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Tetracycline pollution in soil irreversibly damages the biosafety of plants by inhibiting the mitochondrial function. Some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plants, such as Salvia miltiorrhizaBunge, have a strong tolerance to mitochondrial damage. We comprehensively compared the doxycycline (DOX) tolerances of two ecotypes of S. miltiorrhizain the Sichuan and Shandong provinces and found that the Sichuan ecotype had a lower yield reduction, more stable accumulation of medicinal ingredients, higher mitochondrial integrity, and a more robust antioxidant system. The synergetic response networks under DOX pollution of both ecotypes were constructed using RNA sequencing and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The differentiation of the downstream pathways of aromatic amino acids (AAAs) produced variations in the DOX tolerance of S. miltiorrhizain different regions. The Sichuan ecotype maintained redox homeostasis and xylem development by activating salvianolic acid and indole biosynthesis, while the Shandong ecotype balanced chemical and mechanical defenses by regulating the flavonoid biosynthesis. Rosmarinic acid, a downstream AAA molecule, maintains the mitochondrial homeostasis of plant seedlings under DOX pollution by targeting the ABCG28 transporter. We also highlight the significance of downstream AAA small molecules in guiding the development of bio-based environmental pollution remediation agents.

Kernel size, one of the traits that determine wheat yield, is controlled by multiple quantitative trait loci. Polish wheat (Triticum polonicum) has elongated and plump kernel and is a valuable material for breeding high-yielding wheat cultivars. However, genes or loci determining kernel length (KL) in Polish wheat are unknown. We identified and validated a major KL gene, KL-PW, at the P1locus in Polish wheat. KL-PWis VRT-A2, which encodes a MIKC-type MADS-box protein (MADS55). An insertion/deletion mutation in intron 1 of VRT-A2PWled to an alternatively spliced transcript, VRT-A2PW2. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that VRT-A2PWwas more highly expressed in developing seeds than was VRT-A2Ailanmai. Brassinosteroid (BR) sensitivity experiment and the expression of BR-related genes indicated that VRT-A2PWfunctions as a positive regulator of BR responses. VRT-A2PWsignificantly increased KL of wheat. These findings not only reveal the molecular basis of KL-PWin controlling KL, but also provide a valuable genetic resource for increasing kernel size in wheat.