Parthenocarpy, the ability of plants to set fruit without fertilization, is a key trait for breeding high-yielding blueberry cultivars, especially in the context of pollination deficits. This study investigates genomic selection (GS) and other molecular breeding methods to accelerate the development of parthenocarpic blueberries. Through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and predictive analysis, researchers identified several promising genetic markers linked to parthenocarpic fruit set, offering a strategic approach to improve blueberry cultivation.

Tanshinones are major bioactive components in Salvia miltiorrhiza and are widely used in cardiovascular therapies. However, their naturally low content limits pharmaceutical utilization. This study reveals a transcriptional regulatory module involving SmWRKY32, SmbHLH65, and SmbHLH85 that directly shapes tanshinone biosynthesis. The researchers demonstrate that SmbHLH65 and SmbHLH85 act as positive regulators promoting tanshinone accumulation, while SmWRKY32 functions as a suppressor by downregulating SmbHLH65. Overexpressing SmbHLH65 or SmbHLH85 significantly increases tanshinone levels, whereas silencing these factors decreases production. These findings uncover a coordinated gene–protein interaction network providing new molecular targets for metabolic engineering to enhance tanshinone yield.

Terpenoids are among the most pharmacologically valuable plant metabolites, yet their biosynthetic gene clusters in Euphorbiaceae have remained largely unexplored. This study establishes a comprehensive genome-wide identification framework and analyzes terpene gene clusters using multi-omics data. A total of 1824 candidate clusters were detected in seven Euphorbiaceae species, and 16 were confirmed as high-confidence terpene clusters after strict screening based on TPS/CYP pairing, copathway linkage, and coexpression patterns. Notably, casbene and casbene-derived diterpenoid gene clusters were identified, providing new clues to the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds such as neocembrene, ingenanes, and jatrophanes. This work lays a foundation for metabolic engineering and drug development linked to Euphorbiaceae terpenoids.

Tea plants are known for their ability to accumulate aluminum (Al), a trait that is beneficial for growth at optimal levels but may pose health risks when consumed in excess. This study identifies a key gene, CsWRKY17, that plays a crucial role in the accumulation of aluminum in the leaves of tea plants. By enhancing pectin deesterification in the cell walls, this gene helps facilitate the binding of aluminum, which is essential for managing Al toxicity. This discovery provides a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating aluminum accumulation in tea plants, offering potential strategies for breeding tea varieties with reduced aluminum content and improved safety.

Flowering time is essential for regulating production cycles and commercial value in chrysanthemum. Researchers have identified a photoperiod-regulated mechanism in which the gene CmARF3 suppresses the transcription factor CmTCP7, relieving inhibition of the floral transition pathway. Silencing CmTCP7 leads to earlier flowering, while CmARF3 overexpression accelerates floral initiation. Reduced CmTCP7 protein level enhances activity of the CmFTL3–CmFDL1 complex and promotes the expression of the floral meristem gene CmCDM111L. This work outlines a multilayer regulatory network controlling short-day flowering and offers potential molecular targets for breeding early-blooming cultivars.

Understanding how fluoride moves from the soil into tea leaves is critical for both plant health and consumer safety.