Solanum Torvum Research Articles

The Impact of Grafting with Different Rootstocks on Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Growth and Its Rhizosphere Soil Microecology

This study investigated the effects of grafting on eggplant growth, yield, and disease resistance, with a focus on microbial dynamics in the rhizosphere. Eggplant scions were grafted onto rootstocks of wild eggplant and tomato, with self-rooted eggplants serving as controls. Greenhouse experiments were conducted over an eight-month growing period, using standard field practices such as film mulching and integrated water–fertilizer management. High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the biological properties and microbial community of the rhizosphere soil. Results showed that plants grafted onto ‘Huimei Zhenba’ and ‘Torvum’ rootstocks yielded up to 36.89% more than self-rooted controls, achieving yields of 4619.59 kg and 4399.73 kg per 667 m², respectively. The disease incidence of bacterial wilt was reduced to as low as 3.33% in the ‘Huimei Zhenba’ treatment, compared to 55.56% in non-grafted controls. Additionally, grafted plants exhibited increased stem diameter and chlorophyll content, with the TL/HM combination reaching 54.23 ± 3.17 SPAD units. The enhanced microbial biomass of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, particularly in the TL/HM treatment (377.59 mg/kg, 28.31 mg/kg, and 36.30 mg/kg, respectively), supports a more nutrient-rich rhizosphere environment. Moreover, soil enzyme activities, such as β-glucosidase and phosphatase, were significantly higher in grafted plants, enhancing nutrient cycling and potentially increasing resistance to pathogens. Overall, grafted eggplants demonstrated enhanced soil microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and a more diverse microbial community, which are critical factors contributing to the improved yield and disease resistance observed in grafted crops.

Performance of tomato cultivars grafted on root-knot nematode resistant Solanum torvum rootstock for growth and yield parameters

Aim: To study the grafting of tomato cultivars on root-knot nematode resistant Solanum torvum for plant growth, yield parameters and nematode damage under polyhouse conditions. Methodology: Three tomato cultivars viz., Arka Samrat, Saaho and SVTD8323 were grafted on Meloidogyne incognita-resistant S. torvum Sw. (IC618029) by cleft grafting technique. The experiment was conducted in a polyhouse using factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with two factors. The first factor was planting material with grafted and non-grafted tomato cultivars. The second factor was with and without nematode infestation. Observations on plant growth and yield parameters were taken. Results: Grafted and non-grafted tomato cultivars differed significantly in terms of flowering and yield parameters and nematode damage. Under nematode-infested conditions, grafted cultivars yielded significantly more number of flowers per cluster (4.22 to 4.47), flower clusters per plant (11.25 to 11.63), fruits per cluster (3.74 to 4.19), higher percentage of fruit set (89.78 to 94.00) and fruit yield per plant (2,984.6 to 3114.36 g), with less nematode damage (10.60 to 11.53 galls per root system) as compared to non-grafted cultivars (302.53 to 314.33 galls per root system). Interpretation: Tomato grafting with S. torvum rootstock can be utilized in root-knot nematode management, especially in protected cultivation. Key words: Meloidogyne incognita, Nematodes, Rootstock, Tomato grafting, Wild brinjal

Comparative Analysis of the Mitochondrial Genome of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) to Identify Cytoplasmic Male Sterility Candidate Genes.

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is important for commercial hybrid seed production. However, it is still not used in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), and corresponding regulatory genes and mechanisms of action have not been reported. We report CMS line 327A, which was derived from the hybridization between cultivated and wild eggplants. By looking at different stages of anther development under a microscope, we saw that the 327A anther's tapetum layer vacuolized during meiosis, which caused abortion. To investigate the 327A CMS regulatory genes, the mitochondrial genomes of 327A and its maintainer line 327B were assembled de novo. It was found that 15 unique ORFs (Open Reading Frame) were identified in 327A. RT-PCR and RT-QPCAR tests confirmed that orf312a and orf172a, 327A-specific ORFs with a transmembrane domain, were strongly expressed in sterile anthers of 327A. In addition, orf312a has a chimeric structure with the ribosomal protein subunit rpl16. Therefore, orf312a and orf172a can be considered strong candidate genes for CMS. Concurrently, we analyzed the characteristics of CMS to develop a functional molecular marker, CMS312, targeting a future theoretical basis for eggplant CMS three-line molecular breeding.

Map-based cloning of LPD, a major gene positively regulates leaf prickle development in eggplant.

A critical gene for leaf prickle development (LPD) in eggplant was mapped on chromosome E06 and was confirmed to be SmARF10B through RNA interference using a new genetic transformation technique called SACI developed in this study Prickles on eggplant pose challenges for agriculture and are undesirable in cultivated varieties. This study aimed to uncover the genetic mechanisms behind prickle formation in eggplant. Using the F2 and F2:3 populations derived from a cross between the prickly wild eggplant, YQ, and the prickle-free cultivated variety, YZQ, we identified a key genetic locus (LPD, leaf prickle development) on chromosome E06 associated with leaf prickle development through BSA-seq and QTL mapping. An auxin response factor gene, SmARF10B, was predicted as the candidate gene as it exhibited high expression in YQ's mature leaves, while being significantly low in YZQ. Downregulating SmARF10B in YQ through RNAi using a simple and efficient Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation method named Seedling Apical Cut Infection (SACI) developed in this study substantially reduced the size and density of leaf prickles, confirming the role of this gene in prickle development. Besides, an effective SNP was identified in SmARF10B, resulting in an amino acid change between YQ and YZQ. However, this SNP did not consistently correlate with prickle formation in eight other eggplant materials examined. This study sheds light on the pivotal role of SmARF10B in eggplant prickle development and introduces a new genetic transformation method for eggplant, paving the way for future research in this field.

An Evaluation of the Medicinal Value of Solanum nigrum L and Solanum torvum Sw.

Solanum nigrum L. and Solanum torvum Sw. are members of the solanaceae family and it is often used to treat a broad range of infectious disorders that may harm humans. These herbs not only possess beneficial medicinal characteristics, but they also mitigate the potential side effects of some medications. Solanum nigrum L. and Solanum torvum Sw. plants have distinct chemical components included within these chemical compounds are referred to as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides. In addition, they possess beneficial therapeutic characteristics such as effectively treat a variety of fever, asthma, toothaches, eczema, reproductive disorders, painful periods and hypertension. As parts of the scope of this study, authors investigated the pharmacological processes carried out by the Solanum nigrum L. and Solanum torvum Sw. plants and developed a list of its pharmalogical application in order to get knowledge of its medicinal components with a variety variety of possible applications.

Sensory evaluation and chemical composition of Solanum nigrum and Solanum torvum herbal tea and spice.

Herbal teas are ingested for various purposes and by diverse populations across the globe. There is a growing recognition among individuals of the advantages associated with the use of this beverage, leading to a heightened demand for the manufacture of herbal tea derived from therapeutic plants. Spices on the other hand add flavour to food but could pose harm if it is high in phytates and oxalates. The objective of this study was to develop natural spices and herbal tea with health beneficial properties using Solanum nigrum and Solanum torvum berries. Herbal tea samples from S. nigrum were prepared by sorting berries, maceration, divided into two (fermenting at 18 °C and non-fermenting) and dried at 60 °C for 12 h in a hot oven. Spices from S. torvum and S. nigrum were prepared by removing the berries from the stalk, freeze-drying and smooth milling into fine powder. In addition, antinutrient, phytochemical and sensory evaluation studies were conducted on these spices and herbal teas. A nine-point hedonic scale was utilized for the purpose of conducting a consumer acceptability sensory evaluation test using 101 untrained panelists. Data was then analyzed by t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the level of significance (p < 0.05) was assessed using Tukey's and Dunnett's multiple comparison tests. The panellists expressed a favourable perception towards Solanum nigrum unripe unfermented green herbal tea (6.65 ± 2.08) as compared to the other formulated teas due to the components working together in a way that produces a nice tea sample. Both Solanum nigrum and Solanum torvum spices contained various levels of catechins, saponins, flavonoids, oxalates, phytates and tannins comparable to literature. The herbal tea samples exhibited a range of catechin content, varying from 0.255 to 0.756 mg/g. The antioxidant activity of the various herbal tea samples ranged from 66.37 ± 0.24 to 78.53 ± 0.18 µg/mL GAE as determined by the DPPH free radical assay Fermented black herbal teas recorded higher total phenols (2.80 ± 0.09d), total flavonoids (21.84 ± 1.84c) and showed greater antioxidant activity (78.53 ± 0.18a) as compared to the unfermented green herbal teas. The process of fermentation resulted in a decrease in pH from 7.22 to 6.53 within a period of 12 h. The Total Titratable Acidity (TTA) grew as the fermentation period progressed, whereas the Total Soluble Solids (TSS) decreased. Phytates were the least antinutrients among the two Solanum species accounting for 0.02 mg/100 g and 0.03 mg/100 g in S. torvum berries (STBs) and (S. nigrum berries) SNBs respectively.

Bio-efficacy of Solanum torvum (Sw.) against agricultural pest Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Recently, Spodoptera litura (Fab.) has emerged as a significant threat to the environment. Because of the pest's ability to spread, pesticides are often applied to agricultural crops. By combining certain plant extracts with other compounds, both a reduction in insect infestation and an increase in production could be achieved. The antifeedant, larvicidal and histological effects of Solanum torvum (Sw.) leaf extracts were investigated against S. litura. The study found that the ethyl acetate leaf extract showed a significant antifeedant effect against S. litura of (86.16%) at 5% concentration. Ethyl acetate extract showed larvicidal activity against S. litura of 88.21% and the LC50 value was 2.05%. Exposure of larvae to ethyl acetate leaf extract resulted in significant histological damage, particularly affecting epithelial, goblet and digestive cells. The results suggest that the inclusion of these plant extracts in integrated pest management approaches can promote sustainable and environmentally friendly pest control methods in agriculture.

Evaluation of Integrated Pest and Disease Management Combinations against Major Insect Pests and Diseases of Tomato in Tamil Nadu, India

Tomatoes are one of the predominant vegetable crops grown throughout the year in Tamil Nadu, India. Their perishable nature and resource-intensive cultivation make them susceptible to biotic stress. The damage caused by invasive insect pests, bacterial wilt during the rainy season, and viral diseases are major yield-limiting factors, and the farmers mostly depend on calendar-based insecticide applications for insect pest and disease management in tomatoes. The desired tomato hybrids grafted onto bacterial wilt-resistant eggplant rootstocks offer protection against bacterial wilt during the rainy season. The integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) practices consist of resistant grafted tomato seedlings (wild eggplant rootstocks EG 203 and TS 03), bioinoculants (Bacillus subtilis + Trichoderma asperellum + Purpureocillium lilacinum), pheromone traps (Phthorimaea absoluta and Helicoverpa armigera), botanicals (azadirachtin), microbial pesticides (Bacillus thuringiensis, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Beauveria bassiana), and bio-rationals, which were evaluated in four locations in two major tomato-growing tracts of Tamil Nadu. The results revealed that the treatment EG 203 eggplant rootstock-grafted tomato along with IPDM practices performed better across all experimental locations than the other treatment combinations viz., TS 03 eggplant rootstock-grafted tomato + IPDM, tomato + IPDM, grafted tomato + farmers’ practice and tomato + farmers’ practice. The EG 203-grafted tomato recorded a higher yield than the farmers’ practice with significantly superior biometric parameters. The treatment of EG 203-grafted tomato and IPDM practices can be adopted for safer tomato production by enabling a reduction in pesticide applications while enhancing productivity.

Landscape genomics reveals genetic signals of environmental adaptation of African wild eggplants.

Crop wild relatives (CWR) provide a valuable resource for improving crops. They possess desirable traits that confer resilience to various environmental stresses. To fully utilize crop wild relatives in breeding and conservation programs, it is important to understand the genetic basis of their adaptation. Landscape genomics associates environments with genomic variation and allows for examining the genetic basis of adaptation. Our study examined the differences in allele frequency of 15,416 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated through genotyping by sequencing approach among 153 accessions of 15 wild eggplant relatives and two cultivated species from Africa, the principal hotspot of these wild relatives. We also explored the correlation between these variations and the bioclimatic and soil conditions at their collection sites, providing a comprehensive understanding of the genetic signals of environmental adaptation in African wild eggplant. Redundancy analysis (RDA) results showed that the environmental variation explained 6% while the geographical distances among the collection sites explained 15% of the genomic variation in the eggplant wild relative populations when controlling for population structure. Our findings indicate that even though environmental factors are not the main driver of selection in eggplant wild relatives, it is influential in shaping the genomic variation over time. The selected environmental variables and candidate SNPs effectively revealed grouping patterns according to the environmental characteristics of sampling sites. Using four genotype-environment association methods, we detected 396 candidate SNPs (2.5% of the initial SNPs) associated with eight environmental factors. Some of these SNPs signal genes involved in pathways that help adapt to environmental stresses such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, pests, and diseases. These candidate SNPs will be useful for marker-assisted improvement and characterizing the germplasm of this crop for developing climate-resilient eggplant varieties. The study provides a model for applying landscape genomics to other crops' wild relatives.

The Impact of SOLANUM torvum (Turkey Berry) Fortified Cookie on Postprandial Glucose Level in People Living With Diabetes

The Impact of SOLANUM torvum (Turkey Berry) Fortified Cookie on Postprandial Glucose Level in People Living With Diabetes

Anaemia prevention among pregnant women: Views and experiences of pregnant women and antenatal care providers in Accra, Ghana

Background and ObjectiveAnaemia among pregnant women is a public health challenge in Ghana. Although there isa national programme of routine iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation, coverage issuboptimal. The current study explored experiences and perceptions of anaemiaprevention, and IFA use among pregnant women and antenatal care providers at twohospitals in Accra, Ghana, for enhancing the supplementation programme.MethodsUtilizing a qualitative approach, 6 focus group discussions with 48 purposively selectedpregnant women, and 10 in-depth interviews with care providers in two hospitals wereconducted. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Using both deductive and inductiveapproaches, priori themes that informed the design of the interview guides, and emergingcodes from transcripts were used in data analysis.ResultsIn both hospitals, pregnant women reported awareness of anaemia and identified poorquality diets and failure to take IFA as the predominant causes. Regular IFAsupplementation, and consumption of fruits, vegetables, and animal-source foods wereindicated as the main anaemia remedies by the pregnant women. Turkey berry, beetroot,and hibiscus flower were also reported as therapeutic remedies for anaemia. IFA use waslinked with improved appetite, haemoglobin, and health status of mothers and their fetus.Both providers and pregnant women indicated that IFA is freely accessible throughgovernment facilities but may also be purchased. IFA supplements are recommended to betaken daily but three times for treatment; however, non-adherence to the recommendedfrequency was reported. This was attributed to adverse reactions including nausea andvomiting, unanticipated cost of increased appetite, forgetfulness to take IFA,misperceptions about adverse effects of IFA, transportation cost to access IFA, and longwaiting time at hospitals. Community-level focused antenatal care, follow-up visits, andphone calls were reported by providers as strategies to improve IFA uptake. Communitysensitization, enhanced access to IFA, and participatory approach to ANC services weresuggested by pregnant women as strategies for improving IFA uptake.ConclusionsFood insecurity and misperceptions about IFA should be addressed as part of efforts toaddress low IFA adherence and high maternal and child anaemia rates in Ghana.

Grafting increases superoxide dismutase and catalase activity to overcome the impact of the two-spotted spider mite on eggplant growth and productivity

Grafting vegetable crops is considered a valuable tool for improving the yield and quality of fruits under various stress conditions. This study aimed to assess the influence of grafting eggplant Solanum melongena (cv. A338) onto Solanum torvum rootstock (cv. STT3) on the incidence of the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (TSSM). An experimental study was conducted to investigate the defense response elicited, as assessed by measuring the activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as hydrogen peroxide (H&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;) and chlorophyll contents in grafted and non-grafted eggplants under different TSSM infestation levels (10, 30 and 50 adults per plant). In addition, the effect of grafting on plant growth and yield of eggplant was evaluated. According to the findings of the present study, grafted plants had a lower density of TSSM than non-grafted plants. The number of eggs, nymphs, and adults on grafted plants was 40.11%, 31.71%, and 27.54%, respectively, lower than on non-grafted plants. With increasing TSSM density, the activities of CAT and SOD were increased at varying degrees. In terms of SOD activity, the grafted plants outperformed both the non-grafted scion and rootstock at all TSSM densities. In addition, the results demonstrated that plants with greater CAT activity were able to maintain a lower H&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; content and vice versa. The lower negative impacts on photosynthetic pigments demonstrated that grafted plants on S. torvum were more resistant to mite-induced damage to chlorophyll and carotenoids as mite density elevated. The grafted plants were superior in vegetative growth, and the total fruit weight was found to be two times higher than non-grafted plants. The features modified by grafting, such as the increased activities of SOD and CAT, can alleviate the impact of TSSM. Therefore, grafting could constitute a valuable tool when combined with other strategies of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the two-spotted spider mite control programs.

Assessment of the antioxidant and nutritive profile of the leaves and berries of Solanum nigrum and Solanum torvum Swart

The research focused on analyzing the antioxidant and nutritional properties of Solanum torvum leaves (STL) and berries (STF), as well as Solanum nigrum leaves (SNL) and berries (SNF). The study examined the basic nutritional composition, mineral content, metal presence, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capabilities of both plant species. Wild-harvested leaves and unripe berries of S. torvum and S. nigrum were cooked and ground for testing. Statistical analysis included the Student's T-test and calculations of mean ± SEM. Findings revealed that both species of Solanum are sources of dietary fibre, protein, and fats, along with essential minerals like sodium (Na), manganese (Mn), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) in different amounts. Notably, the leaves had higher iron content than the berries, indicating their potential superiority in addressing Iron Deficiency Anaemia. Antioxidant activity was highest in STF (61.34±1.05 mg/mL) for water-based extracts and SNL (42.86±1.49 mg/mL) for alcohol-based extracts, highlighting the impact of solvent choice on antioxidant measurement. STL exhibited the greatest phenolic concentration in water extracts, while STF had the highest in alcohol extracts (15.88±0.87 mg/g GAE). Additionally, palmitic acid was identified in SNL and STL, oleic acid (97.03 %, retention time: 10.00 min) in SNB, and Sitosterol (94.93 %, retention time: 26.82 min), a type of phytosterol, in STB. Considering the role of antioxidants in preventing lipid oxidation in food and their contribution to combating degenerative diseases, the study advocates for the potential use of these Solanum species as natural food additives to protect against oxidative damage.

Action of Areal Parts of Solanum Torvum on Allergic Action and Mast Cell Stabilization on Laboratory Animals

Action of Areal Parts of Solanum Torvum on Allergic Action and Mast Cell Stabilization on Laboratory Animals

Unraveling verticillium wilt resistance: insight from the integration of transcriptome and metabolome in wild eggplant.

Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae, is a soil-borne disease affecting eggplant. Wild eggplant, recognized as an excellent disease-resistant resource against verticillium wilt, plays a pivotal role in grafting and breeding for disease resistance. However, the underlying resistance mechanisms of wild eggplant remain poorly understood. This study compared two wild eggplant varieties, LC-2 (high resistance) and LC-7 (sensitive) at the phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic levels to determine the molecular basis of their resistance to verticillium wilt. These two varieties exhibit substantial phenotypic differences in petal color, leaf spines, and fruit traits. Following inoculation with V. dahliae, LC-2 demonstrated significantly higher activities of polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, β-1,3 glucanase, and chitinase than did LC-7. RNA sequencing revealed 4,017 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with a significant portion implicated in processes associated with disease resistance and growth. These processes encompassed defense responses, cell wall biogenesis, developmental processes, and biosynthesis of spermidine, cinnamic acid, and cutin. A gene co-expression analysis identified 13 transcription factors as hub genes in modules related to plant defense response. Some genes exhibited distinct expression patterns between LC-2 and LC-7, suggesting their crucial roles in responding to infection. Further, metabolome analysis identified 549 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) between LC-2 and LC-7, primarily consisting of compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, lipids, and other metabolites. Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed the association of 35 gene-metabolite pairs in modules related to the plant defense response, highlighting the interconnected processes underlying the plant defense response. These findings characterize the molecular basis of LC-2 resistance to verticillium wilt and thus have potential value for future breeding of wilt-resistant eggplant varieties.

NIGHTSHADE NECTAR: A MULTIFACETED DIVE INTO MEDICINAL, POLLEN, AND STEM ANATOMIES OF FIVE SOLANACEAE WONDERS

This comprehensive study delves into the intricate anatomy and reproductive biology of five prominent members of the Solanaceae family: Capsicum frutescens L., Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanum torvum Sw., Datura stramonium L., and Solanum melongena L. Through detailed anatomical examinations, including stem structure analyses, and investigations into pollen germination processes, this research elucidates the unique characteristics and adaptations of each species. Additionally, the study provides essential insights into the materials required for free-hand sectioning and pollen viability testing, facilitating further research in plant anatomy and reproductive physiology. With a focus on both morphological and physiological aspects, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of Solanaceae plant species and their ecological significance.

Influence of particle size fraction and bioactive compound contents on the biological activities of Solanum torvum L. leaf powder extracts

This study investigates the bioactive compound content and biological activities of raw powder extracts and particle size fractions from Solanum torvum leaves. The leaves, harvested from Douala, were processed into powders and subsequently divided into different fractions. Methanolic extracts of these powders were analyzed for their content of bioactive compounds (total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and condensed tannins), antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP assays), and antimicrobial (bacterial and fungal) activities. The particle size fraction of 250-400 µm constitutes the largest proportion (33.41%) of the raw powder. The highest contents of bioactive compounds are found in the 200-250, 400-500, and &lt; 125 µm fractions for total polyphenols (44.62 ± 0.19 mg GEA/100 ml extract), total flavonoids (14.47 ± 0.37 mg QE/100 ml extract), and condensed tannins (22.79 ± 0.12 mg CE/100 ml extract), respectively. The antioxidant activity of extracts from 500-800µm fraction improved their DPPH and ABTS assays by 31.50% and 40.44% compared to the raw powder. The same fraction (500-800 µm) and the raw powder extracts demonstrated bactericidal activities, while the 125-200, 200-250, and ≥ 800 µm fraction extracts exhibited moderate and significant antifungal activities against several bacterial and fungal strains, respectively. These biological activities are primarily attributed to the average flavonoid contents, which become more accessible in extracts after fractionation. This method of processing powder suggests that no plant powder should be disregarded or rejected due to its low content of bioactive compounds.

Performance of Aubergine Rootstocks against Verticillium dahliae Isolates in Southeastern Spain

Aubergine (Solanum melongena L.) (Solanaceae) is a widespread crop in the Mediterranean basin. Verticillium dahliae is one of the main soil-borne pathogens affecting the aubergine crop. Its control has traditionally been achieved by soil fumigation with chemical disinfectants. Restrictions on the use of chemical fumigants have led to the search for solutions in genetic resistance using rootstocks. In southeastern Spain, aubergines are grafted for the control of V. dahliae. Two Solanum torvum rootstocks (Hugo F1 and Torpedo) and a Solanum melongena hybrid (Javah F1) were tested against five isolates of V. dahliae obtained from grafted (A1 and A2) and ungrafted (Vd8, Vd17 and Vd66) aubergines compared with the susceptible cultivar Larne F1 under controlled conditions. Isolates from grafted plants infected all three rootstocks, with differences observed in the percentage of plants with symptoms and in the disease symptom severity. Three strains isolated from the ungrafted aubergines (Vd8, Vd17 and Vd66) infected Javah F1 rootstock. The Hugo F1 and Torpedo rootstocks showed a high level of resistance to V. dahliae, while Javah F1 was susceptible to the pathogen. The Hugo F1 and Torpedo rootstocks are suitable for mitigating the effects of Verticillium wilt in Mediterranean aubergine crops. Understanding the nature of the resistance from S. torvum could enhance the benefits of grafting or facilitate the introduction of resistance into commercial cultivars.

Solanum aculeatissimum and Solanum torvum chloroplast genome sequences: a comparative analysis with other Solanum chloroplast genomes

BackgroundSolanum aculeatissimum and Solanum torvum belong to the Solanum species, and they are essential plants known for their high resistance to diseases and adverse conditions. They are frequently used as rootstocks for grafting and are often crossbred with other Solanum species to leverage their resistance traits. However, the phylogenetic relationship between S. aculeatissimum and S. torvum within the Solanum genus remains unclear. Therefore, this paper aims to sequence the complete chloroplast genomes of S. aculeatissimum and S. torvum and analyze them in comparison with 29 other previously published chloroplast genomes of Solanum species.ResultsWe observed that the chloroplast genomes of S. aculeatissimum and S. torvum possess typical tetrameric structures, consisting of one Large Single Copy (LSC) region, two reverse-symmetric Inverted Repeats (IRs), and one Small Single Copy (SSC) region. The total length of these chloroplast genomes ranged from 154,942 to 156,004 bp, with minimal variation. The highest GC content was found in the IR region, while the lowest was in the SSC region. Regarding gene content, the total number of chloroplast genes and CDS genes remained relatively consistent, ranging from 128 to 134 and 83 to 91, respectively. Nevertheless, there was notable variability in the number of tRNA genes and rRNAs. Relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) analysis revealed that both S. aculeatissimum and S. torvum preferred codons that utilized A and U bases. Analysis of the IR boundary regions indicated that contraction and expansion primarily occurred at the junction between SSC and IR regions. Nucleotide polymorphism analysis and structural variation analysis demonstrated that chloroplast variation in Solanum species mainly occurred in the LSC and SSC regions. Repeat sequence analysis revealed that A/T was the most frequent base pair in simple repeat sequences (SSR), while Palindromic and Forward repeats were more common in long sequence repeats (LSR), with Reverse and Complement repeats being less frequent. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that S. aculeatissimum and S. torvum belonged to the same meristem and were more closely related to Cultivated Eggplant.ConclusionThese findings enhance our comprehension of chloroplast genomes within the Solanum genus, offering valuable insights for plant classification, evolutionary studies, and potential molecular markers for species identification.

Characteristics of the ET, a new species created by interspecific hybridization of two wild eggplants

The eggplant tree (Solanum stockii Ye, ET) is a dominant hybrid obtained by sexual hybridization, embryo rescue, and tissue culture between the maternal parent SWB (Solanum wrightii Benth) and the paternal parent ST (Solanum torvum). Compared with its parents, eggplant tree has a faster growth rate, more efficient nutrient and water absorption, higher grafting compatibility, as well as comparable resistance and perenniality, making it an ideal rootstock for simplified, labor-saving, and long-season production of vegetables. However, there is few studies reported about the eggplant tree. In this study, we aimed to explore the factors contributing to the rapid growth of the eggplant tree. We obtained the ET using the same method, which the leaf and flower sizes are comparable to those of SWB, but larger than those of ST and cultivated eggplant (G063). Ploidy analysis demonstrated that ET is diploid, but with a significant decrease in pollen viability, which may be the reason for the phenomenon of "flowering but not fruiting". Transcriptome and metabolome analysis revealed that 6177 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 563 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) significantly changed in plant growth and development, and stress resistance. A key gene (Smechr0700070.1) that may indirectly promote scopolin synthesis in ET was identified according to an in-depth analysis of the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, which promotes plant growth in ET. These findings significantly improve our understanding of the characteristics of ET and lay a theoretical foundation for its commercial cultivation.