SummaryGenomic selection (GS) is a new breeding strategy. Generally, traditional methods are used for predicting traits based on the whole genome. However, the prediction accuracy of these models remains limited because they cannot fully reflect the intricate nonlinear interactions between genotypes and traits. Here, a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) feature extraction technique based on

SummaryLeaf morphogenesis is a crucial process in plants that governs essential physiological functions such as photosynthesis and transpiration. Despite significant advances in understanding leaf development, the mechanism of intricate cellular patterning remains elusive. We characterize the OsLC1 mutant, which displays a curly leaf phenotype alongside reductions in plant height and tiller number

SummaryCRISPR‐Cas‐based cytosine base editors (CBEs) are prominent tools that perform site‐specific and precise C‐to‐T conversions catalysed by cytidine deaminases. However, their use is often constrained by stringent editing preferences for genomic contexts, off‐target effects and restricted editing windows. To expand the repertoire of CBEs, we systematically screened 66 novel cytidine deaminases

SummarySalvia plebeia is an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb, with flavonoids and phenolic acids as its primary bioactive components. However, the absence of a reference genome hinders our understanding of genetic basis underlying the synthesis of these components. Here, we present a high‐quality, chromosome‐scale genome assembly of S. plebeia, spanning 1.22 Gb, with a contig N50 of 91

SummaryThe integration of haploid induction and genome editing, termed HI‐Edit/IMGE, is a promising tool for generating targeted mutations for crop breeding. However, the technical components and stacking suitable for the maize seed industry have yet to be fully characterised and tested. Here, we developed and assessed three HI‐Edit/IMGE maize lines: EditWx, EditSh, and EditWx&Sh, using the haploid

SummaryAdenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) is the energy currency of living organisms and the primary form of organic phosphate (Po) involved in cellular metabolism. In plants, some ATP is released into the extracellular matrix (ECM) in response to various stimuli, where it functions as extracellular ATP (eATP), a key signalling molecule. Recent advances have shed light on the mechanisms of eATP signalling

SummaryLinalool not only is one of characteristic flavour volatiles of tea, contributing to floral aroma, but also a kind of defensive compounds, playing essential roles in resistance against biotic/abiotic stresses. Although the linalool synthases have been identified, much is unknown about the regulation mechanism in tea plants. We identified two pairs of MYB paralogs as linalool biosynthesis activators

SummaryLettuce is one of the most important vegetables worldwide. Bolting time is an important agronomic trait in lettuce production. Premature bolting reduces crop quality and marketability. Here, we genetically clone the LsBLH2 gene controlling bolting time in lettuce. LsBLH2 encodes a BEL1‐like homeodomain protein. In the late bolting parent, the LsBLH2 had a 1‐bp deletion in exon 1 which leads

SummaryThe number of tillers in rice directly determines the number of panicles, which is crucial for enhancing plant architecture and achieving high yields. Some important genes regulating rice tillering have been identified, but their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. FRIZZY PANICLE (FZP) encodes an AP2/ERF transcription factor. Beyond its well‐established role in promoting spikelet formation

SummaryTransgene‐free genome editing is important for crop improvement as it reduces unanticipated genomic changes. While mRNA delivery systems offer a powerful method for achieving transgene‐free genome editing, they remain inefficient and challenging in plants. Here we describe an efficient mRNA delivery system for plants with substantially improved editing efficiency. By optimizing the 5′ untranslated

SummaryThe functional difference of natural variations in conserved BR signalling genes and the genetic basis of rice indica–japonica differentiation are important yet unknown. Here, we discovered natural variations of the four key components (OsBRI1, OsBAK1, OsGSK3 and OsBZR1) in BR signalling pathway by GWAS using an indicator of indica–japonica differentiation in rice. Two major BR signalling haplotypes

SummaryRNA plays a central role in plants, governing various cellular and physiological processes. Monitoring its dynamic abundance provides a discerning understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to internal (developmental) and external (environmental) stimuli, paving the way for advances in plant biotechnology to engineer crops with improved resilience, quality and productivity

SummaryLignin is a crucial component of the cell wall, providing mechanical support and protection against biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little is known about wheat lignin‐related mutants and their roles in pathogen defence. Here, we identified an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)‐derived Aegilops tauschii mutant named brown glume and internode 1 (bgi1), which exhibits reddish‐brown pigmentation

SummaryVitamin E (VE) is essential for plants and animals. Rapeseed oil is rich in α‐tocopherol (α‐T), which is the most bioactive form of VE in human body. This study demonstrated that VE in rapeseed seeds was mainly controlled by embryo genotype through incomplete diallel hybridization. By genome‐wide association study, the QTL‐qVE.C02 associated with VE and α‐T contents was detected in a Brassica

SummaryPrunus mume, an important ornamental woody plant in the Rosaceae family, contains many interspecific hybridizations. Purple colour is a breeding trait of aesthetic value for P. mume, but little is known about the origin and genetic architecture of this trait. Here we address these issues by producing a haplotype‐resolved genome from an interspecific hybrid cultivar of P. mume (M) and P. cerasifera

SummaryLight signalling regulates plant growth and stress resistance, whereas its mechanism in controlling saline‐alkaline tolerance (SAT) remains largely unknown. This study identified that light signalling, primarily mediated by Phytochrome B (PhyB), inhibited ammonium transporter 1 (AMT1) to negatively regulate SAT. Our previous findings have shown that PhyB can impede the transcription factors

SummaryCytosine methylation (mCG) is an important heritable epigenetic modification, yet its functions remain to be fully defined in important crops. This study investigates mCG in soybean following the loss‐of‐function mutation of two GmMET1 genes. We generated knockout mutants of GmMET1s by CRISPR‐Cas9 and conducted comprehensive methylome and transcriptome analyses. Our findings unravel the functional

SummaryAnthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation determines the colour of tuber flesh in potato (Solanum tuberosum) and influences nutritional quality. However, the regulatory mechanism behind anthocyanin biosynthesis in potato tuber flesh remains unclear. In this study, we identified the Pigmented tuber flesh (Pf) locus through a genome‐wide association study using 135 diploid potato landraces. Genome

SummaryImproving cold tolerance at the flowering stage (CTF) in rice is crucial for minimising yield loss, making the identification and application of cold‐tolerant genes and QTLs imperative for effective molecular breeding. The long lead time, dependence on cold treatment conditions, and the inherent complexity of the trait make studying the genetic basis of CTF in rice challenging. To date, the

SummaryThe first step in chloroplast de novo fatty acid synthesis is catalysed by acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACCase). As the rate‐limiting step for this pathway, ACCase is subject to both positive and negative regulation. In this study, we identify a Chlamydomonas homologue of the plant carboxyltransferase interactor 1 (CrCTI1) and show that this protein interacts with the Chlamydomonas α‐carboxyltransferase

SummaryMutants with simultaneous germline mutations were obtained in all three F5H genes and all three FAD2 genes (one to eleven mutated alleles) in order to improve the feed value of the seed meal and the fatty acid composition of the seed oil. In mutants with multiple mutated F5H alleles, sinapine in seed meal was reduced by up to 100%, accompanied by a sharp reduction in the S‐monolignol content

Wood, one of the most abundant renewable natural resources globally, plays a crucial role in the timber, papermaking and bioenergy industries (Chutturi et al., 2023). Wood (i.e. secondary xylem) is derived from vascular cambium, which is pivotal in determining the wood biomass in woody plants (Tang et al., 2022). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as signalling molecules that regulate plant development

Cotton serves as not only a crucial natural textile crop, with cotton fibre accounting for approximately 95% of fibre usage in the textile industry but also a valuable model for the investigation of plant cell elongation (Cao et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2019). The plant hormones brassinosteroid (BR) and gibberellic acid (GA) promote fibre cell development (He et al., 2024; Huang et al., 2021; Shan et al

SummaryPotato (Solanum tuberosum) is the third‐most important food crop in the world. Although the potato genome has been fully sequenced, functional genomics research of potato lags behind that of other major food crops, largely due to the lack of a model experimental potato line. Here, we present a diploid potato line, ‘Jan,’ which possesses all essential characteristics for facile functional genomics

The extremophile desert moss Syntrichia caninervis, from the Gurbantunggut Desert in China, was capable of surviving simulated Mars conditions (Li et al., 2024). Syntrichia caninervis has become a research model for plant desiccation tolerance (Oliver et al., 2020). The chromosome-level genome of S. caninervis, from gametophytes originating from the Mojave Desert, was sequenced and assembled (Silva

SummaryHeat stress significantly impacts global rice production, highlighting the critical need to understand the genetic basis of heat resistance in rice. U2AF (U2 snRNP auxiliary factor) is an essential splicing complex with critical roles in recognizing the 3′‐splice site of precursor messenger RNAs (pre‐mRNAs). The U2AF small subunit (U2AF35) can bind to the 3′‐AG intron border and promote U2 snRNP

SummaryCarotenoids are a diverse group of pigments imparting red, orange, and yellow hues to many horticultural plants, also enhancing their nutritional properties and health benefits. In strawberry, the genetic and molecular mechanisms regulating the natural variation of fruit carotenoid composition remain largely unexplored. In this study, we use a population segregating in yellow/white flesh to

SummaryPowdery mildew poses a significant threat to global wheat production and most cloned and deployed resistance genes for wheat breeding encode nucleotide‐binding and leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors. Although two genetically linked NLRs function together as an NLR pair have been reported in other species, this phenomenon has been relatively less studied in wheat. Here, we demonstrate

Maize, now ranking #1 in world cereal production (accounting for ~42% of total cereal production worldwide), plays a pivotal role in securing food and feed supply globally (FAO, 2023). Historically, increasing planting density has been adopted as a key measurement to increasing maize grain yield per unit land area (Mansfield and Mumm, 2014). Plant height (PH) and ear height (EH) are key agronomic traits

SummarySoybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines) is a major pathogen harmful to soybean all over the world, causing huge yield loss every year. Soybean resistance to SCN is a complex quantitative trait controlled by a small number of major genes (rhg1 and Rhg4) and multiple micro‐effect genes. Therefore, the continuous identification of new resistant lines and genes is needed for the sustainable

Base editors (BEs), a groundbreaking class of genome editing tools, enable precise single-nucleotide alterations at target genomic sites, leading to mutations that either disable or enhance gene functions, thus significantly advancing plant functional genomics research and crop enhancement (Li et al., 2023). In plants, significant advancements have been made in DNA base editors that can directly modify

SummaryThe production of complex multimeric secretory immunoglobulins (SIgA) in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves is challenging, with significant reductions in complete protein assembly and consequently yield, being the most important difficulties. Expanding the physical dimensions of the ER to mimic professional antibody‐secreting cells can help to increase yields and promote protein folding and assembly

SummaryPhosphorus (P) is an essential yet frequently deficient plant nutrient. Optimizing P distribution and recycling between tissues is vital for improving P utilization efficiency (PUE). Yet, the mechanisms underlying the transport and re‐translocation of P within plants remain unclear. Here, wide‐ranging natural diversity in seed P allocation and positive correlations among yield traits were found

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a perennial leguminous forage extensively planted around the world (Annicchiarico et al., 2015). As a result, improving alfalfa forage yield and quality is a crucial agricultural goal (Kumar, 2011). Branching traits has a significant impact on the yield of alfalfa (Gou et al., 2018). The previous report showed that HEADLESS (HDL), the orthologue of WUSCHEL (WUS) in M

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. Ex Nees in Wallich (A. paniculata), an annual medicinal herb of the Acanthaceae family, is widely cultivated for its various medicinal utilities in Southeast and South Asia. Its total extract and monomeric components have a broad range of pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective and anticancer (Subramanian et al., 2012)

Exclusion of Na+ from the above-ground tissues serves as an important salt-tolerant mechanism in most glycophyte plants, such as maize (Munns and Tester, 2008). Existing studies have corroborated that different maize varieties exhibit significant diversity in shoot Na+ content and then salt tolerance (Liang et al., 2024). However, the genetic basis underlying this diversity remains largely unknown

SummaryThe Cas12j‐8 nuclease, derived from the type V CRISPR system, is approximately half the size of Cas9 and recognizes a 5′‐TTN‐3′ protospacer adjacent motif sequence, thus potentially having broad application in genome editing for crop improvement. However, its editing efficiency remains low in plants. In this study, we rationally engineered both the crRNA and the Cas12j‐8 nuclease. The engineered

Genome-wide selection (GS) represents a contemporary methodology that harnesses a comprehensive array of molecular markers across the entire genome. However, challenges such as lack of informative molecular markers and selection of appropriate and efficient GS model(s) have confined most GS-based breeding efforts to the realm of laboratory simulations (Wang et al., 2023). Compared to the conventional

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs), the integral components in the manufacture of digital displays, have engendered environmental concerns due to extensive utilization and intensive emission. Despite their prevalence and ecotoxicity, the LCM impacts on plant growth and agricultural yield remain inadequately understood. In this study, we investigated the specific response mechanisms of tobacco, a pivotal

SummaryTransposable elements (TEs) are significant drivers of genome evolution, yet their recent dynamics and impacts within and among species, as well as the roles of host genes and non‐coding RNAs in the transposition process, remain elusive. With advancements in large‐scale pan‐genome sequencing and the development of open data sharing, large‐scale comparative genomics studies have become feasible

SummarySuperoxide dismutase (SOD) plays an important role to respond in the defence against damage when tomato leaves are under different types of adversity stresses. This work employed microhyperspectral imaging (MHSI) and visible near‐infrared (Vis–NIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technologies to predict tomato leaf SOD activity. The macroscopic model of SOD activity in tomato leaves was constructed

Germplasm resources with rich genetic diversities are indispensable, but often fail short to need the demand for crop breeding (Snowdon et al., 2015). Genomic introgression in hybrids of closely related species is considered to be an important source for genetic diversity enhancement, which is mainly through homoeologous exchanges (HEs) among homoeologous chromosomes (Zhou et al., 2021). However, the

SummaryHere, we evaluated the role of ethylene in regulating the NaHCO3 stress tolerance of grapevines and clarified the mechanism by which VvERF1B regulates the response to NaHCO3 stress. The exogenous application of ACC and VvACS3 overexpression in grapevines and grape calli revealed that ethylene increased NaHCO3 stress tolerance, and this was accompanied by increased plasma membrane H+‐ATPase (PMA)

Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by Verticillium species, is one of the most severe soil-borne plant diseases globally and has been ranked as one of the world's top quarantine concerns. Over 400 plant species including crops are severely affected by VW which results in significantly reduction of yield and quality, causing a substantial economic loss of billions of dollars worldwide. Controlling key pathogens

SummaryApple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is one of the most economically valuable fruit crops globally and a key dietary source for various nutrients. However, the levels of ascorbic acid (AsA) and anthocyanin, essential micronutrients for human health, are extremely low in the pulp of commonly cultivated apple varieties. In the present study, the second‐generation hybrid strain of Xinjiang red‐fleshed

Sugarcane smut disease, caused by the basidiomycetous fungus Sporisorium scitamineum, is one of the major threats to the sugarcane industry. The potential method to control smut disease in sugarcane is the cultivation of resistant sugarcane varieties (Bhuiyan et al., 2021). However, development of smut-resistant sugarcane still faces big challenges due to the allopolyploid nature and complex genetic

Grain proteins constitute the second most storage substance in rice, of which glutelin accounts for 60%–80% of total protein and is easy to be absorbed by humans (Kumamaru et al., 1988). However, for patients with kidney disease and diabetes, excessive glutelin intake is not conducive to recovery. The lgc-1 mutant is the earliest discovered low-glutelin material, and Lgc-1 regulates glutelin content

SummaryWith advances in long‐read sequencing and assembly techniques, haplotype‐resolved (phased) genome assemblies are becoming more common, also in the field of plant genomics. Computational tools to effectively explore these phased genomes, particularly for polyploid genomes, are currently limited. Here we describe a new strategy adopting a pangenome approach. To analyse both intra‐ and intergenomic

SummaryThe husk leaf of maize (Zea mays) encases the ear as a modified leaf and plays pivotal roles in protecting the ear from pathogen infection, translocating nutrition for grains and warranting grain yield. However, the natural genetic basis for variation in husk leaf width remains largely unexplored. Here, we performed a genome‐wide association study for maize husk leaf width and identified a 3‐bp

Continuous directed evolution (CDE) improves the characteristics of a target enzyme by hypermutating the enzyme gene in vivo, coupling enzyme activity to growth of a microbial platform, and selecting for growth rate (Molina et al., 2022). Directed evolution can be interfaced with genome editing to expand the gene pool available for plant breeding; this powerful combination (DE–GE) has been neatly termed

SummaryEnhanced grain yield and quality traits are everlasting breeding goals. It is therefore of great significance to uncover more genetic resources associated with these two important agronomic traits. Plant MYB family transcription factors play important regulatory roles in diverse biological processes. However, studies on genetic functions of MYB in rice yield and quality are rarely to be reported

SummaryEpithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) fused to IgG, IgA and IgM Fc domains was expressed to create IgG, IgA and IgM‐like structures as anti‐cancer vaccines in Nicotiana tabacum. High‐mannose glycan structures were generated by adding a C‐terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention motif (KDEL) to the Fc domain (FcK) to produce EpCAM‐Fc and EpCAM‐FcK proteins in transgenic plants via A

SummaryExploring the new elements to re‐design the expression cassette is crucial in synthetic biology. Viruses are one of the most important sources for exploring gene expression elements. In this study, we found that the DNA sequence of the SBG51 deltasatellite from the Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) greatly enhanced the gene expression when flanked downstream of the terminator. The SBG51 sequence

As 2024 draws to a close, it once again provides an opportunity to recognize and thank everyone who has contributed to the continued success of Plant Biotechnology Journal, a combined effort from the Editors, the reviewers and the Wiley team. I deeply appreciate the diligence and hard work everyone puts into helping authors elevate and improve their manuscripts, ultimately providing useful additions