Root growth direction under water-deficit conditions is critical for plant survival. Increasing agar concentration in the growth medium simulates stress conditions, limiting water availability. Our study highlights the r...Root growth direction under water-deficit conditions is critical for plant survival. Increasing agar concentration in the growth medium simulates stress conditions, limiting water availability. Our study highlights the role of glucose (Glc) in orchestrating the root growth deviation in Arabidopsis under stress conditions. We demonstrate that Glc-TOR signaling plays a central role in modulating root growth direction under stress conditions. Conversely, cytokinin (CK) signaling reduces root deviation during water deficit. We further show that Glc downregulates CK signaling under water-deficit conditions, while CK negatively influences Glc-TOR activity. The interplay between Glc-TOR and CK signaling pathways fine-tunes root orientation by modulating auxin transport and signaling. Collectively, our findings show that in Arabidopsis, Glc-induced changes in root architecture are mediated through its antagonistic interaction with CK signaling, contributing to enhanced root plasticity and improved adaptation to water-limited conditions.
Microorganism-driven ecosystems on leaf surfaces play pivotal roles in regulating plant health and fitness. While individual leaves provide distinct microhabitats on their adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces, mo...Microorganism-driven ecosystems on leaf surfaces play pivotal roles in regulating plant health and fitness. While individual leaves provide distinct microhabitats on their adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces, most studies have assessed phyllosphere microbial community assembly and function using whole leaves, thereby overlooking their inherent spatial heterogeneity. Here, we independently analyzed bacterial and fungal communities on adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces across seven temperate tree species over a 6-month period. We further assessed their metabolic and ecological profiles to understand how leaf surface compartmentalization shapes microbial communities. Our results revealed that compositionally distinct microbial communities were consistently established on each leaf surface. Co-occurrence network analyses showed that the abaxial communities exhibited differences in interaction structure compared to the adaxial communities, characterized by a higher proportion of negative correlations. Predicted functional profiles indicated that adaxial communities were enriched in degradation pathways, potentially reflecting nutrient-poor, high-stress conditions, whereas abaxial communities were enriched in biosynthetic and energy-generating functions, consistent with resource-rich environments. Collectively, our results highlight adaxial-abaxial leaf surface asymmetry as a key ecological driver shaping the structure, function, and interaction dynamics of the phyllosphere microbiome.
Plants continuously emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can influence the physiology and behavior of neighboring plants. While the ecological role of stress-induced VOCs is well established, the function of con...Plants continuously emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can influence the physiology and behavior of neighboring plants. While the ecological role of stress-induced VOCs is well established, the function of constitutive VOCs released by undamaged plants in mediating plant-plant interactions remains less understood. Here, we demonstrate that barley plants can detect the growth rate of undamaged conspecific neighbors through constitutive VOCs and respond by modulating their growth-defense trade-off accordingly. Exposure to volatiles from cultivars with contrasting growth (slow or fast) triggered distinct shifts in biomass accumulation and gene expression in receiver plants, whereas VOCs from cultivars with similar growth rates had negligible effects. Transcriptomic analysis revealed cultivar-specific transcriptional reprogramming of growth- and defense-related pathways, suggesting that constitutive VOCs convey information about emitter identity and competitive vigour that receiver plants use to adaptively reallocate resources and prime stress responses in anticipation of competition. These findings uncover a previously unrecognized role of constitutive VOCs as reliable cues of emitter identity and vigor, mediating adaptive responses in neighboring plants under competitive scenarios.
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has emerged as a chemical strategy to modulate proteostasis, offering important advantages over traditional small molecules. By inducing proximity between a protein of interest (POI) an...Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has emerged as a chemical strategy to modulate proteostasis, offering important advantages over traditional small molecules. By inducing proximity between a protein of interest (POI) and the cellular degradation machinery, protein degraders enable selective and dynamic degradation of the POI. Unlike classical small molecules (i.e. inhibitors), the event-driven mode of action of chemical degraders offers new therapeutic opportunities for previously intractable diseases. Molecular glues (MGs) and proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) can target proteins previously considered undruggable, including those lacking catalytic activity or deep binding pockets, such as transcription factors and scaffold proteins. TPD has gained substantial attention in drug discovery, with several candidates advancing in clinical trials, validating chemically induced proximity as therapeutic strategy. However, in plants, the development of synthetic degraders remains largely unexplored. Here, we review the molecular basis of TPD, with emphasis on MGs and PROTACs. We discuss critical aspects of PROTAC design, including E3 ligase suitability, target selection, and linker optimization. We also summarize engineered tag-based systems and emerging non-proteasomal modalities. Finally, we provide a critical evaluation of the opportunities and limitations of protein degraders and provide a theoretical and practical framework to facilitate the expansion of TPD in plant biology and agriculture.
Pinus radiata has been characterised as strongly isohydric, which means that it tends to close stomata to maintain leaf water potential relatively constant under changing environmental conditions. However, under high tem...Pinus radiata has been characterised as strongly isohydric, which means that it tends to close stomata to maintain leaf water potential relatively constant under changing environmental conditions. However, under high temperatures, where leaf cooling may be necessary to prevent overheating, the ability to maintain this isohydric behaviour remains unexplored. Here, we examined the impact of increasing temperature (and associated needle-to-air vapor pressure deficit hereafter referred to as VPDneedle) on whole plant stomatal conductance (gc), canopy transpiration (Ec), minimal conductance (gmin) and stem water potential (Ѱstem) in well-watered Pinus radiata plants. A decline in gc was observed as temperature increased from 22°C to 32°C resulting in 27% stomatal closure, followed by levelling off at further higher temperatures. However, this stomatal closure was not enough to prevent an exponential rise in Ec and pronounced declines in Ѱstem. gmin contributed 18% of gc at 42°C and showed an exponential rise at temperatures higher than 42°C. Our findings suggests that high temperatures may lead to drop in isohydry in Pinus radiata. This shift may be crucial to avoid overheating and damage of plant tissues but at the same time leads to more negative Ѱstem, thereby increasing the chances of xylem embolism. The observed shift in stomatal response reveals that even in water conservative species like Pinus radiata, high temperatures may compromise stomatal regulation of water potential.
L-type lateral root (LLR) density is a key determinant of root system architecture that affects nutrient acquisition in rice, particularly under low-phosphorus conditions. While previous studies identified genotypic diff...L-type lateral root (LLR) density is a key determinant of root system architecture that affects nutrient acquisition in rice, particularly under low-phosphorus conditions. While previous studies identified genotypic differences in LLR density together with a QTL enhancing LLR density on crown roots (qLDC5) from donor landrace'DJ123', little is known about the genetic and physiological basis of this trait. We showed that LLR densities on crown and primary roots were closely correlated and confirmed higher LLR density on primary roots in donor DJ123 compared to the African upland rice variety NERICA4 using non-destructive X-ray micro-computed tomography. We further confirmed the effect of qLDC5 in a field experiment conducted in Madagascar for LLR density on primary roots. LLR densities on primary and crown roots therefore, appear under similar genetic control. Developmental analyses revealed that DJ123 and NDJ188 - a derivative line harbouring qLDC5 - initiate significantly more lateral root primordia than NERICA4, with a higher proportion progressing to elongation. Branching phenotypes of these genotypes differed markedly in their responses to exogenous auxin treatment. Within the qLDC5 region, the auxin biosynthesis gene OsYUCCA2 and auxin response factor OsARF15 were strongly upregulated in DJ123. Transcriptome analysis also revealed an indirect auxin-mediated regulatory network underlying LLR variation. Differentially expressed genes common to DJ123 and NDJ188 were enriched for ent-kaurene and gibberellin metabolism, including the robust induction of OsGA2ox5. These findings suggest qLDC5 increases lateral root density by coordinating gibberellin, auxin, and terpene pathways, thereby regulating both lateral root initiation and elongation.
Leaf growth is a critical process for plants exhibiting significant plasticity across environments and which largely determines their energy balance, carbon and nitrogen content and water status. It is essential to under...Leaf growth is a critical process for plants exhibiting significant plasticity across environments and which largely determines their energy balance, carbon and nitrogen content and water status. It is essential to understand how metabolic and hydraulic constraints coordinate to determine leaf growth plasticity. However, whether this plasticity can emerge from organ-level resource availability and water status remains to be demonstrated. To address this complexity, we developed a novel model of grass that fully integrates leaf morphogenesis, carbon and nitrogen metabolism and water flows at the organ level within a 3D representation of the whole plant architecture. The deposition of water, carbon, and nitrogen in the growing leaf depends on the activity of the shoot organs and roots. Metabolic and water flows occur through single pools mimicking the phloem and xylem, respectively. Leaf elongation follows two distinct phases separated by the emergence of the previous leaf. During the initial exponential-like phase, leaf elongation is co-regulated by metabolite concentrations and xylem water potential. In the second phase, 3D leaf elongation is simulated using a turgor-driven growth approach, whereby metabolic concentrations affect osmotic potential. The model was evaluated against experimental data on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), demonstrating that complex patterns of leaf elongation, diurnal variations and resource allocation gradients can emerge from the dynamic coupling of turgor-driven expansion and C-N substrate deposition. Furthermore, our simulations confirm that the hypotheses implemented in the model can also account for the response of plant physiology and leaf growth under drought conditions. This study demonstrated that CNW-Wheat is a functional framework to explore G×E.
Climate change increasingly threatens global agriculture by intensifying abiotic stresses and destabilizing crop productivity, necessitating a deeper understanding of root-mediated traits governing resource acquisition a...Climate change increasingly threatens global agriculture by intensifying abiotic stresses and destabilizing crop productivity, necessitating a deeper understanding of root-mediated traits governing resource acquisition and stress resilience. Here, we synthesize recent advances in root-centered plant phenomics, emphasizing how high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) enables high-resolution, scalable characterization of complex root traits and robust comparative analysis across diverse genotypes and environments. Innovations in multimodal imaging notably X-ray computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and machine learning-integrated rhizotrons facilitate detailed reconstruction of root system architecture and its temporal dynamics under both controlled and semi-field conditions. Furthermore, root phenotyping is increasingly interpreted within an integrated whole-plant framework. The integration of organ-specific assessments with physiological phenomics leveraging spectral and thermal data enables the characterization of developmental plasticity and root-mediated processes, including water-use dynamics, nutrient acquisition, and canopy stress responses under heterogeneous field conditions. These approaches link root traits such as rooting depth and spatial distribution to canopy-level physiological responses under stress. Despite these advances, significant bottlenecks persist in data interoperability, analytical scalability, and protocol standardization. Future progress will require integration of root phenomics with genomics, predictive modeling, and digital twin frameworks to improve resource-use efficiency, yield stability, and climate resilience in global cropping systems.
Suberin polymers deposited in roots form barriers for the transport of water and mineral nutrients and provide primary protection against pathogen attack. Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most widely grown crops for f...Suberin polymers deposited in roots form barriers for the transport of water and mineral nutrients and provide primary protection against pathogen attack. Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most widely grown crops for feeding humans and livestock globally. However, the regulatory mechanisms of suberin formation in soybean roots remain elusive. In this study, we identified 11 key transcription factors of the MYB family (GmMYB41a, GmMYB41b, GmMYB41c, GmMYB41d, GmMYB74/102a, GmMYB74/102d, GmMYB9/107, GmMYB53/92, GmMYB39, GmMYB49, and GmMYB93) involved in fine-tuning suberin deposition in soybean roots. These 11 MYB transcription factors are expressed with nuclear localization in tobacco leaves and soybean roots. Individual transient expression of these MYB transcription factors in tobacco leaves leads to a significant increase in the accumulation of suberin monomers and the abundance of suberin biosynthetic genes. Furthermore, overexpression of these MYB transcription factors in soybean hair roots showed positive regulation on suberin deposition at varied levels. RNA-seq analysis of these overexpression lines revealed a global influence on the expression of genes involved in suberin pathways. Integrating the RNA-seq, quantitative RT-PCR, and transient transactivation data, we inferred a hierarchical transcriptional network among the transcription factors. Our findings provide deep insights into the molecular mechanisms of suberization in soybean roots, including the transcription factors and their downstream targets, and the crosstalk between suberin and other biological pathways.
Plant development and physiological responses emerge from coordinated interactions between tissues, ensuring that cell behaviors, such as division, differentiation, and environmental responses, are integrated at the orga...Plant development and physiological responses emerge from coordinated interactions between tissues, ensuring that cell behaviors, such as division, differentiation, and environmental responses, are integrated at the organ scale. This integration is critical because plant cells are constrained by cell walls, making tissue context a key determinant of cell state and function. Classical genetics and reporters have identified mobile signals and mechanochemical feedbacks that mediate cell-cell communication, but do not provide a framework to observe how regulatory states are organized across tissue interfaces or how responses initiate, spread, and stabilize. Here, we propose that single-cell and spatial transcriptomics make inter-tissue coordination experimentally tractable by enabling measurement of transcriptional states within their tissue context, allowing researchers to investigate how regulatory information is transmitted, interpreted, and coordinated between tissues. These approaches are poised to shift the field from pathway-by-pathway models toward measurable, systems-level principles of coordination. In this review, we highlight root hormone signaling, regeneration competence domains, and immune relay networks as case studies where single-cell and spatial transcriptomics reveal coordination principles. We then define measurable features of coordinated regulatory interactions between tissues, and discuss how single-cell and spatial tools are advancing a mechanistic understanding of multicellular plant development and dynamic physiological responses.
Wang M, Santos E, Eagle S
… +10 more, Chernikova A, Zhang S, Tran P, Marino G, Jernstedt J, Niederholzer F, Wheeler-Dykes B, Wilkop T, Ferguson L, Drakakaki G
Abscission zones mediate organ separation through coordinated changes in cell wall architecture and intercellular signaling. To elucidate mechanisms of fruit abscission zone (FAZ) transitions preceding fruit detachment i...Abscission zones mediate organ separation through coordinated changes in cell wall architecture and intercellular signaling. To elucidate mechanisms of fruit abscission zone (FAZ) transitions preceding fruit detachment in the non-climacteric fruit olive (Olea europaea), we integrated physiological, transcriptomic, and cellular analyses during natural maturation and after ethylene treatment. A mesocarp-subtraction RNA-seq strategy uncovered a FAZ-enriched module of 733 genes, representing core regulators of FAZ maturation. Induction of β-1,3-glucanase genes corresponded with elevated glucanase activity and callose depletion at plasmodesmata, indicating increased symplastic signaling required to initiate the abscission. A previously undocumented rise in cytoplasmic and apoplastic pH of the olive FAZ, coupled with reduction of low-methylesterified homogalacturonan, represents a hallmark of pH-dependent wall remodeling. Transcriptomic enrichment of transporters and pH-responsive wall-modifying enzymes positions pH homeostasis as a central regulator upstream of wall reconfiguration. Concurrent activation of pectate lyases and key phenylpropanoid pathway enzymes suggests a dual remodeling trajectory involving reduction of de-methylesterified pectin, which weakens intercellular cohesion, and localized lignin deposition, defining the separation boundary. Our findings establish a conserved molecular circuit that confers ethylene competence to the FAZ and a mechanistic framework in which symplastic connectivity, pH-driven enzymatic activation, and modulation of wall polymer chemistry orchestrate FAZ maturation and fruit detachment in table olive.
To meet the growing demand for agricultural products, optimizing photosynthesis is a promising strategy to improve the crop yields. Phenotypic variance in photosynthesis has been observed within or between species. To ex...To meet the growing demand for agricultural products, optimizing photosynthesis is a promising strategy to improve the crop yields. Phenotypic variance in photosynthesis has been observed within or between species. To explore the potential of integrating photosynthetic parameters into crop breeding programs, we explored the genetic variation in photosynthesis by assessing photosynthesis-related parameters across plant development in 631 barley recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from eight HvDRR sub-populations under field conditions. The genetic complexity of these parameters was resolved by bi-parental and multi-parental quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses. Finally, we examined the merit of integrating photosynthesis-related parameters in genomic prediction of yield and its components. Significant genotypic variations of the photosynthesis-related parameters were found among the RILs, with their heritability ranging from 0.38 to 0.54. The multiple QTL and dynamic QTL for photosynthesis observed across different developmental stages underlined the complexity of the genetics of photosynthesis in barley. The considerably higher percentage of phenotypic variance explained for genomic prediction than multi-parental QTL analysis illustrates that the photosynthesis-related parameters are inherited in a more complex way than classical agronomic traits. Notably, the prediction ability for yield was increased by integrating the photosynthesis-related parameters of some developmental stages into genomic prediction models. Therewith, our results suggest a novel perspective on increasing the efficiency of crop breeding programs by integrating photosynthesis-related parameters into prediction models.
Sustainable and cost-efficient alternatives to conventional pest management are needed. Seed priming, which enhances plants response to stress, offers a promising solution. We previously demonstrated that seed priming wi...Sustainable and cost-efficient alternatives to conventional pest management are needed. Seed priming, which enhances plants response to stress, offers a promising solution. We previously demonstrated that seed priming with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) or salicylic acid (SA) increases resistance to pests without growth penalties in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we investigate whether these benefits extend to the crop Brassica rapa and whether underlying mechanisms are conserved. In both plant species, MeJA and SA enhanced resistance to the generalist mite Tetranychus urticae and the specialist caterpillar Pieris brassicae, without compromising growth. Based on its comparatively greater effects, MeJA was selected for molecular analyses. Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling revealed conserved co-expression networks but limited overlap in specific genes and metabolites. Additionally, the magnitude and direction of MeJA priming varied with both plant and herbivore species, revealing strong plant-pest interaction effects. In B. rapa, seed priming promoted SA accumulation under mite infestation and glucosinolate pathway activation under caterpillar feeding. Overall, we observed that phenotypic benefits were broadly conserved across Brassicaceae, but its molecular bases were shaped by plant species and pest identity, as well as context-specific interactions. This comparative study underscores the potential of tailoring priming strategies to crop species for sustainable pest management.
Despite its resilience, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) remains vulnerable to biotic stresses, including infestation by the sugarcane aphid (SCA; Melanaphis sacchari), a critical pest of sorghum. Ferulate-5-hydroxylase (F5H),...Despite its resilience, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) remains vulnerable to biotic stresses, including infestation by the sugarcane aphid (SCA; Melanaphis sacchari), a critical pest of sorghum. Ferulate-5-hydroxylase (F5H), an enzyme involved in sorghum monolignol biosynthesis, acts upstream of caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT), which is encoded by the Brown midrib12 (Bmr12) gene. Loss of COMT activity enhances SCA resistance by increasing levels of the auxin conjugate indole-3-acetic acid-aspartate (IAA-Asp). To assess the role of F5H in sorghum defense against SCA, we compared F5H-overexpressing (OE) lines with RTx430 (wild-type) plants. Aphid bioassays and feeding behavior analysis using Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) revealed that aphids prefer to colonize and feed more on F5H-OE plants than on RTx430. Biochemical analyses revealed similar lignin levels between lines, but F5H-OE plants had lower basal flavonoids. Moreover, SCA infestation suppressed auxin signal transduction genes that restrict aphid proliferation. Interestingly, exogenous application of IAA-Asp restored SCA resistance in F5H-OE plants to RTx430 levels. While bmr12 displayed resistance to SCA, the combination of F5H-OE with bmr12 (bmr12-F5H-OE) significantly attenuated the bmr12-conferred resistance. Together, these findings reveal that F5H-OE amplifies sorghum susceptibility to SCA by disrupting auxin and flavonoid-mediated defenses, while reaffirming that the loss of Bmr12 function confers strong aphid resistance.
Higher plants utilise nicotianamine synthase (NAS) enzymes to produce nicotianamine (NA), a non-protein amino acid that chelates metals such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) and plays key roles in metal transport and homeostas...Higher plants utilise nicotianamine synthase (NAS) enzymes to produce nicotianamine (NA), a non-protein amino acid that chelates metals such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) and plays key roles in metal transport and homeostasis. In this study we identified 34 TaNAS genes in the recently annotated cv. Chinese Spring bread wheat genome (IWGSC Refseq 1.1 and 2.1), as well as four cultivar-specific TaNAS genes in the 10+ Wheat Genome Project, representing a significant expansion on previous analyses of the TaNAS gene family. The majority of TaNAS genes were highly expressed in roots and upregulated in response to hydroponic Fe deficiency. The TaNAS proteins ranged from 180 to 384 amino acids in length and showed variable N- and C-termini. To investigate TaNAS function we transformed bread wheat cv. Fielder with constitutive overexpression constructs of TaNAS1, TaNAS3, TaNAS4, TaNAS6, or TaNAS7, and isolated single locus homozygous events and null segregant (NS) controls for glasshouse and field evaluation. Under field conditions, grain Fe, Zn and NA concentrations were up to 1.6-fold, 1.8-fold and 3.7-fold higher, respectively, in TaNAS6 events relative to NS with no detrimental impact on agronomic traits. Transient expression analyses in Nicotiana benthamiana demonstrated that the TaNAS6 enzyme produced significantly more NA in leaf tissue relative to other NAS enzymes. These results broaden our understanding of the TaNAS gene family in bread wheat and highlight novel biofortification strategies to improve grain nutrition.
C4 grasses are crucial for food and biofuel production. Originating from warm regions of the world, C4-photosynthesizing plants typically exhibit poor chilling tolerance. Some C4 grasses of Miscanthus are recognized for...C4 grasses are crucial for food and biofuel production. Originating from warm regions of the world, C4-photosynthesizing plants typically exhibit poor chilling tolerance. Some C4 grasses of Miscanthus are recognized for their exceptional chilling tolerance, however, the mechanism behind it is not fully understood. Here, we hypothesize that the rapid adjustment of leaf pigment composition contributes to mechanisms that protect photosynthesis during the initial short-term response to chilling. Miscanthus accessions with documented contrasting levels of chilling tolerance were subjected to chilling under dark and light conditions with or without nutrient limitations. The changes in pigment composition were assessed by hyperspectral indexes and molecularly validated. Our results showed that high-chilling-tolerant accession accumulates zeaxanthin and anthocyanins while reducing chlorophyll content at the end of chilling night when grown on the low-fertility soil. Interestingly, at the end of the night, low soil fertility alone was able to induce a significant difference in zeaxanthin accumulation between accessions. Night-accumulated zeaxanthin led to 38% faster NPQ following morning. Transcriptional differential regulation of enzymes involved in pigment anabolism and catabolism supports the dynamic adjustment in leaf pigment composition. The investigated changes in pigment composition can inspire new strategies to engineer crops for better stress resistance.
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can influence plant development through hormone signalling, nutrient mobilisation, and activation of defence pathways. While individual bacterial strains can enhance plant perf...Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can influence plant development through hormone signalling, nutrient mobilisation, and activation of defence pathways. While individual bacterial strains can enhance plant performance, microbial consortia may generate complementary or synergistic effects that remain poorly understood, particularly with respect to crop developmental signalling. Potato (Solanum tuberosum), the most important dicot food crop globally, represents a suitable model for investigating how beneficial microbes influence tuber development. In this study, we investigated the effects of two well-characterised PGPR strains, Pseudomonas protegens CHA0 and P. simiae WCS417, applied individually or in combination, on two potato cultivars ('Mandel' and 'Désirée') under long-day conditions. Confocal microscopy confirmed rapid root colonisation by both strains within 24 h of inoculation. Metabolomic profiling of bacterial exudates revealed distinct metabolic signatures for the two strains and non-additive metabolite patterns when cultured together, suggesting metabolic interactions within the bacterial consortium. Plant responses were cultivar dependent, with bacterial treatments influencing vegetative growth and selected tuber quality traits, including starch and ascorbic acid levels. Gene expression analyses revealed strong induction of the tuberisation regulator StSP6A in roots, with up to five-fold increased expression following P. protegens and combined inoculation, accompanied by activation of jasmonic acid-related signalling pathways. Together, these results indicate that interactions between beneficial Pseudomonas strains can influence potato development through coordinated effects on root architecture and signalling pathways associated with tuberisation and defence.