Plants in natural environments often face multiple stresses, such as high temperatures and pathogen attacks. However, because resources are limited, they must make trade-offs between growth and defense. The molecular mechanisms underlying this balance have long been a frontier challenge in plant biology. Recently, a research team from the Key Laboratory of Applied Genetics of…

The number of lateral branches directly affects planting density, yield, and cultivation management costs in pepper, yet its genetic regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, the College of Horticulture at Hunan Agricultural University, in collaboration with several research institutions, systematically identified the origin and evolution of the plant BZR gene family. Using the pepper pan-genome, the…

Chili peppers are arguably one of the most noticeable seasonings on the dining table. Some people cannot live without their fiery kick and firmly believe that a meal without spice is not a meal at all. Others avoid them, worrying that spicy foods may irritate the stomach and intestines. For a long time, debate has…

Phytophthora blight, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici, is one of the most serious diseases threatening pepper production, often leading to widespread plant death and drastic yield losses. However, the key transcription factors regulating resistance to this disease in pepper and their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, a research team led by Professor Wei…

Chili peppers (Capsicum spp.) are among the most widely consumed vegetables globally; beyond imparting unique flavors and colors to dishes, they serve as vital dietary sources of health-promoting compounds such as capsaicin, carotenoids, tocopherols (vitamin E), phenolic compounds, and vitamin C. These metabolites—which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and help prevent metabolic and degenerative diseases—have…

The pungency, color, and nutritional quality of pepper fruit are jointly determined by a variety of metabolites. However, the spatial distribution of these metabolites in different tissues and their dynamic changes have long lacked systematic analysis. Recently, a research team led by Researcher Cheng Yuan from the Institute of Vegetables, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences,…