The study examined how polyploidy, hybridization, and incomplete lineage sorting affect phylogenetic reconstructions in the genus Packera, evaluating several published paralog‑processing pipelines. Results showed that the choice of orthology and paralog handling methods markedly altered tree topology, time‑calibrated phylogenies, biogeographic histories, and detection of ancient reticulation, underscoring the need for careful methodological selection alongside comprehensive taxon sampling.

The study used Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with low (vtc2, vtc4) and high (vtc2/OE-VTC2) ascorbate levels to examine how ascorbate concentration affects gene expression and cellular homeostasis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that altered ascorbate levels modulate defense and stress pathways, and that TAA1/TAR2‑mediated auxin biosynthesis is required for coping with elevated ascorbate in a light‑dependent manner.

Two short‑cycle dwarf eggplant lines, Micro‑Mel and Mini‑Mel, were developed through introgressions from Solanum anguivi and characterized for growth, phenology, and compact architecture, enabling up to three seed‑to‑seed cycles per year. In vitro regeneration assays and 23× whole‑genome sequencing revealed low heterozygosity, introgressed genome segments, and dwarfism‑related orthologs, establishing these lines as rapid, space‑efficient model systems for eggplant genetics and breeding.

RNA‑seq of 328 wheat lines using a pan‑genome reference uncovered over 20,000 additional transcripts beyond the Chinese Spring genome and enabled construction of a pan‑gene eQTL regulatory atlas. Multi‑omics integration identified 231 high‑confidence candidate genes influencing 34 agronomic traits and powdery mildew resistance, with functional validation showing 80% of candidates affecting trait phenotypes via an EMS mutant library.