Volume 75, Issue 18, 27 September 2024

This article comments on:

Ballichatla S, Gokulan CG, Barbadikar KM, Hake AA, Potupureddi G, Guha PK, Phule AS, Magar ND, Balija V, Awalellu K, Kokku P, Golla S, Sundaram RM, Padmakumari AP, Laha GS, Senguttuvel P, Lella Venkata SR, Patel HK, Sonti RV, Maganti SM. 2024. Impairment in a member of AP2/ERF and F-box family protein enhances complete panicle exsertion in rice. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erae244.

This article comments on:

Sidhu JS, Lopez-Valdivia I, Strock CF, Schneider HM, Lynch JP. 2024. Cortical parenchyma wall width regulates root metabolic cost and maize performance under suboptimal water availability. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erae191.

This article comments on:

Kenchanmane Raju SK, Zhang Y, Mahboub S, Ngu DW, Qiu Y, Harmon FG, Schnable JC, Roston RL. 2024. Rhythmic lipid and gene expression responses to chilling in panicoid grasses. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erae247

We review current knowledge of genes controlling root hair development in rice, maize, and wheat, and highlight conservation of gene function between monocots and the model dicot species Arabidopsis.

Together with their structure and classification, the multiple roles played by C2H2-ZFPS in growth regulation, developmental processes, and response mechanisms to abiotic and biotic stresses are reviewed.

Mediator being the critical component of transcription regulation, functions as a converging point for different signaling pathways. This review highlights the role of Mediator in the regulation of overall root system architecture of plants.

In this review, two questions are addressed: are all effects that fusicoccin has on the physiology of plants the result of H⁺ -ATPase activation; and do plants produce fusicoccin(-like) molecules?

Nitrogen (N) availability limits plant growth. In the soil and plant environment, microorganisms transform different N compounds and thus determine the presence and quantity of N available for plant nutrition via cooperative or competitive interactions.

Leveraging the latest advances in modern molecular biology, proteomics, and cutting-edge imaging technologies, researchers are delving into the intricate details of plasmodesmata form, formation, and function, revealing essential functions.

We developed a strategy and a workflow for quantifying epigenetic diversity in natural populations combining whole-genome and targeted capture sequencing for DNA methylation.

A sulfonamide-resistance gene enables sulfadiazine-based transformation selection in Marchantia polymorpha , broadening the capacity to genetically manipulate liverworts.

BnaIAA13 can simultaneously regulate the development of vascular tissues and lateral roots in rapeseed; mutations in this gene have potential as a new germplasm in the rapeseed industry.

Complete panicle exsertion in CPE-109 rice resulted from a missense mutation (T→C) in the sixth exon of the gene for AP2/ERF and a mutation (G→A) at the third exon of a gene encoding an F-box family protein.

The protein kinase SnRK2.6 phosphorylates bHLH3 to inhibit UFGT expression and consequently suppresses strawberry fruit coloration, indicating that it is a negative regulator in fruit color development and ripening.

Partial K replacement by Na as a drought management strategy in Eucalyptus increases xylem embolism resistance and reveals the trade-offs associated with hydraulic vulnerability and growth.

A meta-analysis of green light effects on plant growth shows minimal effect on biomass but a strong increase in water use efficiency and shoot:root ratio, along with decreased stomatal conductance.

Cytokinins and the phosphate-related microRNA miR399 accumulate in plants at N satiety in a CRA2 pathway-dependent manner, and systemically inhibit symbiotic nodulation and root development.

Arinole elevates auxin through induction of biosynthesis, primarily via TRYPTOPHAN AMINOTRANSFERASE1. It can be employed to probe auxin responses and is an interesting tool to induce adventitious roots in various species.

This study has elucidated the relationship between chromosome polytenization and growth changes in autopolyploid series of Arabidopsis thaliana , including high polyploids.

In the alternate bearing ‘Hass’ avocado cultivar, reduction of auxin release from the apical buds, induced by high-fruit load, is associated with up-regulation of PaTFL1 floral repressor.

The chloroplast signal recognition particle subunit cpSRP54 has an important role in the biogenesis of both the light harvesting antenna complex and the cores of photosystem I and II.

Increased root cortical parenchyma wall width (CPW) reduces root metabolic cost and improves maize adaptation under drought. Modeling also indicates that increased CPW would be beneficial under suboptimal nitrogen availability.

Selenium in soil enhanced oilseed rape resistance to Sclerotinia stem rot by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the rhizosphere. Beneficial microbes protect plants by activating plant induced systemic resistance.

Chilling stress triggers distinct, time-specific lipid and transcriptional responses in cold-tolerant foxtail millet compared with their non-tolerant relatives, elucidating species-specific adaptations, and conserved circadian rhythms across plants.

CsWAKL01 positively regulates the levels and signaling of phytohormones, resulting in resistance to citrus canker, and CsWRKY53 functions as a positive regulator of CsWAKL01 to enhance this resistance.

CLCuMuB βC1 interacts with subtilisin-like protease 1.7 (SBT1.7) and interferes with the processing of preprohydroxyproline-rich systemin B by SBT1.7, thereby attenuating JA signaling and enhancing the performance of whiteflies on plants.

In poplar, different abiotic and biotic stresses induce methylation changes in common labile genomic regions, while drought induces global CHH hypermethylation, especially over specific transposon superfamilies located close to drought-responsive genes

Two woodland strawberry accessions contrasting in cold tolerance were characterized for their responses to cold stress, and Cold Box Factor 4 and Xero2 were identified as predictors for cold tolerance.

Tomato response to nitrogen deficiency is genetically controlled by a few QTLs and impacts the expression of many genes, some of which are good targets for breeding varieties requiring less N input.

Active root exudation of arsenic–phytochelatin complexes in white lupin provides evidence of a new mechanism of arsenic efflux in plants, indicating novel pathways for phytoremediation and food safety.

The transcription factor OsSPL9 serves as a central regulator of copper homeostasis in rice and endows rice with resilience to copper deficiency.

Temperature is the main driver of phenotypic plasticity of flowering time in strawberry, rather than photoperiod and global radiation, and a genetic marker for a major temperature-sensitive QTL was identified.

Novel and rare resistance allele accumulation empowered the selection of promising plant genetic resources, offering potential for targeted pre-breeding goals and enhanced resilience in future varieties

Raffinose catabolism stimulates adventitious root formation via the auxin signaling pathway to enhance maize waterlogging tolerance in maize

We found strong plasticity to growth environment in many phenotypic traits, but little effect of parental environment, revealing the capacity to respond rapidly to climate warming, and potential for evolutionary change

Phenotypic plasticity can improve nitrogen uptake by adjusting the vertical distribution of the root system across a range of nitrogen levels.