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Simple sequence repeats (SSR), also known as microsatellites, are crucial molecular markers in both animals and plants. Despite extensive previous research on SSRs, the development of microsatellite markers in Brassica crops remains limited and inefficient. Krait software was used to identify microsatellites by genome-wide and marker development based on three recently sequenced basic species of crops in the triangle of U ( rapa, and ), as well as three allotetraploids ( and ) using public databases. Subsequently, the primers and the characteristics of microsatellites for most of them were accordingly designed on each chromosome of each of the six Brassica species, and their physical locations were identified,and the cross-transferability of primers have been carried out. In addition, a B-genome specific SSR marker was screened out. A total of 79341, 92089, 125443, 173964, 173604, and 222160 SSR loci have been identified from the whole genome sequences of crops within the triangle of U crops, (AA), (BB), (CC), (AACC), (AABB) and (BBCC), respectively. Comparing the number distribution of the three allotetraploid SSR loci in the three subgenomes AA, BB and CC, results indicate that the allotetraploid species have significant reduction in the number of SSR loci in the genome compared with their basic diploid counterparts. Moreover, we compared the basic species with their corresponding varieties, and found that the microsatellite characters between the allotetraploids and their corresponding basic species were very similar or almost identical. Subsequently, each of the 40 SSR primers was employed to investigate the polymorphism potential of (85.27%), (81.33%) and (73.45%), and was found to have a higher cross-transfer rate among the basic species in the triangle of U. Meanwhile, a B-genome specific SSR marker, possessing the (AAGGA) sequence characteristics was obtained, and it located in chromosome B3 with a total length of 97 bp. In this study, results suggest that the pattern of distribution may be highly conserved during the differentiation of basic species and their allotetraploid counterparts. Our data indicated that the allotetraploidization process resulted in a significant reduction in SSR loci in the three subgenomes AA, BB and CC. The reasons may be partial gene dominated chromosomal homologous recombination and rearrangement during the evolution of basic diploid species into allotetraploids. This study provides a basis for future genomics and genetic research on the relatedness of species.

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is a destructive soil-borne disease significantly harming global Brassica crop production. This study employed the Williams and European Clubroot Differential (ECD) and Williams systems to identify the pathotypes of P. brassicae collected from Hangzhou City, Yuhang District and Quzhou City, Kaihua County in Zhejiang Province. Greenhouse and field trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of plastic film covering and four chemical agents on the growth parameters and clubroot severity of the Chinese cabbage cultivar ‘Granaat’. Potential treatment mechanisms on clubroot were explored through a qPCR analysis of the resting spore density and pH measurement of the soil. Furthermore, treatment with 1-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA), a synthetic auxin, was also evaluated for its potential role in suppressing clubroot. The results indicate that the pathotypes of P. brassicae in the two districts were P1, ECD20/31/12, and P3, ECD20/15/4. While an individual application of plastic film covering could not effectively control clubroot, calcium cyanamid, dazomet and ammonium bicarbonate demonstrated significant efficacy in its management. These three agents significantly reduced the resting spore density in the soil, with calcium cyanamid and ammonium bicarbonate also increasing soil alkalinity. Additionally, ammonium bicarbonate promotes lateral root development in ‘Granaat,’ helping infected plants access adequate water and nutrients. However, NAA exhibited no efficacy in clubroot control. Therefore, sustained lateral root development is crucial for effectively resisting P. brassicae invasion. Considering application costs and environmental friendliness, we propose the field application of ammonium bicarbonate as the optimal method for clubroot disease management in Zhejiang Province.

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs), also known as microsatellites, stand out as the most crucial molecular markers in both animals and plants owing to their high polymorphism, extensive information content, ease of detection through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, and widespread distribution across the genome. In this study, a total of 125,443 SSR loci were identified from the whole-genome sequence of B. oleracea, and 82,948 primer pairs for SSR have been designed. Furthermore, each primer pair is designated with a unique identifier (ranging from BolSSR00001 to BolSSR82984). Our findings indicated that certain markers within them could be transferred to other cruciferous crops. In addition, a total of 336 pairs of SSR primers have been used to screen the polymorphism between the bolting-resistant and bolting-easy gene pools. After the test of verification with F2 generation individual plants, we obtained an SSR dominant marker, BolSSR040196, linked with bolting-resistant locus in cabbage, and the genetic distance between this SSR marker and the bolting-resistant locus was 10.69 cM. Moreover, BolSSR040196 is located on the C05 chromosome with a CT motif, characterized by a repeat of 9 in bolting-easy plants and 11 in bolting-resistant plants. Haplotype analysis showed that the correct prediction rate reached 82.35%. The BolSSR040196 marker can be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding, offering a straightforward and efficient approach for bolting-resistant cabbage breeding in the future.

MADS-box is a vital transcription factor family that functions in plant growth and development. Apart from APETALA2, all genes in the ABCDE model that explain the molecular mechanism of floral organ development belong to the MADS-box family. Carpel and ovule numbers in plants are essential agronomic traits that determine seed yield, and multilocular siliques have great potential for the development of high-yield varieties of Brassica. In this study, ABCDE genes in the MADS-box family from Brassica rapa were identified and characterized. Their tissue-specific expression patterns in floral organs and their differential expression in different pistil types of B. rapa were revealed by qRT-PCR. A total of 26 ABCDE genes were found to belong to the MADS-box family. Our proposed ABCDE model of B. rapa is consistent with that of Arabidopsis thaliana, indicating that ABCDE genes are functionally conserved. These results of qRT-PCR showed that the expression levels of class C and D genes were significantly different between the wild-type (wt) and tetracarpel (tetrac) mutant of B. rapa. Interestingly, the expression of the homologs of class E genes was imbalanced. Therefore, it is speculated that class C, D, and E genes are involved in developing the carpel and ovule of B. rapa. Our findings reveal the potential for the selection of candidate genes to improve yield traits in Brassica crops.

MADS-box is a vital transcription factor family that functions in plant growth and development. Apart from APETALA2, all genes in the ABCDE model that explain the molecular mechanism of floral organ development belong to the MADS-box family. Carpel and ovule numbers in plants are essential agronomic traits that determine seed yield, and multilocular siliques have great potential for the development of high-yield varieties of Brassica. In this study, ABCDE genes in the MADS-box family from Brassica rapa were identified and characterized. Their tissue-specific expression patterns in floral organs and their differential expression in different pistil types of B. rapa were revealed by qRT-PCR. A total of 26 ABCDE genes were found to belong to the MADS-box family. Our proposed ABCDE model of B. rapa is consistent with that of Arabidopsis thaliana, indicating that ABCDE genes are functionally conserved. These results of qRT-PCR showed that the expression levels of class C and D genes were significantly different between the wild-type (wt) and tetracarpel (tetrac) mutant of B. rapa. Interestingly, the expression of the homologs of class E genes was imbalanced. Therefore, it is speculated that class C, D, and E genes are involved in developing the carpel and ovule of B. rapa. Our findings reveal the potential for the selection of candidate genes to improve yield traits in Brassica crops.

Developing cost‐efficient trifunctional catalysts capable of facilitating hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity is essential for the progression of energy devices. Engineering these catalysts to optimize their active sites and integrate them into a cohesive system presents a significant challenge. This study introduces a nanoflower (NFs)‐like carbon‐encapsulated FeNiPt nanoalloy catalyst (FeNiPt@C NFs), synthesized by substituting Co2+ ions with high‐spin Fe2+ ions in Hofmann‐type metal‐organic framework, followed by carbonization and pickling processes. The FeNiPt@C NFs catalyst, characterized by its nitrogen‐doped carbon‐encapsulated metal alloy structure and phase‐segregated FeNiPt alloy with slight surface oxidization, exhibits excellent trifunctional catalytic performance. This is evidenced by its activities in HER (−25 mV at 10 mA cm−2), ORR (half‐wave potential of 0.93 V), and OER (294 mV at 10 mA cm−2), with the enhanced water oxidation activity attributed to the high‐spin state of the Fe element. Consequently, the Zn‐air battery and anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer assembled by FeNiPt@C NFs catalyst demonstrate remarkable power density (168 mW cm−2) and industrial‐scale current density (698 mA cm−2 at 1.85 V), respectively. This innovative integration of multifunctional catalytic sites paves the way for the advancement of sustainable energy systems. The nanoflower‐like carbon‐encapsulated FeNiPt nanoalloy hierarchical structure (FeNiPt@C NFs catalyst) is successfully synthesized by pyrolyzing metal‐organic framework, exhibiting exceptional performance in HER/OER/ORR. Notably, spin‐induced enhanced water oxidation is observed for the first time in a carbon‐encapsulated alloy catalyst. Therefore, a trifunctional FeNiPt@C NFs catalyst is developed as an exemplary model for designing and synthesizing efficient and stable multifunctional catalysts.

Bi2O2Se has attracted intensive attention due to its potential in electronics, optoelectronics, as well as ferroelectric applications. Despite that, there have only been a handful of experimental studies based on ultrafast spectroscopy to elucidate the carrier dynamics in Bi2O2Se thin films, Different groups have reported various ultrafast timescales and associated mechanisms across films of different thicknesses. A comprehensive understanding in relation to thickness and fluence is still lacking. In this work, we have systematically explored the thickness-dependent Raman spectroscopy and ultrafast carrier dynamics in chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown Bi2O2Se thin films on mica substrate with thicknesses varying from 22.44 nm down to 4.62 nm at both low and high pump fluence regions. Combining the thickness dependence and fluence dependence of the slow decay time, we demonstrate a ferroelectric transition in the thinner (< 8 nm) Bi2O2Se films, influenced by substrate-induced compressive strain and non-equilibrium states. Moreover, this transition can be manifested under highly non-equilibrium states. Our results deepen the understanding of the interplay between the ferroelectric phase and semiconducting characteristics of Bi2O2Se thin films, providing a new route to manipulate the ferroelectric transition.