Genome-wide identification of walnut (Juglans regia) PME gene family members and expression analysis during infection with Cryptosphaeria pullmanensis pathogens.

Walnuts exhibit a higher resistance to diseases, though they are not completely immune. This study focuses on the Pectin methylesterase (PME) gene family to investigate whether it is involved in disease resistance in walnuts. These 21 genes are distributed across 12 chromosomes, with four pairs demonstrating homology. Variations in conserved motifs and gene structures suggest diverse functions within the gene family. Phylogenetic and collinear gene pairs of the PME family indicate that the gene family has evolved in a relatively stable way. The cis-acting elements and gene ontology enrichment of these genes, underscores their potential role in bolstering walnuts' defense mechanisms. Transcriptomic analyses were conducted under conditions of Cryptosphaeria pullmanensis infestation and verified by RT-qPCR. The results showed that certain JrPME family genes were activated in response, leading to the hypothesis that some members may confer resistance to the disease.

Plant volatile organic compounds attractive to Lygus pratensis.

Lygus pratensis, an important agricultural pest, is seriously detrimental to cotton in China. For the research and development of attractants, the present study screened and identified plant volatiles with activity against the pest. Out of the total 20 volatiles identified from seven hosts, 16 volatiles were selected and evaluated. Electrophysiological test results revealed the highest electroantennogram values of heptacosane, heptadecane, decanal, (E)-4-hexen-1-ol, dodecane, ß-pinene, and cis-3-hexenyl isovalerate on adult insects. A significant difference in the behavior of female adults (P < 0.01) was noted in the trend behavioral tests when the concentration of heptacosane, nonadecane, heptadecane, decanal, 3-hexen-1-ol, and dodecane was 10-3 (V/V), and that of ß-pinene was 10-4 (V/V). The field trapping test confirmed a significant difference in the trapping effect of heptadecane at 10-2 (V/V) and 10-3 (V/V), decanal at 10-1 (V/V) and 10-3 (V/V), ß-pinene at 10-2 (V/V), and dodecane at 10-4 (V/V) compared to that of other volatiles (P < 0.05). These findings suggested the strong attractant effect of heptadecane, dodecane, decanal, and ß-pinene on adults, indicating their potential application as effective attractants for the ecological control of L. pratensis.

Genome Sequence of the Agrobacterium salinitolerans DG3-1 Isolated from Cotton Roots.

Agrobacterium salinitolerans DG3-1 is an endophytic bacterium isolated from cotton root tissue. Our previous work has shown that it can inhibit the growth of Fusarium and Verticillium wilt pathogens as well as increase the chlorophyll content of cotton leaves. Here, we reported the complete genome sequence of strain DG3-1, which was analyzed by sequence reads generated from Nanopore PromethION and Illumina NovaSeq PE150 platforms. This genome sequence could be used to clarify the possible mechanism of DG3-1 at the gene level.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.