Morphological changes in C. oleifera seeds at different developmental stages. (A) Dynamic changes in C. oleifera fruit and seed development under a stereomicroscope. (B) Complete microstructure of a longitudinal section of C. oleifera seeds, showing the anatropous ovule. The red box represents a magnified view of the selected area, showing the embryo and suspensor. (C–H) Morphological changes in the embryo and endosperm during seed morphogenesis. (C1, C2) were sampled at stage S1, (D1–D3) at stage S2, (E1, E2) at stage S3, (F1–F3) at stage S4, (G1–G2) at stage S5, and (H1, H2) at stage S6. The red arrows point to the embryos and the green arrows point to the suspensors. S1–S6 represent stage 1 (S1, 180 DAP), stage 2 (S2, 200 DAP), stage 3 (S3, 220 DAP), stage 4 (S4, 240 DAP), stage 5 (S5, 260 DAP), and stage 6 (S6, 280 DAP), respectively. FZ, funicle zone; MZ, micropyle zone; SP, suspensor; EM, embryo; EN, endosperm; CZ, chalaza zone; II, inner integument; OI, outer integument; VB, vascular bundle. The scale bar in A is 1 cm, and the scale bar in B-H2 is 100 μm.
Newswise — Seed development is crucial for plant reproduction and crop yield, largely dependent on efficient sugar transport and metabolism. In many plants, the detailed mechanisms of sugar import remain unclear, despite extensive research on model species. Camellia oleifera, a major oil-producing plant, suffers from severe seed abortion and low yield, highlighting the need for deeper insights into its seed development process. Due to these challenges, further research is essential to understand and improve sugar transport mechanisms, aiming to enhance seed yield and quality in this important agricultural crop.
Researchers from Beijing Forestry University have made strides in understanding sugar transport in Camellia oleifera seeds, as published (DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae133) in the Horticulture Research journal on May 10, 2024. The study systematically examines the molecular mechanisms of sugar import, offering insights into seed development and yield enhancement strategies.
The study revealed a dual pathway for sugar transport in Camellia oleifera seeds: a symplasmic route within the seed coat and an apoplasmic pathway at the maternal-filial interface. Researchers identified key sugar transporters, including CoSWEET1b, CoSWEET15, and CoSUT2, which play crucial roles in facilitating sugar import into developing seeds. Enzymatic activity assays and histological observations highlighted the importance of acid invertases in maintaining high hexose levels during early embryo development. The identified sugar transporters and sucrose-metabolizing enzymes work in coordination to ensure efficient sugar import and distribution, supporting proper seed development. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating sugar transport in Camellia oleifera seeds, offering potential targets for genetic manipulation to improve seed yield and quality in this vital oil-producing plant.
Dr. Lingyun Zhang, the lead researcher, stated, "Our findings provide the first comprehensive evidence of the molecular regulation of sugar import in Camellia oleifera seeds. This research not only advances our understanding of seed development but also opens new avenues for improving seed yield and quality through targeted manipulation of sugar transport pathways."
The study's insights into sugar transport mechanisms offer potential applications in agriculture, particularly in enhancing the yield and quality of Camellia oleifera seeds. By manipulating key sugar transporters and enzymes, it may be possible to develop strategies for improving nutrient supply and seed development, ultimately contributing to higher productivity in oil-producing plants.
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References
DOI
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhae133
Funding information
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 32071798 to L.Z.).
About Horticulture Research
Horticulture Research is an open access journal of Nanjing Agricultural University and ranked number one in the Horticulture category of the Journal Citation Reports ™ from Clarivate, 2022. The journal is committed to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, comments, correspondence articles and letters to the editor related to all major horticultural plants and disciplines, including biotechnology, breeding, cellular and molecular biology, evolution, genetics, inter-species interactions, physiology, and the origination and domestication of crops.
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