Oct
16, 2025
Researchers from the Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute (ZFRI) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have published a study titled “Combination of 3D chromatin architecture and omics analysis provides insight into anthocyanin regulation in Actinidia arguta” in Horticulture Research. The research is the first to elucidate the 3D genomic basis underlying the differential formation of fruit skin color in this species. The three-dimensional (3D) genome plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and shaping biological traits. In eukaryotes, higher-order chromatin structure is organized into distinct functional units. While the skin color of A. arguta is primarily either red...
Sep
30, 2025
On April 22, the peach resources and breeding group at the Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), announced a landmark achievement: the construction of the world’s first comprehensive peach pan-variome atlas. This study identified 70.6% novel genomic variants and 3,289 previously unannotated genes, systematically elucidating global phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary trajectories of peach. The team also pioneered a panvariome-based genome-wide association study (GWASPV) strategy, enabling "one-step localization" of agronomic trait-associated genes and functional variants. This innovation significantly enhances gene discovery efficiency...
Sep
30, 2025
Recently, the team for the Watermelon and Melon Resources from Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute of CAAS revealed that a “two-switch” genetic model by integrating two major causative loci, which can explain the formation of the four main flesh colors in different watermelon accessions. These results provide new insights into the regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis and color formation in plants. The related research findings were published in “Molecular Horticulture”. Watermelon fruit flesh displays various colors. Although genetic loci underlying these variations are identified, the molecular mechanism remains elusive. The research team assembled a chromosome-scale reference genome o...
Sep
30, 2025
Recently, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences unveiled the genetic mechanisms underlying key economic traits in pomegranate. The study assembled the first telomere-to-telomere (T2T) reference genome for pomegranate, identified candidate loci associated with 15 critical agronomic traits. Furthermore, they established a gene-editing system for pomegranate, elucidated the genetic basis controlling peel color and seed hardness, laying the foundation for molecular breeding. The findings were published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal. Seed hardness and peel color are important pomegranate fruit quality traits, exploring their genetic mechanism...
Sep
29, 2025
Actinidia arguta (kiwifruit) looking like red ruby always attract customers’ attention in the dazzling fruit market. In recent years, this mini-typed kiwifruit with smaller fruit size and more smooth peel recently is becoming the new favorite because of its unique red fruit. Recently, Group of Kiwifruit Genetic Resources and Improvement of Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences published paper in ‘Molecular Horticulture’ that assemble the near complete genome of the first whole-red-typed tetraploid A. arguta, and identify AaBEE1-AaLDOX color regulation module, unveiling the mystery of red fruit, laying the foundation for kiwifruit color improvemen...
