J. Exp. Bot. [JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Root anatomical gradients and cultivar differences underlie variation in root hydraulic properties in German winter wheat.
Baca Cabrera JC, Jones DH, Vanderborght J … +3 more , Behrend D, Schneider HM, Lobet G
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41988757 · Full text
Root hydraulic properties affect water uptake in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and are strongly influenced by root anatomy, yet how they vary along root axes and differ among cultivars remains underexplored. We investigat...
Root hydraulic properties affect water uptake in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and are strongly influenced by root anatomy, yet how they vary along root axes and differ among cultivars remains underexplored. We investigated crown roots of six German winter wheat cultivars spanning one century of release, sampled from a field experiment. Roots were imaged at different positions along their axis using a high-throughput system (Rapid Anatomics Tool), and the resulting anatomical traits were coupled to the GRANAR-MECHA model to estimate radial and axial hydraulic conductance. Longitudinal anatomical gradients were pronounced: tissue dimensions, metaxylem number, and apoplastic barriers decreased from the base onwards, resulting in radial conductance increasing and axial conductance decreasing with distance from the base. Cultivar differences were also apparent: modern cultivars had smaller tissues and fewer metaxylem vessels, reducing both axial and radial conductance and lowering whole-root water uptake capacity (∼20-30%). By integrating field sampling with high-throughput image analysis and modeling, this study establishes an integrated phenotyping approach linking root anatomy to hydraulic function and uncovering anatomical traits relevant for water uptake. The results show that longitudinal gradients and cultivar-associated anatomical differences contribute to variation in hydraulic properties and persist along fully mature root segments.
Working with the grain: uncovering sorghum quality regulatory networks.
López-Gómez CF, Massel K, Godwin ID
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41983420 · Full text
Co-expression profiles and protoplast transient overexpression assays are beginning to unravel the complex regulatory network governing sorghum grain quality, revealing key transcription factors (TFs) that control starch...
Co-expression profiles and protoplast transient overexpression assays are beginning to unravel the complex regulatory network governing sorghum grain quality, revealing key transcription factors (TFs) that control starch and protein biosynthesis, and digestibility (Séne et al., 2026). This integrated approach provides new targets to accelerate improvement of the nutritional value of sorghum through plant breeding and genetic engineering.
Resin defense in Pinus-Fusarium circinatum interactions: an evolutionary paradox.
Mmushi TJ, Ratsoma FM, Motaung TE
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41983419 · Full text
Resin has long been a vital part of conifer defense, providing both physical and chemical protection against pests and pathogens. This assumption gives rise to an evolutionary paradox: why do some pine species that produ...
Resin has long been a vital part of conifer defense, providing both physical and chemical protection against pests and pathogens. This assumption gives rise to an evolutionary paradox: why do some pine species that produce more resin and larger resin ducts remain vulnerable to disease? Fariña-Flores et al. (2026) examined this question by comparing the response of resistant Pinus pinaster and susceptible P. radiata following infection with Fusarium circinatum. Resin-based defences are generally considered protective; however, their results suggest that under certain conditions they may be associated with increased vulnerability rather than consistent effective resistance.
A Key Role for S-Nitrosylation in Immune Regulation and Development in the Liverwort Marchantia polymorpha.
Tabassum N, Goodrich J, Loake GJ
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41982160 · Publisher ↗
Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule in flowering plant immunity. It rapidly accumulates in response to pathogen perception. In addition to it's direct response to microbes, NO controls a range of defence...
Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule in flowering plant immunity. It rapidly accumulates in response to pathogen perception. In addition to it's direct response to microbes, NO controls a range of defence responses primarily through S-nitrosylation. This process is a redox-dependent modification where a NO group attaches to the thiol of a cysteine residue, creating an S-nitrosothiol (SNO). To explore the role of S-nitrosylation more broadly, we characterised the single-copy S-nitrosoglutathione reductase 1 (MpGSNOR1) gene in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha (Marchantia), a representative of a lineage widely diverged from flowering plants. We generated loss-of-function alleles using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Disrupting MpGSNOR1 resulted in pronounced morphological alterations, highlighting the role of GSNOR1 in the structural development of Marchantia. Additionally, we show that MpGSNOR1 is essential for SNO homeostasis and immune function. Our results suggest that GSNOR was part of the tool kit of the ancestral land plant and functioned in immunity and development.
Extracellular ATP signaling regulates systemic calcium signaling in the response of Arabidopsis seedlings to local wounding.
Wang X, Zhang Y, Wang H … +8 more , Li Z, Wang H, Wang D, Shi Z, Li W, Pang H, Jia L, Feng H
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41982159 · Publisher ↗
The response of plants to local environmental stimuli can be activated in the tissues or organs that are directly challenged, as well as systemically in the remote and unstressed tissues or organs. Extracellular ATP (eAT...
The response of plants to local environmental stimuli can be activated in the tissues or organs that are directly challenged, as well as systemically in the remote and unstressed tissues or organs. Extracellular ATP (eATP) is known to play key roles in regulating many physiological processes in plants. Here, we demonstrated that local wounding at leaf or root of Arabidopsis thaliana seedling triggers a transient systemic increase in eATP levels, preceding the systemic elevation of [Ca2+]cyt levels in remote, un-wounded tissues. By using GCaMP3-p2k1 single-mutant, GCaMP3-p2k2 single-mutant, and GCaMP3-p2k1p2k2 double-mutant plants, it was found that local wounding-induced increases of [Ca2+]cyt levels at systemic tissues were weakened by P2Ks (eATP receptors) mutation. These results indicate that eATP/P2Ks are involved in regulating local and systemic enhancement of [Ca2+]cyt levels in response to local wounding.
Jujube Development and Ripening Process Provides a Two-Stage Coloration Model: ZjHY5-Mediated Flavonoid Biosynthesis Precedes Senescence-Driven Phenolic Oxidation.
Gong T, Wei Q, Abudoukayoumu A … +4 more , Hao Q, Zhou A, Chen R, Huang J
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41982115 · Publisher ↗
Fruit coloration is a critical quality trait that determines the market value of jujube. The popular fresh-eating jujube 'Dongzao' exhibits a distinctive two-stage pigmentation pattern during ripening: reddish-brown colo...
Fruit coloration is a critical quality trait that determines the market value of jujube. The popular fresh-eating jujube 'Dongzao' exhibits a distinctive two-stage pigmentation pattern during ripening: reddish-brown coloration during fruit expansion, followed by deep-red pigmentation at full maturity. However, the pigment composition and regulatory mechanisms underlying this coloration process remain unclear. In this study, we combined bagging experiments, multi-omics analyses, and gene functional validation to address this question. We demonstrated that the reddish-brown pigmentation during expansion is light-dependent, primarily attributed to the accumulation of flavonols and anthocyanins. This process is mediated by the central light-signaling integrator ZjHY5, which directly activates flavonoid biosynthetic genes. Among these, ZjUFGT and ZjGT3 were identified as enzymes that respectively catalyze the synthesis of anthocyanins and flavonols. However, the reddening during ripening is light-independent and driven by ethylene-promoted quinone production through phenolic oxidation, resulting in deep-red pigmentation. We identified ZjPPO1 as a key ethylene-responsive gene, and transient overexpression of ZjPPO1 in jujube peel in vivo triggered red pigmentation accompanied by phenolic oxidation. Taken together, our results established a novel dual-stage coloration model in jujube fruit, providing fundamental insights into the molecular basis of fruit pigmentation and offering a practical framework for improving color quality through breeding or postharvest strategies.
Sun-induced fluorescence responses to structural and physiological effects caused by the Cercospora leaf spot in sugar beet.
Konche D, Romero JM, Ispizua Yamati FR … +6 more , Bömer J, Askin I, Jedmowski C, Mahlein AK, Rascher U, Muller O
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41974114 · Publisher ↗
Sun-induced fluorescence (SIF) has emerged as a promising tool for tracking photosynthetic dynamics, yet its application in monitoring biotic stress remains underexplored in field conditions. In this study, we investigat...
Sun-induced fluorescence (SIF) has emerged as a promising tool for tracking photosynthetic dynamics, yet its application in monitoring biotic stress remains underexplored in field conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), a destructive foliar disease of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), for which traditional monitoring methods often fail to capture subtle disease effects or distinguish between structural and physiological stress responses. CLS infection was induced through artificial inoculation and manually scored. Canopy-level reflectance indices were acquired along with red and far-red passive SIF signals and active PSII efficiency traits using FloX and LIFT sensors mounted on an automated high-throughput phenotyping platform. The results demonstrate that SIF effectively detects CLS in sugar beet, with responses comparable with structural and disease- specific indices. Despite visible symptoms, PSII efficiency (Fq'/Fm') remained stable across treatments, indicating limited impairment of leaf photosynthetic efficiency at early stages. However, the canopy-level electron transport rate varied significantly and showed a strong relationship with red and far-red SIF, suggesting that CLS primarily affects canopy light absorption and utilization. After structural normalization, SIF yield remained largely unchanged, confirming that observed SIF reductions were mainly driven by canopy structural alterations. Overall the study demonstrates the effectiveness of SIF for large-scale disease monitoring and integration into high-throughput phenotyping, while also revealing structural and physiological factors influencing the SIF signal under disease stress.
Specificity of ERECTA signaling in plant development - one-trick pony or jack-of-all-traits?
Wangler AM, Ji H, Kirchmair L … +3 more , Horvath S, Bayer M, Ragni L
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41968407 · Publisher ↗
In recent decades, it has become apparent that plant development depends on the reuse of certain signaling networks to coordinate organogenesis, pattern formation, and tissue differentiation. It has been shown that Mitog...
In recent decades, it has become apparent that plant development depends on the reuse of certain signaling networks to coordinate organogenesis, pattern formation, and tissue differentiation. It has been shown that Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) kinase cascades and leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs), often serve as signaling hubs in orchestrating multiple developmental programs. However, little is known about how signaling specificity is achieved-how a single pathway can influence multiple, distinct developmental outputs. A prominent example is the ERECTA receptor kinase family (ERf), which represents a key signaling module playing a central role in diverse developmental contexts such as zygote polarization, female germline and epidermis development, inflorescence architecture, and radial growth. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying ERf function across different developmental contexts. We compare conserved and context-specific features of ERECTA signaling by focusing on stomatal patterning, embryogenesis and radial growth, and discuss how specificity is generated within this multifaceted pathway.
TaMYB96-5D regulates diketone biosynthesis and glaucousness appearance by activating WAX1 expression in wheat.
Zhu Y, Li C, Zhang X … +4 more , Zhao Q, He J, Wang Z, Wang Y
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41968403 · Publisher ↗
Cuticular wax covers the aerial surfaces of land plants and protects them from environmental stresses. Diketones (β-diketone and hydroxy-β-diketone) are the most important components of cuticular wax, and mainly associat...
Cuticular wax covers the aerial surfaces of land plants and protects them from environmental stresses. Diketones (β-diketone and hydroxy-β-diketone) are the most important components of cuticular wax, and mainly associated with the glaucousness appearance in wheat (Triticum aestivum). WAX1 (W1) locus consists of three genes, TaDMH, TaDMP and TaDMC, which are reported to directly participate in wheat wax diketones biosynthesis. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying diketones biosynthesis and glaucousness formation is still largely unclear in wheat. Here, we tested the involvement of the R2R3-type MYB transcription factor TaMYB96-5D in the regulation of wheat wax diketones biosynthesis and glaucousness appearance. The overexpression of TaMYB96-5D caused a significant increase in the total wax load and the amounts of individual wax components, resulting in increased glaucousness and improved drought tolerance. Conversely, three genes of TaMYB96-5A/5B/5D knockout lines exhibited large decreases in the total wax load and the amounts of each wax components, especially diketones, along with a glossy green phenotype and reduced drought tolerance. TaMYB96-5D bound directly to the CAACCA motif in promoters of the TaDMH, TaDMP and TaDMC genes, and activated their transcription. Overall, these findings provide new insights into the regulation of diketones biosynthesis and glaucousness formation in wheat.
Open questions on facultative C4-CAM photosynthesis in Portulaca.
Ferrari RC, Reyna-Llorens I
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41967465 · Publisher ↗
Plants have evolved carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) to optimize carbon fixation under environmental conditions that increase photorespiratory and transpiration rates. C4 and CAM photosynthesis are the two most wid...
Plants have evolved carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) to optimize carbon fixation under environmental conditions that increase photorespiratory and transpiration rates. C4 and CAM photosynthesis are the two most widespread CCM examples across land plants and were typically considered to be incompatible due to biochemical, anatomical, evolutionary, and regulatory characteristics. However, Portulaca oleracea (purslane) was the first reported case to challenge this assumption more than 40 years ago. Although it remains as one of the most characterized C4-CAM species, many aspects of this dual system are still unresolved. This expert review summarizes recent advances in understanding C4-CAM integration in Portulaca, highlighting key genomic, transcriptomic, biochemical and physiological insights, and outlines the most pressing questions about the functioning and evolution of this combined CCM. Future directions for explaining how these convergent pathways emerged in the same lineage include functional studies on key regulatory elements, spatially resolved analyses for protein distribution and metabolic fluxes across leaves, an updated phylogeny of the family, and the integration of molecular and physiological data. So far, it is evident that expressing a weak CAM cycle in a C4 crop might be possible and could entail increased survival, possibly contributing to higher productivity in a future with climate change.
A plant-specific calmodulin-binding protein, AtCBP60b, mediates Ca2+ dynamics and signaling responses and is critical for plant growth and development in a temperature-dependent manner.
Cheng N, Rao X, Nakata PA
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41966996 · Publisher ↗
Calcium (Ca2+) is an essential mineral nutrient and a vital signaling molecule for plant growth and development. Ca2+/calmodulins (CaMs) can bind proteins, called CaM binding proteins (CBPs), to relay Ca2+ signals and mo...
Calcium (Ca2+) is an essential mineral nutrient and a vital signaling molecule for plant growth and development. Ca2+/calmodulins (CaMs) can bind proteins, called CaM binding proteins (CBPs), to relay Ca2+ signals and modulate transcriptional activity. In this study, we demonstrate that AtCBP60b, a member of CBP60 family, is an essential factor in regulating plant growth and development. AtCBP60b loss of function plants showed impaired seedling growth, leaf development, and plant structural architecture under normal growth conditions. Transcriptomic profiles indicated a central role for AtCBP60b in the transcriptional regulation of Ca2+ signaling pathway, growth homeostasis, immune, and stress responses. Disruption of AtCBP60b leads to Ca2+ deficiency hypersensitivity, altered regulation of Ca2+ dynamics and Ca2+ signaling responses. AtCBP60b was found to bind calmodulin which was determined to be required for AtCBP60b function in transcriptional regulation of the genes encoding the pathways maintaining cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis, regulating defense, and growth and development. In addition, we show that elevated temperatures can rescue the atcpb60b growth and development defects through reprogramming of the transcriptional profiles of the genes regulating these processes. Overall, our findings demonstrate that AtCBP60b plays an important function in regulating plant Ca2+ signaling response, growth and development, and responses to elevated temperature.
Cell wall signaling across spatial and temporal scales.
Brookman RK, McFarlane HE
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41950492 · Publisher ↗
Plants constantly monitor the status of their cell walls and respond by regulating cell expansion, cell wall synthesis, and cell wall remodeling. Cell wall signaling (CWS) includes the mechanisms by which plants monitor...
Plants constantly monitor the status of their cell walls and respond by regulating cell expansion, cell wall synthesis, and cell wall remodeling. Cell wall signaling (CWS) includes the mechanisms by which plants monitor the status of their cell walls and trigger response mechanisms to balance cell wall strength with extensibility to regulate turgor-driven cell expansion. CWS can be induced by alterations, disruptions, or damage to the cell wall, as well as by biotic and abiotic stresses, and CWS can crosstalk with hormone signaling, either through direct interaction of signaling components or by hormone synthesis as a CWS response. Here, we review the mechanisms of CWS and responses in Arabidopsis across spatial scales from the molecular interactions that occur during CWS transduction, to cellular and cell wall reorganization in response to CWS, to the growth and developmental consequences of cell wall changes at the whole-plant level. We also discuss the timeline of CWS and responses, from the initial perception and signal transduction events that happen within seconds or minutes of CWS, to the long-term transcriptional, metabolic, and cellular remodelling that occur within hours, and finally the lifetime changes that can develop in response to chronic CWS and cell wall stress.
Lineage-specific response to melatonin in stomatal regulation across vascular plants.
Liu XD, Ren YL, Li YL … +5 more , Zeng YY, Zhang XY, Li YR, Du YX, Fang XW
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41935841 · Publisher ↗
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a conserved indoleamine that regulates diverse physiological processes, including stomatal movement in angiosperms. However, whether this regulation is conserved across differe...
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a conserved indoleamine that regulates diverse physiological processes, including stomatal movement in angiosperms. However, whether this regulation is conserved across different plant lineages remains uncertain. In this study, we examined the stomatal responses to exogenous melatonin in seventeen representative plant species, comprising seven angiosperms, two gymnosperms, seven ferns, and one lycophyte. In seed plants, melatonin induced dose-dependent stomatal closure, accompanied by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and cytosolic Ca²⁺; this response was abolished by ROS and NO scavengers or synthesis inhibitors. In contrast, ferns and the lycophyte exhibited melatonin-induced ROS production but showed no NO or Ca²⁺ accumulation or stomatal closure. Furthermore, the application of melatonin attenuated or completely disrupted circadian-driven stomatal closure under constant light in seed plants. In contrast, rhythmic stomatal closure was not observed under constant light in ferns or lycophytes, with the exception of one semi-aquatic species from the Marsileaceae family, Marsilea quadrifolia, which exhibited a rhythmic increase in stomatal conductance that was not influenced by the exogenous melatonin treatment. These results indicate that the signaling pathway for melatonin-induced stomatal movement is present in seed plants but absent in ferns and lycophytes, suggesting that variation in melatonin sensitivity may be related to lineage-specific differences in nighttime stomatal behavior.
Advances in the chemical biology of jasmonates.
Kaji T, Nishizato Y, Matsumoto K … +2 more , Okumura T, Ueda M
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41934172 · Publisher ↗
Plant oxylipins include the jasmonates, lipid-derived hormones that control growth-defense trade-offs. In tracheophytes, (3R, 7S)-jasmonoyl-L-isoleucine (JA-Ile) is the principal bioactive ligand that assembles the COI1-...
Plant oxylipins include the jasmonates, lipid-derived hormones that control growth-defense trade-offs. In tracheophytes, (3R, 7S)-jasmonoyl-L-isoleucine (JA-Ile) is the principal bioactive ligand that assembles the COI1-JAZ co-receptor together with inositol polyphosphates, leading to JAZ degradation and transcriptional reprogramming. By contrast, bryophytes employ dn-cis/iso-OPDA and related species, revealing evolutionary diversity in ligand identity and receptor matching. This review synthesizes chemical perspectives on jasmonate signaling. First, we outline the "molecular-glue" logic of COI1-JAZ assembly and the current structural gap beyond Arabidopsis that limits lineage-level, structure-guided discussion. Second, we summarize multilayered metabolic circuits that sculpt signal intensity, duration and spatial distribution: oxidation of JA-Ile to 12-OH- and 12-COOH-JA-Ile; hydrolysis; and hydroxylation of the JA backbone. Notably, 12-OH-JA-Ile can function as a weak and "biased" agonist, whereas 12-COOH-JA-Ile is receptor-silent; in Marchantia, dn-iso-OPDA is chiefly inactivated by conjugation with amino acids, paralleling auxin logic. Third, we review evidence for co-evolution of ligands with COI1/JAZ components across land plants. Finally, we highlight the design of COI1-JAZ subtype-selective agonists and antagonists-often based on coronatine scaffolds-that preferentially recruit specific JAZ proteins to promote ERF/ORA outputs while sparing MYC-branch responses. These chemical levers suggest practical routes to amplify defense with reduced growth costs, offering opportunities for stress-resilient crop improvement.
An Under-Recognized Nexus: The Interplay Between Plasma Membrane Nanodomains and Protein Condensates in Plant Cellular Organization.
Wang A, Su B, Shan X
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41928651 · Publisher ↗
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Optimised Protocol for Efficient Generation, Confirmation, Transformation, and CRISPR Editing of Grapevine Hairy Roots.
Tietz SM, Brenner K, Moyo T … +2 more , Young PR, Vivier MA
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41928454 · Publisher ↗
Hairy root cultures (HRCs) are powerful tools in plant biotechnology but show variable establishment efficiencies, limiting broader applications. Here, we present a standardised and optimised reference methodology for th...
Hairy root cultures (HRCs) are powerful tools in plant biotechnology but show variable establishment efficiencies, limiting broader applications. Here, we present a standardised and optimised reference methodology for the routine generation, multiplication, and maintenance of HRCs across diverse grapevine genotypes. Our workflow evaluated three Rhizobium strains, seven grapevine cultivars (three V. vinifera cultivars; four Vitis rootstock hybrids), multiple explant types, infection protocols, co-cultivation times, growth media types, and anti-browning agents. The resulting protocol was effective for all grapevine genotypes and, with minor adjustments, also yielded HRCs from two other important South African plant species, namely Sutherlandia frutescens and Aspalathus linearis. Useful molecular tools were developed for HRCs transformation and selection, including universal multiplex primers for transformation confirmation, tested antibiotic resistance markers (kanamycin, hygromycin), and fluorescent reporters (DsRed, eyGFPuv), finding DsRed particularly versatile. To test the system, we overexpressed the VviMYBA1 transcription factor, leading to increased anthocyanin accumulation and red pigmentation in HRCs. Additionally, we achieved CRISPR/Cas9 editing of the VviPUB19 gene, the first report of CRISPR-edited grapevine HRCs. Gene editing combined with HRCs can facilitate rapid gene function studies, offering an efficient alternative or pre-screening system to whole-plant transformations, that could support advanced functional genomics and biotechnological applications in grapevine.
C/D-box snoRNP assembly and trafficking in plants: organelle-derived insights into 2'-O-methylation.
Bies-Etheve N, Sáez-Vásquez J
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41925145 · Publisher ↗
Two major classes of small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP) complexes have been identified in eukaryotic cells: C/D-box snoRNPs are responsible for 2'-O-methylation (2'-O-Me) of RNA, while H/ACA-box snoRNPs catalyse...
Two major classes of small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP) complexes have been identified in eukaryotic cells: C/D-box snoRNPs are responsible for 2'-O-methylation (2'-O-Me) of RNA, while H/ACA-box snoRNPs catalyse the conversion of uridine to pseudouridine (Ψ). In this review, we examine the current state of knowledge regarding C/D-box snoRNPs in plants. This knowledge is primarily derived from studies conducted on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We provide a summary of reports concerning the organisation and expression of C/D-box snoRNAs, as well as the proteins that form the C/D-box snoRNP. In addition, we review the factors that are potentially involved in, or have been characterised as being involved in, the process of assembling and translocating C/D-box snoRNPs from the nucleoplasm to the nucleolus via Cajal bodies. Finally, the subject of 2'-O-methylation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in chloroplasts and mitochondria is presented, with a focus on the role of site-specific enzymes, as observed in bacterial systems, and in contrast to the involvement of nuclear C/D-box snoRNPs complexes.
Shaping Kale Morphology and Physiology Using Precision LED Light Recipes.
Scandola S, Grubb LE, Castillo B … +5 more , Iliscupidez L, Kennedy C, Boyce N, Talasila M, Uhrig RG
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41925031 · Publisher ↗
Light serves as a fundamental factor in plant development, both as an energy source and as an environmental cue. With the advent of light-emitting diode (LED) technology, light can be precisely manipulated to influence k...
Light serves as a fundamental factor in plant development, both as an energy source and as an environmental cue. With the advent of light-emitting diode (LED) technology, light can be precisely manipulated to influence key plant traits. Here, we assess effects of light intensity and spectral composition on the growth and physiology of Kale (Brassica oleracea). Kale is known for its phenotypic plasticity and nutritional composition, making it a crop well-suited for indoor cultivation either as microgreens or as large leafy plants. Here, we employ a combination of advanced phenotyping, computer vision, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomics, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based quantitative proteomics to characterize the molecular changes that underpin light-dictated differences in the growth and metabolism of two different commercially grown kale cultivars under different light intensities and spectral compositions. We identify time-of-day and cultivar-specific light intensity and spectral composition-induced changes related to growth, shade avoidance, photosynthesis and several aspects of nutritional composition, including amino acids, glucosinolates and carotenoids. Our results offer a key resource to the plant community and demonstrate the translational potential of light manipulation in tailoring kale growth and nutritional content for enhanced crop productivity and/or health benefits, while simultaneously offering a more cost-effective solution for contemporary agricultural challenges.
Crosstalk Between β-Carbonic Anhydrases and PsbS in the Regulation of Photosynthesis and Stress Tolerance in Arabidopsis.
Białas A, Dąbrowska-Bronk J, Gawroński P … +1 more , Karpiński S
J Exp Bot · 2026 Apr · PMID 41923451 · Publisher ↗
Plant growth and stress responses are tightly linked to chloroplast retrograde signaling. Key regulators, such as the 22 kDa photosystem II protein (PsbS) and β-carbonic anhydrases (βCAs), have been implicated in photopr...
Plant growth and stress responses are tightly linked to chloroplast retrograde signaling. Key regulators, such as the 22 kDa photosystem II protein (PsbS) and β-carbonic anhydrases (βCAs), have been implicated in photoprotection and stress acclimation. In this study, we investigated the effects of simultaneously overexpressing βCA1 and/or βCA2 in a PsbS-overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana background. Double and triple transgenic lines (oePsbSoeβCA1, oePsbSoeβCA1βCA2) showed enhanced photoprotection, improved acclimation to fluctuating light, and greater water-use efficiency, but at the cost of reduced biomass relative to Col-0 and the npq4-1 mutant. Following bicarbonate fertilization, the triple overexpression line had improved biomass compared with oePsbS and npq4-1, but not with Col-0. Importantly, our data reveal that βCAs modulate PsbS abundance, supporting the existence of its crosstalk. Bicarbonate treatment activated stress-responsive genes and transcription factors exclusively in oePsbSoeβCAs lines, indicating heightened sensitivity associated with elevated βCAs activity. Together, these findings suggest a previously unrecognized regulatory link between βCAs activity and PsbS turnover in fine-tuning stress responses and productivity, mediated at least in part by changes in PsbS expression. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms require further investigation to determine whether these effects are specific to the PsbS level or reflect a broader role of βCAs.
Waterlogging adaptation in mangroves: a review of aeration through aerenchyma and its functions.
Inoue T
J Exp Bot · 2026 Mar · PMID 41913638 · Publisher ↗
This review focuses on studies related to aerenchymal tissues and their functions in mangrove trees, particularly from the perspective of trees' hypoxic tolerance, which is crucial for understanding ecophysiological mech...
This review focuses on studies related to aerenchymal tissues and their functions in mangrove trees, particularly from the perspective of trees' hypoxic tolerance, which is crucial for understanding ecophysiological mechanisms underlying mangrove tree growth and evaluating functions of mangrove ecosystems. Mangrove trees possess a well-developed aeration system connecting aerial roots to submerged roots. This internal aeration structure connecting organs already exists during the seedling stage before aerial roots fully develop. Root porosity ranges from 6% to 60%, exhibiting species-specific characteristics. This variation likely correlates with the anaerobic conditions of each species' habitat. The internal aeration structure is open to the atmosphere via lenticels on the aerial roots and stem surface and via cork warts on the abaxial leaf surface, allowing the diffusion of oxygen, nitrogen, and methane driven by concentration gradients. Despite this extensive ventilation system, prolonged waterlogging at high tide inevitably leads to root hypoxia, causing anaerobic fermentation and damage induced by reactive oxygen species. As a tolerance mechanism against these stresses, mangrove trees possess antioxidant systems, though tolerance capacity varies among species. Some of the oxygen delivered to the underground part leaks into the soil through the root surface. This creates a thin oxidative layer on the root surface, reducing the uptake of phytotoxic substances and promoting the nitrification process in anaerobic soil. In addition to hypoxia caused by waterlogging, salt stress is a critical factor requiring adaptation on tidal flats. The energy demand required to cope with salt stress may increase oxygen demand through respiration, but the respiration rate of mangrove roots likely decreases under salt stress because the salt excretion process in mangrove roots is entirely physical in nature.
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