Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sadaf Sarwar Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan Author-Name: Muhammad Shafiq Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan Author-Name: Layba Tasawar Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan Author-Name: Iram Gull Author-Workplace-Name: School of Biochemistry & Biotechnology University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan Author-Name: Jannat Akram Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan Author-Name: Maha Al-Roshdi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Nizwa University, Nizwa, Oman Author-Name: Gabrijel Ondrasek Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia Author-Name: Muhammad Shafiq Shahid Title: Genome-wide identification and in silico expression analysis of CCO gene family in Citrus sinensis (orange) in response to citrus greening Abstract: Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (sweet orange) is the most important cultivated citrus fruit in the world. However, Hanglongbing (HLB) disease, caused by Candidatus Liberibactor asiaticus (CLAs), poses a major threat to sweet orange production, by hindering colour, quality and export. Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs), which include carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) and 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases (NCEDs), are essential for plant growth, development, and adaptation to phytohormonal, biotic, and abiotic stresses. This study identified 14 CsCCO genes in C. sinensis. Structural and conservation studies were conducted using gene structure and conserved domain analysis. Genomic localisation, gene duplication, and similarity among these genes were also examined. Gene ontology analysis predicted that CsCCOs could be involved in the carotene catabolic process. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements revealed that most CsCCO genes are involved in responses to stress, light signalling, and plant growth regulation. Genes in the 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) subgroup are predominantly localised in chloroplasts, whereas genes in other subgroups are primarily found in the cytoplasm. All 13 of the CsCCOs genes identified were regulated by 25 microRNAs, indicating the crucial role of microRNAs in gene regulation in Citrus sinensis. The expression patterns of CsCCO genes in response to biotic and abiotic stress were studied. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that CsNCED3 and CsNCED10 were up-regulated in response to HLB. This provides insight into the function of CCO genes in C. sinensis and identifies potential candidate genes for combating citrus greening. Keywords: 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid cleavage dioxygenases, abscisic acid (ABA), CCDs, CCOs, carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases, carotenoid cleavage oxygenases, NCEDs Journal: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding Pages: 113-127 Volume: 61 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/11/2025-CJGPB File-URL: http://cjgpb.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/11/2025-CJGPB.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjg-202503-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjg:v:61:y:2025:i:3:id:11-2025-CJGPB Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Marina Antic Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Genetic Resources, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Author-Name: Željko Lakić Author-Workplace-Name: PI Agricultural Institute of Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Author-Name: Branislav Radulović Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Law, Mediterranean University, Podgorica, Montenegro Author-Name: Vera Popović Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia Title: Study of the genetic potential of autochthonous populations of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) for use in breeding purposes Abstract: The testing and evaluation of native populations of perennial ryegrasses (Lolium perenne L.) collected from the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina were conducted from 2020 to 2022 at experimental fields and laboratories of the Institute for Genetic Resources and the Agricultural Institute of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka. Six native populations (labelled G1-G6) and two cultivars, Esquire and Tivoli (labelled G7 and G8), were analysed in this study. The following traits were examined: the plant height (cm), number of generative stems per plant, inflorescence length (cm), number of spikes per inflorescence, seed mass per inflorescence (g), and seed yield per plant (g). The results showed that all the native populations exhibited higher average plant heights compared to the Esquire standard (G7). Population G2 had the highest average number of spikes per inflorescence (26.8), while population G4 achieved the greatest average inflorescence length (27.7 cm). Statistically significant differences in the inflorescence length were observed between populations G2, G3, G4, and G6, compared to the standards G7 and G8 (Esquire and Tivoli). The genotype and year had a significant impact on the seed yield per plant. The average yield ranged from 32.4 g (G7) to 53.4 g (G4). The seed yield per plant showed a strong positive correlation with the number of generative stems per plant, the inflorescence length, and the number of spikes per inflorescence. The native populations G4 and G5 achieved significantly higher seed yields per plant compared to the other populations and may serve as highly valuable material for breeding programmes. Keywords: English ryegrass, inflorescence length, native populations, plant height, seed yield Journal: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding Pages: 128-137 Volume: 61 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/21/2025-CJGPB File-URL: http://cjgpb.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/21/2025-CJGPB.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjg-202503-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjg:v:61:y:2025:i:3:id:21-2025-CJGPB Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Аіdаnа Sugirbеkоva Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Selcuk University, Konya, Türkiye Author-Name: Mehmet Hamurcu Author-Name: Anamika Pandey Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Selcuk University, Konya, Türkiye Author-Name: Mohd. Kamran Khan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Selcuk University, Konya, Türkiye Author-Name: Fevzi Elbasan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Selcuk University, Konya, Türkiye Author-Name: Zuhal Zeynep Avsaroglu Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Selcuk University, Konya, Türkiye Author-Name: Ayse Humeyra Omay Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Selcuk University, Konya, Türkiye Author-Name: Sait Gezgin Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Selcuk University, Konya, Türkiye Title: Impact of nitric oxide on sunflower growth and drought tolerance mechanisms Abstract: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), a globally significant oilseed crop, faces substantial yield losses due to drought stress, a major environmental constraint. In this study, the effects of nitric oxide (NO) to increase drought tolerance in four sunflower genotypes (resistant Irtysh, RAR 56 and sensitive Zarya, RAR 133) showing different stress responses were investigated. Conducted in a controlled hydroponic system, the experiment applied 100 µM NO under 12% polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought, assessing growth, physiological, and biochemical parameters. PEG alone reduced shoot and root growth, relative water content (RWC), and ion levels (K, Ca, Mg, Na), while increasing oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, *OH) and electrolyte leakage, particularly in sensitive genotypes. NO application, both alone and with PEG, significantly mitigated these effects, enhancing root fresh weight, RWC, and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR)), while reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Resistant genotypes (Irtysh, RAR 56) exhibited superior stress amelioration. These findings highlight NO's role as a signalling molecule in augmenting drought resilience through genotype-specific mechanisms. The differential responses among genotypes suggest opportunities for identifying genetic markers associated with NO-mediated drought tolerance, which could guide marker-assisted breeding programs. Additionally, integrating these insights with genomic editing techniques may accelerate the development of drought-resistant sunflower cultivars tailored for water-scarce regions. Future research should optimise NO delivery methods and evaluate field-scale efficacy to advance sustainable sunflower production in water-limited environments. Keywords: antioxidant enzyme activities, elemental content, Helianthus annuus, relative water content, water scarcity Journal: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding Pages: 138-150 Volume: 61 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/25/2025-CJGPB File-URL: http://cjgpb.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/25/2025-CJGPB.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjg-202503-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjg:v:61:y:2025:i:3:id:25-2025-CJGPB Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Endang Lestari Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Food Crops, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia Author-Name: Karlina Syahruddin Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Food Crops, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia Author-Name: Heny Herawati Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Agroindustry, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia Author-Name: Suarni Suarni Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Food Crops, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia Author-Name: Moch Subechan Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Food Crops, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia Author-Name: Suwarti Suwarti Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Food Crops, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia Author-Name: Slamet Priyanto Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Food Crops, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia Author-Name: Herniwati Herniwati Author-Workplace-Name: Research Center for Food Crops, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia Author-Name: Diana Widiastuti Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Pakuan, West Java, Indonesia Title: Assessing genetic variability and heritability in the F4 population of mutant Bioguma and Gando Keta local Indonesian sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Abstract: This study examined the genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance in the F4 generation of sorghum to enhance grain productivity. The study was conducted at Citayam Research Station, Depok Indonesia (March-September 2023), and evaluated 102 progenies of the F4 population from a Bioguma (a mutant line) × Gando Keta (a local variety) cross using an Augmented block design with four replications. The results of this experiment indicated that the F4 generation outperformed the Gando Keta grain yield components, but remained inferior to Bioguma. The yield traits were influenced by the non-additive gene action, with genetic factors playing a significant role in grain weight variation. The top 20% of F4 progenies exhibited improved yield characteristics, including thicker stems, larger panicles, and increased grain weight. Keywords: cluster analysis, F4 generation, genetic advancement, genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) Journal: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding Pages: 151-159 Volume: 61 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/15/2025-CJGPB File-URL: http://cjgpb.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/15/2025-CJGPB.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjg-202503-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjg:v:61:y:2025:i:3:id:15-2025-CJGPB Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Yun Li Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Resources and Environment, Yichun University, Yichun, China Author-Name: Xin Ye Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Resources and Environment, Yichun University, Yichun, China Author-Name: Lingzeng Lv Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science and Resources and Environment, Yichun University, Yichun, China Author-Name: Na Chen Title: Transcriptome analysis reveals differential gene expression in tomato under high-temperature stress Abstract: Tomato is a major global crop, extensively cultivated in China. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its responses to high-temperature stress remain poorly understood. This study investigates these mechanisms by examining a heat-resistant tomato variety, Hm 2-2 (R), and a heat-sensitive variety, BY 1-2 (S), under high temperature (40 °C). Total RNA was extracted from samples taken at 0 and 24 h post-treatment, followed by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened based on the criteria of |log2 fold change| ≥ 2 and false discovery rate ≤ 0.05. Gene ontology (GO) function annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathway enrichment analysis were performed to explore the biological significance of these DEGs. The results revealed 6 038 upregulated and 2 866 downregulated DEGs in the R-0 (Hm 2-2 plants treated at 40 °C for 0 h) vs. R-24 (Hm 2-2 plants treated at 40 °C for 24 h) group and 5 297 upregulated and 3 920 downregulated DEGs in the S-0 (BY 1-2 plants treated at 40 °C for 0 h) vs. S-24 (BY 1-2 plants treated at 40 °C for 24 h) group, respectively. GO enrichment analysis indicated that the majority of DEGs were associated with biological processes, followed by cellular components and molecular functions. KEGG pathway analysis identified 130, 131, 89, and 115 regulatory (or altered) pathways in the R-0 vs. R-24, S-0 vs. S-24, S-0 vs. R-0, and S-24 vs. R-24 group comparisons, respectively. Notably, pathways related to protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and plant hormone signal transduction were significantly enriched, suggesting their critical roles in the tomato's response to heat stress. Moreover, 156 transcription factors (TFs) implicated in heat stress response were identified, spanning various TF families such as MYB, AP2-EREBP, b-ZIP, bHLH, NAC, and WRKY. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of 14 randomly selected DEGs validated the RNA-seq results confirming the reliability of the data. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of tomato's responses to high-temperature stress, laying a crucial foundation for future research in this area. Keywords: gene expression profile, heat response, quantitative RT-PCR, RNA-seq, transcription factors Journal: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding Pages: 160-179 Volume: 61 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/45/2025-CJGPB File-URL: http://cjgpb.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/45/2025-CJGPB.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjg-202503-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjg:v:61:y:2025:i:3:id:45-2025-CJGPB Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Dagmar Janovská Author-Workplace-Name: Czech Agrifood Research Centre, Prague-Ruzyně, Czech Republic Author-Name: Dagmar Cvrčková Author-Workplace-Name: Czech Agrifood Research Centre, Prague-Ruzyně, Czech Republic Title: Obituary of Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Jaroslava Ovesná, CSc. (1959-2025) Abstract: It is with great sadness that we announce our respected colleague and prominent scientist, Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Jaroslava Ovesná, CSc., passed away on June 17, 2025, following a lengthy battle with an illness at the age of 65 years. She served as a member of the editorial board of the Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding from 2000 to 2017. From 1984, immediately after graduating in biochemistry from the Faculty of Science of Charles University, until her passing, she worked at the Czech Agrifood Research Centre (CARC), formerly the Crop Research Institute (CRI). Journal: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding Pages: 180 Volume: 61 Issue: 3 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/59/2025-CJGPB File-URL: http://cjgpb.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/59/2025-CJGPB.html File-Format: text/html Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjg:v:61:y:2025:i:3:id:59-2025-CJGPB