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Premise Evolutionary studies require solid phylogenetic frameworks, but increased volumes of phylogenomic data have revealed incongruent topologies among gene trees in many organisms both between and within genomes. Some of these incongruences indicate polytomies that may remain impossible to resolve. Here we investigate the degree of gene-tree discordance in Solanum, one of the largest flowering plant genera that includes the cultivated potato, tomato, and eggplant, as well as 24 minor crop plants. Methods A densely sampled species-level phylogeny of Solanum is built using unpublished and publicly available Sanger sequences comprising 60% of all accepted species (742 spp.) and nine regions (ITS, waxy, and seven plastid markers). The robustness of this topology is tested by examining a full plastome dataset with 140 species and a nuclear target-capture dataset with 39 species of Solanum (Angiosperms353 probe set). Results While the taxonomic framework of Solanum remained stable, gene tree conflicts and discordance between phylogenetic trees generated from the target-capture and plastome datasets were observed. The latter correspond to regions with short internodal branches, and network analysis and polytomy tests suggest the backbone is composed of three polytomies found at different evolutionary depths. The strongest area of discordance, near the crown node of Solanum, could potentially represent a hard polytomy. Conclusions We argue that incomplete lineage sorting due to rapid diversification is the most likely cause for these polytomies, and that embracing the uncertainty that underlies them is crucial to understand the evolution of large and rapidly radiating lineages.

Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viviani, commonly known as curl-leaved tobacco, is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to Solanaceae family. This plant is native to Mexico, South America, and parts of the Caribbean and has been reported to be present in Taiwan since 2006. In March 2021, N. plumbaginifolia Viviani, found in Yunlin County, Taiwan, was observed to have phyllody, virescence, and witches’-broom, which is consistent with the disease symptoms caused by phytoplasma infection. Samples of the healthy and symptomatic plants were collected for analysis of the causal agent associated with the diseased N. plumbaginifolia Viviani. Under transmission electron microscopy, the phytoplasma-like pleomorphic bodies were found in the sieve tubes of the diseased plants. The 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA)-based phylogenetic analysis and the iPhyClassifier-based virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism study demonstrated that the phytoplasma identified in this study can be classified into the 16SrII-V subgroup, which is similar to the peanut witches’-broom phytoplasma, a ‘Candidatus phytoplasma aurantifolia’-related strain. Further identification of SAP54/PHYL1 and SAP11 homologs in the phytoplasma explain the disease symptoms of phyllody, virescence, and witches’-broom observed in diseased N. plumbaginifolia Viviani. The discovery of new phytoplasma plant hosts has gained scientific importance in light of the attempt to unravel an efficient strategy to fight the rapid spread of this disease, which poses a threat to the agricultural sector and food security in Taiwan.

Background The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is a worldwide devastating pest of potato plants and other Solanaceae characterized by its remarkable ability to evolve resistance to insecticides. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry3Aa toxin represents an environmentally-safe alternative for CPB control but larvae susceptibility to this toxin has been reported to vary depending on the host plant on which larvae feed. To gain more insight into how nutrition mediates Bt tolerance through effects on gene expression here we explored the post-transcriptional regulation by miRNAs of the CPB-ADAM10 gene encoding the Cry3Aa toxin functional receptor ADAM10. Results The lower CPB-ADAM10 gene expression in CPB larvae fed on potato plants cv. Vivaldi than those fed on potato cv. Monalisa or tomato plants was inversely related to Cry3Aa toxicity. By high-throughput sequencing we identified seven CPB miRNAs and one potato miRNA predicted to base pair with the CPB-ADAM10 mRNA. No differential expression of the endogenous lde-miR1175-5p was found in larvae feeding on any of the two potato plant varieties. However, statistically significant increased amounts of potato stu-miR171c-5p were detected in CPB larvae fed on potato cv. Vivaldi compared to larvae fed on potato cv. Monalisa. Conclusion Our results support a role for dietary miRNAs in Bt toxicity by regulating CPB-ADAM10 gene encoding the Cry3Aa toxin receptor ADAM10 in CPB larvae and open up the possibility of exploiting plant natural variation in miRNAs to provide more sustainable potato crops protection against CPB. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Tomato is a plant belonging to the family Solanaceae , short trunk, and grows well in tropical climates. Tomatoes have vegetative and generative growth phases. The availability of nutrients largely determines the vegetative growth phase. Research on the effect of vermicompost and NPK fertilizer has been carried out from April to July 2021. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of NPK fertilizer and vermicompost: (1) The effect of vermicompost treatment on tomato growth. (2) The effect of NPK fertilizer treatment on tomato growth. (3) The interaction effect between vermicompost and NPK fertilizer on tomato growth. The research was conducted using experimental methods. The research design was a 4 x 5 factorial completely randomized design with three replications. The treatment of NPK fertilizer consisted of four types of treatment doses, while the vermicompost consisted of five types of treatment doses. The results showed that the application of NPK fertilizer had a significant impact on differences in stem diameter, the number of compound leaves, leaf length, and height of tomato plants. The NPK fertilizer treatment of 0.8 grams per plant gave better results in stem diameter, number of compound leaves, leaf length, and height of tomato plants compared to other treatments. The treatment of vermicompost with different doses significantly affected stem diameter, the number of compound leaves, leaf length, and the height of tomato plants. Treatment of 1.8 kg of vermicompost resulted in the best stem diameter, the number of compound leaves, leaf length, and height of tomato plants. The interaction of vermicompost and NPK fertilizer had no significant effect on stem diameter, the number of compound leaves, leaf length, and tomato plant height.

The potato virus Y (PVY) is a plant virus that causes massive crop losses globally, especially in Solanaceae crops. A strain of the plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR), Serratia marcescens-S3 was found to inhibit PVY replication in Nicotiana benthamiana. However, there have been no in-depth studies demonstrating the underlying mechanism. In the current study, we found that ubiquitination of NbHsc70-2 is an important way for Serratia marcescens-S3 to trigger induced systemic resistance (ISR). After the treatment with S. marcescens-S3, the protein level of NbHsc70-2 reduced significantly. Inhibiting of ubiquitination increased the accumulation of NbHsc70-2 in plants and reduced S. marcescens-S3-mediated resistance to PVY. Furthermore, transgenic engineered Nicotiana benthamiana NbHsc70-2KO and NbHsc70-2USM were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated NbHsc70-2 knock-out and ubiquitination respectively. S. marcescens-S3 significantly reduced the inhibition of NbHsc70-2 protein accumulation in NbHsc70-2KO and NbHsc70-2USM . The virulence of PVY was stronger in NbHsc70-2USM than the wild-type plants. These results showed that S. marcescens-S3 increases the ubiquitination of NbHsc70-2 to inhibit the recruitment of molecular chaperone NbHsc70-2 to reduce its replication and infection of PVY.

Kutukebul Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) merupakan hama kosmopolitan pada berbagai jenis tanaman pertanian. Kutukebul dapat menyebabkan kerusakan tanaman dengan cara mengisap bagian tanaman menggunakan stilet dan sebagai vektor virus tanaman. Tanaman cabai merah (Capsicum annuum) dan tomat (Solanum lycopersicum) merupakan tanaman hortikultura penting yang sering diserang oleh B. tabaci. Kutukebul diketahui dapat bereproduksi dengan kopulasi yang menghasilkan keturunan jantan dan betina serta tanpa kopulasi yang menghasilkan keturunan jantan. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui kemampuan reproduksi kutukebul B. tabaci yang berkopulasi dan tidak kopulasi pada tanaman cabai merah dan tomat. Imago B. tabaci diambil dari tempat pemeliharaan di rumah kaca Cikabayan, IPB Dramaga. Satu imago betina yang baru keluar dari pupa atau nimfa instar akhir diinfestasikan pada tanaman cabai merah dan tomat yang ditanam dalam polibag untuk mengetahui keturunan B. tabaci yang dihasilkan tanpa kopulasi. Pengujian untuk mengamati reproduksi B. tabaci yang berkopulasi sama dengan perlakuan tanpa kopulasi, hanya saja pada tanaman cabai merah dan tomat diinfestasikan satu pasang imago (jantan dan betina). Masing-masing perlakuan diulang 5 kali. Pengamatan dilakukan setiap hari terhadap jumlah telur yang dihasilkan oleh satu imago betina setiap harinya, masa inkubasi telur, lamanya periode nimfa untuk tiap-tiap instar, pupa, dan imago. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa keperidian B. tabaci yang bereproduksi dengan kopulasi dan tidak kopulasi pada tanaman tomat lebih tinggi dibandingkan pada tanaman cabai, namun tidak ada perbedaan siklus hidup dan nisbah kelaminnya.

Tomato is major horticultural plant consumed worldwide. Biotic stress (nematodes, fungus and bacteria) has negative effect on tomato production due to causing reduced yield or plant death. Rootstocks confer resistance to soil-borne pathogen are considered the most effective and environment friendly approach for such a stress management. Thus, development of genetic resources having multiple resistance genes is essential for sustainable tomato breeding. Solanum habrochaites is one of the most studied wild tomato species due to its high genetic potential for biotic and abiotic stresses. In the present study, rootstock potential of an interspecific F1 hybrid derived from S. habrochaites was evaluated as using resistance genes (Frl, I-2, I-3, Mi-3, Pto Ty-1, Ty-3 and Sw-5) specific molecular markers for 6 major tomato diseases and 31 fruit quality traits. The study reported that F1 hybrid had resistance alleles for 5 genes (Frl, I-2, I-3, Pto and Sw-5) confer resistance to fusarium crown rot disease, crown – root rot disease, race 2 and 3 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis lycopersici, bacterial speck and tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), respectively. Despite high performance of F1 hybrid for biotic stress, the study pointed S. habrochaites specific graft incompatibility due to poor rate of grafting efficiency, small fruit formation and low yield. This is the first comprehensive study evaluated the horticultural performance of an interspecific hybrid in tomato.

Nicotiana benthamiana acylsugar acyltransferase (ASAT) is required for protection against desiccation and insect herbivory. Knockout mutations provide a new resource for investigation of plant-aphid and plant-whitefly interactions. Nicotiana benthamiana is used extensively as a transient expression platform for functional analysis of genes from other species. Acylsugars, which are produced in the trichomes, are a hypothesized cause of the relatively high insect resistance that is observed in N. benthamiana. We characterized the N. benthamiana acylsugar profile, bioinformatically identified two acylsugar acyltransferase genes, ASAT1 and ASAT2, and used CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis to produce acylsugar-deficient plants for investigation of insect resistance and foliar water loss. Whereas asat1 mutations reduced accumulation, asat2 mutations caused almost complete depletion of foliar acylsucroses. Three hemipteran and three lepidopteran herbivores survived, gained weight, and/or reproduced significantly better on asat2 mutants than on wildtype N. benthamiana. Both asat1 and asat2 mutations reduced the water content and increased leaf temperature. Our results demonstrate the specific function of two ASAT proteins in N. benthamiana acylsugar biosynthesis, insect resistance, and desiccation tolerance. The improved growth of aphids and whiteflies on asat2 mutants will facilitate the use of N. benthamiana as a transient expression platform for the functional analysis of insect effectors and resistance genes from other plant species. Similarly, the absence of acylsugars in asat2 mutants will enable analysis of acylsugar biosynthesis genes from other Solanaceae by transient expression.

The formation of locule gel is an important process in tomato and is a typical characteristic of berry fruit. In this study, we examined a natural tomato mutant that produces all-flesh fruit (AFF) in which the locule tissue remains in a solid state during fruit development. We constructed different genetic populations to fine-map the causal gene for this trait and identified SlMBP3 as the locus conferring the locule gel formation, which we rename as AFF. We determined the causal mutation as a 416-bp deletion in the promoter region of AFF, which reduces its expression dosage. Generally, this sequence is highly conserved among Solanaceae, as well as within the tomato germplasm. Using BC6 near-isogenic lines, we determined that the reduced expression dosage of AFF did not affect the normal development of seeds, whilst producing unique, non-liquefied locule tissue that was distinct from that of normal tomatoes in terms of metabolic components. Combined analysis using mRNA-seq and metabolomics indicated the importance of AFF in locule tissue liquefaction. Our findings provide insights into fruit-type differentiation in Solanaceae crops and also present the basis for future applications of AFF in tomato breeding programs.

The potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a pest of solanaceous crops (order Solanales), including potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and tomato (S. lycopersicum L.). Feeding by high populations of nymphs causes psyllid yellows while adults and nymphs are vectors of the plant pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’. Foliar symptoms that were consistent with either ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ infection or psyllid yellows were observed in 2019 on tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa Brot.; family Solanaceae) grown within an experimental plot located near Saltillo, Mexico. This study had three primary objectives: 9i) determine whether the foliar symptoms observed on tomatillo were associated with ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ infection, (ii) identify the haplotypes of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ and potato psyllids present in the symptomatic plot, and (iii) use gut content analysis to infer the plant sources of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’-infected psyllids. Results confirmed that 71% of symptomatic plants and 71% of psyllids collected from the plants were infected with ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’. The detection of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ in plants and psyllids and the lack of nymphal populations associated with psyllid yellows strongly suggests that the observed foliar symptoms were caused by ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ infection. All infected plants and insects harbored the more virulent ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ haplotype B but one psyllid was also coinfected with haplotype A. The potato psyllids were predominantly of the central haplotype but one psyllid was identified as the western haplotype. Molecular gut content analysis of psyllids confirmed the movement of psyllids between noncrop habitats and tomatillo and indicated that ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ infection of psyllids was associated with increased plant diversity in their diet.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the agricultural products with highest internal demand in Colombia. However, this crop is affected by a virus complex that have a dramatic effect in yields and on the quality of tuber-seeds. In this work we tested the prevalence of five RNA viruses (PVY, PVS, PVX, PLRV and PYVV) in tuber-seed sprouts and their corresponding plantlets using real-time RT-PCR. Tuber-seeds were obtained from commercial (TC) and informal seed (TNC) distributors. Our results suggest high levels of infection with all five viruses in seed potatoes. Mixed infections, with up to four different viruses, were found with high frequency in certified or registered seed tubers. PVY (74%) and PVS (36%) were the most prevalent viruses using leaf tissues. The combination PVY+PLRV (24%) was the most common mixed infection in commercial tuber-seeds. In non-commercial seeds the most prevalent mixed infections were PVY+PYVV+PVS and PVY+PVS+PLRV at 10%. The phylogenetic affinity of all viruses under study was determined by partial sequencing of their CP genes, which confirmed their close relationship with previously characterized Colombian strains. These results underscore the urgent need to improve the health status in potato seed-tubers used by farmers in Colombia., La papa (Solanum tuberosum) es uno de los productos agrícolas con mayor demanda interna en Colombia. Este cultivo es afectado por un complejo de virus que reduce los rendimientos y la calidad de los tubérculos-semilla. En este trabajo se evaluó la prevalencia de cinco virus de ARN (PVY, PVS, PVX, PLRV y PYVV) en brotes de tubérculos-semilla de origen comercial (TC) y no-comercial (TNC) y en sus plantas derivadas, utilizando RT-PCR en tiempo real. Los resultados evidenciaron altos niveles de infección de los cinco virus en el material de siembra e infecciones mixtas hasta con cuatro virus en los tubérculos comerciales. PVY (74%) y PVS (36%) presentaron los mayores niveles de prevalencia en plantas derivadas de tubérculos-semilla. La combinación PVY+PLRV presentó el mayor nivel de prevalencia en tubérculos-semilla TC (24%), mientras que en TNC las combinaciones PVY+PYVV+PVS y PVY+PVS+PLRV se presentaron en 10% de las muestras. La afinidad filogenética de los virus detectados se evaluó mediante secuenciación Sanger de amplicones de cápside, agrupándose en subclados previamente identificados sobre solanáceas en Colombia. Estos resultados señalan la necesidad de tomar acciones urgentes que permitan mejorar los niveles de sanidad viral de los materiales de siembra de papa cultivados en el país., A batata (Solanum tuberosum) é um dos produtos agrícolas com maior demanda interna na Colômbia. Este cultivo é afetado por um complexo de vírus que reduzem os rendimentos e a qualidade dos tubérculos-semente. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a prevalência de cinco vírus de ARN (PVY, PVS, PVX, PLRV y PYVV) em brotos de tubérculos-semente de origem comercial (TC) e não comercial (TNC) e em plantas derivadas desses brotos, usando RT-PCR em tempo real. Os resultados evidenciaram altos níveis de infecção dos cinco vírus no material de semeadura e infecções mistas com até quatro vírus nos tubérculos comerciais. PVY (74%) e PVS (36%) apresentaram os maiores níveis de prevalência em plantas derivadas de tubérculos-semente. A combinação PVY+PLRV apresentou o maior nível de prevalência em tubérculos-semente TC (24%), enquanto em TCN as combinações PVY+PYVV+PVS e PVY+PVS+PLRV foram detectadas em 10% das amostras. A afinidade filogenética dos vírus detectados foi avaliada por sequenciamento Sanger de amplicons da cápside, agrupandose em subclados previamente identificados sobre solanáceas na Colômbia. Estes resultados indicam a necessidade de tomar ações urgentes para melhorar os níveis de sanidade viral dos materiais de semeadura de batata no país.

Bacterial wilt caused byR. solanacearumis a constraint that limits the production of solanaceous in Côte d'Ivoire. The genetic control, which is more widely used, comes up against the genetic and phenotypic variability of the strains. The objective of this study was to screen commercial and traditional varieties of Solanaceae against Ivorian strains of different phylotypes to assess their spectrum of resistance to the disease. The level of virulence of the five strains ofR. solanacearumwas evaluated in semi-controlled conditions against eight varieties of Solanaceae (pepper, eggplant and tomato). Four groups of strains were identified according to the level of virulence. Group 4, composed of strains (RUN 1794 and RUN 1854) of phylotype III and I, respectively, and originating from the localities of Kondoukro and Yamoussoukro, was very virulent. The resistant varieties were for the F1 kalenda eggplant, for the yellow chilli from Burkina and for the F1 Lindo tomato. These varieties could be used in the fight against bacterial wilt in Côte d'Ivoire.

The sucrose non-fermenting 1-related protein kinases (SnRKs) mediate plant signalling pathways in response to different cues by phosphorylating target proteins. While full complement of these genes has been reported in several families, such information remains obscure in Solanaceae to date. Through a genome-wide identification approach, we report 40 SnRK members in the tomato genome. Multiple alignments and phylogenetic analysis grouped the identified genes in SnRK1, SnRK2, and SnRK3 subfamilies. SnRK1 subfamily comprises only two members, whereas SnRK3 being the largest category, is constituted by 30 members in tomato. Ten members of the SnRK3 subfamily are present in four tandemly duplicated chromosomal blocks. Transcript profiling of these genes during tomato development identified SlSnRK2.9 and SlSnRK3.3 with root-specific and SlSnRK2.7b with ripening-preferential mRNA abundance. The mRNA profiling of these genes by RNA-sequencing and qPCR revealed that SlSnRK3.10a, SlSnRK3.15a, and SlSnRK3.26 are activated at varying levels under phosphate (Pi) starvation. In-silico analysis anticipated a common set of proteins interacts with the selected phosphorus starvation inducible (PSI) SlSnRK genes. Overall, the present study identifies a set of PSI SnRKs in tomato and provides a comprehensive framework for their functional characterization in Solanaceae in the future.

Plant small RNAs are important regulatory elements that fine-tune gene expression and maintain genome integrity by silencing transposons. Reproductive organs of monocots produce abundant phased, small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs). The 21-nt reproductive phasiRNAs triggered by miR2118 are highly enriched in pre-meiotic anthers, and have been found in multiple eudicot species, in contrast with prior reports of monocot specificity. The 24-nt reproductive phasiRNAs are triggered by miR2275, and are highly enriched during meiosis in many angiosperms. Here, we report the widespread presence of the 21-nt reproductive phasiRNA pathway in eudicots including canonical and non-canonical microRNA (miRNA) triggers of this pathway. In eudicots, these 21-nt phasiRNAs are enriched in pre-meiotic stages, a spatiotemporal distribution consistent with that of monocots and suggesting a role in anther development. Although this pathway is apparently absent in well-studied eudicot families including the Brassicaceae, Solanaceae and Fabaceae, our work in eudicots supports an earlier singular finding in spruce, a gymnosperm, indicating that the pathway of 21-nt reproductive phasiRNAs emerged in seed plants and was lost in some lineages., Pre-meiotic anthers of monocots accumulate phased, small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) that are absent in many well-studied model eudicots. Here, the authors show that such 21-nt phasiRNAs are in fact present in diverse eudicot species including strawberry, in which production is triggered by miR11308.

Colletotrichum orbiculare infects cucurbits, such as cucumber and melon (Cucumis melo), as well as the model Solanaceae plant Nicotiana benthamiana, by secreting an arsenal of effectors that suppress the immunity of these distinct plants. Two conserved effectors of C. orbiculare, called NLP1 and NIS1, induce cell death responses in N. benthamiana, but it is unclear whether they exhibit the same activity in Cucurbitaceae plants. In this study, we established a new Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression system to investigate the cell death‐inducing activity of NLP1 and NIS1 in melon. NLP1 strongly induced cell death in melon but, in contrast to the effects seen in N. benthamiana, mutations either in the heptapeptide motif or in the putative glycosylinositol phosphorylceramide‐binding site did not cancel its cell death‐inducing activity in melon. Furthermore, NLP1 lacking the signal peptide caused cell death in melon but not in N. benthamiana. Study of the transient expression of NIS1 also revealed that, unlike in N. benthamiana, NIS1 did not induce cell death in melon. In contrast, NIS1 suppressed flg22‐induced reactive oxygen species generation in melon, as seen in N. benthamiana. These findings indicate distinct cell death‐inducing activities of NLP1 and NIS1 in these two plant species that C. orbiculare infects., Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression analyses on two fungal conserved effectors, NLP1 and NIS1, reveal their distinct cell death‐inducing activities between Nicotiana benthamiana and melon.

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a novel tobamovirus initially reported in Jordan and Israel, and, more recently, in Europe, China, the USA and Mexico, which causes severe symptoms in tomato and pepper, as well as in other members of Solanaceae. ToBRFV can cause important losses so early detection is crucial to help thwart its dispersal, more so in countries where this virus is emerging as an important pathogen, as is the case in Mexico. Therefore, precise diagnostic is required to distinguish this virus from other members of this family that are not quarantined. We have analyzed the sequence of ToBRFV and compared to several other tobamoviruses and identified regions that are amenable for specific primer design. Regions in the replicase (p126 and p183), movement and coat proteins (MP and CP, respectively) genes were selected. Preliminary results indicated that CP primers provided the most consistent results. Furthermore, these primers were also used to detect ToBRFV via real-time qRT-PCR in leaf samples from tomato. The method was used successfully to detect 20 copies of viral transcript.

Tomato is more prone to Tuta absoluta invasion and damages as compared to other host plants but the mechanism behind this preference has not been elucidated. Here, two contrasting host preference plants, tomato and eggplant, were used to investigate biochemical and transcriptomic modifications induced by T. absoluta infestation. Biochemical analysis at 0–72 h post T. absoluta infestation revealed significantly reduced concentrations of amino acid, fructose, sucrose, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and total phenols in tomato compared to eggplant, mainly at 48 h post T. absoluta infestation. Transcriptome analysis showed higher transcript changes in infested eggplant than tomato. Signaling genes had significant contributions to mediate plant immunity against T. absoluta, specifically genes associated with salicylic acid in eggplant. Genes from PR1b1, NPR1 , NPR3, MAPKs , and ANP1 families play important roles to mitigate T. absoluta infestation. Our results will facilitate the development of control strategies against T. absoluta for sustainable tomato production.

Background CRISPR/Cas9 is a rapidly developing genome editing technology in various biological systems due to its efficiency, portability, simplicity and versatility. This editing technology has been successfully applied in in several important plants of Solanaceae such as tomato, tobacco, potato, petunia and groundcherry. Wolfberry ranked the sixth among solanaceous crops of outstanding importance in China following potato, tomato, eggplant, pepper and tobacco. To date, there has been no report on CRISPR/Cas9 technology to improve Lycium ruthenicum due to the unknown genome sequencing and the lack of efficient regeneration and genetic transformation systems. Results In this study, we have established an efficientregeneration and genetic transformation system of Lycium ruthenicum. We have used this system to validate target sites for fw2.2, a major fruit weight quantitative trait locus first identified from tomato and accounted for 30% of the variation in fruit size. In our experiments, the editing efficiency was very high, with 95.45% of the transgenic lines containing mutations in the fw2.2 target site. We obtained transgenic wolfberry plants containing four homozygous mutations and nine biallelic mutations in the fw2.2 gene. Conclusions These results suggest that CRISPR-based gene editing is effective for the improvement of black wolfberry traits, and we expect this approach to be routinely applied to this important economic fruit.

Background and aims – A plant’s tolerance of herbivory depends on its ability to endure and compensate for damage so as to lessen the impact that herbivores have on the plant’s performance (e.g. its growth, reproduction, or fitness). While tolerance of herbivory is beneficial to plants, it is rarely complete, and individuals in plant populations tend to vary in their levels of tolerance. The goal of this study was to investigate potential costs associated with tolerance of leaf and floral herbivory in horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), a perennial herbaceous weed that is often subjected to high levels of damage from a diversity of herbivores. Material and methods – We exposed 96 potted individuals across eight genets of horsenettle to factorial treatments of leaf herbivory by lace bugs and simulated floral herbivory by weevils. We quantified tolerance for each plant genet for both types of herbivory in terms of the impact of damage on the number of flowers opened, number of seeds produced, and root biomass (i.e. paternal, maternal, and vegetative tolerance, respectively).Key results – Plant genets ranged widely in their ability to compensate for leaf and flower damage. While there was little evidence for tradeoffs in tolerance through the different routes, there was strong evidence of tradeoffs in genets’ abilities to tolerate herbivore damage to leaves and damage to flowers.Conclusion – Tolerance is a useful defence strategy to cope with damage caused by herbivores, but its evolution may be constrained by concomitant costs and tradeoffs. The evolutionary role of the tradeoffs identified in this study are likely to be greater the more species of herbivores a plant hosts, and the more that herbivore levels vary both spatially and temporally.

Chilto (Solanum betaceum Cav.) is a traditional Andean crop, appreciated for its high nutritional and commercial value. Despite it is cultivated in many countries, the information about the diversity, and conservation of wild populations is still missing. The objectives of this work were to characterize wild populations of the species in northwestern Argentina, regarding the morphological traits of fruits and seeds, to decompose the observed phenotypic variability, and to look for associations between morphological and geographical distances. Fruit weight, length and equatorial diameter, pericarp thickness, pH, total soluble solids were measured in fruits from nine populations, and then a intra and inter population comparison was performed. The phenotypic variance was decomposed by a nested ANOVA. The associations between geographical and morphological distances were assessed by the Mantel test. A wide variability was found in fruit weight, pericarp thickness, and fruit length (24, 19 and 13% coefficient of variation, respectively). Nested ANOVA revealed significant differences in all fruit and seed traits among and within populations (p

Southern blight or collar rot of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., is a serious disease that results in significant yield losses annually. A pot experiment was carried out for the management of this disease using dry biomass of Datura metel, a medicinal plant of the family Solanaceae. The soil was amended with 0.5, 1.0, …, 3.0% dry biomass of D. metel with and without the inoculation of S. rolfsii. The highest disease incidence (100%) was recorded in the positive control where the soil was inoculated with S. rolfsii without any soil amendment. The disease was completely controlled by 2% soil amendment. This soil amendment treatment enhanced bell pepper yield by 30% over the negative control (without any inoculation or amendment) and 136% over the positive control. Activities of defense-related enzymes namely polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POX), and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) were significantly increased in the positive control. However, the activities of these enzymes were significantly dropped due to the soil amendment with D. metel. This study concluded that the application of 2% dry biomass of D. metel can control collar rot disease resulting in a significant increase in the yield of bell pepper.

The purpose of the investigation is to study non-alkaloidal biological active compounds of various organs, the antimicrobial activity of plant oil and ethanolic extracts of Datura innoxia Mill. from nightshades (Solanaceae). D. innoxia grows in the natural environmental conditions of the Republic of Azerbaijan. We have studied presence of several biological active compounds – triterpenoic acids, essential oils, fatty acids, sterols and amino acids in the content of various organs of plant. Oil was obtained by using Soxhlet apparatus and investigated by GC method. After removing the oil from the seeds, triterpenoic acids - oleanolic and ursolic acids were isolated and identified by TLC. Essential oils were obtained from plant leaves by hydrodistillation and studied by GC-MS method. 20 amino acids were identified in the aerial part of the plant by the HPLC method, with amino acid analyzer L-8800 (Hitachi, Ltd.), 12 of them are non-essential, 8 are essential. The antimicrobial activity of plant oils of seed and ethanolic extracts of some parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds) were studied on Staphylococcus aureus, Esherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus anthracoides, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans. The significant activity of some extracts (stems, leaves, fruits and seeds) was observed against S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans, B. anthracoides and plant oil against C. albicans.

Pharmacologically important tropane alkaloids such as hyoscyamine, and scopolamine, are synthesized in the roots of several Solanaceae and also accumulate in their shoots. The tropane alkaloids content in roots of D. innoxia seedlings was almost 3-fold higher than in their shoots. Moreover, scopolamine accounted for 77 % of the total tropane alkaloid content in shoots as compared to only 20 % in roots. All candidate genes in the scopolamine biosynthetic pathway were significantly expressed in D. innoxia mature roots with limited expression in mature leaves. Using exogenous isotopically labeled 2H5 L-phenylalanine, we show here that root tissues, but not detached shoots, readily biosynthesize scopolamine. Tropane alkaloids newly synthesized by roots, and preferentially scopolamine, were further transported to shoots. Our evidence indicates that D. innoxia seedlings have the ability to synthesize tropane alkaloids in their roots and differentially transport them to the shoots.

Steroid alkaloid solasodine is a nitrogen analogue of diosgenin and has great importance in the production of steroidal medicines. Solanum erianthum D. Don (Solanaceae) is a good source of solasodine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different cytokinins on the production of secondary metabolites, especially solasodine in the in vitro culture of S. erianthum. For solasodine estimation, field-grown plant parts and in vitro tissues were extracted thrice and subjected to high-performance liquid Chromatography. Quantitative analysis of different secondary metabolites showed that the amount was higher in the in vitro regenerated plantlets compared to callus and field-grown plants. The present study critically evaluates the effect of the type of cytokinin used in the culture medium on solasodine accumulation in regenerated plants. The highest solasodine content (46.78±3.23 mg g-1) was recorded in leaf extracts of the in vitro grown plantlets in the presence of 6-γ,γ-dimethylallylamino purine in the culture medium and the content was 3.8-fold higher compared to the mother plant.

The quest for resistance sources against Meloidogyne incognita as a control measure is essential in tomato. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the reaction of six species of wild solanaceae to M. incognita. The species of wild solanaceae studied were Solanum capsicoides, S. asperolanatum, S. americanum, S. viarum, S. palinacanthum and Nicandra physaloides. Seedlings of wild solanaceae species were transplanted and inoculated with M. incognita. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with eight replicates. The analyzed variables were: height of the aerial portion, fresh weight of the aerial portion, fresh weight and length of the root system, gall index, number of galls/g of root, number of egg masses/g of root, number of eggs/g of root and the nematode reproduction factor. Based on gall index and reproduction factor criteria the species S. capsicoides, S. americanum, S. palinacanthum and N. physaloides were classified as resistant against M. incognita. These species also showed a significant increase in height and fresh weight of the aerial portion, length of the root system and fresh weight of the root system. Therefore, these species of wild solanaceae may contribute to the management of M. incognita in future applications.

Invertases (EC 3.2.1.26, INV) are indispensable for plant metabolism, development and stress response. Carbohydrate partitioning and the irreversible hydrolysis of sucrose into glucose and fructose in plants are driven by invertases. We performed a comprehensive analysis on the physico-chemical characteristics, chromosome localisation, exon–intron structures, motif distributions, evolutionary divergence and phylogenetic analysis, and tissue-specific spatio-temporal expression profiles of invertase genes under varied abiotic stressors and phytohormones. We identified twenty-four invertase genes (comprising nine cell wall (CWINV), two cell membrane (CMINV), eleven chloroplast (ChlINV), one cytosol (CyINV) and one vacuolar (VaINV)) in the tomato genome distributed on eight of the twelve chromosomes. The phylogenetic analysis clustered the invertase genes into two major clades. Segmental duplication contributed to the alkaline/neutral sub-domain expansion. The invertase genes were differentially expressed in fruits, roots, stems, leaves, flower buds and responded differentially to light, cold, drought, salinity stress and phytohormones (abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA), and indole-3 acetic acid (IAA)). Majority of the genes that were significantly up-regulated under the phytohormone treatments were consistently down-regulated in the stem, flowerbud and roots. The expression data reveals most of the cell wall and chloroplast-localised invertases were induced by phytohormones; while vacuolar and cytosol-localised invertases were markedly induced by abiotic stresses in the diverse tissues. The network interaction complex evidences that, most of the proteins were implicated in glycolysis, sucrose synthesis and/or pyrophosphate-fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase activity. This study provides the groundwork for future functional analysis of invertase genes in tomato and other Solanaceae species.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a tuberous crop from the Sola-naceae family which is a source of starch and food to many in Nige-ria, however, its production is being hampered in field and storage by bacterial pathogen which causes rot of the stored tubers. To this end, the study aimed at screening potatoes from different stores within Ibadan for the evaluation and diversity of bacteria pathogens responsible for rot in potatoes. Damaged stored potato samples were collected from different locations in Ibadan for studies, these samples were isolated for bacterial pathogen and characterized bio-chemically and observed under the microscope for identification. Three genera of bacteria were observed to be responsible for potato rot in the study and they include Pectobacterium carotovorum, Pseu-domonas syringae and Ralstonia solanacearum. Of all the isolated bacteria, Pectobacterium carotovorum has the highest occurrence with a frequency of 60%, while Pseudomonas syringae has a fre-quency of 33% and Ralstonia solanacearum has a frequency of 27%. The pathogenicity of the isolates were tested and this revealed that Pectobacterium carotovorum is the most virulent with a severity score of 4.3, while Ralstonia solanacearum follows with a score of 3.3 and a score of 2.7 was recorded for Pseudomonas syringae, while the control had a score of 0. The diversity and differences shown in the isolated bacteria indicated that potato rot is a serious disease which is caused by different bacteria and need an integrated ap-proach for its control from the field of harvesting to the storage house.

Moniliophthora perniciosa causes witches' broom disease of cacao and inflicts symptoms suggestive of hormonal imbalance. We investigated whether infection of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) model system Micro-Tom (MT) by the Solanaceae (S)-biotype of Moniliophthora perniciosa, which causes stem swelling and hypertrophic growth of axillary shoots, results from changes in host cytokinin metabolism. Inoculation of an MT-transgenic line that overexpresses the Arabidopsis CYTOKININ OXIDASE-2 gene (35S::AtCKX2) resulted in a reduction in disease incidence and stem diameter. RNA-sequencing analysis of infected MT and 35S::AtCKX2 revealed the activation of cytokinin-responsive marker genes when symptoms were conspicuous. The expression of an Moniliophthora perniciosa tRNA-ISOPENTENYL-TRANSFERASE suggests the production of isopentenyladenine (iP), detected in mycelia grown in vitro. Inoculated MT stems showed higher levels of dihydrozeatin and trans-zeatin but not iP. The application of benzyladenine induced symptoms similar to infection, whereas applying the cytokinin receptor inhibitors LGR-991 and PI55 decreased symptoms. Moniliophthora perniciosa produces iP that might contribute to cytokinin synthesis by the host, which results in vascular and cortex enlargement, axillary shoot outgrowth, reduction in root biomass and an increase in fruit locule number. This strategy may be associated with the manipulation of sink establishment to favour infection by the fungus.

Phytophthora infestans Mont. de Bary is the main oomycete pathogen of cultivated crops in the family Solanaceae, especially potato (Solanum tuberosum). Because potato is the fourth most cultivated crop worldwide, its annual losses from late blight are tremendous. Studies of the basic mechanisms of interaction between potato and the late blight pathogen not only expand the fundamental knowledge in this area, but also open up new possibilities for regulating these interactions in order to increase resistance to the pathogen. The interaction of potato and the late blight pathogen can be considered from a genetic point of view, and it is interesting to consider both the response of the potato to the colonization process by P. infestans and the change in gene activity in late blight during plant infection. We can also investigate this process by changing the profile of secondary metabolites of the host and the pathogen. In addition to fundamental work in this area, applied work in the form of the development of new preparations for protecting potatoes is of no less importance. This review briefly describes the main stages of studies of potato resistance to late blight, starting almost from the first works. Much attention is paid to key works on changing the profile of secondary metabolites phytoalexins. A separate section is devoted to the description of both qualitative and quantitative characteristics of potato resistance to the late blight pathogen: their contribution to overall resistance, gene mapping, and regulation capabilities. Both types of traits are important for potato breeding: quantitative resistance due to R-genes is quickly overcome by the pathogen, while quantitative trait loci make it possible to create varieties with almost absolute resistance due to the pyramid of effective genes. The latest approaches in molecular biology make it possible to study translatomic profiles, which makes it possible to look at the interaction of potatoes and the late blight pathogen at a different angle. It has been shown that the process of potato colonization affects not only the activity of various genes and the profile of secondary metabolites: proteins­markers of the response to infection from potatoes have also been identified: they are pathogen-bound proteins and plastid carbonic anhydrase. On the part of P. infestans, fungal cellulose synthase proteins and haustorium-specific membrane protein were markers of infection. Thus, the review contains information on the most relevant complex studies of the genetic mechanisms of potato resistance to late blight.

The fruits of Solanum torvum (Swartz), a vegetable-fruit, are used in traditional medicine in Togo in the treatment of infectious diseases and as an anti-anemic. This study then focused on the antimicrobial activity assessment of the hydroethanolic extract of these fruits in the interest of contributing to the valorization of this Togolese flora’s species. A hydroethanolic extraction (50 % - 50 %: v/v) was performed followed by preliminary phytochemical tests. Antimicrobial activity was determined on fourteen bacterial strains using the agar diffusion method. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, reducing compounds, tannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, coumarins, triterpenes, saponins, total carbohydrates and free quinones. The extract was active on the reference strains of S. aureus, E. coli, S. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. However, this activity was only observed on clinical strains of S. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. The extract showed MICs of 25 and 50 mg/ml and BMCs of 50 and 100 mg/ml respectively for S. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. The MBC/MIC ratio for these two strains was 2. These fruits would then have bacteriostatic activity on S. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. The antibacterial properties of the extract on these germs could justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine for the treatment of certain bacterial infections. Keywords: Solanum torvum, fruits, phytochemical compounds, antimicrobial activity

Endopolyploidy has arisen countless times in angiosperms, and endopolyploidisation is an important genetic feature in many plant species. It is generated through a process called endoreduplication, where a mitotic cell cycle shifts into an endocycle, and DNA replication occurs without chromosome separation and cytokinesis. It has been well established that endopolyploidy plays a vital role during plant growth and development and in various stress responses. Many agriculturally important plant families are polysomatic, including the Solanaceae. To better understand and characterise polysomatic species within the Solanaceae, we studied endopolyploidy in mature vegetative and reproductive organs (root, stem, lower leaf petiole, lower leaf lamina, flower pedicel, calyx, corolla, pistil and stamen tissue) of representative diploids within the genus Capsicum, i.e. C. annuum, C. baccatum, C. chinense and diploid and tetraploids within the genus Nicotiana, i.e. N. rustica (4x), N. sylvestris (2x) and N. tabacum (4x), by means of flow cytometry. The presence of 2C–16C nuclei (rarely 32C) was detected, and the degree of endopolyploidisation was expressed using four different parameters for each organ analysed. In vegetative organs, the endoreduplication index (EI) reached a maximum of 0.84 on average for roots of C. baccatum, whereas the lowest values (EI

Brinjal and tomato are the most important transplanted vegetable crops of the Solanaceae family. The successful cultivation of these crops is vital for meeting the nutritional dietary requirement of India’s population and earning foreign exchange for the country by exporting vegetables to foreign countries. However, there are several abiotic and biotic impediments in the cultivation of these crops. Among biotic impediments , plant-parasitic nematodes have become one of the critical factor adversely affecting the cultivation of these vegetables. In general, Meloidogyne spp. (root-knot nematode) is the most common, widespread and economically damaging plant parasitic nematode species in tomato and brinjal crop. In addition to the damage caused by root – knot nematode, it stimulates the entry of soil-borne pathogens leading to development of the disease complex. The present study was undertaken to study the interaction effect of soil & soilless growing media viz. cocopeat and vermicompost along with organic amendments i.e., Trichoderma, AM fungus, and Cabbage residue incorporated individually as well as in different combinations for eco-friendly root-knot nematode management in brinjal and tomato nursery. The results indicated that treatment C-8 (Cocopeat + Trichoderma + AM fungus + Cabbage residues) recorded the superior germination count, germination percentage, days to 50% germination, root length, shoot length, fresh weight, root weight, shoot weight and root: shoot ratio. It is pertinent to mention that the soilless media, along with various organic amendments, were found to be superior for all the root and shoot attributes as compared to the conventional soil media for growing healthy nursery of tomato and brinjal in root knot nematode infested geographies. Our findings provide an effective and sustainable method of growing healthy plant nursery in nematode infested regions.

The eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the most important Solanaceae crops, ranking third for total production and economic value in its genus. Herein, we report a high-quality, chromosome-scale eggplant reference genome sequence of 1,155.8 Mb, with an N50 of 93.9 Mb, which was assembled by combining PacBio long reads and Hi-C sequencing data. Repetitive sequences occupied 70.1% of the assembly length, and 35,018 high-confidence protein-coding genes were annotated based on multiple sources. Comparative analysis revealed 646 species-specific families and 364 positive selection genes, conferring distinguishing traits on the eggplant. We performed genome-wide comparative identification of disease resistance genes and discovered an expanded gene family of bacterial spot resistance in eggplant and pepper, but not in tomato and potato. The genes involved in chlorogenic acid synthesis were comprehensively characterized. Highly similar chromosomal distribution patterns of polyphenol oxidase genes were observed in the eggplant, tomato, and potato genomes. The eggplant reference genome sequence will not only facilitate evolutionary studies of the Solanaceae but also facilitate their breeding and improvement.

The hormone salicylic acid (SA) plays crucial roles in plant defense, stress responses, and in the regulation of plant growth and development. Whereas the biosynthetic pathways and biological functions of SA have been extensively studied, SA catabolism is less well understood. In this study, we report the identification and functional characterization of an FAD/NADH-dependent SA 1-hydroxylase from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum; SlSA1H), which catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of SA to catechol. Transcript levels of SlSA1H were highest in stems and its expression was correlated with the formation of the methylated catechol derivatives guaiacol and veratrole. Consistent with a role in SA catabolism, SlSA1H RNAi plants accumulated lower amounts of guaiacol and failed to produce any veratrole. Two O-methyltransferases involved in the conversion of catechol to guaiacol and guaiacol to veratrole were also functionally characterized. Subcellular localization analyses revealed the cytosolic localization of this degradation pathway. Phylogenetic analysis and functional characterization of SA1H homologs from other species indicated that this type of FAD/NADH-dependent SA 1-hydroxylases evolved recently within the Solanaceae family.

The tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechuidae) is native to South America and has now become the main tomato pest in Europe, Africa and Asia. The wide range of host plants attacked by this pest has been reported as one of the main reasons for the success of this important insect species. However, the information currently available on the biological performance of T. absoluta on Solanaceae has been obtained from a limited number of host species. The Solanaceae family is composed of thousands of species, many of which are potential hosts for T. absoluta. Our results showed that the highest oviposition rates occurred on cultivated tomato plants, potato and wild tomato. The lowest rates occurred on “gilo”, “jurubeba”, green pepper and pepper. The highest survival rates of the immature stages occurred on potato and the lowest on pepper, green pepper and “jurubeba”. Female fertility, following infestation of the different plant species, was highest for insects that developed on tomato or potato and the lowest rates were seen on American black nightshade. The net reproductive rate and the intrinsic growth rate were highest on potato and tomato. Cluster analysis grouped tomato and potato as highly susceptible to attack, American black nightshade, juá, eggplant, gilo and wild tomato as moderately susceptible, whilst pepper, green pepper and jurubeba were categorized as resistant to T. absoluta. These results clearly demonstrate that the choice of solanaceous host plant species has a direct impact on the fitness parameters of the tomato pinworm as well as survival potential, dispersion and establishment at new sites. These results are important for the planning of integrated pest management strategies.

Tissue culture techniques in tomato, pepper and eggplant are important for the development of disease-resistant and high yielding varieties, which require a suitable regeneration protocol. Although shoot regeneration has been achieved by using different explants and cytokinin doses in Solanaceae species, very few studies have reported in vitro regeneration using root tissues. The current study is the first report to compare direct shoot regeneration capabilities using root node explants in three Solanaceae species (tomato, pepper, and eggplant) under three cytokinins (BAP, TDZ, and GA3) hormone. Plantlets were regenerated from the root node explants of tomato, pepper and eggplant in the media containing 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2mg/L of BAP, TDZ and GA3. Results revealed that the shoot regeneration of root node explants varied according to the species, cytokinins (BAP, TDZ and GA3) and doses of hormones. Among the species, the best shoot regeneration was observed in tomato followed by eggplant and pepper plants. While the shoot length was statistically significant in tomato, it was observed to be insignificant in pepper and eggplant. The highest number of root regeneration and root length was observed in tomatoes. The results obtained from the study will contribute to the development of successful/reproducible tissue culture protocols from roots node explants.

The infestation of the root system by nematodes ( Meloidogyne incognita ) and Fusarium solani to the rootneck hinders the production of tree tomato ( Solanum betaceum Cav.), an Andean native fruit consumed in Ecuador and other countries. This paper evaluates the potential of different Ecuadorian Andean Solanaceae species ( Solanum auriculatum , Solanum asperolanatum , Solanum arboreum and Nicotiana glauca ), such as tree tomato rootstocks towards Fusarium and nematode resistance through controlled inoculation trials. The experimental design used was complete randomized in factorial arrangement with three factors. The variables were: fungus incubation time, incidence and lesion size, increase in nematode population, plant height increase and plant fresh weight. The most promising results for an extended open field evaluation were N. glauca (no incidences of Fusarium and 0.36 times increase in nematode population), followed by S. auriculatum . Fruit of these plants were assessed for chaconine and solanine content. The results indicated that the two rootstocks did not induce toxic substances in the fruits, they are suitable for commercial production zones, enhance crop yield, increase productive plant life and use fewer chemicals to control soil pathogens.

Goal. To carry out diagnostics and to establish ways of spreading cucumber mosaic virus on the territory of Ukraine. Methods. A range of methods was used, which included visual diagnostics, enzyme immunoassay, method in various modifications, electron microscopy method, and statistical data processing method. Results. Monitoring of crops in different climatic regions of Ukraine for visual symptoms was carried out. Enzyme immunoassay revealed that the symptoms on the plants were caused by cucumber mosaic virus. Using electron microscopy, the morphological properties of the virus were studied, and spherical viral particles with a size of 29 nm were detected. Commercial seeds of different varieties of cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, and vegetable peppers were tested for the possibility of their viral contamination. Commercial seeds were found to be contaminated with cucumber mosaic virus antigens. Conclusions. Plants of the Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae families were selected according to their characteristic symptoms. The presence of cucumber mosaic virus in Ukraine has been proved using electron microscopy and enzyme immunoassay. Virus-infected plants were diagnosed in agrocnosis of Vinnytsia, Odesa, and Kherson regions. Various commercial seed varieties of Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae were tested for viral contamination. It was found that 37% of them were infected with cucumber mosaic virus and therefore became a potentially dangerous reservoir for viral infection and, as a consequence, a serious cause of outdoor vegetable disease.

Physalis angulata is a medicinal plant with potential to treat several diseases due to the presence of secondary metabolites, such as phenolic compounds. The influence of the application of different abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations on the composition of phenolic compounds and gas exchange was evaluated on the Physalis angulata leaves. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil, with potted plants. At 45 days after sowing, the plants were separated into groups and the following treatments were applied: 0, 25, 50, 100 and 150 μmol L−1 of ABA. Two days after the treatments application, the gas leaf exchange (liquid photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, mesophilic CO2 concentration and the relationship between atmospheric CO2 concentration and mesophilic CO2 concentration) between 9:00 and 11:00 was measured using an infrared gas analizer (IRGA). Four days after ABA spraying, some plants showed senescence symptoms, and therefore they were collected and taken to the stove until reached a constant dry mass. The total phenolics, caffeic acid, rutin, and trans-cinnamic were evaluated in response to the ABA. The ABA application increased the synthesis of total phenolic compounds up to 50 μmol L−1 concentration. The ABA application did not interfere with the caffeic acid synthesis. However, the rutin concentration increased regardless of ABA concentration that was applied and for trans-cinnamic acid, there was an increase up to the concentration of 100 μmol L−1. The ABA application caused stomatal closure and, consequently, the leaf gas exchange of Physalis angulata reduced.

Potato virus X (PVX) causes severe losses in worldwide crops of family Solanaceae. Dramatic biochemical changes in virus infected plants due to decrease in qualitative and quantitative of yield crops. The current study demonstrate the changes of biochemical responses as a defense level and resistance genes in infected plants against virus infection. PVX isolate was confirmed by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) . This study was performed on five cultivars of imported seeds potato PVX tested, Diamond , Hermes , Lady Rosetta , Nicola , and Spunta . All potato cultivars were infected with PVX isolate. The five potato cultivars showed variations symptoms development, disease severity and virus concentration .The potato cultivars against PVX infection exhibited significantly increase in physiological alterations (electrolyte leakage, cell membrane stability and transpiration rate) and biochemical responses defense (total proline, stabilizing phenols, scavenging enzymes, catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase, activities) and RX1 , RX2 , RX3 genes resistance compared to healthy ones. According to viral assessment, physiological parameters, biochemical responses and RX resistance genes , the five potato cultivars were divided to resistant cv., Diamond, tolerant cv., Hermes, Lady Rosetta, Nicola and susceptible cv., Spunta

The present article sought to evaluate the efficiency of various folk preparation methods commonly used in Europe for employing anticholinergic Solanaceae plants. The study aimed to uncover which folk methods were effective for the extraction of the anticholinergic tropane alkaloids of these plants, atropine and scopolamine. The folk extractions that were tested sought to simulate the preparation of teas, cold-water infusions, unguents, tinctures, fortified wines, and smoking. All preparation types and a control were then put through an extraction process to see what amount of the alkaloids had been maintained. These extractions were then analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cold- and hot-water preparations, tinctures, and fortified wines all proved to be effective means of extracting atropine and scopolamine from plant material under conditions seen in folk usage. Smoking and the oil-based unguent, however, yielded no alkaloids, suggesting a lack of efficiency for these preparations, a problem with our methodology, or possible chemical changes and losses associated with the preparation procedure.

Nicotiana benthamiana is an indigenous plant species distributed across northern Australia. The laboratory accession (LAB) of N. benthamiana has become widely adopted as a model host for plant viruses, and it is distinct from other accessions morphologically, physiologically, and by having an attenuation-of-function mutation in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 1 (NbRdr1) gene, referred to as NbRdr1m. Recent historical evidence suggested LAB was derived from a 1936 collection by John Cleland at The Granites of the Northern Territory, although no scientific evidence was provided. We provide scientific evidence and further historical evidence supporting the origin of LAB as The Granites. Analysis of a herbarium specimen of N. benthamiana collected by Cleland in 1936 revealed that The Granites population contains plants heterozygous for the NbRdr1 locus, having both the functional NbRdr1 and the mutant NbRdr1m alleles. N. benthamiana was an important cultural asset actively utilised as the narcotic Pituri (chewing tobacco) by the Warlpiri Aboriginal people at the site, who prevented women of child-bearing age from consuming it. We propose that Aboriginal people selected some of the unique traits of LAB that have subsequently facilitated its adoption as a model plant, such as lack of seed dormancy, fast maturity, low nornicotine content, and gracility.

Plants from the Solanaceae family are known to be sources of several nutritionally relevant steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs). With the aim of quantitatively investigating the occurrence of the main SGA from tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes in various food samples and evaluating their relevance in the human diet, a rapid single-step extraction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed. Over the course of isolating several commercially unavailable SGAs from tomato products to use them as reference standards, a previously unknown derivative was detected, structurally characterized, and identified as a novel isomer of esculeoside B-1 and B-2. After validation of the method, 36 food items exclusively derived from Solanaceae plants were analyzed for their SGA contents and a specific occurrence of each alkaloid in tomato, eggplant, or potato products was revealed. This is the first study reporting quantitative data on the occurrence of esculeoside A, B-1, B-2, and iso-esculeoside B in tomato products obtained by using appropriate reference compounds rather than applying a semi-quantitative approach based on α-tomatine as a reference. Some of the analyzed tomato products contained the esculeosides in concentrations of >500 mg/kg, clearly indicating their relevance in the human diet and the need of investigating their potential bioactivities in the future.

International audience; Introduction The tomato plant, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae), is one of the most widely consumed vegetables in the world and plays an important role in human diet. Tomato cultivars are hosts for diverse types of pests, implying diverse chemical defence strategies. Glycoalkaloids are the main specialised metabolites produced by tomato leaves and fruits to protect against pests. However, the roots have received little attention, leading to limited knowledge about their phytochemical content.Objective The main goal of the current study was the development of an untargeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) based metabolomic approach to study phytochemical variations in tomato roots at two different development stages (i.e. 34th and 62nd day after sowing).Methods UHPLC-HRMS was used to establish the fingerprint of 24 batches of tomato roots. Statistical analyses were performed to highlight the compounds that discriminated between young and mature tomato roots. A dereplication strategy using molecular networking and HRMS/MS data was set up to identify the metabolites regulated during early root development.Key findings The main biomarkers were guanidine and adenosine derivatives associated with tryptophan. Secondary metabolites such as glycoalkaloids and steroidal alkaloids were also characterised. Most of the metabolites were up-regulated in young tomato roots (34 days old) while tryptophan was up-regulated in the older roots (62 days old).Conclusion The metabolic changes observed in this work contribute to a deeper understanding of early-stage root development and may help our understanding of the complex processes involved in the tomato root defence arsenal.

Solanaceous crops play an important role in human diet and the economy of nations. They are also called as “Nightshades”. This family is distributed throughout the world in all continents except Antarctica. Solanaceae family consists of 98 genera and 2700 species, with greater habitat, morphological and ecological diversity. The family Solanaceae includes number of commonly cultivated species. Most important genus of the family Solanaceae is “Solanum”, which includes Potato, Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli and Capsicum, that are used as food. They can grow in several conditions ranging from tropics to sub-tropics. In this diverse climatic conditions they are infested by several diseases, one among them is bacterial wilt caused by bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum (most damaging plant pathogen). Ralstonia solanacearum has been reported to conquer 450+ plant species belonging to 54 different botanical families, the most susceptible hosts being solanaceous crops. Potato, tomato, brinjal and chilli are mostly affected by this bacterial wilt. Poor seed systems were a major contributor to the extensive spread, high incidence and high prevalence of this devastating disease. This review article focuses on etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and management practices (physical, cultural, biological & chemical control measures) that are used in management of this disease.

Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop that belongs to the family Solanaceae. Root-knot nematodes reflect the highly critical economically damaging genera of phytoparasitic nematodes on tomato plants. In this study, the eco-nematicide activity of freshwater green macroalga Cladophora glomerata aqueous extract and their synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) against root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne javanica was investigated on tomato plants. The formation and chemical structure of Ag-NPs was examined. The aqueous extract from C. glomerata was applied against the root-knot nematodes besides the biosynthesized green silver nanoparticles with 100, 75, 50, and 25% (S, S/2, S/3, S/4) concentrations. To investigate the plant response toward the Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles (GSNPs) treatment, expression profiling of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase (PAL), Poly Phenol Oxidase (PPO), and Peroxidase (POX) in tomato were examined using Quantitative Real-Time PCR (Q-PCR). The results indicated that GSNPs from C. glomerata exhibited the highest eco-nematicide activity in the laboratory bioassay on egg hatchability and juveniles (J2S) mortality of M. javanica compared with the chemical commercial nematicide Rugby 60%. Also, results showed a significant reduction in galls number, egg masses, females per root system/plant, and mortality of juveniles. The results of PAL and PPO enzyme expression for the control plants remained relatively stable, while the plant inoculated with nematode M. javanica as well as the activity of genes in scope was increased from 14 to 28 Days after Nematode Inoculation (DANI). These activities were improved in inoculated plants and treated with C. glomerata extract and their green syntheses of Ag-NPs and the other plants treated with Rugby 60% (4 mL/L). The greatest activities of the three enzymes were evident after 14 days after the nematode inoculation. It can be concluded that the green synthesized nanoparticles using C. glomerata could be used as potent nematicides against M. javanica which induces the immune system to defend against nematode infection.

The seed-borne bacterial diseases of family solanaceae cause significant economic losses worldwide. In the present study, fourteen bacterial isolates were recovered from seeds of different varieties of tomato, eggplant, black nightshade and tobacco. The seed samples were collected from different locations in Egypt. Isolated bacteria were identified based on morphological, physiological and biochemical tests as well as colonial morphology aspects on the differential medium, yeast extract dextrose calcium carbonate (YDC) besides the selective media (PA 20, King's B and Tween B). Pathogenicity of the isolated bacteria was assessed for causing graywall, bacterial speck and bacterial spot symptoms on tomato seedlings. Disease symptoms were recognized on leaves and stems of the inoculated seedlings. Re-isolation from collected seeds of the inoculated tomato plants was performed. Results indicated that Pantoea spp. was an endophytic bacteria, Pseudomonas spp. was an epiphytic bacteria, while Xanthomonas spp. was both epiphytic and endophytic bacteria. Furthermore, cellular fatty acids composition were identified and quantified to give a profile for tested bacterial isolates. Moreover, the bacterial isolates were identified at the molecular level via PCR reactions utilizing the 16S rRNA gene. Partial DNA sequences were analyzed using BLAST tool revealed that the inferred 16S rRNA partial sequences of the 7 isolates showed similarity to Pantoea ananatis (3 isolates), Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (2 isolates) and Xanthomonas vesicatoria (2 isolates). To the best of our knowledge the bacterium associated with the graywall seems to be first report of P. ananatis isolated from tomato fruits and black nightshade seeds in Egypt.

Increasing plant growth by arbuscula mycorrhizal fungi depends on the fungus and plant spesies. The aim of this study was to determine the efectivity of fungal mycorrhizal fungus on the growth of cayenne pepper, tomato and eggplant which are Solanaceae family members. The study was conducted by Completely Randomized Design method.with two factors. The fisrt factor was species of experimental plant consisted of cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). The second factor was addition of Glomus clorum inokulum consisted of with and without inoculum addition. The result showed that there was no effect of inoculum addition on plant growth of three experiemal plants. The quality of inoculum used for this experiment was not good enough furthermore fungi could not germinate and colonize plant root.

The aim of this work was to study the gene clusters that code for secondary metabolites within the genome of Stemphylium lycopersici and evaluate their toxicity in plant tissue since they are probably responsible for the necrotrophic symptoms provoked by S. lycopersici on plants of the Solanaceae family. We analyzed the draft genome sequences using the antiSMASH software to identify potentially toxic molecules that might be produced by S. lycopersici, and studied the activity of secreted compounds on tomato leaflet and pepper leaves. We found more than 30 gene clusters involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Stemphylium lycopersici secreted compounds that provoked necrosis on tomato leaflets as well as on pepper leaves. In conclusion, S. lycopersici have the potential to produce different secondary metabolites including host-specific and non-host-specific toxins (HST and non-HST) as well as compounds that might confer advantages for their development and survival, under certain environmental conditions. Secondary metabolite gene clusters arrangement and conservation within the genome of Stemphylium lycopersici codes the pathways for the synthesis of specific and non-specific toxins.

Objective: This research aimed to verify the use of aqueous ozone as an alternative sterilizer for in vitro sterilization procedure. Methods: Three species of Solanaceae were selected based on their trichomes. They are thorn apple (Datura metel L.), eggplant (Solanum melongena), and tomato (Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium). The treatment used four levels of concentrations; K0 (NaOCl – control), K1 (AO 0.1 ppm), and K2 (AO 0.5 ppm), K3 (1 ppm) and it employed three types of leaves, namely, D1 (thorn apple), D2 (eggplant), and D3 (tomato). The data were analyzed by analysis of variance univariate two factors and followed by Duncan’s multiple comparisons test. Results: This assay showed that the effect of ozone was almost immediately against microorganisms, and the optimum ozone concentration depends on the types of the leaf. Both levels of ozone concentration and types of leaves had a significantly different effect (p0.05). The level of sterility in K0 is 77, 78%, K1 is 22, 22%, K2 is 44, 44%, and K3 is 100%. Ozone 1 ppm had the highest result, but there is no viable explant because they got damage in their cells. Conclusions: Aqueous ozone showed good potential to inhibit the growth of microorganisms for the in vitro sterilization procedure of Solanaceae.