Pub Date : 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113021
Jia Liu , Zhuo Chen , Ling Sun , Tingyan Huang , Yu Chen , Xiaohui Li , Hu Liu , Xinyi Huang , Yan Peng , Baomin Feng
Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation or PARylation is required for immune transcription and defense against microbes in plants. However, the mechanisms underlying the PARylation-mediated transcriptional regulation are largely unknown. In this study, an AT-hook motif nuclear localized transcription factor, AHL13, was identified as an interactor of poly (ADP-ribose), the polymer products of PARylation. The knock-out and over-expression experiments suggest that AHL13 functions as a negative regulator of Arabidopsis immunity. RNA seq results showed that a group of defense-related genes were repressed by AHL13 upon bacterial infection. AHL13 could directly bind to the AT-rich sequences in the promoters of the target genes in the EMSA and MST assays. The PAR polymers directly interact with AHL13 with high affinity and significantly suppress its interaction with the AT-rich DNA, suggesting that PARylation might promote immune transcription through a repressor-repelling mechanism. In summary, this study revealed that the PAR-AHL13 interaction plays significant roles in immune gene expression in Arabidopsis.
{"title":"An AT-hook motif nuclear protein AHL13 interacts with Poly(ADP-ribose) to regulate Arabidopsis immunity","authors":"Jia Liu , Zhuo Chen , Ling Sun , Tingyan Huang , Yu Chen , Xiaohui Li , Hu Liu , Xinyi Huang , Yan Peng , Baomin Feng","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113021","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113021","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation or PARylation is required for immune transcription and defense against microbes in plants. However, the mechanisms underlying the PARylation-mediated transcriptional regulation are largely unknown. In this study, an AT-hook motif nuclear localized transcription factor, AHL13, was identified as an interactor of poly (ADP-ribose), the polymer products of PARylation. The knock-out and over-expression experiments suggest that AHL13 functions as a negative regulator of <em>Arabidopsis</em> immunity. RNA seq results showed that a group of defense-related genes were repressed by AHL13 upon bacterial infection. AHL13 could directly bind to the AT-rich sequences in the promoters of the target genes in the EMSA and MST assays. The PAR polymers directly interact with AHL13 with high affinity and significantly suppress its interaction with the AT-rich DNA, suggesting that PARylation might promote immune transcription through a repressor-repelling mechanism. In summary, this study revealed that the PAR-AHL13 interaction plays significant roles in immune gene expression in <em>Arabidopsis</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 113021"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146126229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113019
Xingyue Hong , Hanchen Tang , Hezi Huang , Mingyue Wei , Mengqi Wu , Zhaoyu Guo , Jiakun Liu , Lihan Zhuang , Ling Sun , Jicheng Wang , Hanxin Zheng , Hai-Lei Zheng
Avicennia marina, a pioneer mangrove species, has adapted to the intertidal habitat along the tropical and subtropical coasts by developing salt glands on its leaf epidermis. Jasmonic acid (JA) is known to regulate the development of various plant epidermis. However, its role in the development of salt glands in A. marina remains unclear. In this study, we treated A. marina seedling using exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to investigate the effect of JA on the development and cell fate determination of salt glands, stomata and trichomes in A. marina leaf. The results showed MeJA significantly increased both the density of salt glands and the Na⁺ secretion. Besides, MeJA treatment positively regulated the trichome initiation and negatively affected stomatal lineage ground cells, with a significant decrease in stomatal density but no significant change in trichome density, while it exhibited that salt gland cells may partially originate from trichomes or stomatal lineage cells. Moreover, qRT-PCR results indicated that MeJA affects salt gland development via influencing the process of cell cycle, like reducing endoreduplication. These findings clarify how salt glands contribute to A. marina adaptation to coastal intertidal habitat from a tissue development perspective.
{"title":"Jasmonic acid affects epidermal cell fate determination via influencing cell cycle related gene expression in mangrove Avicennia marina","authors":"Xingyue Hong , Hanchen Tang , Hezi Huang , Mingyue Wei , Mengqi Wu , Zhaoyu Guo , Jiakun Liu , Lihan Zhuang , Ling Sun , Jicheng Wang , Hanxin Zheng , Hai-Lei Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Avicennia marina</em>, a pioneer mangrove species, has adapted to the intertidal habitat along the tropical and subtropical coasts by developing salt glands on its leaf epidermis. Jasmonic acid (JA) is known to regulate the development of various plant epidermis. However, its role in the development of salt glands in <em>A. marina</em> remains unclear. In this study, we treated <em>A. marina</em> seedling using exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to investigate the effect of JA on the development and cell fate determination of salt glands, stomata and trichomes in <em>A. marina</em> leaf. The results showed MeJA significantly increased both the density of salt glands and the Na⁺ secretion. Besides, MeJA treatment positively regulated the trichome initiation and negatively affected stomatal lineage ground cells, with a significant decrease in stomatal density but no significant change in trichome density, while it exhibited that salt gland cells may partially originate from trichomes or stomatal lineage cells. Moreover, qRT-PCR results indicated that MeJA affects salt gland development via influencing the process of cell cycle, like reducing endoreduplication. These findings clarify how salt glands contribute to <em>A. marina</em> adaptation to coastal intertidal habitat from a tissue development perspective.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 113019"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146126369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113012
Xin Zhou , Xin Cheng , Baoyu Fu , Meiling Li , Chao Luo , Haoyang Gong , Hongkun Yang , Jingye Fu , Chengcheng Cai , Kaiqin Zhang , Shunlin Zheng
To investigate novel pathways by which exogenous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) alleviate potassium deficiency in crops, this study employed potato plants cultivated under a 50 % reduction in potassium fertilization as a model system. We elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms through which Enterobacter asburiae S13 optimizes photosynthetic performance via non-stomatal pathways. Application of E. asburiae S13 suspension significantly enhanced net photosynthetic rate and Rubisco activity while reducing intercellular CO2 concentration without affecting stomatal conductance, confirming that photosynthetic enhancement is mediated through non-stomatal regulation. Chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics (OJIP) and energy flux modeling revealed that bacterial treatment increased light-harvesting efficiency in photosystem II (PSII) while reducing energy dissipation. Integrated multi-omics analyses further identified glycerophospholipid metabolism as the core pathway, driving thylakoid membrane restructuring through upregulation of thylakoid structure-related genes and lipid metabolites. This ultimately restored tuber yield to levels comparable to conventional potassium fertilization under low-potassium conditions. Overall, this study proposes a novel paradigm in which exogenous PGPR enhances crop photosynthetic efficiency through a “membrane lipid metabolism → thylakoid optimization → PSII functional enhancement” cascade, providing a theoretical foundation for developing sustainable potassium-reduction technologies based on precision regulation of photosynthetic machinery.
{"title":"Exogenous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria boosting photosynthetic efficiency via thylakoid lipid restructuring in potato under low-potassium conditions","authors":"Xin Zhou , Xin Cheng , Baoyu Fu , Meiling Li , Chao Luo , Haoyang Gong , Hongkun Yang , Jingye Fu , Chengcheng Cai , Kaiqin Zhang , Shunlin Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To investigate novel pathways by which exogenous plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) alleviate potassium deficiency in crops, this study employed potato plants cultivated under a 50 % reduction in potassium fertilization as a model system. We elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms through which <em>Enterobacter asburiae</em> S13 optimizes photosynthetic performance via non-stomatal pathways. Application of <em>E. asburiae</em> S13 suspension significantly enhanced net photosynthetic rate and Rubisco activity while reducing intercellular CO<sub>2</sub> concentration without affecting stomatal conductance, confirming that photosynthetic enhancement is mediated through non-stomatal regulation. Chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics (OJIP) and energy flux modeling revealed that bacterial treatment increased light-harvesting efficiency in photosystem II (PSII) while reducing energy dissipation. Integrated multi-omics analyses further identified glycerophospholipid metabolism as the core pathway, driving thylakoid membrane restructuring through upregulation of thylakoid structure-related genes and lipid metabolites. This ultimately restored tuber yield to levels comparable to conventional potassium fertilization under low-potassium conditions. Overall, this study proposes a novel paradigm in which exogenous PGPR enhances crop photosynthetic efficiency through a “membrane lipid metabolism → thylakoid optimization → PSII functional enhancement” cascade, providing a theoretical foundation for developing sustainable potassium-reduction technologies based on precision regulation of photosynthetic machinery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 113012"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146126220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113018
Xin Shen , Weiyi Zhou , Xiangyi Li , Yalan Liu , Bixia Nie
Soil salinization is a critical barrier to agriculture, especially in arid regions like Xinjiang, where it restricts crop growth. Cyperus esculentus, a moderately salt-tolerant oilseed crop with ecological and economic value, faces cultivation challenges under high saline-alkali soils. Although biological strategies have been proposed to alleviate salt stress, their effects on the crop’s photosynthetic performance remain insufficiently studied. This study evaluated two approaches—biochemical amendments and intercropping with salt-tolerant plants—to assess their impact on soil properties and functional traits of C. esculentus. Microbial agents and humic acid improved the rhizosphere by reducing soil pH by 10–14 % and increasing available nitrogen by 29–51 %, thereby enhancing chlorophyll a synthesis and leaf nitrogen content. By lowering the salt content of the soil and possibly boosting beneficial microbial activity, intercropping enhanced the root environment. It increased net photosynthetic rates by 20–22 % and suggested better electron transfer. Through root interactions with companion plants, nutrient uptake was further enhanced. In comparison to CK, both treatments greatly boosted biomass, with leaf biomass increasing by 18–27 % at maturity. Although our data point to distinct primary pathways, intercropping was mainly linked to synergistic optimization of morphology and photosystem electron transport, whereas biochemical amendments were linked to improved nutrient status and photosynthetic efficiency, suggesting potential physiological stability. These findings provide insight into the physiological adaptation of C. esculentus under salinity and offer practical guidance for its sustainable cultivation in saline-alkali soils.
{"title":"Optimizing the rhizosphere to enhance photosynthesis and functional traits of Cyperus esculentus in saline-alkali soils: A comparison between biochemical amendments and salt-tolerant plant intercropping","authors":"Xin Shen , Weiyi Zhou , Xiangyi Li , Yalan Liu , Bixia Nie","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil salinization is a critical barrier to agriculture, especially in arid regions like Xinjiang, where it restricts crop growth. <em>Cyperus esculentus</em>, a moderately salt-tolerant oilseed crop with ecological and economic value, faces cultivation challenges under high saline-alkali soils. Although biological strategies have been proposed to alleviate salt stress, their effects on the crop’s photosynthetic performance remain insufficiently studied. This study evaluated two approaches—biochemical amendments and intercropping with salt-tolerant plants—to assess their impact on soil properties and functional traits of <em>C. esculentus</em>. Microbial agents and humic acid improved the rhizosphere by reducing soil pH by 10–14 % and increasing available nitrogen by 29–51 %, thereby enhancing chlorophyll a synthesis and leaf nitrogen content. By lowering the salt content of the soil and possibly boosting beneficial microbial activity, intercropping enhanced the root environment. It increased net photosynthetic rates by 20–22 % and suggested better electron transfer. Through root interactions with companion plants, nutrient uptake was further enhanced. In comparison to CK, both treatments greatly boosted biomass, with leaf biomass increasing by 18–27 % at maturity. Although our data point to distinct primary pathways, intercropping was mainly linked to synergistic optimization of morphology and photosystem electron transport, whereas biochemical amendments were linked to improved nutrient status and photosynthetic efficiency, suggesting potential physiological stability. These findings provide insight into the physiological adaptation of <em>C. esculentus</em> under salinity and offer practical guidance for its sustainable cultivation in saline-alkali soils.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 113018"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146126445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113017
Damián N. Jerez , Carina V. González , Perla C. Kozub , Verónica N. Ibañez , Federico Berli , Ricardo W. Masuelli , Carlos F. Marfil
Polyploidy, the possession of more than two sets of chromosomes in a cell, is often linked to enhanced adaptability and stress resilience in plants, though it may introduce genomic instability and fitness costs. Here, we examined the interplay between ploidy level and epigenetic responses to drought stress in Solanum kurtzianum, a drought-tolerant wild relative of potato. We subjected diploid and newly oryzalin-induced autotetraploid lines to three different watering regimes and assessed their morphological, physiological, biochemical, and epigenetic responses. Diploids consistently outperformed autotetraploids in drought tolerance and tuber yield under moderate water stress, exhibiting lower stomatal conductance, yet maintaining comparable photochemical efficiency. Epigenetic analyses revealed significant interplay between the ploidy level and drought conditions on methylation patterns, with autotetraploids displaying higher methylation variability and greater genomic instability under severe drought. These findings are consistent with the predominance of diploid wild potatoes in arid regions and suggest that genomic instability caused by polyploidy may compromise drought resilience. The study emphasizes the adaptive potential of diploid wild potatoes in arid environments and the role of epigenetic mechanisms in stress responses. Our results have implications for potato breeding strategies, highlighting the potential of diploids for developing drought-resilient cultivars to cope with climate change challenges.
{"title":"Polyploidization disrupts drought response and epigenetic patterns in the desert wild potato species Solanum kurtzianum","authors":"Damián N. Jerez , Carina V. González , Perla C. Kozub , Verónica N. Ibañez , Federico Berli , Ricardo W. Masuelli , Carlos F. Marfil","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyploidy, the possession of more than two sets of chromosomes in a cell, is often linked to enhanced adaptability and stress resilience in plants, though it may introduce genomic instability and fitness costs. Here, we examined the interplay between ploidy level and epigenetic responses to drought stress in <em>Solanum kurtzianum</em>, a drought-tolerant wild relative of potato. We subjected diploid and newly oryzalin-induced autotetraploid lines to three different watering regimes and assessed their morphological, physiological, biochemical, and epigenetic responses. Diploids consistently outperformed autotetraploids in drought tolerance and tuber yield under moderate water stress, exhibiting lower stomatal conductance, yet maintaining comparable photochemical efficiency. Epigenetic analyses revealed significant interplay between the ploidy level and drought conditions on methylation patterns, with autotetraploids displaying higher methylation variability and greater genomic instability under severe drought. These findings are consistent with the predominance of diploid wild potatoes in arid regions and suggest that genomic instability caused by polyploidy may compromise drought resilience. The study emphasizes the adaptive potential of diploid wild potatoes in arid environments and the role of epigenetic mechanisms in stress responses. Our results have implications for potato breeding strategies, highlighting the potential of diploids for developing drought-resilient cultivars to cope with climate change challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 113017"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146119616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-31DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113016
Tingting Xu , Qun Yang , Ran Li , Jianping Wang , Zhishan Luo , Daoyong Gong , Leihao Weng , Xiaoshan Huang , Debao Fu , Jing Li
Kongyu 131 (Oryza sativa ssp. japonica) is an elite rice cultivar widely planted in Heilongjiang Province, China. Here, we subjected Kongyu 131 to ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced mutagenesis to establish a genome-wide mutant library. On this basis, we generated 8770 M2 lines, and systematically screened 2215 lines with 42 distinct phenotypic variations across all developmental stages. Then, we employed a three-dimensional (3D) pooling strategy to combine 6144 M3 DNA samples into 224 multiplexed pools. By using the TILLING-seq (Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes sequencing) approach, we identified 84 mutants across five key genes (GS3, Pi21, CSA, OsRR22, and OsaTRZ2), and validated their allelic variations. Phenotypic screening generated 18 lines with superior plant architecture, including a novel OsSPL14 allele identified via MutMap+ analysis. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of three M2 lines and TILLING-seq of mutants of the five key genes demonstrated a high mutation density (1 mutation per 121–288 kb). This 3D-pooled and genome-saturated EMS mutant library represents a robust resource for advancing functional genomic studies and precision breeding in rice.
空玉131 （Oryza sativa ssp）粳稻（japonica）是中国黑龙江省广泛种植的优良水稻品种。在此，我们对空玉131进行了甲基磺酸乙酯（EMS）诱变，建立了全基因组突变文库。在此基础上，我们获得了8770个M2株系，并系统筛选了2215个株系，在所有发育阶段有42个不同的表型变异。然后，我们采用三维（3D）池策略将6144 M3 DNA样本组合到224个多路池中。通过TILLING-seq （Targeting Induced Local lesion in Genomes sequencing）方法，我们鉴定了5个关键基因（GS3、Pi21、CSA、OsRR22和OsaTRZ2）中的84个突变体，并验证了它们的等位基因变异。表型筛选产生了18个具有优良植株结构的株系，其中包括一个通过MutMap+分析鉴定出的新的OsSPL14等位基因。3个M2系的全基因组测序和5个关键基因突变体的tillling -seq结果显示，突变密度较高（每121-288kb有1个突变）。这个3d池和基因组饱和的EMS突变文库为推进水稻功能基因组研究和精确育种提供了强大的资源。
{"title":"Construction of Kongyu 131 mutant library provides genetic resources for rice functional genomics and germplasm improvement","authors":"Tingting Xu , Qun Yang , Ran Li , Jianping Wang , Zhishan Luo , Daoyong Gong , Leihao Weng , Xiaoshan Huang , Debao Fu , Jing Li","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Kongyu 131 (<em>Oryza sativa</em> ssp. <em>japonica</em>) is an elite rice cultivar widely planted in Heilongjiang Province, China. Here, we subjected Kongyu 131 to ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced mutagenesis to establish a genome-wide mutant library. On this basis, we generated 8770 M2 lines, and systematically screened 2215 lines with 42 distinct phenotypic variations across all developmental stages. Then, we employed a three-dimensional (3D) pooling strategy to combine 6144 M3 DNA samples into 224 multiplexed pools. By using the TILLING-seq (Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes sequencing) approach, we identified 84 mutants across five key genes (<em>GS3</em>, <em>Pi21</em>, <em>CSA</em>, <em>OsRR22</em>, and <em>OsaTRZ2</em>), and validated their allelic variations. Phenotypic screening generated 18 lines with superior plant architecture, including a novel <em>OsSPL14</em> allele identified via MutMap+ analysis. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of three M2 lines and TILLING-seq of mutants of the five key genes demonstrated a high mutation density (1 mutation per 121–288 kb). This 3D-pooled and genome-saturated EMS mutant library represents a robust resource for advancing functional genomic studies and precision breeding in rice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 113016"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146107015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113009
Han Lin , Kaili Mao , Shilong Chai, Jiangmin Lan, Hongbo Xiao, Zhixiong Guo, Tengfei Pan, Wenqin She
‘Shine Muscat’ (YG), ‘Gaoqiansui’ (GQS), and ‘Moldova’ (ME) are three grape cultivars with distinct phenotypic differences in fruits, serving as ideal materials for deciphering the mechanism of grape color differentiation. Currently, the specific mechanisms underlying the regulation of anthocyanin synthesis and color differentiation during grape fruit development require further investigation. To understand these, transcriptomic analysis was performed in this study to compare the different developmental stages of the three grape cultivars. Transcriptomic analysis displayed significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. These pathway-related genes exhibited a significant upregulation in expression during the veraison and maturation stages in the GQS and ME groups, with the most prominent upregulation observed in the ME group. Meanwhile, WGCNA and correlation network heatmap were employed to construct a TF-structural gene regulatory network associated with grape anthocyanin synthesis. VvMYB90 may mediate the regulation of gene-UFGT, whereas VvNAC92 may engage in the regulation of seven structural genes (gene-CHS, gene-GST4, gene-LOC100250360, gene-LOC100250579, gene-LOC100255217, gene-LOC100261962, and gene-UFGT). Collectively, these findings reveal the molecular basis of anthocyanin biosynthesis and color differentiation in grape fruits, providing meaningful insights into the accurate regulation of grape peel color.
{"title":"Transcriptomic analysis identifies VvMYB90 and VvNAC92 as key regulators mediating anthocyanin biosynthesis and fruit color differentiation in three grape cultivars","authors":"Han Lin , Kaili Mao , Shilong Chai, Jiangmin Lan, Hongbo Xiao, Zhixiong Guo, Tengfei Pan, Wenqin She","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>‘Shine Muscat’ (YG), ‘Gaoqiansui’ (GQS), and ‘Moldova’ (ME) are three grape cultivars with distinct phenotypic differences in fruits, serving as ideal materials for deciphering the mechanism of grape color differentiation. Currently, the specific mechanisms underlying the regulation of anthocyanin synthesis and color differentiation during grape fruit development require further investigation. To understand these, transcriptomic analysis was performed in this study to compare the different developmental stages of the three grape cultivars. Transcriptomic analysis displayed significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. These pathway-related genes exhibited a significant upregulation in expression during the veraison and maturation stages in the GQS and ME groups, with the most prominent upregulation observed in the ME group. Meanwhile, WGCNA and correlation network heatmap were employed to construct a TF-structural gene regulatory network associated with grape anthocyanin synthesis. VvMYB90 may mediate the regulation of gene-UFGT, whereas VvNAC92 may engage in the regulation of seven structural genes (gene-CHS, gene-GST4, gene-LOC100250360, gene-LOC100250579, gene-LOC100255217, gene-LOC100261962, and gene-UFGT). Collectively, these findings reveal the molecular basis of anthocyanin biosynthesis and color differentiation in grape fruits, providing meaningful insights into the accurate regulation of grape peel color.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 113009"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146100402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113013
Venicius Urbano Vilela Reis , Everson Reis Carvalho , Imtiyaz Khanday
Seed treatment is a foundational technology in modern agriculture, designed to protect high-value seeds against initial pest and pathogen attacks, among other benefits, ensuring crop establishment. However, the application of complex chemical formulations, although protective, imposes stresses that can compromise seed quality if poorly performed. The objective of this review is to synthesize current knowledge on chemical seed treatment and critically analyze its impacts on the multiple attributes that define seed performance. The effects of seed treatment on physical quality are discussed, highlighting the risk of mechanical damage during processing, and on physiological quality, focusing on the mechanisms of phytotoxicity that can reduce vigor and germination, especially during storage, as well as all factors that can affect this relationship between treatment and physiological quality. Additionally, the emerging functional quality is addressed, analyzing how seed treatment affects plantability and environmental safety. A critical and often neglected balance exists between protective efficacy and seed integrity; therefore, studies for correct execution of seed treatment are essential for maintaining the physiological quality of seeds. Knowledge gaps, especially regarding the interaction between slurry mixture composition, storage, and initial lot quality, indicate the need for future research focused on safer formulations and optimized application technologies to maximize the benefits of seed treatment without compromising seed quality.
{"title":"Seed treatment technologies: Effects on physical, functional, and physiological seed quality","authors":"Venicius Urbano Vilela Reis , Everson Reis Carvalho , Imtiyaz Khanday","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seed treatment is a foundational technology in modern agriculture, designed to protect high-value seeds against initial pest and pathogen attacks, among other benefits, ensuring crop establishment. However, the application of complex chemical formulations, although protective, imposes stresses that can compromise seed quality if poorly performed. The objective of this review is to synthesize current knowledge on chemical seed treatment and critically analyze its impacts on the multiple attributes that define seed performance. The effects of seed treatment on physical quality are discussed, highlighting the risk of mechanical damage during processing, and on physiological quality, focusing on the mechanisms of phytotoxicity that can reduce vigor and germination, especially during storage, as well as all factors that can affect this relationship between treatment and physiological quality. Additionally, the emerging functional quality is addressed, analyzing how seed treatment affects plantability and environmental safety. A critical and often neglected balance exists between protective efficacy and seed integrity; therefore, studies for correct execution of seed treatment are essential for maintaining the physiological quality of seeds. Knowledge gaps, especially regarding the interaction between slurry mixture composition, storage, and initial lot quality, indicate the need for future research focused on safer formulations and optimized application technologies to maximize the benefits of seed treatment without compromising seed quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 113013"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146100440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113014
Xiaoxia Shangguan , Hongru Liu , Hongli Li , Huanyang Zhang , Jing Li , Zhiwen Chen
The cuticular layer in plants acts as a vital barrier against drought stress, with BAHD acyltransferase family members playing a key role in cuticle development. This study identified GhACY (GH_A11G0105), a BAHD family gene in cotton, located at the distal end of chromosome A11. Phylogenetic analysis placed GhACY in the second clade of subfamily Ⅰ, closely related to the DCR (defective in cuticular ridges; At5g23940) gene from Arabidopsis. Overexpression (OE) of GhACY in transgenic cotton enhanced drought tolerance and increased cotton yields compared to control lines. Conversely, RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated downregulation of GhACY compromised drought tolerance, with GhACY-RNAi transgenic lines exhibiting significantly reduced yield relative to wild-type plants. Chemical composition analysis revealed significant alteration in cutin and wax biosynthesis and deposition in transgenic cotton. In GhACY-RNAi plants, the content of wax and cutin monomer decreased by more than 35 %, with the predominant cutin compound, 18-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid (C18:9-ωHFA), reduced by 60 %. Specific wax compounds, including alkanes (especially nonacosane (C29), long-chain fatty acids, and hydroxylated fatty acids, were notably affected. In contrast, GhACY-OE plants exhibited a 35.4 % increase in total cutin monomer content. The levels of C18 monomers, particularly 18-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid (C18:9-ωHFA) and 10,18-trihydroxy-octadecanoic acid (C18:9,10,18-HFA), were significantly elevated compared to wild-type plants. These modifications reduced the permeability of the cotton leaf cuticle, thereby enhancing drought resistance and increasing cotton yield.
{"title":"A BAHD acyltransferase of cotton affects plant drought tolerance and yield by regulating cuticle formation and cuticle permeability","authors":"Xiaoxia Shangguan , Hongru Liu , Hongli Li , Huanyang Zhang , Jing Li , Zhiwen Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113014","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The cuticular layer in plants acts as a vital barrier against drought stress, with BAHD acyltransferase family members playing a key role in cuticle development. This study identified <em>GhACY</em> (<em>GH_A11G0105</em>), a BAHD family gene in cotton, located at the distal end of chromosome A11. Phylogenetic analysis placed GhACY in the second clade of subfamily Ⅰ, closely related to the DCR (defective in cuticular ridges; <em>At5g23940</em>) gene from <em>Arabidopsis.</em> Overexpression (OE) of <em>GhACY</em> in transgenic cotton enhanced drought tolerance and increased cotton yields compared to control lines. Conversely, RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated downregulation of <em>GhACY</em> compromised drought tolerance, with <em>GhACY-RNAi</em> transgenic lines exhibiting significantly reduced yield relative to wild-type plants. Chemical composition analysis revealed significant alteration in cutin and wax biosynthesis and deposition in transgenic cotton. In <em>GhACY-RNAi</em> plants, the content of wax and cutin monomer decreased by more than 35 %, with the predominant cutin compound, 18-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid (C18:9-ωHFA), reduced by 60 %. Specific wax compounds, including alkanes (especially nonacosane (C29), long-chain fatty acids, and hydroxylated fatty acids, were notably affected. In contrast, <em>GhACY-OE</em> plants exhibited a 35.4 % increase in total cutin monomer content. The levels of C18 monomers, particularly 18-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid (C18:9-ωHFA) and 10,18-trihydroxy-octadecanoic acid (C18:9,10,18-HFA), were significantly elevated compared to wild-type plants. These modifications reduced the permeability of the cotton leaf cuticle, thereby enhancing drought resistance and increasing cotton yield.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 113014"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146100505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zinc (Zn) deficiency significantly impacts plant growth and productivity in agriculture. Seed priming is a promising strategy to enhance plant tolerance to nutrient deficiencies. This study examines the effects of priming barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds with silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs), nitric oxide (NO), and their combination on germination and growth under Zn-deficient conditions. Primed seedlings showed superior growth, and improved photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activities, the ascorbate-glutathione cycle function, nutrient-related gene expression, and sucrose metabolism compared to the un-primed seedlings. Among the priming methods, the combination of SiNPs and NO had the most significant positive effect on barley growth under Zn deficiency. Priming with SiNPs alone was more effective than external SiNPs application. Exogenous SiNPs added to SiNPs-primed seedlings further improved growth under Zn deficiency. Contrary to this, NO addition to NO-primed seedlings inhibited growth due to excessive endogenous NO accumulation. Co-application of SiNPs and NO to SiNPs+NO- primed seedlings led to severe growth retardation due to build-up of endogenous NO production. These findings highlight seed priming's potential, especially with SiNPs, to address nutrient deficiencies in agriculture and the complex interactions of endogenous NO in priming-mediated regulation of Zn deficiency in barley.
{"title":"Seed priming with silicon nanoparticles and nitric oxide optimizes barley growth in zinc-deficient condition: a crucial role of optimum level of endogenous nitric oxide.","authors":"Nidhi Kandhol, Sangeeta Pandey, Santosh Kumar, Shivesh Sharma, Samiksha Singh, Prasanta K Dash, Durgesh Kumar Tripathi","doi":"10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.112998","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.112998","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zinc (Zn) deficiency significantly impacts plant growth and productivity in agriculture. Seed priming is a promising strategy to enhance plant tolerance to nutrient deficiencies. This study examines the effects of priming barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds with silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs), nitric oxide (NO), and their combination on germination and growth under Zn-deficient conditions. Primed seedlings showed superior growth, and improved photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activities, the ascorbate-glutathione cycle function, nutrient-related gene expression, and sucrose metabolism compared to the un-primed seedlings. Among the priming methods, the combination of SiNPs and NO had the most significant positive effect on barley growth under Zn deficiency. Priming with SiNPs alone was more effective than external SiNPs application. Exogenous SiNPs added to SiNPs-primed seedlings further improved growth under Zn deficiency. Contrary to this, NO addition to NO-primed seedlings inhibited growth due to excessive endogenous NO accumulation. Co-application of SiNPs and NO to SiNPs+NO- primed seedlings led to severe growth retardation due to build-up of endogenous NO production. These findings highlight seed priming's potential, especially with SiNPs, to address nutrient deficiencies in agriculture and the complex interactions of endogenous NO in priming-mediated regulation of Zn deficiency in barley.</p>","PeriodicalId":20273,"journal":{"name":"Plant Science","volume":" ","pages":"112998"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146100427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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