollinated and 'Yinhongli'-pollinated fruits revealed 2762 and 1018 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the response to different pollen sources. DEGs were enriched in plant hormone signal transduction, starch and sucrose metabolism, and MAPK signaling pathways. Our findings provide a reference for the selection of suitable pollinizers for 'Fengtangli' plum and promote future research on the metaxenia effect at the molecular level.

VvSUN may act in the auxin pathway to regulate fruit shape in grape

Fruit shape is an essential agronomic feature in many crops. We identified and functionally characterized an auxin pathway-related gene, VvSUN. VvSUN, which belongs to the SUN/IQ67-DOMAIN (IQD) family, localizes to the plasma membrane and chloroplast and may be involved in controlling fruit shape through auxin. It is highly expressed in the ovary, and the expression level 1 week before the anthesis stage is positively correlated with the fruit shape index. Functional analyses illustrated that VvSUN gene overexpression in tomato and tobacco plants changed fruit/pod shape. The VvSUN promoter directly bound to VvARF6 in yeast and activated ß-glucuronidase (GUS) activity by indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) treatments in grapevine leaves, indicating that VvSUN functions are in coordination with auxin. Further analysis of 35S::VvSUN transgenic tomato ovaries showed that the fruit shape changes caused by VvSUN were predominantly caused by variations in cell number in longitudinal directions by regulating endogenous auxin levels via polar transport and/or auxin signal transduction process variations. Moreover, enrichment of the 35S::VvSUN transgenic tomato differentially expressed genes was found in a variety of biological processes, including primary metabolic process, transmembrane transport, calcium ion binding, cytoskeletal protein binding, tubulin binding, and microtubule-based movement. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we confirmed that this plant hormone signal transduction may play a crucial role in controlling fruit shape. As a consequence, it is possible that VvSUN acts as a hub gene, altering cellular auxin levels and the plant hormone signal transduction pathway, which plays a role in cell division patterns, leading to anisotropic growth of the ovary and, ultimately, an elongated fruit shape.

Cross-talk between the cytokinin, auxin, and gibberellin regulatory networks in determining parthenocarpy in cucumber

Cucumber is a model plant for studying parthenocarpy with abundant slicing- and pickling-type germplasm. This study was undertaken to understand the role of the important cytokines (CKs), auxin (AUX) and gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis and degradation genes for the induction of parthenocarpy in slicing and pickling germplasm. Two genotypes of gynoecious parthenocarpic cucumber, PPC-6 and DG-8, along with an MABC-derived gynoecious non-parthenocarpic line, IMPU-1, were evaluated in this study. The slicing and pickling cucumber genotypes PPC-6 and DG-8 were strongly parthenocarpic in nature and set fruit normally without pollination. Endogenous auxin and gibberellin were significantly higher in parthenocarpic than non-parthenocarpic genotypes, whereas the concentration of cytokinins varied among the genotypes at different developmental stages. However, the exogenous application of Zeatin and IAA + Zeatin was effective in inducing parthenocarpic fruit in IMPU-1. Expression analysis with important CK, AUX, and GA biosynthesis-related genes was conducted in IMPU-1, PPC-6, and DG-8. The expression of the CK synthase, IPT, IPT3, PaO, LOG1, LOG2, CYP735A1, and CYP735A2 was up-regulated in the parthenocarpic genotypes. Among the transcription factor response regulators (RRs), positive regulation of CSRR8/9b, CSRR8/9d, CSRR8/9e, and CSRR16/17 and negative feedback of the CK signalling genes, such as CsRR3/4a, CsRR3/4b, CsRR8/9a, and CsRR8/9c, were recorded in the parthenocarpic lines. Homeostasis between cytokinin biosynthesis and degradation genes such as CK oxidases (CKXs) and CK dehydrogenase resulted in a non-significant difference in the endogenous CK concentration in the parthenocarpic and non-parthenocarpic genotypes. In addition, up-regulation of the key auxin-inducing proteins and GA biosynthesis genes indicated their crucial role in the parthenocarpic fruit set of cucumber. This study establishes the critical role of the CKs, AUX, and GA regulatory networks and their cross-talk in determining parthenocarpy in slicing and pickling cucumber genotypes.

Interplays between auxin and GA signaling coordinate early fruit development

Phytohormones and their interactions are critical for fruit development and, are key topics in horticulture research. Auxin, together with gibberellic acid (GA), promotes cell division and expansion, thus subsequently regulates fruit development and enlargement after fertilization. Auxin and GA related mutants show parthenocarpy (fruit formation without fertilization of ovule) in many plant species, indicating that these hormones and possibly their interactions play a key role in the regulation of fruit initiation and development. Recent studies have shown clear molecular and genetic evidence that ARF/IAA and DELLA protein interact each other and regulate both auxin and GA signaling pathways in response to auxin and GA during fruit growth in horticultural plants, tomato (the most studied freshy fruit) and strawberry (the model of Rosaceae). These recent findings provide new insights into the mechanisms by which plant hormones auxin and GA regulate fruit development.

Hormonal interactions underlying parthenocarpic fruit formation in horticultural crops

In some horticultural crops, such as Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, and Rosaceae species, fruit set and development can occur without the fertilization of ovules, a process known as parthenocarpy. Parthenocarpy is an important agricultural trait that can not only mitigate fruit yield losses caused by environmental stresses but can also induce the development of seedless fruit, which is a desirable trait for consumers. In the present review, the induction of parthenocarpic fruit by the application of hormones such as auxins (2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; naphthaleneacetic acid), cytokinins (forchlorfenuron; 6-benzylaminopurine), gibberellic acids, and brassinosteroids is first presented. Then, the molecular mechanisms of parthenocarpic fruit formation, mainly related to plant hormones, are presented. Auxins, gibberellic acids, and cytokinins are categorized as primary players in initiating fruit set. Other hormones, such as ethylene, brassinosteroids, and melatonin, also participate in parthenocarpic fruit formation. Additionally, synergistic and antagonistic crosstalk between these hormones is crucial for deciding the fate of fruit set. Finally, we highlight knowledge gaps and suggest future directions of research on parthenocarpic fruit formation in horticultural crops.