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Horticulturae
Special Issues
Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops
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Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Developmental Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 21 November 2024 | Viewed by 4368

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Zhaohe Yuan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Interests: tree fruit and nut crops; pomegranate; developmental biology; flower and fruit development; germplasm; genetics and genomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Bo Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Shandong Academy of Grape, Erhuandong Rd., Jinan 250199, China
Interests: grape physiology; grape germplasm; developmental biology; environmental influences on development; adaptation and evolutionary aspects; biotic and abiotic stress responses
Dr. Yujie Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, No. 63 Agricultural Road, Zhengzhou 450002, China
Interests: tree fruit; flower and fruit development; reproductive biology; genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Developmental biology is a field of biological science that explores the processes through which organisms grow, develop, and ultimately mature. In the context of tree fruit and nut crops, developmental biology investigates the intricate mechanisms governing the growth, differentiation, and reproduction of these plants. Understanding the developmental processes in tree fruit and nut crops is crucial for improving crop yield, quality, and resistance to various environmental stressors, pests, and diseases. This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research on developmental biology in tree fruit and nut crops, providing a platform for researchers to disseminate their findings and foster collaboration within the scientific community.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  1. Genetic regulation of fruit and nut development: investigating the genetic factors and regulatory networks controlling the development of fruits and nuts in trees.
  2. Molecular mechanisms of seed and fruit development: exploring the molecular processes involved in seed development, fruit ripening, and maturation in tree crops.
  3. Environmental influences on development: studying the impact of environmental factors such as temperature, light, and water availability on the developmental processes of tree fruit and nut crops.
  4. Nutrient and hormonal regulation: analyzing the role of nutrients and hormones in shaping the growth and development of fruits and nuts in trees.
  5. Reproductive biology: examining the reproductive structures, mechanisms of pollination, and fertilization in tree fruit and nut crops.
  6. Adaptation and evolutionary aspects: investigating the evolutionary history and adaptive traits related to developmental biology in tree fruit and nut species.
  7. Biotic and abiotic stress responses: understanding how tree fruit and nut crops respond to biotic stresses such as pests and diseases, as well as abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, and climate change.
  8. Biotechnological advances in developmental biology: highlighting innovative biotechnological approaches and tools used in the study and manipulation of developmental processes in tree fruit and nut crops.

Submission Guidelines:

Researchers are encouraged to submit original research articles and reviews that contribute significantly to the understanding of developmental biology in tree fruit and nut crops. All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer review process to ensure the highest scientific quality and relevance to the theme of the Special Issue.

We invite researchers, academicians, and practitioners to contribute to this Special Issue and share their valuable insights, discoveries, and innovations in the field of developmental biology in tree fruit and nut crops. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, this Special Issue aims to advance our knowledge and contribute to the sustainable development of tree fruit and nut crop industries worldwide.

Prof. Dr. Zhaohe Yuan
Prof. Dr. Bo Li
Dr. Yujie Zhao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • developmental biology
  • tree fruit crops
  • nut crops
  • genetic regulation
  • molecular mechanisms
  • seed and fruit development
  • flower development
  • environmental influences on development
  • nutrient and hormonal regulation
  • reproductive biology
  • adaptation and evolutionary aspects
  • biotic and abiotic stress responses
  • biotechnology
  • genetics
  • genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 25111 KiB  
Article
Identification of Laccase Genes in Grapevine and Their Roles in Response to Botrytis cinerea
by Ran Wan, Zhenfeng Yang, Jun Liu, Mengxi Zhang, Jian Jiao, Miaomiao Wang, Kunxi Zhang, Pengbo Hao, Yu Liu, Tuanhui Bai, Chunhui Song, Shangwei Song, Jiangli Shi and Xianbo Zheng
Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040376 - 9 Apr 2024
Viewed by 673
Abstract
Laccases are the key enzymes responsible for plant lignin biosynthesis and responses to environment stress. However, the roles of LAC genes in plant disease resistance are still largely unknown, especially in grapevine, one of the most important horticultural crops in the world. Its [...] Read more.
Laccases are the key enzymes responsible for plant lignin biosynthesis and responses to environment stress. However, the roles of LAC genes in plant disease resistance are still largely unknown, especially in grapevine, one of the most important horticultural crops in the world. Its quality and yield are very vulnerable to gray mold disease caused by Botrytis cinerea. In total, 30 VvLAC genes were identified and found to be unevenly distributed on seven chromosomes; they were classified into seven groups based on phylogenetic analysis according to the criteria applied in Arabidopsis thaliana. Collinearity and synteny analyses identified some orthologous gene pairs in Vitis vinifera and a few paralogous gene pairs among grape and peach. The VvLAC gene family has diverse gene structures and a highly conserved motif composition. The prominent presence of the MYB cis-elements in each VvLAC promoter highlighted MYB transcriptional factors as the main regulators of VvLAC genes. Furthermore, twenty-five VvLAC genes with functional redundancy are probably implicated in grape lignin biosynthesis. The expression patterns of the LAC genes in grape leaves of Chinese wild V. amurensis ‘Shuangyou’ (SY), a germplasm highly resistant to B. cinerea, were investigated through transcriptomic data and qRT-PCR verification. Combined with the phylogenetic analysis, with AtLACs participating in lignin metabolism, and the cis-element analysis, VaLAC14, VaLAC19, VaLAC24 and VaLAC30 were identified as key candidate genes for lignin biosynthesis in the grape response to B. cinerea. This study supplies a comprehensive understanding of the classification, evolution, structure and responses of the grape LAC genes against B. cinerea. It also provides valuable genetic resources for functional characterization towards enhancing grapevine disease resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops)
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15 pages, 6697 KiB  
Article
Effects of Gibberellic Acid on Soluble Sugar Content, Organic Acid Composition, Endogenous Hormone Levels, and Carbon Sink Strength in Shine Muscat Grapes during Berry Development Stage
by Xiujie Li, Zhonghui Cai, Xueli Liu, Yusen Wu, Zhen Han, Guowei Yang, Shaoxuan Li, Zhaosen Xie, Li Liu and Bo Li
Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040346 - 30 Mar 2024
Viewed by 554
Abstract
The phytohormone gibberellic acid (GA3) is widely used in the table grape industry. However, there is a paucity of information concerning the effects of GA3 on fruit quality and sink strength. This study investigated the effects of exogenous GA3 [...] Read more.
The phytohormone gibberellic acid (GA3) is widely used in the table grape industry. However, there is a paucity of information concerning the effects of GA3 on fruit quality and sink strength. This study investigated the effects of exogenous GA3 treatments (elongating cluster + seedless + expanding, T1; seedless + expanding, T2; expanding, T3; and water, CK) on the content of sugars, organic acids, and endogenous hormones and sink strength. Results showed that T2 treatment displayed the highest fructose and glucose levels at 100 days after treatment (DAT), whereas its effect on tartaric acid, malic acid, and citric acid concentrations at 80 and 100 DAT was relatively weak. Under GA3 treatments, GA3, IAA, and CTK contents increased, whereas ABA content decreased at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 48 h. Analysis of sugar phloem unloading revealed that T2 treatment exhibited the highest values during softening and ripening stages. Our findings indicate that appropriate GA3 application can positively influence sink strength by regulating sink size and activity, including berry size enlargement, sugar phloem unloading, and sugar accumulation in grape sink cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops)
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14 pages, 12833 KiB  
Article
Exploring the PpEXPs Family in Peach: Insights into Their Role in Fruit Texture Development through Identification and Transcriptional Analysis
by Yakun Guo, Conghao Song, Fan Gao, Yixin Zhi, Xianbo Zheng, Xiaobei Wang, Haipeng Zhang, Nan Hou, Jun Cheng, Wei Wang, Langlang Zhang, Xia Ye, Jidong Li, Bin Tan, Xiaodong Lian and Jiancan Feng
Horticulturae 2024, 10(4), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040332 - 28 Mar 2024
Viewed by 617
Abstract
Expansins (EXPs) loosen plant cell walls and are involved in diverse developmental processes through modifying cell-walls; however, little is known about the role of PpEXPs in peach fruit. In this study, 26 PpEXP genes were identified in the peach genome and grouped into [...] Read more.
Expansins (EXPs) loosen plant cell walls and are involved in diverse developmental processes through modifying cell-walls; however, little is known about the role of PpEXPs in peach fruit. In this study, 26 PpEXP genes were identified in the peach genome and grouped into four subfamilies, with 20 PpEXPAs, three PpEXPBs, one PpEXPLA and two PpEXPLBs. The 26 PpEXPs were mapped on eight chromosomes. The primary mode of gene duplication of the PpEXPs was dispersed gene duplication (DSD, 50%). Notably, cis-elements involved in light responsiveness and MeJA-responsiveness were detected in the promoter regions of all PpEXPs, while ethylene responsive elements were observed in 12 PpEXPs. Transcript profiling of PpEXPs in the peach fruit varieties of MF (melting), NMF (non-melting) and SH (stony hard) at different stages showed that PpEXPs displayed distinct expression patterns. Among the 26 PpEXPs, 15 PpEXPs were expressed in the fruit. Combining the expressing patterns of PpEXPs in fruits with different flesh textures, PpEXPA7, PpEXPA13 and PpEXPA15 were selected as candidate genes, as they were highly consistent with the patterns of previous reported key genes (PpPGM, PpPGF and PpYUC11) in regard to peach fruit texture. The genes with different expression patterns between MF and NMF were divided into 16 modules, of which one module, with pink and midnightblue, negatively correlated with the phenotype of fruit firmness and was identified as PpEXPA1 and PpEXPA7, while the other module was identified as PpERF in the pink module, which might potentially effect fruit texture development by regulating PpEXPs. These results provide a foundation for the functional characterization of PpEXPs in peach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops)
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18 pages, 2639 KiB  
Article
Microsatellite Sequence Polymorphisms Reveals Substantial Diversity in Caribbean Breadfruit [Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg] Germplasm
by Oral O. Daley, Angela T. Alleyne, Laura B. Roberts-Nkrumah and Lambert A. Motilal
Horticulturae 2024, 10(3), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10030253 - 6 Mar 2024
Viewed by 801
Abstract
Breadfruit [Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg] is recognized as a tropical fruit tree crop with great potential to contribute to food and nutrition security in the Caribbean and other tropical regions. However, the genetic diversity and germplasm identification in the Caribbean and elsewhere [...] Read more.
Breadfruit [Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg] is recognized as a tropical fruit tree crop with great potential to contribute to food and nutrition security in the Caribbean and other tropical regions. However, the genetic diversity and germplasm identification in the Caribbean and elsewhere are poorly understood and documented. This hampers the effective conservation and use of the genetic resources of this tree crop for commercial activities. This study assessed the genetic identity, diversity, ancestry, and phylogeny of breadfruit germplasm existing in the Caribbean and several newly introduced accessions using 117 SNPs from 10 SSR amplicon sequences. The results showed that there was high and comparable genetic diversity in the breadfruit germplasm in the Caribbean, and the newly introduced breadfruit accessions were based on nucleotide diversity (πT) 0.197 vs. 0.209, respectively, and nucleotide polymorphism (θW) 0.312 vs. 0.297, respectively. Furthermore, the existing Caribbean breadfruit accessions and the newly introduced breadfruit accessions were statistically genetically undifferentiated from each other (p < 0.05). Ancestry and phylogeny analysis corroborated the genetic relatedness of these two groups, with accessions of these groups being present in both main germplasm clusters. This suggests that the existing Caribbean breadfruit germplasm harbors a higher level of genetic diversity than expected. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops)
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17 pages, 5391 KiB  
Article
Exogenous Abscisic Acid Regulates Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and Gene Expression in Blueberry Leaves
by Bin Ma, Yan Song, Xinghua Feng, Qingxun Guo, Lianxia Zhou, Xinsheng Zhang and Chunyu Zhang
Horticulturae 2024, 10(2), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10020192 - 19 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1021
Abstract
Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) leaves have a positive influence on health because of their phenolic contents, including anthocyanins. Phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) promotes anthocyanin accumulation, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear in blueberry leaves. In this study, we found that exogenous ABA [...] Read more.
Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) leaves have a positive influence on health because of their phenolic contents, including anthocyanins. Phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) promotes anthocyanin accumulation, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear in blueberry leaves. In this study, we found that exogenous ABA promotes anthocyanin accumulation in blueberry leaves and we explored the global molecular events involved in these physiological changes by treating in vitro-grown blueberry seedlings with ABA and performing transcriptome deep sequencing (RNA-seq). We identified 6390 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 2893 DEGs at 6 h and 4789 at 12 h of ABA treatment compared to the control. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways related to plant hormone signal transduction and phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis were significantly enriched at both stages of the ABA treatment. Analysis of DEGs in plant hormone signal transduction pathways revealed that exogenous ABA affected the expression of genes from other plant hormone signaling pathways, especially brassinosteroid, auxin, and gibberellin signaling. To elucidate the mechanism driving anthocyanin biosynthesis in blueberry in response to ABA treatment, we screened anthocyanin biosynthesis structural genes (ASG) from the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthetic pathways, MYB transcription factor genes from R2R3-MYB subgroups 5, 6, and 7 and ABRE-binding factor (ABF) genes from the ABA signal transduction pathway. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) analysis indicated that the ABFs, MYBs, and structural genes form a network to regulate ABA-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis and MYBA1 is likely to play an important role in this regulatory network. These findings lay the foundation for improving anthocyanin biosynthesis in blueberry leaves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Developmental Biology in Tree Fruit and Nut Crops)
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