Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100591
Fazileh Esmaeili , Mohammad Ramezani Kaporchali , Khadijeh Razavi , Mohammad Ahmadi , Sara Hejri , Milad Begri , Aboutorab Naeimabadi , Tahmineh Lohrasebi
Plasma treatment is a promising approach to enhance plant growth and stress tolerance, particularly under drought. This study assessed the effects of plasma treatment on the physiological and morphological traits of Triticum aestivum (wheat) under normal and drought conditions.Treatments were applied at two intensities (200 W and 500 W) and varying durations. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to probe potential chemical changes in the seed coat induced by plasma exposure. Our results show that plasma treatment at 500 W with longer duration yielded the most pronounced improvements in morphological and physiological traits. Clustering and heatmap analysis indicated significant increases in stem and root length, soluble sugars, proline content, activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT). Field trials corroborated these findings, revealing that plasma treatments markedly enhanced biochemical traits, especially under drought stress. Moreover, the combination of plasma treatment and drought stress produced a time-dependent rise in proline and soluble sugars. Correspondingly, reductions in malondialdehyde (MDA) level suggested diminished membrane oxidative damage. FTIR spectra revealed plasma-induced structural modifications in the seed coat associated with improved water uptake, germination, and seedling establishment. Notably, plasma treatment, particularly under drought, not only increased Wheat flour protein content and Zeleny gluten index but also improved bread volume relative to controls and drought-only treatments. These synergistic effects, together with stable moisture content and enhanced water absorption, support plasma treatment as a strategy to boost drought tolerance and baking quality in Wheat.
{"title":"Highlighting the cold plasma effect on Wheat performance: Enhancing drought tolerance, and improving baking quality","authors":"Fazileh Esmaeili , Mohammad Ramezani Kaporchali , Khadijeh Razavi , Mohammad Ahmadi , Sara Hejri , Milad Begri , Aboutorab Naeimabadi , Tahmineh Lohrasebi","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100591","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100591","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plasma treatment is a promising approach to enhance plant growth and stress tolerance, particularly under drought. This study assessed the effects of plasma treatment on the physiological and morphological traits of <em>Triticum aestivum</em> (wheat) under normal and drought conditions.Treatments were applied at two intensities (200 W and 500 W) and varying durations. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to probe potential chemical changes in the seed coat induced by plasma exposure. Our results show that plasma treatment at 500 W with longer duration yielded the most pronounced improvements in morphological and physiological traits. Clustering and heatmap analysis indicated significant increases in stem and root length, soluble sugars, proline content, activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT). Field trials corroborated these findings, revealing that plasma treatments markedly enhanced biochemical traits, especially under drought stress. Moreover, the combination of plasma treatment and drought stress produced a time-dependent rise in proline and soluble sugars. Correspondingly, reductions in malondialdehyde (MDA) level suggested diminished membrane oxidative damage. FTIR spectra revealed plasma-induced structural modifications in the seed coat associated with improved water uptake, germination, and seedling establishment. Notably, plasma treatment, particularly under drought, not only increased Wheat flour protein content and Zeleny gluten index but also improved bread volume relative to controls and drought-only treatments. These synergistic effects, together with stable moisture content and enhanced water absorption, support plasma treatment as a strategy to boost drought tolerance and baking quality in Wheat.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"46 ","pages":"Article 100591"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146174857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-03-11DOI: 10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100602
Mohammad Murtaza Alami , Shaohua Shu , Sanbo Liu , Shengqiu Feng , Guozheng Yang , Zhinan Mei , Xuekui Wang
Tinospora sagittata (Oliv.) Gagnep. is an essential medicinal tetraploid plant in the Menispermaceae family. Its tuber, “Radix Tinosporae,” is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is rich in terpenoids and benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). To better understand the biosynthesis of these compounds and the evolution of the T. sagittata genome, we performed comparative genomics with 16 other plant species, estimating its evolutionary placement and divergence time within Ranunculales. Genome evolution analyses revealed one round of tandem duplication approximately 1.5 million years ago and one whole-genome duplication (WGD) around 86.9 Mya. WGD contributed to the expansion of the clade-specific cytochrome P450 gene families in Ranunculales. Genome-wide mining identified genes involved in BIA biosynthesis, and transcriptomic profiling was combined with targeted and untargeted metabolomics to analyze gene expression and metabolite accumulation. Finally, one CYP719 gene candidate (TsA02G014550) was functionally characterized to catalyze the formation of (S)-canadine in the jatrorrhizine biosynthetic pathway. Our integrative genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics analyses provide new insights into the evolution of the T. sagittata genome and BIA biosynthesis, supporting future sustainable production of these valuable secondary metabolites.
{"title":"Integrative multi-omics reveals genome evolution and CYP719-mediated BIA biosynthesis in Tinospora sagittata","authors":"Mohammad Murtaza Alami , Shaohua Shu , Sanbo Liu , Shengqiu Feng , Guozheng Yang , Zhinan Mei , Xuekui Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100602","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100602","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Tinospora sagittata</em> (Oliv.) Gagnep. is an essential medicinal tetraploid plant in the Menispermaceae family. Its tuber, “<em>Radix Tinosporae</em>,” is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is rich in terpenoids and benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). To better understand the biosynthesis of these compounds and the evolution of the <em>T. sagittata</em> genome, we performed comparative genomics with 16 other plant species, estimating its evolutionary placement and divergence time within Ranunculales. Genome evolution analyses revealed one round of tandem duplication approximately 1.5 million years ago and one whole-genome duplication (WGD) around 86.9 Mya. WGD contributed to the expansion of the clade-specific cytochrome P450 gene families in Ranunculales. Genome-wide mining identified genes involved in BIA biosynthesis, and transcriptomic profiling was combined with targeted and untargeted metabolomics to analyze gene expression and metabolite accumulation. Finally, one CYP719 gene candidate (<em>TsA02G014550</em>) was functionally characterized to catalyze the formation of (S)-canadine in the jatrorrhizine biosynthetic pathway. Our integrative genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics analyses provide new insights into the evolution of the <em>T. sagittata genome</em> and BIA biosynthesis, supporting future sustainable production of these valuable secondary metabolites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"46 ","pages":"Article 100602"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147449037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100585
Andres Echeverria , Aitziber Calleja-Satrustegui , Ha Duc Chu , Santiago Signorelli , Javier Buezo , Weiqiang Li , Yasuko Watanabe , Yukiko Uehara-Yamaguchi , Komaki Inoue , Kanatani Asaka , Minami Shimizu , Yusuke Kouzai , Lam-Son Phan Tran , Keiichi Mochida , Esther M. Gonzalez
Medicago truncatula (Mt) is a relatively drought-tolerant model legume widely cultivated in Australia. Unlike previous studies that focus on specific plant components, this work reanalyses the metabolite pattern along with transcriptome data to understand the integrated response of the entire plant system to water deficit stress. Physiological and transcriptomic analyses of the leaves, taproots, and fibrous roots were performed in response to moderate and severe drought conditions. Our findings revealed that plants prioritize water supply to aboveground organs, leading to a significant decline in the root system water content during active growth. At the whole plant level, a coordinated upregulation involving LEA proteins, proline, and ABA metabolism was observed. Furthermore, carbohydrate metabolism, essential for sustaining tissue growth, was significantly altered by drought stress. Despite the well-established link between water deficit and reduced photosynthesis, which compromises carbon availability within the plant, the activation of a complete set of sucrose- and starch-degrading and -synthesising enzymes was detected. These enzymes act in concert with hexose and sucrose transporters to remobilise carbon throughout the plant system. In addition to enhanced carbon remobilisation, a notable root-specific downregulation of ethylene synthesis was observed, shedding light on the mechanism regulating plant growth under drought stress. In conclusion, our findings reveal a strong organ-specific and coordinated molecular response across progressive drought stress levels.
{"title":"Comprehensive transcriptome analysis reveals coordinated multi-organ carbon metabolism responses in Medicago truncatula under water deficit stress","authors":"Andres Echeverria , Aitziber Calleja-Satrustegui , Ha Duc Chu , Santiago Signorelli , Javier Buezo , Weiqiang Li , Yasuko Watanabe , Yukiko Uehara-Yamaguchi , Komaki Inoue , Kanatani Asaka , Minami Shimizu , Yusuke Kouzai , Lam-Son Phan Tran , Keiichi Mochida , Esther M. Gonzalez","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100585","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100585","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Medicago truncatula</em> (<em>Mt</em>) is a relatively drought-tolerant model legume widely cultivated in Australia. Unlike previous studies that focus on specific plant components, this work reanalyses the metabolite pattern along with transcriptome data to understand the integrated response of the entire plant system to water deficit stress. Physiological and transcriptomic analyses of the leaves, taproots, and fibrous roots were performed in response to moderate and severe drought conditions. Our findings revealed that plants prioritize water supply to aboveground organs, leading to a significant decline in the root system water content during active growth. At the whole plant level, a coordinated upregulation involving LEA proteins, proline, and ABA metabolism was observed. Furthermore, carbohydrate metabolism, essential for sustaining tissue growth, was significantly altered by drought stress. Despite the well-established link between water deficit and reduced photosynthesis, which compromises carbon availability within the plant, the activation of a complete set of sucrose- and starch-degrading and -synthesising enzymes was detected. These enzymes act in concert with hexose and sucrose transporters to remobilise carbon throughout the plant system. In addition to enhanced carbon remobilisation, a notable root-specific downregulation of ethylene synthesis was observed, shedding light on the mechanism regulating plant growth under drought stress. In conclusion, our findings reveal a strong organ-specific and coordinated molecular response across progressive drought stress levels.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"46 ","pages":"Article 100585"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146116519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100593
Saba Haider , Aditya Pratap Singh , Binod Panthi , Shilpi R. Sindhu , Nishat Tasnim Safa , Saira Malik , Mehdi Rahimi
Global food security is escalating by population growth, climate change and depletion of basic resources, and explicitly demands the implementation of cutting-edge approaches to improve crop yield, resilience, and nutritional quality. CRISPR/Cas9 technology has transformed modern agriculture by introducing accurate and inherently stable modifications in different plants. This review highlights the latest advancements in the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for crop improvement and explores its potential in mitigating global food security. These advancements include the use of base and prime editing to accurately alter metabolic pathways for nutritional enhancements, along with designing Cas variants with limited dependency on PAM, to facilitate editing in complex genome crops like wheat. Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence-driven target prediction and speed breeding has significantly improved varietal development by shortening breeding period and increasing resilience to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Case studies in cereal (Rice, wheat, maize, and sorghum) and horticultural crops provide evidence of CRISPR’s major contribution towards limiting food security, improving nutritional value, and mitigating postharvest waste. This section also addresses the dynamic regulatory developments in different areas, associated ethical reflections, and approaches to foster fair accessibility stressing the transparent governance and public participation in the implementation of this technique.
{"title":"Advances in CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for crop improvement and global food security","authors":"Saba Haider , Aditya Pratap Singh , Binod Panthi , Shilpi R. Sindhu , Nishat Tasnim Safa , Saira Malik , Mehdi Rahimi","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100593","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100593","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global food security is escalating by population growth, climate change and depletion of basic resources, and explicitly demands the implementation of cutting-edge approaches to improve crop yield, resilience, and nutritional quality. CRISPR/Cas9 technology has transformed modern agriculture by introducing accurate and inherently stable modifications in different plants. This review highlights the latest advancements in the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for crop improvement and explores its potential in mitigating global food security. These advancements include the use of base and prime editing to accurately alter metabolic pathways for nutritional enhancements, along with designing Cas variants with limited dependency on PAM, to facilitate editing in complex genome crops like wheat. Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence-driven target prediction and speed breeding has significantly improved varietal development by shortening breeding period and increasing resilience to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Case studies in cereal (Rice, wheat, maize, and sorghum) and horticultural crops provide evidence of CRISPR’s major contribution towards limiting food security, improving nutritional value, and mitigating postharvest waste. This section also addresses the dynamic regulatory developments in different areas, associated ethical reflections, and approaches to foster fair accessibility stressing the transparent governance and public participation in the implementation of this technique.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"46 ","pages":"Article 100593"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.cpb.2025.100577
Mohammad Shahid , Zaryab Shafi
Phytoalexins are inducible secondary metabolites that play a pivotal role in the plant’s innate immunity. They function as antimicrobial agents and signal molecules in response to pathogen attack. Structurally diverse groups—such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids enable plants to mount broad-spectrum defences. Although natural phytoalexins are central and evolutionarily conserved components of plant defense, their rapid turnover, spatial restriction, and susceptibility to pathogen detoxification can sometimes limit duration or spectrum of protection, particularly under high disease pressure. Therefore, in addition to enhancing their biosynthesis and stability, targeted structural modifications enabled by molecular engineering may further optimize their activity and strengthen durable resistance in crops. Molecular engineering approaches, including transcription factor engineering, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing, and epigenetic regulation, offer powerful tools to enhance phytoalexin biosynthesis and functionality. Emerging strategies aim to develop specialized phytoalexins with improved stability, potency, and a broader range of action. When integrated with modern breeding and biotechnological platforms, these molecular innovations can enhance crops resilience. Despite challenges such as metabolic trade-offs, and potential growth–defense imbalances, engineered phytoalexins represent a promising avenue for next-generation plant defense. This review summarizes recent developments, challenges, and prospects of phytoalexins as designer defenses in the molecular engineering era.
{"title":"Redefining phytoalexins as engineered defenses for plant disease resistance","authors":"Mohammad Shahid , Zaryab Shafi","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2025.100577","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2025.100577","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phytoalexins are inducible secondary metabolites that play a pivotal role in the plant’s innate immunity. They function as antimicrobial agents and signal molecules in response to pathogen attack. Structurally diverse groups—such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids enable plants to mount broad-spectrum defences. Although natural phytoalexins are central and evolutionarily conserved components of plant defense, their rapid turnover, spatial restriction, and susceptibility to pathogen detoxification can sometimes limit duration or spectrum of protection, particularly under high disease pressure. Therefore, in addition to enhancing their biosynthesis and stability, targeted structural modifications enabled by molecular engineering may further optimize their activity and strengthen durable resistance in crops. Molecular engineering approaches, including transcription factor engineering, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing, and epigenetic regulation, offer powerful tools to enhance phytoalexin biosynthesis and functionality. Emerging strategies aim to develop specialized phytoalexins with improved stability, potency, and a broader range of action. When integrated with modern breeding and biotechnological platforms, these molecular innovations can enhance crops resilience. Despite challenges such as metabolic trade-offs, and potential growth–defense imbalances, engineered phytoalexins represent a promising avenue for next-generation plant defense. This review summarizes recent developments, challenges, and prospects of phytoalexins as designer defenses in the molecular engineering era.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 100577"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The association of plants and microorganisms is a major determinant that influences plant health, uptake of nutrients, and resilience to climate change. The technological advancements in the fields of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have enabled understanding of these symbiotic interactions at the cellular and molecular levels. The identification of molecular mechanisms that underlie the mutualistic association between plants and different kinds of beneficial microbes, such as mycorrhizal fungi, rhizobia, endophytes, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria has revealed major signaling pathways such as the common symbiosis signaling pathway, hormone crosstalk, and microbe-associated molecular patterns. Recent studies have demonstrated that the Common Symbiosis Signaling Pathway (CSSP) is conserved among diverse plant species, and assumes an important role in plant symbiotic interactions. Microbial consortia, notwithstanding their broad potential, are strongly dependent on the context, and their results vary according to factors such as microbial competition, host genotype, and soil heterogeneity, which in turn explain the inconsistencies that have been observed in the field. The partnerships between plants and microbes could lead to exciting transformations for agriculture that’s both sustainable and resilient to climate challenges.
{"title":"Plant-microbial symbiosis: Molecular insights and applications in sustainable agriculture","authors":"Gopal Wasudeo Narkhede , G. Harish Kumar , Manchikatla Arun Kumar , Penna Suprasanna","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100587","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100587","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The association of plants and microorganisms is a major determinant that influences plant health, uptake of nutrients, and resilience to climate change. The technological advancements in the fields of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have enabled understanding of these symbiotic interactions at the cellular and molecular levels. The identification of molecular mechanisms that underlie the mutualistic association between plants and different kinds of beneficial microbes, such as mycorrhizal fungi, rhizobia, endophytes, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria has revealed major signaling pathways such as the common symbiosis signaling pathway, hormone crosstalk, and microbe-associated molecular patterns. Recent studies have demonstrated that the Common Symbiosis Signaling Pathway (CSSP) is conserved among diverse plant species, and assumes an important role in plant symbiotic interactions. Microbial consortia, notwithstanding their broad potential, are strongly dependent on the context, and their results vary according to factors such as microbial competition, host genotype, and soil heterogeneity, which in turn explain the inconsistencies that have been observed in the field. The partnerships between plants and microbes could lead to exciting transformations for agriculture that’s both sustainable and resilient to climate challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 100587"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-21DOI: 10.1016/j.cpb.2025.100564
Jiahui Geng , Shoukun Chen , Qin Shu , Yuanyuan Jiang , Shuqiang Gao , Chun-Ming Liu , Shihua Chen , Huihui Li
Identifying genes that confer salt tolerance is essential for understanding the mechanisms underpinning salt tolerance in plants. Spartina alterniflora, a halophyte with exceptional salt and flooding tolerance and strong reproduction and dispersal capabilities, presents valuable potential for crop improvement and stress tolerance research. Here, we constructed a stress-induced yeast cDNA library and employed high-throughput screening under salt stress to identify 1279 distinct genes. Gene ontology analysis revealed significant enrichment in transcription-related complexes, and these genes were predominantly enriched in categories related to salt stress responses. Transcriptome analysis identified 12,669 differentially expressed genes, and these genes were predominantly enriched in categories related to salt stress responses. By integrating transcriptome data across varying NaCl concentrations with knowledge of the S. alterniflora genome, we screened and identified two key genes: SA_26G130100.m1, encoding a Multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) protein, and SA_04G199900.m1, a novel protein with unknown function. Both genes exhibited significant expression changes under salt stress. Structural predictions revealed that the MATE transporter SA_26G130100.m1 possesses a compact substrate-binding cavity with unique residue composition, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation for efficient ion transport under salinity. Additionally, a genome-wide analysis of the S. alterniflora gene family encoding MATEs revealed that most members are root-expressed and salt-induced, implying a possible role in mitigating the effects of salt stress. This study provides a robust, highly efficient platform for the large-scale screening and identification of S. alterniflora genes conferring abiotic stress tolerance and offers a valuable genetic resource for advancing salt tolerance breeding programs.
{"title":"High-throughput yeast screening and transcriptomic integration identify salt-tolerance genes in Spartina alterniflora","authors":"Jiahui Geng , Shoukun Chen , Qin Shu , Yuanyuan Jiang , Shuqiang Gao , Chun-Ming Liu , Shihua Chen , Huihui Li","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2025.100564","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2025.100564","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Identifying genes that confer salt tolerance is essential for understanding the mechanisms underpinning salt tolerance in plants. <em>Spartina alterniflora</em>, a halophyte with exceptional salt and flooding tolerance and strong reproduction and dispersal capabilities, presents valuable potential for crop improvement and stress tolerance research. Here, we constructed a stress-induced yeast cDNA library and employed high-throughput screening under salt stress to identify 1279 distinct genes. Gene ontology analysis revealed significant enrichment in transcription-related complexes, and these genes were predominantly enriched in categories related to salt stress responses. Transcriptome analysis identified 12,669 differentially expressed genes, and these genes were predominantly enriched in categories related to salt stress responses. By integrating transcriptome data across varying NaCl concentrations with knowledge of the <em>S. alterniflora</em> genome, we screened and identified two key genes: <em>SA_26G130100.m1</em>, encoding a Multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) protein, and <em>SA_04G199900.m1</em>, a novel protein with unknown function. Both genes exhibited significant expression changes under salt stress. Structural predictions revealed that the MATE transporter SA_26G130100.m1 possesses a compact substrate-binding cavity with unique residue composition, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation for efficient ion transport under salinity. Additionally, a genome-wide analysis of the <em>S. alterniflora</em> gene family encoding MATEs revealed that most members are root-expressed and salt-induced, implying a possible role in mitigating the effects of salt stress. This study provides a robust, highly efficient platform for the large-scale screening and identification of <em>S. alterniflora</em> genes conferring abiotic stress tolerance and offers a valuable genetic resource for advancing salt tolerance breeding programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 100564"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-20DOI: 10.1016/j.cpb.2025.100568
Jennifer Thielmann , Behnaz Soleimani , Andrea Matros , Adam Schikora , Patrick Schäfer , Karl-Heinz Kogel , Gwendolin Wehner
Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), the causal agent of powdery mildew in wheat, poses a serious threat to yield stability. Although several resistance genes have been identified, many became ineffective due to pathogen adaptation. Priming, a biological process that enhances the defense capacity of plants, has emerged as a promising plant protection strategy. The root-endophytic fungus Serendipita indica is known to induce priming in various host plants. In this study, we investigated S. indica-mediated resistance to Bgt across a genetically diverse panel of 175 winter wheat genotypes. Disease severity was quantified and nine genotypes exhibited significant (p < 0.05) differences in Bgt susceptibility following S. indica treatment. Six genotypes showed reduced, three increased levels of infection. Additionally, shoot (SFW) and root fresh weight (RFW) measurements revealed genotype-specific growth responses to S. indica. A genome-wide association study identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) significantly associated (LOD ≥ 3) with Bgt resistance, SFW, and RFW under control and primed conditions. Notably, eight QTLs were associated with SFW, two with RFW, and fifteen with Bgt resistance in primed plants, with multiple loci mapped to chromosome 7 A. Across all QTLs, 30 candidate genes were identified, including those involved in resistance pathways such as Flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase, Chaperone protein DnaJ, and Glutathione S-transferase. These findings indicate genetic variation for priming in wheat. The identified candidate genes provide valuable targets for further investigation into the mechanisms of microbe-induced priming and offer a foundation for breeding for Bgt-resistant, S. indica-responsive wheat cultivars with enhanced resilience to biotic stress.
{"title":"Genomic loci for priming-induced powdery mildew resistance and plant biomass in wheat","authors":"Jennifer Thielmann , Behnaz Soleimani , Andrea Matros , Adam Schikora , Patrick Schäfer , Karl-Heinz Kogel , Gwendolin Wehner","doi":"10.1016/j.cpb.2025.100568","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpb.2025.100568","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Blumeria graminis</em> f. sp. <em>tritici</em> (<em>Bgt</em>), the causal agent of powdery mildew in wheat, poses a serious threat to yield stability. Although several resistance genes have been identified, many became ineffective due to pathogen adaptation. Priming, a biological process that enhances the defense capacity of plants, has emerged as a promising plant protection strategy. The root-endophytic fungus <em>Serendipita indica</em> is known to induce priming in various host plants. In this study, we investigated <em>S. indica</em>-mediated resistance to <em>Bgt</em> across a genetically diverse panel of 175 winter wheat genotypes. Disease severity was quantified and nine genotypes exhibited significant (p < 0.05) differences in <em>Bgt</em> susceptibility following <em>S. indica</em> treatment. Six genotypes showed reduced, three increased levels of infection. Additionally, shoot (SFW) and root fresh weight (RFW) measurements revealed genotype-specific growth responses to <em>S. indica</em>. A genome-wide association study identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) significantly associated (LOD ≥ 3) with <em>Bgt</em> resistance, SFW, and RFW under control and primed conditions. Notably, eight QTLs were associated with SFW, two with RFW, and fifteen with <em>Bgt</em> resistance in primed plants, with multiple loci mapped to chromosome 7 A. Across all QTLs, 30 candidate genes were identified, including those involved in resistance pathways such as <em>Flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase</em>, <em>Chaperone protein DnaJ</em>, and <em>Glutathione</em> S-<em>transferase</em>. These findings indicate genetic variation for priming in wheat. The identified candidate genes provide valuable targets for further investigation into the mechanisms of microbe-induced priming and offer a foundation for breeding for <em>Bgt-</em>resistant, <em>S. indica</em>-responsive wheat cultivars with enhanced resilience to biotic stress.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38090,"journal":{"name":"Current Plant Biology","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 100568"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145625375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100582
Nisar Ali , Abdul Bais , Jatinder S. Sangha , Richard D. Cuthbert , Yuefeng Ruan
Accurate estimation of the harvest index (HI), the ratio of grain yield to total aboveground biomass (AGB), is crucial for evaluating crop productivity and resource-use efficiency in wheat breeding programs. While traditional HI measurement methods use destructive field sampling, which is labour-intensive and impractical for large-scale breeding trials, recent advances in UAV-based remote sensing now offer non-destructive alternatives capable of delivering high-throughput, plot-level HI estimation. In this study, we present a high-throughput phenotyping framework that combines UAV-based multispectral imaging and ensemble machine learning to estimate HI under field environments. Multispectral data were collected at two key growth stages, anthesis and maturity, using a DJI M300 RTK drone equipped with a RedEdge-P sensor. Vegetation indices (VIs), including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference red edge index (NDRE), and green NDVI (G-NDVI), were extracted using data from sensors and ground truth monitoring and used as predictors to estimate grain yield and AGB for calculating HI. An ensemble learning model, based on a stacking architecture comprising five regressors and a ridge regression meta-learner, was employed to enhance prediction accuracy. Results showed strong correlations between UAV-derived and ground-truth VIs (R2> 0.94, RMSE < 0.023). The ensemble model demonstrated high accuracy and strong generalization for HI estimation across both experimental sites and growing seasons. At the anthesis stage, the NDVI-based ensemble model achieved the best performance. For the Indian Head site, it yielded a testing R2 of 0.87, RMSE of 4.18 g/p, and NRMSE of 2.73 %, based on a training R2 of 0.83. At the Swift Current site, the model produced a testing R2 of 0.84, RMSE of 8.67 g/p, and NRMSE of 5.67 %. Similarly, at the maturity stage, the NDRE-based ensemble model was the top performer. It recorded a testing R2 of 0.86, RMSE of 7.10 g/p, and NRMSE of 4.64 % at Indian Head, and a testing R2 of 0.83 with an RMSE of 8.06 g/p, and NRMSE of 5.27 % at Swift Current. Across all indices and stages, the ensemble model consistently outperformed individual models, achieving high testing R2 values and low RMSE, which confirms its robustness and predictive power on unseen data. The proposed UAV machine learning framework demonstrates a reliable and non-destructive approach for field-level HI estimation, thereby improving germplasm selection efficiency for yield improvement. It offers a valuable tool for accelerating trait-based wheat breeding and precision agriculture applications.
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