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The sequencing and draft assembly of the sweet potato genome has resolved much of its complex genetic redundancies, allowing a better inference of the botanical origin of the staple crop.
The evolutionary relationships between extinct species are almost exclusively based on the shape and structure of their fossil specimens. Now, a spectroscopic technique that records a ‘chemical fingerprint’ of fossil plant cuticles is being used to re-interpret the histories of thousands of specimens languishing in museum collections.
For multicellular organisms, long-distance communication is essential for coordination of organ growth and development. In higher plants, a dual root-to-shoot cytokinin signalling system plays a key role in adapting the growth of distant shoot organs to fluctuating environments.
Understanding the impacts of government interventions intended to support rural development — such as strengthening land rights or boosting commercial agriculture — is crucial for designing better policies. Two recent studies highlight some of the complexities in measuring outcomes for people and forests.
Recognition between proteins encoded by genes duplicated from the self-incompatibility S locus causes intraspecific unilateral incompatibility in Brassica rapa.
The nitrate signalling pathway now has a backbone. CPK calcium-dependent kinases are the long-awaited molecular link between major players in this pathway, the membrane-located nitrate transceptor NRT1.1 and the NLP transcription factors.
Plants defend themselves from invading viruses using RNA silencing. However, plant viruses try to spoil this defensive mechanism by expressing one or more proteins that act as RNA silencing suppressors. One such protein spoils plant defence by transporting the silencing signal into the peroxisomes to avoid its systemic spread.
A high-quality sunflower genome provides insight into Asterid genome evolution. Moreover, integrative analyses based on quantitative genetics, expression and diversity data uncover the gene networks and candidate genes for oil metabolism and flowering time, two important agronomic traits for sunflowers.
SHATTERING 4 is a key rice domestication gene. A non-synonymous mutation of this gene was found to be selected during Asian rice domestication as it confers non-shattering. Now, a nonsense mutation of SHATTERING 4 is shown to simultaneously result in non-shattering and small grain size during the independent domestication of African rice.
The first N-acetylglucosamine transporter to be functionally characterized in plants has an unexpected role in root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in rice.
Cell metabolism relies on redox reactions to harness energy for life. Cells need to sense and regulate their internal redox state, typically with cysteine thiols. At plastid origin, cysteine residue frequency increased in the diatom genome lineage, an evolutionary redox footprint preserved in plant DNA.
“Neither you nor I nor anyone know, how oats, peas, beans, and barley grow.” Like all fine nursery rhymes, this couplet rings true, but a new study brings us a step closer to being able to retort: “Do so!”
A genetic screen in the model panicoid grass Setaria viridis reveals the importance of the auxin transporter AUX1 for inflorescence branching in maize, highlighting how model plants can accelerate gene discovery in complex crops.
The time of flowering is important in crop production. Rice has now been genetically engineered to respond to agrochemical spraying, which results in floral induction. This research offers new perspectives to control the phenological development of crops in the field.
Resurrection plants can survive extreme drying during periods of prolonged drought stress, maintaining a quiescent state for months to years until the return of water. Analysis of the genome and transcriptome of the resurrection plant Xerophyta viscosa links the evolution of desiccation tolerance to rewired pre-existing seed pathways.
Whole plant nutrient signalling involves bidirectional exchange of signal molecules between roots and shoots. For nitrogen uptake, in addition to the root-to-shoot delivery of nitrogen-deprivation information, a shoot-to-root path is now defined.
Trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) is an essential signalling molecule in plants. A novel chemical intervention strategy to increase in planta T6P levels has now been presented, with remarkable effects on plant yield and drought tolerance.
Plant cell walls incorporate a variety of acetylated polysaccharides. In addition to enzymes catalysing acetylation (acetyltransferases), plants could produce enzymes to remove acetyl groups (acetylesterases). Previously, pectin acetylesterases were known and now a xylan acetylesterase has been identified — and it has many surprises.
The novel features of the CRISPR–Cpf1 RNA-guided endonuclease system facilitate precise and efficient genome engineering. Application of CRISPR–Cpf1 in plants shows promise for robust gene editing and regulation, opening exciting possibilities for targeted trait improvement in crops.
