The complete chloroplast genome of a purple Ethiopian rape (Brassica carinata: Brassicaceae) from Guizhou Province, China and its phylogenetic analysis

Brassica carinata A. Braun (Ethiopian rape), which was derived from the interspecific hybridization between B. nigra and B. oleracea, is used as both an oilseed and a leafy vegetable. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome of a purple B. carinata was obtained. This cp genome has a typical quadripartite structure and is 153,641 bp in length. The GC content of the cp genome is 36.39%. A total of 113 genes were predicted on this cp genome, including 79 protein coding, 4 rRNA, and 30 tRNA genes. Among these genes, 18 genes were duplicated (7 tRNAs, 4 rRNAs, and 7 protein coding genes). Sixty-eight SSR loci, including 11 compound SSRs, were identified in this cp genome by MISA. The phylogenetic tree analysis fully resolved B. carinata in a clade with B. nigra. This study provides important information for future evolution, genetic and molecular biology studies of B. carinata

Using High-Throughput Phenotyping Analysis to Decipher the Phenotypic Components and Genetic Architecture of Maize Seedling Salt Tolerance

Soil salinization is a worldwide problem that limits agricultural production. It is important to understand the salt stress tolerance ability of maize seedlings and explore the underlying related genetic resources. In this study, we used a high-throughput phenotyping platform with a 3D laser sensor (Planteye F500) to identify the digital biomass, plant height and normalized vegetation index under normal and saline conditions at multiple time points. The result revealed that a three-leaf period (T3) was identified as the key period for the phenotypic variation in maize seedlings under salt stress. Moreover, we mapped the salt-stress-related SNPs and identified candidate genes in the natural population via a genome-wide association study. A total of 44 candidate genes were annotated, including 26 candidate genes under normal conditions and 18 candidate genes under salt-stressed conditions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a high-throughput phenotyping platform to accurately, continuously quantify morphological traits of maize seedlings in different growing environments. And the phenotype and genetic information of this study provided a theoretical basis for the breeding of salt-resistant maize varieties and the study of salt-resistant genes