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| Open AccessEinkorn genomics sheds light on history of the oldest domesticated wheat
Around 1% of the A subgenome of modern bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) originates from einkorn (Triticum monococcum), the first domesticated wheat species.
- Hanin Ibrahim Ahmed
- , Matthias Heuberger
- & Simon G. Krattinger
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Article
| Open AccessReducing brassinosteroid signalling enhances grain yield in semi-dwarf wheat
A strategy that depends on attenuated brassinosteroid signalling is described for the design of semi-dwarf wheat varieties with improved grain yield compared with that of green revolution varieties.
- Long Song
- , Jie Liu
- & Zhongfu Ni
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Article
| Open AccessThe giant diploid faba genome unlocks variation in a global protein crop
Using a high-quality chromosome-scale assembly of the faba bean genome, the genetic basis of seed size and hilum colour is explored.
- Murukarthick Jayakodi
- , Agnieszka A. Golicz
- & Stig Uggerhøj Andersen
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Article |
Adenylate cyclase activity of TIR1/AFB auxin receptors in plants
Adenylate cyclase activity in TIR1/AFB, the canonical auxin receptor, has an essential role in auxin-mediated root growth inhibition in land plants.
- Linlin Qi
- , Mateusz Kwiatkowski
- & Jiří Friml
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Article |
ABP1–TMK auxin perception for global phosphorylation and auxin canalization
Auxin-binding protein 1 (ABP1) is an auxin receptor that, in complex with transmembrane kinase 1 (TMK1), has a key role in the auxin-induced global phosphorylation of proteins and downstream responses such as vascular regeneration.
- Jiří Friml
- , Michelle Gallei
- & Hana Rakusová
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Article
| Open AccessThe mosaic oat genome gives insights into a uniquely healthy cereal crop
Assembly of the hexaploid oat genome and its diploid and tetraploid relatives clarifies the evolutionary history of oat and allows mapping of genes for agronomic traits.
- Nadia Kamal
- , Nikos Tsardakas Renhuldt
- & Nick Sirijovski
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Article |
Genome-edited powdery mildew resistance in wheat without growth penalties
Tamlo-R32, an engineered wheat mutant allele of the Mildew resistance locus O (MLO) gene, confers resistance to powdery mildew, retains robust wheat growth, and can be transferred to other agriculturally important wheat varieties.
- Shengnan Li
- , Dexing Lin
- & Caixia Gao
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Article |
A phase-separated nuclear GBPL circuit controls immunity in plants
A family of plant guanylate-binding protein-like GTPases controls phase separation and assembly of condensates, thereby forming a circuit that regulates transcriptional responses to biotic stress.
- Shuai Huang
- , Shiwei Zhu
- & John D. MacMicking
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Article |
Genomic basis of geographical adaptation to soil nitrogen in rice
OsTCP19 is a modulator of the tillering response to nitrogen in rice, and introgression of an allele of OsTCP19 associated with a high tillering response into modern rice cultivars markedly improves their nitrogen-use efficiency.
- Yongqiang Liu
- , Hongru Wang
- & Chengcai Chu
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Article
| Open AccessThe barley pan-genome reveals the hidden legacy of mutation breeding
Chromosome-scale sequence assemblies of 20 diverse varieties of barley are used to construct a first-generation pan-genome, revealing previously hidden genetic variation that can be used by studies aimed at crop improvement
- Murukarthick Jayakodi
- , Sudharsan Padmarasu
- & Nils Stein
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Article |
Massive haplotypes underlie ecotypic differentiation in sunflowers
Resequencing analyses of three species of wild sunflower identify large non-recombining haplotype blocks that correlate with ecologically relevant traits, soil and climate characteristics, and that differentiate species ecotypes.
- Marco Todesco
- , Gregory L. Owens
- & Loren H. Rieseberg
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Review Article |
Genetic strategies for improving crop yields
Genetic strategies for improving the yield and sustainability of agricultural crops, and the resilience of crops in the face of biotic and abiotic stresses contingent on projected climate change, are evaluated.
- Julia Bailey-Serres
- , Jane E. Parker
- & Julian I. Schroeder
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Letter |
Transcriptional regulation of nitrogen-associated metabolism and growth
The yeast one-hybrid network for nitrogen-associated metabolism in Arabidopsis reveals the transcription factors that regulate the architecture of root and shoot systems under conditions of changing nitrogen availability.
- Allison Gaudinier
- , Joel Rodriguez-Medina
- & Siobhan M. Brady
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Letter
| Open AccessGenome sequence of the progenitor of wheat A subgenome Triticum urartu
The genome sequence of Triticum urartu, the progenitor of the A subgenome of hexaploid wheat, provides insight into genome duplication during grass evolution.
- Hong-Qing Ling
- , Bin Ma
- & Chengzhi Liang
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Letter |
MicroRNAs from the parasitic plant Cuscuta campestris target host messenger RNAs
A parasitic plant produces microRNAs that target host messenger RNAs, causing them to be processed into small interfering RNAs.
- Saima Shahid
- , Gunjune Kim
- & Michael J. Axtell
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Article
| Open AccessA chromosome conformation capture ordered sequence of the barley genome
The International Barley Genome Sequencing Consortium reports sequencing and assembly of a reference genome for barley, Hordeum vulgare.
- Martin Mascher
- , Heidrun Gundlach
- & Nils Stein
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Article
| Open AccessThe genome of Chenopodium quinoa
Constructing a reference genome for quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) allows for genetic diversity during the evolution of sub-genomes in quinoa to be characterized and markers that may be used to develop sweet commercial varieties are identified.
- David E. Jarvis
- , Yung Shwen Ho
- & Mark Tester
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Letter
| Open AccessGenome sequence and genetic diversity of European ash trees
The genome sequence and genetic diversity of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) trees reveals the species’ varying susceptibility to ash dieback.
- Elizabeth S. A. Sollars
- , Andrea L. Harper
- & Richard J. A. Buggs
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Article |
Genomic architecture of heterosis for yield traits in rice
Insights into the genomic architecture of heterosis for grain yield in rice are presented, and further mapping of grain yield loci resolves candidate genes that could be useful for breeding.
- Xuehui Huang
- , Shihua Yang
- & Bin Han
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Letter |
DWARF14 is a non-canonical hormone receptor for strigolactone
Structural, biochemical, mass spectrometry and genetic analyses define Arabidopsis thaliana AtD14 as a non-canonical hormone receptor for strigolactone, which hydrolyses strigolactone into a covalently linked intermediate molecule and undergoes an open-to-closed state transition for interaction with D3 to trigger strigolactone signalling.
- Ruifeng Yao
- , Zhenhua Ming
- & Daoxin Xie
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Letter |
A faster Rubisco with potential to increase photosynthesis in crops
The plant enzyme Rubisco is the main enzyme converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into biological compounds, however, this enzymatic process is inefficient in vascular plants; this study demonstrates that tobacco plants can be engineered to fix carbon with a faster cyanobacterial Rubisco, thus potentially improving plant photosynthesis.
- Myat T. Lin
- , Alessandro Occhialini
- & Maureen R. Hanson
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Letter |
Molecular basis of adaptation to high soil boron in wheat landraces and elite cultivars
Adaptation of wheat to environments where growth is limited by boron toxicity has resulted from multiple genomic changes and selection for functionally diverse alleles.
- Margaret Pallotta
- , Thorsten Schnurbusch
- & Tim Sutton
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Letter
| Open AccessThe genome of the recently domesticated crop plant sugar beet (Beta vulgaris)
A full genome sequence is presented of sugar beet Beta vulgaris, the first plant belonging to Caryophyllales to have its genome sequenced; spinach was sequenced to enable inter-clade comparisons, and intraspecific variation was analysed by comparative genomics of a progenitor of all beet crops and additional sugar beet accessions.
- Juliane C. Dohm
- , André E. Minoche
- & Heinz Himmelbauer
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Outlook |
Plant breeding: Discovery in a dry spell
Improved crops have helped farmers maintain yields in times of drought. But as climate change looms, will the gains keep coming?
- Michael Eisenstein
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Letter
| Open AccessOil palm genome sequence reveals divergence of interfertile species in Old and New worlds
The genome sequence of the African oil palm, the main source of oil production, is used to predict at least 34,802 genes, including oil biosynthesis genes; comparison with the draft sequence of the South American oil palm reveals that the two species may have diverged in the New World and that segmental duplications of chromosome arms define the palaeotetraploid origin of palm trees.
- Rajinder Singh
- , Meilina Ong-Abdullah
- & Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi
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Letter |
The oil palm SHELL gene controls oil yield and encodes a homologue of SEEDSTICK
Genetic mapping and whole-genome sequencing studies identify the SHELL gene (a homologue of Arabidopsis SEEDSTICK) as responsible for the three different fruit forms in oil palm (Elaeis guineesis); this has important economic implications for modulating SHELL activity to breed desired fruit forms and enhance oil yields.
- Rajinder Singh
- , Eng-Ti Leslie Low
- & Robert A. Martienssen
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Letter |
Polymerase IV occupancy at RNA-directed DNA methylation sites requires SHH1
In Arabidopsis, RNA-directed DNA methylation is a poorly understood gene silencing pathway in which small interfering RNAs generated by RNA polymerase IV (Pol-IV) target a DNA methyltransferase to its sites of action; here structural and genomic analyses demonstrate that SHH binds chromatin via repressive histone modifications and recruits Pol-IV to enable siRNA production.
- Julie A. Law
- , Jiamu Du
- & Steven E. Jacobsen
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Letter
| Open AccessRepeated polyploidization of Gossypium genomes and the evolution of spinnable cotton fibres
The Gossypium genus is used to investigate emergent consequences of polyploidy in cotton species; comparative genomic analyses reveal a complex evolutionary history including interactions among subgenomes that result in genetic novelty in elite cottons and provide insight into the evolution of spinnable fibres.
- Andrew H. Paterson
- , Jonathan F. Wendel
- & Jeremy Schmutz
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News & Views |
Decoding our daily bread
The wheat genome is large and complex, and has defied complete sequencing. But the most comprehensive analysis so far of the plant's genes will support efforts to optimize the supply of this vital food crop. See Letter p.705
- Peter Langridge
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Article
| Open AccessAnalysis of the bread wheat genome using whole-genome shotgun sequencing
Sequencing of the hexaploid bread wheat genome shows that it is highly dynamic, with significant loss of gene family members on polyploidization and domestication, and an abundance of gene fragments.
- Rachel Brenchley
- , Manuel Spannagl
- & Neil Hall
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Article
| Open AccessA physical, genetic and functional sequence assembly of the barley genome
An integrated high-resolution genetic, physical and shotgun sequence assembly of the barley genome, one of the earliest domesticated and most important crops, is described; it will provide a platform for genome-assisted research and future crop improvement.
- Klaus F. X. Mayer
- , Robbie Waugh
- & Nils Stein
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Letter |
A soybean cyst nematode resistance gene points to a new mechanism of plant resistance to pathogens
This study reports the identification of the first soybean gene that has a role in resistance to soybean cyst nematode; this finding should help to improve crop resistance to nematodes.
- Shiming Liu
- , Pramod K. Kandoth
- & Khalid Meksem
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Article
| Open AccessA map of rice genome variation reveals the origin of cultivated rice
Whole-genome sequences of wild rice and cultivated rice varieties are used to produce a map of rice genome variation, and show that rice was probably first domesticated in southern China.
- Xuehui Huang
- , Nori Kurata
- & Bin Han
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News |
Maize cells produce enzyme-replacement drug
A genetic tweak keeps problematic plant sugars off therapeutic proteins.
- Monya Baker
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Research Highlights |
Engineered plants can use phosphite
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News & Views |
Rooting for more phosphorus
The identification of an enzyme in rice that confers improved plant yields on phosphorus-deficient soils could open up new avenues for generating nutrient-efficient crops that can thrive on marginally fertile soils. See Letter p.535
- Leon V. Kochian
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Letter |
Defining the core Arabidopsis thaliana root microbiome
Sequencing of the Arabidopsis thaliana root microbiome shows that its composition is strongly influenced by location, inside or outside the root, and by soil type.
- Derek S. Lundberg
- , Sarah L. Lebeis
- & Jeffery L. Dangl
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News |
Monsanto may lose GM soya royalties throughout Brazil
Farmers notch up another victory in legal fight.
- Luisa Massarani
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Letter |
Widespread adoption of Bt cotton and insecticide decrease promotes biocontrol services
The widespread use of Bt crops reduces the outbreaks of certain targeted pests and the need for insecticide use, leading to enhanced biocontrol of other potential pest species in the Bt crops; neighbouring non-Bt crops may also benefit.
- Yanhui Lu
- , Kongming Wu
- & Nicolas Desneux
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Letter
| Open AccessThe tomato genome sequence provides insights into fleshy fruit evolution
This paper reports the genome sequence of domesticated tomato, a major crop plant, and a draft sequence for its closest wild relative; comparative genomics reveal very little divergence between the two genomes but some important differences with the potato genome, another important food crop in the genus Solanum.
- Shusei Sato
- , Satoshi Tabata
- & René M. Klein Lankhorst
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Letter |
Evolution of the chalcone-isomerase fold from fatty-acid binding to stereospecific catalysis
The diffusion limited stereospecific enzyme chalcone isomerase represents the adaptive evolution of a catalytically perfected enzyme from non-catalytic, fatty-acid-binding proteins (FAPs) with contemporary roles in plant fatty-acid metabolism as evidenced by altered fatty acid content and marked reproductive defects in Arabidopsis thaliana plants bearing FAP knockouts.
- Micheline N. Ngaki
- , Gordon V. Louie
- & Joseph P. Noel
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Letter |
Transcription factor PIF4 controls the thermosensory activation of flowering
A novel mechanism by which warming temperatures can directly activate flowering in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.
- S. Vinod Kumar
- , Doris Lucyshyn
- & Philip A. Wigge
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News |
Bacterial gene helps coffee beetle get its fix
Rare example of gene transfer that provides clear evolutionary benefit.
- Melissa Lee Phillips
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News |
How the first plant came to be
A genetic analysis reveals the ancient, complex — and symbiotic — roots of photosynthesis in plants.
- David Biello
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News |
India investigates Bt cotton claims
Research council launches probe into how Monsanto gene ended up in its indigenous transgenic cotton.
- K.S. Jayaraman
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Comment |
Preventing hunger: Biotechnology is key
If African countries can't plant genetically modified crops to produce more and healthier food, vulnerable populations will be at risk, argues Calestous Juma.
- Calestous Juma
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News |
Rice seed yields blood protein
Human serum albumin from transgenic rice could ease shortages of donated blood.
- Lauren Gravitz