High ploids of the sugarcane nuclear genome limit its genomic studies, whereas its chloroplast genome is small and conserved, which is suitable for phylogenetic studies and molecular marker development. Here, we applied whole genome sequencing technology to sequence and assemble chloroplast genomes of eight species of the ‘Saccharum Complex’, and elucidated their sequence variations. In total, 19 accessions were sequenced, and 23 chloroplast genomes were assembled, including 6 species of Saccharum (among them, S. robustum, S. sinense, and S. barberi firstly reported in this study) and 2 sugarcane relative species, Tripidium arundinaceum and Narenga porphyrocoma. The plastid phylogenetic signal demonstrated that S. officinarum and S. robustum shared a common ancestor, and that the cytoplasmic origins of S. sinense and S. barberi were much more ancient than the S. offcinarum/S. robustum linage. Overall, 14 markers were developed, including 9 InDel markers for distinguishing Saccharum from its relative species, 4 dCAPS markers for distinguishing S. officinarum from S. robustum, and 1 dCAPS marker for distinguishing S. sinense and S. barberi from other species. The results obtained from our studies will contribute to the understanding of the classification and plastome evolution of Saccharinae, and the molecular markers developed have demonstrated their highly discriminatory power in Saccharum and relative species.

No abstract

IntroductionTraditional chemical control methods pose a damaging effect on farmland ecology, and their long-term use has led to the development of pest resistance.MethodsHere, we analyzed the correlations and differences in the microbiome present in the plant and soil of sugarcane cultivars exhibiting different insect resistance to investigate the role played by microbiome in crop insect resistance. We evaluated the microbiome of stems, topsoil, rhizosphere soil, and striped borers obtained from infested stems, as well as soil chemical parameters.Results and DiscussionResults showed that microbiome diversity was higher in stems of insect-resistant plants, and contrast, lower in the soil of resistant plants, with fungi being more pronounced than bacteria. The microbiome in plant stems was almost entirely derived from the soil. The microbiome of insect-susceptible plants and surrounding soil tended to change towards that of insect-resistant plants after insect damage. Insects’ microbiome was mainly derived from plant stems and partly from the soil. Available potassium showed an extremely significant correlation with soil microbiome. This study validated the role played by the microbiome ecology of plant–soil-insect system in insect resistance and provided a pre-theoretical basis for crop resistance control.

No abstract

A simple fluorescent chemosensor, 5-(diethylamino)-2-((2-(pyrazin-2-yl) hydrazono)methyl)phenol, has been synthesized by Schiff-base condensation reaction. The chemosensor exhibited highly selective and sensitive “off-on” fluorescent responses toward Al3+ and Zn2+ but the signal of fluorescence emission varies. The detection limits were found to be 2.33 × 10−7 M for Al3+ and 1.68 × 10−7 M for Zn2+, respectively. The binding mechanisms between chemosensor and Al3+ or Zn2+ ions were supported by Job′s, 1H NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and MS experiments. The sensing behavior was also studied with molecular logic functions of OR, AND, and NOT gates. In addition, the chemosensor was able to detect Al3+ and Zn2+ by producing distinct color changes observed by the naked eye on sensor-coated swabs. Moreover, the chemosensor was successfully applied to effectively detect Al3+ and Zn2+ in actual water and drug samples.