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Wild rice ( Zizania spp.), an aquatic grass belonging to the subfamily Gramineae, has a high economic value. Zizania provides food (such as grains and vegetables), a habitat for wild animals, and paper-making pulps, possesses certain medicinal values, and helps control water eutrophication. Zizania is an ideal resource for expanding and enriching a rice breeding gene bank to naturally preserve valuable characteristics lost during domestication. With the Z. latifolia and Z. palustris genomes completely sequenced, fundamental achievements have been made toward understanding the origin and domestication, as well as the genetic basis of important agronomic traits of this genus, substantially accelerating the domestication of this wild plant. The present review summarizes the research results on the edible history, economic value, domestication, breeding, omics research, and important genes of Z. latifolia and Z. palustris over the past decades. These findings broaden the collective understanding of Zizania domestication and breeding, furthering human domestication, improvement, and long-term sustainability of wild plant cultivation.

Northern wild rice (NWR; Zizania palustris L.), an annual aquatic plant in the Poaceae family, has high economic importance due to its nutrient-rich grains. However, the existing NWR genome assembly for this species has severe fragmentation and incomplete gene representation. A near-complete genome was assembled in this study to provide a high-quality genomic reference for NWR-associated research. The assembled genome exhibited a total contig length of 1.41 Gb and a contig N50 of 109.22 Mb. Overall, a 73.60% repetitive sequence content was identified and 47,804 genes predicted. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Z. palustris was most closely related to Zizania latifolia, with an estimated divergence time of 4.57–8.15 Mya. Meanwhile, Z. palustris underwent a recent, species-specific long terminal repeat (LTR) expansion, associated with its larger genome size. We identified two genomic blocks in the Z. palustris and Z. latifolia genomes that exhibit strong synteny with the rice phytocassane biosynthetic gene cluster. The centromeric satellite repeats in Z. palustris identified in this study primarily comprised a 145 bp repetitive unit. The findings also revealed centromere homogenisation and rearrangement accompanied by LTR invasion in NWR. Among the genes missing in the previous NWR genome, we observed LTR insertion events that resulted in expanded gene lengths in our updated NWR genome. The present updated NWR genome provides a valuable resource for crop genetic improvement, functional gene discovery, and research on critical biological processes.

Tricin, a flavone present in rice bran, is confirmed as the major efficacious compound present in the enzyme-treated Zizania latifolia extract (ETZL), which protects against UVB-induced skin-aging. However, the suppressive mechanism of tricin on allergic responses remains unknown. The present study, therefore, aimed to determine the mechanisms of tricin and ETZL on mast cell degranulation in IgE-activated rat basophilic leukemia cell line (RBL-2H3) cells. We investigated the regulatory effects of tricin and ETZL on degranulation, production of cytokines and lipid mediators, and signaling proteins involved in the IgE-bound high-affinity IgE receptor activation, mitogen-activated protein kinase, arachidonic acid and Syk. The production of β–hexosaminidase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-4, leukotrienes (LT) B4, LTC4 and prostaglandin E2 in IgE-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells were significantly inhibited by exposure to tricin or ETZL. Moreover, tricin and ETZL inhibit the phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2, 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-2. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of Akt, ERK, p38, JNK, protein kinase Cδ and phospholipase Cγ1 were effectively suppressed by both samples. Exposure to tricin or ETZL also significantly decreases the phosphorylation of Lyn and Syk, but has minimal effect on Fyn. Taken together, our data indicate that tricin and ETZL are potential anti-allergic materials that could be applied for the prevention of allergy-related diseases.

Key message We report a transcriptome assembly and expression profiles from RNA-Seq data and identify genes responsible for culm gall formation in Zizania latifolia induced by Ustilago esculenta . The smut fungus Ustilago esculenta can induce culm gall in Zizania latifolia , which is used as a vegetable in Asian countries. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of culm gall formation is still unclear. To characterize the processes underlying this host-fungus association, we performed transcriptomic and expression profiling analyses of culms from Z. latifolia infected by the fungus U. esculenta . Transcriptomic analysis detected U. esculenta induced differential expression of 19,033 and 17,669 genes in Jiaobai (JB) and Huijiao (HJ) type of gall, respectively. Additionally, to detect the potential gall inducing genes, expression profiles of infected culms collected at −7, 1 and 10 DAS of culm gall development were  analyzed. Compared to control, we detected 8089 genes (4389 up-regulated, 3700 down-regulated) and 5251 genes (3121 up-regulated, 2130 down-regulated) were differentially expressed in JB and HJ, respectively. And we identified 376 host and 187 fungal candidate genes that showed stage-specific expression pattern, which are  possibly responsible for gall formation at the initial and later phases, respectively. Our results indicated that cytokinins play more prominent roles in regulating gall formation than do auxins. Together, our work provides general implications for the understanding of gene regulatory networks for culm gall development in Z. latifolia , and potential targets for genetic manipulation to improve the future yield   of  this crop.

Dormancy is a limiting factor for breeding in northern wild rice (NWR; Zizania palustris L). This study developed a dormancy curve and tested a combination of scarification and hormone treatments, across three timepoints, for their ability to break dormancy in NWR and produce viable seedlings and plants. A dormancy curve was established across 9 months post-harvest, which showed maximum germination (95%) by 17 weeks post-harvest and high germination (≥ 81%) through the rest of the testing period. Subsequently, dormancy breaking treatments were tested at 1 week post-harvest; only a few seeds germinated (≤ 15%) across all treatment combinations. However, sulfuric acid increased germination shortly after harvest (5.8%), compared to water (0.5%) and NaClO (0%) but resulted in stunted seedlings, all but one of which died shortly thereafter. At 7 weeks, sulfuric acid treated seeds did not result in significantly higher germination than water and maximum germination was still below 15%. By 11 weeks post-harvest, the water treatments had the highest germination and resulted in the most viable plants, indicating that dormancy had begun to break naturally and exceeded the effect of the other scarification treatments. Hormonal treatments had no significant effect on germination or seed viability and no strong conclusions could be drawn about their effect on seedling or plant health. Due to the inability of early germinated seed to consistently produce viable plants and the increase in germination following sufficient cold storage, it is likely that NWR seed has intermediate or deep physiological dormancy.

Zizania latifolia is a vegetable that is native to China. Z. latifolia has a long history and a huge yield. Usually, the biological mass of leaves and sheaths of Z. latifolia account for 50% to 70% of the total mass of the plants, so there is a lot of residual Z. latifolia straw after cultivation. This causes pollution to the local environment and rivers. At the same time, non-wood fiber materials have always been one of the raw materials used in the paper industry. The purpose of this study was to turn the large-scale abandoned Z. latifolia straw into a valuable resource and bring a new treatment idea of Z. latifolia straw papermaking. By comparing the Z. latifolia paper with conventional old corrugated container paper, this study introduced a new idea for solving the treatment of Z. latifolia straw abandoned in Jinyun, China.

The accelerated eutrophication rate of (sub)tropical lakes is a major environmental problem. Constructed wetlands are considered as an effective method to purify water bodies. However, the removal rate of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and other nutrients by wetland vegetation is quite different, and the continuous observation of plants and water ecosystems is required. In this study, the growth curves of two subtropical wetland plants, Phragmites australis and Zizania caduciflora , and their absorption effects on N and P in constructed wetlands were studied. The results showed that the growth curves of the two wetland plants were similar, reaching the biomass peak in July to August, and the cumulative absorption of N and P by plants had the same trend with the change of biomass. The N and P concentration of plants reached the peak in March to April, with higher concentration in Phragmites australis than that of Zizania caduciflora . At the end of the growing season, i.e. around October 20, the accumulated absorption of N and P by plants reached the maximum, which was the optimal time for harvest of subtropical wetland plants. Thereafter, the residues of plant litter entered the water, causing the recovery of N and P concentration in the water body, therefore affected the purification function of wetland. There is a strong correlation between the water purification efficiency and plant growth. With the increase of biomass, N and P accumulation in Phragmites australis and Zizania caduciflora , the N, P content and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the water of wetland showed a significant decreasing trend. The removal rates of N, P, COD and suspended substance (SS) in the constructed wetlands with Phragmites australis and Zizania caduciflora as the main plants were 95%, 96%, 82% and 86%, respectively. In general, the purification capacity of Phragmites australis is slightly higher than that of Zizania caduciflora and precipitation had positive effects on the pollutants concentration of wetland water. The results provide scientific basis for plant selection and management of subtropical constructed wetlands.

This study presents an integrated approach combining molecular, phytochemical, and biological analyses to characterize a newly discovered Zizania specimen from the northern Nile Delta, Egypt. Genetic fingerprinting using RAPD and ISSR markers revealed 85% band-sharing similarity with Zizania texana (Z. texana), though distinct morphological and genetic traits suggested potential intraspecific variation. Phytochemical profiling identified high concentrations of bioactive compounds, including quercetin (42.1 µg/mL), β-caryophyllene (11.21%), and gallic acid (23.4 µg/mL), which are pertinent and correlated with robust biological activities. The ethanolic leaf extract exhibited significant antioxidant capacity (IC50 = 38.6 µg/mL in DPPH assay), potent antimicrobial effects against Candida albicans (C. albicans) (IC50 = 4.9 ± 0.6 µg/mL), and dose-dependent cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. MCF-7 has the lowest IC50 (28.3 ± 1.5 µg/mL), indicating the highest potency among the tested cell lines. In contrast, HepG2 demonstrates moderate sensitivity (IC50 = 31.4 ± 1.8 µg/mL), while A549 shows the highest IC50 value (36.9 ± 2.0 µg/mL), indicating greater resistance. These findings underscore the taxonomic novelty of the specimen and its potential as a source of natural antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anticancer agents. The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in resolving taxonomic uncertainties and unlocking the medicinal value of understudied aquatic plants.

Due to the importance of proanthocyanidin bioactivity and its relationship with chemical structure, ultrasound-assisted extraction and purification schemes were proposed to evaluate the proanthocyanidin content and analyze the structural composition and potential bioactivities of different proanthocyanidin fractions from Chinese wild rice (Zizania latifolia). Following an optimized extraction procedure, the crude wild rice proanthocyanidins (WRPs) were purified using n-butanol extraction, chromatography on macroporous resins, and further fractionation on Sephadex LH-20 to yield six specific fractions (WRPs-1–WRPs-6) containing proanthocyanidin levels exceeding 524.19 ± 3.56 mg/g extract. Structurally, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and (−)-epigallocatechin were present as both terminal and extension units, and (−)-epicatechin was the major extension unit, in each fraction. This is the first preparation of WRP fractions with a different mean degree of polymerization (mDP), ranging from 2.66 ± 0.04 to 10.30 ± 0.46. A comparison of the bioactivities of these fractions revealed that fractions WRPs-1−WRPs-5 had significant DPPH radical scavenging activities, whereas fraction WRPs-6 with a high mDP showed better α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitory effects. These findings should help define possible applications of WRPs to functional foods or nutraceuticals.

Zizania latifolia (tribe Oryzeae Dum., subfamily Oryzoideae Care, family Gramineae) is native to East Asian countries. The seeds of Z. latifolia (Chinese wild rice) have been consumed as a cereal in China for >3000 years. Z. latifolia forms swollen culms when infected with Ustilago esculenta, which is the second most-cultivated aquatic vegetable in China. The current review summarizes the nutrients and bioactive compounds of Z. latifolia, and health benefits of its seeds. The seeds of Z. latifolia contain proteins, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds, the activities of which—for example, antioxidant activity—have been characterized. Various health benefits are associated with their consumption, such as alleviation of insulin resistance and lipotoxicity, and protection against cardiovascular disease. Chinese wild rice may be used to prevent and treat metabolic disease, such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Various compounds were isolated from the swollen culm, and aerial parts of Z. latifolia. The former suppresses osteoclast formation, inhibits growth of rat glioma cells, and may act as antioxidants and immunomodulators in drugs or foods. The latter exerts anti-fatigue, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects. Thus, Z. latifolia may be used to produce nutraceuticals and functional foods.