Xiyong Wang

Calligonum sect. Medusa is an important resource for desert ecological restoration, but practical criteria for elite germplasm screening and reliable methods for identity verification remain limited. We evaluated 13 morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits in 121 individuals conserved ex situ at the Turpan Campus of Yili-Tupan National Botanical Garden (electable) using principal component analysis, membership-function evaluation, hierarchical clustering, and stepwise regression; 20 individuals were further genotyped at 13 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. Trait coefficients of variation ranged from 6.54% to 53.79%, and five principal components explained 68.40% of the total variation. Five candidate elite individuals (ZLY37, ZLY40, ZLY44, ZLY38, and ZLY01) were identified. A reduced six-trait model retained crown width, predawn water potential, plant height, soluble sugar content, plant-form integrity, and assimilating-branch length, from which preliminary empirical reference thresholds were derived. Of the 13 SSR loci, 10 were polymorphic (mean PIC = 0.357), and a candidate five-locus panel distinguished the same 20 individuals used for its selection and enabled fingerprint construction for the five candidates. This study provides a practical framework for preliminary elite germplasm screening and molecular identity verification in Calligonum sect. Medusa, supporting desert ecological restoration, germplasm management, and subsequent cultivar development.

Ammopiptanthus nanus (Fabaceae) is a Class II nationally protected endangered evergreen shrub in China and is endemic to the arid regions of Central Asia. To assess how contrasting ex situ management histories are associated with sequence-variant retention at an ecologically relevant gene, we analyzed a 594 bp coding fragment of the antifreeze protein gene (AnAFP) in one wild population and two ex situ collections maintained under active versus passive management contexts. Only two variable sites were detected across 75 individuals, both represented by single-base indels near the 5′ end of the coding region. The wild population contained both rare variants, the actively managed ex situ collection retained one of them at low frequency, and the passively maintained collection was monomorphic across the analyzed fragment. Rarefaction analysis indicated that the absence of variation in the passive collection is unlikely to be explained by sample-size disparity alone at this targeted locus. Because only one locus was analyzed, these results are interpreted as locus-specific patterns rather than evidence of genome-wide diversity change. Nevertheless, the observed pattern is consistent with reduced retention of rare sequence variants in the passive ex situ collection and with the possibility that a narrow founder base, together with the absence of subsequent genetic supplementation, contributed to this outcome. These results support the view that ex situ conservation of A. nanus may benefit from maximizing founder representation, maintaining sufficiently large managed collections, and combining neutral marker approaches with targeted monitoring of ecologically relevant loci. Targeted loci such as AnAFP should, however, be regarded as complementary indicators rather than stand-alone proxies for broader genetic diversity or adaptive potential.

Background/Objectives: Desert plants exhibit remarkable resilience to extreme environments, and their capacity for population establishment is noteworthy. However, the adaptation process mechanisms of those plants to harsh habitats, particularly concerning intraspecific differentiation and genetic diversity, remain poorly understood, and a comprehensive framework is lacking. Zygophyllum loczyi Kanitz, an annual or biennial desert herb, demonstrates significant phenotypic plasticity across diverse habitats. Methods: Using mixed-effects models, this study examined 20 populations from four deserts to assess phenotypic variation and predict trait_environment relationships. Results: The findings indicated substantial inter-population phenotypic differentiation in Z. loczyi, with greater variation observed between deserts than within them. Traits such as blade length, petal length, sepal length, and stamen length were influenced by environmental conditions. Mixed-effects model prediction showed that the growth location of Z. loczyi significantly impacted its phenotypic traits. The characteristics of the four desert populations displayed varying responses to temperature and moisture changes, with the most pronounced response noted in the Gurbantunggut desert (Gt) population, indicating that survival stress has an important influence on the performance of plants. The single nucleotide polymorphisms result further confirmed that the differentiation and genetic diversity of the Gt population displayed the highest selection pressure, resulting the small effective size of the population. Conclusions: This study uncovers the adaptive mechanism of Z. loczyi to habitat through investigating the inter-population phenotypic differentiation and genetic diversity and provides new insight into local adaptation and evolutionary processes in the desert environment.

This study systematically investigated the genetic characteristics and germplasm conservation strategies of Xinjiang Thompson Seedless grapes (Vitis vinifera Thompson Seedless) and Munake grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Munake) using SSR molecular markers and whole-genome resequencing technology. A genetic diversity analysis of 165 Thompson Seedless accessions with 16 SSR markers identified 442 alleles (27.63 alleles per locus on average), with the expected heterozygosity (He = 0.76) and observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.83) indicating moderate-to-low genetic diversity. A molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) further revealed that 96% of the genetic variation originated within populations, with minimal inter-population differentiation (Fst = 0.04). Phylogenetic reconstruction using SSR markers demonstrated significant genealogical associations between the two cultivars, supporting the hypothesis that Thompson Seedless may have originated from a domesticated lineage of Munake. The selected SSR markers exhibited high discriminatory power (PIC = 0.92), enabling the precise differentiation of accessions with closely related genetic backgrounds. Whole-genome resequencing identified 20,074,046 and 69,214,080 high-quality SNPs in 100 Thompson Seedless and 141 Munake accessions, respectively. Core germplasm banks were subsequently established: the Thompson Seedless core collection (25 accessions) captured 94% of genetic variation, reflecting genetic homogenization driven by intensive clonal cultivation, while the Munake core collection (42 accessions) retained 95% of allelic diversity and resolved regional synonym issues through highly polymorphic SNP markers. A comparative analysis revealed that Munake maintains higher genetic diversity due to natural gene flow, whereas Thompson Seedless faces heightened risks of genetic erosion from prolonged asexual propagation. These findings provide a theoretical foundation and technical framework for precise conservation, varietal improvement, and sustainable utilization of grape germplasm resources in Xinjiang.

In China, the genus Tulipa L. has been identified as a national second-class protected plant. Due to the complex evolutionary and genetic backgrounds of tulips, the taxonomy of the genus Tulipa and its species remains a matter of dispute. The current study is dedicated to clarifying the taxonomic relationship between two closely related species, T. iliensis and Tulipa thianschanica, by integrating morphological, karyotypic, and molecular evidence—a novel framework for resolving taxonomic ambiguities in closely related species. Morphological analyses showed significant differences in filament shape, pistil length, overall plant height, presence or absence of stem hairs, and perianth length and width, which supports the conclusion that they are distinct species (p < 0.001). Karyotype analysis further verified disparities in their chromosome morphology, and distinct karyotype indices and scatter plot distributions suggest differences between the two species. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using Internal Transcribed Spacer sequences (ITSs) and chloroplast genomes confirmed the genetic differences between T. iliensis and T. thianschanica, and there is evidence indicating the possible occurrence of hybridization events. The research findings demonstrate that T. thianschanica and T. iliensis are independent species, thereby providing valuable insights into the taxonomy of wild tulips and contributing to the conservation of these protected species.

Various species from the genus Calligonum L. are widely used in erosion control in Northwest China. Their widespread use and breeding efforts highlight the need for the conservation of the high-quality germplasm resources of this genus. To assess genetic diversity, the genome of Calligonum junceum was screened, and 380,328 SSR loci were identified. After further screening, 17 microsatellite markers were identified and transferred to 11 other species of the genus. When analyzed together, the 11 species showed significant discrimination power (PIC = 0.623), and we detected that the mean number of alleles per locus was 2.684, the overall heterozygosity observed value was 0.295, and the expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.373. Genetic diversity in Calligonum mongolicum was the highest at I = 1.305, He = 0.647, and that of Calligonum gobicum was the lowest at I = 0.127, He = 0.072. The results of this study provide reference SSR primers for the genus Calligonum, supporting the improvement of its germplasm conservation efforts.

Ammopiptanthus nanus, a Tertiary-era endangered plant, is of great scientific value. In this research, we focus on A. nanus population dynamics in an effort to bridge the divide between micro genetic variation and a macroscopic ecological pattern of distribution. The population structure of 129 wild specimens of A. nanus from eight populations was analyzed using EST-SSR molecular markers in this research. The Mantel test and RDA analysis have been used in this research to investigate the factors that influence the genetic diversity of A. nanus. Using 15 pairs of SSR primers, a total of 227 alleles were detected in 129 samples from 8 populations. The mean number of alleles was 17, and the average expected heterozygosity was 0.405. It is shown that wild A. nanus is divided into six individual populations. A. nanus are significantly affected by wind speed in terms of the variation of genetics. It is suggested that a nature conservation area for A. nanus be established as soon as possible, based on our results and the current natural distribution of the species. It is necessary to focus on the issue of pests and diseases while simultaneously preventing the continuation of anthropogenic woodcutting and disaster. Manual seedling collection should be employed in regions where the environment permits. Through making use of manual breeding techniques, this will contribute to the growth of the natural population of A. nanus.

The Tianshan wild fruit forest region is a vital repository of plant biodiversity, particularly rich in the unique genetic resources of endemic medicinal plants in this ecological niche. However, human activities such as unregulated mining and excessive grazing have led to a significant reduction in the diversity of these medicinal plants. This study represents the first application of DNA barcoding to 101 medicinal plants found in the Tianshan wild fruit forests, using three genetic loci along with morphological identification methods. A phylogenetic analysis was performed to delineate species relationships. The results indicate that the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region has been identified as the most reliable barcode for species identification across different families, while combining data from multiple gene segments can improve species detection. Moreover, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to assess and prioritize the 101 medicinal plants, highlighting 23 species as candidates for urgent conservation efforts in the region. The approaches and insights from this study provide a significant benchmark for DNA barcoding studies on medicinal plants with local significance and establish an evaluative framework for the conservation of biodiversity and the surveillance of genetic resources among medicinal plants in the Tianshan wild fruit forest area.

Introduction: The Calligonum species is a typical shrub with assimilative branches (ABs) in arid regions in Central Asia. The nutrient distribution patterns at different reproductive stages are of great significance for further understanding the ecological adaptation and survival strategies of plants.Methods: In the present study, a common garden experiment was employed to avoid interference by environmental heterogeneity. Furthermore, the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) allocation characteristics in the supporting organs (mature branches), photosynthetic organs (ABs), and reproductive organs (flowers and fruits) of Calligonum caput-medusae (CC), Calligonum arborescens (CA), Calligonum rubicundum (CR), and Calligonum klementzii (CK) during the flowering, unripe fruit, and ripe fruit phases were systematically analyzed.Results: Aboveground organs were the main factors affecting the variation of N, P, and K concentrations and their stoichiometric ratios, and the reproductive stages were secondary factors affecting N, P, and the P:K ratio and species were secondary factors affecting K and the N:P and N:K ratios. Meanwhile, significant interactions were found for all three of the aforementioned factors. The N and P concentrations in the ABs of the four species were highest during the flowering phase, while the N:P ratio was lowest, which then gradually decreased and increased, respectively, during plant growth. This result supported the growth rate hypothesis, i.e., that the growth rate is highest during the early growth stage. In the growth period, the N, P, and K concentrations in each organ of the four Calligonum species followed the power law, with the allocation rates of N and P being generally higher than K. There were differences among the species as the N−P scaling exponent in the ABs of CR was only 0.256; according to the scaling exponent law, this species was the least stressed and had the strongest environmental adaptability. Overall, the adaptability of the four species could be ranked as CR > CA > CC > CK. In conclusion, there were significant differences in nutrient traits among different aboveground organs, species, and reproductive stages.Discussion: The results of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the nutrient allocation strategies of different Calligonum species and provide scientific evidence for the ex-situ conservation and fixation application of these species.

From 2016 to 2018, a field survey was conducted on the distribution status of Calligonum junceum community in arid areas of Xinjiang. The results indicate that the Calligonum junceum is distributed mainly between 43.30°~47.38°N and 84.33°- 90.13°E, with an elevation range of 441-936m, and the ideal mean annual temperature range is between 2.99~10.48°C. The most appropriate mean sunshine hours ranged from 2710.28~3140.64 hours. The most appropriate mean precipitation ranged from 72.42~206.01mm. The most appropriate mean evaporation ranged from 1532.27~2768.15mm. The most appropriate WI ranged from 58.81~112.27°C. The most appropriate CI ranged from -87.87~-43.15°C. The most appropriate HI ranged from 0.77~2.89. The analysis suggests that various climatic factors impact the distribution of Calligonum junceum, with thermal conditions exerting the strongest influence, followed by light, precipitation, snow, and human activities.