In forests, ectomycorrhizal mycelium is pivotal for driving soil carbon and nutrient cycles, but how ectomycorrhizal mycelial dynamics vary in ecosystems with drought periods is unknown. We quantified production and turnover of mycorrhizal mycelium in Mediterranean Pinus pinaster, Pinus sylvestris and Quercus ilex forests and related the estimates to standardized precipitation index (SPI), to study

An enduring question of community ecology is how remarkably speciose communities can coexist, particularly in light of competitive exclusion (Hutchinson, 1961). Ectomycorrhizal fungal (EMF) communities are no exception to this paradox; in a survey of old‐growth Pseudotsuga menziesii stands, Kranabetter et al. (2018) reported a metacommunity (γ diversity or regional species pool) of approximately 360

Heat stressed Arabidopsis plants release heterochromatin‐associated transposable element (TE) silencing, which however is not accompanied by major reductions of epigenetic repressive modifications. In this study, we explored the functional role of histone H1 in repressing heterochromatic TEs in response to heat stress. We generated and analyzed RNA and bisulfite‐sequencing data of wild‐type and h1

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a short‐day (SD) plant originally having strong photoperiod sensitivity (PS), with SDs promoting and long days (LDs) suppressing flowering. Although the evolution of PS in rice has been extensively studied, there are few studies that combine the genetic effects and underlying mechanism of different PS gene combinations with variations in PS. We created a set of isogenic lines

Pre‐Columbian crop movement remains poorly understood, hampering a good interpretation of the domestication and diversification of Neotropical crops. To provide new insights into pre‐Columbian crop movement, we applied spatial genetics to identify and compare dispersal routes of three American crops between Mesoamerica and the Andes, two important centres of pre‐Columbian crop and cultural diversity

The Triticum aestivum (wheat) genome encodes three isoforms of Rubisco activase (Rca) differing in thermostability, which could be exploited to improve the resilience of this crop to global warming. We hypothesized that elevated temperatures would cause an increase in the relative abundance of heat‐stable Rca1β. Wheat plants were grown at 25° C : 18°C (day : night) and exposed to heat stress (38° C : 22°C)

Plants continue to lose water from their leaves even after complete stomatal closure. Although this minimum conductance (gleaf‐res) has substantial impacts on strategies of water use and conservation, little is known about the potential drivers underlying the variability of this trait across species. We thus untangled the relative contribution of water leaks from the cuticle and stomata in order to

One of the tenets of introductory biology courses is learning how the form or structure of any unit determines its function, and that form and function has long been used to understand patterns throughout the natural world (Grew, 1682; Wainwright, 1988; Díaz et al., 2016). Form predicts function at the cellular and organ level in plants; for instance, xylem cell diameter and pit pore size are great

Bordered pits of many conifers include a torus–margo structure acting as a valve that prevents air from spreading between tracheids, although the extent of torus deflection as a function of applied pressure is not well known. Models were developed from images of pits in roots and stems of Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP. A computational solid mechanics approach was utilised to determine the extent of torus

Human introductions of species beyond their natural ranges and subsequent establishment are defining features of global environmental change. However, naturalized plants are not uniformly distributed across phylogenetic lineages, with some families contributing disproportionately more to the global alien species pool than others. Additionally, lineages differ in diversification rates and high diversification

‐ In Arabidopsis thaliana phytochrome B (phyB) is the dominant receptor of photomorphogenic development under red light. phyB interacts with a set of downstream regulatory proteins, including PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 3 (PIF3). The interaction of PIF3 and the photo‐activated phyB leads to the rapid phosphorylation and degradation of PIF3 and also to the degradation of phyB, which events are required

Drought‐induced xylem embolism is considered to be one of the main factors driving mortality in woody plants worldwide. Although several structure–functional mechanisms have been tested to understand the anatomical determinants of embolism resistance, there is a need to study this topic by integrating anatomical data for many species. We combined optical, laser, and transmission electron microscopy

D14 and KAI2 receptors enable plants to distinguish between strigolactones (SLs) and karrikins (KARs), respectively, in order to trigger appropriate environmental and developmental responses. Both receptors are related to the regulation of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) formation and are members of the RsbQ‐like family of α,β‐hydrolases. DLK2 proteins, whose function remains unknown, constitute a third

The optimal partitioning theory predicts that plants of a given species acclimate to different environments by allocating a larger proportion of biomass to the organs acquiring the most limiting resource. Are similar patterns found across species adapted to environments with contrasting levels of abiotic stress? We tested the optimal partitioning theory by analysing how fractional biomass allocation

WOX family transcription factors regulate multiple developmental programs. The intermediate clade transcriptional activator WOX9 functions together with the modern clade transcriptional repressor WOX genes in embryogenesis and meristems maintenance, but the mechanism of this interaction is unclear. STF and LAM1 are WOX1 orthologs required for leaf blade outgrowth in Medicago truncatula and Nicotiana

This article is a Commentary on Guillemot et al. (2020), 228: 1256–1268.

This article is a Commentary on Storti et al. (2020), 228: 1316–1326.

Growth rate represents a fundamental axis of life history variation. Faster growth associated with C4 photosynthesis and annual life history has evolved multiple times, and the resulting diversity in growth is typically explained via resource acquisition and allocation. However, the underlying changes in morphogenesis remain unknown. We conducted a phylogenetic comparative experiment with 74 grass

That functional traits should affect individual performance, and in turn determine fitness and population growth, is a foundational assumption of trait‐based ecology. This assumption is, however, not supported by a strong empirical base. Here, we simultaneously measured two individual performance metrics (survival and growth), seven traits and ten environmental properties for each of 3,981 individuals

In filamentous fungi, hyphal growth depends on the continuous delivery of vesicles to the growing tips. It is unclear how fast‐growing hyphae coordinate simultaneous cell extension and expansion in the tip cells. We have functionally characterized 12 TBC (Tre‐2/Bub2/Cdc16) domain‐containing proteins in Fusarium graminearum. Among them, FgMsb3 is found to regulate hyphal tip expansion and to be required

Cytokinin and auxin are key regulators of plant growth and development. During the last decade transport mechanisms have turned out to be the key for the control of local and long‐distance hormone distributions. In contrast with auxin, cytokinin transport is poorly understood. Here, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana AZG2, a member of the AZG purine transporter family, acts as cytokinin transporter

Legumes form a symbiosis with N2‐fixing soil rhizobia, resulting in new root organs called nodules that enable N2‐fixation. Nodulation is a costly process that is tightly regulated by the host through Autoregulation of Nodulation (AON) and nitrate‐dependent regulation of nodulation. Both pathways require legume‐specific CLAVATA/ESR‐related (CLE) peptides. Nitrogen‐induced nodulation‐suppressing CLE

C4 crops of agricultural importance all belong to the NADP‐ME subtype, and this subtype has been the template for C4 introductions into C3 crops like rice to improve their productivity. However, the ATP cost for the C4 cycle in both NADP‐ME and NAD‐ME subtypes accounts for >40% of the total ATP requirement for CO2 assimilation. These high ATP costs, and the associated need for intense cyclic electron

‐ Trehalose 6‐phosphate (Tre6P) is a sucrose signalling metabolite that has been implicated in regulation of shoot branching, but its precise role is not understood. ‐ We expressed tagged forms of TREHALOSE‐6‐PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE1 (TPS1) to determine where Tre6P is synthesized in arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), and investigated the impact of localized changes in Tre6P levels, in axillary buds or

The last two decades have witnessed the emergence of optogenetics; a field that has given researchers the ability to use light to control biological processes at high spatio‐temporal and quantitative resolution, in a reversible manner with minimal side effects. Optogenetics has revolutionised the neurosciences, increased our understanding of cellular signalling and metabolic networks and resulted in

Plant morphology and physiology change with growth and development. Some of these changes are due to change in plant size and some are the result of genetically programmed developmental transitions. In this study we investigate the role of the developmental transition, vegetative phase change (VPC), on morphological and photosynthetic changes. We used overexpression of miR156, the master regulator

Lycopods represent a significant diversification point on the land plant phylogenetic tree, being the earliest divergent extant tracheophyte lineage (Kenrick, 1994) and marking the transition from non‐vascular to vascular plants. Several lycophytes (Huperzia, Lycopodium, Lycopodiella and Phylloglossum; Supplementary Fig. 1a) possess an “alternation of generations” lifecycle (Kenrick, 1994) which features

Tolerance of abiotic stress in woody plants is known to be constrained by biological trade‐offs between different forms of stress, especially shade and drought. However, there is still considerable uncertainty on the relationship between tolerances and the limits on tolerance combinations. Using the most extensive database available on shade, drought, waterlogging and cold tolerance for 799 northern

How the biophysical properties of overlaying tissues control growth, such as the embryonic root (radicle) during seed germination, is a fundamental question. In eudicot seeds the endosperm surrounding the radicle confers coat dormancy and controls germination responses through modulation of its cell wall mechanical properties. Far less is known for grass caryopses that differ in tissue morphology.

RNA polymerase II (Pol II) associated proteins (RPAPs) have been ascribed diverse functions at cellular level, however, their roles in developmental processes in yeasts, animals and plants are very poorly understood. Through screening for interactors of NRPB3 which encodes the third largest subunit of Pol II, we identified RIMA, the orthologue of mammalian RPAP2. A combination of genetic and biochemical

Trees are known to emit methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), with tropical wetland trees being considerable CH4 sources. Little is known about CH4 and especially N2O exchange of trees growing in tropical rain forests under non‐flooded conditions. We determined CH4 and N2O exchange of stems of six dominant tree species, cryptogamic stem covers, soils, and volcanic surfaces at the start of the rain

A classic theory proposes that plant xylem cannot be both highly efficient in water transport and resistant to embolism, and therefore a hydraulic efficiency–safety trade‐off should exist. However, the trade‐off is weak, and many species exhibit both low efficiency and low safety, falling outside of the expected trade‐off space. It remains unclear under what climatic conditions these species could

Although horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is common in angiosperm mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs), few cases of functional foreign genes have been identified. The one outstanding candidate for large‐scale functional HGT is the holoparasite Lophophytum mirabile, whose mtDNA has lost most native genes but contains intact foreign homologs acquired from legume host plants. To investigate the extent to which

The evolution of a lipid‐based cuticle on aerial plant surfaces that protects against dehydration is considered a fundamental innovation in the colonization of the land by the green plants. However, key evolutionary steps in the early regulation of cuticle synthesis are still poorly understood due to limited studies in early diverging land plant lineages. Here, we characterise a land plant specific

The parasitic genus Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae) is exceptional among plants with respect to centromere organization, including both monocentric and holocentric chromosomes, and substantial variation in genome size and chromosome number. We investigated 12 species representing the diversity of the genus in a phylogenetic context to reveal the molecular and evolutionary processes leading to diversification

Understanding how plant communities respond to temporal patterns of precipitation in water‐limited ecosystems is necessary to predict inter‐annual variation and trends in ecosystem properties, including forage production, biogeochemical cycling, and biodiversity. In North American shortgrass prairie, we measured plant abundance, functional traits related to growth rate and drought tolerance, and aboveground

Grapevine trunk diseases have devastating consequences on vineyards worldwide. European wild grapevines (Vitis vinifera subs. sylvestris) from the last viable population in Germany along the Rhine river showed variable degrees of resistance against Neofusicoccum parvum (strain Bt‐67), a fungus associated with Botryosphaeriaceae‐related dieback. Representative genotypes from different subclades of this

Short‐term temperature response curves of leaf dark respiration (R–T) provide insights into a critical process that influences plant net carbon exchange. This includes how respiratory traits acclimate to sustained changes in the environment. Our study analysed 860 high‐resolution R–T (10–70°C range) curves for: (a) 62 evergreen species measured in two contrasting seasons across several field sites/biomes;

Viral infections are accompanied by a massive production of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) of plant origin, such as virus‐activated (va)siRNAs, which drive the widespread silencing of host gene expression, and whose effects in plant pathogen interactions remain unknown. By combining phenotyping and molecular analyses, we characterized vasiRNAs that are associated with typical mosaic symptoms of cauliflower

Eupatorium adenophorum is a malignant invasive plant possessing extraordinary defense potency, but its chemical weaponry and formation mechanism have not yet been extensively investigated. We identified six cadinene sesquiterpenes, including two volatiles (amorpha‐4,7(11)‐diene and (–)‐amorph‐4‐en‐7‐ol) and four nonvolatiles (9‐oxo‐10,11‐dehydroageraphorone, muurol‐4‐en‐3,8‐dione, 9‐oxo‐ageraphorone

Seed weight is one of the most important agronomic traits in soybean for yield improvement and food production. Several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the trait have been identified in soybean. However, the genes underlying the QTLs and their functions remain largely unknown. Using forward genetic methods and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, we identified and characterized the role of GmKIX8‐1

Plant stomata are crucial to control water transpiration in response to environmental stresses and to modulate gas exchange necessary for photosynthesis. The phytohormone ABA promotes stomatal closure and inhibits light‐induced stomatal opening. The Arabidopsis thaliana E3 ubiquitin ligase COP1 functions in ABA‐mediated stomatal closure. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully

There is a consensus about negative impacts of droughts in Amazonia. Yet, extreme wet episodes, which are becoming as severe and frequent as droughts, are overlooked and their impacts remain poorly understood. Moreover, drought‐reports are mostly based on deep water table depth forests (WTDFs), which may be especially sensitive to dry conditions. Based on demographic responses of 30 abundant tree species

As climate change drives increased drought in many forested regions, mechanistic understanding of the factors conferring drought tolerance in trees is increasingly important. The dendrochronological record provides a window through which we can understand how tree size and traits shape growth responses to droughts. We analyzed tree‐ring records for twelve species in a broadleaf deciduous forest in

From global food security to textile production and biofuels, the demands currently made on plant photosynthetic productivity will continue to increase. Enhancing photosynthesis using designer, green and sustainable materials offers an attractive alternative to current genetic‐based strategies and promising work with nanomaterials has recently started to emerge. Here we describe the in planta use of

Phosphate (Pi) is a critical macronutrient for the biochemical and molecular functions of cells. Under Pi limitation, plants manifest adaptative strategies to increase Pi scavenging. However, how low Pi sensing links to the transcriptional machinery remains unknown. The role of the MEDIATOR (MED) transcriptional co‐activator, through its MED16 subunit in Arabidopsis root system architecture remodeling

The Solanaceae family includes numerous highly valuable crops. Understanding the viral diseases affecting them is of outstanding importance. Nicotiana benthamiana has contributed greatly to the unraveling of antiviral RNA interference, and can also be regarded as an adequate model for the studying of viral diseases of solanaceous crops. This species however, similarly to many of its relatives, possesses

Nighttime stomatal conductance (gsn) varies among plant functional types and species, but factors shaping the evolution of gsn remain unclear. Examinations of intraspecific variation in gsn as a function of climate and co‐varying leaf traits may provide new insight into the evolution of gsn and its adaptive significance.

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates the deployment of a phalanx of immune responses, chief among these is the activation of a constellation of defence‐related genes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. The Arabidopsis thaliana zinc finger transcription factor (ZF‐TF), S‐nitrosothiol (SNO) Regulated 1 (SRG1), is a central target of NO bioactivity during plant immunity. Here

Plants employ innate immune system to defend against phytopathogens. As a part, pattern triggered‐immunity is activated via pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) detection of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). While with an increasing number of PAMPs being identified, the PRRs for their recognition remain largely unknown.

Extreme environments have driven the evolution of some of the most inspiring adaptations in nature. In the intertidal zone of wave‐swept shores, organisms face physical forces comparable to hurricanes and must further endure thermal and desiccation stress during low tides, compromising their physiological and biomechanical performance. We examine how these multiple stressors have influenced the evolution

The SKU5 similar (SKS) genes encode a family of multi‐copper‐oxidase‐like proteins with cupredoxin domains similar to those in laccase and ascorbate oxidase. Although SKS proteins are known function in root growth and cotyledon vascular patterning in Arabidopsis, their role in plant reproductive processes is poorly understood. Here, we identified a seed mutant of maize (Zea mays), generated by ethyl

Plant Phosphate Transporter 1 (PHT1) proteins, probably the only influx transporters for phosphate (Pi) uptake, are partially degraded on sufficient Pi levels to prevent excessive Pi accumulation. Therefore, the basal/constitutive expression level of PHT1 genes is vital for maintaining Pi uptake under Pi‐replete conditions. Rice (Oryza sativa) OsPHT1;1 is a unique gene as it is highly expressed and

Leaf vein network geometry can predict levels of resource transport, defence and mechanical support that operate at different spatial scales. However, it is challenging to quantify network architecture across scales due to the difficulties both in segmenting networks from images and in extracting multiscale statistics from subsequent network graph representations. Here we developed deep learning algorithms

Phosphate‐solubilising microorganisms (PSM) are often reported to have positive effects on crop productivity through enhanced phosphorus (P) nutrition. Our aim was to evaluate the validity of this concept. Most studies that report ‘positive effects’ of PSM on plant growth have been conducted under controlled conditions, whereas field experiments more frequently fail to demonstrate a positive response

Solar‐induced fluorescence (SIF) is highly relevant in mapping photosynthesis from remote‐sensing platforms. This requires linking SIF to photosynthesis and understanding the role of non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) mechanisms under field conditions. Hence, active and passive fluorescence were measured in Arabidopsis thaliana with altered NPQ in outdoor conditions.

Ethylene and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) regulate seed dormancy alleviation, but the molecular basis of their action and crosstalk remains largely unknown. Here we studied the mechanism of Arabidopsis seed dormancy release by ethylene using cell imaging, genetic and transcriptomics approaches, in order to tackle its possible interaction with ROS homeostasis. We found that the effect of ethylene on

Ensuring faithful homologous recombination in allopolyploids is essential to maintain optimal fertility of the species. Variation for the ability to control aberrant pairing between homoeologous chromosomes in Brassica napus has been identified. The current study exploited the extremes of such variation to identify genetic factors differentiating newly resynthesized B. napus, which is inherently unstable

Fine roots, and their functional traits, influence associated rhizosphere microorganisms via root exudation and root litter quality. However, little is known about their relationship with rhizosphere microbial taxa and functional guilds. We investigated the relationships of eleven fine root traits of twenty sub‐arctic tundra meadow plant species and soil microbial community composition, using phospholipid