Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science


From bud to brew: Multi-omics study decodes tea leaf development

Researchers used single-nucleus RNA sequencing and metabolomics to map tea leaf development, identifying distinct cell types and dynamic shifts in phytohormones and flavonoids. The study reveals how key genes coordinate leaf expansion and flavonoid biosynthesis, offering a cellular-level framework for understanding tea flavor and quality.

Timing is everything: Genome-wide insights into flowering and ripening in Japanese plum

A study on Japanese plum reveals the genetic architecture underlying key phenological stages, including flowering onset, full bloom, and fruit development period. The research identified stable genetic loci and candidate genes that can be used to accelerate breeding for climate-resilient plum varieties.

From telomere to telomere: A gapless flax genome redefines fatty acid research

A new study delivers the first fully gapless, telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of flax, providing a complete genetic blueprint for advancing flax biology and breeding. The research uncovers previously hidden genes, structural variations, and evolutionary signals that shape fatty acid biosynthesis and genome organization.

A Genetic tug-of-war shapes the biosynthesis of bioactive saponins

Researchers identified two closely related enzymes competing for the same metabolic precursor, driving distinct biochemical outcomes. The study reveals a molecular mechanism controlling saponin biosynthesis and offers new targets for improving medicinal plant products. Fine-tuned regulation by transcription factors optimizes resource a...

Brewing a rare medicine: Yeast engineered to produce a valuable astragalus isoflavonoid

Researchers have created a yeast platform capable of producing calycosin-7-glucoside, a valuable isoflavonoid from Astragalus membranaceus. The optimized strain achieved a titer of 0.22 mg/L within 48 hours, providing a scalable alternative to plant-derived production and reducing dependence on medicinal plant cultivation.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalBioDesign Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2026

Engineering yeast to make rare anticancer saponins: Reconstructing the complete biosynthesis of polyphyllin II

Scientists reconstructed the complete biosynthesis of polyphyllin II in yeast using plant transcriptomics and enzyme engineering. The study demonstrated the full heterologous production of polyphyllin II, enabling a sustainable alternative for producing complex medicinals.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalBioDesign Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2026

Engineered yeast delivers record levels of animal-free chondroitin sulfate

Researchers achieve high product yield and sulfation quality in engineered yeast, enabling sustainable production of high-quality chondroitin sulfate without animal sources. The optimized strain delivers 7.13 g/L CSA with a stable sulfation degree of 48.4%, promising cleaner and more sustainable products.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalBioDesign Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2026

A metal-free route to fully recycle PET into premium chemical feedstocks

A new metal-free route for fully recycling PET into premium chemical feedstocks has been developed, overcoming long-standing barriers of incomplete depolymerization and low product purity. The method uses an ionic liquid catalyst and achieves complete PET conversion, delivering high yields of valuable chemicals.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2026

Seeing roots push deeper: RootXplorer automates high-throughput phenotyping for soil-compaction resilience

A new platform, RootXplorer, enables accurate whole-root-system assessment of soil penetration, critical for breeding crop varieties resilient to soil compaction and drought. The system uses a standardized approach to mimic mechanical impedance and identify genotypes with contrasting tolerance to compaction.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2026

Linking leaf traits to light: A new framework for predicting canopy optical behavior

The study introduces a practical pathway to integrate realistic leaf optics into 3D canopy models, enabling more accurate simulations of light distribution. The approach achieves high predictive accuracy, linking leaf traits to optical behavior with coefficients of determination ranging from 0.83 to 0.99.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 29, 2025

Beyond vegetation indices: A phenomic prediction strategy sharpens genetic signals from drone-based crop imaging

A new study demonstrates that phenomics can match or outperform traditional indices in predicting disease resistance and genetic analysis. By integrating multispectral and thermal data with statistical models, researchers found improved results when combining phenomic prediction with genomic information.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 29, 2025

Seeing the invisible: Hyperspectral imaging helps detect hidden nematode stress in potato crops

Researchers used hyperspectral imaging to detect early, invisible nematode stress in potato crops. The study highlights the potential and limitations of remote sensing for separating overlapping crop stress signals, paving the way for non-invasive, large-scale monitoring and improved pest management.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 29, 2025

Innovative NDAVI index improves photosynthesis estimation in rice across growth stages

A new index called NDAVI improves photosynthesis estimation in rice crops by accounting for senescent leaves, providing more accurate fAPARgreen estimates. This innovation enhances crop monitoring, allowing for better assessment of crop health, yield predictions, and field management practices.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2025

Advancing wetland vegetation monitoring: A novel spectral method to estimate key nutrient elements

A new spectral method was developed to estimate leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content in wetland vegetation. The study used hyperspectral leaf data from seven species in a karst wetland ecosystem, achieving high precision in nutrient estimation with an average inversion accuracy of 71%.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2025

Bayesian spatial modeling enhances precision of forest biomass estimation

A new study improves forest biomass estimation using Bayesian spatial modeling, incorporating species-specific variability and spatial random effects for accurate carbon stock assessments and ecosystem monitoring. The method offers a scalable solution for national forest inventories and REDD+ programs.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2025

Dual-UAV system boosts color accuracy in crop remote sensing

A dual-UAV color correction method improves crop remote sensing accuracy by over 70%, aligning image color with ground-truth measurements and enabling more precise phenotyping and agricultural decision-making. The technology offers a scalable pathway for reliable high-throughput applications in precision agriculture.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2025

New phenotyping platform identifies key drought-tolerance genes in soybean

A novel phenotyping platform has identified a major QTL and candidate gene GmWRKY58 linked to drought resilience in soybean. The low-cost platform uses automated load-cell weighing devices to record pot weight, estimating transpiration rates and detecting key traits such as stress recognition time point and decrease under stress.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2025

Sex-determining gene in poplar also boosts drought resistance

A study found that overexpressing the poplar sex-determining gene FERR improves drought tolerance by enhancing stomatal closure, increasing root biomass, and boosting antioxidant activities. The findings suggest that FERR plays a critical role in regulating the ABA signaling pathway to boost plant resilience against water scarcity.

Gap-free genome reveals key genes behind medicinal saponins in balloon flower

Researchers have assembled the first T2T gap-free genome of Platycodon grandiflorus, a traditional medicinal herb valued for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The study identifies key oxidosqualene cyclases and cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and diversification of triterpenoid saponins.

Flower to fruit: tracking the changing fungal community on blueberry plants

Researchers studied fungal communities on highbush blueberry plants from buds to ripe fruits, revealing a core microbiome with beneficial and pathogenic members. The study highlights the importance of understanding plant development's impact on phyllosphere microbiomes for improving disease management and reducing fungicide reliance.