Plant Physiol. Biochem. [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Unlocking the interactive role of GABA and NO in alleviating chlorpyrifos induced toxicity in Solanum melongena L. through modulation of physio-biochemical traits.
Kumar U, Patel OS, Siddiqui S … +2 more , Kumar KS, Prasad SM
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42127512 · Publisher ↗
Injudicious application of pesticides has a detrimental effect on vegetable productivity and food safety. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and nitric oxide (NO) are key signaling molecules known to exhibit crosstalk in pla...
Injudicious application of pesticides has a detrimental effect on vegetable productivity and food safety. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and nitric oxide (NO) are key signaling molecules known to exhibit crosstalk in plant stress responses; however, their interaction under chlorpyrifos (CP) stress in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) remains unexplored. Their synergistic action is essential for maintaining redox balance and enhancing stress resilience. Thus, the present study evaluates the effect of exogenous GABA and NO, individually and in combination (GABA + NO), on growth, physiological and biochemical attributes of eggplant seedlings under CP stress. CP stress significantly reduced the growth attributes (48% biomass, 21% stomatal density and 15% trichome density), pigments (35% Chl a and 44% Chl b with 27% rise in Car), and photosynthetic performance (34% A, 9% Fv/Fm, and 52% PI with an increase of 37% in DI/RC), while oxidative biomarkers (100% O, 147% HO and 114% MDA) were exacerbated as compared to control (CK). Exogenous GABA and NO together increased growth attributes (6% biomass, 17% stomatal density and 21% trichome density), pigments (24% Chl a and 18% Chl b with 20% decreased in Car) and photosynthetic performance (16% A, 6% Fv/Fm and 37% PI, with a reduction of 21% in DI/RC) as compared to control. This alleviating effect could be attributed to GABA-NO mediated regulation of ROS detoxification by increased activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and glutathione-s-transferase, and also by stabilization of photosynthetic machinery. Inhibitors/scavenger (MPA, L-NAME, and c-PTIO) elevated stress impact with a stronger effect of MPA, indicating the dominant role of GABA. The findings reveal that GABA-NO interaction plays a crucial role in mitigating CP toxicity through regulation of antioxidants and photosynthetic machinery, providing a potential strategy to enhance crop tolerance under pesticide stress.
Nitric oxide interplay with hydrogen sulfide modulates gene expression and photosystem II function through enhanced antioxidant defense under PEG-induced osmotic stress in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).
Rehaman A, Verma S, Shandalya K … +3 more , Ahmed M, Asgher M, Khan TA
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 Jul · PMID 42127511 · Publisher ↗
Drought is one of the most detrimental abiotic stresses, severely constraining crop productivity on a global scale. Prolonged water deficits associated with climate change impair plant growth and contribute to substantia...
Drought is one of the most detrimental abiotic stresses, severely constraining crop productivity on a global scale. Prolonged water deficits associated with climate change impair plant growth and contribute to substantial agricultural yield losses each year. In this study, we investigated the roles of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (HS) in mediating stress tolerance in common bean, integrating physiological, biochemical, and molecular analyses to elucidate their regulatory functions under simulated water-deficit conditions. PEG-induced osmotic stress significantly reduced plant growth, which was associated with impaired nutrient uptake, enhanced oxidative stress, decreased PSII efficiency, and reduced photosynthetic performance. However, PEG-induced osmotic stress also stimulated the antioxidant defense system, increased proline accumulation, and elevated endogenous NO and HS levels, contributing to a partial mitigation of oxidative damage (O•, HO, and TBARS). Furthermore, PEG-induced osmotic stress upregulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes while downregulating photosynthesis-related genes. Exogenous application of sodium hydrosulfide (200 μM NaHS; HS donor) and sodium nitroprusside (100 μM SNP; NO donor) effectively alleviated stress-induced damage by maintaining photosynthetic capacity through enhanced expression of PSII-associated genes, improved stomatal regulation, and preservation of chloroplast ultrastructure. In addition, NaHS and SNP treatments promoted endogenous NO and HS production and reduced oxidative damage by activating antioxidant defense mechanisms. Notably, the combined application of SNP and NaHS produced the strongest protective effect under PEG-induced osmotic stress conditions. Pharmacological approaches using the NO scavenger cPTIO and the HS scavenger hypotaurine revealed that the protective effects of both donors were significantly attenuated upon scavenging either signaling molecule, indicating a strong functional interdependence between NO and HS pathways. Overall, our findings demonstrate that NO and HS operate through a coordinated signaling network to regulate plant tolerance under PEG-induced osmotic stress, providing a potential strategy for improving stress resilience in legume crops.
Image-based QTL mapping of grain size for establishment of predictive breeding in rice.
Park JR, Kim EG, Jang YH … +5 more , Asif S, Jan R, Asaf S, Kim HY, Kim KM
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42119297 · Publisher ↗
Rice is a staple food and a major source of calories for much of the global population. With the global population continuing to rise, breeding high-yielding rice cultivars is critical for future food security. Grain siz...
Rice is a staple food and a major source of calories for much of the global population. With the global population continuing to rise, breeding high-yielding rice cultivars is critical for future food security. Grain size is a key trait directly related to rice yield. In this study, QTL mapping was conducted using both phenotypic data collected with Vernier calipers and image-based phenotyping. All QTLs identified through caliper measurements were also detected using image data, which allowed for more precise localization with higher LOD scores. Grain size-related QTLs were identified on chromosomes 3, 5, 6, and 7, including major genes such as GS3, qSW5, and GW7. A novel QTL region between markers RM586 and RM1163 on chromosome 6 was identified, which has not been previously reported. Introgression of this region positively affected grain length, and an additive effect was observed when combined with qGL3. Within the RM586-RM1163 region, 16 open reading frames (ORFs) were annotated, and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis suggested their roles in regulating cellular structures and organelle functions during grain development. Among these, OsGSq6 showed a significant increase in expression from the panicle formation stage to the heading stage. Fifteen SNPs were identified within the gene, resulting in 11 distinct haplotypes, several of which were predominantly found in indica rice. OsGSq6 encodes a phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator, suggesting its role in grain development. Image-based phenotyping also enabled the detection of varietal admixtures, contributing to improved genetic purity. This approach offers a promising strategy for enhancing rice breeding precision.
Cold-induced early flowering in tobacco: Insights from JA biosynthesis and signaling.
Hu Z, Yin H, Li X … +7 more , Yan W, Wang C, Wang Y, Zhu L, Liu T, Xiang S, Hu R
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42119296 · Publisher ↗
Low temperature, as a prominent abiotic stressor, adversely affects plant growth, development, and crop productivity. The floral transition in angiosperms necessitates precise regulatory control to ensure reproductive su...
Low temperature, as a prominent abiotic stressor, adversely affects plant growth, development, and crop productivity. The floral transition in angiosperms necessitates precise regulatory control to ensure reproductive success. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying low-temperature-induced early flowering in tobacco remain elusive. In this study, to unravel the regulatory machinery of cold stress tolerance, systematic analyses, including phenotypic characterization, phytohormone profiling, transcriptomic and proteomic assays, as well as integrative multi-omics analysis, were conducted on shoot apical meristems of the cold-sensitive cultivar Yunyan87 and cold-tolerant cultivar Xiangyan7 following cold stress. Phenotypic observations revealed that Yunyan87 exhibited early flowering under low temperature, accompanied by reduced plant height and total leaf count, whereas Xiangyan7 showed no significant phenotypic alterations. Notably, distinct differences in phytohormone profiles were observed between the two cultivars post-treatment, with jasmonic acid (JA) being highly associated with low temperature-induced early flowering. Integrative multi-omics analysis pinpointed two pivotal pathways: α-linolenic acid metabolism and plant phytohormone signal transduction. Further dissection of the JA biosynthesis pathway demonstrated that, compared to Yunyan87, Xiangyan7 displayed upregulated LOX2S expression, downregulated ACX expression, elevated JA levels, and upregulated JAZ expression under cold stress. Additionally, four key candidate genes were identified, namely SAPK1-like, PP2C-51, SCL9, and ARR12-like. Based on these findings, we present a working hypothesis that the reduced JA accumulation in Yunyan87 represses JAZ degradation, thereby enhancing JAZ-mediated inhibition of MYC2/3 and TOE1/2. This repression alleviates inhibition of FT, ultimately promoting early flowering. In conclusion, this study indicates that JA biosynthesis and signaling play central roles in regulating cold-induced early flowering in tobacco, providing a theoretical framework for improving tobacco cold tolerance and manipulating flowering time in tobacco cultivation.
Lineage-specific duplication and functional analysis of TT8L in cotton proanthocyanidin biosynthesis.
Deng T, Lv M, Yu H … +7 more , Chen J, Cao J, Pang Y, Feng X, Mei J, Sun Y, Yu D
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42119295 · Publisher ↗
Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a globally vital fiber crop. Naturally colored cotton (NCC) offers an alternative for the textile industry due to its pigmented fibers. However, the commercial potential of NCC is extensively c...
Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a globally vital fiber crop. Naturally colored cotton (NCC) offers an alternative for the textile industry due to its pigmented fibers. However, the commercial potential of NCC is extensively constrained by the limited and unstable fiber colors. Deciphering the molecular basis of fiber coloration is therefore crucial for the genetic improvement of NCC. In brown cotton, proanthocyanidins (PAs) and their derivatives serve as the primary pigments. Although TRANSPARENT TESTA 8 (TT8) has been known as a central regulator of PA biosynthesis, its functional evolution remains unexplored. Here, we identified a lineage-specific duplicate of TT8, designated TT8L, which originated from gene duplication in Gossypium ancestors. Functional assays showed that silencing TT8L in two G. hirsutum L. accessions strongly inhibited PA biosynthesis. Conversely, heterologous expression of cotton TT8L in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly enhanced PA accumulation. Furthermore, our study showed that TT8L physically interacts with TT2, a core component of the MBW transcriptional complex governing PA synthesis. In summary, our study demonstrates TT8L functions in regulating PA biosynthesis, with its role mediated by the conserved MBW complex. These findings elucidate the plasticity of the PA regulatory network and propose TT8L as a prime target for developing novel NCC varieties.
Brassinosteroids alleviate salinity stress in tomato by modulating redox balance, ion homeostasis, and metabolomic adjustments.
Salehi H, Miras-Moreno B, Tolisano C … +7 more , Del Buono D, Araniti F, Alzate Zuluaga MY, Ganugi P, Fiorini A, Pii Y, Lucini L
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42119294 · Publisher ↗
Brassinosteroids (BR) are the steroidal phytohormones, best known for their role in plant growth and enhancing tolerance to abiotic stress for the last two decades. We investigated the effects of 24-epibrassinolide (BR -...
Brassinosteroids (BR) are the steroidal phytohormones, best known for their role in plant growth and enhancing tolerance to abiotic stress for the last two decades. We investigated the effects of 24-epibrassinolide (BR - 1, 2, and 3 μM) on tomato seedlings grown under 150 mM NaCl from physiological and metabolomics perspectives. A supervised multiblock orthogonal partial least squares ANOVA (AMOPLS) analysis was performed on the untargeted metabolomics data to dissect influential factors and identify discriminant metabolites. The results showed that exogenous BR recovered the impaired photosynthetic performance induced by NaCl, as observed by increased chlorophyll content and photochemical efficiency of PSII (Phi2), while reducing PhiNPQ. Moreover, the activities of the enzymes SOD, APX, and CAT increased by 30%, 55%, and 786.3%, respectively, in BR + NaCl compared to NaCl. Unsupervised and supervised statistics revealed that, while NaCl had a dominant effect on metabolic profiles, BR modulated specific pathways like amino acids, hormone crosstalk, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Among phenylpropanoids and nitrogen-containing compounds, the general accumulation of lignin- and glucosinolate-related metabolites in the combined BR and NaCl treatment, compared to NaCl, indicated that BR improved plant cell membrane integrity. In addition, metabolites linked to stress defense, such as proline, glycine betaine, D-sorbitol 6-phosphate, and secologanin, accumulated. The findings identified several novel metabolites, such as N-formyl-L-kynurenine and 7,8-dihydromonapterin, attributed to BR that may support the development of NaCl-tolerant tomato plants.
Advances in plant metabolomics: Insights, applications, and integration.
Khan N, Tanveer M, Husen A … +1 more , Ilyas N
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42115044 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Preharvest environmental conditions influence fatty acid metabolism and chilling-injury during postharvest cold storage of citrus fruits.
Lozano-Omeñaca A, Rodrigo MJ, Zacarías L
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42114499 · Publisher ↗
Fatty acid (FA) metabolism, particularly changes in unsaturation levels in response to low-temperature stress, has been suggested to play a key role in fruit tolerance to postharvest chilling injury (CI), a major physiol...
Fatty acid (FA) metabolism, particularly changes in unsaturation levels in response to low-temperature stress, has been suggested to play a key role in fruit tolerance to postharvest chilling injury (CI), a major physiological disorder in citrus. Although preharvest environmental conditions are known to influence CI incidence during cold storage, the relationship between preharvest variability, FA metabolism and CI remain still unclear. Therefore, in this study we investigated FA metabolism in the peel of three citrus genotypes harvested from locations with contrasting agroclimatic conditions. Fruit of Tango and Nadorcott mandarins and Valencia orange exposed in the field to a higher number of hours of cold (<5 °C) or at low relative humidity (<30%) developed higher CI index during storage at 2 °C. In CI-sensitive fruit, FA metabolism genes were upregulated at harvest and further stimulated in response to cold storage. The expression of specific genes involved in FA desaturation (oleate desaturase, FAD2.1) as well as in lipoxygenation (LOX2) presented strong positive correlations with preharvest cold and dehydration stress, respectively, and specially with CI. The stress-induced or postharvest modifications in FA content were genotype-dependent, although the FA unsaturation ratio also correlated positively with CI index. These results suggest that exposure of citrus fruits to preharvest environmental stress conditions modulates the expression of FA metabolism genes already in the field and enhances CI sensitivity, thereby determining its postharvest responses.
Desert dark septate endophytes improve wheat seedling drought tolerance through photosynthetic protection and antioxidant defense.
Ye Q, Li B, Xu M … +5 more , Chen X, Chen M, Wu G, He X, Li X
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42114338 · Publisher ↗
Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) are a type of endophytic fungi colonizing plant roots with a broad distribution, especially in extreme habitats such as deserts. Various studies have demonstrated that DSEs can enhance plan...
Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) are a type of endophytic fungi colonizing plant roots with a broad distribution, especially in extreme habitats such as deserts. Various studies have demonstrated that DSEs can enhance plant growth under stress conditions. In this study, wheat seedlings were inoculated with two desert-derived dark septate endophytes, Alternaria alstroemeriae (Aa), Paraphoma chrysanthemicola (Pc), or left uninoculated as control (CK), and exposed to either adequate watering (WW) or drought (DD) conditions. Six treatment groups, Aa_WW, Aa_DD, Pc_WW, Pc_DD, CK_WW and CK_DD, were established. The results suggested that inoculation with either Aa or Pc significantly promoted wheat performance under WW and DD conditions. Under two water conditions, inoculation with Aa and Pc significantly promoted the shoot and root growth of wheat. Notably, Aa exhibited a stronger promoting effect on root system under DD treatment, increasing total root length by 17.75%. Under DD treatment, inoculation with Pc significantly enhanced wheat photosynthesis, increasing photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and chlorophyll content by 30.00%, 33.33%, 47.22%, and 5.61%, respectively. Both DSE strains enhanced osmotic adjustment under drought stress. Aa increased soluble sugar, soluble protein and glutathione contents, while Pc elevated proline and glutathione levels, leading to significant reductions in malondialdehyde accumulation by 24.24% and 19.09%, respectively. In addition, both Aa and Pc significantly increased auxin content of wheat leaves. Consistent with the improved physiological and growth performance, transcriptomic analysis revealed that DSE inoculation induced differential expression of genes primarily enriched in pathways related to photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, signal transduction, antioxidants defense, collectively contributing to enhanced wheat drought tolerance. Consequently, these findings demonstrate the great potential of desert-derived DSE strains for improving wheat growth and drought resilience in arid and semi-arid agricultural ecosystems.
Long non-coding RNAs regulate monoterpene indole alkaloid biosynthesis in Catharanthusroseus.
Aram F, Marashi SH, Tahmasebi A … +1 more , Seifi A
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42114337 · Publisher ↗
Despite the increasing identification of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in plants, their roles in specialized metabolism remain largely unexplored, particularly in medicinal and aromatic plants. In this study, we investi...
Despite the increasing identification of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in plants, their roles in specialized metabolism remain largely unexplored, particularly in medicinal and aromatic plants. In this study, we investigated the regulatory roles of lncRNAs in the monoterpene indole alkaloid (MIA) biosynthesis pathway of Catharanthus roseus, a plant renowned for producing the anti-cancer compounds, vinblastine and vincristine. Candidate lncRNAs associated with MIA accumulation were identified using a systems biology approach and subsequently validated through transient overexpression. Among the candidates, Crlnc440 was negatively associated with MIA biosynthesis. Its transient overexpression in C. roseus leaves led to significant reductions in vindoline (23%), vinblastine (33%), anhydrovinblastine (27.7%), and serpentine (18%), accompanied by the downregulation of key MIA biosynthetic genes (D4H, DAT, PRX1, and SS) and the master regulator MPK6. Conversely, Crlnc343 and Crlnc1096 were positively associated whit MIA biosynthesis. Overexpression of Crlnc343 resulted in significant increases in vinblastine (142%), anhydrovinblastine (175%), and catharanthine (64.5%). Similarly, Crlnc1096 overexpression elevated vinblastine (151%), anhydrovinblastine (35%), and catharanthine (30%). All three lncRNAs exhibited organ-specific expression patterns, and their differential expression under methyl jasmonate conditions was identified through transcriptomic data analysis. This study suggests the diverse roles of lncRNAs in regulating specialized metabolism and highlights their potential as promising targets for metabolic engineering to enhance the production of pharmacologically valuable alkaloids.
Diel regulation in spinach synchronizes nitrogen assimilation via transcriptional gating.
Analin B, Joshi V
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42107164 · Publisher ↗
Plants synchronize metabolism with the day-night cycle, yet the interplay between circadian rhythms and nitrogen metabolism in leafy vegetables remains unexplored. We profiled spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) grown under h...
Plants synchronize metabolism with the day-night cycle, yet the interplay between circadian rhythms and nitrogen metabolism in leafy vegetables remains unexplored. We profiled spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) grown under high-nitrogen and low-nitrogen during four diel phases (end of dark, middle of light, end of light, middle of dark), integrating data from RNA-sequencing with measurements of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, nitrogen forms, amino acids, and enzyme activities. Nitrogen sufficiency enhanced biomass, CO assimilation, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency, with maxima in the middle of the light phase. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the greatest gene reprogramming occurred at the dark-to-light transition, where the expression of the morning oscillator component LHY peaked and coincided with the accumulation of dawn-biased nitrate-assimilation transcripts (NIA and NiR) and transporters. Peaks enzyme activities lagged transcript peaks by nearly one phase, suggesting transcriptional priming followed by daytime nitrogen assimilation, aligned with photosynthetic energy and carbon skeleton synthesis. Amino acid profiles reflected this coordination, with glutamine elevated during the day and glutamate enriched at night. Nitrogen deficiency suppressed growth, caused accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and activated circadian-regulated DNA repair genes (e.g., MSH2 and RPA2A, indicating genotoxic stress. Together, these findings support a model in which a diel/clock program, amplified by nitrogen sufficiency, gates nitrogen transport and reduction at dawn to couple daytime assimilation with photosynthesis while adjusting oxidative and DNA repair responses. This mechanistic framework clarifies how temporal regulation and nutrient status interact to shape nitrogen use efficiency and stress resilience in leafy vegetables.
Enhanced GABA accumulation and conversion contribute to physiological homeostasis and lipid reprogramming in salt-stressed white clover.
Qi H, Zhang Y, Li Z
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42105410 · Publisher ↗
Salinity stress threatens global agriculture through three main synergistic effects: osmotic stress, ionic toxicity, and oxidative stress. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is recognized as a critical regulator of plant toleran...
Salinity stress threatens global agriculture through three main synergistic effects: osmotic stress, ionic toxicity, and oxidative stress. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is recognized as a critical regulator of plant tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses, but its positive effects on mitigating salt damage to plants have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate beneficial effects of exogenous GABA pretreatment on physiological homeostasis in salt-stressed white clover (Trifolium repens) and further elucidate potential role of the GABA shunt in regulating lipid reprogramming for maintaining the stability and functionality of cell membrane systems under salt stress. Results demonstrated that salt stress exerted negative impacts on white clover, including oxidative damage, disruption to water balance, and inhibition of photosynthesis. However, exogenous GABA pretreatment significantly reduced reactive oxygen species level and membrane lipid peroxidation, while enhancing net photosynthetic rate, photochemical efficiency, and water balance via improved osmotic adjustment and water use efficiency in leaves of white clover when exposed to salt stress. Furthermore, exogenous GABA significantly improved endogenous GABA content and GABA transaminase (GABA-T) activity, thereby enhancing GABA branched metabolism to support tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle during salt stress. Additionally, lipidomic analysis found that salt stress altered the accumulation and composition of lipids, and both GABA-pretreated and untreated plants increased DGDG/MGDG and PC/PE ratios to adapt to high-salt conditions. More importantly, GABA-pretreated plants maintained significantly higher contents of phospholipids, glycolipids, and sphingolipids as well as lower unsaturation level of lipids contributing to the stability and functionality of membrane systems. In addition, the GABA could enhance the conversion of lipids and pyruvate into acetyl-CoA to feed the TCA cycle. These findings highlight protective role of GABA against salt stress by improving physiological homeostasis, optimizing energy metabolism, and remodeling membrane lipids.
Effects of low temperature on energy metabolism during germination of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) seeds.
Wang X, Feng K, Yin X … +10 more , Zhang T, Shi Q, Wang G, Li X, Song X, Wen Y, Dong S, Ren J, Yuan X, Zhao J
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42105409 · Publisher ↗
Low-temperature stress significantly hinders the germination of foxtail millet (Setaria italica. L) seeds, posing a major limitation to their production. In this study, we conducted physiological and transcriptomic analy...
Low-temperature stress significantly hinders the germination of foxtail millet (Setaria italica. L) seeds, posing a major limitation to their production. In this study, we conducted physiological and transcriptomic analyses on seeds from the low-temperature-tolerant variety JG and the low-temperature-sensitive variety CN during the initial 48 h of germination. Our results demonstrated that low-temperature exposure led to a reduction in germination rates by 19.33% for JG and 28.67% for CN. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were primarily associated with pathways involved in starch and sucrose metabolism, glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and plant hormone signal transduction. Research indicates that at low temperatures, the expression levels of genes encoding key enzymes involved in sugar metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation in JG are elevated. This results in pyruvate kinase (PK) and cytochrome C oxidase (CCO) activities being increased by 14.58%-64.94% and 16.95%-120.12%, respectively, compared to CN. Ultimately, the ATP content in JG is 91.30%-120.03% higher than that in CN. Furthermore, the expression levels of genes and transcription factors involved in the biosynthesis and signal transduction of plant hormones, such as auxin (IAA) and cytokinins (CTK), are significantly elevated in JG at low temperatures relative to CN. In summary, JG enhances its cold resistance during the germination period by modulating energy metabolism and hormone balance.
OsPHR2 activates OsPAP23 to promote organic phosphorus utilization in rice.
Zhao K, Bu Z, Yu S … +7 more , Wang Z, Xu J, Zhu J, Ren M, Liu Y, Wu Y, Mao C
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42105408 · Publisher ↗
To adapt to low-phosphate environments, plants have evolved elaborate response mechanisms. Among these, the transcription factor OsPHR2 functions as a central regulator of the phosphate (Pi) signaling network, orchestrat...
To adapt to low-phosphate environments, plants have evolved elaborate response mechanisms. Among these, the transcription factor OsPHR2 functions as a central regulator of the phosphate (Pi) signaling network, orchestrating the expression of a series of Pi starvation responsive genes. In this study, by integrating ChIP-seq and transcriptomic data, we identified a novel direct downstream target gene of OsPHR2, OsPAP23, which encodes a purple acid phosphatase. Experimental validation confirmed that OsPHR2 activates the transcription of OsPAP23 by binding to the P1BS element in its promoter. OsPAP23 is primarily localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and its coding gene is expressed in various tissues including root epidermis, stems, and panicles. Overexpression of OsPAP23 significantly increases inorganic phosphate concentration, but not total phosphorus concentration, in rice leaves, and enhances total and root-secreted acid phosphatase activity. Additionally, OsPAP23 exhibits high in vitro hydrolytic activity toward phytate (InsP). Genetic analysis assay showed that overexpression of OsPAP23 reversed the Pi deficient phenotype in phr2. Furthermore, OsPAP23 overexpression lines showed better growth performance under culture conditions where organic phosphorus serves as the sole phosphorus source. Overexpression of OsPAP23 accelerates the remobilization of seed-stored phytate into Pi and promotes seed germination in rice. In conclusion, this study uncovers the important role of the OsPHR2-OsPAP23 regulatory module in mediating organic phosphorus mobilization and phosphorus homeostasis in rice, providing a new target for breeding crops with high phosphorus-use efficiency.
Bitter pit disorder development: Evidence from transcriptomic and cellular analysis in different tissues.
Li Y, Xu Z, Tan W … +8 more , Zhao Y, Ma Q, Deng W, Peng H, Ren X, Zhou H, Ren Y, Ding Y
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42105407 · Publisher ↗
Bitter pit (BP), a physiological disorder, causes significant losses to the apple industry. The precise mechanisms underlying BP remain incompletely understood. Herein, transcriptomic analysis was carried out on healthy...
Bitter pit (BP), a physiological disorder, causes significant losses to the apple industry. The precise mechanisms underlying BP remain incompletely understood. Herein, transcriptomic analysis was carried out on healthy flesh (FH), flesh between healthy and disordered (FB), disordered flesh (FD), healthy pericarp (PH), and disordered pericarp (PD). Results demonstrated that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are involved in programmed cell death (PCD), calcium signaling and transport, cell wall degradation, respiration, and redox. The signal transduction pathways of gibberellic acid, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, abscisic acid, cytokinin, auxin, brassinosteroid, and ethylene were also implicated. Among these, DEGs enriched in auxin signaling were particularly up-regulated in FD. WRKY, MYB, bZIP, and NAC transcription factors may play significant regulatory roles in the BP formation. The different fold changes of DEGs in FD vs FB comparison and FD vs FH implied the coordination of local and long-distance responses during BP development. Results from fluorescence staining, transmission electron microscopy and DNA ladder indicated that PCD may occur during BP development. PCD-related enzyme (responsive to desiccation-21) and genes (MdCEPI-1 and MdCEPI-2) were higher in FD and PD, whereas MdDAD1-1 and MdDAD-2 were significantly down-regulated in FD. Genes encoding cytochrome P450, squalene cyclase, and glutathione S-transferase, respectively, emerged as potential candidates linked to BP development, given their known roles in bitter compound biosynthesis and stress-related cell death pathways. Moreover, in both pericarp and flesh tissues, disordered samples exhibited increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species.
Elevated soil temperature alters nitrogen uptake, allocation and utilization in maize during the late vegetative stage.
Wang S, Liu D, Fan Z … +5 more , Zheng Y, Li T, Gao W, Zhang X, Sui P
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42105406 · Publisher ↗
As global temperatures rise, soil warming is emerging as a critical factor influencing maize productivity. However, the impacts on root function and nitrogen utilization remain insufficiently understood. To investigate t...
As global temperatures rise, soil warming is emerging as a critical factor influencing maize productivity. However, the impacts on root function and nitrogen utilization remain insufficiently understood. To investigate these effects, a pot experiment was conducted in an environment-controlled greenhouse during the late vegetative stage under three soil temperature regimes: 28 °C, 33 °C, and 38 °C. N-labeled urea was applied to trace nitrogen dynamics. Results showed that elevated soil temperature markedly altered root morphology and microstructure. Root length and surface area decreased, while cortical lacunae proportion increased significantly, particularly at 38 °C. These structural changes were accompanied by lower root activity, reduced stomatal conductance and transpiration, and a 46.97-60.44% decrease in N uptake rate. The decline in nitrogen uptake rate reduced total nitrogen content in vegetative organs, whereas nitrogen content in grain remained relatively stable, indicating enhanced internal nitrogen remobilization. However, under 38 °C, this compensatory effect was not sufficient to prevent accelerated leaf senescence, which caused a 3.96% reduction in kernel weight, and a 34.52% decline in grain yield. Overall, these results showed that soil warming disrupted nitrogen uptake, allocation, and utilization in maize, and that 38 °C soil warming exceeded the capacity of the plant to maintain coordinated nitrogen supply during grain filling. These findings provide a physiological basis for developing management strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of soil warming on maize productivity.
Physiological and molecular mechanisms of cadmium stress tolerance in timothy (Phleum pratense L.) seedlings mediated by exogenous melatonin.
Ali K, Liu H, Yu X … +4 more , Liu B, An Y, Chen L, Yin S
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42105405 · Publisher ↗
Melatonin (M) plays a key role in plant growth and stress tolerance; however, its role in mitigating cadmium (Cd) stress in timothy (Phleum pratense L.) remains poorly understood. In this study, timothy seedlings were ex...
Melatonin (M) plays a key role in plant growth and stress tolerance; however, its role in mitigating cadmium (Cd) stress in timothy (Phleum pratense L.) remains poorly understood. In this study, timothy seedlings were exposed to four treatments: control (CK), melatonin (M), cadmium (Cd), and combined melatonin and cadmium (M + Cd) under hydroponic conditions. The results showed that M alleviated Cd-induced toxicity, as evidenced by improved biomass, photosynthetic performance, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities under M + Cd treatment compared with Cd alone. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that M-responsive differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under Cd stress were significantly enriched in oxidoreductase activity, catalytic activity, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. In addition, genes related to metal transport, including heavy metal-associated (HMA) and natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (Nramp), along with antioxidant enzyme and phytohormone-related genes, displayed distinct expression patterns across treatments. Functional validation in yeast demonstrated that overexpression of the HMA gene Cluster-13128.5368 significantly enhanced Cd tolerance. Overall, M may enhance Cd tolerance in timothy by coordinating root retention and shoot detoxification. These findings provide new insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying M-mediated Cd tolerance in timothy seedlings.
Integrated comparison of root ion flux dynamics, shoot ionic status, and root anatomy underlies contrasting salinity responses in grasses.
Wang L, Yi J, Staal M … +1 more , Elzenga JTM
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42105404 · Publisher ↗
Salinity is a major abiotic threat on plant productivity and biodiversity worldwide, particularly in degraded soils and grass-dominated coastal ecosystems. Identifying species-specific physiological mechanisms underlying...
Salinity is a major abiotic threat on plant productivity and biodiversity worldwide, particularly in degraded soils and grass-dominated coastal ecosystems. Identifying species-specific physiological mechanisms underlying salinity tolerance is essential for selecting resilient crop and forage grasses. However, the integrated analysis of root ion fluxes, shoot ionic balance, and root anatomy within a physiological framework in grasses under salt stress remains insufficiently understood. To address this gap, we compared three grass species-Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra, and Puccinellia maritima-to determine how root ion flux dynamics, shoot ionic status, and root anatomical traits contribute to contrasting salinity responses. The results reveal species-specific patterns in ion flux response to salt stress, underscoring contrasting strategies for K retention and H dynamics. P. maritima showed high K retention with minimal loss and stable H dynamic following salt exposure, whereas L. perenne exhibited pronounced and sustained K leakage alongside strong perturbations in H flux. F. rubra showed transient ion flux disturbances with partial recovery from K loss. These root-level responses were closely linked to shoot ionic status: L. perenne accumulated substantial NaCl-derived osmolarity in leaves, whereas leaf osmolarity in P. maritima and F. rubra remained comparatively low even under high salinity. Furthermore, root anatomical observation revealed earlier and more extensive suberization in P. maritima, with limited development in F. rubra. These structural differences provide a mechanistic context for the observed variations in ion behavior, offering insights into species-specific adaptations to salt stress. Collectively, these findings indicate that effective salinity tolerance in grasses is closely associated with coordinated regulation of root ion fluxes, restricted salt accumulation in shoot, and the presence of supportive anatomical features, characteristics exemplified by P. martima. This study highlights the importance of integrative analysis within the physiological framework for identifying salt-resilient grasses. Such a comprehensive and efficient screening approach is crucial for advancing sustainable agriculture and facilitating ecosystem restoration in saline environments.
Iodine nanocitrate seed priming modulates contrasting genotypes of wheat PSII responses to phytopathogenic infection and improves productivity.
Huliaieva H, Tokovenko I, Pasichnyk L … +1 more , Bohdan M
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42102491 · Publisher ↗
While not classified as essential, iodine can be a beneficial element, helping to modulate redox balance and enhance stress tolerance. We assessed whether seed treatment with iodine nanocitrate affects PSII photochemical...
While not classified as essential, iodine can be a beneficial element, helping to modulate redox balance and enhance stress tolerance. We assessed whether seed treatment with iodine nanocitrate affects PSII photochemical parameters (F, Fv/Fm), pigment composition, and wheat yield under pathogen inoculation in field conditions, while monitoring ambient air quality and short-term temperature variability. The experimental design included the following factors: (i) cultivars (Zelma, Zymoyarka); (ii) seed priming (control, iodine nanocitrates (I-0.5%)); and (iii) infection background (uninoculated, phytoplasma-like pathogen (Acholeplasma laidlawii), bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. atrofaciens (Psa). F and Fv/Fm were measured at 7-day intervals. Treatment effects were tested within cultivar × date using a one-way ANOVA with Tukey's HSD; factorial effects of date, cultivar, and variant were assessed using ANOVA models. RESULTS: Seed priming with I-0.5% showed strong temporal and cultivar dependence in Fv/Fm, with significant date-related shifts and cultivar- and variant-dependent patterns. Variant separation was clearer in Zymoyarka, while Zelma showed generally lower intradate divergence. Pigment composition revealed contrasting cultivars' strategies: Zymoyarka exhibited pigment depletion, most strongly at I-0.5%+Psa, whereas Zelma typically increased chlorophyll and carotenoid content after inoculation and priming. Flag leaf area was consistently larger in Zelma and was mainly genotype-driven. Grain yield increased at I-0.5% in both cultivars, reaching statistical significance in Zymoyarka. CONCLUSIONS: Iodine nanocitrate priming can alter PSII functional status and pigment balance in a cultivar-specific manner under pathogen inoculation in the context of monitored ambient air pollution quality. Agronomic benefits (yield) were most pronounced in Zymoyarka, which also showed stronger within-date Fv/Fm divergence among variants and a depletion/remodeling-type pigment response (most evident under I-0.5% + Psa), consistent with greater physiological sensitivity/plasticity of this cultivar under the prevailing field load.
Cross-species expression of OsDJ-1C from rice enhances tolerance to salinity and drought stress in tomato.
Mishra M, Chatterjee Y, Gupta BK … +5 more , Tomar S, Babuta P, Gupta KJ, Pareek A, Singla-Pareek SL
Plant Physiol Biochem · 2026 May · PMID 42102490 · Publisher ↗
Abiotic stresses such as salinity and drought induce the accumulation of methylglyoxal (MG), a highly cytotoxic dicarbonyl compound that disrupts cellular metabolism in plants. MG detoxification is primarily mediated by...
Abiotic stresses such as salinity and drought induce the accumulation of methylglyoxal (MG), a highly cytotoxic dicarbonyl compound that disrupts cellular metabolism in plants. MG detoxification is primarily mediated by the glutathione-dependent glyoxalase pathway, classically comprising the enzymes glyoxalase I and II. In contrast, glyoxalase III (GLYIII) catalyzes detoxification of MG in a single-step without requiring glutathione. In the present study, we investigated the functional role of OsDJ-1C, a rice GLYIII enzyme, by heterologous overexpression in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Transgenic lines exhibited significantly enhanced stress tolerance through a more efficient antioxidant defense mechanism under stress conditions. This improvement was driven by increased GLYIII-mediated detoxification of MG, leading to effective suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Reduced ROS levels in the overexpression lines resulted in greater internal oxygen availability and enhanced cellular respiration than wild-type plants. Furthermore, transgenic plants maintained higher pyruvate levels than the wild-type controls, thereby sustaining tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle flux and ATP production under stress. Overall, these findings reveal a conserved, cross-species function of OsDJ-1C in enhancing abiotic stress tolerance emphasizing its relevance for improving agricultural sustainability and food security under changing climatic conditions.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe