Aims: Marine benthic shell-bearing mollusks are one of the most important components of marine benthic fauna and one of the key groups influencing marine ecosystem and sediments. The west coast of Guangdong is located in the Northern South China Sea (NSCS) and is rich in marine benthic shell fauna. However, it is also the area with a great lack of surveys of the marine benthic shell fauna, which seriously hinders the development of geographical divisions of offshore benthic fauna. Donghai Island and Naozhou Island have been well studied in terms of marine benthic mollusks. They are also the key areas to reveal the geographical pattern of benthic animals in the NSCS. Here we aim to report on the species diversity and geographical distribution of benthic mollusks found on the coast of the two islands and adjacent waters.

Methods: Based on historical records from previous studies, historical specimens preserved in the collection of the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, and more than 2,600 specimens collected in 2021-2023 by the School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, an up-to-date checklist of known marine benthic shell-bearing mollusks living around Donghai Island and Naozhou Island was compiled. The geographical distribution patterns of all species were analysed based on their northern limits in the East Asian continental shelf.

Results: A total of 207 species from 144 genera and 73 families were identified in the field collections. Thirty-eight of these were new to the area. So far, a total of 602 benthic mollusks from 330 genera and 115 families have been recorded in the waters around Donghai Island and Naozhou Island, making this area the most species-rich area on the continental coast of the NSCS in terms of marine benthic shell-bearing mollusks. Of the 602 benthic mollusk species, 26.2% were tropical warm-water species, 49.3% were tropical-subtropical warm-water species and 24.4% were eurythermal species. The number of species that were also recorded in the nearshore waters of Hainan, Beibu Gulf and Eastern Guangdong accounted for 89.0%, 80.2% and 80.2% of the total species, respectively.

Conclusion: The results show that the coast of Donghai Island, Naozhou Island and the adjacent waters are rich in marine benthic shell-bearing mollusks. The shell fauna here has typical tropical characteristics and is most closely related to that of Hainan Island. It is recommended that these two areas could be placed in the same ecoregion with regard to the bioregionalization of the coastal and shelf benthic fauna. The present work enriches the benthic shell-bearing mollusks in the sea east of Leizhou Peninsula and provides up-to-date data to support the bioregionalization of benthic fauna in the NSCS.

Background & Aim: Marine biogeography is a subject investigating the spatiotemporal distributions of marine organisms and the processes and drivers of changes in species distributions. Research in marine biogeography is promising for the conservation of marine biodiversity and the stability of ecosystem functioning and crucial for the sustainability of utilizing marine resources. Species distribution models (SDMs) are an important tool for assessing and predicting the biogeographical changes in marine species distributions.

Progresses: This review consists of three main parts: (1) the development process and current status of marine biogeography studies in China; (2) the commonly used approaches to answer the questions related to marine biogeography with a special focus on SDMs; (3) the research trends and hotspots of marine biogeography studies in China, mainly concerning the shifts in species distribution under global changes, phylogeography of marine species, biological invasion, population connectivity, marine conservation planning, marine ecological restoration and recovery, adaptation of marine species to extreme environments, as well as management of marine fisheries and mariculture planning.

Prospects: In this review, we further outlined the prospects for the future development of marine biogeography and emphasized the importance of optimizing SDMs. We also called for developing comprehensive databases of marine environments and organisms to strengthen the integration of marine biogeography with other disciplines. We hope this review will provide useful insights for the studies of marine biogeography in China.

Pathogen infection is a serious threat to plant growth and development, causing severe crop yield reduction. The plant immune system, which is mainly composed of PTI (pattern-triggered immunity) and ETI (effector-triggered immunity), plays an essential role in resistance against pathogen infection. A large amount of research focused on resolving the key immune receptors/co-receptors, the components and regulation mechanisms of the PTI and ETI signaling pathways, and the biosynthesis and signaling pathways of the plant immune hormones salicylic acid and jasmonic acid. The major events during plant immune responses include pathogen recognition, the outburst of reactive oxygen species, Ca²⁺ influx, MAPK cascade signaling, and the induced expression of downstream defense genes. Recent studies have revealed that the expression of plant immune-related genes is not only regulated at the transcriptional level. The stability, translation efficiency, and translation products of their mRNAs are affected by a variety of post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, including alternative splicing, m⁶A modification, small RNAs, uORFs, and R-motifs. Here, we summarized the present understanding of the plant immune system and mainly introduced the latest studies of the post-transcriptional regulation of plant immunity. This review also covered some findings that showed how pathogen interferes with the host post-transcriptional regulatory machinery. Some post-transcriptional regulatory elements have been successfully applied in crops. This application provides new molecular tools for improving diseases resistance and contribution to food security, as well as useful components for molecular breeding.

INTRODUCTION Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is one of the foremost vegetable crops globally. Photosynthesis intricately influences the fruit yield of cucumber, and leaf color determines the photosynthetic efficiency to a large extent. Therefore, Leaf color mutants serve as ideal materials for scrutinizing diverse physiological processes, including photomorphogenesis, chloroplast development, chlorophyll metabolism, and photosynthetic mechanisms. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying the yellowing lethal phenotype remain unclear.

RATIONALE In this study, a stable cucumber yellowing lethal mutant, ycl(yellow cotyledon lethal), was isolated from the near-isogenic line XYYH-2-1-1. The phenotype, leaf microstructure and chloroplast ultrastructure, as well as physiological and biochemical analyses, were conducted on the mutant ycl and the wild-type XYYH-3-1 to explore the physiological mechanisms underlying the yellowing lethal phenotype. Preliminary localisation of yellowing lethal mutation genes was performed by whole genome resequencing using BSA. The integration of transcriptome sequencing allowed us to analyze the expression of genes related to yellowing death and the main pathways. This approach laid a solid foundation for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms responsible for the lethal phenotype associated with yclyellowing.

RESULTS The ycl mutant exhibited yellow cotyledons, which ultimately withered and perished within approximately two weeks. Notably, its growth-inhibiting phenotype appeared to be light-independent. Compared to the wild type, ycl accumulated extremely low Chl a and Chl b contents, which was consistent with the blockade in the magnesium ion chelation process within the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway. Microscopic and ultrastructural analyses revealed disordered ycl leaf structure and inhibited chloroplast development. Additionally, the ycl mutant displayed significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde contents, suggesting elevated oxidative stress levels and robust antioxidant capacities. The substantial decrease in net photosynthetic rate and rise in intercellular CO₂ concentration in ycl were hypothesized to stem from reduced stomatal conductance, diminished chlorophyll content, and impaired chloroplast development in the mutant. Transcriptomic analyses suggested that key pathways including photosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, chlorophyll metabolism, and reactive oxygen species metabolism were affected in ycl. The ycl mutant gene was preliminarily mapped to a region between 1.48 to 1.9 Mb on chromosome 3 through BSA-seq analysis, encompassing 41 candidate genes.

CONCLUSION The study investigated the physiological mechanisms underlying the yellowing lethal phenotype of the yclmutant, preliminarily mapped the mutant gene to chromosome 3, and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and key pathways associated with the lethal phenotype. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of chloroplast development in cucumber.

Phenotypic changes of WT and the ycl mutant at the cotyledon stage under natural light conditions, and preliminary mapping of the mutant gene.

Maize (Zea mays) is a staple crop worldwide, serving as a major source for food, feedstock, and industrial materials. Flowering time, a key agronomic trait determining diverse environmental adaptation and yield potential of crops, is determined by two developmental transitions (namely vegetative phase change and floral transition), and complicatedly regulated by internal factors (such as genetic factors and plant hormones) and external environmental factors. Given the importance of flowering time, in this review, we summarize the research progresses on the regulation of the two-phase transitions in maize, mainly focusing on the aspects of structural basis, physiological basis, genetic basis and molecular mechanisms. We also highlight the contribution of key flowering regulators to geographical adaptation of maize, and discuss future research directions on flowering and application in breeding, aiming to deepen our understanding of the genetic regulation of maize flowering and provide a theoretical basis for genetic improvement of maize cultivars adapting to diverse environmental conditions.

INTRODUCTION Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a significant warm-season and water-dependent vegetable crop, is extensively cultivated worldwide. Whether grown in open fields or protected environments, tomatoes frequently encounter various environmental stresses, including drought and low temperatures, which significantly impact their yield and quality. Transcription factors play a pivotal role in plant stress responses by modulating the expression of specific target genes, thereby transmitting perceived stress signals downstream. WRKY transcription factors in tomatoes are known to regulate responses to multiple abiotic stresses. However, the specific role of the tomato SlWRKY45 in abiotic stress responses remains unclear.

RATIONALE Studies have demonstrated that WRKY transcription factors play a crucial regulatory role in plant responses to abiotic stress. As an important economic vegetable crop, tomato is susceptible to various environmental stresses during its growth and development. By genetically overexpressing SlWRKY45 in tomato and investigating its function under low-temperature and drought stress conditions, the findings can provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the complex regulatory mechanisms of WRKY transcription factors. Additionally, this research offers valuable candidate genes for breeding stress-resistant tomato varieties.

RESULTS Expression analysis revealed that low-temperature, drought, and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments significantly induced the expression of SlWRKY45. Overexpression of SlWRKY45 enhanced the resistance of tomato plants to drought and low-temperature stresses. Under drought and low-temperature conditions, the photosynthetic indices, antioxidant enzyme activities, and proline (Pro) contents in SlWRKY45 overexpression lines were significantly higher than those in wild-type (WT) plants. Conversely, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in SlWRKY45-OE plants was significantly lower than in WT plants under the same stress conditions. Transcriptome data analysis indicated that SlWRKY45 regulates tomato's response to low-temperature stress primarily by influencing antioxidant enzyme activities and stress response pathways. Dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that SlWRKY45 could directly activate the expression of SlPOD1. Furthermore, the interaction between SlWRKY45 and SlWRKY46 was confirmed through yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays.

CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that SlWRKY45 positively regulates drought resistance and low-temperature tolerance in tomato. Additionally, SlWRKY45 can interact with SlWRKY46 and directly activate the expression of SlPOD1. These results offer valuable insights for further research into the regulatory mechanisms underlying abiotic stress responses and provide potential gene resources for genetic improvement through molecular breeding.

Phenotypes of SlWRKY45-overexpressing and wild-type plants under drought and low-temperature treatments

Clarifying the diversity and distribution of wild vascular plants in Shanxi Province is crucial for effective plant diversity conservation efforts in the region. Flora of Shanxi, the most authoritative record of plant cataloging and distribution in Shanxi, has been available for over 20 years. During this period, the plant classification system has evolved significantly, and many new plant records have emerged in Shanxi Province. However, a comprehensive, accurate, and scientific catalog of wild vascular plants remains unavailable. Based on volumes 1-5 of the Flora of Shanxi, this study comprehensively collected relevant literature on vascular plant research in Shanxi since 1980. Using extensive field investigations and related research data collected by the authors in Shanxi Province, the wild plant list was reviewed and refined, including revisions to plant names, protection status, and distribution down to the county level. This dataset presents the latest catalog of wild vascular plants in Shanxi, divided into confirmed and doubtful species lists. As of June 26, 2024, this dataset included 2,438 species, 73 subspecies, 229 varieties, and 4 forms across 147 families and 763 genera. The dataset included lycophytes and ferns (117 species, 4 varieties in 15 families and 34 genera), gymnosperms (13 species, 4 varieties in 4 families and 8 genera), and angiosperms (2,308 species, 73 subspecies, 221 varieties, and 4 forms in 128 families and 721 genera). Additionally, 36 species, 4 varieties in 19 families and 27 genera were listed in List of Key Protected Wild Plants in China (2021), and 119 species, 1 subspecies, and 2 varieties in 47 families and 80 genera were listed in List of Key Protected Wild Plants in Shanxi Province (Jin Zheng Han [2023] No. 126). Further work should prioritize species with limited distribution data and species of concern to further enhance catalog plan in Shanxi Province. This research can provide fundamental data for updating the Flora of Shanxi and advancing plant diversity conservation strategies within Shanxi Province.

Database/Dataset Profile

Title	A dataset on inventory and geographical distributions of vascular plants in Shanxi, China
Data author(s)	Shuai Li, Weihua Liu, Yudan Xu, Xiaobo Tian, Houjuan Song, Xiaoting Yue, Lingling Wu, Qing Zhang, Tieliang Shanguan
Data corresponding author	Tieliang Shanguan (sgtl_55@163.com)
Time range	1980-2024
Geographical scope	Shanxi
File size	571 KB
Data volume	3,078 records
Data format	*.xlsx
Data link	https://doi.org/10.57760/sciencedb.27756 https://www.biodiversity-science.net/fileup/1005-0094/DATA/2024317.zip
Database/Dataset composition	The dataset includes 2 data tables (confirmed and questionable species), containing a total of 3,078 records (2,744 confirmed and 334 questionable) across 22 fields. The 22 fields are as follow: sequence number, main categories of vascular plants, family number, Chinese family name, family, genus number, Chinese genus name, genus, species number, Chinese name, scientific name, author, scientific name in data sources, rank, reference for taxonomic treatment, status, data source, distribution, rank in List of Key Protected Wild Plants in China (2021), whether it is affiliated with List of Key Protected Wild Plants in Shanxi Province, specimen voucher museum collection barcode/journal source, specimen collector/collection number.

Functional gene expression is a basic life process that connects the coding information of a gene to protein products. The level of gene expression is considered as a quantitative trait between genotype and phenotype and plays an important role in response to climatic and environmental changes. First, we systematically summarize regulatory elements of gene expression in plant species and empirical evidence, including the effects of transcription factors and small RNAs on gene expression regulation. Second, this review discusses the eQTL mapping for regulatory elements of gene expression through gene expression-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) and the limitations of this method. This review analyzes the intraspecific variation in gene expression in theory under the processes of mutation, drift and selection and the testing methods. This review also analyzes the interspecific evolution of gene expression under the mutation and drift processes or under the phylogeny-based drift-selection processes and the testing methods. Finally, this review discusses the regulation of gene expression by the plant mating system. Selfing reduces the effective population size, mutation rate, recombination rate and competition from exogenous pollen, and changes the efficacy of natural selection in the gametophytic and sporophytic phases. Selfing regulates intraspecific gene expression variation and interspecific gene expression evolution. This review comprehensively comments on theoretical and practical research progress and existing questions, which aids in our deep understanding of plant gene expression regulation and evolution mechanisms.

In recent years, we have witnessed transformative breakthroughs in plant disease resistance research, particularly in deciphering the intricate interplay between hosts and pathogens. Cutting-edge discoveries span pathogen recognition mechanisms, immune signaling cascades, and multi-layered interactions integrating plants, pathogens, vectors, and environmental variables. Notably, pioneering studies from domestic research institutions have driven progress across pathogen-sensing systems, secondary metabolite-mediated defense, immune module engineering in crops, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions for pathogen-resistant peptide design. The rapid development of CRISPR/ Cas9-based gene editing and AI technologies has further empowered researchers to engineer disease-resistant crop varieties with unprecedented precision. Such progress holds profound implications for ensuring national food security and advancing strategic priorities in disease-resistant crop breeding, marking a transformative era in agricultural biotechnology and sustainable agriculture.

3D reconstruction technology involves using computer graphics and image processing technologies to extract the geometric and topological information of the target object from the two-dimensional image data. This information is then used to create a three-dimensional mathematical model that can be processed by a computer, enabling the virtual reconstruction of the target object. In plant science research, the construction of three-dimensional models has become an effective way to study plant growth and development, morphological structure and functional mechanism. These models provide robust support for multi-scale imaging, measurement and analysis, demonstrating significant application potential in the field of agriculture and forestry. In recent years, advancements in plant 3D reconstruction technology have led to diverse applications in botanical research, covering plant morphological structure modeling, growth and development dynamic monitoring, and plant breeding. In this paper, we summarize the development process of 3D reconstruction technology and its application in plant studies across different scales (from organs and tissues to cells). We focus on the basic principles and applications of these technologies, aiming to provide theoretical and technical support for multimodal cross-scale imaging and plant phenotypic and functional research. Additionally, this work offers a novel approach to understand the principles of plant growth and development and the mechanisms underlying their responses to environmental changes.

Background & Aims: With the development and advancement of artificial intelligence technology, large language models (LLMs), such as Kimi Chat, have begun to play a significant role in biodiversity research. LLMs’s deep learning and natural language processing technologies, augmented by human feedback reinforced learning (RLHF) and proximal policy optimization (PPO), offer new avenues for handling and analyzing large biodiversity data sets.
Progresses: We explore the application of LLMs, taking Kimi Chat as an example, in investigating biodiversity research questions, reviewing literature, designing hypotheses, organizing and analyzing data, and writing research papers, as well as its potential to enhance research efficiency and quality. (1) LLMs can quickly process vast amounts of scientific literature, helping researchers distill key information and swiftly catch up with the latest research trends in specific fields. (2) LLMs can also assist researchers in formulating research hypotheses and designing experimental protocols, thereby providing abundant scientific inspiration, broadening research perspectives, and enhancing the efficiency of the initial stages of research. (3) In terms of research design, LLMs can offer advice on data collection methods, design of experiment, and statistical analyses to ensure the scientific validity and the logic of the research design. (4) LLMs can assist in scientific writing and peer review processes by helping draft scientific papers and providing suggestions for revision and polishing to enhance the quality and readability of the papers, and it also supports researchers in understanding and responding to peer review comments and optimizing the presentation of research findings. We also discuss the challenges and limitations encountered during using LLMs, such as the need for professional judgment, the homogenization of research methods, the accuracy of data and results, and ethical issues. Additionally, we propose strategies for integrating this technology with traditional biodiversity research methods in the future.
Prospects: We demonstrates how LLMs can aid in biodiversity research, thus advancing scientific discovery and ecological conservation strategies.

Background & Aims: Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), widely present in the insect epicuticle, provide significant contributions to many terrestrial insect adaptations. Insect CHCs function primarily in waterproofing, resisting harmful substances, and facilitating chemical communication. Compared to the compositional and functional diversity of CHCs in solitary or subsocial insects, the diversity of social insects offers a valuable source of insights into their unique genetic structure, population composition, and characteristic behavioral patterns.

Progresses: This review characterizes the structures and properties of CHCs that enable particular functions, summarizes their functional diversity, and discusses the influence of both endogenous factors and external elements on the profile variability of CHCs in social insects. Furthermore, potential future research directions are proposed. The CHCs in social insects are regulated through nestmate recognition, caste differentiation, division of labor, social immunity, reproductive state recognition, and inter-specific interactions. Remarkably, some CHCs have been designated for queen pheromones. The CHC profiles of social insects can exhibit remarkable variability to meet the demands of functional differentiation. The synthesis, composition, and content of CHCs in social insects can be influenced by a wide range of internal factors (including gene and hormone levels) as well as extrinsic factors (including diet, gut microbiome, pathogenic organisms, temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, nest materials, etc.).

Prospects: Emerging technologies, such as the quantitative genetic framework, immunohistochemical localization, and fluorescent in situ hybridization, will enable new insights to be obtained into the synthesis, translocation, release, functional diversity, and regulation of CHCs, enhancing our understanding of their role in insect adaptive evolution. The research discussed in this review can provide a theoretical basis for the development of novel technologies to control invasive agroforestry pests.

INTRODUCTION: Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by Verticillium dahliae, severely reduces cotton yield and fiber quality. Previous transcriptomic analysis in V. dahliae-inoculated Arabidopsis thaliana identified the pathogen-induced DIR1-like gene AT3G53980.2. In cotton, we discovered a homologous gene, GhDIR1 (Gh_A09G180700.1), encoding a lipid transfer protein. This study investigates its role in cotton resistance to V. dahliae.

RATIONALE: We characterized GhDIR1’s molecular features, expression patterns under pathogen stress, and functional impact using bioinformatics, subcellular localization, qRT-PCR, and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) analyses. Transcriptomic analysis of wild-type and GhDIR1-silenced plants were conducted to unravel downstream regulatory networks, focusing on metabolic pathways linked to plant immunity.

RESULTS: The results showed that GhDIR1 contains a 351 bp ORF encoding 116 amino acids. Subcellular localization confirmed its presence on the cell membrane. qRT-PCR showed rapid induction of GhDIR1 by V. dahliae. Silencing GhDIR1 increased cotton susceptibility to the pathogen. Transcriptomic data revealed that differentially expressed genes in silenced plants were enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis, sesquiterpene/triterpene biosynthesis, and α-linolenic acid metabolism. Key genes (GhCHS, GhDFR, GhCAD, GhSEQ, GhLOX, and GhAOC) in these pathways were downregulated, suggesting impaired synthesis of protective metabolites.

CONCLUSION: It is speculated that GhDIR1 positively regulates cotton resistance to VW by modulating flavonoid and terpenoid biosynthesis and jasmonic acid-related signaling. Its silencing disrupts critical defense pathways, highlighting its role in coordinating immune responses. These findings propose GhDIR1 as a potential target for enhancing disease resistance in cotton.

The induced expression pattern of GhDIR1 and related genes after inoculation with Verticillium dahliae.

ABF transcription factors are collectively referred to as basic leucine zipper proteins that can specifically recognize and bind to ABA-responsive elements (ABRE), participating in ABA signal transduction and serving as regulators of ABA signal transcriptional responses. This study analyzed the protein encoded by the BnaABF2 gene in Brassica napus. Subcellular localization results showed that the BnaABF2 protein is localized in the nucleus. Analysis of transcriptional activity in the yeast system indicated that BnaABF2 has no transcriptional activation activity; qRT-PCR detection revealed that the expression level of BnaABF2 is highest in leaves. We also found that ABA treatment, simulated drought, and salt stress can induce the expression of BnaABF2; BiFC results showed that BnaMPK1/2/6/7/9/12/13 can interact with BnaABF2. Dual-LUC results suggested that BnaMPK7 may enhance the transcriptional regulation of BnaABF2 on downstream target genes through phosphorylation. This study initially explored the basic characteristics and interacting proteins of the transcription factor BnaABF2, providing theoretical guidance for understanding its functions and mechanisms.

Rice bacterial leaf streak (BLS), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), is a significant quarantine disease. The pathogen exhibits both high genetic diversity and strong transmission capabilities. Driven by agricultural intensification and global warming, BLS has been progressively expanding across major indica rice-producing regions in southern China. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in Xoc-rice interaction mechanisms: (1) Pathogen perspective: elucidating pathogenic mechanisms of virulence factors (including T2SS, T3SS, and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS)) and pathovar differentiation patterns; (2) Host perspective: clarifying advances in PTI/ETI-mediated immunity signaling pathways, resistance (R) gene cloning, and susceptibility (S) gene editing; and (3) Future directions: proposing multi-omics approaches to decode Xoc pathogenicity networks, leveraging pan-genomics for large-scale mining of durable and broad-spectrum R genes, and constructing synergistic systems integrating S gene editing with immune activation to establish systematic solutions for sustainable BLS management.

Organisms have evolved different photoreceptors to adapt to the ever-changing conditions of the external light environment. Phytochromes (phys) are one of the classic plant photoreceptors, mainly perceiving red and far-red light. Phytochromes detect red and far-red light through the light conversion between the dark-adapted Pr state and the light-activated Pfr state. All plant phytochromes have a conserved N-terminal photoreceptor region and a C-terminal regulatory region. The N-terminal includes NTE, PAS, GAF, and PHY subdomains, while C-terminal includes two PAS domains and a histidine kinase-related domain (HKRD). In order to understand how the structure of photochromes controls its function, many function-deficient photochrome derivatives and amino acid point mutants have been obtained and studied. The N-terminal domain plays important roles in the spectral properties, light signal perception and light signal transduction of phyB. The C-terminal domain is essential for dimerization and nuclear localization of photochrome. This paper mainly reviews point mutations of amino acid in various subdomains of phyB in Arabidopsis thaliana and their effects on the function of phyB, in order to have a better understanding of the structure and functional regulation of phyB. It lays a foundation for obtaining crops with desired agronomic characteristics through gene editing.

Promoter is an indispensable regulatory sequence for driving gene expression in higher plants. Different promoter elements cause diverse driving efficiency and space-time specificity. Identifying the structures and functions of promoter elements contributes to a better understanding of the growth and development, multi-stress tolerance, and evolution of plants. With the development of high-throughput sequencing technologies, artificial intelligence and synthetic biology, the techniques for identifying cis-acting elements and constructing artificial biological components that meet the design requirements has gradually emerged, providing a foundation for efficient, precise, and diverse gene regulation in molecular breeding. This article targets on the application of promoter reconstruction in molecular design, introducing the detailed structure and function of higher plant promoters and the methods of cis-acting element identification. We summarized a total of 174 inducible, tissue-specific promoter elements in 27 categories and their applications on artificial modification and synthesis. At the end, we proposed the future directions and methods of the promoter designs. This review will be helpful for the further functional analyses of promoters in higher plants and their applications on molecular design breeding.

Aims: The tagging, positioning, and tracking of animals are crucial approaches to the study of their spatial movements. In China, the application of sensor-based wildlife tracking technologies for free-ranging animals has gained significant traction since the 1980s. These technologies have been widely employed in studies related to wildlife behavior and ecology. To provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of wildlife tracking technologies in China and offer insights into the future, we conducted this review based on comprehensive literature research.

Methods: We systematically searched academic articles on wildlife tracking studies conducted in China from 1970 to 2022. We compiled information of each study, including the type of sensor and tracking technologies used, the taxonomic group of tracked animals, the research field, and the location of study sites.

Results: We collected 519 relevant articles published between 1970 and 2022, encompassing 185 species belonging to 7 classes and 32 orders. The study sites encompassed 34 provinces (including municipalities, autonomous regions, and special administrative regions) in China. We identified four hotspots of tracking studies within the country: the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and surrounding mountainous areas, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the coastal areas from East to South China, and the Northeast China region. Five senor-based tracking technologies were identified in these studies: radio telemetry (RT) (accounting for 47.7% of the total researches), radio frequency identification (RFID) (3.2%), light-level global geolocator sensor (GLS) (0.6%), satellite tracking based on the Argos Satellite System (ASS) (9.3%) or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (39.3%). Among these technologies, VHF radio telemetry has had a longer history and more applications in China; ASS and GNSS technologies have been introduced late but have undergone rapid growth, with GNSS emerging as the most widely applied technology in the past 5 years. Radio telemetry is predominantly employed for large- and medium-sized mammals, small mammals, terrestrial birds, amphibians and reptiles. GNSS technology is mainly applied in tracking swimming and wading birds. ASS technology is primarily used in fish studies, while RFID technology is prevalent in tracking invertebrate. The choice of technology varies across different research fields, with GNSS and ASS satellite tracking being the primary technology used in migration studies.

Conclusions: The application scale of sensor-based wildlife tracking technologies in China is experiencing rapid expansion, resulting in a rapid increase of numbers of tagged animals and accumulated data. In the future, wildlife tracking studies in China should put emphases on: (1) deepening the research to examine the underlying ecological mechanisms and broadening the research scales, (2) facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration and fostering technological innovation, (3) advocating for and promoting data sharing and fostering multilateral cooperation, and (4) continuing to advance the development and improvement of domestic tracking equipment and technologies. This will provide reliable scientific supports for wildlife ecology research and resource conservation and management in China.

Aims: There are 23 targets of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) from the period up to 2030. China is among the mega biodiversity countries with largest human population and faces a lot of challenges on biodiversity conservation. It is very important to understand current biodiversity conservation status and gaps in order to achieve 2030 mission and 2050 vision. In addition, although forestry and grassland administrations in China (FGAC) are considered as the main body of China biodiversity conservation, especially on in situ conservation, ex situ conservation and trade control, there is no detail analysis about the lawful basis and implementation mechanisms of FGAC for the 23 targets. At the same time, there are many national strategic actions or plans on biodiversity conservation, it is very urgent to propose comments and suggestions on these actions or plans in order to make best usage of limited conservation resources. Here we aim to illustrate current biodiversity conservation status and gaps, lawful basis of FGAC’s duties, and propose our suggestions on Chinese biodiversity conservation on 2030 targets.
Methods: We analyzed the lawful basis and implementation mechanisms of FGAC for the 23 targets of KMGBF, from the aspects of ecosystem conservation, species conservation, genetic resources conservation and biosafety, support measures, and fairness requirements. We analyzed the typical route of implementing framework conventions through synergy among governmental sectors, and discussed four stages, i.e. to determine the whole goals, to identify detail targets, to implement relevant actions or plans, enforcement/supervision/evaluation. We also summarized the biodiversity conservation achievements and shortcomings of FGAC, and provided suggestions for future work.
Results: Our analyses indicated that Chinese government attached high importance on biodiversity conservation. The mandate duties of FGAC well consist with 2030 mission. Many national strategic actions or plans on biodiversity were compiled and implemented by FGAC. Many special conservation measures of FGAC, such as ecological conservation compensation and Forestry-Leader Mechanism, had been established and received huge amount support. The conservation networks have been well established and improving across China. The system of in situ conservation, such as national parks, nature reserves, key habitats of wildlife, has been established and improving across all kinds ecosystem and received strong support from governments, local communities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The system of ex situ conservation, such as national botanical gardens, endangered species conservation and research centers, had been well designed and received strong support from national/provincial/municipal governments and scientists. Bilateral and multilateral international co-operations had launched many achievements and contributed to global biodiversity conservation. Public awareness is improved through wide spread communication. Many endangered species have been well protected and the quality of ecosystems is improved onwards. Inner problems related to biodiversity conservation are analyzed. Suggestions are provided regarding in situ conservation, ex situ conservation, enforcement/supervision/ evaluation, and mainstreaming of biodiversity.
Conclusion: Biodiversity conservation has achieved great outcome and is becoming important part of Chinese government. However, there is high pressure for FGAC to implement relevant conservation actions or plans. We propose to improve biodiversity conservation networks, establish biodiversity monitoring system, enhance enforcement, supervision and evaluation, and mainstream biodiversity concept into Chinese culture.

Flow cytometry is a high-throughput technology that allows for the simultaneous and rapid detection of multiple physical and biological characteristics of individual particles. With the significant reduction in sequencing costs, flow cytometry is playing an increasingly prominent role in high-throughput sample acquisition for plant genomics. Taking rice and soybean as examples, this paper describes in detail the application of flow cytometry for fine sorting of plant cell nuclei and the subsequent ATAC-seq and RNA-seq experiments and analysis process, which provides a preferred tool for efficient mining of genes for agrobiological breeding. The key techniques and common problems in the experimental operation, such as the precautions for cell nuclei preparation, the balance between sorting purity and efficiency, and the debugging method for single-cell sorting, were also analyzed and suggested to provide references for the plant scientists in applying flow cytometry to carry out genomics research.

Pinus densata Alliance is one of the most widespread pine forests in mountains of southwest China. Endemic to China, this alliance occurs in west Sichuan, northwest Yunnan, and southeast Xizang. In this study, we defined the geographic distribution boundary and priliminarily ascertained the geographic distribution area of P. densata Alliance based on previous literature and field investigation sites. Using data from 48 plots surveyed during 2020-2022, we proposed a preliminary scheme of vegetation classification and described the community structure characteristics for P. densata Alliance, and analyzed species composition characteristics combined with data from 11 plots surveyed in 2012. The results showed that (1) the distribution area of P. densata Alliance covered 33 counties and cities, including Yajiang, Xiangcheng, Daocheng, Dêqên, Xamgyi’nyilha, Markam, Mainling, and so on, at an altitude ranging from (1 300) 2 500 to 3 800 (4 000) m, and the eastern, western, northern and southern boundaries were Donggu Town in Danba County, Zengqi Township in Sangri County, Puxi Township in Zamtang County, and Yulong Snow Mountain in Yulong Naxi Autonomous County. (2) 522 vascular plant species belonging to 222 genera and 67 families were recorded, among which there were 500 seed plants belonging to 209 genera and 60 families, and 233 Chinese endemic plants belonging to 114 genera and 42 families, and the north temperate element was the dominant areal-type. (3) Based on the differences in community structure and species composition, P. densata Alliance could be classified into 7 association groups and 20 associations.

INTRODUCTION: The genetic diversity of common wheat (Triticum aestivum) has decreased sharply due to the domestication and modern breeding operations, making it more vulnerable to the threats from pests and pathogens. Leaf rust, caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia triticina (Pt), is a devastating disease in wheat. Over 80 leaf rust resistance (Lr) genes have been identified, with nearly half originating from wheat wild relatives. However, the rapid evolution of Pt has rendered many Lr genes ineffective against prevalent Pt races. Consequently, identifying novel sources of resistance in wild relatives of common wheat remains an urgent priority for sustainable wheat breeding.

RATIONALE: As one of the most widely used relatives in the genetic improvement of wheat, decaploid Thinopyrum ponticum shows excellent resistance to multiple diseases including leaf rust. By distant hybridization and chromosome engineering, we created a wheat-Th. ponticum line WTS135. We evaluated its disease resistance with Pt race THTT, developed Th. ponticum specific markers by specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing technology and assessed its agronomic traits by phenotypic investigation. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH)-fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (FISH) and liquid chip analysis have been used to identify its chromosome composition.

RESULTS: WTS135 is immune to the Pt race THTT. Pedigree analysis showed that this resistance originated from the exogenous chromosome of Th. ponticum. GISH-FISH analysis revealed that the wheat chromosomes 7D were replaced by the Th. ponticum-derived chromosomes. Liquid chip analysis showed that the alien chromosomes belonged to the homoeologous group 7, and the density and abundance of the signals in the peri-centromeric region were significantly lower, which was consistent with the GISH results. Therefore, it is indicated that WTS135 is a 7St (7D) disomic substitution line. After detected by the molecular markers related to known Lr genes on wheat 7D chromosome, it is speculated that WTS135 probably carries a novel resistance gene that is different from genes Lr19 and Lr29. Ten primers specific to Th. ponticum were developed to rapidly trace the exogenous chromatin in WTS135. Phenotypic investigation showed that the yield of WTS135 was not significantly different from that of the recurrent parent Jimai 22, suggesting that this line can be useful for improving disease resistance in wheat.

CONCLUSION: Introducing resistance genes from wild relatives into wheat through distant hybridization can broaden the genetic base of wheat and provide new sources for breeding disease-resistant varieties. We developed a common wheat-Th. ponticum 7St (7D) substitution line, which possibly has a novel alien resistance gene and could be used in the breeding for enhancing wheat disease resistance.

Chromosome composition and leaf rust resistance evaluation of WTS135. (A) GISH analysis using Thinopyrum ponticum gDNA as a probe and Chinese Spring gDNA as a block; (B) Mc-FISH analysis using combined oligo probes; (C) The liquid chip analysis of WTS135; (D) Evaluation for leaf rust resistance in WTS135 and its parents (1: WTS135; 2: Xiaoyan 81; 3: Jimai 22, 4: Zhongnong 28, 5: Th. ponticum). The white arrows indicate exogenous chromosomes, purple frames indicate chromosome additions or deletions.

Gene editing technology has become an important tool in crop breeding. Maize, one of the globally most important food crops, has been shown with great potential in the use of gene editing technology in genome research and breeding. In this paper, we reviewed the recent progress and applications of gene editing technology in maize research, with a focus on the latest achievements in maize genome editing by CRISPR/Cas. Firstly, we introduced the basic principles and types of gene editing technology, particularly the working mechanism of the CRISPR/Cas systems, and its application advantages in maize. Secondly, we summarized the research progress of gene editing technology in maize breeding, from basic genome editing to the editing of complex multi-gene regulation, aiming at the improvement of key traits such as yield, grain quality, and stress resistance. Finally, the outstanding research work in maize gene editing in China is presented and the existing issues of gene editing technology in maize breeding are discussed, along with an outlook on future development trends.

INTRODUCTION: The cell wall-associated kinase (WAK) family has annotated approximately 130 WAK genes in the genome of rice (Oryza sativa), which play an important role in rice growth and development and stress responses.

RATIONALE: Here, we investigated the regulation and physiological mechanism of OsWAK16, an encoding gene of the cell wall-associated kinase WAK16-RLK, on rice seed vigor and anti-aging ability.

 
RESULTS: The results showed that before and after artificial aging, the seed vigor of OsWAK16 knock out mutants and overexpression lines was significantly lower and higher than that of wild-type seeds, respectively, indicating that OsWAK16 positively regulates the anti-aging ability of seeds. Physiological and biochemical analyses indicated that compared with wild-type seeds before and after artificial aging treatment, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and electrical conductivity (EC) of seed soaking solution of OsWAK16 knock out mutant seeds were significantly increased, while antioxidant enzyme activity was significantly decreased. The reverse was true in overexpression seeds. In addition, the differential expression of OsWAK16 in three types of seeds, whether artificially aged or not, also caused synergistic changes in the expression of other seed vigor-related genes OsPER1A, OsbZIP23, OsPIMT1, OsSdr4, OsMSRB5 and OsHSP18.2.

 
CONCLUSION: Therefore, it is speculated that OsWAK16 may work synergistically with other seed vigor-related genes to clear reactive oxygen species in cells, thereby regulating seed vigor and anti-aging capacity.

Aims: The Yarlung Tsangpo River, one of the ten longest rivers in China, spans two major zoogeographic regions of the world: The Palearctic and the Oriental realms. While previous papers have focused on small portions of the river, a basin-wide-scale study to catalog its fish composition, diversity patterns, and species fluctuation is lacking. This study synthesized empirical data from field studies over the past two decades on fish diversity in the Yarlung Tsangpo River, compiled a list of fish diversity in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin in China, and analyzed the status of the fish diversity and the main threats to its diversity. The findings provide a scientific foundation for management and conservation of fish diversity in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin.

Methods: In total, 66 sections were included in this study. Of them, 58 were actually surveyed in the field, and 8 were collected from literatures; two in the upper reaches, 40 in the middle reaches, and 24 in the lower reaches; 24 in the main stream, 33 in the tributaries, 2 in the lakes, 3 in the tributary reservoirs, and 4 wetlands. These sampling sections (locations) were selected according to their geomorphological characteristics, as well as the accessibility of each location for sampling. The fish investgations were conducted from 2004 to 2023. Methods for collecting fishes included gillnets, shrimp coops, and battery-powered backpack electrofisher. After compiling the data from all of the sites, the degree of endemicity was calculated using the corrected weighted endemism index.

Results: There are 155 native species in 10 orders, 25 families, and 70 genera in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin. Out of all of the detected species, 29 species and one genus are endemic to the river. Five species were on China’s Key Protected Species List (Grade II); and 26 species were categorised as threatened (i.e. endangered, vulnerable, or near threatened) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and China’s Biodiversity Red List. The sections with high species richness are located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, while the lowest species richness is found in the Great Canyon sections. Fish fauna of the river is dominated by Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and South Asian fishes. The Jiaresa-Bangxin section of the Yarlung Tsangpo River Grand Canyon may be the boundary between the two major zoogeographical regions of freshwater fish. By the end of 2023, 30 species of non-native fish in 8 orders, 16 families, and 24 genera had been recorded in the natural water bodies of the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin. Of these non-native fish species, three species were introduced to different regions within the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin. In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the introduction of both native fishes and non-native cold-adapted fishes through the plateau’s drainage systems.

Conclusion: Through cataloging the fish diversity in the Yarlung Tsangpo River Basin, we found that invasion of non-native fishes is the main threat to fish diversity. In the future, we should focus on fish surveys of lakes and tributaries in the lower reaches of the river, strengthen the resources for data integration, and establish a basin-level data management platform. Further, taxonomic research should be strengthened through international cooperation. Additionally, long-term monitoring of fish resources should be implemented as soon as possible to monitor fish diversity and promote conservation in the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

Soil microorganisms are key drivers of carbon (C) cycling in terrestrial ecosystems not only by facilitating soil organic C decomposition and CO₂ emission, but sequestering atmospheric CO₂ into soil organic C through microbial C fixation. Due to the ubiquitous presence of microorganisms in soils, microbial C fixation is vital for terrestrial ecosystem C cycle globally. In this paper, we explored the mechanisms and determinants of soil microbial C fixation based on data collections and analyses to address the following the three issues: 1) the pathways and processes of autotrophic microbial C fixation in soil; 2) the pathways and processes of heterotrophic microbial C fixation in soil; and 3) the impacts of soil properties, ecosystem types, and climate change (i.e., warming and precipitation change) on microbial C fixation. Overall, the paper provides insights into the dynamics of C fixation in terrestrial ecosystems which is helpful for better understanding the uncertainty of soil C pool in the relationship to microbial C fixation, and which also lays a theoretical foundation for advancing of C cycling models under climate change.

INTRODUCTION: Anthracnose, primarily caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a main diseaseaffecting mangoes, leading to significant postharvest losses by deteriorating fruit quality and reducing shelf life. 

RATIONALE: Addressing postharvest anthracnose is a critical challenge in the mango industry. Biological control methods, such as utilizing antagonistic bacteria, offer sus-tainable alternatives to chemical treatments. This study investigates the efficacy of Ba-cillus velezensis in inhibiting C. gloeosporioides and its potential in preserving mango fruit quality. 

RESULTS: The application of B. velezensis culture filtrate (CF) effectively inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides. At CF concentrations of 2% and 4%, mycelial inhibition rates were 75.18% and 80.96%, respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that both bacterial suspension (CB) and CF treatments significantly re-duced lesion expansion on mangoes, with inhibition rates of 44.33% and 65.00%, respectively. Treated fruits exhibited a slower decrease in titratable acids and maintained higher levels of total phenols and flavonoids, indicating delayed ripening and extended shelf life. 

 CONCLUSION: Bacillus velezensis exhibits strong antagonistic activity against C. gloeosporioides, effectively controlling mango anthracnose and preserving fruit quality. Its application as a biocontrol agent holds promise for sustainable postharvest management in mango production.

INTRODUCTION:An efficient Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation system for Pueraria lobata was established.

RATIONALE: In this study, tissue-cultured plantlets of P. lobata were used as explants to investigate the effects of different genotypes, A. rhizogenes strains, explants, precultivation times, infection times, culture days, subculture times, and culture methods on the efficiency of hairy root genetic transformation in P. lobata.

RESULTS: The results indicated that the induction rate of hairy root formation was the highest when the immature leaves of YG-19 were used as the explant material, reaching 10.2%. A. rhizogenes K599 was identified as the most suitable strain. The optimal explant material was immature leaves that had just unfolded from the first to second nodes of the 5^th to 13^th generation tissue culture plantlets subcultured for 8 days. After 3 days of pre-culture and 15 minutes of bacterial infection, the highest induction rate of hairy roots reached 22.4%. The optimal type of culture medium for the proliferation of hairy roots in P. lobatawas solid medium culture, and the fresh weight of hairy roots grown on solid medium was 75 times greater than that of hairy roots grown in liquid medium. PCR detection and fluorescence microscopy assays revealed that the expression of GFP and rolB genes in the hairy roots of P. lobata was stable, and the rate of cotransformation was 80%.

CONCLUSION: Genotype, A. rhizogenes strain, and culture duration were the most critical factors for the efficient genetic transformation of hairy roots in P. lobata.

Flavonoids are polyphenols compounds produced during the secondary metabolism of plants, which are widely present in plants and have various functions. Flavonoids biosynthesis takes place at the cytosolic side of the en- doplasmic reticulum (ER), but accumulation of various flavonoids is observed in the vacuole. Efficient transport and ac- cumulation systems are therefore required to transfer flavonoids from the ER into the vacuole. Certain researches for the transport of flavonoids has been done for decades. Current research results showed that: there are three transport mechanisms in plants, including glutathione S-transferase (GST), membrane transporters, and vesicle trafficking. Here, we reviewed the three transport mechanisms and advances of plant flavonoids transport in recent years. The functional cooperation of three distinct but nonexclusive mechanisms were summarized. While the biosynthesis of the flavonoids is well characterized across species, the research on flavonoids transport and accumulation is still relatively insufficient. For better understand the flavonoids transport and accumulation mechanism in plant, the relationship between flavonoids modification and transport, flavonoids transport substrate specificity and preference, and transcriptional regulation of flavonoids transport remain deeply unexplored.

Forest size structure (the diameter distribution of trees in a forest) is a comprehensive indicator of forest demographic processes. It is the basis for determining forest successional stage and the state of forest health, estimating forest biomass and predicting forest carbon sink potential. Studies of forest size structure began with statistical descriptions before progressing to theoretical and mathematical deduction. In early statistical studies of forestry, many common probability distribution functions were used to fit plot-scale variations in size structure, but most of these functions were not derived from biological processes and therefore lack clear biological meaning. With the development of macroecology, the principle of maximum entropy and the central limit theorem have been used to explain the relatively consistent forest size structure at large spatial scales. Such models mainly focus on probabilistic statistics rather than ecological processes. Reports of a power-law size structure in natural mature forests in the early 2000s spawned a series of theoretical studies, including metabolic scaling theory and the theory of gap succession, among others. These theories have proposed that the observed power-law size structure results from the relationship between tree size and resource use on the individual scale and tree competition for resources on the community scale. Demographic equilibrium theory provides a general framework for analyzing the relationship between the steady state forest size structure and tree growth and mortality. Under this equilibrium framework, the hypothesis of demographic optimality further provides a new perspective for the analysis of forest size structure. Mathematical models including transition matrices, integral projections, and partial differential equations are powerful tools for analyzing forest size structure dynamics. However, due to the difficulty of identifying time-varying solutions to the mathematical models, most studies have been confined to the framework of forest demographic equilibrium. To understand dynamic variations of forest size structure and predict forest carbon sink potential in a rapidly changing climate, it is essential both to find general time-varying solutions to the mathematical models and to tighten empirical constraints on the effects of climatic factors on forest growth and mortality rates.

Root exudates play an important role in soil carbon balance, acting as an important medium for material and energy exchange and information transfer between plant roots and soil, and also the crucial forms for plant response to environmental changes. Frequent extreme drought events accompanied with global climate change have imposed a profound impact on both above- and below-ground plant growth processes. However, significant limitation exists in understanding the responses of root exudates and their mediated rhizosphere priming effect to drought due to the complexity of root-soil interface interactions and the limitation in devices and methods for collecting root exudates. This paper reviews the effects of drought on the quantity and quality of plant root exudates, with emphasis on the rhizosphere priming effect mediated by root exudates under drought stress. The future research focuses on root exudates was also discussed. This study will provide suggestion for soil carbon sink assessment under the future climate change.

Leguminous plants in arid regions are crucial for maintaining ecological balance and promoting sustainable agricultural development. Clarifying the characteristics and application potential of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) associated with these legumes is of great value for enhancing plant stress resistance and facilitating ecological restoration in arid areas. By exploring the functional diversity of PGPR in the rhizosphere of arid-region legumes and constructing synthetic microbial communities, it is possible to help plants resist abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity, as well as restore degraded soil ecosystems in arid regions. However, systematic research on PGPR of leguminous plants in arid zones remains insufficient. This review focuses on leguminous plants in arid regions of China, clarifies their geographical distribution and ecological advantages in arid environments, and elucidates the stress resistance and growth-promoting mechanisms of legume PGPR, along with their application prospects in enhancing plant stress tolerance. Furthermore, it suggests that future research should focus on in-depth exploration of microbial resources, clarifying the adaptability of legumes to different soil types in arid regions, and promoting the application of PGPR for legumes in arid areas. This study has significant theoretical and practical value for the precise construction and application of synthetic microbial communities to enhance plant stress resistance and ensure ecological and agricultural sustainability in arid regions.

In 2024, the numbers of original research articles published by Chinese plant scientists in mainstream plant science journals increased significantly compared with that in 2023, and important advances have been made in the fields of plant hormone regulation, pathology, synthetic biology, stress resistance mechanism, phylogenetics and genomics. Among them, “Characterization and Heterologous Reconstitution of Taxus Biosynthetic Enzymes Leading to Baccatin III”, and “Reciprocal Conversion Between Annual and Polycarpic Perennial Flowering Behavior in the Brassicaceae” were selected as two of the “Top Ten Advances in Life Sciences in China” in 2024. Here we summarize the achievements of plant science research in China in 2024, by briefly introducing 50 representative important research advances, so as to help readers understand the trend of plant science development in China, and evaluate future research direction to meet major national strategic needs.