Ketocarotenoids, including astaxanthin, are red lipophilic pigments derived from the oxygenation of β-carotene ionone rings. These carotenoids have exceptional antioxidant capacity and high commercial value as natural pigments, especially for aquaculture feedstocks to confer red flesh colour to salmon and shrimp. Ketocarotenoid biosynthetic pathways occur only in selected bacterial, algal, fungal and

Hard-end, superficial scald and cork spot are prevalent physiological disorders in pear fruit, characterized by an increase in lignin deposition, which impairs the fruit quality and reduces farmer income. Although calcium deficiency is known to exacerbate symptoms of these lignin-related disorders, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the regulatory

Introduction The Apocynaceae family is renowned for its exceptional diversity of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs), a class of structurally complex and pharmaceutically significant natural products. Clinically important drugs, such as the anticancer drugs vinblastine and vincristine, exemplify the therapeutic value of MIAs (De Luca et al., 2012). These compounds are categorized based on their carbon

Biophysical CO2 concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) operating at the single-cell level have evolved independently in eukaryotic algae and a single land plant lineage, hornworts. An important component for an efficient eukaryotic CCM is a pyrenoid whose biology is well-characterized in the unicellular green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. By contrast, pyrenoids and CCM are little understood in hornworts

Introduction Maize (Zea mays L. subsp. mays) was domesticated from teosinte (Zea mays L. subsp. parviglumis Iltis & Doebley and Zea mays L. subsp. mexicana (Schrad.) Iltis) in central Mexico c. 9000 yr before present (yrBP) (Matsuoka et al., 2002; Yang et al., 2023). While the importance of roots for environmental adaptation is well established (Lynch et al., 2022; McLaughlin et al., 2024), their specific

Theanine is a non-protein free amino acid accumulated in tea plant leaves and makes a major contribution to the unique umami and sweet taste and a multitude of human health benefits of tea. However, its biosynthesis and transcriptional regulation in tea plant leaves remain to be fully understood. Here, we report that an R2R3-MYB CsMYB213 and a bHLH CsbHLH35 co-regulated two key theanine biosynthesis

SummaryIn maize (Zea mays L.), leaves are essential for photosynthesis and transpiration and leaf yellowing is regulated by carotenoid metabolism, hormonal signalling and environmental factors. However, the molecular mechanisms linking drought stress and leaf yellowing remain poorly understood. ZmNCED3, a key regulator of carotenoid degradation and drought stress responses, plays a critical role in

SummaryPlants diseases cause substantial crop yield loss and threaten food security. Enhancing plant genetic resistance is a major strategy to mitigate the impact of plant diseases on agricultural production. The leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like protein RXEG1 recognizes the glycoside hydrolase 12 (GH12) protein XEG1 secreted by Phytophthora sojae to mount immune responses in Nicotiana benthamiana

Plant cell cultures are a promising platform for large-scale production of many natural products used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries (Ozyigit et al., 2023). However, despite a few isolated success stories, the use of plant cultures in industrial processes is still limited. Although yields of certain metabolites can be increased significantly by biotic elicitation (Laezza et al

Summary Plant host cell‐cycle hyperactivation is essential for nematode feeding site (NFS) ontogenesis, but the balanced mitotic and endoreplication cycles must occur for homeostasis. Alterations in core cell cycle gene expression are well known to disturb root‐knot and cyst‐NFS development. Herein, our investigation focused on the activity of E2FA and E2FB transcription factors in root‐knot nematode‐induced

Carnivorous plants, which capture animal prey to thrive in nutrient-poor environments, have independently originated 12 times in angiosperms (Fleischmann et al., 2018; Lin et al., 2021). These plants have evolved various types of traps, with sticky traps being the most common strategy (Freund et al., 2022). The sticky trap has independently evolved in at least six lineages, including the Caryophyllales

Summary Foraging in soil nutrient‐rich patches is a key nutrient acquisition strategy for plants. However, how arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) trees integrate root and mycorrhizal fungal responses in exploring different nutrient patches is poorly understood, especially in generally phosphorus‐limited subtropical forests. We established five nutrient patch treatments (control; nitrogen

Summary Podocarpus pollen morphology is shaped by both phylogenetic history and the environment. We analyzed the relationship between pollen traits quantified using deep learning and environmental factors within a comparative phylogenetic framework. We investigated the influence of mean annual temperature, annual precipitation, altitude, and solar radiation in driving morphological change. We used

Chinese sweetgum (Liquidambar formosana) is valued as a source of resin and timber and is an important ornamental tree due to its showy fall foliage. Here, we report the chromosome-level assembly of the Chinese sweetgum genome. Phylogenomic analyses showed the basal phylogenetic position of Chinese sweetgum in core eudicots. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that the well-known gamma event in the

Plants depend on the combined action of a shoot-root-soil system to maintain their anchorage to the soil. Mechanical failure of any component of this system results in lodging, a permanent and irreversible inability to maintain vertical orientation. Models of anchorage in grass crops identify the compressive strength of roots near the soil surface as the key determinant of resistance to lodging. Indeed

The phytohormone methyl jasmonate (MeJA) enhances plant cold stress tolerance, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we discovered that MeJA induces a transient Ca2+ influx and elevated cytoplasmic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) levels during the watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) response to cold stress. Conversely, silencing jasmonic acid carboxyl methyltransferase (ClJMT), encoding an enzyme that

PLASTIDIAL STARCH PHOSPHORYLASE 1 (PHS1) is considered integral to starch synthesis, yet its role in transient starch synthesis in photosynthetic tissues remains unclear, as mutation of PHS1 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) does not affect the metabolic profile of leaves. PHS1 activity is elevated in the starch branching enzyme sbe2.1 sbe2.2 double mutant, which lacks starch granules but retains

Drought severely impacts plant growth, yet moderate drought stress can stimulate the biosynthesis of active compounds in medicinal plants. However, the molecular regulators and mechanisms linking drought resistance with the accumulation of active compounds remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified the Dof transcription factor SmDof32 as a key regulator of both salvianolic acid biosynthesis

Pea (Pisum sativum L.), a valuable source of protein essential for both human and animal nutrition, is one of the most important grain legumes worldwide (http://www.fao.org/faostat/). It also has a longstanding history as a genetic model, notably used by Gregor Mendel to establish foundational genetics principles. Current research tools for pea include a full genome sequence and TILLING mutant collections

SummaryPlant architecture influences the microenvironment throughout the canopy layer. Plants with a more erect leaf architecture allow for an increase in planting densities and allow more light to reach lower canopy leaves. This is predicted to increase crop carbon assimilation. Frictional resistance to wind reduces air movement in the lower canopy, resulting in higher humidity. By increasing the

SummaryTransfer RNA (tRNA) modifications refer to the chemical alterations that occur on tRNA molecules, which are essential for their structure, stability, and function. These modifications have been shown to play crucial roles in diverse biological processes across different organisms. Recent studies have highlighted that specific tRNA modifications are directly linked to virulence traits and infection

SummaryLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been gradually verified as functional regulators in plants, yet their functions remain underexplored, especially in the Solanaceae family. While substantial progress has been made in identifying lncRNAs in different Solanaceae species, systematic functional annotations are lacking. In this study, we uniformly identified and systematically characterized lncRNAs

SummarySphagnum is emerging as a useful system for advancing knowledge at the interface between ecology and evolutionary biology. Here, we explore: the importance of the Sphagnum microbiome to ecosystem structure and function; the value of naturally occurring genetic variation within Sphagnum populations; and the ongoing process of speciation and ecological divergence in the genus. Recent advances

SummaryPhotosynthetic induction is the leaf‐level process by which a plant assimilates CO2 from the atmosphere once exposed to a change in light intensity after a period of darkness or shade. In the field, photosynthetic induction can take place hundreds of times in a single day in response to rapid fluctuations in the light environment due to cloud cover, wind, solar angle, and neighbourly shading

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are a unique fruit vegetable table combination, widely consumed for their rich bioactive compounds, including phenolic antioxidants and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) (George et al., 2004). Serotonin has potential therapeutic applications for metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and obesity (Jia et al., 2024; Oh et al., 2015). Tryptophan decarboxylase

Molecular breeding is a valuable approach for enhancing the yield and quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.), with genome editing technology being a powerful tool for achieving varieties with desirable traits (Gao, 2021; Xue et al., 2023). Gene editing involves knocking out genes that negatively regulate agronomic traits and has proven promising in improving plant architecture, grain size, and other key

Summary The mobility of transposable elements (TEs) partly drives genome evolution, potentially leading to either adaptive or deleterious effects. However, it remains far from clear whether and how TEs contribute to adaptation to changing environments, especially in plants. We analyzed whole‐genome sequencing data from 29 ecologically diverse Tetrastigma hemsleyanum populations to infer the species'

Summary Flavones, a key group of flavonoids, play a significant role in plant adaptation to ecological niches and are valuable medicinal resources. However, the genetic basis underlying their contribution to ecological adaptation remains largely unknown. Here, using metabolite‐based genome‐wide association study, we report that the natural variation of flavone contents in Chrysanthemum indicum, a wild

Summary Plant–soil feedback (PSF) is a standing concept helping to explain plant species coexistence. Accumulating evidence suggests that PSF depends on the environmental context. One particularly impactful disruption of the environmental context is the invasion of alien species into a community. While PSF between native and non‐native species has been linked to invasion success, the effect of an invader

SummaryThe efforts of engineering plant ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) with the goal of improving plant photosynthetic efficiency and crop yield have existed for long. However, the directed evolution of plant Rubisco has not been widely explored because its biogenesis in a heterologous host such as Escherichia coli remains challenging. Recent breakthroughs in developing the

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation is required for effective plant defense. Accumulation of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) NADPH oxidase respiratory burst oxidase homolog D (RBOHD) is regulated by phosphorylation of a conserved C-terminal residue (T912) leading to ubiquitination by the RING E3 ligase Pbl13-interacting RING domain E3 ligase (PIRE). Arabidopsis PIRE knockouts exhibit

SummaryPlant specialized metabolites (PSMs) are compounds that are not involved in primary metabolism but instead confer other roles for the plant host, often related to ecological interactions. In the field of plant–microbe interactions, many PSMs have traditionally been considered for their roles in shaping interactions with pathogens. However, it is increasingly clear that ‘defensive’ PSMs have

Summary Maple trees repair cold‐induced embolism by generating positive stem pressure during their leafless state, altering sap transport in ways that remain poorly understood. This xylem pressure also drives sap exudation, enabling maple sap harvest for syrup production. This study investigates water source dynamics in leafless maples in early spring and its impact on sap yields. We used heavy water

Summary Abscisic acid (ABA) is a crucial regulator of plant growth, while vacuolar malate accumulation is pivotal for determining fruit taste and flavor. However, the relationship between ABA signaling and malate metabolism remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the ABA‐modulated auxin response factor 2 (ARF2)‐multidrug and toxic compound extrusion protein like 1 (MdMATEL1)/cytosolic NAD‐dependent

Summary Recent studies have shown a linear relationship between solar‐induced Chl fluorescence (SIF) and gross primary productivity (GPP) at large scales. However, this relationship diverges at finer leaf scales, particularly in tropical forests with complex canopy structures. To address this issue, we assessed seasonal and intracanopy variations in leaf energy partitioning in central Amazonian forests

Since the Devonian era 450 million years ago, most terrestrial plants have formed mutualistic associations with a group of soil fungi known as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that provide benefits ranging from improved mineral nutrition to increased tolerance of biotic and abiotic stresses (Marro et al., 2022; Shi et al., 2023; Fiorilli et al., 2024). This symbiosis constitutes a unique biological

Chloroplast thylakoid membranes are the sites of the light reactions of photosynthesis. They are also thought to influence starch granule biogenesis via the thylakoid-anchored protein MAR-BINDING FILAMENT-LIKE PROTEIN 1 (MFP1), but mechanistic understanding is scarce. Here, we report an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant affected in PHOTOSYSTEM II REACTION CENTER W (PsbW), an integral thylakoid

SummaryCarnivorous plants secrete digestive enzymes for prey degradation. Although carnivorous plants have a polyphyletic origin and evolved several times independently, they surprisingly co‐opted similar digestive enzymes during convergent evolution. However, despite having similar digestive enzymes, the mode of their regulation strongly differs across different phylogenetic lineages. But what factors

SummaryEnvironmental changes and their effects are among the most pressing topics of today's ecological research. Shrublands, although widespread across the globe, remain understudied in this respect. We conducted a global meta‐analysis of 81 shrubland sites subjected to experimental warming, shifts in precipitation (e.g. increased precipitation and drought), and nitrogen addition to quantify seven

Summary In terrestrial plants, seeds often germinate and initiate early development in the darkness under layers of soil. Soil overlay promotes ethylene accumulation to maintain the hook until the seedlings reach the soil surface. During this phase of etiolated growth and soil emergence, seedlings perceive changing light fluence. Coordinated interplay of the ethylene and light signaling pathways ensures

Summary Flavonoids are valuable metabolites produced by legumes, including Medicago truncatula, and play crucial roles in signaling communication during legume–rhizobium symbiosis. Isoflavone reductase proteins (IFRs) are involved in the biosynthesis of isoflavones and plant defense regulation. However, their role in symbiotic nitrogen fixation remains mostly elusive. Here, 13 putative IFR gene family

Summary We investigated the impact of leaf color variation on herbivory, testing current hypotheses indicating that leaf color could influence herbivory through bottom‐up control (by signaling leaf quality and defenses) or top‐down control (by attracting predators). A comprehensive phylogenetic meta‐analysis was conducted to assess the effects of leaf color on defense traits, leaf palatability, herbivore

SummaryPolyploidy plays a major role in diversification and speciation of almost all plants. Separately, the microbiome is recognized for its ubiquitous role in plant functioning. Despite the importance of both processes, we lack a synthetic picture of their reciprocal relationship. I forge this missing linkage by presenting the ways in which plant polyploidy can shape the microbiome and how the microbiome

Summary Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical regulators of numerous biological processes in plants. Nevertheless, their identification is challenging due to the low sequence conservation across various species. Existing computational methods for lncRNA identification often face difficulties in generalizing across diverse plant species, highlighting the need for more robust and versatile identification

SummaryParasitic plants, those that directly acquire resources from other plants, are distributed across all biomes on earth. They can be restricted to a single host, or they can be generalists, but with preferences. Tristerix corymbosus (Loranthaceae) is a native generalist hemiparasite in Chile but infests many nonnative tree species and appears to suppress them more than its native hosts, indicating

SummaryPlants inevitably encounter a diverse array of constantly changing environmental stresses, and drought stands out as one of the most severe threats to plants. Abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA) work synergistically to increase plant drought tolerance, but their interplay during drought response remains elusive. Here, we uncovered that ABA induced the degradation of a negative transcription

SummaryPummelo (Citrus maxima) is a fundamental species of Citrus which contributes to most of the cultivated citrus, including sweet orange, lemon and etc. The fruit neck is a structural feature of pummelo, and a long fruit neck reduces the edible rate of the fruit. In this study, we assembled a telomere‐to‐telomere (T2T) gap‐free reference genome for the typical short fruit neck cultivar, ‘Pingshan’

SummaryThe limited cytosolic delivery of DNA and protein‐based therapeutics due to endosomal entrapment reduces drug efficacy, increasing treatment costs and possible side effects in human and veterinary medicine as a consequence of higher administered dosages. Plant‐derived triterpenoid saponins, specifically those with endosomal escape‐enhancing (EEE) properties, have shown promise in overcoming

SummaryAs a prominent external feature of watermelon, the stripe pattern exhibits remarkable phenotypic diversity, directly impacting commercial value through consumer preference. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying this important agronomic trait in watermelon remain poorly understood. In this study, we discovered that the total chlorophyll content in dark green stripes (DGS) was

With the rapid advancement of sequencing and genome assembly technologies, thousands of plant genomes have been sequenced, assembled and annotated (Marks et al., 2021; Xie et al., 2024), providing a rich and invaluable resource for comparative genomic and evolutionary studies in plants. However, these genomes are often dispersed across various databases, creating barriers to efficient data access,

SummaryFD, a conserved bZIP transcription factor, is well known for its role in promoting flowering. Here, we uncover that a short coding sequence of the Chrysanthemum morifolium FD gene, CmFDa, represses flowering. Interestingly, we identified CmFDa as a novel epiallele stringently regulated by DNA methylation in chrysanthemum for the first time. Epigenetic editing of the CmFDa promoter using the

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is an obligate biotrophic pathogen that causes extensive losses to agriculture worldwide. Effectors secreted by the parasite play an essential role during nematode infection through suppressing plant innate immunity. Here, we identify and characterize a M. incognita effector designated as MiV86, which is secreted into plant cells and positively regulates

Summary Ungulate herbivory, a widespread and complex disturbance, shapes grassland biodiversity and functions primarily through three mechanisms: defoliation, trampling, and excreta return. However, the specific effects of these mechanisms on soil biodiversity and community assembly remain unclear. We conducted a 4‐yr factorial experiment in the Eurasian steppe to investigate how defoliation, trampling

Summary Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis has independently evolved many times in arid‐adapted plant lineages. Cistanthe cachinalensis (Montiaceae), a desert annual, can upregulate CAM facultatively upon stress such as drought. Few studies, however, consider life history stages when measuring CAM activity or its facultative onset. To test the effect of drought and flowering on photosynthetic

Summary Phytoplasmas are specialized phloem‐limited bacteria that cause diseases on various crops, resulting in significant agricultural losses. This research focuses on the jujube witches' broom (JWB) phytoplasma and investigates the host‐manipulating activity of the effector SJP39. We found that SJP39 directly interacts with the plant transcription factor bHLH87 in the nuclei. SJP39 stabilizes the