Plant Physiol. Biochem. [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Haematococcus pluvialis microzooid and palmella cells display distinct metabolic responses to excess manganese.
Dimitrijević M, Žižić M, Luković JD … +15 more , Mutavdžić D, Ćurić V, Santrač I, Kovačević S, Bonanni V, Gianoncelli A, Pollastri S, Mihalić IB, Gouasmia S, Dučić T, Stanić M, Bijelić AP, Zechmann B, Spasojević I, Pittman JK
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42259046 · Publisher ↗
Current understanding of the metabolism and adaptation of the commercially important microalga Haematococcus pluvialis in response to stress is limited, in part due to its complex life cycle. Manganese (Mn) is an essenti...
Current understanding of the metabolism and adaptation of the commercially important microalga Haematococcus pluvialis in response to stress is limited, in part due to its complex life cycle. Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient but a toxic pollutant when present in excess. This study coupled high-resolution elemental imaging, spectroscopy, and microscopy, alongside metabolic techniques to characterise responses to a high, sub-lethal concentration of Mn in motile microzooids and non-motile palmella cells within the same culture. Some microzooids in response to Mn showed pronounced vacuolisation, loss of cell wall integrity, and significant Mn internalisation within vacuoles, while some cells showed no structural changes and had Mn localisation in the cell wall. Palmella showed less vacuolisation with Mn localised around starch and astaxanthin granules. Microzooids sequestered Mn using intracellular sulphate moieties, probably on sulphated polysaccharides, and carboxyl groups in the cell wall. In response to Mn abundance, microzooids upregulated protein synthesis, depleted lipid energy reserves, with increased membrane fluidity and lipid peroxidation. Palmella also synthesised polysaccharides but otherwise showed no drastic metabolic changes, reflecting higher tolerance to Mn stress. Under normal conditions, microzooids and palmella showed distinctive carbohydrate and protein composition. This knowledge enhances our understanding of the biochemical mechanisms that H. pluvialis uses to manage excess concentrations of this essential micronutrient.
Molecular insights into melatonin-mediated stress tolerance in Dendrobium: Integrating antioxidant defense, hormonal networks, and omics approaches.
Li J, Deng L, Zhao Z … +3 more , Luo C, Luo F, Wang H
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42259045 · Publisher ↗
Dendrobium, a diverse genus of orchids with considerable horticultural and medicinal value, is highly susceptible to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, temperature extremes, and oxidative stress. Melatonin (MT)...
Dendrobium, a diverse genus of orchids with considerable horticultural and medicinal value, is highly susceptible to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, temperature extremes, and oxidative stress. Melatonin (MT) is emerging as a pivotal signaling molecule that enhances stress tolerance across plant species; however, its roles in Dendrobium remain insufficiently explored. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge on MT biosynthesis, its regulatory functions under abiotic stress, physiological and molecular mechanisms in Dendrobium, and potential molecular innovations to harness MT signaling for improved stress tolerance. Particular emphasis is placed on antioxidant defense modulation, hormonal crosstalk, transcriptional reprogramming, and emerging omics-based insights associated with MT-mediated stress responses. In addition, future research priorities and biotechnological applications for developing stress-resilient Dendrobium cultivation systems are discussed.
Insights into phytohormonal signaling response to Ralstonia solanacearum-virulence and host resistance perspectives.
Yuan Q, Qian W
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42259044 · Publisher ↗
Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most destructive plant pathogens, with a broad host range that infects many significant plant species and causes huge losses worldwide each year. Various management strategies have be...
Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most destructive plant pathogens, with a broad host range that infects many significant plant species and causes huge losses worldwide each year. Various management strategies have been employed to control this devastating pathogenic bacterium, but the required management level is still awaiting. It is because of its hard-to-eradicate nature, including prolonged persistence, extended survival in the environment, and a rapid multiplication rate. Developing an effective management strategy for any pathogen requires understanding its virulence mechanisms and the host response. Plant hormones are among the first signals to respond to pathogen invasion. Information on R. solanacearum, its life cycle, virulence mechanisms, and management strategies is mainly available in the literature. However, the collective information on its effects on plant hormones and the phytohormonal response to this pathogen, in the form of an analytical discussion, has yet to be published. In this review, we discussed how plant hormones act against pathogen attack in general and specifically against R. solanacearum infection. The effectors of R. solanacearum that influence plant hormones for virulence activity or act as inducers of plant immunity were also discussed in detail. Lastly, the phytohormonal cross-talk was analyzed in relation to pathogen virulence or host response. This analysis of the plant hormonal response to R. solanacearum infection and insights into the virulence mechanisms related to plant hormones will assist in developing useful and effective management practices for controlling this pathogen. Moreover, this review will pave the way for deeper research into pathogen virulence mechanisms.
Preharvest treatment with Bacillus velezensis HIII11 modulates cell wall dynamics and ripening-related processes in strawberry fruit.
Hirsch M, Bustos GR, Villarreal NM … +1 more , Marina M
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42259043 · Publisher ↗
The commercial strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is highly perishable due to rapid softening and increased susceptibility to fungal pathogens during ripening and postharvest storage. Plant growth-promoting bac...
The commercial strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is highly perishable due to rapid softening and increased susceptibility to fungal pathogens during ripening and postharvest storage. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have gained increasing attention as a strategy to enhance crop performance and disease tolerance, although their capacity to modulate fruit metabolism and cell wall dynamics in relation to host-pathogen interactions remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of preharvest inoculation of strawberry plants (cv. 'San Andreas') with Bacillus velezensis HIII11 on fruit quality attributes, cell wall traits, and responses related to Botrytis cinerea. Fruits from inoculated plants showed no significant changes in pH, titratable acidity, or total sugars, but exhibited increased accumulation of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids, accompanied by enhanced antioxidant capacity. Alcohol-insoluble residues (AIRs) from treated fruits displayed reduced swelling capacity and limited fungal growth in vitro, suggesting modifications in cell wall architecture. Analysis of pectin side-chain metabolism revealed increased neutral sugar content and downregulation of FaAra1 and FaβGal4, together with differential expression of genes associated with homogalacturonan remodeling (upregulation of FaPME1 and downregulation of FaPLB). In addition, detached leaves from inoculated plants showed reduced B. cinerea infection, and their AIRs restricted fungal growth in vitro. Cell-free culture filtrates of HIII11 also inhibited fungal growth in vitro and attenuated postharvest disease severity when applied to fruits. Collectively, these results suggest that preharvest treatment with B. velezensis HIII11 modulates certain ripening processes and cell wall-related properties in strawberry fruit, with potential implications for host-pathogen interactions.
PmPPO-mediated drought adaptation mechanism in Prunus mira Koehne: Interaction with PmRad23d and regulation of ROS homeostasis.
Li J, Bao X, Zhao Y … +1 more , Meng F
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42251827 · Publisher ↗
Global warming has resulted in frequent droughts worldwide, significantly affecting plant normal growth and development. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO), a copper-containing redox enzyme in plants, serves multiple functions. Ho...
Global warming has resulted in frequent droughts worldwide, significantly affecting plant normal growth and development. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO), a copper-containing redox enzyme in plants, serves multiple functions. However, limited research has investigated the role of PPO in regulating plant drought adaptation. In this study, PmPPO was isolated from Prunus mira Koehne, the wild ancestor of cultivated peaches, which is a rare tree species known for its high stress tolerance under extreme conditions. Our results indicated that PmPPO was preferentially expressed in young roots, with its expression significantly induced by drought and abscisic acid (ABA). Overexpression of PmPPO in plants demonstrated enhanced tolerance to drought stress. Under drought stress, transgenic plants exhibited increased antioxidant enzyme activity, improved reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity, and reduced cellular damage compared to wild-type (WT). Moreover, PmPPO overexpression facilitated anthocyanin accumulation by regulating the expression of genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis following drought treatment. Additionally, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and Luciferase complementation imaging (LCI) assays confirmed interactions between PmPPO and both PmRad23d and PmRGLG2. These findings introduce new molecular targets for genetic manipulation in peach germplasm improvement and present potential candidate genes for screening stress tolerance through molecular breeding.
Corrigendum to "Extracellular ATP receptors P2Ks are involved in regulating local and systemic stomatal responses to local environmental stimuli" [Plant Physiol. Biochem. 222 2025 109684].
Wang X, Zhang Y, Da X … +8 more , Shi Z, Wang H, Pang H, Jia L, Sun K, Zhang J, Li W, Feng H
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42248791 · Publisher ↗
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From annotation to regulation: Iso-seq reveals novel isoforms and alternative splicing features underlying salinity responses in Arabidopsis roots.
Hernández-Urrieta J, Danae L, Belén C … +4 more , Josefina N, Renato M, Helena V, O'Brien JA
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42247714 · Publisher ↗
Soil salinity is a major environmental constraint that limits plant growth. While transcriptional reprogramming is central to salt stress responses, evidence indicates that alternative splicing (AS) provides an additiona...
Soil salinity is a major environmental constraint that limits plant growth. While transcriptional reprogramming is central to salt stress responses, evidence indicates that alternative splicing (AS) provides an additional regulatory layer that modulates gene function without necessarily altering overall transcript abundance. However, the extent of salt responsive transcript diversity and its functional relevance remain incompletely understood, particularly at the isoform level. Here, we investigated the role of AS in Arabidopsis thaliana root responses to salinity by combining physiological, molecular, and integrative transcriptomic approaches. Perturbation of splicing using herboxidiene (GEX1A) resulted in enhanced sensitivity to salt, accompanied by altered ABA and cytokinin signaling outputs in the roots. Moreover, to characterize transcriptome complexity under salinity, we generated the first Iso-seq dataset for Arabidopsis roots under salinity. We revealed extensive isoform diversity and splicing defined novelty, driven mostly by intron retention and splice site variation. Integration of these data with a comprehensive meta-analysis of public short-read RNA-seq datasets identified a preliminary set of genes recurrently regulated by AS across tissues; in roots under salinity these genes displayed elevated isoform complexity. Differential splicing analyses based on Iso-seq further revealed that responsive events are enriched for exon skipping and show temporal variation between early and later timepoints. Experimental validation confirmed salt-responsive AS events in candidate genes with relatively modest gene-level expression changes, and phenotypic analyses implicated SR30 and MPK18 in regulating root architecture responses to salinity. Together, our results support a role for AS as a component of plant salinity responses, associated with extensive transcript diversity, modulation of hormone signaling outputs, and root developmental responses.
Plant growth regulators: Effective strategy to improve salt tolerance in rice.
Wang S, Liu Y, He F … +5 more , Zhou H, Xiang H, Fang C, Feng N, Zheng D
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42241988 · Publisher ↗
Salt stress is one of the major constraints in global rice cultivation. Therefore, how to improve salt tolerance in rice has become a hot spot in current rice breeding. In recent years, plant growth regulators (PGRs) app...
Salt stress is one of the major constraints in global rice cultivation. Therefore, how to improve salt tolerance in rice has become a hot spot in current rice breeding. In recent years, plant growth regulators (PGRs) applications have been widely used as an environmentally friendly and rapid strategy to improve plant resistance. PGRs modulate the salt tolerance of rice by improving the rice plant shape, activating the defense system, regulating ion balance, and inducing gene expression. However, the effectiveness of these mitigating salt stress in rice depends on the salt tolerance of rice, the dose of PGRs applied, the duration of salt stress, and the stage of growth. Therefore, exploring the combined effects of PGRs on adaptation and tolerance to salt stress in rice is crucial for global food security and sustainable agricultural development. This review summarizes the response of rice to salt stress and analyzes the regulatory effects of exogenously applied PGRs to provide a theoretical basis for the application of PGRs.
Diagnostic system for tebuthiuron soil ecotoxicity using morphophysiological indicators of Mucuna pruriens validated by Lactuca sativa.
Cruz VH, Lopes PRM, Frias YA … +2 more , Maia JP, Velázquez-Martí B
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42241987 · Publisher ↗
This study developed an integrated diagnostic system for tebuthiuron-induced soil ecotoxicity based on morphophysiological indicators of Mucuna pruriens, using the germination index (GI) of Lactuca sativa as a sensitive...
This study developed an integrated diagnostic system for tebuthiuron-induced soil ecotoxicity based on morphophysiological indicators of Mucuna pruriens, using the germination index (GI) of Lactuca sativa as a sensitive ecotoxicological validation endpoint. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized design with 12 treatments and 360 individual pots (independent samples evaluated via destructive sampling), which were distributed across five evaluation periods at 14, 28, 42, 56, and 70 days after sowing. Morphophysiological variables, including plant height, root length, shoot and root dry mass, chlorophyll content, nodule number, and visual phytotoxicity, were quantified and integrated with multivariate and probabilistic modeling approaches. Given the multifactorial nature of the germination index, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to identify ecological and physiological gradients associated with plant vigor, stress, and symbiotic functioning. The PCA outputs were subsequently used as inputs for Probabilistic Neural Networks (PNNs), enabling the classification and prediction of bioindicator-based ecotoxicological levels using mathematically defined low, medium, and high GI classes. Model performance was internally assessed using training and validation datasets, confusion matrices, overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and ROC curves. Because no independent external dataset was available, the predictive performance should be interpreted as evidence of internal consistency rather than definitive generalizability across different soils, climates, herbicide doses, or field conditions. Multivariate analyses revealed that ecotoxicological attenuation trajectories in tebuthiuron-contaminated soils are inherently nonlinear, being structured by coordinated shifts in morphophysiological traits rather than isolated responses of individual variables. The integrated PCA-PNN framework demonstrated that aboveground traits. Particularly plant height, chlorophyll content, and shoot dry mass, were more sensitive indicators of tebuthiuron-induced stress than root traits alone. Higher GI values were associated with PCA regions characterized by increased shoot biomass, greater plant height, reduced phytotoxicity, and improved physiological performance, whereas lower GI classes corresponded to suppressed growth and multidimensional stress signatures. The progressive convergence between plant vigor and GI across evaluation periods suggests a gradual mitigation of ecotoxicological stress signals on the indicator plants, indicating transitions from acute injury to physiological adaptation states. These findings confirm that M. pruriens functions as an effective bioindicator for diagnosing soil ecotoxicological status and monitoring tebuthiuron-induced impacts. However, as tebuthiuron residues were not chemically quantified, these responses should not be interpreted as direct evidence of herbicide degradation, dissipation, or removal. These findings confirm that M. pruriens functions as an effective bioindicator for diagnosing soil ecotoxicological status and monitoring tebuthiuron-induced impacts. However, as tebuthiuron residues were not chemically quantified, the observed improvements should be interpreted as evidence of physiological adaptation and/or ecological attenuation rather than definitive proof of herbicide degradation or removal. Overall, this approach provides a robust framework for early detection of soil contamination and supports its application in monitoring and guiding soil rehabilitation processes, with potential for future validation under field conditions.
An ORGANELLAR EXONUCLEASE is essential for nitric oxide dependent pollen tube growth responses.
Bi C, Yao Y, Zhang J … +7 more , Jiang X, Chen Z, Chi W, Chen H, She Y, Gehring C, Wong A
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42235248 · Publisher ↗
Nitric oxide (NO) is a universal and ancient signaling molecule that modulates a myriad of biological processes in various organisms. In animals, NO interacts with and activates the guanylate cyclase at an allosteric hem...
Nitric oxide (NO) is a universal and ancient signaling molecule that modulates a myriad of biological processes in various organisms. In animals, NO interacts with and activates the guanylate cyclase at an allosteric heme-binding site, causing an elevation of the second messenger cGMP, resulting in vasodilation. In plants, this heme-based sensing of NO appears to be elusive despite NO being associated with broad plant processes including the growth, re-orientation and ovule targeting of pollen tubes. Here, we report the identification of an ORGANELLAR EXONUCLEASE, OEX1, as a novel hemoprotein, and show that pollen tubes of oex1 mutant plants have markedly reduced sensitivity to NO. Spectroscopic data show that OEX1 generates Soret peak diagnostic of heme interaction, which can be oxidized, reduced and NO-ligated accordingly. Importantly, substitution of key amino acids at the heme-interacting site lowers the Soret signatures indicating reduced heme and concomitantly also NO interactions. Furthermore, comparative genomics reveals NO-dependent molecular functions and biological processes that are affected by OEX1 thereby linking heme-sensing of NO to responses at the systems level. As a fast-diffusible gaseous signaling molecule, the molecular perception is crucial for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis under changing environmental conditions, thus the extension of heme-based gas sensing studies to crops could enhance the effectiveness of NO application in horticulture.
Climate-driven soil acidification and salinity shape xylem architecture in the mangrove Aegiceras corniculatum.
Xin GL, Fang X, Liu BB … +1 more , Deng CY
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42235247 · Publisher ↗
Mangrove xylem development is shaped by multiple interacting environmental drivers, yet it remains unclear whether vessel traits primarily follow a salinity-dominated pattern or a more integrated climatic-edaphic framewo...
Mangrove xylem development is shaped by multiple interacting environmental drivers, yet it remains unclear whether vessel traits primarily follow a salinity-dominated pattern or a more integrated climatic-edaphic framework. Here, we combined field surveys, controlled pot experiments, and structural equation modeling (SEM), together with transcriptomic profiling, to disentangle the relative contributions of climate, soil properties, and developmental regulation to xylem architecture in Aegiceras corniculatum. We found that temperature and precipitation regimes significantly modified soil chemistry-particularly by driving acidification and salinization-which jointly accounted for most of the variation in wood anatomical traits. Contrary to the prevailing "salinity-centric" view, soil pH emerged as the dominant driver of vessel diameter and vessel area, whereas vessel density responded to the combined effects of salinity and nutrient dynamics. These shifts produced clear seasonal differentiation in growth rings and a coordinated adjustment of vessel diameter and density. Transcriptome analyses further revealed a set of candidate transcription factors (including WRKY, ABF, and NAC/MYB families) that integrate stress perception with secondary cell-wall biosynthesis, suggesting a mechanistic basis for anatomical plasticity. Together, our findings highlight a soil-mediated pathway through which climatic factors influence mangrove hydraulic strategies, offering new insights into the adaptive coordination between vessel architecture, transcriptional regulation, and the heterogeneous intertidal environment.
Transcriptome and functional analyses reveal key regulators of flowering time in Camellia sinensis.
Zhang M, Zhou B, Cui Y … +4 more , Liu Y, Chen Y, Li J, Tang J
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42235246 · Publisher ↗
Tea plant is a globally important cash crop, yet reproductive growth severely compromises yield and quality. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of flowering is essential for ecological cultivation in tea plant. We cond...
Tea plant is a globally important cash crop, yet reproductive growth severely compromises yield and quality. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of flowering is essential for ecological cultivation in tea plant. We conducted a transcriptome analysis of floral buds from two tea cultivars ('Y9', 'Y1') across developmental stages and identified 3244 DEGs in 'Y9'. GO analysis indicated strong enrichment of the photoperiod and age pathways among both upregulated and downregulated DEGs. Ectopic overexpression of three photoperiod pathway genes CsATH1/CsCIP1/CsCSU2 in Arabidopsis produced delayed-flowering or early-flowering phenotypes. Expression of the flowering repressor FLC was induced in CsATH1 and CsCIP1 transgenic plants but reduced in CsCSU2 lines. Furthermore, strong CsCIP1 expression in young buds, the floral meristem, and at lateral-branch bases supported its role in flowering regulation. DAP-seq revealed that motif sequence as AAAAAKAAAAAAAAA was the most enriched cis-element among CsCSU2's binding sites. Beyond flowering-related pathways, CSU2 also regulates phenylpropanoid metabolism and ubiquitin-protein transferase activity.
Hormonal crosstalk in endophyte-mediated biotic stress resilience: from colonization to defence for sustainable agriculture.
Talukdar A, Saikia NK, Sarkar A … +5 more , Velmurugan N, Chikkaputtaiah C, Basu U, Bharali P, Hiremath SS
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42235245 · Publisher ↗
The unprecedented pressure from a rising global population places heavy demands on agriculture to ensure secure and sustainable food production. Synthetic agrochemicals have contributed to yield enhancement, but their ex...
The unprecedented pressure from a rising global population places heavy demands on agriculture to ensure secure and sustainable food production. Synthetic agrochemicals have contributed to yield enhancement, but their excessive use has led to residual toxicity, environmental pollution, and long-term health hazards, necessitating the search for eco-friendly alternatives. In this scenario, non-pathogenic microbial endophytes residing within plant tissues have emerged as promising biological resources capable of enhancing crop productivity sustainably by increasing resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Through modulation of various phytohormonal signalling pathways, endophytes directly influence plant development and physiology and indirectly suppress pest and pathogen invasion. Apart from promoting stress tolerance, these organisms enhance disease resistance by activating systemic responses. Utilizing these capabilities in the form of bioinoculants represents a sustainable strategy to reduce the dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides and to promote plant health along with environmental quality. This review discusses the role of endophytes in engineering plant immunity and stress mitigation through phytohormone regulation, highlighting their function as biocontrol agents within the host-endophyte-pathogen signalling network. Additionally, it also provides an insight into developing broad-spectrum microbial inoculants suitable for challenging environments and emphasizes the potential of OMICS-based research to unravel plant-endophyte interactions, identify novel functional genes and accelerate next-generation inoculant development for improved crop performance under stress conditions.
Metal nanoparticles enhance ROS scavenging, nitrogen metabolism, and stress-responsive pathways to improve soybean yield and seed quality.
Muhae-Ud-Din G, Zhong F, Jabran M … +4 more , Wang Y, Smagghe G, Sun X, Sun M
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42235244 · Publisher ↗
Gold (Au)-nanoparticles (NPs), silver (Ag)-NPs, zinc oxide (ZnO)-NPs, and copper (Cu)-NPs were tested under field-relevant conditions to dissect their functional roles in soybean growth regulation, nitrogen assimilation,...
Gold (Au)-nanoparticles (NPs), silver (Ag)-NPs, zinc oxide (ZnO)-NPs, and copper (Cu)-NPs were tested under field-relevant conditions to dissect their functional roles in soybean growth regulation, nitrogen assimilation, stress defense and seed metabolite composition. NPs accelerated vegetative development, enhanced photosynthetic performance, biomass increase and root-shoot integration. Cu-NPs produced the strongest effects, increasing shoot and root biomass by +25% and +48%, respectively, while ZnO-NPs promoted root elongation (+28%). Reinforcement of nitrogen metabolism was observed in case of Cu-NPs via increased nodulation and ureide accumulation. Cu-NPs and ZnO-NPs enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and defense-related enzymes, coupled with transcriptional upregulation of stress-responsive genes. Yield components (grain number, 100-seed weight) improved in parallel with metabolic reprogramming, with ZnO-NPs achieving the highest enhancement (+52%). NP application also optimized protein storage, amino acid and fatty acid composition, and micronutrient allocation, establishing the possibility of a direct interaction of nanoparticles with the seed metabolism. However, the impacts of Au-NPs and Ag-NPs were not prominent as compared to Cu-NPs and ZnO-NPs. Our findings identify Cu-NPs and ZnO-NPs as biostimulants that integrate biochemical, physiological, and genetic processes to improve growth and yield in soybean.
PmTCP18, a class I TCP transcription factor from Prunus mume, regulates plant height and branching when ectopically expressed in poplar.
Li L, Jiang T, Guo S … +4 more , Zhu H, Li W, Lu Y, Zhang C
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42235243 · Publisher ↗
Prunus mume, an important ornamental and fruit tree in East Asia, has plant height and branching regulation mechanisms valuable for breeding new varieties that require less artificial shaping and are suitable for potting...
Prunus mume, an important ornamental and fruit tree in East Asia, has plant height and branching regulation mechanisms valuable for breeding new varieties that require less artificial shaping and are suitable for potting and high-yield cultivation. This study focused on the TCP family transcription factor PmTCP18, cloned from the leaf buds of the P. mume 'Feilve', and systematically investigated its expression patterns, biological functions, and regulatory mechanisms to elucidate its role in regulating plant height and branching. The results showed that PmTCP18 expression peaked during the bud break stage and was significantly induced by gibberellin and cytokinin. Overexpression of PmTCP18 in poplar notably increased plant height, stem diameter, and lateral branch formation. Furthermore, it promoted elongation of stem epidermal cells, widening of xylem and phloem tissues, and an increase in cambium cell layers, indicating that PmTCP18 regulates processes of cell division, differentiation, and elongation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that PmTCP18 overexpression affected multiple plant hormone signaling pathways and significantly upregulated the expression of ABC transporters and cell cycle-related genes. The transcription factor PmHB1 directly binds to the PmTCP18 promoter. And in the stem tips where the PmHB1 gene was silenced by VIGS, the expression level of the PmTCP18 was also significantly reduced, suggesting the PmHB1 positively regulates its expression. Collectively, this study provides novel insights into the role of PmTCP18 in regulating shoot length and branching and serves as a critical reference for deciphering the functional mechanisms of class I TCP genes in plant architectural development.
Oxalic acid enhances wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) resilience to combined abiotic stresses through integrated physiological and rhizospheric microbial modulation.
Alharthy OM, Alshegaihi RM, Fayad E … +5 more , Binjawhar DN, Alshaharni MO, Alqurashi M, Alhelaify SS, Peijnenburg W
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42229215 · Publisher ↗
Soil contamination and abiotic stress have become serious global problem due to rapid development of social economy. Oxalic acid (OA), an important organic acid and fertilizer component, has been found effective in enhan...
Soil contamination and abiotic stress have become serious global problem due to rapid development of social economy. Oxalic acid (OA), an important organic acid and fertilizer component, has been found effective in enhancing plant tolerance against various abiotic stresses. For this purpose, we have designed the current experiment to explore the contribution of OA in mediating growth and eco-physiology by alleviating abiotic stresses, in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Seedlings of T. aestivum were subjected to the different abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, heat, and cold stress, and were supplemented with exogenous OA at 5 mM. Results from the present study revealed that the abiotic stresses induced a substantial decrease in shoot length, root length, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid content, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, soluble sugar, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar contents, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and phosphorus (P) contents, microbial diversity, richness, and evenness in T. aestivum plants. In contrast, abiotic stresses in the soil significantly (P < 0.05) increased phenolic content, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (HO), health risk indices, bioaccumulation factors. Although, the activities of enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase in the T. aestivum plants and non-enzymatic such as phenolic, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, and anthocyanin contents were increased with the exposure of abiotic stresses. The application of OA significantly improved photosynthetic efficiency, microbial diversity, richness, and evenness, while reducing health risk indices, bioaccumulation factors, MDA, and HO contents under stress conditions. Proteomic and transcriptomic profiling further supported the regulatory role of OA in modulating stress-responsive signaling pathways and enhancing stress tolerance in T. aestivum plants. Increased antioxidant enzyme activities in OA-treated plants appeared to play a crucial role in scavenging stress-induced reactive oxygen species. Research findings, therefore, suggested that OA application can ameliorate abiotic stresses toxicity in T. aestivum seedlings and resulted in improved plant growth and composition under abiotic stresses.
Genome-wide identification of AcPP2C gene family and functional characterization of AcPP2C40 in response to heat stress in kiwifruit.
Zhang X, Wang Y, Liu X … +4 more , Zhang X, Pei H, Xia H, Liang D
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42229214 · Publisher ↗
As an essential regulator of abiotic stress signaling, protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) plays a critical role in plant stress responses. However, a systematic investigation of the PP2C gene family in kiwifruit (Actinidia ch...
As an essential regulator of abiotic stress signaling, protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) plays a critical role in plant stress responses. However, a systematic investigation of the PP2C gene family in kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) remains lacking. In this study, we identified 114 AcPP2C genes from the kiwifruit genome and analyzed their physicochemical properties, chromosomal locations, evolutionary relationships, and conserved motifs. The results showed that the AcPP2C genes were non-uniformly distributed and formed clusters on 28 chromosomes. They were phylogenetically grouped into six subfamilies, with genes in each subfamily exhibiting pronounced conservation in both structure and motif composition. Analysis of cis-acting elements in the promoter regions revealed that most genes were enriched with various stress-responsive elements, suggesting the important potential function of the AcPP2C family in stress response. Transcriptome analysis and qRT-PCR indicated that AcPP2Cs responded to heat stress to varying degrees, and AcPP2C40 was significantly down-regulated. Comprehensive analysis of phenotypes and physiological indicators demonstrated that AcPP2C40 silenced plants were more heat-tolerant, which maintained significantly higher chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, while showing substantially lower accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (HO), coupled with significantly enhanced activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Conversely, plants with transient overexpression of AcPP2C40 displayed increased sensitivity to heat stress, suffering more severe damage to their photosynthetic system. These results indicate that AcPP2C40 negatively regulates kiwifruit's response to heat stress. This study provides important clues for deciphering the biological functions of the PP2C gene family in kiwifruit and provides a theoretical foundation for the molecular breeding of heat-tolerant kiwifruit cultivars.
Fusarium wilt: A comprehensive review of the biology, ecology, and management of the causal agent.
Uysal N, Uysal İ, Ávila-Mascareño MF … +3 more , Cervantes-Enriquez EP, Parra-Cota FI, de Los Santos-Villalobos S
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42224747 · Publisher ↗
Fusarium wilt, primarily caused by Fusarium oxysporum and its diverse formae speciales, is a globally impactful plant disease that results in significant agricultural loss. This soil-borne pathogen infects roots, coloniz...
Fusarium wilt, primarily caused by Fusarium oxysporum and its diverse formae speciales, is a globally impactful plant disease that results in significant agricultural loss. This soil-borne pathogen infects roots, colonizes xylem vessels, and impedes water transport, leading to characteristic wilting, chlorosis, and necrosis. The disease cycle is perpetuated by long-lived chlamydospores in the soil, with systemic spread via microconidia within the plant vascular system. Disease severity and geographical distribution are intricately linked to pathogen virulence, host susceptibility, and environmental factors. Accurate identification relies on a combination of morphological, biochemical (enzyme and mycotoxin production), and advanced molecular techniques (multilocus sequencing and genomics). Management strategies, including sanitation, resistant cultivars, cultural practices (intercropping, grafting), and chemical controls, increasingly emphasize sustainable biological control agents. This review gives a critical analysis of Fusarium wilt disease and its implications for loss of yield and quality in agriculture, and sustainable management of this disease.
Identification of candidate gene associated with cotton defoliation using integrated BSA-seq and RNA-seq analyses.
Bao D, Wang Y, Geng J … +6 more , Yue D, Rong Y, Hao X, Zhang B, Yu Y, Yang X
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42224746 · Publisher ↗
Cotton is an important economic crop in China, and the current cotton industry is transitioning toward mechanization, with chemical defoliation being a key factor in this development. Breeding defoliant-sensitive cultiva...
Cotton is an important economic crop in China, and the current cotton industry is transitioning toward mechanization, with chemical defoliation being a key factor in this development. Breeding defoliant-sensitive cultivars can promote rapid and concentrated leaf abscission, effectively reduce trash content in seed cotton, improve mechanical harvesting efficiency, and advance the mechanization process of cotton production. In this study, we employed bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and transcriptome profiling to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cotton defoliation. BSA-seq analysis identified nine major loci associated with defoliation. Integrating RNA-seq and tissue-specific expression profiles, we screened 22 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that are highly expressed in stem and leaf organs. Based on expression pattern analysis, haplotype analysis, studies on the regulatory relationship between the gene and ethylene, and functional annotation of Arabidopsis homologs, we selected the cotton homolog GhAMT1;2, located at ChrD11: 56738327-56740667 bp, as the core candidate gene. This gene encodes a root high-affinity ammonium transporter involved in nitrogen metabolism. Subsequent virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiments demonstrated that GhAMT1;2 exhibits downregulated expression following defoliant treatment and positively regulates cotton defoliation. This study successfully mapped defoliation-associated loci and validated gene function, providing a theoretical foundation for breeding and improving machine-harvestable cotton varieties.
GmSOD from Glycine max fine-tunes HO homeostasis to coordinate antioxidant defense and citrate exudation under aluminum stress in Nicotiana benthamiana.
Zeng C, Fan D, Hao J … +5 more , Nian H, Xu H, Wu Y, Zhao X, Li K
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42224745 · Publisher ↗
Aluminum (Al) toxicity in acidic soils severely inhibits root growth. While enhanced antioxidant defense and organic acid exudation are both known Al tolerance mechanisms, how these processes are coordinated remains uncl...
Aluminum (Al) toxicity in acidic soils severely inhibits root growth. While enhanced antioxidant defense and organic acid exudation are both known Al tolerance mechanisms, how these processes are coordinated remains unclear. This study investigates whether and how the soybean (Glycine max) superoxide dismutase gene GmSOD (GenBank accession no. M64267.1) orchestrates these responses via modulation of hydrogen peroxide (HO) signaling. Wild-type (WT) and GmSOD-overexpressing transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) lines ST7 were exposed to Al stress (0-400 μM). A combination of physiological assays, biochemical activity measurements, gene expression analysis (quantitative RT-PCR), protein-protein interaction studies (co-immunoprecipitation), and multivariate factor analysis was employed to dissect the response pathways. GmSOD overexpression conferred superior Al tolerance, as evidenced by better-maintained root growth in ST7 under moderate stress (≤200 μM). The transgenic line ST7 exhibited a stronger antioxidant system, resulting in lower HO and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Crucially, under moderate Al stress, ST7 maintained root tips HO within a narrow signaling range (0.35-0.6 μmol g FW). This specific HO level promoted the phosphorylation of plasma membrane (PM) H-ATPase (Gene: NtAHA2, GenBank Accession no: M80490) and enhanced its interaction with 14-3-3 proteins, leading to increased H-pump activity and a significant boost in citrate exudation. In contrast, under severe stress (400 μM), HO accumulated to toxic levels (>1.0 μmol g FW), inhibiting this pathway. Factor analysis distilled ten stress-response variables into two principal components-"Antioxidant Capacity" and "Al Toxicity Index"-quantitatively demonstrating that ST7 maintains a favorable balance at higher Al concentrations than WT. We propose a novel model in which GmSOD-mediated fine-tuning of HO homeostasis plays a dual role: it directly alleviates oxidative damage and, at a specific low concentration, acts as a signal to activate the PM H-ATPase-dependent citrate exudation pathway. This coupling of internal redox control with external detoxification constitutes a key integrative mechanism for Al tolerance, offering strategic insights for crop improvement.
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