Molecular Plant Breeding 2025, Vol.16, No.4, 231-240 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 234 process, such as polygalacturonase and cellulase. Researchers found that when durian fruits mature, the expression of genes related to these enzymes will increase. This promotes the decomposition of cell walls, making the flesh softer and more dense (Sangpong et al., 2021). The different tastes of different durian varieties are likely due to differences in the expression of these genes and related metabolites. This shows that during the process of durian domestication and improvement, genes related to flesh texture have been affected by artificial selection (Voon et al., 2007; Teh et al., 2017). 5 Evolution of Disease Resistance and Stress Tolerance Genes 5.1 Genetic adaptations to fungal and bacterial pathogens During the process of being cultivated and domesticated by humans, durian (Durio zibethinus) is often attacked by fungi and oomycetes. Pathogens such as Phytophthora palmivora and Phytopythium vexans can cause durian to rot or wilt, causing great economic losses. Because of the seriousness of this problem, growers and scientists have begun to pay attention to the disease resistance of durian. Commonly used methods now include agronomic measures, chemical fungicides and biological control. However, these methods are sometimes unstable and may also bring health and environmental risks. Now, some new molecular breeding methods are beginning to be tried. For example, by silencing certain genes (such as the gene that regulates protein phosphatase 2A), durian can be made more disease-resistant. In addition, some plant extracts also have antibacterial effects, and using them to prevent diseases may be safer and more effective than pesticides (Singh et al., 2024). 5.2 Abiotic stress resistance mechanisms in domesticated durians In addition to the invasion of fungal and bacterial pathogens, durian also faces challenges from adverse environments such as drought and high temperature during its growth. In the past, people focused on disease prevention, but with the gradual strengthening of disease prevention and control, more and more studies are beginning to consider the impact of environmental stress on durian. Researchers are trying to use biotechnology to improve the adaptability of durian, such as gene editing technology, which can directly modify certain key genes of durian so that it can adapt to drought or high temperature environments to the maximum extent and grow normally, which is very helpful to ensure the yield and fruit quality of durian (Singh et al., 2024). 5.3 Trade-offs between disease resistance and fruit yield In the durian breeding process, improving disease resistance often affects fruit yield to a certain extent. It is often the case that disease-resistant durian has a low yield or a worse taste. Therefore, making durian have a certain degree of disease resistance and produce a stable quantity and quality of fruit is a difficult problem in breeding. In order to solve this problem, researchers have tried to combine multiple methods, such as combining traditional management methods with molecular breeding methods, and it is possible to find a balance between disease resistance and high yield (Singh et al., 2024). 6 Flowering Time and Reproductive Traits in Domestication 6.1 Role of photoperiod and temperature in flowering control When durian blooms depends largely on the environment, especially the conditions of rain and drought. Studies have found that if there is continuous drought for about 15 days, durian will begin to differentiate flower buds. The temperature has little to do with the time of the first flowering, so the effect of temperature on flowering is not obvious. On the contrary, changes in light duration and rainfall are the key factors (Eguchi et al., 2024). Not only durian, but also the flowering time of many crops is related to the photoperiod. Plants will “feel” the length of day and night, and then cooperate with the biological clock in their bodies to decide when to switch from growing to flowering. This mechanism helps plants adapt to different climates and growth environments (Wang et al., 2024). 6.2 Key genes regulating flowering time In the domestication process of many crops, genes that control flowering time are the focus of attention. Genes such as the MADS-box family, FT-like genes and CONSTANS are often studied. They not only regulate flowering time, but also affect the structure and shape of flowers, thereby affecting the yield and adaptability of plants (Manrique et al., 2019). For example, in sunflower, the FT/TERMINAL FLOWER 1 gene family has multiple
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