Genetic & Breeding · Germplasm Resources · Molecular Biology

• Grapevine VvARF18 Regulates Fruit Expansion and Screening of its Interacting Proteins
• LIANG Jing, ZENG Baozhen, LIANG Guoping, MAO Juan, CHEN Baihong
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 821-834. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0594
• Abstract ( 92 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (5982KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• In order to investigate the molecular mechanism of grape VvARF18 in fruit development，‘Red Globe’grapes（Vitis vinifera‘Red Globe’）were used as materials，the VvARF18 gene was cloned，and analyzed for its bioinformatics，and the gene was heterologously overexpressed in tomato to verify its effect on fruit development. The CDS of the VvARF18 gene was 2 109 bp in length，coding for 703 amino acids，with a pI of 6.50. Phylogenetic analysis showed that VvARF18 was the closest related to the VrARF18 protein of Vitis riparis；the gene was heterologously overexpressed in tomato. Expression，the longitudinal and transverse diameters of T₃ generation transgenic tomato fruits were significantly higher than those of the wild type，and its volume and single fruit mass were significantly increased，suggesting that VvARF18 has a positive regulatory effect on fruit expansion；transcriptional activation assay found that VvARF18 was not toxic but had self-activating activity，and screening of proteins interacting with its conserved functional structural domain B3-Auxin revealed a potential interplay relationship with the signaling complex VvCOP9.
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• Analysis of Genetic Mechanism of Grape Distant Hybridization Based on Population Transcriptome
• WANG Yi, LIANG Zhenchang
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 835-845. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0115
• Abstract ( 83 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (6011KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• The main grape varieties for wineamking are all belongs to Vitis vinifera，and the genetic background is relative narrow. This study investigated the transcriptome diversity of grape berries in 51 accessions，including wild species，Vitis. vinifera，V. labrusca × V. vinifera and interspecific hybrid at green hard，veraison and ripening stages. The result indicated that the diversity of V. vinifera was extremely low and self-incompatibility was severe. Wild accessions maintained greater diversity，while interspecific hybrids can effectively bring these diversities to the cultivated varieties. Gene expression cluster and phenotypic data analysis also revealed that distant hybridization of cultivated and wild species could obtain good berry quality and strong resistance. In addition，transcriptome based diversity analysis can provide more information，and can serve as a supplement to traditional methods. In summary，wild varieties play an important role in grape breeding，and distant hybridization is an important way to recover grape population diversity.
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• QTL Mapping and Identification of Major Genes Regulating Organic Acid Accumulation in Apricot Fruits
• JIANG Fengchao, YANG Li, ZHANG Junhuan, ZHANG Meiling, YU Wenjian, SUN Haoyuan
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 846-856. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0115
• Abstract ( 11 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (2693KB) ( 0 ) 　　　

• Based on a cross between Chuanzhihong（female）and Luotuohuang（male），an F₁ hybrid population of apricot was constructed. The levels of malic acid，citric acid，and total acids in the fruits were determined using liquid chromatography. Additionally，SNP variations in the hybrid population were identified through resequencing data to construct a genetic linkage map for apricots. The findings revealed that malic acid levels increased initially and then decreased during fruit development，while citric acid levels showed a continuous increase. Malic acid and total acids displayed typical quantitative genetic characteristics，whereas citric acid exhibited a positively skewed distribution，indicating the presence of major regulatory genes. The average inter-marker distance in the apricot genetic linkage map was 0.52 cM. Using this map，a total of 11 QTLs were identified，with 88 genes associated with malic acid，310 genes associated with citric acid，and 40 genes associated with total acids. WGCNA analysis demonstrated significant correlations between malic acid，citric acid，total acids，and modules m13，m05，and m08，respectively. Enrichment analysis revealed that candidate genes associated with citric acid were primarily involved in the TCA cycle，pyruvate metabolism，glycolysis/gluconeogenesis，and other related pathways. Intersection analysis of genes related to QTLs，WGCNA，and the TCA cycle identified a single gene，PA08G28879（PaMDH1），present in all three analyses，which may serve as the major gene regulating citric acid accumulation and the candidate gene for exploring the molecular mechanism of organic acid in apricot fruits.

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• Screening of Resistant Germplasm and Identifying Candidate Gene for Phytophthora capsici Resistance in Pepper Germplasm Resources
• YUAN Juanwei, JIA Li, WANG Han, YAN Congsheng, ZHANG Qi’an, YU Feifei, GAN Defang, JIANG Haikun
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 857-871. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0626
• Abstract ( 37 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (5380KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• In order to screen pepper germplasm for disease resistance and explore disease resistance related genes，12 pairs of SSR primers for disease resistance were used for initial and secondary screening of 214 pepper germplasm materials，resulting in 6 pairs of SSR resistant primers with good polymorphism and 56 pepper germplasm with disease resistance. Inoculate resistant pepper germplasm with pepper phytophthora spore suspension and record the disease status，among which 11 were highly resistant. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on pepper stems at different stages after inoculation，and GO，KEGG enrichment，and WGCNA analysis were performed on differentially expressed genes. A total of 15 candidate genes related to disease resistance were screened.
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• Color Characteristics of Broccoli and Cauliflower Leaves Based on the Colorimeter Parameters
• ZHANG Yiying, ZHANG Yu, CHU Yunxia, CHEN Hairong, DENG Shan, LI Aiai, ZHAO Hong, LIU Kun, HAN Ruixi, REN Li
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 872-882. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0029
• Abstract ( 35 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (1654KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• The visual assessment of leaf color by the human eye presents inherent challenges and inaccuracies. To explore the feasibility of quantitative and digital definition of leaf color，this study collected and calculated leaf color parameters（L^*，a^*，b^*，C^*，H^* and E^*）from 56 broccoli（Brassica oleracea var. italica）germplasm resources and 74 cauliflower（Brassica oleracea var. botrytis）germplasm resources by using the colorimeter. These six parameters with leaf color-related traits of broccoli and cauliflower were further investigated. The results showed that the values of the color parameters measured by the colorimeter could effectively reflect the difference between blue-green，green，and gray-green of broccoli leaves and the intensity of cauliflower leaf colors. The values of the color parameters a^* and b^* were essential for identifying broccoli and cauliflower leaf colors. In addition，cuticular waxes on leaf surface also affect the identification of leaf color. The more cuticular waxes resulted in a smaller b^* value，corresponding to the more blue-green leaf color. Moreover，the L^* value could be used to distinguish leaf between broccoli and cauliflower. This study suggests the color parameters measured by the colorimeter can reflect the relevant characteristics of broccoli and cauliflower leaf color，which could avoid the subjectivity and inaccuracy of the color sensory judgment，providing an important reference for the digital description and quantitative analysis of broccoli and cauliflower leaf color and related traits.
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• Hormonal and Transcriptome Analysis of Ripe Fruits of Non-Climacteric and Climacteric Melon
• TANG Lingli, HE Yuhua, WANG Qingtao, AN Lulu, XU Yongyang, ZHANG Jian, KONG Weihu, HU Keyun, ZHAO Guangwei
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 883-896. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0371
• Abstract ( 37 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (3714KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• Melon can be divided into non-climacteric and climacteric according to mature habituation，but the most important hormones，sugar metabolites and genetic regulatory mechanisms remain elusive between non-climacteric and climacteric melon. Plant hormone metabolism detection revealed that abscisic acid（ABA），and the content of 1-aminocyclop ropanecarboxylic acid（ACC），trans-Zeatin Riboside-5′-monophosphate Disodium Salt（tZRMP）and auxin were higher in mature non-climacteric melon. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of these differentially expressed genes（DEGs）revealed“metabolic pathways”，“plant hormone signal transduction”and“biosynthesis of various alkaloids” were significantly different in the ripe fruits of non-climacteric and climacteric melons. The RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses were performed to identify important genes，enzymes and pathways that are involved in sugar and hormone metabolites. CmARF，CmARR2-like，CmGAI-like，CmPP2C，CmACO and CmEIL associated with plant hormone metabolism were identified in mature melon. ABA，Indole，ACC and GA pathways play key roles in non-climacteric melon. While besides ABA，IAA，GA，and ethylene（ETH）signaling pathways were also involved in regulating the maturation of climacteric melon.
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• Characteristic Analysis of Aroma Components in Interspecific Hybrids of Cymbidium
• WANG Jin, GAO Li, HE Hongyu, TU Xunliang, JIANG Yu
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 897-907. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0471
• Abstract ( 38 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (1321KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• Two hybrid progenies，O1 and O2，screened from Cymbidium georingii‘Songmei’（female）and C. sinense‘Cuiyu’（male），were evaluated. The floral morphological indicators were determined. Besides，headspace solid-phase microextraction（HS–SPME）combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（GC–MS）was used to determine the volatile components. Results showed that morphological indicators，such as main petal width，hold flap width，side petal width，and the number of inflorescence of hybrid progenies，were more similar to those of the female parent. On the contrary，traits like scape color，flower color，tongue color，and petal stripes of hybrid progenies were more similar to those of the male parent. Thirty-eight components were identified and sorted into eight major compounds based on their chemical structures：alcohols，terpenoids，esters，alkanes，aldehydes，ketones，alkanes，and acids. Compared with the male parent，the relative contents of common components of progenies significantly reduced，and the aroma substances showed specificity. The O1 had a fruity and green odor，with aldehydes as the main aroma-influencing substances；in contrast，O2 had a higher diversity of fragrance components，with a green odor characterized mainly by alcohol. Based on the characteristics of the components，terpenoids，alcohols，and ketones were critical aroma components of Chinese orchids，with methyl heptenone being a fundamental fragrance substance. The types and content of volatile components determine the material basis of the fragrance of Chinese orchids，and hybrids with unique fragrance types can be bred through hybridization.
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• Construction of Transient Transformation System of Petals in Prunus mume
• TIAN Zhuang, FANG Chenxi, LIU Yating, WANG Yutong, XUE Linlei, SHI Jiaxin, REN Tianfang, ZHANG Junwei, BAO Manzhu, ZHANG Jie
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 908-920. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0448
• Abstract ( 25 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (4519KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• This study takes the petals of Prunus mume as the receptor and GUS gene as the reporter gene. The influences of 7 main factors on the transient transformation efficiency of Prunus mume petals were conducted through an orthogonal design and single factor analysis method. The effects of infection mode，infection time，development stage and genotype on the transient transformation efficiency of Prunus mume petals were investigated by single factor experiment. The results showed that the whole flower vacuum method，infestation time of 15 min，development stage of initial blooming，and‘XueMei’ genotype had the highest transient expression rate of GUS gene，respectively. The orthogonal experiment was further designed to explore the effect of the combination of Agrobacterium strain type，OD₆₀₀ value，Coculture time on the transient transformation efficiency of Prunus mume petals. The results showed that the three factors affected GUS transient expression in the order of coculture time，Agrobacterium strains type，OD₆₀₀ value. Among them，the combination of Agrobacterium EHA105，OD₆₀₀ values is 0.6 and coculture time is 5 d showed the highest GUS transient expression effect of Prunus mume petals（32.67%）. Then，the optimal combination screened was verified by applying an anthocyanin synthesis gene（PmANS）as the target gene.
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• Cloning of the RcRAP2.7 Gene and its Expression Analysis Under Abiotic Stresses in Rosa chinensis‘Yueyuehong’
• MA Yuwan, LIU Ao, LIU Xiangdong, ZHANG Yajing, DONG Xuanke, LI Yufan, CHEN Jiren
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 921-932. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0532
• Abstract ( 42 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (2023KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• In order to investigate the role of RcRAP2.7，a member of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family，in response to abiotic stress in Rosa chinensis‘Yueyuehong’. In this study，the full length of the coding sequence（CDS）of RcRAP2.7 was cloned，and then it was subjected to transcriptional expression analysis. The results showed that the CDS of RcRAP2.7 was 1 338 bp in length，encoding 446 amino acids，and there were two AP2/ERF conserved domains，located in 121–183 aa and 212–276 aa. And the RcRAP2.7 protein was located at the cell membrane and nucleus. Analysis of the promoter region regulatory elements indicated that RcRAP2.7 may be involved in hormone signalling pathways and stress response. Further transcriptional activation activity analysis showed that its C-terminal structural domain possessed transcriptional activation activity. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the expression pattern of RcRAP2.7 differed under various stress conditions such as drought，high salt and extreme temperature. In the leaves，the expression of RcRAP2.7 was down-regulated in high temperature and drought stress as a whole compared with the control，while it was first up-regulated，then down-regulated and then up-regulated in low temperature and high salt stress compared with the control. In the roots，its expression was affected by drought，high salt and extreme temperature，all of which showed a gradual increase with increasing treatment time，with the highest expression at 48 h of stress treatment.
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• Research of Genetic Regulation of Bombax ceiba Prickle Based on Hormone，Transcriptome and Metabolome
• SHAO Yifan, ZHU Baoqing, WANG Tongxin, LIAO Jianhe, WU Fanhua, YANG Siyi, FENG Jianhang, YU Xudong
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 933-946. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0376
• Abstract ( 33 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (3712KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• Key regulatory genes that create prickles in Bombax ceiba were explored via phytohormone assays，transcriptomics，and metabolomics by use of the stem bark from the upper less prickly zone and lower prickly zone. The phytohormone assay revealed that abscisic acid，jasmonic acid，and salicylic acid were higher in the less prickly zone than in the prickly zone，whereas gibberellin was higher in the more prickly zone than in the less prickly zone. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that in the growth hormone biosynthesis pathway，the expression of Aux/IAA protein genes and growth hormone response factor ARF genes was higher in the prickly zone than in the less prickly zone. In the cytokinin biosynthesis pathway，the expression of B-ARR genes was higher in the prickly zone than in the less prickly zone whereas，in the gibberellin biosynthesis pathway，the expression of the GID1，DELLA，and TF genes was higher in the less prickly zone than in the prickly area. Furthermore，the expression of the JAR1，JAZ，and MYC2 genes was higher in the less prickly zone than in the prickly zone in the jasmonic acid biosynthesis pathway. Overall，13 key genes（BRI1，BZR1/2，AUX1，AUX/IAA，ARF，DELLA，JAR1，TGA，PR-1，SIMKK，MYB62，MYB123，and WRKY28） that affected the development of cottonwood prickles were verified by qRT-PCR，which were similar to the results of high-throughput sequencing；thus，supporting the reliability of the RNA-Seq results. Metabolomics screened 2 187 metabolites and 92 differential metabolites and identified that the CCR and COMT genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway as well as FLS genes in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, were related to the formation of cottonwood prickles. In addition，the metabolites（2S）-2-isopropylmalic acid and （2R,3S）-3-isopropyl malate in the valine，leucine，and isoleucine metabolic pathways and quercetin in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway are involved in cottonwood prickle formation.
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Cultivation·Physiology & Biochemistry

• Establishment and Optimization of Regeneration System for Apple Rootstock B9
• TIAN Yufeng, MA Songya, YANG An, HAN Xiaolei, ZHANG Caixia
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 947-958. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0707
• Abstract ( 36 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (7571KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• To establish an efficient regeneration system for apple rootstock，this study utilized detached in vitro leaves from tissue-cultured seedlings of apple rootstock B9 as explants. This study screened key factors influencing regeneration，including various concentrations of phytohormone combinations，durations of dark culture，seedling ages，and hygromycin concentration. The findings revealed that the optimal medium for inducing indefinite buds was MS + 3.0 mg · L^-1 TDZ + 0.3 mg · L^-1 NAA + 30 g · L^-1 sucrose + 7 g · L^-1 agar，with a seedling age of 45 days and a dark culture period of 14 days，leading to the highest regeneration efficiency. The proliferation medium consisted of MS + 0.8 mg · L^-1 6-BA + 0.2 mg · L^-1 IAA + 30 g·L^-1 sucrose + 7 g · L^-1 agar；The rooting medium was 1/2 MS + 0.6 mg · L^-1 IBA + 30 g · L^-1 sucrose + 7 g · L^-1 agar. The appropriate hygromycin concentration for leaf regeneration was 2–4 mg · L^-1，while for rooting，it was 2–3 mg · L^-1.
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Cultivation · Physiology & Biochemistry

• Study on the Characteristics and Regulatory Signals of Programmed Cell Death in the Abscission Zone of Korla Fragrant Pear Induced by Ethephon
• WEN Yue, SHAOBAI Junjie, SUN Tianyu, ZHANG Shuqin, WANG Chunfeng, TIAN Jia
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 959-972. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0372
• Abstract ( 30 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (9946KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• To clarify the characteristics of programmed cell death and the regulatory signals in the calyx abscission induced by ethephon in Korla fragrant pear，in this study，Korla fragrant pears were used as the research material，and applied 300 mg · L^-1 ethephon and equal volume of distilled water（the control）at the large bud stage. Young fruits were collected before abscission zone formation，during abscission zone formation，and after abscission zone formation. The external morphological characteristics of calyx abscission and the microscopic and ultrastructural features of the abscission zone cells under different treatments were observed. The ethylene concentration，reactive oxygen species levels，and Ca²⁺
  content in the abscission zone of decalyx fruits and corresponding parts of the abscission zone of persistent calyx fruits during the abscission process were measured. The results showed that under the ethephon treatment，the external morphological characteristics，microscopic structure，and ultrastructure of the abscission zone cells in Korla fragrant pears were consistent with those of the control during the calyx abscission. Before and during abscission zone formation，the ethylene concentration in the abscission zone of decalyx fruits and the corresponding parts of persistent calyx fruits induced by ethephon significantly increased compared to the control，with increases of 137.38% and 15.02%（decalyx fruit） and 294.95% and 110.16%（persistent calyx fruit），respectively. During the abscission zone formation period，the hydroxyl radical clearance rate，superoxide anion production rate，and Ca²⁺ content in the abscission zone of decalyx fruits under ethephon induction were all significantly higher than the control，being 33.88%，9.38%，and 15.02% of the control，respectively. In summary，exogenous ethephon accelerated the programmed cell death in calyx cells of Korla fragrant pears by increasing the ethylene concentration，reactive oxygen species levels，and Ca²⁺ content in the abscission zone of decalyx fruit，thereby promoting calyx abscission.
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Cultivation·Physiology & Biochemistry

• The Effect of Methionine on the Growth of Peach Tree Shoots and Fruit Quality
• DU Hao, ZHAO Shilong, XIAO Yuansong, LUO Jingjing, PENG Futian
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 973-983. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0295
• Abstract ( 29 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (2675KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• Peach trees have a large amount of new shoot growth and require more pruning labor. Previous studies have shown that amino acid fertilizers can not only be used as a new type of nitrogen fertilizer，but also have a certain effect on controlling the growth of new shoots. However，the effect and mechanism of using methionine to control shoots are not clear. Using 5-year-old‘Yuanxiangmi’peaches as test materials，foliar spraying of equal concentrations of methionine and urea was conducted to analyze their effects on peach shoot growth and fruit quality，providing a theoretical basis for finding safe and effective nutritional green control substances to inhibit redundant growth of peach tree shoots. The research results showed that compared with urea treatment，spraying of low methionine significantly inhibited shoot growth. However，after methionine treatment the net photosynthetic rate of leaves was significantly increased（17.39%），and the content of lignin and pectin in the branches was increased，resulting in an increase in branch strength；Reduced the content of gibberellin（36.85%）and auxin（24.96%）in branches and shoots，while improving the quality of single fruit and increasing the content of soluble solids in fruit.
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• Flavoromics Analysis and Flavor Quality Difference Analysis in Bingtang Oranges
• KONG Jiatao, FU Caixia, WU Yanuo, LIU Yuan, HU Zhehui, XU Juan, HUANG Hao, ZHAO Zhao, CHEN Lei, CHEN Jiajing
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 984-996. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0191
• Abstract ( 28 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (2701KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• In this study，the normal quality，volatile compounds，soluble sugars，organic acids and other flavor metabolites were determined in four mature Bingtang orange sample from Hongjiang in Hunan and Xinping in Yunnan. A correlation analysis was further performed between above indicators and the experiment data of consumer preference and flavor intensity，aiming to determine their flavor differences and identify associated flavor compounds with consumer preference. The result showed that Bingtang oranges from Yunan were superior in terms of mastication，aroma and overall quality. While Bingtang oranges from Hunan had higher organic acids and lower soluble sugars，and hence richer full flavor. In addition，the volatile components were more similar in four samples，while the content of most volatile compounds were significantly higher in peels of sweet orange samples from Yunnan. Therefore，the aroma of Bingtang orange from Yunan was stronger，and the sample from Hunan have a softer aroma. Furthermore，35 different flavor compounds were screened by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA）for distinguishing the flavor qualities of Bingtang oranges between the two regions. Among them，L-proline and (E)-2-hexenal were higher in Hunan samples，whereas D-Limonene，β-Myrcene，α-Pinene，Valencene and γ-aminobutyric acid were more abundant in the fruit sample from Yunnan. And these volatile compounds were determined as biomarkers for the sensory differences of the Bingtang oranges from two regions. And correlation analysis showed that malic acid，citric acid，octanal and (E)-2-hexenal were highly correlated with taste and aroma attributes，respectively，serving as the main driving factors influencing consumer preferences.
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• Effects of Plant Growth Retardants on the Flowering Period of Hemerocallis citrina and Its Metabolites
• MENG Lu, MA Tao, YUE Xinli, WANG Hui, LI Xiaoyu, WANG Li
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 997-1006. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0035
• Abstract ( 33 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (2823KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• The effects of chlorocholine chloride（500，1 000，2 500 mg · L^-1)，uniconazole（50，100，500 mg · L^-1）and paclobutrazol（50，100，500 mg · L^-1）on flowering delay，growth，development and metabolites of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni were investigated. The results showed that the three plant growth retardants had significant effects on the agronomic and economic traits of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni. Uniconazole significantly increased the quality of flower buds，and paclobutrazol treatment delayed the flowering time by 16 days compared with the control. The analysis of metabolites showed that starch and sucrose metabolism，galactose metabolism and aminoacyl tRNA biosynthesis played an important role in the effect of plant growth retardants on flowering. Plant growth retardants mainly regulate the growth and development of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni by increasing the content of amino acids and reducing the content of sugar. The optimal treatment for delaying the flowering time of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni in the Yellow River Basin was 500 mg · L^-1 paclobutrazol.
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• Effects of Reducing Chemical Fertilizer Combined with Organic Fertilizer on Potato Yield and Nutrient Utilization
• LIN Xi, DENG Zhenpeng, YANG Xinyue, ZHOU Keyou, YI Xiaoping, WANG Jichun
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 1007-1019. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2023-1022
• Abstract ( 38 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (1104KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• In 2020 and 2021，a randomized block trial design was adopted，in which no fertilization control（CK），high-volume chemical fertilizer（T1），medium-volume chemical fertilizer + organic fertilizer（T2），medium-volume chemical fertilizer（conventional fertilization by local farmers，T3），low-volume chemical fertilizer + organic fertilizer（T4），low-volume chemical fertilizer（T5）and low-volume chemical fertilizer（T5）were adopted. Studied the changes and differences in potato yield，quality and nitrogen，phosphorus and potassium utilization efficiency. The results showed that the treatment of reducing chemical fertilizer combined with organic fertilizer could significantly improved the utilization efficiency of nitrogen，phosphorus and potassium nutrients in potato tubers，and significantly improved the soil organic matter content and the yield contribution rate of fertilizers，among which T2 treatment was the best. Declining chemical fertilizer will reduce the rate of commercial potato and the number of tubers per plant，which will affect the potato yield. However，organic fertilizer instead of moderate chemical fertilizer can alleviate the negative impact of declining chemical fertilizer on the yield，increase the rate of commercial potato and the number of tubers per plant，and increase the tuber yield. The highest yield of T2 was 18 810.35 kg · hm^-2. At the same time，the content of dry matter，starch，vitamin C and starch will also decrease with the decrease of chemical fertilizer，and the replacement of organic fertilizer can improve the quality decline. The treatment of chemical fertilizer combined with organic fertilizer can increase the content of dry matter，starch，vitamin C and soluble proteins of tuber more than that of single chemical fertilizer treatment，and the quality of T2 was the best. To sum up，the application of organic fertilizer can promote the utilization of nutrients，improve the yield and quality of potatoes.To sum up，the application of organic fertilizer promotes the utilization of nutrients，thus improving the yield and quality of potatoes. Under the same ecological conditions，the application of 750 kg compound fertilizer combined with 3 375 kg commercial organic fertilizer per hectare is more conducive to achieving high yield，high quality and high fertilizer utilization rate.
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Cultivation · Physiology & Biochemistry

• Effects of Exogenous Melatonin on Seed Germination of Watermelon Under Saline-Alkali Stress and Comprehensive Evaluation
• DUAN Qingqing, HAN Meimei, WANG Youping, CHANG Peipei, TAN Yueqiang, ZHANG Zikun
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 1020-1036. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0385
• Abstract ( 35 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (2304KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• In order to explore the optimal melatonin（MT）concentration for promoting watermelon seed germination under saline-alkali stress，the watermelon cultivar‘Zaochun Hongyu’was used as experimental material to study the effects of complexed saline-alkali（molar ratio of NaCl，Na₂SO₄，NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃ was 1︰9︰9︰1）stress on watermelon seed germination and the mitigation effects of pre-soaking seeds with different concentrations of exogenous melatonin（MT）on saline-alkali stress. Results showed that：The relative germination energy（RGE），relative germination rate（RGR），relative germination index（RGI），relative vigor index（RVI），relative root length（RRL），relative shoot length（RSL），relative root fresh weight（RRFW），relative shoot fresh weight（RSFW），relative root dry weight（RRDW），relative total root length（RTRL），relative root projection area（RRPA），relative root surface area（RRSA）and relative root volume（RRV）declined generally with further increase of saline-alkali concentration，but the relative shoot dry weight（RSDW）did not change. Based on the semi-lethal concentration，the mean value of the semi-lethal saline-alkali concentration of all single indicators was obtained by establishing regression equations，which was 66.2 mmol · L^-1 as the suitable concentration for saline-alkali stress test of watermelon. Subsequently，the effects of different concentrations of MT on seed germination and seedling growth under saline-alkali（66.2 mmol · L^-1）stress were investigated. The results showed that exogenous MT soaking increased the RGE，RGI，RVI，RRL，RSL，RTRL，RRPA，RRSA and RRV of watermelon seeds under saline-alkali stress. The 50 µmol · L^-1 MT treatment mainly promoted root morphogenesis，whereas the treatment with 200 µmol · L^-1 MT mainly promoted germination vigor and the growth of radicle and germ. Then all indicators were used to comprehensive evaluate and analyze the effect of exogenous MT by taking the method of fuzzy membership function，and the comprehensive score was ranked as 50 µmol · L^-1 MT > 200 µmol · L^-1 MT > 100 µmol · L^-1 MT > 400 µmol · L^-1 MT > 25 µmol · L^-1 MT > saline-alkali stress. Correlation analysis of all indicators and comprehensive evaluation values of watermelon seeds under exogenous MT treatment was further conducted，the results suggested that 14 of the 15 evaluation indicators had significant positive correlation with the comprehensive evaluation value，indicating that the comprehensive evaluation result was reliable. Among the MT pretreatment，50 µmol · L^-1 treatment had the best effect on promoting watermelon seed germination under saline-alkali stress，which showed the highest activities of SOD，POD，CAT，α-amylase also the highest plant height，relative chlorophyll content，survival rate of seedlings，fresh and dry weight of shoot and root whereas the lowest relative conductivity and content of H₂O₂ and MDA. In conclusion，50 µmol · L^-1 is the optimal melatonin concentration to promote seed germination and seedling growth of watermelon under saline-alkali stress by accelerating starch decomposition and increasing antioxidant levels.
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• The Effects of Rootstocks and Slow-release Fertilizer on the Growth and Ornamental Traits of Triadica sebifera‘Hongzi Jiaren’
• WANG Tiantian, ZHOU Qi, ZHUGE Fei, JIANG Dongyue, LI Yingang
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 1037-1050. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0339
• Abstract ( 27 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (2974KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• This study selected the new cultivar‘Hongzi Jiaren’as the material with one-year-old container seedlings of Triadica sebifera and T. cochinchinensis used as rootstocks，the grafted clones were subjected to different levels of slow-release fertilizer treatment. The growth and ornamental traits，changes in pigment and soluble sugar contents during color change of leaves were measured and analyzed to identify the optimal fertilization and rootstock. The results showed that the grafted clones with T. sebifera as the rootstock had better seedling height and root growth and entered the ornamental period earlier，while the grafted clones with T. cochinchinensis as the rootstock leaves fallen down later. Without fertilization，the anthocyanins accumulation of leaves of grafted clones was faster，and the leaves began to change color earlier. With the increasing of fertilization，the anthocyanins accumulation of leaves were retarded，while the time of most leaves fallen were delayed. Therefore，fertilizations might not only delay leaf color change by slowing down anthocyanins accumulation，but also extended the ornamental period by delaying the time of most leaves fallen. The treatment with T. sebifera used as rootstock and the fertilization amount 2 kg · m^-3  showed the highest values of growth traits（seedling height，rootstock diameter，belowground dry mass，total dry mass and root indicators）and ornamental traits（crown size，crown thickness and number of leaves），suggested a longer ornamental period than the other grafted clones. Thus，the treatment with T. sebifera used as rootstock and the fertilization amount 2 kg · m^-3 was better for growth and ornamental effect of‘Hongzi Jiaren’
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Reviews

• The Regulation of Flesh Color of Horticultural Crops by Transcription Factors
• YUAN Luming, ZHU Hongju, LIU Wenge
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 1051-1064. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0361
• Abstract ( 58 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (1794KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• Flesh color is an important trait of horticultural crops，which is crucial for seeds dispersal，nutrition evaluation and consumer selection. Flesh color exhibits diversity and complexity，for example，green，yellow，and red-flesh were present in kiwifruit，watermelon flesh has yellow，red，white，mixed color. The formation of flesh color is mainly affected by the composition and concentration of pigments，such as carotenoids，chlorophyll，anthocyanins，etc. The regulation of flesh color can be achieved through modulating the expression of key genes in pigments metabolism pathway. Transcription factors（TFs）activate or repress the expression of those genes by interact with promoter of relevant genes and further regulate flesh color. In previous studies，multiple kinds of transcription factors have been discovered and proved to play an important role in regulating genes in pigment metabolism pathways and flesh color，such as MYB，NAC，MADS，WARK and others.
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• Advances in Plant Promoter Research
• ZHANG Zhiyuan, WANG Dan, XI Zhumei, WANG Xianhang
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 1065-1092. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0408
• Abstract ( 33 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (2578KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• In this paper， the structural characteristics of different types of promoters and their roles in gene function research，metabolic engineering，and gene editing（CRISPR/Cas9）were discusses，and summarized the content and methods for promoter identification，aiming to provide insights for a deeper understanding and investigation of the structural characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of plant promoters.
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New Cultivars

• A New Cabbage Cultivar‘Haomei Aoqi’
• LI Qiang, WANG Ying, ZHAO Yuqian, SUI Xuelian, CAI Yumei, SU Yanbin, ZHENG Jinglei, SONG Xiaoming
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 1093-1094. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0721
• Abstract ( 32 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (1195KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• ‘Haomei Aoqi’is a new flat ball autumn cabbage cultivar derived from the cytoplasmic male sterile line CMS06S2 and the inbred line 09S55. The plant is semi-flat in the architecture，grey green in color of leaves with medium wax powder and strong growth power. The head is high oblate in shape，the ball color is grey green，and the weight of a single ball is about 2.0 kg. It has high resistance to Fusarium wilt. It is suitable for planting in open land in autumn in central and southern Hebei，Guanzhong area of Shaanxi，middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River，Shanghai，Jiangsu，Hubei and other areas. It takes about 75 days from transplantation to harvest，the average yield is about 85 170 kg · hm^-2.
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• A New Purple-Red Long Eggplant Cultivar‘Zheqie 11’
• WANG Wuhong, YAN Yaqin, HU Tianhua, HU Haijiao, WEI Qingzhen, WANG Jinglei, BAO Chonglai
• Acta Horticulturae Sinica. 2025, 52(4): 1095-1096. DOI:10.16420/j.issn.0513-353x.2024-0073
• Abstract ( 33 ) HTML ( 0 ) PDF (1226KB) ( 0 ) 　　　
• ‘Zheqie 11’is a mid early-maturing purple-red long eggplant cultivar，derived from the hybridization of the female parent E123-2-11-9-4-7-5-6-9 and male parent E152-2-3-15-6-9-3-5-6. The plant exhibits moderate growth vigor，reaching a height of 92 cm with the first flower appearing at the 9th node. Flowers are purple，accompanied by purple pedicels and calyces. This cultivar produces over 34 fruits per plant，featuring purple-red skin，white flesh，uniform fruit shape，and a glossy，vibrant surface. Fruits measure 30–33 cm in length，2.6–2.9 cm in diameter，and weigh 100–105 g each. Notable traits include high commercial fruit rate，strong continuous fruiting capacity，and strong resistance to diseases，with yields exceeding 58 300 kg · hm^-2 under protected cultivation conditions in Zhejiang Province.
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