Huachun Guo

Potato cyst nematode (PCN; Globodera spp.) is an internationally quarantined pest threatening potato production in Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou, China. We screened 418 potato accessions using markers 57R (H1), Gro1-4(Gro1-4), and Gpa2-2(Gpa2). Detection frequencies were 40.43% (Gpa2-2), 14.35% (57R), and 3.11% (Gro1-4); 50.48% carried at least one marker, 7.42% carried two markers, and none carried all three. Based on marker genotypes, nine representative accessions (five H1-carrying, two Gpa2-only, two marker-free) were field-tested in a nursery infested with Globodera rostochiensis. All five H1-carrying accessions showed no cyst formation (RF = 0), indicating high resistance. The Gpa2-only accessions had RF values of 0.37 and 0.58, indicating partial resistance, although Gpa2 mainly targets Globodera pallida. Marker-free accessions were susceptible (RF ≥ 0.79). According to international criteria (RF < 0.1 considered highly resistant), five accessions—‘Dianshu 1208’, ‘Dianshu 14023’, ‘Dianshu 1520’, ‘Diancaishu 102’, and ‘Atlantic’—were confirmed to be highly resistant. These results indicate that H1 is associated with effective resistance to G. rostochiensis in the tested accessions and highlight the value of combining marker-assisted selection with field validation for reliable PCN resistance identification.

Potato cultivars are inherently sensitive to high temperatures, and dissecting the mechanisms underlying heat response and tolerance has long been a central focus in potato research. However, the molecular mechanisms governing the short-term heat stress response in potato, as well as the regulatory role of DNA methylation in heat adaptation, remain largely unclear. In this study, we identified breeding line D187 as heat-tolerant and cultivar Q9 as heat-sensitive through microtuber induction under heat stress. We further confirmed that heat-sensitive cultivar Q9 exhibited distinct physiological responses in leaves following 6 h of heat treatment. Comparative transcriptome analysis of leaves exposed to 6 h of heat stress revealed distinct molecular response patterns between D187 and Q9. D187 specifically upregulated genes enriched in heat and other stress response pathways to enhance heat adaptation, whereas Q9 relied on pathways related to RNA modification and splicing, presumably adapting to high temperatures via post-transcriptional regulation. Notably, genes involved in the RdDM pathway were differentially upregulated in both genotypes, and heat stress correspondingly enhanced CHH methylation levels in the vicinity of functional genes in the heat-sensitive cultivar Q9. Treatment with 5-Azacytidine, a DNA methylation inhibitor, exacerbated the inhibition of in vitro tuber formation under high temperatures, indicating that maintaining and enhancing DNA methylation is essential for heat adaptation in potato. Furthermore, overexpression of StAGO4a/b in Nicotiana benthamiana modestly improved heat tolerance, suggesting that StAGO4s act as positive regulators of heat tolerance in potato. Collectively, our results suggest that heat-induced CHH methylation near functional genes via the RdDM pathway contributes positively to heat stress response and tolerance in Q9, providing new insights for identifying heat tolerance regulators from a DNA methylation perspective.

Background: Rainfed rice–potato cropping systems represent an emerging agricultural pattern in Yunnan Province. This study investigates the dynamics of soil nutrient release and microbial community structure under rainfed rice–potato cropping systems. Methods: Four experimental treatments were established using two rice cultivation methods (flooded and rainfed cultivation) as the preceding crop, followed by two distinct potato cultivars: rainfed rice–potato Dianshu 23 (DR), rainfed rice–potato Dianshu 1418 (DY), flooded rice–potato Dianshu 23 (WR), and flooded rice–potato Dianshu 1418 (WY). Soil samples were collected before rice planting and at harvest, as well as before potato planting and at 40-, 80-, and 120-days post-planting. Soil nutrient release dynamics and microbial community composition were analyzed across all treatments. Results: Flooded rice cultivation as the preceding crop exhibited higher soil nutrient depletion compared to rainfed systems, accompanied by more pronounced increases in soil urease and invertase activities. Following potato establishment, rainfed rice–potato systems demonstrated an accelerated release of available nitrogen and potassium during the initial growth period relative to flooded rice–potato systems. At potato harvest, soil urease and invertase activities increased in rainfed rice–potato systems compared to pre-planting levels, while decreasing in flooded rice–potato systems. Proteobacteria constituted the dominant bacterial phylum across all treatments. Rainfed rice cultivation significantly enhanced Cyanobacteria relative abundance, whereas flooded rice cultivation promoted increased Thermodesulfobacteria abundance. Ascomycota dominated fungal communities, with flooded rice showing significantly greater reductions in Ascomycota relative abundance compared to rainfed systems. Rainfed rice–potato systems exhibited superior soil microbial community richness, diversity, and species abundance relative to flooded rice–potato systems. Bacterial genera associated with nitrogen metabolism showed higher relative abundance in rainfed rice–potato systems, as did pathogenic fungal genera. Conclusions: Soil nutrient characteristics and microbial community profiles in rainfed rice–potato cropping systems differ markedly from traditional flooded rice–potato rotation practices. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing water and nutrient management strategies in rainfed rice–potato cropping systems.

While stamen-focused research has predominantly examined flowering ornamental species, the tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms governing anthocyanin biosynthesis in potato stamens remain poorly understood. To characterize the tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms controlling anthocyanin biosynthesis in potato reproductive and storage organs, this investigation employed the red stamen mutant line ‘BF1811-8’ and the commercial cultivar ‘Atlantic’ as experimental models. Anthocyanin composition and quantification were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while RNA-sequencing coupled with quantitative real-time PCR validation enabled comprehensive analysis of differential gene expression patterns within the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. Biochemical analysis revealed complete absence of anthocyanins across all examined tissues in ‘Atlantic’, whereas ‘BF1811-8’ exhibited tissue-specific anthocyanin profiles: stamens accumulated delphinidin and pelargonidin, while tuber skin and flesh primarily contained pelargonidin and peonidin. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes identified significant representation within secondary metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, and pigmentation processes. The transcription factors StMYB4 and StMYBA1 demonstrated positive regulatory roles in anthocyanin biosynthesis within tuber flesh and skin, respectively, while exhibiting coordinated expression with structural genes including CHS, DFR, ANS, and GST. Notably, StbHLH94 showed stamen-specific regulatory activity and demonstrated transcriptional co-regulation with 3GT. These findings provide crucial insights into the tissue-specific regulatory architecture governing potato anthocyanin biosynthesis, establishing a foundation for elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying tissue-specific pigmentation and advancing functional cultivar development.

Potato-based reconstituted rice represents an innovative staple food solution that addresses nutritional and economic challenges. Using fresh potatoes instead of potato flour eliminates nutrient loss and reduces energy costs associated with traditional processing methods. This study examined reconstituted rice produced from the yellow-fleshed ‘Dianshu 1428’ and purple-fleshed ‘Diancaishu 101’ potato varieties, comparing their nutritional and aromatic profiles with commercial rice-based alternatives. The results demonstrated significant nutritional advantages: potato-based reconstituted rice contains 3 g/100 g dietary fiber, a five-fold higher potassium content, and 11–12 times more iron than conventional rice-based reconstituted rice. Unique aroma compounds, including methional, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, α-ionone, and (E,E)-2,6-nonadienal, impart distinctive potato, nutty, fruity, and fatty flavors. Yellow-fleshed varieties contributed 14.1 μg/100 g carotenoids, while purple-fleshed varieties provided 45 mg/100 g anthocyanins. These findings establish that potato-based reconstituted rice offers a superior nutritional composition and unique sensory characteristics compared to traditional alternatives, providing scientific guidance for the selection of the potato variety and product optimization in developing nutritionally enhanced potato staple foods with specific functional and sensory attributes.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an essential crop for food and industrial production, but its cultivation in low-temperature regions is challenging. Therefore, using proteomics quantification technology based on isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification, we investigated molecular responses in potato leaves under cold stress at 1 (L1), 3 (L3), and 6 h (L6), with normal growth as a control. A total of 3292 proteins at all stages were identified, with 125, 250, and 380 differentially abundant proteins at L1, L3, and L6, respectively. The GO and KEGG analysis revealed that these DAPs were linked to photosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and the biosynthesis of ansamycins. Further association analysis showed down-regulation in aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and up-regulation in pathways like alpha-linolenic acid metabolism. At L6, a significant up-regulation of cold tolerance genes was observed. This study provides insight into the proteomic mechanisms of cold tolerance in potato, laying a foundation for genetic breeding.

The temporal dynamics of canopy growth are closely related to the accumulation and distribution of plant dry matter. Recently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with various sensors have been increasingly adopted in crop growth monitoring. In this study, two potato varieties were used as materials, and treated with different combinations of nitrogen forms (nitrate and ammonium) and application rates (0, 150, and 300 kg ha⁻¹). A canopy development model was then constructed using low-cost time-series RGB imagery acquired by UAV. The objectives of this study were to quantify the variation in canopy development parameters under different nitrogen treatments and to explore the model parameters that represent the dynamics of plant dry matter accumulation, as well as those that contribute significantly to yield. The results showed that, except for the thermal time to canopy senescence (t₂), other parameters of the potato canopy development model exhibited varying degrees of variation under different nitrogen treatments. The model parameters were more sensitive to nitrogen forms, such as ammonium and nitrate, than to application rates. The integral area (A_t) under the canopy development curve had a direct effect on plant dry matter accumulation (path coefficient of 0.78), and the two were significantly positively correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.93). Integral area at peak flowering (A_tII) was significantly correlated with yield for both single and mixed potato varieties, having the greatest effect on yield (total effect of 1.717). In conclusion, UAV-acquired time-series RGB imagery could effectively quantify the variation of potato canopy development parameters under different nitrogen treatments and monitor the dynamic changes in plant dry matter accumulation. The regulation of canopy development parameters is of great importance and practical value for optimizing nitrogen management strategies and improving yield.

Roots and tubers make a great contribution to major staple foods and provide good sources of dietary carbohydrates for the nutrition supply and energy recharge of human