Although hypernodulating phenotype mutants of legumes, such as soybean, possess a high leaf N content, the large number of root nodules decreases carbohydrate availability for plant growth and seed yield. In addition, under conditions of high air vapour pressure deficit (VPD), hypernodulating plants show a limited capacity to replace water losses through transpiration, resulting in […]

Coastal plant communities globally are highly vulnerable to future sea-level rise and storm damage, but the extent to which these habitats are affected by the various environmental perturbations associated with chronic salinization remains unclear. In this study, Ury et al. examine the relationship between North Carolina wetland tree community composition and basal area change and […]

Plant modelling can efficiently support ideotype conception, particularly in multi-criteria selection contexts. This is the case for biomass sorghum, implying the need to consider traits related to biomass production and quality. This study, by Larue and colleagues, evaluated three modelling approaches for their ability to predict tiller growth, mortality and their impact, together with other […]

Juvenile-to-adult phase transition is marked by changes in leaf morphology, mostly due to the temporal development of the shoot apical meristem, a phenomenon known as heteroblasty. Sugars and microRNA-controlled modules are components of the heteroblastic process in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves. However, our understanding about their roles during phase-changing in other species, such as Passiflora edulis, […]

Davide Scaglione and colleagues have paper for anyone who needs to carry a genotyping experiment with cost-efficiency and reproducibility for population genetics and genome wide association studies.

The ability of wheat genotypes to save water by reducing their transpiration rate (TR) at times of the day with high vapour pressure deficit (VPD) has been linked to increasing yields in terminal drought environments. Further, recent evidence shows that reducing nocturnal transpiration (TRN) could amplify water saving. Previous research indicates that such traits involve […]

TraceAncestor tool used to infer phylogenomic karyotypes of the cultivated Citrus.

Functional–structural plant models (FSPMs) explicitly describe individual plant architecture, making this approach suitable for unravelling plant–plant interactions in complex canopies. Barillot et al. developed a comprehensive FSPM accounting for the interactions between plant architecture, light, soil nitrogen and the metabolism of carbon and nitrogen. The model is evaluated by simulating the functioning of post-anthesis wheat […]

Sink-source imbalance could cause accumulation of total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) and down-regulation of photosynthesis. Sugiura et al. investigate how sink-source imbalance causes photosynthetic down-regulation in soybean (Glycine max), French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and azuki bean (Vigna angularis). Among the three legume plants, maximum photosynthesis was down-regulated with increase in TNC only in French bean, whereas […]

The assertion that plants at lower latitudes should be better defended against enemies has a long historical basis but is still controversial. In the current study, Bogdziewicz et al. explore the interaction among holm oaks (Quercus ilex, Fagaceae) and seed predating weevils (Curculio spp., Coleoptera) in Spain. They show that seed size is a plant […]

Heteroblastic species show an abrupt change in morphology at a fixed ontogenetic stage, and are relatively frequent in Mediterranean type ecosystems with regular fires. Using the Restionaceae from the southern African Cape flora, Ehmig et al. investigate the potential functional significance of heteroblasty, in particular in post-fire environments. Fires result in enhanced nutrient and moisture […]

Plants take up and assimilate nitrogen (N) in the form of nitrate (NO3–) or ammonium (NH4+), or a combination of both. When oxygen availability is reduced (hypoxia), plants need to generate energy to survive and protect themselves against the hypoxia-induced damage. Wany et al. investigate the role of NO3– or NH4+ on increasing energy efficiency under hypoxia in Arabidopsis. […]