Cotton is a globally important fiber crop, but many elite cultivars are recalcitrant to in vitro regeneration. We developed a callus-mediated plant regeneration protocol for the local G. barbadense L. cultivar Surkhan-106. Sterilized seeds were germinated in vitro, and hypocotyl and cotyledon explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with various auxin/cytokinin combinations. Robust callus induction was achieved from hypocotyl explants within 2–3 weeks. Somatic embryogenesis was induced from callus after approximately 12–14 weeks on medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), kinetin, and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Embryogenic callus was periodically subcultured to prevent browning, and torpedo-stage somatic embryos were matured on hormone-free medium. These embryos germinated into plantlets within 10–15 days on MS medium. The entire regeneration cycle, from seed to plantlet, was completed in about 4–5 months. Hypocotyl explants showed significantly higher callus formation frequency (85%) and regeneration efficiency than cotyledon explants (60%) (ANOVA, p < 0.05). This study establishes the first efficient callus-based regeneration system for Surkhan-106, an important Uzbek cotton variety. The optimized protocol can facilitate rapid clonal propagation and genetic transformation of Surkhan-106 and other recalcitrant cotton cultivars, accelerating breeding programs for improved stress tolerance and yield.

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• Molecular and physiological indicators of heat tolerance in upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.)
  Abrorjon Y. Kurbonov, Mohigul Abdullayeva, Feruza F. Mamedova, Muxammad-Latif M. Nazirov, Naima Sh. Khojaqulova, Sanjar Sh. Djumaev, Yashin Babayev, Sayfulla Boboyev
  Journal of Plant Interactions.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Molecular Characterization of Fusarium Wilt Resistance in Naturally Colored and Elite Upland Cotton Germplasm
  Abrorjon Y. Kurbonov, Feruza F. Mamedova, Sanjar Sh. Djumayev, Mukhammad Latif M. Nazirov, Naima Sh. Xojakulova, Maftuna U. Makhmudova, Ozod S. Turaev
  Journal of Natural Fibers.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef

This study aimed to enhance the Inpari 42 rice variety by integrating the aromatic trait through Marker-Assisted Backcrossing (MAB) while improving key agronomic characteristics in the BC₁F₁ generation. The aromatic gene from Merah Wangi was successfully introgressed into BC₁F₁ plants, confirmed through molecular analysis using the Bradbury marker, which detects mutations in the BADH2 gene responsible for fragrance in rice. Thirty BC₁F₁ plants with a heterozygous mutation in BADH2 were identified, demonstrating the reliability of MAB in maintaining the aromatic trait across generations. Agronomic evaluations revealed that BC₁F₁ plants exhibited intermediate flowering time, increased plant height, and longer panicles compared to the parental lines. Additionally, BC₁F₁ plants showed enhanced tillering capacity, more productive tillers, and higher grain yield per plant, indicating the successful integration of desirable traits from both parents. The next step in this research is to conduct further backcrosses with Inpari 42 to develop a stable aromatic variety, combining the high-yielding characteristics of Inpari 42 with the aromatic traits of Merah Wangi. These findings highlight the potential of BC₁F₁ lines for developing high-yielding aromatic rice varieties suitable for diverse agricultural settings.

Pre-harvest sprouting is a major physiological problem in rice caused by prolonged rainfall and high humidity during the harvest period, and it is one of the most important targets in current rice breeding programs. In this study, the effect of cold and freezing storage on the pre-harvest sprouting rate was investigated using ten rice varieties under four different treatments. The result showed storage treatments of panicle samples used for germinate evaluation had no significant influence on the pre-harvest sprouting rate. These findings may enhance the efficiency of mass screening for pre-harvest sprouting and support the development of tolerant rice varieties.

Salicylic acid (SA) is a plant hormone that has a significant role in many biochemical processes involved in cotton plant resistance against biotic and abiotic stress factors. Exogenous SA has been shown to have effects on plant growth and development, resistance to fungi and insects, and mitigation of abiotic stress factors. Treating cotton seedlings or plants with SA in a culture medium or spraying them with SA has enabled scientists to identify genes responsible for this chemical, associated with several biological functions. SA has been established as part of the defense system in cotton plants: antifungal resistance and insect resistance. Besides, it is a part of plant growth and development as well as fiber development. Identifying SA-responsive genes and understanding their roles in plant resistance enables the development of stress-resistant genotypes. This paper reviews scientific data resulting from the treatment of cotton plants with exogenous SA. In the first section, we discussed antifungal resistance-related data linked to SA treatment, which makes up the highest content of the review. We highlighted its significant role in cotton plant antifungal resistance. The second section deals with SA-responsive genes and metabolites linked with insect resistance. In the third section, we reviewed SA-responsive genes and enzymes associated with cotton plant growth and development. The scientific data regarding SA-linked cotton fiber development have been discussed in the last section. In summary, we discussed SA-responsive genes, proteins, and metabolites that could be used to develop genotypes with enhanced traits.

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• Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the Key Genes for Salicylic Acid Biosynthesis in Four Cotton Species
  Jiaqi Lin, Xin Zhou, Shandang Shi, Xin Li, Manhong Wang, Fei Wang, Liping Zhu, Hongbin Li
  International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2026; 27(9): 3936.     CrossRef

This research was conducted to evaluate the contribution of four candidate genes — CsABA2 (CsGy5G015450), CsLRR-RPK2 (CsGy5G015660), CsPM5.2 (CsGy5G015960), and CsaMLO8 (CsGy5G026660) — to powdery mildew (PM) resistance in cucumber germplasms. For this purpose, fifty-four germplasms, consisting of thirty-three breeding lines and twenty-one landraces from fourteen diverse origins, were evaluated for PM-resistance at the adult plant stage and genotyped using molecular markers associated with the four PM-resistance-related genes. According to the phenotypic assessment, sixteen germplasms were susceptible, nineteen germplasms exhibited intermediate-resistant, and nineteen germplasms demonstrated resistant to PM. The results from phenotypic evaluation and genotyping analysis indicated that among the PM-susceptible germplasms, 50% of CsLRR-RPK2, 31% of CsABA2, 25% of CsaMLO8, and 18% of CsPM5.2 had inconsistent genotypes. Genotype inconsistencies among PM-resistant germplasms were observed in 16% of CsLRR-RPK2, 16% of CsABA2, 10% of CsaMLO8, and 10% of CsPM5.2. This study showed that the combination of CsPM5.2 and CsaMLO8 alleles is more effective and beneficial for PM-resistance breeding programs in cucumber. And also, this suggests there is a relationship between PM-resistance and the genotype of a combination of PM-resistance candidate genes. The findings of the genotyping and PM-phenotypic evaluation of the current study may improve selection accuracy in breeding for PM-resistance in cucumber.

Black sapote (Diospyros digyna Jacq.) is a fruit that is rich in benefits and has high economic value. However, the sex of this plant is difficult to determine early, and data on the plant is still very limited. This qualitative quantitative research was conducted to identify the genetic diversity of black sapote based on RAPD marker to determine the sex of black sapote plants. The sample used consisted of seven black sapote accessions with sample codes including P, M1, M2, M3, F1, F2, and F3. This research consists of several stages, namely DNA extraction and PCR amplification using six RAPD primers (OPA 02, OPA 05, OPA 08, OPA 09, OPC 09, and OPD 15), including electrophoresis to visualize amplified DNA. Data were analyzed using NTSYS 2.02 software and dendogram were obtained using the UPGMA method in the SAHN function. The results of the analysis showed that the polymorphism resulting from the seven black sapote accessions ranged from 50–80%, with PIC (Polymorphic Information Content) values ranging from 0.28–0.50. The closest related accessions are M1 with F2, while accession P with F2 has the highest genetic diversity. The OPA 02 primer with a band measuring 380 bp can be used as a putative marker in the determination of the female sex and hermaphrodite of black sapote plants.

Everbearing strawberry cultivars provide fruit during the summer–fall period when June-bearing strawberries are unavailable, but their breeding progress has been constrained by complex trait interactions. To characterize segregation patterns and evaluate phenotypic diversity, we developed an F₁ population from a cross between two everbearing cultivars, ‘Charlotte’ and ‘Flamenco’. Twenty selected progenies were evaluated for 30 quantitative traits encompassing vegetative vigor, inflorescence structure, fruit morphology, firmness, and biochemical composition. Substantial variation was observed among lines, with several individuals exceeding parental performance for key traits such as fruit size, soluble solids content, and sucrose accumulation. Principal component analysis revealed three major axes of variation: fruit composition (sugars and acids), vegetative vigor, and fruit size and morphology. K-means clustering grouped the progeny into three phenotypic classes, representing high-sugar, large-fruited, or vigorous growth types. Notably, some lines combined favorable attributes across classes, such as high sweetness and large fruit, indicating the potential to overcome typical trade-offs between yield and quality. These findings provide a practical framework for breeding selection and highlight superior progeny as immediate candidates for clonal advancement or as parents in future crossing. The results also establish a foundation for integrating phenotypic classifications with molecular tools to accelerate the development of high-value everbearing strawberries.

CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) gene-edited (GEd) crops have demonstrated significant potential to enhance global food security in the face of escalating climate challenges and rapid population growth. Since 2019, for regulatory purposes, the United States (U.S.) and several other countries have recognized transgene-free, genome-edited lines as equivalent to conventionally bred varieties. Notably, the first genome-edited food product, Calyno™ soybean oil, was commercialized in the U.S. and marketed as a non-genetically modified organism (GMO) item. Recently, regulatory frameworks, such as the enactment of the Precision Breeding Law in the United Kingdom, the European Union’s New Genomic Techniques (NGT) legislation, and the repeal of the SECURE Rule in the United States, have further established guidelines permitting the use of genome-edited lines in agriculture similar to with conventionally bred crops, provided that these lines are free of transgenic elements. In Korea, researchers and policymakers are actively engaging in discussions to establish a preliminary review committee for GEd crops to align regulatory practices with international trade standards. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate two gene-edited rice lines for generational stability in terms of molecular characteristics, focusing on edited nucleotide sequences, gene expression, target phenotypes, the presence of transgene elements, and potential off-target effects across multiple generations. Additionally, several technical challenges in nucleotide editing tracing emerged during the evaluation process that warrant further attention. The findings presented in this study are expected to offer valuable insights for shaping the regulatory framework in Korea for CRISPR-based gene-edited crops.

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• CRISPR/Cas9 Mediated Genome Editing for Enhancing Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Rice: An Omics Guided Perspective
  Mahavir Joshi, Pari Panwar, Smile Sharma, Bharat Sagar, Sukhminderjit Kaur, Manikant Tripathi
  Molecular Biotechnology.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.), a valuable medicinal plant with economic importance, serves as a source of both therapeutic compounds and vegetable oil for human use. Genome editing techniques have been widely applied to improve key agronomic traits in various species. Therefore, this study aims to develop an efficient method for seed sterilization and protoplast isolation in milk thistle. For seed sterilization, seed treated with hydrogen peroxide for either 4 hours or 7 hours with ethanol and detergent showed more sufficient to sterilize seed of milk thistle for in vitro growth than ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, and chlorine gas. For protoplast isolation in milk thistle, high-yielding, viable protoplasts were successfully isolated from the leaves of 21-day-old plants using a 2 hours enzymatic treatment containing 2% Viscozyme^® L, 1% Celluclast^® 1.5 L, and 1% Pectinex^® Ultra SP-L. Additionally, transient expression of green fluorescent protein was observed following polyethylene glycol-mediated transfection. Therefore, the seed sterilization and protoplast isolation methods developed in this study can facilitate in vitro culture, gene function analysis, and genome editing aimed at improving agronomic traits in milk thistle.

This research attempted to validate novel molecular markers linked to high antioxidant traits using an F₂ population and a local Thai rice population. We performed total flavonoid content, total phenolic content (TPC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays to assess the antioxidant capacities of rice populations. In the F₂ (“Pathum Thani 1”דHawm Mali Daeng”) population, these traits exhibited a quantitative distribution with high heritability (82.7%–98.3%) and high genetic advance (66%–94%). In validation using 10 molecular markers, OsRc and In1-Rc displayed polymorphism in parent cultivars and in bulked segregant analysis. However, only OsRc had strong associations with TPC (R² = 52.2%, p < 0.001) and FRAP (R² = 43.0%, p < 0.001), whereas In1-Rc featured no significant associations (R² ≤ 0.1%). When verified in Thai rice cultivars, OsRc could discriminate red pericarp rice cultivars with high antioxidant properties from white pericarp cultivars with low antioxidant activity, confirming its efficiency in selecting antioxidant traits in rice. These findings indicate that OsRc is a functional marker for selecting rice lines with high antioxidant activity, thereby facilitating early-stage genotyping in rice breeding programs.

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• Genome-wide association study of antioxidant compounds and antioxidant activity in a panel of Thai rice cultivars
  Saranyu Thaworn, Phanomsak Tomjai, Teerapong Buaboocha, Supachitra Chadchawan, Monnat Pongpanich, Chanita Paliyavuth, Waraluk Kasettranan
  Euphytica.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef

Genetic diversity among 20 Azerbaijani grape (Vitis vinifera L.) accessions was assessed using 10 Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers to elucidate relationships among samples and identify a convenient marker for determining genetic diversity. Based on the polymorphic information parameters such as PIC, EMR, MI, and RP were critically analyzed for utilizing these ISSR primers for genetic variability and 4 ISSR (UBC 811, UBC 812, UBC 815, UBC 857) markers were selected for future germplasm management. The total number of identified bands varied between 2-5. The maximum PIC value was observed in UBC 857 (0.478). Among genotypes, Ag oval kishmish and Yumru kishmish cultivars had the closest genetic similarity index (0.913), while Ag oval kishmish and Marandi, Yerli Muskat and Yabani uzum 1, Yerli Muskat and Yumru kishmish cultivars had the most distant genetic similarity index (0.406). These findings highlight both the complexity of grapevine genetic structure and the value of ISSR markers for detecting non-obvious relationships.

Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis [Willd.] Ohwi & Ohashi) has recently become widely cultivated in Asia. Generally, it is sensitive to flooding stress. Wild relatives of adzuki bean have shown higher tolerances to abiotic stressors than cultivars, but their responses to flooding are not well understood. In this study, the waterlogging tolerance levels of 202 accessions from two cultivated Vigna species including V. angularis var. angularis (cultivated adzuki bean), V. umbellata (rice bean), and two wild ones consisting of V. angularis var. nipponensis (wild adzuki bean), and V. nakashimae, were evaluated at the early vegetative stage using a foliar damage score. Additionally, the responses of 119 accessions from V. angularis var. nipponesis bean and V. nakashimae to submergence at the germination stage were evaluated using germination-related traits. Among the tested species, cultivated adzuki bean showed the lowest tolerance to waterlogging, while V. nakashimae showed the greatest. At the germination stage, seeds of V. nakashimae were more tolerant of submergence than seeds of V. angularis var. nipponesis, exhibiting significantly higher normal seedling indexes. There was no significant correlation between the early vegetative-stage index and either germination-stage index for both V. angularis var. nipponensis and V. nakashimae, suggesting that the genetic bases regulating flooding stress responses at the two growth stages differ. However, we identified four V. nakashimae accessions that exhibited tolerant or very tolerant responses to flooding at both stages, suggesting their potential for use in breeding flood-tolerant adzuki bean varieties.

Triticum aestivum L., commonly known as wheat, has long been considered one of the most important crops worldwide. Over the past 20 years, there has been a notable increase in domestic demand for wheat in South Korea, raising interest in locally grown varieties. In recent years, an expansion in reclaimed land areas has prompted extensive research into crop breeding and varietal improvement for salt tolerance. As part of this research effort, salt-tolerant mutant individuals selected through gamma radiation mutation were used as experimental materials to study the temporal gene expression profiles related to salt response in "Urimil" varieties following salt treatment. In this study, physiological analyses were conducted by measuring the changes in the Na⁺ and K⁺ contents, as well as the K⁺/Na⁺ ratios, in plant leaves as indicators of salt response. RNA-Seq was used to analyze gene expression patterns post-salt treatment across different time points. Furthermore, gene ontology compartmentalized the genes into biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components. Finally, the wheat reference genome was compared with the experimental and control groups to identify non-synonymous SNPs that could induce changes in protein expression. This analysis aimed to investigate the mechanisms of salt tolerance in wheat and to identify candidate genes for further research.

Perilla frutescens is a traditionally cultivated crop in East Asia that exhibits significant morphological variation between its two main variants: var. frutescens and var. crispa. To investigate the genetic basis of trait variation and segregation, we developed an F₂ population from a cross between weedy accessions of the two variants of Perilla and analyzed 107 individuals. Four qualitative and nine quantitative traits were evaluated, including leaf color, stem color, flower color, days to flowering, plant height, and leaf area. The F₂ population showed wide phenotypic variation. In the chi-square test for four qualitative traits, two traits (color of leaf reverse side, color of flower) followed a Mendelian segregation ratio of 1:2:1. Heritability analysis revealed high values for days to flowering and leaf width. In contrast, traits such as number of florets and leaf length exhibited lower heritability, indicating a more substantial influence of environmental factors. Hierarchical clustering analysis grouped the parental lines into distinct clusters, revealing a diverse distribution of F₂ individuals across multiple groups. Some individuals closely resembled one of the parents, while others formed novel clusters, reflecting recombination and the emergence of new trait combinations. These findings underscore the genetic complexity underlying morphological traits in Perilla and highlight the potential of weedy accessions as valuable resources for breeding. The foundation established by this study will aid in developing new cultivars with desirable traits.

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis is a powerful approach for identifying variants associated with the phenotypic variation of complex traits. However, selecting optimal methods and pre-processing steps require considerable time and effort. In this study, we demonstrated applicability and replicability of machine learning (ML) models in QTL analysis by evaluating their performance in comparison with conventional QTL analysis methods using 142 recombinant inbred lines derived from two japonica rice cultivars, Koshihikari and Baegilmi. Random forest and gradient boosting models showed the highest predictive accuracy, and consistently identified three QTLs associated with heading date: qDTH3, qDTH6, and qDTH7. Moreover, ML-based QTL analysis detected minor-effect qDTH10, where Koshihikari allele promoted heading date when combined with Koshihikari alleles of qDTH6 and qDTH7. These results demonstrate the applicability of ML models in QTL analysis on bi-parental mapping population in rice.

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• Machine Learning Method to Select Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Markers for Protein Content, Grain Filling Rate, Height, and Panicle Length in Korean Rice
  Jeong-Gu Kim, Minwoo Kim, Gyu-Hwang Park, Jinhyun Kim, Jinho Jung, Tae-Ho Lee
  Korean Journal of Breeding Science.2025; 57(4): 403.     CrossRef

Polyploid plants, such as hexaploid Solanum nigrum, present new challenges and opportunities for trait improvement due to their complex genome structures and homoeologous gene interactions. Gene editing of homoeologs provides a powerful tool to investigate the inheritance and phenotypic effects of mutations in polyploid systems. Here, we investigated the inheritance and phenotypic traits of homoeolog-edited triple and double mutants in hexaploid S. nigrum. Triple mutant genotypes (sns and snsp) were used for analyzing inheritance patterns through backcrossing and self-pollination, revealing independent segregation of homoeologous variants and consistent genotypic ratios across generations. Yield and related traits were evaluated in fixed double mutants (sns1 sns2, sns1 sns3, sns2 sns3) under greenhouse and open-field conditions. Open-field cultivation significantly enhanced yield, primarily through increased fruit weight per inflorescence, whereas greenhouse cultivation showed more modest improvements. Other traits such as plant weight and Brix values remained largely unchanged. Yield improvements were stable across F3 to F5 generations, with minimal genotype-specific variability. These findings highlight the potential of homoeolog-targeted editing in polyploid plants to achieve stable and environment-specific yield enhancements.

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• Genetic mapping of tomato mutants using InDel markers between S. pimpinellifolium and two S. lycopersicum cultivars
  Smita Mirsyad Warsadiharja, Shandra Amarillis, Jung Heo, Seunghye Park, Hye-yeong Kang, Yong Jun Kim, Junwoo Lee, Kang Il Cha, Eun Song Lee, Ji In Jang, A-ra Joh, Keunhwa Kim, Young Koung Lee, Jong Chan Hong, Soon Ju Park
  Plant Biotechnology Reports.2025; 19(6): 839.     CrossRef

Rice blast, caused by the pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is a highly destructive disease of rice that leads to significant reductions in crop yield each year and poses a serious threat to rice production worldwide. Utilizing R genes to develop resistant varieties continues to be the most cost-effective and efficient approach for managing rice blast. Molecular screening of important blast resistance genes of rice and their allelic diversity were assessed in forty eight wild and local rice genotypes of Bangladesh using ten previously synthesized gene-based SSR markers. A varying range between 18.7% to 87.5% was seen in the genetic frequencies of ten key blast resistance genes. Fourteen genotypes possessed maximum eight blast resistance genes while, nine of the genotypes had seven blast resistance genes. Nine genotypes contained six blast resistance genes and five genotypes had a minimum of two blast resistance genes. At least five positive pieces of the predicted product size were occupied by thirty-five genotypes, among total forty eight genotypes. These findings are important for identifying and incorporating functional resistance genes from Bangladeshi local germplasms into the elite cultivars by using marker-assisted selection and providing better resistance to blast. Marker analysis of resistant and susceptible genotypes using ten RAPD showed that, markers OPA 5, OPF 9 and OPH 18 clearly differentiate resistant genotypes BAU dhan-3 from susceptible genotypes BRRI dhan 28 and BRRI dhan 29 indicating the potentiality of these markers to identify blast resistant rice genotypes and use in marker assisted breeding (MAB) to develop blast resistant high yielding rice varieties in Bangladesh.

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• Genetic diversity and identification of blast resistance genes through SSR markers in Bangladeshi aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces
  Sumi Saha, Md Mamunur Rashid, Rabeya Khatun, Md Sams-Al Safin, Sohana Jui, Mst Tanjina Shahanaj Turin, Md Mamunur Rashid, Md Arifuzzaman
  Ecological Genetics and Genomics.2026; 39: 100481.     CrossRef

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in rice poses significant health risks to consumers. This study aimed to reduce Cd accumulation in the elite Vietnamese rice variety TBR225 (TBR225) by editing the Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein 5 (OsNRAMP5) gene using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR- associated 9 (Cas9) technology. We successfully generated OsNRAMP5 knockout mutants through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Sequencing analysis revealed various mutation types, including deletions, insertions, and substitutions, all resulting in premature stop codons or frameshift mutations. Three homozygous, transgene-free mutant lines were selected for further analysis. These lines exhibited significantly reduced Cd accumulation in roots (78.4-84.5%), shoots (72.3-83.8%), and grains (50.5-66.0%) compared to wild-type plants when exposed to different Cd concentrations. Importantly, the OsNRAMP5 mutations did not adversely affect major agronomic traits, including growth time, plant height, tiller number, grain yield, or amylose content. Additionally, the accumulation of essential micronutrients such as Fe and Zn remained unaffected in the mutant lines. Our results demonstrate the potential of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated OsNRAMP5 editing as an effective strategy for developing low-Cd accumulating rice varieties without compromising agronomic performance or nutritional quality. This approach could significantly contribute to enhancing food safety in regions facing Cd contamination challenges.

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• Genome editing in rice: toward climate-resilient, nutrient-rich yields
  Xin Huang, Wenshu He, Ludovic Bassie, Paul Christou, Teresa Capell
  Trends in Plant Science.2026; 31(7): 925.     CrossRef
• CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) for Multi-Stress Resilience and Prospects for Agricultural Sustainability
  Abdul Malik, Nur Ardiyana Rejab, Muhamad Afiq Aziz
  Journal of Crop Health.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Engineering Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants Using CRISPR Cas: From Molecular Targets to Physiological Resilience
  Komal Sharma, Upma Bhatt, Vineet Soni
  Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition.2026; 26(2): 4593.     CrossRef
• Exploring Flooding Challenges, Causes, and Mitigation Strategies in Rice
  Abdoul-Razak Oumarou Mahamane, Junior S. Kamara, Moise Hubert Byiringiro, Alpha Sow, Khaled F. M. Salem
  International Journal of Genomics.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Liebig Review: Essential and Beneficial Elements in the Regulation of Cadmium Uptake and Tolerance in Crop Plants
  Maria Manzoor, Karl Hermann Mühling
  Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• CRISPR/Cas9 Mediated Genome Editing for Enhancing Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Rice: An Omics Guided Perspective
  Mahavir Joshi, Pari Panwar, Smile Sharma, Bharat Sagar, Sukhminderjit Kaur, Manikant Tripathi
  Molecular Biotechnology.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Harnessing breeding and biotechnological innovations for global food security under climate change
  Obaid Ur Rehman, Feifei Zhu, Xinjuan Hu, Xiangru Xu, Muhammad Uzair, Jiangya Qian, Sajid Fiaz, Shuhao Huo
  Functional & Integrative Genomics.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef

The GeBP gene family, known for its GLABROUS1 enhancer-binding proteins, represents a standard transcription factor characterized by an unconventional leucine-zipper motif. The constituents of this family possess a core DNA-affinity domain. This protein is crucial for controlling plant growth and development. GeBP genes have been analyzed and defined only in some Gramineae crops, Arabidopsis, rice and soybean. However, a comprehensive examination of the role of the GeBP genes in Brassica rapa has yet to be conducted. This study used genome-wide characterization to identify twenty BrGeBP genes and accessible RNA sequencing data to evaluate each gene's expression. Based on phylogenetic research, we grouped 114 GeBP proteins from five different plant species into six groups. Generally, groupings of BrGeBP genes with comparable motifs and exon-intron distribution were conserved. The twenty BrGeBP genes were found on six of the ten B. rapa chromosomes, and one paralog showed segmental duplication. The varied protein motifs and gene structures showed that the GeBP genes had various roles in plants. The functions of BrGeBP genes are numerous and include expressions responsive to specific tissues, stress, and hormones according to cis-elements analysis. Furthermore, expression analysis using RNA sequencing revealed that the genes BrGeBP3, BrGeBP9, and BrGeBP20 showed substantially increased expression in different organs. These findings will aid in elucidating the possible roles and traits of BrGeBP genes in the B. rapa biological cycle and related species.

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for crop growth and development. Although the functions of several genes associated with nitrogen deficiency tolerance have been studied, many genetic components remain unknown. In this study, 190 North Korean (NK) rice genotypes were used to identify genes linked to nitrogen deficiency resistance. The NK population was hydroponically cultivated for 31 days under normal nitrogen (NN) and low nitrogen (LN) conditions. After this period, phenotypic evaluations were conducted on six agronomic traits (SPAD, shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, and tiller number). A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using the phenotypic values and resequencing data from 190 NK rice genotypes. As a result, 107 significant lead SNPs were identified. Among the genes related to these lead SNPs, 12 previously identified NUE-related genes for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and 6 unknown candidate genes exhibited significant differences in haplotype analysis. Nine of the 12 known genes (OsNPF4.1, OsNPF5.16, OsNPF6.1, OsNPF7.2, OsNPF7.7, OsAMT1.2, OsNRT1.3, OsAAP4, and OsLBD37) are involved in nitrogen uptake, while two (OsAAT1 and OsGS1;2) play a role in nitrogen assimilation, and one (OsNLP3) activates nitrate-responsive genes. This work demonstrates that the 190 NK rice genotypes analyzed harbor multiple critical genes involved in nitrogen uptake and identifies additional candidate genes associated with nitrogen deficiency tolerance. The genetic resources containing these known and novel genes for NUE could contribute to breeding rice varieties with high nitrogen deficiency tolerance (NDT).

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• Machine Learning Method to Select Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Markers for Protein Content, Grain Filling Rate, Height, and Panicle Length in Korean Rice
  Jeong-Gu Kim, Minwoo Kim, Gyu-Hwang Park, Jinhyun Kim, Jinho Jung, Tae-Ho Lee
  Korean Journal of Breeding Science.2025; 57(4): 403.     CrossRef

This study evaluates the phenolic content, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of hydro-ethanolic extracts from six medicinal and aromatic plants in Morocco: Eucalyptus torquata, Thymus broussonetii, Lavandula angustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis, Ziziphus lotus, and Acacia raddiana. Sonication was employed for extraction. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and condensed tannin content were quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminum chloride, and hydrochloric acid assays, respectively. Antioxidant capacity was assessed via DPPH, total antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and ABTS assays. Antibacterial activity was measured by the microdilution method. Phytochemical analysis revealed that E. torquata and Z. lotus had the highest total phenolic content, with 86.75 and 87.58 mg GAE/g of dry matter, respectively. T. broussonetii and R. officinalis had the highest flavonoid and condensed tannin content, at 297.12 mg QE/g of dry matter and 5.10 g/L, respectively. E. torquata exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, with DPPH and ABTS values of 0.048 and 0.11 mg/mL, and a ferric reducing antioxidant power value of 209.375 mg/g. R. officinalis showed the highest total antioxidant capacity at 1.03 mg AAE/g of dry matter. All extracts displayed bactericidal effects. R. officinalis demonstrated the most potent antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.625 to 5 mg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentrations from 1.25 to 10 mg/mL. High phenolic content and significant antioxidant activity were noted in E. torquata and R. officinalis. Additionally, all extracts showed substantial antibacterial activity against four bacterial strains, with R. officinalis being the most effective.

The storage proteins in wheat, particularly the high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS), play crucial roles in the processing of flour and the quality of bread made from common wheat. These subunits are encoded by the Glu-A1, Glu-B1, and Glu-D1 loci. This study aimed to determine the composition of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in 89 Mongolian cultivars of spring wheat using KASP markers and sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The result showed the presence of the 5+10 allele at the Glu-D1 locus in Mongolian-developed varieties was confirmed through SDS-PAGE, providing evidence for the synthesis of high molecular weight glutenin subunits. The uniform presence of high molecular weight glutenin subunit alleles across the tested cultivars contributes valuable insights into the bread-making quality of Mongolian wheat varieties.

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• Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of High- and Low-Protein Wheat Lines Reveals Differential Nitrogen Responses at the Seedling Stage
  Min Jeong Hong, Chul Soo Park, Dae Yeon Kim
  Agronomy.2026; 16(6): 628.     CrossRef
• Recent Advances in Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) Research in Wheat
  Min Jeong Hong, Dae Yeon Kim
  Korean Journal of Breeding Science.2025; 57(3): 251.     CrossRef
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  Korean Journal of Breeding Science.2025; 57(2): 65.     CrossRef

The genetic control of rice resistance has been extensively studied, but how the resistance mechanism is genetically controlled has received less attention. This study revealed that the rice resistance mechanism toward brown planthopper was genetically controlled by several genes with several mendelian patterns. The tolerance mechanism is controlled by three complementary genes; this is confirmed by QTL analysis, whereas the Antibiosis is controlled by three separate loci on chromosomes 2, 8, and 11. The antixenosis was controlled by polygenic, but detected locus only on chromosome 3, with minor effects.

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• ‘Drimi9ho’, A Lodging Tolerance with Mid-late Maturing, Improved White-backed Planthopper (Sogatella furcifera) and Cultivation Stability
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