Summary The environmental responsiveness of the plant epigenome is essential for spatiotemporally precise gene regulation, enabling plants to adapt to external cues. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying this responsiveness is therefore fundamental to deciphering the molecular logic of plant‐environment interactions. In this review, we highlight the dynamic regulation of the plant epigenome by the hormone jasmonic acid (JA), which orchestrates immune and developmental responses. Our understanding of JA‐induced epigenome reprogramming has expanded significantly in recent years, and these insights can serve as a blueprint for other environmental response pathways. The hallmarks of an environmentally responsive epigenome will be emphasized, focusing on the roles of transcription factors as epigenome architects and on three‐dimensional chromatin reorganization as an emerging hallmark of epigenome responsiveness. We envision that the general principles of cue‐induced epigenome reprogramming outlined here will guide future studies across diverse cues and species.
{"title":"The environmentally responsive plant epigenome: insights from jasmonate signaling","authors":"Mark Zander, Emily Vesper","doi":"10.1111/nph.70865","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70865","url":null,"abstract":"Summary The environmental responsiveness of the plant epigenome is essential for spatiotemporally precise gene regulation, enabling plants to adapt to external cues. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying this responsiveness is therefore fundamental to deciphering the molecular logic of plant‐environment interactions. In this review, we highlight the dynamic regulation of the plant epigenome by the hormone jasmonic acid (JA), which orchestrates immune and developmental responses. Our understanding of JA‐induced epigenome reprogramming has expanded significantly in recent years, and these insights can serve as a blueprint for other environmental response pathways. The hallmarks of an environmentally responsive epigenome will be emphasized, focusing on the roles of transcription factors as epigenome architects and on three‐dimensional chromatin reorganization as an emerging hallmark of epigenome responsiveness. We envision that the general principles of cue‐induced epigenome reprogramming outlined here will guide future studies across diverse cues and species.","PeriodicalId":214,"journal":{"name":"New Phytologist","volume":"151 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145801221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Current and predicted changes in global precipitation regimes, characterized by increasing extreme events and wet–dry cycles, present critical uncertainties for terrestrial biogeochemical cycling and soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics. Here, we highlight individual and interactive effects of abiotic and biotic factors on SOM dynamics under changing precipitation amount, timing, and frequency. Particularly, we identify the mechanisms and magnitude by which changes in precipitation regimes alter different fractions of SOM, that is particulate, mineral‐associated, and dissolved organic matter, across temporal and spatial scales. We also discuss how precipitation and other environmental changes interactively affect the formation, decomposition, and stability of SOM. Finally, we propose future research directions to better assess and predict SOM dynamics in a changing world.
{"title":"Soil organic matter dynamics under changing precipitation regimes","authors":"Kyungjin Min, Yang Yang, Leila Wahab, Sohyun Woo, Minseung Oh, Teamrat Afewerki Ghezzehei, Asmeret Asefaw Berhe","doi":"10.1111/nph.70804","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70804","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Current and predicted changes in global precipitation regimes, characterized by increasing extreme events and wet–dry cycles, present critical uncertainties for terrestrial biogeochemical cycling and soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics. Here, we highlight individual and interactive effects of abiotic and biotic factors on SOM dynamics under changing precipitation amount, timing, and frequency. Particularly, we identify the mechanisms and magnitude by which changes in precipitation regimes alter different fractions of SOM, that is particulate, mineral‐associated, and dissolved organic matter, across temporal and spatial scales. We also discuss how precipitation and other environmental changes interactively affect the formation, decomposition, and stability of SOM. Finally, we propose future research directions to better assess and predict SOM dynamics in a changing world.","PeriodicalId":214,"journal":{"name":"New Phytologist","volume":"182 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145785842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Tanshinones, the primary bioactive components found in Salvia miltiorrhiza , are widely utilized in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases; however, the molecular mechanisms that govern their biosynthesis remain unclear at the protein phosphorylation level. The proteomic profiles of roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of S. miltiorrhiza identified a total of 8301 proteins. A novel MITOGEN ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE 4 (SmMAPK4) was identified to be positively correlated with the accumulation of tanshinones in S. miltiorrhiza through tissue‐specific metabolomics and proteomics analyses. Meanwhile, through phosphoproteomic analysis of SmMAPK4 overexpression lines, the BASIC HELIX‐LOOP‐HELIX family transcription factor, BASIC HELIX‐LOOP‐HELIX TANSHINONE SYNTHESIS 1 (SmBTS1), was screened. The positive regulatory role of SmBTS1 in tanshinone biosynthesis was confirmed through transgenic assays. Multiple lines of evidence demonstrated that SmMAPK4 could interact with and phosphorylate SmBTS1 in a serine 156‐ and serine 159‐dependent manner. SmMAPK4‐phosphorylated SmBTS1 exhibited enhanced nuclear accumulation and increased transcriptional activation, promoting the expression of the tanshinone‐biosynthetic gene COPALYL DIPHOSPHATE SYNTHASE 1 ( SmCPS1 ) through its specific binding to the E2‐box of the SmCPS1 promoter region. Taken together, these findings open new possibilities for biotechnological strategies to boost tanshinone production, providing new insights into its metabolic regulation at the protein phosphorylation level.
{"title":"Discovery of the roles of SmMAPK4 in regulating tanshinone biosynthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza","authors":"Jiahao Zhang, Xiaoxiao Wang, Shuhua Liu, Yunfeng Teng, Xiaojie Chen, Jinfa Du, Raphael N. Alolga, Xu Lu, Yanjie Liu, Weiqiang Li, Lam‐Son Phan Tran, Luis Herrera‐Estrella, Xianzhong Feng, Lian‐Wen Qi, Xiaojian Yin","doi":"10.1111/nph.70825","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70825","url":null,"abstract":"Summary <jats:list list-type=\"bullet\"> <jats:list-item> Tanshinones, the primary bioactive components found in <jats:italic>Salvia miltiorrhiza</jats:italic> , are widely utilized in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases; however, the molecular mechanisms that govern their biosynthesis remain unclear at the protein phosphorylation level. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> The proteomic profiles of roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of <jats:italic>S. miltiorrhiza</jats:italic> identified a total of 8301 proteins. A novel MITOGEN ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE 4 (SmMAPK4) was identified to be positively correlated with the accumulation of tanshinones in <jats:italic>S. miltiorrhiza</jats:italic> through tissue‐specific metabolomics and proteomics analyses. Meanwhile, through phosphoproteomic analysis of <jats:italic>SmMAPK4</jats:italic> overexpression lines, the BASIC HELIX‐LOOP‐HELIX family transcription factor, BASIC HELIX‐LOOP‐HELIX TANSHINONE SYNTHESIS 1 (SmBTS1), was screened. The positive regulatory role of SmBTS1 in tanshinone biosynthesis was confirmed through transgenic assays. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> Multiple lines of evidence demonstrated that SmMAPK4 could interact with and phosphorylate SmBTS1 in a serine 156‐ and serine 159‐dependent manner. SmMAPK4‐phosphorylated SmBTS1 exhibited enhanced nuclear accumulation and increased transcriptional activation, promoting the expression of the tanshinone‐biosynthetic gene <jats:italic>COPALYL DIPHOSPHATE SYNTHASE 1</jats:italic> ( <jats:italic>SmCPS1</jats:italic> ) through its specific binding to the E2‐box of the <jats:italic>SmCPS1</jats:italic> promoter region. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> Taken together, these findings open new possibilities for biotechnological strategies to boost tanshinone production, providing new insights into its metabolic regulation at the protein phosphorylation level. </jats:list-item> </jats:list>","PeriodicalId":214,"journal":{"name":"New Phytologist","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145785841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Establishment growth represents a critical phase in the plant life cycle. In clonal herbs, which depend on developing extensive belowground organs, this stage may be particularly vulnerable due to substantial belowground resource allocation. We hypothesized that such investment constrains tolerance to early disturbance in clonal herbs compared to nonclonal herbs. In a glasshouse experiment involving 20 clonal and nonclonal perennial herb species, we found that clonality influences acquisitive strategies and functional trait trajectories during establishment growth. Although the overall shape of trait trajectories was similar across both groups, clonal herbs invested more in belowground biomass, exhibited more acquisitive leaf traits and had less acquisitive roots compared to their nonclonal counterparts. Biomass removal caused a shift in functional traits back from conservative to acquisitive values, with clonal species responding more strongly than nonclonal ones. Clonal herbs followed the ‘Try Harder’ strategy, building belowground structures intensively and maintaining high resource acquisition aboveground. Clonal and nonclonal herbs did not differ in regenerated biomass and flowering after biomass removal. Contrary to our expectations, clonality did not limit early tolerance to disturbance. Instead, early belowground investment may function as a preparatory mechanism that enhances future tolerance in clonal herbs.
{"title":"A step back to move forward: an effect of biomass removal on functional traits of clonal and nonclonal herbs during establishment growth","authors":"Jana Martínková, Jitka Klimešová, Adam Klimeš","doi":"10.1111/nph.70851","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70851","url":null,"abstract":"Summary <jats:list list-type=\"bullet\"> <jats:list-item> Establishment growth represents a critical phase in the plant life cycle. In clonal herbs, which depend on developing extensive belowground organs, this stage may be particularly vulnerable due to substantial belowground resource allocation. We hypothesized that such investment constrains tolerance to early disturbance in clonal herbs compared to nonclonal herbs. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> In a glasshouse experiment involving 20 clonal and nonclonal perennial herb species, we found that clonality influences acquisitive strategies and functional trait trajectories during establishment growth. Although the overall shape of trait trajectories was similar across both groups, clonal herbs invested more in belowground biomass, exhibited more acquisitive leaf traits and had less acquisitive roots compared to their nonclonal counterparts. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> Biomass removal caused a shift in functional traits back from conservative to acquisitive values, with clonal species responding more strongly than nonclonal ones. Clonal herbs followed the ‘Try Harder’ strategy, building belowground structures intensively and maintaining high resource acquisition aboveground. Clonal and nonclonal herbs did not differ in regenerated biomass and flowering after biomass removal. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> Contrary to our expectations, clonality did not limit early tolerance to disturbance. Instead, early belowground investment may function as a preparatory mechanism that enhances future tolerance in clonal herbs. </jats:list-item> </jats:list>","PeriodicalId":214,"journal":{"name":"New Phytologist","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145770637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tao Zhong,Bode Olukolu,Yang Bian,Shang Xue,Randall J Wisser,Peter S Ojiambo,James B Holland,Qin Yang,Peter Balint-Kurti
Southern leaf blight (SLB), caused by the necrotrophic fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus, is a major foliar disease of maize (Zea mays) world-wide. A genome-wide association study was performed to dissect the genetic basis of SLB resistance in maize. Functional validation was performed using mutant and transgenic analyses. Molecular experiments provided preliminary insights into the underlying disease resistance mechanisms. Association analyses identified 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to SLB resistance, 13 of which overlapped with known quantitative resistance loci, highlighting 10 candidate genes. Functional studies confirmed ZmMAPKKK45, encoding a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK), is the causal gene at a resistance locus on chromosome 3. ZmMAPKKK45 also enhanced resistance to northern leaf blight and gray leaf spot and promotes reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation during defense responses. Our results indicate that ZmMAPKKK45 functions outside canonical MAPK cascades and likely enhances disease resistance by upregulating maize respiratory burst oxidase homolog (ZmRBOH) genes, thereby increasing ROS production and contributing to broad-spectrum foliar disease resistance in maize.
{"title":"The maize mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase gene ZmMAPKKK45 is associated with multiple disease resistance.","authors":"Tao Zhong,Bode Olukolu,Yang Bian,Shang Xue,Randall J Wisser,Peter S Ojiambo,James B Holland,Qin Yang,Peter Balint-Kurti","doi":"10.1111/nph.70828","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70828","url":null,"abstract":"Southern leaf blight (SLB), caused by the necrotrophic fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus, is a major foliar disease of maize (Zea mays) world-wide. A genome-wide association study was performed to dissect the genetic basis of SLB resistance in maize. Functional validation was performed using mutant and transgenic analyses. Molecular experiments provided preliminary insights into the underlying disease resistance mechanisms. Association analyses identified 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to SLB resistance, 13 of which overlapped with known quantitative resistance loci, highlighting 10 candidate genes. Functional studies confirmed ZmMAPKKK45, encoding a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK), is the causal gene at a resistance locus on chromosome 3. ZmMAPKKK45 also enhanced resistance to northern leaf blight and gray leaf spot and promotes reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation during defense responses. Our results indicate that ZmMAPKKK45 functions outside canonical MAPK cascades and likely enhances disease resistance by upregulating maize respiratory burst oxidase homolog (ZmRBOH) genes, thereby increasing ROS production and contributing to broad-spectrum foliar disease resistance in maize.","PeriodicalId":214,"journal":{"name":"New Phytologist","volume":"191 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145777439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Plants evolved alongside herbivores for over 400 million years and show remarkable plasticity in responses to attack by multiple herbivores. However, it is often debated which herbivore traits predict plant responses and it is poorly understood how plant life‐history traits contribute to the variation observed in plant responses. We explored the role of ecological factors such as herbivore identity and plant life history by conducting a meta‐analysis of 161 studies on the effects of sequential herbivory by arthropods, nematodes and mammals. We included herbivore performance and preference as measures of induced resistance and plant growth and damage as measures of plant performance. We uncovered that sequential herbivory reduced herbivore performance in most cases but did not consistently affect herbivore preference. Moreover, induced resistance was particularly observed in glasshouse experiments and in experiments on cultivated plant species. Plants managed to reduce plant damage but did not reduce biomass loss effectively. This study highlights that plants can effectively use induced responses to defend against sequential herbivore attack regardless of herbivore identity or plant life history. To elucidate the cost of multiherbivore attack and plant adaptations to these scenarios, there is a need to examine the consequences of the interactions on plant fitness.
{"title":"Ecological predictors of plant responses to sequential herbivory: a meta‐analysis","authors":"Zoë Delamore, Julia Koricheva, Erik H. Poelman","doi":"10.1111/nph.70822","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70822","url":null,"abstract":"Summary <jats:list list-type=\"bullet\"> <jats:list-item> Plants evolved alongside herbivores for over 400 million years and show remarkable plasticity in responses to attack by multiple herbivores. However, it is often debated which herbivore traits predict plant responses and it is poorly understood how plant life‐history traits contribute to the variation observed in plant responses. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> We explored the role of ecological factors such as herbivore identity and plant life history by conducting a meta‐analysis of 161 studies on the effects of sequential herbivory by arthropods, nematodes and mammals. We included herbivore performance and preference as measures of induced resistance and plant growth and damage as measures of plant performance. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> We uncovered that sequential herbivory reduced herbivore performance in most cases but did not consistently affect herbivore preference. Moreover, induced resistance was particularly observed in glasshouse experiments and in experiments on cultivated plant species. Plants managed to reduce plant damage but did not reduce biomass loss effectively. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> This study highlights that plants can effectively use induced responses to defend against sequential herbivore attack regardless of herbivore identity or plant life history. To elucidate the cost of multiherbivore attack and plant adaptations to these scenarios, there is a need to examine the consequences of the interactions on plant fitness. </jats:list-item> </jats:list>","PeriodicalId":214,"journal":{"name":"New Phytologist","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145770632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Recent fossil discoveries and advances in plant phylogeny have renewed debate about the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of land plants and the evolution of its fundamental organs and tissues. We re‐investigate the vascular system of Horneophyton lignieri , an exceptionally preserved Rhynie Chert fossil central to understanding early plant evolution. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy combined with 3D modelling, we achieved higher resolution and precision in reconstructing cell morphology than earlier studies that relied on white light microscopy. We show that the vascular system of H. lignieri lacks distinct xylem and phloem tissues, contrary to prior assumptions. Instead, tissues with transfer cell‐like structures are prominent, and both cell type and cell wall development vary with position in the plant. These findings indicate that the ancestral vascular system of land plants likely consisted of a single type of conducting cell capable of both solute transport and water conduction. Our results show that H. lignieri is not a tracheophyte, supporting emerging models of a morphologically and cellularly complex MRCA for land plants.
{"title":"Transfer cells in Horneophyton lignieri illuminate the origin of vascular tissues in land plants","authors":"Paul Kenrick, Emma J. Long","doi":"10.1111/nph.70850","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70850","url":null,"abstract":"Summary <jats:list list-type=\"bullet\"> <jats:list-item> Recent fossil discoveries and advances in plant phylogeny have renewed debate about the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of land plants and the evolution of its fundamental organs and tissues. We re‐investigate the vascular system of <jats:italic>Horneophyton lignieri</jats:italic> , an exceptionally preserved Rhynie Chert fossil central to understanding early plant evolution. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> Using confocal laser scanning microscopy combined with 3D modelling, we achieved higher resolution and precision in reconstructing cell morphology than earlier studies that relied on white light microscopy. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> We show that the vascular system of <jats:italic>H. lignieri</jats:italic> lacks distinct xylem and phloem tissues, contrary to prior assumptions. Instead, tissues with transfer cell‐like structures are prominent, and both cell type and cell wall development vary with position in the plant. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> These findings indicate that the ancestral vascular system of land plants likely consisted of a single type of conducting cell capable of both solute transport and water conduction. Our results show that <jats:italic>H. lignieri</jats:italic> is not a tracheophyte, supporting emerging models of a morphologically and cellularly complex MRCA for land plants. </jats:list-item> </jats:list>","PeriodicalId":214,"journal":{"name":"New Phytologist","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145770634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Iron (Fe) deficiency causes anemia in humans and yield losses in crops. Increasing Fe concentration in plants would be beneficial for agriculture and global health. The allelochemical L‐3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)alanine (L‐DOPA) can promote Fe accumulation, and its potential use for Fe biofortification was investigated. L‐DOPA was exogenously supplied to Arabidopsis thaliana , and the expression of Fe deficiency genes was measured in shoots and roots of the ima8x and bhlh121 mutants defective in Fe deficiency response. L‐DOPA and Fe were quantified, and Fe was imaged in leaves. L‐DOPA triggers a transient and intense increase in the expression of Fe deficiency genes, leading to Fe accumulation in shoots. The transcription of Fe deficiency genes was also induced in shoots, indicating that L‐DOPA affected Fe perception by leaves. Surprisingly, while L‐DOPA accumulated in roots, it remained undetectable in shoots. The increased expression of the upstream Fe deficiency genes upon L‐DOPA exposure did not require functional URI/bHLH121 nor IMA genes and also occurred in rice. L‐DOPA stimulated the transcriptional response to Fe deficiency through a mechanism independent of the well‐known network of BASIC HELIX–LOOP–HELIX transcription factors that regulate Fe homeostasis. This process involved a root‐borne signal that activated the shoot response to Fe deficiency in Fe‐overloaded plants.
{"title":"L‐ DOPA elicits iron deficiency response through root‐to‐shoot signaling and independently of the canonical regulatory pathway","authors":"En‐Jung Hsieh, Moh Hari Rusli, Siao‐Wei Liao, Chu‐Han Tseng, Ching‐Yuan Chang, Shan‐Li Wang, Tzu‐Chieh Yang, Yi‐Tsu Chan, Yang‐Hsin Shih, Chwan‐Yang Hong, Louis Grillet","doi":"10.1111/nph.70823","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70823","url":null,"abstract":"Summary <jats:list list-type=\"bullet\"> <jats:list-item> Iron (Fe) deficiency causes anemia in humans and yield losses in crops. Increasing Fe concentration in plants would be beneficial for agriculture and global health. The allelochemical L‐3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)alanine (L‐DOPA) can promote Fe accumulation, and its potential use for Fe biofortification was investigated. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> L‐DOPA was exogenously supplied to <jats:italic>Arabidopsis thaliana</jats:italic> , and the expression of Fe deficiency genes was measured in shoots and roots of the <jats:italic>ima8x</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>bhlh121</jats:italic> mutants defective in Fe deficiency response. L‐DOPA and Fe were quantified, and Fe was imaged in leaves. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> L‐DOPA triggers a transient and intense increase in the expression of Fe deficiency genes, leading to Fe accumulation in shoots. The transcription of Fe deficiency genes was also induced in shoots, indicating that L‐DOPA affected Fe perception by leaves. Surprisingly, while L‐DOPA accumulated in roots, it remained undetectable in shoots. The increased expression of the upstream Fe deficiency genes upon L‐DOPA exposure did not require functional <jats:italic>URI/bHLH121</jats:italic> nor <jats:italic>IMA</jats:italic> genes and also occurred in rice. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> L‐DOPA stimulated the transcriptional response to Fe deficiency through a mechanism independent of the well‐known network of BASIC HELIX–LOOP–HELIX transcription factors that regulate Fe homeostasis. This process involved a root‐borne signal that activated the shoot response to Fe deficiency in Fe‐overloaded plants. </jats:list-item> </jats:list>","PeriodicalId":214,"journal":{"name":"New Phytologist","volume":"370 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145770631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Soil nutrients and vertebrate herbivory are key ecological factors with opposite and interactive effects on grassland plant traits and biomass. Partitioning trait changes into species turnover and intraspecific change provides a mechanistic linkage between trait shifts and biomass responses. However, their relative contributions in determining plant responses to nutrients and herbivory remain unclear. Based on a long‐term experiment in two grasslands differing in productivity, we examined how nutrient addition and herbivore exclusion influenced plant functional composition and biomass, and quantified contributions of inter‐ and intraspecific trait change. Nutrient addition shifted leaf economics traits to be faster‐growing and increased plant height, while herbivore exclusion boosted height and leaf area, both mainly through intraspecific changes. These effects were habitat‐dependent: leaf economics traits dominated in the low‐productivity grassland, while size‐related traits prevailed in the high‐productivity grassland. Nutrient addition and herbivore exclusion had weak effects on plant defense traits (tannins). Biomass responses to nutrient addition and herbivore exclusion were, to a greater extent, associated with intraspecific trait variation than species turnover. This study highlights how partitioning traits into different dimensions helps understand the distinct pathways through which nutrients and herbivores shape plant communities, how these vary across environments, and ultimately influence ecosystem functioning.
{"title":"Nutrient addition and herbivore exclusion alter plant traits and biomass via distinct mechanisms: intraspecific variability vs species turnover","authors":"Xuebin Yan, Risto Virtanen, Anu Eskelinen","doi":"10.1111/nph.70827","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70827","url":null,"abstract":"Summary <jats:list list-type=\"bullet\"> <jats:list-item> Soil nutrients and vertebrate herbivory are key ecological factors with opposite and interactive effects on grassland plant traits and biomass. Partitioning trait changes into species turnover and intraspecific change provides a mechanistic linkage between trait shifts and biomass responses. However, their relative contributions in determining plant responses to nutrients and herbivory remain unclear. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> Based on a long‐term experiment in two grasslands differing in productivity, we examined how nutrient addition and herbivore exclusion influenced plant functional composition and biomass, and quantified contributions of inter‐ and intraspecific trait change. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> Nutrient addition shifted leaf economics traits to be faster‐growing and increased plant height, while herbivore exclusion boosted height and leaf area, both mainly through intraspecific changes. These effects were habitat‐dependent: leaf economics traits dominated in the low‐productivity grassland, while size‐related traits prevailed in the high‐productivity grassland. Nutrient addition and herbivore exclusion had weak effects on plant defense traits (tannins). Biomass responses to nutrient addition and herbivore exclusion were, to a greater extent, associated with intraspecific trait variation than species turnover. </jats:list-item> <jats:list-item> This study highlights how partitioning traits into different dimensions helps understand the distinct pathways through which nutrients and herbivores shape plant communities, how these vary across environments, and ultimately influence ecosystem functioning. </jats:list-item> </jats:list>","PeriodicalId":214,"journal":{"name":"New Phytologist","volume":"16 4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145770636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Alternative splicing (AS), a fundamental post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic cells, generates transcriptomic and proteomic diversity by producing distinct mature mRNAs from single precursor RNAs. This diversification modulates multifarious biological processes. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is central to regulating plant development and stress responses, including seed dormancy, root growth, leaf senescence, and abiotic stress tolerance. Accumulating evidence underscores AS as a critical regulatory layer within ABA signaling pathways. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding core splicing factors governing AS events integral to ABA signal transduction, alongside ABA‐responsive genes whose transcripts themselves undergo ABA‐modulated splicing. We elucidate the mechanisms linking these AS events to ABA sensitivity and developmental processes. Furthermore, we delineate key future research priorities, providing a foundation for leveraging AS mechanisms to engineer stress‐resilient crop varieties optimized for plant production.
{"title":"Regulation of alternative splicing in the ABA signaling pathway of plants","authors":"Shijie Ma, Dongyang Li, Zheng Yang, Tong Tang, Zhonghui Zhang, Daoqian Chen, Chang Du","doi":"10.1111/nph.70846","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70846","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Alternative splicing (AS), a fundamental post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic cells, generates transcriptomic and proteomic diversity by producing distinct mature mRNAs from single precursor RNAs. This diversification modulates multifarious biological processes. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is central to regulating plant development and stress responses, including seed dormancy, root growth, leaf senescence, and abiotic stress tolerance. Accumulating evidence underscores AS as a critical regulatory layer within ABA signaling pathways. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding core splicing factors governing AS events integral to ABA signal transduction, alongside ABA‐responsive genes whose transcripts themselves undergo ABA‐modulated splicing. We elucidate the mechanisms linking these AS events to ABA sensitivity and developmental processes. Furthermore, we delineate key future research priorities, providing a foundation for leveraging AS mechanisms to engineer stress‐resilient crop varieties optimized for plant production.","PeriodicalId":214,"journal":{"name":"New Phytologist","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145765421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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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