Project description:To further explore the molecular mechanisms of flowering regulation in pitaya, we used de novo RNA sequencing-based transcriptomic analysis for four stages of pitaya subjected to light induction. We assembled 68113 unigenes in total, of which 29782 unigenes with functional annotations in the Nr database, 20716 annotations in SwissProt, 18088 annotations in KOG, and 11059 annotations in Kegg
Project description:Canker disease caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum is the most serious disease that attacks the pitaya industry. One pathogenic fungus, referred to as ND8, was isolated from the wild-type red-fleshed pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) of Hainan Province. Here, we studied mainly the host responses of red-fleshed pitaya (H. polyrhizus) cultivars against N. dimidiatum using Illumina RNA-Seq technology.
Project description:The pathogenic fungus Neoscytalidium dimidiatum (Nd) is the causal agent of pitaya canker and causes significant yield losses. The mechanism by which Nd invades pitaya stems remains largely unknown. Here, quantitative proteomic analysis was employed to investigate pitaya immune responses against Nd infection. A total of 2766 proteins including 244 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified during the infection cycle. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the DEPs were associated with photosynthesis, phytohormone activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and pathogenic defense responses. This study demonstrates that comparative proteomics is an effective strategy for providing new perspective on biotic stress from fungal pathogens in pitaya.
Project description:Pitaya is a new fruit crop, whose exotically colored fruits have excellent nutritional and antioxidant properties. In this study, the primary metabolite profiles of three pitaya cultivars i.e. 'Guanhuahong' (red peel with red pulp), 'Guanhuabai' (red peel with white pulp) and 'Guanhuahongfen' (red peel with pink pulp) were investigated using GC-MS and Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. In the fruit pulp, levels of starch, organic acids, and inositol decreased as the fruit matured. Glucose, fructose, sucrose and sorbitol contents increased gradually during fruit maturation and reached their highest levels in the pulp at the mature stage. Citramalic acid was identified for the first time in the pulp of Hylocereus species. Higher levels of total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activities were detected in the peel than in the pulp during fruit maturation of all three cultivars. The finding of higher levels of total phenols and flavonoids in the pitaya peel than in the pulp at the mature stage suggests that pitaya peels are a good source of natural phenols and flavonoids.
Project description:Cold stress is one of the most important environmental factors affecting crop growth and agricultural production. Most temperate plants acquire cold tolerance by a process called cold acclimation. In this study, the annual branches of three varieties of pitayas (Fulong, Xianmi, and Zihonglong) with different cold resistance were selected. The physiological response in cold stress were investigated using a multivariate statistical method. Meanwhile, to clarify the cold resistance related proteins and pathway in annual pitaya branches, a comparative proteomic approach was also conducted. Physiological changes results showed that cold stress could decrease the moisture and chlorophyll contents, to the contrary, increase the REC, the contents of MDA, soluble protein, free proline, and soluble sugar, and enhance the activities of POD, SOD, and CAT.
